Team Donald – Biggest Loser “No Excuses” 2012 Challenge

[trinaweena]

Hope everything starts to look up for you! Maybe we just fall into a rut sometimes and it takes time before we can get out. Don't have any real explanation for it, but keep working hard!

---
My family and I are going out to eat this weekend so I've been checking out the restaurants to see what I could have and so I could track my meals.

I cannot believe the amount of calories in some of these foods!! I used to have some delicious pasta at one of my favorite restaurants and found out today it was 1500 calories. I haven't had it in about a year but it really shocks you! I found an appetizer that was 2200 calories alone! What is in this food that makes it so many calories?! I can make a decent meal out of 300-400 calories at home but a veggie burger by itself is 550 calories at a restaurant? Ridiculous!

Luckily I found a couple salads and soups that were within a good range. My family ordered pizza tonight. I had a plate of mixed vegetables with a veggie turkey burger and treated myself to 2 cinnamon sticks. Yummm!

It's crazy once you start paying attention to calories and try to eat out. I usually tend to watch what i eat during the day if i know im eating out, so i can indulge. I remember when i first started counting calories my boyfriend took me to Olive Garden and i was looking up information on my phone like "wow I can't eat ANYTHING". It is even more difficult now not being able to have dairy because so much has dairy in it!

Trina, sounds like things are tough all around for you While the bridesmaid dress ordeal sounds tough, your measurements must have been a happy victory!! I really hope your tummy troubles are diagnosed soon...i really sympathize with you...hang in there!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope everyone had a great day!!

Yeah things are tough, but i'm surviving one day at a time. I guess i can describe my mood as frustrated most days. The measurements felt REALLY good, especially after dealing with her attitude! I told the bride (who is my best friend) all about it and she laughed

Oh trina you have had quite a week. I hear you on the bridesmaid cost. It is not cheap being in a wedding. Im sure your friend will appreciate all the headache you are going through. Sounds like her sister is quite a hoot.

Qotd- my theme song would be- im sexy and i know it by lmfao we dance to this at zumba and it makes me feel sexy in my own mind.

Thanks to jill for being our coach last wk and welcome to coach karen.

I had a successful weigh inn of a 1.2lb loss. I was happy to see that but then i sorta fell off the wagon today. Oh well back on it again tomorrow.

Tomorrow i have to work at a marketing event for my office and then we have my cousins sons bday party. Im promising now not to eat cake.

Thank you. Yes being a bridesmaid is really expensive. Doubly so for me cause the wedding is on the cape. This summer we went to look at venues, and while she paid for hotel, its still gas. In march we are going to a tasting, just a day trip, but its a 3 hour trip each way, then of course the actual wedding, plus the bride lives in tenessee and im going down there for a week in march to help with wedding stuff. So its a lot of money being spent. But i love her so i would do anything for her and im not complaining ( a lot lol). Her sister was actually my best friend in highschool, and then i became best friends with her after high school. We all still remain friends, but her sister and i have almost nothing in common. And it can be difficult being best friends with sisters!

Sexy and I know it used to always be playing at the gym when i worked out and it would make me feel sexy too! I'd be like yeah i look good!
------
You know i'm slacking on homework when i have time for replies. I have so much to do but no motivation to do it! I have a bibliography for my research paper due on monday, but its not graded so i'm not feeling motivated to do it. which is stupid because just because its not graded doesnt mean its optional! Plus about a hundred pages to read for that class, an essay to finish for another class, 30 pages and reading response for another class, a stack of books a mile high to start reading for research, and an essay for my politics class that i should really start researching!

I just wicked slacked off today and im so dissapointed in myself. I have all day and night tomorrow, but sunday i have work and then i wanted to hang out with my boyfriend without the threat of homework hanging over me!

maybe i can get a reading done before bed!

I ate dinner (I felt sick before/after/during but i forced myself) Whole wheat pizza with eggplant, mushrooms, spinach, and artichokes. NO CHEESE! Honestly I didn't miss the cheese. I like stuff on my pizza, lots of veggies, theres no room for cheese! And i'm sure i save a lot of calories that way!

 

[belledreamer]

Oh I forgot to mention that I tried the recipe someone here mentioned about mashing cauliflower with potatoes and they were really good. My first venture into veggies was a success and now I just bought a bunch of fresh asparagus as my next new veggie to try (hey they were on sale and I was feeling adventurous, haha)

So now I need a really easy way to cook them that will be delish

I still need to try the mashed cauliflower. I've only heard good things about it though.

I absolutely love asparagus! It's my favorite veggie! We usually just boil them in water for a few minutes, salt, pepper and a little bit of butter. We never have leftovers.

ROAST ROAST ROAST. You can leave them whole or cut them into inch size pieces, put on a flat pan, drizzle olive oil, salt and pepper, 400 oven for 5 to 10m minutes depending on how thick and enjoy. They go great in scrambled eggs.

