Simba's Summer (July) 2015 W.I.S.H. Weight Loss Challenge!! Any and All welcome to join!!

[stenickar]

I know that I am really late getting in for July, but I have had 2 courses this summer. I met my June goal by losing 8.5 lbs. My July goal is to loose 6 lbs and to walk at least 2x week. I have had a lot of reading to do for my courses, so I have not been able to get out and walk as much as I would like. I am on vacation next week and plan to walk every day. Then my Disney trip is in August, so plan to do a lot of walking there. I love reading everyones stories. Good work everyone!!

 

[JacknSally]

I know that I am really late getting in for July, but I have had 2 courses this summer. I met my June goal by losing 8.5 lbs. My July goal is to loose 6 lbs and to walk at least 2x week. I have had a lot of reading to do for my courses, so I have not been able to get out and walk as much as I would like. I am on vacation next week and plan to walk every day. Then my Disney trip is in August, so plan to do a lot of walking there. I love reading everyones stories. Good work everyone!!

Thanks for jumping in! It's never too late to get started on your new beginning! Enjoy your vacation next week! When in August are you going to Disney?

 

[JacknSally]

Happy Wednesday, everyone! We're that much closer to FRIDAY!!! WOOOO!!!!!!


It's been so quiet in here this month!! Much different from the June challenge. Where is everyone hiding?!
Today's QOTD is a 2-parter, so hopefully we can get some good conversation going today!

PART ONE: WOOHOO WEDNESDAY! What is one thing that you've either done recently or are planning to do soon that makes you go WOOHOO?!

PART TWO: Tell me about your time management approach toward your methods of achieving your goals this month. How many of us sit here and say "I'm so busy, it's so hard to fit a workout or a 30-minute walk into my day! I just don't have the time to workout!" but then we go home and sit for an hour (or two, or three) on Facebook or watching TV/Netflix? I know I'm guilty for sure! How do you make sure you get everything done? Do you make a general to-do list in the morning for the rest of your day? Do you schedule your day, with specific times for each "must do"? Do you try to get as much done (including a work out) in the morning so you don't have to make it up later in the day? Or do you just do what you can when you can and let the rest rollover?
How does your time management approach work for you, and what, if anything, do you plan to do to improve it for next month's challenge?​

​

 

[Connie96]

Do you mind sharing some of your tips and meal plans from your first few weeks on SB? I'm only vaguely familiar with that diet and don't know the specifics! It's 0 carb for the first 2 weeks, right? What are you allowed to eat that will result in absolutely no carbs? My doctor brought it up in my last check up, but I haven't looked into it since then.

I have the official SB "what to eat" and "what not to eat" printed pages at home. I don't have an electronic copy (I apparently did not print to PDF before printing on paper... I usually have more sense than that.) You can find these official lists by signing up at SouthBeachDiet.com and you'll get a free week if it's your first time to sign up. If you don't want to pay for a membership after that free trial be sure to call and "cancel" before they charge you for your continued "membership". I did this and there was no hassle or run-around. I said I wanted to cancel, they politely asked why - just for their records - and I told them I just really didn't have the money to spend this month. No problem, have a great day. (You can cancel the same day you sign up and you'll still be a "member" until the end of the free trial week.)

Or - if you want to do this the completely FREE way... borrow the South Beach Diet book from your library! In the 2-3 weeks you have the book, you'll have plenty of time to get the basics into your head. (And, take pictures on your phone or tablet of any recipes that look yummy to you!)

Basics:
Phase 1 is essentially lean proteins and non-starchy vegetables. You do still get some carbs from veggies, beans, etc., but no sugars, refined flours or starches. Phase one lasts 2 weeks to break sugar/bad-carb addictions.
Phase 2 adds in some high-fiber whole grains and fruit; stay here until you reach your goal weight.
Phase 3 adds OCCASIONAL treats outside of Phase 2; this is the maintenance phase.

Is that helpful at all?

