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

[pjlla]

Question of the day - Tuesday 10/27

What simple swaps have you made to make your favorite meal more healty?

Excellent question!

I no longer use butter or mayo (for the most part). If I really need something to be a bit buttery, I use ICBINB spray. I use mustard or guacamole on my sandwiches and wraps.

I only eat low-fat cheese (NOT non-fat...ick).

I no longer drink any coffee, so no need for cream. I would drink it black or with a bit of skim milk if I decided to have a cup.

I eat way fewer white carbs... no bagels, only whole grain english muffins, wraps, etc. I rarely eat white potato. We have always been a brown rice family, so no problems there. I am slowly switching us to whole wheat pasta, but I have a pretty big stock pile to use up first!

Fruit is my snack of choice most of the day... I no longer look in the "snack" cupboard for a snack, unless the fruit bowl is empty. I do eat the occasional Fiberone bar and 100 calorie pack, but not very often.

I have started adding nuts and seeds to some of my meals to get more healthy fats.

That is most of them. Thanks for asking.............P

ETA: A few more I thought of.... I use egg whites instead of whole eggs where ever possible and I swap out oil for apple sauce in baking (when possible). I also use at least 50% baby spinach in my salads... usually the other 50% is romaine and purple cabbage.

ETA: Well... I really didn't read the QOTD too well, did I?? I didn't really answer the question correctly. What I have done to make my favorite meals healthier is to reduce the fat and white carb content wherever possible. I make homemade pizza with whole wheat crust and reduced fat cheese when I am craving pizza. I add LOTS of grilled veggies on the top and sometime some pineapple tidbits. Plus I try to use homemade tomato sauce or a no sugar added sauce. Much lower in calories/points and still very yummy.

 

[lisah0711]

Question of the day - Tuesday 10/27

What simple swaps have you made to make your favorite meal more healty?

I've switched from my creamy full fat blue cheese dressing on salad to reduced fat dressing. I just haven't found a fat free that is really that good for salads, although I do use them for marinading chicken and vegetables when I cook.

I've switched to Arnold Sandwich thins for sandwiches and hamburgers. Even DH is on that bandwagon so that is a good thing!

I always make sure that I have a frozen meal and a tub of WW yogurt in the fridge for lunch at work so I can just say "no" to a fast food lunch.

Have a great day all!

 

[corinnak]

I use whole grain pasta, but even that adds up pretty fast. I now always put a bunch of vegetables in my spaghetti - broccoli or french cut green beans or spaghetti squash are all excellent additions and really fill out the dish.

 

[princessbride6205]

QOTD:
Adding veggies is key for me - you can eat a lot for very few cals. We make homemade pizza with 2% cheese and veggie toppings. We buy high-fiber tortillas and bread. My snacking has been the biggest adjustment - more fruit, nuts, light yogurt and less "fake healthy" food like pretzels.
Adding to corinna's suggestion, I just discovered make zucchini into spaghetti. They mentioned it on BL a few weeks ago. You use a cheese grater to get pasta-like size strips of zucchini. I throw it in the water with the rest of the pasta when it's almost done. Once you add your sauce, you can hardly tell which is pasta and which is zuc.

 

[Cinderella Girl]

QOTD

Since I am a diet pop addict, I know try and drink at least half my water, before I have a pop. It has not been easy, but it has helped!

This is not a swap per say, but I also had to find a way to get more exercise in, so every time I exercise I put $1 in a jar. I also put $5 in the jar for each pound lost. Last year I had over $100 in the jar and used it for spending money in Disney World. This time I am going to use the money for a spring break trip. So, I better start exercising and losing, so I can have lots of money for my trip!

Have a great afternoon!

Molly

 

[tigger813]

QOTD:
I've been using ground turkey and turkey bacon more as well as egg beaters.

My poor b'day girl! I had to pick her up at school as she had a slight fever and wasn't feeling well. She's snuggling on my bed watching tv. We worked on one of her b'day craft presents. She was so sad to be sick today! Guess I'll be home with her tomorrow until I have to work tomorrow night!

 

[ShortyNBug]

TMI question for everyone. Do you usually gain, lose, or stay the same durning TOM? It takes me a few months of trying to lose to figure out when that is for me. Seems kinda strange but I have the Mirena IUD and I don't get TOM but I get the symptoms that go with it. Is it a week before. after or durning that you notice this gain/loss?

