BL Summer Challenge 2009

[corinnak]

donac - I'm glad you made it through well and I hope you continue to feel better!

A little bit of an issue here - my computer is not working well once again and I am not going to have access to it for a few days, at least. Not that I'm the most regular poster, but just thought I'd send a heads up before I go silent for much of the next week.

The hardest part: I am going to have access to WW online only via my phone. It is better than nothing, and I am not going to complain, but it's not so good for looking up points values.

Hope everyone has a great losing week. I'll do the same and check back with you hopefully Wednesday or Thursday!

Also, I'm loving the inspirational stories this week, estherhead.

QOTD: I always try to plan ahead for those occasions, what I will be having. Sometimes a little splurge is just the thing. But at this point, my main plan is to eat dinner before I go and stick to fruits and veggies. And no mixers in my drinks. If I have a drink, even. OH, and don't bring anything to a potluck that I won't eat myself.

 

[princessbride6205]

I weighed in this morning since I was out of town this week. I am pleasantly surprised to say that I had a 1.6 pound loss. I only got in a few workouts and was at a weight-maintaining calorie level for 4 days since I was dining out every meal, but I got something right! I had healthy breakfasts, small portion snacks (unhealthy options at our meetings), lots of fruit, salads for lunches, and made okay choices for dinner (more cals than I should have, but not burgers and fries either).

I have extra motivation to stay on plan this week, because I leave next Thursday to go and visit family and have DD's 2nd birthday party. My mom is taking me shopping before the party for some new clothes, since nothing fits right now. My skinny clothes are still 5-10 pounds away and my clothes of the past 2 years are quite baggy. I'd like to look my best for the party and reach my mini goal by then: it's only 1 pound away!

QOTD: What is one healthy habit that IS you, that you no longer work at?
Drinking water. Sometimes I have to make a little effort to get all 8 glasses of just plain water, but without trying I get in 6 cups, 8 if you count milk, tea, etc. Exercise has really become a part of my routine. Minimum a few times a week - I actually WANT to work out. Feel kind of blah if I don't now.

QOTD: What to do about food pushers?
I've learned to smile and nod with a "No thanks" a lot with my mom's sisters - they are the ultimate food pushers. But then I'm used to it, and they push everything, like "when are you moving back east?" "When are you having a baby?" and now, "when are you having your next one?" A key in being able to resist the food pushing for me, is knowing where I stand before the party. Doing a weigh in that morning and having a plan for food - maybe it's a splurge day and that's okay. Otherwise, I stick to the veggie tray until the meal. Desserts though are always my Achilles heel, even without any pushing!
One co-worker tries to get me to go to Mexican lunch & unlimited tortilla chips with her at least once a week. While I'd love to go out, thinking about the calories I'd need to chart to eat there...no thanks! Bringing my lunch I am saving both money and cals, and sometimes fitting in a quick walk around the block.

 

[disney1990]

QOTD: What to do about food pushers?

That's a hard one. My DH is the biggest pusher of food. He absolutely loves to cook and most of it is fattening. So I try to just take a small bit of whatever he cooks. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

 

[estherhead]

Good Sunday morning WISHers. Instead of a long, coaching type story, today I am going to cut to the chase with the QOTD. It seems on weekends we have more time to chill and that leaves us more time to make special food.

QOTD: What is your bestest, favoritist "special" recipe or food?

 

[lisah0711]

Good Sunday morning WISHers. Instead of a long, coaching type story, today I am going to cut to the chase with the QOTD. It seems on weekends we have more time to chill and that leaves us more time to make special food.

QOTD: What is your bestest, favoritist "special" recipe or food?

Wow! This is a tough one as my favorite foods have a tendency to change with the seasons. I'm big on pasta salads, salads and things you can fix in the crockpot now -- anything easy. Yesterday, I made myself the most delicious smoothie with blueberries, strawberries and a banana -- it was my favorite food for the week. I will be interested to hear other people's responses because I am feeling a little boring here.

I had a great day, though. The weather is gorgeous. DH and I sat in the gazebo and then would work on our yard a bit. It was a nice, relaxing day and things look a lot nicer.

Hope that everyone had a great, OP day!

