Welcome to the WISH Biggest Loser 7 Challenge

[MelanieC]

Ok, I just messed up a bit. My kids both had friends over last night and have friends here today. I fixed hot dogs and cheese dip for them. Fast and easy. Unfortunately, I just ate some of both! About half way thru I started feeling guilty, but still ate it anyway. Why do I do this? Its just a bad habit I believe. I have ate junk for so long, I am just used to it, and I like junk food. I have been getting in my water still, and I had Kashi cereal for breakfast with blueberries in it. It was ok, but not the greatest. Maybe that is why I was weak for lunch, because I didn't feel satisfied after eating earlier.

Ok - this is a lifestyle. It's not a prison sentence. From this day forward, don't put anything in your mouth that you don't absolutely love and that won't make you feel satisfied. I promise you can do this and still eat what makes you happy. I originally got to goal eating all my favorite foods instead including 2 slices of pizza at least once a week on Fridays, chocolate, peanut butter, avocado's -you name it.

It's about learning to find healthier ways of eating your favorites.

So - give me a list of your favorite foods and I will help you find alternatives. I guarantee there is a healthier version of almost everything. Its learning to cook a different way, but remember good fats are good for you and there to keep you satisfied.

So do you like the Kashi cereal or are you eating it because you think it's healthy? There are a ton of healthy cereals or other options. No one says you have to eat cereal. What kinds of things do you like and do satisfy you? It's just a matter of rethinking and training your brain.

Peanut butter - Don't buy Jiff - buy the kind that only has peanuts and salt in the ingredients list. Have you ever looked at a jar of jiff ?? Scary stuff.

Most foods have ingredients list that scare me. These 100 pack foods may only be 100 calories, but the food has ingredients that are full of chemicals.

Learn to find alternatives. My alternative for choclate bar is a cliff nectar cacao bar - 160 calories, organic (dates, walnuts, unsweetned chocolate, cocoa and vanilla), my alternative for a recees peanut butter cup is a piece of organic 88% dark chocolate with organic peanut butter (nuts and salt), my alternative for crackers - kashi, or my fav is whole foods version of a triscuit (ony two ingredients- whole wheat and salt)-there are a ton of healthy crackers.

I look for as high of fiber and the least amount of ingredients. Nitrate free hot dogs, whole wheat buns that are all natural (or my fav is ezekial 4:9 sprouted grain breads - but most people have to work up to this), I don't use fat free anything except milk and yogurt.

My alternative to ice cream is a smoothie - i have several but my two favs are
Blueberry - 1 cup yogurt, 140g frozen blueberries, 1/2 frozen banana (freeze without peel- break in half before freezing), 7 g almonds, 1 tsp cinnamon (optional- not everyone may like it with cinnamon) -blend
Mango Lassi - 1 cup yogurt, 140g frozen mango, 1/2 or 1 whole banana, 1 tsp honey or agave nectar optional - it's sweet enough without it

I figure out the calories to all my recipes by using the recipe builder at Sparkpeople. I then break it down by cups - and save it so I have the info the next time I make it.

I use whole fat cheese, I just measure it and count the calories for it - no guilt. I'd rather eat the whole stuff with just a few ingredients than to have all the unatural fillers.
I use organic parmesean and organic feta a lot, both have a lot less fat then regular cheese. Also part skim mozzerella is lower in fat.

I make toasted cheese type sandwiches using olive oil on the bread. Mister Misto is great for putting olive oil in and spraying with it. Or I just measure out a teaspoon when I cook. Not too many calories in it.

I eat an entire avocado 3-4 times a week -its one of my favorite foods. Its so satisfying. I usually don't eat meat when I do this and just think of this as my fat I would have had if I ate meat. Its monunsaturated and so good for you. I lose even when eating the whole thing. I had 3 this week and lost 2.2.

I could go on and on. I spent much time at the beginning of my journey tackleing one thing at at time. I've learned to give up on the things I don't really care for like cured meats, bacon, ham, salami, etc. If I feel like having bacon I buy the nitrate free kind.

I just look for the least processed version of the things I like. There are healthier subsitutes for almost everything. Even your potato chips have healthier less processed/less chemical versions.

