Good Morning Donalds!

Congrats to all our biggest losers!!! Esp Mickey SP. What a great week! Lots of good losses! Thank goodness we don't kick anyone off here or I might have been gone yesterday! Still trying to figure out why my scale won't budge this week....the one pound that was gone yesterday is back today. I've been eating well all week, drinking water and exercising daily. I am still very off on sleep this week due to getting re-adjusted to the time zone here. Only slept last night from 4:30-7:00 and again this morning from 8:30-11:30. Dh is also keeping me up with his coughing and snoring, he's been sick all week. That should get straightened out in another day or two. I will just keep on doing what I know is right and patiently wait out the scale I guess!
SNOW IS COMING I HATE SNOW
I am with you on this! Thankfully right now, all of our snow is melted!
Hi.
I'm happy to be joining Team Donald and am very hopeful that this will be a fun way to track (& meet) my weight loss goals. Looking forward to working with you all.
Off to drink my water...
Shawn, another thought for you. I ALWAYS gain 3-5 pounds on car trips of 5+ hours from sitting. It takes a few days for it to come off. Do you thing your plane ride affected you???? That's a long time! Hang in there!!!!!
Thanks Taryn - don't know what it is but I am ready for it to be over!
Thanks for the encouragement, I need some!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, quick update on DH, he had a great day at work yesterday. They didn't rescind the plan, back off of it or anything. But he did share what was going on w/ his employees, who were completely shocked and supportive. They worked their butts off for him, and he came home feeling much better. Told him I would start baking stuff to send to them on Fridays as a thank you, because they will be what ultimately makes or breaks him. He said he told them his wife and daughters were depending on them, so I want to thank them. STILL A LONG ROAD TO Go, but we said 1 day down, 89 to go. We got snow and ice, so the plant is closed today, he gets a bit of a break. That's good, because he hasn't slept at all since Friday, so his body needs rest, and he finally felt last night like he could sleep. He's hoping that if it keeps up, they'll eventually back off. Thanks for your PPD and support, keep it coming (but you can take a little break today

). I was sending up prayers every 15 minutes all day yesterday, and was exhausted by the time he got home. Feel asleep at about 7:30 on the couch, and didn't really wake up until 4 this morning. Sophie was asleep in the floor, Ak was asleep in the recliner, and DH was in the bed. Taryn

That's a great start!!! So glad he got a day off to relax and rest

And, congrats on being the BL for Team Mickey! How do you do it !!??
1/11/11 Tuesday QOTD What exercise excuse do you use most often?
* I don't have time
* I'm too tired
* It's too difficult for me
* It's boring
* I don't want people to see me
* I don't know what I'm doing
* I don't make any of these excuses
I use ALL those excuses! I don't mind the exercise too much and love how I feel afterwards but I hate having to shower, wash/dry/style hair, re-apply make-up before I can do anything else...I am a yucky, sweaty, stinky mess after any exercise I do and it takes a long time to put me back together
Hi! Waving here . . . not having the best week. We'll see how it goes on Friday when I weigh in. Not really looking forward to that.

hang in there and take it day by day, meal by meal, do what you can do each day
So here is my biggest challenge right now. I need to STOP getting on that damn scale every morning! I know that I need to just weigh in once a week but it is right there mocking me and I just want to get on and show it that I am losing. But of course we tend to fluctuate and if it sticks it's tongue out at me and shows a 1 pound gain I get so

