Welcome to the WISH Biggest Loser 7 Challenge

[My2E's]

I'm watching world news while getting my dis time. Dr. Nancy Snyderman was just on NBC telling that the latest #'s are that 34% of people in US have BMI over 30 and are considered obese, while 32.7% are considered overweight. That translates to 2 out of 3 people are fat! She also said 33% of our children are in this same category. It is really sad if you think about it. My kids are very lucky cause they have their dad's genes and are naturally slim. If not, they would probably be in that 33% because I have taught them to love the same junk I do. But the good news is we all are making a change. I am buying less junk for the house so the kids also are forced to make healthier choices. Instead of chips, they get apples!

We should all be proud of ourselves for making these positive changes!

 

[nkkilala]

Sunday's Question of the Day: What is a non food reward you can give yourself when you make that first goal?

The non-food reward that I am going to give myself is a new sports watch. I need on that will help me with my intervals!

Monday Question of the Day: What is one positive change you can make this week?

I can start cutting out un-needed snack! I'll work to replace snaks with water or veggies

 

[MelanieC]

MelanieC - I love your statement: "Bringing the wagon back by your house and picking you up. Don't let what you've done derail you - you can do this. If you had a flat tire - would you deflate the other 3 ? Nope, you would fix the flat and move on - Hang in there!" The flat tire analogy is such a great visual.

I can't take credit for the flat tire analogy. Jillian Michaels has said that many times on her radio show - Which, by the way I encourage anyone and everyone to listen to them - they are fantastic and I usually listen to and from work and it really keeps me focused and in the right frame of mind. I'm less likely to get out of the car and go in the house and eat something I shouldn't, after listening to her.
I missed a few while I was in Vegas, so one of the ones I was listening to she said that again and it is definately a great visual and so true. I need to remember the tire when I make a mistake and fit it and keep on trucking.

 

[MelanieC]

Did anyone watch oprah today - It's the follow up to her "falling off the wagon from last week". Erik Chopin from the BL - see some of the exerpts below. Also tonight she and Bob Greene are having a Webinar regarding falling off the "Wagon". 9E/8C. I believe you should be able to download and watch on your ipod or computer in a few days.

You can sign up here if your interested:

http://lybl.oprah.com/lybl.html

Oprah's conversation especially resonated with Erik Chopin, the winner of NBC's third season of The Biggest Loser. When the New York deli owner got the call to appear on the show in 2006, his weight was a dangerous 407 pounds. At 36, Erik had diabetes, sleep apnea and sky-high cholesterol. "I've got two little girls at home. When they get a little older, I want to be able to walk them down the aisle," he said at the time. In eight months, Erik lost 214 pounds—and became the biggest loser to date!

Now, this fan favorite is ready to admit that he's been lying to his friends, family and his fans. In the three years since his victory, Erik has gained back half the weight he lost and says he now weighs 315 pounds. As he gained, he continued to use older photos on his MySpace and Facebook pages and even turned down an offer to appear on The Oprah Show with past Biggest Loser contestants. "People, they don't see me. I can hide," he says. "I inspired so many people; so many people reach out to me. I feel like I let them down."

Erik says his weight gain hit home when his scale read more than 300 pounds. "When I finally saw it, a little bit of depression I had got even deeper and I sunk into pretty much a deep depression," Erik says. "I just didn't want to face life. I just felt like staying in bed. Like, 'I did this to myself again. What's going on?'"

Now, Erik says he's realized food is his drug of choice. "When you're on the wagon, you've got your 'drug' in control. When you start coming off of it, you go in the other direction," he says. "I was looking to the food to heal myself, to feel better about something."

Still, Erik says his weight struggles have taught him an important lesson. "When you're going on that kind of a journey [on The Biggest Loser], there's a finish line," he says. "Beyond the finish line, I'd heard from so many people maintenance is the hardest thing. [I used to think], 'Try losing 200 pounds.' But maintenance really is a lifetime

So what finally inspired Erik to take action? Erik says his aha! moment struck when he watched Oprah share her own weight struggles with the world. "I thought it was so courageous and so admirable and inspiring," he says. "I said, 'Wow, I should just reveal this and just get it over with.' Friends and family, neighbors, they're going to see me. But the majority of people don't. They don't know."

Erik says he's also learning how to put himself back on his own priority list. "When we were on The Biggest Loser, we always had to think of an inspirational theme for ourselves, and I always went to the family—and I do. I want to lose the weight and be healthy for my family," he says. "And this time I think, 'You know what? Do it for yourself.'"

Now, Erik's says he's ready to live his best life—and do so in the gym if that's what it takes. Although Erik and Michele woke up at 5 a.m. to work out before talking to Oprah, Erik says working out isn't his favorite thing. "I love it when I'm done, when I get back in the car and I'm covered in sweat," he says.

