Team Donald – Biggest Loser “No Excuses” 2012 Challenge

[jenanderson]

QOTD: I went shopping on Fri night and still have to pick a few things up today. I bought some ground turkey to make meatballs as well, as I saw someone else on here who was making the same thing. I made sure to buy lots of healthy snacks, and fruits/veggies.

Great job picking up the healthy food and preparing to have a on plan week!

I have been thinking about this, and wanted to ask the runners here: My cousin suggested I try the couch 2 5K.... When I think of running, I think of high school gym class when they made us run around the track for a physical fitness test. It was pure torture to me. I was never into sports, and not extremely active, but back then, I was only slightly overweight, and yet it was still so difficult for me. So, I can only imagine how it would be for me now, weighing about 50 pounds more than I was then!
I just don't seem to be able to get past the idea that running would still be pure torture...not being able to breathe, knees aching, etc.
I know I should maybe just give it a try to see if it's something I might like now, but I have this awful roadblock in my head about it.
Did anyone else feel this way before they started running?

I totally felt this way. I was 50 pounds over weight and every single thing I did to work out took so much effort. That is part of the reason why I started with the C25K program. It was simple enough to start with the short running intervals and long walks. When I started there were days where I thought I couldn't make it and I had to sit down on the curb. I had to repeat some workouts. I had to modify a few of the sessions when I couldn't do it. I cried when it was hard and I felt totally alive when I could actually complete a run (even though much of it was walking).

Words of advice if you are looking at trying it: Get shoes that will support you or you could end up hurting more then you should. Don't over-do it....follow the program and repeat if necessary.

I truly believe that the C25K program allows almost everyone to find success with running. I never would have thought I would say that I am a runner...but I am. If you want to try it...go for it!

I'm starting c25k today. I started in back in July last year, but fell off the wagon when we went on vacation. I thought it was crazy to think I could even run for 1 minute, but I started out as a slow jog and each week I'd go a little faster. Alot of people have done really great on it. As a motivator I'm just going to keep picturing the Princess 1/2 medal, I'm going to get in 2013!

It won't be long until you have your Princess medal! Keep up with it and you can do it!

I bought 5 lean cuisines, a box of Clementines, and red pepper & Hummas for lunch this week. I always keep Bumble Bee Tuna Medleys Lemon Pepper Flavor in my office just in case. I also keep a box of Special K bars and 100 calorie snacks in my office. At home, we are having Turkey Meatloaf with melted cranberry sauce on top (YUMMY!) with the leftover mixed veggies and salad tonight. We will have grilled Italian sausages with red pepper and onions. We will have baked chicken thighs this week too. I know we will go out to eat at least once so I will have to look up the best possible options for the palce we choose. I also took the advice of someone on here (sorry I forgot who) and bought dessert flavored Yoplaits to eat at the end of each day.
Now I just need to start drinking water.

Sounds like you are planned out for the week! I like that you are going to look up the information for eating out...that always helps me out. And DRINK YOUR WATER!

I started with C25K 3 years ago. It really works! I know it is hard to get going, but once you do you will see success. Just don't give up. Have you downloaded any podcasts or apps you can play on your ipod that tell you when to run and when to stop?

It is always great to hear about everyone who has success with the program.

I did C25K to get ready for the wine and dine 2011. Don't get discouraged if you have to repeat a week every now and then. That was key for me. I believe it was about week 3 or 4 that was a big jump.

It is always a good reminder to tell people to repeat weeks if necessary. There is a point where it gets hard and repeating it really helped me as well!

AARGH the computer ate my post but here goeas-again!!
I'm planning out my weeks menus (though still struggling to figure out some days) today! Definitely find this helps avoid take-outs and helps me stay on track! Love some of the recipe ideas on here-think I will be giving the chicken strips a go I'm also planning my exercise for the week and putting it on the calender so I'm more likely to stick to it

Great job planning out your weekly menu! The best though is putting your exercise on the calendar - now you WILL stick to it!

Just finished week 1 day 1 of c25k. It felt really good to get back at it. I do have an app downloaded to my phone that keeps track of run/walk schedule for me. It helps alot since I don't always pay attention to the clock.

WAY TO GO on your C25K!

II think our team is really supportive and encouraging! I've been on snarky threads and ours is far from it! And just think they've helped our thread count since we're all discussing them commenting on our "snarkiness"

It is a great group!

