BL Summer Challenge 2009

[lisah0711]

It's 2 pm here and guess where I am....on the Magical Express bus!

We only have 2 nights, but it will be great anyway. We're staying in a studio at BWV. My weight is sure to go the wrong direction this week!

Donac-congrats on your spur of the moment trip. We're keeping our trip a secret from the kids, so we had to hide everything and not do much planning. They'd be ticked if they knew we were here!

Gotta go, they just started the movie!

sskem96, enjoy your trip!

 

[donac]

Dh and I go back to school on the `1st. I think he has classes on the 2nd. I start classes on the 3rd and 4th with half days. We don't think anyone will be there so we have really lost 2 days. With AP classes it is hard to lose 2 days.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Yep, I think we have a lot of vacations going on right now!

You girls enjoy your Disney trips....I've still got a while to go for mine. Dona, I love POFQ, it's my favorite moderate resort.

So, with everyone traveling or about to or just got home, let's talk about 'memorable meals'. I find that a lot of the times I indulge myself I don't even remember a few days later what I had or how it tasted. So I've been trying to tell myself to skip a fried chicken indulgence from my neighborhood restaurant, and 'save it' for some really good chicken at say, 50's Prime Time Cafe! An experience I'll be sharing with friends that will make it all that more special.

QOTD: What's one of the top meals you've had that you've been able to remember FOR YEARS afterward?

I've got two: Mama's in Boston in the 1970's (!) and The Church in Toronto/Stratford (also in the70's). Possibly because they were two of the earliest high-end meals I ever bought for myself and they were both while on vacation. THOSE were worth every calorie!

.
.
.P.S. haven't made it to the grocery store yet (stormed yesterday), BUT I WILL ON THE WAY HOME TONIGHT...I VOW!

.

 

[LuvBaloo]

August 14th is final weigh in, I do belive. Somone correct me if I've counted wrong!

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I thought this was a 14week challenge, which puts the last weigh in on Aug 21st. Lisa, is that what you had planned?


Dona - that's cool that your DH wants a trip with just you.

sskem96 - I'm feeling very jealous since I'd much rather be on that bus instead of at work.

QOTD: What's one of the top meals you've had that you've been able to remember FOR YEARS afterward?

Best meal, is from my childhood, when my Nana would handmake noodles. Its was so much fun to help make the noodles, and then get to eat them fried in butter with peas. But I think that's more of a memory of the whole thing, not just the eating them. Any meals from years ago, I'm remembering the situation more than the food. Which is a good indication, that I don't need to eat really bad since its people and location that will be remembered.

 

[LuvBaloo]

Here we celebrate our progress and recognize our superstars for Week 9 of our BL Summer Challenge!

Reminders:
-after 3 weeks of no reporting, you are dropped from the challenged – (can re-start at any time, though )
-if anybody knows they will miss weighing in, just PM and let me know ahead of time
-I don't follow the BL TV version of handling gains. All losses are the simple formula of: (last week - this week) divided by last week


First some stats

not reporting in for 3 weeks ---- 1 (they are dropped from the stats, but welcome back at anytime!)
not reporting in for 2 weeks ----1
not reporting in for 1 week -----5
Excused-----------------------2
new recruits this week----------0
weigh ins this week-------------22
gains---------------------------4
maintains-----------------------2
losses-------------------------16


Summer Between BL Challenge Week 9
weekly total group loss for week #9 = 21.5pounds

Average percentage of weight lost this week 0.58%

Total loss of everybody still participating 209.1pounds

Before the weekly superstar list comes the disclaimer. I am human and I make mistakes. If you have any questions please contact me.

Now let's get to the good stuff. Who were our superstars of week 9? This week, the top losers list is the the top 10
(That criteria may change from week to week. Hey I'm in charge here and I get paid nothin' to do this so you better take what you can get!)

The WISH Biggest Loser Summer Challenge Week 9 Superstars!!

#10-0.82% - sskem96
#9-0.89% - disney1990
#8-0.97% - Worfiedoodles
#7-1.09% - SpaceMtnFan
#6-1.12% - bobnjenn0828
#5-1.37% - pjilla
#4-1.52% - Sneezie
#3-1.54% - Eeyore's Butterfly
#2-1.60% - PrincessBride6205

and now

The WISH Biggest Loser Summer Challenge
Week 9 Biggest Loser!!


#1-2.53%- yrdlyprincess (our newest member!)


