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

[lisah0711]

I would go with steak (maybe not eat all of it) and ask for a plain baked potato and grilled veggies to go with it.

A lot of places will also do a grilled chicken if you ask.

Another suggestion is to order something you like and ask them to box 1/2 of it before they even bring it out.

Both of these are great suggestions! You need to be able to deal with these situations if you are going to be successful in the long run.

Thank you to everyone for all of the congratulations!!! And way to go to all of the other "losers" and maintainers; even if you gained or weren't thrilled with what you did this week, everyone is taking steps. I find that even coming on here is a fabulous step! Way to go!!!

That clippie looks great on you!

Thursday's QOTD While we work on getting healthy it is important to think positively and be proud of any achievements that we make, no matter how big or small? SO, What is your favorite thing about yourself? This could be a body part that looks good or something that just makes you feel good.

Thanks, tigger813, for being our coach this week! You had some very interesting and thought provoking questions.

I have to say my eyes are my favorite body part. I have big, blue eyes. They've always been a great feature. I'm pretty happy with my hair these days, too. I have a short haircut that works for my round face (which is round no matter what I weigh) and I love my blonde/brown color. Sadly, the color comes from the salon because otherwise it would be mousy brown/gray!

I'm watching my dh do the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred video. He's in good shape and he is working up a huge sweat and is breathing hard! The movements are very basic though, so I might have to try it sometime when I can't get to the gym!Sarah

That is a hard workout! I've never made it past level 1 but someday I will do all 3!

My healthy snack lately has been some berries with just a tablespoon of cool whip. Tastes much better than I ever thought it would.

This week has not been good for me. Ate too many low fat Cheezit's tonight and 1/2 bag of Caramel Corn last night.

I eat well during the day at work, but the nights kill me! I am sure I put on the 3lbs I lost last week!

, pppiglet. It takes some time to figure out what will work for you. I would get rid of the junk so I wasn't tempted at night. Can you plan for some healthier snacks to have at night that aren't so bad? Or do you need to ask yourself, am I really hungry or am I feeding something else? Are you eating out of habit or are you tired or bored? Sometimes it just helps to write down a few words in your journal about how you are feeling to help you figure out what is going on. Good luck! I know you can do it!

Alright...I am having an attitude adjustment today and will work at thinking about all the positive reasons why I am doing this.

Great job with the attitude adjustment! And that weight will leave your body, hopefully, with a big number adjustment soon!

Please remember to PM those weights to LuvBaloo and COW numbers to donac tomorrow!

 

[chskover]

The only thing that can't gain weight. My eyes and smile. When I wear makeup I can make my eyes and smile look nice.

 

[wezee]

Thursday's QOTD While we work on getting healthy it is important to think positively and be proud of any achievements that we make, no matter how big or small? SO, What is your favorite thing about yourself? This could be a body part that looks good or something that just makes you feel good.

People always tell me I have beautiful hands, believe it or not, especially on a 50yr old. I have naturally hard nails, which I wear long and keep them well manicured and polished.
But the thing that makes me feel good, other than my wonderful DH......is my big yeller dog, Horace ( HoHo for short). He is a 110lb. yellow lab that loves to snuggle. Even if I'm down or sad, a Horace hug always cheers me up.

BTW, I saw the posts about the sandwich thins, which I love. One of my favorite snacks is to split the sandwich thin, spread each half with a half wedge of Laughing Cow, then top it with a mixture of any chopped fresh vegies (carrots, cauliflower, broccoli,etc.) I have on hand. It's kind of like a cold appetizer pizza for only 2 WW pts.

 

[TammyNC]

You're welcome! Glad I could help. You seem to be feeling better about things!



Not sure if you mind your daughter having aspartame or not, but just wanted you to be aware that both the Arnold Sandwich thins and the Pepperidge Farm Deli Flats have aspartame. Sad, but true. I still eat them myself, even though I try to avoid the artificial sweetener when I can.

Good Evening all! I got in a second workout today, so I am feeling energized about that. Plus I made a nice healthy soup for dinner this afternoon, so when I came home from the Y dinner was ready and waiting. I love it when I do that sort of thing for myself! It was yummy, healthy, lowfat, and good for (almost) the whole family! (It was chicken soup and DS is allergic to chicken, so he had fish sticks.)

