BL Summer Challenge 2009

[lisah0711]

Corinnak, that BL clippie looks good on you! Good luck with your DL run this week-end!

[sskem96]

Tues. QOTD: When do you eat the bulk of your calories? Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? Snacks? Or are they evenly distributed throughout the day?
Mine are pretty evenly distributed throughout the day. Since I work nights I sometimes eat my meals at odd times. I try to start my WW points after I get home from work in the morning, and make them last til I get off the next morning.

Wed. QOTD: Your Fairy Godmother has magically transported you to the future where you are your goal weight. How will you celebrate?
Wow, I hadn't really thought about it, but that might be a good time to book our first Disney Cruise! Oooh, now I have some new inspiration!

Thurs. QOTD: Do you eat organic food?
Once in a while the organic strawberries will be on sale for less or the same as the regular ones, then I'll buy them. I don't go out of my way to buy organic, and I'm not willing to pay extra for it. Our utility rates have gone up like crazy in the last year, but our income is the same. The grocery budget is one of the few things I still have control over, and I shop as cheap as possible!


Corinnak, congrats on your wt. loss! I can't wait to be below 150 again. I'm hoping it will happen by Christmas.

[jenjolt]

Thursday QOTD: Do you eat organic food?

Hmmm...not really! This is not something I have really done the research on to see if it really does make a difference, so this is probably something I should look into. I also don't have any real good natural food stores near by where I could find a lot of this....so I guess I need to start finding out more!!

Congrats to corinnak!!! That is awesome losing every single week!!!!

I'm really excited to start the new challenge with you guys!!!!

[LuvBaloo]

I missed coming on here yesterday as I was stuck in bed sick, but I'm feeling much better today.

Originally Posted by Worfiedoodles

Wednesday QOTD: Bippity Boppity Boo! Your fairy godmother has magically transported you to the future, where you are your goal weight. How will you celebrate? Remember this feeling and your plans when the going gets tough!

DH & I had been talking about a trip this fall but it didn't look like we could find someone to take the kids, so we changed it to a trip once I'm at goal, which I'm aiming to be at next spring. We'll either go to Cabo San Lucas or Vegas.

Originally Posted by Worfiedoodles

Thursday QOTD:Do you eat organic food? All? Some? None? Is this a change you want to make, or not something you think about?

Not really. The truly organic food is expensive, but I do try to eat most whole grains and not overly processed food. I've really noticed with the kids, that whole grain bread fills them up a lot quicker. If I end up stuck with regular bread, all of a sudden they are eating twice as many pieces. Some foods, I prefer the unhealthy version (particularly peanut butter, I love the Kraft smooth low fat, much better than regular smooth or natural). In the last year, I've switched the family over to whole wheat/multigrain pasta. DH was skeptical at first because its more expensive, but its more filling so works out okay.

[sahbushka]

No organic for me unless it is cheaper than regular stuff.

I am not having a good day. It is fine food wise, but work stuff is just blowing up right and left....I am cranky. Hopefully I will be going to a movie tonight with my grandmother and mom. We are going to see Julie and Julia. I am excited. It has been a while since I have been to a movie and I had really wanted to see this one.

Sarah

[LuvBaloo]

Sarah - I hope your day gets better and you have fun at the movies

[princessbride6205]

Thursday QOTD:Do you eat organic food? All? Some? None? Is this a change you want to make, or not something you think about?
If I could afford it, I would eat all organic. I value that there are so many fewer preservatives and "fake" ingredients. I also like to support organic or small farms. Even not being able to afford organic foods, there are a lot of things we can do. One is to reduce our consumption of junk prepackaged foods. I was grossed out yesterday reading the ingredients of the supposedly healthy Special K granola bars (it was a free sample) - multiple types of sugar & corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, etc. If all those things are in a 90 calorie bar, there can't be much "real" food in it. Changes that we have made include buying organic whenever it's on sale, eating fewer packaged junk foods, and eating less meat. I mainly shop at Super Target, since natural food stores are 20 minutes away. They still have a good selection of natural and organic items. I really like buying Newman's Own brand - their salsa and pasta sauce are comparable in price to regular brands. They are not organic, but they don't use corn syrup or hydrogenated oils. At least I can pronounce all the ingredients!

[donac]

Thursday QOTD:Do you eat organic food? All? Some? None? Is this a change you want to make, or not something you think about?

I also read Jillian's book and have been trying to eat more organic food when I can afford it. YOu are finding it in more and more places these days without going to specialty stores. I also have loved going to local farm markets to get organic veggies.

[MelanieC]

Originally Posted by Worfiedoodles

Monday QOTD (Thanks, Lisa!): What Disney princess or "humanesque" (Peter Pan, not Pluto) character's clothes would suit you best?

