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

[tigger813]

Good evening everyone!

Been in a funk most of the day but finally starting to get some energy back. I think I still need a few extra hours of sleep to catch up. That should help me too.

The last two days, somehow, I have gone down a full pound. I have done no exercising, except for giving a massage yesterday. Have been running around like a crazy woman though. And I did have my Irish Step Class last night though it wasn't as crazy last night. I have been drinking some water though not my full amount. Have had my green tea and a little too much soda. The only thing I can think of is TOM started yesterday and the dream I had last night running around a kind of fun house looking for DD1. I did wake up sweating!

I just have to keep it up the rest of the week and drop to another low. I just had some turkey hamburger helper and then I made myself a strawberry yogurt and milk smoothie. It was yummy! Only going to have water the rest of the night and plan on doing 3 miles while watching BL. Plan on trying Bob's BL Yoga in the morning. I'll be home for part of the day so I will try to do my new WATP DVD that I bought last week. Car is getting an oil change in the morning so I will hang out at the Cafe at the car place and bring my laptop and use their free WIFI. I have an aromatherapy exam to take for CEU's.

Time to clean up the kitchen and then get ready for the elliptical. I would love to reach 50 pounds by next weekend! I may just have to really hold it together this weekend and not drink as much as last weekend!

Have a good night and enjoy the show!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Goooooooooooooood Afternoon!

I have a headache. Blah.

Yesterday I did C25K W1D1 with my DD. She was not happy about it but I told her if she did the training with me, she could ask her BFF to walk with us after we were done with the running part. So we did the run and grabbed her friend and walked an extra 3 miles. I think my total number of miles yesterday was 10. I actually walked more miles yesterday than I drove in my car all of last week. I have today off from C25K so I did 60 minutes of step and after a while (if my headache goes away) I am going to go for a walk outside. It's supposed to be 49 degrees today!! I might even wear shorts!

Tuesday's QOTD: Name some differences in your life pre BL Challenge and current.

Well, I cannot even believe I am going to admit this... but my house is messier. LOL I spend more time working out and getting on the floor to play with my kids, so I have been letting the house slip a little... and you know what... Idon'tevencare.

My closet is cleaner. I got rid of all those boxy big girl clothes that were taking up so much room.

I dress nicer. No more square, baggy clothes for me. I wear stuff that fits. Instead of dressing like a chubby girl... I dress how I used to dress... like a tomboy and I love it.

I read every single label of every single thing I purchase at the grocery store. I only buy healthful things. I only cook healthful meals. I only eat food that have the words "reduced" and "free" (as in fat free).

I no longer use Lupus as an excuse!!!!

What a great post!!! Love the new you.


Corinna WTG your story is so inspiring. I am happy to see a C25K person be so successful! WOW


QOTD for me. I am only eathing things on WW core now and do pretty well sticking to it. I am glad to finally have all those sugar cravings gone. I also have a messy house because I am taking more time for me and not worrying about having a spotless home. I am only cooking healthy meals and stopped going out except for my monthly Disney splurge. I am not taking crap from people any more either. I usually try to be the peace maker in all situations but I am putting me first. I actually stopped talking to a person who was a negative influence in my life and it feels great! The biggest change is I am running every other day sonsistantly since NewYears. That is huge for me.


Keep the stories coming they are so great!!

 

[tigger813]

QOTD: I watch what I eat more and feel so much better. I am enjoying all the compliments people have been giving me about how I look. I still eat a lot of the things I used to eat but in moderation. I've tried a lot of new things as well. I exercise a lot, though not this past week. I'm getting back with it in a few minutes when I do the elliptical and watch BL. I have tried foods I didn't think I ever would have. I can wear 8s, 10s and 12s when I thought I never would see those numbers again. I'm buying myself 2 pairs of size 8 jeans next week as a treat for myself! I will also have to start buying new shorts for the summer as they will all be falling off of me! I never though I'd say that!

Enjoy the show. I think I'm coming out of my funk and lack of desire to work out!

The Energizer Bunny is back! And may she stay with us until I reach 50 and 55 pounds lost! (Only 6-11 to go!!!!!)

 

[seashell724]

Corinna-what an inspiration, thank you for posting both pictures. I only saw the recent one first and did think to myself that you must have been tiny to begin with. A lot of stuff you have said really hit home so thanks!

Although I don't post much b/c I'm not on all the time I do read back and get lots of boosts of inspiration from seeing people doing exactly what I am doing!
Thanks everyone.