I never thought of putting it in scrambled eggs before. We just bought some more fresh asparagus today; I'll have to remember to save some so I can try it.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Burned 398 calories at the gym today and I have to admit, I do feel a little better. Was really down on myself today about my gain and was really in a rotten mood, but I'm really surprised at how an hour of sweat can help. And of course, all the support from my awesome teammates. You all make me feel so much better.

Only got about 1,300 calories in today though. I haven't eaten over 1,600 calories since last Saturday. (Averaging between 1,200 and 1,600 a day) And I even had dessert three times this week. (Low cal) So maybe it is that I'm just not getting enough calories...

Does that mean that I have to counteract the calories I'm losing during exercise with higher calorie meals? I really want to try a higher calorie day tomorrow, especially since I'd like to try to go to the gym again. And honestly, I'm at a loss of what to even try to eat anymore.

Does anyone have some recommendations for some higher calorie meals I could try? I know I don't want to do fast food for calories, but I'm getting sick of peanut butter...

 

[lisah0711]

Good morning to my TEAM DONALD friends!

It will be nice when we are all together again soon!

and a big, BL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WONDERFUL FRIEND, KATHY (MIKAMAH)! Seems like such a long time ago we were celebrating at WDW getting ready for the Princess.
Have a magical day!

 

[VirataMama4]

Doing a fly by post! I'm down 2.2lbs, which was completely unexpected. We're moving in just under 3 weeks so there is no time to be on the DIS lately and I'm going crazy without it! I don't think it helps that our trip is just a week after our move, so I'm in planning mood...

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

[mikamah]

Thank you so much, Lisa!! Your post is as bright as the tyedye shirt I wore in disney last year on my birthday. It does seem so long ago, but then it seems like yesterday. I hope the time goes by quickly before we are doing another disney race! I am looking forward to merging too. I miss the Mickeys!!

Good morning Donalds!!

I had me some breakfast in bed, lucky charms and cheerios combo with a banana from my lovely son. And I'll share the card he wrote me, it has a big flower in the middle and the poem on the front is
"You're birthday is here, and girl you're getting elderly.
After you read this card, I hope that you feel swelderly!"

We are off to walk the dog, and have a relaxing day at home.

Have a wonderful saturday everyone!!!

 

[cclovesdis]

Pamper Week, Sat. 2/25: It's Saturday. Do something you find fun.

 

[pjlla]

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hormonal rant coming...

Not having a good day today. Gained... I can't believe I gained this week... A month of maintaining and I gained...

I know I really shouldn't be complaining since I know there are others who are having worse weight struggles than me and this is probably just TOM talking...but I've been working so hard at it, especially this week. I got all my scheduled exercise in and then some, plus I tracked every calorie I ate. The past three days I've actually made myself eat a spoonful of peanut butter or drink some 1% milk just to get my minimum 1,200 calories. Even today, I've logged in my meals (Fiber bar, Subway, baked pork chop with sweet potato) and am still over 300 calories short from my minimum calories...

Plus my gym consult had to be rescheduled for the 2nd time today (trainer needed to reschedule) and when I told DM about my weigh-in today, she mentioned that our scale is probably not accurate considering it's as old as me and there's about a 10 lb difference between the doctor's office scale and ours. So even though our scale says 201, it's probably more like 207-210 which also means that my starting weight was probably more than I originally thought.

Totally not what I needed to hear today... I guess mostly because it made me come to the realization of 'How did I let it get like this?'

Now whether it's from a starting weight of 225 or 215, I still have lost 15lbs either way and I do take satisfaction in that. My clothes fit better, the back fat is gone and I feel healthier. And I'm still planning on going to the gym today as I originally scheduled. (No drowning my sorrows in chocolate... ) But it's just disappointing to think you've come so far and then find out you actually haven't...

I mean, I'm getting exercise, burning calories and eating healthy. Why am I not losing anymore weight?

Rant over. If you took the time to read this, I really appreciate it.

I was glad to see as you progressed through your "rant" that you seemed to get more positive. You are RIGHT.... no matter what the scale says, you have lost 15 pounds and made healthy improvements to your life and health!

I can totally relate to how you are feeling. My weigh-in yesterday wasn't great, so I took another peek this morning. Over the last few weeks, my Saturday weight has been better than my Friday... so I was hoping for a decent number today..... but NOPE....up over 1 lb from yesterday!! And I know that it isn't "real" weight. I had a perfect day yesterday.... did some weight training, ate right, measured my portions, journaled my food, got enough sleep, etc. But what a frustration!

I'm so PROUD of you for not indulging in a big overeating pity party! You used your frustration in a positive way!! That is hard... I KNOW! Part of you wants to throw in the towel... but you KNOW, in your heart, that that will NEVER get you what you want in the long run!

NEVER GIVE UP.... the weight WILL come off, eventually. Sorry it has to be a slow aggravating process sometimes.

