MM Warriors - Three Steps to Good Health (As of 11/18)

[gettinhealthy]

Good morning everyone. Just a quick hi. Getting ready to do the shopping thing today. All my others friends and kids have already left. They leave about 8. I will catch up with them and Tris (my oldest) and my friend's DD for lunch. It will be a huge buffet, so I'll be able to do legal this time. It is a big steak house. But instead of ordering steak, chicken, etc, it is all on the buffet. There is a ton of food. My dessert will be s/f jello.

Robin and Nell, take your time looking at that website. It is overwhelming at first, but once you look around, ask any questions in the "newbie" section (everyone is great with helping out) it is actually easy. They post "scenarios" on sale stuff, which sale thing has a coupon and how much it will cost afterward.
I could kick myself because I didn't realize Giant Eagle has Duracell 2 pack batteries on sale for a $1. I could have ordered $1 off coupons on ebay if I had been paying attention. I could have gotten like 10 of them for around $1 plus around .50 shipping. So my batteries would have been free. And they are running a catalina (prints after your receipt) when you buy $10 worth of certain things you get $5 off your next order. So not only could I have gotten 10 packs of batteries, but money to use toward my next purchase. I should have paid more attention.

Ok, off to get ready to head to Monroeville. Have a great day everyone and I'll catch up later.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Good morning everyone! Tom had to go to work at 1:30 am so I slept off and on after that. He'll do anything to get out of going through the Christmas lights! That's what I had planned for him today since he's on call so much this month. Everyone sounds very energetic today with cleaning and cooking. I'll be doing the same, I think.

Nell: Mom and I used to almost always make our turkeys the day before. You set some out on the platter covered to room temp and have hot gravy and no one is the wiser. It does give you time to make your other dishes and to visit with everyone. Takes a long time to slice up a turkey so we liked to get that done and cleaned up by the night before. Last year I made it on the day. I will this year too since my group is much smaller than it is at Christmas. I have my hands full on Christmas because everyone is here for the whole day. There are some things we can make in advance, like the cauliflower. It heats up easily. And the desserts too. I know your dinner will be wonderful which ever way you decide to do it. It will be made with a lot of love.

Robin: Guess you'l have exciting reading at work today on thyroid, lol!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Natalie: You are as cute as a button!

Jocelyn: Good job on passing up the candies last night! I wanted ice cream too for the first time. Glad there was none in the house, lol! We made it through the Harvest Festival without trying all the dips, fudge, etc. Maybe ate too many almonds from the homemade folks but that's all. Whew! Got Tom a new handmade belt there to celebrate his smaller middle.

 

[Malzer]

Hi all, just popped in to see what everyone was up to!

Well, we here are planning for our step 2 jump it is MONDAY!! Yay we made it through! Actually it didn't seem that hard to me, guess I was just ready for some change.

Oh blackfriday?? Well, I have been going at it for years... We kind of make it a game and that is fun if we don't get the one good deal we wanted it is ok,, we like to see how many good deals we can get by the end of the day! Use to be the whole family went now just down to 3 of us, my aunt is sickly now and can't go and my father is the babysitter for the day! But can't wait just the same!

Trying to plan some snacks in the day so we will stay on track, gonna have to pack something in the car I am sure of it! Just didn't want to go off the wagon for the day! Any one have any suggestions for us?

We will be getting up around 3:30, traveling 1.5 hr to the big shopping centers and then shopping till we drop lol so need any suggestions for the trip if anyone has any! We are starting step 2 on this Monday and will be new at the 11-20 thing... Hope it will go well, my mother is scared of stopping loosing on step 2 and from the stories we have read I am kinda dreading it myself... Hope it will not take us 5 wks to start loosing again!

I have such a long way to go I hope that if I do get stuck that I will not get discouraged and stop the program... I just know how I have been in the past!

