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

[jennz]

A BIG congrats to all the losers and a super big congrats to princessbride and kitchensinkguy! You guys rock!

We got a lot of snow here yesterday... this morning, at 4 am, we had an EARTHQUAKE. Yes, an earthquake in northern Illinois. I slept through the earthquake but woke up to my 21 year old saying a few choice words. He was completely freaked out. He said the entire house was shaking. The center of the quake is about 40 minutes from my house and about 4 miles from my BFF's house.

Wednesday's QOTD: What is your favorite Season and why?

Summer, without a doubt. Where I live in Illinois, Spring and Fall are just Winter in disguise. A really bad disguise. I loathe winter. I like summer... the hotter, the better.

I was thinking about you and wondered if you were near it! I thought it was farther west than were you are (but I'm just guessing where you are based on your posts). Yes that would totally freak you out! I can't believe you slept through it - must be because all that exercise wore you out!

Oh, oh, oh... I completely forgot something else I was going to mention.

Biggest Loser watchers... last night there was an Olympian on the show last night named Rockne Brubaker (he did the last chance work-out... cute kid, lots of hair)... I know his mom! She and I used to work together. I have known Rockne since he was a little boy!

Unfortunately, he didn't make it on the Olympic team.

Wow, did you know he was going to be on there? He was a cutie!! Too bad he didn't make it.

Wednesday's QOTD: What is your favorite Season and why?

Fall, I love the warm days and cool nights. It's hammock weather to me. I love the colors especially here in New England, the crisp smell in the air, the food. DH makes his famous chili once a year and October is it.
This is fall in New England at my house:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1617672



This will be my 5th trip. I look forward to it every year. This year there are 18 DIS'ers going and I'm really really excited! 196 days to go!!!

What a fun time at your house! If we were a few hours closer (okay like maybe 10) I would come by!

So what is this Disney scrapping thingy?

QOTD: I like all the seasons when they start out, by the end I'm done with them all!

I made some changes to my eating today...Maziezoe and I started around the same time and the same weight and she's doubled my weight loss. We both exercise and eat around the same amount, so I am changing some of my foods. Chex-mix was replaced with and apple today, my popcorn was replaced with a protein shake blended with yogurt. Yum! My sodium was about double the RDA I think that is a factor. My ham, light cheese, arnold thins and barbecue lunch sandwich was replaced with a tuna salad ( 1/2 tbsp low fat mayo, 1/2 tsp grey poupon) on arnold's thins. Still tasty! Calories have been pretty much the same. I'll see if this shakes me up and shakes it off a little git! lol Any other suggestions? This is an "aha" moment for me!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

So what is this Disney scrapping thingy?

Every August Dream Events Inc has a weekend crop at WDW. This year it's August 27-29 at the Contemporary. Sometimes it's at the Yacht Club too.

here is the link to the site:
http://www.dreameventsinc.com/eventdetails.cfm?EventID=60

here is the link to our thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2283720

 

[jenanderson]

Oh my! This week has been so very busy and I feel like I have done some readings here but I have not had any chance to post. So I will ramble on a bit and try to get somethings caught up!

I have still been doing well despite the craziness of life. There have been a few moments...the terrible, desperate desire for chocolate (counted out 50 and used my WW points because it was not worth fighting), a totally tired body (decided that I need to follow my running training plan and actually rest on the days of rest), the kids wanting to go to their favorite restaurant with nothing I really want except the high point items (ended up having soup and it was good) and other little moments. I am surviving it though and actually had a really good weigh in at WW on Tuesday.

2/8 Monday QOTD: What are the tools that you use most in your weight loss journey?
Here are the tools that are helping me out:
1. Treadmill - most days I run outside but there are some runs I would miss if I did not have my treatmill.
2. WW Meetings - It is always good to have to go have someone else weigh me in...keeps me feeling like I have to do well.
3. Scale - I know know that I am not underestimating or overestimating my points.
4. iPod - Nike+ and C25K program are keeping me on track for running.
5. The computer - Have to access this thread (tons of ideas and support), the Rebel Alliance thread (more great ideas and support, specifically around my running), the WW site and so many more.

