Weight loss for Wishers and becoming Leaner Meaners!

[Creativebeth]

Hey nice to see you here Wendy! WTH, a disney race would be cheaper than VA beach? That's insane. VA beach can be done, but probably need an early start on plans.....I did respond to your thread.

So where are all my Lean Meaners? You all need to check in sometime!

AFM: (how boring) Things continue to go well. I had to run the snack bar yesterday for ds#2 baseball game. It can be hard to be surrounded by junk food the whole time, but it was busy so I had no issues. I made some chocolate chip cookies and sloppy joes to sell too, and they all went quickly.

I got a 6 miler in on my TM yesterday before the game. It looked a little like rain, and I didn't have much time to daudle....so I ran on my TM (again!). It was too bad with the TV movie and my new window fan.

I had to take vacation this week, to watch the kids until my dsis is off school. I am hoping to get some housecleaning done during the week, but we are starting off going on a business trip with dh to the beach (only 1 day, but what the heck!). I will have to get a run in somewhere along the way.....who knows?

Beth

 

[deekaypee]

I'm coming back tomorrow, I promise! I'm been slinking around, avoiding these threads, because I've been slacking. New week tomorrow. With updates!

'Ohana Monday Mixer

This one is JenG's very good question to the cousins, excerpted, about the difference between building a base and training for a race. The mixer starts here on the 'Ohana thread.

What is the difference between maintaining or building a base and training for a race? I've only been running for a year and I've either been taking time off running or training for a race. What is just building a base?

How is your approach (mental or otherwise) and exercise routine different when building your base versus training? Do you run less? Do different exercises? Approach the run differently psychologically?

 

[jeanneg]

Hello Mean Leaners, forgive me for tying to sneak back in here after being AWOL for soooooo long! I try to keep up, honestly, I do.....it just never works. I have missed pages and pages of posts, but did get to read the last few. It's good to see Wendy posting again. And yes, I think she should do DL again instead of the Virginia Beach R&R, but that's only because I am selfish and enjoy her company so much.
So, as some of you have heard, I got into the NYC marathon this year. Quite frankly, I never thought it would happen as it was only my 2nd year applying. The last few days have been a roller-coaster ride of trying to make it happen. I didn't want to put my life on hold for something that was just a slim possibility, but you know how Murphy's law works. Just when I was finally resigned to the fact that I would have to defer my entry, it looks like it might possibly happen afterall. I knew if I asked Nancy to switch our cruise date, it would involve a whole lot of revisions on her part including flight changes, pre- and post-hotel arrangements, etc, but she is more than willing to do it IF it can be done. Right now, I am waiting to see if she and her husband can get the new time off from work. Keep your fingers crossed.

Wendy: Love the photos from the Baltimore marathon, especially the finish line photo. Is that a 6:24 clock time I see? Holy smokes, girl.....you had to be FLYING!

Beth: thanks for letting me have Miss Nancy for a whole week. I return her to you just a little hung over We had a blast together, but I guess it's now back to the real world. And a big thanks to you for keeping this thread alive. Congrats to your son for his spectacular performance at the baseball game......we all need more of those special moments that make a parent so proud. Is this the same son about whom you got the call from the principal? That was too, too funny!

Maria: Yay for the weight loss! Any time the scale goes down it's a cause for celebration.

OK that's it for now....gotta go tally up my May numbers before the Ohana police find me.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Morning Lean Meaners! Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Beth - I don't miss the sugar and refined carbs that much. I'm still eating whole bread just not very often. The thing I actually miss is diet soda But I'm really trying to cut that out because I think it increases my cravings for sweets.

Cindy - My next 1/2 is at the end of September. I'm going lighter on the running this month so that I can hopefully lose some weight. It's easier for me to cut out sugars when I'm not running. How did your relay go?

Wendy - Yikes! How come the Garmin was off by nearly half? Hope your hip is feeling better!

