BL Summer Challenge 2009

[mikamah]

Good morning everyone.

I haven't been on much this week, my computer is running real slow, and it's been one of those weeks. I thought I'd have time to catch up and answer the qotd now, but it took me longer to read what I've missed. Those are some great qotds, and I'm going to come back and post later. The sparkpeople quiz sounds great. I will do that also. When I read that post, it made me cry, because have been in the action phase before, and done so well, and I've just been going backwards, and lately have been so exhausted and emotional, and not able to get motivated to do much of anything. I'm not going to give up, and will keep trying, and I know one day, I will get back on the program. I've gained the past 6 weeks at ww, but I still keep going.

So many of you are doing so awesome, and are so inspiring, and it is great to come and read about your successes. The support here is wonderful. Congratulations to all the biggest losers this week.

If my computer lets me, I'll be back tonight to answer the qotds, and hopefully to be inspired to get up and move a little.
Have a great day.

 

[LuvBaloo]

I just noticed I had left the comment amount the biggest loser making goal weight in the results posts. That comment was from last week, so once again the dreaded error from copying the old post bites me.


QOTD: journaling

I try to log my food on WW online, but am guilty of missing days when things get bad.




Mikamah! You need to be proud of what you have done! It takes strength to keep checking in when life has gone hectic. Last week you had a maintain, which is better than at 6 of us including me. You know what worked for you in the past, and you will get back there. You gain inspiration for this thread, but you also provide inspiration!

 

[princessbride6205]

I'm so excited! This is my first time as the Biggest Loser. Thanks for everyone's comments.

QOTD: What are your going to do today to help your mind-set maintain a healthy relationship with food?
I brought my breakfast and lunch to work - both healthy options. I will not beat myself up at dinner - we have a work function at Buca di Beppo - and I'm kind of dreading what I will find to eat there. My plan is small portions and eating slowly. Since this was yesterday's question, I can comment that I ate pretty well yesterday, but I let my dinnertime hunger go a little nuts and ate snack while I was making dinner. That is an old pitfall of mine, so I'll just have to watch that. I can acknowledge that while I don't always love preparing healthy foods, I do feel good about myself when I eat fruits, veg, etc. It also helps to think about modeling healthy food relationships for DD. We've worked out a system where she is willing to lick any food to try it (not as good as a bite, but we'll get there). If she doesn't want it after her lick, that's ok. Last night she licked a papaya and decided she liked it enough to keep eating it.

QOTD: Journal?
Not so much. The first half of this challenge, I was an avid journaler, charting every calorie. Once I figured out what I could eat and stay within my cals, I was able to continue that without charting everything. In my head, I try to add up an estimate of calories each day, mentally track my servings of produce, and exercise 5x a week.

 

[FLAngie]

Good morning everyone.

When I read that post, it made me cry, because have been in the action phase before, and done so well, and I've just been going backwards, and lately have been so exhausted and emotional, and not able to get motivated to do much of anything. I'm not going to give up, and will keep trying, and I know one day, I will get back on the program. I've gained the past 6 weeks at ww, but I still keep going.

You have been there before and I know that you can do it again. Just that you are not willing to give up tells me that!


Great job to PrincessBride6205.


So the QOTD is Do you journal? Do you like it? What do you journal? Do you feel that journaling makes a difference for you in your weight loss journey?

Today if the 4th day of journaling and I hate it. I am not really sure that it is helping or not. I do seriously think about what I eat because then I would have to write it down. On the other hand, where I use to just grab a couple of raisons or something else I now measure the serving and it is usually more that I would have taken. I am journaling my exercise now however, and I think that I can stay better on track with that since I don't want to have any blank spaces there

 

[corinnak]

Good morning everyone.

When I read that post, it made me cry, because have been in the action phase before, and done so well, and I've just been going backwards, and lately have been so exhausted and emotional, and not able to get motivated to do much of anything. I'm not going to give up, and will keep trying, and I know one day, I will get back on the program. I've gained the past 6 weeks at ww, but I still keep going.