2/9 Tuesday QOTD: Do you have a reward for reaching goal? Or mini-goals?
My reward is going to be the trip to WDW to run the Princess in 2011 with my friend Jude (jbm02). To me, that is the ultimate reward. I have not been setting mini-goals because I am trying to save money.

2/10 Wednesday QOTD: What is your favorite Season and why?
Summer - I live in Minnesota...need I say more??? I can't wait to see the huge piles of snow go away!

 

[tigger813]

Snowstorm turned out to be a dud! Only getting a dusting to 3". That's ok cause we all got to come home early and relax a bit and catch up on some tv shows. We watched the end of Princess Diaries and then watched Princess Diaries 2. We also watched the Samantha Brown 10th anniversary special. We have it set up to record her special tonight as well. We watched Idol from last night and are watching Iron Chef America from Sunday night.

Had a cheddar jack and egg noddle casserole and some steak tips. Not being as good as I planned as I'm really tired and still not feeling my best. Didn't do any Wii Fit plus either. I will get back into my routine over the weekend. I am drinking my water diligently. I'm just worn out I guess. I have a client scheduled for the morning if she doesn't cancel.

Got a bit of a headache!

Enough complaining! Hope everyone stays safe tonight! Drive carefully!

 

[jbm02]

Wednesday's QOTD: What is your favorite Season and why?

This is going to sound a little crazy but...my favorite season is Autumn. I love the bright changing colors on the trees, apple and pumpkin season, the crunch of stepping on falling leaves (I even like to rake! ), the "smell" in the air.
But my favorite month is June - the longest days of sunlight. The sun is almost up when I get up at 4:30AM and is still up in time for nice long walks with DH after work.

Snowstorm turned out to be a dud! Only getting a dusting to 3".

It was a dud here too! But that didn't stop DH's school from closing completely or the kids schools from closing early. I was the only one who put in a "full" day here!!

Having a rough week with exercise. I had boot camp on Monday but missed my lunch workout due to a meeting. Missed yesterday at the Y too because of early morning meetings that lasted the whole day (wiping out lunch workout again too). I went to my boot camp class today - and one of the women in the class took a nasty fall and broke her arm - at 5:10AM. That was the end of exercising this morning since we all waited for the paramedics and ambulance to come with her. (I called and spoke to her daughter this afternoon - she's resting comfortably at home now...) I was able to lift at lunch today - thankfully! - but because it was a lifting rather than a cardio day, I know I didn't burn the number of calories I normally would. Helping kids with homework and Valentines Day crafts tonight so no Wii or Y. I know that this is real life and all - but it's getting in the way of my workout routine!!

 

[MelanieC]

Wow you guys, we have gotten so much snow today and it's still snowing. Just trying to keep myself from eating too much today, lol. Tv went out till DH went out finally and got the snow off the roof and uncovered the satellite. They have already called school tomorrow. We are well over 2 feet of snow so far and it's still snowing.

 

[donac]

Wow you guys, we have gotten so much snow today and it's still snowing. Just trying to keep myself from eating too much today, lol. Tv went out till DH went out finally and got the snow off the roof and uncovered the satellite. They have already called school tomorrow. We are well over 2 feet of snow so far and it's still snowing.

We are the same here. Maybe not 2 feet but a lot more than we had this morning. The power just went out but only for a minute. It is still snowing here. Dh and I are both out for tomorrow (I really wanted the house to myself)

 

[lecach]

What a disappointing meal I had for dinner. We went out for mexican. I took my own healthy baked chips. Ordered spinach enchilada's with black beans. Sounds healthy right? At the other mexican restaurant that we eat at, the spinach enchiladas are...well spinach. Tonight they came out and it was some kind of white creamy junk with a few flecks of spinach. I should have sent it back. I only ate half but I was so disappointed. I could have ordered something tastier for less WW points. Bummer. Oh well, lesson learned. Sometimes even with our best healthy intentions we still are defeated. But tomorrow is another day. I'll do some extra time on my Wii Fit to make up for tonight.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

We're doing a "Largest Loser" school. I don't think the scale they use is that accurate. Last week it told me I gained when WW told me I lost. This week it told me I lost 5, I'm nto sure that's accurate. I normally WI on Thursdays with WW, but I'm going to Nebraska with Aaron tomorow for his grandmother's funeral, so I won't be able to WI til Saturday. Hopefully I'll be able to not go too far off track while we are on the road.