 

[flipflopmom]

Woah. Talk about inspiration! I am bone tired, so I don't have the energy to do quotes. Corinna, I am going to print your pictures and put them up as motivation! To whomever said the first 20 came off easily - AMEN! For me, the first 15 were fairly easy. I am fighting tooth and nail for each pound afterwards it seems.

Since I was such a couch potato, I wonder if some of the difference has something to do with muscle gain now? I am exercising 6 days a week, and I am constantly sore. Is the old adage true?

My good news for the day - I RAN FOR 20 MINUTES Finished week 5 day 3. 20 days ago, 1 minute was horrible, I can't believe I ran 20!

My QOTD -
I am still on Dis all the time, but it is here instead of Theme Parks. I am watching labels on my food, and obssessive about my exercise. As mentioned above, I am also constantly sore!

Kids are crying, legs are screaming, hitting the bed!

 

[tigger813]

Completed 2 miles on the elliptical for about 610 calories. Then I did some crunches, Pilates and some hand weight work! I felt great doing it and am looking forward to getting up seeing Leslie Sansone again. I'm going to do my new workout DVD which goes up to 4 miles. Hope I can do it all but will be happy with 3. After DD1 gets on the bus I will do the Yoga DVD.

I have said what I am going to do and I plan on sticking with it. I just tried on some clothes and am happy to say they are all big except one pair of capris that are tight in the upper leg. I even tried on the dress from my rehearsal dinner 12+ years ago and actually got it zipped. It was really tight but I vow to fit into it in the next 2 months.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

QOTD - Like Liz, I'm putting myself first a bit more when it comes to family time/me time. DH is really being terrific at taking over the getting-ready-for-bedtime duties with the DDs while I go out for my run (boy it feels good to say run instead of walk!). But, I still have residual feelings of guilt about nights like tonight when I know he wanted to get to the gym, but instead he did a color science project with the girls while I got a report written and then went out for 40 minutes for my jog.

The other thing that's really different is my journaling. I journal everything I eat. (If anyone is on SparkPeople, my user name is MollyWeasley, and feel free to check out my new Spark page. I like the accountability that knowing other people can see what I'm eating gives me.) And, that, in turn, has made me much more cognizant of they types of food that could put me way over the top for the day with calories. Tonight is a good example. I made a shrimp pasta recipe I found on SparkPeople (yes, I've gotten sucked in) and a few months ago, I would have bought bread and a bag of salad mix (including dressing) to go with it. Now, I forego the bread altogether and steamed some broccoli and cauliflower for the side. The girls sprinkled parmesan cheese on there veggies and DH and I just ate ours plain.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I bought my plane tickets and put my deposit down for a trip for just him and I to go to Orlando and visit Universal for the Harry Potter opening! I am SOOOOO excited. I am a huge HP fan and even belong to a all adult HP fan club here in Ohio. (yes, I know I am a dork!)

By the way, a big hello

and welcome from another HP fan! I'm SO jealous about your trip to Orlando for the opening. I've mentioned it to DH a couple of times and he's just laughed. Ah, the downside to living in sunny California...trips to Florida just aren't going to happen very frequently for us.

 

[sahbushka]

Wednesday's QOTD: What is your favorite memory...one that makes you smile or laugh or cry...it doesn't matter....it's just got to be a fave!

Don't forget to drink that water!

SarahMay

 

[LuvBaloo]

Here we celebrate our progress and recognize our superstars.

Reminders:
-after 3 weeks of no reporting, you are dropped from the challenged – can re-start at any time, though
-if anybody knows they will miss weighing in, just PM and let me know and you’ll be marked excused


First some stats

MAINTAINERS:
Reporting in this week: 2!
Congrats to Corinnak & 50sjayne for successfully maintaining!
(staying within 2 lbs of their maintain weight is successfully maintaining!)

LOSERS:
Current Participants-------------92
not reporting in for 1 week------19
not reporting in for 2 weeks------4
not reporting in for 3 weeks------ 7
Excused-------------------------4
weigh ins-----------------------58
gains----------------------------22
maintains------------------------9
losses--------------------------26
first time or returning weigh-ins---------------1

Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge Week 9!
This weeks total group loss 10.6 pounds!
Average percentage of weight lost 0.09%
Total group weight loss so far 972.2 pounds!
We are aiming for 1000!

Retention Rate (compared to the 135 weighins for our start weigh-in on Jan 1st)
(58+2+4)/ 135 = 47% (this includes the Losers and Maintainer and Excused people!)

