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

[maiziezoe]

I had a terrible day yesterday. I was soooooo crabby. I was going to make my usual lunch but I suddenly got really depressed because I was about to eat the same thing I usually eat. I made my usual lunch and cried the entire time I ate it. I sent my hubby a mean text about how he was able to eat lunch out every day and I was stuck at home eating the same thing. I was so crabby.

Today at lunch time I mixed it up and and there were no tears.

I had an excellent day on the scale today. I was down 4.2 pounds for the week. My nutritionist has really helped me with some of my issues and I am thrilled with this weeks results.

Thursday's QOTD: I like food makeover's when you find a way to eat a favorite food, but you make it a lot healthier. What is a makeover to a food recipe that you enjoyed?


My biggest makeover has been using egg beaters instead of eggs. We eat breakfast for dinner once a week and I have been using egg beaters and no one has noticed the difference in taste.

Today’s QOTD: What do you still find to be a challenge in your weight loss journey and what is one step you can take to overcome it?

My biggest challenge every day is still trying to eat all my WW points. I did much better this week than in past weeks but there was still a day that I had 8 points left over at the end of the day. My nutritionist is helping me overcome it.

Jennz... where are you? Everything okay?

 

[50sjayne]

Up a pound this week.....

So. Frustrated.

The week that I had my best loss, I had worked out morning and afternoon 5 days that week. But I haven't been able to keep that up due to the weather and my schedule!! I do the trampoline EVERY morning. I sweat. It's a good workout!.... But the running has been so sporadic (our house is too small for a treadmill so that isn't an option), and I think that was the real calorie burner.

I think I'm going to do the free week at my husband's gym in town. It'll give me a chance to see if I can definitely work in the time (on the one hand, I can get all my exercise in at once, but it also means getting up early and going before the family's day starts....we home school so my days are full!).

I've got to do something because I'm on the verge of cycling downward again, where I'm not seeing the progress that motivates me to keep going, so I stop caring and basically give up.

Hope everyone else has had a good week!

.

One pound is nothing. I know it's a lot when you're working hard for it--I hit a plateau awhile back and read something that said the only way to break a plateau is by walking. Sure enough that did it.

Prayers for your kitty. Mine is doing MUCH better..... and she now recognizes the sound of the medicine bottle opening and runs to hide under the dining room table!! But I try to fool her by shaking the treat can first... she usually comes running for that.

How do you get a cat to take vinegar?? I bought some cranberry urinary health treats for my cat last year when she had troubles... but she wouldn't eat them.


Today’s QOTD: What do you still find to be a challenge in your weight loss journey and what is one step you can take to overcome it?


Well.... I am off to get myself ready for my busy weekend. TTYL........P

I hadn't ever heard of the apple cider vinegar thing until I was poking around a little online the other day and really it is nothing short of miraculous. She is doing so much better- no problems with urinating and much more perky. I am so glad I don't have to take her to the vet. I've just been giving her the diluted version of it--stuff I had in the cupboard in a dropper. Today she gave me a little trouble running and hiding under the treadmill when she saw me coming lol, but I think that's because I've been giving her the cranberry pill crushed and in the dropper too-- and they don't like that taste. People say they add it to their water--I might eventually try that but for now, I'm just giving it to her in the dropper. It's about a 1/3 a capful--1 dropper full.
You are busy!

Today’s QOTD: What do you still find to be a challenge in your weight loss journey and what is one step you can take to overcome it?--
Big portions. I have always hated women who eat nothing--I never want to be one of them. But I need to realize that at 41-almost 42 I just can't eat like I used to and not gain weight. Eating better food helps and eating lots of fruits and veggies also helps. I'm still never going to be the person who buys 1/2 pound of burger for their dinner that night...that's a waste of ttime and energy. I have no problems with leftovers. I'm sorry if any of you are one of those people who are terrified of microwaves but I really hate those people.

 

[jennz]

Maiziezoe - lol you've dragged me out of lurkerdom! Work has been pretty busy w/calls so I haven't been able to post - I actually have to work! And when I'm done I haven't been on the computer, we're still all kind of down with this mild bug. But Bob and Jillian are still calling me to go do my BL workout - they just don't let up! I have been SO HUNGRY these last two days!!! That's all I want to do.

I had a good week though, down 1.4.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Just made the best black bean soup. I doubled the recipe and only used 1 onion. I also added 1/2 tsp chili powder and 1/4 jar salsa. It is soo good and better than Panera. This is the recipe I followed.

http://www.recipezaar.com/Panera-Bread-Black-Bean-Soup-49737


So yummy!!

and nice with this crappy weather.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Today’s QOTD: What do you still find to be a challenge in your weight loss journey and what is one step you can take to overcome it?

