Team Mickey - Biggest Loser "No Excuses" 2012 Challenge

[Octoberbride03]

Good Morning Mickeys

Its FRIDAY

I got to sleep in today which i gratefully took and got got up at 9:30. Needed the rest to help get rid of the rest of this cold which seems to be almost gone. After today I have 3 more days of work and then 1 day off.

It also gives me a chance for some much needed hand repair. My hands are so dry from work that they were beginning to spider web and crack Seems like just bending my fingers was enough to draw blood lately. So came home from work and walked Onslow last night and then slathered Vaseline on my hands and a pair of night gloves for a couple of hours. Took them off to prep and eat dinner. Repeated at bedtime and just slept in them for 9.5hrs. Now they look and feel almost normal this morning. Will repeat the process tonight and hopefully that'll be all I need other than regular treatment with hand lotion which I do anyway.


Off to hit the scale to see what it says. Then breakfast
Will do WIN measurements today 2 and see how I shape up. Haven't done those in quite some time.

 

[Debbie]

QOTD: How are YOU doing with the challenge so far? What's the hardest part? What will keep YOU working hard in this challenge beyond the end of January??

I have discovered that I still seem to be jetlagged, so no exercise done this week....napping unpacking banking grocery shopping schoolwork ready for Monday but that's about it. Oh-EXCEPT DD gave me EIGHT POUND weights for Christmas, and I have done a few reps each day (and I REALLY mean FEW!!!) since I got home on Wednesday. For now.......my bed is calling me.

When do we PM our next weight? WIN? etc

 

[ohMom]

i'm nancy and i'll be your coach this week.

NANCY! thank you for coaching this week!!!

Hi! Im new to the thread-

When do we PM our next weight? WIN? etc

Debbie here is the info post on WIN here

we PM our W/I on friday to dvccruiser76 (Sue), on the subject line type your team name and date; and if i understand the info post correctly you have the option to PM your WIN on friday also to be included in the weekly stats, otherwise the weeks that you do report WIN the number of weeks gone by will be figured into your percentage lost for that week's winner

QOTD -- this week i would have to say exercise, i've been soooo tired, excuses excuses

but overall my biggest struggle is having confidence that i will be successful. I have been in challenges before and not lost and took it in stride, but then after a few weeks pass and folks get excited b/c those small losses are adding up to big losses i find myself very envious. daily i remind myself that small changes and small results WILL indeed add up to big changes and big results i just need to dig deeper and find some patience!

 

[50sjayne]

QOTD: How are YOU doing with the challenge so far? What's the hardest part? What will keep YOU working hard in this challenge beyond the end of January??

Ok. Down 2 pounds as of this morning, was 4 yesterday...could be something to do with an entire bottle of champagne and a good portion of said nacho tray mentioned awhile back.

 

[bellebookworm9]

When do we PM our next weight? WIN? etc

Weigh ins: Every Friday
Healthy Habits: Every Friday
WIN is every fourth Friday this time around. So initial measurements were due January 1st, and I think the next ones would need to be reported on January 27th-I'm sure Janis will let us know as we get closer. If you have any questions, send her a PM.

 

[myweegirls]

I know since losing Mom I have probably gained 25 pounds. I am really going to work hard and show my girls when you have a goal you can reach it with hard work. 2011 was a heck of a year, and with the exception of the birth of my beautiful baby Loralei , pretty much crap. I am determined to make 2012 better!

Hi Michelle, and welcome! I'm so sorry for your losses - what a tough year. I wish you all kinds of success here and with your beautiful girls!

QOTD: How are YOU doing with the challenge so far? What's the hardest part? What will keep YOU working hard in this challenge beyond the end of January??

Hi Nancy - thanks for coaching this week! It doesn't seem like very long ago that I was doing those 2am feedings, too - I feel your pain!

QOTD: So far, I think I'm doing pretty darn well. I started late, on Tuesday, but I've been solidly committed this week. The hardest part is getting up to start exercising. Once I'm going, I'm good, but getting my butt out of bed when I'd much rather be warm and dozy is SO HARD. What will keep me working hard on this is the fact that I'm just plain sick and tired of losing the same 5-10 over and over again, never mind the last 15 of the baby weight I haven't touched yet. My girls are 7 and almost 5, and I need to be a better example. And I need to be able to keep up with them...

I'm using my WW weigh-ins, so my starting weight for the challenge and my first WI are the same - my weigh-in day is Tuesday! I do check myself at home, but the scales are so different (plus, I don't step on the WW scale buck naked ) that I'd rather use those numbers. I just can't decide if I should submit the same weight today or submit nothing today and then pick it up with next week's WW number.

Got up today (reluctantly!) and did Just Dance again (really learning some of these now) on the sweat program for 20 minutes+, then 30 minutes on the bike (8.8 miles!). I had a really light breakfast - an eggo with 1/2 tablespoon jam because I have lunch and dinner out today. Lunch is my sushi treat at Wegmans before grocery shopping (nice and light), and dinner will likely be Red Robin. I have some good go-tos there, but the temptations are crazy!

Hope everyone has a great Friday!

XO
Liz

 

[Disneywedding2010]

Happy Friday everyone!

QOTD: How are YOU doing with the challenge so far? What's the hardest part? What will keep YOU working hard in this challenge beyond the end of January??

So far so good. I've drank water, exercised, and tracked every day. I had a rough night last night and had frozen pizza and a Dr Pepper for the first time in months. However, I was shocked that when I plugged it into my Sparkpeople I was not only within calorie range but still had calories for dessert. WOW!

