Everybody Wants to be a WISH Cat (or dog, or goose, etc...) - October 2016 WISH Challenge

[4Mickeys]

What's your favorite beverage (alcoholic or otherwise)? Are you a "juicer" type person? Maybe you like smoothies? Have you increased or decreased your intake of certain beverages on your journey to a healthier you?

Ahh I am totally a soft drink person - I have switched mostly to sugar free lemonade (now Aussie lemonade is different to US lemonade it doesn't have that more lemony taste - its more like Sprite - we had trouble a few times on our holiday when we would order Lemonade, taste it and couldn't drink it lol - we learned to remember to say Sprite!). I don't really do hot drinks - I don't drink coffee and I only occasionally have tea. Alcohol - again I drink much less of this than my younger years - I do love a cold cold beer on a hot summers day - I tend to drink Corona with lime these days, I do like wine either white or red but it needs to be sweet - lately I have been enjoying a Moscato, if I am holiday or out on a special night I do enjoy a cocktail. I don't really drink spirits anymore - but when I did it was always with a mixer. But funny you should ask this because yesterday we were all cleaning the house and I started to do my usual weekend thing - which is drink mostly soft drink but I said to myself - I really have to stop - just because I'm not at work doesn't mean I can't drink water!!! So I pulled out a BIG souvenir cup with a straw/lid that we got at the movies filled it with water and drank that all day - I got through about 2 and 1/2 refills of it. So that was a good shift yesterday - I am going to do it again today.

We made it through the storm! Luckily we didn't have any damage but our power has been out since noon yesterday. We packed up the kids this morning and are heading to AK for the day, they are going stir crazy. Hopefully tonight when we get home the power will be on.

So glad to hear you are ok and the only issue was power. Have fun at AK

**********************

So yesterday it was quite hot here when we were working and DD asked to go the river for a swim - and DS asked to take the surf skis for a paddle - so we packed it all up - but then as we drove along the river noticed the water was a little choppy. Got to Cotton Tree and it was also quite windy - so water conditions were not ideal for paddling - we watched some SUP's for a little while and decided not to get the boards off the car. The kids just had a splash around in the water. I managed to fall over! We were walking to the car and I was sideways on a small hill, wearing my flip-flops, they slipped and I couldn't stop myself - It was on grass - skinned my knee and mostly bruised my ego I left the boards on the car thinking the twins and I would paddle this morning when we dropped DS15 to work but it is overcast and windy at the moment so will have to see if the weather cooperates in the next couple of hours.
REPORTING IN: I am at 25.81% - 8 days into October and I have not had ANY take-out - that is a good run but I know it will get harder the further I go - I just need to keep up the positivity and be organised food wise. When getting ready for swimming yesterday, doing all those things girls have to do to be swimsuit ready - I had a naked look in the mirror (sorry TMI) - and I mean a proper look - not my usual fantasy mirror - can I say I almost cried - I can't believe what I have done to myself! But I kind of just said to myself that is it you really have to start taking this seriously!!! So I hope that helps with achieving my no take-out goal this month. So far the kids have been really good with supporting it for the month - and DD was even angry at DS15 for not sticking to the plan as he has managed to have take-out twice - paid for by himself, with us not there when he was out with a mate or for dinner on his way to work (he doesn't like yum cha - so he took himself off for his own dinner and ate it in the break room at work). BUT she hasn't asked for some to make up for it - so that is a really good thing for her too - as she is a big McDonalds girl.

Ok I have rambled enough for today - stay healthy everyone!

 

[HappyGrape]

October 7 - Question of the Day

Friday Fun!

So I know not everyone is a fan of cats. Who is your favorite Disney animal and why?

*Sorry for the delay this morning, guys. Everything was a little slow to start this morning but we are all safe down here in south Florida! ​

Maybe I am not Disney enough, I can't think of favorite animal.

 

[HappyGrape]

Most of my new shirts are all now too big, but still wearable. .

The wearable part is annoying! I lost all that weight (nothing compared to what you did!) and something that I bought in July looks wearable! I don't want it to look wearable, I want it to look good! I will some of my clothes to get fitted at some point!

 

[HappyGrape]

Also have a wonderful goose/swan story! Yesterday after work I needed to pick something up at the department store. When I went through the cosmetics department, I looked at the Benefit counter because I need to replace my mascara (I love their stuff) and the girl there asked me if I was interested in getting my eye brows done for free at their Brow Bar. The had a new girl that was in training and therefor were looking for volunteers for her to train with. She was not totally new and obviously already had learned how to do it, but needed practice. She was so sweet! It took her a long time, but now I have wonderful eye brows. And she even colored them for free! My eye brows have been bothering me for quite some time, but I am so lousy at doing something to them myself and currently I am saving a lot of money for travel and just did not want to spend the money for getting them done. So this was perfect!