Jeanne - Congrats on getting in to NYC! Hope you're able to make the trip work

AFM - I broke down and went jeans shopping on the weekend. I wanted to wait until I lost a little more weight but at the same time I didn't want to look like a refrigerator repairman either (I haven't bought jeans in a looooooooong time). I fit into jeans that were two sizes smaller than what I thought I would wear. Thought that was cool! I figure once I reach my goal, I'll buy myself a pair of really expensive jeans. Not so much as a reward but I figure if I'm going to spend more than $100 on jeans, I won't be as tempted to regain the weight!

The eating is going well! The only thing I really miss is the diet soda. I think the clothes shopping is keeping me motivated. I'm down 0.9 lbs from last week. Only a few more pounds until I reach the thirties!!

Have a great day everyone!!

 

[Creativebeth]

Vicky: Oh, I know diet soda! I miss it too......I am currently drinking one a week. I don't notice any sugar cravings with diet soda intake. Actually, it is sort of opposite with me. When I have one, it satisfies me and don't crave sweet stuff. I am glad you aren't having carb issues!

Jeanne: I am glad you and Nancy had a good time in the World! You both deserved it! Had a little dinner with your wine, huh? Hope the guys had a good time too! How was the golf? Congrats on getting into the NYC marathon!

AFM: Currently off to the beach for only a day.....business trip with the family (I am sure my dh is thrilled!)

Ran 10 miles yesterday. My legs are tired, but over all had a nice run. I feel alot stronger running now with a better base under me. My legs feel good, no aches and pains like I usually have. I felt really good for about 8.5 miles, and only got tired toward the end.

I actually ran 40 miles last week! I have to say though I miss my classes. I can't wait for baseball to be over. My back is sore, b/c I am missing strenth in my core. My mileage is high, but it's just because I can't get to the gym. I need the cross training and strength training for sure!

I am down on the scale again! Total weight loss now 22 pounds!

Beth

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Happy Birthday to me...yes, I am pathetic.

Maria

 

[getnthinr]

Pathetic -- NO! Sweet, encouraging, fun, forgiving == and so much more!
Happy Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to me...yes, I am pathetic.

Maria

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Thanks, Wendy! I needed that!

 

[deekaypee]

Beth: First, WOO HOO for the 20 and then 22 pounds. You can't see me but I did a little fist pump for you when I read the news. And WTG with the loose clothes--just the kind of thing to motivate me. I like to say it's all about my health, and mostly it is, but there is that thrill in the rediscovery of clothes. Like shopping in your closet. I agree with you about finding the balance with a weight you can maintain and still have a life. The first time I dropped a lot of weight I got really low, like you, but every week was a struggle. And I was cranky. And no one likes a cranky Debra, most of all Debra.

And 40 miles last week, with a 10 miler. Wow. Just wow. I understand the need for the XT and core strength, but definitely celebrate your running milestone.

It doesn't sound like you're fully enjoying your vacation of house cleaning yet. Are you frustrated that you spent the day at the beach instead? I laugh because house cleaning actually sounds like kind of a relaxing time. (I'm doing a bit of that while DOOD's gone. What his doesn't miss wasn't needed, right?) I bet your boys like having you around. P.S. Congrats to DH's daughter on her graduation.

Cindy: I saw The Gorgeously Green Diet advertised in either a health magazine or the NYTimes Book review, then saw it on the shelf at my library. So I snatched it up, though I haven't read it yet. I'll keep you posted. (Oh, and Maria gets credit for the underlining. I started following her; before I did the italics, which is much harder to read.)

And I like the spirit (and the examples) of compromise with eating healthy and DS7. That's real-world living. And yay for the salad, even with the dressing incident. You planned well for that, and for the DVD. Getting up in the morning is so hard (for me) so that when you incorporate that along with everything else in your day... Those spring/summer kids activities that you and Beth (and Tracey, Julie, Maria, etc.) have would have my head spinning when it comes to scheduling.