Hope all is well with everyone, Honeygram's computer is still in the shop.. She says hello and can't wait to get back!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Hi, Melanie: Sounds like you have a fun day planned! We were on a 5-day vacation the first day of Step 2 so we got Whole Grain Wheat Thins (11 of them in a snack bag) fruits like pears and apples for our road trip. 6 carb bread for sandwiches on the road. We would take a bag of crackers in my purse to restaurants, order a Step 1 meal and eat them during bread time or with a salad. That made it really easy. We had a little ice chest with sliced turkey and the things we needed to make sandwiches. If I were you, I'd pack some legal sandwiches and fruit for the car and put those crackers in your purse. Then you're all set and you don't have to worry about getting stuck out somewhere with no food. Have a great time! I've lost as much weight on Step 2 as I did on Step 1 now and more inches. Clothes I tried on last week button now, including a slim fitting rain coat that was way too small for me at the start of this. I bought it when I lost 40 lbs. 4 years ago. Can't believe I can already wear it again after only 16 lbs. gone.

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Slow day here, as I predicted and I am having the WORST craving for a pizza!!! OMG, I have not craved anything in months...of course I will NOT have any, but kind of weird that I WANT IT!! Oh well...going to get some decaf and ignore myself for awhile...

Melanie - the losses are definitely different on step 2, so dont freak out too much...there will more than likely be that bloating and tight waistband feeling for the first week as the liver refills with glycogen, but it DOES go away...I think we seem to be losing at about a 1 pound a week rate for the most part...but check Diane's chart for what you can actually expect. I know that some are still losing more quickly, but only a few here and there...just be sure to get your carb dams in there every 5 hours so your liver doesnt feed you a bagel!! Have fun shopping, y'all are CRAZY to go out and do that!! The deals are the same the next day and the week after! I think you Black Friday shoppers are just looking for adventure!! LOL

Lisa - isnt it weird that we all seem to be craving stuff this week? WHATS UP WITH THAT? I havent even read the thyroid stuff yet...saving it for after lunch hour when it will totally die down here to nothing...too funny that Tom weasled out of the light thing! haha, I told Ken he is in china just to avoid having to have Thanksgiving with my mom! He was all insulted that I would think that! I dont really, just giving him a hard time... So Cool you can fit into that coat!!

 

[Barb F.]

Hi, Melanie: Sounds like you have a fun day planned! We were on a 5-day vacation the first day of Step 2 so we got Whole Grain Wheat Thins (11 of them in a snack bag) fruits like pears and apples for our road trip. 6 carb bread for sandwiches on the road. We would take a bag of crackers in my purse to restaurants, order a Step 1 meal and eat them during bread time or with a salad. That made it really easy. We had a little ice chest with sliced turkey and the things we needed to make sandwiches. If I were you, I'd pack some legal sandwiches and fruit for the car and put those crackers in your purse. Then you're all set and you don't have to worry about getting stuck out somewhere with no food. Have a great time! I've lost as much weight on Step 2 as I did on Step 1 now and more inches. Clothes I tried on last week button now, including a slim fitting rain coat that was way too small for me at the start of this. I bought it when I lost 40 lbs. 4 years ago. Can't believe I can already wear it again after only 16 lbs. gone.

Lisa, that is so cool that your raincoat fits Isn't it amazing that after 16 lbs you could fit into it! You are doing so well on step2

 

[Barb F.]

Slow day here, as I predicted and I am having the WORST craving for a pizza!!! OMG, I have not craved anything in months...of course I will NOT have any, but kind of weird that I WANT IT!! Oh well...going to get some decaf and ignore myself for awhile...

Melanie - the losses are definitely different on step 2, so dont freak out too much...there will more than likely be that bloating and tight waistband feeling for the first week as the liver refills with glycogen, but it DOES go away...I think we seem to be losing at about a 1 pound a week rate for the most part...but check Diane's chart for what you can actually expect. I know that some are still losing more quickly, but only a few here and there...just be sure to get your carb dams in there every 5 hours so your liver doesnt feed you a bagel!! Have fun shopping, y'all are CRAZY to go out and do that!! The deals are the same the next day and the week after! I think you Black Friday shoppers are just looking for adventure!! LOL

Lisa - isnt it weird that we all seem to be craving stuff this week? WHATS UP WITH THAT? I havent even read the thyroid stuff yet...saving it for after lunch hour when it will totally die down here to nothing...too funny that Tom weasled out of the light thing! haha, I told Ken he is in china just to avoid having to have Thanksgiving with my mom! He was all insulted that I would think that! I dont really, just giving him a hard time... So Cool you can fit into that coat!!

