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

[labordefam3]

The Wii Fit Plus is a new game disc. It has all of the old games from the Wii Fit PLUS 15 new games. You can also do a 3 activity routine. When you load the disk for the first time it will gather your old information and Miis from the old game. I am quite impressed with it and am headed down shortly to do some old and new stuff! It's only $20!

Thanks so much. You're right, that doesn't sound like a bad deal all. Will most definitely put it on my list of must haves.

 

[donac]

I am so sorry. I meant to post the results on Tuesday. I was going to do it and then I fell asleep and forgot all about it. Last night I had a doctor's appointment so I couldn't even think about it. At least this time the appointment only lasted 1 hour instead of 2 like last time.

Results from COW 3 are as follows.

We had 20 people who participated.

Thanks to
anut4disney
billtM
devonsmommy
HallsInThe Kingdom
princessbride6205
sskem96
thelionqueen

for being involved with COW3

Here are the top winners for COW3

5th Place with 23 points
jimmduck
lisah0711
luvBaloo
NC_Tink
wdwscout

4th Place with 24 points
mullysisters
worfiedoodles

3rd Place with 25 points
donac
Ronda93

2nd Place with 26 Points
cindylou
Redwalker
tigger813

And our 1st Place with a Perfect SCore of 28
50sjayne

COW 5


THis week's COW starts on tomorrow 10/9/09 and will run until midnight Thursday 10/15/09.


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


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)
Eat at least 1 fruit each day (1 point for each day you do)


On Friday 10/16/09 send me

XX days flossing
XX days eating 2 veggies
XX days exercising
XX days of eating 1 fruit

Thanks and enjoy the COW

DOn't forget to send me your COW4 points tomorrow so I can post results on Tuesday

 

[donac]

I didn't get to answer a couple of questions this week

For Wednesdays QOTD:

Pick your favorite Disney spot (WDW, DLR, Castaway Cay, DCL, etc) WHERE WOULD YOU BE RIGHT NOW???? What would you be doing, give us details!

AND how do you envision your next trip to WDW/DLR/DCL to be different after your successful weight loss journey?

I would be in WDW in MK getting ready to ride TTA since it wasn't open when we went in AUg.

The only thing that would be different is that I would like my picture taken more than in the past. This is hard though since I am the family photographer. We did get a couple of shots in AUg in AK. WE got one with Baloo and one with KIng Louie

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Hey everyone! First thank you for all your kind words, and letting me be the coach this week. I've enjoyed myself and realize how much I NEED to be on WISH! That is what I learned this week, and I won't be a stranger any more!

Health update: OK, I am glad I went to the MD, because I am SOOOOOO relieved, it isn't anything serious! When I would lay down at night, I would hear a "wooshing" in my left ear, basicly I could hear the blood flow in my ear from the carotid artery. Sometimes it went away quicly, but lately it was getting worse, and waking me up at night. I did research online and more often than not it was related to carotid artery disease, so of course being the nurse I am I thought the worst. A friend's dad had something similar and they wisked him off to surgery. Neeldess to say I was quite scared. Turns out that there is a build up of fluid in the ear. I need to take decongestants to try and get rid of it. WOW, all that worry for something really minor. I am so glad I went in and got everything looked at today. And since I made it also a wellness visit that we have to do once a year, the visit was FREE!!!!! Even better! thank you for your prayers. They really helped me find comfort as I headed to the doctor.

Now, I know that someone else is taking over as the coach tomorrow, so welcome to the new coach, I am not sure if I need to post a QOTD for tomorrow or not, so just in case, I will post a bonus question:

QOTD: Inspired by my scare...

What is your MAIN reason for wanting to loose weight, is it health related? If not that is totally OK! Focusing on health... how will your personal health history benefit from weight loss?

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

QOTD: Inspired by my scare...

What is your MAIN reason for wanting to loose weight, is it health related? If not that is totally OK! Focusing on health... how will your personal health history benefit from weight loss?