Plus remember - one step at a time. Don't eat it if you don't like it. Make a list of all your favorite recipes. How do they fit in your lifestyle choice? If your lifestyle choice is making you feel deprived, look for one that won't. This is forever- you have to enjoy it. No food is off limits, moderation and working it into your calories each day is key.

There is a way to alter every recipe. Think about your favorites and make them work for you. Think about ways to make them healthier but still taste the same.

 

[LuvBaloo]

Ok, I just messed up a bit. My kids both had friends over last night and have friends here today. I fixed hot dogs and cheese dip for them. Fast and easy. Unfortunately, I just ate some of both! About half way thru I started feeling guilty, but still ate it anyway. Why do I do this? Its just a bad habit I believe. I have ate junk for so long, I am just used to it, and I like junk food. I have been getting in my water still, and I had Kashi cereal for breakfast with blueberries in it. It was ok, but not the greatest. Maybe that is why I was weak for lunch, because I didn't feel satisfied after eating earlier.

Oh, well. In the past I have used one little weak moment as an excuse to eat like crazy for the rest of the day, but NOT THIS TIME! I will be back on track the rest of the day, and will get in a little extra exercise time, and an extra glass or 2 of water! I am feeling more focused after reading everyone's posts. This is the time that I will take charge and make things happen for me. I will not fail. I just have to realize that I can't reverse overnight every bad habit I've formed in the past 10 years.

I see that as a SUCCESS! You had some junk that you enjoy, realized it wasn't really healthy and are going back on track. I'm no expert, but the different lifestyle books I've read, say its okay to have some junk. I too enjoy a lot of the junk, and I'm trying to stick to fast food only once a week, and cut back to the small coke with it. Life is for enjoying, so I'm going to enjoy in moderation.

 

[airtime247]

We have a good quick recipe for ground turkey. We used to love homemade tacos but now make taco salads. We put a big mound of shredded lettuce in a bowl, crumble a handful of Baked Tostitos on the top, some ground turkey or lean beef cooked with a taco seasoning mix, black beans or a little fat-free refried beans, a scoop of fat-free sour cream and pour some La Victoria green taco sauce on top. This has plenty of flavor for me but you can also put in tomatoes, peppers, a little cheese, or any other light thing you like to have in tacos.

I have a quick question about the COW. Are we supposed to count how many 8oz glasses of water we have each day or just how many days we have more than eight 8oz glasses?

-steve

 

[Riverhill]

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.

To have my evening weigh in number be the same number as current morning weigh in number.

I would love to go to bed feeling as thin as I do when I wake up. This may seem strange but I always wake up feeling thinner than when I go to bed.

 

[nkkilala]

Well I have had a slight change in plans, I won't call it a set-back.

I was supposed to stay after work on Friday and do my 30 minutes of cardio and my C25K workout. Due to a snowstorm I decided to leave work with everyone else and get home safely (my 20 minute drive took me 50 minutes).

I planned to then head out today to the gym after the roads were cleared. The weather had another story in mind. We are still getting snow.

I decided to take mother nature by the horns and trade my treadmill workout for a 45 minute snow shoveling workout.

I could have just sat on my caboose and watched the snow pile up but I summoned the motivation and got in a good workout!


Have a great night everyone!

 

[zurgswife]

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

Drinking water was my big positive change


followed closely by exercising.

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.

Having my fat clothes not be tight any more.

I have lost 5.5lbs...not quite sure how but I'll take it..Hoping next week has at least some loss.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I'm having a bad night. I started feeling low (blood sugar) and tested. I was at 67, so not too bad. Anything under 70 is low, but 67 is not a super bad number. I figured I would correct now before I got any lower. I did a small correction so I wouldn't go too high, and waited 15 minutes to test again. Meantime I started feeling worse, but that is typical for me. The feeling gets worse before it gets better and it takes awhile to go away.