How was the Relay for Life? It sounds both challenging and inspiring, and I loved that you came into it with a plan for staying on track with all your other goals. Oh, and for your team's fundraising. So important and appreciated.

Vicky: Nope, not water weight. Although I don't drink enough when I travel either, especially on travel days. Airplane bathrooms make me uncomfortable. I'm glad you enjoyed Up, as well. It balances on that edge between sentimentality and sharper humor, I think.

The Taking of Pelham 123 was okay to good, with fairly tight pacing. Dezel Washington is strong, Travolta is doing his thing, and it combines action with character development. But it makes me want to see the original more than anything else.

Wow, you're tackling your goal with determination on all fronts: deadlines, exercise, eating. Those foods are some of my favorite things. I need your focus (see below). Maybe I need to promise myself a pair of those jeans, too. for TWO jeans sizes. That's got to feel good.

Maria: That's one heck of a jump on the incline. Congratulations on letting that TM know you won't be beat. It's a real marker of your progress, too. I hope you realize that. And....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARIA! You're not pathetic (what Wendy said). You know we want to celebrate our good fortune in having you in our lives. Birthdays are my favorite holdays, as you know, so I want to hear all your birthday stories. listen:
:


Chris: Hey there! How are you doing?? I miss knowing what's going on with you.

Wendy: Your bike trail ride sounds wonderful, Garmin accuracy notwithstanding. I'm glad your ITB isn't preventing you from doing the things you enjoy. About VA Beach vs. DL. You just know I'm going to say DL and I'll do my best to convince you it's cheaper all around....it just takes some creative number crunching. (DL is my favorite, so I might be biased here.) But $200/night for a hotel in VA Beach? Wow. Could you priceline one?

Jeanne: Congratulations on NYC. You lucked out with the lottery early, and with the scheduling. (Not to mention good friends like Nancy, not that that's luck--you two are peas in a pod. Olives in a martini. Whatever.)


As for me: Okay, folks. I'm back, slinking in. For whatever reason, this last week was hard for me to get motivated to do my regular workouts and eating (and not always successfully in either case), let alone new things. I've got the book and DVD (as of Thursday) but I'm having problems with focus, I guess. Needless to say, those pounds have cozied up to me like they're my best friends and staying a while. The whole week just had me frustrated and want to avoid the accountability I get here. Yeah, that's healthy.

I'm traveling to D.C. to see DOOD this weekend (Friday-Monday, to account for the travel time on the train), so it just feels like I came back from one "vacation" to head out for another. (They are both working vacations, as I'm combining fun activities with research/writing.) All this traveling interferes with my schedule or my motivation, or I use it as an excuse, or something. So give me some drill sergeant tough-love. Or tell me what you do when you feel yourself losing focus. Better yet, keep telling me about what you're doing and your successes. They really do help.

 

[jeanneg]

I said it before, but I'll say it again:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARIA!!!!!!


:



Beth: 22 pounds....that's amazing! Congrats!

 

[windwalker]

Hi y'all.

I needed a little shot of beauty in my world so I thought I'd pop over and say hi.

Happy Birthday Maria, I used to hate birthdays but now I've decided I want a bunch more. I want to cost the government a bunch of retirement pay and I want to be a force in the senior age group compititions. It's true you don't get older you get better.

Wendy, hey fair lady how's it going, you still kicking butt in the races?

Beth congratulations.

Jeanne that's super news about the NYC.

Hi Vicky, you recovered from the Toronto half and ready for the next one yet?

Everyone, your doing great.

Visiting Panda

 

[Creativebeth]

Debra: Yeah, just torture at the beach! Actually, the sand isn't my favorite, but getting used to it with the kids! They love the beach. It was a beautiful day yesterday, not to hot, but the water was freezing!

Motivation comes in so many forms.......I have gained alot from our Blggest Loser competition. It helps to stay on track when someone else is 'suffering' with you! Why don't we start a little BL here? A little cyber BL could be interesting! I am in if you are.

