TEAM MICKEY--Biggest Loser 11 Spring Team Challenge!

[ReAnSt]

Deb - Your Hawaii vacation sounds fabulous!!

Nancy - We are doing the Disney Magic 10 night Mediterranean. We are spending a few days in Barcelona before boarding the Magic. Our cruise itinerary is:

Sea Day
Valetta, Malta
Palermo, Italy (Sicily)
Naples/Pompeii
Civitavecchia (Rome)
La Spezia (Florence & Pisa)
Ajaccio, Corsica
Villefranche, France (Nice, Cannes, Monte Carlo)
Sea day

It's all very exciting. I booked our Palo brunch & dinner, DCL excursions for 3 ports, and a couples spa villa experience last night starting at midnight. I am tired today, but happy. AND, I didn't eat anything while I was up that late.

2 days perfectly on-plan. Working on day 3.

Barcelona was awesome. We spent a few days there before the Transatlantic cruise last September.

I am thinking about doing the 2012 half marathon or marathon relay. If so I will need to do some major training and stick to it.

Cupcaker- I am also on that cruise from LA to Vancouver.

I have worked out the last two days even though they were crazy. Eating was so-so. I still hope to work out yet before bed tonight. It is supposed to be 70 degrees tomorrow, staying at work is going to be hard as I would prefer being outside.

I hope you are all doing well.

 

[cclovesdis]

Welcome to Healthy Habits!

My name is CC (short for Christina) and I will be your Healthy Habits coach for BL 11. I love the BL challenges and Healthy Habits has helped me significantly in achieving many of my goals.

Some Background Information: Thanks to donac (Dona-hostess of Team Donald) and jenanderson for their amazing help so I know how to coach! I couldn’t do this without seeing them in action previously. I will be continuing the prizes that Jen started.

Here’s How Healthy Habits Works: Each week there will be 3 Healthy Habits (HH) to complete. The first two HHs will always be drinking water and exercising. (Note: The amount and time will increase throughout the challenge!) At the end of each week, you will tally up the number of points you earned for the week and send me a private message with your total. Here’s an example. For Week 1, the 3 HHs are drink Six 8 oz. glasses of water a day, exercise a minimum of 20 minutes per day, and eat at least 3 servings of vegetables a day. If on 4 days you get in all 3 HHs, you would report your points like this:

4/6 days of drinking water
4/6 days of exercising
4/6 days of eating veggies

Your total points (ex: 12/18) AND your team name should be in the subject of your PM.

This is a team competition. On/about Tuesday evening, I will post the week’s results. I will share the number of participants on each team and the top scorers on each team. New for BL 11: I will also list the people who earned 7/7 on one or more of the HHs for the week. If you participated on the team with the most participants, you will be entered into a drawing for the week's prize. Each prize will have something to do with the 3rd Healthy Habit for the week. I will post the winner and ask that you PM me your contact information. (Please Note: If you do not wish to be entered into the drawing, please let me know in your PM. I understand people’s WISHes for privacy.)

Participation in Healthy Habits is entirely optional, but I encourage you to participate and help your team be on top for the week. Good luck on your journey and I hope that HHs helps you as much as it continues to help me!

Welcome to Health Habits Week 12

Week 12 is 3/18-3/24.

This is a back to basics week!

This week's 3 Healthy Habits are:
1) Drink Six 8 oz. glasses of water.
2) Exercise a minimum of 20 minutes a day.
3) Eat at least 2 servings of veggies per day.

At the end of the week, please PM me your points. I will post the results on/about Tuesday. Don't forget, this is a team competition!

Remember, every participant counts, regardless of the number of points you earn!

If you have any questions, please free to ask!

 

[cclovesdis]

Evening All!

With a little help from a good friend IRL I have a plan for tackling the bingeing. I spent some time grocery shopping at Whole Foods and bought a few new things. I found an oatmeal-like hot cereal, but with more grains. It sounds good. I will try it in the morning. My lunch for tomorrow is packed. I am having a spinach and walnut salad. (Friday/Lent too)

I'm going to better better about posting more frequently too.

Have a great, OP day tomorrow everyone!

CC – I hope you are feeling better.

Hello to everyone I missed.

I am so happy to have had 3 completely on-plan days in a row and another on track day today. I had my WW meeting this morning and I was down 4.2 pounds this week which makes up for a string of weeks with gains. The receptionist said “You had a good week. You just hit your lowest weight ever.” I had to tell her I was actually this weight 3 years ago and it’s taken me this long to get back here. She said all that matters is that I am here and hit a new “low”. LOL!

I am attributing my successful scale visit to being very “on” with PointsPlus the past 3 days, plus lots of fun workouts with Billy Blanks, Jr. (I’ve now tried latin, Bollywood, disco and hiphop). I am also seeing a real change in my torso probably due to the loss but also the 10 minute standing abs workouts I am doing. Woohoo!

Thanks Cam! I felt much better today.

Loved, loved reading about your trip with J!

for a great loss!

good morning! I think I need a pep talk or something. I am reeeaaally having a hard time with motivation. My eating is all over the place and Im not exercising anymore. Im still maintaining, but that just doesnt feel good to me. These past two months of craziness with work has killed my food and workout habits I start each day with wanting to do good, then by the evening, somehow I get sidetracked. I WILL get through this, I have to take back control.