Hmm......that is a toughy. I'm most comfortable in a pair of bellbottoms, comfy fitted but not tight girl t-shirt (you know the kind made for womens that are fitted) and either flip flops in the summer or slip on Uggs. Not sure what Disney character dresses like that lol. Maybe Violet from The Incredibles?

Originally Posted by ohMom

Melanie...you back on the workouts?

Not yet - I leave for Vegas tomorrow and haven't gotten in my grove yet Hopefully once I'm back.

Originally Posted by Worfiedoodles

Tuesday QOTD: When do you eat the bulk of your calories? Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? Snacks? Or are they evenly distributed throughout the day?

I'd say evenly distributed usually since I try to eat smaller meals throughout the day. Most meals are around the same amount.

Originally Posted by Worfiedoodles

Wednesday QOTD: Bippity Boppity Boo! Your fairy godmother has magically transported you to the future, where you are your goal weight. How will you celebrate? Remember this feeling and your plans when the going gets tough!

I'm planning on getting a pair of Lucky Brand Jeans as a reward!!!

Originally Posted by Worfiedoodles

Thursday QOTD:Do you eat organic food? All? Some? None? Is this a change you want to make, or not something you think about?

I've started reading Jillian Michael's book, Master Your Metabolism, so now I'm thinking about eating more organically -- if I could do it, and if so to what degree. Just curious what other people do!

I eat about 90-95% organic. Pretty much I don't buy it unless it's organic except on a few things I can't buy organic like coconuts, fresh pineapple, etc. I go to whole foods, trader joes, a local health store, a free range local buffalo farm, a local organic farm, and a few local farmers markets, and a raw food store.

For me, I'd rather pay more for quality and buy the best food I can. I get pastured eggs from a farm here in PA where the chickens run around totally free and eat ony organic food and grass. I pay $4.50 a dozen for them, but they are totally different even down to the shell being thinner and the eggs are larger. Sometimes I even buy raw organic milk fresh from a farm where there are only a couple of cows and they are totally grass fed. The milk is about the same cost as most organic milk except you pay a deposit on the glass bottle it comes in - you get that back when you return the bottle. Same with my cheese, I pay $6.99 for a block of organic raw goats cheese. I usually get one that is like a less salty feta and a cheddar. I'll buy buffalo meat that is grass fed, its not certified organic but they do not use any pestisides and they are only fed hay when the weather conditions do not allow grazing. This farm is literally a few miles from me. Right now I'm trying to get into a CSA in a local farm that is not ceritified organic, but practices organic pest control as do a lot of local farmers (You have to research the practices they employ). I'll pay more for brands that are high quality, like I love Artisana Organic Raw Tahini and Artisana Organic Raw Coconut butter. I'll spend more on those jars for the quality of them because I can eat the coconut butter right out of the jar because its so good. I've learned that I have to remember I can't buy every kind of fruit and veggie I want and eat it before it goes bad, so I try to buy less more often and mix it up. Also, my nuts I buy from a Raw foods store because I know the are truly gotten from a raw source and not conventional brand that has been heat treated and still labeled raw. In fact - I have to call because I found out that I can buy 10bls of really raw california almonds for $4 per pound. That is an awesome deal. Then I can make my own almond milk and almond butter and freeze most of the actual nuts. It's all about figureing out what you consider important and what quality your willing to pay for. For me, I don't buy myself the junk (Course DH does for him and the kids), but I'd rather not buy the processed foods and have really good clean organic minimally processed foods that I know have as little hormones, antibiotics, etc.
But every staple I buy is organic like olive oil, spices, nuts, chocolate, raw organic cocoa powder. Occasionally though there are things I can't find organic, but a lot of time I just won't buy it if I can't buy it organic. These days almost everything I would want is organic. The prices are going down for these things too.

Course that all goes out the window when I eat out.....we all know they use the most industrial versions of food they can find. Can you say vats of fats that aren't healthy and meats that are full of hormones and antibiotics and of course hardly any organic foods. Luckily the area I work in has quite a few places I can get organic meals at or some that are partially organic.

Originally Posted by ohMom

wed QOTD -- great question!! i will reward myself by grabbing any pair of jeans and slipping them on comfortably.....no looking for the 'big' pairs

QOTD -- i have read tidbits from various authors (Dr. Oz, Jillian..) on eating more natural foods. last night while walking with my neighbors this actually was brought up. i was surprised at their response of "I'm not paying $5 for a gallon of milk" and such, like a knee jerk reaction. Yes it can cost more, but I was pleasantly surprised to see ordinary name brands at Whole Foods, which can be bought at any grocery. the more I read and think about it, the more convinced I am that the processed ingredients are just truly "junk food" i am not 100%, nor do i think i ever will be, but I think any changes that I can make are great! and I will say the meat at Whole Foods and Trader Joes is superoir, IMO. sometimes i just stop and think "do i really need sugar in my pasta sauce?" i brought that up to which my neighbor replied "I know, but I still add more sugar to the sauce anyways" YIKES!