How is your week going? Are you OP (on program)? Are you exercising? Drinking that water? You know what to do to make the magic happen. Get on the wagon. We are all here to help you on the journey. We can do this one day at a time. One bite at a time.

Have a healthy day!

Congratulations yrdlyprincess!!! Keep up the good work. We have a very special clippie reserved for our weekly Biggest Loser.

This is our weekly reigning Biggest Loser clippie. We have the large version

or use this
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/31040weeklyBLsmall1.jpg
followed by

or we have a medium version

or use this
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/31040weeklyBLmed.jpg
followed by

and we have a small version

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/31040weeklyBLsm.jpg[IMG]

or use
[IMG]http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/31040weeklyBLsm.jpg
followed by [IMG]

Thanks to ohMom-Molli for these clippies. They were used for a previous BL but we can recycle. Don't they look great!

 

[sahbushka]

QOTD: What's one of the top meals you've had that you've been able to remember FOR YEARS afterward?

.

This was a tough one, but the meal I remember the most is Lefsa that was home made at my uncle's farm in North Dakota back in the 80's. We were there on family vacation when I was a tween.

Summer Between BL Challenge Week 9
weekly total group loss for week #9 = 21.5pounds

Average percentage of weight lost this week 0.58%

Total loss of everybody still participating 209.1pounds



The WISH Biggest Loser Summer Challenge Week 9 Superstars!!

#10-0.82% - sskem96
#9-0.89% - disney1990
#8-0.97% - Worfiedoodles
#7-1.09% - SpaceMtnFan
#6-1.12% - bobnjenn0828
#5-1.37% - pjilla
#4-1.52% - Sneezie
#3-1.54% - Eeyore's Butterfly
#2-1.60% - PrincessBride6205

and now

The WISH Biggest Loser Summer Challenge
Week 9 Biggest Loser!!


#1-2.53%- yrdlyprincess (our newest member!)



Congratulations yrdlyprincess!!! Keep up the good work. We have a very special clippie reserved for our weekly Biggest Loser.

Congrats yrdlyprincess and everyone who is still particapating in this challenge~ It shows great determination to still be here with all the crazyness of summer and because of your commitment here you will be that much closer to your goals and dreams come fall!

Sarah

 

[lisah0711]

A big congratulations to yrdlyprincess and all the superstars this week! Keep up the good work!

Most of our shopping is done at Super Target, which has pretty awful meat and seafood. I have never enjoyed fish I've bought frozen, maybe I'm just doing it wrong.

I have to admit that seafood in the midwest is a bit scary. Will I be driving by your Super Target next week when I am travelling down I-35 toward Albert Lea to Iowa?

I see your DVC icon coming soon -- be sure and let us know when we can say "Welcome Home!" As you can see by my signature, we
love our DVC.

Dh and I go back to school on the `1st. I think he has classes on the 2nd. I start classes on the 3rd and 4th with half days. We don't think anyone will be there so we have really lost 2 days. With AP classes it is hard to lose 2 days.

2 days in an AP class might be a whole unit!

QOTD: What's one of the top meals you've had that you've been able to remember FOR YEARS afterward?

This is a great question, Jackie, I've been thinking about it all day. The memorable meals that come to mind are memorable not for the food, but for the people I was with or the situation. When I think back to those meals I can't necessarily remember what I ate so that is a good reminder that it isn't the food that is important. That said, I have to admit that I do remember over the past several months now that I am trying to eat healthier that some of the healthy things that I've fixed tasted pretty darn good!

I thought this was a 14week challenge, which puts the last weigh in on Aug 21st. Lisa, is that what you had planned?

I had to go back and look at the sticky to see what we said when we started this in May . It was a three month challenge ending on 8/14. We can certainly extend for a week or two if we want. I will need some coaching volunteers if it goes beyond the 14th of August. Please chime in everyone and let us know what you would like to do.

Congrats yrdlyprincess and everyone who is still particapating in this challenge~ It shows great determination to still be here with all the crazyness of summer and because of your commitment here you will be that much closer to your goals and dreams come fall!

You are so right, Sarah!

Have a great evening, losers!

 

[sahbushka]

Hi all, just wanted to check in. I am doing another double at work...I have been here for 14 hours now, only 2 more to go! Anyway, everything has just been on an even keel this week. Today is no different. I only worked out 2 times this week...not nearly enough though there were some extenuating circumstances...my dh is painting the house and I get to be inside watching the kiddos...I did take them to the gym with me those 2 times and I was going to a third time but my ds4 had an absolute meltdown. He had already been to the gyms daycare earlier that day with dh and didn't want to go back again in the same day...plus he was really missing me so we spent a little time together that day. I should try taking them to the park, though it is so hot out and trying to keep my newly walking dd1 out of the heat and keep an eye on her and the ds at the same time is not easy and neither end up with my full attention which isn't fair to either of them. Maybe I will take them on a nature walk. My dd can be in her stroller and ds would like the bridges, etc. Hmmm, something to think about for when my dad comes up to visit (want to talk stress?)