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

Laptop is doing that strange thing again where I can't do a multi-quote.... it treats everything as a quote....sorry.............P

 

[RemembertheMagic98]

Howdy Donald's! After a few really bad weeks I finally lost 1 lb this week!
I need to get back to the Healthy Habits Challenge and start this ball back rolling!

I am soo excited that I have joined Weight Watchers! I live in a very small town and they haven't had meetings here for a few yrs because there wasn't enough interested but they had an information meeting last night and over 25 people came so the program can start. We will be having meetings on Wed.nights! I hope this is the kick in the pants I need!!

Yay on the loss!!! Right after I post here I am off to WW for my weigh in! I love the program and hope that you see that scale move with the extra support!

Qotd- my theme song would be- im sexy and i know it by lmfao we dance to this at zumba and it makes me feel sexy in my own mind.

Thanks to jill for being our coach last wk and welcome to coach karen.

I had a successful weigh inn of a 1.2lb loss. I was happy to see that but then i sorta fell off the wagon today. Oh well back on it again tomorrow.

Tomorrow i have to work at a marketing event for my office and then we have my cousins sons bday party. Im promising now not to eat cake.

L, I think that song just makes you want to feel sexy....I'm ususally dancing in my car when it comes on Jump back on the wagon...oh, and watch out for wayward cake...I have had it just jump onto my plate....I swear

ROAST ROAST ROAST. You can leave them whole or cut them into inch size pieces, put on a flat pan, drizzle olive oil, salt and pepper, 400 oven for 5 to 10m minutes depending on how thick and enjoy. They go great in scrambled eggs.

YUMMY!! I must try this!

Good evening and Happy Weekend!!

Thank you Jill for coaching last week and all your fun questions and support, and a big welcome to Karen as this weeks coach!! It's gonna be a good, good week!!!! I've got no prince charming for you, but if I ever find 2, I'll send one your way.

Congrats to all who have posted losses or maintains too, since maintaining is way underrated, and big hugs to any gainers this week.
I'm down .2, so essentially a maintain, and after tonights feast at Buffalo Wild Wings, I'm taking todays weight and staying off the scale tomorrow. But I am back in the wagon even though I was sidetracked tonight.

I love this question, karen. I'd say " I hope you Dance" is my theme song, since I first heard it years ago when I was country dancing, and at the time recently had lost my dad and gotten out of a bad relationship, and really did learn to get up and "dance" when I had the opportunity.

But I love the question more because as I was reading through everyone's posts, I'd start singing their songs in my head. Thank you Laura for Copa Cobana, and Lindsay for replacing Copa with I'm sexy and I know it. Ds enjoys that song a bit, and I bet he could do quite a dance with you at Zumba.

What a beautiful picture. I am so excited for you that she has been able to communicate with you. Such a treat for you. Sounds like she is already having an amazing time. Yay. Hope you got a little rest and are ready for a fun vacation week with ds!!

I'm so happy to hear the surgery went well, and am sending prayers and good wishes for a speedy recovery. 11 pounds in less than 2 months is a good loss too, especially with the stress of the impending surgery. Hang in there.

Well, I'm half way through my 4 day weekend. It's nice I was able to get an extra day off with this being school vacation too. We didn't do too much, but it's been fun and relaxing. This afternoon we went to see Journey2 again because ds loved it, and it was playing at the best time. It was still good. I went through all my scrapbooking supplies because 2 ladies I work with retired and we are making them scrap/memory books so I brought some stuff into work this afternoon. We're having a party thursday night and we'll have the books there like a guestbook, and we've gathered pictures we're putting in the books too. But anyway, I have so much disney scrapping supplies, that tomorrow I plan to start scrapping again. I have our 1st trip big scrapbook done, and the 2nd book started so that leave 4.5 trips to go. I think I'm going to make a joint trip book and do a few 12x12 pages from each trip. I have small 5x7 book from each trip, but I would like more. I also could start working on my nieces graduation book. June will be here before I know it.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!!

Oh Kathy...I love I Hope You Dance...it makes me cry every time I hear it!! The song just reminds me that healing can happen and things will not always be so terrible...

So glad your scrapbooking is going well! I'm in the middle of my "Disney Through the Years" beginning with my first visit in 1978! I love Disney books!!

You know i'm slacking on homework when i have time for replies. I have so much to do but no motivation to do it! I have a bibliography for my research paper due on monday, but its not graded so i'm not feeling motivated to do it. which is stupid because just because its not graded doesnt mean its optional! Plus about a hundred pages to read for that class, an essay to finish for another class, 30 pages and reading response for another class, a stack of books a mile high to start reading for research, and an essay for my politics class that i should really start researching!

I just wicked slacked off today and im so dissapointed in myself. I have all day and night tomorrow, but sunday i have work and then i wanted to hang out with my boyfriend without the threat of homework hanging over me!

maybe i can get a reading done before bed!

