BL challenge ~ BLUE TEAM ~ wk1

[SunShineGurl]

Hi everybody! this is a first time for me - the first time I have ever joined any kind of group for support to lose weight. At 44 and about 80 pounds over - I figure it more than about time to get with the right crowd and after meeting most of you guys through your posts, I am excited to see us working together to meet our goals.
My name is Christina, my dh is Mike (he is working behind the scenes with us) and we live in Kentucky with a couple of cats, a corgi, and dd - Molly, ds - George and 9mth old granddaughter - Alyssa. I work full-time for Starbucks making coffee. We have been married for almost 5 years and have found ourselves getting larger and our health not fairing so well.
We have a Wii and will get the Wii Fit. I have an excercise dvd I purchased 2 years ago and have still not taken out of the wrapper. shame on me! We do a lot of walking this time of year and need to get into shape for our next commando trip to the World at the end of this month!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

We have some new teammates to welcome...

Briarmom, crazyf0rthem0use, and TammyNC

More the merrier! BLUE TEAM ROCKS!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

OK, how are you guys doing with the prechallenge that was posted?

1) Start carrying a water bottle around and drink throughout the day- 6 to 8 glasses is ideal

I already do this. I have a Nalgene bottle that holds 32 oz (1 litre) and I keep it with me at all times. I think I drink 2-3 of them a day.

2) Give yourself an extra hour in the grocery store. Spend the time looking at labels and serving sizes on your common food choices and find healthier items to replace them

Haven't done this yet, although I was at the store yesterday and I avoided the potato chip aisle even though I had a huge craving for Salt and Vinegar.

[
3) Buy a pedometer. They range from $5-$20 usually or currently can be found in Wheaties boxes as the prize. You are supposed to take 10,000 steps a day.

I don't have a "pedometer" but I have the Nike Plus Ipod Sensor which is pretty much the same thing. The sensor goes into your shoe and sends data to your ipod telling it how fast you are walking, how far you have walked, how long and at the end of your work out it takes that data and tells you how many calories you have burned.

4) Locate and/or buy some fitness clothes. You need good shoes when starting a fitness regimen.

Already have some.


5) Don’t stress. You have 15 weeks to get the hang of this and get closer to your goal, so don’t go gung-ho and burn yourself out.

I try not to stress but I do anyways. My stress is not related to my weight though. Ever since the end of July I have been having random anxiety attacks, usually late at night. It is mostly a result of my overthinking my life and my recent decision to go back to school next year and other random things. I just really hate uncertainty and it causes me to get stressed and anxious.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Hi everybody! this is a first time for me - the first time I have ever joined any kind of group for support to lose weight. At 44 and about 80 pounds over - I figure it more than about time to get with the right crowd and after meeting most of you guys through your posts, I am excited to see us working together to meet our goals.
My name is Christina, my dh is Mike (he is working behind the scenes with us) and we live in Kentucky with a couple of cats, a corgi, and dd - Molly, ds - George and 9mth old granddaughter - Alyssa. I work full-time for Starbucks making coffee. We have been married for almost 5 years and have found ourselves getting larger and our health not fairing so well.
We have a Wii and will get the Wii Fit. I have an excercise dvd I purchased 2 years ago and have still not taken out of the wrapper. shame on me! We do a lot of walking this time of year and need to get into shape for our next commando trip to the World at the end of this month!

Way to go on taking a chance and joining a group. This is always so much fun and becomes a fantastic support and motivator. I look forward to hearing about your trip to the World, we will be following shortly. The Food and Wine Fest should be fun but way too tempting! I'll have to get a plan set to navigate all those food booths.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

3) Buy a pedometer. They range from $5-$20 usually or currently can be found in Wheaties boxes as the prize. You are supposed to take 10,000 steps a day.

I don't have a "pedometer" but I have the Nike Plus Ipod Sensor which is pretty much the same thing. The sensor goes into your shoe and sends data to your ipod telling it how fast you are walking, how far you have walked, how long and at the end of your work out it takes that data and tells you how many calories you have burned.

Now that sounds REALLY COOL!!! I think I would like something like that, but I don't have an Ipod yet, Maybe that will be a new investment!



5) Don’t stress. You have 15 weeks to get the hang of this and get closer to your goal, so don’t go gung-ho and burn yourself out.

