Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge -- thread closing -- see new thread Part 2!

[tigger813]

I have been getting up at 5:20 for the last several months to get in a 3 mile workout before getting DD1 on the bus and then another 2 mile workout before taking DD2 to preschool. The last several days though when the alarm goes off at 5:20 I get up and reset it for 6:10. Tonight I'm leaving it set for 6:10. I will do something after both kids are gone in the morning. I'll do some cleaning and some working out throughout the day. When I get stuck on where to put stuff I will do some Wii Fit. That will hopefully clear my mind. I might do some yoga on the Wii as well.

I think part of my problem is trying to catch up on my sleep from watching the Olympics every night until almost midnight! Stayed up too late last night as well. CSI:NY just started so we should head to bed and watch it. We TIVO it so I can always watch it tomorrow too!

Good night everyone! The Energizer Bunny will hopefully be back tomorrow!

 

[princessbride6205]

Hello Everyone! I am here to admit that I have gotten sloppy with so many things...like posting here! As of yesterday, I started getting tough with myself again. I am recording every little thing that goes in my mouth (I was doing my meals but stopped recording water, vitamins, etc). I am recording all my exercise again. One other thing I have done is gotten sloppy about posting daily on this thread as well. That is about to stop as well. I think that when I am most successful, I post here at least once a day. The past week or so, I have been much more of a "skimmer" and have only posted little things. So, here I am again! To start things off, I am going to get back on track by answering the QOTD!

QOTD: What is more of a challange diet or exercise?

They are about the same for me. Exercise is a challenge and diet is a challenge.

The diet is a major challenge as I find that on some days (running days) I tend to be really hungry. I feel like I am "cheating" if I eat any extra points...even my flex or exercise exchange points. I need to learn to get over that. I also struggle with chocolate...big time. I need to get M&Ms back in the house so I can count out my little servings of 10 when I need a treat instead of the constant cravings!

I am loving the running and do a great job of it on all my scheduled run days. I am not loving the cross training and need to get myself back in gear. I had been doing the Wii, lifting light free weights and doing pilates. Now it seems all I do is run and I know that is not balanced. The problem is that I have made the running a real priority and do not deviate from the running plan but I don't have a true plan in place for other exercises. I need to change this and return to the wide variety of exercising.

Preparing to go out to eat...I have smart choices in mind! Have a great night everyone!
Jen

Glad to see you again, Jen! I need to get in better non-running workouts too. I like having XT and strength training days, but I feel like I need to step those up a little.

It's easy eating organic veges/fruit/eggs because I have an organic produce store on the ground level of my apartment building, but I haven't found anywhere to source organic meat from. I'm sure it would be easy if I were back in NZ though - is it me, or is the taste of organic produce stronger somehow?

I agree that organic produce is more flavorful. I have mostly noticed this with tomatoes, strawberries and carrots. (Apples, for example, I can't tell the difference.)

 

[donac]

People who are spiritual live longer than those who aren't. Whether you are a church goer or not you can still be spiritual.

Today take some time and find something inspirational to read.

 

[mikamah]

Well... difficult evening. Had to give DS some "tough love" about his constantly forgetting bits and pieces of homework and study stuff. He has been crying off and on for a few hours now because of it and he is SURE that DH and I both hate him... he wants to move away... etc, etc, etc. I gave him a break (he was told to sit in the kitchen until he wrote a 3 paragraph paper that he forgot his notes for) to take a shower. Hopefully DH will let it go when he returns and DS can just go to bed. He won't be happy, but at least the evening will be over. He only wrote about 5 sentences instead of 3 paragraphs, but I can't FORCE him to remember the stuff that was on the notes he forgot. But hopefully this "forgetting" will improve now (with continued reminders from Mom, of course!!)

Sorry you had such a night with your son. I hope he got to bed and today is a better day for him. My niece really struggled in middle school, almost failing classes, and now that she is in high school it has all come together for her and she is doing well. A friend of mine has a middle schooler, and she is also struggling, and she feels that middle school is a time for the kids to figure it all out, get their own sense of organizing all the work they have to do, since it is such a big change from elementary, and hopefully by high school things will be easier. It sounds like your son is very bright, and will figure it all out. It's just so hard for all of you, I'm sure. Hang in there. (just reminding myself to treasure these elementary years.)

