CC 4th of July Challenge Check In/Family Challenge Checkin

Name: Heather
Pounds Lost this Week: 1.8# (But have gained since last check in
Total Challenge Pounds Lost: 0 Right now (I'm up to 210.0# started at 209.6#)
NSV's: Did reasonably well being sick this week
Weekly Summary: It was an AWFUL week, I have been really sick with a sinus infection/chest/head cold, feverish and everything, so have been eating lots of comfort foods.
Strategies for Success for the Coming Week: Getting back on plan, and exercising again, haven't felt well enough to exercise that much this week.

My Family is also doing a "Biggest Loser" challenge. We all have to pay $50.00 entrance fee, then the winner at the end of the challenge gets the entry fees. It ends in September.
Starting (Last week) Weight: 211.8#
This week Weight: 210.0#

I have a fever today (100.8) but I think it just broke, I need to go check it, I've been feeling better today but I tend to get worse at night. I took a 4 hour nap this afternoon which was MUCH needed. I'm hoping to feel well enough tomorrow to exercise some.

Tuesday May 26th

Tuesday May 26th : Weight 207.0#
Morning: Started the day off with a Ginger/Parsley/Honey/Lemon Juice/Pineapple juice drink,
Breakfast: Yogurts, Fruit, Almond Smoothie
Snack: 2 Cheese Sticks
Lunch: Salad w/salmon patty/cheese
Dinner: Baked Potatoe/Chilli/Cheese
Snack:
Exercise: 30 Min Walk w/dog
Water: Drank it all

Not suprised that my weight is up with all me excess snacking/munching yesterday. Need to start scrapbooking again or something so I'm not so 'mindlessly' munchie on days off. As long as I keep busy I don't have to keep shoveling stuff in my mouth.

On a sad note, this morning I discovered one of my budgies passed away during the night, Skye, she was egg bound (bled to death while having an egg). Here is a picture of her:

Snacks, Snacks Snacks...What to have?

Sunday May 24th Day 5 : Weight 206.0# Down 0.4# 1290 Calories
Morning: Started the day off with a Ginger/Parsley/Honey/Lemon Juice/Pineapple juice drink,
Breakfast: Berry Fruit N Yogurt Parfait w/almonds
Snack: 100 Calorie Popcorn
Lunch: Thai Peanut-chicken wrap
Dinner: Navajo Tacos
Snack: 100 Calorie Chocolate Bar, 100 Calorie Protein Snack
Exercise: 30 Minutes WATP DVD (It's raining here), and 2.5 hours cleaning at work...very active
Water:Yes

K weekends are ALWAYS the hardest for me, as you can see I've eaten a few more snacks than normal. It is so hard for me, it's like I have to have something in my mouth, not so sure if it's because I spend a lot of time on the couch, or the computer chair just vegging, trying to think of ways to be more active on weekends so I can stay more occupied as this sucks! It's been such a challenge today. So I'm looking for 'healthy' 100 calorie snacks, either the ones you can buy or the ones you make yourselves. What are some of your favorite snacks to have?

Baby Shower & new motivation!

Thursday May 21st : Weight 208.0# Down 2.2# WOOT WOOT! Aiming for 1290 Calories
Morning: Started the day off with a Ginger/Parsley/Honey/Lemon Juice/Pineapple juice drink,
Breakfast: Italian Toast (Cottage Cheese/Tomato/Basil on toast)
Snack: Apple
Lunch: Pita/Veggies/Hummus Plate (cucumbers/green peppers/carrots)
Dinner: A small plate at the baby shower I went too (fruits, a chicken salad, and yes I had 2 cookies :(
Snack: None seeing as how dinner wasn't on plan
Exercise: 30 Minute walk with my dog, Shellie, she had ants in her pants today because she saw some cats on our walk and was freaked out by them so kept the walk short.
Water: 2 Diet Cokes (doing good in that regard), yes I drank all my water