Still, part of loving yourself is exercising for yourself, Erik says. "Do it for you. And then the family, they're a ripple effect. They'll be affected."

 

[donac]

Thanks Melanie for posting the excerpts from the Oprah show. I turned it on and they were talking about sex and since ds2 had a friend over I didn't think I should be having that on.

Eric was a favorite in this house and I was sad but not surprised to hear that he had gained some of the weight back. I am glad to hear that he is taking care of himself again.

I got a kind of crazy email today at school. I teach AP calc at one school while a friend who I have known since college is teaching it at the other school in the district. I had the shingles (yes they are as painful as everyone says) in Oct. She emailed me today asking me "What are the odds of both AP calc teachers getting the shingles in the same school year? It is now 100% because she has them now." I can't believe that she has also come down with it. I think that they caught it early. SHe knew what to look for since her mother and her son both had them and she had the same symptoms as me. I just hope she gets better soon. MIdterms are right around the corner.

I went shopping this afternoon adn I think I am all set for the rest of theweek. I have been doing great with water and have gotten in some exercise every morning in the last week except for SUnday morning.

Have a nice evening and a great day everyone.

 

[jimmduck]

It is for my TaeKwonDo testing. Every 3 months we test to promote to our next colored belt. right now I am a purple belt, in March I should test for Blue belt. Part of testing includes a certain time frame to stay in push up position (plank position). I think it will be 5 minutes. It is tough to do! anyone up for trying how long they can stay up in the plank position?




I find myself craving the snacks, but since I am not "allowed" to have the chips for 100 days it actually helps me through this time. I am not tempted to just "have a little". I just can't have any. And any other snacks just don't seem worth it to me. and I am very commited right now, so I don't want to break that streak right now.

On Saturday we will be helping with my Mom and Dad's anniversary party and we have to bring the chips. that is going to be such a temptation!!! Maybe I'll ask DH or my sister to deal with the chips. In fact I think I will email my sister right now.

Have a losing day everyone!

Vija - I am just soooo proud of you and you are such a personal inspiration to me - you know we are. We have become friends and I look forward to meeting you someday - but I know how much of a struggle this is for you - McDonalds and chips are huge triggers for you.

You inspire me to try harder everyday. Still had a "hungry day" and a few too many points - but still plan to weigh in and go to class tomorrow.

I will not dazzle - I have not really worked out and only weighed in last Thursday, but Tuesdays are my classes and I need consistency - it is part of staying control.

As I have said many times - this challenge, for me, is about accountability, honesty and control.

Melanie - thanks for posting the excerpts, I got home too late to watch Oprah today and I forgot to tape it. I am glad Erik came clean and is on the wagon again. It just goes to show that no one has it "in the bag" no matter how much they lose.

Hopefully, Ryan, Season I winner, will do the same - I hear he has gained back all of his weight, not just some.

Anyway, I will go to class, I will weigh in (although I feel bloated and heavy now with too many points - I had forgotten that I had eaten a 7 point item earlier) and I will report.

All about control.

Have a magical losing week folks.

Linda

 

[jennz]

LuvBaloo - glad you like the oatmeal!! I also like Fiber One's Caramel Delight cereal, I'll have that as a snack sometimes too. Yum!

Vija - I'm impressed! I think I could a plank for maybe 30 seconds, definitely 5 minutes if I had some pillows under me. Or a couch

Sunday's question: non-food reward...I really don't know. That's kind of sad isn't it? I don't want it to be monetary, we're really doing the whole Dave Ramsey thing...I'll have to think about that.

Monday: Positive change - since I found my pedometer I'll be walking around more at school. Today I walked 8500 steps, and I didn't even walk on the treadmill! I did break up a few trips at school, went to the office 4 times instead of combining into one, etc...it really added up! Of course now I'm hoping for a 2 hour delay for tomorrow.

Melanie thanks for posting the Oprah info on Erik, poor guy. That's a lot of pressure he'd been putting on himself. He needs to come here so we can give him some support!

Guys did I miss something, are we supposed to be reporting our Cows and if so how and where?

 

[disneychrista]

I just programmed by DVR to record Oprah rerun at 2am (or whatever).

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Hi, all! Glad to see everyone is still plugging along and survived the weekend!

Sunday QOTD: Not sure what my shorter term goal is, so I don't really have a reward for it. I am doing a challenge to buy myself a Wii Fit, but that will be more of a 6 to 8 week challenge.

today's qotd: I plan to get on track with my exercise!

Today was pretty good for me. I didn't exercise, but I did keep my eating under control. I went out for lunch w/ friends, but ate a turkey burger and salad instead of a reg. burger and fries

Have a Losing week everyone!!

