Biggest Loser--Fall 2011 Challenge for Losers & Maintainers!!

[bellebookworm9]

For anyone who is interested.
Healthy eating on a budget:

Thanks! Will definitely keep all this in mind!

Just wanted to jump on quickly to share a delicious recipe I made today - Pasta Fagioli (Pasta and Beans) from Skinnytaste.com.

Have this bookmarked.

*********
Today has been very on plan and I still have 10 points. I did the "Be Our Guest" challenge for dinner tonight: Butternut Squash Soup, Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken, and Apple Turnovers (all WW recipes). I cooked for the whole house, and we've decided to do a Sunday dinner every week, taking turns.

I did not make it to the gym; we had a horrible thunderstorm today, I didn't get as much reading done as I needed to, and cooking took longer than I expected.

I was coming back from the laundry room, watching the storm roll in from the valley and thinking "Those clouds look nasty. This isn't gonna be nice when it hits." I punched in the code to the house and as I was doing so SUPER BRIGHT LIGHTNING SUPER LOUD LONG THUNDER. I FLEW into the house. I had 2 housemates home with me, and at one point the lights flickered, the air stopped, and it was like we were in a vacuum: No sound inside or outside for like 30 seconds.

 

[ougrad86]

Disguise it like people do for their kids..... mashed cooked carrots hide really well in spaghetti sauce. And my DS loves my meatloaf that is FULL of veggies (chopped broccoli slaw, shredded carrots, onions, peppers, mushroom, spinach). It makes for a really moist healthy yummy meatloaf without tasting like veggies.

That meatloaf sounds great! Always looking for a way to get more veggies into DS, and it sounds like it might be pretty good diet-wise with less meat and more veggies. Could I have the recipe?

Thanks!

 

[yulilin3]

Boy did I walk today!!
Went to Universal Orlando (I know gasp!) the parks were empty. First Islands of Adventure straight to Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Forbiden Journey was a walk on, Dragon Challenge, walk on, Flight of Hippogriff, walk on. Had a great lunch at Mythos (spinach salad with blueberries, tomatoes, grilled chicken and cheese in a light vinaggrette, it was yummy). Decided to walk to Universal Studios, did Rip Ride Rockit, 25 min. The mummy, Men in Black walk on. Saw Bettlejuice show which we enjoy alot and Terminator. Then decided to walk back to Islands of Adventure and did Hulk, Spiderman, Dr. Doom, back to Harry Potter (all walk ons.)
Just got back home, had a mini wheat bagel with light cream cheese and an egg. Ready for bed and a new week.

 

[cclovesdis]

Evening Everyone!

Today was a good day. I am still working on my exercise plan and have yet to exercise for this challenge. I am determined to make it to the gym tomorrow.

My battery is running low, so I'm going to finish up my replies (used Word ) and re-charge my battery and myself. Off to bed in a few!

Have a great week everyone!

QOTD Sunday September 11, 2011: Who is standing in your way?

I am the sole person standing in my way. I have a tendency to forget about myself and put others first. Well, a few weeks ago that changed and despite knowing that my mom would not be happy about me having an Epi-pen and allergy testing, I made the appointment anyway. I am finally on the right track!

I read a lot of people saying themselves, and while yes that is true for a lot of us, I am going to go with the CEO's of big business. Those higher ups who price everything healthy for us more expensive. I was at store this week because I wanted some apples. Would you believe ONE gala apple was priced at $1.97, that was absurd. Produce prices are outrageous right now. Lean cuts of meat are usually over a dollar more per pound. Anything with light, low fat, low sugar, or organic is guaranteed to cost more. So what do I end up buying the full of fat and calorie options. That is where you find the cheap stuff. The worse it is for you the cheaper it is. The media is up in arms about the growing obesity problem in this country, especially where kids concerned. Well how about making it more economical for people to eat healthy choices.

Please don't blast me for this opinion. I really try to avoid posts like this. It just sucked seeing so many people blame themselves. Yes we are ones who put the bites in our mouths, but I am betting that if it were cheaper, lots more homes would have healthier bite options.

