Team Donald – Biggest Loser “No Excuses” 2012 Challenge

[pjlla]

Welcome to the challenge!! It's great to see you over here, and I know you'll get lots of support and advice as you near your first race!!

Thank you CC for hh. You do such a nice job with them and are so creative.

I hope the scale behaved this morning for you. I was very happy. I have heard the tailbone injury's are very painful. A friend of mine has a special pad for her chair so it hurts less.

Love roasted vegies too, and I make my ds try whatever I cook, at least one bite, and this week, he actually ate a full serving of the brussel sprouts for the first time. What a great idea for a quilt. I'm sure he will treasure that.

I think Rose and some others' gave you some great advice, and I was thinking if you don't get enough calories, you metabolism will slow down to try and conserve the nutrients in your body, and you can not see much weight loss. Good luck.

I forget about these, but not a bad idea to always have some in the freezer.

Awesome changes!!

Hope your computer is behaving soon.

Hi dona!! Yeah, I probably won't be posting qotds before you post. Have a fabulous day!

Great advice Rose. Thanks for sharing. I also enjoyed your post the other day about running.

Whoo hoo!!!!!Welcome to ONEDERLAND!!!! I'm not there yet, but hope to see you there later this challenge!! You have done amazing!! I am so happy for you, and know what an amazing feeling it is. Here's to staying in Onderland forever!!!!

Whoo hoo!! Congrats on a new decade!!!

Hope the scale is good to you. What a great idea your mom has for a cookbook. You should make one for your kids too. Enjoy your extra time this morning, and drive carefully. It's all rain here, but we did have a nice walk last night with snow falling, but happy it didn't stick around. Lol on your brother fighting you for a tree skirt. Yeah, my brothers would care less too. Actually after my mom died, really the only thing I wanted was her Santa Claus that she had bought on one of our girls family shopping trip, and both of my sisters were just fine with that. phew. lol.

Gotta run now!! Have a fabulous friday!!

I'll probably make a duplicate book for myself at least....probably not for the kids.

Just checking in. I've hit the 10 pounds gone mark.
I'm having a laproscopic hysterectomy on 2/22 due to horrible female problems I won't gross you all out with.

I'm hoping to be down another 10 pounds by my surgery date, but even if I'm down 1 pound by then I'll be happy.

I will be praying for you regarding the upcoming surgery. 10 pounds down will make your recovery that much quicker and easier.

P, Be careful with all that ice! We just have crazy rain here in NJ...it makes me soooo sleepy! I love the cookbook idea! My sister and I are always looking for something to give my mom that's creative and personal!! LOVE it!


Ice cream....REAL ice cream....it's my downfall. I think I just need to adjust the portion. If I could eat 1/2 cup I would be ok but I never end up with that much...it's always more. Lately I have put the ice cream in a smaller cup so it "looks" like more...seems to work? Once our gallon is gone, I am not buying ice cream and will just have it out as a treat.

My treat is a luna protein bar (5 WW points) or a nice orange. The peeling is a pain in the butt but it makes me think more as I peel. I also like Fat Free popcorn sprinkled with cinnamon!


Oh Jill Not a fun way to begin a Friday morning....I have friends who work in a school that sounds like yours. They never like it when it gets to the point of restraints but absolutely necessary. Hang in there!

I have the Gasbuddy app on my droid and it tells me where I can find the cheapest gas in the area...love that app! I just paid $3.23 for gas (cash) while the station closest to me was $3.39 (cash or credit). I drove only one extra mile to get that much of a difference in price! Say hello to Ohio for me! (I went to Wittenberg in Springfield, OH for college!)

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This week has just FLOWN by! I was just reflecting on my week and I did accomplish some good stuff ~ joined WW, spin class, ellip on Wednesday and Thursday (hopefully tonight too!), was offered a second interview, my friend Roz had her baby on Tuesday night, my cousin Jenn is having her baby as I type this....Wow, what a week!

On tap for the weekend....Knitting with my friends on Sunday for sure! Saturday is up in the air...I may scrapbook with Tara and Patty but I also need to clean the bathrooms and vacuum....and I still have yet to get a new suit and shoes for the interview Maybe today afterschool I can stop at Lord and Taylor....got to break those shoes in...lol!

Back to the meetings with kiddos!

Have a wonderful OP day my Donalds!!!

Busy week! Lots of new babies to love! Hope you were able to find a suit. Are you going to do a cookbook for your Mom?. If so I'd love to share ideas!

Hello all-I try and read a few pages each time but can't seem to keep up the last 2 wks. I really have no idea what has me so busy-no big projects or anything just house,bills,doctor appts,homeschool,food shopping, cooking, cleaning...the usual glamorous stuff.

My wgt doesn't seem to move this month! I'm not doing dif on eating but have skipped days on the TM for walks and such,or yardwork(in the 80's here again)and that seems to lessen the results. I keep track of it all in my log/notebook.

QOTD- Fav snacks that I can't give up would be chocolate-I either have a dark choc 1oz sq, ghirardelli, a Fiber one brownie, scoop of lowfat choc frozen yogurt. Pretty much, have some of one of those every day.

The healthy- blueberries and strawberries(the strawberries are 1.50 a qt at Walmart this week so we are really going thru them) , wlanuts,almonds,low fat yogurt.

I look forward to see the other answers to this. I always like these food questions as the answers give me good ideas to try instead of the same old thing.

Keep tracking a nd the weight will start moving eventually as long as you are staying within your calories. Be sure you aren't eating too little.

Thanks so much for the input. I like the idea of eating nuts and peanut butter and I love avocado so I'll try eating more of that. I've also done the hard boiled egg before and that's worked really well for breakfast on the go. I was slightly inclined to get something sweet for calories but I knew that couldn't possibly be right so I'd usually end up drinking water instead... But I'll definitely try those ideas.

I think I just got a little nervous last night because I had slept through breakfast, had a healthy lunch but wasn't hungry at dinner and had to leave for a few hours and just ate a handful of grapes. Felt poorly while I was out so when I finally did home and ate supper, I ended up getting a bad case of the shakes which really got me nervous since that's never happened before.

Just alot of poor choices that caught up with me I guess...

Don't worry. I'm doing much better this morning. Had Special K for breakfast and have my meals planned for the rest of the day. I'm gonna do better today!!



I love chocolate. Particularly milk chocolate. So I have little mini chocolates I eat whenever I have to have it.

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

Having a really good day so far today. Not only did I reach 200 lbs (15 lbs less than where I started!) but one of my friends brought me some clothes that she didn't want and most of them fit! So now I have 23 new shirts that I can't wait to wear! Plus I've realized that I've gone down a size in shirts! I've gone down from a snug Ladies XL to a comfortable L and I couldn't be happier!

Congrats on getting so close to ONE-derland! And that is a lot of new shirts!

The shaky feeling is probably a blood sugar crash. It is a lousy feeling. Try a small glass of juice or piece of fruit next time to give your blood sugar a quick boost and THEN be sure to eat a real meal! You are killing your metabolism by letting yourself get that hungry.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Sunday friends! I'm here at UNH at DD's swim meet typing on my IPad, so if there are lots of typos, I'm sorry!

The 2.5 hr drive (each way) to her meet in Maine yesterday went fine. I got a great audiobook at the library and the time flew by. DH came along today so no audio story, but at least I had company....and he drove so I could relax a bit.

I'm trying to reply in sections in case of Poof so I'll be back in a bit!.......P

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Sunday 1/29 QOTD-Today is the inaugural Disneyland Tinkerbell Half-Marathon, so our question is honor of Tinkerbell and all our Wishers running today, including our Biggest Loser members- Lisah0711 and Liesel, also known as the Lisabelles. Looking back on your healthy journey, share something you have done or are doing that makes you most proud?

My journey really began last year when I decided to do the Wine and Dine Half Marathon. For me, the TRAINING is the hard part of deciding to run a long race..... getting yourself out there 3 times a week to run and then the long runs that are often done by yourself running around your hometown.

Now that this challenge has started, I am proud of myself for doing p90x.

 

[pjlla]

Yuck. Still sick. Cannot kick this cold. My weigh in today was good, down 3 lbs! Now I am 171.5lbs. Can't wait to be in the 160's.

Sorry you are sick, but great loss!

I love to do crafts, but my interests seem to move around. lately I've done sewing, but that was in conjunction with redoing 2 rooms of the house. It always feels good to have freshly redone rooms I think my favorite relaxation technique is planning our next vacation. There is always lots of research to do and you can never be too prepared.

I love vacation planning too! I don't have an exciting trip to Hawaii coming up, but the kids and I are starting to talk about this year's mother/child weekends!