Before the weekly superstar list comes the disclaimer. I am human and I make mistakes. If you have any questions please contact me. For your reference this is the magic percentage of weight lost formula - weight loss for the week divided by weight for last week times 100, that gives us the percentage. Now let me test that with my numbers for week 1, click, click, click goes the calculator. Yes, that agrees with the percentage on the magic spreadsheet. (btw if its been more than 1 week between weigh-ins, then the % loss is divided by the number of weeks, to keep everybody on the same basis)

Now let's get to the good stuff. Who were our superstars of week 8? This week I’ve done a simple TOP 10 LIST! That criteria will change from week to week. Hey I'm in charge here and I get paid nothin' to do this so you better take what you can get! (and if there’s something you want to know, just ask me!)
The WISH Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge Week 9 Superstars!!
#10- 0.66% - jbm02
#9- 0.80% - Worfiedoodles
#8- 0.90% - Rose&Mike
#7- 0.96% - Kitchensinkguy
#6- 1.31% - IWISHFORDISNEY
#5- 1.38% - MJonesMBA2001
#4- 1.49% - ShortyNBug
#3- 1.55% - 3TinskAndAnEeyore
#2- 1.76% - maiziezoe

and now

The WISH Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge
Week 9 Biggest Loser!!

#1- 1.83% - carmiedog


Quote from Dare2Dream: How is your week going? Are you OP (on program)? Are you exercising? Drinking that water? You know what to do to make the magic happen. Get on the wagon. We are all here to help you on the journey. We can do this one day at a time. One bite at a time.

Have a healthy day!

Congratulations carmiedog!!!
What a great week you have had. Keep up the good work. We have a very special clippie reserved for our weekly Biggest Loser.

This is our weekly reigning Biggest Loser clippie. We have the large version

or use this
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/31040weeklyBLsmall1.jpg
followed by

or we have a medium version

or use this
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/31040weeklyBLmed.jpg
followed by

and we have a small version

or use
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/31040weeklyBLsm.jpg
followed by

Thanks to ohMom-Molli for these clippies. They were used for a previous BL but we can recycle. Don't they look great!

 

[LuvBaloo]

NOW FOR THOSE OF US WHO SET A GOAL FOR THE CHALLENGE!

How this works: you set your goal for what to lose in the challenge. Then I calculate your weight loss in the challenge divided by your goal to get a % to goal.
Anybody can change their goal at anytime (or add a goal) – all you have to do is send me a PM.
Since the goals are an individual thing, the list is just in alphabetical order to make it easier for everybody to find their own name. If there are any questions or suggestions please let me know. This is something new for BL9

We have done 9 out of 19 weeks, so the challenge is 47% complete.
3TinksAndAnEeyore 91.1
bouldertcr 82.5
chskover 21.7
debf 30.7
denise 16.4
DisCanCan 34.1
DisneyFam5 66.3
Double 43.8
happysmyly 72.0
heatherlynn444 32.2
IWISHFORDISNEY 75.9
jbm02 36.7
jenanderson 73.3
JFrey4240 61.5
jimmaher69 31.6
Jimmy (Denise's DH) 11.3
joy@disney 20.0
kimara 64.3
Kitchensinkguy 75.8
leamom2princesses 49.3
LegoMom3 35.7
lisah0711 52.5
LittleSeacow 25.0
lovedvc 42.0
LuvBaloo 18.0
maiziezoe 76.9
mandac 10.7
MaryAz 66.7
MickeyMagic 28.0
MrIncrediDad 34.5
my3princes -1.7
NancyIL 40.9
NC Tink 46.9
Nicholfamily5 30.0
Peace.love.mickey 41.0
redwalker -20.0
Riverhill 18.3
Rose&Mike 80.0
sahbushka 64.5
shellynn24 19.4
talytam 32.5
Tasha+Scott 50.0
tigger813 51.1
wezee 50.0
Worfiedoodles 18.0
zacem'smom 43.6

 

[donac]

Good morning everyone. I thought this week would have been easier butit doesn't seem to be. I had a 2 hour meeting after school yesterday. Today I have a 60 minute meeting at the other high school on the other side of town and then a tutoring session. TOmorrow I have 2 meetings to pick from. I can't wait till Friday when I don't have any meetings after school and I can come straight home.