Pony, I made "pizza" last weekend that did the trick. Take about a half cup of shredded pizza mix cheese. Get a non stick pan hot and put the cheese in evenly. Top with dry italian seasoning, a few hot pepper flakes, and some very thin sliced tomato. Sprinkle on a little garlic powder. Fry until the bottom is very brown, turn over and fry a couple more minutes. Take off heat and place on a paper towel tomato side up. Let cool a sec and slice. Easy peasy and satisfying. I think the trick to staying happy on our new WOE is find enjoyable substitutes for the foods that we used to eat that got us in trouble.

 

[Barb F.]

Hi everyone. Got out early today and got my errands done. Found some wonderful Christmas cards that I think will be perfect for my MM card list I'm making teriaki chicken for dinner with stir fry veggies. Hubby gets white rice too.

Nell, I would put the turkey in the fridge no less than three days before your dinner. You sound so energetic and happy, and that makes me smile

I think the purse talk a few days ago stuck in my sub-conscience. Todays special value on QVC was a beautiful B.Makowsky bag. I had to have it so I ordered it and told hubby how sweet he was to have gotten me the perfect Christmas gift

I'll check in later. Love you!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Lisa, that is so cool that your raincoat fits Isn't it amazing that after 16 lbs you could fit into it! You are doing so well on step2

Thanks so much, Barb! Diane must be right that this weight loss looks like twice what it is on the scale. Loved your pizza idea. I think you are right about substitutions for favorites. Your dinner sounds fantastic! How do you make the teriaki without sugar? You know how to work the present with the hubby! Mine does a trick where I like something then I walk away. He spent a long time at a certain jewelry booth at the Harvest Festival

Have a great night!

 

[Barb F.]

Thanks so much, Barb! Diane must be right that this weight loss looks like twice what it is on the scale. Loved your pizza idea. I think you are right about substitutions for favorites. Your dinner sounds fantastic! How do you make the teriaki without sugar? You know how to work the present with the hubby! Mine does a trick where I like something then I walk away. He spent a long time at a certain jewelry booth at the Harvest Festival

Have a great night!

I make the teriaki marinate with lite soy sauce, sesame oil, sake, hot chili garlic sauce and splenda. I marinate boneless/skinless thighs and then grill. Hubby isn't a chicken lover but he loves it like this.

Sounds like you may get some nice jewelry from Santa

 

[momtozac]

Natalie: You are as cute as a button!

Jocelyn: Good job on passing up the candies last night! I wanted ice cream too for the first time. Glad there was none in the house, lol! We made it through the Harvest Festival without trying all the dips, fudge, etc. Maybe ate too many almonds from the homemade folks but that's all. Whew! Got Tom a new handmade belt there to celebrate his smaller middle.

you are sooo sweet--thank you!

 

[momtozac]

Hi all, just popped in to see what everyone was up to!

Well, we here are planning for our step 2 jump it is MONDAY!! Yay we made it through! Actually it didn't seem that hard to me, guess I was just ready for some change.

Oh blackfriday?? Well, I have been going at it for years... We kind of make it a game and that is fun if we don't get the one good deal we wanted it is ok,, we like to see how many good deals we can get by the end of the day! Use to be the whole family went now just down to 3 of us, my aunt is sickly now and can't go and my father is the babysitter for the day! But can't wait just the same!

Trying to plan some snacks in the day so we will stay on track, gonna have to pack something in the car I am sure of it! Just didn't want to go off the wagon for the day! Any one have any suggestions for us?

We will be getting up around 3:30, traveling 1.5 hr to the big shopping centers and then shopping till we drop lol so need any suggestions for the trip if anyone has any! We are starting step 2 on this Monday and will be new at the 11-20 thing... Hope it will go well, my mother is scared of stopping loosing on step 2 and from the stories we have read I am kinda dreading it myself... Hope it will not take us 5 wks to start loosing again!

