Healthy Livin' support group, month of February 2010- the challenge is on!

Welcome all! Join in if you would like- we are challenging one another to lose 15 pounds by Mother's Day. Support in diet choices, water intake, and exercise are encouraged! Check in if you'd like to join us!

I am excited to lose the weight before Mother's Day. I maintained about the same weight last year, and while I wanted to lose more, I at least didn't gain overall. With this challenge I am encouraged to get going- and I'm bringing my kids along "for the ride"!

Friday I walked a mile (outdoors)- that felt good. Saturday DS had a basketball game- exercise for me that day was a few minutes on my stairstepper, and some Wii with the guys. Today it snowed all day- so my kids burned off plenty of calories trekking all over the hills behind my in-laws house, I only have done my stairstepper. First thing in the morning my Walk Away the Pounds (WATP) tape is coming out!

Food has been pretty healthy, and I'm drinking my water.

Let's get going and do this! We can!!!

MT3

Drink your water and kiss your kids!

 

Monday morning-
I had a light breakfast (which is good for me to have one!)
turkey sand on whole wheat, with a little honey mustard, for lunch
snack will probably be a light yogurt

Exercise: I didn't do the WATP tape, but the boys and I went for a walk this morning in the drizzly rain. Let me tell ya- with the rain we kept our pace pretty quick too! :wink:

What are you all up to?

MT3

 

Today I'm trying the 4-5 small meals. That keeps me from overeating, and keeps up the metabolism. That's what my gym trainer and Jillian Michaels said, so I'm trying it. Today is my first day.

I lost about 2 1/2 pounds I think since the beginning of last month. Not much for all the work I've done, but I think I have lost some inches. I'll have to measure and see.

I weighed myself this morning, so I know what I weigh when starting the challenge. We'll see how I do by Mother's Day. I'd be THRILLED to lose 15 pounds by then!

I'm eating more healthfully, and exercising well. Today I worked out at the gym, and when dd and I went to work with the horse our Humane Society got in (abuse/neglect case), i brushed and brushed the horse, went to the barn and got some hay, and raked out old/dirty straw from the area where the feeding trough is, so worked off some calories there!

I'm meeting my friend tomorrow morning at 7:00 to work out again. I LOVE having this membership and going there, I've been so much more motivated! I did feel yucky for a week or so, but felt much better last night and today!

I think when I work out at the gym I remember to drink a good amount of water there, and afterwards. On days I don't go, I need to work more on drinking more water!

Okay gals, let's get going with this challenge and work together to better ourselves!

 

Good job Deena! You know, I never would have thought of grooming a horse as exercise! I know it is, I just wouldn't have thought of it!!

Tuesday is our co-op day, and while we do plenty of running around, not much of it could be considered exercise. But I tried to eat okay and drink enough water.

Wednesday: meals were okay- light snacking too. Deena, I just don't know how I would incorporate those small meals, but I agree it keeps your "motor" burning! Last night I took the dog for a walk and did "step exercises" along the curb too.

This morning has fallen to pieces. There's a ladies meeting going on at church and they have refreshments. I didn't grab breakfast, so I splurged on a small chocolate donut AND a small glass of orange juice. Bad girl, but let me tell ya, that orange juice tasted divine!! :roll: Now I'm back to my black coffee, and I'll have to do some extra moving to work off that donut....

Gotta run. Where is everyone?

MT3

 

MT3, the small meals seem to work well for me. It helps me not over eat. One time it may just be a banana or a piece of fruit of some kind. We have been getting Clif Bars from Costco, and I'll often eat one befofre I exercise early in the morning. It really does keep my energy going throughout the hour or so of exercising! I also do a bowl of salad (cereal bowl size). So each meal is small on it's own, then 3 or 4 hours later I'll do another one. The biggest I did was at lunch yesterday when I had a bowl of Spicy Thai Noodle Soup and two potato rolls with some margarin and jam. It came to about 660 calories, I think, which is way more than most my little meals! The margarine is Smart Balance, so it's better than just any old marg.

I have felt pretty good with it today too. I'm giving it a week or two, I think, and see how it goes...

I wish more people would join! Wonder where they're at?!