I think I need to tell DH to take it out of the bathroom and hide it and only bring it out on Friday mornings for me.
I hear ya on the daily weigh-ins! I have been swearing by them for the past 11 months to keep me on track but now it is really dragging me down. I need that daily feedback but when it's bad it can really affect your mood all day. I can feel a big "screw it!" moment coming on if things don't change for me!
By the way SparkPeople has some great exercise video demos and will put a plan together for you.
Very good to know - I will have to check it out, thanks!
Unfortunately, he got stuck at work until almost 9. When he called to let me know he was on his way home, I realized that we weren't going to get in the lifting that we planned because he still needed dinner and I wasn't about to stay up until 1 am so his food could digest before working out. (I also didn't want to just do the lifting on my own because it is pretty intense--P90X--and I knew that he would want to do it later in the week.) Now, what I would usually do in this situation is make up an excuse a la the QOTD...I'm too tired, I don't have time, etc...BUT, I didn't say any of those things! Instead, I improvised! I haven't done any real core work in a while, so I spent about 30 min doing some crunches and planks and whatnot and also did a few sets of bicep curls and tricep extensions. I was pretty proud of myself for not making an excuse, because generally, I am the Queen of excuses.
WTG !!! I don't thing I could exercise that late at night, but sounds like it works for your schedule.
I had lots of oven roasted veggies for dinner last night and probably should have taken some bean-o or something... my stomach is REALLY rumbling today. I cooked an entire head of cauliflower, a large beet, two big handfuls of baby carrots, and a large onion..... and except for giving DD about 1/3 of the cauliflower, I ate it ALL!! Zero points (except for the EVOO), but tough on the digestive system! THat, my friends, is called VOLUME EATING!!

I was SO hungry and munchy feeling yesterday that I really wanted to fill my belly. That certainly did it!

(And yes, I did have some protein.... I had about a Tb. of hummus and a Tb. of taboule salad with a few pretzels and carrot sticks).
WOW, that is a lot of veggies! Sounds delish!
Ive had a handful of rough days, and haven't been cooking or exercising. :/ I have been counting calories without fail, though! I even went out to eat twice, and managed to stay within my calorie allowance. I cannot tell you how proud of that fact I am. I was really able to enjoy super yummy "bad" foods without going over.
Yesterday we booked our very first DVC stay!! We're going to AKV in Aug and I can hardly wait. We intend to squeeze in nearly 3 weeks of Disney within a one year span. This way we can get annual passes and maximize every dollar. So we go in Aug, then Dec, then June. Woohoo.
I wish I felt better when I exercise. I just don't. No endorphins, no second wind, no energy - nothing. I feel weak and MORE tired for the rest of the day. I don't know if its because of all my autoimmune disorders, but I feel cheated.
Sorry you are having some rough days, great job staying within your calorie allowance and even having some treats!! 3 trips to Disney in 1 year is definitely a woo-hoo. That stinks that you don't get a good feeling out of exercise, atleast you have your kayaking when the weather gets better!
Woo Hoo TEAM DONALD!
We lost more weight and had higher percentages that TEAM MICKEY!
A big congratulations to all our superstars and especially to MickeySP, our biggest loser!
Team Donald totally rocks!
And if you didn't see the results that you wanted, don't despair -- there is still lots of time to make those changes and make your goals happen for you! We're all in this together!
Boy, do I need to hear those words!!
What book are you reading? The last book I read was before Thanksgiving, and I’d really like to read something again soon! I tried reading The Help and The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake over the holidays, but I just couldn’t get into them…. Anyone have any other suggestions???
