TEAM MICKEY--Biggest Loser 11 Spring Team Challenge!

[Rose&Mike]

Posted the African stew on the recipe thread. I think we are making it for dinner.

 

[BELLE1109]

Hi All!

What a day I had! I woke up to my dog eating (yes eating) my passport!!
My fault of course for leaving it out. The big issue is I am going away in a month so I had to rush around all day to get the forms to have a new one expedited. In hindsight, I'm glad he ate it today and not a day before our trip
Well in all my rushing and panic, diet went to the way side. I had Qdoba for lunch :-(, not awful, I am still within my daily WW points but I'm not thrilled with myself.

2 lessons learned. #1 Put passport in safe. #2 Just b/c one thing goes wrong- don't throw the diet out the window. Tomorrow is a new day and its just a day away.

 

[HappyMatt]

1/15/11 Saturday QOTD: Who is standing in your way? And more importantly, what are you going to do about it?

Of course I am standing in my own way. My biggest obstacle (besides procrastination) is the fear of failure. My whole life, I have avoided putting myself out there. Because of my avoidance, I have never really learned what it is to fail and get back up. I am learning to really reach for what I want.

 

[jenjolt]

1/15/11 Saturday QOTD: Who is standing in your way? And more importantly, what are you going to do about it?

This would definitely be myself!!! As I lose weight I often focus on the negative about how much better I could be doing instead of dwelling on the victory of how well I have done so far!! Even when looking in the mirror I still feel like I see the "heavy" girl instead of the 38lbs lighter girl!! I'm starting to work on that though, I'm starting to see the "new" me and love her!!! I want to do the right thing by her!!!!! So hopefully I'm starting to get out of my own way and continue on my weight loss journey a little lighter!

 

[cclovesdis]

Evening!

I just finished going through my PMs and I'm seeing some great results so far! I haven't checked to see how many people have sent in points though , so I have no idea which team is currently ahead.

Today has been pretty much on plan as was yesterday. I will check the scale in the morning and see what happens. I'm hoping for good news. I'd like to lose at least 2 pounds this week. Actually, I'd like to lose 2 pounds a week for the next 10 weeks, because I have my annual gyno appt in early April. 20 pounds lost would put me almost at a healthy BMI, so that would be really good. Unfortunately, my doctor will see it as a 10-pound loss.

I'm feeling well enough to go to the gym tomorrow. My mom vetoed my joining the Y idea. She had a valid reason, though. You are paying for classes and with the amount of time I work and how far away I work, I'd be lucky if I could fit in 1 class a week. The gym I go to now does not have classes and is only $10 plus tax a month. Even if I upgrade, it will be $20 plus tax a month. I'm still thinking about sessions with a personal trainer. Maybe 10-15 sessions during Feb., March, and April, just in time for the appt.

Tomorrow's plan is to go to the gym and grocery shopping. Unfortunately, there isn't much on sale, and I menu plan using the sales ad, so I'll be thinking on my feet a bit. I should be okay, but that is not my favorite way to grocery shop.

So, on that note, the QOTD: I am definitely the one standing in my way. I'm very perfectionistic rolleyes1) so when I mess up, I'm really hard on myself. I'm really working on my self-confidence. I think this is part of the reason why I once I start bingeing, I can't stop. When I mess up, I feel like I have to mess up completely. Like, I have to be perfect at messing up. I also have to work on finding more appropriate behaviors than bingeing when I'm stressed, upset, frustrated, etc. I've been feeling really low about myself lately, which I think is what was making me binge so much this week. I'm working on all of this. I've finally accepted that it's going to take time. That's a huge step in the right direction for me. I stand by it 200% that I would not be doing as well as I am if it wasn't for all of you!

Have a great day tomorrow everyone!

 

[my3princes]

Saturday QOTD: Who is standing in my way. This question gets asked every challenge and I've always answered Me, but I'm realizing that no one is in my way, not even me. I may stumble, I may fall, but eventually I get back in the game and as long at I keep trying then I can do it. I may be moving at a snails pace or even backwards, but I'm still here. 7 years and still on the journey.

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

So, we are preparing for his arrival. He should be here the first week of February and with each day that gets closer they are both getting more and more excited.

that is so exciting. What a wonderful story.

Ok, here is a 3 part article on busting through the plateau. I only skimmed the first part, so someone will have to tell me if it's not good, but usually they have pretty good advice.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=516
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=522
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=534

thank you rose. This was some great information.