I ate dinner (I felt sick before/after/during but i forced myself) Whole wheat pizza with eggplant, mushrooms, spinach, and artichokes. NO CHEESE! Honestly I didn't miss the cheese. I like stuff on my pizza, lots of veggies, theres no room for cheese! And i'm sure i save a lot of calories that way!

Trina, Today is another day. I always say, dwelling on what could have been just brings you further into the past. Think about your choices today and go forward! I hate to sounds preachy...just the optimist in me!! Hang in there!!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Burned 398 calories at the gym today and I have to admit, I do feel a little better. Was really down on myself today about my gain and was really in a rotten mood, but I'm really surprised at how an hour of sweat can help. And of course, all the support from my awesome teammates. You all make me feel so much better.

Only got about 1,300 calories in today though. I haven't eaten over 1,600 calories since last Saturday. (Averaging between 1,200 and 1,600 a day) And I even had dessert three times this week. (Low cal) So maybe it is that I'm just not getting enough calories...

Does that mean that I have to counteract the calories I'm losing during exercise with higher calorie meals? I really want to try a higher calorie day tomorrow, especially since I'd like to try to go to the gym again. And honestly, I'm at a loss of what to even try to eat anymore.

Does anyone have some recommendations for some higher calorie meals I could try? I know I don't want to do fast food for calories, but I'm getting sick of peanut butter...

You go power burner!!! I love the feeling I get after a good workout! Hmmm..you may be under eating calorie-wise. Try some lean meats (chicken and fish are great!) and rice! Rice is a great filler and has a good number of calories for the amount you eat. When you work out at the gym you may need more calories since you are burning more...try a protein bar after your workout

Good morning to my TEAM DONALD friends!

It will be nice when we are all together again soon!

and a big, BL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WONDERFUL FRIEND, KATHY (MIKAMAH)! Seems like such a long time ago we were celebrating at WDW getting ready for the Princess.
Have a magical day!

Happy Birthday Kathy!!!

and we miss you LISA!!! I can't wait for the threads to merge!!! Happy Weekend!!

Doing a fly by post! I'm down 2.2lbs, which was completely unexpected. We're moving in just under 3 weeks so there is no time to be on the DIS lately and I'm going crazy without it! I don't think it helps that our trip is just a week after our move, so I'm in planning mood...

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

WOOOHOOOO! 2.2 is awesome!!! Keep up the great work

Thank you so much, Lisa!! Your post is as bright as the tyedye shirt I wore in disney last year on my birthday. It does seem so long ago, but then it seems like yesterday. I hope the time goes by quickly before we are doing another disney race! I am looking forward to merging too. I miss the Mickeys!!

Good morning Donalds!!

I had me some breakfast in bed, lucky charms and cheerios combo with a banana from my lovely son. And I'll share the card he wrote me, it has a big flower in the middle and the poem on the front is
"You're birthday is here, and girl you're getting elderly.
After you read this card, I hope that you feel swelderly!"

We are off to walk the dog, and have a relaxing day at home.

Have a wonderful saturday everyone!!!

Your son is the BEST!!! The poem is soooo cute! Kathy, I wish you all the best for a wonderful birthday filled with love and happiness that carries through the year! Enjoy your day!!

 

[RemembertheMagic98]

Saturday QOTD: On this day in 2010 ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex was relaunched as ESPN:The Weekend kicked off. What sport have you always wanted to try...regardless of age, weight, physical limitations?

Bonus PSA: When was the last time you had a physical? Just a little reminder that the journey to weight loss can be enhanced by using your doctor as an ally and not an enemy! Find a doctor you connect with and get yourself checked!

 

[pjlla]

I'm not losing right now either and I know I have to change my eating. I am going to sit down tonight after the boys go to bed and plan every meal and snack for the week AND stick to it. I think if I figure out the calories ahead of time I will be better and not go over as much.

I need to do the same, but with vacation week coming up, this isn't exactly the perfect week to do that. But NO EXCUSES! TODAY I will plan my meals.... even if I have to PLAN eating pizza and birthday cake with DS!

DS's birthday celebration sounds like a ton of fun! I hope they have a good time!

He's such a patient boy. His birthday falls in January.... right in the middle of the swim season craziness and post-Christmas let-down. Over the past few years I've been BAD about doing a birthday party for him. Last year DH took DS and a few friends to a local fun park (mini-golf, go-carts, laser tag) in MAY! We called it a belated birthday party, but there was no cake or gifts... just a fun day with friends.

This year it is another belated mini party... but we are doing all of his favorite activities with his BF, so it should be great. I'm going to decorate the dining room as if it were a "big" party, pull out the pretty paper plates, etc that I bought and saved (his favorite color.... orange!). He already got his gifts from DH and I, but I might pull out a few small things to wrap. And Monday morning I'm taking him to our local bakery and let him pick a tiny special dessert for himself and BF... he loves their chocolate mousse cheesecake. They will each get a treat with nothing leftover to tempt DH and myself!


