BL Summer Challenge 2009

[Worfiedoodles]

I am so slowly catching up -- I think I'm just going to jump in where I am!

When I want a little something sweet, I'll have 5 pizelles (Italian cookies). They're 23 calories each, and very yummy!

When we get home I immediately unpack and do the laundry. Unfortunately, my dh is from a different school. I take the clothes out of his suitcase, but everything else stays in there. He literally still has his suitcase on our bedroom floor from our June trip...Sigh.

I just seem to keep going in the wrong direction, weight-wise. I may weigh more when I started than when this challenge ends...Just one more week of company, and then I can get back to a normal schedule. We had treats from a phenomenal local bakery (Mike's Pastry in the North End, for those of you that might know it), and that blew any hope I had of a decent weight this week, I'm pretty sure...that combined with my smom cooking tonight. You can bet it will be fried and there will be cheese!

Maria

[LuvBaloo]

Here we celebrate our progress and recognize our superstars for Week 14 of our BL Summer Challenge!

Reminders:
-after 3 weeks of no reporting, you are dropped from the challenged – (can re-start at any time, though )
-if anybody knows they will miss weighing in, just PM and let me know ahead of time
-I don't follow the BL TV version of handling gains. All losses are the simple formula of: (last week - this week) divided by last week

First some stats

not reporting in for 3 weeks --------- 2 (they are dropped from the stats, but can return anytime!)
not reporting in for 2 weeks ----------2
not reporting in for 1 week -----------2
Excused------------------------------4
DONE because they reached Goal------1
new recruits this week----------------0
weigh ins this week------------------16
gains--------------------------------3
maintains----------------------------3
losses------------------------------10


Summer Between BL Challenge Week 14
weekly total group lossfor this week = 11.4 pounds

Average percentage of weight lossthis week 0.38%


Before the weekly superstar list comes the disclaimer. I am human and I make mistakes. If you have any questions please contact me.

Now let's get to the good stuff. Who were our superstars of week 14? This week, the top losers list is a top 10
(That criteria may change from week to week depending on the number of people/losses/gains, and sometimes just to spice it up! )

The WISH Biggest Loser Summer Challenge Week 14 Superstars!!

#10-0.21% - MickeyMagic
#9-0.45% - PrincessBride6205
#8-0.48% - mikamah
#7-0.58% - disney1990
#6-0.79% - lisah0711
#5-0.92% - Corinnak
#4-0.96% - sahbushka
#3-1.07% - sskem96
#2-1.16% - bobnjenn0828

and now

The WISH Biggest Loser Summer Challenge
Week 14 Biggest Loser!!

#1-1.35%- lulamc

This summer challenge has been a struggle for some of us (including me). Remember to stay positive, be proud of your successes and learn from your mistakes.

Here's one quote I found for this week:
From WWonline.ca, Wendy's success story, one of her tipes:
Be selfish when it comes to your weight-loss goals. Don't let anything get in the way of your workout time or preparing your meals. Make it a priority.

(This is really something I have to work on!)



Congratulations lulamc!!!

We have a very special clippie reserved for our weekly Biggest Loser.

This is our weekly reigning Biggest Loser clippie. We have the large version



or use this
[IMG]http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/31040weeklyBLsmall1.jpg
followed by [/IMG]

or we have a medium version



or use this
[IMG]http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/31040weeklyBLmed.jpg
followed by [/IMG]

and we have a small version

[IMG]http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/31040weeklyBLsm.jpg[IMG]

or use
[IMG]http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/31040weeklyBLsm.jpg
followed by [IMG]

Thanks to ohMom-Molli for these clippies. They were used for a previous BL but we can recycle. Don't they look great!

[LuvBaloo]

I really like coming on here and reading others successes and struggles. It helps me to realize that we are all human, and we can mistakes and start again.

