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

[LuvBaloo]

Have a great weekend everyone. Tomorrow I am heading to Vancouver for a BC Lions football game with DH and our girls, and then a bit of shopping before heading home on Sunday. Its an 8 hour drive to get there, so we'll be heading out about 7 in the morning.

 

[mikamah]

Good morning, and thank you all for the good thoughts and well wishes. Again, I'm just taking it one day at a time. Wed was tough, but yesterday, I got up and did 45 min on the wii fit, and ate pretty well. I'm up 1.4 today, and I think it should be worse, so I'm hoping to stay on track this week, and not see a gain next week. Only 5 weeks til wdw, so gotta get some weight off. We just upgraded to the reg dining plan from the free counterservice, so now I need to make room for some good eating.

Congratulations to the top 10 losers last week!!! You are inspirations to us all!!
Thanks Shannon for all your hard work as our weightkeeper.
Thanks to corinnak for coaching this week. I did go through and read the last 5 pages. It's so great to see such a big group of losers!! We are well on our way to 500 pounds!

I think mikamah should get an honorable mention for the COW this week because she inspired the WISHers at the Dismeet to each their vegetables!

thanks, but it was Tigger813 who inspired us to eat our vegies. And we did!!

9/30 QOTD: Do you ever have those days when all you want to do is EAT? (that was a rhetorical question - you don't have to answer it) What do you suggest someone having a "munchy" day should do to get through it without eating off their plan?

Go to bed. Works for me since my mindless eating is usually in the evening. Exercise, get out of the house, away from the food is also a good idea.

I had to read this sentence several times for it to sink in -- Hunger is not an emergency. It's ok to feel hungry for a little while. You know when your next planned meal or snack is. Why is it you really can't wait? Are you actually thirsty and need a glass of water? Are you eating because you are stressed, good or bad? I also need to employ this more -- thinking about whether eating now will help me achieve my long term goal. Am I fueling my body, or just fooling myself?

I like this. It is so true, and when I'm having one of those days, it's not the healthy foods I'm usually wanting.

Is it too late for me to join I sure hope not!


My goals are:
*Lose 2 pounds a week for a total of 20 by the end of this challenge.
*To start moving to walk at least 4 days a week and hopefully more than that.
*To make better food choices and know when to STOP!
*To NOT quit!

Good luck to all

Welcome aboard. This is a great challenge, with lots of support and inspiration.

Jumping on to say I'm semi-proud of myself. I had set a goal of 500 minutes of exercising for Sept, and although I didn't meet it, I came close at 450, which I'm happy with since I didn't do any exercising for 5 days when I had a head cold. Next month I'm aiming for 600!

Whoo hoo!! Nice job shannon!!

10/1 QOTD: Do you plan to dress up for Halloween? If your fairy godmother showed up on the 31st and was prepared to transform you for the evening, what would your costume be?

Haven't really thought about this year but if I do, I'd wear my raggedy ann costume. If I had a fairy godmother to transform me, I'm not sure, I'll have to think about it. I like the idea of getting ariel's figure. That would work for me.

That is powerful - that is what I am lacking too -being in the "place". Those that have been there know the feeling. I need to get "that place and that feeling" back!!

It is a wonderful place to be. I don't know what needs to click to get us there, but definitely hanging in there through our ups and downs is going to help.

Tough day today -- my Dad had surgery to remove a tumor from his colon. But, he came through it very well considering he's still recovering from the stroke he had in early August (that's also when they discovered his tumor - so I guess the stroke was almost a blessing in disguise - because the man never went to the doctor unless he was really sick). Phew - that's done and baring no complications, he should be released from the hospital on Sunday. His prognosis looks pretty good - but we'll know more when his pathology report comes back next week. So, I didn't get a chance to get to the gym - but I did walk a mile this morning (WATP) before heading over to the hospital to sit with my Mom while Dad was in surgery.

So sorry about your dad. Glad his surgery went well, and I"m sending prayers he has an uneventful recovery. Take care.