 

[SarahDisney]

PART ONE: WOOHOO WEDNESDAY! What is one thing that you've either done recently or are planning to do soon that makes you go WOOHOO?!

Last week I went to a running store to get fitted for shoes. It was hard for me, partially because I kinda liked my old method of buying whatever shoes were cheapest (even if they weren't always the best shoes for me), and partially because I hate asking for help. But I went in, enjoyed the experience, and ended up paying less than I thought I would for the shoes!

PART TWO: Tell me about your time management approach toward your methods of achieving your goals this month. How many of us sit here and say "I'm so busy, it's so hard to fit a workout or a 30-minute walk into my day! I just don't have the time to workout!" but then we go home and sit for an hour (or two, or three) on Facebook or watching TV/Netflix? I know I'm guilty for sure! How do you make sure you get everything done? Do you make a general to-do list in the morning for the rest of your day? Do you schedule your day, with specific times for each "must do"? Do you try to get as much done (including a work out) in the morning so you don't have to make it up later in the day? Or do you just do what you can when you can and let the rest rollover?

I've got two different approaches, depending on the day. Some days I just make a general to-do list, and on those days my workout generally goes at the end of the list ... except on days when I run, where it goes first thing in the morning. Other days (especially when I'm very busy), I'll write up a daily schedule broken up by half hour, and on those days the workout has to go on the schedule or it won't get done - I'll usually throw it in either to give me a break from a lot of the same type of work or right before dinner.

 

[JacknSally]

Stopped by real quick to check in... But there's no one here!

 

[alrushton]

I have to get up at 5:30am to get more workout in. I know if I don't do it early I will never do it. Getting up is hard between DD working till 11:30pm and the kids are on school break so they don't have to be up early.

 

[Keithsmomma]

QOTD part 1
My first woohoo moment started after 7pm tonight. 5 day weekend. Much needed mini break. Then second one is my vacation in Nov to WDW. 2 weeks

Part 2.
With my DS we always try to walk or run together. He always says mommy we need to go walking. With that we walk our neighborhood. He basically keeps me on track. DH is also helping on days off. He normally takes me to parks or hiking trails.

 

[DisPup75]

Summer is my least favorite season, too. I am SO OVER the heat and humidity and disgustingness. Bring on autumn! I'm ready for the leaves to change, the air to cool, and the world to get that wonderful autumn scent. But my fall downfall? Chai tea lattes from Starbucks. OH MY GOODNESS. I don't know how on earth I'm going to stay away!! I hope you were able to get back on track yesterday and today! Do you prep all of your meals for the week? What are your favorite go-to make-ahead meals? I'm always looking for anything that I can make easily on Sunday when I have free time so that I am less likely to run into the "But I'm just too tired to cook tonight!" issue later in the week.

Love those chai tea lattes myself! Yummy!! Soon it will be fall and we will all be able to breath again! I AM continuing to stay on track so yay!!

I don't prep all of my meals because I find that doing so just makes me want something else. But I do try to make dressing, wash lettuce, and cook up some protein (usually shrimp or chicken) so I can put salads together easily or just add some vegetables/other sides and have a quick dinner. My husband doesn't eat meal so I can eat for a few days off of a pound or two of the flavor of the week. When it isn't so hot, I usually make a big pot of soup for Sunday dinner and weekday lunches but that is out of the question right now. I'm also making sure that we actually have produce in the house as well as a good supply of Chobani yogurt cups and Kind bars.

My favorite make ahead "meal" this month is the chicken/basil/mozzarella meatballs from Costco. I brown them up in a tiny bit of olive oil and then reheat them in the microwave in batches of 3 or 6. I think I've had them with a cucumber and tomato salad at least three times in the past week. A bit too much sodium but SO delicious and feels like a treat at only 140 calories for 3. I also like to throw chicken (skinless but with the bones)in the crockpot with enchilada sauce (I make my own but canned works) and then shred the meat for tacos and salads.

I love to cook but don't have time very often do I too am always looking for quick or make ahead meals.

