What I Owe

Ok... I think I have this figured out...LOL!

I owe:

Robyn-Earrings
Darlene-Earrings
Lori-Stone Bracelet
Roxann-Stone Bracelet

If I owe you something, PLEASE let me know. I am just so scatterbrained right now I don't want to forget ANYONE!!

My Thursday Weigh-In

Starting Weight 174.5
Week 1---164.8
Week 2---164.2
Week 3---161.7
Week 4---160.4
Week 5---157.8
Week 6--- 155.5
Week 7---156.2
Week 8---154.3

Total Weight Loss 20.2 pounds

I think having my morning walks back have made all the difference in my life...LOL! They help my weight, they lift my spirits and I have bonding time with Quincy which is SO fun! :)

We all have 1 month left in this challenge. Let's see if we can't kick it up just a notch! :)

Ok, HELP ME!

I know some of you have earned earrings. Please email me if you have earned them but not heard from me!

THANK YOU! :)

Monday Weigh in. LATE

Well I figured since I gained a pound, I could wait one day to break the news. We celebrated my son's 3rd birthday on Sunday and wouldn't you know that cake and ice cream would show up on the scale yesterday. Not to mention that I am retaining water, bloated and I am making another birthday cake for my niece's 6Th birthday party tomorrow. I am excited about that. She requested a mermaid cake, so I can't wait to get in the kitchen and decorate. Ariel Here I come!!

I know the weight gain is merely a monthly body fluctuation, so I am not too concerned. Next week will prove to be better. I hope!!

Dana I will e-mail you my pix tonight.

Friday Weigh In - Late! Vacation

Hi Everyone: I feel like it's been forever since I posted anything on the Blog. I guess Summer causes everyone to slow down and reflect. On a positive note I have now lost 10 lbs. so I've gone from 170 lbs. to 160 lbs. which feels great, but on a less positive note I have been diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time. I think the anxiety has a lot to do with the weight loss! It seems that everyone has something to deal with. I will try and continue on with the blog until the end of September. I'm feeling incredibly anxious and I'm having a mammogram today and a 2nd ultrasound on Thursday which is a core biopsy and a fine needle aspiration. If you didn't know I live in Canada so health care for Cancer patients is very fast! I'm truly grateful for that.
All the best to everyone in their quest to "move those pounds" and I'll keep you posted on my progress. Maureen

snack

anyone have any low fat, filling, unique snack ideas?

discouraged.

So I have lost a total of 7.5 pounds but feel very discouraged. Had alot of things happen here recently so I feel down. I am going to start tomorrow with a new attitude and hopefully my weight loss will pick up.

Weigh-In

And again Thursday is upon us. I am down a couple of pounds from last week. I am excited because I didn't lose any the week before. That puts me at 8 lost so far. I have found that I lose only when I get in 45 minutes of exercise 6 days a week and drink my yucky water and watch my calorie intake. That is a lot to think about...but I am trying every day. I think that is all we can do.

Weigh-in

I have been MIA the last few weeks. We were presented with an opportunity to move that we had to act quickly on so I have been a little busy with that.

I know I didn't weigh myself at all last week and today I was down 4 lbs.

For a total loss so far of 6 lbs.

I feel like I am so far behind so many of you, but I will keep going on my slow and steady pace.

My Thursday Weigh-In

Starting Weight 174.5
Week 1---164.8
Week 2---164.2
Week 3---161.7
Week 4---160.4
Week 5---157.8
Week 6--- 155.5
Week 7---156.2

Lost 18.3 pounds

Well, as you can see this week has not been a good one for me. Several things have worked against me in helping me to lose my focus.

First of all between family and friends we celebrated Logan's birthday all weekend long.

Second of all my sister had her 5th baby on Logan's birthday and it brought up some feelings that I had been trying to bury about Grace's death. Myself and 2 of my sisters were all due to have babies this year within a couple of months of each other. Seeing her precious new son made me feel all hollow inside again.

Third of all the boys started back to school on Monday therefore eliminating my morning walk.

So this next week, I need to regain my focus, talk through my feelings on losing Grace and figure out a solution to getting all of my exercise in.

