Biggest Loser 9 Spring challenge -- Part 2! HERE WE ARE! :)

[happysmyly]

Wow!!! Just had to jump on quickly before i exercise to congratulate Kimara on being this week's BL!!!! We have both been working hard to get back on track--I had my best week so far for this challenge--and if I couldn't get the #1 spot (I'm good with #2) - I'm glad that it was my lil' Sis who got #1!!! So very proud of her and what she's doing.

Right now - she is in her new city - they signed on their new house last night and she, DBIL and 2 nephews stayed in their new house... today she'll drive back to their old 'home' (DBIL is working in new city already) to get packed up and wait for the kids to be out of school---so she'll be back online later today.

Major congrats to my sis, the BL of the week, Kimara!!!!

 

[corinnak]

Sounds like there has been so much going on...no wonder you got a little off track. I am glad you have a plan of action again though! Will we be seeing you at the Minneapolis Half Marathon? DH and I feel like we are on track to complete it....slowly but we will complete it!

Jen - I can't believe I didn't include this quote yesterday. YES, I'll be at the Mpls half! I'd say we should plan to meet up, but I'm not sure where or how exactly. I doubt I'll get a PR this time, my training has been so....questionable, but I, too will complete it! I know you and your DH will do great with this challenge! Now, I'm just hoping the weather will be decent. I'm not even asking for good - just tolerable!

I think running a half in Minnesota is good training for running a Disney half -- same humidity!

Now I need to go and reclaim my 30 lb clippie. I'm 1 pound away from losing 20 lbs for the challenge -- which was my original goal. I think I am going to make that. I will be happy to be 20 pounds down for this challenge as last spring I maintained the whole challenge. (I know, I know -- maintaining is underrated )

The conditions in Florida and Minnesota have been alarmingly similar this year, I'm afraid. I am hoping that it won't feel like Florida here next month (no offense to Florida - they don't actually run a lot of half marathons down there in June, after all!).

You are so close to your goal for the challenge - you can do it! Maintenance is underrated, it's true, but losing the weight you want to lose is always preferable to staying somewhere you don't care to be, so BRAVO! for the way you've rocked this challenge and gone after what you wanted!

Maria - I think you were the one that was talking about a headband you wear running. Bondi bands? Do you get the Lycra or the wicking? I think the lycra ones are cute, but I sweat like.... well... it's awful. I run a half a lap, wipe my face, and readjust my earbuds, and repeat.

Hi Taryn - I thought I'd chime in with headband/sweat solutions as well. I usually wear a visor when I'm out running - it is not the most glamorous, but it does keep the sweat at bay and the sun/rain as well. Indoors, I have used this "Buff" headband. It is very versatile!

http://www.rei.com/product/736217


Tuesday's QOTD: Someone has invented a "mail time machine" and you can send letters back in time. You decide to sit down today and write a letter to yourself that you will receive the day you START this weight loss journey (whether it was 2 weeks ago, 6 months ago, or two years ago). What will you say? What tips or tricks will you give yourself? Will you be firm with yourself, like you would be with a misbehaving child? Write this letter to yourself here.


I am heading off to spin class in a few minutes, but I have been working on my letter to myself in my head from time to time, and I keep thinking - this is the same stuff I've been quietly telling myself the whole way: You've done it before, so you know what works. Plan to lose about a pound a week and you'll rarely be disappointed. Keeping your head in the game is half the battle, so do that daily reading/writing on the DIS and the WW website. Track your food and activity. Get back on track quickly after a slip or trip or any other blip. Enjoy the journey and the process - this is the way it needs to be to live in a healthy, lean body. Oh, and of course: You can over-eat any amount of running, so watch it!

 

[jimmduck]

What happened to me.

Didn't just drop out. For over a year and a half, I have had ongoing bouts of nausea and vomiting. Sometimes just a day, sometimes several days, etc.

In 2009, the only month that I did not have at least one episode was June.

In March, got another one, only this time my system completely shut down.

