I ate some extra - more than I would have liked today... though given the day, I don't feel overly bad about it.  My mom suffers from multi infarct dementia and today she absolutely refused to go to the doctor.  That's the second time this week she has refused to go to a medical appointment.  It's impossible to physically make her go.  Needless to say it was a rough day.  That kind of behavior can be symptomatic of her condition but extremely frustrating nonetheless.    So I had some extra pretzels, bean salad, coffee and a peppermint patty along the way.  I won't lose tomorrow but at least I avoided complicating my life even more by not turning to ice cream and chips for comfort.  No food I could eat and will help my mom get any better.  That's true for all of us.  Food will not and cannot fix the problems in our lives.  Overeating can only add to them.  I can see that stress eating is probably my biggest hurdle to overcome.

I've put off doing a goals list and recently have read how important it is to set short term, intermediate and long term goals. So for now my long term is to achieve the weight I have listed on our page, long way to go, but it will be worth it. To get there will take lots of sweat and hard work, but the benefits will make it all worthwhile. My short term goals are to start walking an extra mile and biking an extra mile every week and to start hitting my points (Weight Watchers) daily. Another short term goal is to be under 325 by the next time I see Bev. She has never seen me below that weight, other than pictures. Next I want to take my walking and biking up to 200 miles a month. My mid range goal is to go under 300 by the time spring gets here. And a major goal to hit, for my kids, is to be small enough to be able to ride a roller coaster with them this summer. I rode with them when they were much younger, but that has been years. It's always embarrassed me to be too big to ride them. I'm no fan of coasters by any means, but I owe it to my kids! Hope you all chart goals for yourself and go for them!

My careful eating  paid off this morning on the scale... 184.2!   I was elated to say the least.  This is the lowest I've weighed since I was 27 years old and I'm 40.  Life has been super stressful just recently, so I made a committed effort not to overeat but to burn off the stress instead.  That resulted in a great 3.2 mile run on the treadmill.  Thinking about my stressors while running helped me work the stress out of my body.  When I was finished I felt better both in body and in spirit.  Having said that, I did struggle a little bit at dinner.  I made my grandmother's BBQ hamburger recipe and it was SO good I had two servings.  I'll be sure not to snack before bed and given today's run, I should (hopefully) avoid a temporary gain.

 

Yummy Lunch Update!

My lunch was quick, delicious and extremely healthy - Bev's Black Bean & Corn Salad.   Rinse and drain a can of black beans and put in a bowl.  Add a can of drained corn.  Add chopped cilantro (if you have it or used dried or skip it), cumin, garlic powder, some salt and chopped red onion.  Squeeze the juice of one lime on it and stir well.  This is even better after it sits a bit and the flavors combine - enjoy!  And if your digestive system is a bit sluggish this will get it moving again. 

Sorry I disappeared on everyone. Was battling some personal demons, self doubt and comfort / punishment foods, late last week and fell off the wagon for a few days. Fortunately my friend and teammate helped to keep me from drowning again, but the damage was done. Thank you Bev! This weigh-in isn't going to be good and I have no one to blame but myself. Fortunately I have collected myself again and I'm getting back to where I need to be. It's hard to admit to certain human frailties at times, but they can't become the norm. So I've dusted myself off, picked myself up, picked up where I left off and will get to where I need to go. I used to spend days weeks and months at times in a downward spiral caused by depression. It's hard learning to forgive yourself so you can move on with life. It didn't come easy, but that peace with myself is back and I'm back in the game. One day at a time.

 

On a side note, YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Mark is gone! After the horrible things he has done, it was good to see him go.

 

Well friends, here I am - down .5 yesterday and back up to 186 again today!   I've been increasing my water intake and  fiber, and ran those 3 miles I posted about.  I'm planning another run for tomorrow and will continue eating especially healthy.  Tonight I did struggle and had a few of my son's McD fries, but literally just a few.   I think the water intake is critical and is helping.  It makes sense that as you breakdown fat, you need a way to flush the byproducts out of your system.  I know I'm drinking enough and eating right when I wake up hungry and need pee! LOL

 

Tomorrow I'll try cranking up the fiber a bit more - some barley and beans, continue with the increased water, and hopefully get that run in.   Thanks for your support - I really appreciate!!

Thanks everyone for your support.  You've motivated me to really work on getting off this 186 plateau.  Today I'm going to drink my full 64 oz of water and plan to go for a run on the treadmill.  My goal is 2.5 easy miles, hopefully 3.  I've started the day with a kashi bar and  a cup of coffee with low fat creamer and some sugar (the one daily treat I always allow myself).  I'll keep you posted -let's hope I'm looking a a new number by this Saturday's weigh in. 