Have a great weekend everyone. Tomorrow I am heading to Vancouver for a BC Lions football game with DH and our girls, and then a bit of shopping before heading home on Sunday. Its an 8 hour drive to get there, so we'll be heading out about 7 in the morning.

Have a fabulous trip.

Shelwelch and Luvbaloo- love seeing your family halloween pics. What awesome costumes you made.

Good luck everyone!

 

[anut4disney]

COW 4

THis week's COW starts on tomorrow 10/2/09 and will run until midnight Thursday 10/8/09.


SInce most people feel that 4 is the limit to keep in mind for the COW this week I will start to take some away and add new ones.

YOu get 1 point for each day you follow the COW


Spend 5 minutes a day doing something special for yourself. Sit and read, do some needlework, take a bubble bath. Just something for yourself (1 point for each day)
Floss at least once a day
Eat at least 2 vegetables a day.(1 point for each day you eat 2 veggies)
Spend 10 minutes a day exercising It doesn't matter if it is running, walking, yoga or strength training. Just MOVE (1 point for each day)


On Friday 10/9/09 send me

XX days doing something for yourself
XX days flossing
XX days eating 2 veggies
XX days exercising

Thanks and enjoy the COW

DOn't forget to send me your COW3 points tomorrow so I can post results on Tuesday

Glad you added exercising. Hopefully this will get me motivated to exercise.

I have a monthly/weekly organizer that I bought when dh was sick (meet the most forgetful person in the world, only way I could keep up with everything) and at the beginning of the COW I write the challange down for the week. Then each day day I only have to check it off for that day. Every week is in a different color ink so I don't get confused. I seem to do better when I can put a check by something at the end of the day.

 

[jennz]

Steve - you could be Captain Hook

Hello everyone - got some great ideas for not eating...thanks for sharing all your tips! I especially like "hunger is not an emergency" (I'm not on Survivor lol) and that if a snack doesn't work it's not hunger.

pjilla - I'm like you - if I don't get my exercise in the morning it doesn't get done.

Love the new cow, I was just thinking I need to commit to minutes of exercise...

DDs been sick all week and it's not been my best week up 2 pounds ...time to move on.

 

[BilltM]

Well, down a little (a pound +) for the week. I thought it would have been more since I've been sick with the flu/cold since Monday night. Haven't eaten much but still taking in H20 when I can. I don't feel very hungry and my body doesn't seem to mind.

 

[Colleen27]

Checking in again after a busy and unfortunately undisciplined week. Saturday night in a hotel, Sunday at Ren Fest, DD1 swim lessons Monday, DD8 soccer Tuesday & Wednesday, DS11 scouts on Wednesday, DD8 scouts on Thursday plus DH working long hours on what is probably his last big roofing job of the season made for too many take-out dinners. Plus the weather here has started to turn cold, so I've been reluctant to go out for the long walks I've been taking, only going a mile or so instead of the 3-4 I had been doing before this cold snap.

I'm thinking a lot right now about how to make exercise possible during the cooler months, and I'm not quite sure how I'll tackle that obstacle. We're getting the kids a Wii for Christmas, so after that the Wii Fit will be an option, but in the meantime I have to find something that works for me without being out in the cold.

I have been working on outfits for my girls for our trip, which we pushed up to December, and Halloween costumes, so that's been keeping my hands busy at least and helping me avoid the mindless snacking. I never thought of a craft table as a weight loss tool, but that's how it is working out for me.

9/29 QOTD: It's important to find new ways to make our foods flavorful and interesting without adding a lot of calories. One of the best ways to do this is with herbs and spices. Do you have a favorite herb, spice or other seasoning?

I love spicy food, so cajun seasoning, the spicy Mrs Dash, and plain old red pepper flakes get a lot of use here. Not calorie free but lo-cal and non-fat, taco sauce, Frank's Red Hot, and wasabi paste also find their way into a lot of meals, especially lunches when I'm cooking just for myself.

9/29 QOTD: What part of your body do you like right now? What can you do to nurture or show off that body part this week?

My hair. I've never been one to care much about appearances, but I do love my long, straight hair. I've been thinking about going back to adding a little color to it, which might be a nice "me time" thing this week.