Oh Kathy, I've been there too. You are a tenacious woman and I am so impressed that you are continuing to go, in spite of and because of the past 6 weeks. You have been in the "groove" before, so you know where it is, and I know you will get yourself in again when life permits.


QOTD: What are your going to do today to help your mind-set maintain a healthy relationship with food?

Yesterday was a 13 hour car trip, and I wished I'd had more fresh vegetables, but we'd used them all up in a stir fry the night before. I did cut up apples, popped some Smart Pop and put it in baggies and brought hard boiled eggs as well. It was good to have those things along for the car ride!


So the QOTD is Do you journal? Do you like it? What do you journal? Do you feel that journaling makes a difference for you in your weight loss journey?

I could not do what I do without journaling. It is vital, crucial and the thing that makes everything work for me. That said, I have a strong resistance to journaling when I start (note, I have started journaling LOTS of times). I wish I didn't have to do it. I would rather keep track in my head. It seems like such an extra bother. "Journaling" is what I surrendered to when I realized that I was not going to ever be able to get control of my weight on my own.

I really like to know how much I have yet to eat in a day, and journaling really makes that possible. I have a tendency to go to the extreme ends of the spectrum. I either eat WAY too much, or if I "try to eat less" eventually, I get to where I'm eating nowhere near enough, and then that is bad too. At this point, I have no illusions that I can keep track in my head of what I've eaten or how many points I have left for the day,. I like the WW online journaling, but when I can't use that, writing things down on regular paper works too. I can go a few days or even a week without journaling on a trip, but beyond that, "creep" starts to creep in, so I always journal when I'm home.

The one other thing I can say for journaling is that for me, it has gotten easier over time. It doesn't feel so much like a hassle anymore.

All right, now that my "Ode to Journaling" is done...

Princessbride - congratulations! I'm sure you'll do great at that dinner. Buca is a tough one, for sure, but your plan sounds like a good one to me. Your "Cute girl" story made me smile. I'm also in the Twin Cities area, by the way!

Shannon - I LOVE that grocery store information! Thanks for sharing it.

 

[mikamah]

Thanks everyone for the hugs and support. I am feeling a little stronger, and after reading the ode to journalling, I think I am going to commit to journalling for the next week. I'll start saturday after ww. I have a wake and funeral tomorrow and friday, my cousin who was only 56 died also of lung cancer, so I know I won't do anything til sat. My son and I are planning to buy the wii this weekend, and other than that it will be a low key weekend. I've been trying to keep busy on the weekends, and do fun things with him, but I think a weekend to chill out at home will be good for us.

Sunday QOTD -- What is your absolute favorite Disney ride? And is there a Disney ride that you don't care whether you ever ride it again?

I would have to say splash mountain, and peter pan. just can't pick one. I don't ever care to ride rock-n-roller coaster again. I'm glad I rode it once, but I don't like the upside down coasters anymore.

ITA about working less if you can when your child is younger. I work 4 days a week and love it. I've worked all my life and can continue to do so later but I can never get these precious years of my son's life back. I am a one chick hen so it makes it even more important to me!
that is so true, these precious years are really flying by. I watched my son walk into camp alone for the first time so cute with his baseball cap and back packe, and thought, wow, he's getting so big, and independant, so fast.


So the QOTD for today is this: What would you do if you had an hour or two, or even a day, at home to yourself?

I would make a cup of tea, and watch an old movie, sleepless in seattle and city of angels are two of my favorites. Which one would depend on if i was in a laughing or crying mood.

Monday QOTD -- Are you ready to change your lifestyle to a healthy one? Or if you are there, what was the one big change that helped you get there?

I'm going to go do that quiz now. I don't think I'm quite ready again, but I think I will be soon. After next week, I'm on vacation for two and half weeks, and that will be really nice. Then it's back to school, and I will get back into my morning exercise routine then for sure.