I think giving it a try to see if you like it is an excellent idea. I love running. I do not however love every run...does that make sense? I have ran races where I have said the entire time--never again, never again, never again.

But I love running. I love how strong I feel. I love the stress relief. I was in mourning when I had to stop this spring and this fall to deal with injuries.

Having said all that, it is not for everyone. But I believe that there is some form of activity out there that will give you the kind of joy that I get from running.

If you do decided to try it, there are tons and tons or resources online and at the bookstore for beginner runners. Jeff Galloway (who is the official trainer for rundisney) has put together a run/walk program that has helped so many people get active and get faster!

I did not use c25k, but I know tons of people have completed it with great success.

I have run on and off my entire adult life, but always got burned out/injured once I got up to around 5 miles. In 2010 my DH encouraged me to give it a try again. And I honestly was just humoring him. But this time something clicked. For one thing, I was not overdoing it. In the past I would go every single day and consider myself a failure if I didn't. So on average I only run 3 days a week now. And I cross train and strength train.

Anyhow, sorry for the very long reply! Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Wise words of wisdom Rose!

It is true that running is not for everyone but there is something out there that everyone can enjoy! One of the most important things is your statement about running. I think sometimes people think that they should love every run and the truth of the matter is that most days I experience huge amounts of struggles with the run. I am not really in love with running but rather in love with how incredible I feel when I am done.

 

[GoofyPredsFan]

Ok, so my husband and my mom both think I'm losing my mind, so I wonder if anyone else has ever noticed this...For the past few months, I'm hot all the time. I wander around the house asking "is anyone else hot??" and no one ever is. haha. So my husband has been joking that I'm gonna start "the change" soon. But anyways, now since I have been drinking so much water it seems I am cold all the time! It's kinda good because it makes me want to work out just so I can warm up. So, am I crazy or what??

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Is anybody using the Lose it! app for their smart phone? I love the fact that you can scan the bar code of foods to record calories.

 

[bellebookworm9]

Gretchen~I was just thinking about you and your mom. Hope all is going well. I guess I probably should look for you on the other thread

Thanks for thinking of me! Mom is doing pretty well, a few low days here and there but that's to be expected.

BTW...your blog is very detailed oriented and I loved reading it!

I'm glad you like the blog. I am very detailed oriented and I hate not knowing how little details will work ahead of time (a little bit OCD ) so I'm hoping this will help other people who want to do the program.

 

[cjdj4]

Is anybody using the Lose it! app for their smart phone? I love the fact that you can scan the bar code of foods to record calories.

I downloaded the sparkpeople app. It's ok. I am interested in the Lose It! one. How are the lists of foods? Do they have restaurant menus too?

 

[cclovesdis]

Anything I can do today with food make the week easier will help keep me on plan and that is one of the most important steps for me.

Jen: This is so true! I worked on menu planning for the week/month yesterday and I feel so much better!

That is why we are having it as well....at least the kids will eat with us and it is super easy!

Here is the recipe: you just cut chicken breasts into strips, mix together 2 Tbs. milk and 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard. Dip the strips into the milk and mustard and roll in bread crumbs. You can only use like 3 Tbs. of breadcrumbs so you have use them sparingly. You bake them at 350 until done – flipping them over while baking. I also put the pan in the oven when it is preheating because it makes them crunchier when you put them on the hot pan.

I do strips for DH and me first and then I add a few more breadcrumbs so that the kids strips are a bit more coated.

Enjoy!

Thanks for sharing this recipe! I found a GF version, but this one is so much simpler.

I could totally see myself doing that! My iPod is always on shuffle and I never think about it!

This is exactly why I wanted a touch. I couldn't justify the original touch, so was when Apple came out with the Nano Touch.

Now I'm off to finish the dreaded

All I have to do is fold it and put it away and I find it dreadful.

I think giving it a try to see if you like it is an excellent idea. I love running. I do not however love every run...does that make sense? I have ran races where I have said the entire time--never again, never again, never again.

I've heard Rose say this before and I wanted to share that I remember this every time I attempt C25K.

This is one heck of a full moon this month!

Once I see how my schedule really works, I'll start settling into a schedule next week. I'm also still working on getting the house back to pre-Christmas and making room for new stuff, plus DD's birthday is on Sat. I know, sounds like lots of excuses, but experience tells me that the first week of classes is tricky enough without adding too much else in.