I looked up the nutrition information on dinner at Tony Romas last Saturday, and it was much higher than I was thinking. My WW week starts on Fridays and I had used all my flex points by the end of dinner on Saturday At least it tasted great and the whole family enjoyed it.

[pjlla]

Originally Posted by sahbushka

So I binged yesterday for the first time since I went on plan 100 days ago. I knew it was coming on...I even knew how to stop it (by coming on here) but I chose not to stop it but to binge. I felt awful last night. I think I now know why I felt the urge to binge....1 - people are finally starting to notice my weight loss (I don't know why but this usually leads me to binge) 2 - I got to 100 days on plan. Milestones seem to freak me out. I am back on plan today and hoping I can stay there.

QOTD : I unpack immediately and start laundry!

At least you recognized your binge and got right back on plan.... that is what is most important. And you did some great self-analysis to figure out why you binged. Good job!

Originally Posted by corinnak

Yesterday I was at the health food store, exchanging some chia seeds - the first package had webs in it. Yuck. I said I wanted and exchange but could I open the package before I took it - sure enough the second package was fine. As I was checking out with a couple of other items, though, the woman in front of me was talking to the cashier (whom she seemed to know) about the "Flat Belly Diet" that Prevention magazine has been touting for at least the past 10 months. For some reason, anything with the word "belly" in it cracks me up. I would like a flat belly as well, please () but am not sure that Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFAs) are really the answer.

What types of seeds are these? Something you grow for just the sprout? What do they taste like? I have tried lots of different sprouts and keep telling myself I should grow some.... I even have some nice "equipment" for growing sprouts, but I haven't tried it in a LONG time. I should try it this winter when salad greens and stuff are expensive.

Originally Posted by mikamah

Good morning everyone.
Just popping in to say a quick hello, and get some inspiration. We camped for 3 nights at Old orchard beach, and had a great time, though I ate and drank too much. I am up 4 pounds this morning! I did not drink enough water, that's for sure, because I hate dragging myself out of the tent during the middle of the night and treking to the bathrooms. The waves at the beach were amazing. My son is a little fish, and couldn't believe he was in water up to his ankles, and some of the waves were over his head. It was something to see. Sunday, at high tide the beach was closed to swimming, so we went again yesterday on the way home. Tomorrow we are renting a cabin on sebago lake in maine for 4 nights with my brother and family, and I talked to him last night, and they are also trying to eat healthy again, so I should do better. We will be bringing pretty much all our food, so that will help.

Are the big waves because of the leftovers of Hurricane Bill? DS and I were impressed by the waves when we were there in July.... we are used to the waves on the bay side of Cape Cod.

Originally Posted by LuvBaloo

I really like coming on here and reading others successes and struggles. It helps me to realize that we are all human, and we can mistakes and start again.

I looked up the nutrition information on dinner at Tony Romas last Saturday, and it was much higher than I was thinking. My WW week starts on Fridays and I had used all my flex points by the end of dinner on Saturday At least it tasted great and the whole family enjoyed it.

I keep meaning to make myself a "cheat sheet" of the points for lots of foods/restaurants that we stop at. It would help a lot.... I really struggle when I eat out if I am not prepared in advance with the nutrition information. I end up eating a green salad many places and have some protein when I get home because I never know what is a "good choice". For lunch at the mall earlier this week I had a plate of steamed broccoli from a chinese place because I didn't find anything else around that I could accurately gauge the points for (except Dunkin Donuts, but I wasn't in the mood for that). Most fast food places are easy because they have their NI posted somewhere (McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, and Dairy Queen).... but sit-down restaurants are much tougher, as are those in-between places at the mall. DD was HORRIFIED to find out recently that a 1 C serving of her favorite "General's Chicken" is 15 points . I wasn't too surprised, but I'm glad she took the time to check it out on her own.... and I noticed she didn't order it when we were at the mall this time!! Maybe my "healthy eating" role model is FINALLY paying off!