I also read alot for motivation (as you do). A little nutrition information can get my butt in gear!

Maria: Sorry I missed your Birthday! But Happy Birthday (late!) I tend to let my own birthday slide, but believe that we shouldn't. One of the reasons we are here is to be healthy to bring on more birthdays, so we should celebrate!!!!!

Jeanne: So how are the new vacation plans coming?

Dave: Nice to see you drop in!

AFM: Well, yesterday was a nice vacation day. The boys and I did walk around OC for over an hour (3 miles) so we are counting that as our workout. We even got in a game of minuture golf! I didn't run, since I did a 10 miler on Sunday I decided to let our walk be my workout and rest my running muscles. My hip is tight today, but got 7 miles in on the hotel elliptical this morning. I am pretty happy where I am at right now. Even looked at the marathon training schedule in the new Runner's World. Maybe I will do another one someday......but not in the near future. The schedule in RW seems pretty doable though. I will save it for future thought.

The bad part of marathon training for me was gaining so much weight. My marathon was in 2007, and I am now just taking off the 25 pounds I had gained. I would hate for that to happen again. Eating is so balanced right now, I am afraid it would get messed up with training again!

I am enjoying the added fruits to my diet right now. Strawberries, blueberries and bananas are the favorite! And.....greek yogurt! It's all good!

I hope everyone is having a good week!

Beth

 

[Cindylou]

Hello LMers.

Beth: I'd be in for a cyber BL. Anything to help with motivation. Glad you enjoyed your mini-vacation.

Dave: Hello.

Maria: Happy belated birthday. Hope it was wonderful. Was there cake?

Debra: Good luck with finding your focus again. Reading Women's Health magazine, or Shape can sometimes help me regain focus. Re-reading Beck Diet book has worked also. You can use your train trip back from DC to make lists and plans of changes you'd like to make in the upcoming week. If you don't do it now, when will you? (I'm not trying to be mean, just trying for some tough-love.)

Vicky: Yea for the 0.9 lbs.

Jeanne: Congrats on NYC marathon. I hope you can work all your plans to make it there.

The Relay for Life was terrific. My kids were there with me during the early part. Once it got dark they do a luminaria ceremony where they shut off all the lights and the track is lit by luminaria bags that people have decorated in honor of someone. I had each of my kids decorate one for my grandmother and my father-in-law. They had a great time walking around the track searching for their bags. I ended up running 7 miles and walking another 5 during the 12 hr event. I got close to zero sleep so I was a bit of a mess for the rest of the weekend.

I managed to eat really sensibly during the Relay, but since I was so tired the next day and unable to take a nap because I was busy with my kids' soccer, dance and baseball that I grazed all day long on unhealthy stuff. Of course one day led to 2 days of eating poorly. I'm starting to get really annoyed with myself. I'll eat really healthy for several days, exercise like mad, then blow it all with an eating frenzy. I ended up losing 0.2 lbs this week, which should have been so much more if I could have remained in control. I guess I just have to keep at it. I am now 10.2 lbs away from my goal.

Have a great day everyone.
Cindy

 

[Cindylou]

Good morning everyone,

I have to post about my minor victory last night. I went to my book club (read The Red Tent, I really loved it.) with just 1 WW point to spare for the day. Luckily the food was in a separate room from where we were sitting so I managed to resist all the yummy treats and wine. Going in I didn't think I would be able to stay within my points so I am feeling so good today. Yea!! I think it helped that I've been trying to figure out what I will be wearing to do my tri in just 5 1/2 short weeks and the thought of standing around in just my skin tight bike shorts and tankini before the swim part has me concerned. I found a super cute bike skort online at REI, but it's very expensive so I'm not sure I can justify that. I'll feel a lot less self-conscious if I'm 10 lbs lighter.