When I taught, I taught in a city that had 1 grocery store and only sort of (it was far from my school and you need to change buses to get there-and it's closed now). The rest are the mini-mart concept. I understand exactly what you are saying. My students were rarely overweight, but what they did eat was scary.

Actually sometimes when you've gone off plan and write it down you find out it wasn't as bad as you thought it was.

I thought today was horrible and it was OP! Pamela‘s post reminded me that I did not track something so it’s back to sparkpeople when I finish here.

I don't know if I will be on anymore today as it is our wedding anniversary -- number 18 -- and I will be spending time with DH and DS today.

Happy Anniversary!

I have to agree with you. It does not cost 1.97 to grow one apple, I know, I live near many farms, most of which are produce farms.
One thing I can suggest is trying to shop locally. Buy direct from the farm stand, cut out the middle man. Find a local butcher, we have one about 10 miles from here and they have some great truckload sales.
And remember that you may not be saving now but you will save in the future because you will be healthier and won't need to burn money at the Doctors office. You won't get as sick so you won't need to take time off of work. ETC.

Great ideas! I pass multiple farm stands on my way to/from work. So much cheaper!

Co-pays can be terrible, especially if you need a specialist. I know someone with Type 1 and good health insurance and it’s still almost $200 a month. Very good point.

9/11 means a lot to my husband and I. We are not Americans but we love America. We got engaged in the North Tower (in the restaurant) in 1988, they have great sentimental meaning to us. We have a 25 year anniversary coming up in 2013 - I want to go to Ground Zero - and I hope to be fit enough to do the marathon there someday.

Linda, this made me cry. I hope you reach your goal of the marathon and slaying the lion.

Also, I keep meaning to tell you that I DEFINETELY send Healthy Habits prizes to other countries. I encourage everyone to participate!

Can you eat oat? Try oat bran pancakes.... or maybe almond flour?? (or was that one of the bad foods?.... I know there were some nuts involved).

Nope, no oats, unfortunately. Almond flour is okay. I have heard that is a great substitute. I just haven’t found any other than a $35 huge package of it that has to be ordered online. If I like it, I’ll buy it there, but that’s not the kind of price to try something.

Today has been very on plan and I still have 10 points. I did the "Be Our Guest" challenge for dinner tonight: Butternut Squash Soup, Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken, and Apple Turnovers (all WW recipes). I cooked for the whole house, and we've decided to do a Sunday dinner every week, taking turns.

Way to go! That sounds delicious!

Sorry about the thunderstorm. Hope things are calm there now!

 

[my3princes]

Just a quick pop in to say hello. Busy in the shop again today. We got all the glass installed in the street rod. I think we've done as much as we can at this point. The show is in less than 2 weeks. I have certainly been moving all weekend. Now I need to get some sleep as work will be here all too soon.

 

[bellebookworm9]

Meals are all planned for tomorrow, which is good, because it's just going to be go-go-go all day!

8-10am: Work
10-11am: Practice flute
11-11:30am: Flute lesson
11:30am-1pm: Lunch/study for Aural Rehab exam
1-2:15pm: Class
2:15-3pm: Meet with professor about personal statement
3-4:30pm: Clinic prep
4:30-7:15: Dinner/study
7:15pm-?: Flute choir meeting
?-10pm: Study

Having everything planned will definitely help keep me on track!

 

[trinaweena]

This semester im taking statistics and natural disasters. I knew I'd have trouble with the math in my statistics course but not my natural disasters course! My professor gave us this equation to solve as homework and i don't even know where to begin. I'm rubbish at math and i havent taken it in seven years, so this huge equation is like...huh? i'm waiting for the boyfriend to call me perhaps he can help, otherwise i will see the teacher before class and tell her honestly i dont know how to do the equation.

today was a weird day. my allergies never went away and continued through work, and i had to take a claritin which always makes me feel really funny. my stomach felt weird and i just felt sort of hazy all day. We also had a $300 training return today, which means $40 taken out of my check for comission which is really not good. but thats my job and i cant change that. i came home and my mom was watching 9/11 stuff and i understand her need to watch it but i couldn't watch it because i didnt feel like making myself sad. it is a day of rememberance and i remembered in my own way, but watching all those specials just doesnt make me feel anything but awful and i dont want that.

