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

[3_disprincesses]

Congratulations to those of you that had losses this week! And those that maintained...that's great too. Those of us that GAINED this week, well I'm not letting it get me down or stopping me from going on! I did much better with exercise this week - a couple of days walking, a day of WATP and a wii Fitness Coach workout. Now if I can get back to tracking those calories and keeping my total down I'll be doing great!

Having a bowling party today for DD now 6, then an afternoon of moving my DD18 in to her dorm room. Will be a busy day but I need that to keep me from snacking. 3 day weekend for us so maybe I can get a plan for the weeks meals and exercise.

Hope everyone has a fabulous week!

♥Theresa

 

[tigger813]

Saturday QOTD: What defines you as a person? If you were to lose all the weight tomorow, what would still be the same about you? What would be different?

I am a wife and mother most! They are my world and they make me who I am. That wouldn't and hasn't changed with the 40 lbs I've lost since last Christmas. I have more energy and am happier with myself. I have learned to not get frustrated with this journey. I've learned that there will be good weeks and bad weeks and I learn from the mistakes that I've made each week.

Just made pancakes for breakfast! Tasted too doughy for me. Fell asleep watching Doubt last night though I was enjoying it. I was just exhausted from getting up early everyday to workout. I didn't get in any extra workouts last night so I'm probably up this morning from the drink and sub and onion rings. I'll work out later when we take a break from thoroughly cleaning out the storage room and laundry room. Guess I'll be taking my village down too today since that will help with the reorganization of the storage room.

Time to get moving as this will be an all day job!

 

[corinnak]

Saturday QOTD: What defines you as a person? If you were to lose all the weight tomorow, what would still be the same about you? What would be different?

This is actually a question I have been grappling with since I declared myself at Goal yesterday. Who am I when I don't have weight to lose? It has been one of the defining characteristics of my adult life: whatever else I may be, I've always been a person who was carrying more weight than she wanted to. A person who wanted to lose but found it overwhelming. It was not something I would have said was important to me, but now that it's gone, and for the first time in 10 years, I can say "I don't actually want to lose 10 pounds," I am not quite sure what to do with that extra space. I don't think I realized how much I defined myself as "someone with weight to lose" and more recently as "someone losing weight."

Here's some things that have changed: I no longer feel a need to lie about my weight. I have clothes I am happy to wear and that (I believe) look fairly nice on me. I am so much faster and stronger and resliant in my running - it's even more fun than before! And while it's not a big problem or even a daily occurrence, I do get the occasional comment, look or circumstance that makes me think that I am indeed attractive to men other than my husband, as I had feared, deep down, I would be. I think my kids are proud of me.

Some things that have not changed: My dedication to my husband is strong enough that I am able to be OK with a little minor-league appreciation from others. I am still a runner. I still have a problem with food and I still have to pay attention to what I am eating, and I always will. My kids and my husband and even the dog love me just the same regardless of my size.

 

[ShortyNBug]

Good morning. Been so busy I hav no idea what's even going on here. Today I'm going to do a workout quick and then homework, homework, homework ALL DAY! Oh, and sometime today or tomorrow I have to finish up my agenda for my girl scout meeting Tuesday. Feeling a little stressed!

I did lose 1.8 again this week bringing me to a 20.2 loss since Sept.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Saturday QOTD: What defines you as a person? If you were to lose all the weight tomorow, what would still be the same about you? What would be different?


I think what defines me as a person is the different roles I play in the game called life. LOL. Ok I am a dork. But I do mean that in this sense:
I am a mom and wife and I love this about me. I love voluntering in the classrooom and making sure dinner is on the table every night. I love that my husband has moved me to paradise and I can focus on being a mom and not have to work if I dont want to. I do miss being a nurse though. That is something that defined me. Days when DS is in preschool I feel kind of a tug to go get a job it is part of who you are. The other thing that defines me is my Disneyness. I love the parks, planningA trips, just soaking in the atmosphere. I go over to the parks some days and just people watch and wander the world showcase never getting on a ride just enjoying the sites, sounds and smells of the world. Above all I love my compassion for people. I guess this is what makes me who I am. Mommy, wife, nurse, friend whatever it may be.