DD's swim practice ended about an hour early tonight, so we also got home nice and early, so I have a few extra minutes to come over here and say hello!

I made a quick yummy dinner last night for the family. I didn't intend to have any because I made it with white pasta, which I rarely eat, but it smelled so good and I had enough points left, so I had it. It was really good so I thought I would share the "recipe" (such as it is). It is sort of a baked ziti.

This recipe made a double batch for my size family (four of us).


1 1/4 lb of pasta (penne, ziti, elbow, whatever you have.), cooked

1 can tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce (I used a smaller can because that was all I had, but the kids would have liked this "saucier", so more sauce would be okay)

1 large can of diced tomatoes (chopped stewed tomatoes would work too)

spices if you used plain tomato sauce (I used basil, oregano, garlic powder and onion powder, plus a bit of salt and pepper. If you use spaghetti sauce, you can probably skip this.)

Shredded cheese (I used 2% milk italian blend and mozzarella). I didn't measure this because I didn't intend to eat any, so I wasn't concerned about how much I used. Probably 2 cups.)

One bag of frozen stir-fry onions and peppers

1/2 bag of fresh baby spinach

1/2 c grated parmesean

Meat of some sort, if desired. (I used turkey meatballs cut in half because that's what was front-most in the freezer. You could probably also use precooked diced chicken, ground beef, leftover roast of some sort.)

Cook the pasta and drain. Combine tomato sauce/spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, and spices and parmesean. Sautee the frozen onions and peppers. In the last minute before done, throw in the baby spinach and finish cooking just until spinach is wilted.

Top the drained pasta with the vegetable blend and the sauce blend. Put in meat if desired. Stir/fold to blend.

Put a layer of the pasta into 2 Pam-sprayed 9 x 13 casseroles. (Remember this was a double batch.) Sprinkle with shredded cheese (amount is up to you). Top with remaining pasta and then top the casserole with a final sprinkling of shredded cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. I covered it with foil so it wouldn't dry out, but I tented the foil so that the cheese wouldn't stick to it.
This could be made much healthier using whole wheat pasta, lots of veggies, and light cheese. I was making it for my family and not myself, so I didn't worry so much about the calorie count/points, so I can't help you with that. When I make it again I will use much many more vegetables, skip the meatballs (I rarely buy them and I don't mind meatless meals), and more sauce or diced tomatoes, plus I will use whole wheat pasta.)

I like this recipe because it is one of those that you can mix and match ingredients depending on what you have in the pantry/fridge/freezer. Lots of cheese, little cheese, no cheese..... chicken, beef, no meat..... penne, ziti, elbow, bowtie..... cheddar, parmesean, mozzarella...... you get the idea!

Well.... time the evening snack (a bit late, but that's okay).........P

Thanks for the dinner idea, love having something new to try.

 

[Poohlove]

QOTD-Favorite Healthy Snack - I go to the gym in the evening and when I come home I love to have an apple spread with 1 tbsp of Skippy Natural Peanut Butter and a tall glass of water filled with ice cubes.

QOTD-Favorite Feature - I would have to say that my favorite feature is my collar bones. No matter what I have weighed I have always been able to see them

 

[ohMom]

again..i'm not current on the readings...from what i saw i dont' think i'm the only one not claiming a banter week.

my answer to today's QOTD is actually in light the new sparkly clippie i gave myself I have been cleaning out/organizing different areas and i'm telling ya it makes me feel great! i.e. my drawer in my bathroom had ill-fitting organizer and the sections were just plain gross. it'd been a while since i ran it through the dishwasher. so i decided, i never really liked this one anyhow, the containers were not meeting my needs. so i got new organizer, cleaned out the junk in the drawer and now it's clean and everything in it's place.

as far as physical feature -- i used to say my stomach b/c it was pretty flat not matter what shape i was in...but age and parenting teens has given me the stress-tire-around-middle. bleh! i can maintain an 'hourglass' look though at most any weight.

fav snack? hmmm....chocolate vitatops....unfortunately i'm into anything gummy this week

 

[kidsrfun]

But the thing that makes me feel good, other than my wonderful DH......is my big yeller dog, Horace ( HoHo for short). He is a 110lb. yellow lab that loves to snuggle. Even if I'm down or sad, a Horace hug always cheers me up.

