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

[redwalker]

MY alarm goes off at 4:20. I leave for work at 6:15. I like to be in my classroom by 6:40. Kids can come in for extra help any time after 7am. If they need to make up a test they need to get there by 6:50. Classes start a little after 7:30. From 4:20 to 5 is work out time for me. Then breakfast, put out the dog, shower, dress and make lunch and off to get a tea at Starbucks.

redwalker I know how hard it is to lose a family pet and my heart goes out to you. We never thought we could replace our last dog. we went 2 years before ds got his dog and brought her to the house. If ds ever leaves we are going ot require custody.

kimara congrats on winning this week. Good luck on your comps. YOu will make it through. That is exciting news about the new job and the move.

QOTD Wednesday: Today's question was inspired by the Going Skiing blog, which talks about our "inner toddlers." You know the part of yourself that doesn't want to go to the gym, tantrums for candy, etc. What unhealthy things does your inner toddler want to do? How can you parent your inner toddler to choose healthy foods and exercise?

Yesterday I went to a candy store to buy some things Easter Baskets. It brought me back to Easter at my grandparents house. They would some things from Kmart but they would also go to this special candy shop to get special chocolate lollipops. I was walking around taking in the smells (almost 6 weeks without chocolate it was intoxicating) and looking at things. Someone even commented that I looked like a kid in a candy store. I even bought a special egg for dh and I. It is a chocolate one with small chocolate candies inside. This is the kind of thing we always got for Easter. The parent of me has not touched chocolate in 6 weeks and I know that the chocolate I bought will last a long time.

Off to work on my project for the day. I am working on a quilt top. I have finished the squares. Now to put the top together and tomorrow morning the borders go on. I am hoping to start quilting it this weekend.

Have a great evening

donac-you just made me laugh. Thank you for that. Really, it has been the first time in days.

 

[Rose&Mike]

I just feel like I am going crazy without her, and I am not motivated to move. I know for my health, I must, I have to. I will try again tonight, at least a mile. I know I have to really get moving next week, not for any other reason but to keep body healthy. Maybe when the sun comes out, and the rain stops I will feel a little better. I am awaiting her ashes to come home. When she is finally home, I will feel less incomplete. Thank you for your kind words.

When my DS was in 8th grade (he's 18 now) our 8 year old black and tan coon hound had cancer. We did the surgery, but it was unsuccessful, and she ended up with her back two legs paralyzed. We tried steroid therapy for about a week and ended up having to have her put to sleep. Dh was working a lot and traveling during all this, and it was really awful. By the end she was just looking at me like please fix it. I am crying now thinking about it. I still have dreams about her, I just loved her so much.

After she died our other dog was even depressed, so we got her a "friend". We've had him for several years now, and I'm glad we adopted him--we were his 5th home and he was only 11 months old. I feel like we might have saved him from being put down. He's a royal pain in the butt, and I would give anything to have my hound back. I guess the point is, I will never love another dog like her, I don't think, but we do enjoy our two dogs. They love us no matter what, which is sometimes nice at the end of the day. You will know when you are ready. It will not be the same, but it can be good.
Rose

 

[jennz]

QOTD Wednesday: Today's question was inspired by the Going Skiing blog, which talks about our "inner toddlers." You know the part of yourself that doesn't want to go to the gym, tantrums for candy, etc. What unhealthy things does your inner toddler want to do? How can you parent your inner toddler to choose healthy foods and exercise?

lol I was just chatting with my inner brat today! She was trying to find all sorts of ways of getting out of the c25k. Fortunately my *much more mature* 12 year old dd and her bff planned on going with me so my inner brat was over-ruled.

This is such great advice, Lisa, and sooooo true. I know I've told this before, but this reminded me of one time michael was about 3-4, and was a horrid little brat all day, and I was a screaming lunatic all day, so at the end of the day we were getting ready for bed, and I think I'm going to talk to him now, so we can change the behavior and have better days, so I asked him how he felt to day was, and I can still see his little face saying, " it was a great day mommy.", and when I lose it now, I think back to that, and he isn't going to remember those bad mommy moments that wrack us with guilt, but all the wonderful, loving moments.

My inner toddler wants to eat junk food, and not be the adult, not cook, just eat easy, prepared foods. My inner toddler is also the culprit that ate a lindt chocolate bunny that was supposed to be from the easter bunny, and had to go out and buy another one. She is a bad girl.

Who has ever done anything like that?! lol me of course, and probably most of us right? You're funny!