That is great to hear that the exercise challenge is helping! I might need to look into that for March.

I love doing the exercise challenge, and as the end of the month nears, if I'm not close to my set goal, will usually push myself to meet it. It had really helped me.

I have been getting up at 5:20 for the last several months to get in a 3 mile workout before getting DD1 on the bus and then another 2 mile workout before taking DD2 to preschool. The last several days though when the alarm goes off at 5:20 I get up and reset it for 6:10. Tonight I'm leaving it set for 6:10. I will do something after both kids are gone in the morning. I'll do some cleaning and some working out throughout the day. When I get stuck on where to put stuff I will do some Wii Fit. That will hopefully clear my mind. I might do some yoga on the Wii as well.

Good for you tracey for listening to your body and getting some extra sleep. I'm sure it will help reenergize you.

People who are spiritual live longer than those who aren't. Whether you are a church goer or not you can still be spiritual.

Today take some time and find something inspirational to read.

I like this one today. thanks dona.

I'm with you on the mindless eating. I got some Hershey's Kisses while DFIL is here...I did count today while I ate 460 calories worth!! I just didn't add up the total until the end. lol I also told DH NO MORE CHIPS! Unless he hides the bag from me. That's just how it goes.

We went to Red Robin tonight for dinner. I checked the nutrition guide before we went and got the blackened chicken sandwich and fries. Came home and we played some Quiddler (while I ate more Kisses, bringing my total to that ridiculous amount!) then DH and DFIL went to bowl and DD and I played some Walk It Out. At least I planned a low cal healthy breakfast and lunch, and between that and my exercise I'm at a 240 calorie deficit for the day.

Back to work tomorrow...and back to finding time to work out again. It's been nice having the past week off!

That's great you ended with a deficit, even after the m and m's. Good luck going back to work, sometimes the routine of work helps me more than being home, especially with my eating.

OK, enough talking about M&Ms or I will want to eat more of them! LOL!

I don't know how you can have the whole bag in the house, and not eat it all. Guess that's why you're down 45 pounds!!

QOTD: Definitely the diet part. I love eating, and I'm also a stress eater. I've gotten better at curbing my nighttime gluttony. I couldn't be the weight I am with exercise alone.

The night time snacking can be so hard to conquer. I need to try and save myself a treat to have at night, and if i'm tired go to bed, rather than eat to stay awake, which is so stupid.

Ok, another question for everyone (I know I'm full of questions, I can't help myself!) Yesterday in NZ, WW and McDonalds together announced they have paired up for WW McDonalds meals - meals you can purchase that have the points all calculated (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/healthy-living/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501238&objectid=10629561), which has caused a bit of a ruckus with nutritionists etc.

Is there anything like this in the US?

I haven't heard of anything yet. I love the website www.dwlz.com which has lots of points listed for restaurants. We are limiting our mcd's to once a month. I had been in a rut and going probably at least once a week so that needed to stop. I usually get a salad for about 8 points with the grilled chicken, but the sodium content is so high. The rest of the menu is so not worth the points.

QOTD: I would have to say that both are a challenge for me. I have a big problem with chocolate and struggle to avoid it. I know drinking water helps me lose, but I struggle with that as well. I enjoy eating and sometimes binge eat. There are days when I just don't feel like exercising. I frequently plan to exercise in the morning and then don't sleep well and can't get up early enough to fit in a workout and make it to work on time. I get so many benefits from exercise, but I don't love it so it's really easy to make excuses for not exercising.

Have a great day tomorrow everyone!

Chocolate is so hard to avoid, if it's in the house. A friend of mine who is a ww lifetime will make a trip to the store, and buy one lindt chocolate truffle when she needs a fix, because she knows she can't bring more into the house or she'll eat them.

