Biggest Loser 8 Fall Challenge -- for losers and maintainers!

[BilltM]

Friday's QOTD:

List the top 5 things that you have always wanted to learn how to do or know more about.

(1) Know more about my family history
(2) Learn more about electrical & plumbling repair for homeowners
(3) Learn the guitar and harmonica
(4) Learn a second language (my parents both knew Polish)
(5) Learn some form of martial arts

 

[mullysisters]

donac - I just read your post and it reminded me of something that happened at WDW last year for my 50th.
We were at The Biergarten for lunch (buffet-what else) The menu said there was pickled/smoked fish, we dont eat any meat, so we though that would be great.
When we got to the buffet there was only meat and lovely salads but no fish.
There was a CM/kitchen staff standing behind the counter and I asked him for the fish, "only at dinner" I was told.
After sitting down the same CM/kitchen staffer showed up at our table with a large platter filled with every kind of smoked and pickled fish they served!
We started talking and he said he he was from Jersey, we had the most wonderful visit with him!! He told us " if anyone ever tells you they are from Jersey, you should say - what exit!" Now that has become a family expression. Such a great person, and a great memory.

 

[ohMom]

dona -- KUDOS for giving you day to Project Linus!

 

[disneychrista]

List the top 5 things that you have always wanted to learn how to do or know more about.

AM I the only one who doesn't have a list like this..

Nope! I don't have a list either. There are places I would like to visit but nothing that I want to learn really. Other than maybe how to eat, drink & exercise to get to and maintain the weight I want to be w/o having to constantaly think about it. ;

 

[Colleen27]

Friday's QOTD:

List the top 5 things that you have always wanted to learn how to do or know more about.

1) I would love to master the piano. Growing up, I played 6 instruments, all woodwinds, and never could seem to develop the same proficiency on piano. Now that I have a formal dining room, guess what is on my Christmas list?

2) Even though it is one of my hobbies and I've spent years at it, there is still a ton I want to learn about organic/natural gardening.

3) I want to develop my photography skills. I get decent shots now, but it kind of feels accidental and I don't have a thorough understanding of the many, many settings on my dSLR yet.

4) I would like to become fluent in Japanese. I can read some and know a few words here and there, thanks to an obsession with Japanese comics when I was in college, but I'd really like to learn the language well enough to use (on a trip to Tokyo Disney, of course ).

5) Someday I would like to trace my family's genealogy back to the "old country" and see the places in Poland and Ireland that my great grandparents came from.

 

[Colleen27]

1. Gardening (have a black thumb so I want to just learn how to do it, but also do it organically, along with how to attract butterflies and birds).

The best way to learn is just to jump in!

I started out with a few tomato & pepper plants a decade ago; now I keep about 250sq ft of veggies, a berry patch, butterfly garden, and am learning espalier to grow fruit in limited space. The newest challenge- Victorian garden design! Once DH restores/expands the porch here, we're completely removing our small front lawn in favor of a Victorian/cottage style garden to match the age & style of the house. Starting over on a new patch of land was one of the most exciting and most frustrating (because we didn't close until July, too late to get a real start this year) parts of moving.

 

[pjlla]

THis is my community service weekend. Today I am going to help my niece with her Girl SCout Gold award. She is doing a blanket day for Project Linus. SHe called last night and was worried that she would not get any blankets done. She has nothing to worry about. Her grandmother has at least 50 blankets ready if not more. I have 25 that I am bringing and if no one show up then I will just sit and sew for the entire day and get a few more done. I have at least 10 tops that need to be quilted.

Thanks to you and your niece and her grandmother for doing this project. My DD received a blanket from Project Linus a few years ago during a hospitalization after emergency surgery. She loved having that blanket with her in the hospital and she still sleeps with it EVERY NIGHT! We call it "sicky blankie" because she got it when she was sick. I've always wanted to make a few blankets for the project as a "return the favor" sort of thing, but of course, I've never actually done it.

Friday's QOTD:

List the top 5 things that you have always wanted to learn how to do or know more about.

