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

[DopeyDame]

If I were at Disney World today... I'd be there with DS, who still really needs his naps. So, with a little cajoling, DS would be asleep, and I'd be sitting on the Beach Club balcony with a good book.

(Note that I was about to type "with an ice cream cone from beaches and cream" but changed that, since this is the Biggest Loser thread, and I really don't NEED the ice cream cone - even in my fantasy )

 

[disneycr8zy]

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

Like most everyone else has said - it's just me. I'm the only one with the power to change myself and most of the time am simply too lazy to attempt it.

I just made this list and it is hanging on my wall above my desk, where I will see it a lot. It is based on the list of things possibly holding you back in today's question of the day. I hope it helps somebody else. Parentheses indicate "put your own reason here".

Rules for Success

1.Do it now! No, it can't wait until later. Nothing is more important than your health.
2.Get organized! It will help you plan.
3.Optimism is the way to go: "You are pretty, you are smart, you are nice, you are worth it!" (Thanks Trina)
4. Be honest with yourself. No, you don't need that (ice cream/pumpkin bread/latte/cookie). Yes, it could be the difference between a loss and a gain.
5.Be positive and open about you achievements! "I did (a 5K on the elliptical in 31:32)! I ate (4 veggies and 5 fruits)!"
6. Focus on the positives, but don't ignore the negatives. "I did a great thing by (walking around campus for two hours today). I also had (some poor breakfast choices), but I can plan for that in the future by (bringing my own breakfast before a tour.)
7. Don't keep it a secret! "I'm watching what I eat to (lower my insulin level/reduce risk of [heart disease/diabetes/high cholesterol]/feel better about myself). I'd appreciate if you could support me and encourage me on this journey to a healthier me-and I will do the same for you if you would like."
8. Things will not always be perfect and it is unrealistic to expect them to be so. If one meal or workout does not go as planned (or not planned), don't give up! Get back into it as soon as you can and you will undoubtedly feel better.

Remember: "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail"-Pamela (pjlla)

Love this! And I first heard the "Nothing Tastes as Good as Thin Feels" from a WW leader!

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

http://http://www.skinnytaste.com/2008/12/pasta-fagioli-64-pts.html

Thanks for the recipe - have already wasted a good chunk of time scouring that site for additional recipes and have emailed several to myself at home.

Wish I had some great helpful ideas to help with the veggies, but I don't have much. You COULD try a juicer if you are really concerned with getting more veggies.... but if you don't like the taste, you still won't like it as juice. Let me throw out a few things I do and see if they spark anything.....

Try them at breakfast.... omelets are a great place to add veggies.... spinach, onions, tomatoes, avocado are all great additions.

I LOVE Rose's suggestion of hummus.... and try some different veggies to dip in the hummus, rather than the standard carrots and celery.... red bell peppers, jicima, raw zucchini, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, raw green beans, for just a few.

Keep trying new veggies.... and keep trying cooked veggies cooked in different ways! Don't like steamed broccoli??? Try it roasted or stir-fried, or in a cold broccoli salad (super yummy.... I'll share the recipe if anyone wants). Don't care for zucchini?? Try cutting into thin ribbons and lightly steaming it and adding it to pasta.... cover with sauce and enjoy! Onions? Buy sweet onions and slice and GRILL them..... it really brings out their natural sweetness. Don't like plain cooked carrots? Cook them with parsnips and mash them together. Like cole slaw? Try making it with broccoli slaw instead of cabbage?


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.

If all you can tolerate is salads.... well, at least keep that up!

Thanks for all the ideas!

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

Having a snack in the shade at MK and plotting the afternoon out based on EMH evening hours, maybe park hopping once or twice.

Had an OK weekend. Did get some exercise in both days - did 5 miles on the elliptical on Saturday so took it easy on Sunday. Eating was up and down ... I did OK on Saturday until watching the FB game and for some reason was unable to resist the cheesy twisted puffy cheetos and no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies! But as I've learned over time, one slip up does not mean it's ok to blow the whole day or weekend, then did great on Sunday. My housemate's mother and my second 'mom' had to be moved to a nursing home last week and so we spent some time with her yesterday - seems to be adapting well.