Yes I did go 'off' at dinner time, but I kept portions small and didn't eat another dinner or snack tonight to hopefully 'balance things out'. I went to a baby shower for my cousin Kristen tonight. It was a lot of fun. I made a baby journal and a photo album as well as took some gifts. BTW If anyone is in need of any baby items (pacifier, paci pocket, diaper bags) I am selling some items on my hubby & I's personal blog http://robnheather.blogspot.com
Also got some new motivation! My Aunt Joyce (who is one of my favorites if not my absolute favorite Aunt :) She's just one of those 'fun' people, very active in the outdoors, and always good for advice & very supportive! She also was the person who introduced me to Fresca when I'm sick. I don't remember how old I was but I was sick and she came and picked me up from school once and gave me Fresca, I've been drinking it ever since any time I have an upset tummy) has been doing a 'Biggest Loser' challenge with her work, and has lost quite a bit of weight, she looks AMAZING! Great job Aunt Joyce! Her contest ends tomorrow and she was in 1st place last week so I'm rooting for her to get the pot! (I heard it was a huge cash prize). Anyways she was saying how I have lost weight and how she checks my blog to see if I'm still going! That boosted my spirits as well!

I was quite pleased with my weigh in this morning down 2.2#. It was a nice surprise and made my day start off good. I am working on The Fabulous N Fit By Fall Challenge, and just about have things ready. But I wanted your opinions, what types of things do you look for/like in a challenge? Weigh in pictures? Mini Challenges? Prize at the End? Daily inspirations? Measurements? Leave your comments about things you like about challenges so I can gear this towards what you like!

Please by water...

UGH I am NOT happy with this weeks weigh in at all. In fact I broke down and sobbed, loud enough my hubby came running upstairs to see if I was alright.
Last Week: 201.6#
This Week: 210.2# (Gain of 8.6# since last week WTH!)
WTH? I know I wasn't as good as I should have been this past weekend, and I think the scale is showing it, I had a lot of crap/salty foods, and ate more than I should have. I'm so upset with myself. I'm NOT throwing in the towel, and NOT going to lose myself in food, in fact just the opposite. I read about a 7 Day Diet in the magazine ALL You that will help you lose water retention weight, so I'm gonna give it a go to jumpstart my diet, then I plan on following their 1600 calorie per day plan after that. We'll see how it goes. I hope to get back down before next weeks final Sizzling Hot For Summer Challenge Weigh In. I'm so upset about this weigh in. See I told ya I can retain water like crazy. Back when I first started I gained/lost 15# in one week due to water retention.

Wednesday May 20th : Weight 210.2# 1290 Calories
Morning: Started the day off with a Ginger/Parsley/Honey/Lemon Juice/Pineapple juice drink,
Breakfast: Oatmeal, peanut butter, banana for breakfast, it was really yummy!
Snack: Apple
Lunch: Hummus Veggie Pita Plate, again really yummy, hubby hates it but I LOVE hummus
Dinner: Dijon Maple Salmon w/sauteed kale and brown rice --really liking the food so far it's been delicious
Snack: 100 Calorie Popcorn
Exercise: 30 Minute walk with my dog, have been doing 45 minutes, but she was having a hard time with her shoulders today so kept it brief.
Water: 2 Diet Cokes only...miracle for me, and drank all my water.

Yes the foods are 'carby' but I haven't been doing so hot on the low carb plan so I figured I would give a different plan a shot. I am not a huge fan of calorie counting (due to laziness) but I'm willing to try just about anything.

Sizzling For Summer Week 6 Check in

Sw: 211.6
Cw: 201.6
Amount lost this week: 1.4 lbs
Overall loss in this challenge: 10#

Wow! I am SO close to ONEderland! It has been a tough week, mothers day was hard due to squabbling with my hubby about my anxieties. I haven't seen him that upset in a long long time. We don't really fight have only had maybe 2 major fights in our marriage as we generally take time to talk things out. But we did on Sunday. But then we made up for it...if you know what I mean...and again on Monday Maybe the extra activities made the loss this week, although I've been being pretty good, and exercising EVERY day :) WOOT WOOT!

