Easter Challenge -- week 3

[tommygirl79]

I'm at no change this week! However, it's TOM and we were at my parents this weekend which meant pizza and homemade food while PMSing so I figure not too bad if I'm even...I'm back on calories yesterday and today though. Working on the exercise thing but I'm having a hard time since it's 13 degrees out and snowing right now...

Great job to all you losers so far this week!!! We're proud of ya!

 

[fofinia]

fofinia...hope your vacation was great. I know you will do well this week.
!

Thanks Believe for the encouragement! My vacation was wonderful! Now, If only I didn't have to weigh in tomorrow morning! Although if it snows as much as they say, I may just have to put off my meeting till another day!

 

[Miandrea]

I had a great week. I am down 3 for a total of 8/20. Yippee!!

It is so wonderful reading everyone's successes - what a great motivation!

Andrea

 

[believe]

Kaysmommie...I have a phone addiction I also have a slight concern of missing a call when someone truly needs me, this began when my parents where in a serious car accident my 6th grade year.

I finally did my first weigh in...I am down 2.5.

o2bacelt...congrats on getting to the gym. I did weights today. Always makes me feel better about myself.

fofinia...not sure if I should be praying for your snow or not

I am under calories again today.....luckily a small snack around 8 is good for me, being borderline diabetic.

Can't wait to reach my goal!

I did journal today.

 

[tiggerlover]

I guess I am in good company as at weigh in tonight I am the same as I was last weigh in....no change. I should be happy since last week was such a terrible eating week and although I was good this week I was probably losing what I gained last week. So I am still at 1/6 for this challenge. I swear the last bit of weight is sooooo hard to lose!

Congrats to everyone for the determination and drive to keep pushing. Onward and downward we go!

 

[ohMom]

OH MY GOSH i just spent 20 mins typing a LONG post, hit post then got a message i wasn't logged in and now it's gone!! OH MY!!!

 

[ohMom]

ok, i'm done pouting about my LONG post and i'm back to try and repost. i didn't report anything so i had to, need closure. unfortunatley it may be shorter b/c of time now --

good morning! updated post #1 here sorry i missed yesterday, and seems like there was lots going on here!


fofinia -- back from your trip - hope it was fabulous! and need not worry you still have a green buddy however, my WI this morning did show a 2 lb loss now just one more pound to be where I started and i have a good feeling for us for next week's WI!


disneybeagle -- WTG on a loss even though you dined out more than usual!


mom (AEG) -- no hershey kisses for you young lady! just think that that public bowl of candy has been out now for over a day, and everyone reaching in there with their germy hands contaminating all the wrappers so that they are like little flu-bombs now. no touchy!

I journaled yesterday. I was under in calories, just over 1000. This is something I struggle with if I eat 'healthy' 100% of the time. I have to make myself eat my calories when I am 'healthy'. I eat 3 meals and 2 snacks, but they are healthy, so the calories are less. I feel like I either eat too many calories or not enough.

ME TOO! i hate to get to dinner with not enough budgeted calories left and then be hungry all night. maybe a powersnack in the afternoon? and believe -- to ORANGEDOM


kaysmommie -- on your loss this week!!


mikamah -- b/c i have so been there. it's hard for me to be alone at home some days where no one sees my grazing and picking and before i know it i'm sad and guilty b/c of the mindless eating or inhaling more like it. great job jumping back on the wagon and let me tell you that i'm proud of you for telling us. i'm sure that wasn't easy. how did your day go yesterday?


jayna -- maintaining is success!! for a loss next week!!


April -- here we go again! we can do it!!

I didn't want to do it but I do feel better for having done it.

Molli, how did your day at the gym go?