DS2 comes home this weekend for spring break. I thought he would be home on Friday when I got home but he texted me that he won't be home until Sat. When I asked him why he told me he had a date. Not something he did much in high school. He is fairly shy but has really come into his own since he was a senior in high school and more so since he started college. Ds1 tells us she is freshman chemical engineer student and his is civil and environmental. We shall see.

Off to start the day. Only did 10 minutes this morning but will try to walk today before the meeting. I can get there early since I don't have a class last period of the day. I was going to do it yesterday but it was so nice I just sat in the sun and enjoyed the day

Have a great day everyone

 

[tigger813]

Woke up at 4:45 with a really bad headache! I don't think I drank enough of my water last night after working out! Got out of bed at 5 and headed down to do the 4 mile Slim Walk with Leslie. Headache is mostly gone now! I didn't do all of the "boosted walking" (did the fast walking instead)as my shins were complaining! But I did all 4 miles and feel great! Heading down again at 7:30 to try the BL Yoga DVD. Not sure how much I will get in as Ihave to take my car to the shop for an oil change after dropping DD2 off. Will probably just hang out at the Cafe and get some paperwork done for Kindergarten screening. If I get back in time I will then do 2 more miles on the elliptical before DD1 comes home with a neighbor for lunch!

 

[jenanderson]

My good news for the day - I RAN FOR 20 MINUTES Finished week 5 day 3. 20 days ago, 1 minute was horrible, I can't believe I ran 20!

LOVE to read postings like this! That is so great you were able to run for the 20 minutes!!!

QOTD - Like Liz, I'm putting myself first a bit more when it comes to family time/me time. DH is really being terrific at taking over the getting-ready-for-bedtime duties with the DDs while I go out for my run (boy it feels good to say run instead of walk!). But, I still have residual feelings of guilt about nights like tonight when I know he wanted to get to the gym, but instead he did a color science project with the girls while I got a report written and then went out for 40 minutes for my jog.

The guilt is hard some days. I talk with DH about my guilt when he needs to do extra so that I can take care of me - we try to be sure we figure out how he can have his time as well. It is a tough balance.

Good morning everyone. I thought this week would have been easier butit doesn't seem to be. I had a 2 hour meeting after school yesterday. Today I have a 60 minute meeting at the other high school on the other side of town and then a tutoring session. TOmorrow I have 2 meetings to pick from. I can't wait till Friday when I don't have any meetings after school and I can come straight home.

Sounds like you are busy! I will wish that your week speeds by so that it is Friday and you can get home right away!

Woke up at 4:45 with a really bad headache! I don't think I drank enough of my water last night after working out! Got out of bed at 5 and headed down to do the 4 mile Slim Walk with Leslie. Headache is mostly gone now! !

I was sorry to read that you woke up with a headache - but then happy that after working it it was pretty much gone! Great news! Hope that you have the productive day you have all planned out.

Wednesday's QOTD: What is your favorite memory...one that makes you smile or laugh or cry...it doesn't matter....it's just got to be a fave!

One of my favorite memories is from our 1st cruise on the Disney Wonder. DS had a very tough type of start at life. He was born too soon and had a huge list of medical problems. He was always sick as his immune system did not develop. Our first trip to WDW with the kids, when he was 2, was one of the first times I can remember him being away from the doctor for more then a week. When he was 3, he had his throat reconstructed using cartilage from his ear. He has had many surgeries and many illnesses. Okay back the the memory...some people who are able to talk with important people at Disney found out about DS and how his love of Disney is what really gets him through the tough medical times in his life. They contacted the cruise line and let them know we would be on board. I cannot begin to say enough about how special DS was made to feel on that cruise. It seemed that every person on board knew who he was and knew him by name - EVERYONE greeted us by name. We were given an upgrade to a room with a veranda so that DS could watch for dolphins as we cruised. The biggest thing was that DS (and our whole family) were invited to the bridge of the ship as we were leaving Castaway Cay. We were able to meet the captain, DS got to sit in the captain chair (wearing the captain's hat) and then he actually got to sound the horn of the ship as we left port!!!! You should have seen how happy DS was that day! The pictures are amazing to me and as I type this it almost makes me want to cry again because of how wonderful that day was. That cruise was so special to me and DH - we will always remember how some group of people who we don't even know found a way to make my DS feel like all his dreams can come true. We could never express to them what it meant to DH and me.