Have a great week everyone!

 

[momofdjc]

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

It's almost 2 in the afternoon at Disneyworld so we would probably be headed back to the room for a break or swimming. It doesn't seem to matter what time of year we visit, we generally take a break in the afternoon. Then we'll head to O'hana for dinner and after dinner head to the Magic Kingdom for the fireworks and whatever else we want to do.

 

[lisah0711]

It's been a lot of fun reading everyone's replies about what they would be doing if they were at Disney today!

No better place to be for me that MK rope drop, then walk down Main Street and take in all the excitement, before people (mostly parents) start getting grumpy.
I wanted to share a bit: I've bee trying to loose weight for years and years and here's something I learned for all the newcomers.
Don't measure your success only in the pounds you've lost, I know, I know, we all want to get those pounds off, but don't let this be your only goal. For example, I weighted myself on Friday to start the challenge, after 4 trips to the scale they all showed 184.8lbs. Today after a weekend of excersice, good, healthy eating and tons of activities, the scale shows 187.4lbs. And my question is how could I have gained +2lbs during the weekends when I did everything right? In the past I would've been so depressed that would make me just give up. But now I know not to solely rely on the scale. Do I feel great? YES. Are the jeans fitting better? YES, do I have more energy to keep working out? YES, have people noticed that I'm loosing weight? YES. So in the words of my favorite Warthog: HAKUNA MATATA, Have a great week everyone

Thanks for this important reminder!

Pamela, thanks for the yummy meatloaf recipe.

I know I'm late on this - but it's hard for me to get computer time on the weekends. Yes, definitely - food tracking (as well as water, exercise, and feelings) is really important. I always notice a positive difference in my efforts to be healthy when I'm tracking.

No worries! You can answer the QOTD any time.

Buffy, I hope that scar fades time time goes on.

Just for fun and accuracy , I checked out the EMH today. I originally read this about 7am, so I would be starting my day at a lovely WDW resort (probably POR if I was with my family), getting ready for EMH at AK. Getting ready might include going over to POFQ for beignets, and then heading out to the park. We would follow up an early safari with Dinosaur!, maybe see FOTLK, and then probably head out after lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue. We're not huge fans of this park...but I can find a couple of things to do

Maria

No Yeti?

Melissa, hope that your body adjusts to those meds soon.

Right now, I'm bewailing the fact that I left my snack bag in the frig at home, but made it through the morning with only eat one small piece of candy, and I managed to scrounge up an apple and I have almonds here. And my lunch is already here, so I will manage, but probably be ravenous when I get home without my big vegetable snack mid afternoon...I'll have to eat it when I get home, or I probably will overeat come dinner.

Oh, I hate it when that happens! Glad you found something that will tide you over.

(Note that I was about to type "with an ice cream cone from beaches and cream" but changed that, since this is the Biggest Loser thread, and I really don't NEED the ice cream cone - even in my fantasy )

Woo hoo! You are making that lifestyle change!

 

[lovehoney]

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

It is afternoon so I think I would be on the bus going back to the resort from a full morning at MK. The cool air conditioning and the rocking motion puts DS1 to sleep in my arms. The bus is only half full. I lean against the window watching the road go by and marvel how lucky I am to be at the happiest place on earth.

 

[donac]

It is almost 4 inthe afternoon. Dh and I would be back at the room cleaning up and deciding where to go for the evening and where we would be eating dinner if we don't have a reservation. I wish I was there now.

 

[Michele]

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

As I answer this right now at 4pm EST I would be relaxing in my hotel room at the Yacht Club or Polynesian ( not where we usually stay, but my favorites) getting ready to go to Narcoossee's for dinner where I would order the scallops over mushroom risotto.

I, for one, LOVE vacations, because I lose weight when I am on vacation. I'm sure it is because of all the activity, especially walking at WDW. But also, wherever I go on vacation I eat better than I do at home. I love to eat food that is good for me, I just don't love making it.

 

[yanni2]

How did your daughter do, Michelle?