Chris! It is hard to get back in the swing of exercise but the rewards feel GREAT!! and maybe just maybe we are ever so slightly encouraging our non-exercisers to give it a go? anyhoo -- i ended up having a late patient yesterday and got out of work 30-45 mins later than i had planned. BUT -- i had my workout clothes and so i just walked on over, no thiking or pondering or justifying, i just did it. I did 50 mins on the TM; 40 mins of that intervals. so i ended up having a great workout and it felt sooo good knowing that I could come back here and report that I did it!


tommygirl -- i'm having similar PMS rationalizing here myself. hopefully the Whoosh Fairy will follow behind TOM for us!


andrea -- cyber high five for another loss this week!!


debbie -- hang in there! those last pounds will come off! you are a true blue WISHer and you can do it!! do you find yourself as I do losing that "I just have to do this" attitude being close to goal and thinking "I can indulge a little now b/c i'm so close" why oh why? in my head I know if i approach it like I did when i had 20 lbs to lose, then it would continue to come off. why do i ease up so close to the finish line? but you -- you and it will happen!!


well i did have a succesful day of journaling yesterday -- day two down! onward to #3...........

i'm having a small Super Bowl party here....does anyone have good ideas for healthier foods but crowd pleasing?

 

[cmsnyder77]

Well, only a .5lb weight loss this week, for a total of 4.5 lbs.

It could have been a lot worse ... my boyfriend's b-day was Monday. I made lasagna and ice cream cake and have been eating those the past couple of days ... in moderation, but it's still too many calories!

This is the point in a weight loss attempt when I usually start to struggle and question whether or not it's really worth the effort, but I am determined that I will not do that this time!

 

[o2bacelt]

I'm back from the gym. I wanted to go this morning plus it helps that my daughter is taking a preschool class at the same rec center so she has fun, they walk her to the kid care room after class and I don't have to get out of the pool.

Did 35 minutes of the deep water class. I actually came in second in our little race at the end of class today. Then I jogged a mile in the pool and dorked around for 45 minutes just moving in the shallow end, so all in all a nice day at the gym. Tomorrow is workout 2 of the Couch to 5K week one for me followed by lower body work in the gym, my legs should be rubber when I get out of there tomorrow but I should feel good.

Drove to Trader Joe's after the gym only to find that I had left my wallet at the house, bummer, so we'll go back tomorrow. I don't want to get stuck in traffic tonight so I'll just wait. I've got food at the house but was craving spinach and artichoke dip. My daughter loves it too and it's a great way to get spinach into her, the TJ's version isn't so bad and we eat it with sourdough bread or baked chips so it averages out. I'm just happy that DD will eat it, she loves that stuff and loves spinach so I can't argue with a 2 1/2 year old who will eat it. She could stand to gain a little weight, she's a skinny minnie.

I've got to make us some lunch before I get too hungry.

 

[tiggerlover]

debbie -- hang in there! those last pounds will come off! you are a true blue WISHer and you can do it!! do you find yourself as I do losing that "I just have to do this" attitude being close to goal and thinking "I can indulge a little now b/c i'm so close" why oh why? in my head I know if i approach it like I did when i had 20 lbs to lose, then it would continue to come off. why do i ease up so close to the finish line? but you -- you and it will happen!!


well i did have a succesful day of journaling yesterday -- day two down! onward to #3...........

i'm having a small Super Bowl party here....does anyone have good ideas for healthier foods but crowd pleasing?

Molli, you are a , thank you for that little pep talk, because you are sooooo right! I know what I need to do, but now that I am closer to the end I do tend to "treat" myself....I just need to get back at it like before!

Congrats on your loss and your committment to exercise...that is inspiring! I do have a couple of crowd-friendly recipes, but I don't have the time right now, I will have to check back. Off the top of my head I have a good chili recipe and a cocktail meatball recipe and I am sure I have a few others too. If you are interested in either of those let me know and I will check to see what else I can find.

cmsnyder77, a loss is a loss, congrats to you!

o2bacelt, great inspiration for the exercise....now if I can just make myself do it I would be in business!

Sorry to jet off, but I have a phone call. BBL

 

[mikamah]

I did better yesterday and today than monday with the eating. I did journal everything, but ate more than I should have, though I wasn't out of control. I'm done eating tonight!!! I really am!! I'm trying to convince myself too. This minichallenge did definitely help this week, even though I didn't stay on program, I journalled it all, and when I do that, I know I am eating less than when I stop and go hog wild. There was cake and ice cream at work today, so I had about 1/4 cup of the ice cream and no cake, and wrote it right down. It definitely helps to be accountable.

Thanks Ohmom for the kind words and encouragement. And congrats on your journalling success!!! You are an inspiration. Typical Super bowl party foods don't remind me of anything healthy. I made a dip with knorr vegetable soups mix, and used that Fage fat free greek yogurt instead of sourcream and it was very tasty. A low fat chile is always good, especially if it's going to be cold. I wonder if you stick with liquids, lite beer can be very filling. The grazing at parties is so dangerous, a veggie platter always helps. Good luck.