food today was normal breakfast, whole grain triscuits and baby bell light cheese wedge for snack, chili ( which was SO GOOD OMG) for lunch, and BBQ chicken with brown rice and brocolli for dinner. I also just had a fiber one 90 calorie brownie for desert, which wasnt the best but satisfied my desert craving. Oh...and i also had a mini snack size hershey bar. I couldnt help it haha, i havent had chocolate in three months! I did not track today but i wrote everything down and kept portions nice and small so i think i will be ok.

i've decided to make sundays my rest days as far as workouts. i think it was the smartest thing to do, and i planned out my workouts for the rest of the month.

im still feeling a little overwhelmed, this fish tank didnt get cleaned, my room is a mess, laundry is overflowing and statistics hmwk isnt done. ive decided im going to take 15 min each night this week before bed to clean my room. lets hope this helps

and i officially singed up for my 5k. It's the Free to Breathe Race in Glastonbury CT on September 18 which is just one week away! I dont know if this is allowed but I have a link to my page which tells a little bit about the cause i am running to support (lung cancer) and give you an option of donating if you would like. I'm not asking for donation but if you are interested in learning more about the cause please visit
http://participate.freetobreathe.or...&pg=personal&fr_id=1396#.TmwhzWF5-mc.facebook

ok im going to do at least one statistics problem before bed. bag and meals packed for tomorrow! let's do this!

 

[yanni2]

I have been gone since Friday for my daughters gymnastics competition and I am finally home. So here are my answers for the last couple QOTD....

9/9 Intro...
My name is Michelle, I am 40 years old, I have been married for 16 years to a wonderful supportive dh (Ken). I have 2 daughters (13 & 10) that I home school. They are both competitive gymnasts who practice 16 hours a week or more.
I would love to lose a total of about 105 pounds, but my goal is 15-20 for this challenge. In 2010 I lost 25 pounds and then managed to gain back that same 25 pounds since the beginning of 2011. I have tried lots of different plans, and obviously haven't found what works best for me...LOL!! Watching my carb intake seems to work best for me but I haven't been doing a very good job at all lately. Add that to the fact that I HATE to exercise, and there is the basis of my weight issues.
I am hoping joining this challenge will give me the push I need.

9/10 Is journaling important?
I do feel journaling is important. Sadly, I am not really consistent at it. I know i need to do it (like exercising) but I don't.

9/11 What/who is standing in your way?
Mostly ME! I know what I need to do, but I don't do it. I can find an excuse for putting anything off and will. With home schooling and the girls gymnastics practices/meets, I use the time excuse. With my dh being out of work and then just starting a new sales job, I use the finances excuse. Then there is the tired excuse, frustrated excuse.....etc. So my goal is NO MORE EXCUSES!!! It's all there... I can find the time, I can work with the finances, suck up and deal with the tiredness and so on....
It is time to just pull up my big girl panties and do what needs to be done.

Michelle

 

[Zoesmama03]

I declare today my cheat day. LOL I had a lot of walking to and from the ball field and OH MY GOSH did I think I was going to die walking up to our row on them steep steps. My heart was pounding but I calmed down. I think Xanax really helped with that. Oddly I didn't get a panic attack with it like I was half expecting. Just shows how out of shape I have gotten.

The picture with my daughter shows it a lot. AHH!!! I took one of myself with my friends 15 month old but its more upperbody headshot.
The one my friend took for me.

090 by Melissa Campbell, on Flickr

Two I did myself one with her 15 month old daughter(God niece to me as all her kids are like family to me as are her and her family) and then one I snapped of Zoe and I.


068 by Melissa Campbell, on Flickr


098 by Melissa Campbell, on Flickr

Zoe down at the lower level of our seating area she wouldn't drop the bottle down and wouldn't let me get another. The others I have standing there need color fixed some.