I did not grow up eating many veggies either. Corn, carrots, green beans and potatoes are it for me. Onions are my gag reflex food. I seem to have issue with high water foods such as lettuce, celery, watermelon, etc. Those items will repeat on my for days, even if I eat something that you'd expect to repeat after that


. Is it all onions or just raw that makes you gag? I went through a time when I could not tolerate any raw onion of any type...it made me feel icky....like acid reflux or heartburn.. But that seems to have passed. Can you eat garlic or leeks?

Pam I hope your son had a wonderful birthday.
No school here today. According to the weather channel we were in the area that was expected to get hit the hardest. I went into work at 7:30 for a few hours to make up some work that I didn't get done while I was sick this week and the roads were okay. They've definitely been worse this year.

Glad you we able to make it to work safely. Other than rain the rest of the day was fine. DS had a fine birthday, for a school day. He enjoyed our dinner out and gifts on Friday.

Thanks for sharing and for the good wishes. Exercising is definitely helping. I saw your reply earlier and immediately took some Vitamin D. My doctor called me back and believe it or not, was not happy when I told him I don't have any caffeine in my diet. I keep meaning to have some tea, but I've been staying awake so I haven't yet. I just thought the conversation with my doctor was pretty funny. He also told me that it wasn't the meds and I was very happy about that. We did a med change and it has proven very successful and I didn't want to change anything again.

Much better than I expected, but not as planned. Nonetheless, each day is getting better and better, I haven't taken any naps since then, and I'm exercising more. I even attempted a C25K run outside!

Sounds like you are getting the sleep issues under control. How did the run go? Did you run again since then?

Did I miss this week's Healthy Habits list? I can't seem to find it in the threads. I always like to print it out and put it up in my bathroom so when I'm getting ready in the morning I can go over it and commit to it!

What a great idea!

I am a chocolate lover, but can not buy a big bag and have just one, so I try not to bring it home. I recently had some Golden grahams-smores cereal bars, that are fabulous. Lots of chocolate, and only 140 calories, 4 g fat. They are the size of any candy bar, but half the calories. Fruit is a good snack, and if it's all washed ahead of time, i'm more likely to choose it. Also cheese and crackers, or cheese and an apple.


cheese and apple is a great combo.

Love all your snack suggestions. I agree the baked lays are really good, but hard to limit, so I try to only buy them once in a while.

I don't find them to be a big temptation unless it is PMS time. Usually I end up tossing out the end of a bag because they are getting stale.


Sitting on the deck is looking good. I bought chicken and steak to grill, and a chain for the dog, so I think I'll be out there tomorrow!!

The only thing sitting on my deck right now is snow, birds, and squirrels!

Glad you are feeling better today, and I think breakfast is a huge part of fueling our bodies, and reving up the metabolism for the day. Congrats on reaching 200 and all the new clothes. I love handmedowns.

I love cream too, but am trying to measure faithfully and decrease the amount, and so far so good.

I love reeses, and saw the ad for mini reeses on tv the other day, thinking that would be good to ration out a candybar size bag.

Whoo hoo! congrats to all our HH participants!

No ONLYs allowed when talking about a loss! Every loss is a loss to be celebrated!! 2 pounds is fabulous!


In the lower right corner of each post is 3 boxes, one with QUOTE, one with Quotation marks, and I forget the other, but if you want to quote just one post, hit the quote and it will bring you right to a post, if you want to do multiple quotes, click the middle one with the quotation marks in it, and it will turn red, and when you hit to post a reply, those posts will appear in your post. Hope that helps.


Congrats on the loss! Hope the cold is better soon. Lots of stuff going around. I've got a good head cold now too.
Bet the boys enjoyed a snow day. Hope you are feeling better now.

Whoo hoo!! 10 pounds in a month is awesome!!!

the dis has been incredibly slow this week, but seems a little better now. Fingers crossed it stays that way. Glad you are feeling better, and way to go on the C25K program! Hope it went well for you.

Good evening everyone! I think we are going to go to bed early here, and in the morning get up and do some cleaning.

The scale was very good to me today, down 2.8 pounds, for a 5 pound loss since we began. Looking back on my food tracking, this week, I consistently ate a good high protein breakfast, which I wasn't doing consistently the prior weeks. I started to figure out calories too, and most days I'm getting between 1700 and 2000 calories a day. When i did a caloric needs calculator, it said to maintain I needed about 2600 calories per day, but I don't know how accurate it is, and I'd say I'm getting mod-large exercise.

Hope you all have a fabulous evening!

Great loss this week! That is great! I'm excited that you are doing so great this challenge!

I feel like something is going on, but it is not developing into anything specific...if I am going to be sick, I wish it would just get it over with. Sounds like you got better as the week went on, glad you are feeling better.

Sleepy - got to bed late last night, but will have a little bit of a chance to sleep in tomorrow. I usually get up around 7 on the weekends.



My boss got into it with his iPhone. I waited until I got the iPhone 4s since the gps is supposed to be better. Everytime I try it with the app I have, I go nutso since I am approaching it, and first the distance is going down, then it goes up, and then in points in a totally different direction... DS is not interested, but I may choose some nice spring day and try it again, but it is a little frustrating. I would really like to do some of these!



When they found out I was low on Vitamin D, the doctor was very surprised I was not too tired. So I guess that would be a symptom.

DS is finally back to school. He only made it back today. He was really miserable, and still has a deep, throaty cough. Gave him Delsym the last couple days, the only thing that works for me when I cough, seemed to help him, at least so he could go to school. I am not sure if I am going to get sick or not...symptom here and there, but could be my imagination. Everyone at work seems to be sick too. I have washed my hands more the last weeks!

African Meatloaf is actually a Meat Pie, and the picture looks somewhat awful. But it is made with lean ground beef, and apples, onion, carrots and raisins, and has spices like curry, chili, cumin, coriander, cloves and bay leaves. I am going to try it this weekend. It is only 5 points per serving.


I would like to get down to a certain weight before our trip this April, but I want to continue losing after that. Would love to hit my goal weight by the time we go home this summer, but that will probably be June, not sure if I can or not. I once made it down to 157, but had trouble losing after that. Will need to see how it goies this time.

DS is better, and back to school for one day this week. Brought a lot of homework home this weekend. Actually got a call from the assistant principal saying how happy she was to see him back and to let us know if he needs any help working with the teachers while catching up! Never had them offer that before! I really like his high school, everyone seems very committed.

DH is better too. Now the waiting game to see if I catch it. It might be the flu, respiratory and fever. I am the only one who had the flu shot, maybe that is why I am lucky so far.

Have some cooking planned for this weekend, plan ahead for lunches and going to try my African Meat Pie. I was going to do Sweet & Sour Crock Pot Pork Chops, but the pork chops I thought I had turned out to be round steak. It is a good thick cut though, so might try it instead of the pork and see what happens.

Other than that, going to hang out at home so DS can catch up on schoolwork and rest up a little bit to get completely over his cold. So a nice quiet weekend.

Had a good week, OP. Will need to do measurements tomorrow, and send in my info to CC and Sue.

Thanks to all the well wishers for DS and DH.

Take care all and have a great weekend !

Carol

Glad to hear your DS is better. Great that his school is so helpful!

The African meatloaf sounds really yummy! Can you share the recipe on the BL recipe thread?


Off to watch a swim and then will reply some more!........P

 

[pjlla]

Having troubles posting here...not sure if it is wi-fi or disboards or me, but anyhow....


Jenanderson......so sorry to hear about all of the issues with DS! How scary! Prayers that he will respond to the treatment quickly. Things are going to be tough for you for the next few weeks.....take care of yourself so you can take care of your family! I've had scary medical issueses with both of my kids at one time or another, so I can understand some of the stress. And of course Deb understands with all she has been through with her boys. Prayers and pixie dust in abundance coming your way..........P

 

[::Snow_White::]

Wow! So many posts to read to on this thread!!

Sunday 1/29 QOTD-Today is the inaugural Disneyland Tinkerbell Half-Marathon, so our question is honor of Tinkerbell and all our Wishers running today, including our Biggest Loser members- Lisah0711 and Liesel, also known as the Lisabelles. Looking back on your healthy journey, share something you have done or are doing that makes you most proud?

I have two things that have made me most proud. In 2007 I gave up soda and fried foods. I still drink sprite on occasion when I'm sick (some reason, it helps!) and I bake all of my foods now instead of frying then. Of course I may have a couple things a year that are fried, but it's not regular anymore! I also just changed to a vegetarian diet in October, I'm still trying to find good foods to try, but I think I have done very well, and I'm very happy I made that decision.

Hello all.

I seem to be a bit late at joining but I am pleased to be assigned to Team Donald. I am 38 and have no one at home with me but my also overweight cat.

I started my (current) weight loss program on the 10th of January and have been successful in losing 17 pounds. A lot of that was in the first weeks when the water weight went and my system was shocked into the new eating patterns. Things are leveled off and moving slowly now.

I have only read through the first 10 pages of the thread so far and it will likely take a bit of time to catch up, but I will do it.