I have such a long way to go I hope that if I do get stuck that I will not get discouraged and stop the program... I just know how I have been in the past!

Hope all is well with everyone, Honeygram's computer is still in the shop.. She says hello and can't wait to get back!

Melanie--have so much fun shopping!! I just can't do the crowds anymore! hope you get some really good bargains!

 

[Barb F.]

Melanie--have so much fun shopping!! I just can't do the crowds anymore! hope you get some really good bargains!

Hi Natalie. I'm with you. I gave up shopping with the crowds too! Drove me nuts I think your new picture is darling too!

 

[Seabreezes]

Hi everyone,

I'm taking a 5 minute break. My dinner toight tunned into a full turkey feast.

Hope everyone had fun shopping that ventured out. I had a hard time finding a parking spot near my grocery store today!! It will only get worse here.

Lisa, wish I could say I had lost 16 pounds - I don't even want to lose that much. I know, this is not about the weight.....it's the size, Yay for you, though.

Robin - hope you got a few calls this afternoon. You should be able to figure out a legal piece of pizza. I have gone to parties and just eaten the top off the crust. At least you get all the yummy taste that way!!

Do you have the recipes for the zucchini or cauliflower crusts? If not, I'll locate them and post. I haven't tried them, but they should be fine.

Nell, I cooked my turkey a couple of days ago and froze the meat. I almost always cook it the day before as we can then clear everything up before guests arrive. No one seems to complain. I know I will do that for Christmas Eve.

"See" you all tomorrow.

 

[Carol-Fish]

Not up to much today. Watched the kids that I usually take care of on Sunday as there will be some kind of Thanksgiving party tomorrow for their whole family and those other families they work with in the house- building project. They are jazzed that they get a weekend day off with their kids as they will be doing this building every weekend for the next year.

I am now off all the steps until after the Thanksgiving weekend. Had some cake at the wedding reception last night ( The cakes turned out awesome..... everybody complimented my daughter on how great they tasted and how pretty they looked) but didn't overdo it. I'm still eating sensibly and mostly on step 1. I just can't seem to focus right now with company and birthdays and Thanksgiving. As long as I don't gain weight, I'll be okay.

I had the impression today that I needed to drive the 25 miles to an ozone filtered pool where I can swim laps instead of just doing water aerobics in the local pool. My legs just don't have any strength. I went shopping for a few hours yesterday and used the JC Pennys coupon that Kathy told us about (Thanks Kathy) and then chased my grandsons around at the wedding ceremony as both of their parents were in the wedding party.
Couldn't go to sleep for several hours afterwards as my legs were aching and cramping. I used to be so active that this is hard to deal with.

Barb, Natalie, Robin, I don't do the blackfriday thing either. Sometimes I will go late in the day after most of the people have gone and pick up a few things. I have tried to get my family to keep celebrating Thanksgiving thru the whole weekend and not start focusing on Christmas until we're into December. It gets harder each year, but I hope to keep it up. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

Jocelyn, Sounds like your dinner turned out good. We tried the cauliflower crust and weren't too excited about it. Also tried a flax meal one with eggs that wasn't too great. Good luck and post a recipe for crust if you try one that turns out well. Thanks

Barb, that pizza crust sounds yummy. My daughter had seen a recipe for one with a mozzarella crust like that and I'm glad to know it turns out well. I will try the chicken too, as we eat so much of it. Nice to have someone else's tried and true recipe. Also, I don't think you guys up north should hog all the rain. Send some down to us! We were supposed to get some Friday but it just never made it down this far. We will trade you a nice day of sunshine each week for a day's worth of rain. Such a deal! LOL

Need to get going and check on a roast I put in the oven. Hope all is well

Carol

Multi-Stepping

Feast upon the Words of Christ

 

[Barb F.]

Not up to much today. Watched the kids that I usually take care of on Sunday as there will be some kind of Thanksgiving party tomorrow for their whole family and those other families they work with in the house- building project. They are jazzed that they get a weekend day off with their kids as they will be doing this building every weekend for the next year.