I try not to stress but I do anyways. My stress is not related to my weight though. Ever since the end of July I have been having random anxiety attacks, usually late at night. It is mostly a result of my overthinking my life and my recent decision to go back to school next year and other random things. I just really hate uncertainty and it causes me to get stressed and anxious.

I know what you mean about stresses on going back to school, I really do. I went back to school to get my teaching certification. Well, I did, got my certification and then couldn't find a job. I was devastated. I really wanted to be a teacher, but I think that God has other plans for me, so I am trusting in him. It is just hard because of the school loans I took out... BUT you on the other hand hopefully will not have that problem, there are nursing jobs EVERYWHERE! and there are so many opportunities for nurses.. consulting, sales rep, along with traditional nursing, The sky is the limit and go for it!!!!

My stress comes from trying to be perfect all of the time. I am a true perfectionist and just picked up a book that I hope will help me through some of those issues. I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[CSwan1]

CSwan1, Oh my, you got married on the Wonder??? How beautiful! I love creative memories stuff. It's the best scrapbooking stuff. What kind of travel agent work do you do? How did you get involved doing that at home? Sounds like fun.

Our wedding was beautiful, if I do say so myself. It was my husbands idea to get married on vacation. We planned the whole thing in 4 months!! Creative memories is definately the best!! I do exclusively Disney vacations (imagine ) I just got into this in July but am really excited! I actually work for a travel agency in our town but I do most of my work from home.


PRECHALLENGE

1) Start carrying a water bottle around and drink throughout the day- 6 to 8 glasses is ideal

This past week I cut out soda (2-3 MT Dews a day ) and started drinking water. The headaches have been horrible- NO CAFFIENE!!

2) Give yourself an extra hour in the grocery store. Spend the time looking at labels and serving sizes on your common food choices and find healthier items to replace them

I'll try this Monday when I go grocery shopping.
3) Buy a pedometer. They range from $5-$20 usually or currently can be found in Wheaties boxes as the prize. You are supposed to take 10,000 steps a day.

I need one. I guess I'll get some Wheaties!!

4) Locate and/or buy some fitness clothes. You need good shoes when starting a fitness regimen.

Got um!!

5) Don’t stress. You have 15 weeks to get the hang of this and get closer to your goal, so don’t go gung-ho and burn yourself out.
No, stress. Right......

 

[leamom2princesses]

Hi Blue Team! I'm Leanne. I'm 34 and live in Kentucky with my DH of 9 years and my two DD's 8 & 3. I work full time and I'm a Quality Manager for a automotive company so I stay stressed all the time. About 18 months ago I joined WW and lost 20 lbs of post baby weight in about 12 weeks. Shortly after, my husband and I quit smoking and gradually I have put every bit of it back on. I have replaced cigarettes with food.

I'm really excited about this opportunity. I'm hoping to take off 20lbs before a trip to Disney Dec 26-30. My girls and I are meeting a friend and her kids to help them get through the holidays without the father that passed away unexpectantly about a month ago. I have the Firm Transfirmer series that has about an inch of dust on it where it has been sitting in the closet for about a year now. I guess it's time to pull it out and wipe it down.

I can't wait to celebrate all of our successes! GO BLUE TEAM!!!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I know what you mean about stresses on going back to school, I really do. I went back to school to get my teaching certification. Well, I did, got my certification and then couldn't find a job. I was devastated. I really wanted to be a teacher, but I think that God has other plans for me, so I am trusting in him. It is just hard because of the school loans I took out... BUT you on the other hand hopefully will not have that problem, there are nursing jobs EVERYWHERE! and there are so many opportunities for nurses.. consulting, sales rep, along with traditional nursing, The sky is the limit and go for it!!!!

My stress comes from trying to be perfect all of the time. I am a true perfectionist and just picked up a book that I hope will help me through some of those issues. I'll keep you guys posted.

Tell me about it. I got great marks in high school which resulted in my getting into a top university here in Canada. I got my Honours Bachelors Degree and couldn't for the life of me find a decent job. Now I am pretty lucky that the job I work in is pretty relaxed (I get to spend all my time on the Dis) and the schedule is very flexible if you need time off. BUT it does not pay much, certainly not enough to live off of for the rest of my life. So after much contemplation and changing of my mind I decided to go back to school for Nursing and get a second degree that will actually train me for a job and I should have no problem finding work once I am done it. They are constantly looking for nurses in the area I live in so I can work here or I can move anywhere I want and still be able to find a job. I just stress over the fact that I can't start the program until next Fall so the next 5 years of my life are going to be spent in school and working part-time.