On a happier note, Im getting ready for my upcoming DCL cruise at the end of April! its going from Los Angeles to Vancouver. DF and I have always wanted to visit Canada, so we are really excited about to it. I signed up for my first FE exchange and am working on the gifts. I am enjoying my time making them. I think theyre going to come out sooo cute.

I hope everyone has an OP day!

Jeanette

Sorry to hear that you are having a hard time right now. I hope things calm down for you soon. and

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

3/17/11 Thursday QOTD

Do you celebrate St Patrick's Day? What do you do to celebrate or do you have any fun memories of celebrations in the past?

I love St.Patrick's Day. I have strong Irish roots and enjoy celebrating the day. In my 20s I would hit the crowded bars and over pay for bad food and beer. Nowadays I really get into cooking up some corned beef and cabbage and baking some soda bread. I like to enjoy the meal with some (a lot of) Jameson Irish Whiskey. Although this year I will eat less corned beef and only one slice of soda bread.

Sounds like a great meal. I agree the crowded bars would not be as fun as it once was but at least we have those memories

I have a question for those of you who have done a 5k at Disney. Especially the Princess. Is it always inside a park? If this years was in Epcot, will it be next year or a different park? If my DH runs, can he run with me?
As of now, we will be arriving Friday, doing the race first thing Sat then going back to our hotel and on to the cruise. I am slightly bummed I won't be able to go to a park, so running through one might pacify me.

I did not do a 5K but I am almost certain it is in epcot. Your dh definitely can run with you. I think this years race was titled royal family 5K. I believe it is always in epcot. Its a bummer you wont get to the parks but I think its going to be fun for you to do the race. You can still wear your medal on the ship.

Lindsay! I completely forgot to say hi and mention that I am reading your TR of the princess! Congratulations, you look great! You are definitely an inspiration. How long have you been training?

thank you lisa. I started running "for real" at the end of april last year 2010. I started my long distance training in november. Prior to then I went as far as 7 miles once but consistenly did 3-5 miles 2-3 times per week. I need to get another update on my TR before I forget all the details. Thanks for reading.

Now I've got something going in with both feet! I'm hoping it's just from the way I was standing at work. I hope I can get up to work out in the morning. I hope to be in bed and asleep shortly after 10 tonight!

I hope your feet are better by morning. Have a good night sleep.

It is supposed to be 70 degrees tomorrow, staying at work is going to be hard as I would prefer being outside.

I hope you are all doing well.

Oh I know it is going to be 70 and sunny here too and I really really wish I didnt have to work tomorrow. Every other day in the forecast after tomorrow shows 55 degrees or under.

With a little help from a good friend IRL I have a plan for tackling the bingeing. I spent some time grocery shopping at Whole Foods and bought a few new things. I found an oatmeal-like hot cereal, but with more grains. It sounds good. I will try it in the morning. My lunch for tomorrow is packed. I am having a spinach and walnut salad. (Friday/Lent too)

I'm going to better better about posting more frequently too.

Have a great, OP day tomorrow everyone!

That sounds like a great plan. I hope you have a great day tomorrow and enjoy your yummy food.


Well I am a bit exhausted. Work is nuts as usual and then we had ryans tball practice. He did great and had lots of fun. Then we went to my nana's because she had said she was making dinner and we should stop by. Well she decided not to cook and didnt call us and when we got there my mom had already picked up mcdonalds for everyone. She knows I am trying to eat healthy and what does she get me.... a big mac meal. I mean really??? Now I will take accountability that I should have just not eaten it but my guilt of her spending the money and thinking of me won and I ate the meal. I now feel completely gross and bloated and feel horrible that I blew my OP day. ughhhhh

Tomorrow is a new day! Good Night Team.

 

[poochie]

I absolutly love St. Patty's Day. At work they treated us to the traditional Irish meal of Corned beef, potatoes, carrots and cabbage with fresh rye bread. They then followed with green cupcakes. Well at least I passed on those.

Came home to our own corned beef, potatoes, onions and carrots cooked in beer in my crockpot all day. I also had fresh rye bread and Irish soda bread.

Well I stepped on the scale tonite and what? 4 lbs gained in one day NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO

How is it that it takes weeks to lose that 4 lbs but one day to put it back on. Ouch I feel like I have to start over again. Our final weigh in at work is on Monday. I have a lot of work ahead of me in the next 3 days.

 

[saysay]

I absolutly love St. Patty's Day. At work they treated us to the traditional Irish meal of Corned beef, potatoes, carrots and cabbage with fresh rye bread. They then followed with green cupcakes. Well at least I passed on those.

Came home to our own corned beef, potatoes, onions and carrots cooked in beer in my crockpot all day. I also had fresh rye bread and Irish soda bread.

Well I stepped on the scale tonite and what? 4 lbs gained in one day NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO

How is it that it takes weeks to lose that 4 lbs but one day to put it back on. Ouch I feel like I have to start over again. Our final weigh in at work is on Monday. I have a lot of work ahead of me in the next 3 days.

yeah, Corned beef is super salty and I am sure you are just retaining a bunch. Just drink your water, eat some diuretic type foods to help flush it out.

I decided to go with Sheperd's pie this year to avoid the corned beef the night before weigh in.

Don't beat yourself up, just get back on your plan...and avoid salty foods.

 

[Cupcaker]

Ok, I need some opinions. I showed my SIL the kids gifts I was working on for the FE, and she didnt like them so much for kids.