 

[lisah0711]

First a BIG congratulations to all our superstars this week! Worfiedoodles, you must be doing something right or your name wouldn't be on the list. And a BIG BIG congratulations to our biggest loser this week, carmiedog! Great job!
(especially because in my mind you are forever stuck on Splash Mountain and how anyone can make any progress that way is )

Congratulations to all of our participants who continue to stick with us and continue to work on your goals. You should all be congratulated for taking care of yourselves!

I bought my plane tickets and put my deposit down for a trip for just him and I to go to Orlando and visit Universal for the Harry Potter opening! I am SOOOOO excited. I am a huge HP fan and even belong to a all adult HP fan club here in Ohio. (yes, I know I am a dork!) Plus, I get to be with my husband with no one buggin us. No diapers to change, no homework to check, no cheerleading or karate or swimming, no dinners to make, no..... well anything for anyone except us. Selfish... yes. But I don't care! I can't wait!!! We go June 17-20. I want to lose 30 pounds by then. Thats my personal goal. I know 10 of that will be water weight but thats ok, it will still feel amazing.

HP sounds like fun! That might be the thing that finally persuades us to the leave the Disney bubble in Orlando and venture out to other things some day.

I wonder if there is another bodybugg type thing I can buy until I get a bodybugg that will track my daily calorie burn.

My Newlife pedometer tells you calories burned for the steps tracked. If you added that to your resting metabolic rate that can be calculated from someplace like sparkpeople to get a reasonably good idea.

I'm not too happy with my bodybugg and don't use it. It makes my arm hurt a lot. I hear there is a new generation coming out but that is my own experience with it.

I'm back from my long weekend in WDW for the Princess half. It was amazing! I'm so glad that I went, had a great race, so much fun. I'll write up more tonight along with pictures.

Glad that you had a great time! Can't wait to see some pics and hear all about it.

The Energizer Bunny is back! And may she stay with us until I reach 50 and 55 pounds lost! (Only 6-11 to go!!!!!)

Your back in the groove again and getting so close to goal!

Corinna-what an inspiration, thank you for posting both pictures. I only saw the recent one first and did think to myself that you must have been tiny to begin with. A lot of stuff you have said really hit home so thanks!

Although I don't post much b/c I'm not on all the time I do read back and get lots of boosts of inspiration from seeing people doing exactly what I am doing!
Thanks everyone.

Nice to see you!

Wednesday's QOTD: What is your favorite memory...one that makes you smile or laugh or cry...it doesn't matter....it's just got to be a fave!

Don't forget to drink that water!

SarahMay

When DS was four he accidentally pulled down the towel bar in the bathroom. He was afraid of what would happen to him because he knew he wasn't supposed to hold onto it. So he took toothpaste and "glued" the bar back in the wall. (Being the bad parents that we were we never heard a thing! ) Sometime later DH puts a towel on the bar and it falls to the ground. Then he realized what the toothpaste bandit had done! We still laugh about that one!

DS2 comes home this weekend for spring break. I thought he would be home on Friday when I got home but he texted me that he won't be home until Sat. When I asked him why he told me he had a date. Not something he did much in high school. He is fairly shy but has really come into his own since he was a senior in high school and more so since he started college. Ds1 tells us she is freshman chemical engineer student and his is civil and environmental. We shall see.

Sorry about your busy week. It was bound to happen sooner or later that some smart girls would start to pick up about your nice DSs. Doesn't one have a girlfriend now? I remember when they wanted to talk to you -- you thought they were going to tell you that they wanted to get married, but they wanted to adopt a puppy and have you take care of it!

Wednesday's QOTD: What is your favorite memory...one that makes you smile or laugh or cry...it doesn't matter....it's just got to be a fave!

One of my favorite memories is from our 1st cruise on the Disney Wonder. DS had a very tough type of start at life. He was born too soon and had a huge list of medical problems. He was always sick as his immune system did not develop. Our first trip to WDW with the kids, when he was 2, was one of the first times I can remember him being away from the doctor for more then a week. When he was 3, he had his throat reconstructed using cartilage from his ear. He has had many surgeries and many illnesses. Okay back the the memory...some people who are able to talk with important people at Disney found out about DS and how his love of Disney is what really gets him through the tough medical times in his life. They contacted the cruise line and let them know we would be on board. I cannot begin to say enough about how special DS was made to feel on that cruise. It seemed that every person on board knew who he was and knew him by name - EVERYONE greeted us by name. We were given an upgrade to a room with a veranda so that DS could watch for dolphins as we cruised. The biggest thing was that DS (and our whole family) were invited to the bridge of the ship as we were leaving Castaway Cay. We were able to meet the captain, DS got to sit in the captain chair (wearing the captain's hat) and then he actually got to sound the horn of the ship as we left port!!!! You should have seen how happy DS was that day! The pictures are amazing to me and as I type this it almost makes me want to cry again because of how wonderful that day was. That cruise was so special to me and DH - we will always remember how some group of people who we don't even know found a way to make my DS feel like all his dreams can come true. We could never express to them what it meant to DH and me.