Sarah

 

[lisah0711]

Hi all, just wanted to check in. I am doing another double at work...I have been here for 14 hours now, only 2 more to go! Anyway, everything has just been on an even keel this week. Today is no different. I only worked out 2 times this week...not nearly enough though there were some extenuating circumstances...my dh is painting the house and I get to be inside watching the kiddos...I did take them to the gym with me those 2 times and I was going to a third time but my ds4 had an absolute meltdown. He had already been to the gyms daycare earlier that day with dh and didn't want to go back again in the same day...plus he was really missing me so we spent a little time together that day. I should try taking them to the park, though it is so hot out and trying to keep my newly walking dd1 out of the heat and keep an eye on her and the ds at the same time is not easy and neither end up with my full attention which isn't fair to either of them. Maybe I will take them on a nature walk. My dd can be in her stroller and ds would like the bridges, etc. Hmmm, something to think about for when my dad comes up to visit (want to talk stress?)Sarah

Do you wear a pedometer, Sarah? I am thinking that all those double shifts that you work would add up to some serious activity time. Not too mention chasing after two little ones.

Hope that your family visit goes okay. Isn't it amazing how the people that you love the most can stress you out so much?

Have a great day!

 

[LuvBaloo]

Just checking in on my lunch break. Its hot and sunny here, so I really don't want to be at work, but I do want my paycheque so I keep coming to work
Tonight my plan is to take the kids up to the school and let them try out their bikes. We live on a hill, and DD7 is very timid so we have to take her somewhere flat to try her bike. The training wheels didn't fit on the bike, so she'll just have to try without them. DD4 has training wheels and isn't nearly as timid, so she'll be fine. And I'll get exercising trying to help DD7.

 

[lisah0711]

Tonight my plan is to take the kids up to the school and let them try out their bikes. We live on a hill, and DD7 is very timid so we have to take her somewhere flat to try her bike. The training wheels didn't fit on the bike, so she'll just have to try without them. DD4 has training wheels and isn't nearly as timid, so she'll be fine. And I'll get exercising trying to help DD7.

Shannon, I get a kick out of this story because we had to do the same thing with DS when he was learning to ride -- we figured it out after he hit a pine tree (he was fine). I bet DD7 will be riding around with confidence in no time. Have fun!

 

[princessbride6205]

I have to admit that seafood in the midwest is a bit scary. Will I be driving by your Super Target next week when I am travelling down I-35 toward Albert Lea to Iowa?

I see your DVC icon coming soon -- be sure and let us know when we can say "Welcome Home!" As you can see by my signature, we
love our DVC.

You won't see my Super Target, Albert Lea is in the way southern part of MN. I'm in a northern suburb of Minneapolis.
As for DVC, we are awaiting results of Disney's ROFR on our 50-pt resale contract, though already scouting our next purchase.

QOTD: Most memorable meals?
DH and I ate at Victoria & Albert's on our honeymoon. I suppose I don't remember much about the food, but it was good. Any meal at Del Frisco's in New York - world's best onion rings and steak. Any homemade cookies. Love my mom's recipes. Trying to think of other memorable foods...I might have to chime in again later.

I'm game for an extra week of the challenge, but can be flexible to whatever others want to do. I'll volunteer to coach, if you don't mind a total newbie at that.

 

[donac]

QOTD: Most memorable meals?

I would have to say Carmine's in NYC. We went with my sister and her husband. We all ordered something and the waiter told us we had ordered too much food. So we cut in half. We had this meat done in a sauce that I thought dh and bil were going to climb into the bowl and fight as to who was going to get the last drop. The meat was so tender you could cut it with a spoon. Then to top it off we went next door to see the Producer's

 

[LuvBaloo]

Just popping on to say I got my exercise tonight helping DD7 on her bike. It was over 30C here (over 90F) so helping her balance and figure out how to pedal was tiring, but a fun way to exercise. I'm planning to do it again tomorrow

 

[mikamah]

Good morning Biggest losers!! I don't even remember when I was last on here, never sent my weight last week, but I did go back and read the past few pages, . Congratulations to last weeks big losers!! Nice work!!

