Find Your Own "Directive" - the February Weight Loss / Life Style Change Challenge

[ski_mom]

i have a newbie question .

I'm logging everything into MFP - where is a good place to look for nutritional information for restaurants? Is there a central location, or do you usually look at each restaurant's website or something?

Every Saturday my son plays soccer and we always go out to eat after the game. I'm not sure where we'll be eating, but I'd like to be able to log it as closely as possible. Since logging my food (only since Wednesday lol), I've eaten lunch out 2x and I've had a salad both times. They were just local restaurants, so definitely no nutritional information online, so I just added each ingredient in the salad separately and did my best that way. I figure if we go to a chain restaurant though, I should be able to get a "fancy" salad, but I'd like to be able to compare and try to chose wisely!

 

[Oneanne]

I traditionally head to WDW during the spring in search of sun, so I am usually there during F&G, so much so that a EPCOT seems barren to me at other times of the year. Two occasions really stick out for me: maybe 8 or 9 years ago when they had the flower beds planted in eatables, the beds over by the Seas and the Land were planted in corn that was so beautiful. Then the first year they did a patio seating area back by Morrocco I actually sat down and people watched for a while. It was such a strange experience because I'm usually in perpetual motion.

I'm headed down this year the second week of May and plan on doing at least one festival seminar, something I haven't done before.

We've got blue skies today but rain is forecast again for tomorrow... So will have to think of something for a walking challenge.

Healthy wishes to all.

 

[5xdisneyfans]

Question of the Weekend - February 20-21

Let's talk... EPCOT's Flower and Garden Festival
On weekends we take a break from the weight-loss chat and focus on an aspect of Disney Parks. This week's focus is on the
Flower and Garden Festival held annually at EPCOT. If you've ever been to EPCOT in the Spring time, you should be familiar
with the themed topiaries and yummy treats in the World Showcase, plus concerts and other programs through the months.

Share with us your experience(s) with the Flower and Garden Festival.
Favorite topiary? Favorite food? Favorite part?
If you haven't been, do you plan on going?
If you've been and hated it, what didn't you like?​

I have never been to Flower and Garden Festival but I would love too. I have a big Disney bucket list and it is on there Last year after the Princess run I went to Epcot and the set up had already started and got to see a few of the character topiaries. My favourite one I saw was Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs but that is one of my favourite movies Unless they are there all the time?

I walked 4.4k today making my total for this month 40.4k/60k = 67% :0 I have a lot of walking to do next week to meet my goal.

 

[mamattorney]

i have a newbie question .

I'm logging everything into MFP - where is a good place to look for nutritional information for restaurants? Is there a central location, or do you usually look at each restaurant's website or something?

Every Saturday my son plays soccer and we always go out to eat after the game. I'm not sure where we'll be eating, but I'd like to be able to log it as closely as possible. Since logging my food (only since Wednesday lol), I've eaten lunch out 2x and I've had a salad both times. They were just local restaurants, so definitely no nutritional information online, so I just added each ingredient in the salad separately and did my best that way. I figure if we go to a chain restaurant though, I should be able to get a "fancy" salad, but I'd like to be able to compare and try to chose wisely!

You'd be surprised what is already in the MFP data base. That's one of the things I love about it. Just about any restaurant that publishes its nutritional information is already in there. I just type in Chili's chicken fajita or Starbucks grande non fat latte or whatever I am eating and up it pops. It's really handy. If I am at a place that isn't in there, I still type it in and then take a best guess on a similar entree. Last week, we went to a local restaurant and I had a chicken pot pie. It wasn't in MFP but I found another restaurant's chicken pot pie that seemed (based upon calories, etc) to be similar, so I just went with that in my log.

 

[donac]

I just wanted to check in. It has been a long day. I will answer th QOTD tomorrow. I will explain more tomorrow. Thanks for all the kind words yesterday about my mil.

 

[SarahDisney]

Note: the 6 mile run has been pushed back to Sunday should anyone want to join @flvy and I in running. We're both obviously doing 6 miles, but any distance (1 mile or 100 miles) is awesome and gets you started on the path to a great week.

Man, I wish I could join you (I actually have 9 miles scheduled for my next long run ), but we're having a small get together here tomorrow morning. So not only do I have to deal with a crowd of people, but I also had to push my run off to Monday (I can't do that long of a run in the afternoon). I'm a little sad about that one.

Share with us your experience(s) with the Flower and Garden Festival.
Favorite topiary? Favorite food? Favorite part?
If you haven't been, do you plan on going?
If you've been and hated it, what didn't you like?