First weigh in of the new year and I'm dwn 1.6 pounds. I restarted my weight loss journey on October 23rd and since then I've lost 11.4 pounds. Moral of the story: Don't be stressed if it doesn't come off a lot at a time. I'm stedily losing a pound a week. To put that in perspective:

If I lost a pound a week from now til the end of the year I'd be WELL under 200 pounds and VERY close to my goal weight.

 

[lovetoscrap]

QOTD: I suppose the "I'm too tired. might fit me, but its more like Haven't I exercised enough between walking all over the store for 8hrs. and pulling stuff of shelves in the back room, go get this for a guest and then come home and walk the dog

That all counts! When I was off of my feet and could barely even walk to the bathroom the weight piled on, but as soon as I was able to start walking around again and do even little things like walk in the grocery store instead of using a wheelchair, and walking around my house the first 20 pounds literally fell off. I was eating horrible and should have been continuing to gain but just being able to move made a huge difference. So count that! It may not be "intentional exercise" but any moving is better than none.

In fact I wore a pedometer yesterday and was shocked to see that I walked almost 4 miles- and it was a pretty sedentary day (obvious by all my posts here!) I am interested to see what happens on a day that I run errands or do some heavy house cleaning.

I logged the pizza and Dr Pepper in my Sparkpeople and surprisingly was not only still in my calorie range but was even able to eat 2 small Hershey nuggets for dessert. My water is consumed for the night. I'm still nursing the Dr Pepper. Its funny after months of not drinking the stuff now it just tastes like pure sugar, hence why its not gone yet .

Diet Dr. Pepper tastes more like Regular Dr. Pepper At which point in the commercials DH looks at me and says "Than what? Mountain Dew? Brake Fluid? Monkey spit? DUH!" Sorry, just had to put that in because I thought of it when I read what you wrote. That commercial really annoys his engineer brain!

I didn't have time to catch up on all the new posts but thought I'd say hi anyway. I've been really good this week while at work and then it's all downhill once I get home. And then this morning I did a number on my left ring finger and it's all bruised and in a splint for a few days...

I'm going to go take a hot bubble bath and then go to bed and I hope my WI tomorrow has a good number to it or at least a loss of some sort. Have a good night

That Bubble bath sounds wonderful. I haven't had one in over 6 years. The only tub we have is in my kids bathroom and I REFUSE to step foot in there! Hope your finger heals quickly.

Hello, my name is Michelle and I have been off and on the WISH boards and the Biggest Losers Challenges for awhile now. I hope this time I will keep at it and really work towards my goal.
A little about me: I am a stay at home mom of 4 daughters ages 10, 8, 2, and 9 months.
Some of you may have seen my posts from awhile ago on the Family board, but on October 31st, my Mom very unexpectedly passed away. It was very shocking as she was the healthiest person I knew and she worked so hard on improving herself all the time. 3 weeks after Mom passed my Gram passed, and she was like a Mom to me. I have had a hard time with it all and DH has been able to be here since then to help me with coping, but its been a struggle. Now I find myself having anxiety about leaving the house and since he is leaving I will have no choice, but its scaring me a bit. My mom passed from her heart not beating correctly and no oxygen getting to her brain, not from an accident, so I am not sure where my fear of leaving the house is coming from, but this is one of my goals to try and work on.

!

So sorry for your losses. Please don't hesitate to talk to your doctor if you continue to have the anxiety. Between those losses and the new baby you may just need a little bit of professional assistance to help you through this time and get back on track.

And Lisa-- all kitty's are doing ok except Cleo the kitty on the right in the pictures grooming herself disappeared 5-6 months ago...just vanished -pretty weird. I think she found greener pastures myself as she didn't get a long with any of the other cats and hated her kittens lol. she was one of the ones we still let outside since we cat proofed our back yard. Well--we are sort of a low security cat prison, some can break out fairly easily through routes that involve the roof etc. They still have a lot of space and we are really happy knowing most of them are safe most of the time. My latest are 2 gorgeous grey/silver girls-- one long and one short hair. Celina and Daphne.They were both bottle fed rescues and I was kind of desperate at the time battling depression. They really had a lot to do with saving me. Well-- that and the prozac--heavenly stuff. And the relentless patience of someone I care a lot about....
.

I love cats! I would love to have a few more but then I remember that I am sitting here with a squirt bottle next to me, removing a cat from the shelves and wondering what I just heard fall in the other room and realize that 2 is probably enough for us! I swear that they are more difficult than toddlers. Ours follow me to the bathroom, cry for attention, get into everything they can find, put everything in their mouth and definitely don't listen! At least the toddlers grow out of it, we are on year 4 with little changes except that I am trained better. . .

Hi friends

I'm your coach this week but it's 2:15am and I'm up feeding the baby. I'm not my usual witty, charming, and intelligent self and I only have one hand to type with so I will be back later with a more coach-y post.

I am impressed with anyone that can put together a complete sentence at that time of the day!

To my horror I have just put tonights planned dinner in to the on line calorie tracker I am using and with just a very small lunch I am 300 calories over

Tommorrow is DH's birthday and I know I will be going over and that is planned but it means I really do have to be good today. Methinks I may be rethinking dinner although it is one of DS's favourites and he asked for it before he goes back to university next week (he will be away until Easter).

!

Can you change something out to reduce the calories or make a swap on a side or veggie for yourself? Maybe add a salad for yourself and have less of the entree?

Hi! Im new to the thread-just joined I have been doing ok making better food choices this week, I need to log my calories and start exercising this weekend. I have 30 pounds to lose BEFORE Disney this year(spending a few hours at a water park will motivate me)

You can do it!

I probably won't do any "Real" exercise today because I'm still sore from the stairs last night. I have a lovely brush burn on my back and my knee hurts quite a lot-might be going to the doctor to get that checked out.