MY alarm goes off at 4:20. I leave for work at 6:15. I like to be in my classroom by 6:40. Kids can come in for extra help any time after 7am. If they need to make up a test they need to get there by 6:50. Classes start a little after 7:30. From 4:20 to 5 is work out time for me. Then breakfast, put out the dog, shower, dress and make lunch and off to get a tea at Starbucks.

redwalker I know how hard it is to lose a family pet and my heart goes out to you. We never thought we could replace our last dog. we went 2 years before ds got his dog and brought her to the house. If ds ever leaves we are going ot require custody.

kimara congrats on winning this week. Good luck on your comps. YOu will make it through. That is exciting news about the new job and the move.

QOTD Wednesday: Today's question was inspired by the Going Skiing blog, which talks about our "inner toddlers." You know the part of yourself that doesn't want to go to the gym, tantrums for candy, etc. What unhealthy things does your inner toddler want to do? How can you parent your inner toddler to choose healthy foods and exercise?

Yesterday I went to a candy store to buy some things Easter Baskets. It brought me back to Easter at my grandparents house. They would some things from Kmart but they would also go to this special candy shop to get special chocolate lollipops. I was walking around taking in the smells (almost 6 weeks without chocolate it was intoxicating) and looking at things. Someone even commented that I looked like a kid in a candy store. I even bought a special egg for dh and I. It is a chocolate one with small chocolate candies inside. This is the kind of thing we always got for Easter. The parent of me has not touched chocolate in 6 weeks and I know that the chocolate I bought will last a long time.

Off to work on my project for the day. I am working on a quilt top. I have finished the squares. Now to put the top together and tomorrow morning the borders go on. I am hoping to start quilting it this weekend.

Have a great evening

WOW you get up early! So yes today was really sleeping in for you - it must have felt good.

Thanks LuvBaloo

And most deffiently Jennz

Today I got a Jacob Black message and it was wonderful:
"Jacob and the pack are howling over your success. Keep it up and run with the wolves."

Of course! You're mom is so creative!

I just feel like I am going crazy without her, and I am not motivated to move. I know for my health, I must, I have to. I will try again tonight, at least a mile. I know I have to really get moving next week, not for any other reason but to keep body healthy. Maybe when the sun comes out, and the rain stops I will feel a little better. I am awaiting her ashes to come home. When she is finally home, I will feel less incomplete. Thank you for your kind words.

It is so so hard when they're not here anymore, I can't even list all the little things our furbabies do to give us smiles throughout the day...people who aren't "animal" people don't understand that you have truly lost a family member. I took my doggies out to the park today in honor of Xena, and even let illegally off their leashes to chase some squirrels.

 

[jennz]

just had to add...I am cracking myself up. I'm making dd's lunch for tomorrow - APRIL FOOL'S! - and I took an empty bag of cheez-its, which she hates, and put oreos in it and glued it shut. Then I glued her sandwich bag and pretzel bags shut. I don't know why I'm getting so much amusement out of this! She'll never expect it for me, she knows I'm not fond of April's fool jokes b/c they can get pretty mean or are often at other people's expense. But for these...hee hee

 

[CptJackSparrowsGirl]

Jennz your so right *giggles*
I love my mommy

 

[MJonesMBA2001]

OK, I need some help and advice from some of you who are consistently doing well. I'm a guy, so losing weight shouldn't be that hard, even if I am 37 now!

I have lost about 10 lbs since starting this challenge, which is no small thing, but I should have lost twice that, maybe. I tried doing low carb, and found it to be too restrictive, and caved a couple of times.

So my question is, what eating plan are you doing? What is something that works for you, and how exactly are you doing?

The exercise part I got; I exercise every day for at least 45 minutes, and I've added in the Men's Health Spartacus Workout (you can google if you want, or I can post a link) 3x a week and run 4x a week. Sometimes I take a day off to rest. I am seriously thinking about doing the Insanity dvd workout, which is sort of like p90x but without weights, and essentially giving up running for two months. I really want to be below 200 lbs, and I would rather have that than continue to run all the time, as much as it pains me to say it.

So, can you all help me? I guess my problem is getting on a plan and sticking to it 100%, absolutely no cheating.

You can answer here, or PM me, or whatever!

 

[sahbushka]

Just wanted to say hi...I haven't been on in forever but I am plugging away! Hope you all are doing well and I will try to be on more often!

SarahMay

 

[Graciesmom77]

My inner toddler needs a spanking! She is a HUGE Brat!!!!