I can add already that I am also a teacher. Music teacher to be precise. I teach at the local international school here in Lausanne, Switzerland. I moved here from Orlando in 2003.

Though I have numbers in my head for a goal, my two primary goals for my weight loss are:

1. Be able to buy clothes off the rack here in Switzerland. (The sizes here stop about 4 sizes below what I wear so I have to wait until I get home to the USA to buy my clothes)
2. Be able to ride the coasters at amusement parks. (Last summer, at parks other than WDW, I had to sit out while my friend rode the coasters because my hips and chest were too large for the restraints. Lowlight to the vacation for sure.)
3. I want to be able to fly back to the USA for Spring Break and not need to ask for a set belt extension in order to be comfortably buckled in.

I look forward to the challenges, the support and the celebrations.

Christopher

Welcome!!

Saturday 1/28 QOTD- It's the weekend! Wish we all could head to our favorite disney park for the weekend! If you were at a disney park right now, what would you be doing?

11 AM...I am sure I'd be dragging my family to DHS so we can go to the animation academy, after we grabbed some TSM fastpasses! Animation Academy is my absolute favorite.

Haven't been on too much this week, but I am all caught up. It was a really rough week. My best friend's mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer this week. My mom died of the same thing 8 1/2 years ago. Talking with my friend about everything has really brought back some awful memories of going through all of it with my mom. For that reason, I have been so exhausted this week...no desire to exercise at all. I haven't been eating too badly, but gained a little for the week (about 1/2 a pound). I'll have to really push myself to get back on track, and get back to exercise this week!

Jen. I hope the medication really helps DS!

QOTD: Oh, I would love to be at Disney right now! I would probably be at Via Napoli, eating a yummy pizza, checking out the cute waiters! Dying to go back for that place! Or maybe swimming in the pool at the Beach Club! We finally get to stay there in August!

So sorry about your mom and the memories. I hope you feel better soon!

I saw this earlier today, and thought I would share about success. We all have it within ourselves to be successful and attain our goals, one day at at time.

Success is not a race, be patient.
Success leads to success.
Success is always a work in progress.
Success doesn't come to you, you go get it.
Success is a journey, not a destination. Focus on the process.
Some people dream about success, while others wake up and work hard at it.
Success is achieved and maintained by those who try and keep trying.
Every day is a good day to succeed- If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Have a lovely evening!!

I love that! Thanks for sharing!

----
Today I will be finishing up my first week of half-marathon training. Going pretty good! Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!

 

[jillbur]

Sunday 1/29 QOTD-Today is the inaugural Disneyland Tinkerbell Half-Marathon, so our question is honor of Tinkerbell and all our Wishers running today, including our Biggest Loser members- Lisah0711 and Liesel, also known as the Lisabelles. Looking back on your healthy journey, share something you have done or are doing that makes you most proud?

I am most proud of my running. I am running at a pace that I never expected I could~it's faster than I ran in high school. I also have been running 5ks and got DS8 involved with me. I would love to be running the 1/2 today. In fact, I would love to to the Princess 1/2 next year, but it is very hard to run here in western PA during the winter. I'm not sure I could follow a training program very well.

Good Sunday morning everyone.

About 7 years ago I decided I wanted to do the MS RIde The SHore. My friedns have been doing it as a family for a number of years. They had three tours at the time. 25, 50 and 170. I picked the 25. It was great because it was only on Sandy Hook in May when it is still quiet. No bothering with street traffic. I rode my exercise bike for a couple of months. I took to the street a couple of times with what my sons refer to as my Pee Wee Herman bike. It is a boy's bike that I won at a Boy Scout event. It is red and does look like the one Pee Wee Herman rode. My dh decided to ride with me . It ended up being 20 miles instead of 25 but I didn't care. It was two loops around the hook. The nice thing about it was that you were near the water for the entire ride and it was flat for the entire ride. I did the two loops in 2 hours. Dh told me when I had finished that he didn't think I had it in me to do it but I surprised him. My sons said the same thing.

I don't have anything planned for today and it feels good.

Have a happy and healthy day.

That sounds awesome. It had to be a great feeling when you finished. I keep telling DH I need a bike so I can try a ride.

Happy Sunday friends! I'm here at UNH at DD's swim meet typing on my IPad, so if there are lots of typos, I'm sorry!

The 2.5 hr drive (each way) to her meet in Maine yesterday went fine. I got a great audiobook at the library and the time flew by. DH came along today so no audio story, but at least I had company....and he drove so I could relax a bit.

I'm trying to reply in sections in case of Poof so I'll be back in a bit!.......P

Hope DD swims well. I can't believe how far you travel to swim meets. And the Dis is slow for me right now, so it's not you.


Jill

 

[JacksLilWench]

There was a brownie mix called NO Pudge that you make with a container of yogurt that was excellend. I haven't had them in a while, but they are probably still around.

Have a lovely evening!!

Hmm, I will have to try to find that! If not, I will probably get those FiberOne brownies everyone is talking about.

Sunday 1/29 QOTD-Today is the inaugural Disneyland Tinkerbell Half-Marathon, so our question is honor of Tinkerbell and all our Wishers running today, including our Biggest Loser members- Lisah0711 and Liesel, also known as the Lisabelles. Looking back on your healthy journey, share something you have done or are doing that makes you most proud?

I am most proud of resigning myself to not giving up...regardless of how much I kinda want to do it right now. I've not had a good week-I've gained and I'm NOT happy about it. I just feel very frustrated about all this that I'm not seeing results like I feel I should. Like, I just want to put on my sweats and sit around and eat German food (I went to a German restaurant last night...probably a big reason I'm not doing very well!)

BUT. I am most proud that I will NOT quit just because of a bad week. That I will NOT quit just because I am discouraged. That I WILL get to my goal and I WILL be successful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last night I did do something really fun, though. There is a place in South Charlotte (if anyone is close by, you should definitely go) called Sky High Sports. It's basically a HUGE trampoline place, with trampoline dodgeball, foam pits, regular trampolines, and trampoline walls. We jumped around for almost an hour, dove into the foam pits, played a round of dodgeball, and had a freaking blast! If you have a place like this near your house, you should go. It makes for awesome exercise!

 

[pjlla]

Ok.....I give up. I had my third or fourth Poof of the day. I'm reading but will hold off on replies until I'm home. TTYL.....P

 

[mikamah]

A big congratulations to Lisa (liesel) and Lisa (lisah0711) from team mickey on finishing the Tinkerbell half marathon!!!!

 

[pjlla]

Woohoo to our Tink girls! Kathy...did you get an update on FB or on the Princess thread?........P

 

[amykathleen2005]

Sunday 1/29 QOTD-Today is the inaugural Disneyland Tinkerbell Half-Marathon, so our question is honor of Tinkerbell and all our Wishers running today, including our Biggest Loser members- Lisah0711 and Liesel, also known as the Lisabelles. Looking back on your healthy journey, share something you have done or are doing that makes you most proud?

I wish I could run a half marathon. I always had the impression running is not really my thing. Although I've been thinking more about it lately.

What I have done that has made me proud is over the last three years I have transformed my family's diet. We have switch to low fat milk from 2%, leaner meats, reduced fat cheeses, attempting to convert totally to whole wheat bread (we have it about half and half). I have just generally have become better educated on nutrition in general.

I was fortunate enough to take part in two years of AmeriCorps (2009-2011) where I taught nutrition and physical education classes to kids in high poverty afterschool programs. I took the job because of the teaching aspect but it really has been so helpful to me in learning about the nutrition aspect too!

 

[ougrad86]

Hope this works - I have had issues with the boards today.