Awww! This is such a great story! A big to you and your DS.

Have a great day all!

 

[lecach]

Wednesday's QOTD: What is your favorite memory...one that makes you smile or laugh or cry...it doesn't matter....it's just got to be a fave!

I have many great memories but one of my favorites was when I found out I was pregnant with DS. I had gone to my Mom's place at the beach for Easter in 2004. DH had to work so he didnt go. I woke up on Easter Sunday and decided to take a pregnancy test. It was POSITIVE! I got back in bed and I heard my Mom coming. I threw the test under the bed right before she came in my room. I didnt want her to know before I told DH. The next day when DH and I were both at home I gave him an easter basket and in one of the eggs was the positive test.

 

[pjlla]

I'm back from my long weekend in WDW for the Princess half. It was amazing! I'm so glad that I went, had a great race, so much fun. I'll write up more tonight along with pictures.


How?! I don't really like vegetables unless I take the time to really do something special with preparing them (which doesn't fit into my quick throw things together life). I would love to hear your tips of how you've incorporated so many veggies!

Have to get back to work (it's crazy here!), so I don't have time to catch up on everyone and QOTDs. I'll be on later!

Three meals a day plus snacks is how I fit in so many veggies. I frequently will sautee any assortment of veggies and scramble them with egg whites for breakfast.... mushroom, tomatoes, spinach, onions, peppers are the most predominant. And if I am not having eggs, sometimes I will just steam some broccoli and/or cauliflower for breakfast with whatever else I am having.

Lunch.... frequently a HUGE salad with healthy greens (not much good stuff in iceberg, so I skip it and go for romaine and baby spinach most days). I add whatever else is in the house for veggies.... baby carrots, peppers, cucumber, tomato... that is another 2+ servings right there. If I am having a sandwich, I will add lots of spinach and/or romaine and maybe some thinly sliced cucumbers.

Dinner.... ALWAYS have some sort of veggie side or a main dish loaded with veggies. Last night was a veggie baked ziti with broccoli, spinach, peppers, mushroom, and onions... I used 2 oz. of high fiber pasta and 1 oz of cheese, plus half a can of diced tomatoes and bit of marinara sauce. This plus the veggies filled a small-ish (maybe 8 x 6?) casserole dish for 5 points.... so you KNOW it had lots of vegetables in it! And if veggies are being served as a side, I usually fill AT LEAST half of my plate with them.

Snacks... I frequently bring a 1 lb. bag of baby carrots to work with me... sometimes I eat it all, but usually I eat about half... helps as I get the munchies throughout the day. I also take my vitamins every day with a small glass of Bolthouse Farms "Vedge" juice (better than V8, but more expensive). I don't usually count that as a vegetable, but I suppose it is.

I really like most veggies, so it isn't really too tough for me. But eating 2 servings at each meal makes it a no-brainer for me to get in 6 servings per day.

QOTD: I watch what I eat more and feel so much better. I am enjoying all the compliments people have been giving me about how I look. I still eat a lot of the things I used to eat but in moderation. I've tried a lot of new things as well. I exercise a lot, though not this past week. I'm getting back with it in a few minutes when I do the elliptical and watch BL. I have tried foods I didn't think I ever would have. I can wear 8s, 10s and 12s when I thought I never would see those numbers again. I'm buying myself 2 pairs of size 8 jeans next week as a treat for myself! I will also have to start buying new shorts for the summer as they will all be falling off of me! I never though I'd say that!

Enjoy the show. I think I'm coming out of my funk and lack of desire to work out!

The Energizer Bunny is back! And may she stay with us until I reach 50 and 55 pounds lost! (Only 6-11 to go!!!!!)

Glad you are back! I got in MUCH MORE than my usual amount of exercise yesterday and I was thinking of you! I don't know how you fit in so much! Keep going to hit the 50 asap!!

Wednesday's QOTD: What is your favorite memory...one that makes you smile or laugh or cry...it doesn't matter....it's just got to be a fave!

Don't forget to drink that water!