I'm sure you have figured out that I am stressed. I still do not know what it is that is bugging me so much, but it is obviously taking a toll on my weight.

Sorry your feeling stressed CC and the worst is when you dont have a specific reason. I hope you feel better soon.

Sophie's birthday was great, until she started insisting that she wanted to die so she could go to heaven to see Poppie. She got herself all worked up, and just cried her eyes out over him. Needless to say, I was pretty much shot for the day at that point.

awww so sorry she was going through that. Im glad MIL does not make a good cake for your sake. and I am so glad that Brads first week went well. You are an awesome wife for standing by his side and giving those workers treats.

1/15/11 Saturday QOTD: Who is standing in your way? And more importantly, what are you going to do about it?

I would also agree with everyone else and go with ME. I tend to make excuses for myself alot. Yes life is busy and crazy and I do a million things all in one day but thats LIFE. I know I can do anything I put my mind to so there should be no excuses. I would also say that the fast food companies that I swear put addicting additives into food stand partly in my way as well, although I think I am overcoming that mountain but every now and then I slip a bit.

I just wanted to introduce my self. I am the newest member of Team Mickey.

Welcome to our team. Wow you did have alot going on last year. I hope this year you can focus on yourself a bit. Sounds like you have some great kids!

Well, we are back from the Y. I ran 12 miles in 2:04:05. I feel pretty good--minor stomach stuff, but not too bad. I think today we need to take the Christmas stuff down! Hope everyone has a great Saturday!

Thats a great run rose! Glad the stomach stuff wasnt too bad. I hope you enjoyed your pretzels.

I am going to make up a "Vison Board" that sits near my computer where I will see it ALL THE TIME.

This is the "new" thing going on in our network at work. We use visual management boards to 1. list our goals to better our company 2. note the things we are doing to move the needle on those goals 3. Motivate our team to want to do better. I can tell you it is working. I never heard of it being done personally like that but it makes sense. Let me know how is works for you.


Hi everyone! I had a pretty good day. We had a flu clinic at my office and then my 6yr old had his first basketball practice today. He did really well and is one of the better kids on the team of 6,7 and 8 year olds. What can I say he takes after his mama. He scored 6 pts and got a ton of rebounds. Ok enough bragging... then I helped at dh's nanas apt, and luckily my parents took the kids for a few hours so while my dh went with his mom car shopping I got to do my 4 mile run. I was happy to get it in.

Tomorrow my family is having lunch and a cake for me at my nana's house for my bday that is on tuesday. I know my mom is getting wegman's hoagies. I will have a small piece of a tuna hoagie and otherwise make a salad or veggies to eat. I am not going to use its my bday so I am going to eat whatever excuse this year. Im over that!

 

[flipflopmom]

I just wanted to introduce my self. I am the newest member of Team Mickey. Last year was a rough year for me and I weigh the most I ever have. We had a busy 2010. but it came with lots of stress.

Welcome! While my children are relatively young, 4 and 11, I think about those empty nest days. I am really trying very hard to live in the moment with them right now, a lesson I've learned over the last year. You have a great attitude, and a trip is great incentive! We'll be here for you every step of the way!

Oh my goodness, I feel so out of it! work this week was crazy! On Thursday I started at 10:30 am, should have been out by 7pm, didn't get out till 9pm, AND I didn't get a lunch, so I was STARVING! Even called my manager at 7:30 asked her what I should get done before I leave and she came in to help me! Even better than that, when I left I noticed she had actually cleaned the snow and ice of my car. that was sweet! However, I didn't get to bed till 11pm, and had to be back at work at 5am the next morning! I unfortunately am up .6 pounds. I am not surprised as I pigged out from last weekend until Tues. when I had my BL weigh in for DH's work. but at least most of that is gone and hopefully these mind games will stop. I even took a seminar on food addictions. and so many of those "signs" about food addictions applied to me. Can't wait till I can work those out of my life.

You've had a VERY busy week! Glad you are back, I worried about you! As for the food addictions, I had a few. They are tough to break, mine was to a soft drink. YOU CAN DO IT! I had to totally eliminate it, and not allow myself to have ANY. Picked one thing at a time, and allowed myself to conquer that before moving to the next. One day at a time, and try to keep yourself in as much control as possible!