My biggest challenge every day is still trying to eat all my WW points. I did much better this week than in past weeks but there was still a day that I had 8 points left over at the end of the day. My nutritionist is helping me overcome it.

How do you not use all the points. I think I am the snack queen. That is why I had to switch over to core.

Happy Friday everyone!

I'm looking forward to taking home pizza for supper tonight and watching the Olympics opening ceremony. I live in BC, Canada, so am really hoping our province puts on a good show (and that the debt from the Olympics is paid off in my lifetime!)

This is a journey and we are better travelling it together!

Cant wait for the opening ceremony another good friend of mine lives just out side the village. She is taking lots of pics for me. So pretty.

 

[jbm02]

Happy Friday everyone!

I'm looking forward to taking home pizza for supper tonight and watching the Olympics opening ceremony. I live in BC, Canada, so am really hoping our province puts on a good show (and that the debt from the Olympics is paid off in my lifetime!)

What a great atmosphere!! Any chance you'll be able to go to any of the events? I went to the ones in Lake Placid in 1980 (OMG - is it really 30 years ago??! ) and I can still remember the excitement.... Any other hockey fans out there????

Today’s QOTD: What do you still find to be a challenge in your weight loss journey and what is one step you can take to overcome it?

Can I say that ANYTHING that has to do with food is still a challenge for me? If I don't pre-plan and think hard about what I'm eating, I just go totally OP.


Jen, you are a great coach!!

 

[jenanderson]

I was having trouble using my ww points for the right foods. I have been at this for over a month and decided to switch over to core today. At least for a few weeks to get that sweet tooth tackled. So I will see if that change helps any. I have done core in the past and been very happy with it. It is a matter of me getting in the right frame of mind.

My recipe makover is actually from ww:
Chocolate Bran muffins: 1 pt each
3 cups kellogs all bran (not buds kind)
2 1/4 cups water
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 box Betty Crocker lowfat Brownie Mix

Soak waster and all bran for 7 min. Than add the 1/2 box of Brownie mix and baking powder. Spray muffin pan with Pam. Makes about 20. Bake at 350 for 15-17 min. They are good but I dont double this recipe because they go bad fast in about 3 days so freeze or eat them fast. There are only 2 of us so I have to freeze some of them.

Thanks for sharing the recipe! I love trying out new ones that can help me stay on track with WW.

I would love to have you share about the core plan and how it works for you. I do WW and have thought about changing it up a bit and doing core but I just worry if it would really work for me.

I have to admit that I still find getting in regular exercise a challenge -- I know, I know, how long have I been saying this is an issue for me and I still haven't figured it out! So, I am just going to suck it up and make it work. The walk I signed up for with DS and DH will help. If I really concentrate on it for the next few weeks, I can make this a habit, just like I did with my eating. :hippie

Finding time to exercise or making exercise a habit seems to be a common challenge. I know that I have to work so hard to be sure it gets done some times...like tonight! I know that the COW helped me keep it as a top priority. I also exercise with DH so we try to hold each other accountable. Good luck with keeping it a priority this week!

i just checked back in on the BMI (body mass index) chart.
with today's weigh-in i went from officially "obese" into the "overweight" category! while mildly embarrassed to admit it, I AM ALSO THRILLED!

WAY TO GO!!!! Don't be embarrassed...be proud of your loss! I think it is very exciting for you!!!!

QOTD: My challenge is weekends! I love to let loose but sometimes over do it! Going to enjoy this weekend and as long as I feel better by Sunday I will get back on schedule! I'm only up 1.2 since last week so that's not bad. I was up 2.8 after the weekend and I did next to no exercise all week! My body is starting to crave exercise again! I am getting Just Dance for the Wii on Sunday so I will hopefully do that with the family!

Glad to hear you are starting to feel better! I love my Just Dance! You should have a fun time doing that with the family!!!!

I'm happy to report a loss of 1lb! Since I've been the Queen of lose a little, gain a little for months, I happy to see 2 weeks of losses! I will stay focussed and lose again next week to break into new territory on the scale I am committing to follow through with it!

Great job on your loss this week and last week! I think it is wonderful how you are so committed to your own goals and also with helping us stay on track by doing the hard work of keeping all the data! Thank you for all you do!!!