SarahMay

Well.... I suppose it is cliche to say a Disney memory, but truly, other than the birth of my children, they are probably my best memories. Sitting on the pavement in DL, waiting for the fireworks to start... we were a bit cold and tired.... it had been a long day in the park... and it was almost the end of our super special 10 day trip. Actually, almost ANY memory from that trip is superb! I am just finishing our scrapbook from that trip and I am really enjoying reliving it.

Our first trip to WDW when the kids were little (almost 3 and 5).... it was a surprise trip for them and we didn't tell them where we were going until we were at the airport parking garage. We announced we were flying to Disney and they both cried.... with disappointment!! DD informed us she was mad because we "lied" about going to Boston for the weekend (we had to explain the suitcases in the car) and DS was afraid to fly (this was just a few months after 9/11). It was one of the biggest disappointments of my life... and I've got it on video tape!! Eventually it was a great trip, but it didn't get off to a very good start. We have since learned that our kids don't take surprises very well!!

Good morning everyone. I thought this week would have been easier butit doesn't seem to be. I had a 2 hour meeting after school yesterday. Today I have a 60 minute meeting at the other high school on the other side of town and then a tutoring session. TOmorrow I have 2 meetings to pick from. I can't wait till Friday when I don't have any meetings after school and I can come straight home.

DS2 comes home this weekend for spring break. I thought he would be home on Friday when I got home but he texted me that he won't be home until Sat. When I asked him why he told me he had a date. Not something he did much in high school. He is fairly shy but has really come into his own since he was a senior in high school and more so since he started college. Ds1 tells us she is freshman chemical engineer student and his is civil and environmental. We shall see.

Off to start the day. Only did 10 minutes this morning but will try to walk today before the meeting. I can get there early since I don't have a class last period of the day. I was going to do it yesterday but it was so nice I just sat in the sun and enjoyed the day

Have a great day everyone

Sounds like a busy week for you. Hope your DS's date went well. I dread the day that DS has another "girl" in his life besides me! He is my buddy and we get along great and I will be kind of sad when I get replaced!


Morning all! Good news to report ..... I just booked a long weekend to WDW for DS and myself! We made a family vow years ago to never go to WDW without everyone.... but DD has "broken" that vow twice (she got invited to go with a cousin a few years ago and then she went this past January with a school trip). DH is not a big fan, but he saw how envious I was of DD's trip this past January and he suggested that DS and I go to WDW for our annual Mother/Son weekend... I've been hemming and hawwing about actually doing it, but I decided to bite the bullet and I've booked our flights!! DH is giving us his Hilton Honors points so I am trying to book the Hilton at DTD. I'd love to stay on-sight, but the lure of a free hotel is too strong.

I KNOW I'll be sad to be there without DD. But I am SO looking forward to this trip with DS. DD and I have taken several "big" Mother/Daughter weekends... we flew to St. Louis for 5 days, we flew to Tampa/Busch Gardens for 5 days, we went to Baltimore last year for 4 days... and others. But DS and I have only taken a few driving trips (furthest away was a park in Montreal two years ago)... this will be his first "flying" Mother/Son trip. He doesn't know yet and I can't wait to tell him. We have been talking about the possibility, but I'm not sure if he thought it would be come a reality. And of course, I'm THRILLED to be heading to WDW.

Of course, booking this trip should DEFINITELY help me reach my goal weight by Easter.... I am SUPER motivated to return to WDW slim and fit!!

WOOHOO!! I was just able to book the Hilton at DTD for free using DH's points! I also had a free rnd trip ticket on SWA through my Visa card. I am going to try to go without a rental car to keep the cost down (parking at the hotel is $10 per day... plus parking at the parks! ).

I'm going to update my WISH journal and then head to the Orlando Hotels board to find out more about this hotel and it's shuttles. I don't mind using them, but I don't want to rely on them if them are only sporatic. I'll find a cheap rental car if need be.

I'm gonna run....... TTYL.................P

 

[pjlla]

Wednesday's QOTD: What is your favorite memory...one that makes you smile or laugh or cry...it doesn't matter....it's just got to be a fave!

I have many great memories but one of my favorites was when I found out I was pregnant with DS. I had gone to my Mom's place at the beach for Easter in 2004. DH had to work so he didnt go. I woke up on Easter Sunday and decided to take a pregnancy test. It was POSITIVE! I got back in bed and I heard my Mom coming. I threw the test under the bed right before she came in my room. I didnt want her to know before I told DH. The next day when DH and I were both at home I gave him an easter basket and in one of the eggs was the positive test.

