Team Mickey - Biggest Loser "No Excuses" 2012 Challenge

[DisneyHeather]

Hello my name is Heather and I'm a single mother by choice in California. My little guy is 9 months old and while I'm almost at my pre pregnancy weight that still leaves me quite a ways from what a healthy weight is for me. My goal is to lose 30 lbs during this challenge. It's the first one I've done so I hope I can stick with it. I'll do my best to keep up with the thread.

We're going for Conner's first trip to WDW on January 14th staying at AKV in a 2 bedroom with my mother. He'll have his first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop and I can't wait.

I look forward to getting to know you guys

 

[BMC423]

No, just normal audiology-testing for hearing loss and other disorders, and hearing aids. I do think I want to work with kids though. I started out as a speech path major, but along the way realized that I don't actually want to teach.

That field is extremely interesting! I just took an assessment class last semester and if I didn't have my heart set on teaching in a classroom I would love to go in that direction. BTW thank you for your previous post about your brother. It amazes me how far we have in the Special Education field, and how much further we have to go.

We got home from Daytona Beach a few hours ago. We decided to stay a 2nd day. We didn't do a whole lot but lounge and over the course of 2 days I walked 4 miles on the beach. It was so peaceful and relaxing. I didn't track anything (other then exercise) while I was gone. I didn't bring the laptop but have the Sparkpeople app on my Blackberry. We may go back in January around the anniversary of Josh and Maddie's passing. I don't like to be home that day, its just way to hard.

Kristina, I was originally going to say welcome and Daytona how nice! Then I read all of your other posts and well I am amazed by you! First my heart and thoughts go out to you for your loss. I'm glad you had and have someone you to help you through the hard days. Then you posted your January meal plan and I was floored . That is one of my resolutions, to be more organized so I'm not running to the supermarket at to purchase dinner for that night and end up buying something completely unhealthy! One more thing what is Sparkpeople?

Which leads me to the Question of the Day for Sunday, January 1, 2012: How will you make sure you achieve your goals this challenge and this year?

A safe and happy New Year to you all!

Lisa, I hope that the following things will help me stay focused and motivated to help me achieve my goals.

1. Go to the gym... I haven't been to the gym in years, I joined with a co-worker and hope that having a partner will help me stay motivated especially in the beginning when trying to break into a routine.

2. Keeping a Journal... I always start one and never follow it through. This year I am trying to follow CC's advice and not only write what I am eating and my weight but a recap of my day. I don't really consider myself an emotional eater but I know that my family celebrates everything by eating. I hope this helps me learn what my eating habits are.

3.Get Organized! - My life tends to get very busy and crazy especially when I'm in school. I want to get my house organized which will include getting my kitchen organized so I'm able to plan and make healthy choices.

Cut sugar! I am addicted to sugar in general. Candy, cookies (mmmm chocolate chip mmmm). Actually for the Healthy Habit Challenge I am gonna change a dessert recipe. I will share it and any other healthy cooking tips if you are interested.
Lisa Lu

Lisa Lu, I also have a problem with sugar... I'm not a big candy person but cakes, cookies and other baked goods... are my weakness!

Hey, I'm Buffy aka BAMB I'm 37, married 19 years this coming April. I have 4 kids. I'm a NAHM, never at home mom. I like to scrapbook. UM...... this is like my 3rd or 4th challenge. I'd actually like to fully complete one, LOL.

My goals are:
1) lose 20 pounds
2) post at least once every day
3) make more time for myself.

Januarys' goal is to not eat out at all. January 2011 we spent $135.22 eating out, and that's the cheapest eating out bill we had. Some are upwards of $1000, it's ridiculous.

Buffy, I'm a NAHM as well! How do you find time to SB?? I've always wanted to get into that but I think it's too time consuming for me to start now.

We're going for Conner's first trip to WDW on January 14th staying at AKV in a 2 bedroom with my mother. He'll have his first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop and I can't wait.