 

[sahbushka]

Hey all, hope everyone is having a great weekend. I am glad it is almost over. My dh brought yogurt covered pretzels into the house and I ate a bunch though I have to say that I did count the points for them all and I still have 17 flex points left for the week. I am looking forward to going back to work and getting back on my normal food schedule.

Sarah

PS I am going to be starting the c25k

 

[SpaceMtnFan]

Good Monday Morning to all. Well it has been a busy busy weekend . I was with my girlfriend this weekend enjoying a beautiful Sunday . Tomorrow is my Birthday I will be 41 years old. It's hard to believe that this year I have lost 20 pounds before Memorial day. After Memoral Day I gained 15 pounds back only to loose 17 pounds as of last week. I am looking forward to some quiet time this week at my mom's house in Rural Delaware County Ohio. As well as A great 4th of July weekend. Have a Great Monday

 

[FLAngie]

I have learned two things this weekend.... Red Licorice is the root of all evil and my own family is my weight loss worst enemy

My birthday was this past weekend and what did my loving family buy me... A 4lb. box of red licorice. It is the one food that I have absolutely no will power over, but my dd's know that I love it so that is what they wanted to buy for me. This is in addition to the 2lb. bag that DH bought me two weeks ago because I was having a couple of really bad days. The worst part is that I eat it I have tried hiding it away so that I can forget about it, but the kids ask for it too. I know that they mean well, but I feel like I should just tape it to my thighs and be done with it.

To top that off, we had a party for me and made sure that all my favorite foods were there. I guess it is time to really kick it in gear if I don't want to be way over for weigh in on Friday.

QOTD: What is your bestest, favorite "special" recipe or food?

I make a pasta salad with chicken breast, veggies, and red grapes that I love.

QOTD: What to do about food pushers?

Unfortunately, I let them push.

 

[LuvBaloo]

Corinnak - your new clippie looks great!

Donac - I hope you have a speedy recovery and are feeling good enough to enjoy doing your crafts while you sit on the couch.

FLAngie - Kids can be the worst because they are so excited to get you that favourite food. Other than special occasions are the kids good about not pushing the junk food? I've got a 4 and 7 yo DD's and I've got them involved in "helping Mommy be healthier" so they are happy to remind me what I'm not supposed to eat, and when I say no to McD they accept it. Now I just have to get them back into reminding me to exercise.

QOTD: What drastic measures have you taken to take control of food pushing situations? How do you plan for parties/picnics/holidays where the food & food pushers is/are plentiful?

I am very lucky because I don't have a lot of food pushers around me. The only time, there's any food pushers is when we have game night with another couple, and munchies are put out. But that's planned for, and nobody is truly pushing people to eat it.

QOTD: What is your bestest, favoritist "special" recipe or food?

The easiest and best potatoes are when they cut cut into bite-size pieces and have onion garlic soup mix powder put on them, and then sealed into tin foil and cooked on the BBQ or in the oven. They are delicious and the whole family loves them

 

[donac]

Hi everyone

Thanks for all the warm wishes. On sat the pain was pretty bad even with the pain meds. He had given me some a couple weeks before so that I could get the prescriptions before I went to the hospital. The pain med he gave me then said to take them every 8 hours. The paper work from the hospital had the same prescritption but it said take it every 6 hours. Once I got on the every 6 hours there has been very little pain.

The other problem is I have this 3 pound weight on my foot and I am supposed to elevate it so sleeping was a problem. I have gotten more comfortable sleeping on the couch with my foot elevated. I am sleeping in the family room so that I don't have to do the steps up to the bedroom. THere is a bathroom in the family room so it is very convenient.

I am about halfway through my first book and just restarted a baby blanket for the 3rd time.

Food has not been too bad since I can get up to get it but I can't bring it where I want to eat since I am on crutches. I have to depend on my dh and my ds's. The trouble is that I have to ask for anything. No one thinks to ask me if I need anything like water. I am dying for a cup of tea but no one knows how I fix it and I am not going to try to describe that to my guys. Oh well it is only for a another week and a half.

My neice just sent me a Disney button that when you press it says "Off with your head" so that I can call people and when I get better I can use it in my classroom.

A cool veggie that I have been fixing for my family is roasted cauliflower. Cut into flowerets, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Mix to cover. Cook in a 425 degree oven for 20 minutes. YOu might have to stir halfway through. If one side doesn't brown put under a broiler. If you like you could sprinkle with paremesean cheese.