Memorable meals- Dona, we at at Carmine's in april and it was fabulous. What a nice atmosphere. One of my favorite places I used to go occassionally, but haven't been since I had my son was a little italian place nearby called Casa De Luca. I would always get the Tour of Italy which was a huge plate of fettucini alfredo, raviolis, and chicken parm. The bread sticks at this place are amazing, and after having bread, the portions were so huge, the leftovers would usually feed me for 2-3 days.
The other memorable meal is from a little gourmet grocery store Henry's, and when we would visit someone who had been sick, or had a baby, we would bring chicken salad with rolls and a pasta salad from here. It's delicious food, but expensive. My best friend Anne had twins and the boy was sick for a while, so we had this a lot, and whenever we have this now, we always think of that stressful time in her life. They are 10 now, and he's just fine.

Shannon- How did she do on her bike? My son is 7 also, and 2 years ago fell off his bike trying to ride and last year would not get on it (couldn't even bribe him), but this year he finally tried again, and it came pretty quickly to him.

Lisa- you must be getting psyched for your vacation. Do you have a place on the lake, or do you rent something? My son doesn't start school til after labor day either, and we have the two weeks off leading into labor day weekend. We are going to a lake in maine with my brother sister, and renting a cabin there part of the first week, and the second week, I'm hoping to go to the beach. My son wants to bike on martha's vineyard, which would be great but rumor has it Obama will be there the same time, and I wouldn't want to go near the place. I'm hoping he's only going for one week, and then we could go for a night the second week of our vacation.

Well, I haven't been eating too well, and haven't been exercising, and am up about 4 pounds in the past 2 weeks. I'm ok with it, and am cutting myself some slack, but trying to make some small changes, like coming here. I am going to walk michael to the camp bus stop this morning and then take a walk since I don't have to be in to work til 10.

Have a great day everyone!!

 

[donac]

Kathy Glad to hear that you are cutting yourself some slack.

If you don't want to go to Martha's Vineyard try Nantucket. I biked it many years ago.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Morning Losers! Sorry I was MIA yesterday (some coach,huh?). My team-mate was home ill, so I pulled double duty at work...then the big boss took us for cocktails at the end of the day. Had a lovely martini and did fairly well on the bar food (some pork and a couple of FRIED shrimp...little ones).

Well, one thing we haven't talked about is....the dreaded exercise. At least dreaded for those of us who DON'T DO IT! I have six weeks before I fly to WDW and I need to step up on my walking, or it could be a pretty miserable vacation (walking from park bench to park bench). So, here's the QOTD:

QOTD: What way can you start or kick up your exercise to help you on this weight loss journey?

I've got to get back in the pool. Stupid monsoons have brought thunder and lightening into the valley most nights, so I need to be out there on the few days I won't die swimming! But more important for me right now is to get walking. We even have a treadmill at work, so there is NO excuse for it not being convenient/bad weather etc. The sneakers and t-shirt go back in the car today, so I can put in some time at the end of the work day. How about you?

.

 

[lisah0711]

I'm game for an extra week of the challenge, but can be flexible to whatever others want to do. I'll volunteer to coach, if you don't mind a total newbie at that.

Thanks for volunteering to be coach if we go an extra week on our challenge.

Lisa- you must be getting psyched for your vacation. Do you have a place on the lake, or do you rent something?

Kathy, it is great to hear from you. It sounds like you had a good plan to keep reasonably on track and do what was best for you during this difficult time and did it! Good for you! And a to you and Michael.

I am so ready for our vacation next week. We have a place on Lake Okoboji in Iowa -- an ancestor of my husband's bought it in 1893 for $350. It is a funky, old place, fillled with castoffs from the farmhouse. Part of the house is still original, it has the wavy glass and all. It will be a big family week and the kids (an adults) have a great time.

Well, one thing we haven't talked about is....the dreaded exercise. At least dreaded for those of us who DON'T DO IT! I have six weeks before I fly to WDW and I need to step up on my walking, or it could be a pretty miserable vacation (walking from park bench to park bench). So, here's the QOTD:

QOTD: What way can you start or kick up your exercise to help you on this weight loss journey?

I think that you've been a great coach this week, Jackie, and thank you.

Ooooo! The dreaded exercise . This is exactly what I am working on this last month of the challenge. I have to get an active lifestyle going -- it is the only thing that is going to make this happen for me. I did the Shred yesterday. I am very sore today. Today, I will do a Leslie Sansone 2 mile walk video.