Hello all my Team Donald friends,
I feel so totally lost because I have not been on in ages and the truth of the matter is that I am not sure how often I will be on in the next couple of weeks either.
First, I had that crazy week at work but then was really looking forward to coming on and catching up with everything and everyone. I had lost weight and made it in the top 10 of the biggest loser for our team. Things were really clicking. That same afternoon, my DS said he didn't feel good and things began to go downhill from there.
This past week DS has been really sick. He is already a sickly kid because his immune system does not work properly and he always get sick more then anyone else. Well, on Thursday we finally brought him into the doctor because it had been one week without improvement and ds finally told us that "something is not right". The doctor checked him over and could not really find anything wrong. They suspected that because he was growing so much that his body was using all its energy for growing and he wasn't fighting other germs as well. Still the doctors did a bunch of blood tests.
Today we got the call. DS has bacteria eating at the lining of his stomach and has developed ulcers. This is not so uncommon apparently but DS does not always respond to antibiotics so the doctors are concerned. He is starting a 3-drug cocktail tomorrow morning that is going to make him even sicker for the next 10 days (all the side effects of the medicine). He will then get a break and have to do a 4-drug cocktail for 10 more days. Then they will test to see if he still tests positive and what the levels are. If there is improvement, they will repeat the drugs until his levels are back to normal. If there is no improvement, they will have to try different drugs and possibly put is PIC IV line back in for IV antibiotics. They will also be doing an endoscopic procedure to check how much damage has been done and to look at the ulcer(s). The doctors say that the normal person responds to the drugs but that we should be prepared for 3 to 4 months of this. They will also be checking to be sure that there is no indication that the bacteria has grown into stomach cancer. It is rare that this happens but again, with DS's medical issues, they want to be careful.
So, we have had a stressful week with a sick DS that has led to even more stress now that we know a bit more about what is causing him to be this sick this time.
I do need to check in here once and a while because I do not want to slip back into bad habits. I know that I have made some bad choices this week and that this could be a hard week with more temptations. I am going to try to spend some time tomorrow setting up DS's bedroom to be more comfortable for him and then plan for a more successful week for me.
This has gotten long and I probably did not need to write so much but I wanted everyone to know where I was and typing this all out is like my cheap therapy of dealing with the stress of it tonight!
I hope everyone is doing well. I will try to read some of the thread tomorrow but don't know if I will get on to respond.
Have a healthy weekend everyone!
Jen

Jen, I am so sorry your DS and you and your family are dealing with this! It is so hard. I can imagine that cocktail will really make him feel bad. I'm glad he told you when he thought it just wasn't feeling right. It is sometimes hard to get them to explain what is going on, and we can't feel what they are feeling. I hope that it resolves quickly and you can go on from there. Hang in there and give your DS a hug from all of us . I'm sure you are giving him alot too! Take care and we are thinking of you, let us know how it goes.

Today was another high calorie day for my, particularly since I went out to eat Indian with a friend for lunch. I made up for it by just having a salad for dinner. Sooo hard to do when everyone else was eating what I can only imagine was the best tasting pizza I have ever seen during our family movie night. But I did it! And promptly put the left-overs in the frig so it wouldn't tempt me everytime I walked into the kitchen. I still am under by about 200 calories for the day but I am really unsure of how many calories were in the food I ate at lunch, so I am giving myself some leeway. Anyone else find it difficult to track your food when you eat out at a non-chain restaurant? On a bright note, I did lose 4 lbs this week! Yay! Wishing everyone a GREAT OP weekend!

Good job on resisting the pizza. DS and DH decided to have pizza Friday night, and I could smell it, but actually looking at it wasn't very appetizing. DS likes cheese, which I do not, and DH had some meats on his - looked kind of greasy. He'll split a thin crust veggie with me when I do have pizza, but I was already looking to a small dinner to keep in my points, since free lunch Friday was at work. So I just grabbed a simple frozen meal.

Indian food is hard, and so is Thai. It is hard to know how it is made, and to judge the portions. I have a Chinese food place where I always have the same thing, and they dish out the same portions. I dissected it one time and figured out what was in it, so now I know what it is. But I still bang my head on the wall trying to figure out Indian. So your buffer is a good idea. I usually try to figure my points on the high side to be safe.

But you are doing something right to have lost 4 pounds! Congrats!

Hello all.
I seem to be a bit late at joining but I am pleased to be assigned to Team Donald. I am 38 and have no one at home with me but my also overweight cat.
I started my (current) weight loss program on the 10th of January and have been successful in losing 17 pounds. A lot of that was in the first weeks when the water weight went and my system was shocked into the new eating patterns. Things are leveled off and moving slowly now.
I have only read through the first 10 pages of the thread so far and it will likely take a bit of time to catch up, but I will do it.
I can add already that I am also a teacher. Music teacher to be precise. I teach at the local international school here in Lausanne, Switzerland. I moved here from Orlando in 2003.
Though I have numbers in my head for a goal, my two primary goals for my weight loss are:

1. Be able to buy clothes off the rack here in Switzerland. (The sizes here stop about 4 sizes below what I wear so I have to wait until I get home to the USA to buy my clothes)
2. Be able to ride the coasters at amusement parks. (Last summer, at parks other than WDW, I had to sit out while my friend rode the coasters because my hips and chest were too large for the restraints. Lowlight to the vacation for sure.)
3. I want to be able to fly back to the USA for Spring Break and not need to ask for a set belt extension in order to be comfortably buckled in.

I look forward to the challenges, the support and the celebrations.
Christopher

Great start! May be moving slowly now, but slow is good since really fast weight loss usually doesn't stay off. Slow and steady I keep telling myself.

Cool you live in Switzerland. I lived in Germany for a few years back in the 80's. I loved it and would go back in a heartbeat, although I imagine things have changed. We are taking DS there as a graduation present in a couple of years, and will hit several countries while we are there, but mostly Germany.

Hear you about the coasters. I started getting serious about losing weight after out first trip with DS to the World. I could fit, but sometimes felt squeezed in and had trouble climbing out. I have bad knees so that only added to the problem. So was glad with my first weight loss (50 lbs), but want to get a little lower to get within a healthy BMI for my height.

This is a great group, and good luck!

Saturday 1/28 QOTD- It's the weekend! Wish we all could head to our favorite disney park for the weekend! If you were at a disney park right now, what would you be doing?

I went back and forth between MK and Epcot, think I will go to Epcot. Back and forth getting FP's for Soarin' and Test Track, and doing Mission Space in between. Right now I would probably have finished that all up this morning, and now strolling through World Showcase, maybe with an ADR at Le Cellier (I don't track at WDW - I actually lose weight by running around so much!).

I feel guilty, yet curiously satisfied...lol
After a very low point day on WW I still had 14 points left So, my scrapping friends and I went to Cups, a frozen yogurt place similar to Yogurtland and Red Mango. I had Peanut butter, chocolate, and cake batter frozen yogurt...yum!! BUT my portioning was a bit crazy....8oz. According to my calculations that was 16 points...not a problem since I have so many activity points....but still should have restrained myself!! Ugh.
Tomorrow is another day and I will do my best to get back on the horse...on the ellip in my case
Sweet Dreams Donalds!

Nice treat! You had 14 left though! I always go a little over my 26 points. I had 29 when they switched over, then all of the sudden it dropped to 26. Boy, that three points can make a difference! And as you said, tomorrow is another day !

Sunday 1/29 QOTD-Today is the inaugural Disneyland Tinkerbell Half-Marathon, so our question is honor of Tinkerbell and all our Wishers running today, including our Biggest Loser members- Lisah0711 and Liesel, also known as the Lisabelles. Looking back on your healthy journey, share something you have done or are doing that makes you most proud?

Probably going through my closet. I donated a lot of nice, lightly used clothing to the Salvation Army since I had no intention of wearing them again. And then went to the back of the closet and pulled out clothes that I had worn years ago! Last January, fit into my size 12 dress that I had bought back in 1999, but was never able to wear!

Glad to hear your DS is better. Great that his school is so helpful!

The African meatloaf sounds really yummy! Can you share the recipe on the BL recipe thread?

I'll go add it there. It was really good, but very spicy. Lots of curry and chili powder. I like it that way, but DH wasn't sure. I think next time I will reduce the amounts of both to make it easier for him to handle. Didn't even try it on DS, I knew he would not appreciate it.

At least, I have leftovers for lunch!

I am most proud of resigning myself to not giving up...regardless of how much I kinda want to do it right now. I've not had a good week-I've gained and I'm NOT happy about it. I just feel very frustrated about all this that I'm not seeing results like I feel I should. Like, I just want to put on my sweats and sit around and eat German food (I went to a German restaurant last night...probably a big reason I'm not doing very well!)
BUT. I am most proud that I will NOT quit just because of a bad week. That I will NOT quit just because I am discouraged. That I WILL get to my goal and I WILL be successful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last night I did do something really fun, though. There is a place in South Charlotte (if anyone is close by, you should definitely go) called Sky High Sports. It's basically a HUGE trampoline place, with trampoline dodgeball, foam pits, regular trampolines, and trampoline walls. We jumped around for almost an hour, dove into the foam pits, played a round of dodgeball, and had a freaking blast! If you have a place like this near your house, you should go. It makes for awesome exercise!

Awesome attitude. German food is not good for the diet! We went to a German restaurant for our anniversary in September - it took me a few days to reverse that (drink lots of water). I love German food, but will probably only splurge on special days (like anniversary) or is I make it myself and can adjust ingredients accordingly. I did work through it and despite some personal issues that slowed my loss, ended up 10 points down last challenge.

When I read about Sky High, pulled it up to see if there was one by us - unfortunately not! Sounds like fun, and a fun way to exercise!

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

DS is still coughing pretty badly, this might not go away anytime soon. He does not feel sick anymore, just a slightly runny nose, but the coughing is persistent, even with the Delsym. Have to keep pushing him to drink fluids, he is not a big drinker as is, we are checking constantly to make sure. He probably will not be running much yet this week, even though it is getting close to the season. He would probably have coughing fits if he tried any distance running.