1. I want to learn how to convince DH that we need to travel more. I am a frustrated "world traveler wanna-be" married to a "happy to sit at home in the Lazy boy" type. How did that happen??

2. I would like to learn more scrapbooking techniques. Not necessary the complicated, time-consuming paper piecing type things, but definitely more unique things. I am starting to think that after 15+ years of scrapping that my pages are just BORING.

3. Like others have said, I would like to learn more sign language. I took a community course in about 1987 and it was GREAT. And DS's best friend's mom is a ASL teacher (among other things), so you would think I would have hopped on that by now, but NO. Maybe someday I'll ask her to teach me.

4. I would like to enjoy cooking more. I really hate it and it makes three meals a day a real chore. I don't necessarily want to be a fancy cook or anything, but I'd like to learn to enjoy it more.

5. I would like to know more about how to motivate my kids without yelling, screaming, threatening punishment, etc. DD is VERY self-motivated with school work and is a straight A student, but she is VERY disorganized and a horrible slob, which causes me lots of stress. DS is not at all self-motivated with school work and does about the bare minimum to get by (although he is very bright and makes honor roll occasionally). While he is less of a slob, he is difficult to motivate when it comes to homework and studying. I find that I am the big meany in these cases, having to threaten, etc to get them to do what needs to be done. I would like to be a quiet, calmer person while still getting them to understand what MUST be done.

I haven't seen today's QOTD yet... maybe I am just too early.

Anyhow, many of you asked for my breakfast cookie recipe. Don't be put off by the very long list of ingredients... they come together very quickly. I am posting my original recipe followed by the recent modifications I made. It is one of those "use what you have on hand" type recipes.

Pamela's apple cinnamon breakfast cookies

1 1/4 C white flour = 10 pt (you could try whole wheat)

1/2 C white sugar = 8 pt

1/2 C Splenda (I am planning to eliminate this next time) = 0 pt

1/2 tsp. salt = 0 pt

1/2 tsp. baking powder = 0 pt

1/2 C skim milk = 1 pt (I used nonfat soy milk this last time... just fine)

1 Tb. soy flour (instead of egg) = .75 pt

1 Tb. water = 0 pt

6 Tb. Benefiber (probably not necessary if you use high fiber cereal) = 0 pt

1 tsp. cinnamon = 0 pt (I used 2 tsp of apple pie spice last time... yum)

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla = 0 pt

2/3 C natural applesauce = 1.5 pt (you could experiment with other no-sugar fruit sauces)

2 Tb. canola oil = 6 pt (I didn't use this last time and they were just fine)

1 C crushed Go-Lean and 1 C crushed Go-Lean Crunch = 5 pt (I used half FiberOne and half Crunchy Corn bran last time... they were just as good, but remember changing the cereal will probably change the points)

1 chopped apple = 1 pt (washed and cored, but not peeled... raisins might also be a nice addition, but remember to add the extra points)

Combine the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry in another bowl. Add the wet to the dry, and combine. Fold in the chopped apple.

Drop onto a cookie sheet sprayed with nonstick spray. Bake at 350° for 13-15 minutes. They will not spread a lot and will still be moist inside. This should make 20 cookies.

With 20 cookies the original recipe (rounded up) to 1.7 points per cookie. You could round all the way up to 2 pts per cookie.

Second batch modifications I made included the apple pie spice instead of just cinnamon, peach applesauce, NO oil at all, and 1 C of crushed FiberOne and 1 C crushed Crunchy Corn bran cereal. This recipe worked out to be 1.3 points per cookie (with 20 cookies).

They don't last well in the cupboard, so refrigerate them or freeze them after they are cooled. I am individually wrapping some in saran wrap and putting them in the freezer to grab on days when the mornings are crazy. I can let it defrost on my desk or microwave it quickly.

There are LOADS of modifications that could be made to this recipe... I included the points for each ingredient so that you can be sure to modify the points as you modify the recipe.

If anyone sees any glaring errors in my points and/or my math, please don't hesitate to let me know... my feelings won't be hurt. Math and numbers are definitely a problem area for me.