I need to book appointment for next week, my benefit get brows gel is always in my handbag. Makes huge difference!

 

[HappyGrape]

October 8 - Question of the Weekend

View attachment 199757

Oh, Uncle Waldo!

Let's talk beverages - it is the weekend after all!

What's your favorite beverage (alcoholic or otherwise)? Are you a "juicer" type person? Maybe you like smoothies? Have you increased or decreased your intake of certain beverages on your journey to a healthier you?
​

Black coffee, water, sparkling water with few mint leaves in, herbal tea. I do have occasional juice or smoothie type of drink - i like pear & ginger combo. I make my own smoothies, including the non alchoholic avocado margarita made with fresh melon, lime, avocado, chili and pink salt. I often add greek yoghurt as it's very high on protein. I have them but not more than one a day.

I had one cocktail since my weight loss started and it was in very good cocktail bar, I wouldn't go drinking much. I don't drink any sodas - I never did, I like drinking dry prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) and have this as my go to drink but doesn't happen more then once or twice a month.

 

[HappyGrape]

can I say I almost cried - I can't believe what I have done to myself! But I kind of just said to myself that is it you really have to start taking this seriously

I felt like this last year. I took before picture, and I put it away until I took the after. The difference of what 10kg makes is shocking, I often look at the before after pic that I saved on my phone to remind myself what skipping workout after workout and making myself feel better by eating cake never made me feel better at all! I felt who is overweight old lady looking at me?

But I don't feel like that anymore. So while it didn't feel good at the time, it was step in making it better. It's only temporary situation, you can get back to being you soon

 

[HappyGrape]

Reporting on my amended goal I am giving myself 26% as I have been adding up my calories every day. I ate mostly at balance, one day over with 250 and one day under with 500. 2 lifting session, 1 yoga class, average steps 14700. It's what my maintenance should look like. I can cut some more steps but I enjoy the extra calories it earns me. Over all I feel good.

On thing I noticed, if I have more calories during the day and I think I won't have anything for dinner I end up picking things as oatcakes, hummus, olives, cheese, tomatoes - not all bad but sometimes little processed carb heavy (oatcakes, rice cakes, pitta breads). I had 5 guys burger yesterday - skipping the cheese and bacon, few fries and drink of water. I had bagel with egg for breakfast as I had to get in work, and fruit on the go but calorie count was kind of high. I was going towards I won't have dinner but felt I haven't had enough veggies and instead of eating 500 calories of food and still feel unsatisfied I will get a big bowl of lettuce, cucumber, feta, little bit of Frank's wing sauce, turkey burger chopped up, radishes. It was much better then snacking food! I still end up in balance, but felt much more satisfied. 500 calories of veggeis and lean protein are definitely more filling then 500 calories of oatcakes and cheese, and skipping a meal to make up for earlier meal just doesn't work for me at all!

That's my Sunday morning coffee update and with my coffee over I need to get up and start my long to do list! have a super healthy and happy Sunday All.

 

[HappyGrape]

Ice cream is back on the menu!

400g frozen strawberries, 0% natural greek yoghurt, natural brown vanilla powder (not the sugary stuff, 100% brown vanilla), 2 minutes in the food processor! I add little honey for my son and husband but like it without for myself - not a gram of bad stuff!

It melted a little before I got to take picture, but worth a try

 

[Flossbolna]

@HappyGrape I just wanted to say thanks for always being on this thread in the early morning hours in Europe! You are an early bird (Ireland is an hour behind me if I am correct)! It is so nice to log on here and usually always read a cheerful and motivating message from you for the start of the new day! (Not morning now anymore, but I wanted to say this still. I was up too late and the DIS went down before I could reply)

And that ice cream of yours looks delicious!

I have been out for a run, the foot did not complain at all! Then I made some Indian curry from scratch and it was delicious! A little bit high in calories. But it was a late lunch and I will not need a lot for dinner. So, all is well. I have given myself more calories to eat now, only a 500 kcal deficit. I often manage to stay a little below this, but I don't "have to" and this has made me much happier. Not that the scale is showing any progress at all though... But I know I cannot change the scale numbers by anything else than sticking with what I am doing, so I just keep on doing it... I feel like I am due some movement. However, I can feel that my exercise is paying off, I felt great today during my run and could feel that my form is improving, because I have started some core exercises...

 

[Lady Marie]

Hi Everyone! I will post this weeks results in a a little bit as well as today's question. We did end up going to Disney this weekend so I wasn't around too much for chatter over the weekend. I will be catching up and posting the new question soon.

Happy Monday!!!