Hope everyone has a great day.
Cindy

 

[jeanneg]

Cindy: congrats on being so disciplined at your book club meeting! Would you please rub a little of that self-control off on me! And yes, I agree The Red Tent is a fabulous read......definitely says alot about female bonding. I was so impressed, I made my 2 daughters read it (don't worry, they are in their 20's) Thank God we don't have to squat on bricks to give birth!

I need to get back to One-derland before the NYC and I need you guys to help me. My goal is to lose 20-25 pounds before the big event which will be about 5/month. That should be do-able if I REALLY try. They shut down the course support at 6:30 which means I will probably not get a finishline photo and I want one badly, so I will need to be lighter to be faster. I WILL do this!

 

[bunnyfoo]

Hey Lean Meaners! Hope everyone is doing well this morning

Maria - Happy belated birthday! I hope you had a great day! I don't think it's pathetic at all! I'm still pretty shy about announcing my b-day - no problems celebrating it though!

Beth - I talked to my PT about the diet soda. He thought it might be the caffeine or the fizz that I was missing. I would be in for a BL competition! It sounds fun Can we count inches too?

Debra - I didn't realize The Taking of Pelham 123 was a remake. Good to hear the pacing is quick - nothing I hate more than seeing a trailer that looks like it's going to be fast paced and then getting to the theatre and feeling like it's something completely different. To answer your question about motivation - lately it's just being able to go shopping and fit into smaller clothes. I've also been trading in my coffee/treat fund for makeup, shoes and other fun stuff.

Cindy - The relay sounded like fun! I've never done a race at night. And good for you for resisting all those treats at your book club. I don't think I'd have your willpower with all that stuff sitting in front of me. I'll have to check out the Red Tent.

Dave - My next half is at the end of September. I haven't started my training program yet. I'm still keeping up a base and my LRs are about 6 miles. I want to lose as much as I can by the middle of July.

Jeanne - We're here for you!

AFM - I booked my hotels for January this morning. We're doing a split between Pop and Poly! Here's hoping there will be some deals or codes for then!

I worked out with my PT on Monday. We went heavier with the weights and fewer reps. Whoever said you can't get a cardio workout from weights is wrong! I was completely exhausted afterward. I also dragged my butt out for an easy (read: slow) 3 miler last night. It was nice to run without having to feel rushed or having a specific time goal

Have a great day everyone!

 

[Cindylou]

Vicky: Good job on your weight workout and the relaxing 3 mile run. I've been putting off making any hotel reservations for January since I don't want to spend the money for the deposit right now, but I really should book something soon.

Jeanne: Believe me that my self control is usually non-existent which is why I had to crow about last night. OK, you asked for help so here is my attempt. Your goal is terrific. It has the who, what, when and why with the where thrown in there as well. You want to lose 20-25 lbs by Nov 1 so that you can complete the NYC marathon in under 6:30 to get a fabulous finish line photo. Write this down 100 times on sticky notes and put them every where for you to see them. At least once a week I want you to come to the LM thread and answer this question "Have the choices you made this week moved you closer to or farther away from your goal?" We will look forward to your answer each week, so think of us every time you put food to mouth or choose to work out or not to work out. If you think about it, this goal is completely in YOUR control. You don't have to depend on anyone else to make wise fueling choices or smart training choices. If you have friends and family that are helping you all the better, but it is entirely up to you. Good luck and I look forward to your answer to the question next week.

Cindy

 

[deekaypee]

I'm in for a BL, too! I'm definitely needing a challenge.

Dave: Oooh, so nice to see you here!

Beth: Mmmmmm, fruits. It's getting to be the best time of year for affordable, local variety.

I think it's great that after a 10 miler you can still put in that walking/elliptical mileage.

I've been thinking about what you said about gaining weight during the marathon training period. It happens to me, too. It's enough to make me wonder if I should, post-Goofy, focus on halfs. And it's all part of that careful balancing act between fueling enough and not enough. Very tricky.