I loved Flower and Garden. We went in 2011 and spent about half a day there ... skipped most of our normal Epcot stuff and spent a lot of the time looking at the topiaries.
We didn't partake in any food (we can't really eat Disney food anyway, which is a fairly irrelevant story), but just looking around at the topiaries was nice. Here are some of my favorites:






We also saw a few topiaries up when we were there for Princess Half Marathon Weekend last year. I think my favorite one that we saw was Woody:

I'm sure you haven't done EVERYTHING wrong. You are still here with us, so your MIND is still in the right place!

My mind may be in the right place, but the rest of me...
I really need to get my act together. And that means sticking to the plan, no matter how busy I am. I need to get up early tomorrow and get some exercise in before we go into crazy entertaining mode. If I can get some exercise in after our guests leave, that's even better. I need to make my meal plan for the week, and I can just modify it in the afternoon based on what leftovers we have after the event.
I really do need to get my you-know-what together this week. I don't think I'll end the month below where I started it, but maybe I can get close.

I have never been to Flower and Garden Festival but I would love too. I have a big Disney bucket list and it is on there Last year after the Princess run I went to Epcot and the set up had already started and got to see a few of the character topiaries. My favourite one I saw was Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs but that is one of my favourite movies Unless they are there all the time?

I think that was one of the (many) things I loved about Princess Weekend - they were starting to get the topiaries up! Snow White was a great one.

---

Hey guys.
Not a great day today, but not terrible, so I'll take it.
We're having about 20 people here tomorrow (friends and family) for a get together commemorating the 9th anniversary of my grandmother's death (we do it every year). Our catering theme is Thanksgiving ... I just hope I don't indulge in the age old Thanksgiving tradition of eating too much.
Nothing much else exciting going on here. I hope everyone is having a good week!

 

[flvy]

Ohhhh picture time!! Sorry not sorry if they're huge! These are from last year.

Tink outside the Butterfly Tent

Bambi, Flower and Thumper. I was obsessed with these three for some reason. They were just too cute.

Sarah posted Belle and Beast so here is Cinderella and Prince Charming!

Lady and her Tramp. Loved her ears.

I skipped my pics of Snow white and the dwarfs because I think they're pretty iconic for F&G at this point. I was also very surprised when the menus came out today that they took the bacon cupcake off of it. I thought that was a cult favorite. I still get my booze dole whip though so I'm happy.

 

[4Mickeys]

Great photos girls @flvy I also love the Bambi scene so cute!

Well its Sunday afternoon for me so I will report in now ..... I managed a small loss I am at 13%

 

[knkmom]

I'm down another 2 lbs.....75%!

We attended F&G at WDW last May and we had a great time! Here are a few of my pictures!

 

[pjlla]

Morning friends!! Well..... yesterday's movie date eating didn't go exactly as planned, but it didn't get totally off the rails either. I brought my own popcorn and seltzer to the movie (so 5 SP), but indulged in about 20 M&Ms (which I guesstimated to be 10 SP). The men were too full of popcorn after the movie to go out for burgers, so I dodged that bullet, but they brought the leftover popcorn and M&Ms home! My hand found its way magically back into those treats a few more times while we watched Amazing Race (DVR'ed from Friday) and I did have a light beer. After I was done estimating I kind of figure I went over my daily target by about 10 SP..... not a total disaster (although I never had "dinner" as it was), as I had all of my weekly SP to use, but more than I should have. And of course, I paid for it with a disgusting feeling belly this morning!

BTW, I didn't like the movie..... so that is $8 and two hours of my life wasted! I suspected I wouldn't like it and DS warned me.... but it was worse than I thought! I haven't seen an "R" movie in years.... now I know why!

Beautiful day here again today.... woke up to temps in the 40's! So unusual for February! I stripped my bed and will put the sheets on the line today.... may do the same for DS's sheets if I am feeling ambitious! While load of dish towels is already chugging along and the men left about 45 minutes ago for robotics. I have a "Skype" breakfast date with DD in a few minutes and then I plan to stay busy, but will hopefully get out to walk before the temps drop later today!

BBL to chat.................P

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

ok- so another 0 change for me. At least I am not going up! I havent been getting my steps all in this week. I have a few hip,knee,foot issues and when I do a lot of walking they really start to bother me. Here I can rest for a day or two, it is really an issue when we go on vacations it is tough, lots of aleve and rough sleep unless its a very soft plush bed.

I am hoping to have a better week on the diet front. My hip feels better so at least I can get some exersize.

I love the F&G show. So pretty. The weather is so nice at that time of year. We try and go every May. I love the colors, all the little booths with neat things in, I still have me flamingo with mickey ears(although it faded within weeks) ...

 

[Zoesmama03]

Hello friends. I'm down .6 this week. Not where I wanted but I'll take it. 2.8 towards my 8 lb goal for the month makes me at barely 35% I think. I'll be happy to see a loss next week. I might not make the 8 lbs and if I didn't it wouldn't be healthy way. I'm making adjustments and will have to be more diligent in my tracking on MFP. I've admittedly been a day here and there and missing some days completely or not completing it for entire day. So I know that plays a big factor.