Sizzling For Summer Week 3 Checkin

Starting: 211.6#
204.8# Last Week
203.0# Today's weight
Pounds Lost this week: -1.8#
Total Lost for this challenge -8.6#

I didn't do as well on the exercise front this week, and you can tell with my weight loss. I was so worried I was going to gain, but I didn't phew.

Next Weeks Goals:
1- Exercise Daily
2- Don't give in to easter candy temptations (even though they are low carb) as it's not worth the gut ache the sugar alcohols are giving me.
3- Track eating better (I was doing better when I was blogging daily.)
4- Blog Daily, I have been slacking on the keeping track and finding motivation in my Lean For Life book each day and it really helps.

Weigh N Measure Week 3

This weeks Measurements for the Measuring Up for Summer Challenge at Choosing 2 Lose
• Chest 34 & 1/4"
• Waist 34 & 3/4"
• Belly 38 & 1/2"
• Hip 47"
• Thigh 29 & 1/2" Left 28 3/4" Right
• Upper Arm 14 & 3/4" Left 14 & 1/4" Right
Inches Lost this week: 8.25"
Total Inchese Lost: 12.75"

This weeks Weight for the March into Spring Challenge at Choosing 2 Lose
Last weeks Weight 208.6#
This weeks Weight 204.6#
# lost this week: 4.0#
Total # for this challenge: 5.4#

Sizzling for Summer Weigh In Week 2 Starts

211.6# Starting
204.8# Today's weight
Pounds Lost this week: -6.8#
Total Lost for this challenge -6.8#

What went well:
***On Plan: I restarted my LFL diet and did exceptionally well, with only 2 cheats for the week. Which is a HUGE improvement over my norm.
***Exercise: I exercised every day which is a MIRACLE for me. I seriously woke up feeling 'skinnier' after the 3rd day of exercise
***Focus: I am more aware of what I am putting into my mouth.
***Weight: Yes I lost a considerable amount for 1 week, however I was also finishing up TOM in which I normally gain up to 5# each month with so the water weight went down, as well as adding exercise. Both those things helped.
***Sodas: I have cut back considerably, am only have maximum of 2 Diet cokes per day, I do drink some of the RC Diet Cola the stuff that's sweetened with Splenda and has no caffeine. This is coming from a Diet coke addict who can EASILY clear at least 6-12 a day.
***Learning: By reading my Lean for Life Diet book and others blogs I am learning SO much. It's awesome

What to improve on:
Cheats: NO cheats. Have some 'handy' snacks to just grab n go. Plan ahead, we are going out to eat on Monday for our anniversary (which is tomorrow April 9th --4 Years).
Sleep: I need to go to bed earlier (I'm getting 5 hours of sleep)
Me time: need to relax as well to 'destress'
Exercise: Figure out and start a 'jogging' program
Easter Sunday: Not use the 'holiday' as an excuse to go hog wild, and stick to my diet, as otherwise I know I will gain 50# :)

Mind over matter.....

"What lies before you and what lies behind you are tiny matters compared to what lies within you." Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is from my Lean for Life Book:
Words can make you blush. Jokes can make you laugh. Movies can make you cry . Conversations can make you sweat. A card or call from that special someone can get your heart racing. The connection between your mind and body is undeniable. The thoughts you think, the emotions you feel, the images you see, and the things you do all affect your behavior and your body chemistry. Likewise your body chemistry and your behavior affect how you think, how you feel, your impressions of what you see, and what you do. So my book is going to teach me how when I'm feeling sorry for myself to do things that will give me pelasure. If just thinking about exercise is making me tired, it will help me think about it differently. If I am feeling edgy, it will show me ways to relax. If I'm frustrated, they will share success of others who've experienced the same feelings and have overcome them. If I'm overwhelmed, it will suggest ways to refocus my thoughts and energy.