I was summoned for jury duty the first week of the 2nd semester of senior year. Thankfully, I was able to postpone it. I never wanted to miss a class.

Not an excuse at all!

 

[Tink rules]

Ok, so my husband and my mom both think I'm losing my mind, so I wonder if anyone else has ever noticed this...For the past few months, I'm hot all the time. I wander around the house asking "is anyone else hot??" and no one ever is. haha. So my husband has been joking that I'm gonna start "the change" soon. But anyways, now since I have been drinking so much water it seems I am cold all the time! It's kinda good because it makes me want to work out just so I can warm up. So, am I crazy or what??

NOT crazy.. maybe you'r peri-menopausal.. they do tell you to drink lots of water.. and make sure you take your calcium!!!

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

I fixed this for dinner tonight. It was very good!

http://skinnytaste.ziplist.com/reci...ntent=skinnytaste&raw_body=&theme=skinnytaste

this looks really good I think I may try it. Thanks for sharing

Well, my first week was a gain, but I expected that.

thats ok carol. It sounds like you have a great week planned of lots of healthy eating.

1st - We Will Rock You is a sing by Queen. 2nd - You were so busy beating yourself up that you did not mention this ex of yours was now bald, 50+ lbs. overweight, and he was still sporting a mullet and acid wash jeans

that is too funny. Unfortunately he still looked good although I would say a little bit heavier but not much (hes actually grown in to a handsome man) his wife was all skinny and beautiful too. Maybe thats what made me really feel crappy about it. But I am now over it and thank you so much for the great laugh.

But what I have the most of and gets me moving is, (I'm so embarrassed to admit this...) a soundtrack from a kids show I used to watch all the time called 'Lazytown'. I don't know how many of you are familiar with the show, but it was all about healthy habits, eating 'Sports Candy' (a.k.a. fruits and veggies) and getting active. And the girl who starred in the show was a dancer and gymnast so she always did a lot of cool dances that I liked to learn the steps to and the songs were really catchy.

It just always puts a smile on my face.

Not sure I remember that show but sounds really cute and I think it is neat that it still motivates you.

I have a really funny story about this ... my son works at the library and picked up my reserved copy of Steven King's newest book called 11/22/63 ... which was on Cds that are made to transfer digitally to your ipod through your computer. Anyway, this was the first time I tried to do this. I had been walking/running for about 5 days (an hour each day) and listening to the book.

My son asked me ... "How is that book? There is a long reserve list for it and I'm interested to know what it is about." I told him I was having a lot of trouble following it. I know the character traveled in time and I was hearing parts of the story ... but I wasn't putting it together. I also daydream sometimes and lose track of the story when walking ... but usually, I can figure it out. But I was just having one heck of a time getting into this story.

Then the next night I looked at my ipod ... I had it on SHUFFLE! I told my son and he almost wet his pants laughing so hard. Now that I am listening to it in the correct order ... the story is great! And I look forward to hearing the next part of the story when I am exercising.

oh my gosh that is too funny. Something I would completely do too.

We also went for a walk because it was gorgeous out and we estimated we walked about 5 miles. It was nice and we got the dogs out which we really nedded to do.

It was beautiful outside here too. Glad you were able to soak it all up. Woohoo on the 5miles. I hope you can figure out a cure for the belly issues soon.

Oh my he has quite the sense of humor. What a kid.
It sounds like a successful shopping trip yesterday and I bet that will lead you to a very successful week this week.

Good Morning Team Donald!

On Friday, I asked you about your plans for having a successful weekend because we all know that when we plan ahead, we are more likely to stay with those plans.

Sunday's QOTD: 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?

Well I have looked forward to what we have going on at night to see when we need quick meals vs. meals that need a bit of prep time. So that is all planned out. We replenished the stock of breakfast items and fruit today. I have planned what I will take for lunch but we do have a lunch being delivered to us on tues. that will most likely be italian food. But I think overall I have a good plan to get me through.

I always want to make a big batch of something on a sunday for week day meals but never really get the motivation to do it. Maybe one day.

I have also looked at the calendar and realize that our dinner on Tuesday night needs to be fast and easy.