Eye-catching at eye level: More expensive items with higher profit margins are placed at eye level, while the shop's basics range will be on the floor—companies actually pay more to have their products at eye level, as shoppers are considered "lazy" and will see them first.

I found this one very interesting. I'll have to consciously look at the bottom shelves more.

If hunger is not the problem, then food is not the solution.
(this one reminds me to stop and think: if I'm eating because I'm stressed its not going to fix the stress

Stephen R. Covey:
Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly.
(This one reminds me that I'm the only one that can get me going, so I have to just do it!)

!

Great quotes, and the first one is so true, yet so hard to remember when that stress hits.

So the QOTD is Do you journal? Do you like it? What do you journal? Do you feel that journaling makes a difference for you in your weight loss journey?

!

I have faithfully journalled in the past, and always did well. Even if I went beyond my ww points, which I did many times, if I kept writing it all down, I found I would still see a loss. Knowing that I am writing it down, definitely helps keep me in check. Journalling definitely makes a difference for me.

Thanks Lisa, for the great qotds. I'm off to check out those articles you quoted.

Have a great night.

 

[lisah0711]

Good morning, losers!

mikamah, a big to you. You are in a hard place in your life now and taking care of yourself and Michael have to be your top priorities. I know when you are ready, you will be back in the groove and moving forward. Just stopping to rest and reflect is a good thing for you now. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

corinnak, good plan while travelling. Road trips can be especially challenging food wise because they seem to go on and on.

Angie, it is hard to journal at first but it is worth a try. All these ideas are just suggestions for what might work for you -- only you know whether it will ultimately help or hinder your efforts.

I received this email from sparkpeople.com this week:

Cultivating what gives you joy

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

- Goethe

The easiest way to identify what our heart wants is to examine the feelings that surface when we relate to that subject. Do you find solace when picking up your journal to write a daily reflection? Does time spent with your family thrill you to tears? What feelings arise when you chase down the things that make your heart flutter? True happiness comes when we routinely engage in positive activities that we love. Take a look at your life as a whole. Pursue the things that make you feel alive and fill you with joy and healthy balance.

Which leads me to the QOTD Do you feel like you are cultivating the things that you enjoy in life? If so, how? If not, what are you going to do to change that?

I feel like I can definitely use some improvement in this area of my life, especially now. Both my husband and I have midwestern backgrounds and grew up with the mantra that you couldn't enjoy yourself until your work was done. Well, guess what? The work is never done!

I need to make more time and devote more energy to the things I really like doing and work harder to get rid of things that I don't. Now, I know that everyone has to do things that they don't particularly want to do -- how many times do you tell your kids that? But how often do you tell your kids to follow their hearts and do things they really enjoy? Even if it means that something else, i.e. picking up gets left undone?

I am finding as I am taking better care of myself that I have more time and energy to get to do things that I enjoy and I hope that as that continues that it will help me to fulfill the need that I had been feeding with food and fill it with something better for me.

Have a great, OP day, losers! Don't forget to PM your weigh in to LuvBaloo tomorrow!

 

[LuvBaloo]

Cultivating what gives you joy

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

- Goethe

QOTD Do you feel like you are cultivating the things that you enjoy in life? If so, how? If not, what are you going to do to change that?

My answer is sometimes, and I'm always working on it. I try to make sure and do some of the little things that make me smile. I find a few minutes every day to tickle my kids because they like it and I know one day they'll be old to want it. I also am trying to make sure and do some cross-stitch this summer because I really enjoy it and find it relaxing.
What I really need to work on, is to not get so caught up thinking about my problems finding a different job, that I do nothing but worry and stress. While I don't like my job anymore and really don't like DH's commute, it is still a good paycheque and allows me to do most things I want to outside of work. So I'm going to keep plugging away at courses that will increase my odds of getting a job I'll enjoy more, and keep reminding myself to make play time for myself, for me & DH and for us as a family.