I am now off all the steps until after the Thanksgiving weekend. Had some cake at the wedding reception last night ( The cakes turned out awesome..... everybody complimented my daughter on how great they tasted and how pretty they looked) but didn't overdo it. I'm still eating sensibly and mostly on step 1. I just can't seem to focus right now with company and birthdays and Thanksgiving. As long as I don't gain weight, I'll be okay.

I had the impression today that I needed to drive the 25 miles to an ozone filtered pool where I can swim laps instead of just doing water aerobics in the local pool. My legs just don't have any strength. I went shopping for a few hours yesterday and used the JC Pennys coupon that Kathy told us about (Thanks Kathy) and then chased my grandsons around at the wedding ceremony as both of their parents were in the wedding party.
Couldn't go to sleep for several hours afterwards as my legs were aching and cramping. I used to be so active that this is hard to deal with.

Barb, Natalie, Robin, I don't do the blackfriday thing either. Sometimes I will go late in the day after most of the people have gone and pick up a few things. I have tried to get my family to keep celebrating Thanksgiving thru the whole weekend and not start focusing on Christmas until we're into December. It gets harder each year, but I hope to keep it up. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

Jocelyn, Sounds like your dinner turned out good. We tried the cauliflower crust and weren't too excited about it. Also tried a flax meal one with eggs that wasn't too great. Good luck and post a recipe for crust if you try one that turns out well. Thanks

Barb, that pizza crust sounds yummy. My daughter had seen a recipe for one with a mozzarella crust like that and I'm glad to know it turns out well. I will try the chicken too, as we eat so much of it. Nice to have someone else's tried and true recipe. Also, I don't think you guys up north should hog all the rain. Send some down to us! We were supposed to get some Friday but it just never made it down this far. We will trade you a nice day of sunshine each week for a day's worth of rain. Such a deal! LOL

Need to get going and check on a roast I put in the oven. Hope all is well

Carol

Multi-Stepping

Feast upon the Words of Christ

Hi Carol. You sound like you will do well being off plan for a bit. As long as you stay close to step1 and pick your poison, just try to keep them minimal. You will need to spend some time after Thanksgiving on a clean step1 to get your L&P in shape. I hope you get some strength back in your legs after you start at your new pool

 

[Carol-Fish]

Thanks, Barb
I've been trying to get my exercise without driving too far and spending so much money on gas. I've decided that I'm worth the cost. It's about time my husband stopped smoking so I could spend that $120/mo that he spends on cigs. on myself. It would be a win-win situation.
Thanks for the encouragement. I will go back to step 1 for the 10 days and then try step 2 again. Christmas will throw me off again, but that's okay. I will get back on step 1 again after that and it should be easier as we don't have many b-days or celebrations until Easter.

Carol

Feast upon the Words of Christ

 

[Diane W.]

Hi Everyone,
I just got home. I went to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island today. The last time I was there was on my son's class trip in 1999. Back then we didn't get off the ferry at Ellis Island. When we got back to Battery Park we went to the World Trade Center and took the elevator to the observation decks. At the time I was annoyed that we didn't take the kids to Ellis Island, but now I am glad that he got the opportunity to be in the WTC.
Today I really enjoyed Ellis Island. It's so amazing to see. We had such a nice time and the weather was perfect. My feet are sore from so much walking.
I have my turkey defrosting in the fridge. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving! I really don't make turkey during the year, so it's a special treat.
Enjoy the rest of the evening - I'm going to bed now. Talk to you tomorrow!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Barb: Thanks for the chicken recipe. It sounds really good!

Carol: This isn't about being on or off plan for a planned holiday, but just in case it could help your legs...sugar and starches (white flour, white rice - anything high carb) that turn to sugar once digested are inflammatory. I have fibro and I know from doing research that body pain is increased greatly when you eat inflammatory foods. Just in case it could help you avoid pain....It can creep up on you. That said, I hope you have a wonderful, cozy, memorable and pain free Thanksgiving with your lovely family!