Both my girls did well. They both improved a lot from the last meet.
My oldest daughter is having ankle issues and was concerned about if she could compete on all 4 events. But the coach let her and she did great. She got 3rd on bars and was very happy with that.
My youngest did her best floor routine this season and got an 8.9.

QOTD 9-12
If I was in Disneyland right now, I would probably be eating lunch at the Blue Bayou. We love eating and watching the boats go by from "Pirates".

If I was at WDW, I would probably be walking around EPCOT. Possibly snacking around the world. Buying one or two items at each country for us all to share.

 

[mackeysmom]

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

Almost 5:00PM here - If we were at MK today, we'd probably be heading out of the part to go back to the room before getting ready for dinner. Tradition holds that on the way out of MK, I always stop for a Dole Whip. Diet or not, I'll still be sure to have my Dole Whip on my next trip - maybe I'll share it with somebody next time.

Thanks for the recipe - have already wasted a good chunk of time scouring that site for additional recipes and have emailed several to myself at home.

There are a lot of great recipes on that site - aren't there? Today's recipe of Hot Artichoke & Spinach Dip looks delicious. I'll have to give that a try soon.

Wish me luck - I have a job interview tomorrow. I've been out of work for almost two years and interviews have been far and few between. This job would not be in my desired field and would be a huge pay cut from my last job - but at this point, I'll take almost anything. An added perk? It is about 1 1/2 miles from my home.

- Laura

 

[keenercam]

Hi, everyone!
I have been enjoying reading everyone's posts, introductions, etc.

I should probably introduce myself. My name is Cam and I am 48 years old (on the downslide to 50, as my daughter would say). My husband Howard and I will celebrate our 27th anniversary this year. We have a DD23 who just graduated from college and a DS18 who just started college. I have been severely overweight since I was about 10. I remember right around that time I was 155 pounds and short - I looked like an Italian meatball. I was constantly "dieting" and even joined Elaine Powers when I was about 14. I was always the largest person in just about any setting and it severely colored my view of myself. My self-esteem was in the garbage.

When I was a freshman in college a really drunk fraternity guy said I was too fat and ugly to live, that I was polluting the earth. You can imagine how devastating that was. Looking back now, I realize that if I hadn't joined the Catholic youth organization and Christian Fellowship on campus, I would have dropped out or maybe even decided life wasn't worth living. I met Howard in October of my sophomore year and some of the problems I had in our relationship were because I couldn't believe for a second that someone as amazing as him could love someone as ugly as me. If I look back objectively, I am sad that so much of those years of my life were colored by what I thought others thought of me, and none of it was good.

Ugh. Didn't mean to go on so long. Fastforward through many happy years of marriage and having two beautiful children to February 1995 when I was diagnosed with sustained ventricular tacchychardia, which was potentially life-threatening. What was so ironic is that it had nothing to do with my morbid obesity - it was caused by an electrical malfunction in the heart. By 2005 when it became "continuous" and I had been on drugs of "last resort" to attempt to provide "quality of life" for whatever time I had left, I had my fourth heart "surgery" and was cured.

I immediately decided to start living fully, found the WISH boards, and went back to WW (I'd been many times before). I also started training for endurance races, and did the Disneyworld 1/2 marathon a year and a day after my last heart surgery. I went on to complete 7 more 1/2 marathons and 2 full marathons. Over the next couple years I lost and kept off a little over 70 pounds. In July 2009 I hurt my knee badly during a training session on the treadmill and then went on to "total" it doing the Race for the Taste 10k in Disney that October. I had surgery in December 2009 and another much more significant one in June 2010. During my couple years of injury, recovery, rehab, re-injury, etc. I put back on about 20 pounds.

So, I've done a couple of BL challenges and they have kept me from really gaining lots more, but I have not been as committed as I should have been. On September 6, I started using myfitnesspal and am LOVING how it tracks my calories and exercise as well as certain nutritional goals like protein, carb and fat grams. I seem to have found my mojo and have been completely on track for an entire week. It's been reassuring to realize I can do this. (If anyone is on myfitnesspal and wants to "friend" me, I am keenercam there, too).