Keep up the great work everyone!!!!!! We can to this!!!!!!

 

[barbnbrian]

Barb checking in. Tomorrow will be Wk 2 for my WW at work session. Last week I lost 2.4 lbs. I have a feeling that tomorrow's weigh in will show a gain, but if I'm lucky, I'll have stayed the same. I do so good with journaling and watching my points during the day. When I get home from work, I start stressing and that results in me overeating! Phones ringing, kids fighting and screaming, my 18 yr old son who only comes around to talk to me when he wants something, a new puppy who no one wants to take out to go potty, the puppy going potty in the house when you turn your back, me and DH yelling at the kids because no one took the puppy outside, a house that looks like a bomb went off in it, the list goes on and on and on. I find it stressful to come home from work at night. Sometimes I feel like I belong in the Calgon commercial . . . "Calgon, take me away!"

By the time I walk through the door, I'm starving and start eating whatever is around. DH made lasagna last night for dinner. I was so hungry, I ate it. Leftovers for dinner tonight. I had a hair appt. after work, so I was starving again when I got home, and ate the left over lasagne again.

I am dreading getting on the scale tomorrow! I have such good intentions, and then a slip.

I'll report back tomorrow after I weigh in with the verdict! I better say "Good Night" so I can get up and start over again! Thanks for letting me vent my Disfriends!

 

[tiggerlover]

Mik, do we work in the same office? After a catered luncheon yesterday with flan and cake there was a birthday in the office today and another bakery cake and an ice cream cake!!!! I swear the temptations are killing me!!! But I am happy to report that I resisted, but it is soooooooooo hard!

Molli, I still haven't checked my cookbook, but I did find some recipes on the WW website. These I can't vouch for, but they may be worth a try.

Layered Mexican Bean Dip
POINTS® Value: 2
Servings: 16
Preparation Time: 18 min

Always a hit at parties, this dip is also great topped with diced bell peppers and shredded lettuce. Add jalapeno slices for extra heat.


16 oz fat-free canned refried beans
3 medium avocado, Haas, finely mashed
1/4 tsp table salt
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 cup fat-free sour cream
2 Tbsp Old El Paso Fajita Seasoning Mix, or other brand
1/2 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese
1 small tomato(es), chopped
2 medium scallion(s), sliced
10 medium olive(s), black, sliced or chopped
2 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, chopped
Instructions
Spread beans evenly over bottom of a 9 X 13-inch glass baking dish or a medium-size glass bowl.

Combine avocado, salt and lemon juice in a small bowl. Spread avocado mixture over beans; top with sour cream.

Sprinkle fajita seasoning over sour cream layer. Next, layer remaining ingredients on top in order listed.

Serve immediately with jicama slices and other fresh vegetables for dipping, or chill until ready to use. Yields about 1/4 cup per serving.
-----------------------------------
Spinach Triangles

POINTS® Value: 1
Servings: 12
Level of Difficulty: Easy

To ensure these appetizers are crispy, make sure to use fat-free cottage cheese drained of any excess water. Spray the phyllo well and work with it quickly, so it does not dry out.

10 oz chopped frozen spinach, thawed
1 medium onion(s)
1 medium garlic clove(s), minced, 1/2 tsp
3 oz feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup fat-free cottage cheese, drained
1/2 tsp dried oregano
3 sheet phyllo dough, (about 12 x 17 inches each)
Instructions
Squeeze excess liquid from the spinach and set aside.

Coat an unheated large skillet with cooking spray. Add the onions and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat until onions are tender, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the spinach.

In a large bowl, combine the feta cheese, cottage cheese and oregano. Stir in the spinach mixture.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (175°C). Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside. Place one sheet of phyllo dough on a piece of wax paper; coat evenly with spray. Repeat layering and spraying the phyllo two more time (you¿ll use a total of 3 sheets).

Cut the stack of prepared phyllo dough horizontally into six strips, then vertically into 4 strips. You should end up with 24 squares. Place a teaspoon of spinach filling into the centre of each square and fold it in half so that your square is now a triangle.