Had emergency surgery on March 17th to remove hernia and had 6 inches of my small intestine cut out and spliced together. The hernia had strangulated my intestine - killing a portion of it. It drifted in and out of the hernia for the whole time.

After that, I was three weeks in the hospital, dealing with one infection after another. Now I am pretty well recovered, although still healing the wound.

A vertical incision up the centre of a stomach that is basically all fat is hard to heal guys - more motivation to make changes.

Anyway, I am just now pretty much back to full steam, and will attempt a five k on Sunday - sorely undertrained, but grateful to be in the running.

Two months ago, it would have been inconceivable.

Anyway, I hope you all did well in this challenge - remember me for the next

Congrats to all the "loser stars".

Linda

 

[tigger813]

Welcome back, Linda! Good luck this weekend! And let us know how it goes!

I'm composing my letter in my head and will post it later. At work now but will probably head home in a bit to get in an elliptical workout while catching up on the Good Wife! I haven't watched last week's and now will also have last night's to watch at some point.

Drizzly rain here and a bit chilly. It rained quite a bit last night.

Just had a small bowl of strawberries with a smidge of Splenda. Started off my water with 30oz of raspberry Crystal Light Iced Tea. Still need to drink my protein water though it's all ready for me.

 

[my3princes]

Here we celebrate our progress and recognize our superstars.

Reminders:
-after 3 weeks of no reporting, you are dropped from the challenged – can re-start at any time, though
-if anybody knows they will miss weighing in, just PM and let me know and you’ll be marked excused


First some stats

MAINTAINERS:
Reporting in for week 19!
Congrats to our 3 maintainers:
Corinnak
50sjayne
seashell724

(staying within 2 lbs of their maintain weight is successfully maintaining!)

LOSERS:
Current Participants-------------40
not reporting in for 1 week------ 6
not reporting in for 2 weeks------ 2
not reporting in for 3 weeks------ 5
Excused------------------------- 0
weigh ins----------------------- 27
gains---------------------------- 10
maintains------------------------ 4
losses-------------------------- 14
first time or returning weigh-ins---- 2
[/COLOR]

Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge Week 19!
total group loss =40 pounds!
Average percentage of weight lost 0.66 %
Total group weight loss so far 1270.1 pounds!
AWESOME!

Retention Rate (compared to the 135 weighins for our start weigh-in on Jan 1st)
(27+3+0)/ 135 = 22% (this includes the Losers and Maintainer and Excused people!)

Before the weekly superstar list comes the disclaimer. I am human and I make mistakes. If you have any questions please contact me. For your reference this is the magic percentage of weight lost formula - weight loss for the week divided by weight for last week times 100, that gives us the percentage. Now let me test that with my numbers for week 1, click, click, click goes the calculator. Yes, that agrees with the percentage on the magic spreadsheet. (btw if its been more than 1 week between weigh-ins, then the % loss is divided by the number of weeks, to keep everybody on the same basis)

Now let's get to the good stuff. Who were our superstars of week 19? This time I’ve done a TOP 10 LIST! That criteria may change from week to week. Hey I'm in charge here and I get paid nothin' to do this so you better take what you can get! (and if there’s something you want to know, just ask me!)
The WISH Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge Week 19 Superstars!!
#10- 0.86% - sahbushka
#9- 0.1.41% - donac
#8- 1.53% - jenanderson
#7- 1.66% - Graciesmom77
#6- 1.67% - mikamah
#5- 1.68% - tigger813
#4- 1.72% - flipflopmom
#3- 1.76% - carmiedog
#2- 2.76% - happysmyly
and now
The WISH Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge
Week 19 Biggest Loser!!

#1- 2.96% - kimara

Quote from Dare2Dream: How is your week going? Are you OP (on program)? Are you exercising? Drinking that water? You know what to do to make the magic happen. Get on the wagon. We are all here to help you on the journey. We can do this one day at a time. One bite at a time.

Have a healthy day!