I did well throughout the first part of the day and didn't eat junk, but 5 hit, I was exhausted from not sleeping well and didn't have dinner planned and I caved and ordered a pizza. I should just kick myself. Why can't I do this? I have never not been fat and I can't even imagine what it would be like to be reasonably thin. I keep reading things about weight loss and it always says something like "remember what it felt like to be thin" or " Won't if feel great to get back into your skinny jeans?' I have no skinny jeans and never had. Will I ever? Sometimes I feel like the answer is a big fat loud NO!

Sorry to complain so much. Today was a frustrating disapointing day and I am aggravated at myself. Thanks for letting me vent.

I hope you all had a great day. The weather here is beautiful and I hope all that have rain, that it will soon dry up! Stinkin rain!

 

[Rose&Mike]

My inner toddler needs a spanking! She is a HUGE Brat!!!!

I did well throughout the first part of the day and didn't eat junk, but 5 hit, I was exhausted from not sleeping well and didn't have dinner planned and I caved and ordered a pizza. I should just kick myself. Why can't I do this? I have never not been fat and I can't even imagine what it would be like to be reasonably thin. I keep reading things about weight loss and it always says something like "remember what it felt like to be thin" or " Won't if feel great to get back into your skinny jeans?' I have no skinny jeans and never had. Will I ever? Sometimes I feel like the answer is a big fat loud NO!

Sorry to complain so much. Today was a frustrating disapointing day and I am aggravated at myself. Thanks for letting me vent.

I hope you all had a great day. The weather here is beautiful and I hope all that have rain, that it will soon dry up! Stinkin rain!

I thought I was the only one with issues this week. I have had french fries 3 times this week. Saturday, Sunday and today. You can do this and so can I. No one is perfect, and I know I did some things right this week and I'm sure you did, too. I struggle with the whole picture yourself thing and I know I've been at a healthy weight, but I have never thought that it was good enough. Just keep swimming...and try to picture yourself one size smaller or two sizes smaller. Sometimes it helps to break it all down into smaller goals. Hang in there. Maybe plan tomorrow's dinner tonight. Dinner is when my day usually falls apart as well, and I know it's usually my own fault because I didn't make a plan.

 

[tigger813]

I vow that at some point this week/end I will get back on track working out. I am just really exhausted. I know I will get back some energy when I do start working out but between stress and PMS this week it's just not in the cards right now. I do sound like I am making excuses don't I? I'm going to be coach starting on Friday for the next week so I really need to refocus and be a good coach!

Have a good night everyone! I'm hoping for a good night's sleep tonight with no interruptions. The rain has stopped FINALLY! Looking forward to a nice weekend. I would love to take a walk at some point this weekend but I will have to see if I can squeeze it in!

 

[jbm02]

...just saying hi, everyone! I was in DC for a few days and am just getting back on the 'puter. I have alot of catching up to do!!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

maiziezoe- Congrats on that wonderful drop in your blood pressure! What an amazing new number! Talk about a NSV!!!

LuvBaloo/Shannon -Thank you for including the top eleven this week. That gave me a little pick-me-up.

Congratulations to everyone on the list and a big congrats to the Biggest Loser, Kimara! May you wear the clippie proudly! And I hope that it was the cherry on top of your "finishing your master's degree exams" sundae"! Congratulations to everyone who has stuck with the challenge no matter what your weight loss. Just hanging in here and continuing to give it a go is a feat. Someone at the beginning of this challenge quoted how long most people stick with New Year's resolutions and I think most have dropped them by February if I remember correctly.

I have also been known to encourage my DD's that housework is fun. I want to keep getting them participating, so will "let them" clean the bathroom. The love using the cleaning wipes to wipe things down. A while back, I told my oldest (8yo) that she was now big enough to even clean the toilet with the special cleaner. She was excited and asked is she could do the basement bathroom too. I pretended to think it over for a few seconds before graciously saying "yes you can". This week I think its time to let the 5yo have her turn at it.

I had to read this part to my DH andwe both got a big chuckle out of it. With a 7 year old and an almost-four year old, we could totally relate.

pjilla- Love the idea of sharing recipes! Maybe we should make a Biggest Loser recipe thread for the recipe idea we share on this thread. That way they'd all be in one spot. Our family also loves the garden burgers and salmon burgers for a quick and easy meal! Very low calorie, too, especially when you put them on one of the Earthgrain 100 calories thin buns. I'd love to hear your recipes for the low fat/light cheese sauce for the potatoes.

Interesting article on CNN.com regarding How much exercise you should get.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/03/30/exercise.guidelines.confusion/index.html?hpt=Sbin

Ugh. One hour of excercise every day just to maintain weight? I hope someone else comes out with different studey that disputes the results of this one soon. I'm excercising three to five days a week for approximately 45 minutes at a time. It's working for me, but I don't see increasing it too much except weeks like this (spring break) and over summer vacation. I work three days a week and I tend to do my jogging on my non-work days.