Oh, facebook. I have two friends! I have looked up a lot of people from high school and college, and I keep thinking do, I really want to do this? I just don't know if I want to put myself out there. Does that make sense? Is there something wrong with me? Well, we are back from the Y. I ran 12 miles in 2:04:05. I feel pretty good--minor stomach stuff, but not too bad.

GREAT RUN!! As for facebook, most of the people I talk to are Dis friends, or people I work with. I do admit, there are people from hs and college I enjoy connecting with. There is nothing wrong with you!!! I am thinking that myself, as my friends have gone CRAZY this week being off. They've taken their kids all kinds of places, and I have been perfectly content to stay home in my pj's!!!!! In fact, it's kinda scary how hermit like I can be!!!

Got up and did 2.5 miles on the elliptical and then had a strawberry Greek yogurt smoothie. Gotta leave in about 25 minutes for Ashleigh's basketball game. The girls and I played Disney Apples to Apples before bed last night. We laugh so hard when we play that game. Right now we're in the lead for weight loss and average but it's still anybody's game so keep those weigh ins coming!

MAN! I forgot to weigh again this morning. Dag on it, that's a sign for me though. If I don't weigh, I'm usually avoiding the scale. (dang tom). I really need to look into that game. I bet you guys would enjoy Disney Think Fast for the wii, it's similar to a scene it type game, it was relatively inexpensive, we enjoy playing it a lot! Great job getting OP this week, DON'T BLOW IT TOMORROW!!!!!!!

Are you talking about me?Seriously, of course I am standing in my own way.
I am going to make up a "Vison Board" that sits near my computer where I will see it ALL THE TIME.

THAT'S AWESOME!!!!! I am sure it will be motivating. I've also heard of pictures, either of yourself at a size you don't like, or a dress, etc, trip, whatever that can motivate you! I had several mantras on the fridge at one time. On of my students gave me a painted sign with a silhouette of Mickey that says "If you can dream it, you can do it - Walt Disney" on it. I'm using that for a lot of things right now!!! I am sure you will be VERY SUCCESSFUL!!!!!!!!

QOTD--so I've been thinking about this. It's an interesting question, looking at it from a maintenance point of view. In theory I have "made it to my goal." But I still struggle with the insecurity and the fear of slipping back into old habits. I worry about falling off the wagon, because it has happened so many times before. . But I think it is time to let that one go...and I think I am very close to letting it go. We still have some coaching slots open. If anyone is interested, send me a pm. It really makes for a fun week!

If you need me to coach later in the challenge, let me know. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU FOR LETTING GO OF THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST! I totally understand your feelings. Even though I have a "few" pounds to get rid of to get back to my goal, I am scared SILLY that any day all the bad habits will come back, and I'll be stuck in losing mode FOREVER...... I want to be stuck in healthy mode forever. I am so thankful to have a WONDERFUL role model like you to look up to!!!!

Who is standing in my way would be ME. I'm the one who has to make these choices to get healthier and get this weight off. If I want another baby then I have to get this off or my dream of being a mom again is not going to happen. The slap in the face that I got last year I would of thought kept me motivated but it didn't. I was not expecting at 26 years old to be told "Oh yeah you have high cholesterol. You need to lose weight". I have to do this for me and no one else. I have to keep the momentum going or I'm just going to go back to the way I was shortly after Josh and Maddie died. I'm not happy in my own skin. I'm not happy that I can't do certain things cause I get winded so fast (partly cause of weight, partly cause of blood clots in lungs). I want to be able to regain part of the old me back.

Wow. Those are some powerful statements. You really have motivation, and are moving to a happier place right now. I can't imagine going through what you have, and the fact that you are ready to take care of yourself again is wonderful. We are here to help, in any way possible, I really want to see you succeed!!!

I just skimmed through 10 pages of posts. I hate it when I can't keep up! My weigh in this morning reflected my week - I was up .2 But it absolutely could have been worse! I am back on track now though! I stayed for the WW meeting this morning, and I am going tomorrow too. There was no ring, just a huge stuffed polar bear. We all got a good laugh out of that one.
Today's QOTD: It is definitely me standing in my way. I need to change my habits (see the comment regarding socializing above!). I really want to find a way to make a lifestyle change so I can still do what I enjoy, and not overindulge. I have a friend who stops going out when she is trying to lose weight, and I've done that before too.