I have lost all the weight before and it didnt change who I was. I just had one less thing on my plate. So it would be nice to just focus on maintaining and cutting calories but that is not where I am at right now. I have come to realize this is a journey not a quick fix.

Sorry to be so long winded but I have thought about this alot. Can you tell. he he he.

 

[lisah0711]

Congratulations on meeting your small goal! What kind of activities do you like? How could you incorporate that into an exercise routine that will keep you motivated?

I have to admit, Jessi, that I really don't like exercising at all -- never have. I don't say "never will" anymore so that is progress. The best thing about exercise to me is being done! But I do like to take care of my house and yard and do things with my family so whatever I end up doing exercise wise will have activity and well as plain old exercise. I keep trying different things and am getting closer. That is why I like to hear what other people do.

Thanks for coaching this week! You're doing a great job. I hope that you get the position that you want at Worlds of Fun today.

jennz, glad that you had a good birthday and hope your DD feels better soon!

Saturday QOTD: What defines you as a person? If you were to lose all the weight tomorow, what would still be the same about you? What would be different?

I have to agree with jenn's answer on this one. I will still be myself, wife, mom, daughter, lawyer, volunteer, happy, friendly, strong. But I will be better because I will be healthier, have more energy and confidence. I'll be a better piano player, too, because by then I'll have another year under my belt. It would be fun to be a good piano player by the time I reach goal!

Congratulations to those of you that had losses this week! And those that maintained...that's great too. Those of us that GAINED this week, well I'm not letting it get me down or stopping me from going on! I did much better with exercise this week - a couple of days walking, a day of WATP and a wii Fitness Coach workout. Now if I can get back to tracking those calories and keeping my total down I'll be doing great!

Good job! Maintaining is terribly underrated but it beats a gain in my book anytime!

Saturday QOTD: What defines you as a person? If you were to lose all the weight tomorow, what would still be the same about you? What would be different?

This is actually a question I have been grappling with since I declared myself at Goal yesterday. Who am I when I don't have weight to lose? It has been one of the defining characteristics of my adult life: whatever else I may be, I've always been a person who was carrying more weight than she wanted to. A person who wanted to lose but found it overwhelming. It was not something I would have said was important to me, but now that it's gone, and for the first time in 10 years, I can say "I don't actually want to lose 10 pounds," I am not quite sure what to do with that extra space. I don't think I realized how much I defined myself as "someone with weight to lose" and more recently as "someone losing weight."

Here's some things that have changed: I no longer feel a need to lie about my weight. I have clothes I am happy to wear and that (I believe) look fairly nice on me. I am so much faster and stronger and resliant in my running - it's even more fun than before! And while it's not a big problem or even a daily occurrence, I do get the occasional comment, look or circumstance that makes me think that I am indeed attractive to men other than my husband, as I had feared, deep down, I would be. I think my kids are proud of me.

Some things that have not changed: My dedication to my husband is strong enough that I am able to be OK with a little minor-league appreciation from others. I am still a runner. I still have a problem with food and I still have to pay attention to what I am eating, and I always will. My kids and my husband and even the dog love me just the same regardless of my size.

, corinnak, you're still on your journey, it's just that the scenery changed a bit. The road still has bumps and hills and curves. But you've changed so they aren't as hard to deal with as they were earlier in the journey. And you still have all the people who were with you before to help you as your journey continues. You may end up someplace you never expected! Who knows? But you have to admit that the journey is just a little more fun and exciting thanks to all your hard work and what you've learned about yourself! Can't wait to hear what happens next!

 

[cclovesdis]

QOTD: I'd still be helping my sister plan her wedding, getting ready to be a maid-of-honor, and being very busy. I'd still be working and loving my job and trying my best to be a helpful daughter. On that note, if I lost all the weight I need to lose, I'd get a lot less grief from my mother. Thanks for letting me vent.