 

[Hypermommy]

Princess Vija - yes, the picture is from cruise - Key West actually. This Western now does Grand Cayman and Cozumel. We loved the ruins at Tulum. Was too cool! I'll have to go find some of my scrap pages at flickr and show them to you sometime.

If Disney starts a diet competition with a cruise as a prize then I KNOW I'll be motivated!!!

Yeah, I'll join you and Bellybee on a mini challenge. Let's see.. mine will also have to be salty snacks. Or should I just list one thing?

Oh and I don't know if DIS lists the menus or not, but I'm sure AllEarsNet will. You could get the menus and a plan of where each of stands are in the parks and that should help, I'd think.

Patty-- @ chronic famine

CSwan - I'd love to see some of your creative memories stuff. I do digiscrapping too and have started designing over the past couple of months. I'm working on a castaway themed kit right now. And getting married on the Wonder. How fantastic!!!

Dreamer, I'm going to definitely have to read your trippies. I'll be looking forward to seeing the pics of the parade.

Hi Christina! You going to F&W? Is that already here? OMG, I remember going one year and it was soooooo much fun, but DH and I dropped like $800 in one weekend with all the food and wine. But it makes for a great memory!

Leamom, eating beats smoking. And now you can get the weight off too. I sometimes wish I could quit smoking but I did that for 10 months but never quit wanting one. Finally I got tired of arguing with myself and decided I'd rather be a smoker than psychophrenic.


Okay, re the pre-challenge:

1) Start carrying a water bottle around and drink throughout the day- 6 to 8 glasses is ideal

I can definitely do this

2) Give yourself an extra hour in the grocery store. Spend the time looking at labels and serving sizes on your common food choices and find healthier items to replace them

This would probably help me except I don't have time to actually cook. Usually when I get home I have a big, huge salad with lots of dressing and chicken. The chicken is the Tyson's frozen kind. I guess I could see if they make a nonbreaded kind. Or maybe I could get some boneless, skinless chicken, cut it into little pieces and lay them out in the freezer and once they're frozen get them into a bag. Ugh... lots of work but maybe I could find some time on the weekends, eh?

3) Buy a pedometer. They range from $5-$20 usually or currently can be found in Wheaties boxes as the prize. You are supposed to take 10,000 steps a day.

Will definitely get one!

4) Locate and/or buy some fitness clothes. You need good shoes when starting a fitness regimen.

Got those too

5) Don’t stress. You have 15 weeks to get the hang of this and get closer to your goal, so don’t go gung-ho and burn yourself out.

Little steps, little steps, that's what I have to remember is little steps.


Oh, I'm thinking about Atkins. I tried it once but ended up getting really dizzy and I already am on 2 meds for high blood pressure. What about that blood type theory? I remember hearing something about how the various blood types evolved over time and that man's diet changed over time too and that your blood type can tell you something about what types of foods are best for you to eat. Have y'all heard about any of that? Any validity to it, ya think?

Last question -- What do you do when you're at the computer and you get the munchies!?!? Not hungry -- just ate -- but just want to be chewing on something! Wish they made gum in a saltier flavor!! Can't get up and go walk or anything... I have stuff I need to do. Argghhhh

 

[ToodlesRN]

Hi blue Team!
My name is Tierre (just like Pierre) I am 30 years old been married for 8+ years. We have a 2.5 year old boy Matthew that really keeps us on our toes This is the first time I joined in a weight loss group. I am looking to loose 20-30lbs. I am still trying to get back to my pre-pregnanacy weight. I'm a charge nurse in a childbirth center I work about 32 hrs a week wearing my pedometer just at work I walk 9,000+ steps in a 9 hour day. Were a pretty active family but I do lack in the cardio department I need to start running! I do have a elpitical trainer in our spare room that I've been getting on a few times a week. The worst part is that I have gained about 15lbs in the last 3 months as I have a growing fibroid so my body is reacting like Im pregnant. On the 26th I am having surgery to have it removed and I will be off of work for 6 weeks, so Im hoping that I will loose that extra weight and be able to work out again without having abdominal pain. Im working this weekend so I may not be able to check in until monday.
Looking forward on getting to know some more diser's. I recently tried Jenny Craig for a month and lost only 1-2 lbs and followed the program to a tea, it was getting expensive so I stopped.

add to me to the list of wanting to look hot at swimming pool on the cruise, were going 1/1/09

 

[ToodlesRN]

1) Start carrying a water bottle around and drink throughout the day- 6 to 8 glasses is ideal
I drink about 22 ozs a day I need to up it by another 15 ozs.