I got my call from Worlds of Fun today- I will be the lead at Camp Snoopy. I have to admit, I am disappointed. I was really hoping for a coaster. But they combined what had been two crews into one and said they needed somebody organized. What can you do? Oh well, I'll make it fun somehow!

 

[50sjayne]

50sJayne - so you're saying the human part of dd is just a phase? I laughed so hard at that! I think I've seen the transformation starting in some of her friends...

Well, mine was a late bloomer-- seems like one day she was 16 and still almost my best friend, then at 17 I wanted to shoot myself....

 

[LuvBaloo]

Its been a good week for me. I've been getting the exercise in, which has resulted in less dis'ing. I've done a weigh-in every morning so far this week, which is unusual for me. Its been interesting to see the scale go up after a salty dinner, and then come back down the next day.

HOpe all of you in the crazy snow areas are okay, and that everyone who isn't feeling great, feels better soon!

2/8 Monday QOTD: What are the tools that you use most in your weight loss journey?
The computer for Dis, and WWonline.

2/9 Tuesday QOTD: Do you have a reward for reaching goal? Or mini-goals?
When I eventually reach goal, it'll be a trip to vegas with DH. Right now, no mini-rewards planned, but I've been shopping for vacation. Having a vacation coming next month is a great motivator for me.

2/10 Wednesday QOTD: What is your favorite Season and why?
early spring, when the snow is disappearing, and its longer daylight and its too early for seasonal allergies

 

[mikamah]

Good morning. I'm a bit behind again. The days go by too fast.
I've not been great with the eating, so expect I'll be up tomorrow. Hoping to stay below my starting weight, but it's going to be close. Gonna keep on trucking.

Congrats Princess bride!! and all the top losers this week!!!
It's so great to see the third of the way stats too. Thanks Shannon.

2/9 Tuesday QOTD: Do you have a reward for reaching goal? Or mini-goals?
When I reach 181, my original ww joining weight 20 years ago, I'll be getting new cowboy boots. I don't reward along the way, I guess I usually get things that I want, and vacations are one of my big priorities in life. I think time away really helps to keep me grounded. Though when I do reach goal, a stay at a wdw deluxe resort might be nice, rather than a value, even if it's just for a couple nights.

2/10 Wednesday QOTD: What is your favorite Season and why?
I've always loved the fall, but am enjoying summer much more lately. I think it's the vacation thing, I take 2 weeks off, and we've been camping for a long weekend every summer with some friends at old orchard beach, and we go to sebago with friends, and last year, just michael and I spent a few days at hampton beach, nh before school started, and I think we're going to make that a tradition too. It was a nice way to wind down the summer.

Going to drink that water today, and try and minimize the gain tomorrow. Have a great day.

 

[lisah0711]

Thank you MelanieC for being our coach this week! And thanks to our new coach starting tomorrow, jenanderson!

Well, mine was a late bloomer-- seems like one day she was 16 and still almost my best friend, then at 17 I wanted to shoot myself....

See this, Kathy, we probably have the same thing to look forward to with our boys!

Its been a good week for me. I've been getting the exercise in, which has resulted in less dis'ing. I've done a weigh-in every morning so far this week, which is unusual for me. Its been interesting to see the scale go up after a salty dinner, and then come back down the next day.

Good job on the exercising! It's good to know how different meals affect your body and see what the trend is as you go through your busy week.

Good morning. I'm a bit behind again. The days go by too fast.

Isn't that the truth? February is almost half way through!

This is one of those times of the year when I reminded how differently boys and girls think. When I was in grade school I painstakingly picked out Valentines for each of my classmates, making sure that the cute boys got a "good" Valentine and nothing too mushy for boys I didn't like. It took hours. Last night DS did his Valentines in record time -- going through the list and taking the next card that was on top. Today I will see some of the girls closely examining the Valentine they received from DS and thanking him prettily, imagining some thought went into the process -- when in reality he has no clue what he gave them and won't give it another thought. Man, I wish someone would have told me that when I was a kid!