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Question of the day - Tuesday 10/27

What simple swaps have you made to make your favorite meal more healthy?

I enjoy an occasional burger and fries. Now if I have it I have grilled chicken, and baked fries -- or if I'm in a restaurant, I'll ask for a side salad or side dish of fruit instead of the fries.

Lynsey -- I totally gain the week before TOM, and it doesn't go away until it's all over. I can literally see my belly expand in a few hours -- I gain 3-5 lbs. every month. It's hard on the psyche, but I try to time my scale visits so I don't see the worst of it any more...

Maria

 

[sskem96]

TMI question for everyone. Do you usually gain, lose, or stay the same durning TOM? It takes me a few months of trying to lose to figure out when that is for me. Seems kinda strange but I have the Mirena IUD and I don't get TOM but I get the symptoms that go with it. Is it a week before. after or durning that you notice this gain/loss?

For me the gain is usually just a couple days before and lasts about a week. I can look through my WW book and on the weigh-in sticker every 4 weeks I put a star to remind myself why I was up that week and know when to expect the next "excusable" gain because there's nothing I can do about it that week.

DH is resting in his recliner playing poker on his phone right now. I couldn't get my hands on the computer this morning because he was lurking on the Disboards! Still no word on his blood work. They said 24-48 hours, so we should know something for sure in the morning, but his facial swelling is significantly worse than it was when he saw the Dr. yesterday. We're alternating Tylenol and Motrin and keeping ice on it most of the time. He's having a hard time opening his mouth to eat, so I had to re-plan some meals for him. At least I'm off the next 3 nights, so I'll be around to get both his and my chores done and try to keep him comfortable. He's got inventory this weekend, so he may have to go into work overnight when there's no customers to get his counting done.

I had Tombstone pizza for lunch today, but I'm journaling it and will cut into my weekly allowance points if I have to. I was just really craving it, probably because it was too busy to eat at work last night so I was starving! I'm going to try to get some Wii fit in tonight too. I'm planning to shampoo carpets tomorrow, so that will be enough of a workout!

QOTD Tuesday:
I use spinach for salad now since I realized I wasn't really getting any nutrition from the iceburg lettuce. I use fat free Western dressing intead of Monicals Pizza salad dressing. I use FF sour cream, FF cottage cheese, spray butter, Hellman's lowfat mayo, Swiss Miss Diet hot cocoa, sugar free syrup, pretty much anything like that. If I can find a FF alternative, that's generally what I get. We also switched to Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta a while back. I tried lots of whole wheat varieties, but the family didn't like them, so I compromized with the Smart Taste pasta and everyone's happy now!

 

[donac]

Question of the day - Tuesday 10/27

What simple swaps have you made to make your favorite meal more healthy?

I will occasionally have a veggie burger when cooking burgers for the family. I also sometimes substitute spaghetti squash when making pasta for the family.

sskem96 sorry to hear about your husband. There is a town here in jersey that has had an outbreak of mumps in the last couple of months. I hope he feels better soon. Guys get pretty whiney when they are sick (billtM no offense but my dh and sons are all pretty much babies when they get sick)

 

[TimandTanya]

Question of the day - Tuesday 10/27

What simple swaps have you made to make your favorite meal more healthy?

My family loves Shepherd's Pie, and lately I have been making some substitutions and the family loves it more!

Ground Turkey instead of Ground Beef

Make it how you normally do, but substitute the Turkey for the Beef

Instead of Mashed Potatoes on the top, I replaced it with Mashed Cauliflower.

Steam the Cauliflower until soft, in a bowl mash it up with some wedges of Laughing Cow cheese. Keep adding Laughing Cow until you get the flavor and consistently you like. Different flavors of Laughing Cow, we change it up between, Garlic and Herb, or French Onion, or Orginal Swiss. MMMMMMMMM

Very low fat, low calorie and absolutely delicious.

 

[NC_Tink]

QOTD: What simple swaps have you made to make your favorite meal more healthy?

Well - I've definitely taken to making veggies. Where I used to have a large helping of whatever "starchy" side dish we were making - I now have a very small portion usually 1/2 cup or less of the starchy side and load my plate up with vegetables. Sometimes I skip the starchy side all together and just opt for more veggies and whatever "meat" we've made.