 

'Weighing in here. We just got a bread maker, and my weight shot up; so I needed this group goal. My healthful snacks are nuts and fruit. I'm trying to add in more veggies. My favorites are cabbage slaw and carrots, juiced with pineapple and apples. Home dried pineapple (without sugar) is SO tasty! Just slice it and spread the slices on a rack or parchment paper and dry them in an oven set on the lowest setting or in the warming drawer, if you don't have a food dehydrator. It takes several days. Turn them at least once. It's so worth it! Oh, and raw ginger root juiced with the carrots, etc. is extra tasty.

Good job, friends! Thanks for sharing your challenges and victories. I'm having a hard time drinking enough water--just not thirsty enough in winter.

 

Hey folks, I'm new hear, and I would like to join the healthy living club! We have just come off a month with 5 family birthdays. (yup, cake and a big dinner 5 x in a month!). Now we need to break the junk food habit!

My tip to offer is cottage cheese. Is said to rev up the metabolism, so it works well if you are in need of a late night snack. I also use it as a pre-workout snack.

mkr

 

mkr, glad you are joining us!!!!

Well, Ladies, all in all I have lost 34 lbs. But I admit I am worried about gaining it back. My last day of work is coming up and I will no longer be too occupied to snack out. I will be back to my regular homeschooling days where we go to the movies, eat out, and whatever else we used to do. So yes, a life change is in order. I can't go back to how it used to be. This is for sure! Physically, I feel so much better being 34 lbs lighter. I am no longer sluggish and I sleep better on my back now. I am down to size 14 pants. This is great because I was pushing size 20 early last year.
So I am on board with all you!!!!!

Mother's Day, here I come and 15 lbs lighter too!!!:lol:
Perhaps I shouldn't get so excited too soon! I still have to lose those 15 lbs!

 

Welcome, MKR, and yeah, Patty! Hearing about successes like yours is so inspiring! You are right about having to change former eating habits. It seems like I can never eat like others around me, because my weight shoots up. Even the rotation diet I've recently tried is not for me. But with each other's encouragement, we'll each find what's best for us and reach the goal.

 

Hey gang!

Woohoo Patty on 34 pounds! That is great!
And welcome to MKR! I can relate to the birthday/celebration thing- we've had four birthdays in two months, plus Christmas! We used to tease my middle son- cottage cheese was his favorite food when he was a toddler. He could eat his own body weight in cottage cheese it seemed! Good tip though for a late-night snack.
Ooo P.H.- a new bread maker. See, breads are one of my weaknesses... That pineapple sounds delicious- but I checked our store this weekend and the pineapple looks a little "wintry"- I'll have to wait a little longer.

Saturday I did Leslie Sansone's 1-mile Super Challenge (15 min mile), and I had my kids do it with me. Yesterday I didn't get any exercise in, but I planned for dinner at halftime of the football game, so we didn't do much snacking, etc. That was good! It's not even funny how quickly those bowls of potato chips, etc can disappear when you aren't paying attention and just grazing! My family was really in the mood for cookies though- so I made a batch of oatmeal raisin. (I only ate two.) :angel:

This morning I'm drinking my black coffee (can't kick my caffeine yet), but I did the 1-mile again earlier. And I even had a little something for breakfast!

Come on y'all- how are you doing?

See ya soon- MT3

(Oh, and PH- maybe try a little lemon/lemon juice in your water. Sometimes if I make a big glass of water with lemon and a bunch of ice- it just seems easier to pick it up and sip at it for awhile.)

 

How true! We are out of lemons at the moment, so thanks for reminding me. That will go on our shopping list!

 

ok, I avoided this thread at first because I was trying to tell myself that the extra weight was good insulation! But I have overcome my fear of healthy food(ugh) and decided that it would be a great Mom's day gift to myself to be 15 lbs lighter. so far the only action I have taken is eating Cheerios for breakfast and parking further away from the store. Gotta start somewhere! LOL

 

good excercise today

I took my three to the historic Fort today. I thought it would be so much fun, we wouldn't need a stroller. So, I put the baby in the backpack, 3 and 4 yr olds walking. 1/2 way through my 3 year old had a melt down and I ended up putting him in the back pack, and carrying the baby! I think I burned a few calories!

