Biggest Losser 4 Week 7 -- challenge pg 4 post 48

[Bluesdad]

It is very hard for me to eat smart and work out. I am working 2 jobs. One mon-fri and the other is two 16 hour shifts on the weekend. I have to throw together my food quickly and barely have the time to walk on the treadmill. I feel sad because I haven't been able to walk my dogs either. Tomorrow is the first day I have off in 19 days! I have so much stuff to do around the house it's crazy.

My favorite form of exercise is biking and running. I can't really do either in MI since it has been snowing like it was the freaking yukon! I miss California so much *sniff sniff. So I run and walk on my tread mill when I can. My wife, myself and our daughter went to our local YMCA to check it out. They have a ton of stuff there but we think we will pay less at our Rec center. For a year pass at the rec center it will be about $425 for the whole family and at the "Y" it is $50 to join and $72 a month to use the facility, which is about $864 a year. So tell me this, what is the joining fee for if you have to pay to use the facility? So you can say look ma, I'm a member of the YMCA? Or so you can officially sing the V-People song and mean it!? LOL!

 

[lisaviolet]

Down 1.8 here.

I anticipate being at goal before the end of the challenge, barring calamity.

That's fantastic allyphoe and exciting. All the best to you.

 

[WDWLVR]

I'm excited about this weeks challenge. Last week was just not a good one for me and I didn't tackle the challenge at all.

Share in the weekly thread what your favorite form of exercising is (biking, running, powerwalking, yoga, etc) and why?? -- max 5 pts

My favorite exercise is walking. I have a really bag ankle (pins and rod still in it from a bad bad break many years ago). As such I can't do running or other high impact exercise. A nice walk outside is great and I was doing that last Spring/Fall, but this is Chicago and Summers are brutally hot and Winters are brutally cold. That is why I love the Walk Away The Pound DVD's. I've been doing the one for abs lately and have worked up to the 3 mile walk. I think it is a good cardio workout for me and the bands help with the upper body as well.

Share in the weekly thread what struggles you have overcome in making exercise a part of your routine? work schedules? burn-out? family responsbilities? Inspire others who face the same challenges! -- max 5 pts

My problem with exercise is that I feel too rushed in the morning and too beat in the evening after work. After trying both I've found that if I do it right when I get home before dinner that I can beat that tired feeling. I also found that by working out in the evening I sleep better at night. Of course sometimes life gets in the way. DH has to wait a little longer for dinner (we don't have kids) but he has been very supportive. Now my biggest struggle is that I didn't work out at all last week so I need to get back in the groove and do it tonight. That's why I was so happy to see this weeks challenge!

 

[JOANNEL]

I love this challenge, like Mary I didn't do last weeks, I am not a veggie, grain misc eater. I really don't have the time to do all that planning. I just try to keep the calories down.

The way I get to the gym every day is to go on the way home from work. My boss let me work from 7-4 instead of 8-5, so I can get to the 5pm class everynight. So i am home at a decent hour. My kids are both off in college so there is not much cooking going on any way. DH will grill or we just east frozen lean cuisines.

I am trying to get one of the girls I work with exercising. We have walked a little at lunch, but she han't exercised in so long it's really hard. But who can pass up a walk by the beach!!!!!!

have a great day and happy exercising!!!

 

[tmfranlk]

For those who did the challenge last week, did you do the whole grains one? If so, what did you try? I have been eating whole grain bread, pasta, rice, cereal, etc for several years now (thanks to DH) so I was having problems coming up with something to try. I'm sure that I could have done better if I'd gone looking for something, but was having an off week. If you tried anything good, I'd love to hear about it.

 

[tmfranlk]

My favorite form of exercise - Normally, I'd say walking. I love just being outdoors, having some Disney park music playing in my ears and walking whereever and whenever. However, due to the extreme cold lately and the fact that DD has to ride the stroller with me in that cold if I'm going to walk, I've been getting acquainted with the recumbant bike and really enjoying it.

Struggles to exercise - Being a SAHM I feel like I should have no problem fitting in exercise. As much as I'd love to join a gym, it's just not in the budget. Plus, I find that if I exercise earlier in the day, then I get too tired by mid-afternoon and will tend to fall asleep. So, instead I bike at night, usually while watching something in Prime Time. Or if the weather is good, I go out walking in the evening and let DD fall asleep for the night in the stroller. The only problem with this nighttime plan, is that sometimes it's just too easy to put it off or get distracted. Some nights I have to just "force" myself to do 10 minutes, but in the end find myself getting into it and doing 30-40 or more.

 

[Raenstoirm]

I LOVE this weeks challenge, but sadly I cant get started today! This area got hit with a horrible ice storm yesterday and it hasn't stopped yet. I usually walk 2 miles with my dog in the am, 2 miles at lunch and at least another mile with the dog when i get home from work, but this morning I walked out the front door, slipped a little on the sheet of ice that was the sidewalk and went right back inside. The poor dog was so upset! AND my pilates class was canceled this morning because of the ice! So I am already 0 for 2 and neither is of my doing! And of course tomorrow is valentines so I want be doing anything after work!
I really want 100% on this challenge!