 

[sahbushka]

Great Job, Losers!

Even if you didn't make the list, still working on weight loss at this late date in August deserves a hand of applause, so I'm giving it to everyone!

I think our momentum is really starting to build. 5 weighins is plenty of time to lose alot -- think how happy you will be in Sept. if you keep going now!

Maria

But that's the thing....LuvBaloo put everyone on the list this week! The number 10 spot was for everyone still reporting in!

So the QOTD is Do you journal? Do you like it? What do you journal? Do you feel that journaling makes a difference for you in your weight loss journey?

My answer is yes, I journal. I am getting to like it and I find it helps me stay focused and make better choices. It keeps me honest because otherwise I tend to underestimate what I ate and overestimate the benefits of exercise. The weeks that I concentrate on my journaling are the weeks I have the best results. That being said, I am journaling every single day for the rest of this challenge and probably for the of my life!

Have a great day, losers!

Yes, I journal. I really enjoy it because I like having the blank piece of paper and determining what will go on it. It seems like there are so many possibilities! It has really helped me. I track food, water, vitamin, activity and once a week I write down how I am feeling about my progress and what is going on with me in general which may give me insight on how the things around me effect me and my choices.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Sarah

 

[pjlla]

Good afternoon losers! I have spent a few minutes catching up here. I won't bother to go back and answer all of the QOTD, but I did read many of your replies here. It is so nice "getting to know" you all on here. I will answer a few recent questions though...

Do you journal? Do you like it? What do you journal? Do you feel that journaling makes a difference for you in your weight loss journey?

I DO journal EVERY bite EVERY day. And I think that it has made all of the difference in the world... I think it is a KEY reason why this "diet" thing seems to be sticking this time when it hasn't in the past. So far I have about 6 regular spiral bound notebooks filled with my food journaling. I did it in a Word document for about the first 4 months, but I found it a bit of a pain to have to hit the computer three or four times a day to journal, so I went back to the old fashioned way. I also note my exercise at the top of the page, along with any quick notes about what is going on in life (for example, if I am away or eating at a friend's house or if things have been stressful). I journal my weight every Friday and make a note how much I am up or down. I write down my TOM and other pertinent things like that, so that I can maybe track any bloating or unexpected weight changes.

I don't go into too much detail and I have my own little bit of "shorthand" for certain things, but as long as it is readable to me, it works. One page per day... a few lines per meal, exercise at the top, additional notes where ever there is space, and my daily points total at the bottom. I also log my water intake if I think I have been slacking off on it.

It has been SO helpful to look back at what works and what doesn't... and I am NOT kidding myself about how much exercise or how many calories... it is right there in BLACK AND WHITE.

Do you feel like you are cultivating the things that you enjoy in life? If so, how? If not, what are you going to do to change that?

Not enough. I am trying to work in more time scrapbooking because I enjoy it so much and it gives me such a sense of accomplishment and creativity. But sometimes I feel like I "shouldn't" work on it until all of the other necessities in life are caught up... and by the time that is done, I am out of time and out of energy! And sometimes I feel like I shouldn't bother to get into it unless I have hours to devote.... but I am trying to change these mind-sets. I am trying to sit down and even do just a little every day or so... and more when I have the time. It is nice to know at the end of the day that I have accomplished something that won't need to be done again tomorrow, like the laundry and dishes do.

I'll be around later.............................P

 

[SpaceMtnFan]

Hi gang I have been on vacation for the last 4 days. I am in Delaware County Ohio. Yesterday I went to the Columbus Zoo. It was a warm and sunny day. I have been enjoying my time off staying with my Mom and Stepdad. I will return to work on Monday. As for me maintaining my weight after I lost 45 pounds I have been walking up and down the streets of Delaware City Ohio with A Waterbottle in my hand. Have a great weekend

 

[princessbride6205]

Good morning (well, almost lunchtime for some)!