I truly credit the WISH boards and my WISH teammates for helping me change me and change my life. I am a much better, happier and healthier person than I've been in my entire adult life. I'd really like to lose another 50 pounds and then I'd be relatively "thin". My doctor says that is too much to lose, but I'll worry about that when I get closer.

I am really looking forward to this challenge. I LOVE that we have such a diverse group here and that there are so many posts. I am going to try my best to keep up.

 

[lisah0711]

Still enjoying those replies! But man, can I tell it is a full moon tonight -- it has been crazy here today! So I will post the QOTD for tomorrow and be back tomorrow for replies.

We talked about the eating part of this healthy lifestyle we are determined to follow so now it's time to talk about the ACTIVITY part of the equation.

Here is a little excerpt from a sparkpeople.com article written by a personal trainer called "Arm Yourself Against Exercise Excuses:"

We all know how important exercise is to our health. We all know we should be doing it, but we allow ourselves “outs” with what we consider justifiable excuses. You can excuse yourself out of anything if you keep listening to yourself long enough. You can let those rationalizations make sense if you try. But I have come to a personal conclusion, a motto of sorts: I will do what I need to do, in order to do what I want to do.

Here is the link to the entire article if you are interested. http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_articles.asp?id=1021

Which leads me to the question of the day:

QOTD Tuesday, September 13, 2011: What exercise excuse do you use most often?
* I don't have time
* I'm too tired
* It's too difficult for me
* It's boring
* I don't want people to see me
* I don't know what I'm doing
* I don't make any of these excuses
* I have my another excuse

Have a great evening all!

 

[akhaloha]

QOTD Friday, September 9, 2011: Please introduce yourself and tell us about your goals for this challenge.

Sorry I am so behind on my posts! Hi! My name is Kristina. I live in Hawaii - which can be difficult when you are surrounded by size 4 people! I'm 43 years old and have a DD who is 13 and I have been married to my DH for 18 years. This is my first time taking the Biggest Loser Challenge and I am hoping to lose 10 - 15 pounds in this round!

 

[akhaloha]

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

Absolutely! I notice a difference when I keep track of what I am eating. It also helps to look back and see what I was eating when I was actually losing weight (which is not right now - I'm at a standstill after gaining back 7 of the 12 pounds I lost in May).

 

[akhaloha]

QOTD Sunday September 11, 2011: Who is standing in your way? [/QUOTE]

ME - I am my own worst roadblock!

 

[baby1disney]

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.

If I was there right now..I'm hopefully either going in or coming out of Tony's Town Square!! I've always wanted to go there and eat and that would be my dream!!!

 

[RedRosePrincess]

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

If I were at DL right now, I would probably be on the Matterhorn enjoying the ride before they put in the lap bars next year.

 

[baby1disney]

I have and still do feel the same way abou myself!! I'm still in a size 18/20 although I used to be a 28/30. Even then I had men who said I was attractive and everything else. I'm still very conscious of myself and will be for a long time!!

But I have met people and being surrounded by positive people is just a cool things and really helps me out!!

Hi, everyone!
I have been enjoying reading everyone's posts, introductions, etc.

I should probably introduce myself. My name is Cam and I am 48 years old (on the downslide to 50, as my daughter would say). My husband Howard and I will celebrate our 27th anniversary this year. We have a DD23 who just graduated from college and a DS18 who just started college. I have been severely overweight since I was about 10. I remember right around that time I was 155 pounds and short - I looked like an Italian meatball. I was constantly "dieting" and even joined Elaine Powers when I was about 14. I was always the largest person in just about any setting and it severely colored my view of myself. My self-esteem was in the garbage.

When I was a freshman in college a really drunk fraternity guy said I was too fat and ugly to live, that I was polluting the earth. You can imagine how devastating that was. Looking back now, I realize that if I hadn't joined the Catholic youth organization and Christian Fellowship on campus, I would have dropped out or maybe even decided life wasn't worth living. I met Howard in October of my sophomore year and some of the problems I had in our relationship were because I couldn't believe for a second that someone as amazing as him could love someone as ugly as me. If I look back objectively, I am sad that so much of those years of my life were colored by what I thought others thought of me, and none of it was good.