I honestly don't know what my main reason for losing weight is. Perhaps that is why I have struggled so much because I don't have a reason that is strong enough to make me want it enough to put in the hard work. (I do believe this is an AHA moment right now) I have lots of reasons, but nothing that is really motivating me. When I won the Biggest loser competition through my DH's work, it wasn't health related or any other reason that made me do it. It was purely, and entirely the fact that I wanted to win! I am so competitive. I won $ and bragging rights. I need to find something like that again. the money was a motivator, but really just the desire to be the winner was the biggest thing. For my health history, I would benefit with lower BP's, my joints wouldn't hurt, and I would go to the doctor when something is wrong, and not hide from embarassment. Hopefully I would hold off any cardiace disease (history in my family), or other catastrophic illnesses.

I think it is time for me to really focus on finding a reason and a motivator, my life and health do depend on it.

 

[tigger813]

What is your MAIN reason for wanting to loose weight, is it health related? If not that is totally OK! Focusing on health... how will your personal health history benefit from weight loss?

Part of mine is health related. My LDL level is 5 points over what it should be and I need to retest next month. My cholesterol was 199 down from 234 so I hope to get that down again too. I also want to look good in my clothes and feel better about myself. I feel so much better about a lot of things since working out and eating better. I have cut down to 1 soda a day and drink lots of water. I've also discovered veggies that I like.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Went to the urgen care place today. No word on exactly what it is I have that has me coughing so much, but I did get a new medicine so hopefully it helps. I am also not going to be working at Worlds of Fun tomorrow or Saturday, so hopefully having a day of rest will help. My next paycheck I want to join a gym and schedule a few sessions with a personal trainer, but I know that won't happen until I get over this damned cough.

Oh well. Things are going a bit better at school this week. The one child has only bitten me (seriously bitten anyway) one time. My other child that has problems has had to be removed, but did not totally trash my room like he normally does. Yay for progress!

 

[Piglet18]

QOTD: Inspired by my scare...

What is your MAIN reason for wanting to loose weight, is it health related? If not that is totally OK! Focusing on health... how will your personal health history benefit from weight loss?

Um, mine is not TOTALLY health related... but not NOT either. My family is all overweight and struggle with related illnesses, so I would like to lose weight now in order to stop that all from heading my way - preemptive strike!
Honestly, my biggest reason is just that I don't like the way I look. I don't feel confident, and I can't keep up with others when hiking and whatnot. Right now I want to focus on feeling better about me... the healthy stuff goes along with it!

 

[Colleen27]

Congrats to this week's losers and hugs to all of you dealing with hard times right now!

I've been in and out and not very good about keeping up, but I'm coming to realize that I need this right now specifically because I'm not in the mood for it. I've had a really bad week, completely off program in every way unless you count antipasto salad instead of pizza as being good, and deep down I know this is one of those points where I tend to throw in the towel - I'm upset and emotional, which is a double whammy because 1) I'm an emotional eater and 2) exercising is the last thing I feel like doing.

My best friend had a baby last month, very premature but she was doing great up until this past weekend. On Sunday, she was doing well and they were talking about her maybe being home for Christmas. On Monday, they started having problems with her O2 levels. Tuesday they were told there was nothing more that could be done, and they made the decision to remove her ventilator yesterday. This is the second child my friend and her husband have lost, and my heart is just breaking for them. They're such wonderful people who so badly want another child, and months of bedrest and monitoring and a month taking shifts with their daughter in the NICU still wasn't enough. And their 3yo is so lost, all she could talk about was her baby sister and she just doesn't understand yet what has happened.

So that's what has me at a point where I couldn't care less about losing weight right now. Life goes on, though, and I need to keep that in sight so that I don't find myself with even more to lose when the grief passes. So here I am, checking in even though my heart isn't in it, because I know that it will matter eventually.

Monday/ Tuesday QOTD...

Since I didn't get Monday's out soon enough, I'll make it a 2 parter for Monday and Tuesday....


Think back to when you were successful at something in your past (NOT necessarily weight loss... like school, a personal challenge, work related, relationship related, a personal goal etc)

#1 What was it

#2 what strategies/ techniques/ things that worked for you then/ Can you translate into helping you now with your weightloss journey?