That is too funny about the polar bear! You definitely could have done worse!!!!!! That will be off next week, plus some. I promise! You have a GREAT list of things you have learned. As for the socializing. Could it be possible for you to eat before hand, fill up on healthy stuff, and then the drink wouldn't be as bad as drink and eating? Just a thought. You really have to think about creative ways to have those points!

Posted the African stew on the recipe thread. I think we are making it for dinner

Thank you! I really wanted to look that one up! If we have the stuff, it will be on the menu for next week!

What a day I had! I woke up to my dog eating (yes eating) my passport!!My fault of course for leaving it out. The big issue is I am going away in a month so I had to rush around all day to get the forms to have a new one expedited. Well in all my rushing and panic, diet went to the way side. I had Qdoba for lunch :-(, not awful, I am still within my daily WW points but I'm not thrilled with myself.

I'm sorry, but . That is totally something that could happen here. My puppy eats all kinds of paper! Hope you get it returned QUICKLY!!!! What in the heck is Qdoba? (I live in the sticks!)

Of course I am standing in my own way. My biggest obstacle (besides procrastination) is the fear of failure. My whole life, I have avoided putting myself out there. Because of my avoidance, I have never really learned what it is to fail and get back up. I am learning to really reach for what I want.

POWERFUL statement! I remember you fearing the diet, and you have been so very successful! Good for you at going for what you want!!!

1This would definitely be myself!!! As I lose weight I often focus on the negative about how much better I could be doing instead of dwelling on the victory of how well I have done so far!! Even when looking in the mirror I still feel like I see the "heavy" girl instead of the 38lbs lighter girl!!

Good for you at moving past this! 38 lbs is NO SMALL ACCOMPLISHMENT lady! BE PROUD!!!!!!!!!!! You obviously know what to do, and can do it well! You've sooo got this!

Today has been pretty much on plan as was yesterday. I will check the scale in the morning and see what happens. I'm hoping for good news. I'd like to lose at least 2 pounds this week. I'm feeling well enough to go to the gym tomorrow. My mom vetoed my joining the Y idea. . I'm still thinking about sessions with a personal trainer. Maybe 10-15 sessions during Feb., March, and April, just in time for the appt. I'm very perfectionistic rolleyes1) so when I mess up, I'm really hard on myself. I'm really working on my self-confidence. I think this is part of the reason why I once I start bingeing, I can't stop. When I mess up, I feel like I have to mess up completely. Like, I have to be perfect at messing up.

CC, I get this. I really do. Try to shift your thinking to "I have to perfect at STOPPING A BINGE, not continuing one! Seriously, you have been so wonderful and supportive, you need to really be proud of what a wonderful person you are, and DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU any differently! Got it? With your attitude, the personal trainer might just be a good thing, you would never skip an appointment with someone! Did you ever get that massage? My HH points are coming, promise!

I may stumble, I may fall, but eventually I get back in the game and as long at I keep trying then I can do it. I may be moving at a snails pace or even backwards, but I'm still here. 7 years and still on the journey.

That's a wonderful statement Deb. I am so proud of you! 7 years! And to a lifetime more!

. I tend to make excuses for myself alot. Yes life is busy and crazy and I do a million things all in one day but thats LIFE. I know I can do anything I put my mind to so there should be no excuses. We use visual management boards to 1. list our goals to better our company 2. note the things we are doing to move the needle on those goals 3. Motivate our team to want to do better. I can tell you it is working. I had a pretty good day. We had a flu clinic at my office and then my 6yr old had his first basketball practice today. He did really well and is one of the better kids on the team of 6,7 and 8 year olds. I got to do my 4 mile run. Tomorrow my family is having lunch and a cake for me at my nana's house for my bday that is on tuesday. I know my mom is getting wegman's hoagies. I will have a small piece of a tuna hoagie and otherwise make a salad or veggies to eat. I am not going to use its my bday so I am going to eat whatever excuse this year. Im over that!

YAY for the next Michael Jordan!!!!! I'll be able to say I knew him when! Brad has some kind of board he has to put tallies up on hourly, must be in the same vein. SO glad you got your run in! And you know what, it sounds like you are giving yourself a GREAT birthday present!!!!~! You go girl.