QOTD:
I still find it hard to get motivation at this time of year. the weather and getting dark early makes it so hard for me to want to work out!

I think we are all waiting for spring...it will be warmer and lighter - things that definitely make me more motivated!

I had a terrible day yesterday. I was soooooo crabby. I was going to make my usual lunch but I suddenly got really depressed because I was about to eat the same thing I usually eat. I made my usual lunch and cried the entire time I ate it. I sent my hubby a mean text about how he was able to eat lunch out every day and I was stuck at home eating the same thing. I was so crabby.

Today at lunch time I mixed it up and and there were no tears. :laughing

I am so glad that lunch today was better! This is so me though - as I am tracking my food every day I realize that I eat the SAME EXACT thing every day at lunch and it is a bit depressing. I will be inspired by you and when I shop this week I will try to find something to mix it up!

Today’s QOTD: What do you still find to be a challenge in your weight loss journey and what is one step you can take to overcome it?--
Big portions. I have always hated women who eat nothing--I never want to be one of them. But I need to realize that at 41-almost 42 I just can't eat like I used to and not gain weight.

It is so hard to change the habit of big portions. I am the same age as you and am also struggling to accept that it is going to take work from here on out to be the healthy me I want to be.

I had a good week though, down 1.4.:yay

Glad to see that you had a great week! Congratulations on losing 1.4 pounds!

 

[cclovesdis]

QOTD: My big challenge is binge eating. I know strategies to control myself, but when it comes time to needing them, I clam up and forget what they are. I have to be better about practicing using my strategies ahead of time and anticipating when I might feel the need to binge. I know that I binge when I'm feeling anxious so if I can notice when I start to feel anxious, I have a stronger potential for avoiding bingeing. The other thing I can do is exercise more. While I don't want to be bingeing daily, and really want to avoid it completely, exercising more will make me feel less guilty if I have a bad day and binge. It's a vicious cycle. I binge because I'm anxious and I get more anxious when I start to binge because it makes me feel so guilty and ashamed. I'm sorry if this was TMI. I do have to say, it felt good writing all of this out. TIA.

You can probably all guess that I binged today. Actually, I binged at least 2x today. I probably ate 3,000 calories today. I'm done eating for the day. I'm going to weigh in tomorrow morning and start completely fresh. I bought a new calorie counting book and I'm going to count calories and points until the end of the challenge. I don't eat that many zero point foods, but I eat enough to add up to 150+ calories a day and I want to keep an eye on that. I'm also going to drink more water and lay off the diet soda I've been craving lately. And, I'm going to aim for 60+ minutes of exercise a day. My new pedometer arrived yesterday and I love it. It's the Omron one someone suggested. I'm going to aim for 10,000+ steps a day. The Wii Fit Balance Board riser also came in the same shipment as my pedometer and the calorie counter book. I'll start using that tomorrow. The other things that came in are a BL book that explains the BL program and a WATP DVD. Can't wait to start using that as well. Sorry this was such a long post and so much of it was probably TMI. I appreciated the QOTD. It got me thinking and more goal-oriented. Looking forward to a great week.

 

[corinnak]

Thanks for sharing the mousse recipes, corinnak!

I have to admit that I still find getting in regular exercise a challenge -- I know, I know, how long have I been saying this is an issue for me and I still haven't figured it out! So, I am just going to suck it up and make it work. The walk I signed up for with DS and DH will help. If I really concentrate on it for the next few weeks, I can make this a habit, just like I did with my eating.


I hear it's better than blue pudding or even cake!

Lisa - I'm glad to share those mousse recipes! I still need to type up the WW version...

Regarding the regular exercise, I think it's great that you've signed up for a race - those sure motivate me to get my workouts in. Every time you put in the minutes on the treadmill, it helps you feel great on race day. It's a great way to be kind to your future self!

I don't know if this will help you or not, but I will share another thing that has made a huge difference to my feelings about physical activity. I think I've shared before that I started running as a desperate attempt to dig my way out of a nasty and protracted depression. It made a huge difference to my thought process, willingness and ultimately follow-through when I began to think of my workouts as medicine rather than "something I ought to do." "Something I hate to do" or "Something I would like to do if only there were enough hours in the day." We all obviously have our own health concerns and family histories - depression just happened to be mine. For some people, regular exercise maybe the thing that keeps them from having to use insulin in the near future. For others it may be back trouble - I started being much more regular with itwhen I started thinking of my resistance cord workout as therapy for my back and neck rather than "something I should do" or "something that will make me look better," etc. etc.

i just checked back in on the BMI (body mass index) chart.
with today's weigh-in i went from officially "obese" into the "overweight" category! while mildly embarrassed to admit it, I AM ALSO THRILLED!