Off to get dressed for DS's soccer game!..........................P

 

[mikamah]

kadfjldjflkdsjfld;ksfj;ldasfj!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No I'm not crazy. I just lost an entire multi post reply. I hate that. Just as I pushed the old send.

Okay, I'm getting over it.

So congratulations to everyone. Maintaining is success to me. And gaining - well we will all do it on this journey and here's to a new week.

I'm down 2.4. Happy but need to learn how not to make the scale a shrine of good and bad. My lesson.

I hate when your post disappears. It never disappears on a quick short note does it.

Congrats on the 2.4!! Love your positive attitude, lisa.

I lost 1.6 pounds this week and am now within 10 pounds of my stated goal. I earned 44 activity points in the past week as well!.

Whoo hoo!! nice loss. You were moving this week. I don't think I"ve ever gotten more than 20. Nice work.

I had a terribly stressful day (my horse was injured-he's okay, I think) but on the plus side I did not (as I usually do) ease my stress by eating.
.

Sorry about your horse, and hope he's doing ok now. good job not turning to food. It's so hard to do that when we are under stress.

5. I want to learn to swim. I don't do water. I'm pretty sure I drowned in a past life or something. Well maybe I don't want to learn to swim, heck I've gone 35 years without knowing I can go 35 more, but I wish I had learned when I was younger.
I would go in a pool in a heartbeat as a teen but now I freak, not totally freak but I run all the horrible things that can happen over and over in my head. Like how would I save my kids if we were in a pool or we crashed in a lake or something. I hate that I have past that fear onto my kids too. None of them can swim and I just can't get past it to sign them up for lessons. Probably because if I do they would want to swim somewhere and I would be helpless to save them if something goes wrong.

I am the same way with swimming, but had the opposite effect on my kid. I put him in lessons early, so he would know how to swim, but now he's so comfortable in the water, and I am not, it's kind of scary at times becaus he's young, and thinks he can do anything, so i need to keep him grounded sometimes. So far, we don't go in water above my head, so I'm ok, but when the water is over my head, i panic. We always sit near the lifeguard at the beach. I forgot about swimming when i answered the qotd.

AM I the only one who doesn't have a list like this. I had always wanted to learn to play the piano so when I was in my 40 I took lessons for about 3 years. I haven't played in years but I did do something I always wanted to.

I guess anything that I want to learn I just do but maybe it is time I started thinking about this.

COngrats to all the winners last week. I dropped just a little but this week I am getting ready to commit to more exercise.

congrats on your loss dona. When I first read the qotd, photography was the only thing I thought of, but it made me think about other times I'd wished I knew how to do something. I should start writing things down, so once my son is grown, I can work on them.

I woke up, and wasn't going to come on the computer, figuring we'd get outside in the beautiful day, but the dis is like a magnet to me. So I'm all caught up now, and I'm shutting the computer off til tonight. Have a great day all.

 

[LuvBaloo]

Good morning everybody

I'm happy I've got a working WiiFit again. But not happy that I've got a 0.4pound gain. Oh well, the last couple days were rough with a head cold, and I know I can do better

 

[MelanieC]

Hi everyone,
Sorry I was MIA yesterday. I went home from work early yesterday and spent the entire day lounging and sleeping. My stomach was totally off yesterday.

I gained 1 pound this week, but its totally expected and I'm surprised that is all I gained. Yep - I admit it, I was a bad girl this past week. I'm hoping that this week is a GREAT week. Breakfast was good for me today. Now I just have to go track the calories. I think that is a big key. I've also got to figure out what we are eating today. DH is at Guards, so I have to make sure to get a healthy meal on the table tonight.

Saturday QOTD:

What are your favorite go to breakfasts while losing weight or maintaining?


Mine are:

Smoothie - 1 cup yogurt, 1 frozen banana, 140 g of any frozen fruit. (Sometimes I don't do the fruit and add canned pumpkin, almond butter, coconut butter, coconut meat and coconut water, oatmeal, fresh fruit or use your imagination)

1 whole egg, 2 egg whites scrambled and put on sprouted grain ezekiel muffin with a small amount of soft cheese like goat cheese or feta.

oatmeal with fruit, nutbutters, coconut butter, etc.