PART ONE: WOOHOO WEDNESDAY! What is one thing that you've either done recently or are planning to do soon that makes you go WOOHOO?!

I'm really proud of myself back on track after my disastrous Friday and Saturday. The old me would have used it as an excuse to throw in the towel.

PART TWO: Tell me about your time management approach toward your methods of achieving your goals this month. How many of us sit here and say "I'm so busy, it's so hard to fit a workout or a 30-minute walk into my day! I just don't have the time to workout!" but then we go home and sit for an hour (or two, or three) on Facebook or watching TV/Netflix? I know I'm guilty for sure! How do you make sure you get everything done? Do you make a general to-do list in the morning for the rest of your day? Do you schedule your day, with specific times for each "must do"? Do you try to get as much done (including a work out) in the morning so you don't have to make it up later in the day? Or do you just do what you can when you can and let the rest rollover?
How does your time management approach work for you, and what, if anything, do you plan to do to improve it for next month's challenge?

I'm a time management disaster. I've been trying really hard not to make promises (particularly at work but really everywhere) that I can't possibly keep. I'm still struggling to fit in actual workouts but try to keep up my step count by walking to/from the train station, moving around during calls, and doing laps around the building or block at lunchtime and visits to the ladies room. My very active dog also makes it easy. I'm close to 10,000 steps again this week and think I am going to start aiming for 15,000 as soon as I get this stupid boot off my ankle (3 more weeks yay!). It will take some doing but I know it will happen while the elliptical machine just won't. The weights though. They are a struggle.

 

[DisPup75]

I know that I am really late getting in for July, but I have had 2 courses this summer. I met my June goal by losing 8.5 lbs. My July goal is to loose 6 lbs and to walk at least 2x week. I have had a lot of reading to do for my courses, so I have not been able to get out and walk as much as I would like. I am on vacation next week and plan to walk every day. Then my Disney trip is in August, so plan to do a lot of walking there. I love reading everyones stories. Good work everyone!!

Sounds like great goals for the second half of the month!

I have the official SB "what to eat" and "what not to eat" printed pages at home. I don't have an electronic copy (I apparently did not print to PDF before printing on paper... I usually have more sense than that.) You can find these official lists by signing up at SouthBeachDiet.com and you'll get a free week if it's your first time to sign up. If you don't want to pay for a membership after that free trial be sure to call and "cancel" before they charge you for your continued "membership". I did this and there was no hassle or run-around. I said I wanted to cancel, they politely asked why - just for their records - and I told them I just really didn't have the money to spend this month. No problem, have a great day. (You can cancel the same day you sign up and you'll still be a "member" until the end of the free trial week.)

Or - if you want to do this the completely FREE way... borrow the South Beach Diet book from your library! In the 2-3 weeks you have the book, you'll have plenty of time to get the basics into your head. (And, take pictures on your phone or tablet of any recipes that look yummy to you!)

Basics:
Phase 1 is essentially lean proteins and non-starchy vegetables. You do still get some carbs from veggies, beans, etc., but no sugars, refined flours or starches. Phase one lasts 2 weeks to break sugar/bad-carb addictions.
Phase 2 adds in some high-fiber whole grains and fruit; stay here until you reach your goal weight.
Phase 3 adds OCCASIONAL treats outside of Phase 2; this is the maintenance phase.

Is that helpful at all?

I'm so bad! I always forget about the library and am sometimes embarrassed by how many Amazon boxes are UPS guy has to deliver.

Last week I went to a running store to get fitted for shoes. It was hard for me, partially because I kinda liked my old method of buying whatever shoes were cheapest (even if they weren't always the best shoes for me), and partially because I hate asking for help. But I went in, enjoyed the experience, and ended up paying less than I thought I would for the shoes!

That's awesome! I've always been afraid to get properly fitted for shoes. I worry that they will laugh at me because I am SO out of shape. Glad you had a great experience!

I have to get up at 5:30am to get more workout in. I know if I don't do it early I will never do it. Getting up is hard between DD working till 11:30pm and the kids are on school break so they don't have to be up early.