Today's QOTD:

Directed at those of you with kids at home.... Are you excited to have your kids going back to school? When do/did they go back?

My kids go back TOMORROW! I am SO not ready for summer to be over... and not just because it means that I have to head back to work (I'm a substitute teacher). This was just such a short summer. They only got out on June 28th... and the entire month of July (mostly) was crummy weather. It truly feels like we should have about three more weeks of vacation.

I hate getting back to the "did you do your homework?" hassles... the "get up NOW or you'll miss the bus" hassles, and the DRIVE TO SWIM PRACTICE, DRIVE TO SOCCER PRACTICE, DRIVE TO ROBOTICS, DRIVE TO THE LIBRARY, DRIVE, DRIVE, DRIVE!!

But in some ways I am happy to go back to a normal routine. We get so lazy in the summer.... sleeping in, staying up late, etc. I kind of like having a schedule.

I would really have liked to take this last day and do something fun with the kids, but DD procrastinated with her Honors English summer project and is finishing it up at the last minute now. oh well.

OMG!!! I just got a phone call and I have to work the first three days of school!! YIKES! SO much for having a few days without the kids to relax! Now I REALLY hate going back to school . Guess I should be flattered that they called me first...........................P

[sahbushka]

AGGGKKK. I binged again yesterday. Today is going better and I am going to my ww meeting tonight instead of waiting until Thursday because the sooner I see what I did the sooner I can get it back under control. So far today has been good and I feel a little more in control. I am drinking lots of water and have a plan for dinner tonight that is both in points and yummy and a bit of a treat so I think that will help. I have been reminding myself of some of the different inspirational quotes that seem to help me....

"Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it"
"Would I rather eat something fabulous or BE fabulous?"
"This is a journey"

Drink that water everyone!

Sarah

[princessbride6205]

Sarah - thanks for the quotes. I also fell off the wagon this weekend. I was feeling depressed on Sunday and then feeling like I needed comfort foods Monday. All I want to do is eat! Until the past few days I really thought I had kicked the stress eating instinct. I'm doing everything I can to be back on track today.

Today's QOTD: Directed at those of you with kids at home.... Are you excited to have your kids going back to school? When do/did they go back?
Well I have a 2yo so we don't have back to school. Half the kids at her home daycare will be back to school, but I think that's about the only effect this time of year will have on us.
Thursday thru Sunday this week I will be playing the role of single, stay-at-home mom. Daycare is closed Thurs & Fri and DH is working long days every day. *sigh* I was excited about the Thurs & Fri, until I found out DH was working all weekend, too. I will try to come up with free things for me and DD to do - so I don't go crazy.

[LuvBaloo]

Originally Posted by pjlla

Today's QOTD:

Directed at those of you with kids at home.... Are you excited to have your kids going back to school? When do/did they go back?

My girls are 7 and 4, so DD7 goes back to school, and DD4 goes back to daycare. I quit daycare for the summer, and a co-worker and I hired a young babysitter to come in and watch all 4 of our kids. It was so much more relaxed than daycare (not so many rules for lunches). Even food was relaxed, since my friend & I just each provided a bunch of food and they all ate the same things. Now its back to packing lunches everyday and back to routine. We start back Sept 8 (after labour day).
And I'm not really excited but it'll be good for DD7 to get back to school, she really does enjoy school.

Originally Posted by sahbushka

AGGGKKK. I binged again yesterday. Today is going better and I am going to my ww meeting tonight instead of waiting until Thursday because the sooner I see what I did the sooner I can get it back under control. So far today has been good and I feel a little more in control. I am drinking lots of water and have a plan for dinner tonight that is both in points and yummy and a bit of a treat so I think that will help. I have been reminding myself of some of the different inspirational quotes that seem to help me....

"Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it"
"Would I rather eat something fabulous or BE fabulous?"
"This is a journey"

Drink that water everyone!