BTW, I saw the posts about the sandwich thins, which I love. One of my favorite snacks is to split the sandwich thin, spread each half with a half wedge of Laughing Cow, then top it with a mixture of any chopped fresh vegies (carrots, cauliflower, broccoli,etc.) I have on hand. It's kind of like a cold appetizer pizza for only 2 WW pts.

I agree about my dogs making me feel wonderful! I have a 12lb yorkie mix and a 115lb yellow lab. The yorkie is older and loves to snuggle up in my chair with me after a long day. His name is Dusty. Our lab, Magu (stands for Middle Age Gift to Us) is only a year and a half and is still SO full of energy that snuggling isn't in the picture yet! He's getting calmer, but sometimes he's such a puppy still! A BIG PUPPY! I swear he thinks he can do everything Dusty can do. He doesn't know he's a hundred pounds heavier!!

Thanks for talking about your favorite snack. Sounds delicious!!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

The best thing about me is my momness. I love being a mom and helping shape my little man into the person he will become. Not sure what can trump that about me.

 

[mikamah]

Well, I fell 2 days behind, but skimmed back through. Wanted to post before work. I went out to a mexican restaurant last night, and started out pretty good, lots of points left, ate half of my meal, brought the other half home for today, but ate it while I watched criminal minds! Oh well, today's a fresh start, and I'm on track again. Just can't ever give up. On criminal minds, I am hooked on it. Watched the new one at 9, and then on a cable channel watched two old episodes at `10 and 11. I can't help stop. One night I was scared to go out and turn off the christmas lights.

Thank you to everyone for all of the congratulations!!! And way to go to all of the other "losers" and maintainers; even if you gained or weren't thrilled with what you did this week, everyone is taking steps. I find that even coming on here is a fabulous step! Way to go!!!

belated congrats to you!!! Awesome loss!!!!
And a huge congratulations to all the losers!! So amazing how much the group has lost, and in only one week. Remember this is the dreaded week two, but don't be frustrated if you don't see a big loss again, hang in there. G

(It was chicken soup and DS is allergic to chicken, so he had fish sticks.)

That would be so hard for me, we eat chicken so much, the girls at work make fun of me. Loved your advice to jenn about taking a day off. It is so true. Thanks for the recipe.

Thursday's QOTD While we work on getting healthy it is important to think positively and be proud of any achievements that we make, no matter how big or small? SO, What is your favorite thing about yourself? This could be a body part that looks good or something that just makes you feel good.

!

I too like my blue eyes, and my hair. I have thick hair, and it's cut kind of in a bob, and it's easy to blow dry. My color is 7$ from target-cinnamon stick natural instincts, reddish brown.

I'm having this problem with the Wii Fit. I weighed myself every day and today I was up .4 lbs. I think I just realized I don't need to weigh myself every day to do the Wii Fit training. That .4 pounds makes me want to work out again. I think I need a therapist. for you!
.

I know exactly what you mean. I have to weigh when I do the wii fit. I also weigh on wii before my ww meeting, and look to last weeks weight on wii to figure out if I'll see a loss at ww. I could use some of that therapy too.

QOTD: What is your favorite healthy snack?

!

I like fresh berries, an apple with peanutbutter, or the mini-babybell gouda light cheeses.

Success is a year-round choice. You must decide what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it. No one else can, will, or should do that for you.

So take heart. Keep working on those goals. If you have a bad day, or two, pick yourself up and start again. Consistently working on your goals will get you where you want to be sooner or later!

love this, lisa. It is so true, and no matter how many times we fall and have to pick ourselves up, we must keep on getting up. I'm definitely on the later plan, rather than sooner, but over the past few years, I've come to realize, that I can't ever let it go again.

Corinna- I must say you look amazing. I am so inspired by you, and the difference in one year is so awesome. I looked at last years pic, and thought you ran a half marathon and it makes me realize that I can do whatever I set my mind to to. Congratulations.

Have a great day, and good luck tomorrow at weighin!!!!!

 

[pjlla]

I'm watching my dh do the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred video. He's in good shape and he is working up a huge sweat and is breathing hard! The movements are very basic though, so I might have to try it sometime when I can't get to the gym!

