Welcome to the WISH Biggest Loser 7 Challenge

[luvpooh]

my name is Nicole

The COW this week is no prob for me but the one that is hinting towards the pedometer is scaring me...it's COLD around here and we don't have a treadmill! Now if it were a couple of months from now, it would be different. Oh to live somewhere it is perpetually 70 degrees!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thursday Question of the Day - What is your first name?
Now if I could just get my eating under control I will be all in. My tummy hurts this morning from my late night binging session. It was not pretty. Why do I do this to myself? I will not have a loss this week and that is what I am here for. I have many mental issues that I need to address. This certainly is a journey with many revelations and small steps along the way.

Keep up the good work today. If you did it yesterday you can do it today. If you did not do well yesterday (like me) today is a new day and only you can determine how successful you will be today. Remember you hold the fork and you can put it down when you know you should.

Have a healthy day!

Brenda, Hang in there. I know it can be so discouraging to see everyone else "on" when you feel "off". Just like the COW challenge we have, start with one thing to change and then keep going. I know you can do this. I (and many of us) have BEEN THERE many times. All I can say is, hang in there, that spark will come, in the mean time LOVE and give yourself some credit for what you have done! I see that shiny clippie in your signature, and although you are at a standstill right now, that shiny clippie is something to celebrate. You have been succesful at this before and you will be again.


QOTD: My name is Vija.... although you may refer to me as "the Princess!" That is what I tell them at work! So far none of the doctors address me that way!

This is exactly why I say do not wiegh more then once per week. Weight fluctuates so much from day to day, and even by time of day. It is affected by the foods we ate, how much exercise we got and how much sleep we had. Pick a day/time to weigh in and that is the only time you get on the scale. And remember our wiegh is only ONE (and the least important) measure of our progress. The more important one is how do we feel, how are our clothes fitting. Get a tape meausre and take a few measurements then in a few weeks take them again. THESE are the things that really show our progress.

You are so right! I am going to weigh in tomorrow and then hold off for a week... I know that will be a struggle, but I will try.

BTW I think the progressive challange idea is an awesome one. What a great way of instilling a foundation of healthy habits.

I agree! Great idea for the COW!

One of the best movie line ever!!!!

Yeah! Another Ever After fan!

 

[reesecup]

Hi. My name is Sandy.

I think I'll be ok on the water. Been getting back to drinking that except for my coffee. I do drink with some propel pouder mix sometimes though so I hope that's ok.

Last night I did Zumba at the Y and then BodyVive but only did half an hour of it because I needed to get home.
This morning I did the treadmill for 3 miles and just now came up from doing the Fit to get my jacknives in and a few other things.
Food intake for today has been pretty good. Light breakfast. Tuna for lunch. Light dinner. some carrots in there. Should have gotten more veggies in today though.
I hope my weight has changed some...feels like it has a little.
Good luck everyone.

 

[MelanieC]

Our first week is coming to a close. How are you doing? I am still struggling. I am not on the wagon yet as Oprah would say. Doesn't that sound stupid being on or off the wagon? What does being on a wagon have to do with it? This is not a temporary journey on a wagon. This is a lifestyle change. This is learning to eat and enjoy food in a whole different manner because what I have done in the past is not working for me. I will not be doing this for a certain amount of time I will be living a healthier lifestyle for the rest of my life or I will be dead.
Thursday Question of the Day - What is your first name?

My name is Melanie - But I'm sure everyone figured that

You had a really great message today. Thanks for sharing. It's so true about that Wagon.......but it does seem like one. Your riding along in that wagon feeling all good about your self, you've lost weight and your on top of the world. Then something happens and your laying on the ground looking at that wagon and the other's riding in it and your thinking - what is wrong with me? Why can't I get my act together, how did I let myself regain this weight. It seems so easy to stay in the wagon when your in it - but when your on the ground it feels like a monumental task to get back in, especially if you let your self go for a long time.

COW Week 1

So, week 1 will be very easy. Keep track of your water intake and aim for 8 glasses a day. Before Monday the 19th, tell me how many days you succeeded. Easy enough right?

Little hint, you MAY need a pedometer soon, so you might want to find yours or go out and buy one this week.

Ok - I ordered another pedometer from Amazon (I dropped my last one in the toliet - can you believe it - I also ordered the Biggest Loser family cookbook. I figured it was about the same as two weeks worth of WW meetings. This challenge is much cheaper overall - LOL!