I look forward to getting to know you guys

Hi Heather! Yay for Conner's first trip! He is going to love his 1st haircut! (or not ) You will definitely love it, my son had his there last year and I was very happy I waited to do it there, it going to be a family tradition for us with any future babies!

 

[Disneywedding2010]

Kristina, I was originally going to say welcome and Daytona how nice! Then I read all of your other posts and well I am amazed by you! First my heart and thoughts go out to you for your loss. I'm glad you had and have someone you to help you through the hard days. Then you posted your January meal plan and I was floored . That is one of my resolutions, to be more organized so I'm not running to the supermarket at to purchase dinner for that night and end up buying something completely unhealthy! One more thing what is Sparkpeople?

I'm glad you asked

Sparkpeople has been my saving grace this year. Its a free weight loss website where you can track your food intake, water intake, exercise, and so much more! You can write a blog, post pictures of your progress, join different types of teams to help motivate you, track your weight, and they have a recipe website as well.

If you decide to join and they ask for a referral type my screen name in "LDHSFALCON"

www.sparkpeople.com

I checked my stats at the beginning of last year and from then til today I've lost 9 pounds. No not a whole lot but I'd of rather lost SOMETHING then gained.

I'll be back with more replies after I take some meds to knock this headache out and shower.

 

[fitgirl36]

Hi Team! Just checking in mid day. I treadmilled 2 miles this morning, had an egg mcmuffin for breakfast (seriously, I REALLY need to give those up and save the money! I think the fact that they arent too bad on WW points and I really like them keeps me eating them!) all the decorations are down and now DD AND DH are taking naps. I need to figure out dinner for tonight and make a grocery run. Back to work tomorrow (ugh) after 2 weeks off and the weather report is for ALOT of snow (double ugh) in the next couple days. I know I know I live in the snow belt so just except it!

 

[yanni2]

So, I started out the new year by oversleeping....LOL! So no church for us today...for some reason the rest of my family was incapable of coming to wake me up so we could get there on time (seriously...they were all up waiting on me to get up and get them moving.)

So far I've started my day with a cup of hot tea (not soda...yay me ) and 2 scrambled eggs with a touch of cheese for flavor. Working on eating a lot less carbs...my downfall...so if I can start my day with little to no carbs...then I can have them with dinner.

Now I just need to do my 10 minutes on the elliptical (baby steps here) before showering, removing the ornaments from the Christmas tree and then getting my girls packed up for a 3 day gymnastics training camp. They leave tomorrow at 10 and we haven't even started packing. Plus I'm sure I will need to run to the store for something (most likely some sort of bathroom product that they usually share and can't if they are in different cabins) and a gift for Corinne's gift exchange.

During all that I plan to drink my water so that I can have 1 can of soda for lunch and 1 can of soda for dinner.

So my goals for this week:
Exercise: 10 minutes a day
Water: 4 glasses a day
Soda: 2 cans a day (usually this is all i drink)
Food: save my carbs for later in day...focus on protein

Post here daily, answering the QOTD and such... and journaling!!!!!

Michelle

 

[50sjayne]

Which leads me to the Question of the Day for Sunday, January 1, 2012: How will you make sure you achieve your goals this challenge and this year?

The usual movies reward I think. I got kind of burned out on the movie going thing but now am interested again. It really does motivate me and it gives me another interest than food.

Had a last binge last night but I did the elliptical and lifted weights, and worked hard at work. New Years Eve is just hopeless for us and food---we had a chinese sampler (frozen box) and a bunch of other really good snack type stuff. Last Hurrah...

 

[ChefDisneyLu]

OK so it looks like I am not the only one here addicted to pop. Some people are replacing some of their pop intake with some water and some pop. I have my brain set to giving up pop cold turkey but now I'm not sure. I drink pop morning, noon and night so I guess I could cut back? Maybe I should just stick to my original plan and give it up cold turkey?

What do you think?

Lisa Lu

PS Right now I am currently drinking water

 

[ohMom]

Happy New Year's Mickey team!!