Sarah

It is a killer workout! Good luck if you decide to try it!


Good morning all! I've got a busy day here, so not much time to chat. I can't believe it is Thursday already! Where has this week gone?? I got in my workout for today already. We will be at the ski mtn and not the Y tonight, so I had to do it at home. I tried my new BL PowerSculpt DVD that I got for Christmas. I really liked it. I did level 1 and 2 plus the warm up and cool down. It was a nice change. I still might try to fit in a short WATP if I get other things done quickly.



While we work on getting healthy it is important to think positively and be proud of any achievements that we make, no matter how big or small? SO, What is your favorite thing about yourself? This could be a body part that looks good or something that just makes you feel good.


Well... I can't think of any particular body part that I am really fond of. I am liking my entire self much better now that I am down to a normal weight. If I had to choose one thing right now, I guess I'd say my legs. I've always been lucky that I don't carry much excess weight in my legs, so now that I've lost weight they are really slim. I don't even mind wearing really snug yoga pants to the Y!

Well... nough said. Guess I will dash off to do something fun like laundry or dishes!! ....................P

 

[jbm02]

It seems like there is so little time in the day lately so I am a bit behind...

QOTD: What is your favorite healthy snack? - I really like clementines right now.

QOTD: What is my favorite part of me? - It would have to be my eyes. I think they are a really interesting color and they can easily look different colors of blue depending on what I am wearing.

It was funny that this one came up right now. Yesterday I was really down on the way I was looking and feeling a bit frustrated with things. I have been so faithful to my WW - counting every point and eating balanced meals. I have been drinking so much water that I feel like I am always on my way to the bathroom. I have been working out...lifting weights, walking/running, Wii EA Active, pilates...and for the past 4 days when I get on the scale it has the same number. I know all the things that have been posted here about not always watching the scale but there are days where you just need to see a change and when you don't, it is a bit disappointing. I had that whole conversation with myself about if this is really worth it and if I could just be happy with the way I am. Again...I know the answers to those questions and that was the reason I was up at 5:30 AM this morning working out before I go to work again.

Alright...I am having an attitude adjustment today and will work at thinking about all the positive reasons why I am doing this.

Jen, your comments made me sit up because they completely stated how I have felt. I am constantly trying to readjust my attitude and get with the program...then wonder why I just can't be satisfied with where I am now. The support and encouragement from you and everyone on these boards has made me realize that my goal is not self defeating (ie, why can't I just like the body I have?...) but is towards an accomplishment. So thank you for putting into words what has been going through my head.

The best thing about me is my momness. I love being a mom and helping shape my little man into the person he will become. Not sure what can trump that about me.

Okay, feeling superficial here because my first thought was the color of my hair! It's (still!) strawberry blonde at almost-45 and is kind of a unique color.
I have been especially vain about it lately because I know the gray has to start invading soon. Then I read your response and realized that the truly, the best thing about me is those around me - my husband and kids. Our connection to each other is full of love, laughter and support. It is much more important than anything else to me.

As for my favorite snack - definitely clementines! I have 2 sitting on my desk right now!!

This week has been a mess for me. I haven't had time to read half of the posts here or even to post to my WISH journal. Buried at work and home and exercise has taken a back seat so it can all get done. I am not expecting great results tomorrow but know that although I am disappointed, I haven't given up. It's just a week to slog through and then get back on board on Saturday...(Dory's quote: just keep swimming, just keep swimming, right???)

By the way, I read Valerie Bertinelli's interview on today online. She talked about the difference between losing (hard) and maintaining (harder). Because she is also 5'2" (okay, I have to stretch to reach that!) and she was roughly at the weight I started and is now down to 132, I have a picture in my mind of the difference in body image that can be attained. While we're not on Jenny Craig, the before and after pictures are posted in my brain as encouragement. I'm gonna keep trying for it...

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

QOTD: What is my favorite part of me? - It would have to be my eyes. I think they are a really interesting color and they can easily look different colors of blue depending on what I am wearing.