Well, we've hit a slow down on our weight loss.  I only lost .5.  Buc lost 2.4 but isn't thrilled about it, but I am.  Can I have your weight loss Buc?   As for me I'm not quite sure why my loss has slowed down.  It may be that due to stomach upset I was eating less fiber, drinking less water, and exercising less.  I'm going to cut out the GFIC coffee , raisin bread and bananas - and switch back to regular coffee, kashi bars, and apples.   On a much happier note, Buc biked 35.3 miles and walked 13 this week!   I ran 6.1 and hope to bring my weekly mileage up a bit next week.

 

So Biggest Loser friends, any suggestions for us?

My kids have been sick on and off for the last two weeks and I haven't felt that great either.  This latest virus has left me with a queasy stomach and not enough energy  to run.  The result?  My weight loss and has stopped and I'm stuck.  I'm hoping to feel better soon so I can start running again!  I have learned one important lesson though.  There really is a HUGE diference between low and high fiber foods.  I've been eating raisin bread for breakfast instead of a Kashi bar and am amazed at how little long term satisfaction the raisin bread provides.  More than ever before, I'm committed to following a low GI diet - once my stomach is ready to go again.

Today has been very gray in many ways. From the winter skies to the slow down at work (making the day ohhhhhhh so long) to running errands to feeling tired to a very sluggish attitide tonight about getting in my exercise, it all seemed to snowball. Fortunately I got in an unscheduled nap that gave me enough energy to hop on the bike and hit the dumbbells. Not sure I could have without the nap. It's like I'm getting old or something! lol Oh well, made it through it and got to see the total thrill in my son's eyes from having asked out his first girl and gotten a yes! Bev has helped get me up and running and done so very much, but I seriously doubt I could face it all daily without my kids and their support in what I'm doing.

Especially spring vegetables!  I'm feeling worn out with winter and ready for sugar snap peas, spinach and picnic dinners outside.  Actually, I'm just not that interested in eating right now, though my sweet tooth could really go for some ice cream or peach cobbler! LOL  My daughter laughed at my dinner tonight - green bean casserole and key lime low fat yogurt.  Low fat tip: if you are a traditional green bean casserole fan, try using low fat cream of mushroom soup instead and you can still get that oniony taste with only 1/3 can of french fried onions.  Low fat or skim milk is an easy way to bring the calorie content down, too.  Honestly, the only foods I feel like eating right now are extremely unhealthy ones.  So I think I'll go make some airpopped popcorn instead and stay out of the kitchen... wish me luck!!!

I was very worried heading into my weigh-in on Saturday, but it turned out to be not as bad as I thought it would be! YEAAAAAA LOL Thanks to 35 miles on my recumbent bike, 10.5 miles walking and my other exercise, I managed to lose another 3.8 pounds. I can only hope all of my "bad weeks" turn out so well! I guess it just shows if you keep working at it, good things will come (sometimes even when you least expect it!)! Hope everyone has a terrific week!

What a treat this weekend was for me. My kids were away with their grandmother, so I wasn't sure what I would be doing. I received an invitation from my friends and what a wonderful weekend it proved to be. Spending time with people I truly think the world of is always special for me. Seeing the magnificent work Bev has done in transforming not only her body, but her entire life is very uplifting! She looks truly amazing, not that I'm biased in the least! ;-) lol The change in her attitude and concept of herself is the real beauty of it all. I hope everyone out there has that special friend that they can feel free to bare their soul to, flaws and all, and feel free from judgement when you do. I have that in Bev and I can't begin to thank her enough. I can't imagine a better friend or teammate. I look forward to finding that peace with my body so that I, like my friend, can look in the mirror and be truly happy with what I see. I'm worth it. I can attain it and I shall!

We had a terrific, unexpected weekend together!!  Buc has lost so much weight and ... WOW!! ... it really shows!!!   I was amazed to see him.  We had a great visit including a trip to a local Japanese steakhouse. where we made healthy choices and celebrated my promotion.   We spent several hours discussing how our weight and health journeys are going, what's working, and what areas still need help.  As we shed our extra weight, we are also shedding a lifetime of poor self-esteem and deluded notions about what life is supposed to be like and what it means to be loved - both as a child and as an adult.  I'll post a photo soon and be sure to look for the spectacular roses  Buc gave me.  What a great man and great friend he is!

So far it's been a rough week on the weight loss trail for me. I've stayed active and walked or exercised (bike, weights, etc.) 6 of the 7 days since my last weigh-in, but I let a stressful week at work and home get to me. I know, excuses excuses. I have to exercise more restraint in my food choices when things get hectic or stressful. I'm upset with myself for not holding it together, but I also know I can't dwell on it. I kept my food journal all week and have the proof of what I did and where I need to improve. So I'm apprehensive, to say the very least, heading into tomorrow's weigh-in. Oh well, the new week starts the minute I step off the scale tomorrow and hopefully I'll correct this week's mistakes and get back to "losing" again!