I think I dodged it this time. My "symptoms" have cleared up. Hope I did not jinx myself! DS has a physical this Thursday, and hope they will give him the flu shot. We are also checking his cholesterol, as I think he is eating too much fat, and although he is a string bean, high cholesterol runs in my family. So he gets to fast. But a least they can make sure everything is clearing up with this cold.

He is reluctantly trying to catch up. He technically has three school days to make up 3 absent days, but better he catches up this weekend, otherwise it is really hard to catch up when you are still learning new stuff.

Got exercise in yesterday and today. Will try to exercise a few more times this week, have Just Dance and Zumba I keep hearing about, thinking I might try those this week. Feel ready to do so.

Steeling myself up for my knee shots, first appt Tuesday, but just for the xray and getting the prescription. As soon as we get the medication, we will start the shots. Five weeks, twice a week (one for each knee) for a series of 10. Insurance won't cover both knees on the same day, so I have to go in to see her twice a week. Excrutiatingly painful, but quick (about 30 seconds) and the pain does not linger long. At the end of the 5 weeks, I will be able to do a lot of walking at Universal and Disney in April. Doing some walking now to build up my legs, but this will speed me up and keep my knees from hurting as badly. It lasted almost two years last time, but it has been three since I was in no hurry to do it again.

Need to finish up laundry, and some other chores. Dinner is in the crock pot, so no worries on that front, just a modified sweet and sour, so DS and DH should like it this time. It said 7 points, put it in the recipe builder, came up with 9, so taking it easy today. Glad I knew that beforehand!

Take care all and have a great week. I may not be able to check in until next weekend, making up time during lunch for my and DS's appointments...on the plus side, I do get to come in late two mornings because of our appts!

Carol

 

[D73]

Thank you for all of your warm welcomes. I have been doing my best to tread through the messages from the beginning but it takes a bit of time and I feel guilty when sitting in a chair for to long on a weekend afternoon.

I thought maybe I would start by trying to answer the questions of the day that I have missed.

QOTD Archive:

1/1/12 - What action plan do you have in place to help you to achieve your goals for this challenge??

I am following the Dukan Diet. This is something that was just recently introduced in the USA but as Dukan is French, his program has been followed for a couple years here. I have a number of colleagues who have succeeded with it so I thought I would give it a try.

Before starting, my refrigerator was completely emptied and I put nothing into it that I am not permitted to eat. So even if I get the wondering munchies, I can't be tempted by something naughty when I open the door. But this works only at home.......the rest of the teachers here will understand how many temptations show up on a daily basis in the staff room.

I am also using my Wii Fit program to keep me checking in each day. It charts my progress and gives me a daily visual of my progress.

1/2/12 - Thinking back on your Action Plan for the Challenge - which will be your most difficult to accomplish??

The staff room at school. This being said I plan to take with me healthy snacks that I can turn to when I have breaks. I have also found a small group of us that are avoiding the extras. SO we support each other and direct each other away from the temptation.

1/3/12 - How do you see yourself at the end of your journey?

More knowledgeable about balancing the food choices I make. More active. More energetic.

1/4/12 - How are you going to deal with your road blocks??

I am glad to have found this thread and challenge. I can already tell that I have a strong support group here that will come to my aid when I need it. I am also going to not let a single slip be the excuse to stop my journey. I will face it, acknowledge it, learn from it, and move on.

1/5/12 - What is your anchor??

I have a couple pairs of shorts that I purchased last summer with the goal of getting into them for this summer. They were on the sale rack at K-mart for about $5 each. I got one 2 sizes below what I wear now, another pair is 3 sizes below and the third is 4 sizes below. I am going to hang them on the wall in my apartment hall way to remind me of what I am aiming for. I know that if I can get into any of them I will have made progress.

1/6/12 - What plans do you have in place to be sure you have a successful weekend?

Weekends can be the hardest. It takes planning to ensure that the right foods are in place to keep me from wondering out for something on a whim if I am not prepared.

I also try to plan something productive for each weekend that will keep my hands busy and my mind away from the munchies.

1/7/12 - Do you have a playlist of music that you use to help motivate you? If you do, share some of your favorite songs to work out to

I listen to my Disney music including music from the films and the parks. I especially enjoy listening to Wishes. I have also found somewhere (can't remember where) some of the soundtracks from attractions past and present. My favorite is the recently replaced version of Spaceship Earth and Pirates of the Caribbean.

I also have a CD of 60 minutes continuous upbeat and inspiring music from the 70's and 80's that was published by Shape Magazine many years ago. Includes things like It's Raining Men, Boogie Woogie Dancing Shoes and the Pointer Sister's Jump.

1/8/12 - Now that it is Sunday, what are you doing to plan for the week? Do you have everything you need to make good meals for the week? Will you be cooking things today to make it easier during the week?

I have to do my shopping for at least Sunday and Monday on Saturday afternoon. THe grocery stores here close at 5 30 on Saturday evenings and do not open again until after I am at work on Monday.

So I do some cooking on Sunday to prepare for the week. I will boil eggs for the week, sometimes prepare a soup, or roast a Turkey breast that I can then use for meals through out the week.

1/9/12 - Share a quote that motivates, inspires or helps you through on your journey to a healthy life.

I really like the entire song from the end of the stage version of Mary Poppins: Anything Can Happen If You Let It Here are some of the first lines:Anything can happen if you let it / Sometimes things are difficult but you can bet it / Doesn't have to be so / Changes can be made
/ You can move a mountain if you use a larger spade / Anything can happen, it's a marvel / You can be a butterfly / Or just stay larval /Stretch your mind beyond fantastic / Dreams are made of strong elastic /Take some sound advice and don't forget it /Anything can happen if you let it / Anything can happen if you let it / You won't know a challenge until you've met it / No one does it for you / No one but yourself
Vacillating violets get left up on the shelf

You can listen to it here.

1/10/12 - Share what you eat for breakfast. Feel free to share your on the go ideas, quick breakfasts or what you have when you have time to make something better.

My breakfast are usually two scrambles eggs. I mix in some fat free plain yogurt before cooking. It gives some fluff and body to the eggs. Sometimes I mix in mini shrimp for some variety. I also have eaten plain fat free yogurt with some oat bran and a packet of splenda mixed in.

I try not to find myself eating on the go. I find that I remain hungry if I do not take the time to sit, even for 15 minutes at home and eat before going. But the boiled eggs in the fridge that I boiled up on Sunday are available if I need to get going. I always drink 2 glasses of water in the morning before leaving for school too.

1/11/12 - What is something you can do in 60 seconds today to prolong your life?

I gave up using the elevator to get to my 4th floor apartment. I use the stairs only now. (Look at all the characters on Big Bang Theory....thin and healthy. No elevator......coincidence?

1/12/12 - What can you celebrate this week besides a number on the scale?

I celebrate the fact that my jeans are falling down and I need to use a different notch on my belt to keep them up.

1/13/12 - Congratulations you have made it two weeks!! What has been the most challenging part of these two weeks? Think about previous attempts at getting healthy. What has been the thing that made you quit or fall of the wagon?
Being invited out for drinks after a rehearsal. I have avoided them up until now because I know that a bit of alcohol is enough to tip me off the weight loss wagon for sure. Now that I am this far in, I think that I can manage to go out when asked and stick with a diet soda or bubbly water, something I have learned to drink since moving to Europe

1/14/12 - UGGGH! Momma said there'd be days like this.....You had to work late, got stuck in traffic and the kids have to be at practice in 20 minutes. What's for dinner???? Do you have an emergency dinner planned for days like this? And there will be days like this. Do you have a healthy place to get take out from? Do you have something in the freezer? Do you have something quick and easy you can throw together on days you just don't want to cook?

Surimi! The little fake crab sticks. I love these and they are great to quickly make a salad or even just eat on their own. They keep for a while in the fridge and I can be assured of something quick and easy with them there. If I have the rest of the veggies on hand great. As I use public transport, I have to pass the market between the bus stop and home, I can grab a head of lettuce and tomato in less than 5 minutes.

Take out here is horribly expensive. For example a medium pizza would cost about $30. And healthy choices are more.

1/15/12 - Give your self a complement. Ideally, I'd love to see three complements. But one catch. The complements cannot contain the following words: Mom, wife, friend, listener, daughter (you get the picture).

I am worth every last minute that I am investing in myself through this journey.

I am strong willed and can use this to enable me to reach my goals.

I am handsome person and always have been. It's just that each and every day on my journey opens my eyes to this fact more and more.

1/16/12 - Do you have any exercise planned for this week?

To the gym for elliptical for 45 minutes at least 3 times. And I plan to get off the bus 5 stops to soon to walk the rest of the way home on the alternate days.

1/17/12 - Do you have a positive affirmation for when you are having a bad day, struggling or just need a mental pick me up? If you feel comfortable, share it with the team.