Congratulations kimara !!!
What a great week you had. Keep up the good work. We have a very special clippie reserved for our weekly Biggest Loser. Wear it with pride this week! :

This is our weekly reigning Biggest Loser clippie. We have the large version

or use this
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/31040weeklyBLsmall1.jpg
followed by

or we have a medium version

or use this
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/31040weeklyBLmed.jpg
followed by

and we have a small version

or use
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/31040weeklyBLsm.jpg
followed by

Thanks to ohMom-Molli for these clippies. They were used for a previous BL but we can recycle. Don't they look great!

I am amazed at the number. People are really being successful. I'm just hoping to end the challenge at the same weight as I started That wasn't the plan, but I'm happy that i haven't totally lost control.

What happened to me.

Didn't just drop out. For over a year and a half, I have had ongoing bouts of nausea and vomiting. Sometimes just a day, sometimes several days, etc.

In 2009, the only month that I did not have at least one episode was June.

In March, got another one, only this time my system completely shut down.

Had emergency surgery on March 17th to remove hernia and had 6 inches of my small intestine cut out and spliced together. The hernia had strangulated my intestine - killing a portion of it. It drifted in and out of the hernia for the whole time.

After that, I was three weeks in the hospital, dealing with one infection after another. Now I am pretty well recovered, although still healing the wound.

A vertical incision up the centre of a stomach that is basically all fat is hard to heal guys - more motivation to make changes.

Anyway, I am just now pretty much back to full steam, and will attempt a five k on Sunday - sorely undertrained, but grateful to be in the running.

Two months ago, it would have been inconceivable.

Anyway, I hope you all did well in this challenge - remember me for the next

Congrats to all the "loser stars".

Linda

Wow, I hope that you are feeling amazing now that they finally found and repaired the issue. Good luck in your race.

 

[pjlla]

Evening all! I am, of course, just rushing in here again and I onl have 9 minutes, so today's qotd is a quickie!

Wed. QOTD: What is your DREAM career/job? Don't worry about education, income level, hours, etc. Just tell us your DREAM job.

I'll hop on later to share mine..................P

 

[tigger813]

Wed QOTD: I am doing my dream job right now! I love being a massage therapist as it gives me the flexibility I need with my family. I will be happy when I increase my income but right now it works for us. We just got our website up and running and FB pages with the number of fans increasing everyday!
My other dream job would be a Disney Travel agent! I almost became a travel agent several years ago but something got messed up along the way.

OK! Later on I will answer yesterday's QOTD! I need to have time to do it right without distractions.

Just finished 7 miles for the day. I would love to get 2 more in but I think I'll just stick with the water for now and do my crunches and reverse crunches while watching tv later.

I'm really hoping to hit 50 pounds by Friday and if I keep up with what I've done so far I will make it. Redwalker and I are hitting the mall in the morning for several miles. I hope to get several in first thing in the morning. I need to do all my miles earlier in the day due to DD1 and DHs make up soccer game.

I think I will get pizza for the kids tomorrow and DH and I may have Subway for supper. I will get a sweet onion chicken teriyaki on flat bread or something new if they have anything new. Need to check their menu.

Time to get cleaned up a bit so I can enjoy some tv tonight with DH.

Good evening to all!

 

[donac]

Good evening everyone. Busy couple of days.

Yesterday I spent the day with my parents and my sisters. My younger sister (as in I am almost 55 and she is almost 45) graduated college. It took her 10 1/2 years but she finally did it. So I went and took my parents to the ceremony. I got my exercise in because I had to park in the parking garage at the loocal arena. I parked on the top floor and had to walk down the 5 flights and at the end of the ceremony I had to walk 5 flights up. I have never seen her so happy. As she was going up to get her diploma she was in a crowd of people but she spotted us. She waved and she had the biggest smile I have ever seen on her face. I am so happy that I got that shot with my zoom lens. Afterwards we went out with my parents and coupleof my sisters and a neice and went out to lunch.

The bad part of the day was the travel. I had to drive about an hour each way and it rained the entire ride home.