Hooray! Hooray! This is a very big deal, I know! I remember when I went from Obese to Overweight as well! It is a wonderful victory - do not be embarrassed! Congratulations!

(And here is my one step I took....) So I got smart and headed to the grocery store and stocked up on healthy, easy-to-bring-along foods.... LC cheese wedges, pretzel sticks, baby carrots, seltzer, light yogurts, etc. I plan on packing snacks and meals to have with us every day.

Pamela - I know what you mean! I used to feel like I was "at the mercy" of available food pretty frequently. I realized that I like the food I can pack and bring along SO much better than whatever random stuff is available wherever I happen to be. Sandwiches from home can be SO good! Nice job planning out your "battle plan" for the weekend. You're going to do so great! And good luck to your DD and all the swimmers, too!

We have a new Subway not far from us, and I'm going to try it. Hopefully, it will become a new weekend staple...Anyway, you have inspired me to do better, so thank you!

Hello to all the other BL participants, and thank you for continuing on this path with us. I hope we will all be inspired by watching or hearing about the Olympics, and we will face next week with single-minded focus. The Olympic athletes view food as fuel, and we can, too! (but of course, you can have some extra sugar free gum if you want a dessert )

Maria!!! Subway and Extra sugar free gum??? What is this, the Biggest Loser? Oh yeah....

And now I'm going to do my own little Subway endorsement. I do like Subway, and especially the gardenburger sub. It's just good! But at 6.5 points (without cheese or sauces), it can burn through a good chunk of points. Which is usually fine, but last week I needed some dinner and had...not that many points left, so I got a gardenburger SALAD. With just some vinegar and oregano for dressing, I got what felt like a big bunch of food for only about 3.5 points! Plus the apple slices (while not the most delicious) work out to zero points.

Have a great day!!!
What other Olympic or Canadian food can you think of for tonight's dinner?

First of all - hide those chips!!! It's so much harder for me when things like that are staring me in the face.

The canadian food I'm thinking of is.....Crown Royal. Not a good choice for dinner, though!

Today’s QOTD: What do you still find to be a challenge in your weight loss journey and what is one step you can take to overcome it?

Oh, the tough questions! I am still struggling with snacking. Munching. Whatever you call it when you suddenly find yourself in the pantry wanting to just TASTE something. Sometimes out of hunger. Sometimes out of boredom. I count the points, but they can go awfully quickly that way. When I added in my maintenance points, I think more of them went for snacking - probably not the smartest use, even if I'm making decent choices.

I think I need to try to limit my eating more to just the table. If it's worth eating, it's worth putting in a dish, right?

 

[corinnak]

Chocolate-Hazelnt Mousse Cups
from Weight Watchers 20 Minute Recipes

POINTS value: 3

Prep: 19 minutes
Cook:1 minute
Other: 2 hours

1 (12.3-ounce) packages reduced-fat firm silken tofu (Such as Mori-Nu Lite)
1/2 c sugar
6 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
2 Tablespoons Frangelico (hazelnut-flavored liqueur)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dash of salt
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
18 chocolate graham crackers (4 1/2 cookie sheets)
9 Tablespoons frozen fat-free whipped topping
3 Tablespoons chopped hazelnuts, toasted

1. Place first 6 ingredients in a food processor. Process 20 seconds or until smooth.

2. Place chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 1 minute; stir until smooth. Add chocolate to tofu mixture; process until smooth. Transfer mousse to a bowl; cover and chill at least 2 hours.

3. Spoon about 1/3 cup mousse into each of 9 small individual dessert dishes. Coarsely crush 2 graham crackers over each mousse cup. Top each mousse cup with 1 Tablespoon fat-free whipped topping, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon hazelnts. Yield 9 servings (Serving size, 1 mousse cup)

Per serving: cal 142 (27% from fat) fat 4.2 g (sat 1.5g); Protein 5.7 g. Carb 20.1 g; fiber 1.9g; chol 0mg; iron 1.3mg; sodium 88mg. calcium 26 mg

Truthfully, I pretty much always omit the graham crackers, whipped topping and hazelnuts, and it's still really good! The recipe teaser says

"Don't tell anyone there is tofu in this rich make-ahead dessert. Chances are they'll never guess"

which is true, unless you serve it to someone who is allergic to soy. For this reason, I always disclose this when I serve this recipe or the hot artichoke dip recipe I also make sometimes.