I would say right now my smile...ha ha I love to smile and people comment on my smile and how all of my family has the same smile. A smile can light up a room, I hope I do that

 

[sahbushka]

QOTD: Favorite feature is probably my smile. It's a bit lopsided which reminds me of my grandmother and it is big!

Doing ok today and my peak at the scale this morning was encouraging (finally getting down to the pregnancy weight I gained when pregnant with my son who is now 4 1/2).

Sarah

 

[beansf]

What is my favorite part of me? Well, to be honest, it doesn't feel comfortable to me to say positive things about myself, but I will go out on a limb here...my small waist. There, I said it!

Today is going to be a real challenge for me. You know how some days can be easy breezy and other days are tough? I am home from work due to not feeling the greatest. I went to the dentist yesterday and they unexpectedly trimmed my gums and gave me those nasty shots in the roof of my mouth. Therefore, my mouth is not feeling fabulous. Also, I am finally going to the doctor to see if I can get to the bottom of the upper back pain that has been plaguing me since the week before Christmas.

Anyway, this "not feeling well" is a trigger for me. I always want to comfort myself with food. I know it isn't the answer, but I am home alone and I guess food is a temporary distraction from pain. I really don't want to blow a good week on the day before weigh-in though!! Even if I don't lose this week, I want to celebrate 7 days of good behavior. (I do that when the scale doesn't go my way and I haven't done anything "wrong".)

Wish me luck!

 

[kimara]

QOTD: my favorite part of me is my brain! i'm almost normal, but just a little twisted. i love making my friends laugh. i love reading and taking classes. it has never let me down...yet

 

[maiziezoe]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions on what I should eat on Saturday. I don't want to go and not knowing what to eat is adding to my anxiety. I think I am going to call the restaurant today and ask what they would suggest I eat. I'm also going to email my mom and ask her what she thinks. She is a weight watchers success story. 5 years ago she lost 35 pounds and she has kept it off.

It was funny that this one came up right now. Yesterday I was really down on the way I was looking and feeling a bit frustrated with things. I have been so faithful to my WW - counting every point and eating balanced meals. I have been drinking so much water that I feel like I am always on my way to the bathroom. I have been working out...lifting weights, walking/running, Wii EA Active, pilates...and for the past 4 days when I get on the scale it has the same number. I know all the things that have been posted here about not always watching the scale but there are days where you just need to see a change and when you don't, it is a bit disappointing. I had that whole conversation with myself about if this is really worth it and if I could just be happy with the way I am. Again...I know the answers to those questions and that was the reason I was up at 5:30 AM this morning working out before I go to work again.

Alright...I am having an attitude adjustment today and will work at thinking about all the positive reasons why I am doing this.

Jen, I am going through the same thing. I haven't lost in several days and I am getting depressed.

I know exactly what you mean. I have to weigh when I do the wii fit. I also weigh on wii before my ww meeting, and look to last weeks weight on wii to figure out if I'll see a loss at ww. I could use some of that therapy too.

This morning I told myself I would NOT weigh myself before doing the Wii Fit... but what did I do??? I weighed myself! Ugh!! I'm going to find a therapist and put him/her on speed dial.


QOTD: What is your favorite thing about yourself? This could be a body part that looks good or something that just makes you feel good.

My favorite thing about myself is my (oh, they blocked out the word I typed... ... ummmm) my.... ummmm.... (trying to think of a word)... my "girls".

 

[50sjayne]

Favorite snack food. When I get home from work late is really the only time I snack. My favorite would be a glass of wine with some triscuits and a tiny bit of hickory farms cheesball. Lol I know-- but I got a big Hickory Farms party box last year when they went 90% off and believe it or not I just opened the last cheeseball last night. I also love tortilla chips with guacamole. Got some blue chips at Trader Joes last week that have less calories and they are pretty good.

Trying to use movies as my motivation this week- I really want to see The Lovely Bones tomorrow and 2012 comes out at the cheap theater tomorrow too. Since I don't have as much weight to lose this time around, (3 more pounds) I think I'll allow myself to go with only a maintain this week. I'm still way emotionally wrecked this week with the personal stuff that I'm dealing with. So I'll be kinder to myself. I think the worst of it is through though, I am completely exhausted today-just killed, so I think a might have had one of my mini nervous breakdowns, which I have been expecting fully and will now move on. Just working 5 hours tonight then I have 2 days off and I don't have anything else I have to do on my days off so it's good.