We are reading Any Human Heart by William Boyd. I am finding it very interesting and a quick read. Our Nov selection was The Help and I loved it!! (we only meet bi-monthly) All my friends loved that book too, both here and back in the States. I urge you to try it again, it's a great story. I have downloaded Freedom by Jonathan Franzen to read next and our March book club selection is Farenheit 451. That book is not available on my Kindle, I was surprised.
My other excuse is my DD4. I feel terrible leaving her in daycare all day long and then picking her up and either taking her right to the babysitting at the gym for another hour, or taking her home, rushing her through dinner, and then taking her to babysitting. I know that I would be setting a good example for her by exercising, but the Mommy Guilt always sets in… My DH works really long hours, and, on top of that, has a long commute, so most nights, it’s really just the 2 of us…. I’m already having mini pseudo-panic attacks when I think about the running class I signed up for to train for the ½ marathon in September…. Saturday mornings are her ballet classes, so I will be missing them. I know she really won’t notice a difference since the door to her class is usually closed and my running class will basically run the same time, but, like I said, that Mommy Guilt eats me right up!
Wow! Who knew that the QOTD could be so emotional?!?
________________________________________
On to less emotional things…. I skipped the gym last night because DD took her time eating her dinner, but she was actually eating, so I let her go! Dinnertime is staring to be a battle in our house, so I was happy that she was eating what I made her! Instead of working out, though, I just snacked my way through the night… ugh! I really have to go through our cabinets and get rid of the “bad” foods! DH and I are both working really hard at this, and we really don’t need those things! I just wish our families would understand that, too! DD really doesn’t need to be coming home from her grandparents with BAGS and BAGS full of cookies and candies! We have both struggled with our weights our entire lives, and we really don’t want her to have the same problems! (and there I go on a rant/vent, again! )
I had a minor victory here today, though…. We took one of my coworkers out to lunch to celebrate her recent engagement. We went to Panera. I planned my lunch before we left, and ordered the Chicken Noodle Soup, and the Chopped Salad, so it wasn’t too bad… my victory comes from the fact that I didn’t leave there with a toffee cookie!!!
Tomorrow should be interesting… DH is getting his wisdom teeth out… He has been in a lot of pain for the last few weeks, so I’m glad he is finally getting them out, but he doesn’t do well coming out of general anesthesia, so I’d appreciate any PD you can send our way! And, keep your fingers crossed that DDs school is open tomorrow with the snow so that I don’t have to worry about what to do with her while DH is in surgery.
Hope you guys are all doing well, and if you are, or were, in the path of this latest snow storm, stay safe!
Oh, that's so tough with your DD. Is there any chance you could work out in the morning while she's sleeping? Or go with a friend to the gym who has a similar age child? Then the kids could play together while the Moms work out. My DH has always worked long hours and travelled so much that I finally decided to work PT when DS was 2. Now that he's almost 14 and I don't work anymore due to our move over here, I am really itching to go back to work. Good luck getting rid of all the junk food and stopping it from coming in from other sources (grandparents!!) WTG on your healthy Panera choice!
Good luck to your DH today!
I have a question for everyone. I am going grocery shopping tomorrow and am looking for some good ideas for cheap, healthy, and quick breakfasts. I eat greek yogurt for breakfast a lot but feel I need some more variety. Does anyone have any ideas? I would be so appreciative. Thanks
Eggs are cheap, healthy (for most) and quick! Hard boiled or scrambled in the microwave....add a piece of fruit and voila!
YAY! Team Donald!!
Oh my gosh