Take it easy, you will need all your energy to hit the ground running in Orlando.

Good morning Team! Hope e eryone is having a great Friday!
I've done well this week on exercizs and drinking water, also with eating fruit. Had a hard time in the evenings with overeating. Will weigh in tonight.

(am I the only one that hears Rozz's voice when I read your posts?)

It also gives me a chance for some much needed hand repair. My hands are so dry from work that they were beginning to spider web and crack Seems like just bending my fingers was enough to draw blood lately. Now they look and feel almost normal this morning. Will repeat the process tonight and hopefully that'll be all I need other than regular treatment with hand lotion which I do anyway.

Yikes! That sounds painful.

I'm using my WW weigh-ins, so my starting weight for the challenge and my first WI are the same - my weigh-in day is Tuesday! I do check myself at home, but the scales are so different (plus, I don't step on the WW scale buck naked ) that I'd rather use those numbers. I just can't decide if I should submit the same weight today or submit nothing today and then pick it up with next week's WW number.

I would go ahead and send it in even if it is the same so the weighkeeper can have something for you in her records. Remember this is really just about our personal goals and no one is going to judge you if you send in the same number (or a bigger one, which I know from personal experience )

[

First weigh in of the new year and I'm dwn 1.6 pounds. I restarted my weight loss journey on October 23rd and since then I've lost 11.4 pounds. Moral of the story: Don't be stressed if it doesn't come off a lot at a time. I'm stedily losing a pound a week. To put that in perspective:

If I lost a pound a week from now til the end of the year I'd be WELL under 200 pounds and VERY close to my goal weight.

That is wonderful! And a pound a week is the healthy way to go. I am in the same situation, a pound a week for a year would have me at my goal. Sounds so easy doesn't it?

 

[lovetoscrap]

QOTD: How are YOU doing with the challenge so far? What's the hardest part? What will keep YOU working hard in this challenge beyond the end of January??

Doing great so far. Been mostly OP this week and am happy with the scale. I know I can do this since I did it last year so I am absolutely motivated to meet my goal like I did last year.


Kept DD11 home this morning for her first block class (Band) because she needed some time for the heating pad and Ibuprofen to kick in after she got up. It is nice that she has either Band or PE first block so I don't have to worry about her missing a core class if she needs that extra time due to cramps or her IBS. She really didn't want to miss band becuase she loves it but misery won out. Decided to make an appointment with my GYN for her to see if she has any recommendations beyond what the pediatrician has said. Ibuprofen is really not helping enough and I hate to see her suffering. I am not sure I would go a hormonal route (birth control pills) at this age but I am hoping we can try some Naproxen or other stronger pain meds at least.

I was going to go get my allergy shots and blood work done after I dropped her off but I forgot something at home that I needed. Once I got home of course I didn't want to go back out. I decided to call Keurig about our 4th coffee maker from them that has broken. It is still way within warranty but they gave me the run around on the phone and really pissed me off. The needles would have been less painful. We got it from Costco so I am just going to exchange it there. I absolutely love the concept of the Keurig but they just can't get the design right and the machines are crap. We will get another one because I have about $200 in specialty coffee I bought before Christmas and that I got for presents. But I dont' think I will buy any more coffee for it after that because I dont want to be stuck with it when it breaks again. I will use it for my iced tea bags and when my Kcups are gone will go back to my regular Black and Decker one cup machine I have had for years. *end rant*

Had my Go lean oatmeal for breakfast and for lunch I cut up and heated leftover steak from last night, sauteed some mushrooms with some red wine and mixed them together and ate them wrapped up in lettuce. It was yummy! Tonight is soup and salad and am making a White Chicken Chili for the girls and I and Asparagus Soup for DH. Will probably do Chicken Caesar Salad for them and I will have a Spring Mix and Spinach salad.

Gotta go try to get the rest of my Christmas Decorations boxed up. Everyone have a happy healthy day!

 

[KDIPIAZZ]

QOTD: How are YOU doing with the challenge so far? What's the hardest part? What will keep YOU working hard in this challenge beyond the end of January??

I'm really pleased with my progress this far. Down 2 pounds since the challenge started and 12 pounds over all. My blood glucose levels are slowly coming down as well.

The hardest part, as it always has been and probably always will be, is exercise. This week I have the excuse ( I know, NO excuses) of surgery. That went well and I should be back to normal by Monday. Thanks to the recommendation of a fellow DIS'er, I just ordered a Fitbit. I love gadgets, charts and graphs and am looking forward to tracking my workouts that way.

Keeping me working hard past January is the simple fact that I have a long, long way to go. While I'm pleased with my progress, it's certainly just a drop in the bucket. I don't want to get discouraged about the size of the bucket, but I also can't afford to falter after January ... February...2012.

 

[Katy Belle]

QOTD: How are YOU doing with the challenge so far? What's the hardest part? What will keep YOU working hard in this challenge beyond the end of January??

This is going to sound funny, but remembering that I'm doing this has been hard! Old habits die hard! Went to lunch with a friend yesterday, ordered smartly, then ate 2 pieces of bread from the bread basket without even considering it! And drinking the water. Haven't gotten into the habit yet.

I'm down 2.5 pounds at weigh in this morning and looking forward to next weeks weigh in! Hoping for at least the same!

We have a had a super stressful 2 days here. DH came home from work with some unsettling news on Wednesday, and yesterday my DS16 was in an accident, he hit a pedestrian that ran out in front of him. He was charged with nothing, totally not his fault, and the girl he hit is going to be fine, but it has been stressful. Trying to walk through the stress instead of eating through it.