163 by Melissa Campbell, on Flickr

And walking up with my friend's 6 year old:

006 by Melissa Campbell, on Flickr

Busy day! I'll try to log back in and do personals before bed but I have to eat dinner yet. Pizza(hence the cheat day). LOL

 

[jaelless]

Not sure who posted it, but totally loved the homemade ice cream sandwiches with chocolate graham crackers and low fat ice cream. Where was this recipe over the summer. I cannot wait to try this.

 

[kollerbear]

Today has been very on plan and I still have 10 points. I did the "Be Our Guest" challenge for dinner tonight: Butternut Squash Soup, Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken, and Apple Turnovers (all WW recipes). I cooked for the whole house, and we've decided to do a Sunday dinner every week, taking turns.

Yummy!!! Congrats on such a delicious meal!

pjlla (Can't seem to get your quote on here)... I loved what you said, how you felt so BOSS while you were running! Haha, I did too!! But yeah, I feel so much happier without that schedule hanging over my head. Glad you're still trying to find the right exercise for you! I think eventually I'll be able to feel less emotional about the running and come back to it. Until then, I'll have to do some more experimenting... I go walking with a friend once a week, and I want to build on that. Maybe if I'm able to re-budget and afford a gym membership, I'll start up more classes-- I used to really enjoy spinning and yoga!

Nope, no oats, unfortunately. Almond flour is okay. I have heard that is a great substitute. I just haven’t found any other than a $35 huge package of it that has to be ordered online. If I like it, I’ll buy it there, but that’s not the kind of price to try something.

Hey CC--do you have a Trader Joe's anywhere near you? I got almond flour there for a recipe once and it was surprisingly affordable... (From what I remember, a good size bag was under $5.)

That's so great you have a supportive bf. I had one that started out being supportive and that's when I lost all my weight but as soon as we started having problems that's when I put it back on. Unfortunately I found comfort in eating and didn't end things with him when I should have. Maybe if I had ended things earlier with him, I wouldn't have gained so much back but it was as much his fault for making me feel that way as it was my fault for letting him make me feel that way.

I know that I eat to self-comfort as well, and I can only imagine how difficult that was. But I'm really glad you were able to end things with him and move onto a new chapter of your life. There are so many great guys out there!

Not sure who posted it, but totally loved the homemade ice cream sandwiches with chocolate graham crackers and low fat ice cream. Where was this recipe over the summer. I cannot wait to try this.

Yay! Hahha, that was mine. Cheaper than Skinny Cow, and the graham crackers taste just as good as the traditional soft cookies! These are so satisfying!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Today has been very on plan and I still have 10 points. I did the "Be Our Guest" challenge for dinner tonight: Butternut Squash Soup, Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken, and Apple Turnovers (all WW recipes). I cooked for the whole house, and we've decided to do a Sunday dinner every week, taking turns.

Can you share the Butternut squash soup recipe? I love the one from Boma and Bistro de Paris but I'm sure they are about a million calories each!!

********************************

No 3 course meal for me, DH is gone for the week, the house is completely trashed as I try to put it back together from Irene, DS15 has his first Cross Country meet Tuesday, DS9's open house is Wednesday, DS10's open house is Thursday and we leave for Hershey on Thursday night. We'll be there until Sunday. I really thought I would get stuff accomplished this week but that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Quote of the Day 9/12/11

the only place you'll find success before work is in the dictionary

 

[buzz5985]

Is this an appropriate time/place to blame my mother for everything wrong with me? (Kidding of course!!)

It's myself. I'm really lucky to have a very supportive boyfriend who makes it easy for me to stay focused day to day and plan each week. Now that I have a plan and some momentum going, it will truly be no one's fault but my own if I can't see myself through.

I am not trying to talk negatively about my Mother, she did the best she could. She was a product of the times. And I hate to say this but - my mother died 7 years ago. I still hear her voice in my head. "Stand up straight, pull in your stomach....." My sister was blaming my mother for something - and like I told her - I haven't lived with her for 27 years, maybe it's time for me to step up and take responsibility.

I was going to cut this down, but the whole thing is worthy of quote, because it all so true.

There has been a cast iron ankle around my leg since I was a child, a nemisis that I call a lion - named "Scar" from the Lion King. Scar gets out of his cage, attacks me to the core, and stagnates my progress.