Today I did something for myself. I went to a workshop after school to dicuss retirement. So much to think about. Dh has been pushing me to start to think about it and he is right. So we both signed up for this workshop and then told the other person about it. So we went together. Lots to think about but it is better to be prepared than not.

Too much drama going on at work. You would think that we were high schoolers instead of teaching them. TOo involve to get into but I am ready not to go to a retirement party for a very close friend because of all the drama involved.

I will post this and then get busy writing my letter. I think have a good idea about it.

QOTD My ideal job would be to own a successful yarn and fabric shop. I love to quilt and knit so that would be fun. I would also be able to teach with is something I love. Dh has said if we move when we retire we would move close to at least a quilt shop.

Have a nice evening everyone.

 

[jbm02]

Okay, I screwed up this week and forgot to weigh in. I won't forget on Friday!!!

Congrats to all the star losers!!!

Linda, I was so sorry to hear about your tough times the past few months. Welcome back!!!

Maria, did you use the wicking bands or the lycra headbands?? I will try and give these a try - I just have fears of looking like Mary Ingalls....

QOTD: I have loved every job I have had in the last 20 years! Actually, I have two "dreams" that I haven't completed yet: One would to be a Family Court Judge. I worked in family court for years and, although stressful, was one of the most rewarding periods of my life. I'd love to be able to go back and make even more of a difference. My scond "dream job" would be as a successful, fun writer. I don't need to write literature - just something fun that would give readers a respite from daily life!! Hopefully someday....

Time to go fold laundry...night all!!

 

[jenanderson]

Evening Everyone!

It was a pretty good day for me with food. I am well under my points but am going to have some ice cream for snack...mmmmm...I will have to be careful that I don't go overboard.

I also biked to work and home today so I have 6 miles on the bike.

I am going to do my crunches BEFORE the ice cream so that I know they will get done.

I have decided hat I am in a kind of self induced maintenance mode for the next 2 weeks. School is almost out and until it is, I am not going to worry about weight as long as it stays the same or goes down. There is just so much going on that I know it will be best for my mental health to not be quite as hard on myself as I have been. I know that when school is out...I will kick into high gear again and all will be good. I am not looking to go crazy, just not focusing on large losses each week.

Wed. QOTD: What is your DREAM career/job? Don't worry about education, income level, hours, etc. Just tell us your DREAM job.

If I was worrying about NOTHING...I would work the concierge at the Polynesian.

If I really wanted to dream big...I would become an author and write books for kids. I would live in a small little house on some exotic island and earn enough to travel all the time. This is the dream that I think of all the time.

Hope everyone is having a great night!
Jen

 

[jenanderson]

QOTD: I have loved every job I have had in the last 20 years! Actually, I have two "dreams" that I haven't completed yet: One would to be a Family Court Judge. I worked in family court for years and, although stressful, was one of the most rewarding periods of my life. I'd love to be able to go back and make even more of a difference. My scond "dream job" would be as a successful, fun writer. I don't need to write literature - just something fun that would give readers a respite from daily life!! Hopefully someday....

Time to go fold laundry...night all!!

Jude - Maybe we would write something together one day!

 

[cclovesdis]

Hi Everyone,

I'm been thinking about yesterday's QOTD for a while and I'm finally ready to post something.

First, today's QOTD: My dream job is to be a speech/language pathologist.

Now, for my letter:

mid-September 2008

Dear Christina,

Your mom is right. It is time for you to lose some weight. You will be able to do this. It will not be easy and you will have a few rough patches. Binges will be prevelant, but you will overcome them. You will have to fight to go off meds that will really interfere with your weight loss goals. Making the decision to go off them is the right thing to do.

Your sister will be planning a wedding during this journey. That will take up a lot of your time. You'll survive and even manage to lose weight the week of the wedding. Be proud of yourself for that and all you accomplisted on this journey.

Christina

 

[donac]

Jan 1, 2010


Dear Dona,

It is time. You have been making excuses for the last 5 years. Yes I know you had shingles and foot surgery over that time but that is behind you. It is a new day and a new start.