2) Give yourself an extra hour in the grocery store. Spend the time looking at labels and serving sizes on your common food choices and find healthier items to replace them
I have always been concerned about my weight, I always read labels and think about my weight on a constant basis. We pretty much eat healthy organic foods, but we do have our cravings and splurge on fast food or really good deserts!

3) Buy a pedometer. They range from $5-$20 usually or currently can be found in Wheaties boxes as the prize. You are supposed to take 10,000 steps a day. Have one and walk about 9,000+ steps a day just at work alone.

4) Locate and/or buy some fitness clothes. You need good shoes when starting a fitness regimen. Gotta love Lululemon athletica it's about 15 mins away from me

5) Don’t stress. You have 15 weeks to get the hang of this and get closer to your goal, so don’t go gung-ho and burn yourself out.

 

[hobbester]

hobbester, Disney in December is so beautiful! Have you been there during that time? We are going next month and I simply can't wait! Tell us how that treadmil is going. Way to go on picking up some healthy foods today. That is commitment!

I was off today and ended up pushing the lawn mower for an hour, so no treadmill today. No I've never gone in December. We'll be there the 2nd week, I can't wait.

Tierre- good luck with your surgery. I have a growing fibroid also. I look like I'm pregnant or really gaining a lot of wait in my belly area. I go back to the doctor in January for a check up and look into laser surgery. Keep us informed.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Two people today have commented on how I look like I have lost weight. The scale hasn't told me anything different but that made me feel really good.

 

[Hypermommy]

Hobbester.. you'll love WDW on the 2nd week of December!!! Beautiful Christmas decorations and still lower prices. Are you going to get to catch any of MouseFest? If so you've gotta hit some of the meets. it's a blast to enjoy Disney with other people that really get it!

 

[jamesnnick]

I have really enjoyed reading and getting to know my Blue Team members! I'm Jen, and I'm 31 years old. I have been married almost 10 years to a great DH, and we have 3 kids DSS 14, DS 6, and DD 3. I work full time as a speech-language pathologist in a rural school district. At the beginning of July, I decided that I really needed to put in some effort to releasing the thin person inside of me. Since then, I've dropped 21 pounds, and I'd like to drop another 20 and see how comfortable I am at that weight (I haven't been that low in so long, I no longer have any concept of how it would look/feel on me).

My plan is to continue to moniter my calorie intake and activities using FitDay. I try to eat in the 1200-1300 range and exercise 45-60 min/day. I use a combination of the Wii Fit, exercise videos (can you say Sweatin' to the Oldies), and wogging (because I want to go faster than a walk, but really see no reason to run unless I'm being chased by a masked man with a knife).

I am super jealous of all of those cruisers in this group. We aren't planning another Disney trip until the fall of 2010, but luckily for me, I'm an incessant planner, so it will probably take me that long to get the trip properly planned.

I'm so glad to be a part of this group, and I'm looking forward to hitting my goals along with all of you.
Go Team!
Jen

 

[ToodlesRN]

I was off today and ended up pushing the lawn mower for an hour, so no treadmill today. No I've never gone in December. We'll be there the 2nd week, I can't wait.

Tierre- good luck with your surgery. I have a growing fibroid also. I look like I'm pregnant or really gaining a lot of wait in my belly area. I go back to the doctor in January for a check up and look into laser surgery. Keep us informed.

I consider mowing excerise, when I mow the lawn I bust a sweat!

My fibroid has doubled in size since given birth, it started to shrink and now it's measuring 10cms and that was measured in July on a MRI, I know it growing as my belly is getting bigger, it looks like Im pregnant between the bloating and weight gain I am now looking forward to surgery.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Before I go back and read all 4 pages, I want to introduce myself. I'm Jessi and I'll be your co-captain for the Blue Team. I apologize for not posting earlier today. Today was a crazy day for me and this is the first time I have had access to the computer, this will not be the norm.