Be sure and send those weigh-ins to LuvBaloo and those COW numbers to donac tomorrow.

Hope that everyone who got lots of snow is digging out! Have a great day all!

 

[pjlla]

A BIG congrats to all the losers and a super big congrats to princessbride and kitchensinkguy! You guys rock!

We got a lot of snow here yesterday... this morning, at 4 am, we had an EARTHQUAKE. Yes, an earthquake in northern Illinois. I slept through the earthquake but woke up to my 21 year old saying a few choice words. He was completely freaked out. He said the entire house was shaking. The center of the quake is about 40 minutes from my house and about 4 miles from my BFF's house.

Glad you are okay. It must have been scary for your DS!

I made some changes to my eating today...Maziezoe and I started around the same time and the same weight and she's doubled my weight loss. We both exercise and eat around the same amount, so I am changing some of my foods. Chex-mix was replaced with and apple today, my popcorn was replaced with a protein shake blended with yogurt. Yum! My sodium was about double the RDA I think that is a factor. My ham, light cheese, arnold thins and barbecue lunch sandwich was replaced with a tuna salad ( 1/2 tbsp low fat mayo, 1/2 tsp grey poupon) on arnold's thins. Still tasty! Calories have been pretty much the same. I'll see if this shakes me up and shakes it off a little git! lol Any other suggestions? This is an "aha" moment for me!

My suggestions are..... increase your fiber, be sure you are getting the proper amount of healthy fats, be sure that you are eating ENOUGH. Reducing the sodium is a wonderful idea. Be sure to be drinking plenty of water. Are you recording/journaling every bite/calorie/point (depending on your system)?? Don't try to rely on ESTIMATING.

You could also try rollercoastering your calories (high day, medium day, low day, high day, etc). This seems to help some people.... it keeps your body guessing and is supposed to keep your metabolism working hard. It has seemed to work for me in the past when I plan it and do it right. A few other things that are supposed to help weight loss are 2-3 servings per day of low-fat dairy,2-3 cups per day of green tea, low sodium V-8 or tomato juice drank twice a day before meals and increased Vitamin D. Good luck.


Morning all! I don't have a lot of time to stay and chat, but I wanted to come say HI and send WARM thoughts to those of you who are are snowed in STILL or AGAIN! I hope you all are safe, warm, and comfortable! Those of us here in northern NE can certainly sympathize, but MAN, am I glad that it wasn't US that got all that snow!!!!!!

Chances are I won't be around much between Friday and Monday. Friday night DD swims in ONE event at the Regionals competition in White River Jct, Vermont.... then Saturday late afternoon she has her HS State championship at UNH in Durham, and then Sunday we will be BACK at Regionals in VT for about 6 more events. The VT venue is 3 hours round trip and the UNH venue is 2.5 hrs round trip.... we live somewhere in the middle..... so I will be a CRAZY DRIVING MOM TAXI this weekend! These are ALL qualifying events, so I am very proud of her and I don't want her to miss anything, but I can't even IMAGINE how we are both going to feel by Sunday night. Somewhere in all of this she needs to fit in homework and I need to fit in exercise and we BOTH need to eat right!!

DS's basketball team won their first playoff game on Tuesday night, so they have another game tonight and a final game on Saturday. Thankfully the schedule works out just right for me to be able to see all of these games and STILL be able to get DD where she needs to go..... the calendar fairies must have been smiling down on me! And the weather fairies too.... no bad weather scheduled for this weekend!! THat would have made it a NIGHTMARE.

I've gotta run (literally )! TTYL.......P

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

what a busy morning. I made a huge fruit tray for my sons Valentines party at preschool. Did W3D3 of my C25K plan. Now we are off for swimming lessons and then his party. I was a bit bummed the scale was up for me because I had sushi and tomatoe soup yesterday way way way to much salt. Hopefully it will drop back down. We are supposed to get rain tomorrow boo. What is everyone else up to over the Valentines weekend. My husband has to work at the hospital over the weekend so we are having dinner at Kona next week for our Valentines celebration.