 

[mullysisters]

My breakfast is always the same;

2 eggs(free range)
2 strips Yves veggie bacon
1 slice light cheese
1 TBsp dried kale
Cooked in the microwave and put on an English Muffin


Sis makes a fruit smoothie.

 

[wildfan1473]

A day late and a dollar short...now if only I could have lost a pound!

Friday's QOTD:

List the top 5 things that you have always wanted to learn how to do or know more about.

1. My family history. I was enlisted to do some research on a branch of DH's family this summer, and it was fascinating. No one has done our family yet.

2. Learn how to play golf. (Never thought I'd say that!)

3. Play the piano

4. Organize the playroom so it gets better utilized

5. Digital scrapbook - I have no creativity whatsoever

Saturday QOTD:

What are your favorite go to breakfasts while losing weight or maintaining?

Hmmm, that would probably be a peanut butter/banana/rice milk smoothie, or a fruit & yogurt smoothie. Although, I am finding the fruit smoothie doesn't fill me up enough.

 

[Northern_Julie]

What are your favorite go to breakfasts while losing weight or maintaining?

I am playing with smoothies a lot too! Such a good way to get in the fruits and I add a little protien powder. My favorite creation at the moment is lemon yogurt, bananas, blueberries and soy milk. I like it because it is easy to get down and can be varied so easily.

 

[corinnak]

Saturday QOTD:

What are your favorite go to breakfasts while losing weight or maintaining?

Great question! I find cold cereal to be too addictive, so I've been avoid it since January.

I usually have 1/2 c. oatmeal, cooked with a little salt, cinnamon and vanilla, topped with frozen berries or other fruit = 1 point, 1/2T Flax seed and 1T chia seed.

I also like a low fat nutrigrain waffle with 1/2T peanut butter and a glass of milk.

This is good any time of the day or night: 1/2 cup Southwestern Eggbeaters on a whole wheat pita with a wedge of laughing cow light cheese. Top with a little salsa and mmmmm. I also add some tomato, green pepper and lettuce if I'm feeling fancy!

Unfortunately, it seems like I've been eating a lot of Luna bars lately, because they sit better if I'm heading out for a run, which I usually am. Beware the chocolate brownie flavor - they are tasty but 4 points instead of 3, for any WWers out there. Most of the others are 3 points. I am not sure of the healthfulness of this choice, but it does work out OK for the runs.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Hey guys, sorry I've been MIA, I have been so stressed out. I ended up gaining 3 pounds because I ate to get through the stress.

On the good news front, I did earn my red belt. that was a lot of fun! BUT I held back at the beginning of testing so I would have enough steam left for the end, and I felt like I cheated myself. so proud and dissapointed at the same time.

On the interview front... the interview went OK, I was told that the candidates are so close, hard to make the call as to which would be best for the department, so they are going to probably go to a panel of nurses from the department for a second step interview. Ugghhh, I REALLY want this job, just frustrating to have to keep waiting and worrying and wondering. And it is hard to get time off for interviewing, that adds to the stress too.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE send more pixie dust my way!

Friday's QOTD:

5 things I would like to learn or know more about:

1. astronomy (love to watch the skies)

2. More about the digiatal world (DVR's, MP3's, Ipods etc) I still have a tape player in my car!

3. I would like to be more adventurous in sports (rock climbing comes to mind)

(have to think about 2 more)


And Breakfast QOTD

Mon-Fri always the same...

3 scrambled eggs, and milk. (the dietician said this is just right for me, and I agree, it keeps me full)

 

[50sjayne]

Saturday QOTD:

What are your favorite go to breakfasts while losing weight or maintaining?