Ugh. Didn't mean to go on so long. Fastforward through many happy years of marriage and having two beautiful children to February 1995 when I was diagnosed with sustained ventricular tacchychardia, which was potentially life-threatening. What was so ironic is that it had nothing to do with my morbid obesity - it was caused by an electrical malfunction in the heart. By 2005 when it became "continuous" and I had been on drugs of "last resort" to attempt to provide "quality of life" for whatever time I had left, I had my fourth heart "surgery" and was cured.

I immediately decided to start living fully, found the WISH boards, and went back to WW (I'd been many times before). I also started training for endurance races, and did the Disneyworld 1/2 marathon a year and a day after my last heart surgery. I went on to complete 7 more 1/2 marathons and 2 full marathons. Over the next couple years I lost and kept off a little over 70 pounds. In July 2009 I hurt my knee badly during a training session on the treadmill and then went on to "total" it doing the Race for the Taste 10k in Disney that October. I had surgery in December 2009 and another much more significant one in June 2010. During my couple years of injury, recovery, rehab, re-injury, etc. I put back on about 20 pounds.

So, I've done a couple of BL challenges and they have kept me from really gaining lots more, but I have not been as committed as I should have been. On September 6, I started using myfitnesspal and am LOVING how it tracks my calories and exercise as well as certain nutritional goals like protein, carb and fat grams. I seem to have found my mojo and have been completely on track for an entire week. It's been reassuring to realize I can do this. (If anyone is on myfitnesspal and wants to "friend" me, I am keenercam there, too).

I truly credit the WISH boards and my WISH teammates for helping me change me and change my life. I am a much better, happier and healthier person than I've been in my entire adult life. I'd really like to lose another 50 pounds and then I'd be relatively "thin". My doctor says that is too much to lose, but I'll worry about that when I get closer.

I am really looking forward to this challenge. I LOVE that we have such a diverse group here and that there are so many posts. I am going to try my best to keep up.

 

[JacksLilWench]

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.

Right now I'd be in Disney World at 7:40pm boarding Haunted Mansion I love riding that and coming out in the dark, it keeps the spooky feel going!

Still enjoying those replies! But man, can I tell it is a full moon tonight -- it has been crazy here today! So I will post the QOTD for tomorrow and be back tomorrow for replies.

We talked about the eating part of this healthy lifestyle we are determined to follow so now it's time to talk about the ACTIVITY part of the equation.

Here is a little excerpt from a sparkpeople.com article written by a personal trainer called "Arm Yourself Against Exercise Excuses:"

We all know how important exercise is to our health. We all know we should be doing it, but we allow ourselves “outs” with what we consider justifiable excuses. You can excuse yourself out of anything if you keep listening to yourself long enough. You can let those rationalizations make sense if you try. But I have come to a personal conclusion, a motto of sorts: I will do what I need to do, in order to do what I want to do.

Here is the link to the entire article if you are interested. http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_articles.asp?id=1021

Which leads me to the question of the day:

QOTD Tuesday, September 13, 2011: What exercise excuse do you use most often?
* I don't have time
* I'm too tired
* It's too difficult for me
* It's boring
* I don't want people to see me
* I don't know what I'm doing
* I don't make any of these excuses
* I have my another excuse

Have a great evening all!

My most used excuse is that I'm too tired. But I know full well if I were to exercise, I would have more energy! I just can't seem to get that though

 

[Rose&Mike]

Just a couple of minutes--but I wanted to say--

Dona--you are worth it! A good pair of shoes is a necessity! I hope the trip works out.

Cam--love you to pieces. Why do people say such mean awful things and why do we continue to let them haunt us? Have you ever heard of the book--The Four Agreements? It really helped me to come to terms with some stuff--learning that I can only control myself and what other people say and do isn't about me--it's about them. I really need to re-read it (I've probably read it 3 or 4 times). You know I struggle so much with the negative messages, this helps just a little bit.

Have a great evening!

 

[zurgswife]

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

I'd be eating dinner at Cali Grill with my hubby and Walter as our waiter....and Yoshi making us awesome sushi!!!!