I found that looking at the calendar is key. I use to just pick meals and then I will get to a night that we had stuff going on and be out of luck because I planned a meal that would take longer than we had.

I do have to do plyometrics from p90x again today.

How is it going with P90X? Do you like it?

I have been thinking about this, and wanted to ask the runners here: My cousin suggested I try the couch 2 5K.... When I think of running, I think of high school gym class when they made us run around the track for a physical fitness test. It was pure torture to me. I was never into sports, and not extremely active, but back then, I was only slightly overweight, and yet it was still so difficult for me. So, I can only imagine how it would be for me now, weighing about 50 pounds more than I was then!
I just don't seem to be able to get past the idea that running would still be pure torture...not being able to breathe, knees aching, etc.
I know I should maybe just give it a try to see if it's something I might like now, but I have this awful roadblock in my head about it.
Did anyone else feel this way before they started running?

For me I was very very athletic and active in high school. I played field hockey, basketball, and softball. In every one of those sports I dreaded when we would have to just run. I can remember in hockey we would go on long senior runs for 40 minutes. When I was a senior I had a group of underclassman to lead. I took them to an apartment complex and we hid in the lobby for 20 min and then ran back. I think I may have even threatened them not to tell on me. So that is how much I disliked running.

Fastforward a number of years. Like 15 to be exact and here I am running for no reason other than to run. Heres what I like about it and how I got over the roadblock in my mind.

1. I love doing the races. I love the comradery it has with others. It just is a great feeling.
2. Its competitive. I am not a competitive runner with others because I am slow but its a competition within myself. Like each 5K I do I want to be faster. Or how fast can I run 1 mile. Or how far can I push myself to go.
3. It is such a feeling of accomplishment once you complete a goal you had set out to do. I actually sobbed after I did my first 5K, 10mile, half marathon. Its just an amazing feeling.
4. Although during the run it really doesnt seem enjoyable it is an amazing feeling of health when you are finished.
5. It tones those legs up like nobody's business.

I heard of C25K a few years ago and thats how I got started. I remember I felt like dying after I ran for 30seconds. I remember almost giving up one day because it felt so horrible and like such torture. But I didnt. After about 2-3wks it got easier and easier and eventually I was craving it. I did this all being 60lbs overweight. It helped with my weight loss and it helped me to feel empowered again that I really could still be active.

As others have said running is not for everyone but if you think you at least want to try to see for sure it its for you at least give it a good try and dont quite because its hard, keep at it for at least a few weeks before you decide. That would be my advice.

Sorry for the long reply but hope it has helped along with all the other great advice you also received.

Just finished week 1 day 1 of c25k. It felt really good to get back at it. I do have an app downloaded to my phone that keeps track of run/walk schedule for me. It helps alot since I don't always pay attention to the clock.

My exercise plan is to do every other day of c25k, workout with my trainer 2 days a week and do the workouts on my own on the off days. Now I just have to keep my goals insight so I stick with it!

Now I'm off to finish the dreaded

good job!

Ok, so my husband and my mom both think I'm losing my mind, so I wonder if anyone else has ever noticed this...For the past few months, I'm hot all the time. I wander around the house asking "is anyone else hot??" and no one ever is. haha. So my husband has been joking that I'm gonna start "the change" soon. But anyways, now since I have been drinking so much water it seems I am cold all the time! It's kinda good because it makes me want to work out just so I can warm up. So, am I crazy or what??

I have been freezing all week too. Not sure if its the water or the fact that I am not providing my flubber insulation with the fat that it needs to live on me. Your definitely not crazy.

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I have been in quite a mood today. Not sure if its TOM approaching (I swear I get PMS 2wks before it comes) or if its the full moon. I have felt very snappy and irritable and even emotional.

My mom wanted to buy the boys new sneakers so we all went to the mall. I told my mom if they needed an idea for my bday on the 18th that I really really need new running shoes. So while we were in jc penney she told me to look for a pair. I didnt find any that I wanted. (I wear a specific type of shoe that has not failed me yet with running). Then we went to 2 more stores and the boys finally found what they wanted but I couldnt. She said I would just need to wait until another day and we can go somewhere else. Normally that is not a big deal and any adult really wouldnt think twice about it but I swear I felt like crying and throwing a tantrum because I really want new shoes like now. of course I just said ok no problem, I would never really act like that but inside my brain something else was happening. Maybe its still the withdrawl symptoms too. who knows.