That's a tough one, because follow through is an issue for me in many areas of my life. I tend to flit between things and change courses frequently. I think my greatest success is in parenting. I had my oldest when I was 18 and that first year was really rough when I was juggling college and parenting and work. I made it through because I had to, though, so it is hard to apply that lesson to other areas of life! I think the biggest thing that I should but don't always apply to weight loss and other aspects of my life today is that single minded focus I had back then on a very clear goal. Too often now it is "I'd like to..." or "I really should...", vague statements rather than clear, inspiring goals.

For Wednesdays QOTD:

Pick your favorite Disney spot (WDW, DLR, Castaway Cay, DCL, etc) WHERE WOULD YOU BE RIGHT NOW???? What would you be doing, give us details!

AND how do you envision your next trip to WDW/DLR/DCL to be different after your successful weight loss journey?

Right now, if I were at WDW, I would be happy to sit on a bench in the MK and just breathe in the magic. I always say I can't wait for the next trip, but I've never felt that so deeply as I do right now. I just want to be away from reality, in a place where life is magic and everyone lives happily ever after...

QOTD for Thursday:

Inspired from the Biggest Loser show last night.... Did you see the commercial regarding a Biggest Loser Vacation Destination? Looks like you can go to a "ranch" where they will customize weight loss for you...

Would you go?
How much would you be willing to spend?
Who would you take with you, or would you go by yourself?
What would you expect they could do for you?
Would you try and loose weight before you go?

I wouldn't. I really don't like traveling without my kids for more than a couple days, and I don't imagine a weekend would be long enough to be of any use. Besides, I don't trust that any weight lost that way would be a lasting change for me. This is something I have to do for myself, in my real life, with all the hassles and headaches and temptations that entails, or I'd just end up gaining it all back when I was back to reality where weight loss isn't the focus of my days.

Health update: OK, I am glad I went to the MD, because I am SOOOOOO relieved, it isn't anything serious! When I would lay down at night, I would hear a "wooshing" in my left ear, basicly I could hear the blood flow in my ear from the carotid artery. Sometimes it went away quicly, but lately it was getting worse, and waking me up at night. I did research online and more often than not it was related to carotid artery disease, so of course being the nurse I am I thought the worst. A friend's dad had something similar and they wisked him off to surgery. Neeldess to say I was quite scared. Turns out that there is a build up of fluid in the ear. I need to take decongestants to try and get rid of it. WOW, all that worry for something really minor. I am so glad I went in and got everything looked at today. And since I made it also a wellness visit that we have to do once a year, the visit was FREE!!!!! Even better! thank you for your prayers. They really helped me find comfort as I headed to the doctor.

Now, I know that someone else is taking over as the coach tomorrow, so welcome to the new coach, I am not sure if I need to post a QOTD for tomorrow or not, so just in case, I will post a bonus question:

QOTD: Inspired by my scare...

What is your MAIN reason for wanting to loose weight, is it health related? If not that is totally OK! Focusing on health... how will your personal health history benefit from weight loss?

Glad to hear it was nothing serious.

My main reason is just that I'm fed up with being heavy. I want to have more energy and be more active, which isn't going to happen as long as I'm this overweight. Any significant weight loss is sure to be a plus from a health standpoint too, because I have a very strong family history of Type II diabetes, but that isn't my focus. My focus is just on a better, more enjoyable lifestyle.

 

[disneychrista]

QOTD for Thursday:
Inspired from the Biggest Loser show last night.... Did you see the commercial regarding a Biggest Loser Vacation Destination? Looks like you can go to a "ranch" where they will customize weight loss for you...

Would you go?
How much would you be willing to spend?
Who would you take with you, or would you go by yourself?
What would you expect they could do for you?
Would you try and loose weight before you go?