 

[LuvBaloo]

Guys did I miss something, are we supposed to be reporting our Cows and if so how and where?

I think we are supposed to report at the end of the week, how many days we were successful.

 

[50sjayne]

I wear night and days (I assume that is what you are referring too) and I go underwater and all. Just don't open your eyes. If you do get water in your eyes, it doesn't actually do anything bad (maybe sting a little), but you may lose a contact. When I do my laps I put on plain old goggles just like everybody else. I have been wearing contacts for 14 years (really need to get lasik soon!) and despite what "they" say there really are no restrictions. Trust me I have gone into chemical labs with them (a big no-no) and have never had an issue. Now, wood fires occasionally cause an irritation. Not sure why.

Yeah, mine are night and day but I take them out at night to get more wear out of them. Oh yes-- the goggles-- now that's a possibility. I will look out for some. For now though, all I last really is 20 minutes and I use the freestyle/exercise lane. Yeah smoke bothers me too. I haven't swam in 20+ years except for maybe a little dog paddling in a hotel pool, so building up. Thanks though, that makes me a little less worried.

 

[luvmy2sams]

Holy cow this thread moves quickly! We were out of town all weekend, but I'm cautiously optimistic that the scale will be kind this Friday. DD's first dance competition was a big success. I climbed so many flights of stairs running girls between dressing rooms and the stage that I think I made up for not having a scheduled exercise time.

Sounds like everyone is staying positive and is off to a fantastic week. Keep up the good work everyone!

Saturday's question of the day: What is your first goal you are reaching for? (A smaller step toward your ultimate goal). It can be a specific weight, clothing size, behavior change, whatever you want.

My first goal is just to be consistent with exercise and diet. I need to be doing some sort of physical activity every single day, and I've got to be conscious of what goes into my mouth. It takes 3 weeks to establish a habit, right? That means I'm slowly but surely getting there.

Sunday's Question of the Day: What is a non food reward you can give yourself when you make that first goal?

Let's see...after 30 days of consistent exercise and conscious eating I think I'll treat myself to a movie. The kids are in school all day, and my classes resumed this afternoon, so carving out a few hours with no homework and no obligations other than laughing will be a nice treat.

Monday Question of the Day: What is one positive change you can make this week?
I want to up my exercise some this week. I've started out rather slowly (30-35 minutes on the treadmill), so this week I'll push that to 45-60 minutes and possibly add some resistance training for my upper body.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Sorry to post and run, I will catch up with everybody tomorrow.

I hope everybody is having a fantastic start to the week. The puppies and I are off to b ed, and hopefully tonight will not bring any more puppy crises.

Tuesday Question of the Day: What is one thing you don't think people on the DIS know about you that you would like to share?

 

[50sjayne]

Aha! Got one early My name is Susan and I am a cataholic. I have 13 rescues all vaccinated/fixed, under control and loved. I used to volunteer everywhere which developed into said pride. I also trapped 3 of mine as kittens, and one just gave herself up to my husband in the same area about one step from death.
those who don't think cats can help you be more active has obviously never boogied to big band music with the cat teasers in the living room (add bubbles and balls and you have yourself a party). Also scooping 15 litter boxes twice a day doesn't actually kill you but make you stronger (if you do it right)

 

[TammyNC]

Hi everyone! I just joined the DIS boards and am joining the WISH and BL7 threads! This is my first post, so please bear with me!

Monday Question of the Day: What is one positive change you can make this week?
I work from home, so it is easy to spend the day snacking rather than eating actual meals. I am going to the grocery store today with that in mind. Buying more things that I need to prepare a little, and less that I can just pop open and munch on. Also, I need to concentrate on getting a reasonable and consistant amount of sleep each night.

I'm really looking forward to taking this journey with you all!

Welcome aboard, you'll find lots of inspiration and motivation here.

Tuesday Question of the Day: What is one thing you don't think people on the DIS know about you that you would like to share?

In my free time (some weeks there isn't much of that ) I love to cross stitch and crochet.

 

[karebear1]

Aha! Got one early My name is Susan and I am a cataholic. I have 13 rescues all vaccinated/fixed, under control and loved. I used to volunteer everywhere which developed into said pride. I also trapped 3 of mine as kittens, and one just gave herself up to my husband in the same area about one step from death.
those who don't think cats can help you be more active has obviously never boogied to big band music with the cat teasers in the living room (add bubbles and balls and you have yourself a party). Also scooping 15 litter boxes twice a day doesn't actually kill you but make you stronger (if you do it right)

Susan- I thought you said you were a CATHaholic.... not a CATaholic!!


I quilt and scrapbook. Some people know that, but most don't.