Sarah

I also like the quote, "if you dropped a dish pulling it out of the dishwasher, you don't pull them all out and throw them on the floor, so don't let a bad day or week take control of your goal".
Okay, I paraphrased and it doesn't sound nearly as good as how its really supposed to be worded, but the idea helps me when I slip up.

Originally Posted by princessbride6205

Sarah - thanks for the quotes. I also fell off the wagon this weekend. I was feeling depressed on Sunday and then feeling like I needed comfort foods Monday. All I want to do is eat! Until the past few days I really thought I had kicked the stress eating instinct. I'm doing everything I can to be back on track today.

Today's QOTD: Directed at those of you with kids at home.... Are you excited to have your kids going back to school? When do/did they go back?
Well I have a 2yo so we don't have back to school. Half the kids at her home daycare will be back to school, but I think that's about the only effect this time of year will have on us.
Thursday thru Sunday this week I will be playing the role of single, stay-at-home mom. Daycare is closed Thurs & Fri and DH is working long days every day. *sigh* I was excited about the Thurs & Fri, until I found out DH was working all weekend, too. I will try to come up with free things for me and DD to do - so I don't go crazy.

I always loved days with just me and DD's when they were little, I could have nap time with them

[sskem96]

QOTD: My kids went back to school last Thurs. I wish I could homeschool them, but I'm just not disciplined enough to keep on schedule! I hate dealing with all the different teachers and each one has different rules. I spent a small fortune on school supplies and Emily's teacher had the kids label all their stuff with permanent marker on the first day! I have a very nice label maker at home as well as a computer and printer with tons of different blank stickers to print on. If the teacher had just sent home the list of what she wanted labeled on each item, we could have done it neatly, but now everything is covered with permanent marker! It just totally ticks me off! Most of the kids in our school are low income and take the supplies that people donate to the school, but I go out and buy nice stuff because I don't feel like we should accept the donations since we're not low income, but I'm regretting it now. I was ready to go buy new folders because I can't stand looking at the marker all over them, but they were out of them at Office Max, and that's the only place in town that carries that kind (plastic w/ 2 pockets and prongs). I guess I should have just gotten the cheap paper ones, but I like the plastic because they last all year and the paper ones get torn up pretty quickly. Ok, sorry for ranting. Maybe it would have helped it the first week of school hadn't coincided with my PMS week!

I've had a nasty cold the last few days, so I'm not eating my normal stuff. Yesterday I had cereal for breakfast and lunch because I didn't feel up to cooking. Thankfully DH cooked last night. I had cereal again this morning, and haven't eaten lunch because I worked last night so I slept til about 2:30. I'll probably have some strawberries before I take Emily to cheerleading and hope DH feels like cooking again tonight. Kristi has a softball game and the concession stand offers a different meal each night, so maybe I'll get lucky and it will be something good tonight so we don't have to deal with making dinner when we finally get home around 7:30.

I'm trying to decide if I want to go to WW tomorrow or Fri. I really want my 15# reward and I don't think I'm quite there yet, which makes me want to avoid the meeting, but I know I need to go and get some inspiration for the coming week regardless of this week's result.

[lisah0711]

A big congratulations to lulamc, our biggest loser of the week and all the other superstars -- I was happy to see my name up there, too.

pjlla, I think that it would be very challenging to be subbing the first few days of school!

Originally Posted by pjlla

Directed at those of you with kids at home.... Are you excited to have your kids going back to school? When do/did they go back?

I am glad to have DS return to school. He doesn't go back until September
8th. He is looking forward to it as well. He likes school and this year he is a 5th grader so he is at the top of the heap.

Originally Posted by sahbushka

AGGGKKK. I binged again yesterday. Today is going better and I am going to my ww meeting tonight instead of waiting until Thursday because the sooner I see what I did the sooner I can get it back under control. So far today has been good and I feel a little more in control. I am drinking lots of water and have a plan for dinner tonight that is both in points and yummy and a bit of a treat so I think that will help. I have been reminding myself of some of the different inspirational quotes that seem to help me....