Proud of everyone doing so well and staying on track!!!

 

[Octoberbride03]

Well, today is shaping up pretty good.

So far I've gotten laundry done and took a walk with the dog. We walked for over an hour by the time we got back home. Beautiful weather for Jan

Now its water time and then an abs/stretch workout with my ball. God, I love my stability ball. Afterwards its lunch time

 

[MelindaRuns]

Okay, well after writing my late night post last night I attempted to go to bed. I stayed up watching NCIS DVR'ed episodes. Then as I was getting ready to drift off to sleep I started having flashbacks. Flashes of when I was in the hospital, picking their casket out, the funeral, days after being released from the hospital and struggling at home, etc. Needless to say I cried myself to sleep. I didn't wake up til noon and I had Alan make me some breakfast.

I'm realizing I picked the wrong month to try to get myself back onto a normal sleep schedule. I'm not going to worry about it and try to get through these next few weeks.

I'm going to hold off on calling the doctor a few days. I haven't taken my blood thinner in a few days because I'm trying to stretch it out. I'm going to take it for a few days to get my levels evened out and then call and make an apt.

We're having chili tonight for dinner which will use the last package of ground hamburger in the house. So, I see a grocery trip in the next few days. I got on the scale this morning and I'm down 1.6 pounds so far this week.

Well, I'm off to get a few things done. I shall return...

Hugs to you! You are such a strong person, and such an inspiration! Take care, and keep on keeping on! Just know you have people thinking of you!

Melinda

 

[dumbo_buddy]

Hi, well didn't do well checking in every day this week. No drama, just lack of sleep and too much to do. Hoping to get back into a routine this week after the holidays. I am getting ready to PM my weight and thought I'd check in. Have a great weekend everyone.

don't worry about not being able to check in everyday. do what you can! i know that life sometimes gets in the way of our DIS time!

Hi! Im new to the thread-just joined I have been doing ok making better food choices this week, I need to log my calories and start exercising this weekend. I have 30 pounds to lose BEFORE Disney this year(spending a few hours at a water park will motivate me)

WELCOME! glad you found us! we are a very awesome and supportive bunch of losers! logging and exercising is the way to go! like you, i have about 30 lbs to lose. let's do it together!

Not great so far. I only exercised once, I haven't been tracking, haven't really been watching what I eat. The hardest part of it right now is that I'm at home and broke. Which means I'm reliant on Mom for groceries and stuff and she doesn't buy too much healthy stuff.

However, in four days I'm going to Florida. I will once again be in charge of my own eating and groceries and I know that will make things easier. And please, I'll be in Disney World-there will be absolutely NO REASON not to get outside and walk: around the apartment complex, at the parks, etc.

I put my breakfast into sparkpeople already, so I feel good about that. I'm going to take a shower, and then write down what I've eaten in my tracking journal as well, and make another Healthy Habits chart for this week that I am COMMITTED to sticking to! I also have to finish up laundry, make my brother a CD for his birthday (he turned 17 yesterday ), and run some errands: go to the bank to deposit my $45 in rolled coins banana, to buy a watch battery and a tape measure, etc. I also need to work on the dreaded packing.

I probably won't do any "Real" exercise today because I'm still sore from the stairs last night. I have a lovely brush burn on my back and my knee hurts quite a lot-might be going to the doctor to get that checked out.

take it easy, gretchen. we don't need any pre-disney injuries out of you. i say WE because i think alot of us are looking forward to hearing all about your time down there!

and you're right - once you're in disney you'll have no excuse but to do lots of walking. it is SO easy to hit your 10,000 steps per day when you're there! heck, we've hit 10,000 before lunch sometimes!

Good morning Team! Hope e eryone is having a great Friday!
I've done well this week on exercizs and drinking water, also with eating fruit. Had a hard time in the evenings with overeating. Will weigh in tonight.

evenings are hardest on me too! i do AWESOMEly during the day and then just want to mash massive amounts of food once DS1 goes to bed and it's just me and dh and DS2 (newborn). i've been having a big mug of sugar free hot chocolate in the evenings instead of eating. it satisfies my craving for sweets and the liquid seems to fill me up. this is weird but i drink it with a spoon to make it last as long as possible! hey, anything to not eat a whole bag of chips, right??

Good Morning Mickeys

Its FRIDAY

I got to sleep in today which i gratefully took and got got up at 9:30. Needed the rest to help get rid of the rest of this cold which seems to be almost gone. After today I have 3 more days of work and then 1 day off.

It also gives me a chance for some much needed hand repair. My hands are so dry from work that they were beginning to spider web and crack Seems like just bending my fingers was enough to draw blood lately. So came home from work and walked Onslow last night and then slathered Vaseline on my hands and a pair of night gloves for a couple of hours. Took them off to prep and eat dinner. Repeated at bedtime and just slept in them for 9.5hrs. Now they look and feel almost normal this morning. Will repeat the process tonight and hopefully that'll be all I need other than regular treatment with hand lotion which I do anyway.

Off to hit the scale to see what it says. Then breakfast
Will do WIN measurements today 2 and see how I shape up. Haven't done those in quite some time.

have you tried aquaphor? that stuff is the BEST!

but overall my biggest struggle is having confidence that i will be successful. I have been in challenges before and not lost and took it in stride, but then after a few weeks pass and folks get excited b/c those small losses are adding up to big losses i find myself very envious. daily i remind myself that small changes and small results WILL indeed add up to big changes and big results i just need to dig deeper and find some patience!

yes! everything you just said! yes! i feel the same way! and yes! small changes and small results WILL result in bigger things! i just have to keep telling myself that too! i'm trying desperately to not get sad when i see that the scale has gone up. if i keep doing what i'm doing it WILL go down!

have confidence and i will too. we WILL lose!!