Transfer the filled triangles to the prepared baking sheet. Coat with spray. Bake until golden brown, 15 minutes. Yields 2 triangles per serving.
-----------------------
Roasted Red Pepper and Arugula Pinwheels

POINTS® Value: 1
Servings: 8

1/2 cup light cream cheese, tub-style
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp garlic salt
2 large burrito-size wheat flour tortilla(s)
1/2 cup arugula, stems removed
1/2 cup roasted red peppers

In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, Italian seasoning and garlic salt.

Place tortillas on a flat work surface. Spread each with 1/4 cup of cream cheese mixture. Top each with 1/4 cup of arugula and 1/4 cup of peppers. Roll up and tightly wrap in plastic wrap; chill 1 hour to allow flavours to blend.

Remove wraps and slice into 1-inch pieces; arrange on a platter and serve. Yields 2 pieces per serving.

 

[ohMom]

debbie - thanks for the recipes. i'd be interestd in the meatball one too when you have time. i had already committed to making reuben sandwiches (which i can make myself a lite one) but i'm printing the bean dip and spinach/feta cheese one now.

ok you all, i have to confess after everyone tells me how inspiring I am, well i'm human too i did journal yesterday and did well; until DDs were in bed, DH is out of town and I found myself eating some nutter butter cookies with my rum/diet coke. urgh! i had already met my calories for the day so it was all over the top. but siince mikamah can 'fess than i'll borrow some of her strength and fess up too. there was a day when i would've just kept on going b/c i had 'already blown it' but i stopped, finished my 24 and just went to bed. it was late enough anyhow

yesterday was my scheduled day off exercising; today is a very busy one and i'm not sure i'll squeeze in a workout. PMS has left me very unmotivated today -- i'm working in a local pantry this afternoon which is usually moving boxes, stocking, etc for a couple hours. so that will be some activity -- but i'll really really try and remember everyone here and maybe force myself to do my Denise Austin workout before dinner. i tell you though it's a busy day......

i'll update the WI later -- TTFN!

 

[o2bacelt]

We're supposed to get some sort of winter weather tonight and tomorrow, they aren't sure what kind, be it snow or ice, so I think that the small person and I will skip the gym this morning and since DH should be home early, I'll get some time in this afternoon or evening; that way we can get a few things for the house in the event that we are iced in, the snow wouldn't be much but the ice is alway horrible around here.

I need to go back to Trader Joe's since I had forgotten my wallet yesterday. We'll also stop at AC Moore for some crafty things to do just in case. That'll keep the small person busy. We may hit the book store too. We'll see.

I just wanted to check in.

Molli, sometimes PMS wins, just get back on track today. You can do it.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I'm thrilled to say I'm down 2lbs. for the week. Wasn't expecting it since i overindulged in chocolate yesterday, but i just don't seem to be getting a lot of good news from ppl anymore.

Anyhow, I'm sticking with my stability ball workout which is getting getting better and I'm doing twice a week now. And my job at Target is always heavy on exercise. I walk about 7 hours or so out of every workday. Now I hope it won't be too long b4 i can get the inches on my thighs to go down.


Hope everybody is having a great week.

 

[mousemgr2]

Finally down a few pounds! Yea! I have lost a total of 2 pounds so far. Six more to go (in this challenge). I've got lots more than six pounds to lose. But, I find it easier to stay motivated if my goals are broken into little bits. Congrats to everyone!

 

[barbnbrian]

Barb checking in with the weekly weight "Loss"! I was so worried that I had gained back the 2.4 lbs I lost last week. I left for my meeting hoping to have at least stayed the same and not gained anything. Well, I'm happy to report in a .4 loss. Sure it's only .4, but it's better than maintaining or gaining, so I'll take it! That puts me at -3.8/15 lbs for the challenge!

I'm going to try to be better this week.

 

[kamgen]

I have been avoiding WISH....I gained .5# this week....
I know that is nothing to worry about, but it frustrates me. I feel i have no room for error with so much weight to lose by our Sept. cruise!
But I am here and checking in!

Good job to all who lost this week! And keep it up!!!

 

[believe]

Hi all...

I have stayed with the journaling.

I am very moody today, could be PMS, who knows. I will have to join ohMom

Decided to workout at home tonight and will begin that in about 15 minutes.