I'm thinking we are skipping our new Sunday night skating trip. Everyone seems to want to have today to stay home and I'm somewhat on board with that because yesterday we were gone just about the whole day. We left at 10:45 or so and didn't get home until closer to 6. I'll do some Just Dance or take a walk instead. So much to get done around the house too but mainly having a homebody type day I think. My laundry is already in dryer. I got another load for my DD to wash but she has to get up and make sure its all in the hamper because she did clean her room Friday evening when she came home to her computer cord missing. lol I had already asked her to get it clean last weekend she's lucky I gave it back. Too nice I guess.

I try for personals and reading catch up in a little bit I need to get my meal planning and grocery list so I can get that shopping done today and figure out tonight's dinner.

 

[Zoesmama03]

This was for a reply to someone but the quote didn't work right. Does that from time to time on me. ARGH

 

[donac]

Good morning everyone.

QOTD My next goal is to see the Flower and Garden Show. The pictures here are beautiful and I would love to see it. We went to F&W last year and really didn't enjoy it. I don't drink and dh does not like really crazy food so it was kind of wasted on us. But we are looking forward to a time to go to F&F.

I have been off the last few days. Dh's mother died last night and now we have to deal with the wake and the funeral this week. I know very few people will show up to the wake since it is in the middle of the week and from 3 - 7. The funeral is Thursday morning so I have to cancel my Thursday class. My eating has not been great yesterday and today but I will get back on track this afternoon and go from there. Even though I have not eaten that well since yesterday afternoon I have tracked my food so I know where I stand.

Have a happy and healthy day. I am asking for Pixie Dust that dh can make it through this time dealing with his 4 sisters.

 

[CruisingKate]

Sorry to be MIA - hubby broke right leg early in the week and it's been a whirlwind of ER, surgeon appt, CT, etc

Report: 1 pound lost!
2/4 lbs
50%

 

[MochaDrinker]

I was working out on Friday when I fell over and hurt my foot. About a third of it is bruised. It's awful.

 

[donac]

Sorry to be MIA - hubby broke right leg early in the week and it's been a whirlwind of ER, surgeon appt, CT, etc

Report: 1 pound lost!
2/4 lbs
50%

I was working out on Friday when I fell over and hurt my foot. About a third of it is bruised. It's awful.

I hope all the injured heal quickly.

 

[Lady Marie]

Like I said before, this week wasn't on target for me, but by going to yoga I am at 58% for the month.

I was excited to see that I had lost 0.5 lbs when I weighed on Friday, but a Saturday night birthday party for a family friend threw me off. My real food that I ate wasn't horrible, but the 2 cupcakes were not a good idea at all! I feel it today and was not happy with the number on the scale.

Share with us your experience(s) with the Flower and Garden Festival.
Favorite topiary? Favorite food? Favorite part?
If you haven't been, do you plan on going?
If you've been and hated it, what didn't you like?

I second everything everyone has said, but the first thing that came to mind was how much I love all the flowers lining the banks of the lake at you cross into the World Showcase. That's so pretty-- It looks so bare when I go back after having been during F&G!

 

[pjlla]

Good morning everyone.

QOTD My next goal is to see the Flower and Garden Show. The pictures here are beautiful and I would love to see it. We went to F&W last year and really didn't enjoy it. I don't drink and dh does not like really crazy food so it was kind of wasted on us. But we are looking forward to a time to go to F&F.

I have been off the last few days. Dh's mother died last night and now we have to deal with the wake and the funeral this week. I know very few people will show up to the wake since it is in the middle of the week and from 3 - 7. The funeral is Thursday morning so I have to cancel my Thursday class. My eating has not been great yesterday and today but I will get back on track this afternoon and go from there. Even though I have not eaten that well since yesterday afternoon I have tracked my food so I know where I stand.

Have a happy and healthy day. I am asking for Pixie Dust that dh can make it through this time dealing with his 4 sisters.

Dona..... very sorry for your loss. Prayers for your DH will continue! Hope the week goes smoothly.

Sorry to be MIA - hubby broke right leg early in the week and it's been a whirlwind of ER, surgeon appt, CT, etc

Report: 1 pound lost!
2/4 lbs
50%

OH no! Sorry to hear that! Hope he is healing!

I was working out on Friday when I fell over and hurt my foot. About a third of it is bruised. It's awful.

My, my.... that sounds painful! Ice and rest, ice and rest! Feel better quickly!

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

Hope everyone is enjoying the last bit of their weekend. I stayed SUPER busy today.... the day has actually flown by! I'm on vacation this week, so I'll be on in the a.m. to chat!...........P

 

[MochaDrinker]

I didn't realize how important exercise had become to me until I couldn't do anything this weekend. It's killing me.