I worry about walking for DL next month, too, so just walk, walk, walk, wherever I can as much as I can before a trip. It really makes a difference, especially with my plantar faciitis.

Jackie, I know it is hard to exercise in Phoenix this time of year. It is hot and humid and who the heck wants to get hotter and sweatier working out?!? I've read "walking" in the pool is good exercise as well as swimming. Do you have a routine that you do when you swim? Maybe you can take some tunes to listen to while you use the treadmill at the office.

Have a great day everyone and don't forget to PM your weigh in and COW info to LuvBaloo and donac tomorrow.

 

[donac]

QOTD: What way can you start or kick up your exercise to help you on this weight loss journey?

I just got my cast off my foot and it is still swollen. I just got back from making arrangements for physical therapy starting next week. I know I need to take it slow but I am like Lisa. I am going to DW next month and so I need to do some walking. Dh has already said he would rent me a wheelchair if need be. We are also going just the 2 of us so if we have to take it slow we can.

I am up for another week if we can swing it.

 

[pjlla]

Morning all you losers! Sorry I haven't been around much. I tried to go back and read the last few pages to see what I have missed. It looks like I missed some fun QOTD, but I won't bother to try to catch up on them now.

I would definitely vote to extend this challenge a week or two and I would be up for coaching again if needed. That said, I will be away from Aug 15 - 22 and probably won't have internet connection.

I'm not sure where the scales will be for me this week. I have had some eating challenges (like movie theater popcorn TWICE!), but I have definitely kept up with my food journaling and exercise, so it shouldn't be all bad news tomorrow morning. We'll see.

QOTD: What way can you start or kick up your exercise to help you on this weight loss journey?

Tough question. Just actually doing some exercise is an accomplishment, at least for me. But after turning the corner into my 40's a few years ago, I am finding that just dieting doesn't do it any more. I MUST exercise if I hope to lose weight and keep it off. It is just that simple. And 30 minutes a day is really not enough. I am trying to make 45 minutes the norm with a few days a week of 60 minutes.

I did find that buying some new exercise DVDs has helped. Some are harder (like the 30 day Shred and the BL Cardiomax) and some are definitely easier (Leslie Sansone WATP series). But it is GREAT to have a variety to choose from, depending on my mood and motivation level. Plus I have a treadmill, a Cardioglide (bike type thing), Wii Fit, and Wii Active, and several different type of hand weights and ankle weights. And I use them ALL!! Plus we have a Y membership and I go frequently during the school year when DD is at swim team practice.

If someone is looking to start exercising, I would highly recommend the WATP series. They are easy to follow, not terribly challenging, and quick.

As far as kicking up a routine, I find that adding weights (hand weights and/or ankle weights) really kicks up the intensity level of many workouts (treadmill, WATP, etc). And sometimes I divide my workout into a few shorter workouts.... like 30 minutes in the morning and another 30 in the evening.

By far, the best exercise motivation I have ever had was the thought of walking around WDW! As you all know, you walk a lot in the parks and the thought of tired legs, sore feet, and feeling winded was not too appealing for our last trip. So EVERY time I was on the treadmill I would imagine myself walking from attraction to attraction. I would picture in my head what I was walking past and what I was seeing and hearing. For example, I would start by picturing myself walking under the RR station in the morning and seeing a fresh, sunny Main Street ahead of me. I would pick which side of the street to walk down and try to picture all of the different stores/restaurants along the way. Then I would picture the castle and then decide where to walk next. If I pictured walking to Space Mountain I would imagine myself turning right and crossing the Tomorrowland bridge.... etc, etc, etc. You get the idea. It was fun to see how much I could remember without a map. Sometimes, so speed things up, I imagined that I was rushing to get a spot for the parade or the fireworks or to meet up with family. It sounds silly, but it was a fun distraction.


Has anyone discovered any new fun foods or recipes lately? I made myself a rolled tortilla sandwich the other day that I thought was really yummy. I spread 1 wedge of LC cheese, topped it with a few TB of guacamole, a few TB of taboule salad, and a few handfuls of baby spinach. It was spicy and yummy. For a few more points, one day I added a TB of spinach and artichoke hummus. Very tasty.

For tonight I am putting a whole chicken in the crockpot. I will probably serve the family stuffing for a starchy side, but as it is the night before weigh-in, I will skip that for tonight. I will also be making cauliflower and cooked carrots. Not terribly exciting... oh well.

I will try to hop on again later today, as I am home all day (for a change). I hope everyone is doing well..........................P