I made a list

it doesn't matter that I am #13 on the list!! I made the list
I missed not being able to walk today . it rained-poured really, so I couldn't go. I re-discovered Spark People and did a sign up- really helps when tracking calories and seeing where I am slacking ( too many carbs not enough protein)
So I did 3x the 10 minute easy workout for a 30 minute workout cause I am still really sore. But I did it . and that is HUGE for me to exercise when sore. Ok It is HUGE for me to exercise at any time.

again Team Donald!!!
Great job!!!
Healthy Habits Results Week 1
Congratulations to everyone who participated in Healthy Habits last week! We had a huge number of participants:
29 on Team Mickey
and
34 on Team Donald
making Team Donaldthe winning team for Week 1.
Congratulations to Heather.Mohler! You won this week's prize! Please PM me your address and I will send it out to you as soon as possible.
Congratulations to EVERYONE who earned a 6/6 for at least 1 Healthy Habit! They are:
Disclaimer: Many of you sent only your total number of points. As a result, your name may not appear on these lists.
Team Mickey
bethbuchball
DavidandDenise
flipflopmom
girlrea
janmadre
jenjolt
keenercam
kinntj
kitchensinkguy
KristiMc
KSH
mommyof2pirates
my3princes
PRINCESS VIJA
ReAnSt
WDWangela
yanni2
Team Donald
alison16
buzz59865
DisCanCan
Donac
goldcupmom
hpfan100
lisah0711
lovetoscrap
MacG
MercoBear
MickeySP
mikamah
mom2knk
phoresenuf
RutgersAlum
SettinSail
skmommy
Wandaeh
Congratulations to EVERYONE with a total of 18/18 points for Week 1!
Team Mickey
flipflopmom
jenjolt
keenercam
KSH
Team Donald
alison16
lisah0711
MacG
Congrats to all those who participated and to Heather!!!
Good job on all that exercise!
I haven't opened my 30 day shred yet either. I did the 3 mile WATP video yesterday and it was really easy but did have me sweating and huffing/puffing by the end. DS was curious when he got home from school, so we did it again together. MORE sweating and huffing/puffing!
I'm doing EASA2 also! I started week 2! I'm doing the 9 week challenge. I forgot to reset my weekly goals so I will have to do an extra workout this week. I did one this morning before I reset my goals. I did another one tonight that was a lot of running! I'm doing the moderate though I may change to easy if they give me too many of the mountain climbers! That almost killed me the other day!
Watching BL! I did just over 2 miles the first 45 minutes on the elliptical so I'm good on exercising today. i didn't do too bad on food though I had 3 turkey gorditas for supper! I did 2 workouts after that so I think I'll be ok. I have weekend weight to lose yet and I know that Sunday will not be good as we are having friends over to watch the football game. Maybe I will stay under control until Sunday.
Snow day here tomorrow. DH will work from home! DD2 is still not feeling great! I would think it was the flu but she had the shot which they said on the news tonight contains the three strains that are going around. I may have to get her in a few minutes as she keeps coughing! Poor thing!!!! Probably won't get much sleep tonight, especially once the storm starts as well!
TTFN
Enjoy your snow day, hope DD feels better! Wish I had your energy!!
I'm working through my
OAMM cooking menu, and have made two breakfast dishes that we really like.
Breakfast Bread with Carob and Carrots, 94 calories for 2 small slices. Lots of healthy stuff in there! I like it with my coffee in the morning. Its not very sweet, but I don't mind that.
Egg White Breakfast Sandwich, 250 calories per sandwich. I haven't tried one yet (just made them today), but my daughter LOVES them. I think I will have to make another batch before the week is out!
I also made the
Black Bean and Roasted Pepper soup today, and am in love. It is my absolute favorite thing I've made on the menu so far! mmmmmmmm, so good.
I'm almost done with all the cooking - just 2 more recipes to finish.
WTG with all that cooking!!!
I am going to a new gym tomorrow at 6

opm. It's called Fitness Together and each client trains with somebody. They're having an introductory special, so I figured I would try it out. We had our dance lesson tonight which was a lot of fun. I might try to do Wii sports. Unfortunately Aaron's Wii keeps freezing. Gr.
Way to go Team Donald on our weight loss. One thing I'm confused about: what was with the sad face next to our percentage?
That sounds wonderful, I'd love to have a trainer! I wondered about that too - saw that Team Mickey had the same percentage we did but not sad face on theirs !?
Good Wednesday morning Team Donald
Congrats on the great weigh in this week.
Only got about 7 inches of snow. It is a good snowfall but after the one two weeks ago it seems like nothing. Dh shoveled the front walk in about 5 minutes. The dog had fun because she could walk in it and not sink.
I do have a snow day today. So does dh. But we are both up. I got my phone call last night but his came at 4:20 this morning. I was up and got it on the first ring but 15 minutes later the snow chain called for him and that got him up.
I plan to get some things done in my sewing room. I have a project I want to do and then some organization I want to work on.
Have a happy and healthy day. I will check in later.
Enjoy your snow day!
It was on the original that I received and I forget to remove it! It will be gone next week!!!!
BOY!! Are you on top of things or what !!!! Thanks so much Tracy for all you do. I imagine you moving around like the DASH from the Incredibles and doing all this within just a matter of minutes!
I am feeling so so so blah today. As I said earlier, not sleeping right yet after getting back over here, working hard every day to eat right and exercise and having NO results. Today, I had 2 meetings and yoga class and I did not go to ANY of it. I need a major attitude adjustment QUICK! Plan for the rest of the day is to do the elliptical 35 minutes, watch BL from last night, hit the grocery store and take DS to Scouts tonight. If I can't sleep tonight, I think I am going to take something to turn this around. I will feel groggy tomorrow but I don't have anything on the agenda then.
Have a great day Team Donald!
Shawn