I'm going to explore the importance of treating myself well, clarifying my goals, and cultivating an "achievement attitude". I will become an effective problem solver, learn how to mentally rehearse being successful, and understand what I can do to change my body chemistry.
I will share more on these subjects as I learn more about them.

But this totally makes sense as I think a lot of things in life are 'mind over matter'. One of my favorite quotes is "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't...you're right" I've been having a major slump essentially since Thanksgiving of 2008, because I just wasn't seeing good results which is why I went back to lower carb eating instead of WW, but I let myself be loose and 'slack' about my eating so I wasn't 100% on plan, I would say maybe 50% on plan, and then I wondered why I wasn't loosing? We'll thanks to Mrs. Sheila I'm back on plan and not going to let things get slack, as I want to be "Sizzling for the Summer" Who knows maybe I'll be brave enough to wear a swimming suit :) I hate my body in a swimming suit..always have, I have varicose veins in my legs and I have huge muscularly calves from years of soccer playing as a kid, and I just feel goofy. Any ways here are todays stats:

April 4^th Protein Day #1 of 3 initial (then it's once a week)

Todays Weight: 206.2#
Meals
B: 2 OM Cheese Hotdog links 2g
L: 1 Salmon Patty 2g Carbs
D: 3 ½ oz Chicken Breast
Snacks: 6 Cheese Sticks, 4 oz Cottage Cheese, 2 ½ oz Lean/Fat Free Cold Cuts, Yogurt

Exercise:
Walk Slim Fast Start 2 Miles (30 Min)
10 Min Firming Exercises

Is it a fluke?

208.6#?????? Seriously I had to take a picture for my weigh in this morning as I couldn't believe it wasn't a fluke, I stepped on and off the scale like 5 times! WOW what a nice reprieve. Probably a lot of water weight as I am TOM right now. No matter the cause I'll take it! I needed this so much this morning.

Here is the meal plan for today:

April 2^nd Prep Day #2

B: 2 Eggs, 2 Pieces of Deli Ham, 1 Slice whole wheat toast w/butter spray, 1 Morning Spark Orange Juice, 1 Red Apple
L: Tuna Salad Sandwich, Green Salad w/dressing, Orange
D: Salmon Patty, Baked potato sour cream, butter, Green salad, apple
Snacks: Cheese sticks, lean deli meats, lower carb yogurt

Hubby is wanting a pizza pasta bake, not sure if I will have any or not, am going to use low carb pasta for it though. I think I will stick to my diet, as I don't want to blow it already :) I have a lot to do today, have to run to walmart, bank (at walmart so that's 2 errands in one hit), Petsmart (which is in the same area as walmart) and then Costco. Since Rob has been on his diet as well we are going through a lot of fruits (1 box of oranges --not the huge boxes the smaller ones, and 1 large bag of oranges, and 2 bunches of bananas a week). It's been good though. He sure is losing weight, I can tell because I can wrap my arms around him closer and closer every day :) When we met I could touch/hug him with both my hands all the way around him, it's getting better. He probably has at least 200# to lose before he's at a 'healthier' weight. He says he gets down to about 250# then gets stuck. So we'll see.

Weigh N Measure Week 2

This weeks Measurements for the Measuring Up for Summer Challenge at Choosing 2 Lose
• Chest 35"
• Waist 35"
• Belly 45"
• Hip 48 & 1/2"
• Thigh 29 & 1/2" Left 28 3/4" Right
• Upper Arm 15" Left 14 & 1/2" Right
Inches Lost this week: 4.5"
Total Inchese Lost: 4.5"

This weeks Weight for the March into Spring Challenge at Choosing 2 Lose
Last weeks Weight 210.0#
This weeks Weight 208.6#
# lost this week: 1.4#
Total # for this challenge: 1.4#