Glad to hear everyone is doing well. Keep up the good work

 

[disney1990]

QOTD: What is your bestest, favoritist "special" recipe or food?

Not really mine, but my DH makes the best baked macaroni and cheese, with several kinds of cheeses. I actually have to ask him NOT to make it because I can sit down with a fork and just eat and eat.

 

[LuvBaloo]

There's still quite a few weights missing from Friday's Weigh In:
I won't have time this evening to post the Top Losers, so if anybody has just forgotten, please consider this your friendly reminder to send your results in to me (LuvBaloo)

50sjayne
CruiseBoundnKY
luvthemouse71
maznorm
mikamah
My2E's
Riverhill
sskem96
tessiemez
TiggersPal
uptown girl44​

 

[lisah0711]

Hey all, hope everyone is having a great weekend. I am glad it is almost over. My dh brought yogurt covered pretzels into the house and I ate a bunch though I have to say that I did count the points for them all and I still have 17 flex points left for the week. I am looking forward to going back to work and getting back on my normal food schedule.

PS I am going to be starting the c25k

Well, I think as far as "bad" foods go those don't sound too bad, especially if you managed to keep so many flex points. I find it is helpful to tell my husband about some of the surprising high point things, like a pack of Arby's Horsey Sauce (3 points) -- once he hears about it, he will make the right choice. With my DH I have to be subtle because if he thinks its naggy, my lips are moving but no one hears me speak!

I will be interested to hear how your C25k goes. I have been wanting to do that but have to wait for a few more weeks for my foot to heal. I asked the doctor if I was going to get to go swimming this summer -- he said "maybe"

Good Monday Morning to all. Well it has been a busy busy weekend . I was with my girlfriend this weekend enjoying a beautiful Sunday . Tomorrow is my Birthday I will be 41 years old. It's hard to believe that this year I have lost 20 pounds before Memorial day. After Memoral Day I gained 15 pounds back only to loose 17 pounds as of last week. I am looking forward to some quiet time this week at my mom's house in Rural Delaware County Ohio. As well as A great 4th of July weekend. Have a Great Monday

Sounds like a good visit with your Mom. I am sure that you have a plan avoid the Memorial Day issues. It is hard learning what your body will and won't let you get away with.

I have learned two things this weekend.... Red Licorice is the root of all evil and my own family is my weight loss worst enemy

My birthday was this past weekend and what did my loving family buy me... A 4lb. box of red licorice. It is the one food that I have absolutely no will power over, but my dd's know that I love it so that is what they wanted to buy for me. This is in addition to the 2lb. bag that DH bought me two weeks ago because I was having a couple of really bad days. The worst part is that I eat it I have tried hiding it away so that I can forget about it, but the kids ask for it too. I know that they mean well, but I feel like I should just tape it to my thighs and be done with it.

To top that off, we had a party for me and made sure that all my favorite foods were there. I guess it is time to really kick it in gear if I don't want to be way over for weigh in on Friday.

QOTD: What is your bestest, favorite "special" recipe or food?

I make a pasta salad with chicken breast, veggies, and red grapes that I love.

QOTD: What to do about food pushers?

Unfortunately, I let them push.

OOOhhhh, the dangerous red licorice and the little devils (aka family) that push them in the name of love. I did a quick search and it looks like you might be able to freeze some. Maybe when times are tough you could ask for things like nail polish or a new lipgloss or lotion or bubblebath. Your family loves you and were just trying to make you happy!

The easiest and best potatoes are when they cut cut into bite-size pieces and have onion garlic soup mix powder put on them, and then sealed into tin foil and cooked on the BBQ or in the oven. They are delicious and the whole family loves them

Shannon, those potatoes sound yummy. Next time we fix burgers, I will give them a try. We have been using Arnold's Sandwich thins for buns. They are very tasty and only 100 calories a piece!

Food has not been too bad since I can get up to get it but I can't bring it where I want to eat since I am on crutches. I have to depend on my dh and my ds's. The trouble is that I have to ask for anything. No one thinks to ask me if I need anything like water. I am dying for a cup of tea but no one knows how I fix it and I am not going to try to describe that to my guys. Oh well it is only for a another week and a half.

My neice just sent me a Disney button that when you press it says "Off with your head" so that I can call people and when I get better I can use it in my classroom.