A big hug to you, Sarah. You made the superstar list this week -- congratulations! I think that you really have a shot at being the biggest loser overall -- I think it's Jillian Michaels who says "you don't slow down when you get towards the finish line -- that is when you really pour it on!" You can do it!

Originally Posted by princessbride6205

Sarah - thanks for the quotes. I also fell off the wagon this weekend. I was feeling depressed on Sunday and then feeling like I needed comfort foods Monday. All I want to do is eat! Until the past few days I really thought I had kicked the stress eating instinct. I'm doing everything I can to be back on track today.

A big hug to you, too, princessbride6205. We are all going to have days that we do better than others. Life would be pretty boring otherwise! You can do it!

Originally Posted by sskem96

I've had a nasty cold the last few days, so I'm not eating my normal stuff. Yesterday I had cereal for breakfast and lunch because I didn't feel up to cooking. Thankfully DH cooked last night. I had cereal again this morning, and haven't eaten lunch because I worked last night so I slept til about 2:30. I'll probably have some strawberries before I take Emily to cheerleading and hope DH feels like cooking again tonight. Kristi has a softball game and the concession stand offers a different meal each night, so maybe I'll get lucky and it will be something good tonight so we don't have to deal with making dinner when we finally get home around 7:30.

I'm trying to decide if I want to go to WW tomorrow or Fri. I really want my 15# reward and I don't think I'm quite there yet, which makes me want to avoid the meeting, but I know I need to go and get some inspiration for the coming week regardless of this week's result.

Hope that you are feeling better soon, sskem96. I think that you should go to WW and at least see how close you are -- you might be pleasantly surprised!

I think that we should all give ourselves a big pat on the back for sticking with this challenge to the very end, through thick and thin, through good results and bad. It is hard to be healthy in the summer and we all deserve a round of applause for taking care of ourselves this summer!

Don't forget to PM your weigh in info to LuvBaloo on Friday -- only one more weigh in after this week!

An early thank you to disney1990 and pjlla for their shared coaching job and an early thank you to worfiedoodles who will be the coach for our final week. You guys are the best!

I'm off to DL early tomorrow -- see you Saturday or sooner if the iPhone cooperates!

[lisah0711]

Originally Posted by LuvBaloo

Be selfish when it comes to your weight-loss goals. Don't let anything get in the way of your workout time or preparing your meals. Make it a priority.

(This is really something I have to work on!)

You are so right!

[pjlla]

Evening all! Wow.... I actually made it on TWICE in one day... that hasn't happened in ages.

Well... the first-day-of-school outfits are picked out, backpacks are loaded, and the kids are in the shower. YUCK. It's a school night. Not sure what I am going to wear. I got rid of all of my regular work pants in the spring, since they weren't fitting any more. I bought capris for the spring and a skirt or two, so I guess I will choose from those. I will HAVE to go buy long pants before too long, but I was hoping to be at my goal weight.... but since I lowered my goal by 5 pounds, it will take a bit longer. Guess I will get some pants at Goodwill for now. Actually, lots of my stuff comes from there and I usually have good luck.

It's tough to know how to dress because I am not sure exactly what I am doing for the next few days.... all they told me was that I was going to be a 1-on-1 aide for a new student... but I'm not sure WHY a 1-on-1 is needed.. behavior issues or learning issues or physical disability? I would certainly dress differently if I knew I would be crawling around on the floor in the PT room or if I needed running shoes due to the child being a flight risk. Always an adventure, being a substitute!

Anyone tried the McCain's sweet potato fries (frozen - 2 pts per serving)? I tried them tonight. Not bad, but not a lot better than mine and mine are fat free. I probably won't buy them again because they were expensive, compared to buying just a plain sweet potato. I LOVE sweet potatoes!

I will try HARD to get on here in the morning to post my QOTD, but no promises.... sometimes the first day of school is a little hairy in the morning!