 

[tigger813]

Did the 2 mile WATP this morning, did 1.5 miles on the elliptical a little later and just did 2.5 miles on the elliptical while watching the first hour of BL!

I had Trader Joe's Chicken Yellow Curry for lunch with mushrooms and onions for lunch and for supper had Chicken and Mushroom stir fry with a garlic peppercorn sauce. Only problem with the yellow curry is the sodium is RIDICULOUS which is why I didn't eat it for supper too! I drank my water and only had a few snacks.

Will be home with DD2 tomorrow as she still has a little fever so I will get some more workouts in plus I have to give a massage tomorrow night. Still working on losing what I gained over the weekend but it's coming off pretty easily. Nothing planned this weekend so I shouldn't do the big gain like last weekend! I will have my drink on Friday or Saturday though.

So glad to be back on the elliptical again. I'm really focused on doing it right to prevent the knee pain from coming back!

Hope everyone is enjoying the show tonight!
Sweet (but non-fattening) dreams to all!

 

[Northern_Julie]

What simple swaps have you made to make your favorite meal more healthy?

I like creamy dressings so I make my own with yogurt.
I bake sweet potatoes instead of fries and use balsamic vinegar instead of ketchup.
I buy pre shredded cheese because I am prone to cutting to large pieces and snacking on it. This way I just use a little and am more attentive to it

 

[disneychrista]

Question of the Day - Wednesday 10/28/09

What weight loss, fitness, health related websites do you read? Do you subscribe to any diet, fitness health related e-newsletters?

 

[50sjayne]

Question of the Day - Wednesday 10/28/09

What weight loss, fitness, health related websites do you read? Do you subscribe to any diet, fitness health related e-newsletters?

I read Health magazine because my sister in law gave us all subscriptions to magazines last year and that's what I chose. I really like it and Jillian was the covergirl on the last issue I got Had some good stuff about her too, and interview.



Tue- quotd:-

What simple swaps have you made to make your favorite meal more healthy?

That was a great question for me tonight as we had nachos. I made 'em this time with baked and multigrain chips mixed and piled on banana peppers, a jalapeno, fresh tomato from our plants and didn't overdo the cheese, instead mixed a little smoked cheese to make it really good. Just had guac and green onions on the top. Before I would've needed refried beans and or hamburger and would have made too much overall. I also just try to space out stuff on top better so I don't go get more chips to eat with overflow topping.

 

[ohMom]

morning---

Tues -- not a meal change, but couple years ago I switched from buying margarine to spreadable butter, and buying natural peanut butter; also try to get 'natural' meat when possible. That switch was to convert to foods that are natural and get away from hydrogenated fat and fake food. thought i can't seem to give up butter spray....

Wed -- we get Arthritis Today with our membership to the Arthritis foundation, it's ok, i don't think i'd pay for it but it has good healthy eating tips. The exercises are more for beginners. I've been thinking about subscribing to Health mag. Occasionally I'll pick up Prevention.

 

[mikamah]

Good morning everyone.
It's been another busy week here, and I brought home so many boxes of things from my mom's house that I'm trying to get my house organized and cleaned before my trip in 10 days!! It was a very emotional weekend, but I did not stuff my emotions down with food. I had a little dips and cookies, but only had a couple glasses of wine so I kept my wits about me, and I kept up with the exercise, and so far am down 1.6 this week. Overall, I think things went well. I am really looking forward to my trip.

I missed some qotds, but for music, I hope you Dance by Leeann Womack always inspires me to keep positive, take chances and enjoy life to the fullest.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

The swaps we've made are whole wheat pasta, light or ff cheeses, always have fruit on the table- apples and bananas.
Funny story, monday my son had his cub scout halloween party, and we were running late after school and had to bring in 6 individual snacks, all we had in the house was apples, so we brought them, and Michael said to me after the party, we were the only one's who brought healthy food. I felt funny putting my apples on the table covered with orange and black cupcakes, cookies, etc. A few did get eaten. One by michael.

The website I use most is www.DWLZ.com, Dottis weight loss zone. She has ton's of restaurant menu's and the WW points values for their dishes. It's really helpful to go on and check out a menu before I go out to eat.

I hope everyone who has been sick is feeling better soon.

Have a great, losing day.