 

[flipflopmom]

Hey guys, sorry I wasn't around earlier. We've been mega cleaning, family coming tomorrow to celebrate Sophie's birthday. Brad was motivated to help, and I knew if I took at Dis break, that would be the end of his motivation. Gave myself a killer headache cleaning the shower, I think I mixed 2 chemicals or something.... Felt kinda

I'll post Sunday's QOTD in the am! More cleaning to do! I am so proud of each and every one of you! Keep it up, we're in it for the looonnngg haul, no matter what today held!
Taryn

 

[jenjolt]

Hey guys, sorry I wasn't around earlier. We've been mega cleaning, family coming tomorrow to celebrate Sophie's birthday. Brad was motivated to help, and I knew if I took at Dis break, that would be the end of his motivation. Gave myself a killer headache cleaning the shower, I think I mixed 2 chemicals or something.... Felt kinda

I'll post Sunday's QOTD in the am! More cleaning to do! I am so proud of each and every one of you! Keep it up, we're in it for the looonnngg haul, no matter what today held!
Taryn

Hope you have a great day with family!!!!

 

[BELLE1109]

I'm sorry, but . That is totally something that could happen here. My puppy eats all kinds of paper! Hope you get it returned QUICKLY!!!! What in the heck is Qdoba? (I live in the sticks!)

I am laughing now too (2 glasses of wine into the night LOL) Qdoba is a burrito chain. Really I'm just grateful it happened while I still had time to fix the problem. Of all the things my dog could have eaten! haha

 

[Disneywedding2010]

Well we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner and I did good. I got the naked chicken tenders (they are grilled, not breaded) and it came with fries. The entire meal was 550 calories I think.

My fiance and best friend laughed at me cause I've been doing so well with the no soda that when the waitress went to ask what I wanted to drink I had a brain fart and said "dr pepper." She said "ok I'll be right back." Then I panicked and said "oh no nevermind. I want a lemonade, sorry." .

 

[tggrrstarr]

Hello Team!

[*]I have learned that there are better/more filling choices than those dinky 2-point bars WW sells! They are tiny. Today I found Special K bars that are 2 points and much bigger. Yay! Anyone else have similar suggestions for 1 or 2 points?

Karen

I love the special k bars, I practically live on them. They are the only bars that I can eat that fill me up. I am at the point now where I can eat only that if I need to.

 

[ReAnSt]

1/15/11 Saturday QOTD: Who is standing in your way? And more importantly, what are you going to do about it?

My job stands in the way, I spend way to much time in my car, then I spend time sitting in a chair at work, or I may have to go to lunch and dinner meetings with all different types of food, my schedule is never consistent. I can go to work in the morning think I am working till 5pm and not get home until 11pm. So it makes eating difficult and I often end up grabbing fast food. It also makes exercise difficult as I do not know when I am going to have time to fit it into my ever changing schedule.

I am trying find ways to cope. I try to make sure to take food for two meals or have healthy choices available so I am not going for the fast food. It is especially hard though on days where I am in and out of the car. In the winter I have to worry about the food freezing and other times I need to worry about it possibly spoiling, even with ice packs it can get warm. I also try to do small amounts of exercise at a time as I might not be able to do one big chunk.

 

[my3princes]

My job stands in the way, I spend way to much time in my car, then I spend time sitting in a chair at work, or I may have to go to lunch and dinner meetings with all different types of food, my schedule is never consistent. I can go to work in the morning think I am working till 5pm and not get home until 11pm. So it makes eating difficult and I often end up grabbing fast food. It also makes exercise difficult as I do not know when I am going to have time to fit it into my ever changing schedule.

I am trying find ways to cope. I try to make sure to take food for two meals or have healthy choices available so I am not going for the fast food. It is especially hard though on days where I am in and out of the car. In the winter I have to worry about the food freezing and other times I need to worry about it possibly spoiling, even with ice packs it can get warm. I also try to do small amounts of exercise at a time as I might not be able to do one big chunk.

Becky try keeping bags of frozen fruit in the car. If the car warms the fruit is thaw enough to eat, if it stays frozen you can defrost inside. A jar of peanut butter and loaf of weight watchers bread will go a long ways too. Water is good in the car as it doesn't take too long to thaw if it does freeze. You can do it, you just need to plan ahead and use your car as your mobile cupboard. I'm sure others could give you ideas of things to stock your car with.

 

[Merryweather27]

Hi everyone! Work has been kicking my butt this last week and probably will all of next week too. I keep starting to write replies here, commenting and encouraging everybody, but falling asleep on the couch before I get finished. But I'm still plugging along, and I'm proud of all of our successes so far!

Now off to bed for me!

 

[flipflopmom]

Hope you have a great day with family!!!!