I put together a little picture for you all to see. I will be giving kids these mini albums which they can use for autographs from characters or friends, a scrapbook, or a little book where they can draw in. I am also providing them with crayons and stickers to decorate. I still have to do some more decorating and stuff, but this picture gives you a rough idea of what it will look like.

there's three pockets with spaces on both sides of the pockets for autographs. Each pocket has an insert which can also hold more autographs. I will bind it with a plastic coil and decorate.

Is this something children would like? Should I give them something else?

Jeanette - I love the idea of the Disney cookbooks. I did personalized door hangers for our vow renewal welcome folders and they were a huge hit. So, that's an idea, too. My friend made mini scrapbooks using brown lunch bags and they were super-cute.

Just thought of an idea...with the Disney recipes, you can add recipes for each port you will stop in. That would incorporate disney and the mediterranean (sp?) I've seen the lunch bag scrapbooks and they are way cute. I am doing mine with paper roll tubes. With one paper roll, I am able to make an entire album.

Jeanette-I think you are getting married the same day as my nephew (his wedding's in Palm Springs). I definitely used my wedding dress as motivation to keep me from gaining weight up until the wedding. You are going to look fabulous!

Thanks! Im sure you did too! I went to a wedding last year in palm springs and it was so much fun. You will have great weather visiting that time of year.

This year, since we are weighing in tomorrow, decided to go with Sheperds Pie which I will used Cauliflower not potatoes on mine! I would really like to see a lower # on the scale tomorrow, so going to keep it healthy and no Guiness or Baileys....

Way to stay OP!

Cupcaker- I am also on that cruise from LA to Vancouver.

Woo hoo. Are you excited? I cant believe its so close! Do you know of anyone else from BL that is going?

Going out to supper tomorrow night so I will try and do a shake for breakfast and a protein bar for lunch and enjoy dinner and dessert tomorrow night! My friend also said she was going to buy me a drink! I have had a bunch of water today and will finish the night enjoying water!

Hope you have a great night out tomorrow.

With a little help from a good friend IRL I have a plan for tackling the bingeing. I spent some time grocery shopping at Whole Foods and bought a few new things. I found an oatmeal-like hot cereal, but with more grains. It sounds good. I will try it in the morning. My lunch for tomorrow is packed. I am having a spinach and walnut salad. (Friday/Lent too)

Your salad sounds good. I gave up meat for lent. I actually like it since I am trying out new recipes, especially with seafood. Did you give up something as well?

Well I am a bit exhausted. Work is nuts as usual and then we had ryans tball practice. He did great and had lots of fun. Then we went to my nana's because she had said she was making dinner and we should stop by. Well she decided not to cook and didnt call us and when we got there my mom had already picked up mcdonalds for everyone. She knows I am trying to eat healthy and what does she get me.... a big mac meal. I mean really??? Now I will take accountability that I should have just not eaten it but my guilt of her spending the money and thinking of me won and I ate the meal. I now feel completely gross and bloated and feel horrible that I blew my OP day. ughhhhh

I absolutly love St. Patty's Day. At work they treated us to the traditional Irish meal of Corned beef, potatoes, carrots and cabbage with fresh rye bread. They then followed with green cupcakes. Well at least I passed on those.

Came home to our own corned beef, potatoes, onions and carrots cooked in beer in my crockpot all day. I also had fresh rye bread and Irish soda bread.

Well I stepped on the scale tonite and what? 4 lbs gained in one day NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO

Tomorrow is a brand new day!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Good morning! I am your coach for this last week before the big merge!

QOTD, Friday March 18: Reflect on the last ~12 weeks. What is one thing that has surprised you about your weight loss journey? Did you try something new? Were you able to accomplish something you didn't think you could? Was something easier or harder than you thought it would be?

Thank you to everyone who filled in this week!

Don't forget to turn in your weight and team name to tigger813 and your hh points to cclovesdis.

Are you feeling like you are in a slump???? Consider doing the Healthy Habits for this week. It's a back to basic week for Healthy Habits.
This week's 3 Healthy Habits are:
1) Drink Six 8 oz. glasses of water.
2) Exercise a minimum of 20 minutes a day.
3) Eat at least 2 servings of veggies per day.

Be back later with comments.

 

[Rose&Mike]

The merge is coming! The merge is coming!

What does this mean? Next Friday, March 25th, we will be merging the two Biggest Loser teams. We will begin coaching and reporting results only from the main thread. You are still welcome to chat on your team threads, but the QOTD and results will move to the main thread. I encourage everyone to make the move as well.

Why are we doing this? Initially we decided to do two teams for the spring challenge because it is usually very busy on the weight loss front in January. And boy was it ever! Over 200 people signed up to join the challenge.

Well, things have started to slow down, so to make it easier for everyone who runs the challenges we are merging the threads. I am looking forward to catching up with some old friends and making some new ones! We will only have one BL team over the summer.

So what can you do? I still have a few coaching spots left. If you would like to coach on the merged thread please send me a PM. And as always, let me know if you have any questions.

3/25--3/31 tggrrstarr(Kelli)
4/1--4/7 lisah0711
4/8--4/14 keenercam
4/15--4/21 tigger813
4/22--4/28
4/29--5/5
5/6--5/12 donac
5/13--5/20 Rose&Mike

Things will be a little busy at first, but be patient. It will slow back down to a manageable level.

 

[tigger813]

Yeah, it's almost time to merge!!!!!

Need some & for my friend, Cindy. She has invited us all for a girls' weekend at her condo in Queechee, VT next weekend! There was a fire in the unit next to hers which then flooded the bottom floor of her condo! They are trying to clean it all up and replace the carpets and pull out dry wall. It was worse than originally thought! Praying things can be restored for next weekend!