By the way - one of the best pedometer's I have ever found is the Omron Pedometer. It allows you to put it in your pocket while using it -as long as its not upside down. It is much more acurate and doesn't make those clicks. It even gives you the miles you go and saves it for a week I think.

For the water - I hope I can do this. I have Interstitial Cysitis (I've had it since I was 16). It causes me to not have the same bladder capacity that a normal person has, because the space between the bladder wall and bladder lining can hemorage (not a lot- but its very painful). So when I drink a LOT of water, I have to go every few minutes and I have a good chance of it getting inflamed and sore. Once it's sore it usually takes 24 hours before it feels better again, plus it sort of swells up on me and I feel bloated.

But - it doesn't stop me from drinking, it just makes it hard to drink a lot on a continual basis.

Does the 1 cup I put in my oatmeal count? How about my green tea?

I'll do my best to get that much in. This week I"ve been able to do about 4 cups, plus the one from my oatmeal. Water is good for me, and probaby for it too.

UGH! Life is always getting in the way...

My bartender just called in and my back-up is out of town. That means I have to bartend today. Which mean I won't get home until after 8pm making it a 12+ hour work day. That means I won't get to do my normal evening routine/workout. I will get on that treadmill while watching TV this evening.

Not sure what I will do about dinner. I didn't plan on this so I didn't bring anything. And the only things we have there are things like bagel dogs and frozen cheeseburgers. Hopefully I still have a can of soup stashed there. I guess I will have to restock my stash for these types of "emergencies".

Hang in there - I hate when unplanned stuff like that happens. I hope you find something to eat. Can you stop on the way there and grab something?

 

[jennz]

I LOVE my Omron pedometer! Unfortunately my battery died and I finally got another one and now I can't find the back of the ped. to put it back together. My FIL got one on my recommendation and he loves it too.

Melanie - I would say you can adapt the water challenge to your needs...the goal is to get healthier, no to get ourselves sick. Just sip away with what you can tolerate.

For everyone who's having setbacks, in the BL Success Stories Bernie (remember cute little Bernie? ) says something to the effect of "I celebrate all of my little successes, but I also celebrate all of my little failures because they give me room to improve." So that's a great perspective!

For me, I've changed from looking at my goal of 25 pounds for this challenge to what I'm going to do today, and only for today. That's really helped me. I'm going to eat healthy today, or even "for lunch."

Last night I got home and found out I'd forgotten to turn the crockpot on so I was ready to call for pizza. DD, 10, says (insert angry voice) "I thought we were eating healthy!" so I said "You don't want pizza?" And she says, "I didn't say that, just I thought we were eating healthy." Her saying that was enough to guilt me into defrosting some chicken and cooking up some yummy asparagus and rice. Gotta love the kids.

Oops forgot to add - Melanie, I have the BL Family Cookbook and there's some good stuff in there. I also light "cook it lightly and forget it" for the crockpot. What cookbooks do you guys like?

 

[MelanieC]

Oh - today is going great, right on plan. No exercise yet, but I think that is what I will focus on next week. I've just felt like such a slug. I'm doing so well with my eating though - It makes me feel good.

I'm going to a vietnamese restaurant though and I have a plan. I'm getting my favorite Bun (rice Vermicelli) with either tofu or shrimp. It's actually pretty light, just rice noodles, with a light fish broth, some spices, sprouts, etc that you pour over it. You can also add Vietnamese hot sauce- yummyo. If I have an appetizer it woud only be a veggie fresh spring roll (not fried, with the paper thin rice paper around it).

I can definately work this into my calorie range!!

 

[GabbyMom]

Thursday Question of the Day - What is your first name?

I'm Vicky

 

[jimmduck]

Hi guys - everyone knows my first name.

Weighed in today. Usually go to WW on Tuesdays, but missed this week due to funeral.

Not going was not an option - this weekly, public, accounting is what I need.

I lost the 2 pounds I gained over Christmas plus 2.8 more - total 4.8.

I was sick over the weekend but am still happy with my progress this week.

Hope everyone else does well too. You are all awesome.

Will read and post more over the weekend - wow, this is a massive thread.

Having a "magical losing day"

Linda

 

[MelanieC]

Hi guys - everyone knows my first name.

Weighed in today. Usually go to WW on Tuesdays, but missed this week due to funeral.

Not going was not an option - this weekly, public, accounting is what I need.

I lost the 2 pounds I gained over Christmas plus 2.8 more - total 4.8.

I was sick over the weekend but am still happy with my progress this week.

Hope everyone else does well too. You are all awesome.