I think it would be a fun experience.And would enjoy doing this.
Not sure what I would pay for it...not sure that this type of "vacation" would be one that I would want to spend my vacation dollars on.
I would go either by myself or with my BFF, she has recently started to think about her weight.
I would not STOP trying to lose weight because I was going.

What is your MAIN reason for wanting to loose weight, is it health related? If not that is totally OK! Focusing on health... how will your personal health history benefit from weight loss?

My main reason for losing weight is/was I am tired of being FAT. It is not really health related...

 

[50sjayne]

Pick your favorite Disney spot (WDW, DLR, Castaway Cay, DCL, etc) WHERE WOULD YOU BE RIGHT NOW???? What would you be doing, give us details!

AND how do you envision your next trip to WDW/DLR/DCL to be different after your successful weight loss

Whitewater snacks in the Grand Californian petting Miss Kitty.
Well, it's late so I think we'd probably be walking back to HOJO. I'd be cold and ready for the jacuzzi...
I expect to like my pictures better!

QOTD: Inspired by my scare...

What is your MAIN reason for wanting to loose weight, is it health related? If not that is totally OK! Focusing on health... how will your personal health history benefit from weight loss?

Yep this was all because of my back. I have a great grandmother who died young because of diabetes and I know if I had kept on, I would become diabetic. On a scale of 1-10 I'd say my back situation is an 8 now. I have damaged it too much to ever be 10 again, but I am very happy with the improvement.
Guess I'm hosting starting tomorrow, think I'll post a QOTD early to make sure I do it.:
Mine aren't going to be too much about weight as I feel so many good questions have been asked. I guess mine are going to just be light and getting to know each other better questions.

QUOTD:
If you could spend a day with any celebrity--who would it be? Like say you won a contest for a charity or something like that? I actually thought about this off and on today and although I know who I'd like to spend a night
with these days...I think I would choose choose Robin Williams because I'd laugh all day

 

[LuvBaloo]

Congrats to all the COW participants!

Eeyores Butterfly - It sounds funny that getting bitten once is a good thing Hopefully your weekend of rest will help get rid of your cough.

Colleen27 - reading your friends story brought tears to my eyes, and I don't know them. I can't imagine how hard it must be to be dealing with that loss.

Princess Vija - Thanks for Coaching! Glad the doctor's visit was good.

QOTD: Inspired by my scare...

What is your MAIN reason for wanting to loose weight, is it health related? If not that is totally OK! Focusing on health... how will your personal health history benefit from weight loss?

Main reason is not wanting to follow in my aunts footsteps. She passed away just over a year ago from cancer. My grandmother always compared me to her. I was the eldest grandchild, Aunt Sylvia was the eldest child. We were both book lovers, went to university, liked crafts, had kids at 30. And we both got bigger after each pregnancy (my Nana never pointed that one out, that's my own). Last year, I decided I don't want my life to parallel hers completely and die of cancer, so I have to lose weight. I know that's not exactly logical, but its what finally pushed me over. I want to live to enjoy my children and eventually grandchildren

 

[AlreadyexcitedGrammy]

WISH friends - I really do want to be more active - thinking it doesn't get me to the site though

First week I was ecstatic that I lost 2 lbs but I know that really applying myself the first week is a down week - next week I was "spot on" and UP 1.5 lbs - urg - but I just have to remain focused and hooray today's WI - resulted in being down!

ohMom sent me the encouragement statement and the "sheer determination" as a the beginning motivator has been ringing in my ears - I am hanging onto that statement and pushing forward!

hang in there friends and even though I am not "visible" I am pulling for each and every one

 

[mikamah]

Good morning everyone, and good luck as you weighin today!

I've been reading, and like many others, having a tough emotional time, so haven't posted, but I have been doing the wii fit every day, and actually stayed within my points this week, so my scale was down the gain from last week plus a little more.

Shirley- My heart goes out to you. I can't imagine the loss you feel, and I think one day at a time is all you can do. Enjoy all those wonderful memories you have of DH and in time those memories will be able to bring you more smiles than tears. So funny he had 23 tree stands. Hugs and prayers to you.