OK, enough bad news from me! I was pleasantly surprised when I got on the scale this morning. I was down 1.6 for the week. I haven't exercised all week except for giving massages. I have been drinking tons of water and tea though. I just decided to give myself the week off after being sick over the weekend and the migraine on Wednesday. I did switch and try a new Herbalife product that I also think may be helping. I am very surprised since DH and I finished an entire bag of TJs onion rings last night. Maybe I hadn't had enough calories earlier in the day with giving two massages. Going to eat well today until I go out tonight and see if I get down any more. Only giving a 30 minute foot massage late this morning so not much exercise. Maybe if my left foot is ok later I will take a walk while I wait for the girls to get off the bus.

Gotta go make Ash's lunch now.

TTFN

 

[dumbo_buddy]

She knows I am trying to eat healthy and what does she get me.... a big mac meal. I mean really??? Now I will take accountability that I should have just not eaten it but my guilt of her spending the money and thinking of me won and I ate the meal. I now feel completely gross and bloated and feel horrible that I blew my OP day. ughhhhh

Tomorrow is a new day! Good Night Team.

i have NEVER said no to mcdonalds! i love it so much. dh is obsessed with it (and of course one of those people that eats everything and never gets fat). just drink lots of water and be better today. i took DS in the stroller and walked all the way to mcdonalds (not that far, a little over a mile) just to get a shamrock shake a few weeks ago. lol.

I absolutly love St. Patty's Day. At work they treated us to the traditional Irish meal of Corned beef, potatoes, carrots and cabbage with fresh rye bread. They then followed with green cupcakes. Well at least I passed on those.

Came home to our own corned beef, potatoes, onions and carrots cooked in beer in my crockpot all day. I also had fresh rye bread and Irish soda bread.

Well I stepped on the scale tonite and what? 4 lbs gained in one day NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO

How is it that it takes weeks to lose that 4 lbs but one day to put it back on. Ouch I feel like I have to start over again. Our final weigh in at work is on Monday. I have a lot of work ahead of me in the next 3 days.

yum, yum, yum. the 4 lbs is just from the salt. don't worry too much about it. i went all out last sunday and was able to get the pound i gained off by the end of the week.

Ok, I need some opinions. I showed my SIL the kids gifts I was working on for the FE, and she didnt like them so much for kids.

I put together a little picture for you all to see. I will be giving kids these mini albums which they can use for autographs from characters or friends, a scrapbook, or a little book where they can draw in. I am also providing them with crayons and stickers to decorate. I still have to do some more decorating and stuff, but this picture gives you a rough idea of what it will look like.

there's three pockets with spaces on both sides of the pockets for autographs. Each pocket has an insert which can also hold more autographs. I will bind it with a plastic coil and decorate.

Is this something children would like? Should I give them something else?

you MADE those?? that's awesome! so cool! those kids are lucky! i bet they will like them alot! i know i would!!!

Yeah, it's almost time to merge!!!!!

Need some & for my friend, Cindy. She has invited us all for a girls' weekend at her condo in Queechee, VT next weekend! There was a fire in the unit next to hers which then flooded the bottom floor of her condo! They are trying to clean it all up and replace the carpets and pull out dry wall. It was worse than originally thought! Praying things can be restored for next weekend!

OK, enough bad news from me! I was pleasantly surprised when I got on the scale this morning. I was down 1.6 for the week. I haven't exercised all week except for giving massages. I have been drinking tons of water and tea though. I just decided to give myself the week off after being sick over the weekend and the migraine on Wednesday. I did switch and try a new Herbalife product that I also think may be helping. I am very surprised since DH and I finished an entire bag of TJs onion rings last night. Maybe I hadn't had enough calories earlier in the day with giving two massages. Going to eat well today until I go out tonight and see if I get down any more. Only giving a 30 minute foot massage late this morning so not much exercise. Maybe if my left foot is ok later I will take a walk while I wait for the girls to get off the bus.

Gotta go make Ash's lunch now.

TTFN

so sorry about the flooding. i hope they can get it all fixed by the time you get there. if it's not, can you still go? i say that b/c perhaps the insurance company might still need to get there to take pictures and all that? hope they can repair it soon!

congrats on the 1.6! woot!

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

good morning everyone! i ate my weight in corned beef and cabbage last night but luckily it didn't show on the scale. i tried to be good but our friend's corned beef came out so great. i think part of the reason i probably didn't gain is the fact that the best part was the cabbage and i ate a ton of it. probably filled me up.

today is going to be a beautiful day! supposed to be 70! DS is waking up now (of course, just when i sit down to coffee and computer), we'll have breakfast and hang out a little then make our way to orchard beach playground. after his nap i am thinking of taking him out in the stroller for a jog. i signed up for the marathon and have only run like 3 times since the princess!