I had a MARVELOUS first day yesterday! This body bugg is really something else! By the time the day was over, I had burned about 100 more calories then I needed to to stay on track to lose 2 lbs. a week. I also had to walk 4 miles and do about 17 minutes of a BL exercise video, along with my daily "whatevers" to do that! AND..... I took over 12,000 steps too!! The BB even whistled a little victory song for me when I went over 10,000 steps!

I think today might be a tough day for me though..... day 2 is always hard.

 

[goldcupmom]

Sad to report that yesterday afternoon was again out of control with food. I HAVE to get this under control. Exercise is no problem. did a watp tape and my ab stuff. It's just the FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I'm watching world news while getting my dis time. Dr. Nancy Snyderman was just on NBC telling that the latest #'s are that 34% of people in US have BMI over 30 and are considered obese, while 32.7% are considered overweight. That translates to 2 out of 3 people are fat! She also said 33% of our children are in this same category. It is really sad if you think about it.

I am buying less junk for the house so the kids also are forced to make healthier choices. Instead of chips, they get apples!

Wow, that really is a sad statistic. My kids too are benefiting by having no junk food in the house. They are definitely eating better!

Did anyone watch oprah today - It's the follow up to her "falling off the wagon from last week". Erik Chopin from the BL - see some of the exerpts below.

thanks for posting the excerpts. I am always fascinated with the "where are they now stories", especially BL contestants. I am sure it took Erik alot of courage to come forward and I hope he gets on track too.

Vija - I am just soooo proud of you and you are such a personal inspiration to me - you know we are. We have become friends and I look forward to meeting you someday - but I know how much of a struggle this is for you - McDonalds and chips are huge triggers for you.

You inspire me to try harder everyday. Still had a "hungry day" and a few too many points - but still plan to weigh in and go to class tomorrow.

I will not dazzle - I have not really worked out and only weighed in last Thursday, but Tuesdays are my classes and I need consistency - it is part of staying control.

As I have said many times - this challenge, for me, is about accountability, honesty and control.



Anyway, I will go to class, I will weigh in (although I feel bloated and heavy now with too many points - I had forgotten that I had eaten a 7 point item earlier) and I will report.

All about control.

Have a magical losing week folks.

Linda

Linda, I think you and I are sisters from a previous life! I find it interesting how You inpsire me, and then I inspire you in return. This is a WONDERFUL cycle to be in. It seems like the more we work, the more we inspire each other, and then the harder we work, and continue to inspire...

I thank you for the wonderful compliment, it means alot to me. I feel the same way about you and look forward to the day we meet. I can't tell you how many times your story and your dedication to improving race times and getting out there has motivated me to keep going and try harder. I can't wait to be able to tell you about my first race!

I am so proud of you for taking back the control and BEING IN CONTROL! Even if the numbers don't dazzle, you will sparkle because you are taking control. You know you need that consistency and you are following through. I hope you have a magical losing day!

Vija - I'm impressed! I think I could a plank for maybe 30 seconds, definitely 5 minutes if I had some pillows under me. Or a couch

Thanks! It isn't easy. I used to watch the kids do it, and never had a clue as to how hard it really is. What surprises me most is the abdominal muscles/core strength needed. I think I might invest in one of those stability balls to help with core strength.

Your pillows and couch comment did make me laugh! I think maybe I might use that as a visual during testing...!

Sad to report that yesterday afternoon was again out of control with food. I HAVE to get this under control. Exercise is no problem. did a watp tape and my ab stuff. It's just the FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hang in there! We have all been there and I understand that vicious cycle. I know you know all the "tricks", wait 10 minutes, portion out a small amount, do something to keep your hands busy... see if you can try one of those to try and reign in some control. Good luck today, I'll be thinking about you.

 

[Raenstoirm]

Tuesday Question of the Day: What is one thing you don't think people on the DIS know about you that you would like to share?

Thats a toughy. I don't think people is this forum know I am a scrapper. Every free moment is spent in my scrap room. Those that frequent the Creative Community know that though and a lot of Wishers are over there too.
I will have to think on that. I am really an open book, but maybe there is something.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

.

Tuesday Question of the Day: What is one thing you don't think people on the DIS know about you that you would like to share?

My parents are both from Latvia, they came over in 1950. I grew up in a 3 generational home (with my maternal grandparents), and LOVED that! From all of this I speak Latvian and continue many of the traditions that I learned from my parents and grandparents.


Interesting observation: I got called in last night, and got home a little before 1am. I was tired, but still "charged up" from work so I relaxed a bit in front of the TV. I was very hungry, had a small snack, and went to bed. This morning I found myself much more hungry than usual. I guess it is true that when you don't get all of the sleep your body needs, then it does crave food to compensate. At least I am not on call tonight, so I can watch BL and then hopefully sleep good!