Will read and post more over the weekend - wow, this is a massive thread.

Having a "magical losing day"

Linda

woo hoo - Way to go, 4.8 is awesome!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Welcome losers to week two. I will be your coach for this week (Jan. 9-15).

Don't forget to send Brenda (Dare2Dream) your weight today. If you are new to the challenge, it is not too late to join! PM Brenda (Dare2Dream) with your starting weight. The more the merrier! See the FAQ in the next post for more information.

Friday's Question of the Day: What is one positive change you made the first week of the challenge?

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our WISH Biggest Loser 7 Challenge runs from Friday January 2 until Friday March 27. Each Tuesday starting January 13 our weekly Biggest Losers will be recognized. Our final results will be posted Tuesday, March 31, the date of the season finale of the NBC television show.

As usual you do not have to watch the TV show to be a part of our challenge. No one is ever voted off our challenge. After three weeks of not reporting your weight to the weight keeper you are removed from the challenge but if you decide to rejoin you are welcomed with open arms.

The purpose of the WISH Biggest Loser 7 Challenge is to help you on your weight loss journey. The challenge forces you to be accountable. Each week you will report your weight to the weight keeper (me). I am the only person that will know your weight. Your weight will never be published for anyone to see.

On our BL7 thread we encourage and support each other. We celebrate those small victories and offer advice to help each other meet the weight loss challenges we face. We get to know each other. We laugh together and we cry together. BL7 can be your weight loss support system.

You will get out of this challenge what you put into it. If you get serious and use this program it CAN and WILL help you lose weight. As you make choices during the day consider what your fellow losers would do. They would say no to the doughnut at the office but they would find time to get some exercise even if they are tired after a long day. Losing weight is not a 'quick fix'. It takes time, commitment, and lots of hard work. BL7 is here to help you.

Our WISH Biggest Loser 7 Challenge will be a little different from our previous challenges.

* There will be no teams this time.
* There will one mega-thread for the entire 13 week challenge.
* We will not have team captains but will have a different 'coach' each week. They will serve as hostess on the BL7 thread, post questions of the day, acknowledge posters, post mini-challenges and offer encouragement. Some coaches may serve for a second week later in the challenge.

Some things will remain the same.
* I will serve again as the weight keeper.
* Raenstoirm will be our COW (Challenge of the Week) coach. Weekly challenge will encourage us to develop healthy habits for our bodies and souls.
* We will laugh together, we will cry together and a few of us will finish the 13 week challenge together, hopefully weighing less than when we started.

Let's review the three components of our WISH Biggest Loser challenge

The weight report* Your weight report is due each Friday.
* You may PM or email your report. My email is brenda@kbelectric.biz. If using email please include your DIS name.
* Report your weigh in pounds ie xxx or xxx.x.
* Carefully review your weight before you send your message to me. PLEASE make sure the weight is typed correctly. Is that 166 or 156? Are you at 174 or 177? Misspelling is forgivable, typos happen, let's just make sure they don't happen with those numbers in your weight.
* Weight reports are required to remain in the challenge. After three weeks of no reports you are dropped from the challenge. After being dropped from the challenge you may return by reporting your current weight.

The COW* Raenstoirm will post the challenge of the week on our BL7 thread.
* Not every week will involve a challenge.
* Participation in the weekly challenge is optional.
* Each challenge will clearly state a beginning date, ending date, and date your points total is due.
* Each challenge will include tasks to preform and point values awarded for accomplishing the tasks.
* It is helpful to print the challenge tasks to refer to throughout the week.
* Points totals may be PMed to Raenstorim or emailed to ferretfeet@gmail.com. If using email please include your DIS name.
* Rainstoirm will recognize on our BL7 thread those earning the top point totals.

The Biggest Loser 7 thread* One mega-thread will run for the entire challenge.
* Participation on the thread is optional.
* Each week a new 'coach' will serve as hostess on our BL7 thread. Their duties include posting questions of the day, acknowledging posters, posting mini-challenges and offering encouragement. Some coaches may serve for a second week later in the challenge. If you are interested in serving as a coach please PM or email me.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

You had a really great message today. Thanks for sharing. It's so true about that Wagon.......but it does seem like one. Your riding along in that wagon feeling all good about your self, you've lost weight and your on top of the world. Then something happens and your laying on the ground looking at that wagon and the other's riding in it and your thinking - what is wrong with me? Why can't I get my act together, how did I let myself regain this weight. It seems so easy to stay in the wagon when your in it - but when your on the ground it feels like a monumental task to get back in, especially if you let your self go for a long time.