DH is getting home tomorrow finally. he was in orlando since sunday. and no, he wasn't at disney. he actually had the opportunity to go to a park last night but said he was too tired. WHAT? too tired for epcot? apparently the bus would have taken a while and he didn't want to pay $35 each way for a cab (don't blame him). still, it would be awfully hard for me to be SO close to disney and not at least go to epcot for a german bier, pretzel, and then some people watching. i'm looking forward to him being home. it's been a long week without him - not like, oh i miss my lovey dovey hubby. more like, i need some help with the kiddo! lol.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Well I am a bit exhausted. Work is nuts as usual and then we had ryans tball practice. He did great and had lots of fun. Then we went to my nana's because she had said she was making dinner and we should stop by. Well she decided not to cook and didnt call us and when we got there my mom had already picked up mcdonalds for everyone. She knows I am trying to eat healthy and what does she get me.... a big mac meal. I mean really??? Now I will take accountability that I should have just not eaten it but my guilt of her spending the money and thinking of me won and I ate the meal. I now feel completely gross and bloated and feel horrible that I blew my OP day. ughhhhh

Tomorrow is a new day! Good Night Team.

Lindsay--I get the guilt. But the way I see it you kind of have three choices. One, have a talk with your Mom and say I love it that you go to mcd's for the family, but I really, really want to get rid of these last few pounds. Could you get me a salad or a single hamburger or a grilled chicken sandwich? Two, you can cut whatever she gets you in half and if you have to throw some away so be it. Or three, ignore it and hope it doesn't happen too often. I know you really appreciate it when your family helps out, but you just need to convince them they will be helping you more if it's healthy food.

Well I stepped on the scale tonite and what? 4 lbs gained in one day NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO

How is it that it takes weeks to lose that 4 lbs but one day to put it back on. Ouch I feel like I have to start over again. Our final weigh in at work is on Monday. I have a lot of work ahead of me in the next 3 days.

Salt, salt, salt. Give it a day or two and I'm guessing most of it will be gone.

Tracey--Congrats on the loss! I hope your friend gets things back to normal soon!

i'm looking forward to him being home. it's been a long week without him - not like, oh i miss my lovey dovey hubby. more like, i need some help with the kiddo! lol.

Oh, yes I remember. You just want to hand the kid off and say--here's your child, I need a break! I hope he gets home safe!

***There was a really good article in Runners World about weight loss. It lists the golden rules of weight loss. This stuff applies to everyone and not just runners.
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-304--13860-0,00.html

QOTD--I still can't do 10 regular pushups! I can do 5. I can do tons of girl pushups. I am surprised that I am still slowly being able to lower my maintain range. Maintaining has gotten easier and I am not so stressed about it anymore. I have gone g-f which has been a challenge--I probably need to log and track my foods for a couple of weeks just to see what calorie range I am in. I finally found a vitamin that doesn't make me sick to my stomach. I am really starting to see the relationship between what I eat and how I feel and my exercise performance.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

***There was a really good article in Runners World about weight loss. It lists the golden rules of weight loss. This stuff applies to everyone and not just runners.
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-304--13860-0,00.html

really enjoyed this article, thank you for posting it. it totally called me out on my biggest problem - just because i'm running doesn't mean i can eat everything in sight! i found running was really good and tightening my body but the pounds remained the same. and that's mostly because i'd chow down on days that i ran thinking, "well i must have burned alot of calories so it's ok."

also, i like how it said to have protein at every meal. i've been trying to do that, especially on my "no processed foods" thing going on right now. i've been eating eggs in the morning or if i'm low on time i'll have 24 almonds. sure, they are fatty but the protein in them keeps me going until lunch. usually if i had toast or cereal or a muffin i'd be starving an hour later.

finally i liked that the people they featured at the end of the article weren't stick figures. they were regular normal people who had each lost a nice bit of weight. very inspiring!

 

[keenercam]

Hi, everyone!

Jeannette - Those FE gifts are absolutely wonderful! My kids would have loved receiving them. You have put so much work into them. I am seriously impressed. Oh, and thanks for more ideas for a possible cookbook.

Rose - Thanks for posting the link to the article. Glad to see I have some of those habits in hand, but it's a good reminder to work on other aspects (I shouldn't read when I eat alone, probably. Sometimes I get through a meal quicker than I should and without having savored it).

Looking forward to the merge. Oh, and yesterday was my 4th day completely on plan. There are cupcakes in the kitchen (for my partner's birthday) and they are calling my name. I've had only an apple and my coffee w/skim milk so far. It may be that a cupcake, appropriately accounted for/journaled will be my breakfast. I know it's not a good idea, but I wanted one last weekend and it tasted so bleh that I threw it away. I will probably at least try one to see if it is worth the points.

 

[Cupcaker]

Happy Friday! This week has gone by so quickly. I hope everyone has a great weigh in today.

QOTD: I have found it hard to lose these last 5 pounds, as cliché as that sounds. I never thought it would be hard. I think it’s more of a mental than a physical thing, like I’m slacking off because I know I’m truly at the end. But I am getting my resolve back and will tackle these last 5 pounds for my upcoming cruise!

Tracey- I hope your friend’s condo gets fixed quick. That’s awesome you were able to lose that much!

Nancy- thanks! They’re really easy to make. I can PM you instructions if you want to know how to make them. Woohoo for not gaining from last night! I hope your husband has a safe trip back. If I were close to Disney, I would totally be there right after work too!

Rose- Glad to hear GF is really working for you. Thanks for the article.

Cam- good job with staying away from those cupcakes! Youre doing great. Thanks for the compliment. I can PM you instructions too if you want them. I don’t really scrapbook, so I used a lot of handy, around the house things to make them.

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

QOTD, Friday March 18: Reflect on the last ~12 weeks. What is one thing that has surprised you about your weight loss journey? Did you try something new? Were you able to accomplish something you didn't think you could? Was something easier or harder than you thought it would be?