A cool veggie that I have been fixing for my family is roasted cauliflower. Cut into flowerets, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Mix to cover. Cook in a 425 degree oven for 20 minutes. YOu might have to stir halfway through. If one side doesn't brown put under a broiler. If you like you could sprinkle with paremesean cheese.

Glad to hear everyone is doing well. Keep up the good work

Dona, can they bring you a picture of ice water so you can stay hydrated. Maybe buy you one of those electric tea pots for your tea. I bet if you use that "off with their heads" button enough they will figure it out and keep a better eye out for you. A bullhorn might work too.

I am glad to hear that you are progressing. I can't imagine why they work on your poor foot and then say, "oh, yeah, wear this 3 pound weight all the time on your sore foot -- that will help!?!"

QOTD: What is your bestest, favoritist "special" recipe or food?

Not really mine, but my DH makes the best baked macaroni and cheese, with several kinds of cheeses. I actually have to ask him NOT to make it because I can sit down with a fork and just eat and eat.

If he used skim milk and put some veggies in there it might not be too bad for you. That is what I like about weight watchers you can eat a little bit of just about everything as long as you keep track.

We are a quiet group lately. I hope that we are all out having fun and staying OP. Come back everyone once in awhile and tell us how you are doing.

And please send your weigh in info to LuvBaloo ASAP. I am surprised to see some of our biggest losers on there!

 

[princessbride6205]

I don't think I have a favorite, bestest, special recipe. All of our favorite family recipes are for cookies, I think. Not helping!
I have made tomato sauce from scratch a few times, and it turned out great. The secret is carrots. They add more veggies and a little sweetness. You can just dice them and they get soft enough that you don't notice, or puree with a stick blender.

I need to try some more oven-roasted vegetables, though we can never find time to spend 20-30 minutes on a weeknight meal. Lots of homemade pizza, veggie burgers and fast stir fries. Lack of "real" meals - that's one of my frustrations actually. We're working on it, but as long as it's healthy, I should probably just give up my notion of being able to cook meals from a recipe while DH and I are both working FT, have a 45-minute commute and a 2-year old! I have this notion of what I want our family to be eating, and feel guilty or upset sometimes that I'm not doing a good enough job to make that happen. I want to prepare more "from scratch" foods, shop at the farmer's market and eat lots of different types of foods. Maybe I should work on a compromise of trying 1 new meal a week (instead of Boca Burger Tuesday AND Friday - LOL!) and trying to do more "from a recipe" meals on the weekends. Last year we did a CSA, where we got a big box of organic veggies from a local farm every other Friday. I felt wasteful that I could never eat everything before they went bad, so we didn't sign up again this year. But I do miss having the surprise of a food you wouldn't normally eat and the challenge of preparing it. Sorry this whole paragraph is kind of OT.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

My favorite food changes depending on my mood. As for recipes, I love to make scones, but have not done so in a long time. A bit too carb heavy for me now. Sadly.

I WI tomorrow night. The location in Blue Springs is amazing! I had WI there last Wednesday and it was so neat. They have their own center, not a rented space like what I'm used to. Their scales are hooked up to a computer and the whole operation is rather high tech.

I think I'm going to try to make Tuesday night my WI time like it was in Kirksville. Hopefully the leader will be a good one.

 

[lisah0711]

SpaceMtnFan!

Jessi, glad to hear that you made it to Blue Springs. I am sure that you know that you aren't terribly far from Marceline!

princessbride, do you ever use your crockpot for week-night meals? It can be a real lifesaver on busy nights. Also, try some of those 5 ingredient, 30 minute meals. I agree simpler and faster is best for work nights. Really who wants to come home and put in another shift in the kitchen or doing housework?!? I've read that if you want to eat fresh produce that you have to accept that there will be spoilage at times. When my berries are starting to go round the bend, I freeze them for smoothies. We compost our fruits and veggies so if they do go, they are still put to good use.

Everyone have a great OP day!