 

[Raenstoirm]

So as for the two challenge questions (at least I can get them done today)... I LOVE pilates. I take class twice a week and would take more if I had time. Despite being over weight by quite a bit I can actually start to see the outline of abs, especially my obliques, which is just awesome. Right now I only take pilates mat classes, but soon I will start the reformer, which is a medieval torture device. The "advanced" pilates instructor said i was ready to start, but I haven't had time to sign up since it is a real class you pay for and go to every week. The mat classes are just normal gym classes so if you miss one, no big deal.
I am also a big fan of walking since it is easy and good for me and my dog. I also jump rope when I need that cardio boost, but after 30 minutes of that I could just hit the ground and die!


As for struggles, I fight them everyday. I have a medical disorder that knocks me on my a** every so often. I just hurt so bad and there is no reason why. This makes it impossible to function in real life let alone exercise. I feel that pilates is actually helping me overcome that a bit though. Like everyone else I also have home responsibilities and work stress (right now my company is considering a move to NC, and I cant move so I may be losing my job soon!). I also travel a lot since my family and my fiancé's family are out of state, so usually one weekend a month we are not home which screws up food and exercise and sleep even. Then of course the restaurant problem. My fiancé LOVES to eat out and I don't want to deny him that joy so we go out at least a "few" times a week (usually at least 4). Willpower and just basic calorie counting is difficult when you do not prepare the food yourself.

But despite all that, I am getting married in September and I CAN DO THIS!

 

[donac]

For those who did the challenge last week, did you do the whole grains one? If so, what did you try? I have been eating whole grain bread, pasta, rice, cereal, etc for several years now (thanks to DH) so I was having problems coming up with something to try. I'm sure that I could have done better if I'd gone looking for something, but was having an off week. If you tried anything good, I'd love to hear about it.

I had the same problem as you with the whole grain stuff. I did try old fashioned oatmeal this week and a low car whole wheat wrap. They wer both pretty good. I made the oatmeal with apple juice and water. Gave it a nice sweetness so that I did not need sugar.

It is dark and gloomy today with lots of rain. We had some snow last night but by 8 it had started to rain.

 

[goldengourd]

Share in the weekly thread what your favorite form of exercising is (biking, running, powerwalking, yoga, etc) and why?? -- max 5 pts

Walking. With my friend it gives us a chance to visit, and she always has funny stories to tell. With my husband, for that together time. With just my dog and iPod, I do longer and better pace. When younger I really enjoyed biking, but I'm uncomfortable on my bike now, makes me saddle sore and hurts my knees, the city is not like riding in the small town I grew up in, and well, my size just doesn't look right on the bike, lol.

Share in the weekly thread what struggles you have overcome in making exercise a part of your routine? work schedules? burn-out? family responsbilities? Inspire others who face the same challenges! -- max 5 pts

My main problem with exercise is I don't really like it. So I can find excuses, and pretend they are real reasons. Like we had a some bad weather (for us, that is), and I didn't want to go out in the cold and wet. Now I have some contractors coming, doing some house repairs, that come during the day during the time I'm used to going to the gym. Yep, I know, the gym is open other times too, but it's crowded in the evenings. I've had a surgery last Oct that set me back, and looks like I'll have one more coming up sometime. And exercise is even less fun when things hurt.

 

[goldengourd]

Originally Posted by tmfranlk
For those who did the challenge last week, did you do the whole grains one? If so, what did you try? I have been eating whole grain bread, pasta, rice, cereal, etc for several years now (thanks to DH) so I was having problems coming up with something to try. I'm sure that I could have done better if I'd gone looking for something, but was having an off week. If you tried anything good, I'd love to hear about it.

I did try some quinoa. I had never gotten around to having it, but did know about it. Made it with a recipe found on interenet search, that cooked the toasted quinoa with chicken broth, added in garlic and some herbs. Served with a rotissery chicken from the grocery store and steamed squash last night. Also have a recipe that uses tomotes/blackbeans/hominy that I plan to try. I like it okay, texture kinda between oatmeal and sticky rice, looks like bird seed. You should have seen the look on my daughter's face when she saw it, (she's a white bread/white pasta-kind of girl). I saw several suggestion for using it as a breakfast hot cereal and think it would be good like that. Not a big savings on points, just like a normal starch side dish, but is a healthy whole grain.

 

[jakenjacksmom]

My favorite form of exercise is YOGA... I love it it helps my body & mind as well as my spirit.
My biggest struggle to overcome is making time and not getting discouraged when I have a bad day..

 

[CharityLynn]

Share in the weekly thread what your favorite form of exercising is (biking, running, powerwalking, yoga, etc) and why?? -- max 5 pts

I really like my elliptical machine, Tae Bo, and Walk away the pounds. Tae Bo is fun and you can feel your muscles building. The Elliptical makes me sweat! Walk away the pounds is a nice easy workout especially if you really worked out ahrd the day before.