Melanie, that is the best way I have ever had that feeling described! I am so in the wagon right now, but it can be so easy to fall out...

I was in the mood to stay home today from TaeKwonDo. The kids weren't going and it was a quiet night. But I thought to myself, I don't have anything that HAS to get done, I don't really have anything that I am actually wanting to do except be lazy, so NOPE that wasn't an option. Off to class I went and I was rewarded with AN INCREDIBLE class. It was great. On the way home from class I was thinking about your reply and how right you are.... when you are in the wagon it seems so easy and on task, and right now I am terrified of falling off the wagon that I want to keep going and going and going. So I am planning on staying in that wagon for a long time.

I lost the 2 pounds I gained over Christmas plus 2.8 more - total 4.8.

WAY TO GO!!!! THAT IS AWESOME!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Week 1 COW (Thanks raenstoirm!)

COW Week 1Ok I am trying a new version of the COW for BL7. I am calling it the progressive COW.

Here is a refresher of the COW rules in case you are new or forgot. I will post a new COW sometime every Thursday. Each challenge week begins 12:01 am Friday morning and runs till midnight Thursday night. I figure posting the COW on Thursday gives you a little time to “plan” out how best to complete the challenge before the clock starts. Please email or PM me your score by Monday morning of the following week. (So tomorrow’s challenge score is “due” the 19th, although I recommend you pm or email it to me on Friday when you email Brenda your weight.)

If you chose not to do the COWs at all, or only get around to doing a few items on the list that is perfectly fine. The idea is to get you thinking and doing new things on this road to a new you, not to stress you out.

So here is how this version will work. Every Thursday I will post a new task to add to the previous tasks. This should help you establish good habits during this BL. I got this idea from the 12 days of Christmas song actually. So,

Week 1 all you need is the partridge and the pear tree
Week 2 you will need the turtle doves and the partridge
Week 3 you need the French Hens, turtle doves and partridge
And it goes on

Maybe a mod will be nice enough to give me a sticky so it will be easier to keep track??

So, week 1 will be very easy. Keep track of your water intake and aim for 8 glasses a day. Before Monday the 19th, tell me how many days you succeeded. Easy enough right?

Little hint, you MAY need a pedometer soon, so you might want to find yours or go out and buy one this week.

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

My first name is Amber.

I managed to get a 30 minute cardio workout in this morning.

The COW should be fairly easy for me this week. I drink LOTS of water. I think the hard part will just be tracking it, but I'm sure I can manage

I'm excited to weigh in tomorrow!

Good Luck everyone!!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

QOTD: My name is Jessi.

Today went much better. Journalling my whole day in the morning is helping a lot.

I will be your coach for week 2, and the thread has been posted.

 

[dare2dream]

Beginning Friday January 9 please post here.

Welcome to week 2 and Thank you to our coach for the week Jessi.

 

[dare2dream]

Check it out here.

If your name is not listed and you would like to join just PM or email me at brenda@kbelectric.biz with your initial weight. Just because you post on the thread does not make you a participant. To be official I need to have your weight. Remember that information is top secret between you and me. I will NEVER tell a soul what your number is.

 

[dare2dream]

State Farm insurance is sponsoring a 50 million pound challenge. Here is a link. You can get as involved with this as you want but local state farm insurance agents have a challenge kit available for FREE!!!! It includes a pedometer. Call the agent before you drop by to make sure they have them in stock. I had to wait until my agent got a new shipment. I now have a pedometer and will be ready for Raenstoirm's future challenge.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Thanks for the link Brenda, but on the website it says it is only for African Americans. Do you know if they are giving out the kits to everybody, or only those that identify as African American?

ETA: Found the answer to my question:

Is the program exclusive to African Americans?
The Challenge is open to anyone who wants to participate. Being overweight is a problem that impacts everyone, and it is putting more than 135 million Americans at increased risk of life-threatening but preventable illness. We’re focusing on the African-American community because it has been particularly hard-hit – and is fighting back. The Challenge will give participants the tools and principles to lose the weight and get control back over a healthier lifestyle. Pulling together as a community, we can make a lasting difference

 

[Krisi616]

What is one positive change you made the first week of the challenge?

One positive change is that I have been making myself drink a glass of water prior to having any treat (ie hershey kiss (just one), chocolate covered cherry - left from Christmas, etc.). This has made me reduce the number of treats as I am full of water!

I hope this is posted the right place -- maybe I was suppose to reply in the big thread????