 

[princessbride6205]

We had a pizza party lunch at work today. I had planned on that, but then also indulged in the ice cream afterwards - not planned. Back on track the rest of the day! I'm doing my best to stay on plan with eating and I've stuck to my exercise plan, but in general, I'm feeling lousy this week. I feel completely run down - tired, low energy. Emotional eating has reared it's ugly head the past few days, as well. I had one night at the beginning of the week that I couldn't sleep at all, and I just can't catch up. Also, I have the shortest fuse right now - anything can frustrate, upset or anger me. I really need a mental health day but we've had meetings every day this week at work that I can't get out of. *sigh* I just want to crawl into bed and get up when I feel human again. Today the exhaustion really hit and I'm having trouble getting thru my day. Hopefully better tomorrow.

QOTD: While we work on getting healthy it is important to think positively and be proud of any achievements that we make, no matter how big or small? SO, What is your favorite thing about yourself? This could be a body part that looks good or something that just makes you feel good.
I'm proud that I've lost enough weight to feel confident in most of my clothes. I like my defined waist (though I'm looking forward to losing more of the lower and side ab flab). My proudest fitness accomplishment is that 2 miles is now a "short run" for me.

 

[tigger813]

WOW! I love the responses to this question! I took a while to come up with it last night. I wanted my last one to be a good one and with not feeling 100% this week I wanted to think positively!

DD1 has had a rough day! She just had one of those days where nothing seemed to go right! And to top it off she fell down the stairs and scraped her back right on her spine and bounced on her bottom! She's pretty sore and just lying on the couch. She was coming downstairs to tell me that she forgot a writing assignment at school that is due tomorrow. I emailed her teacher to ask for the weekend and to ask if he noticed anything wrong at school today. I think puberty is hitting as she has been quite emotional this week and this isn't helping.

I have done the 2 mile WATP and 2 workouts on the EA Sports Active. I was up to 1.57 miles on the elliptical when she fell so I will try and complete the rest of my 2 miles later.

Making teriyaki beef for supper which made DD1 happy! I told her that something must be going right and she also doesn't have to get a 2nd H1N1 shot. DD2 will get hers next Wednesday.

Well, time to check on Ash and wait for Izzie to get home from her playdate!

 

[donac]

Congratulations all those who participated in COW1. We had 43 people try COW1. This is great and I hope all of you and more are coming back this week to report that they did COW2.

Here are the big winners for COW1

With 12 out of 14 points:

3_disprincesses
jennz
lisah0711
my3princes


With 13 out of 14 points:

bouldertcr
Christine &Family
goofypete
MaryAz
NC_Tink
pakaramom
talytam

AND
with 14 out of 14 points:

donac
50sjayne
carmiedog
cclovesdis
DisneyFam5
HappySmyly
IWISHFORDISNEY
Tasha+Scott
teapot

Congratulations everyone who sent me a COW1 number.Keep up the good work.

Don't forget to send in your COW2 points to me tomorrow

Welcome to COW 3

You do not have to participate but it is there to help you build good habits. Each week we will have two to four habit suggestions for you to do. At the end of the week you report your points to me.

It has been said that if you do something for 30 days it will become a habit. We will start off easy with two habits that have been known to help weight loss. As the weeks go by we will add to these habits. We will never have more than 4 habits to work on each week since that seems to be the number that most people could do without a problem.

COW 3

Drink 8-8 oz of water each day (1 point for each day) ( 2cups of coffee or tea counts)
Eat 2 vegetables each day (1 point for each day)
Spend 10 minutes a day doing something just for yourself (this has been a hot topic this week so I think we need this. YOu can use some of your exercise time for this)
Do at least 20 minutes of exercise every day


When you send me your points please post your total in your RE and then in the main part of the pm list your points as follows:

XX days drinking water
XX eating 2 veggies
XX spending time doing something for yourself
XX days fo exercising for 20 minutes per day

This challlenge runs from Friday Jan 15, 2010 to Thursday Jan 21, 2010. On Friday Jan 22, 2010 pm me your points for the week. The COW results will be posted the same day the weekly totals are posted.

HAve fun with the COW.