Gained a lot this week-not even sure what my weight is as the receptionist at WW didn't record it in my book. I just know part of it since I saw her write part of it down. I was expecting a gain as I went on like 8 binges in 5 days. This week, my goals are to get in all 4 COWs daily and to avoid bingeing. And, I'll probably only aim for the 20 min. of exercise, and not more. I really want to focus on having a binge-free week. Again, thanks for letting me vent.

Have a great week everyone and congrads to all who lost and maintained!

 

[Leader of the Club]

QOTD: I really want to focus on having a binge-free week. Again, thanks for letting me vent.

One thing that helps keep me from binging is just reading the nutrition info on the package. I was at the gas station yesterday and the chips looked so yummy. I looked at the back and had to decide if those calories were worth it to me at that time and what I would have to do to burn off those junk calories. I decided that I wasn't hungry and those chips were not worth the extra two miles I'd have to walk to burn them off.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Saturday QOTD: What defines you as a person? If you were to lose all the weight tomorow, what would still be the same about you? What would be different?

Wow! What a big question for a Saturday morning! Mother and teacher, those are the most important roles in my life. Certainly not housekeeper. LOL. Everything in my life would be the same. I just might feel better both physically and emotionally. I could be a better mother and a better teacher. I would certainly shop for clothes more and probably take more care about my appearance. I seem to not care about my appearance as much when I am overweight.

 

[mikamah]

Jessi- you are doing great as coach, and your qotds are really making me think and reflect on my life, where I've been, and where I'm heading. Thank you.

Saturday QOTD: What defines you as a person? If you were to lose all the weight tomorow, what would still be the same about you? What would be different?

First and foremost, I am a mom, and that is the most important and rewarding part of my life, but there were 37 years that i was not a mom and so many parts of those years are still interspersed in my personality. I am a nurse, I'm friendly, compassionate, helpful and fun-loving. Last year I would have said, I'm a daughter too, but since I lost my mom, my whole family dynamic has changed, and so I am a sister, one who tries to support and keep us all close, and be there for everyone, but also am trying to take care of myself. All these things would be the same about me if I were at a goal weight, but I would be thinner. I think I would feel less self-conscious about my appearance, nor worried if my rolls/muffintops are showing, more selfconfident. Maybe I'd be one of those single mom's who goes out on a date once in a while. I did date a little about 3 years ago, when I was 25 pounds lighter. As the weight comes off, I do find myself feeling more self-confident, and flirtatious. It's good to look inward once in a while, and see all the positives in my life, but it's hard at the same time to think about it all.

Thanks for listening. I don't know what I'd do without you all.
Now I'm going to shut this computer down and get back to being a mom. Have a wonderful weekend.

 

[Rose&Mike]

So this is the part of the challenge when I would usually quit... I went to disney last weekend... ran the half marathon . I ran the whole way this time... YAY!!! This is a huge accomplishment for me! I actually finished something that I started and didn't quit 75% of the way there as I have done with most things in my life! I mentally talked myself into running for 13 miles without stopping to walk once... walking was just simply not an option. I really think that finishing that race is going to help me to finish this whole weight loss battle once and for all... 3 years ago I was down 40 lbs and only 16 lbs away from my ultimate goal when i threw in the towel and gained it all back. I'm trying to figure out why I feel I'm not worth it when I get so close to something, I get scared and run the other way.... Anyway it was freezing and Disney wasn't feeling very magical this trip I feel like I need a do-over... So typical of me I came home and stopped tracking my food and haven't worked out at all because i hurt my foot during the race... although it's not as hurt as I am making it out to be in my mind... I am just using it as an excuse not to exercise! I even caught myself limping around on it the other night when it didn't really hurt that bad... what is wrong with me??? I weighed in today and am down .2 of a pound which puts me at exactly 200 lbs... there I said it out loud for all to hear, ... or read... I weigh 200 pounds... I want to be in the 100s so bad but i am holding myself back... like i am scared to continue this journey... maybe it's just laziness? Who knows... but I am ignoring it and moving on... I have missed out on 50 pages of this thread and am just jumping back in right here!!! I need to shake this funk... i hate it.