 A belated Happy Valentine's Day to all of our Biggest Loser Friends!!  My goal was to enjoy the day and some of the goodies that traditionally go with it without going overboard OR feeling deprived.  And it was a success!!   After eating healthy for so long, I discovered that my desire to binge is mostly gone... though don't ever tempt me with cheese balls.  I enjoyed some chocolate, a handful of candy conversation hearts, and an extra cup of gourmet coffee and was satisfied.  It is great to no longer be a slave to emotional or recreational eating!!  I had no idea how much of a burden that really was...

Just curious and had to ask, does anyone like Mark? I think he totally exemplifies the WRONG reasons for being there. Sure it is a game, but he's just like Johnny Fairplay (Survivor fans will know who he is all too well.) Trent, bad knee and all, had the perfect attitiude and deserved to stay. He threw himself under the bus for people who really don't deserve it!

 

What do you think of Bob's total change? He was my favorite trainer, but he's become far too competitive this season. I suppose it had to really bother him losing to Jillian so often, but he's there for a much bigger purpose than to just win challenges and weigh-ins. Ok, I'm done. What do you all think?

What a week!  Lots of illness at my house but we are all finally feeling better.  As a society we face some pretty unappealing choices in our supermarkets.  You know what I mean, those barely pink tomatoes in January, limp broccoli and dried out carrots.  Not to mention sorry shriveled green grapes on stems that are already withered and brown.  I encourage each one of you to consider spending more money for higher quality fruits and veggies.  We're all saving money on the cookes and fast food we aren't eating.  You're worth spending some extra $$ on food worth eating!!  Recently I bought a bunch of fresh carrotts - tops still attached and bright green - the carrots were so tender and sweet I didn't even need to peel them.  Same with the grapes that were on a bright green stem and actually hung down in a bunch rather than lay limply on the bottom of the bag.  You're worth it eating real food that is fresh and tastes as delicious.  Something to consider my dear friends.  

So far I'm enjoying my jouney to a new healthier me. I know there will be dark times, but eventually all the hard work will pay off. The best side effects so far have been with my kids. I've set bad examples for them over the years on just how to take care of themselves. Eating healthier and getting more exercise is definately giving them a better life too. They get to enjoy food that is better for them and our walks have brought us all closer. We are getting more fresh air and the chance to talk without any distractions. They are both teens and getting closer to them now is helping me to appreciate the people they are becoming and giving me a chance to give them any advice or insight that I can. I'm loving this more than the changes in myself, but it's all going hand in hand to improve my life and theirs at the same time. I owe a big thanks to the Biggest Loser for this! I hope everyone else realizes how the improvements we are all making and striving for are and will improve every phase of our lives. Good luck to each of you on your journey to fitness and a better life!

I just wanted to take a few minutes to say thanks to everyone in the BL community that has visited our site. We truly appreciate your kind words, support, encouragement and advice! Thank you to one and all. I have to say a big thank you to my teammate, Bev. I was lost and feeling down about myself much of last year, but she stood by me through it all and showed me that she cares and that I do have the ability to make major changes in my life. I started slow in the last 3 months of last year. (I was on the right track 3 years ago when I hurt my back and let it get to me more than it should have. I had to realize that I couldn't do all the things I used to do, but there are still lots of things I could, can and am doing to improve my life.) The improvements came slowly, but as they did, they energized me to do more. Then came the Biggest Loser Million Pound Match-Up when this season began. I loved the idea and could think of no one I'd want more as my teammate as Bev. I'd watched her lose 50 pounds in a years time and go from a novice to a 3 mile runner now. (Talk about commitment!) I asked what she thought and she eagerly jumped on board. Now the improvements are starting to show more and more, maybe not to most anyone else, but I see them and feel them. And soon everyone else will see and hear me roar! LOL I wish I could do or say more, but the most I can do is offer my undying gratitude to my dear friend Bev. Thank you for giving me a new outlook on life!

First off, I hope you are feeling better Bev!

 

I was nervous heading into this weekend's weigh-in. I had overindulged last weekend. A good friend of mine came to visit and I fell off the wagon last weekend. He is a big guy too and we have both been each other's worst enemy as far as eating healthier. I did have a long heart to heart talk with him about trying to take some of his excess weight off. Unfortunately I wasn't setting the best example for him at the same time. So I vowed to myself that I would do better and do more to set a positive example for him to follow this week. I think it was successful, now to just keep it up! I was slowed the last 2 days of the week by a blister on the bottom of my foot, but still logged 9.1 miles walking. To make up for losing 2 days of walking I hit the bike harder and went 36 miles on it and the result was a 5.8 loss for the week! I did well, but know I can do better!