9/30 QOTD: Do you ever have those days when all you want to do is EAT? (that was a rhetorical question - you don't have to answer it) What do you suggest someone having a "munchy" day should do to get through it without eating off their plan?

For me, it is usually boredom, so the trick is to find something to do - a craft, a household project, a walk, whatever. If that doesn't work, I get out the air popper and make some popcorn for a low-cal crunchy fix.

10/1 QOTD: Do you plan to dress up for Halloween? If your fairy godmother showed up on the 31st and was prepared to transform you for the evening, what would your costume be?

I haven't dressed up in years, but if my FG asked I'd have her conjure me up a good Victorian vampire costume to go with the haunted house atmosphere we're working on creating, since I'll probably be the one staying home to pass out candy.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I've been sick as well. (Kind of scary that so many people are ill with colds/flus this early in the season!) I managed to lose .6 lb, which isn't that great, but I was happy with any loss at all. I hope I can do a little better this week with my exercise and water intake as I know it was lacking over the last few days.

 

[Raenstoirm]

I'd like to dress up for Halloween but we are stumped for Disney ideas. It's me, DW and DD3. We can't think of a Disney trio where the little one isn't a boy.

If you want to be a little "out there" you could go as Bernard, Miss Bianca and Penny. Or make your wife a boy and go as Sully, Mike and Boo. Or Walle, Eve and the plant (or if you want to have more fun, make your daughter Walle's pet cockroach). Told you my ideas were out there!

 

[lisaviolet]

Well, down a little (a pound +) for the week. I thought it would have been more since I've been sick with the flu/cold since Monday night. Haven't eaten much but still taking in H20 when I can. I don't feel very hungry and my body doesn't seem to mind.

I've been sick as well. (Kind of scary that so many people are ill with colds/flus this early in the season!) I managed to lose .6 lb, which isn't that great, but I was happy with any loss at all. I hope I can do a little better this week with my exercise and water intake as I know it was lacking over the last few days.

I hope you both are better soon.

Shelley and Shannon - loved the pictures. Loved the costumes. I wish I could click my fingers and be a MNSSHP pronto. Especially to see the boys with the shovels. I know it is Disney - but that performance is both sexy and mesmerizing.

Shannon - have fun at the game.

I'm down 2.8 and thrilled.

Have a good weekend everyone.

 

[sskem96]

Down 2.6 for this week and got my 10% award at WW! I only need to lose 0.4# to earn my 20# award next week!

I've been off work all week, and now have to work 40 hours in the next 4 days, which always keeps me from eating too much. There's rarely time for a meal break at work. Trying to finish up the housework before DH gets home from work so I can take a nap after dinner. I told the family after today I'm on strike for 4 days and they need to keep the house picked up because my parents are coming to take us out for dinner on Sunday. DH has the weekend off, so hopefully they'll all pitch in. I was hoping to have all the laundry done by now, but one of the cats got sick on DD10's bed, so that's 2 extra loads I hadn't counted on! No idea where we're going to eat yet. My parents usually like to go to Culver's when they come to town, and that's safe for me because I can get a pork BBQ sandwich with green beans for my side.

 

[tigger813]

only down 1.8 for the week which isn't bad considering I was up 2 lbs after last weekend! continuing with my water and veggies today!

 

[BilltM]

I've been sick as well. (Kind of scary that so many people are ill with colds/flus this early in the season!)

I agree its to early. I was planning to schedule a flu shot in the next week or so. Now I have to wait. I had the H1N1 symptoms (based on a news article). Sore throat, chills, fever. Now I have the persistent cough & runny nose symptoms.

 

[anut4disney]

Up ½ lb., so disappointed. I guess I need to try a lot harder than I have been.

Good luck everyone else.

 

[50sjayne]

We like to go as a pirate family every year! My mom made costumes for a surprise MNSSHP trip in 2007. Pirate wench is my game (you know like the red dress lady- Scarlett)... some years I lose weight and DH says the cleavage isn't as good, but I can't keep the extra weight for that one night! Am I am sooo not joking...