So what stands in my way is me and Scar. Scar is another name for my binge eating disorder.

Day by day, with the help of God and wonderful folks like you, I keep Scar in his cage.

I am convinced that, if I can keep Scar in control, I will succeed.

And that is my goal for this challenge - slaying the lion.

So far, so good, eating has been great and in control, Scar not here. Started a WISH journal and am writing every day so far.

Begin a new work out program Monday designed by physiotherapist, and I am feeling positive.

9/11 means a lot to my husband and I. We are not Americans but we love America. We got engaged in the North Tower (in the restaurant) in 1988, they have great sentimental meaning to us. We have a 25 year anniversary coming up in 2013 - I want to go to Ground Zero - and I hope to be fit enough to do the marathon there someday.

Take care folks - have a magical day and thanks for being here.

Linda

While I am reading the board I am watching Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero on the Science network. If you have the station, try to watch it - its an incredible story. Its about the museum, and all the thought and meaning that the museum is going to have. It's actually built around "tridents" from the original towers, pieces of steel that were salvaged and rebuilt for the museum. When done, I think the whole area is going to be a wonderful tribute to the people that died that day.

QOTD: I am standing in my own way letting stress take over and ruin things when I have been doing well. I am also standing in my way by letting routines get out of whack which makes things difficult!

Put back on a few pounds this weekend with my careless eating and drinking.

I did just finish mowing the lawn and I will have time to workout tomorrow after Izzie goes to school and before I have to go to work for a bit. Going to have pork chops and carrots and rice for dinner tonight. I also have to get my Herbalife poster ready to put up at work on Tuesday. I have everything printed out so I just have to organize it and glue it on.

Watching Torchwood from Friday night and then we'll do some straightening up and then make supper. I just finished the laundry and now the kids are supposed to sort it and fold theirs.

Have a great rest of your day!

TTFN

We just discovered Torchwood over the summer. I had a free Netflix subscription and we watched the first 3 seasons while on vacation. Catching up on the new series on Starz now.

Had an uneventful Sunday. Went to nephews soccer games, then a BJ's run - bought a new WW scale - there was a $10 off coupon in the BJ's flier. Stopped at the local farm on the way home for vegies. Came home turned on the oven for baked potatoes, threw the dog and DH in the car, headed back up to Breakheart for another walk. When we got home the potatoes were done. Fired up the grill, sirloin tips, grilled red and green peppers, asparagus, baked potatoes. DH cooked them perfectly. Poor DH, right after dinner his work phone rang, had to go out. We had planned on watching Yankee Doodle Dandy together with DS 14. We are trying to introduce him to some of the old movies - since you can't find them on TV anymore. So DS and I watched it together. He told me I was sketchy since I knew all the songs - and sang along. LOL Poor DH, he didn't get back home till 11 pm, and has to leave the house tomorrow at 6:00 to be at his job by 6:30.

Everyone have a great week!!!

Janis

 

[baby1disney]

Haven't had the chance to get on here much this weekend..so I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Terrie and I'm from Toledo, OH. I've just finished school..so I'm officially graduated!! But I walk in October!! I've lost 106lbs since January 2010 and I Only have about 50-60lbs more to go!!!

I love to travel..especially to Florida and of course WDW!! I look forward to getting to know some of you thru this board!! Congrats to everyone for joining and we can do this!!! WOOHOO!!!

 

[my3princes]

Good Morning.

I'm so tired this morning and for some reason I woke up at 4 am and couldn't get back to sleep. I started thinking about everything I need to get done this week and just could doze for the extra hour. That means that I will be tired all day and I will be more hungry. I am always more hungry when I'm tired. 10 1/2 hours at my desk doesn't sound like any fun.

I need to get our camper packed for the weekend. I need to make the kids halloween costumes as the camping theme is Halloween so they get to go trick or treating. I'm waiting for the glow sticks to arrive in the mail as most of our stores are closed due to the flood from a couple of weeks ago. For now we need to rely on the internet for a lot of things or drive 1+ hours to a bigger city that has more stores.