So starting today I am going to do Jillian's 30 Day Shred...for 30 days! I always wait to start things on Mondays... but why not start today? 20 minutes a day for 30 days... I can do this... I am also going to track everything that goes in my mouth on my bodybugg... which will hopefully keep me away from the boxes and boxes of girl scout cookies sitting in my living room that we're supposed to be selling and not eating!

Thanks for the therapy session...

I have a bunch of pages to catch up on. to everyone who is having a rough week.

MrsSchlep--I wanted to say I really identified with your post. First of all, good for you for running the whole half marathon. That is awesome. I have run on and off for years, and have always wanted to run a half marathon, but never make it past about 5-7 miles in my training before I stop.

Looking back on my life there are lots of things that I have finished, but there are so many things that I have quit. I would really like to figure out what is going on in my brain that makes it so easy to quit. I think I just haven't told myself enough yet that I am worth finishing, worth being healthy. And I know that in the past when I was at a good weight I still was not happy with it, and the negative messages kept coming. So, I'm working on the messages that float around in my brain, and I know I can finish the challenge and keep working towards my goals. We just need to tell ourselves that we are worth it!

Anyhow, to you. I know you can finish! Hang in there.

 

[donac]

Saturday QOTD: What defines you as a person? If you were to lose all the weight tomorow, what would still be the same about you? What would be different?

What a question for a Saturday. .

I have been a mother for 25 years and in a way that is almost over since the guys are almost 25 and 20. I know you never stop being a mother but it is not as hands on as it once was.

I have been a wife for almost 32 years and God willing that is not going anywhere soon. But I do know that life changes in a second.

I have been a math teachers for almost 33 years but I have been tutoring people in math since I was a freshman in high school and I tutored a friend in homeroom.

After I lose weight I will still be all those things but maybe this is why I am having such a hard time about my dh talking about retirement. This is something I have to start to think about. In May I can officially retire and I have been hesitant to think about it. I am not going to retire this year but dh wants to go in 4 years and I keep think NO. This question has me questioning why I have been resistant.

Thanks for the great question. It definitely has given me something to think about.


Ds2 comes home from Africa today. I just checked his flight from London. He flies to Charlotte NC and then changes planes to fly to Philla. The plane from London is then going to Orlando. I bet he wishes he was staying on to Orlando. He told me he can't wait to go back. We will pick him up at the airport tonight and then drive back home (past his college). Tomorrow he leaves for college for the spring semester. He has most of his stuff packed. I just went to the grocery store to get him a few things for his kitchen. I can'tt wait till he gets home but I wish he wasn't going back for another week so we can find out about his trip. Ds is a slow story teller.

Have a great day everyone.

How is everyone doing on the COW3? If anyone has any COW2 points please pm them to me.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Happy Belated B-Day Jennz

Saturday QOTD: What defines you as a person? If you were to lose all the weight tomorow, what would still be the same about you? What would be different?

I have been struggling with the what defines you as a person question for months now. I was a mostly SAHM for so many years, and now we're mostly empty-nesters. This fall I went back to work, and I love it. So I guess that would still be the same. But I feel like I have no idea who I am right now anyhow. DH and I talk about this a lot--what we want to be when we grow up.. I will still be a wife, a friend,and a Mom,--though that's a very part-time job at this point. I want to find somewhere else to volunteer on the days I'm not working. So that would be the same.

I guess what I want to be different is I want to be thought of (think of myself) as someone who cares about their appearance. Who actually takes the time to put makeup on and fix her hair when she goes out. Who wears cute clothes. When I'm carrying the extra pounds I don't feel good about myself, and I quit trying. I am working on that, and I'm tring to incorporate those attitudes into my daily life and not just wait for some magical number on the scale to decide I'm worth making the effort.

Thanks for the interesting question!