First I need to answer the last QOTD: Do you feel like you are cultivating the things that you enjoy in life? If so, how? If not, what are you going to do to change that?
I didn't answer this question right away, because I had to do some thinking on it. I think I'm getting better at finding the little things I enjoy and doing them, like taking walks outside and reading a good book. But the type of joy in the great quotes from Lisa, I definitely don't cultivate. My greatest joy has always come from performing - I've been singing and dancing since I was 3. It's now been 3 years since I've done anything related to performing. I really miss it, but don't know how to make time for it, since I work full time and have a toddler. If I auditioned and was in a show, I literally would only see DD during waking hours 1 or 2 days a week for 2.5 months, what with rehearsals and then performances. I don't think I could ask DH to take care of her every weeknight, since this would be unpaid. I'm not sure of a way to ease into it - even community theatres have a lot of rehearsals and time commitment. I'm going to start looking at audition opportunities at least and see if I can find anything with less of a time commitment.

After my Biggest Loser title last week, I've gained back 1 pound. I had been working for a maintain this week, but it wasn't to be.

Anyway, I am coaching this week and will be back in a little bit to post...

 

[sahbushka]

I had a small loss this week but it was to be expected after a great loss last week. Drink that water folks!

Sarah

 

[princessbride6205]

Hi folks - I am your coach this week!

For those of us who didn't have a great weigh-in or had an off-plan week, here is a quote:
"You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there." -Unknown Author

QOTD: How does your weigh-in affect your plan for the coming week? How can you turn your weigh-in result (whether it was a gain, loss or maintain) into motivation to stay on plan this week?

I had a small gain this week which is motivating me to step up my plan. I know I can be more active and increase the intensity of my workouts this week. My challenge will be food. My family is visiting and they love to cook big, healthy meals and pour the wine. Great that they are healthy foods, but it's a bit of a challenge not to eat too much. I'll work on it.

 

[lisah0711]

Thanks, princessbride6205, for being our coach this week!

I loved your quote!

I have company today so am just popping in -- will come back later and reply to the QOTD.

Our group is quiet on week-ends lately -- I am sure that we are all working hard on our plans!

 

[mikamah]

Good morning everyone.
Hope you all had a good weighin day. I was up again, but I really feel that for the last time, this is going to be my high. We bought the wii yesterday, and I'm going to get the wii fit, too, and I started journalling again today, and am going to do it for one week. After this week, I am on vacation for 2 and a half weeks, and really looking forward to regrouping, and relaxing. We have a few 3-4 day trips planned, but very low key, and I'm already thinking of a plan for bringing healthy foods.

Which leads me to the QOTD Do you feel like you are cultivating the things that you enjoy in life? If so, how? If not, what are you going to do to change that?

At times, I do feel like I do cultivate what I enjoy in life, but not all the time. I love spending time with my son, just playing, or travelling, and think we do a lot together in our free time. If we plan a weekend out, sometimes that's better than just hanging home a weekend, because there is too much to do here, and I don't enjoy the little things, and the joy of watching him at home as much. I would love to get more into photography, and had bought a dslr 2 years ago with the plan to take a course, and get more into it, but haven't yet.

Hi folks - I am your coach this week!

For those of us who didn't have a great weigh-in or had an off-plan week, here is a quote:
"You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there." -Unknown Author

QOTD: How does your weigh-in affect your plan for the coming week? How can you turn your weigh-in result (whether it was a gain, loss or maintain) into motivation to stay on plan this week?

Thanks for coaching Princessbride!!
My weighin at ww today was up to 210, which was painful. It wasn't long ago, I had vowed never to go over 200 again. I know I need to focus on getting healthier again, and to do it for my son, so I can be around a good long time for him. Plus, if I'm exercising and in better shape, I enjoy getting out and playing with him so much more, because I can breathe better, and it doesn't hurt as much. I am going to spend this week eating healthy, and moving more, and start my vacation out on a good foot.

Thanks, princessbride6205, for being our coach this week!

I loved your quote!