QOTD --- i'm committing myself to journaling and making better snack choices, not cut them out but work them into my plan for the day

just popped in to send my initial WI, still need to measure myself

 

[Disneywedding2010]

i'm 3 pages behind! i'll catch up tomorrow. just had to come here and admit that i just housed THREE cupcakes. (stressful evening with the in-laws)

can't wait to get back on the wagon tomorrow! lisa, come pick me up!

happy new year friends!

Your little guys are BEAUTIFUL!

Can you hear the wagon wheels?

I hear them... come pick me up!!

Which leads me to the Question of the Day for Sunday, January 1, 2012: How will you make sure you achieve your goals this challenge and this year?

Good morning everyone! I have a few ideas on how to achieve my goals. First cook at home more. We go out to eat a lot! Not only can I cook healthier, but will save some $$$ too! Also I'm a diet pepsi addict. I think one of the health habits for this week is to drink more water. I hate plain water so I will drink Propel. I really do like that. I usually bring a 24 oz bottle of diet pepsi with me to work so to start with I'm going to cut down to one can and bring the Propel too.

Make sure to treadmill as much as possible. I really, really want to do the 5k in April with my coworkers. See the problem is weather conditions have to be near perfect for me to run outside. I love my treadmill. I'm a numbers gal so I like watching the mileage and time on the display. I do really enjoy trotting
on our lake trail with DH and DD in her jogger. We had so much fun last
spring and summer. This year she'll be a little heavier to push this year though lol!

My plan for today is to treadmill this morning, take my tree down, clean up
the house a bit and make a healthy supper. Have a great day everyone!

I have noticed many people have posted this same thing. Here are a few of tips from a fellow person who used to hate drinking water:

1. Buy a big 32 cup and fill it up. Then once its empty refill it one more time, finish it, and tada 64 ounces of water gone! Usually when I'm on the go I just use a 20 ounce bottle and just keep refilling it as it gets empty

2. Flavor packets! I don't really care for the Propel water and the packets are cheaper. I usually get the Great Value ones at Wal-Mart or the single serving packets of Kool-Aide

Happy New Year Team Mickey!

Your meal plans looks great. It's nice to know what you're having so you can look for sales on meats, etc. and put things in the freezer.

I do it for a few reasons:

1. It keeps me from pulling out the "Oh we don't have food in the house or I forgot to take something out. Let's go out to eat"

2. I'm not having to wake up every morning and go "Um what do I want to make for dinner?" I take that long list and at the beginning of the week (Sunday) I look to see what's in the house and make my menu for the week off of that. I usually go at the beginning of the month make sure we have everthing in the house that I need to make all of those meals. Yes, it makes for an expensive grocery trip but I HATE grocery shopping. I'd rather just do one big trip and be done with it .

Hello my name is Heather and I'm a single mother by choice in California. My little guy is 9 months old and while I'm almost at my pre pregnancy weight that still leaves me quite a ways from what a healthy weight is for me. My goal is to lose 30 lbs during this challenge. It's the first one I've done so I hope I can stick with it. I'll do my best to keep up with the thread.

We're going for Conner's first trip to WDW on January 14th staying at AKV in a 2 bedroom with my mother. He'll have his first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop and I can't wait.

I look forward to getting to know you guys

We stayed at AKV in September in a 1 bedroom. We didn't really like it but we LOVE BLT.

I heard about Harmony Barber for the first time on the Disboards. When we were here in September Alan, my fiance kept complaining that he needed a hair cut. I jokingly told him, "Well one of the girls on Disboards told me about the barber at Magic Kingdom." Long story short we went a few days later and he got his hair cut. I have pictures on my FB of it .

______________________________

Well the good news is in the time its taken me to re-read posts and reply to many of you my headache is gone. I love when medication doesn't take forever to kick in.

Its around 1:30 and I still need to eat something today. I need to start on my water as well. I believe Alan is making beans in the crockpot with cordon bleu in the oven for dinner tonight.

Plans for the day include getting a workout in (probably treadmill or a Bob Harper DVD), cleaning off my desk, and makng a print out for Healthy Habits so I can keep track each week. This is one of my goals this challenge, to participate in HH. I say everything challenge I'm going to and then wind up not doing it I think if I print a chart type thing off I'll be more prone to actually doing it this go around.