One of my goals in life is to be early bird! I'm not making progress.

QOTD part 1
My first woohoo moment started after 7pm tonight. 5 day weekend. Much needed mini break. Then second one is my vacation in Nov to WDW. 2 weeks

Part 2.
With my DS we always try to walk or run together. He always says mommy we need to go walking. With that we walk our neighborhood. He basically keeps me on track. DH is also helping on days off. He normally takes me to parks or hiking trails.

Woohoo! Vacation!! Love your DS support system. So sweet!

 

[SarahDisney]

I'm a time management disaster. I've been trying really hard not to make promises (particularly at work but really everywhere) that I can't possibly keep. I'm still struggling to fit in actual workouts but try to keep up my step count by walking to/from the train station, moving around during calls, and doing laps around the building or block at lunchtime and visits to the ladies room. My very active dog also makes it easy. I'm close to 10,000 steps again this week and think I am going to start aiming for 15,000 as soon as I get this stupid boot off my ankle (3 more weeks yay!). It will take some doing but I know it will happen while the elliptical machine just won't. The weights though. They are a struggle.

Time management is a lot harder than people think! I've found that the key is to keep experimenting until you find a system that works for you - and then if you find something better, try that. It's also important to make your health as high of a priority as everything else - sometimes its easy to skip a workout because it's not "as important" as something else on your agenda - but it really as as important!

That's awesome! I've always been afraid to get properly fitted for shoes. I worry that they will laugh at me because I am SO out of shape. Glad you had a great experience!

You should try it! There were only a few other people there when I was there, but I'm pretty sure that they're used to getting people of all sizes - both beginners and more experienced runners. If you find the right place, it's a really great experience!

 

[JacknSally]

Good morning, everyone! So, so happy to see some chatter in here last night! I'll be back when I have a chance to catch up. Late for work yet again this morning... Not getting any sleep last week really threw me off, now it's impossible for me to get out of bed!

QOTD is another 2-parter!

Today is National Refreshment Day!

1) What is your favorite fun refreshment - sangria? Margarita? Daquiri? Milkshake? Ice cold Coke?

2) No matter what your favorite is, we can probably all agree that we need to be getting more water every day, especially in this heat and humidity. The general recommendation is 6-8 glasses of 8 ounces of water, every day. What are you doing to make sure you stay hydrated through out the day? Do you track your hydration in an app? Keep a gallon jug of water handy? Or is this something you're even conscious of? I know I personally have noticed a big difference in how I feel when I drink more water during the day than when I don't.

I challenge everyone to keep track of how much water you drink today, and try to get near the 6-8 glasses recommendation if you're not already doing so. REMEMBER: If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated!


​

 

[alrushton]

QOTD
1) I Cherry Amp's. I don't drink coffee so that is my morning drink.

2) Most days I get in my 6 glasses sometimes 9. I use bottles that hold 3 glasses at a time. Thankfully I can drink it room temperature so I keep it with me all day.

 

[dsnyfn1022]

QOTD:

1 - My favorite alcoholic beverage is Gin and Tonic. My favorite non-alcoholic beverage is a Diet Cherry Limeade from Sonic. I've had a few of those this summer!

2 - I have found that since I stopped drinking caffeine of any kind that my body craves water more than I ever have so it's pretty easy for me to hit 6-8+ glasses every day. Plus, we have a water/ice dispenser on my floor in the office. So I usually fill up my big cup 3-4 times here and then 2-3 more times at home.

 

[SarahDisney]

1) What is your favorite fun refreshment - sangria? Margarita? Daquiri? Milkshake? Ice cold Coke?

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Ice Blended (its similar to a Starbucks Frappuccino, but better)

2) No matter what your favorite is, we can probably all agree that we need to be getting more water every day, especially in this heat and humidity. The general recommendation is 6-8 glasses of 8 ounces of water, every day. What are you doing to make sure you stay hydrated through out the day? Do you track your hydration in an app? Keep a gallon jug of water handy? Or is this something you're even conscious of? I know I personally have noticed a big difference in how I feel when I drink more water during the day than when I don't.