 

[Lady Marie]

I'm going through another wardrobe change right now. All of the clothes I bought for school a few months ago are all too big now. It really stinks, but I guess it falls under the list of good problems to have. I took some of my pants to the tailor to get taken in, so I'll get those on Monday and hopefully they'll be ok. Most of my new shirts are all now too big, but still wearable. The shirts that I got toward the beginning of the summer are not wearable anymore. I'm going to have to put a lot on ebay here soon. Next week when we go back to St Louis we are going to hit the outlets, so I'll start building my wardrobe up again. I never realized that weight loss would be so expensive!

Yes, definitely a good problem to have!

I love Iago for his sarcasm.

LOL -- I had forgotten about him! Yes!

Who's my fav.... well that would be my main squeeze Chip. I can't remember the back story on how this romance started, but whoever was playing him at Garden Grille during my last trip did such a wonderful job. Dale blew by my table like I wasn't even there but when Chip came I patted my heart and made the heart shape with my hands and got extra hugs and attention. We're doing Garden Grille again on the upcoming trip, so I'll get to see my boy again.

Awwww! Cute! It's fun when your favorites give you extra attention!

We made it through the storm! Luckily we didn't have any damage but our power has been out since noon yesterday. We packed up the kids this morning and are heading to AK for the day, they are going stir crazy. Hopefully tonight when we get home the power will be on.

I know you are further north than me and I was thinking about yall as the storm was moving up your way. Soooooo glad to hear this!

My favorite Disney animal is definitely Remy! Ratatouille is still one of my favorite Disney/Pixar films. And Remy is just so adorable! I also think that he has a great message about food: you are supposed to savor it, not gulp it down. I love food and the movie is about loving food in the healthy way. There is a great little scene about Remy trying to teach Emile about really tasting food. I do have problems with this, so Remy is a great "role model" for me!!

I never thought of it this way. What a great connection to make!!!

I definitely decreased my intake of BEER and WINE along this journey..... I don't find that I miss the wine much.... but I do miss the BEER! I can have a light low carb beer for 3 SmartPoints, but as my beer palate grows, I am enjoying that less and less. I'm finding I'd rather spend 5 +/- SmartPoints and enjoy a nicer beer. That being said, I rarely indulge in more than one a week, unless it is a holiday or something like that. I splurged while I was in California and had one every day I think! I couldn't tell you the last time I had a mixed cocktail..... but I'm sure it was a traditional margarita, on the rocks, with salt.

I hear ya on the beer-- sometimes I have a thirst that only a beer can quench! Usually on really really hot days haha!

She was so sweet! It took her a long time, but now I have wonderful eye brows. And she even colored them for free! My eye brows have been bothering me for quite some time, but I am so lousy at doing something to them myself and currently I am saving a lot of money for travel and just did not want to spend the money for getting them done. So this was perfect!

That's so nice! Seriously, it's the small stuff that make any day a swan day!

I was getting really addicted to Diet Dr. Pepper.

Oh man-- can't fault you for that. Me too at one time. They are the best "diet" drink in my opinion! But I eventually shook the habit.

including the non alchoholic avocado margarita made with fresh melon, lime, avocado, chili and pink salt. I often add greek yoghurt as it's very high on protein.

This sounds delicious!!!

Ice cream is back on the menu!

400g frozen strawberries, 0% natural greek yoghurt, natural brown vanilla powder (not the sugary stuff, 100% brown vanilla), 2 minutes in the food processor! I add little honey for my son and husband but like it without for myself - not a gram of bad stuff!

It melted a little before I got to take picture, but worth a try

And this LOOKS delicious!!!! Thanks for sharing! I am definitely going to have to try this!

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

Checking in this morning at 78%. I didn't get my protein during the two hurricane days but I'm ok with that.

 

[Lady Marie]

October 10 - Question of the Day

While the Aristocats are having their supper, they invite Roquefort to join them.

"Oh, thank you.
Don't mind if I do."

"Just a few dunks.
Very good.
My compliments to the chef.
This is yummy.
Delicious.
Double delicious.
This calls for another cracker.
I'll be right back."

Roquefort enjoys Creme de la Creme a la Edgar so much that he has to go back and get another cracker!

Second helpings are so tempting sometimes!

When you find something you like, are you a one and done type of person or do you need multiple servings? How have your serving sizes and habits changed since you started your weight loss journey?
​

 

[Lady Marie]

Week 1 Check In:
​

@4Mickeys - 25.81%
@HappyGrape - 26%
@MommaoffherRocker - 78%
@Lady Marie - 0%
@Flossbolna - 22%
@Oneanne - 67%
@kirstie101 - 0%
@courtneybeth - 25%
@piglet1979 - 30%
@dsnyfn1022 - 19%

If I missed you're check-in, PM me or post again!