 

[donac]

Just a short post to say good morning to everyone. Since I can't go on at school I need to get here in the morining. You never know what the afternoon will bring.

I just bought a new pair of sneakers yesterday. I went to the local New Balance store. I bought a pair at Sport Auth last month but they didn't have any walking shoes so maybe I should have skipped it. I hate them already. The NB store was like an old fashioned shoe store. They measured both my feet and didn't just hand me the box to try on but put them on me like the good old day. I did spend a lot of money for a pair of sneakers but I decided that I am worth it.

Made chili last night and have enough for two more meals in the freezer. I made it with half hamburger and half ground turkey. Hamburger was also on sale so I will put some meatloafs in the freezer for us and ds2 to take back to college the next time he comes home.

Need to get ready for school

Have a happy and healthy day.

 

[tigger813]

Hi all,

Off to a good start this morning...did 2 mile WATP with weights and then Bob Harper's 20 minute strength workout. And I'm almost done with my first bottle of water.

Going to get the kids off to school, then run an errand and then come home, clean the kitchen, squeeze in another workout and then shower and go to work. I'm on car pool duty today so I'll pick up Ash and the neighbor's kid and then come home and have her get ready for dancing and do her homework. Then we will pick up Izzie, get her ready for dancing and then head to dancing. Ash and I are picking up dinner at KFC, Wendy's or McDonald's for supper and then dropping Ash back at dancing, bringing Izzie home to Brian who will then take her to soccer and then going back to get Ash to dancing and then take her to soccer practice and I will walk/jog the track until everyone is done.

Thinking I'll have my big meal at lunch today and a shake for supper. I'm looking forward to a good loss this week if I can keep focused!

Gotta finish getting ready to pick up the neighbor!

TTFN

 

[lisah0711]

Good morning all!

I thought a Magical Monday was needed -- especially with the full moon!

QOTD Monday, September 12, 2011: If you were at Disneyworld or Disneyland right now, what would you be doing?

I'll be back in a bit with replies.

 

[JacksLilWench]

Shew!! I missed you ladies over the weekend! I'm so sorry for being absent Friday I helped a friend move and unpack a little bit, Saturday I helped another friend with a yard sale and worked in the evening, and Sunday I made sure I had everything packed for my upcoming Disney trip!! We leave in six days!!!! I am so excited, I can hardly stand myself. I made a bet with myself that I would wear all Disney-themed scrube hats this week to work...I'll let you all know how it goes! So far, so good

What if I told you there was something that you could do to help you lose TWICE as much weight than you would otherwise?!? Would you be interested? Would you be willing to try it? Well, you can! And all you have to do is keep a food diary!

A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that dieters who tracked their food intake in a "food diary" lost twice as much weight as those who didn't track their food. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708080738.htm

It is incredibly easy to underestimate the number of calories that you consume and overestimate the number of calories you burn when exercising. It is a real eye opener when you first start tracking.

Here is a link to an article on sparkpeople.com about how important keeping track of your food can be on this journey to good health. http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=394

Which brings me to the QOTD.

QOTD Saturday, September 10, 2011: Do you think tracking food is an important part of weight loss?
* Yes, definitely
* Maybe, it depends on the person
* No, I don't think it's necessary

Have a great evening all!

I think it's just as necessary as exercise and eating healthy! So many times, I forget things I've eaten, or convince myself it's not as "bad" as it might actually be, when in reality it couldn't be further from the truth. It does me a lot of good to actually see what I eat!

Ugh, I forgot to post Quote of the day yesterday so today I'll do 2.
I had a request to restart them and I hope to stick to it better then the summer challenge.
So here ya go(some will be recycled from summer):

9/9/11
I'm not telling you it is going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.




9/10/11
Don't say you don't have any time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Tomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein.

Well, when you put it like THAT.... it just makes my excuse sounds super-lame

Good evening all!

QOTD Sunday September 11, 2011: Who is standing in your way?

It's me. I use quite a few excuses as to why I can't, when the truth is I just don't want to. But that's not really helping me reach my goals, is it? The answer is a unequivocal NO. So it's time to banish the excuses! Failure? Perish the thought! It's all success from here on out!