I had been doing well and loosing weight consistenly until about oct. At that point it was getting darker and cooler out and my training for the half was starting soon. I kept using the excuse that soon I would be runner longer and more often so I will loose the weight quickly. Than came the long runs and the excuse was....well I am running so much I am sure that I can eat whatever.....now I have just run out of excuses because my excuses are not be followed by results. I have become a maintainer and i am not even close to my maintain weight.

So in summary I have learned that just because I am running alot does not mean I can eat alot and whatever I choose. I also learned that making lifestlye changes with eating is very very hard and lots of work but falling back into old habits is extremely easy.

I really enjoyed the runner's world article and I am even thinking of getting the book. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

Need some & for my friend, Cindy. She has invited us all for a girls' weekend at her condo in Queechee, VT next weekend! There was a fire in the unit next to hers which then flooded the bottom floor of her condo! They are trying to clean it all up and replace the carpets and pull out dry wall. It was worse than originally thought! Praying things can be restored for next weekend!

I hope things work out for your friend and for your trip next wkend.
Great Job on the loss.

i have NEVER said no to mcdonalds!

I know mcdonalds is my weakness and I am so addicted to it. I think if I could break the addiction I would have much more success. I try to limit what I get, I dont just eat huge meals all the time but I have a issue with getting a hashbrown and diet coke every morning.

Enjoy the weather today it is beautiful.

Lindsay--I get the guilt. But the way I see it you kind of have three choices. One, have a talk with your Mom and say I love it that you go to mcd's for the family, but I really, really want to get rid of these last few pounds. Could you get me a salad or a single hamburger or a grilled chicken sandwich? Two, you can cut whatever she gets you in half and if you have to throw some away so be it. Or three, ignore it and hope it doesn't happen too often. I know you really appreciate it when your family helps out, but you just need to convince them they will be helping you more if it's healthy food.

Yes rose I agree. My mom does not do this often just occasionally and most time she is supportive but I think I could have only eaten half and took the rest home for the dog. I need to work on this part!

Looking forward to the merge. Oh, and yesterday was my 4th day completely on plan. There are cupcakes in the kitchen (for my partner's birthday) and they are calling my name. I've had only an apple and my coffee w/skim milk so far. It may be that a cupcake, appropriately accounted for/journaled will be my breakfast. I know it's not a good idea, but I wanted one last weekend and it tasted so bleh that I threw it away. I will probably at least try one to see if it is worth the points.

Good job this week Cam I dont see anything wrong with having a cupcake for breakfast as long as you count your points. I hope you enjoy it if thats what you decided upon.

 

[saysay]

Happy Friday All.

jeanette, I LOVE those gifts....great job!

And yeah, Mcdonalds if you are hungry its hard NOT to eat it.....and I can certainly woof down a big mac like nobody's business. Don't feel bad about it.

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

I am down this week again 2lbs! So happy but i know things will slow down and I need to stay on plan to make my goal and it will take a while. I am so happy I have been exercising regularly though i really miss the running, but I know I need to heal so for now, just boring gym cardio and that Body Flow
class I LOVE to build up my core and to stretch things out.

QOTD: 3/18

I know I JUST joined this challenge but thinking where I was at the beginning of the year, I was training for the Princess and things were going great. I think I was up to 9 miles at that point and my times were getting faster and faster to the point I was thinking I could do it in the same time I did my last half 10 years ago 2:37, or at least easily under 3 hours. I had been doing my running but nothing else. My eating wasn't horrible, but I had been maintaining and was thinking about what to do to start to lose some weight. I injured my foot Jan 15th - Plantar Faciitis and the time from then to the race was an emotional roller coaster. I was scared I couldn't finish the race which had me depressed and my eating got worse.... I was not focused on the fact I weighed more than ever, well other than when I was pregnant and on bedrest with a sweet tooth.... I was able to finish the race which I am so grateful for and the thing is I was bummed about my time of 3:29:51. Not that I was mad about it, honestly, it was disappointing. In retrospect, I am SO proud of myself for finishing. The first 7 miles I did fine and actually held myself back...the last 5, got progressively more and more painful. I seriously cannot believe I finished.

I got my pictures and immediately was down....I don't like how I look, so I decided I needed to REALLY think about eating healthier and to do some other exercises than running to strengthen my body and avoid another injury when I start to run again. I have been down this road before, these 20lbs continue to haunt me.... I have lost them and they come back. My mom died of a heart attack when I was 20. I started to run this summer to get some cardio vascular health in there....now I need to look at the whole package. I carry all my weight in my middle and I just need to focus on what I eat and exercising. I am so happy I found this thread and joined, although a little late.

Anyhoo, thanks all for your inspiration and reminders of what it takes to be successful. I know this journey isn't easy, but it is better when you share it with others. I want to be healthy for my DD who is 4, as losing my mom when I was 20 to a heart attack - mom was only 55, was very hard on me. I want to do all I can to insure I will see my DD graduate from College which is more than I had with my mom. Its not going to happen with me sitting around and eating junk!

 

[mizzoutiger76]

Cupcaker - those look so awesome! I'm sure the kids AND THEIR parents will love them I would be thrilled if someone took the time for a gift like that for DS, it's so sweet and thoughtful

And speaking of all this McDonalds is really making me want some I LOVE McDonalds but find myself able to control my urges for it as long as I don't buy a meal for myself, because once I get started, I can't stop

There's not much going on over here today, got in my 48 minute run, had a half of a Panera sandwich with a salad at lunch, and I'm working on my water.