Mikamah- Congrats on running in the rain! Doesn't that make you feel so dedicated and, well, just like a real runner?!?!?

My inner toddler is also the culprit that ate a lindt chocolate bunny that was supposed to be from the easter bunny, and had to go out and buy another one. She is a bad girl.

I just feel like I am going crazy without her, and I am not motivated to move. I know for my health, I must, I have to. I will try again tonight, at least a mile. I know I have to really get moving next week, not for any other reason but to keep body healthy. Maybe when the sun comes out, and the rain stops I will feel a little better. I am awaiting her ashes to come home. When she is finally home, I will feel less incomplete. Thank you for your kind words.

Have any of you seen Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, a new reality tv show about the nutrition in school lunches? For those with kids (wither in public, private, or home school) the program is a must see. Even without having kids, what he has to say about nutrition is really interesting. The first show was on a week or so ago and I Tivo'd it and finally watched it. It was great! Here's an article from the NY Times about the program and school lunches: NY Times article "A TV Show and Congress Tackle School Lunches.

 

[cclovesdis]

Hope everyone is doing well. I don't know where the time goes anymore. I made it to the pool yesterday and today, but it was so crowded that I couldn't get any lap swimming in. I was not exactly thrilled as it's 30 min. from my house in good traffic. Ok, enough venting.


QOTD: My "inner toddler" (I love that, btw) has been saying eat chocolate and lots of it. I can't see to get enough of it. I'm am not expecting to lose anything this week and will be amazed if I don't gain 5 pounds. I'm hoping it's PMS, but it might not be. I'm actually thinking of calling my doctor about it. I've needed to eat a lot lately. Today it was chocolate, which is why I'm thinking PMS, but then again, that may or may not explain everything.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Have a great day tomorrow everyone!

 

[flipflopmom]

Funny school lunches were mentioned today. That's been my of the day. I saw in teeny tiny letters where the nutrition facts could be found. Check out what's being served in my school district. COULD NOT BELIEVE it! No wonder that I gained weight eating school lunch. Here's the link:
http://www.patrick.k12.va.us/documents/lunch.htm

I am so totally exhausted, I can't think much. What I pack for DD2 - carrots, broccoli, string cheese, gogurt, and some type of fruit. Sometimes a little turkey. I have to brag on her again. DH's 97 year old grandmother made them Easter bags. When she showed it to me, at home thankfullly, she pulled out the oreos and twix and said -"Unhealthy food. It goes down the drain or in the trash!" So proud of my 3 year old. She's really catching on. 2 weeks ago she would have begged to have some. And a big thanks for helping me get her back on track.


I'll try to catch up tomorrow. Night everyone.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I gained this past week, was making soem pretty bad food choices. I have been so stressed out at work, I'm crying as I type this. I am at my wit's end. I don't know what to do anymore.

It seems like when we finally make progress with one kid, another one steps up to take their place as troublemaker du jour. Yesterday I discovered one of my kids stealing from the room- twice. I think I know where my keys have gone that went missing before break. Unfortunately, I doubt I will ever be able to get them back.

This is the kid who was screaming at me on the bus "you dirty *****, you dirty *****." He keeps escalating and nothing I try seems to work. I talked with our social worker yesterday about some strategies. My process coordinator had talked about taking him into recovery to help him cool down before he escalates, but then the recovery room person thought we were using it too much. The social worker told me that he is going to blow at whoever is in authority and to have someone else redirect him. Great, when I have that person there. I basically can't send him to the safe seat or get on to him, or he will blow.

He openly mocks me in class all day. He keeps saying things like, "You're so mean to kids, you should be in jail." Or telling other adults that I'm calling him stupid and fat or saying that I think that. Which I don't. Today another kid was acting up in the bathroom and he was laughing and saying, "that's my boy." He then started saying over and over, "I don't have to listen to you shorty." Then just kept repeating the shorty part over and over. I know I shouldn't let myself get upset by a kid in 2nd grade, but that has always been a sensitive issue for me. I did everything I could not to let it show. Any other kid would have been in the safe seat, but I was alone with the group and knew if I pressed the issue, he would flip out and I would have nobody to take the rest of the kids. He doesn't stop talking for more than two seconds at a time (not an exaggeration.) And most of the time it is back talk. I won't let him bully the other students, so he takes it all out on me.