I tested again and I am at 53! I corrected again, and am waiting to test. I feel like crap. If you've never had low blood sugar before, you feel very shaky. It's hard for me to even type. It makes you feel dizzy like you can't sit up straight. And it makes me very emotional. That's the worst part I think. I feel like crying even though there is no reason to cry. It can also make me irritable, but tonight it is just making me weepy. I really hate this thing sometimes, and none of my family or friends understand. I was doing so well last week with my sugars, and this week it's been such a roller coaster. Really high for no apparent reason, and now tonight I'm low for the first time since November. It's probably just the change in routine, stress, and sleep deprivation, but it's still frustrating. I'm just wish I could be done with all of it.

 

[goofymatt]

My first goal of this is ten more pounds. this should take me down from a size 38 waist to a size 36. second part of this is should help alot with my blood sugar. I will continue to eat better and walk the steps at school. in the first week I dropped 8.3 pounds just with walking and a MAJOR change in eating, how much of this was due to overeating and drinking to much soda? this week I want to add sit-up and push ups.

 

[goofymatt]

I'm having a bad night. I started feeling low (blood sugar) and tested. I was at 67, so not too bad. Anything under 70 is low, but 67 is not a super bad number. I figured I would correct now before I got any lower. I did a small correction so I wouldn't go too high, and waited 15 minutes to test again. Meantime I started feeling worse, but that is typical for me. The feeling gets worse before it gets better and it takes awhile to go away.

I tested again and I am at 53! I corrected again, and am waiting to test. I feel like crap. If you've never had low blood sugar before, you feel very shaky. It's hard for me to even type. It makes you feel dizzy like you can't sit up straight. And it makes me very emotional. That's the worst part I think. I feel like crying even though there is no reason to cry. It can also make me irritable, but tonight it is just making me weepy. I really hate this thing sometimes, and none of my family or friends understand. I was doing so well last week with my sugars, and this week it's been such a roller coaster. Really high for no apparent reason, and now tonight I'm low for the first time since November. It's probably just the change in routine, stress, and sleep deprivation, but it's still frustrating. I'm just wish I could be done with all of it.

I know what you mean DW say I am really moody and a big A** when my sugar gets low. Good luck getting under control and with being a BIG loser

 

[LuvBaloo]

I'm having a bad night. I started feeling low (blood sugar) and tested. I was at 67, so not too bad. Anything under 70 is low, but 67 is not a super bad number. I figured I would correct now before I got any lower. I did a small correction so I wouldn't go too high, and waited 15 minutes to test again. Meantime I started feeling worse, but that is typical for me. The feeling gets worse before it gets better and it takes awhile to go away.

I tested again and I am at 53! I corrected again, and am waiting to test. I feel like crap. If you've never had low blood sugar before, you feel very shaky. It's hard for me to even type. It makes you feel dizzy like you can't sit up straight. And it makes me very emotional. That's the worst part I think. I feel like crying even though there is no reason to cry. It can also make me irritable, but tonight it is just making me weepy. I really hate this thing sometimes, and none of my family or friends understand. I was doing so well last week with my sugars, and this week it's been such a roller coaster. Really high for no apparent reason, and now tonight I'm low for the first time since November. It's probably just the change in routine, stress, and sleep deprivation, but it's still frustrating. I'm just wish I could be done with all of it.

I hope you're starting to feel better

 

[MelanieC]

I'm having a bad night. I started feeling low (blood sugar) and tested. I was at 67, so not too bad. Anything under 70 is low, but 67 is not a super bad number. I figured I would correct now before I got any lower. I did a small correction so I wouldn't go too high, and waited 15 minutes to test again. Meantime I started feeling worse, but that is typical for me. The feeling gets worse before it gets better and it takes awhile to go away.

I tested again and I am at 53! I corrected again, and am waiting to test. I feel like crap. If you've never had low blood sugar before, you feel very shaky. It's hard for me to even type. It makes you feel dizzy like you can't sit up straight. And it makes me very emotional. That's the worst part I think. I feel like crying even though there is no reason to cry. It can also make me irritable, but tonight it is just making me weepy. I really hate this thing sometimes, and none of my family or friends understand. I was doing so well last week with my sugars, and this week it's been such a roller coaster. Really high for no apparent reason, and now tonight I'm low for the first time since November. It's probably just the change in routine, stress, and sleep deprivation, but it's still frustrating. I'm just wish I could be done with all of it.