 

[my3princes]

I'm reading a lot of comments about how when we are heavy we stop taking the time to primp ourselves. I definitely fit into that category. When I was 200 lbs I couldn't have cared less what I looked like and looking back now, the photos of me "dressed up" were what most people wear on a daily basis. One of the biggest self esteem boosters that I found was to go to the mall and have someone show me how to properly apply makeup and what colors work best for me. Just that one change made so much difference for me. Since that time I found Bare Minerals products and knocked it up a notch. I now rarely have a day where I don't wear at least minimal make up (mascara is a must) and I find that wearing some sort of heel makes me feel sexier than just wearing flats or sneakers. I also went from long hair which I wore pulled back all of the time to a cut short cut that takes literally 5 minutes to go from wet to done. So while I look like I spend a lot of time on myself in the morning, the reality is that I can get up and be out the door completely made up and feeling fabulous in under 30 minutes. That is probably no more time than I spent before.

 

[pjlla]

I maintained this week but considering I was in disney and ran the half and ate SO MUCH food, I am just so happy I didn't gain!

Nice job on the 1/2! Was it your first?

QOTD: Looking back on the first two (ish) weeks of the year, how do you feel about your progress on your resolution to lose weight? Is it going how you anticipated? Are you as motivated as you were on January 1?

Well, the first two weeks have been pretty good, up until yesterday. I came home from my doctor’s appt. and snacked more than I should have. I was having a pity party, complete with refreshments.

I found out Wednesday night that I will have to wait a month (rather than the 2 weeks I had first been told) to have a dental process I have been working on completed (bone graft/implant). It has been almost 14 months so far and I am just about running out of patience.

Yesterday, I was diagnosed with a pinched nerve in my neck. I am taking drugs for it now and hope it will get better soon. It has been bugging me since before Christmas.

I want to say that I am as motivated as I was on January 1, but I am still reeling from messing up yesterday. I am hoping after a couple of days I will be able to turn it around and feel more motivated. In any case, I am going to try to work through the slump I feel I am in.

Find something to comfort you OTHER than food! Rent a movie and snuggle in for an afternoon... or take some time to indulge in a hobby that you really like (for me that would be scrapbooking)..... or have a long warm bath and a read a book! Sorry things have been so messed up for you lately. Hopefully it will all get cleared up quickly for both your mouth and your neck. Maybe by spring things will be back to normal!??

I'm still fighting the last of a lingering cough so I've been less than motivated about exercise, but I've gotten in an hour of free step the last few days while watching BL season 8 and the season 9 premiere on demand. I think I need to make that a habit. A half-hour just doesn't feel like much of a workout any more.

Isn't it amazing how that happens? A few years ago, if I did 30 minutes of exercise twice a week, I thought I was doing GREAT. Now I don't even consider 30 minutes a day EVERY DAY enough. In fact, 30 minutes is now almost an "off" day and 45-60 minutes is a light to average day. WAY TO GO on making the exercise a regular part of your life!!

Feeling pretty good. Week 1 was a small gain, because I wasn't eating well enough. Week 2 is a good loss (4.6lbs) and I'm done a little from where I was at the end of BL8 Feeling motivated. DH has decided not to wait for me to reach goal to plan a trip to Vegas, so now we're planning to go this spring break.

WOOHOO!! Great loss! I know you've struggled a lot and I am glad to hear that the scale has really moved in the right direction for you!!
Enjoy Vegas! It's a fun place (of course, I was only there for about 24 hours, but I had fun!)

I had an amazing week! I started weight watchers with the girls at work on Monday, and that with exercising more I lost 6.5 pounds!

Here I was thinking I could never get this counting points thing to work, and I nearly gave up today. I know I won't see this probably ever again, but I am going to enjoy it tonight!

Great job to everyone this week!

First of all, nice way to go with the 6.5 lb. loss! Second of all.... YES, YOU CAN COUNT THOSE POINTS EVERY DAY!!! Don't give up! It works! I have been counting points virtually EVERY DAY for TWO YEARS. It just becomes a habit.... I do it without even really thinking about it. You have proven to YOURSELF that it works, as demonstrated by the 6.5 lb. weight loss. Keep at it!

Well.... just a quick minute to say hello to everyone. DS's b.ball team won their game this morning and DS actually scored twice. DD has a swim meet for her HS this afternoon, so DS and I are heading to that soon. DH has a fraternity get-together this afternoon/evening. I'm pleased for him. He doesn't get together with friends/frat brothers very often. He needs some time with friends, so I hope he has a lot of fun today.