It didn't help that today I didn't get a break. One of my paras (the one who stays with the class) went home sick today, which is fine. But we weren't able to get a sub. So I had to eat lunch with them and go with them to specials. The only break I got was when I asked my PC to watch them for 5 minutes so I could run to the restroom.

I'm at the end of my rope. I don't know what I'm doing anymore. I hate it so much. I try so hard, do everything I can think of, don't sleep at night trying to come up with new strategies, better lesson plans. And I might as well be talking to a wall, at least the wall wouldn't talk back. I know the kids don't understand how much time and effort I put in for them, or how much of my own money I have spent on special things for the room. And really, in the end they shouldn't care about any of that, I'm just doing my job. But it sucks to try so hard all the time and know that they hate you. I'm starting to wonder why I ever thought I could do this job.

So then I get stressed and eat things I shouldn't and don't work out because I am so exhausted by the end of the day. I need to find a better way to destress. That's always been my fall back, go to a restaurant with my book. I need to come up with something else that isn't going to wreck my diet.

 

[LuvBaloo]

QOTD Wednesday: Today's question was inspired by the Going Skiing blog, which talks about our "inner toddlers." You know the part of yourself that doesn't want to go to the gym, tantrums for candy, etc. What unhealthy things does your inner toddler want to do? How can you parent your inner toddler to choose healthy foods and exercise?

My inner toddler took over today and insisted on going to A&W for lunch, and then got frustrated at work and opened and ate some Girl Guide cookies. For some reason, today I gave up and let the toddler have her way. But the grown up took over at supper and behaved.

I realized this evening that the inner toddler gets worse when I haven't been sleeping well, so I'll be heading to bed early tonight instead of late like I have been for a few days.

OK, I need some help and advice from some of you who are consistently doing well. I'm a guy, so losing weight shouldn't be that hard, even if I am 37 now!

I have lost about 10 lbs since starting this challenge, which is no small thing, but I should have lost twice that, maybe. I tried doing low carb, and found it to be too restrictive, and caved a couple of times.

So my question is, what eating plan are you doing? What is something that works for you, and how exactly are you doing?

The exercise part I got; I exercise every day for at least 45 minutes, and I've added in the Men's Health Spartacus Workout (you can google if you want, or I can post a link) 3x a week and run 4x a week. Sometimes I take a day off to rest. I am seriously thinking about doing the Insanity dvd workout, which is sort of like p90x but without weights, and essentially giving up running for two months. I really want to be below 200 lbs, and I would rather have that than continue to run all the time, as much as it pains me to say it.

So, can you all help me? I guess my problem is getting on a plan and sticking to it 100%, absolutely no cheating.

You can answer here, or PM me, or whatever!

I'm sure somebody else with a better track record will jump in and add their ideas, but here's the one that jumped in my head -have you tried journaling your food? perhaps your intake is higher than you think?

My inner toddler needs a spanking! She is a HUGE Brat!!!!

I did well throughout the first part of the day and didn't eat junk, but 5 hit, I was exhausted from not sleeping well and didn't have dinner planned and I caved and ordered a pizza. I should just kick myself. Why can't I do this? I have never not been fat and I can't even imagine what it would be like to be reasonably thin. I keep reading things about weight loss and it always says something like "remember what it felt like to be thin" or " Won't if feel great to get back into your skinny jeans?' I have no skinny jeans and never had. Will I ever? Sometimes I feel like the answer is a big fat loud NO!

Sorry to complain so much. Today was a frustrating disapointing day and I am aggravated at myself. Thanks for letting me vent.

I hope you all had a great day. The weather here is beautiful and I hope all that have rain, that it will soon dry up! Stinkin rain!

Keep venting when you're frustrated. It always help to get it out.
Forgive yourself and move on.
And don't think about skinny jeans, very few people can actually wear those.
Think about your recent success - remember how good you felt seeing the results of the good choices you have been making and will make again tomorrow

 

[LuvBaloo]

Wow, Jessi, what a lot of stress to be dealing with!

Is it meeting safety and school regulations to be leaving you alone so much with the problem child? It seems crazy to me, that the social worker is saying the child is going to blow but yet you are left alone with that child in the class.

I understand wanting to escape into a book and being exhausted from the stress. Would listening to a book on tape while walking help to ease the stress? or doing some simple stepping watching a favourite movie give you the mental escape. Perhaps doing something physical would help you sleep.

Or maybe do some punching to get the frustration out.