I hope your feeling better. Low blood sugar sucks. I have low blood sugar and I become a mad raving lunatic when It starts going low. It's as if a switch is turned on and become a different person. I try to eat nuts in between meals so it doesn't dip too low.

Luckily though - mine isn't bad enough to have to test. I hope you are feeling better.

 

[MelanieC]

My day today was good. Totally OP!!! For the COW - I got in 8 glasses of water. No pain today either - so far so good. I wonder if these cranberry pills I started taking (I don't take them everyday because I forget - maybe one a week if I'm lucky) have helped? At first I thought they burned my bladder, but the next time it felt fine. Hmm....maybe I should take another cranberry pill tonight. I was having a lot of pain in November and early Dec, but the past week or two I really haven't had much bladder pain. Using the bathroom all the time, but no pain - thank goodness.

I tried a new smoothie tonight - the amounts can be adjusted - this is just what I used.

1 cup plain lowfat organic plain yogurt, 16g 88% dark organic chocolate, 19g organic peanut butter, 1 frozen banana - It was milkshake like since only the banana is frozen. It was like having a frozen chocolate banana in a drink. The chocolate was slightly chunky - enough to chew tiny bits. YUMMO!!

I planned on exercising this afternoon, but since I slept half the day away, by the time I cleaned the house, cooked dinner etc. it was late.

 

[Krisi616]

When I posted before I had not yet weighed. I weighed and found out I lost 9.2 lbs this week!!! I was very excited, but this week ... dear Aunt Flo is visiting and we are in Disney so... I will be drinking lots of water, hopefully that will keep me from snacking to much! My goal for the month was 8lbs. I have increased it to 12 (figureing I won't lose as much the next couple weeks).

 

[Disneynut71]

It took me awhile to read all the posts, but congrats to all of you for your losses this week.

I am down 1.5 lbs this week. I have been following the same diet for almost 6 months. I am still going strong and still have a long way to go.



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

I am drinking more water. Still not as much as I should, but instead of grabbing a bottle of pop, I grab a bottle of water.


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.

I have hit so many goals so far, but I would say right now, My goal is to hit the 100's. A place I have not been to in many, many years. I am very close and should be able to hit it within the next month or so....at least I hope.

Good luck all you losers this week.

 

[TammyNC]

I bought the organic quick cook oat's - the 5 minute kind, from Whole Foods - A huge container was around $2-3. I also bought organic blueberries from Whole foods. I have this great ceramic bowls that are tall and perfect for cooking oatmeal. I add 8oz of water to 40g of the oatmeal. Put it in the microwave for 2 minutes, stir and then add in 40-60 g of blueberries. It's so quick and easy and I've actually started looking forward to that taste in the morning. Sometimes I even scramble an egg and a few egg whites if I want a little extra stay power. I find that will keep me full all morning. The oatmeal is so much better for you than the kind with the sugar in it, and its just as easy to make. I want to try some other fruits. If blueberries taste great - I bet other frozen fruit does too. It cools down the oatmeal so I can eat it right away and adds a burst of sweetness in every bite.

That is a great idea adding meal planning to your kids lessons. It's definately a good thing to teach them. Lots in there they can learn that really applies to real life.

Great job on buying the grass fed beef - it's definately so much better for you. That is how cows were fed when our grandparents had farms. All this corn that is fed to cows is not good for them. Cows are not meant to handle the acidity of corn and it makes them sick - which in turn they use antibiotics and hormones that in turn make us sick. All these things end up in our body and mess up your endocrine system. Your hormones get all out of wack. Its such a visious cycle.

I sure hope my bladder can get used to this water. I was up every few hours last night. Didn't get great sleep -but - no pain.

Ground turkey basically tastes the same. My family never balked and we never looked back. We use it everywhere we used ground meat. Spagetti, stuffed peppers, meatloaf, UNfried rice, all sorts of pasta dishes - you name it and you would use ground beef - you can use turkey.