 

[donac]

Was up early this morning and helped ds clean off his car so that he could go to work. I stayed out to clean off the sidewalk. Dh came out to finish the driveway and sidewalk. I got my car keys to start my car to help clean it off and when I turned to get out to the car I twisted my knee the wrong way. I couldn't stand on it (it happened to me last week and it has been feeling pretty good) I have taken 2 advils and have been icing it since I got in. Twice in a week to have this pain must be looked at. I am looking up an orthopedist from my insurance and calling one in a little while

Have a great day everyone.

 

[princessbride6205]

My suggestions are..... increase your fiber, be sure you are getting the proper amount of healthy fats, be sure that you are eating ENOUGH. Reducing the sodium is a wonderful idea. Be sure to be drinking plenty of water. Are you recording/journaling every bite/calorie/point (depending on your system)?? Don't try to rely on ESTIMATING.

You could also try rollercoastering your calories (high day, medium day, low day, high day, etc). This seems to help some people.... it keeps your body guessing and is supposed to keep your metabolism working hard. It has seemed to work for me in the past when I plan it and do it right. A few other things that are supposed to help weight loss are 2-3 servings per day of low-fat dairy,2-3 cups per day of green tea, low sodium V-8 or tomato juice drank twice a day before meals and increased Vitamin D. Good luck.

Great advice from pjlla. I have started to swear by green tea. Also making sure you are getting enough fruits and veggies. Another thing you can try is varying your workouts. Even if you don't have time to add more exercise, switching up your activities can help your body use different muscles and work harder. When I added running (just an example) I noticed weight loss - I wasn't exercising much longer each week, but I had finally found an intense workout that I enjoyed enough to keep doing. Up to that point I was doing a lot of walking or really light cardio. Any movement or exercise is beneficial, but if you're trying to get the scale to move more, I think this helps.

 

[LegoMom3]

Ok, I need help.... Can anyone give me any ideas or tips on fat-burning??! I'm SO frustrated right now I could scream.

I have been exercising regularly since starting this challenge. I am seeing positive changes in my endurance and also I'm regaining some of the muscle tone in my legs (yay!). But I don't seem to be losing much fat AT. ALL. I'm 44, and I know your metabolism changes as you get older (in my 20s I didn't even have to try!!). But I have days where I feel like I'm just stuck with the body I have, that I can be more "fit" in other ways but my knees, thighs and belly just won't let go of the flab!!!

My exercise routine has been a mix of walking, jogging and using my trampoline. Free, and convenient as they are in and around my home. Do you think I might make some head-way by joining a gym and using weight machines? Is there any food or combination of foods that are fat-burners?

Any advice appreciated!!

------------------

ETA: It looks like there may have been a similar post recently, judging by the replies I'm seeing on this page. Forgive me if I missed it - haven't been on this thread in days.....so if there is, feel free to just point me to it!
.

 

[hyerpraise]

Is it too late to join in? I just ran across this tread today.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[LuvBaloo]

Is it too late to join in? I just ran across this tread today.

Thanks,
Mike

Its NEVER to late to join us!
Official weigh-in day is Friday, so if you want to be part of the weight tracking, please PM me (LuvBaloo) your weight tomorrow as I'm the weightkeeper.
Lisa0711 is our organizer and she's done a great job of having all the key information on page 1 of the thread.
Jump in with any questions!


Happy Thursday everybody!
Tonight I'll be helping the girls get their Valentines ready to take to school/daycare. And then they both want their hair put into little braids for sleeping so it will be wavy tomorrow for their Valentine parties.
Nothing special planned for Valentines this weekend. We'll be watching the opening of the Olympics tomorrow evening, and I'm taking the girls to the next town for a family dinner, and I'll be doing more shopping during the day. My SIL is getting married in Sept, and I'm a bridesmaid, so we'll be doing some shopping for bridesmaid's dresses and I will get to see her wedding dress. Should be a busy and fun weekend.

LegoMom3 - Hang in there! Somebody will come on and share better advice than I have. Maybe getting some ankle, wrist weights would increase fat-burning??

MaizieZoe - I completely missed your post yesterday about the earthquake. How often does Illinois get earthquakes?