I made a yummy dinner yesterday.... I'm 3 for 3 for good meals lately. At least, I thought it was good. DH brought home a pizza without even asking me about it, so he and DS had that. DD tried the dinner I made and declared it not-so-good, so I was the only one who ended up eating my yummy dinner.

I heated up two packages of all-natural sundried tomato chicken sausage. I cut them up and threw them in the crockpot. I made a pot of Zatarains red beans and rice (plus I made a small batch of brown rice to add to it... otherwise it is too saucy). I put the rice and beans over the sausage in the crockpot. DINNER DONE! I will admit, because it was in the crockpot for a while, the rice got very soft... but I thought it was delicious. The rice/beans were 3 pts for 1 C and the sausage was 3 pts for one link. Nice and filling for 6 pts... plus I had broccoli. (Of course, after beans AND broccoli for dinner last night, I'm not sure that DS wants to be in the car with me today for 90 minutes! ) I could have skipped the crockpot step and made it and served it fresh, but I wanted something ready to eat when we got home late... plus Friday night we go in different directions, so I needed something ready for the men to eat (even though they ended up with pizza )

Saturday QOTD: What defines you as a person? If you were to lose all the weight tomorow, what would still be the same about you? What would be different?

Well.... hopefully my weight DOESN'T define me as a person. It is WHAT I am, but not WHO I am. That said, I am definitely more confident and self-assured than I was at 219 pounds.

THE SAME: Mom, wife, daughter, sister, scrapbooker, mostly SAHM, sometimes-substitute teacher. Organized, neat, reader, wanna-be traveler.

DIFFERENT: More confident, more outgoing, more energy, more health conscious.

Gotta run and get moving to the swim meet!....................P

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Happy Birthday Jennz!
Hope your DD is feeling better!

Thanks to Tigger813 for coaching last week! Hope your DD is having a better day.
Thanks Eeyores Butterfly for coaching this week!



Feeling pretty good. Week 1 was a small gain, because I wasn't eating well enough. Week 2 is a good loss (4.6lbs) and I'm done a little from where I was at the end of BL8 Feeling motivated. DH has decided not to wait for me to reach goal to plan a trip to Vegas, so now we're planning to go this spring break.

Excellent!

 

[Piglet18]

Saturday QOTD: What defines you as a person? If you were to lose all the weight tomorow, what would still be the same about you? What would be different?

Wow what a question! For me, I am defined by my relationships to those around me - friend, sister, daughter, granddaughter... I will still be a teacher, and a girlfriend, with the weight off. The difference? Confidence and energy. I will feel confident, which will be good for my relationship. I will have energy, which will be good for both my relationships and my job. Will there still be challenges? Absolutely. But I believe that I will be healthier, and happier, and more confident. But I will still be the same person, the same one who loves musicals and Disney and reading, who is quite emotional and attached to those people around me.

 

[cclovesdis]

One thing that helps keep me from binging is just reading the nutrition info on the package. I was at the gas station yesterday and the chips looked so yummy. I looked at the back and had to decide if those calories were worth it to me at that time and what I would have to do to burn off those junk calories. I decided that I wasn't hungry and those chips were not worth the extra two miles I'd have to walk to burn them off.

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[LuvBaloo]

Saturday QOTD: What defines you as a person? If you were to lose all the weight tomorow, what would still be the same about you? What would be different?

Tough question. My answer is similar to many others:
the same - same relationships, same basic personality
different - energy, more confidence

Its my personality that defines me, not my size.

 

[lornak]

Thanks to the suggestions on this board I checked out the C25K program and started it this week. But I do have a few questions for anyone who has done it. I am doing it on a treadmill and I am wondering what counts as jogging?? I am walking at a 3.6 pace and then going to 5.0 for the jogging. Is that fast enough?

I downloaded the phone app that someone recommended and it is great! But now I am wondering if anyone know some good play lists for exercising?? I would love to find some fun, upbeat music to work out to....but I don't really have the time to find and download all the songs. So I'm hoping there is something already out there?

Thanks to everyone who talked about this program. Three days down and I'm still standing!