Oh, I also wanted to share my "REWARD" system for myself this year. For every 10 pounds I lose I'm going to reward myself something. Later today I'm going to come up with something to reward myself i I complete 1,000 fitness minutes a month.

First 10 pounds: manicure

Second 10 pounds: New movie (either DVD or going to movie theater)

Third 10 pounds: New music for IPOD

Fourth 10 pounds: Pedicure

Fifth 10 pounds: Biggest Loser cookbook

Sixth 10 pounds: New outfit

Last 14 pounds: PROFESSIONAL PICTURES (possibly at Disney World)

 

[Disneywedding2010]

OK so it looks like I am not the only one here addicted to pop. Some people are replacing some of their pop intake with some water and some pop. I have my brain set to giving up pop cold turkey but now I'm not sure. I drink pop morning, noon and night so I guess I could cut back? Maybe I should just stick to my original plan and give it up cold turkey?

What do you think?

Lisa Lu

PS Right now I am currently drinking water

Last year I succeeded twice in cutting pop out. Both tmes I quit cold turkey. NYE last year I had my last soda. Then Jan 1st of last year I started my no soda journey. The first few days were hard but once the caffeine withdrawl headaches were gone I was good to go. I quit buying it so it wasn't in the house to tempt me. The only time it was hard was when I was at a restaurant. A few times I ordered a Dr Pepper, caught my mistake and had them bring me water. I went soda free for 65 days. Then life got chaotic and stressful and I went back to drinking it.

I quit again in October and went 45 days without drinkig any. Now, I hardly ever drink it because I still refuse to buy it and I may drink one once a month. Once a month is a whole lot better then 3 or 4 cans in one day.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Happy New Year!! It is so awesome to so many familiar names and all of the new ones. I hoped to say Hi to everyone but it has already taken me an hour just to read everything and I have to get some things done today.

QOTD Saturday, December 31, 2011: Please introduce yourself and tell us about your goals for this challenge.

Welcome to all of you! I see some new people so I wanted to mention that some of us are called by a first name or a nickname. If you could include your name or how you wish to be addressed, that would be greatly appreciated. The decision is yours to make; we can always use your Dis name.

I am lovetoscrap but most people just call me LTS-- prevents any misunderstandings by typing the "s" in the wrong place, which happens often. I completed the BL challenge at the beginning of last year and lost 25 pounds. I also lost about 5 more during the rest of the year, so I have a total weight loss of 50 pounds from my highest in 2010 . I have been able to maintain within 5 pounds the loss the rest of the time and that is a pretty big accomplishment. Now I am ready to lose another 25-30. I have about 50 more total to lose according to those charts but I think I will be happy if I can get 30 off and maintain that.

I am a SAHM to 2 girls ages 11 and 16 and married 20 years to the most wonderful man. He is in this with me-- he lost 40 pounds during the BL last year but I think some came back so he is looking to try to lose a bit more this time.

Which leads me to the Question of the Day for Sunday, January 1, 2012: How will you make sure you achieve your goals this challenge and this year?

I am still living the South Beach way. Absolutely LOVE it! I am going to try to do a very restricted carb few weeks if I can. I get sick if I go no carb but I am going to stay as low as I can with very healthy choices.

I am hopefully coming out of a very bad IBS flare up. I finally went back to the Gastro and we changed some meds and talked about changes to make to help me get back to feeling normal. Doing okay right now. He is also sending me to be tested for Celiac just to be sure that isn't my problem. Haven't had time to get the blood work done yet but will go this week.

Not sure what I will do with exercise. I still have my gym membership from last year that I didn't use very much. I need to go back and see what I can tolerate. I have some bad issues with my feet and my hip so there isn't much that I can do.

I gave up soda for the BL challenge last year and went several months without one. While I have gone back to having an occasional soda I do try to only have diet unless I really want to "splurge". I have had the same 24 pack of Diet Pepsi Max in my fridge for a few months. Before last year it would have been gone in a little over a week. I am going to cut all soda again partly because it contributes to my stomach issues.