Jennz- Hugs to you, too, and I'm glad to hear you are feeling better and seeing the light. I feel like you and I are on the same journey, and hopefully I'll be following in your footsteps. Glad you had a nice visit with your dad, even though it must be so hard to see him without your mom.

Colleen- my heart breaks for you and your friends. I can not imagine what that must be like. I would think their little 3 year old is the only thing that will keep them going. My prayers are with you all. It's a great idea to come here and post when you can. When my mom died in june, I kept coming to the summer challenge and posting occassionally, and though I gained 15 pounds over the summer, the support and prayers really did help me so much. Hang in there, and we are all here for you.

Vija- so glad that everything worked out for you at the doctor, and it is nothing serious. Thanks for coaching this week. Great questions and I enjoyed reading everyone's answers.

Lisa- thanks for keeping the coaching schedule so organized, and if that wed in dec is still open, I'll sign up to coach that day. That's so close to the end of the challenge, and I know we'll be lighter than we are today!!

A belated congrats to last weeks biggestlosers!! Sarah- Whoo hoo!! #1!!!

A big thank you to Shannon, our amazing weight keeper!!

QOTD: Inspired by my scare...

What is your MAIN reason for wanting to loose weight, is it health related? If not that is totally OK! Focusing on health... how will your personal health history benefit from weight loss?

I want to be healthier, and be more comfortable in my body. A lot of my mom's chronic health issues were lifestyle related, and I don't want to follow in her footsteps. I would not handle being diabetic very well. Let me have this cake, and I'll take some extra insulin. I want to be able to move more, and breath when I'm out playing with my son. I want to be comfortable in a smaller size.

QUOTD:
If you could spend a day with any celebrity--who would it be? Like say you won a contest for a charity or something like that? I actually thought about this off and on today and although I know who I'd like to spend a night
with these days...I think I would choose choose Robin Williams because I'd laugh all day

Welcome Jayne! Great question. I would spend the day with George Clooney. I met him once when they were filiming the perfect storm in gloucester ma, and he seemed so down to earth and friendly, not to mention, gorgeous. So, I might have to have few drinks to loosen up and not drool, but I think he would be fun and interesting to spend the day with.

It felt good to come back and post. I am feeling motivated to stay on track as we have a disney trip in 4 weeks. On that qotd, I'm hoping to be more comfortable in my 16 capris for that trip, and I can't wait to go to MK opening ceremony, though I'm already crying thinking about it. I'm looking forward to really just relaxing, and going with the flow, doing what my son Michael wants to do, and being in the happiest place on earth.

Have a great day everyone.

 

[ShortyNBug]

I'm down 1.8 this week. I tried sending a message to LuvBaloo but it wouldn't go through. That's a first. I'll try again tomorrow as I'm going scrapbooking in a few minutes and won't be back until after bedtime.

Have a great weekend.

 

[Ronda93]

QOTD: Inspired by my scare...

What is your MAIN reason for wanting to loose weight, is it health related? If not that is totally OK! Focusing on health... how will your personal health history benefit from weight loss?

There are so many reasons. I was 245 in 1999. Today is 176. It took a long time to put on and it's taken me a long time to take it off. I know the numbers, but they don't mean much. It's happening because I'm eating less/more carefully and moving more. I've taken up running and am signed up for the WDW Half Marathon in January.

While my blood sugar was never high I know extra weight puts me at risk for diabetes. And heart disease, and cancer and joint injuries and depression. I'm in this for the long haul. I want to retire and be able to keep moving. I realized that life is much easier without carrying a fourth grader on my back. I'm down to a toddler sized burden now

I took up the mantra "Live as if your life depends on it." Works for me.

Ronda

 

[Cinderella Girl]

Hi all,
So, I am up again this week! It is so frustrating because I am letting my life rule my weight loss efforts! I know we all have crazy lives, but mine seems extra crazy right now. Between my dad's car accident last month, my Grandpa's passing a couple of weeks ago and my family constantly arguing over anything and everything, I am at my wits end.