Aw thanks! You should've put his answers. I would love to see how he would've answered. My boys would have said they wished for an Ipad, legos, and to go to WDW lol.

That sounds EXACTLY like my DS's wishes! He had asked for an Ipad for Christmas and is still pretty jealous that I got one and he didn't!! But I share mine pretty generously.


Your dinner sounds wonderful! Do you make your own salmon patties or buy them? I would love to have salmon patties and I think DSs would like them. But, I don't know if I should make them, buy them from the deli at the grocery store, or buy prepackaged. Do you have any advice? Do you have a recipe for the applesauce? I've always wanted to make my own, but never have. Sorry to be bothering you with all these food question

Oh, and I would love to do your grocery shopping for you...if you only lived A LOT closer

I used store-bought frozen salmon patties last night (Ocean Beauty Herb Crusted) and they are delicious albeit a bit pricey, but I do have a recipe for my own that is very tasty. I think it is posted over on the BL recipe thread. It is called "Lucas' Light salmon cakes".

Applesauce does NOT require a recipe! I usually make it with cortlands and macs..... but often I will just use up whatever apples are in the house.... especially some that might be not quite as crisp or fresh.

Peel, core, dice, cook on low heat for an extended period of time with no lid, stirring often. The idea is to get the moisture out. I like to leave ours a bit chunky, so I just smoosh it around with a wooden spoon, but if you want it smoother you could use a potato masher. NO sugar and it is still super sweet because all of the apple sugar is concentrated. Just be aware that about 12 small-ish apples only makes about 4 servings!

I have made it in the crockpot before (cooked on low all day), but with the lid on the water doesn't cook out and I needed to put it on the stovetop for a bit to get rid of some of the water.

For a treat I put the cinnamon/sugar shaker on the table for everyone to be able to top their own portion. DH and I usually save ours for dessert!

I don't usually mind grocery shopping, but I almost NEVER make a special trip into town just for that. I always combine it with taking DD to the Y or something like that.... but with her gone, I didn't need to go to town for her, so I was really dreading making the drive just for groceries. I ended up just hitting the Mom and Pop store that is about 11 miles away. It is a GREAt alternative. The prices are only slightly higher than Shaw's and they still have a decent selection..... plus I don't tend to over-buy there. I got what I needed plus a few things and I was there and home in one hour.... which is GREAT!

Tomorrow or Monday morning I will have to hit Shaw's to be sure I have what I need for DS's birthday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We are having crazy weather today. The winds are wicked and we lost power at work around 2 o'clock. No one else in the area lost power, so the power company said it was probably a wire that was pulled away from the building from the wind. I hope it gets restored since some of the kids live there (group home). They had already ordered pizza to be delivered since they couldn't cook dinner. The girls will like that!

We are also supposed to get some snow, but depending on who you listen to, it may be 2 inches or it may be 6 inches. Crazy PA winter!


We've had crazy weather too! We were supposed to get anywhere from 2-8 inches of snow yesterday morning, but it never came. But then at about 1pm we started getting rain, which changed to freezing rain about 5pm. Then at 7pm, we got some thunder and lightening! And it changed back to freezing rain and then snow! And now it is bright and sunny but the wind is HOWLING! Aaaahh... New England weather.

I went grocery shopping and tried to get healthier snacks (carrots and broccolli, bananas and grapes). But, I am going to figure out a full menu for myself tonight, so I may need to do another quick run to the store next week sometime.

No plans tonight. I'm going to catch up on the computer since my internet wasn't working well at work. I have yoga in the morning, so hopefully the weather cooperates. I'll check back later. Have a great weekend!

Jill

Hope yoga went well!.....................P

 

[pjlla]

I had corn flakes this morning, but I probably haven't had cereal in 6+ months. It didn't seem as filling as a vita muffin or fruit.

I had cereal yesterday too, but I was STARVING within an hour!! Glad that it was only PART of my breakfast! Did you put bananas or anything on your cereal? I had blueberries on my FiberOne..... the sweetness is really nice with the cereal.

.........................P

 

[pjlla]

It's been a crazy week to say the least. Where to start?

Well I'm sure you are all sick of hearing about it by now, but yes my stomach is STILL bothering me. I actually had to miss class on tuesday which is SUPER upsetting because i swore after I failed out of school because of skipping class that I would never skip another class, but i went to class and all my classmates told me i looked awful and i felt awful and i HAD to work so i went home. It wasnt a huge deal, but it was frustrating. I ended up calling the doctor and basically demanding that I be seen by the actual doctor not the nurse practictioner. The receptionist was quite snippy with me, and told me that he couldn't see me till April. I asked her if i was just supposed to suffer until then and she was like well no, but you haven't gotten blood work (they never told me to) and stool sample. So i'm getting that done tomorrow but i don't know if it will help or not, since i still cant see an actual doctor till april. The middle of april


Good for you for being PROACTIVE and PUSHY about this! You need to get this taken care of! If they can't see you before mid-April, call and ask for a referral to somone who CAN see you sooner!!!! You do NOT need to tolerate this!!