I'm 23, and a graduate student in special and elementary education. My schedule is crazy busy right now, I teach 7th grade special ed as a pre-intern (so unpaid) half days. I then go to my own classes for two hours. I work at the Hy Vee kitchen in town Fridays through Sundays. My favorite exercise is walking my two dogs, but sadly, I might have to get rid of them . I found out yesterday that apparently they are barking whiel I'm away and the neighbors have complained (I live in an apartment.) My apartment manager is super nice and is giving me a chance to fix it. I am getting them bark collars at her suggestion. I'm hoping it works. I am already asking around to find a home for my youngest, Matthias. I am hoing that my parents will take Eragon, my oldest if it comes to that. He has a calmer disposition, and it's just til about May when I will be graduating and getting my own place. Sorry, it's been stressful the last few days.

To lose weight I have been doing Weight Watchers, I'm trying to lose 50 pounds. About thirty puonds will get me into the upper end of my ideal range, but I prefer the lower end, where I used to be before I gained all this weight.

This challenge came at the perfect time for me. I've been very lax on my discipline when it comes to Weight Watchers and have really been maintaining, not losing. I found out this week that I have prediabetes, and met with the dietary consultant today. This will help me keep the motivation I need to make the lifestyle change and nip this thing in the bud.

 

[Briarmom]

PRECHALLENGE

1) Start carrying a water bottle around and drink throughout the day- 6 to 8 glasses is ideal

No problem. I drink lots of water.

2) Give yourself an extra hour in the grocery store. Spend the time looking at labels and serving sizes on your common food choices and find healthier items to replace them

Uhh...I'm a homeschooling mom whose dh just deployed. 'Spending time' in the grocery store (which is teeeeeny btw) with 2 kids isn't going to happen. But what I will do is make a grocery list and stick to it and just not buy the crap.

3) Buy a pedometer. They range from $5-$20 usually or currently can be found in Wheaties boxes as the prize. You are supposed to take 10,000 steps a day.

I guess I can order one. I had one at one time that didn't work. It was a total joke.

4) Locate and/or buy some fitness clothes. You need good shoes when starting a fitness regimen.

Done.

5) Don’t stress. You have 15 weeks to get the hang of this and get closer to your goal, so don’t go gung-ho and burn yourself out.

No gung-hoedness. That is something I'd struggle with, so I'll work on that the most.

 

[Bellybee]

Bellybee, Happy birthday!!!! Not sure when it is... but have a terrific time! ANOTHER CRUISER???? Now I am really, really jealous! LOL! Sounds like you have a great plan set up. How do you like your wii fit? I think alot of us are emotional eaters and can totally relate with you. BUt I have to ask... what is a smelly???? YOu said "lots of lovely smellies"... flowers? Oooh, I am going to love learning new phrases! I am not a chocoholic, but I do love potato chips... maybe we can do a mini challenge with the 2 of us. I'll avoid the chips, and you avoid the chocolate.... Are you game? if you are, when do you want to start? Anyone want to join us? Hey, I am wishing you lots of luck. Sounds like you are a big planner too. I love to make detailed plans... now we need to put them into place and really work our plan.

My birthday is next Friday the 19th September. I do enjoy my Wii Fit but do not play it nearly enough. When I weighed in last night the littlle board told me he had not seen me for 23 days. tut tut. Smellies means things like body lotions, hand cream and bubble bath lol.
I am glad you said potato chips as chips are what you guys call fries.
Maybe we should start on the 22nd September and committ to only eat one bag of chips or one chocolate bar a day and it must be standard size not family and when we eat it we have to take the time to really enjoy it.
The trouble with being an emotional eater is that you never take the time to enjoy food instead you just wolf it down.
I am really looking forward to our cruise it will be our first ever cruise and I am sure it will be fab. It is 7 Day Western followed by 12 days at Pop Century and Disney I am so excited but we are going to be soooo tired.
I have all sorts of ideas of the size I want to be so I can wear lovely outfits at my cruise and not get so easily worn out as I have on my last 2 disney trips.

 

[4Goofys4Dis]

Hi Blue Team!! Just want to introduce myself too! I signed up so long ago I forgot it started yesterday!! My name is Janine and I am 37 YO. I am so happy to be doing this and want to lose at least 20 lbs prior to my Jan. 17th cruise and 10 year anniversary.

I have been fighting weight gain since I have been on prednisone for a muscle condition (I was on it for over 2 years) and the weight just keeps piling on. I just went off the medication 3 weeks ago (YAY) and am ready to get back to my normal weight. i can't seem to get started by myself! Anxiety and stress seems to always start me eating and heading to the fast food chains again!!

You are all so wonderful and can't wait to get to know you all better through this challenge. I am on-board and sending my WI immediately!!

GO BLUE TEAM!!