The main thing that helps to keep me on track is PLANNING! I need my dinners planned in advance. I need to know what I have available for lunch and breakfast and snacks. If I don't have a plan then I default to unhealthy choices that are quick and easy.

Some of my other resolutions I am going to work on for 2012:
1. Scrapbook more
2. Read more
3. Keep up with housecleaning better
4. Spend less time on the computer (which would make the first 3 easier!)
5. Take my vitamins and Fiber daily

Going to go work on resolution #4-- have a massive headache which is NOT fair because I was the only person at the party I was at last night that was not drinking!

Everyone have a great day filled with healthy choices!

 

[goofyredraider]

Hi, I'm a little late to the party, but I'm joining in full-force!

My name is Erin, mom of 3 great kiddos. I just stopped teaching in June.

When my husband was deployed in 2008/2009, I made a lot of life changes, and lost about 85 lbs in about 7 months (and I did it the right way, I ate healthy, worked out, etc.). When he returned from deployment, I went back to work teaching at a middle school. I was miserable, and so unhappy...my environment was not healthy. Over the last 2 years, I have put 50 lbs. that I lost back on. I am a stress eater, and well, I was really stressed and had no time for anything. So, I stopped teaching in June. Since then, I've done nothing to get rid of the weight.

That changes now. I hope to lose those 50 plus another 10-15. I hope to lose the 50 by the time we go to Disney at the end of May/beginning of June. I start back to the gym tomorrow morning, and I'm trying to follow the same plan I did last time (combo of carb restriction the first few weeks, eating a healthy breakfast, one cheat meal a week, and WW at home, etc.).

Anyway, I look forward to getting to know all of you...best of luck to us all!

 

[ougrad86]

QOTD: I am doing Jenny Craig and am going to try to be more active. Originally I said I was going to go back to Tae Kwon Do, but after today, I'm nto sure how quickly that will happen. I have chronic bronchitis that only flares up when I get a cold or sinus infection. Unfortunately, I have been non stop coughing since school started with multiple colds and sinus infections. The last time I went to the doctor it was not a bronchitis flare up (yay!). A week after that cough went away, I got my worst sinus infection. Tonight my husband, sister in law, friend, and I were playing Just Dance on our new Wii. I ended up having to leave early because I was coughing so hard I could not breathe. I feel like crap.

I'm really disappointed. I was hoping to get back to Tae Kwon Do this week but that looks like it might not happen. I did reset my Body Media goal to be one pound per week and less active since I have had such a hard time exercising. Thanks for letting me vent. I'm just really frustrated that I can't seem to ever catch a break with this stupid bronchitis thing.

I am thread hopping here, and on my phone, but wanted to let you know about DH bronchitis. He was constantly getting it and the doc finally prescribed steroids. Started 10 days, then to 30, and finally a 60 day course knocked it out for good. That was a couple years ago and he hasn't had a bad bout since. I guess repeated and continuous bronchitis weakens the lungs and makes you more suspectible to infections and the steroids helped strengthen the lung tissue to better fight off infections. Hope that makes sense.
Now back off to my thread - - just wanted to give you a heads up on that.
Happy New Year everybody and Good Luck!

Carol

 

[lisah0711]

Good Morning!

Just wanted to give everyone a quick reminder:

When you pm your weight, please remember to include your TEAM NAME. This will make things so much easier for our weight keeper.

Good Morning Team Mickey!

How is everyone today? Are you ready? Please remember to private message (PM) dvccruiser76 your starting weight tomorrow. Include your team name. She will be keeping track of our weights. Her first name is Sue. You do not need to post your weight on the thread.

If you will be participating in WIN, please PM buzz5985 your total measurements tomorrow as well. Her first name is Janis.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to PM me or post on the thread. You should receive an answer quite quickly.

Thank you for the reminders!

Gretchen, looks like a great plan! I'm confident that by the time that this challenge is over that you will be in ONE-derland!