So I have to update you guys on my new Polar watch. It is so cool, but a little upsetting because as it turns out I'm not burning near as many calories as the treadmill said I was. It was off by 100 calories This is a good thing and one of the main reasons I got it, it's just the initial shock that is kind of upsetting.

I've also decided to quit submitting my weight until I break this plateau. I really think it is starting to seep into my subconscious and it's making me depressed, so as long as I'm not reporting it, I can try not to focus on it so much. I'll just keep doing my exercise and watching my foods and until I break through it

Have a great weekend everyone!

Nicole

 

[Rose&Mike]

finally i liked that the people they featured at the end of the article weren't stick figures. they were regular normal people who had each lost a nice bit of weight. very inspiring!

I'm glad you liked it. I noticed that too--it looked like real people. The covers on the other hand, not so much! I eat a lot of nuts,especially unsalted almonds and walnuts for snacks. I usually eat a few less than what they say an average serving is, just because I don't weigh them, and they are really high in calories, so I'd rather err a little light. They are so good for you, and a great source of protein!

Cam--congrats on 4 days on plan. I hope you enjoyed the cupcake if you decided to have it!

Hi Jeanette! I thought the gifts were cute.

Lindsay--IMO winter is so much harder to train in than summer. I have a feeling with nice weather coming, you will be back on track soon! Glad you liked the article. I think long runs (8+ miles) are tricky when it comes to food. You do need more calories. The thing that's hard is to make sure you are getting the right calories on those days. I have heard that you should try to get protein in within 30 min of finishing a long run or race. When I do that, I don't go as crazy with the carbs. And it's supposed to help your body rebuild muscles!

I am down this week again 2lbs! So happy but i know things will slow down and I need to stay on plan to make my goal and it will take a while. I am so happy I have been exercising regularly though i really miss the running, but I know I need to heal so for now, just boring gym cardio and that Body Flow
class I LOVE to build up my core and to stretch things out.

QOTD: 3/18

I know I JUST joined this challenge but thinking where I was at the beginning of the year, I was training for the Princess and things were going great. I think I was up to 9 miles at that point and my times were getting faster and faster to the point I was thinking I could do it in the same time I did my last half 10 years ago 2:37, or at least easily under 3 hours. I had been doing my running but nothing else. My eating wasn't horrible, but I had been maintaining and was thinking about what to do to start to lose some weight. I injured my foot Jan 15th - Plantar Faciitis and the time from then to the race was an emotional roller coaster. I was scared I couldn't finish the race which had me depressed and my eating got worse.... I was not focused on the fact I weighed more than ever, well other than when I was pregnant and on bedrest with a sweet tooth.... I was able to finish the race which I am so grateful for and the thing is I was bummed about my time of 3:29:51. Not that I was mad about it, honestly, it was disappointing. In retrospect, I am SO proud of myself for finishing. The first 7 miles I did fine and actually held myself back...the last 5, got progressively more and more painful. I seriously cannot believe I finished.

I got my pictures and immediately was down....I don't like how I look, so I decided I needed to REALLY think about eating healthier and to do some other exercises than running to strengthen my body and avoid another injury when I start to run again. I have been down this road before, these 20lbs continue to haunt me.... I have lost them and they come back. My mom died of a heart attack when I was 20. I started to run this summer to get some cardio vascular health in there....now I need to look at the whole package. I carry all my weight in my middle and I just need to focus on what I eat and exercising. I am so happy I found this thread and joined, although a little late.

Anyhoo, thanks all for your inspiration and reminders of what it takes to be successful. I know this journey isn't easy, but it is better when you share it with others. I want to be healthy for my DD who is 4, as losing my mom when I was 20 to a heart attack - mom was only 55, was very hard on me. I want to do all I can to insure I will see my DD graduate from College which is more than I had with my mom. Its not going to happen with me sitting around and eating junk!

Great job on the 2 pounds, and thanks for sharing how your race went. My dh's dad died of a heart attack at 49. So, we are very aware of eating healthy, but weren't always good about it. It sounds like you are on the right path to a long, and healthy life. And it does make it easier to do this with a support group!

I've also decided to quit submitting my weight until I break this plateau. I really think it is starting to seep into my subconscious and it's making me depressed, so as long as I'm not reporting it, I can try not to focus on it so much. I'll just keep doing my exercise and watching my foods and until I break through it

Have a great weekend everyone!

Nicole

Are you going to keep weighing, just not report? I'm sorry you are stuck right now. We've had other folks who have decided to just go to "maintain" for a little while to get a mental break from the whole idea of weight loss. Just let Tracey know if you would like to do that.

I have had a very lazy day today, and it's been nice. I went to the Y and did a mile on the elliptical and then an hour of zumba. I have now exercised 6 days in a row, and I am feeling much more like myself again. Tomorrow ellipitical again, and hopefully a run on Sunday. It's only 6 weeks until the race I am supposed to run. I feel like I am in good shape as far as the cardio goes, it's just whether or not my legs are going to cooperate. It will NOT be a personal record, but at this point if I can complete it running and smiling I will consider it a HUGE victory. If the running causes pain this weekend I have a few options. But fingers crossed that things will go well. I'm feeling much better about it all today.