QOTD: What is more of a challange diet or exercise?
Definitely the diet. I am not as disciplined as I would like and find myself reaching for a snack all too often. I am doing okay with giving up diet pepsi - a huge improvement for me but I'm not ready to go cold turkey yet. I have a great core group of people with whom I exercise and that makes the exercise part fun for me. Getting up at 4:30 AM is now routine, but sleeping in might be nice sometime...!
The running is more solitary and so that is something that I have to push myself to do - as opposed to my boot camp class, which I look forward to.

The boot camp class sounds like fun. Getting up at 4:30 on the other hand takes real dedication. Good for you.

 

[mikamah]

In keeping with our gratitude theme today I thought that you might enjoy this email from sparkpeople.com:

You'll never miss the water, 'til the well runs dry.

- W.C. Handy (musician known as "the father of the blues")

Are you grateful for the luxuries in your life?

Even if you've never seen it, you are probably aware of the CBS reality show "Survivor"--16 castaways sent to live on an island to duke it out and vote one another off for $1 million prize. What is most striking about this concept is not the competition, but the absolute gratitude these people hold for things we take for granted every day. The dirty, unpurified water they cling to for life is the same stuff we flush, wash, and cook with every day without batting an eye. They covet and fight for food that we could easily pop in our microwaves or sit down to eat at a restaurant. The very fact that you can read this at your computer signifies that you are one of the most wealthy, educated people on the planet. Take a moment to think about the luxurious and privileged life you live. Give thanks for a whole body, everyday freedoms, your family, and all of the choices you have. Cherish what you have while you have it because you never know when your life could change.

I love this. We take so much for granted, and don't often appreciate all we have.

Lisa, this made me think about what I missed most while deployed. I know its a little off from the QOTD but thought I would put a different perspective on it - what I missed the most:

1. The ability to hug my husband, tuck my kids into bed at night, see their expressions and their laughter
2. the ability to talk to them - as opposed to email messages. Thank God for email - so much better than the old V-mail they had during other wars but going months without hearing their voices was tough...
3. real toilet facilities. 'nuff said
4. being able to brush my teeth with running water
5. being able to shower with running water (I used water bottles and dumped them over my head in a shower that our engineers built for us..it looked like something out of MASH)
6. a fork that didn't break in my food (my rule when I got back - no more plastic forks!!)
7. being able to get dressed without sweat running down my shoulderblades, or worrying about camel spiders or scorpians...
8. carrying a purse or briefcase rather than an M4 and M9
9. enjoying the whistle of a firecracker and pretty display of fireworks rather than tensing the minute I hear it whizz by, waiting for the damaging "boom".
10. in a word, home.

Thank you for all you have done for us and our freedom.

 

[mikamah]

I wish I had more time to go back and answer everyone's posts this morning. I did read through them all, and I love the lists of everything we have to be grateful for. We are very fortunate, aren't we?

Thursday qotd- Do you have a favorite website you find helpful on this journey, or a favorite book that has inspired you?

As a ww, I like dottie's weight loss zone for point values from restaurants. It's www.dwlz.com. Of course the wish board here on the dis is my most frequented website, and the most supportive. In perusing the rest of the board, and reading those threads that get controversial, and people get nasty, I can say that I have never seen negativity on the wish board. It's just a great group of positive people here.

Have a great day everyone.

 

[Carys]

Thursday qotd- Do you have a favorite website you find helpful on this journey, or a favorite book that has inspired you?

Well, aside from the Disboards?

I can't remember the website, but I did read a story online somewhere that I find really motivating. They lost alot of weight, and said if only they'd known how amazing it feels to not be overweight, they would have lost it a long time ago and not had any problems doing so. They also said they wished someone starting their weightloss journey could trade bodies with them for the day so they knew what they had to look forward to. I find that a motivating thought.

 

[lisah0711]

A big congratulations to all our superstars and especially to our biggest loser this week, cclovesdis! Be sure and snag that special clippie and wear it proudly!

Thank you, Kathy, for being our coach this week! You've been a great coach! And welcome to our new coach starting tomorrow, sahbushka! Our challenge is a success thanks to all of our great coaches and participants.