Totally agree on the pasta sauce - I make my own using organic ingredients that I buy at whole foods. If I put any sweetner in, it might be a teaspoon of honey......but not always.

[MelanieC]

Have a good week everyone, I leave in the morning for Vegas to visit my mom. Saturday and Sunday my Mom and I are flying to Denver to see my 93 year old grandmother (probably the last time I'll get to see her) and we have tickets for LOVE at the Mirage on Sunday night. Then a more relaxed Monday and Tuesday back in Vegas before I come back next Wendesday. Wish me luck in not gaining this weekend.

Have a healthy and happy Holiday!!

[ohMom]

enjoy LOVE! it is an awesome show!!

i'm bummed....i'm up 4 lbs from the start of this challenge and didn't lose anything this week. i'm having trouble with the first step...getting in the right mindset. i'm going to keep working on it...can't give up!

[Worfiedoodles]

One Last QOTD for the Road: Do you plan on participating in BL8? Why or why not?

It's the end of the BL Summer Challenge, but I can't be too sad. This has been a great learning experience for me. Even though I didn't lose like I wanted, I did feel like I know the combination of things I need to do to lose, and it's all going to come together this Autumn!

I will definitely be a participant and coach for BL8, because I am determined to make this the best BL ever for me, losing and learning all along the way!

Thanks for letting me coach the last week, I think this has been my most productive yet!

Maria

[mikamah]

Good morning everyone!

Congratulations to last weeks biggest losers!! And a big kudos to you, Corinnak on being this weeks biggest loser, and on losing every week!! That is really an accomplishment to be proud of especially during the summer months.

Originally Posted by ohMom

i'm bummed....i'm up 4 lbs from the start of this challenge and didn't lose anything this week. i'm having trouble with the first step...getting in the right mindset. i'm going to keep working on it...can't give up!

Sorry you had a gain as I did, but I think if I didn't have this challenge in the back of my mind, it could have been so much worse. Gotta keep trying and never give up, and we will get there.

Originally Posted by Worfiedoodles

One Last QOTD for the Road: Do you plan on participating in BL8? Why or why not?

It's the end of the BL Summer Challenge, but I can't be too sad. This has been a great learning experience for me. Even though I didn't lose like I wanted, I did feel like I know the combination of things I need to do to lose, and it's all going to come together this Autumn!

I will definitely be a participant and coach for BL8, because I am determined to make this the best BL ever for me, losing and learning all along the way!

Thanks for letting me coach the last week, I think this has been my most productive yet!

Maria

Thanks for coaching this week. I missed most of it, but read through all the posts, and loved the qotds.

Todays' qotd, I am definitely going to be part of BL8, and after an emotionally draining summer, I am feeling motivated to get back into a routine of exercising, and cooking healthy again. I am up 13 pounds from the beginning of this challenge, so though it wasn't a losing challenge for me, it really did help me to come here and get support and inspiration from you all. I honestly know it would have been way worse if I hadn't kept you all in the back of my mind on those stress eating days. School starts for my son on wednesday, and I am off work so I'll be heading back to ww, and the grocery store to start the week off right.

We are still on vacation, and heading to my sisters camp tonight for 2 nights, and then we'll have a couple days to just relax at home before school starts.

Have a great, long weekend!

[corinnak]

One Last QOTD for the Road: Do you plan on participating in BL8? Why or why not?

I will be there with bells on and feel ready to actually coach a week! Why? I'm not done yet and this challenge has helped keep my head in the game with the QOTD and weekly weigh in. I feel like it's just the right amount of accountability for me. I'm not a fan of the semi-public weigh in at WW, nor do I necessarily stick with a strict weigh in schedule left to my own devices. It seems like a small thing, sending in my weight once a week, but it really makes all the difference. Therefore I want to extend a HUGE thank you to the weightkeepers, and especially to Shannon for keeping the weights this round!

[sahbushka]

I will deff. be in the BL 8 challenge and am scheduled to coach a week in November near thanksgiving! I feel this summer challenge has really helped me stay on track and I have had pretty good success. I lost the gain I had last week plus another couple pounds at wi this week so I am pretty pleased with that!

Have a great day all (12 sleeps till I go to Disneyland!!!!)

Sarah