I know how disappointed you were last time you lost weight. 30 pounds down but you still had medications to take. 30 pounds down and they find an irregular heartbeat. No matter how much I lose I will still be taking medication. Then there was the shingles. I was just getting used to having Sean gone and bang it hits me. Then the ankle and foot started to give me more problems. Being casted last summer really relaxed me but it was hard to get back into working out.

Well the time to start is now. I want you to be healthy and at the same time I want to go into the rest of my life looking as good as you can. I am not saying this is going to be easy but you are worth it. It is time to take care of yourself and try to be the person you want to be. Think of how your sisters look. You don't want to look like that.

You can do it.
love,
Dona

 

[flipflopmom]

I have many dream jobs, and none of them require 9-5, 5 days a week. I would like to be paid to research on the internet, stay at home, maybe even be a Disney travel agent. I am not really a hermit, but I would just love a stay at home job. I would love to plan and organize for people, I love to schedule and plan and make lists. I KNOW, I'd like to be a personal cheerleader! I could teach how to do lots of stuff, and cheer along the journey!!!!Jen, I've thought about writing a children's book, also. I may get to that one day. I've also thought about just writing, but I'm not sure what it would be.

Feeling pretty good, never got sore from my long run this morning. I did order several of the bondi bands. I love headbands, but they kill my head. I got one for each of the DDs, too. I got a few lycra, and 3 wicking. If you enter FIVE, you get $15 off a $40 order, so that's 5 for $25, basically. I'm excited to try them out.

Looks like I did okay w/ food today, too, so I am kinda excited to see what the scale shows tomorrow. Although, I did weigh AFTER my run today, so it might not be as exciting as I hope!

Going to get the girls in the tub, hoping DD can get good sleep before her History test tomorrow. DH is studying with her now.

Sweet dreams! Remember, sleep is important, too!

 

[tigger813]

Tuesday QOTD:

December 25, 2008

Dear Tracey,

Enough is enough! You are not happy with the way that you look and feel. It's time to stop wasting time and get healthy! It's time to stop making excuses!

You have changed careers and now it is time to make yourself into a better you! I don't know how long this will take but you will work until you have accomplished your goal.

You have more time to take care of yourself so DO IT! You have a lot of tools to use. Get on that Wii everyday and put some miles on that elliptical! It's been collecting dust for too long.

You have several trips that you want to take and you will be 40 in the next year and a half so it is time to get with it and make yourself happy and more comfortable. You have a lot of clothes in the attic that you would love to wear so do this. You are worth it!

So get off your butt and get healthy!

 

[my3princes]

Evening all! I am, of course, just rushing in here again and I onl have 9 minutes, so today's qotd is a quickie!

Wed. QOTD: What is your DREAM career/job? Don't worry about education, income level, hours, etc. Just tell us your DREAM job.

I'll hop on later to share mine..................P

My Dream Job?...Really good question. My answer is that I have no idea. My degree is in business management and I'm sure that I'm good at managing people, but I don't want an office job. I know that if I have a sit down job I will not be able to control my weight. I also want summers and school vacations off, but I do NOT want to be a teacher. I plan to go back to work full time in September, but I have no idea where to begin looking for a career (not a job this time as I'm looking at the rest of my life).

 

[Rose&Mike]

Too much drama going on at work. You would think that we were high schoolers instead of teaching them. TOo involve to get into but I am ready not to go to a retirement party for a very close friend because of all the drama involved.

Have a nice evening everyone.

Dona--The graduation sounds wonderful! I'm sorry about the drama at work. My DS asked me yesterday (he's working a campaign this summer) why grown-ups have to keep acting like high schoolers? I told him I really don't know.

And we have a lot of similarites. I have had shingles too, in additon to the heart thing. I did not enjoy shingles.

Jennz- You can do the 5k this weekend, and you will not be swept!! You are one strong and amazing woman, and you will do it!!!

I agree with this!

Evening Everyone!

It was a pretty good day for me with food. I am well under my points but am going to have some ice cream for snack...mmmmm...I will have to be careful that I don't go overboard.