Ok. Down 2 pounds as of this morning, was 4 yesterday...could be something to do with an entire bottle of champagne and a good portion of said nacho tray mentioned awhile back.

mmmm champagne. just make sure to drink lots of water and you'll be back down those 4 lbs in no time!

Weigh ins: Every Friday
Healthy Habits: Every Friday
WIN is every fourth Friday this time around. So initial measurements were due January 1st, and I think the next ones would need to be reported on January 27th-I'm sure Janis will let us know as we get closer. If you have any questions, send her a PM.

QOTD: So far, I think I'm doing pretty darn well. I started late, on Tuesday, but I've been solidly committed this week. The hardest part is getting up to start exercising. Once I'm going, I'm good, but getting my butt out of bed when I'd much rather be warm and dozy is SO HARD. What will keep me working hard on this is the fact that I'm just plain sick and tired of losing the same 5-10 over and over again, never mind the last 15 of the baby weight I haven't touched yet. My girls are 7 and almost 5, and I need to be a better example. And I need to be able to keep up with them...

I'm using my WW weigh-ins, so my starting weight for the challenge and my first WI are the same - my weigh-in day is Tuesday! I do check myself at home, but the scales are so different (plus, I don't step on the WW scale buck naked ) that I'd rather use those numbers. I just can't decide if I should submit the same weight today or submit nothing today and then pick it up with next week's WW number.

Got up today (reluctantly!) and did Just Dance again (really learning some of these now) on the sweat program for 20 minutes+, then 30 minutes on the bike (8.8 miles!). I had a really light breakfast - an eggo with 1/2 tablespoon jam because I have lunch and dinner out today. Lunch is my sushi treat at Wegmans before grocery shopping (nice and light), and dinner will likely be Red Robin. I have some good go-tos there, but the temptations are crazy!

Hope everyone has a great Friday!

XO
Liz

keep on keepin' on with the exercise. it sucks getting up and going but it feels SO good when it's done and over with, right?

i wish we could weigh in at WW naked! i remember when i was doing it i'd walk in and immediately go to the bathroom and try to pee in hopes that i'd lose another half a pound or something! lol!

Happy Friday everyone!


So far so good. I've drank water, exercised, and tracked every day. I had a rough night last night and had frozen pizza and a Dr Pepper for the first time in months. However, I was shocked that when I plugged it into my Sparkpeople I was not only within calorie range but still had calories for dessert. WOW!

First weigh in of the new year and I'm dwn 1.6 pounds. I restarted my weight loss journey on October 23rd and since then I've lost 11.4 pounds. Moral of the story: Don't be stressed if it doesn't come off a lot at a time. I'm stedily losing a pound a week. To put that in perspective:

If I lost a pound a week from now til the end of the year I'd be WELL under 200 pounds and VERY close to my goal weight.

11.4 pounds! wow!! i'm jealous!! great job on the weight loss. keep it up!

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

hope everyone's having a great day so far and making good choices!

my little munchkin just woke up for a feeding so i'll continue this later.

now, when you read this....GO DRINK A GLASS OF WATER! DO IT! don't read anymore until you do. GO!

 

[dumbo_buddy]

............did you drink the water yet???.........................

 

[MelindaRuns]

And, Melinda, I totally agree with Nancy that you have to come to the WISH meet at the Tinker Bell!

Thanks Lisah0711. I would love to meet you all. I really have enjoyed getting to know everyone. What a wonderful, inclusive, warm & welcoming group of people! I am truly blessed!

Hey Mickeys you're so fine!

I love this! I will have to add that song to my playlist for the Tinker Bell Half so when it comes on I think of you all!!

I'll definitely check into this!

I got through a good chunk of my to-do list today. We had a healthy-ish dinner of pork chops, green beans, boxed mashed potatoes, and I had a peach-mango applesauce for dessert. I was planning to Wii after dinner, but while Mom was cooking I went downstairs to work on the laundry and fell down the stairs. I hurt my back, my knees, and my arm, so now I'm sitting here with ice packs.

I'm so sorry you fell! Are you ok?

Well I screwed up when I made dinner. I was making oven roasted potatoes for the rest of the family and unfortunately I made the BEST batch I ever have. So instead of the small amount I was planning to have I had a full serving or two But I actually haven't had any carb today or any starchy carb this week so it probably isn't too bad. I guess I will find out tomorrow! Note to self, don't try to hard to make the things I shouldn't be eating turn out good.

I also made a batch of roasted black beans with lots of garlic. Can't wait to have them on a salad instead of croutons. They are so good I have been munching on them, hope there are some left for dinner tomorrow!

I do that kind of often: make something I like, and it turns out good, or I'm really hungry, and eat a lot of it! OMG! I totally can relate! I will have to try the beans and garlic. How did you make it (if you don't mind posting the directions)? I am a vegeterian and I'm having trouble getting enough protein in with all the working out. It's making me really tired, and I probably have low iron. More vegeterian protein is what I need!

Hello, my name is Michelle and I have been off and on the WISH boards and the Biggest Losers Challenges for awhile now. I hope this time I will keep at it and really work towards my goal.
A little about me: I am a stay at home mom of 4 daughters ages 10, 8, 2, and 9 months. My husband works out of town for months at a time, so often its kinda like being a single Mom and all the children and home responsibilities fall to me. Luckily when Dh is home he is a HUGE help and gives us all every bit of his attention. He will be leaving for a few months next week and we will be very sad to see him go.