I hope tomorrow is a better day for you

 

[princessbride6205]

This is such great advice, Lisa, and sooooo true. I know I've told this before, but this reminded me of one time michael was about 3-4, and was a horrid little brat all day, and I was a screaming lunatic all day, so at the end of the day we were getting ready for bed, and I think I'm going to talk to him now, so we can change the behavior and have better days, so I asked him how he felt to day was, and I can still see his little face saying, " it was a great day mommy.", and when I lose it now, I think back to that, and he isn't going to remember those bad mommy moments that wrack us with guilt, but all the wonderful, loving moments.

That story about Michael had me tearing up just a little.

just had to add...I am cracking myself up. I'm making dd's lunch for tomorrow - APRIL FOOL'S! - and I took an empty bag of cheez-its, which she hates, and put oreos in it and glued it shut. Then I glued her sandwich bag and pretzel bags shut. I don't know why I'm getting so much amusement out of this! She'll never expect it for me, she knows I'm not fond of April's fool jokes b/c they can get pretty mean or are often at other people's expense. But for these...hee hee

You are too funny!

OK, I need some help and advice from some of you who are consistently doing well. I'm a guy, so losing weight shouldn't be that hard, even if I am 37 now!

I have lost about 10 lbs since starting this challenge, which is no small thing, but I should have lost twice that, maybe. I tried doing low carb, and found it to be too restrictive, and caved a couple of times.

So my question is, what eating plan are you doing? What is something that works for you, and how exactly are you doing?

The exercise part I got; I exercise every day for at least 45 minutes, and I've added in the Men's Health Spartacus Workout (you can google if you want, or I can post a link) 3x a week and run 4x a week. Sometimes I take a day off to rest. I am seriously thinking about doing the Insanity dvd workout, which is sort of like p90x but without weights, and essentially giving up running for two months. I really want to be below 200 lbs, and I would rather have that than continue to run all the time, as much as it pains me to say it.

So, can you all help me? I guess my problem is getting on a plan and sticking to it 100%, absolutely no cheating.

You can answer here, or PM me, or whatever!

Hi there! Lots of people have done Weight Watchers, which has either a points system for food or their newer Core system which you eat from a list of approved foods and don't have to count.
For me, I did calorie counting. I used livestrong.com and their Daily Plate feature. They have a pretty good searchable database of food to help you track your calories. There is a calculator there to tell you how many calories someone your age and height needs each day. You won't have to track calories forever if you don't want to. For me, I tracked for a few months, then felt like I knew enough what I could eat each day without counting anymore. When I hit a plateau or if I gain for more than a week, I'll get back to counting again for a little while.
The main thing is to figure out what type of healthier eating you can sustain and make part of your lifestyle.
Oh, and I wouldn't expect no cheating. If you restrict yourself too much, you may end up cheating a lot. I think it's healthy to allow yourself some treats or flexibility. Earlier this week we talked about the idea of 80/20 eating - 80% healthy foods and 20% whatever. It's nice if you can allow yourself some treats, so that you don't feel like a failure every time you cheat just a little.
As much as you want to be below 200, I don't know if I'd give up running. Before you give it up, try some kind of food tracking for a few weeks (calories or WW points). Hopefully that gets you on a losing path again.

My inner toddler needs a spanking! She is a HUGE Brat!!!!

I did well throughout the first part of the day and didn't eat junk, but 5 hit, I was exhausted from not sleeping well and didn't have dinner planned and I caved and ordered a pizza. I should just kick myself. Why can't I do this? I have never not been fat and I can't even imagine what it would be like to be reasonably thin. I keep reading things about weight loss and it always says something like "remember what it felt like to be thin" or " Won't if feel great to get back into your skinny jeans?' I have no skinny jeans and never had. Will I ever? Sometimes I feel like the answer is a big fat loud NO!

Sorry to complain so much. Today was a frustrating disapointing day and I am aggravated at myself. Thanks for letting me vent.

You absolutely can do this! Everyone has a different definition of thin, but I know you can get to a healthy weight. Everyone has bad days and poor food choices sometimes.
As far as visualizing your weight loss success - maybe you can think to yourself more about how you will feel when you reach a certain weight goal. Or how you'll feel when it's easier to go up a flight of stairs or do 10 push ups, whatever your goals may be.

I vow that at some point this week/end I will get back on track working out. I am just really exhausted. I know I will get back some energy when I do start working out but between stress and PMS this week it's just not in the cards right now. I do sound like I am making excuses don't I? I'm going to be coach starting on Friday for the next week so I really need to refocus and be a good coach!

Have a good night everyone! I'm hoping for a good night's sleep tonight with no interruptions. The rain has stopped FINALLY! Looking forward to a nice weekend. I would love to take a walk at some point this weekend but I will have to see if I can squeeze it in!