A few years ago when DS was having some scary changes to his already-bad skin condition, our "usual" dermatologist's office was doing the "we have nothing for xxx weeks".... even when I said I thought it was urgent. So I called the pediatrician and asked who ELSE they would recommend. I ended up calling a pediatric dermatology specialist on a Friday afternoon.... and they offered me an early Monday morning appointment (7 am.... 90 minutes away! ), which of course I GRABBED!! And while we have not continued with that particular practice (for several reasons, but one reason being that the doctor that DS saw left to start his own practice a few months later), we were SO appreciative that they didn't poo-poo our concerns and put us off. And it turned out that DS had pretty significant infections, both bacterial and viral (he had three different tests that morning... skin scraping, punch biopsy, and a swabbing) and ended up on a course of strong antibiotics and steroids! I REFUSE to go back to that original dermatologist ever again.

Anyhow, we (collectively) need to STOP TOLERATING this type of treatment from our physicians! If my doctor cannot see me within a week for a semi-urgent situation, then that means that they have TOO MANY patients in their practice OR they don't have enough office hours OR they just DON'T CARE!!
And I need to find a caretake (either MD, ARNP, PA, or whatever) who DOES CARE ENOUGH to make sure they can see me in a timely fashion!!

Start writing down all of your symptoms.... times, dates, what is happening with your stomach, activity level, stress/anxiety level.... and of COURSE keep a very detailed food journal (which you should be doing already if you are trying to lose weight.... ). Then when you DO find a good doctor who can see you, you will have all of that information ready for them!

I'm going to see my primary care doctor on wednesday to talk about anxiety issues. Maybe that is the cause of these problems? I honestly don't care what is causing it anymore, i just want it to stop. I felt great this morning, ate breakfast and then started to feel sick midafternoon. I've been cranky today anyways, worked at 7am, and didn't eat anything, plus it snowed so its just crappy weather wise.

We bought our bridesmaids dresses today and that was an ordeal. My best friend, who is the bride, lives in tennessee so we are in charge of getting the dresses. We were all allowed to get different styles just had to be the same color. The maid of honor and i went shopping a few months ago and picked out the dresses and she was supposed to talk with the bride and the other bridesmaids and figure out what we were going to do. Then a week ago i get a text from her asking if i got my dress. um no, you never told me what was going on, if that was the dress i was supposed to get, what color, etc etc.

So i told her no, and she was like i'm going friday to order mine (today) and i was like ok, well i will go with you. Keep in mind I think she has talked to her sister and confirmed that these are the dresses she likes and what color we are supposed to order. I don't even remember what dress i tried on! We get there and the bridal people are super unhelpful, asking us what style number we tried on and i'm just like, i have no idea you put that information in the computer you are supposed to know! Meanwhile the maid of honor is getting all pissy with me like "you dont even remember the dress??" and i was trying to communicate to her that she was supposed to take care of all of this, because she said she would and she just kept giving me an attitude, and when i said something about "well what does bridget want?" she made a comment like "bridget is in tennesse, she is leaving this up to us, because she can't be here" like im an idiot. No, i just didn't know if she had picked a specific color.

I suppose it didn't help that i was cranky and tired, and just woken up from a nap. It was just not a great experience. Also the dress ended up costing me $200 that i dont have. The one good thing was they took our measurements and mine were smaller than hers! Petty I know, but she's always had the perfect body and ALWAYS been the pretty one so that was a nice moment. I ended up ordering the dress in a size 8, so i can't gain any wait till september! Which shouldn't be so hard since i'm still not eating.


Glad you had a little NSV with the tape measure!!


To top everything off this week, the night before my spanish test which i was hugely unprepared for, we had an emergency trip to the vet. On tuesday night my dog was fussing with her behind, licking at it and such, i didn't think anything of it and went to work. I came home and checked it out and it looked like she had just pooped on herself, so i washed it and put her to bed. The next morning i woke up and it looked like she had pooped on herself again, but she hadn't been outside so i knew something was up. I went to school and made an appointment for the vet that afternoon. My mom yelled at me and said i was being ridiculous and we didn't have the money but i brought her anyways.

I'm sure glad i did! Turns out (and sorry if this grosses anyone out) she had a ruptured anal gland. Thankfully she did not be sedated and they were able to clean her up and she will be fine. But she is really uncomofrtable and on medication and i just feel so bad for her! I'm so glad i caught it in time.

So that's my update. I am severly slacking on homework today so i better get to it. Everyone have a nice weekend!