Some of you may have seen my posts from awhile ago on the Family board, but on October 31st, my Mom very unexpectedly passed away. It was very shocking as she was the healthiest person I knew and she worked so hard on improving herself all the time. 3 weeks after Mom passed my Gram passed, and she was like a Mom to me. I have had a hard time with it all and DH has been able to be here since then to help me with coping, but its been a struggle. Now I find myself having anxiety about leaving the house and since he is leaving I will have no choice, but its scaring me a bit. My mom passed from her heart not beating correctly and no oxygen getting to her brain, not from an accident, so I am not sure where my fear of leaving the house is coming from, but this is one of my goals to try and work on.

I know since losing Mom I have probably gained 25 pounds. I am really going to work hard and show my girls when you have a goal you can reach it with hard work. 2011 was a heck of a year, and with the exception of the birth of my beautiful baby Loralei , pretty much crap. I am determined to make 2012 better!

I'm a SAHM too, with 6 kids, ages 20, 17, 15, 14, 12, and 11. My husband works a lot and is gone all the time, so I feel like a single parent sometimes too. I can totally relate to your post.

I am so sorry for your loss. I can relate to that as well. I lost a brother very suddenly in 2003. My weight ballooned after that, too. I am now just trying to be totally accountable to myself about my eating, logging, and weigh-ins. You are among friends here, and in a good group of people. I wish you well. Hugs to you!

Hi friends

I'm your coach this week but it's 2:15am and I'm up feeding the baby. I'm not my usual witty, charming, and intelligent self and I only have one hand to type with so I will be back later with a more coach-y post.

I think you are awesome for posting so early while up with a baby!! Awesome!!

Melinda

 

[Disneywedding2010]

I wanted to share my story for those of you that are struggling with this weight loss journey. I typed this up and put it in a note on my FB.

In 2003 I broke up with my ex boyfriend. When that occurred I was 180 pounds. I felt one of the reasons he cheated on me was because I was fat. I felt like a cow and wanted to lose weight. I moved back in with my mom and started working part time and going to college full time. I joined Curves and on days that I had time in my schedule I would go and workout for half an hour at a time. From June of 2004 – March of 2005 I went from 180 pounds wearing a size 18/20 to a size 9/10 depending on what I was wearing. I was 135 pounds when I got married and my wedding dress was a size 12. I felt incredible and no one could ever take that feeling away from me.

Then not long after I got married I got pregnant and gained 50 pounds. I was back up around 180 pounds. I lost weight over the next few years. According to my Sparkpeople account around October of 2007 I was 168 pounds. Well then my life turned upside down and I lost Josh and Maddie in 2008. From what my mom has told me the night of the accident I was 180 pounds. After being in the hospital for a month I dropped 20 pounds. I continued to drop weight as the depression hit hard. I would literally go days without eating and at my lowest was down to around 150. I remember one day my stepmom came to pick me up to go spend the weekend with her and my dad. I remember she looked at me and said, “Wow, you look good.” OOOOOH Yeah I look good considering I’m depressed as hell and am not eating. **insert eye rolls here**.

Then we fast forward and Alan comes into my life. He was the first one that was able to get me out of my depression shell and get me out among the living. I start socializing, eating, and starting to get a grasp back on life. I can honestly say I was so happy to be back in the flow of the living that I didn’t pay attention to how much I weighed. Hell, I don’t think I had stepped on a scale since my last day in the rehab hospital.

Then one night in December of 2008 I did just that. I stepped on the scale and cried at the number that stared back at me, 200! I’d never been that big before. I walked out of the bathroom crying and Alan asked me what was wrong. I told him I had stepped on the scale and didn’t like the number. 2 weeks before the one year anniversary of Josh and Maddie’s passing I joined 24 Hour Fitness. They even tried talking me into getting a personal trainer. I really wasn’t interested in it at first and I told the guy that. I explained that I had several health conditions and didn’t think it’d be a wise decision to have a trainer. When he explained to me that one of their top trainers had a background in occupational therapy I immediately changed my mind and bought a 5 pack of training sessions.

I remember the day before I was suppose to meet with Joel at the gym I was scared out of my mind. The next morning I got up and got ready. I almost chickened out and didn’t show up. However, I knew if I wanted to change my life I was going to have to go out of my comfort zone.

Upon meeting Joel I was completely at ease and he reassured me that he was going to help me. I explained to him my health history and told him “You can push me but only to an extent.” He understood and after taking my measurements and weighing me we hit the gym floor. I’ll never forget how sore I was after that first workout. After those first 5 sessions were gone I found myself buying 20 at a time. Due to health conditions flaring up every now and again there were times where I’d go months without seeing Joel. However, when I saw him on a regular basis there was no question about it, he kicked my ***.

Joel was that type of trainer that he’d carry on a conversation with you while you were working out. This helped because it made the hour pass quicker and I wasn’t constantly looking at the clock. He always knew how to make me laugh. Oh and Lord knows there were times where I wanted to kick his ***, LOL. I’d be doing reps and getting tired and tell him “Joel your wearing me out”. He’d just laugh, smile and we’d keep going. His Arnold Schwanagger impression always made me crack up. I’d be in the middle of reps and he’d starting talking in his Arnold voice and it never failed, I’d crack up laughing. He always impressed me how he could carry on a conversation with me and be mid sentence and say “Okay onto the next thing.” I asked him one day, “How on earth do you carry on a conversation and still count at the same time? I’d lose track.” His response, “Years of being a trainer.” When we would get ready to work out my arms he would always tell me “Okay, time to work on your arms. We don’t need you getting lunch lady arms, no lunch lady arms Kristina.”