I also biked to work and home today so I have 6 miles on the bike.

I am going to do my crunches BEFORE the ice cream so that I know they will get done.

I have decided hat I am in a kind of self induced maintenance mode for the next 2 weeks. School is almost out and until it is, I am not going to worry about weight as long as it stays the same or goes down. There is just so much going on that I know it will be best for my mental health to not be quite as hard on myself as I have been. I know that when school is out...I will kick into high gear again and all will be good. I am not looking to go crazy, just not focusing on large losses each week.


Jen

Sometimes I think we just need a break. Not from the eating healthy and exercising so much as a break from the fullout focus. A little mental shift that says I am going to be ok with whatever this week and do the best I can and that's enough. Hope you make it through the next two weeks without too much stress!


QOTD--My dream job would be to do decorative painting. Murals, floor cloths, furniture, etc. In our basement, my DH built countertops and I painted them black with neon designs. I also painted the stairs and a bunch of other stuff.

I had an interesting day at work today. I got offered a different position, not a promotion but a lateral move. The job is a little outside of my comfort zone, but given that I have just gone back to work in the last six months, everything is a little out of my comfort zone. What was interesting was something she said to me during the meeting. In the course of the conversation it came up that she saw me as a very outgoing person. Kind of going along with the losing weight and how we see ourselves, I still see myself as very overweight, I keep trying on clothes that are way to big, etc. And I don't see myself as outgoing at all. I want to be outgoing, I might have been outgoing at one point, but I would not have described myself that way. It gave me something to think about. The new position will start in July and still be part time with a more flexible schedule. I'm going to take it, despite my nervousness.

Two nights from now I will be at Disney!!! I was going to work a half day Friday, but my boss gave me the whole day off. So now I can work out before we go. I pick up DH after he gets off work and we're off to the airport. We're planning a run at WL for either Saturday or Sunday morning.

Have a great evening. Finish strong! We can do this!

 

[jenanderson]

Just have to say that I did all my crunches! I am really happy because I often say that I am going to do them . . .and then get so caught up in the night that I don't do them. I think it helped that I would not allow myself to have the ice cream without the workout.

So now you know that I also had the ice cream too. Should not be a big deal because I only had 3 points for breakfast, 5 points for lunch and then 10 for supper. That left me with 3 daily points and I had earned 5 activity points today so I think I was more then fine.

I am also really excited because I think I have finally figured out how I want to do the COW for the summer challenge and it is going to include fun activities focused on relaxing in the summer, written shout outs and praise...and...cool PRIZES! Can't wait to share the new ideas with you all soon!

Time to get ready for bed! Chat with you all later!
Jen

 

[maiziezoe]

Wed. QOTD: What is your DREAM career/job? Don't worry about education, income level, hours, etc. Just tell us your DREAM job.

I have been really, really lucky to have already worked my two dream jobs... I would like to go back to working one of them (hey, both would be great actually).

I spent four years as a newspaper columnist. Greatest job ever.

I also spent four years as a Special Events Planner. LOVED it.

I did both jobs at the same time and thoroughly enjoyed both of them. I was able to write every week and was read by 600,000+ people and I got to plan parties, expos, golf outings and a lot of fun meetings.

 

[princessbride6205]

Wed. QOTD: What is your DREAM career/job? Don't worry about education, income level, hours, etc. Just tell us your DREAM job.
I loved being a performer, so I'd go back to singing and dancing for a living. I'd love to be in a Broadway show, but I've also always dreamed of voicing animated characters, especially a Disney princess.

OT: So, this weekend we were listening to the soundtrack from Finding Nemo: The Musical (the show at AK) and DD asked if we could go to Disney World. This came out of nowhere, as the last time we looked at pictures from our trip was over a month ago. She really wanted to go see Nemo and the hotel with the animals. DH and I batted around the idea of a summer trip but didn't really decide anything. Today he comes home telling me he asked for time off in July. So we might be going on a trip in 2 months. We'll see.