And we should all give ourselves a pat on the back for sticking with it, having more than half of us still here at this point in the challenge, and doing our best to reach our goals every single day!

I read in Jillian Michael's Facebook that the BL 9 finalists have gone home now. http://www.facebook.com/jillianmichaels?ref=nf That means they are working at home just like we are to lose weight before the finale in May. So for the next nine or ten weeks (if you know the date for the finale please PM me) I am going to pretend that I am a contestant trying to lose as much as I can before I go back on national tv. Now I won't get to work out 6 hours a day like they do, but I will do my best to knock down a big number between now and then. Anyone else in?

We are working out the details of extending the challenge to match the ending date of BL -- stay tuned for more info.

wed qotd- We all know that diet and activity contribute to our success at weight loss. Do you find diet or exercise to be more of a challenge for you? What can you do to overcome these challenges?

I think at different times of my life, exercise is harder than diet, but lately, my struggle has been with emotional and mindless eating. I have been regularly exercising, and know that that has helped to lessen the gain from my bad eating. Being a part of this challenge and being accountable for my weight here and at ww has also helped me rein in my eating. I plan to continue taking it one day at a time, keep moving, and on the good days, really stick with the plan, start journalling my food again, and never give up.

Yep, that is the key, Kathy!

Exercise is definitely the area that is more of a challenge for me. I just have not found the activity that I like and would look forward to every day. I'm going to find it, though, I am. I just try not to talk about it too much because after more than a year of being on these challenges I am afraid that someone will say "Well, you must not be trying hard enough if you haven't figured it out by now!" And I would agree!

Thursday qotd- Do you have a favorite website you find helpful on this journey, or a favorite book that has inspired you?

As a ww, I like dottie's weight loss zone for point values from restaurants. It's www.dwlz.com. Of course the wish board here on the dis is my most frequented website, and the most supportive. In perusing the rest of the board, and reading those threads that get controversial, and people get nasty, I can say that I have never seen negativity on the wish board. It's just a great group of positive people here.

Have a great day everyone.

I like www.sparkpeople.com. They have a lot of good info and there is even a Disboards team there, although they are not as chatty there as they are here!

And, of course, my main source is the WISH threads on the Disboards. I agree, Kathy, that there is a lot of positive support and interaction here. Thanks to all of you!

Please be sure and PM those weigh-ins to LuvBaloo tomorrow and check out the pampering challenges for the COW, if you haven't been doing them this week. Thanks to LuvBaloo and donac for all their hard work!

 

[pjlla]

Thursday qotd- Do you have a favorite website you find helpful on this journey, or a favorite book that has inspired you?

As a ww, I like dottie's weight loss zone for point values from restaurants. It's www.dwlz.com. Of course the wish board here on the dis is my most frequented website, and the most supportive. In perusing the rest of the board, and reading those threads that get controversial, and people get nasty, I can say that I have never seen negativity on the wish board. It's just a great group of positive people here.

Have a great day everyone.

Well.... I can't say that I have a specific favorite website or book. I spend most of my online time here on the DIS boards.... either on the Wish boards or the scrapbooking board. I occasionally check out the WW website when I have time to kill (like a boring day at work).

I have been taking the time over the past year or so to do more reading about nutrition and health, rather than my usual fiction reading. No one particular book jumps out at me as being outstanding, but I learn a little bit more from every book.

I learned a great deal about MUFA from the "Flat Belly Diet" book and have been trying to incorporate more of those into my eating. But I do have to be careful with nuts in the house as DS is allergic.

I've read several of the BL books, including the Success Stories book. That one has lots of little bits of "inspiration" in it and is a nice refresher to read when my motivation is flagging a bit.

Like I mentioned yesterday, the Nutrition Action Newsletter is a FABULOUS source of information about REALLY healthy eating/living.

I've heard many people here talk about the "Eat Clean" diet and I would like to read more about that.


Well.... enough on the QOTD.... MORNING ALL! I got called to work today so here I am, being the school librarian!! Not a tough day. I had a feeling I would be called in, but I worked SO little in January and February, I'm not complaining. Sure, it is cutting into my scrapbooking time, but the paycheck will be nice!