Anyway we ate at subway and now I am back home. I am going to go out for my 3mile run shortly. I should have went right when I got home because now I feel lazy but I wanted to catch up with all of you.

I hope you all are enjoying your weekends.

 

[ougrad86]

Good Morning Team Donald!Sunday's QOTD: 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 went shopping the other day. I am getting together fixin's for sandwiches for the week. I will still have to do more as the week goes on since not everything can be prepared this far ahead. Still grappling with the evening meals alot. My DS runs and he is skinny, so needs alot of calories, so very often we eat different things. Not an ideal situation, but still having trouble finding something that will work for all of us. Still scanning the recipies in the links and the biggest loser recipe thread.

Hello Carol! Sounds like you are back on track and ready to go! I have to say that is one of the reasons why I love WW...splurge points are so helpful! It is a way for me to know that I don't have to give up everything that I like as long as I am making good choices along the way. It is how I feel just fine having my glass of wine or two on the weekend!

And wouldn't you know, I weighed myself this morning and back to my starting weight - must be all the water I have been drinking, and the fact that I did not eat all my points yesterday... good way to start the week for next Friday!

I'm glad you like the blog. I am very detailed oriented and I hate not knowing how little details will work ahead of time (a little bit OCD ) so I'm hoping this will help other people who want to do the program.

I've been following the blog too. It sounds like a really neat thing to do, and I'm sure you are going to have an awesome time!

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

Doing pretty good today, except for a headache I can't seem to get rid of. DH said his started with a scratchy throat, so hope I am not catching that since the symptoms don't match. Managed to get in some quick exercise before the headache kicked in, finishing up the last of the laundry and getting the stuff together for my lunches this week.

Tried Belgian Waffles this morning for DS, but the new waffle maker we got for Christmas wasn't working right (that might be why I have my headache). We tried another batch later, and figured out we need to cook longer than the instructions. Not a huge waffle fan, so making them did not bother me much. He had waffles for lunch instead of breakfast, since the breakfast ones weren't edible.

Dropped another pound and a half, so am back to the weight for my initial weigh-in. I usually do better during the week at work, so I am in a good place and starting the week with a loss from the weight I reported for
Friday. All that water is doing it's work!

DH is watching Time Bandits now - may escape to the kitchen, it is not helping my headache!

Carol

 

[cjdj4]

Is anybody using the Lose it! app for their smart phone? I love the fact that you can scan the bar code of foods to record calories.

I downloaded the sparkpeople app. It's ok. I am interested in the Lose It! one. How are the lists of foods? Do they have restaurant menus too?

I downloaded Lose it! And it is waaayyyyy better than sparkpeople. I live the bar scanner. So cool! Thanks for posting about it.

 

[SettinSail]

Hello Team Donald! Our 2 new kitties have kept us very busy this weekend and I have not had time to post or follow along. We picked them up from the SPCA healthy on Friday but by Saturday the boy kitty was very sick. We paid the vet $185 and were sent home with *4* meds and special food to eat. He has really perked up since then but we had to do a lot of clean up Saturday morning from all his vomit and diarrhea
He also has a URI. Atleast the SPCA fee was super cheap - just $20 per cat and that included microchipping, sterilization, vaccines, exam.

They are brother and sister named Luna and Bo. They are just the cutest things you have ever seen. I will try to post a picture sometime next week.

Thank you all for encouraging me last week when I did not do well. Due to bloating and bad choices, I was UP almost 5 pounds during the week but managed to end the week with only a small gain. I know that sounds wierd for week 1 of a challenge but I am almost 2 years into this so it not new to me.

Congrats to all who did well last week and I hope we all have a great week ahead

Shawn

 

[#1hoosierfan]

I downloaded Lose it! And it is waaayyyyy better than sparkpeople. I live the bar scanner. So cool! Thanks for posting about it.

Great! I am glad that you like it. I have never used Sparkpeople, so I had no frame of reference.

Sorry, I forgot who asked about how p90x is going, and I don't know how to multi-quote.

It is tough, and a BIG time commitment, but I like it. I just hope that I have the results to go along with all of the effort!