Thank you! The girls are excited, Ak has been making Disney decorations, got all their plush and ears out, and deemed it a Disney party. Sophie is all about the princesses, and told me that her Sunday School teacher told her purple was for royalty, so she wanted a purple cake and accessories.

I am laughing now too (2 glasses of wine into the night LOL) Qdoba is a burrito chain. Really I'm just grateful it happened while I still had time to fix the problem. Of all the things my dog could have eaten! haha

I wonder if they've heard that before? My dog ate my passport. Still laughing. Glad you can laugh about it now, you had time to fix it. And thanks for the info!

Well we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner and I did good. I got the naked chicken tenders (they are grilled, not breaded) and it came with fries. The entire meal was 550 calories I think.
My fiance and best friend laughed at me cause I've been doing so well with the no soda that when the waitress went to ask what I wanted to drink I had a brain fart and said "dr pepper." She said "ok I'll be right back." Then I panicked and said "oh no nevermind. I want a lemonade, sorry."

GREAT JOB! Before long, you'll be saying nevermind, I want a water, and skipping the fries! So proud of you for breaking the addiction!

I love the special k bars, I practically live on them. They are the only bars that I can eat that fill me up. I am at the point now where I can eat only that if I need to.

I need to look at those. I love Kashi bars, and the Fiber One bars. Any favorites?

My job stands in the way, I spend way to much time in my car, then I spend time sitting in a chair at work, or I may have to go to lunch and dinner meetings with all different types of food, my schedule is never consistent. I can go to work in the morning think I am working till 5pm and not get home until 11pm. So it makes eating difficult and I often end up grabbing fast food. It also makes exercise difficult as I do not know when I am going to have time to fit it into my ever changing schedule. I try to make sure to take food for two meals or have healthy choices available so I am not going for the fast food.

That's a tough one, for sure. I like that you are taking time to break the exercise up into chunks. You might be doing all this already, but here is what comes to mind off the top of my head: I would definitely move as much as possible when I could at work, park farther away, take the stairs, etc. Deb gave you some good food choices, do you have access to a fridge at work? Do you keep the food in your car in a small cooler? They are usually pretty good at stabilizing temps for a while. The various meal bars out there are good to keep in a bag, desk drawer, etc. I have a little mini stash of food in my desk in a small plastic box. It sounds counterintuitive, but it works when I need something healthy, or filling, quickly. Nuts, kashi bars, apples and/or bananas (I eat these during the week they don't have a chance to go bad, those little mini packs of peanut butter, dried cranberries (filling, my mom buys the 100 calorie packs, I grab a few every week ) Deb gave you some good ideas, too. I spent several years eating 2 or 3 nights a week from the drive through window on the way to gymnastics for my daughter. I finally had the realization it wasn't good for me, my girls, or my wallet. Now, we pack dinner, or did until she quit the team. This does mean that some mornings I was packing lunch for 2 or 3, and dinner for 2 or 3! I know it gets old, quickly, but so does the calories from fast food. Another trick I did was to print all the nutritional info from the places I would hit and put in the car. Staring that number in the face made me make better choices if I did have to stop. I also try to keep "snacks" in the car for those hunger times. My DH laughs that I never leave home without a water bottle, carrots, an apple, and a Kashi bar.

Becky try keeping bags of frozen fruit in the car. If the car warms the fruit is thaw enough to eat, if it stays frozen you can defrost inside. A jar of peanut butter and loaf of weight watchers bread will go a long ways too. Water is good in the car as it doesn't take too long to thaw if it does freeze.

Great ideas. I'm going to ask pjilla for more, she's the queen of this stuff!!!

Hi everyone! Work has been kicking my butt this last week and probably will all of next week too. I keep starting to write replies here, commenting and encouraging everybody, but falling asleep on the couch before I get finished. But I'm still plugging along, and I'm proud of all of our successes so far!

Thanks for checking in, and it's the thought that counts. We feel your encouragement! Remember that sleep is soo important for health, so take care of yourself!

 

[flipflopmom]

QOTD, Sunday, January 15: Think ahead to when you reach your goal, which you will, I can feel it! What are the things you want to be able to do as a result? This will be your motivation for the days ahead! Maintainers, dig deep. Think about mental, physical (yes, Rose, I'm thinking about your push ups ), emotional outcomes you are still working on despite being at goal.