I have a 32-ounce water bottle that I keep with me almost at all times. If I'm going somewhere and taking a small bag that doesn't have room for my big bottle, I take a 0.5 L water bottle with me instead.

 

[JacknSally]

PART ONE: WOOHOO WEDNESDAY! What is one thing that you've either done recently or are planning to do soon that makes you go WOOHOO?!

PART TWO: Tell me about your time management approach toward your methods of achieving your goals this month. How many of us sit here and say "I'm so busy, it's so hard to fit a workout or a 30-minute walk into my day! I just don't have the time to workout!" but then we go home and sit for an hour (or two, or three) on Facebook or watching TV/Netflix? I know I'm guilty for sure! How do you make sure you get everything done? Do you make a general to-do list in the morning for the rest of your day? Do you schedule your day, with specific times for each "must do"? Do you try to get as much done (including a work out) in the morning so you don't have to make it up later in the day? Or do you just do what you can when you can and let the rest rollover?
How does your time management approach work for you, and what, if anything, do you plan to do to improve it for next month's challenge?​

Taking just a second at work (I am just not feeling it today!) to answer yesterday's QOTD for myself.

Part 1- My WOOHOO from Wednesday was weighing in at 209lbs. I started out this month at 212 so that is by no means a substantial loss, and far short of the 10 I want to lose in July, but it has been ages since I've been below 210, and it is that much closer to being below the 200 mark. I wasn't feeling well last night and it was thundering and lightning off and on all night so I didn't get a walk in, but I'm planning to go home today and take a short nap and then get back out this evening and walk. I'm doing much better with my eating this week, especially compared to the last two, so hopefully that number will keep getting smaller!

Part 2- I have the worst time management skills imaginable. I am almost always late to everything and I am a HUGE procrastinator. HUGE. I've started recently making lists of everything that needs to get done and then breaking that master list into "what needs to get done this month" then into "week" then into "day". That helps but I'm not actually getting to all the things on my list. For August, I'm going to try to come up with a more structured schedule for myself with specific times included and see how that works.

 

[JacknSally]

If everyone is ok with me leading the challenge for August, I'll get started on that thread this weekend and post the link so everyone can transfer over before July is out! I didn't see that someone was already doing it, so please let me know if it's already been claimed!

 

[ThistleMae]

My WooHoo last week was Zip lining! First time going. I did a GIGANTIC WOOHOO as I zipped across the Pemi River! It was a blast!

I do not have an exercise program and really haven't done anything. I just finished shots in both knees and need to build up my muscles. I did go to the gym to check it out. I have never been able to successfully sustain my interest in going to the gym. I have been giving this a great deal of thought....to figure out what will motivate me to continue to go once I join. The first positive is that it is only 10 minutes away and I'm not working anymore, so time is not an issue. I do have to go to the grocery store at least twice a week for fresh veges, so I do have to go out. It just seems like such a huge commitment and I don't enjoy working out. I think I have to just decide....make up my mind that it is needed for the rest of my life if I want to stay healthy. I also don't know how frequently I should go. Some folks work out daily, which may be too much. I'm still pondering what I can realistically commit to. I'm on vacation next week but when I come back.....I plan on taking the plunge. I have to think....this is my life....it is necessary to be healthy and active or I will become one of those older housebound folks who can't go out and do things because everything hurts too much. Maybe it will be a mantra I have to repeat over and over again....this is my health....this is my life!

 

[ThistleMae]

If everyone is ok with me leading the challenge for August, I'll get started on that thread this weekend and post the link so everyone can transfer over before July is out!

K

 

[alrushton]

My WooHoo last week was Zip lining! First time going. I did a GIGANTIC WOOHOO as I zipped across the Pemi River! It was a blast!

I have always wanted to do that. I did a very small one years ago at a church camp but I don't think it is anything close to the experience of those that you see on tv.