I'm glad to hear the rain has finally stopped. We're having gorgeous weather in the midwest, so hopefully this weather system is on its way to you guys!

...just saying hi, everyone! I was in DC for a few days and am just getting back on the 'puter. I have alot of catching up to do!!

Welcome back!

Ugh. One hour of excercise every day just to maintain weight? I hope someone else comes out with different studey that disputes the results of this one soon. I'm excercising three to five days a week for approximately 45 minutes at a time. It's working for me, but I don't see increasing it too much except weeks like this (spring break) and over summer vacation. I work three days a week and I tend to do my jogging on my non-work days.

I think that 1 hour to maintain is so subjective. So much of maintaining is based on the calories you can burn in your every day life. Having a completely sedentary FT desk job is a lot different than someone who works construction, or runs a child care, or gives massages (like our Tigger).

Funny school lunches were mentioned today. That's been my of the day. I saw in teeny tiny letters where the nutrition facts could be found. Check out what's being served in my school district. COULD NOT BELIEVE it! No wonder that I gained weight eating school lunch. Here's the link:
http://www.patrick.k12.va.us/documents/lunch.htm

It's so frustrating! Yesterday I went and toured a rather pricey preschool - their menu was the same as a typical school lunch - chicken patty, pizza with beef crumbles, juice & nilla wafers for snack most days. They meet the federal food requirements of serving fruit and veg, but that's the only positive. I'd be paying so much per week, and you can't serve any REAL food?

I gained this past week, was making soem pretty bad food choices. I have been so stressed out at work, I'm crying as I type this. I am at my wit's end. I don't know what to do anymore.

It seems like when we finally make progress with one kid, another one steps up to take their place as troublemaker du jour. Yesterday I discovered one of my kids stealing from the room- twice. I think I know where my keys have gone that went missing before break. Unfortunately, I doubt I will ever be able to get them back.

This is the kid who was screaming at me on the bus "you dirty *****, you dirty *****." He keeps escalating and nothing I try seems to work. I talked with our social worker yesterday about some strategies. My process coordinator had talked about taking him into recovery to help him cool down before he escalates, but then the recovery room person thought we were using it too much. The social worker told me that he is going to blow at whoever is in authority and to have someone else redirect him. Great, when I have that person there. I basically can't send him to the safe seat or get on to him, or he will blow.

He openly mocks me in class all day. He keeps saying things like, "You're so mean to kids, you should be in jail." Or telling other adults that I'm calling him stupid and fat or saying that I think that. Which I don't. Today another kid was acting up in the bathroom and he was laughing and saying, "that's my boy." He then started saying over and over, "I don't have to listen to you shorty." Then just kept repeating the shorty part over and over. I know I shouldn't let myself get upset by a kid in 2nd grade, but that has always been a sensitive issue for me. I did everything I could not to let it show. Any other kid would have been in the safe seat, but I was alone with the group and knew if I pressed the issue, he would flip out and I would have nobody to take the rest of the kids. He doesn't stop talking for more than two seconds at a time (not an exaggeration.) And most of the time it is back talk. I won't let him bully the other students, so he takes it all out on me.

It didn't help that today I didn't get a break. One of my paras (the one who stays with the class) went home sick today, which is fine. But we weren't able to get a sub. So I had to eat lunch with them and go with them to specials. The only break I got was when I asked my PC to watch them for 5 minutes so I could run to the restroom.

I'm at the end of my rope. I don't know what I'm doing anymore. I hate it so much. I try so hard, do everything I can think of, don't sleep at night trying to come up with new strategies, better lesson plans. And I might as well be talking to a wall, at least the wall wouldn't talk back. I know the kids don't understand how much time and effort I put in for them, or how much of my own money I have spent on special things for the room. And really, in the end they shouldn't care about any of that, I'm just doing my job. But it sucks to try so hard all the time and know that they hate you. I'm starting to wonder why I ever thought I could do this job.

So then I get stressed and eat things I shouldn't and don't work out because I am so exhausted by the end of the day. I need to find a better way to destress. That's always been my fall back, go to a restaurant with my book. I need to come up with something else that isn't going to wreck my diet.

I wish I had some advice for you. If I was in your shoes, I'd be feeling exactly the same way. Do you have any type of mentor to talk to? Is there a counselor or someone that teachers can talk to when they have an issue? Is there a local special ed teacher's group where you could get together and share stories and strategies? Hang in there, Jessi. I'm sorry things have been so incredibly rough and stressful.