You guys are really cute

 

[50sjayne]

I'll probably dress up again this year. I think its fun. Last year while DH was out with the kids, I put on my Lady (Lord & Lady type, not Lady & Tramp!) and surprised the kids by being in costume when they came back. It was fun, and our oldest DD & I went back out so she could do more trick or treating.
Here's a picture of one of my favourite Halloween's when we were at WDW in 2006.

Usually I make the kids costumes, and those Canadian royalty ones I made. The kids actually is based on Disney princess pattern, with Snow White style sleeves and Cinderella style skirts.
Here's one of us as pirates. Our headscarves are canadian maple leaf pattern

I like sewing costumes outfits, so I'd want fairy godmother to use her power to do all the housework, get all the supplies I'd need and give me an extra couple days to make the costumes myself that way I get the enjoyment. And I would make the whole family gypsies!

btw a big part of why I started sewing for the kids, is that the store bought ones are not designed for the cold weather. Some years we have snow on the ground for Halloween, so kids have to be able to wear a winter coat or a couple sweaters under their costumes. This year one is a fairy, but she'll have long sleeves and pants with a skirt on top!



Eeyore's Butterfly - hope you feel better soon

NCTink - hope your dad recuperates quickly


pjlla - I hope you find the fun in dressing up! I made a stew in the crockpot the other day, and its a hit with the kids (last year they didn't like it). I made a low-point vegetable beef stew. Just a bit of beef, beef broth, some potatoes, carrots, green beans, wax beans, peas and corn. I think it came out to 4 points a bowl.

shewelch - great family picture!

Ohmygosh more cuteness abounds....

 

[50sjayne]

Well I'm even Steven this week, that's fine I'll take it and try to find less caloric ways to eat veggies this week.
We went to take a late night walk last night and was looking for a coat for my son and found one he hasn't worn in years so that is encouraging. We had a talk about him losing some weight and came up with some good ideas including him suggesting he swim once a week at least. Awesome.

 

[disneychrista]

I am down 1# this week. I wish it were more and not sure how to get it to be more...it is TOM for me, so hopefully next week will show more....It is very frustrating that my weight loss is so slow now. But I am not going to let it get me down. I am going to continue to work at this.

 

[lisaviolet]

Down 2.6 for this week and got my 10% award at WW! I only need to lose 0.4# to earn my 20# award next week!
.

That's fantastic. Congratulations.

only down 1.8 for the week which isn't bad considering I was up 2 lbs after last weekend! continuing with my water and veggies today!

Up ½ lb., so disappointed. I guess I need to try a lot harder than I have been.

Good luck everyone else.

Okay - you two. Here I go. I know we don't know each other. I have no idea how long your journey has been. So forgive me if this comes off at all patronizing. I don't mean it to be.

I've been doing this for quite awhile (slow loss - years ) and am around 70 pounds down (I was never on a scale in the beginning - so I only know at least 70).

And a couple of things that I've learned.

TIgger!!!!! Stop with the only. Only? This is a journey and there are weeks where you or many of us would kill for a 1.8. 1.8 in one week is fantastic. Really great. So congratulations.

And anut4disney - I know it's disappointing to not see a loss. But it could be nothing. Absolutely nothing. It could be something not digesting properly. And even if it's not "nothing" - all that matters is the big picture - heading down in general. That's all. We will have weeks of maintaining - undestimated/underappreciated feat in my opinion. And we will all have gains at some point. That is part of a successful journey.

Okay - shutting up. Just sending to you both.

 

[pjlla]

Well... I'm finally here. I went on a field trip today so I didn't have time this morning to post my weight. I am a SAMER this week. A bit disappointed by it, but I won't let it bug me too much.

I'm off for my "Friday splurge" (movie theater popcorn while we watch Toy Story I and II)!! ...........................P

 

[sahbushka]

I had a very nice loss this week! Hope a lot of the rest of you did too, but even if you didn't lets keep on keeping on and it will come off! It's deffinitely a journey and we can do it!

Sarah