I started my "Thirty days til goal" Wish Journal yesterday. HOpefully that will help keep me on track to hit my goal weight by Easter Sunday. Hopefully I won't find it a burden to keep the journal up to date.

Trying to have a low point day today to have me in a good place before weigh-in tomorrow. I just "feel" like the weigh-in isn't going to be great. I had a small loss last week that I didn't expect, so I'm afraid tomorrow won't be good. Not sure why I feel that way.... maybe just being a Negative Nelly. We'll see. I haven't had any "sneak peeks" at the scale this week, so it will definitely be a surprise, whatever the number is!

DD decided to scratch from this weekend's swim meet (highly unusual) in order to attend a Rainbow Girls event. I was glad she made that decision. She really hasn't dedicated any time to RG lately and I don't want the other girls to think she has given up. Plus I am about swimmed out for the season! Her coach actually TOLD her to not worry about missing the meet this weekend... this was probably what helped her make her decision because she NEVER willingly gives up swimming!! I'm also glad because it will free up some of my time this weekend.

Wish I had more to chat about right now, but I guess I don't. I'll be back later......................P

 

[tigger813]

Well, of course, the WISH boards comes first! I love the Spark People emails I get everyday, well, at least, most of them. I love the Food Showdowns and the recipes though I haven't had time to try any of them yet.

Today is starting off well. Tried to sleep in but DD2 wet her bed at 5:50 though after cleaning her up and changing her bed I laid down for another 20 minutes. Any amount of time helps. Haven't worked out yet but will later. Got some cleaning and cooking to do. Making a meatloaf and a low fate quiche. Will have turkey gorditas for supper. I had a strawberry smoothie made with vanilla greek yogurt, some 1% milk and some frozen strawberries. I did buy the Yoplait smoothie frozen stuff this morning because I had a coupon. Will try that later though I'm using 1% milk instead of skim.

OK, time to bring my laptop in the kitch so I can watch a movie while I do some cooking!

Have a great Thursday everyone! THe weekend is almost here.

Only up a tiny bit this morning so I didn't totally blow it yesterday!

 

[tigger813]

Cooking has begun! Don't know why but I just have the urge to get some meals ready for the remainder of the week and the weekend! Just put 1 big and 3 tiny meatloaves in the oven. Next up, 2 bacon double cheese quiches made with healthy ingredients-turkey bacon, egg beaters, lite cheddar cheese. Soon, time to get the cleaning done. Dd I mention I'm also on my 2nd load of laundry?!

Going to be a productive day if it kills me! LOL!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Finally a day off from the new job. I am just going in to make up a binder for myself to keep my things straight at work. As for the QOTD my favorite site is right here with my BL friends!! I also us the WW forums for the filling foods board. They list alot of great ideas and recipes to stay on the core program. Also the C25K thread here has kept me motivated. Knowing I am not going at it alone. The WISH board is really a great tool to gain support and make new friends. I love it.

Now for my brag. I have a new clipee. Whoot. I just barely squeaked by the 20lb mark and have been there for 2 days so I am adding it.

 

[jennz]

I wish I had more time to go back and answer everyone's posts this morning. I did read through them all, and I love the lists of everything we have to be grateful for. We are very fortunate, aren't we?

Thursday qotd- Do you have a favorite website you find helpful on this journey, or a favorite book that has inspired you?

As a ww, I like dottie's weight loss zone for point values from restaurants. It's www.dwlz.com. Of course the wish board here on the dis is my most frequented website, and the most supportive. In perusing the rest of the board, and reading those threads that get controversial, and people get nasty, I can say that I have never seen negativity on the wish board. It's just a great group of positive people here.

Have a great day everyone.

I agree - the WISH board and BL give me tons of support and motivation and inspiration! I feel like I am not alone.

 

[pjlla]

I read in Jillian Michael's Facebook that the BL 9 finalists have gone home now. http://www.facebook.com/jillianmichaels?ref=nf That means they are working at home just like we are to lose weight before the finale in May. So for the next nine or ten weeks (if you know the date for the finale please PM me) I am going to pretend that I am a contestant trying to lose as much as I can before I go back on national tv. Now I won't get to work out 6 hours a day like they do, but I will do my best to knock down a big number between now and then. Anyone else in?