Poor puppy! It was that "mother intuition" that kicked in and told you that something needed to be checked! Happy to hear they were able to take care of it without surgery!!.......................P

 

[pjlla]

: I cannot believe the amount of calories in some of these foods!! I used to have some delicious pasta at one of my favorite restaurants and found out today it was 1500 calories. I haven't had it in about a year but it really shocks you! I found an appetizer that was 2200 calories alone! What is in this food that makes it so many calories?! I can make a decent meal out of 300-400 calories at home but a veggie burger by itself is 550 calories at a restaurant? Ridiculous!

Luckily I found a couple salads and soups that were within a good range. My family ordered pizza tonight. I had a plate of mixed vegetables with a veggie turkey burger and treated myself to 2 cinnamon sticks. Yummm!

Good for you for checking this stuff out ahead of time!! I agree.... restaurant meals are crazy!!!!

Did you double check the portions? The "individual" multigrain thin crust pizza that I like at Pizzeria Unos is actually listed as THREE servings when you check the NI !!!!

I'm impressed that you skipped the pizza! Love me a good veggie burger! The Morningstar Farms California T'key burger (no actual meat) is DELICIOUS and only 90 calories each! (ooooh.... I sound like one of those BL infomercials!).........................P

 

[pjlla]

Thanks. The most difficult part is coming up with ideas for the articles. I do much better when I'm given a specific assignment - with this I have carte-blanche on topics.

If you are looking for any suggestions or ideas, just ask!!


Trying to be very good today and tomorrow. On Sunday I'm seeing Sister Act on Broadway, and will be eating lunch at Tony DiNapoli's. For those not familiar with the restaurant - it is delicious Italian food served family style. The portions are huge and I want to save as many Points so I can indulge.

- Laura

Mmmmmm... that sounds yummy. I'm trying to be good over the weekend too to save calories for some movie popcorn on Monday.... and it is tough because it is the first weekend of school vacation so mentally I'd like to be in vacation eating mode!! But I know better!!

I didn't realize that Sister Act was on Broadway. Enjoy the show!........P

 

[pjlla]

Howdy Donald's! After a few really bad weeks I finally lost 1 lb this week!
I need to get back to the Healthy Habits Challenge and start this ball back rolling!

I am soo excited that I have joined Weight Watchers! I live in a very small town and they haven't had meetings here for a few yrs because there wasn't enough interested but they had an information meeting last night and over 25 people came so the program can start. We will be having meetings on Wed.nights! I hope this is the kick in the pants I need!!

Big WOOHOO on joining WW!!! And second WOOHOO onthe one pound gone!................P

 

[pjlla]

Oh I forgot to mention that I tried the recipe someone here mentioned about mashing cauliflower with potatoes and they were really good. My first venture into veggies was a success and now I just bought a bunch of fresh asparagus as my next new veggie to try (hey they were on sale and I was feeling adventurous, haha)

So now I need a really easy way to cook them that will be delish

WTG on trying new veggies!! I'm so sick and tired of adults on here WHINING like 4 year olds about eating vegetables!! I know if you weren't raised eating veggies it can be tough, but it is SO important to your health.

I'm proud of you for setting an example!

Asparagus is easy to overcook, so be careful. We like it steamed and roasted and grilled. Any of them is easy and quick. If you aren't sure about preparing, just wash thoroughly and snap off the bottom. It will break off at the right spot (probably about 1 inch up). To steam, I put the uncut stems in about 1/2 inch of water in a flat bottom sautee pan with the lid on. As soon as the water is steaming/boiling rapidly, I turn it off and drain it.

To roast.... clean and snap.... and then put in a jelly roll pan (single layer) and top with a drizzle of EVOO or just a spray of PAM and a dash of salt. Roast at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes. We like ours slightly over-roasted, so we let it get pretty browned.

Hope it turns out good. Asparagus has a pretty strong taste, so don't give up on veggies if you don't care for this one! Or try again another day. Sometimes the asparagus is much better than other times. And some people like the thinner stalks better than the thicker and vice versa..........P

 

[pjlla]

What a beautiful picture. I am so excited for you that she has been able to communicate with you. Such a treat for you. Sounds like she is already having an amazing time. Yay. Hope you got a little rest and are ready for a fun vacation week with ds!!

Got to text with her a bit last night (and chat on FB) and got a few texts this morning, but she claimed her battery was dying and she didn't have much time, so probably no more communications today. They are heading to the Monteverde cloud forest today. I'm going to google it later. I'm glad I've heard from her, but I hope she doesn't feel the need to text at every possible moment. She needs to be INDEPENDENT! As long as I know she is safe and happy, I'm good.... and ready to have fun and relax with DS!


Well, I'm half way through my 4 day weekend. It's nice I was able to get an extra day off with this being school vacation too. We didn't do too much, but it's been fun and relaxing. This afternoon we went to see Journey2 again because ds loved it, and it was playing at the best time. It was still good. I went through all my scrapbooking supplies because 2 ladies I work with retired and we are making them scrap/memory books so I brought some stuff into work this afternoon. We're having a party thursday night and we'll have the books there like a guestbook, and we've gathered pictures we're putting in the books too. But anyway, I have so much disney scrapping supplies, that tomorrow I plan to start scrapping again. I have our 1st trip big scrapbook done, and the 2nd book started so that leave 4.5 trips to go. I think I'm going to make a joint trip book and do a few 12x12 pages from each trip. I have small 5x7 book from each trip, but I would like

Sorry.... I messed up the quote.... but what I was trying to say was...