When Alan and I decided to move to FL this year I had to break the news to Joel. That was a bittersweet day. See, Joel wasn’t just my personal trainer, he had become a very close friend. The week before we left I had a few last training sessions to use up. Well due to miscommunication between Alan and I, I wasn’t able to get to my last training session with Joel.

If it weren’t for people like Joel pushing me and telling me I could do it. Giving me the advice I needed to live a healthier life and overall just being a friend I wouldn’t be succeeding like I am right now with my weight loss. Joel was there for me on some of the hardest days of my life after Josh and Maddie passed. On the two year anniversary of their passing I made sure I had a training session that day. That was one of the hardest days I had ever pushed myself at the gym. We talked about Josh and Maddie and I shed some tears that day. That training session that day was very therapeutic as were many others that I was just having a very hard emotional day.

We’ve been in Florida since mid September. I haven’t rejoined the gym but have been working out at home. I have DVDs, treadmill, Bow Flex, swimming pool, free weights, my Wii, XBOX 360 with Kinect, and my good ole legs and feet to walk. I’ve been changing it up here and there. Since October 23rd I’ve lost 11.6 pounds and I’m shooting to be under 200 by May 18th. I’ve used a lot of the exercises Joel taught me while I trained with him. Yes, even the dreaded throw the medicine ball up against the wall and having it bounce back at me.

Yes, I still have days where I don’t want to do anything but sit on my butt. I’ve had days (much like last night) where I didn’t want to eat the healthy dinner I had tracked. So, I had a big piece of frozen pizza and a 12 ounce Dr Pepper. I tracked every bite and still got off my butt to get that workout in.

This weight is not going to come off overnight. It is going to take time. I just need to remember not to freak out if the scale doesn't move.

 

[MelindaRuns]

QOTD: How are YOU doing with the challenge so far? What's the hardest part? What will keep YOU working hard in this challenge beyond the end of January??

I'm doing ok with the challenge. I'd like to keep up with this board more, which would make me more accountable. I am doing good with my workouts, and with tracking food. I am on Weight Watchers. I have been staying on my points. I am seeing this week how using my weekly points works out. I'm just afraid that will lead to no weight loss. I lost 3.2 pounds right away the first half of the week, and nothing since. Plus, I have noticed that I weigh the least the first thing in the morning, and as the day progresses, my weight fluctuates, sometimes by 3 or 4 pounds. That is so weird!! Anyone else ever have that happen? I know they say not to weigh yourself daily (5 times a day, lol) but I just do sometimes.

Hi! Im new to the thread-just joined I have been doing ok making better food choices this week, I need to log my calories and start exercising this weekend. I have 30 pounds to lose BEFORE Disney this year(spending a few hours at a water park will motivate me)

Not great so far. I only exercised once, I haven't been tracking, haven't really been watching what I eat. The hardest part of it right now is that I'm at home and broke. Which means I'm reliant on Mom for groceries and stuff and she doesn't buy too much healthy stuff.

However, in four days I'm going to Florida. I will once again be in charge of my own eating and groceries and I know that will make things easier. And please, I'll be in Disney World-there will be absolutely NO REASON not to get outside and walk: around the apartment complex, at the parks, etc.

I put my breakfast into sparkpeople already, so I feel good about that. I'm going to take a shower, and then write down what I've eaten in my tracking journal as well, and make another Healthy Habits chart for this week that I am COMMITTED to sticking to! I also have to finish up laundry, make my brother a CD for his birthday (he turned 17 yesterday ), and run some errands: go to the bank to deposit my $45 in rolled coins banana, to buy a watch battery and a tape measure, etc. I also need to work on the dreaded packing.

I probably won't do any "Real" exercise today because I'm still sore from the stairs last night. I have a lovely brush burn on my back and my knee hurts quite a lot-might be going to the doctor to get that checked out.

It sounds like you really have a handle on things and are ready to make a great start in Orlando! Congrats to you on that! You are poised to really rock this thing!!!

I'm using my WW weigh-ins, so my starting weight for the challenge and my first WI are the same - my weigh-in day is Tuesday! I do check myself at home, but the scales are so different (plus, I don't step on the WW scale buck naked ) that I'd rather use those numbers. I just can't decide if I should submit the same weight today or submit nothing today and then pick it up with next week's WW number.

Got up today (reluctantly!) and did Just Dance again (really learning some of these now) on the sweat program for 20 minutes+, then 30 minutes on the bike (8.8 miles!). I had a really light breakfast - an eggo with 1/2 tablespoon jam because I have lunch and dinner out today. Lunch is my sushi treat at Wegmans before grocery shopping (nice and light), and dinner will likely be Red Robin. I have some good go-tos there, but the temptations are crazy!

Hope everyone has a great Friday!

XO
Liz

I'm on WW too. and your BL workouts sound great!!! I'll have to try that one.

Happy Friday everyone!


So far so good. I've drank water, exercised, and tracked every day. I had a rough night last night and had frozen pizza and a Dr Pepper for the first time in months. However, I was shocked that when I plugged it into my Sparkpeople I was not only within calorie range but still had calories for dessert. WOW!

First weigh in of the new year and I'm dwn 1.6 pounds. I restarted my weight loss journey on October 23rd and since then I've lost 11.4 pounds. Moral of the story: Don't be stressed if it doesn't come off a lot at a time. I'm stedily losing a pound a week. To put that in perspective:

If I lost a pound a week from now til the end of the year I'd be WELL under 200 pounds and VERY close to my goal weight.

AWESOME!!! Way to go!!!

Doing great so far. Been mostly OP this week and am happy with the scale. I know I can do this since I did it last year so I am absolutely motivated to meet my goal like I did last year.