What a great story! I wish I had done something creative like that..... but with DD, we were actively trying so he knew I was waiting out the days until I could take a test. With DS, he was conceived on "God's plan" and it came as a total shock to me to find out I was PG. I was so shocked I didn't think to tell DH in any creative way.... I just had DD (2 y/o at the time) hand him the positive pregnancy test when he got home from work that day. He was just as surprised as I was!!

Thanks for sharing your story...............P

 

[my3princes]

QOTD Wednesday: The best memory, that one is easy. It is the moment that my DS12 woke up from his brain tumor removal, opened his eyes and said "Mom I need a huge" I cry every time I retell that story. The doctor had told us that he may not have any language ablilities after the surgery and we weren't even sure that he would remember us. He could have regressed to the infancy stage, but he didn't !!!! He was 100% himself and those few words are the best words that a Mommy could ever hear. Okay I'm wiping the tears now.

 

[princessbride6205]

Congratulations to all our superstars this week!
Keep up the good work, everyone!

Three meals a day plus snacks is how I fit in so many veggies. I frequently will sautee any assortment of veggies and scramble them with egg whites for breakfast.... mushroom, tomatoes, spinach, onions, peppers are the most predominant. And if I am not having eggs, sometimes I will just steam some broccoli and/or cauliflower for breakfast with whatever else I am having.

Lunch.... frequently a HUGE salad with healthy greens (not much good stuff in iceberg, so I skip it and go for romaine and baby spinach most days). I add whatever else is in the house for veggies.... baby carrots, peppers, cucumber, tomato... that is another 2+ servings right there. If I am having a sandwich, I will add lots of spinach and/or romaine and maybe some thinly sliced cucumbers.

Dinner.... ALWAYS have some sort of veggie side or a main dish loaded with veggies. Last night was a veggie baked ziti with broccoli, spinach, peppers, mushroom, and onions... I used 2 oz. of high fiber pasta and 1 oz of cheese, plus half a can of diced tomatoes and bit of marinara sauce. This plus the veggies filled a small-ish (maybe 8 x 6?) casserole dish for 5 points.... so you KNOW it had lots of vegetables in it! And if veggies are being served as a side, I usually fill AT LEAST half of my plate with them.

Snacks... I frequently bring a 1 lb. bag of baby carrots to work with me... sometimes I eat it all, but usually I eat about half... helps as I get the munchies throughout the day. I also take my vitamins every day with a small glass of Bolthouse Farms "Vedge" juice (better than V8, but more expensive). I don't usually count that as a vegetable, but I suppose it is.

I really like most veggies, so it isn't really too tough for me. But eating 2 servings at each meal makes it a no-brainer for me to get in 6 servings per day.

Thanks for the tips. I think I need to get some kind of veggie juice to help supplement my lack of veg. If someone else would prepare the veggies, I could eat 6 servings. Yes, if I only had a personal chef, I'd eat better! Definitely need to work on this (the veggies, not the chef!).

One of my favorite memories is from our 1st cruise on the Disney Wonder. DS had a very tough type of start at life. He was born too soon and had a huge list of medical problems. He was always sick as his immune system did not develop. Our first trip to WDW with the kids, when he was 2, was one of the first times I can remember him being away from the doctor for more then a week. When he was 3, he had his throat reconstructed using cartilage from his ear. He has had many surgeries and many illnesses. Okay back the the memory...some people who are able to talk with important people at Disney found out about DS and how his love of Disney is what really gets him through the tough medical times in his life. They contacted the cruise line and let them know we would be on board. I cannot begin to say enough about how special DS was made to feel on that cruise. It seemed that every person on board knew who he was and knew him by name - EVERYONE greeted us by name. We were given an upgrade to a room with a veranda so that DS could watch for dolphins as we cruised. The biggest thing was that DS (and our whole family) were invited to the bridge of the ship as we were leaving Castaway Cay. We were able to meet the captain, DS got to sit in the captain chair (wearing the captain's hat) and then he actually got to sound the horn of the ship as we left port!!!! You should have seen how happy DS was that day! The pictures are amazing to me and as I type this it almost makes me want to cry again because of how wonderful that day was. That cruise was so special to me and DH - we will always remember how some group of people who we don't even know found a way to make my DS feel like all his dreams can come true. We could never express to them what it meant to DH and me.

This made me tear up! That is so sweet!