Getting Started

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started" Mark Twain
I am so ready for my 'restart'. I am pumped today, was able to eat breakfast (although it took me a while). I am hoping I can hold on to the enthusiasm and really get going again/finally with my weight loss. I went in to work for a few hours to groom a couple of dogs and that was good. I got home just in time for our snowstorm to REALLY start going. It's really windy out today. I took a scale shot and my stupid camera battery was on the fritz, so I will take another one but it's probably gonna be higher because I have eaten today. :( I am going to do a core training dvd a little later today. I will come back and 'update' on how things go today. So far I'm not really hungry, have had breakfast. Am looking forward to lunch, as I love Tuna Fish. I really should start planning my menus on a regular basias as it helps out so much, especially with my hubby who likes to play the "Food, Good, the kind you eat" game, when I ask him what he wants for dinner.

Here is my meal plan for today
April 1st Prep Day #1

B: 2 Eggs, 2 Pieces of Deli Ham (actually at only about 1 piece), 1 Slice whole wheat toast, 1 Morning Spark Orange Juice, 1 Orange
L: Tuna Salad Sandwich, Green Salad w/dressing, Orange
D: Salmon Patty seasoned w/lemon pepper, Baked potato, butter, cheese, broccoli, Green salad
Snacks: Cheese sticks, lower carb yogurt

Exercise today, just did my 10minute workout, I ended up taking a 5 hour nap this afternoon :P It was MUCH needed, I only got 4 hours of sleep last night, and while I had a lot I wanted to get done, I think my sleep was more important :)

In the Lean for Life Diet book it talks about the 6 essentials for success:
1- Make your goal "to learn to be lean for life".
2- Your level of interest and enthusiasm will determine your level of success
3- Learn to recognize and eliminate your defensive barriers
4- Learn to control cravings
5- Learn to use relaxation techniques and "stress less"
6- Follow the maintenance program for lasting success

These can be applied to any diet program, I am looking forward to learning more about each one of these subjects and how to 'get over them' and apply them to my life. I am more focused than I have been in a while lately. So hopefully I will be able to use that to my advantage.

Here is my Sizzling For Summer Challenge Starting Weigh In Picture:
Sorry about the glare it is 211.6#

Weigh N Measure

I'm doing a "Does your Summer Measure Up Challenge over at C2L (Choosing 2 Lose) so I thought I would post my measurements
• Chest 35 1/4"
• Waist 36 & 3/4"
• Belly 45 1/2" (This includes part of my bum...my lower belly is the BIGGEST trouble spot for me)
• Hip 49"
• Thigh 30 & 3/4" Left 29" Right
• Upper Arm 15" Left 14 & 1/2" Right

Today is also my weigh in for the March into spring challenge and it's ugly 210.0#, I was down to 206.0# not even 2 weeks ago. I've been really lax the past week or so in watching carb counts and such, which is what I have to blame for the gain. But it's going to come off!

I Beat the Stress Munchies!

Today was a very stressful day at work, I found out my kittens brother "Misaki" might have a serious hip condition in which he might need surgery on. He is only 9 months old. He came from a 'bad' breeder aka Kitten Mill. Misaki is Pipsqueaks littermate, Pippers had PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosis) when he was younger, but we corrected it medically. So that made me upset, then we xrayed my hand that's been bothering me and noticed some serious bone changes/swelling on my pinkie finger. I am calling my Dr tomorrow to get an appointment. Hopefully he can get me in soon. Then my hubby tells me that his work went over budget for the fiscal year so everyone's hours are getting cut 7.5 hours a week which is equivilant to $600.00 a month. OUCH! It's gonna be tight, but we've survived worse.

So me being the stress eater that I am, I was VERY tempted to just say screw it and eat out for dinner, but I didn't I stuck to the diet and ate Chicken cooked on "George" and then some broccoli with cheese. It felt rewarding NOT to give in to those horrible temptations.