For me, I want to be able to:
1. Run a half. I need to get back into my running groove. I had friends ask me to run one with them in Feb., and it stunk to tell them "there's no way I'd be ready"
2. Get through the holidays this year without adding weight to have to switch from maintainer to loser again, like I did this year. Same things applies to vacations, stressful times, etc.
3. Be able to say in 20, 30, 40 years that I am still a maintainer, and NEVER put it back on! I want to run with my grandkids!
4. Be satisfied with how I look.
5. Set an example for my girls on a healthy lifestyle.

Well, I didn't finish cleaning last night, so I was up at 5 to get it done before church. I ended up getting Brad to hang pictures I bought frames for last Mother's Day, and have been sitting ever since, and we were doing that until midnight! Off to mop my kitchen! Have a great day! I don't know how much I'll be able to check in today with the fam here, so take care of each other for me!

 

[flipflopmom]

I read this article this am on sparkpeople, and thought it had good information and motivation. I am copy and pasting, because I know people will read what's here but not click a link sometimes! *me* Bolded the parts that resonated with me the most!

Take Time OffAll work and no play doesn't just make Jack a dull boy; it also makes us sad, unhappy and less productive individuals. In order for you to reach any goal, you need to take time to recharge those batteries and relax. That's why employers offer vacation days to their workers! Whether it's a night off from the gym to go see a movie with a friend, or a long, hot bath and the end of an even longer day, be sure to take at least 15 minutes each day to do something just for you. If you're the primary caregiver in your house, this may seem impossible, but it's true that you can't take care of anyone unless you take care of yourself, so block off some me time and have some fun! Also remember that even the most dedicated exercisers and athletes need to rest and recover, so build downtime into your workout plans if you hope to take your fitness to the next level.

Don't Force It
You can't force things to happen. No matter how much you want something or how hard you work to make it happen, sometimes you just have to wait it out. Whether it's your perfect job or those last 10 pounds, life is a process. Instead, try to trust that you're on the right path, and keep at it. Slowly but surely, you'll eventually get there. Don't work harder, work smarter—and figure out how you can get to your goal without risking your sanity or well-being. You know what's not productive? Burnout.

Respect Your Limits
I learned this lesson hard during and after my marathon training. Despite a nagging hip ache, I kept running and stuck to my training schedule. Then, for the entire marathon, I didn't just endure 26.2 miles, but 26.2 miles of pain that sidelined me for weeks after the race was over. I learned the hard way that listening to your body is so important. If you're really fatigued, take a day off. If you're sick and have no energy, rest. Pushing through physical pain, emotional pain, and fatigue is never a good idea. Listen closely to what your body is telling you, and treat it like you would your best friend. Be loving, kind and respectful.

Go with the Flow
Life is a journey that doesn't come with a map. You can't always see the destination or every curve, dip or detour along the way, so you might as well enjoy the process (and the ups and downs). So you didn't hit your weight-loss goal this week because the weather prevented you from your daily walks? It's time to get creative. Rent a fitness DVD at the library or devise your own home-based workout. And always be sure to keep that sense of humor and see the opportunity in the problem. When life gives you lemons, don't just smash them. Instead make yummy (sugar-free) lemonade and savor every sip!

Enjoy Now
Why wait for to reach your goal to be happy, wear that dress, or take that vacation? Life is too short. Feel good about yourself today and give yourself the permission and freedom to be completely happy with yourself and your circumstances right now. Try to be present in the moment as much as you can and appreciate life for what you do have. Love where you are and who you are. Don't wait for tomorrow or until you reach that goal to appreciate where you are. You're worthy and good enough right now, today.

Mistakes offer us chances to learn and grow, and in these failures, you'll find wisdom for reaching any goal, be it weight-loss, health, fitness, professional or something else. After all, as James Joyce once wrote, “A man's errors are his portals of discovery.”

From:
5 Things You Can Learn from Your Mistakes
Find Life Lessons When You're Less Than Perfect
-- By Jennipher Walters, Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor

link to article: http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_articles.asp?id=1150

 

[KristiMc]

Good morning,

I didn't get on here yesterday. Busy day with basketball games for the boys and then the Steelers-Ravens game last night. GO STEELERS - only 1 more game to go before we are headed to the Super Bowl! It was suck a nail biter game.

Not much planned for today - need to get to the laundry.

QOTD: I had to start taking high-blood pressure medicine not too long ago. I am hoping that with losing more weight and exercising that I will be able to do away with the pill.