Hello my name is Heather and I'm a single mother by choice in California. My little guy is 9 months old and while I'm almost at my pre pregnancy weight that still leaves me quite a ways from what a healthy weight is for me. My goal is to lose 30 lbs during this challenge. It's the first one I've done so I hope I can stick with it. I'll do my best to keep up with the thread.

We're going for Conner's first trip to WDW on January 14th staying at AKV in a 2 bedroom with my mother. He'll have his first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop and I can't wait.

I look forward to getting to know you guys

Heather! Glad that you are on our team! Are you staying at Jambo or Kidani AKV? I love AKV.

Lisa, I hope that the following things will help me stay focused and motivated to help me achieve my goals.

1. Go to the gym... I haven't been to the gym in years, I joined with a co-worker and hope that having a partner will help me stay motivated especially in the beginning when trying to break into a routine.

2. Keeping a Journal... I always start one and never follow it through. This year I am trying to follow CC's advice and not only write what I am eating and my weight but a recap of my day. I don't really consider myself an emotional eater but I know that my family celebrates everything by eating. I hope this helps me learn what my eating habits are.

3.Get Organized! - My life tends to get very busy and crazy especially when I'm in school. I want to get my house organized which will include getting my kitchen organized so I'm able to plan and make healthy choices.

Bicki, I like your plan! Being organized definately makes life easier for a busy Mom.

I'm glad you asked

Sparkpeople has been my saving grace this year. Its a free weight loss website where you can track your food intake, water intake, exercise, and so much more! You can write a blog, post pictures of your progress, join different types of teams to help motivate you, track your weight, and they have a recipe website as well.

If you decide to join and they ask for a referral type my screen name in "LDHSFALCON"



I checked my stats at the beginning of last year and from then til today I've lost 9 pounds. No not a whole lot but I'd of rather lost SOMETHING then gained.

Yep, any year you end lower than you started is a winner in my book!

Hi Team! Just checking in mid day. I treadmilled 2 miles this morning, had an egg mcmuffin for breakfast (seriously, I REALLY need to give those up and save the money! I think the fact that they arent too bad on WW points and I really like them keeps me eating them!) all the decorations are down and now DD AND DH are taking naps. I need to figure out dinner for tonight and make a grocery run. Back to work tomorrow (ugh) after 2 weeks off and the weather report is for ALOT of snow (double ugh) in the next couple days. I know I know I live in the snow belt so just except it!

Nice job on starting off the year on the TM! Actually egg mcmuffins are not too bad for you but you could make a healthier version at home for less. I like the Subway breakfast sandwiches sometimes, too. This morning I made homemade breakfast sandwiches and they were delicious and easy to make. They seem to stay with you longer than the fast food ones, too.

So, I started out the new year by oversleeping....LOL! So no church for us today...for some reason the rest of my family was incapable of coming to wake me up so we could get there on time (seriously...they were all up waiting on me to get up and get them moving.)

Glad that you started off the year well rested! And on the family waiting for you to get up to figure out what to do -- sounds like my world.

Be back in a bit to finish replies.

 

[KDIPIAZZ]

Happy New year! I'm excited to have a clean slate and a fresh start. I have a lot of weight to lose and this challenge seems like a great jump stat to a new me!

How will you make sure you achieve your goals this challenge and this year?

I haven't thought a lot about this yet. I'm having surgery on 1/5 and some pre-surgery bloodwork showed that I am possibly (ok, probably) diabetic. I'm waiting until Tuesday to see my GP and see how things stand. Between the lifestyle changes that dealing with diabetes will require and the surgery on Thursday, I've decided to just take things one day at a time. Since last week, I've given up a massive caffeine habit (coffee and Diet Coke), upped my water consumption to 2 qts/day and started using Myfitnesspal. After doctor visits, I'll hopefully have a better idea of what my next steps should be.

 

[Disneywedding2010]

Okay ladies and gents I made a print out for Healthy Habits. Naturally the dates will change and I'll add two more rows when we are actually doing a full week. Take a looksie..