It's been a hard week for me--issues with DS stressing me out, burned out on the food stuff, frustrated with my body. Wishing I had a mom to call and whine too. And on more than one occasion I just wanted to bag everything. I wanted to eat regular food. Drink regular beer. Not exercise ever again. I wanted to get in bed and pull the covers up and stay there. So I took today and did nothing. And it was nice. I was feeling so out of control of everything. And some things I still can't control. And that's ok. But some things I do have a say in--and those are the things I need to work on.

Hope everyone is having a good Friday.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

So in summary I have learned that just because I am running alot does not mean I can eat alot and whatever I choose. I also learned that making lifestlye changes with eating is very very hard and lots of work but falling back into old habits is extremely easy.

this is me exactly! i started eating EVERYTHING using the excuse that i'm running so i can chow down! yeah, um, NO! and you are so right. falling into old bad habits is SO easy. what's hard is getting back on the wagon after a bad day (or week...or month...)

Happy Friday All.

jeanette, I LOVE those gifts....great job!

And yeah, Mcdonalds if you are hungry its hard NOT to eat it.....and I can certainly woof down a big mac like nobody's business. Don't feel bad about it.

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

I am down this week again 2lbs! So happy but i know things will slow down and I need to stay on plan to make my goal and it will take a while. I am so happy I have been exercising regularly though i really miss the running, but I know I need to heal so for now, just boring gym cardio and that Body Flow
class I LOVE to build up my core and to stretch things out.

QOTD: 3/18

I know I JUST joined this challenge but thinking where I was at the beginning of the year, I was training for the Princess and things were going great. I think I was up to 9 miles at that point and my times were getting faster and faster to the point I was thinking I could do it in the same time I did my last half 10 years ago 2:37, or at least easily under 3 hours. I had been doing my running but nothing else. My eating wasn't horrible, but I had been maintaining and was thinking about what to do to start to lose some weight. I injured my foot Jan 15th - Plantar Faciitis and the time from then to the race was an emotional roller coaster. I was scared I couldn't finish the race which had me depressed and my eating got worse.... I was not focused on the fact I weighed more than ever, well other than when I was pregnant and on bedrest with a sweet tooth.... I was able to finish the race which I am so grateful for and the thing is I was bummed about my time of 3:29:51. Not that I was mad about it, honestly, it was disappointing. In retrospect, I am SO proud of myself for finishing. The first 7 miles I did fine and actually held myself back...the last 5, got progressively more and more painful. I seriously cannot believe I finished.

I got my pictures and immediately was down....I don't like how I look, so I decided I needed to REALLY think about eating healthier and to do some other exercises than running to strengthen my body and avoid another injury when I start to run again. I have been down this road before, these 20lbs continue to haunt me.... I have lost them and they come back. My mom died of a heart attack when I was 20. I started to run this summer to get some cardio vascular health in there....now I need to look at the whole package. I carry all my weight in my middle and I just need to focus on what I eat and exercising. I am so happy I found this thread and joined, although a little late.

Anyhoo, thanks all for your inspiration and reminders of what it takes to be successful. I know this journey isn't easy, but it is better when you share it with others. I want to be healthy for my DD who is 4, as losing my mom when I was 20 to a heart attack - mom was only 55, was very hard on me. I want to do all I can to insure I will see my DD graduate from College which is more than I had with my mom. Its not going to happen with me sitting around and eating junk!

congrats on the weight loss! 2 lbs! woot! i'm really sorry to learn about your mom. that must have been so difficult. definitely use that as your motivator to be healthy for your daughter.

i hurt my foot in november while training for the princess. i know exactly the roller coaster of emotions that come along with an injury. i was FRANTIC about getting that foot fixed. RIGHTNOWNOTLATER!!!! and i did the same thing when i couldn't run...i ate.

So I have to update you guys on my new Polar watch. It is so cool, but a little upsetting because as it turns out I'm not burning near as many calories as the treadmill said I was. It was off by 100 calories This is a good thing and one of the main reasons I got it, it's just the initial shock that is kind of upsetting.

I've also decided to quit submitting my weight until I break this plateau. I really think it is starting to seep into my subconscious and it's making me depressed, so as long as I'm not reporting it, I can try not to focus on it so much. I'll just keep doing my exercise and watching my foods and until I break through it

Have a great weekend everyone!

Nicole

i'm interested in this watch. i'm going to google it after i'm done with this post. sounds pretty cool. sorry about the plateau. maybe submitting your weight each week even if it's a plateau is a good thing though? that way you still are holding yourself accountable each week? i don't know. i find that if i don't get on the scale b/c i don't want to see what it says i wind up weighing more when i finally do get back on. who knows. this weight loss thing is enough to drive you (me) bonkers.

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

today has be an absolutely beautiful day. but why oh why must toddlers really ruin it?? lol. we got to the playground and all of thomas' little friends were there. and instead of playing he decided to cry and whine and literally stay up my butt the whole time. gah! it was so nice but we wound up leaving after only an hour or so. little guy decided to nap for only 20 min and woke up with his diaper TWISTED (figure of speech)! i decided it was too beautiful to be inside so went out with him in the jogger. i ran the slowest and hardest 4 miles EVER. omg. the wind by the water was out of control! and this kid is heavier than he was last summer! what a workout. we hung out outside afterward (i needed to cool off) and every person who walked by was like, "WOW nance, you are RED!" gee. thanks. like i didn't know that i'm out of shape already. thanks for reminding me.

anyway, being outside means i didn't just sit and eat on the couch which is a good thing. no meat today but that's not a problem since it's just me and the little guy for one last night. can't wait til DH gets home (have i mentioned that a million times already??).