A backward slip is a lesson learned. I expect my students to take what they learn and build upon it to grow. Why shouldn't I expect the same from myself.

1/18/12 - Is there a food you need to avoid? One that you just can't have around or you go a little crazy? Do you have treats worked into your healthy living plan or are you avoiding somethings completely right now?

CHOCOLATE and believe me that is really hard to do here in Switzerland. I am avoiding it completely at this point and so far so good. There is still some in the cupboard that students gave me for Christmas. I leave it. Sometimes it can call me but I leave it there and celebrate each morning that it is still there and I have managed to avoid its devilish temptation.

1/19/12 - I am giving you a choice today. Pick one or you can do both! A new team member has just joined the challenge. Other than drink your water what piece of advice would you give them? or Tell me something good that happened this week!

For the new member: Remember that everyone's path to health is different. When a fork in the road greets you, make the best choice you can. If you choose the wrong one, which we all do at times, just turn and try another route. Before long the right path will widen up before you and be easier to follow. Oh, and don't ever hesitate to stop and ask for directions if you need them. Just call on Team Donald.

1/20/12 - What is your Favorite Disney movie?

Wow that's a tough one.
Animation: Alice in Wonderland
Live Action: Candleshoe

1/21/12 - If you had a day just for yourself and you couldn't be at DW, what would you do?

Take a nice long walk in the mountains.

1/22/12 - I usually go grocery shopping on Sunday morning. What day do you grocery shop? Is it the same day every week? Do you plan out your meals ahead of time? Do you shop with a list?

As mentioned above, can't go on Sunday here. I tend to go on Saturday to get my main shopping done. But I also stop into the store on my way home from the bus stop each day. I tend to be going past at 5 PM which is when the meat items that must be sold that day are marked to 50% off and brings it in line with what I would pay for it in the USA.

I have a list of approved foods that I shop from and I stick to those only.

1/23/12 - What is the one thing you do during the week that you really don't like to do?What is the one thing you do during the week that you really love to do? It does not have to do with doing the BL

The thing that I really don't like to do is the laundry. I do it but just not my favorite thing. But now that I am using the stairs and not the elevator I am starting to view this as a benefit. I live on the 4th floor and the machines are in the basement of the apartment building. Despite this benefit, I still don't like doing the laundry.

I look forward to my Saturday bubble bath. This is my relaxation reward on the weekend.

1/24/12 - Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, It’s Off to Lose Weight We Go! Happy, Grumpy, Dopey, Doc, Bashful, Sleepy, and Sneezy – which Dwarf are you feeling like today and why? (thank you Maria (Worfiedoodles from Team Mickey)).

Today it's Sneezy. A bit of head cold but not enough from keeping me on the right path. No excuses right?

Question of the Day

I know that we are thinking about our healthy but many of us diet before a big event. Are you dieting for a big event? If so what is it?

Near Future event: Flights to the USA where I want to not need the seat belt extension. And able to comfortable walk along the beach at Castaway Cay during Spring Break.

Farther future event: Summer time visits to amusement park with friends. I want to be able to ride the roller coasters this year. I have actually termed my journey PROJECT ROLLER COASTER BUTT

Question of the Day

What are your favorite things to do when you are trying to relax? If you are crafty do you give some of those things away as gifts?

Bubble baths. Disney Movie. I have also started to cross stitch again since I was given a kit for Christmas of the Thomas Kinkade picture of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell flying off to Neverland.

I also read and like to do word puzzles or jigsaw puzzles.

Friday 1/27 QOTD--Do you have a favorite snack or treat that may be high in calories, but that you can not give up? How do you fit it into your lifestyle? What are some of your favorite snacks that are healthier and satisfying?

Again CHOCOLATE. But so far I have given it up. Also Soda. I used to drink 1.5 liters of Coke or Pepsi. I have a sweet tooth. I have managed to limit myself to Diet or Zero versions of things and definitely not as much.

Saturday 1/28 QOTD- It's the weekend! Wish we all could head to our favorite disney park for the weekend! If you were at a disney park right now, what would you be doing?

I love to walk around and around and around World Showcase, taking in the entertainment, the sights, the smells, the attractions, oh and I like to Save the World with Kim Possible.

Sunday 1/29 QOTD-Today is the inaugural Disneyland Tinkerbell Half-Marathon, so our question is honor of Tinkerbell and all our Wishers running today, including our Biggest Loser members- Lisah0711 and Liesel, also known as the Lisabelles. Looking back on your healthy journey, share something you have done or are doing that makes you most proud?

I am proud of myself for making it to the end of this list.

Seriously, I am proud that I have kept myself accountable each and everyday by checking in on my Wii Fit and avoiding the chocolate in my cabinet. I am also proud that I have already inspired some of my colleagues at school to start making healthier choices in what they bring to school for their lunch each day.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Phew......I know I have not done much on the encouraging side as of yet, but answering these questions makes me feel much more connected to the team and is also helping me see and celebrate my place in my journey.

Here's to another great week!

Christopher

 

[pjlla]

Evening friends! Home from the swim meet finally, but no time for read and reply. DH is meeting DD at the bus and they will be home in about 10 minutes and we will eat.

My STUPID waterbed leaked last night and since I was gone all day I didn't have time to deal with it. So I'm ignoring it for tonight and sleeping on the floor. DH can have the sofa. And I'm working tomorrow, but I will call the furniture store on my lunchtime and order replacement tubes. We had one leak about a month or so ago and have been living without it for now, but now that a second one is leaking it is time to replace them all. The bed is 20 years old, so no surprises that it has leaks I suppose. We've had the quilted top of the mattress replaced twice under warranty and it is still holding up well. If we can't get replacement tubes, it will be time to get a new bed.

DS is in tears right now because somehow a school project that he spent many computer hours on today accidentally got deleted.... so I need to let him use the computer to recreate the project. Wish I could help, but nothing I can do.

I'll try to pop on later with my laptop. TTYL.....................P

 

[Ruthie5671]

Gosh, I haven't been on-line in a few days, and there are 10 pages to read through! Congratulations to all who have lost and are continuing to do well. I have had a beyond crazy week with work and a sick mom (she worries me to death - my gray hair is blamed on her). And I'm looking at an even crazier week with a follow-up with the physicians assistant on Thursday. Will she or won't she sign the form? Our social worker will be here on Tuesday and I'll need to tell her something about not having the form yet. It's just so odd that I am a social worker and I'm having to prove myself worthy to another social worker.

I did lose one pound this week, which is nothing short of amazing. I haven't completely fallen off the wagon but I'm leaning to the left quite a bit. Hopefully I can get it back together this week.

Sunday 1/29 QOTD-Today is the inaugural Disneyland Tinkerbell Half-Marathon, so our question is honor of Tinkerbell and all our Wishers running today, including our Biggest Loser members- Lisah0711 and Liesel, also known as the Lisabelles. Looking back on your healthy journey, share something you have done or are doing that makes you most proud?

I'm proud to still be here. Going by my past, I would have quit 10 times by now!

 

[RemembertheMagic98]

Sunday 1/29 QOTD-Today is the inaugural Disneyland Tinkerbell Half-Marathon, so our question is honor of Tinkerbell and all our Wishers running today, including our Biggest Loser members- Lisah0711 and Liesel, also known as the Lisabelles. Looking back on your healthy journey, share something you have done or are doing that makes you most proud?

YEAH Lisa and Lisa!!!!I'm so excited for both of you!!!
I am very proud of the 2 5K races I started and finished last spring! I am also proud of going back to WW and sticking to good habits so far. I really want to lose the weight and will everything in my power to get there!

Nice treat! You had 14 left though! I always go a little over my 26 points. I had 29 when they switched over, then all of the sudden it dropped to 26. Boy, that three points can make a difference! And as you said, tomorrow is another day !

My daily is 33 points and I have hit it on the nose most days but yesterday was just an odd day. The frozen yogurt was a nice treat but I think that's it for the week....it made me feel rather sick to my stomach.


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

DS is still coughing pretty badly, this might not go away anytime soon. He does not feel sick anymore, just a slightly runny nose, but the coughing is persistent, even with the Delsym. Have to keep pushing him to drink fluids, he is not a big drinker as is, we are checking constantly to make sure. He probably will not be running much yet this week, even though it is getting close to the season. He would probably have coughing fits if he tried any distance running.

I think I dodged it this time. My "symptoms" have cleared up. Hope I did not jinx myself! DS has a physical this Thursday, and hope they will give him the flu shot. We are also checking his cholesterol, as I think he is eating too much fat, and although he is a string bean, high cholesterol runs in my family. So he gets to fast. But a least they can make sure everything is clearing up with this cold.

He is reluctantly trying to catch up. He technically has three school days to make up 3 absent days, but better he catches up this weekend, otherwise it is really hard to catch up when you are still learning new stuff.

Got exercise in yesterday and today. Will try to exercise a few more times this week, have Just Dance and Zumba I keep hearing about, thinking I might try those this week. Feel ready to do so.