 

[50sjayne]

Just was checking in for a second. I haven't been around much, was up a pound last week, (was astonished it wasn't more) just have had little internet time. I took a kitten in 2 weeks ago whose Mom got hit by a car that I'm bottle feeding and she's giving me a time. They are a lot of hard work but for me a kitten that age is my whole world. Those are the weeks that really form their personality and I believe every second I can spend with her is what is required. Yeah and I haven't been exercising much either.. My back's been killing me again mostly because of the hunched over bottle feeding but I'm trying to hang in there. Also the Michael Jackson thing has had me glued to the TV. Sorry-- was an 80's teen. Getting ready to go up to Portland and leaving the baby with my husband reluctantly for 2 days. I decided taking her with me probably wasn't in her best interests really. Hope husband survives...The Disney Christmas Carol train will be there the 1st and we buy our fireworks over the border there in Washington. Anyways, hope everyone is doing well, things should be settling down here in a week or so, I think she's about 5 weeks now and is starting to drink formula out of a dish. She even ate some tuna last night--I know, bad. I even went to Trader Joes and got the tuna for cats which she won't touch but regular tuna --goes to town, so that will have to do until I get back and try to get her on the Felidae canned kitten/cat stuff. I will try to get some pics up soon--I have some cute pics uploaded but just haven't had time.
Sorry again LuvBaloo for the lateness--had problems with the new router too...

 

[FLAngie]

Lisah0711- Thanks for the idea about putting the licorice in the freezer. I would have never thought of that. And if it goes bad, then it will just be less that I can eat I know that the kids bought it out of love. They gave me several other very nice gifts too but the licorice was the one they were excited about.

LuvBaloo- I like the potato recipe. I was looking for something to go with the baked chicken tonight and I think that I will try that.

Donac- If it were not for the surgery, I would be a little envious of you being able to just sit and do crafts and read. It has been so long since I have been able to take any real time for myself to do fun things. I have been working on some scrapbooks and I am now up to 1997 Hope you have a really quick recovery and your family can figure out how to make some tea for you.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Lisa -- Do you live in Marceline? I went to Truman State, and I have a good friend who lives in Salisbury (her husband is from Marceline!). It's a small world after all!

Maria

 

[pjlla]

Howdy all! Sorry I haven't been around much. Life has been busy.

donac, I hope you are doing better. Ask you family to bring you a tea tray with a cup of hot water, your tea bag and sweetener/etc on the side. Then you can prepare your cup the way you like. Put a small cooler with bottled water next to the sofa so you don't have to wait for a drink.


Lisa... is it regular red licorice or is it Twizzlers? I LOVE Twizzlers and have a real hard time resisting. We have an open bag in the house leftover from going to the movies this past Saturday. It has been calling my name very loudly. Anyhow, sometimes you just have to tell people what you want. I made it clear to the kids this year that as much as I love my Mother's day breakfast that they usually make me, I wanted something SPECIFIC for breakfast this year. I can't eat half of my day's points at 7 am in cheese omelets and buttered toast! So maybe a gentle reminder that in the future, food is NOT a great idea for a gift. Actually.... the right food is a GREAT idea. My Mom has been making WW meals for me and freezing them and giving me a cooler full of meals for my birthday for a few years now. It is great... she tries new recipes that I might not and labels everything with the points per serving. She makes soups and desserts and cookies and main dishes. It is a GREAT gift!

I had a few interesting weight-related things happen recently. First of all, for probably the first time in my entire life, I DIDN'T lie about my weight when I renewed my driver's license. I was HAPPY to write down the number from last Friday's weigh in!! What a defining moment in my weight-loss journey.

Secondly.... I tried on a bunch of jeans and shorts at the Goodwill yesterday. Everything bigger than a size 8 was too big! I've been mostly in 8's lately, but sometimes the occasional 10. All of the 10's I tried on were to big. Even some of the 8's were big. I can tell that even though my weight hasn't been dropping significantly lately, my shape and size must be changing because my clothes are just too big (again). Nice problem to have. I will definitely need all new pants for school in the fall, as I have had to get rid of every pair except one!! I have some Goodwill shorts and capris to get me through the summer and early fall. I plan on being at or below my goal weight by the time school starts up, so pants shopping should be a DREAM!

I hope everyone else is enjoying their summer. Since the kids just got out of school last Friday, it feels like our summer has just begun... somebody just needs to tell the weatherman! I feel like I am growing moldy from all this rain! I hope it clears up, at least for the day, for July 4th. Fireworks on the beach in the rain is not much fun.

I will try to hop on more regularly for the rest of the week to check in with you all. ...........................P