Share in the weekly thread what struggles you have overcome in making exercise a part of your routine? work schedules? burn-out? family responsbilities? Inspire others who face the same challenges! -- max 5 pts

I suppose my biggest problem is my kids, they never let me do anything by myself for very long. I ahve taken to doing it when my husband is up (afternoon..works 3 rd shift) and while its just our daughter at home.

 

[donac]

Share in the weekly thread what your favorite form of exercising is (biking, running, powerwalking, yoga, etc) and why?? -- max 5 pts

I like walking but it is hard to do when the weather is rainy. I have a treadmill but I haven't called the guy to come in and fix it. I also don't have cable in my basement so the little black and white with rabbit ears doesn't always help me pass the time.

I also like yoga. I have a number of tapes and when I get a chance to do it it is a great workout.

During the summer I like to swim laps in my pool. I like to do it at 6 in the morning when the water in the pool feels warmer than the air.


Share in the weekly thread what struggles you have overcome in making exercise a part of your routine? work schedules? burn-out? family responsbilities? Inspire others who face the same challenges! -- max 5 pts

I am just like everyone else. It is finding the time to do it along with everything else that we need to do during the day. My alarm goes off at 4:20 so that I can get a workout in before I start my day. This has been the only time that has consistently works for me. I will march around my family room or living room or put in a yoga dvd. I joined a gym once I had to go after work. I found all sorts of excuses not to go so I never renewed the membership. I can make the time to work out after work but if I have a meeting I don't want to get all sweaty before the meeting so I won't do it. I have been getting up at 4:30 for the last 25 years. It is just second nature to me. DOn't gget me wrong I will still make excuses for not working out in the morning but they are less than in the afternoon.

Have a magical day.

 

[tmfranlk]

Then of course the restaurant problem. My fiancé LOVES to eat out and I don't want to deny him that joy so we go out at least a "few" times a week (usually at least 4). Willpower and just basic calorie counting is difficult when you do not prepare the food yourself.

But despite all that, I am getting married in September and I CAN DO THIS!

Have you found a way to count these calories easily? Are you eating at national chains? I saw several people post Dotti's Weight Loss Zone (or something like that) as one of their favorite sites. I love it for eating out. There are some many reatuarants with calorie info that I can go to most places that we eat prepared with my best options.

 

[whgrn]

OK, my favorite form of exercise (besides jumping to conclusions and running off at the mouth ) would have to be the elliptical trainer. Not sure why, but it just suits me. Of course, it's out of the question now after my surgery. But soon, I'll be back on there stepping away!!! I don't mind the TM so much now, except that my hips bother me some.

Obstacles to exercise? Well, other than the fact that I really don't particularly ENJOY it, I'm really good at procrastinating and rationalizing why I shouldn't do it. Actually this year is the first time ever that I've made a committment and stuck with it! Now that I'm on sabbatical from work, time is not an issue. My only current obstacle really is the surgery which greatly limits what I can do.

But hey, I went grocery shopping for 1.5 hours today. That should count for something, right??? And I'm walking circles around my house. And doing my physical therapy exercises 3 times a day. Not bad for a reformed couch potato!!

BTW, the weirdest thing. After my 1.9# gain yesterday, I was pretty pissed at Mr. Scale (of COURSE he's a "he" when I gain...) So today I decided to get on again. And guess what?!? I'm DOWN .6#, not from yesterday, but from last week! So down 2.5# from yesterday! Maybe Tuesday is just my "fat day" every other week???

On a completely different topic, I am SO excited. I actually DROVE to the grocery store today! It was no problem. No different from my usual driving, since I almost always drive 1 handed, and in the past month or so I've been practicing using just my left hand. This GREATLY improves my quality of life around here! I just hate being chained to the house, unable to drive. So now, at least locally, I've got WHEELS!!!! Woo Hooo!!

 

[goldcupmom]

Fav Exercise - Well, I'm another with ankle problems. Mine was rebuilt in '76 when they told me at age 16 it was experimental surgery & I had a 20% chance of ever walking normal again. Fooled them!! Walking is probably my fav, but last year I started lap swimming & found that I had to concentrate so hard on not drowning that it blocked out all the stress thoughts & my non-stop to-do list that's constantly whirring in my head.

Obstacles to exercise - Family, chauffering kids whose vehicles don't run, not wanting to do things alone - as in tonight DD & I were to go to Total Body Torture(er, conditioning) class & she backed out. Since I've only been 1x I don't feel comfortable going alone.

 

[dare2dream]

I am still waiting to hear from 24 participants for this weeks weigh in.

Tabulations are being made and I need your numbers too - no matter what they are. Please check in - your weight keeper worries about you.

PM me or email to brenda@kbelectric.biz.

Have a healthy day!

 

[lisaviolet]

OK, my favorite form of exercise (besides jumping to conclusions and running off at the mouth )

Wow Wendy. What a coincidence. Those are two of my favourites as well.

 

[lisaviolet]

My favourite type of exercise is any type of interval program. Surprisingly enough I love hard, sweat producing, heart pounding intense workouts.

Obviously someone needed to have a look at what she's eating. Somewhat.