 

[Flossbolna]

Totally forgot to report my progress: I am at 22%! Doing very well and on track for my 100% I hope! @Lady Marie can you still add me in?

The scale is still frustrating. So, I am happy that I am tracking something else this month.

 

[Oneanne]

October 8 - Question of the Weekend

View attachment 199757

Oh, Uncle Waldo!

Let's talk beverages - it is the weekend after all!

What's your favorite beverage (alcoholic or otherwise)? Are you a "juicer" type person? Maybe you like smoothies? Have you increased or decreased your intake of certain beverages on your journey to a healthier you?
​

Arnold Palmer is my beverage of choice. When I'm being really on-point I don't have them because they are loaded with sugar. I've never been much for alcoholic drinks, but have explored a bit lately, its like there's an entire new world of flavor to experience.

 

[Oneanne]

Weekly check-in:
No drive-thru junk food - 100% on track
Pilates at home at least 4 times each week - 100% on track
Average of 10,000 steps per day - 0% on track... my toe is back to feeling normal and I'm feeling better over all so I will try to get my average up this week, and of course step count at WDW will be high. In Texas I think it will be a challenge, so this may not have been the best choice for this month.

Over all average 67%

Also, accidentally lost a few pounds last week, as I certainly wasn't trying .

 

[Oneanne]

October 10 - Question of the Day

While the Aristocats are having their supper, they invite Roquefort to join them.

"Oh, thank you.
Don't mind if I do."

"Just a few dunks.
Very good.
My compliments to the chef.
This is yummy.
Delicious.
Double delicious.
This calls for another cracker.
I'll be right back."

Roquefort enjoys Creme de la Creme a la Edgar so much that he has to go back and get another cracker!

Second helpings are so tempting sometimes!

When you find something you like, are you a one and done type of person or do you need multiple servings? How have your serving sizes and habits changed since you started your weight loss journey?
​

If it is ice cream, then yes I will go back, and back, and back. Or a bag of cookies or candy or nuts. My main problem is grazing or munching, not what/how I eat at actual meals. Now at F&W last year the first chunk of filet I had at the Canada booth was so good I did go back, but not until the next day. At F&G this spring I had the spicy hot dog and pineapple salsa twice, but again on different days.

Didn't do much of anything over the weekend do to the bug I'm fighting and the stormy/rainy weather: laying low seems to have helped as I feel much better this morning. I did do a lot of knitting... when I got to separating out the stitches for the heel of my sock I realized my stitch count was off and I had to undo the entire thing and start over - 6 inches of knitting on size 1 needles (basically toothpicks). I got it re-knit and completed the heel and now have a couple more inches of the foot to do before I start the toes. So naturally I started working on something else... knitting leaves for an autumn garland: this is probably the knitting I'll take with me as the size 1 needles for the socks are so tiny it's hard to work on with any type of movement, like on the plane or the tour van. Didn't do any housekeeping, so I'll work on getting something done each night this week, in preparation for being gone. I don't leave until late Monday night, so I do have all of next weekend to prep.

I'm on-call for the last time this week... so better buckle down and get to work!

Happy Monday everyone.

 

[HappyGrape]

October 10 - Question of the Day

When you find something you like, are you a one and done type of person or do you need multiple servings? How have your serving sizes and habits changed since you started your weight loss journey?
​

There are some foods I don't want to eat. Also I try to have my at least 300g of veggies every single meal, it helps with portion control

I get multiple servings, but overall what I put on the plate have changed and also the quantity. When I eat more lately its mainly as I need more food due to level of activities.

 

[piglet1979]

Sorry I have been MIA for several days. I got caught up watch the weather channel about Matthew. So here are my answers to the questions of the day. I will have to say my favorite is Piglet. I can identify with him. Short and a worrier.

For my drink, well, I don't drink much of anything. If I do it is usually Pop (A & W root beer). I am trying to drink 20 oz of water a day right now and not drinking pop. I did good for 2 days. I am luck to drink 8 oz in a day so 20 is really good. This caused lots of issues when I was pregnant. I am pretty sure this contributed to my pre-term labor at 25 weeks with my daughter. This might be a goal one month.

I am mostly a one and done with food except for thanksgiving dinner. I really over stuff myself. But snacks I good unless it is Tagalogs or the brownies my kids bag me to make and they don't eat. Then I sit down on Sunday and finish what is left after eating them all week just to get them out of the house. Yes, this was me yesterday. It was my breakfast and lunch.

I forgot to weigh myself this morning. I am pretty sure I am at 0%. I will try and remember to weigh myself tomorrow morning. Back on track today so far.