Kept DD11 home this morning for her first block class (Band) because she needed some time for the heating pad and Ibuprofen to kick in after she got up. It is nice that she has either Band or PE first block so I don't have to worry about her missing a core class if she needs that extra time due to cramps or her IBS. She really didn't want to miss band becuase she loves it but misery won out. Decided to make an appointment with my GYN for her to see if she has any recommendations beyond what the pediatrician has said. Ibuprofen is really not helping enough and I hate to see her suffering. I am not sure I would go a hormonal route (birth control pills) at this age but I am hoping we can try some Naproxen or other stronger pain meds at least.

I was going to go get my allergy shots and blood work done after I dropped her off but I forgot something at home that I needed. Once I got home of course I didn't want to go back out. I decided to call Keurig about our 4th coffee maker from them that has broken. It is still way within warranty but they gave me the run around on the phone and really pissed me off. The needles would have been less painful. We got it from Costco so I am just going to exchange it there. I absolutely love the concept of the Keurig but they just can't get the design right and the machines are crap. We will get another one because I have about $200 in specialty coffee I bought before Christmas and that I got for presents. But I dont' think I will buy any more coffee for it after that because I dont want to be stuck with it when it breaks again. I will use it for my iced tea bags and when my Kcups are gone will go back to my regular Black and Decker one cup machine I have had for years. *end rant*

Had my Go lean oatmeal for breakfast and for lunch I cut up and heated leftover steak from last night, sauteed some mushrooms with some red wine and mixed them together and ate them wrapped up in lettuce. It was yummy! Tonight is soup and salad and am making a White Chicken Chili for the girls and I and Asparagus Soup for DH. Will probably do Chicken Caesar Salad for them and I will have a Spring Mix and Spinach salad.

Gotta go try to get the rest of my Christmas Decorations boxed up. Everyone have a happy healthy day!

WOO HOOO!!! Way to go!!!!!!

Melinda

 

[debrapagliasotti]

............did you drink the water yet???.........................

I have my days that are better than others with water. I'm not drinking anything else, I'm just not drinking much of anything some days. Working hard to change that!

Sent in my weight loss for the week. Down 3lbs

Headed out of town for the weekend in about an hour once the kids get out of school. I know there will not be any working out until Sunday night when we get back. Not sure of how healthy I can eat either. We are going to a family reunion at the lake and relying on others who are cooking to feed us for the weekend!

I do have water packed for the road trip though and we have a case of water we are bringing with us.

Worked out last night...legs. I'm finally getting over the soreness, but boy to my abs still hurt!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend and I will try and check in on Sunday night when we get back, if not, then Monday for sure.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I do that kind of often: make something I like, and it turns out good, or I'm really hungry, and eat a lot of it! OMG! I totally can relate! I will have to try the beans and garlic. How did you make it (if you don't mind posting the directions)? I am a vegeterian and I'm having trouble getting enough protein in with all the working out. It's making me really tired, and I probably have low iron. More vegeterian protein is what I need!

I just get a can or two of Black Beans (seasoned or plain) and rinse them in a strainer and let drain. I spread them out on paper towels to dry a little more but don't stress that they are totally dry. Then put a little bit of olive oil in a big bowl, add the beans and shake until they are all coated. You can stir with a spoon but I don't want to break any of the beans. Then add whatever seasonings you want. I add A LOT of garlic powder and some kosher salt and shake. You can taste them raw and see what you think of the seasoning. Spread them on a baking sheet and put in the oven at about 400 for around 20-30 mins. I usually turn the oven off and leave them in there for about an hour to dry them more. Let cool and then put in a ziplock bag or sealed container

This is a really loosey goosey recipe. Use any type of beans you like-- you will find a lot of recipes for Roasted Chickpeas on the internet. Adapt them for any beans you like. Add what every seasonings you like. You can make them sweet or savory. Then use them any way you want. You can eat them straight out of the bag, use them as croutons to add that taste and crunch with no carbs in a salad or soup.

The bigger beans take longer to cook and I have found that leaving them in the turned off oven after the initial time adds that crunch, otherwise they are usually still soft in the middle. Also the black beans "pop" so the are UGLY! Don't let that dissuade you.

Plus, I have noticed that I weigh the least the first thing in the morning, and as the day progresses, my weight fluctuates, sometimes by 3 or 4 pounds. That is so weird!! Anyone else ever have that happen? I know they say not to weigh yourself daily (5 times a day, lol) but I just do sometimes.

"A pint's a pound the world around."
16 oz of water weighs a pound. You eat breakfast and drink a cup of juice/water/coffee? You have a snack and a glass of water? You eat lunch? All of that is weight you are adding in to your body during the day and it will show up on the scale. Go to the bathroom and it will go down sometimes significantly depending on the circumstance . Didn't eat and/or not drinking fluids? Did you just work out and sweat a lot? Dehydration will show a loss, sometimes pretty big. I weigh every morning--first thing, after I go to the bathroom and totally nakkie-- but you aren't really going to do anything but drive yourself insane if you weigh throughout the day. Especially if you weigh in the morning nakkie and then have clothes on later. If you are doing what you are supposed to and drinking your water and eating regular healthy meals then you SHOULD be adding 3-4 pounds during the day.

DD16 and I had breastfeeding problems. Since we had no idea how much milk she was getting I had to rent a very sensitive scale and we would weigh her right before we fed her and then immediately after with NO changes to her other than eating. If she had a dirty diaper it had to stay on because that weight was the same if it was inside of her or in her diaper. If a sock came off it had to go back on. We were able to see very clearly that she was only getting a few ounces of breastmilk at each feeding. Everything that goes in weighs something and will show up on the scale.


So drink your 4 pounds of water daily and know that you are absolutely helping the big picture.