Here is what we are having for dinner tonight:

Brown 4-6 LEAN pork loin chops in a skillet. Mix a can of chicken with rice soup, 1 cup of orange juice, and 1 1/3 cups of white rice in a large casserole dish. Place the browned pork chops on top. Bake in a 350 degree oven, covered, for 45 minutes. Uncover, and bake another 10 minutes.

I will admit these are better when you use the assorted (fattier) pork chops, but I am trying to be good.

The approximate calorie count when you eat a 6 oz. chop and 1/4 of the rice is 340 calories. Not too bad!

 

[Disneyluvr]

Wow this thread has been speeding along!

I am happy to report that I survived my weekend training And I'm very proud of myself for passing up all the calorie laden, fattening, yummy treats I had my healthy snacks and I really didn't even miss the junk! I didn't get to exercise as much as i had hoped because we really didn't get long breaks and we worked through lunch so we could leave a little early. But I did walk a lot back and forth to the bathroom thanks to all the water I was drinking! Now I only have to get through 3 more weekends this month


Sunday's QOTD: 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 everything ready for lunches for the week and dinner ideas.

I already know there will be a big bump tomorrow Tuesday is my birthday and we live in a very small town, we don't even have a Wal-Mart! So I have an appointment tomorrow in the big city 120 miles away and DH is taking me to lunch at Red lobster for my b-day. And I am planning on getting what i really want since we only eat here maybe 2-3 times a year!

But Tuesday I will jump right back in line! I promise!

 

[Disneyluvr]

Great! I am glad that you like it. I have never used Sparkpeople, so I had no frame of reference.

Sorry, I forgot who asked about how p90x is going, and I don't know how to multi-quote.

It is tough, and a BIG time commitment, but I like it. I just hope that I have the results to go along with all of the effort!

Here is what we are having for dinner tonight:

Brown 4-6 LEAN pork loin chops in a skillet. Mix a can of chicken with rice soup, 1 cup of orange juice, and 1 1/3 cups of white rice in a large casserole dish. Place the browned pork chops on top. Bake in a 350 degree oven, covered, for 45 minutes. Uncover, and bake another 10 minutes.

I will admit these are better when you use the assorted (fattier) pork chops, but I am trying to be good.

The approximate calorie count when you eat a 6 oz. chop and 1/4 of the rice is 340 calories. Not too bad!

That sounds yummy and like something my whole picky family would enjoy. I'm gonna add it to the list of recipes to make. Thanks!

 

[amykathleen2005]

My poor Molly left us this morning.

This is her at the vet's Friday.

 

[Rose&Mike]

My poor Molly left us this morning.

This is her at the vet's Friday.

Oh, I am so very sorry. Take care of yourself.

 

[trinaweena]

My poor Molly left us this morning.

This is her at the vet's Friday.

I'm so sorry to hear that. I can't even imagine how your feeling

 

[#1hoosierfan]

My poor Molly left us this morning.

This is her at the vet's Friday.

Amy - I am soooo sorry! Pets are like members of the family. Losing them is so tough! She was such a pretty girl.

 

[melmar136]

Amy, I'm so very sorry about your dog.

Shawn, glad to hear your kitties are doing well now. I have a tuxedo cat, and he is a terror, even now at 14!

Thanks to all of you who had advice about getting started on running. I am actually considering giving it a shot.
Lindsay, your story of hiding in an apartment complex to avoid running in HS cracked me up! I used to hide in the bathroom during gym class to get out of stuff!

 

[jenanderson]

I want to thank all the Team Donald folks who have been popping on the Team Mickey thread to say hello. It's nice to see everyone because we all have so much to share and learn from one another, regardless of what team we are on.

The hallmark of a BL challenge is that it is a positive, supportive place.

I'm thinking it's time for us to all hold hands and sing "Kum-ba-ya" now.
This is one heck of a full moon this month!

Hello Lisa! I like that you stopped by! I do need to come over to your thread and say hello to all my friends on Team Mickey!

I love "kum-ba-ya"!

This week is the 1st week of classes, which is always a handful. Exercising will be spotty at best, but I'm prepared for that. If nothing else, on Wed - Fri, I should be speed walking/running 3+ miles each day just getting to class. After really thinking about it, I'm switching my major from biochemistry to environmental & soil science, which means most of my classes will be on the agricultural campus. Lucky me, my non-ag campus class is one of the furthest buildings, just under 1.5 miles one way and is on top of "the hill" which has about 100 steps to get up to the top. Oh, and I have 15 mins to make it. Fingers crossed that I get in the class I'm waitlisted on and & I don't have to try to make that haul 3 days a week.