So, this morning, I woke up and realized I had, had ENOUGH! I refuse to let family drama, dictate how my life goes! I had a healthy breakfast, brought a snack and a Smart One's for lunch, and bought a larger water bottle to get my water in. I also packed my workout bag, so after I run errands this afternoon, I can go workout. I will get back on track!!!

Thanks for listening!
Have a Magical Day!
Molly

 

[jennz]

QOTD...I want to lose weight for my health. I want to have more energy, I want my joints to not ache. I don't want to develop obesity-related illness. I also want to lose weight to look better!!

Hmmm celebrity that I'd like to meet? I think I would like to meet Bob or Jillian, just to chat and not work out...to get some ideas, to find out some insight into me and my "emotional sabotage" I seem to do to myself when I start seeing success in my weight-loss...

 

[jennz]

Molly - woo hoo! Good for you for taking control where you can!!

Mikamah - I feel like we are too...all we can do is keep going...

Vija - SOOOOOO glad you got that checked out!!! What a feeling of relief you must have had!!

 

[lisah0711]

Thanks, PRINCESS VIJA, for being our coach last week. And a great, big thank you to 50sjayne for being our coach this week!

Vija, I am glad that your health issue can be taken care of with decongestants.

A big congratutionas to all the COW participants and especially to 50sjayne our winner for the week. I know those vegetables are not your favorite.

Colleen27, .

mikamah, thanks for volunteering to be coach for a day. Put you down for Wednesday 12/16.

Thanks to all of you who helped to fill our last coaching spots!

QOTD: Inspired by my scare...

What is your MAIN reason for wanting to loose weight, is it health related? If not that is totally OK! Focusing on health... how will your personal health history benefit from weight loss?

Add me to the list of people who just don't want to be fat anymore. I would like to look in the mirror and not sigh or say "ugh." I don't want to the fat Mom anymore. And I want to be able to move around and do things that I want to do.

I honestly don't know what my main reason for losing weight is. Perhaps that is why I have struggled so much because I don't have a reason that is strong enough to make me want it enough to put in the hard work. (I do believe this is an AHA moment right now) I have lots of reasons, but nothing that is really motivating me. When I won the Biggest loser competition through my DH's work, it wasn't health related or any other reason that made me do it. It was purely, and entirely the fact that I wanted to win! I am so competitive. I won $ and bragging rights. I need to find something like that again. the money was a motivator, but really just the desire to be the winner was the biggest thing. For my health history, I would benefit with lower BP's, my joints wouldn't hurt, and I would go to the doctor when something is wrong, and not hide from embarassment. Hopefully I would hold off any cardiace disease (history in my family), or other catastrophic illnesses.

I think it is time for me to really focus on finding a reason and a motivator, my life and health do depend on it.

This is similar to something that Jillian talked about on the Biggest Loser this week. She said that you really have to figure out why you want to lose weight and have a purpose or else everything that you do to try and lose weight is just torture and won't work in the end. I think this is true but it is much harder to figure out that it sounds. I've been working on my weight seriously all year but just now am reaching that point -- and seeing better results.

QOTD: If you could spend a day with any celebrity--who would it be? Like say you won a contest for a charity or something like that? I actually thought about this off and on today and although I know who I'd like to spend a night
with these days...I think I would choose choose Robin Williams because I'd laugh all day

Hmmmm, interesting question. I would have to say Jillian. I am not that into celebrity stuff and spending time with Jillian would help me stay in the groove -- I haven't been here that long so I need all the help I can get.

Susan, when I first read this question and your answer, I wondered why you didn't say Alan Rickman -- then I realized that you did by inference!

I'm down 1.8 this week. I tried sending a message to LuvBaloo but it wouldn't go through. That's a first. I'll try again tomorrow as I'm going scrapbooking in a few minutes and won't be back until after bedtime.

Have a great weekend.

Try again with the PM. I was able to send one this morning.

I am happy to report I am down 2 pounds which I attribute to making sure that I am moving each day thanks to the COW!

Please remember to PM your weigh in info to LuvBaloo and your COW info to donac.