My desk is cleared off somewhat and now I need to tackle my bathroom and clearing off my dresser. Got my first glass of water down and getting ready to go refill my cup. Still haven't worked out yet but I need to get this little bit of cleaning done before it drives me batty. Alan's beans smell awesome. He bought some cornbread at Publix so dinner looks like beans, cornbread, and chicken cordon bleu. I'll probably have some broc and cheese as well.

 

[BMC423]

OK so it looks like I am not the only one here addicted to pop. Some people are replacing some of their pop intake with some water and some pop. I have my brain set to giving up pop cold turkey but now I'm not sure. I drink pop morning, noon and night so I guess I could cut back? Maybe I should just stick to my original plan and give it up cold turkey?

What do you think?

Lisa Lu

PS Right now I am currently drinking water

Do you like seltzer or sparkling water? I am not a big soda drinker, but I used to be. Now I find that while occasionally do have a glass of soda, I satisfy my soda cravings by having cherry seltzer. It has some of the flavor and all of the fizz!

 

[Octoberbride03]

Afternoon everybody

Quick pop in otherwise will write myself a novel

Quick additional info about me. 38 for another 2 weeks and married for 8yrs to a great husband. Also mommy to 1 doggie Onslow and Lhasa Apso Mix. and amd very much missing our late cockatiel Rally who got sick and died in July. It was very heartbreaking though we are hoping for a new tiel soon.

My ONLY goal for this challenge is to get on track non-work exercise wise. Which may or may not happen in the next few days as Aunt Flo popped in this afternoon to start the year off. And though I can now comfortably exercise since I use a DIVA cup and NOT tampons or pads, other side effects make that an iffy proposition.

Off to PM weight. Must measure and check back in later.

 

[Tauwillow]

QOTD Saturday, December 31, 2011: Please introduce yourself and tell us about your goals for this challenge.

Hello to everyone! You can call me Tau. I'm a married mother of three and was a surro mom x5, so I'm finally at a stage of my life where I won't be pregnant anymore. I started reclaiming my body last year (making this my second BL challenge) and am ramping up my efforts again with 2012. I really have 20/30 pounds to lose, but I'm hoping for just 10 this challenge. I figure slow and steady wins the race.

The holidays have been crazy busy for me this time around. I've been really invested in spending time with my kids (18, 15 & 12) since they all seem to be on the cusp of leaving. I also started a new job at the YMCA, working the front desk. I haven't worked outside the home in 10 years, so Im really having to readjust! I'm also an artist, and Im crazily trying to finish a portrait I made of one of my surro families that was supposed to get to them by Christmas.

I definitely feel like I'm burning the candle at both ends these days. But its all good stuff, and thats such a wonderful place to be.

If that wasn't enough, my husband and I are applying TODAY to get jobs in Antarctica! I am so so so very excited about this opportunity! If selected, we'll go down for the austral summer starting around Oct and working to Feb. Getting hired is a long involved process, so keep your fingers crossed for us!

Which leads me to the Question of the Day for Sunday, January 1, 2012: How will you make sure you achieve your goals this challenge and this year?

I have sparkpeople on my phone and online to track my food intake. I have really come to love it as its so easy to find foods in their database and just about everything under the sun is in there! I always have my phone with me too, so its super convenient.

My husband and daughter are also participating in the weight loss game this time around, so I have a ton of support at home. My husband and I are walking together regularly, I work at the YMCA, and I have a treadmill in my room for the gloomy days.

I really think I have set up my environment for success this time around.

I have set lofty goals for this race: 1) Don't die 2) Finish

Kipp - I love your marathon goals. I surely hope you succeed at #1!! Take pics to share with the thread. I love seeing people's adventures.

I graduated in April from University of Phoenix online with a degree in hopitality management and am hoping to get hired on with Disney sometime this year. I just haven't decided when I want to start working. I haven't worked since before I married my husband.

Disneywedding2010 - Congratulations on completing your degree!! That is such a terrific milestone, and I hope you find the most fabulous job with Disney. I totally understand the trepidation about returning to work after such a long absence! Its been equally scary and exciting and I just know that its going to completely change my life.