For those of you not back to school yet, enjoy the rest of your summer!.....P

[princessbride6205]

I forgot to say earlier, CONGRATS LULAMC!

[corinnak]

Today's QOTD: Directed at those of you with kids at home.... Are you excited to have your kids going back to school? When do/did they go back?

September 8 - thank you Resort industry lobbyists! I am excited for the start of the new school year and think it will be nice to have that structure for the kids and fill their brains with information. My youngest is going to learn to read this year, so that could be useful. On the other hand, I also enjoy the sweet freedom of NOT being the homework nag for a few months. Man, I hate that part of the job.

[Worfiedoodles]

Today's QOTD: Directed at those of you with kids at home.... Are you excited to have your kids going back to school? When do/did they go back?

I am indifferent about ds going back to school. He goes to camp every day and we go to work, so our routine doesn't change that much -- we can just arrive a little later during the summer, but we try not to. He goes back Sept. 1. This is the first time he's ever started before Labor Day! Now, what is annoying is that there's no after school the first week and half days, and they're only going Tues. - Thurs., anyway. It just makes it hard for working parents. I have to burn vacation days, and they don't feel like a vacation!

I agree with Corinna -- being the homework police gets old! I also get tired of the endless book reports and projects. I know it's important, you just get weary after 9 months! Gee, I guess the school year is alot like pregnancy -- at first you don't know what you're getting into (or you know because you've done it before but you've blanked out the rough spots), and by the end you are so ready to be done!

Maria

[mikamah]

Congratulations lulamc!!! Nice job!!!!
It's great to see some good losses this week. Everyone is doing so great to stick it out during the summer, and though I, for one am up overall, I know if I had totally given up, I would be up an additional 10 or more pounds.

Originally Posted by LuvBaloo

I really like coming on here and reading others successes and struggles. It helps me to realize that we are all human, and we can mistakes and start again.

I looked up the nutrition information on dinner at Tony Romas last Saturday, and it was much higher than I was thinking. My WW week starts on Fridays and I had used all my flex points by the end of dinner on Saturday At least it tasted great and the whole family enjoyed it.

It is so helpful to hear about everyone's success and struggles, and know that we are never along in our weight loss journeys. I'm glad you enjoyed your tony romas night out, and that it tasted great. It is always shocking when you think you are doing ok at a restaurant, and then figure out it's like 40 points. Those flex points are there for enjoying, and even though you used the weeks up, it sounds like a nice night. It is tough to have the rest of the week without any, but even if you still used a few more than your daily points, you'll be ok.

Originally Posted by pjlla

Are the big waves because of the leftovers of Hurricane Bill? DS and I were impressed by the waves when we were there in July.... we are used to the waves on the bay side of Cape Cod.


Directed at those of you with kids at home.... Are you excited to have your kids going back to school? When do/did they go back?

P

The big waves were because of bill passing by. they had to close the beach at high tide sunday because the waves were coming over the entire beach/sand area, and onto the street. It was crazy. Normally, the waves are pretty big, compared to our beaches on MA north shore, similar to hampton beach. The kids love using the boogie boards and riding the waves up there.

Hope your first day of school is going well for you P. I

My son doesn't start until 9/9, and we are on vacation til then, and I have the 9th off. I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine, and am planning to get back into some regular exercise. My son went to camp all summer, and I had to make lunches every day, so I'm sick of doing that so as treat he's going to buy his lunch the first 2 weeks. Normally he'll buy one or two days/week, as much for me as for him. I'm not really looking forward to school starting, as that will mean vacatin is over.

I did my official weighin today, up 2.4, better than the 4 I saw yesterday. We are off to sebago lake maine til sunday night, and then monday we spend 3 nights at hampton beach. It's kind of nice to have several short trips planned, and they are all within 2 hours drive.

LIsa, have a magical trip!

Have a great week all, and I'll see you next week.