Nope - most likely they won't know the difference. Don't tell them and use it. See what happens. Now if you use the 99% lean (only breast) vs. the 93% it will be a little drier. Possibly start with the 93% or just go with the 99% and see what happens. Or if you buy good grass feed beef in the 93 or 94% fat range - it's basically just as good as far as fat.

Will have to look into the oatmeal, I still haven't found anything that I'm crazy about for breakfast. I eat something most mornings but it is a chore, will give this a try.

The kids love to get involved, I just sometimes forget to let them on stuff like that. The big thing too will be that when they finish, they get to clean up.

We are trying to buy healthier even though it is more expensive. I look at it like we can pay more in doctor bills in the long term or spend a little more now. Still may give ground turkey or chicken a try in a recipe and see what happens. I'm always looking for something new to fix, I don't like preparing the same thing each week.

I think your bladder will adjust...when I started really increasing my water, I was up several times a night also. Now, it is rare for me to have to get up unless I drink too much too close to bed.

Glad to hear you haven't been in pain too!!

 

[NancyK]

I just wanted to say how motivating it is to read everyone's posts. It's nice to know that you understand how it feels to make healthy choices all day and then having a package of cookies undo all the hard work.
MelanieC - I've enjoyed reading your helpful posts.
Enjoy your Sunday everyone.

 

[NancyK]

I have hit so many goals so far, but I would say right now, My goal is to hit the 100's. A place I have not been to in many, many years. I am very close and should be able to hit it within the next month or so....at least I hope.

A few years ago when I was a member of WISH, we used to call getting out of the 200s reaching
ONEderland

I always really liked that term. Best wishes for reaching it soon!

 

[XYSRUS]

Hi everyone. I'm new here and just read through everything. Wow-I haven' really thought of a goal or a motivation. My motivation is I still have little kids that I want to ride roller coasters and go boogie boarding with! I have 4 boys and a wonderful husband. Good vibes all around.

 

[Debbie]

I decided to take mother nature by the horns and trade my treadmill workout for a 45 minute snow shoveling workout.

Good for you!

I'm having a bad night.

Hope things are better today!

. . . by the time I cleaned the house, cooked dinner etc. it was late.

Heck, cleaning the house is exercise, right?

...this week ... dear Aunt Flo is visiting and we are in Disney so... I will be drinking lots of water, hopefully that will keep me from snacking to much! My goal for the month was 8lbs.

Awesome start to the challenge. Have fun at Disney....and remember....all that walking adds up, too!

I am down 1.5 lbs this week. I have been following the same diet for almost 6 months. I am still going strong and still have a long way to go...My goal is to hit the 100's.

Hitting ONEderland is ONEderful. I remember, and I hope to be there, too, again, some day. Good on you for those continued losses!

I'm new here

Weigh to go, losers, maintainers, and triers! Keep up the good work!

 

[My2E's]

MelanieC, Thanks for all of the helpful ideas. The smoothies sound great. I will definitely give them a try. My daughter picked out the Kashi cereal at the store, and yesterday was the first day I tried it. Needless to say, she thought it was gross. It wasn't bad, but I probably wont be buying it again. I like other things better. This morning I had organic wheat bread with Polaner all fruit peach on top. I like it pretty good. The wheat bread is strong considering I'm usually a white bread kind of gal, but the peach spread sweetens it up a lot. My typical breakfast before making changes consisted of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a Little Debbie of some sort eaten in the car! So I am doing much better!

I also tried the ground turkey the other night. I made turkey burgers. Mixed some shredded cabbage and a little dry Ranch seasoning in with salt and pepper and grilled them. They were great. I had ground beef also in the fridge so I made the rest of the family the normal hamburgers, but next time they will be getting the turkey just like me. I guess I was the guinea pig for the rest of the family!

The problem with the hot dogs and cheese dip yesterday was that if it was something that I loved, I wouldn't have felt so bad about eating it. But I really don't love them! They were just easy and there. So I ate them. I have got to start planning better and staying prepared for those moments. This is a process and I am just going to take one step at a time.

Thanks to everyone for their posts, because reading everyone's successes are encouraging. Even the struggles are encouraging in a way, it makes you realize that everyone has those same ups and downs.