Cindy: The Relay for Life sounded wonderful, a lot of fun (although a challenging recovery, what with the sleep/eating cycles shifted). CONGRATULATIONS on your book-club triumph. Social situations are hard. And of course, you know I'm looking for book recommendations all the time. Have you decided on the REI skort yet? You're worth it, especially if it's cute. And we want you to be as comfortable as possible at the event.

I put the Beck Diet book down when I left for Stratford, and I need to pick it up again. I'll bring it on the train. Good idea for how to spend that time. (It's a lonnnnnng ride.) And this question

If you don't do it now, when will you?

really resonated with me. You're not mean at all. I mean, you didn't even use drill-sergeant profanity! I'm also trying to ask myself, thank to all of your support, "What's stopping me?" And the answer is generally, "Just you, you frakking idiot." So see, feel free to go even tougher-love on my backside.

Jeanne: Welcome back, and your goal is totally do-able! And I have total faith in your ability to rock NYC. That photo opportunity beckons.

Vicky: So...when's your birthday. Inquiring minds want to know. Yay for booking for marathon weekend. A split stay gives you the best of both worlds, I think, between budget and convenience. We'll have to book sometime soon, too. I think you must have a really good PT; you keep a lot of variety in your WOs.

As for me: Obviously, I'm still struggling, but admitting to the struggle is the first step. (My own personal little 12 step.) I did manage to get a full WO in, even though I was less than motivated. All my water, too. Eating is not as bad as it has been, but I did have a bag of Baked Lays that I didn't need. I wasn't even particularly hungry, just wanted them.

Like I said above, I'm going to go back to the Beck Diet book, look at my goals and recommit. I can start with the numbers of the scale and, like the book suggestions, my first goal is simply 5 pounds. (It's the first step, of course.) Maybe then achieving what I want won't seem so....theoretical.

 

[Creativebeth]

So we have several people in for a Biggest Loser Cyber competition...... I can set up some ideas, if you all want to tell me what you think of them.

The weigh in will be once a week. Nancy and I decided on Friday, since a good week of eating right lent itself to a good weigh in on Friday. I would be willing for any day of the week.

We also count points each day. You can accumulate 6 points a day. The points are awarded for the following:

1) Drink 64 oz of water a day.
2) Take a mulit-vitamen.
3) Get 25 g of fiber a day
4) 1 point for 15 minutes of exercise (You may earn 2 points a day 30
min of exercise each day)

We then have a floater point each week that changes (such as dairy intake, fruits/veggies, etc) If you are having trouble with a certain thing, we will make it a point thing.

We don't need to post our weight per se, but just our weight loss each week. I will include my weight just for accountability sake, but you all don't have to do that.

We can keep count of point winners each week, weight loss winners each week, and the at the end of the competition the point leader and weight loss winner.

We can include a exercise challenge each week for bonus points if you want to.

How about a six week challenge to start, and if we like it, we can do another one?

Let me know what you think.

Beth

 

[Cindylou]

Beth: I think 6 weeks it a great time line for our BL. I like the points competition too. Friday works well for me for a weigh in.

Debra: I'm glad you liked the "if not now, then when?" quote. It's what finally got me started on my weight loss 2 yrs ago. I also wonder "what's stopping me from achieving my goal". I'm sure it's a series of very complex distorted thoughts. Maybe I'll get it figured out one day. I'm glad you were able to get a full WO in, despite the fact that you were unmotivated. Sometimes if you can string a couple of days of WO together you can gain some momentum. Have a safe and fun trip this weekend.

I am happy to report that the choices I made yesterday have moved me closer to my goal. I didn't get on the scale this morning, but I stayed within my points yesterday and ran 5 miles at lunchtime. Today will be more challenging. There will be cake at work today for a baby shower and my friend is taking me out for a belated bday celebration. I think I will try to skip the cake because I can have cake any time, try to eat reasonably at dinner and splurge with a drink or a dessert. I also swam this morning and hope to get outside for a walk at lunchtime if it's not raining too hard.

Have a great day everyone.
Cindy