 

[tigger813]

Been a rough day for me! My cold was getting better but then I developed a bad case of indigestion! It's moved all over my upper body. I ended up laying on a heating pad for awhile as the pain in my left shoulder was pretty bad! I just took an acid reducer and am drinking a large bottle of water. It started around lunch time and has come and gone. I get this occasionally and with the severe congestion I have had I'm not surprised. I've tried menthol mint schnapps too. Just going to drink water the rest of the night. Saving the Olympic Onion Rings until tomorrow when I hopefully will want to eat. I did have some pepperoni pizza as I was hungry. Also had my raspberry white Russian. Probably not the smartest idea but I really wanted it!!!!

Time to cuddle up with everybody and watch the Opening Ceremonies! Made a big chart for the girls to put the medal count on! I usually do this. Need to buy a copy of SI as I usually do as a keepsake! Also USA Today usually has good Olympic coverage!

Go TEAM USA and TEAM CANADA! I have a lot of Canadian friends now so best of luck to all of the athletes! Prayers to the family of the Georgian Luger and the Georgian team! It's so sad to watch the video of the crash! May he rest in peace! And may everyone else have a safe Olympic experience!

 

[redlight]

I lost a pound this week. I am so close to being under 150.

My biggest challenge is mindless and emotional eating, turning to food out of habit especially at night. To combat this, I try to eat protein early in the day and pay attention to what I eat at night.

 

[my3princes]

I haven't had time to catch up in days, I guess I'll jump in here. I've been subbing at school during the day plus my waitress job. Then there is juggling the kids schedule. I made a triple batch of whoopie pies last night for their class parties. Of course I couldn't resist trying one...or two Now I remember why I don't bake, I have no poser to say no. On top of my busy schedule I have a very sore throat and runny nose. So bad that I'm not sleeping. I'm really hoping that the weekend gives me some rest and all these viruses pass. the kids have next week off so hopefully the germs will be at bay and we will all be healthy from here on out. I did not weigh in this morning, no time and didn't feel up to it. I'll see what tomorrow brings.

 

[Rose&Mike]

QOTD: My big challenge is binge eating. I know strategies to control myself, but when it comes time to needing them, I clam up and forget what they are. I have to be better about practicing using my strategies ahead of time and anticipating when I might feel the need to binge. I know that I binge when I'm feeling anxious so if I can notice when I start to feel anxious, I have a stronger potential for avoiding bingeing. The other thing I can do is exercise more. While I don't want to be bingeing daily, and really want to avoid it completely, exercising more will make me feel less guilty if I have a bad day and binge. It's a vicious cycle. I binge because I'm anxious and I get more anxious when I start to binge because it makes me feel so guilty and ashamed. I'm sorry if this was TMI. I do have to say, it felt good writing all of this out. TIA.

You can probably all guess that I binged today. Actually, I binged at least 2x today. I probably ate 3,000 calories today. I'm done eating for the day. I'm going to weigh in tomorrow morning and start completely fresh. I bought a new calorie counting book and I'm going to count calories and points until the end of the challenge. I don't eat that many zero point foods, but I eat enough to add up to 150+ calories a day and I want to keep an eye on that. I'm also going to drink more water and lay off the diet soda I've been craving lately. And, I'm going to aim for 60+ minutes of exercise a day. My new pedometer arrived yesterday and I love it. It's the Omron one someone suggested. I'm going to aim for 10,000+ steps a day. The Wii Fit Balance Board riser also came in the same shipment as my pedometer and the calorie counter book. I'll start using that tomorrow. The other things that came in are a BL book that explains the BL program and a WATP DVD. Can't wait to start using that as well. Sorry this was such a long post and so much of it was probably TMI. I appreciated the QOTD. It got me thinking and more goal-oriented. Looking forward to a great week.

I could have easily written this post. I am a binger--potato chips, chocolate, dip for the chips and diet soda. It was nothing to eat a half a bag of chips at a time. I have not had a binge this year--I've wanted to many times. I truly believe there are two reasons that I am doing better with it. One, I gave up the diet soda right before New Years. It was hard. I now drink water and usually one cup of coffee or tea a day. The other thing is I have been consistently exercising 6 days a week.

I still have my days. Last week was particularly hard. DH was out of town for work and our Ds at college had some stuff going on that was stressful. I think about the chips everyday, but it's been pretty easy to resist them. I think 2 or 3 times this month I've had a mini bag, and that was enough. I don't keep them in the house, and the only chocolate I keep are bite size pieces of dark chocolate as a treat. I think with bingeing it's 95 percent in my head, but I'm able to manage it better by staying off the soda and exercising. I don't know if the urge to binge will ever go away, but the longer I go without a binge, the more I realize I am in control of my choices when it comes to food.