Steeling myself up for my knee shots, first appt Tuesday, but just for the xray and getting the prescription. As soon as we get the medication, we will start the shots. Five weeks, twice a week (one for each knee) for a series of 10. Insurance won't cover both knees on the same day, so I have to go in to see her twice a week. Excrutiatingly painful, but quick (about 30 seconds) and the pain does not linger long. At the end of the 5 weeks, I will be able to do a lot of walking at Universal and Disney in April. Doing some walking now to build up my legs, but this will speed me up and keep my knees from hurting as badly. It lasted almost two years last time, but it has been three since I was in no hurry to do it again.

Yay Carol! You seemed to have missed the colds but you knee shots sound painful. At least you will not be in pain after all that walking in Orlando in April! Hang in there and hopefully DS has a clean bill of health at the Dr. this week!

Evening friends! Home from the swim meet finally, but no time for read and reply. DH is meeting DD at the bus and they will be home in about 10 minutes and we will eat.

My STUPID waterbed leaked last night and since I was gone all day I didn't have time to deal with it. So I'm ignoring it for tonight and sleeping on the floor. DH can have the sofa. And I'm working tomorrow, but I will call the furniture store on my lunchtime and order replacement tubes. We had one leak about a month or so ago and have been living without it for now, but now that a second one is leaking it is time to replace them all. The bed is 20 years old, so no surprises that it has leaks I suppose. We've had the quilted top of the mattress replaced twice under warranty and it is still holding up well. If we can't get replacement tubes, it will be time to get a new bed.

DS is in tears right now because somehow a school project that he spent many computer hours on today accidentally got deleted.... so I need to let him use the computer to recreate the project. Wish I could help, but nothing I can do.

I'll try to pop on later with my laptop. TTYL.....................P

Oh no!! Leaks are not good! I hope you can get some replacements. And i hope DS gets his project done...I love technology for so many reasons but when something gets deleted I'm usually thinking.."If I did this the old fashioned way it would still be here!!"

Gosh, I haven't been on-line in a few days, and there are 10 pages to read through! Congratulations to all who have lost and are continuing to do well. I have had a beyond crazy week with work and a sick mom (she worries me to death - my gray hair is blamed on her). And I'm looking at an even crazier week with a follow-up with the physicians assistant on Thursday. Will she or won't she sign the form? Our social worker will be here on Tuesday and I'll need to tell her something about not having the form yet. It's just so odd that I am a social worker and I'm having to prove myself worthy to another social worker.

I did lose one pound this week, which is nothing short of amazing. I haven't completely fallen off the wagon but I'm leaning to the left quite a bit. Hopefully I can get it back together this week.



I'm proud to still be here. Going by my past, I would have quit 10 times by now!

Great job Ruthie!! Every pound counts! How is the walking going? Wishing you luck that everything goes well with all of your appointments this week

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Knitting was a blast today! I still have issues with my yarn getting twisted...I don't know how I manage to do it. Spent many points eating Granny Smith apples with Skinnytaste pumpkin dip (3 points per 1/2 cup) but had some great Pho (Vietnamese beef broth soup) for dinner

Working on my 40 By 40 list....I added "learn a new sport" and "learn how to lay tile". I think I watch too much HGTV... I really want to remodel my guest bathroom and I thought I would tile it myself....or maybe I could install a tile backsplash in my kitchen (current there is just painted walls.) I think Home Depot has classes that are free. Could be an "easy" one to cross off my list....

Well, it's 7:30 and I am already in my pajamas! I'm doing some reading and off to bed early...it's going to be a looooong week!

Sweet Dreams Donalds!!

 

[mikamah]

Sunday 1/29 QOTD-Today is the inaugural Disneyland Tinkerbell Half-Marathon, so our question is honor of Tinkerbell and all our Wishers running today, including our Biggest Loser members- Lisah0711 and Liesel, also known as the Lisabelles. Looking back on your healthy journey, share something you have done or are doing that makes you most proud?

Definitely starting running, and planning for, training especially through last winter which was not so fun weather wise and finishing the princess half marathon last february. I had never run before in my life, and it was such an amazing experience, and I am so proud that I pushed myself to do it.

About 7 years ago I decided I wanted to do the MS RIde The SHore. My friedns have been doing it as a family for a number of years. They had three tours at the time. 25, 50 and 170. I picked the 25. It was great because it was only on Sandy Hook in May when it is still quiet. No bothering with street traffic. I rode my exercise bike for a couple of months. I took to the street a couple of times with what my sons refer to as my Pee Wee Herman bike. It is a boy's bike that I won at a Boy Scout event. It is red and does look like the one Pee Wee Herman rode. My dh decided to ride with me . It ended up being 20 miles instead of 25 but I didn't care. It was two loops around the hook. The nice thing about it was that you were near the water for the entire ride and it was flat for the entire ride. I did the two loops in 2 hours. Dh told me when I had finished that he didn't think I had it in me to do it but I surprised him. My sons said the same thing.

I don't have anything planned for today and it feels good.

Have a happy and healthy day.

That sounds like an awesome ride for a fantastic cause. Hope you enjoyed your day with no plans.

Happy Sunday friends! I'm here at UNH at DD's swim meet typing on my IPad, so if there are lots of typos, I'm sorry!

The 2.5 hr drive (each way) to her meet in Maine yesterday went fine. I got a great audiobook at the library and the time flew by. DH came along today so no audio story, but at least I had company....and he drove so I could relax a bit.

I'm trying to reply in sections in case of Poof so I'll be back in a bit!.......P

Hope dd had a good meet today and yesterday. Sorry for all the poofing on the ipad. That is so frustrating.

My journey really began last year when I decided to do the Wine and Dine Half Marathon. For me, the TRAINING is the hard part of deciding to run a long race..... getting yourself out there 3 times a week to run and then the long runs that are often done by yourself running around your hometown.

Now that this challenge has started, I am proud of myself for doing p90x.

Congrats on the wine and dine marathon. It is hard to get out there, but how amazing was the disney race? I've heard the P90x is pretty tough. Are you enjoying it?

I have two things that have made me most proud. In 2007 I gave up soda and fried foods. I still drink sprite on occasion when I'm sick (some reason, it helps!) and I bake all of my foods now instead of frying then. Of course I may have a couple things a year that are fried, but it's not regular anymore! I also just changed to a vegetarian diet in October, I'm still trying to find good foods to try, but I think I have done very well, and I'm very happy I made that decision.


Today I will be finishing up my first week of half-marathon training. Going pretty good! Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!

That's a great accomplishment to be proud of. Glad your first week of training went well!!

I am most proud of my running. I am running at a pace that I never expected I could~it's faster than I ran in high school. I also have been running 5ks and got DS8 involved with me. I would love to be running the 1/2 today. In fact, I would love to to the Princess 1/2 next year, but it is very hard to run here in western PA during the winter. I'm not sure I could follow a training program very well.

Oh if there is a disney race in the future, you would get out there and do the training. Last winter, with all the snow and ice, I did most of my training outside, and borrowed a friends treadmill for a couple long runs, but honestly, preferred being outside even with the snow, as long as the road wasn't too icy. The princess is such a fun race too. that is awesome you are running faster than in high school.

I am most proud of resigning myself to not giving up...regardless of how much I kinda want to do it right now. I've not had a good week-I've gained and I'm NOT happy about it. I just feel very frustrated about all this that I'm not seeing results like I feel I should. Like, I just want to put on my sweats and sit around and eat German food (I went to a German restaurant last night...probably a big reason I'm not doing very well!)

BUT. I am most proud that I will NOT quit just because of a bad week. That I will NOT quit just because I am discouraged. That I WILL get to my goal and I WILL be successful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last night I did do something really fun, though. There is a place in South Charlotte (if anyone is close by, you should definitely go) called Sky High Sports. It's basically a HUGE trampoline place, with trampoline dodgeball, foam pits, regular trampolines, and trampoline walls. We jumped around for almost an hour, dove into the foam pits, played a round of dodgeball, and had a freaking blast! If you have a place like this near your house, you should go. It makes for awesome exercise!

Love your positive attitude, and love, love that you will never give up. I'm ther with you. The Sky High place sounds awesome, and great exercise too. I remember going to a birthday party at a bouncy house place, and it's hard work to bounce on trampolines.

Ok.....I give up. I had my third or fourth Poof of the day. I'm reading but will hold off on replies until I'm home. TTYL.....P

Wanted to post the drinking smilie too, but it wouldn't come up, so cheers, have a glass of wine tonight.

Woohoo to our Tink girls! Kathy...did you get an update on FB or on the Princess thread?........P

On the Active website you could find the results of the race, and the progression at the 5k, 10k and 15 k marks, and their times. It was so exciting to watch them move along the course, and a little nerve wracking too, hoping they were able to keep away from those sweepers!!