Good Luck with your classes Nicole! It sounds like you will get a lot of exercise simply by running across campus but I like the idea of you getting an elliptical as well...I think that would make you feel better about getting your exercising in at home.

Ok, so my husband and my mom both think I'm losing my mind, so I wonder if anyone else has ever noticed this...For the past few months, I'm hot all the time. I wander around the house asking "is anyone else hot??" and no one ever is. haha. So my husband has been joking that I'm gonna start "the change" soon. But anyways, now since I have been drinking so much water it seems I am cold all the time! It's kinda good because it makes me want to work out just so I can warm up. So, am I crazy or what??

I don't think you are losing your mind. I know that I did not experience that with just the water but I am often cold now when I never used to be. I don't know if it was because I lost the weight, from running all the time or maybe it was the water. Seriously I was such a hot body but now I find myself putting on tons of layers and wearing my stocking cap in the house!

Is anybody using the Lose it! app for their smart phone? I love the fact that you can scan the bar code of foods to record calories.

I am going to try using that app on my iPad. I downloaded it and it looks interesting.

Thanks for thinking of me! Mom is doing pretty well, a few low days here and there but that's to be expected.

Glad to hear that your mom is doing better.

Jen: This is so true! I worked on menu planning for the week/month yesterday and I feel so much better!

Hey CC! It is so nice that you "stopped by" our thread! I feel so good tonight after doing all the planning today. I forgot how nice it is to make plans to stay on plan and know that I am going to do it!

Well I have looked forward to what we have going on at night to see when we need quick meals vs. meals that need a bit of prep time. So that is all planned out. We replenished the stock of breakfast items and fruit today. I have planned what I will take for lunch but we do have a lunch being delivered to us on tues. that will most likely be italian food. But I think overall I have a good plan to get me through.

I always want to make a big batch of something on a sunday for week day meals but never really get the motivation to do it. Maybe one day.

I found that looking at the calendar is key. I use to just pick meals and then I will get to a night that we had stuff going on and be out of luck because I planned a meal that would take longer than we had.

Sounds like you are all ready for the week as well! I do have a hard time getting motivated to get things prepped on Sunday but this week I did it because I really want to have a successful week.
Heres what I like about it and how I got over the roadblock in my mind.

1. I love doing the races. I love the comradery it has with others. It just is a great feeling.
2. Its competitive. I am not a competitive runner with others because I am slow but its a competition within myself. Like each 5K I do I want to be faster. Or how fast can I run 1 mile. Or how far can I push myself to go.
3. It is such a feeling of accomplishment once you complete a goal you had set out to do. I actually sobbed after I did my first 5K, 10mile, half marathon. Its just an amazing feeling.
4. Although during the run it really doesnt seem enjoyable it is an amazing feeling of health when you are finished.
5. It tones those legs up like nobody's business.

I have been in quite a mood today. Not sure if its TOM approaching (I swear I get PMS 2wks before it comes) or if its the full moon. I have felt very snappy and irritable and even emotional.

I LOVE what you wrote about running! I think I should make a list like that so that on days I don't really feel like going on (especially when it is cold), I could read my list and be totally motivated to just do it!

Sorry you were in a mood today! Somedays are just harder then others I hope you get your shoes soon and that your run tonight made you feel a bit better!

I went shopping the other day. I am getting together fixin's for sandwiches for the week. I will still have to do more as the week goes on since not everything can be prepared this far ahead. Still grappling with the evening meals alot. My DS runs and he is skinny, so needs alot of calories, so very often we eat different things. Not an ideal situation, but still having trouble finding something that will work for all of us. Still scanning the recipies in the links and the biggest loser recipe thread.

And wouldn't you know, I weighed myself this morning and back to my starting weight - must be all the water I have been drinking, and the fact that I did not eat all my points yesterday... good way to start the week for next Friday!

Carol - I am glad that you got things set up to start your week. It is hard when you have different people eating different foods. Both my kids are super fit and super active so I am always wanting to figure out how to be sure they are getting enough healthy food to eat while I don't over-eat. It is a challenge.

YAY for beging back at your starting weight. Keep on drinking that water!