I have company today so am just popping in -- will come back later and reply to the QOTD.

Our group is quiet on week-ends lately -- I am sure that we are all working hard on our plans!

Thanks, Lisa, for coaching last week, and for the hugs and support. Hope you enjoy your day with your company.

Hi gang I have been on vacation for the last 4 days. I am in Delaware County Ohio. Yesterday I went to the Columbus Zoo. It was a warm and sunny day. I have been enjoying my time off staying with my Mom and Stepdad. I will return to work on Monday. As for me maintaining my weight after I lost 45 pounds I have been walking up and down the streets of Delaware City Ohio with A Waterbottle in my hand. Have a great weekend

I went to the columbus zoo once, and it was awesome!!

Have a great day everyone!!

 

[LuvBaloo]

Hi everybody!
I slept in yesterday so I did my weigh in this morning and had a 2.6lb loss which more than makes up for last weeks gain. I'm just 0.1lbs away from a new clippie and it will be so nice when I get there. Now hopefully I can stay focused and not have a gain next week. And I'm down a notch on my belt.

Thanks to Lisa for coaching last week! and an early thanks to this week's coach, Princessbride6205!

"You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there." -Unknown Author

QOTD: How does your weigh-in affect your plan for the coming week? How can you turn your weigh-in result (whether it was a gain, loss or maintain) into motivation to stay on plan this week?

For me, when its a gain, I try to just remember why I want to lose weight, and try to think about the downward trend I've got going and stay positive. If its a loss, I have to be careful not to want to celebrate and go crazy eating things I shouldn't. I have to stick with moderation.

Good morning everyone.
Hope you all had a good weighin day. I was up again, but I really feel that for the last time, this is going to be my high. We bought the wii yesterday, and I'm going to get the wii fit, too, and I started journalling again today, and am going to do it for one week. After this week, I am on vacation for 2 and a half weeks, and really looking forward to regrouping, and relaxing. We have a few 3-4 day trips planned, but very low key, and I'm already thinking of a plan for bringing healthy foods.

Have fun with the Wii!

 

[princessbride6205]

Good morning everyone.
Hope you all had a good weighin day. I was up again, but I really feel that for the last time, this is going to be my high. We bought the wii yesterday, and I'm going to get the wii fit, too, and I started journalling again today, and am going to do it for one week. After this week, I am on vacation for 2 and a half weeks, and really looking forward to regrouping, and relaxing. We have a few 3-4 day trips planned, but very low key, and I'm already thinking of a plan for bringing healthy foods.
Thanks for coaching Princessbride!!
My weighin at ww today was up to 210, which was painful. It wasn't long ago, I had vowed never to go over 200 again. I know I need to focus on getting healthier again, and to do it for my son, so I can be around a good long time for him. Plus, if I'm exercising and in better shape, I enjoy getting out and playing with him so much more, because I can breathe better, and it doesn't hurt as much. I am going to spend this week eating healthy, and moving more, and start my vacation out on a good foot.

Sounds like you've got great plans to start achieving the weight loss you want. We'll be here to keep cheering you on!
The Wii is great for people getting into fitness. IMHO, the Wii Fit is not a great stand-alone fitness tool. But my DH is living proof that it can help you get there. Even though he didn't do the workouts very often, he loved the weigh-ins and charting on there. It kept him motivated, and he's lost 25 pounds in the past 5 months. Have fun with the games and it will definitely help you get moving!

Hi everybody!
I slept in yesterday so I did my weigh in this morning and had a 2.6lb loss which more than makes up for last weeks gain. I'm just 0.1lbs away from a new clippie and it will be so nice when I get there. Now hopefully I can stay focused and not have a gain next week. And I'm down a notch on my belt.

Thanks to Lisa for coaching last week! and an early thanks to this week's coach, Princessbride6205!

For me, when its a gain, I try to just remember why I want to lose weight, and try to think about the downward trend I've got going and stay positive. If its a loss, I have to be careful not to want to celebrate and go crazy eating things I shouldn't. I have to stick with moderation.