I wish I could run a half marathon. I always had the impression running is not really my thing. Although I've been thinking more about it lately.

2 years ago, I would have said the same thing, and then people were talking about doing the princess half marathon, and I thought about how fun that would be, so I started the couch to 5k program. It wasn't always easy, but at 46, over 200 pounds, I progressed to run/walk intervals which were easier on my body, and did the training. YOu never know, you might like it.

DS is still coughing pretty badly, this might not go away anytime soon. He does not feel sick anymore, just a slightly runny nose, but the coughing is persistent, even with the Delsym. Have to keep pushing him to drink fluids, he is not a big drinker as is, we are checking constantly to make sure. He probably will not be running much yet this week, even though it is getting close to the season. He would probably have coughing fits if he tried any distance running.

I think I dodged it this time. My "symptoms" have cleared up. Hope I did not jinx myself! DS has a physical this Thursday, and hope they will give him the flu shot. We are also checking his cholesterol, as I think he is eating too much fat, and although he is a string bean, high cholesterol runs in my family. So he gets to fast. But a least they can make sure everything is clearing up with this cold.

He is reluctantly trying to catch up. He technically has three school days to make up 3 absent days, but better he catches up this weekend, otherwise it is really hard to catch up when you are still learning new stuff.
Steeling myself up for my knee shots, first appt Tuesday, but just for the xray and getting the prescription. As soon as we get the medication, we will start the shots. Five weeks, twice a week (one for each knee) for a series of 10. Insurance won't cover both knees on the same day, so I have to go in to see her twice a week. Excrutiatingly painful, but quick (about 30 seconds) and the pain does not linger long. At the end of the 5 weeks, I will be able to do a lot of walking at Universal and Disney in April. Doing some walking now to build up my legs, but this will speed me up and keep my knees from hurting as badly. It lasted almost two years last time, but it has been three since I was in no hurry to do it again.

Carol

Sorry ds is still sick, and hope he's able to make up the work easily. Good luck with his appts, and your knee appts this week. That does sound painful, but worth it if it's helpful. Hang in there.

Phew......I know I have not done much on the encouraging side as of yet, but answering these questions makes me feel much more connected to the team and is also helping me see and celebrate my place in my journey.

Here's to another great week!

Christopher

Great job getting through all those questions. So true about taking the stairs over the elevator. I gained 40 pounds in a year when I moved from my 3/4th floor condo to my one level house.
Did I see 2 back to back disney cruises in your signature? That sounds absolutely amazing.

Evening friends! Home from the swim meet finally, but no time for read and reply. DH is meeting DD at the bus and they will be home in about 10 minutes and we will eat.

My STUPID waterbed leaked last night and since I was gone all day I didn't have time to deal with it. So I'm ignoring it for tonight and sleeping on the floor. DH can have the sofa. And I'm working tomorrow, but I will call the furniture store on my lunchtime and order replacement tubes. We had one leak about a month or so ago and have been living without it for now, but now that a second one is leaking it is time to replace them all. The bed is 20 years old, so no surprises that it has leaks I suppose. We've had the quilted top of the mattress replaced twice under warranty and it is still holding up well. If we can't get replacement tubes, it will be time to get a new bed.

DS is in tears right now because somehow a school project that he spent many computer hours on today accidentally got deleted.... so I need to let him use the computer to recreate the project. Wish I could help, but nothing I can do.

I'll try to pop on later with my laptop. TTYL.....................P

You've had quite the computer day. Poor ds. Hope he is able to recreate his project easily. Tough on a sunday night, I am sure. Bummer on the water bed leak too. Our chair and a half recliner broke this week, we can still sit in it, but it won't recline, so I think with the tax refund we'll replace it. It's where we sit the most. talk to you later.

Gosh, I haven't been on-line in a few days, and there are 10 pages to read through! Congratulations to all who have lost and are continuing to do well. I have had a beyond crazy week with work and a sick mom (she worries me to death - my gray hair is blamed on her). And I'm looking at an even crazier week with a follow-up with the physicians assistant on Thursday. Will she or won't she sign the form? Our social worker will be here on Tuesday and I'll need to tell her something about not having the form yet. It's just so odd that I am a social worker and I'm having to prove myself worthy to another social worker.

I did lose one pound this week, which is nothing short of amazing. I haven't completely fallen off the wagon but I'm leaning to the left quite a bit. Hopefully I can get it back together this week.



I'm proud to still be here. Going by my past, I would have quit 10 times by now!

Push, push, push, here's a little push to help you stay in the wagon. Hope your mom is ok. It's tough when they age and have health problems. Nice job to see a loss with the crazy week. Hope this week is much better.

Good evening everyone!

We had a nice weekend. Ds really got into making his guinea pigs scrapbook, and it came out awesome. He is so happy with it. We had a graduation party this afternoon, and I did make cookies to bring and ate 5 of them, 2 before they were baked, and at the party, I had a brownie, and that was it, so over all, it could have been much worse. I also saved a few cookies for ds, which are gone now, and brought the rest with us. Did a good run/walk with the dog this morning, and will head out shortly for our evening walk.

Have a nice night!

 

[mikamah]

Working on my 40 By 40 list....I added "learn a new sport" and "learn how to lay tile". I think I watch too much HGTV... I really want to remodel my guest bathroom and I thought I would tile it myself....or maybe I could install a tile backsplash in my kitchen (current there is just painted walls.) I think Home Depot has classes that are free. Could be an "easy" one to cross off my list....

Well, it's 7:30 and I am already in my pajamas! I'm doing some reading and off to bed early...it's going to be a looooong week!

Sweet Dreams Donalds!!

Home depot has tons of classes, and I'm sure you could lay tile. Might be fun. I wish I had a desire to do any type of remodelling myself. Sleep tight. I'll be in my pjs as soon as I walk the dog.

 

[belledreamer]

Saturday 1/28 QOTD- It's the weekend! Wish we all could head to our favorite disney park for the weekend! If you were at a disney park right now, what would you be doing?

I'd be spending the day at Hollywood Studios doing the 'American Idol Experience' (something I've never done yet) then go on 'The Great Movie Ride', ToT, 'Rockin Rollercoaster' and then go see "Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage" a couple of times before hopping to MK for Wishes!

Sunday 1/29 QOTD-Today is the inaugural Disneyland Tinkerbell Half-Marathon, so our question is honor of Tinkerbell and all our Wishers running today, including our Biggest Loser members- Lisah0711 and Liesel, also known as the Lisabelles. Looking back on your healthy journey, share something you have done or are doing that makes you most proud?

First off, Congrats to the Lisabelles for doing the Tinkerbell Half!

There are several things I'm proud of; of eating more fruit, of getting more exercise, of having fast food only twice this month and even then picking a healthier option (I used to have fast food at LEAST three times a week) and drinking all 64oz of water every day since we started January 1st.

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

Did much better on getting my calories in today. Been trying extra hard to get all my fruits and veggies in for the day as well, so I had two serving of strawberries for breakfast. Wasn't really that hungry at lunch, but remembering that I needing to keep my calories up, had a half peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat. YUMMY!

Went and had Greek food for the first time today, which was just ok. I don't know if I'd get it again, but I did enjoy the salad I had with the pita bread. We also had a delicious Tiramisu which by the time we split it amongst the table, ended up to be 3 fork-fulls; just enough to satisfy my sweet craving without feeling like I had gone overboard.

Thinking about trying out a new haircut to celebrate the new me. Not sure yet so I'm heading to check out new hairstyles.

See everyone tomorrow!

 

[::Snow_White::]

Congrats on the tinkerbell half!!

First off, Congrats to the Lisabelles for doing the Tinkerbell Half!

There are several things I'm proud of; of eating more fruit, of getting more exercise, of having fast food only twice this month and even then picking a healthier option (I used to have fast food at LEAST three times a week) and drinking all 64oz of water every day since we started January 1st.

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

Did much better on getting my calories in today. Been trying extra hard to get all my fruits and veggies in for the day as well, so I had two serving of strawberries for breakfast. Wasn't really that hungry at lunch, but remembering that I needing to keep my calories up, had a half peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat. YUMMY!

Went and had Greek food for the first time today, which was just ok. I don't know if I'd get it again, but I did enjoy the salad I had with the pita bread. We also had a delicious Tiramisu which by the time we split it amongst the table, ended up to be 3 fork-fulls; just enough to satisfy my sweet craving without feeling like I had gone overboard.

Thinking about trying out a new haircut to celebrate the new me. Not sure yet so I'm heading to check out new hairstyles.

See everyone tomorrow!

Tiramisu is absolutely delicious! I had some at Mama Melrose in DHS, it was great.

Just wanted to say I love your profile picture, I am a big DW fan too! I'm actually watching Doctor Who: "Midnight" as I'm typing this. David Tennant is my favorite doctor, but I am loving Matt Smith.