Good luck and hang in there! You can do this!

Oh--and I thought of a third reason that has helped with the not bingeing. When the urge has been really bad, I think to myself, do I really want to go online to the WISH board and type out what I just ate. I don't worry that folks would not be kind to me, but the thought of typing it out and holding myself accountable has been enough to just say no.

 

[LuvBaloo]

Sitting down watching the Olympic ceremonies start.
Its awful about the Georgia athlete, and it was nice that there was a standing ovation for his team when they entered the stadium.
Hopefully that will be the last major incident of these games.


And to answer Kimara's question for a Canadian food, I'm having Ham & Pineapple pizza and my DH is drinking his rye and coke!

And I am prone to binges myself. Chips/crackers etc can disappear in a flash if I'm stressed and grab the whole container. I've tried having baked salt & vinegar chips or salt&vingear mini-rice cakes, but if I have the bag around I'm stressed I still eat the whole thing.
I really concentrate on trade-offs when I'm dealing with mindless cravings. If I really really want it, I'll put a portion in a dish and eat it. Then if I want more, I will say to exercise first then I will allow myself aanother portion. And often after exercising I don't want it anymore. I've learned to give in a little if a craving isn't going away, otherwise I end up getting too frustrated and can fall right off the wagon.
It also helps me to ask myself if I want the chips or to lose weight. Usually the answer is to lose weight, but sometimes its not.

 

[donac]

Good morning. I did get to see some of the opening ceremony but fell asleep after after the atheletes walked in. I woke up early this morning and saw some of it on the rebroadcast. The cauldron was pretty cool. I was also impressed with the people who got to carry in the Olympic flag.

Ds did not get the job he had the interview for. Someon with more experience got it. He is not discouraged because he does have a job but he really wants to get into his bio field. At least they let him know right away and they did say he had a good interview.

My knee is getting better. Still a little tender but not as sore as the other day.

Binge eating. IF my dh did the shopping I think I would be doing more of this since he is the one who brings in the junk food. It is a little hard to binge eat when there is not much to eat in the house. I have been trying to bring in only healthy food. It does help a little.

I am the same again this week but I think because of the swelling in my knee. I have started journaling again and I hope that helps.

Have a great day everyone. We are going out to lunch with our friends and then I hope to watch some of the olympics although my favorite sport if not on until next week. I love curling. Yess you read that right curling. It seems like a sport anyone can do. There is also a lot of strategy to it. Although it won't be as much fun as last time. Ds2 is not home to watch it with me and we had a lot of fun watching it together last time.

 

[mikamah]

QOTD: My big challenge is binge eating. I know strategies to control myself, but when it comes time to needing them, I clam up and forget what they are. I have to be better about practicing using my strategies ahead of time and anticipating when I might feel the need to binge. I know that I binge when I'm feeling anxious so if I can notice when I start to feel anxious, I have a stronger potential for avoiding bingeing. The other thing I can do is exercise more. While I don't want to be bingeing daily, and really want to avoid it completely, exercising more will make me feel less guilty if I have a bad day and binge. It's a vicious cycle. I binge because I'm anxious and I get more anxious when I start to binge because it makes me feel so guilty and ashamed. I'm sorry if this was TMI. I do have to say, it felt good writing all of this out. TIA.

You can probably all guess that I binged today. Actually, I binged at least 2x today. I probably ate 3,000 calories today. I'm done eating for the day. I'm going to weigh in tomorrow morning and start completely fresh. I bought a new calorie counting book and I'm going to count calories and points until the end of the challenge. I don't eat that many zero point foods, but I eat enough to add up to 150+ calories a day and I want to keep an eye on that. I'm also going to drink more water and lay off the diet soda I've been craving lately. And, I'm going to aim for 60+ minutes of exercise a day. My new pedometer arrived yesterday and I love it. It's the Omron one someone suggested. I'm going to aim for 10,000+ steps a day. The Wii Fit Balance Board riser also came in the same shipment as my pedometer and the calorie counter book. I'll start using that tomorrow. The other things that came in are a BL book that explains the BL program and a WATP DVD. Can't wait to start using that as well. Sorry this was such a long post and so much of it was probably TMI. I appreciated the QOTD. It got me thinking and more goal-oriented. Looking forward to a great week.