Thursday QOTD: People who are more active just in their daily lives can burn hundreds of more calories than their sedentary counterparts. What can you do to increase your non-exercise activity
I try to get up from my desk often. Sometimes to refill my water, go to the copier, etc. but sometimes just to get up and stretch a little. After reading an article today on this subject, I stood up and sat down 10 times (one of the tips recommended). I take the stairs. Yesterday I parked in a further parking garage from work, so I had to walk an extra 4 minutes each way. Maybe it's good for my weight loss that my brain has been scattered at work - I'm constantly going back and forth when I remember just one more thing I have to grab for a project. If no one else is in the elevator, I'll do stretches or glute squeezes. I try to visit my co-workers to ask a question, rather than calling.

 

[donac]

Jessi I am so sorry for what you are going through. I do think it is a safety issue for you not to have another person in the room with you but I know how hard it is to get a sub.

My thoughts are if these students are like this in 2nd grade what are they going to be like when they get to jr high or high school.

I will be sending you good thoughts today.

I can't stay on too long this morning. I need to finish the quilt top I am working on. The rows are going together better than I could have wished. I have designed a border that I really like so it is just a matter of putting it together.

Today is finishing the quilt and getting it ready for hand quilting. Tomorrow is taxes and Saturday I have to bake a cake for SUnday. Can't decide between orange chiffon or pineapple chiffon.

Thursday QOTD: People who are more active just in their daily lives can burn hundreds of more calories than their sedentary counterparts. What can you do to increase your non-exercise activity
SInce Jan 1st I have been wearing a pedometer. Dr. Oz suggests that you need at least 10000 steps a day. My weight has been slowly going down when I got over 10000 steps a day. Approximately 2000 steps equals a mile so using this conversion I have been doing over 5 miles a day. I did 157 miles in March with an average of 10565 a day which is more than 400 steps more per day than I did in Feb. I am hoping to be over 11000 steps per day in April. Since Jan 1st I figure I have walked 441 miles, more than a third of the way to Disney.

 

[flipflopmom]

Jessi - I know exactly what you are talking about. I am a K teacher, but the "inclusion" teacher for my grade level. I have all kinds of special needs kids in my reg ed class. (Meaning, emotional, mental, physical, disabilities all thrown in). It's soooo hard to let it go at night, and to feel as if you are beat down and thrown against a wall all day. And no para for the day - awful. Our grade level shares one, if I can't steal a 3 minute potty break during the day I go nuts!

Not knowing your school system, I hesitate to even make these comments. If they aren't supportive, then they might make you feel worse. I have found that if I involve the principal, asst. principal, and guidance counselor, and even the School Resource Officer, I have a team behind me. I go to them honestly, we have a brainstorming meeting, and I explain what led me to the end of my rope. Then, when things are escalating, I send two of my students with a note to the office requesting help. Sometimes, just another perspective or support for a minute, I step in the hallway, grab a drink of water, cry, or go all the way outside and scream or break twigs. If I can't get away for a second, let someone else have the responsibility, I get even more jacked up myself. See if you can get some extra support. The kids won't change, but your mental well being may improve! Do you have any flexibility with your schedule? Sometimes when things aren't going well, we head out the door for a walk outside, and I do "counseling sessions" on the playground. The fresh air seems to help everyone's mood. The main offender gets to chat with me instead of playing, so it isn't a reward for him/her, but losing the confines of the classroom seems to help.

It's sooo hard. I feel so badly for you, and just want to send you lots of


For today's QOTD: I am not really all the sedentary at work. In fact, I just want to sit down some days. Lots of bending and squatting to help the kids with work, up and down out of my reading chair and desk chair, walking the room, putting out "fires" on the playground. If I am sedentary, then I am having a bad teaching day!

Gotta get moving. Today is a busy day. Spring pictures this morning, then all the kids will change clothes (that will be fun!) and we are walking to the park for our egg hunt. I can't wait to get outside this afternoon, it's supposed to be gorgeous! My mom is keeping the kids tonight, DH and I will be ALONE! I hope I can get the house clean before he gets home, so we can relax together! Tomorrow am is my consult with the oral surgeon, so the girls are staying with mom so they can sleep in. I hope we can have a great afternoon Friday, DH is off, and then we're going to the zoo Saturday!

BTW, my wii fit board tried playing an april fool's day joke on me this am. Told me the balance board wasn't working, then said April Fool's. To top it off, there was a sock under it I wasn't aware of, and it said I lost 7lbs yesterday. Not funny. Retried again, and it told me "you seem to be holding something that weighs 7 pounds when I stepped on." Yeah, fat.

Have a great day all!!!