I know I have to give up Dr. Pepper and cut out all pop so that is my first step. That is gonna be the hardest part!

ChefDisneyLu - I gave up buying soda about 7 years ago and I dropped 10 pounds within a couple of months. (and then got pregnant and gained it all back) I still have it occasionally when we eat out, but my rule is no soda in the house. I've also cut out juice and milk. I drink mostly chilled herbal tea, so I still have a flavor without sugar or artificial sweetners. You'll get over the cravings after that first big crisis, and it should be smooth sailing as long as you find a drink replacement that works for you.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Depending on how much Dr. Pepper you drink you could have some serious calorie reduction just by reducing that alone. Cutting out two 20 oz servings a day would be a 500 calorie reduction and a pound a week - easy, peasy!

And!!!!!! You remember my little schpel about soda and sugar. 17 teaspoons of sugar in one 20 oz soda. That's 22 packets of sugar. Go buy a box of sugar packets and lay 22 out on the counter, could you or would you eat them right now at once??? that's what you do every time you drink a bottle of soda.

By the way TEAM MICKEY the Donald team has noticed that we are chattier than they are and have more posts -- they are trying to catch up so check in when you can and make them keep chasing us!

We love a little friendly competition here on the WISH boards!

Woohoo!!!! keep those posts going!!!!!

Buffy, I'm a NAHM as well! How do you find time to SB?? I've always wanted to get into that but I think it's too time consuming for me to start now.

I don't spend as much time as I would like to on it but this year my goal is to get the house organized and straightened so I can spend time in my Girl cave. This is the first year the kids are all out of the house all day, every day for school. So my schedule goes like this:

Monday - Friday I take the 3 younger kids to their schools, DS15 takes the bus. I come home, eat breakfast and work out. The afternoons I pick up the 3 younger, start homework and dinner. Get DS15 from practice at 5 (he does Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor track), dinner, Work out (M-W-F), bed. I try to be in bed between 10 and 12.
Monday and Tuesday are errands and deep cleaning the downstairs (I only have 5 rooms in my house plus one bathroom so it's small)
Wednesday is my day to spend in my craft room. I usually clean up the space if it's become a catch all then craft all day.
Thursday and Friday are deep cleaning the upstairs. The boys all share a room so they are responsible for most of the clean up in their room. DD shares part of our room so she keeps her space tidy while I handle the rest of the room.
Weekends are usually taken up with running meets and errands with DH.

And no, I am not organized!!!!! I have to keep this tight of a schedule to keep things running. My house is an absolute pig sty most of the time but 2012 is changing that. DH took the month of December off and we have busted butt to get the house in order. He travels extensively for work, in 2009 he did 50 weeks and 30 weekends on the road so 90% of the time I'm on my own. So the above is the new plan.

, had an egg mcmuffin for breakfast (seriously, I REALLY need to give those up and save the money!

You need to make your own!! Fresh eggs, low fat cheese and whole wheat english muffins.

So, I started out the new year by oversleeping....LOL!

LOL me too!!! DH said I just let you rest. UNTIL 11!!!!!!

OK so it looks like I am not the only one here addicted to pop. Some people are replacing some of their pop intake with some water and some pop. I have my brain set to giving up pop cold turkey but now I'm not sure. I drink pop morning, noon and night so I guess I could cut back? Maybe I should just stick to my original plan and give it up cold turkey?

What do you think?

Lisa Lu

PS Right now I am currently drinking water

I quit cold turkey. I won't lie, it sucked!!! The headaches were horrible for about 2-3 weeks but I kept going and now I can't even smell soda.
Do you drink it between meals as well as with meals? Maybe you can scale back to just with lunch and dinner, then maybe with lunch, then your quit from there.
Did you see my above post about the sugar in one soda. Look at it from that angle. How many sodas a day?? How many packets of sugar does that add up to? How many extra calories a day does that add up to?? One Dominos brand sugar packet is 15 calories.