Binging is a huge downfall for me. It goes with too many emotions too- sadness, stress, boredom. I think I've gotten good at not binging when I'm happy, but the other emotions are harder to conquer. Don't ever feel like your posting tmi, it is so helpful to others to know that we are not alone. Last friday I got 4 boxes of girl scout cookies that I brought home in a hospital belongings bag and left them on the counter in the pantry, never told my son they were there, and proceeded to eat all 4 boxes over the week- a roll of thin mints in a sitting. It is what it is, and in the past I have been able to have them in the house, and have them last months, but this time in my life is not one of those times, and I need to realize that and not bring things like that home.

I think I need to try to limit my eating more to just the table. If it's worth eating, it's worth putting in a dish, right?

So true, so true. Like this quote, and it would definitely decrease the amount I eat right from the box.

I think of that too, and have often wondered if I had to type every thing down I ate, would that stop me?

I am a samer this week for the first time this challenge. I am okay with it since I am more than half way to my goal for the challenge and obviously my body needs some adjusting.
!

Love the positive attitude. A maintain is always a good thing in my book.

Binge eating. IF my dh did the shopping I think I would be doing more of this since he is the one who brings in the junk food. It is a little hard to binge eat when there is not much to eat in the house. I have been trying to bring in only healthy food. It does help a little.

That is so smart not to bring it in the house. I can picture myself, searching the kitchen cabinets in the past when I have shopped smart, and looking for that one thing that will satisfy my craving. It's never yogurt or fruit I"m looking for.

We are off to a sleepover at the museum of science tonight, so I'm going to get ready for that. We'll be packing a picnic dinner, and I'm going to ww after i do my exercise, so I'm starting today off on the right foot, and planning to bring a healthy dinner too. Plus for me, being with a bunch of other parents, I'm certainly not going to head to the snack machines for a midnight snack. My overeating is most often done in the privacy of my own home.

Have a great weekend everyone.

 

[jenanderson]

Can I say that ANYTHING that has to do with food is still a challenge for me? If I don't pre-plan and think hard about what I'm eating, I just go totally OP.

Jude - I also have to pre-plan. I have to write it all out and look at my plan over and over all day. I still feel like food consumes most my thoughts during the day...that or running!

QOTD: My big challenge is binge eating. I know strategies to control myself, but when it comes time to needing them, I clam up and forget what they are. I have to be better about practicing using my strategies ahead of time and anticipating when I might feel the need to binge. I know that I binge when I'm feeling anxious so if I can notice when I start to feel anxious, I have a stronger potential for avoiding binging. The other thing I can do is exercise more. While I don't want to be binging daily, and really want to avoid it completely, exercising more will make me feel less guilty if I have a bad day and binge. It's a vicious cycle. I binge because I'm anxious and I get more anxious when I start to binge because it makes me feel so guilty and ashamed. I'm sorry if this was TMI. I do have to say, it felt good writing all of this out. TIA.

This totally was not to TMI...thank you for sharing it! I think many people fall victim to this. I do a great job at dieting for the most part BUT...if I am going to have a problem it is like you...with binging. I think it is great that you are coming up strategies and are planning more exercising!

Oh, the tough questions! I am still struggling with snacking. Munching. Whatever you call it when you suddenly find yourself in the pantry wanting to just TASTE something. Sometimes out of hunger. Sometimes out of boredom. I count the points, but they can go awfully quickly that way. When I added in my maintenance points, I think more of them went for snacking - probably not the smartest use, even if I'm making decent choices.

I think I need to try to limit my eating more to just the table. If it's worth eating, it's worth putting in a dish, right?

I love the idea of if it is worth eating, it's worth putting in a dish! I think that could help many people here! Plus, when I put things in a dish, I almost always measure out the right serving size instead of just eating mindlessly out of a bag or box!

Been a rough day for me! My cold was getting better but then I developed a bad case of indigestion! It's moved all over my upper body. I ended up laying on a heating pad for awhile as the pain in my left shoulder was pretty bad! I just took an acid reducer and am drinking a large bottle of water. It started around lunch time and has come and gone. I get this occasionally and with the severe congestion I have had I'm not surprised. I've tried menthol mint schnapps too. Just going to drink water the rest of the night. Saving the Olympic Onion Rings until tomorrow when I hopefully will want to eat. I did have some pepperoni pizza as I was hungry. Also had my raspberry white Russian. Probably not the smartest idea but I really wanted it!!!!