Today was Weigh in for the Lucky Charms Challenge I am down to 208.0# WAHOO! I was at 212 last week because of my horrible binging on Sat/Sunday. It's been a lot of hard work this week, but I'm doing good.

Saturday Jan 31st Day 1 LFL

After last nights 'horrible' dinner I have decided I MUST do better. I am going to 'restart' my LFL Diet YET AGAIN.........So here goes.......My goal is to lose 10% of my current weight in the next 10 weeks. I KNOW I can do this. I am going to be posting some pointers from the Lindora Lean For Life (LFL)/Rite Aid Weight Loss Plan (which is designed by Lindora) combo each day to help keep me motivated. Did you know that Losing 10% of your body weight can significantly decrease your risk for developing health conditions that are associated with obesity?

I am also researching Gluten Intolerance as EVERY time I eat bread/pasta or the likes I get gassy, bloated and have tummy aches, it kept me up all night last night tossing and turning.

Here are my daily goals:

1. Weigh yourself every morning.
2. Drink 80 oz of calorie-free fluids every day.
3. Eat a meal or a snack every two hours.
4. Strive for at least 30 minutes of walking or other physical activity every day.

More to come....My blogs are gonna be getting longer :) YEAH!
Today's Daily Action Plan: Today's Weight 211.4#

Today's Affirmation:
"I AM taking the first step toward better health!"

B-2 Cheese Hot Dogs 2g, 1/2 banana 13g
L- 3 toppings only large from Philly Steak/Cheese Pizza & 1 combo
D- Taco Salad (without nachos/chips/shell--so just the lettuce, meat, cheese and tomatoes
Snacks: Deli Meats & String Cheese
Liquids: 4 Diet Cokes, 64oz of H2o

**Today I was able to Eat Better because I: I made up my mind before I ate what I was going to put into my mouth. It made avoiding the crusts that much easier.
**Today I was able to move better because I:
**Today I was able to Stress Less because I:
**Today I feel really great about: Making the decision to avoid the carbs today
**Tomorrow I will focus on... Drinking more water and less Diet Coke...I'm an addict, but I KNOW I can do this.

Weigh in January 11, 2009

Woot Woot! Today is weigh in day...duh duh duh dum......209.8# My lowest YET! I'm down 40.2# I've lost 4.6# this week, I knew I could do it if I stuck to my plan instead of pigging out :) I'm so excited! Now to stick with it.

Weigh in Sept 28, 2008

Starting Weight (July 10, 2008): 250#
Last Week: 232.2#
Today's Weight: 225.2#
This Weeks Gain or Loss: Lost 7# (Gotta love TOM gains!)
Total Loss: 25.6#

I stepped on the scale this morning and was shocked, I fulled expected it to still be up considering the week I've had, but yesterday was a GREAT on plan day and exercise day, so I'm sure that helped. I've started a Food Journal to not clog up this blog with long posts and so I can better keep track of my eating so I am more accountable. http://notime2weightfood.blogspot.com So feel free to visit it as I will be recording daily what I eat. I know this will help. Right now I don't have the 'Weight Watchers Online' thing as we had to cut back on things as funds are tight right now. But hopefully in the next month or so things will be better and I can join again. It's much easier to have the points 'calculated' for you :)

Weigh In Sept 7, 2008

Starting Weight: 250#
Last Week: 225.6#
Today's Weight: 224.4#
This Weeks Gain or Loss: Lost 1.2#
Total Loss: 25.6#


I've met my first goal! 10% (25#) gone! YEAH! I'm so excited!

Weigh in Aug 31, 2008

Starting Weight: 250#
Last Week: 229.8#
Today's Weight: 225.6#
This Weeks Gain or Loss: Lost 2.4#
Total Loss: 24.4#

Wahoo NO gain for my monthly visit, I can't believe it! I think I am hooked on the new supplement (read about it below). I am way psyched! I'm almost to my 10% goal just .6 of a pound left!