We are working out the details of extending the challenge to match the ending date of BL -- stay tuned for more info.

I love the idea of thinking like a BL contestant! That should really help me put on the push to hit goal before Easter. Thanks for helping me create a new mindset!!

Finally a day off from the new job. I am just going in to make up a binder for myself to keep my things straight at work. As for the QOTD my favorite site is right here with my BL friends!! I also us the WW forums for the filling foods board. They list alot of great ideas and recipes to stay on the core program. Also the C25K thread here has kept me motivated. Knowing I am not going at it alone. The WISH board is really a great tool to gain support and make new friends. I love it.

Now for my brag. I have a new clipee. Whoot. I just barely squeaked by the 20lb mark and have been there for 2 days so I am adding it.

Your clippie is great! Congratulations!

I would love to hear more from you about the filling foods. I haven't been a "real" WW member since about 2003, so I am not really up to date with all of the newer stuff.

I'm off to spend my last 10 minutes of lunch time searching for some new dinner recipes!........................P

 

[jennz]

I love the idea of thinking like a BL contestant! That should really help me put on the push to hit goal before Easter. Thanks for helping me create a new mindset!!

I missed that in Lisa's post - I love this too!!

 

[flipflopmom]

The C25K thread has been great, as well as a c25K thread on facebook. Having just joined this thread, it's great, too.

I am kinda bumbed with no weight loss yesterday, but I am sore from my run and ab work, so I am hoping that just means I'm transitioning some of the fat to muscle instead of a plateau. Ugh. We'll see what tomorrow holds. I wish 5 lbs would just melt off overnight.

Did my hour of yoga and 8 minutes of abs this morning. I got the BEST ab workout dvd from amazon. It's called Perfect Abs, and has several 8 minute killer workouts. I can live through, because it's only 8 minutes, right?? No fluff, you start the crunches as soon as it starts playing. It's great to squeeze in a hectic morning!

Another snow day here, so another day off! Got my kitchen and fridge clean, off to clean bathrooms!

 

[maiziezoe]

A bigI read in Jillian Michael's Facebook that the BL 9 finalists have gone home now. http://www.facebook.com/jillianmichaels?ref=nf That means they are working at home just like we are to lose weight before the finale in May. So for the next nine or ten weeks (if you know the date for the finale please PM me) I am going to pretend that I am a contestant trying to lose as much as I can before I go back on national tv. Now I won't get to work out 6 hours a day like they do, but I will do my best to knock down a big number between now and then. Anyone else in?

[

Love this idea! I sure hope Daris is one of the people who made it to the end... he is my fave!

Finally a day off from the new job. I am just going in to make up a binder for myself to keep my things straight at work. As for the QOTD my favorite site is right here with my BL friends!! I also us the WW forums for the filling foods board. They list alot of great ideas and recipes to stay on the core program. Also the C25K thread here has kept me motivated. Knowing I am not going at it alone. The WISH board is really a great tool to gain support and make new friends. I love it.

Now for my brag. I have a new clipee. Whoot. I just barely squeaked by the 20lb mark and have been there for 2 days so I am adding it.

Whoooo Hooooo! Congrats!!!

 

[maiziezoe]

Thursday qotd- Do you have a favorite website you find helpful on this journey, or a favorite book that has inspired you?


This thread, of course! I can't imagine my day without it! I also like WW for recipes and I LOVE HungryGirl.com. I get a daily email from Hungry Girl and she is awesome. I also follow her on Twitter.

I'm off to the grocery store and to see my nutritionist. Tonight for dinner I am making "Less than 1 point Asparagus Soup".

 

[heatherlynn444]

my own Since I have been trying to workout more and eat better I have started blogging everyday ad it really helpe me stay accountable and has helped me so much also as a stress reliever and way of "talking" about things!

 

[lisah0711]

Good luck to any of our BL participants who are running in any of the Princess races this week-end at WDW!