I was so sorry to read that you still feel bad. Here is a bunch of pixie dust coming your way to help you get well soon!

I lost a pound this week. I am so close to being under 150.

YEAH! Great job on losing a pound!

I haven't had time to catch up in days, I guess I'll jump in here. I've been subbing at school during the day plus my waitress job. Then there is juggling the kids schedule. I made a triple batch of whoopie pies last night for their class parties. Of course I couldn't resist trying one...or two Now I remember why I don't bake, I have no poser to say no. On top of my busy schedule I have a very sore throat and runny nose. So bad that I'm not sleeping. I'm really hoping that the weekend gives me some rest and all these viruses pass. the kids have next week off so hopefully the germs will be at bay and we will all be healthy from here on out. I did not weigh in this morning, no time and didn't feel up to it. I'll see what tomorrow brings.

Sounds like you are having a busy week. Be sure to take care of yourself this weekend and I hope you feel better soon!

Oh--and I thought of a third reason that has helped with the not bingeing. When the urge has been really bad, I think to myself, do I really want to go online to the WISH board and type out what I just ate. I don't worry that folks would not be kind to me, but the thought of typing it out and holding myself accountable has been enough to just say no.

This is so true! I feel like the things I do need to be published someplace - on the WW site, on this thread, in my WISH journal, etc. If I do something bad, I do not want to have to type it out for all to see and that is often enough to keep me from doing it. Everyone here is so kind and supporting but just the thought of having to admit to it makes me think twice.

I really concentrate on trade-offs when I'm dealing with mindless cravings. If I really really want it, I'll put a portion in a dish and eat it. Then if I want more, I will say to exercise first then I will allow myself aanother portion. And often after exercising I don't want it anymore. I've learned to give in a little if a craving isn't going away, otherwise I end up getting too frustrated and can fall right off the wagon.
It also helps me to ask myself if I want the chips or to lose weight. Usually the answer is to lose weight, but sometimes its not.

Great strategy! I love this idea!

Ds did not get the job he had the interview for. Someon with more experience got it. He is not discouraged because he does have a job but he really wants to get into his bio field. At least they let him know right away and they did say he had a good interview.

Sorry to hear about the job for DH. Hopefully something else will open up in his field soon!

Binging is a huge downfall for me. It goes with too many emotions too- sadness, stress, boredom. I think I've gotten good at not binging when I'm happy, but the other emotions are harder to conquer. Don't ever feel like your posting tmi, it is so helpful to others to know that we are not alone. Last friday I got 4 boxes of girl scout cookies that I brought home in a hospital belongings bag and left them on the counter in the pantry, never told my son they were there, and proceeded to eat all 4 boxes over the week- a roll of thin mints in a sitting. It is what it is, and in the past I have been able to have them in the house, and have them last months, but this time in my life is not one of those times, and I need to realize that and not bring things like that home.

Thanks for sharing this story about the cookies! It really made me think about all the chocolate I brought home from my students yesterday. I am going to throw it all away this morning because ever since I got home...I have been craving chocolate and am kind of obsessing about it. I should know by now that even bringing the chocolate home was not a good idea. It just seems wrong to throw away really good candy treats BUT it needs to be done or I will find myself trying to rationalize that one piece (that will turn into 2 or more pieces) all day long.

 

[jenanderson]

Good Morning Everyone! I think it was good yesterday to think about all the challenges we are still facing and also to think again of all we can do to make improvements that will help us on our path to becoming healthier individuals. Today I want to focus on all the positive things so here is your QOTD!

Today's QOTD: What are some successes you have had that do not include the number on the scale?

For me, I thought I would share the two that I feel the best about...

1. When I started this, walking for 30 minutes was something that left me totally winded and I didn't even get 1 miles. Tomorrow, I am going to do a 5K and I am going to RUN the whole thing!

2. When I started, my belt still had 3 "tighter spots" and I hated how it cut into my belly. Now, I am using that very last hole on the belt and am thinking I might need to get a smaller belt!

Alright, it is time to get moving around here. My plans for the day include: throwing away the chocolate , loads of laundry (a great workout since the bedrooms are on the 2nd floor and the laundry room is in the basement), a nice long run outside (hate my TM and it is above 10° today), a bit of cross-training, cleaning the house and then a nap before DH and I go out for dinner together! Plus, I will be checking in here throughout the day! Have a good one!

 

[lecach]

Today's QOTD: What are some successes you have had that do not include the number on the scale?

I'm in the pants in the size down from where I have been for a long time. I have more clothes in the size down so that's a good thing.