I am aiming to replace some of my double/double coffees with water. I think I'll feel better with less caffeine and sugar too. I think I'll try the lemon juice too MT3!

mkr

 

This sounds like fun! BTW Good job Patty!

I've been keeping up with exercise on thedailyplate website. I use exercisetv's website too for fun workouts. Love the power pilates. They have tons of 20 min. videos so on my unmotivated days, I can usually manage at least 20 minutes. Lately I've upped the exercise from 20 min/day to 40 min/day. I've tried to get in 5 workouts a week since Jan,1 and I've not missed but 2 workouts since then. This week, I've been into tae bo.

My last baby is 2 yrs old and I'm still hauling 10-15 lbs of weight from that pregnancy, so the challenge to drop some by mother's day is appealing. Maybe the accountability will help me. My will power has been in the pits since my little guy was born.

 

Welcome leissa and fairfarmhand! The more the merrier! leissa- we all have to start somewhere! And fairfarmhand- I'll have to check out the website- thanks!

Yesterday afternoon I was dragging after a busy day, but instead of taking a 15-min snooze, I popped in another Walk Away the Pounds tape and walked a mile. That is truly different motivation for me!

mkr- it sounds like you burned plenty of calories with your crew- what a good idea though.

I have a super busy day with co-op today, so I'll catch up with you later!

Drink your water and kiss your kids- MT3

 

Hello again!

I did the WATP 1-mile walk on Tuesday evening, and yesterday DS #3 and I did the WATP 1-mile Super Challenge. I of course won't really see any benefits/changes from this for a couple of weeks, but boy do I feel the exercise across my shoulders especially. (I use light weights for the regular 1-mile walk).

Toast and black coffee for breakfast today; tuna (lemon juice, salt, pepper, a little pickle relish) for lunch; and roasted chicken with sesame noodles and a salad for dinner. At least, that's the plan for now!

How's everyone doing? MT3

 

This week, I am so proud of myself. Every day except yesterday, when I wasn't even home from 1pm-9pm, I've exercised 45 minutes. And I've kept my calorie count to about 1500, (which is where I need to be to lose 2 lbs a week_) Yay! Even bought a turkey club at steak and shake last night instead of a burger. I think I'm finally beginning to get just a little mad about this weight thing. I mean, the baby is 2 yrs old. It's time to lose that last 10 lbs.

 

I'm keeping up with the exercise very well--the least I've done on my exercise days in the past 2 weeks is 1 hour! I think I'm drinking a good amount of water. I could do better on the food I'm eating, but I do eat lots of salads. I haven't lost a thing though! I keep telling myself it's cuz I'm switching fat for muscle, but come on! I would LOVE to see some weight loss!!! I'll keep at it, the pounds HAVE to come off sometime!

I haven't kept up with the 4-6 meals a day thing that a did for a few days. I need to get back to that.....

It is SOOOO great to see more people on here! I hope everyone sticks around!

Patty--You da bomb girlfriend!!! Way to go on your weight loss, love to hear that!!!

 

Happy Valentines day!
Today was a bad day at the in-law's! Zero exercise, too much pie and goodies!!! Better tomorrow right?!! Lets not let the post-valentines sugar cravings get us down!

DH is taking the van to work, and we are walking to do our errands tomorrow.

 

Hello friends!

Keep up the good work!
fairfarmhand- great job on the exercise AND watching your calories! Sounds like you are serious about losing that last 10 pounds!
Deena- awesome work on the exercise! I agree with you that to be patient you will end up seeing the pounds come off! See, that is what I find hard about the six meals thing- I just miss too many of them for it to work...
mkr- thanks for the encouragement to not let post-Valentine sugar get to us! DH and the boys surprised me with a small bag of Lindt truffles for Valentine's-- YUM, but I am trying to limit myself to one every couple of days! :roll:

I weighed myself this weekend, and have lost a pound and a half! It may not sound like much, but to me it is a definite start!! I'm still doing the WATP tapes... working myself up to the 3-mile tape.

Talk to you soon!
MT3