 

[pjlla]

Question of the Day - Wednesday 10/28/09

What weight loss, fitness, health related websites do you read? Do you subscribe to any diet, fitness health related e-newsletters?

I occasionally pick up Weight Watchers magazine at the store,but I don't have a subscription to anything (well... Mom and Dad got us Nat'l Geographic last Christmas, which DD and I LOVE). As far as websites, and emails... I do get the Weight Watchers emails... sometimes I read them, sometimes I don't. And the only website I visit regularly is HERE!! I don't have a lot of screen time latel, so I don't do a lot of cruising the internet, but when I do have time, I like to check out the WW boards.

Good morning everyone.
It's been another busy week here, and I brought home so many boxes of things from my mom's house that I'm trying to get my house organized and cleaned before my trip in 10 days!! It was a very emotional weekend, but I did not stuff my emotions down with food. I had a little dips and cookies, but only had a couple glasses of wine so I kept my wits about me, and I kept up with the exercise, and so far am down 1.6 this week. Overall, I think things went well. I am really looking forward to my trip.


The swaps we've made are whole wheat pasta, light or ff cheeses, always have fruit on the table- apples and bananas.
Funny story, monday my son had his cub scout halloween party, and we were running late after school and had to bring in 6 individual snacks, all we had in the house was apples, so we brought them, and Michael said to me after the party, we were the only one's who brought healthy food. I felt funny putting my apples on the table covered with orange and black cupcakes, cookies, etc. A few did get eaten. One by michael.

The website I use most is www.DWLZ.com, Dottis weight loss zone. She has ton's of restaurant menu's and the WW points values for their dishes. It's really helpful to go on and check out a menu before I go out to eat.

I hope everyone who has been sick is feeling better soon.

Have a great, losing day.

Glad to hear you made it through the weekend okay. I can't imagine how emotional it must have been. But good for you for realizing that trying to combat emotions with eating wasn't going to work.

I love hearing that I am not the ONLY parent who brings healthy snacks to school and other activities! I have to bring snack to robotics every few weeks and the last time I brought apples it was received better than I thought (although MY DS doesn't care for them, so he went hungry!). Most of the time the kids bring cookies, Cheez-its, etc. Next time I might bring individual apple sauce or something like that.

Well.... I may or may not have some time today to hop on again. I am feeling REALLY bloated, but I've been really pushing the fiber in an attempt to push through anything that was showing up on the scale last week (sorry if that is TMI). But I'm eating well and continuing my exercise, so all is good.

I am hitting the grocery store tonight (not a weekly occurence around here)... I have my list and coupons ready to go. Any great ideas for "healthy" foods that I might not be buying already?? I love to hear about new food ideas.

Well... duty calls!....................P

 

[lisah0711]

Good morning, all!

Kathy, glad to hear that your week-end went well. Congrats on the 1.6 loss so far! And just ten days to go -- tomorrow you'll be doing the single digit dance, baby!

pjlla, DH made some delicious roast acorn squash for dinner last night. Cut in half (scoop out seeds and score) -- put a dab of brown sugar, a dab of butter and 1 tsp real maple syrup and roast for 1 1/2 hours at 400 -- it was so tasty! We had burgers (organic beef) and couscous with it.

TMI question for everyone. Do you usually gain, lose, or stay the same durning TOM? It takes me a few months of trying to lose to figure out when that is for me. Seems kinda strange but I have the Mirena IUD and I don't get TOM but I get the symptoms that go with it. Is it a week before. after or durning that you notice this gain/loss?

Lynsey, I think women's bodies just naturally have a cycle regardless of what actually happense during that cycle. Before my hysterectomy, I had wild up and downs of weight, mood, etc. Now that I am on hormones (I'm 49 and would not have had menopause yet) things have smoothed out but there is still a cycle to a certain extent. Like sskem96 says when you track it, you will see the pattern.

Question of the Day - Wednesday 10/28/09

What weight loss, fitness, health related websites do you read? Do you subscribe to any diet, fitness health related e-newsletters?

I subscribe to WW online and also to Sparkpeople.com. I will pick up a copy of WW magazine sometimes. I also have subscriptions to Body + Soul and Cooking Light. I don't watch much tv so magazines are my entertainment. I probably should read some exercise kind of thing because that is still my big area that I need to work on although I exercised more minutes this month than I have in a long time so I am celebrating some progress!

Have a great OP day, all!