Congrats on your loss this week! I'm like you in that if I have a loss, I sometimes ease up and want to celebrate. Good idea to keep thinking about your downward trend. Even though I've been yo-yoing a little each week, My overall trend is definitely downward.

Lisa - I forgot to say yesterday, "Thanks for coaching last week!"

Since weekends are quiet, I'll just post one QOTD for Sat/Sunday combined.
WEEKEND QOTD: We've often heard the phrase, "everything in moderation." Is this something that works with your weight loss philosophy? Do you allow yourself treats in moderation or fall off the healthy eating wagon once you eat one?

I used to preach moderation, but couldn't practice that when it came to treats. When I was stressed, especially, my sweet tooth would be out of control. I'd try to control my sweet cravings, but would eat one or two things and fall off the wagon. Since starting this challenge, I've become a lot more thoughtful about my food. I've gotten out of the habit of eating candy at work. I've stopped eating unlimited quantities of food just because they are low fat (pretzels, 100 cal packs, lite ice cream, etc). Most of the time lately I can "eat just one" regarding treats. I can have 2 homemade cookies at mom's house without eating half the plate now.

 

[LuvBaloo]

Since weekends are quiet, I'll just post one QOTD for Sat/Sunday combined.
WEEKEND QOTD: We've often heard the phrase, "everything in moderation." Is this something that works with your weight loss philosophy? Do you allow yourself treats in moderation or fall off the healthy eating wagon once you eat one?

Usually moderation works for me. If I just ban the treats, I end up jumping off the wagon, but with moderation, I can usually stay on.
For treats like chips, I do best when I don't eat from the bag, and just put some in a bowl, especially if its a snack while watching TV, and then I just forget how much I'm eating and the whole bag is gone.

 

[lisah0711]

Hello, losers! Hope that everyone had a great, OP week-end.

QOTD: How does your weigh-in affect your plan for the coming week? How can you turn your weigh-in result (whether it was a gain, loss or maintain) into motivation to stay on plan this week?

I maintained this week, which was nice after two weeks in a row of gaining. I weigh myself every day so I use the weigh ins to track the trends. I really feel like I am getting to a turning point in my weight loss journey. I am exercising more and that is the key for me to lose weight. I feel stronger than I have in a long time and I like the way I feel. That motivates me to keep on making good choices, along with my Dis BL friends.

And I'm down a notch on my belt.

Congratulation on the belt notch, Shannon, and being close to a new clippie!

We bought the wii yesterday, and I'm going to get the wii fit, too, and I started journalling again today, and am going to do it for one week. After this week, I am on vacation for 2 and a half weeks, and really looking forward to regrouping, and relaxing. We have a few 3-4 day trips planned, but very low key, and I'm already thinking of a plan for bringing healthy foods.

to you, Kathy, sounds like you have a great plan to get headed back in the direction that you want to. I know that you can do it and will be there in no time!

How do you like the wii? Do you have sore muscles? We really enjoy our wii but a couple of things are not as fun as the rest -- one, I don't like how my mii puffs up like a balloon, I'm not too fond of that feature. Second, if you are doing something and don't do perfect it hangs its head in shame -- what is wrong with a good effort?!? Overall, I think it is a great gaming system and gets everyone off the couch.

Since weekends are quiet, I'll just post one QOTD for Sat/Sunday combined.
WEEKEND QOTD: We've often heard the phrase, "everything in moderation." Is this something that works with your weight loss philosophy? Do you allow yourself treats in moderation or fall off the healthy eating wagon once you eat one?

I think your idea of one question for the week-ends is a good one.

I like the everything in moderation philosophy. Nothing makes something sound good than to say that you can't have it. Better to have a few bites of something that you really want, than ten bites of other things trying to chase away the craving before you give in to the craving. I am a lot more mindful of what I eat as well as why I am eating it now.

Have a great evening all!