WOOOHOO on getting back to scrapping!!! You can finish up that second book in no time and then start with some new projects! I've GOT to get photos ordered today so I can pick them up tomorrow when I head into town to buy groceries.....................P

 

[pjlla]

It's crazy once you start paying attention to calories and try to eat out. I usually tend to watch what i eat during the day if i know im eating out, so i can indulge. I remember when i first started counting calories my boyfriend took me to Olive Garden and i was looking up information on my phone like "wow I can't eat ANYTHING". It is even more difficult now not being able to have dairy because so much has dairy in it!

Yup.... you've got a double challenge. Like Rose with her wheat-free, meat-free diet..... double hard.... triple hard if you think about counting calories too!

You know i'm slacking on homework when i have time for replies. I have so much to do but no motivation to do it! I have a bibliography for my research paper due on monday, but its not graded so i'm not feeling motivated to do it. which is stupid because just because its not graded doesnt mean its optional! Plus about a hundred pages to read for that class, an essay to finish for another class, 30 pages and reading response for another class, a stack of books a mile high to start reading for research, and an essay for my politics class that i should really start researching!

I just wicked slacked off today and im so dissapointed in myself. I have all day and night tomorrow, but sunday i have work and then i wanted to hang out with my boyfriend without the threat of homework hanging over me!

maybe i can get a reading done before bed!

I ate dinner (I felt sick before/after/during but i forced myself) Whole wheat pizza with eggplant, mushrooms, spinach, and artichokes. NO CHEESE! Honestly I didn't miss the cheese. I like stuff on my pizza, lots of veggies, theres no room for cheese! And i'm sure i save a lot of calories that way!

The pizza sounds yummy! Did you make it yourself? That thin crust pizza I mentioned earlier from Uno's has eggplant and spinach. But I like a bit of cheese... and at home I use lowfat cheese, but they don't offer that at Unos!
.........................P

 

[pjlla]

Burned 398 calories at the gym today and I have to admit, I do feel a little better. Was really down on myself today about my gain and was really in a rotten mood, but I'm really surprised at how an hour of sweat can help. And of course, all the support from my awesome teammates. You all make me feel so much better.

You have proven that you are making positive changes in your life by NOT allowing the bad number on the scale send you into a downward spiral! WTG!!

Only got about 1,300 calories in today though. I haven't eaten over 1,600 calories since last Saturday. (Averaging between 1,200 and 1,600 a day) And I even had dessert three times this week. (Low cal) So maybe it is that I'm just not getting enough calories...

Does that mean that I have to counteract the calories I'm losing during exercise with higher calorie meals? I really want to try a higher calorie day tomorrow, especially since I'd like to try to go to the gym again. And honestly, I'm at a loss of what to even try to eat anymore.

Does anyone have some recommendations for some higher calorie meals I could try? I know I don't want to do fast food for calories, but I'm getting sick of peanut butter...

Well.... I'm not a good one to talk to about not getting enough calories. I often think that I am NOT getting enough calories (because I maintain) but then when I bump them up, I get a gain!!

If you are looking to boost calories DO NOT head to fast food!! That stuff is absolute POISON!

Try using full-fat dairy like cheeses.... or full fat salad dressings.... or nuts (not just nut butters).... or sautee in EVOO instead of PAM. Just be sure that the calories you are adding are HEALTHY calories....not empty calories!

Throw a handful of almonds on top of your salad, or make a smoothie with some greek yogurt and whole milk. Put a handful of granola on top of your yogurt (whole grain granola with nuts and raisins). For a splurge, try some Nutella on a piece of whole wheat toast!!.......................P

 

[pjlla]

Thank you so much, Lisa!! Your post is as bright as the tyedye shirt I wore in disney last year on my birthday. It does seem so long ago, but then it seems like yesterday. I hope the time goes by quickly before we are doing another disney race! I am looking forward to merging too. I miss the Mickeys!!

Good morning Donalds!!

I had me some breakfast in bed, lucky charms and cheerios combo with a banana from my lovely son. And I'll share the card he wrote me, it has a big flower in the middle and the poem on the front is
"You're birthday is here, and girl you're getting elderly.
After you read this card, I hope that you feel swelderly!"

We are off to walk the dog, and have a relaxing day at home.

Have a wonderful saturday everyone!!!

Awwww... how cute!! Breakfast in bed AND a card?? You are training him right!! Don't forget that you are creating someone's "Prince Charming" with your little boy!

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY Birthday to my sweet friend! I hope that today is relaxing and special and that the next year brings you much health and happiness!! ...........P