I'm a big fan of breakfast- I like bagels and hummus, cereal with berries, on my days off I might occasionally make a big scrambled egg/omelet sort of thingy with spinache, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and cheese.I'll make this huge and eat it 2-3 days.
I like english muffins and really lean bacon as sides and orange juice. I work at a meat counter so I can always get really nice bacon. Sometimes I put crab or shrimp in the omelet/scrambled egg thingy. I like smoothies too- mine are usually yogurt, berries, a banana, a little milk and some flax seed. A little honey for sweetness. I use honey for sweetening almost everything now. Well, I do use one sweetener a day in my coffe but that's it. I've always liked my coffee very sweet.

**Just wanted to add. We had whole coho at the store for $5.99 lb I filleted myself a tail and a customer came in only wanting a small amount so I just sold her one of my fillets and then only had a little over a pound of fish to work with so I decided to make salmon melt with what I ended up with. I steamed the salmon with dill and lemon, then mixed the salmon with more lemon juice, some garlic, mayonaise and a little salt then toasted some english muffins and put the salmon on the muffins with some grated smoked cheese and some muenster and--ooh it was good. I should have only had 2 but had 3 because they were so danged good.

 

[Colleen27]

Saturday QOTD:

What are your favorite go to breakfasts while losing weight or maintaining?

Breakfast is actually one of my trouble spots. I don't eat most traditional breakfast foods and mornings tend to be so crazy that eating takes a backseat, which isn't good because then I end up grabbing something quick & junkie and/or overeating because I'm starving by the time I do get around to a meal. This is probably going to sound a little odd, but I've been grabbing a cup of lowfat, organic strawberry yogurt and one of DD1's arrowroot cookies for breakfast this past week. Just that little something light and sweet seems to make a big difference in getting the day started right.

 

[pjlla]

Saturday QOTD:

What are your favorite go to breakfasts while losing weight or maintaining?

Well...my "usual" bkfst I can do without even thinking is a toasted 100 calorie/high fiber english muffin topped with 1 TB of peanut butter/tofu (from the BL book), and a cup of sugar free/caffeine free French Vanilla Cafe (my one last artificial sweetener holdout). Sometimes I top the peanut butter with a half a banana, sliced. And I start the day with 8 oz of V-8 several days a week. But I've been trying to add more protein and more variety lately.

If I have time I cook up three egg whites with veggies... one day this week I topped the scrambled eggs with sauteed mushrooms and green peppers. Another day I made an omelet and filled it with sauteed spinach. I have the eggs with 1/2 a 100 cal english muffin and my previously mentioned French Vanilla. I do like cereals (FiberOne, Crunchy Corn bran, and Go-Lean), but I find that they don't keep me full enough. I also like 1/2 C lowfat Stonyfield French vanilla yogurt topped with 1/4 C FiberOne cereal and fresh fruit.... strawberries, blueberries, peach, banana, pineapple are the usuals. But that tends to be a "summer" breakfast because of the fresh fruit.

Well... I'm off to do laundry and some scrapbooking...........P

 

[disneychrista]

Saturday QOTD:

What are your favorite go to breakfasts while losing weight or maintaining?

My usually is 1 cup of ceral w/ 1/2 cup skim milk. I dont usually have a lot of time in the mornings...so this is quick & easy.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I am the same way with swimming, but had the opposite effect on my kid. I put him in lessons early, so he would know how to swim, but now he's so comfortable in the water, and I am not, it's kind of scary at times becaus he's young, and thinks he can do anything, so i need to keep him grounded sometimes. So far, we don't go in water above my head, so I'm ok, but when the water is over my head, i panic. We always sit near the lifeguard at the beach. I forgot about swimming when i answered the qotd.

I'll get there eventually, glad I'm not the only one though!

He told us " if anyone ever tells you they are from Jersey, you should say - what exit!" Now that has become a family expression. Such a great person, and a great memory.

exit 4 in the house!!!!!!


Saturday QOTD:

What are your favorite go to breakfasts while losing weight or maintaining?



honey nut cheerios and raisins and spice oatmeal.

This is a part of my problem with the weight loss, I just can't wrap my brain around new foods and needing to know calories and fat content so I eat the same stuff til I get board then fall of the wagon. I need to do something different!