Sorry if I have let any one down. I feel mostly like I let myself down.

Wednesday Weigh In

I am trying to put myself first! Apparently I'm not doing a very good job.........up .2 lbs.

I have ran 10 K so far this week..........need to be better about my strength training on T-TH-S.

Keep up the good work ladies!

Doesn't Dana ROCK!?!?!?!

Weekly Weigh In

Today was an OK weigh in - down 2 lbs from 2 weeks ago bringing my total to 7 lbs. Gena I totally understand. I don't like my weight to be the focus of every day, but it takes a great deal of focus (even more than I have been giving it) to move the scale. I feel encouraged, but still there is much work to do, but just knowing I need to post progress or lack of progress each week has helped! And prayers are sent your way Gena and for all of us to keep on track.

Back where I started.....

I feel like I owe all you wonderful ladies an apology. Obviously, my heart has just not been in this and my focus is everywhere but on a healthy lifestyle. I have been talking the talk, but I have NOT been walking the walk. I am right back to my original weight of 198 lbs. Over the past weeks I have lost and gained the same 2.2 lbs repeatedly because I could never really get into gear. Prior to starting this journey with you wonderful, strong, courageous ladies I had lost 33 lbs from Nov to May and then I had just stalled out. So I thought this would be a great way to get jump started again. But I have struggled with my weight my entire life and I should know by now that if my mind and heart are not ready, I am just spinning my wheels. I am not giving up...but I am asking for those of you who are Christians to please just say a prayer for me to get my focus back. I am so proud of all of you...you are truly an inspiration! I know that God has put me admist this group of fantastic women for a reason! I am struggling, but I am not out. :)

Monday Weigh in

So I am down a half pound. Good, but not fantastic. At least it wasn't a gain!
I can feel myself falling off the wagon. I am surrounded by treats and goodies and it is getting very hard to resist. I had my neice and 3 nephews stay over the weekend, and to make things fun I did movie, rootbeer float night. It was a big hit. But it showed on the scale today. The left over ice cream seems to find it's way in my mouth. No self control I tell you!!! This week is going to be an extreme movement to get back on my healthy routine. Thank to everyone for all the great support.

Start 137
Week 1-135
Week 2-136
Week 3-135
Week 4-135
Week 5-131.5
Week 6-130.5
Week 7-130

the scale is my friend today!

wahooo!! i am now 134 ... the lowest i have been in - oh, years!! this is great!! so add two (or is it three?) pounds to my total, dana!! this is DEFINITELY a happy monday!

Favourite Snack Items & Friday Weigh-In

My first choice is blueberries. I can really overdue it on the blueberries. Next are sweet, baby carrots as fresh from the ground as possible. I do also love rice crackers although I think they do have some calories, but they satisfy my craving for potato chips and peanuts. Anything with salt! I still have 1 coffee a day, but the rest of the time I have water. Trying to stay on task.

On another note, there has been no weight loss this week. I am still down 7 lbs., but I hope next week I can shed some more. As long as I'm not gaining I'm happy.

Positivity is a great word!

Power Oatmeal Pancakes

I thought I would share a very yummy breakfast with you lovely ladies! I love this recipe. It gives me so much energy during the day. The recipe comes from The Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook, by Tosca Reno.
Power Oatmeal Pancakes
6 egg whites, beaten until fluffy
1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1 scoop protein powder
1/2 cup oatmeal, uncooked
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup flax seed
1 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp canola oil
1/2 tsp cinnamon

1.Place all ingredients except beaten egg whites in a food processor and pulse or blend until mixture is uniform.
2.Pour blended ingredients into a bowl and add the egg whites. Fold until just blended.
3.Prepare a griddle with cooking spray. Ladle pancake mixture onto griddle and cook until both sides are browned.
Makes 6 pancakes. I have 4 kids so I double the recipe.
For syrup, I took a handful of blueberries and a tsp of water ~ mixed it together in a small saucepan, mashing the berries as they cooked. That was my syrup. It was very yummy.

Calories: 283/ Calories from frat: 100/ Protein: 21g/ Carbs: 24g/ Dietary Fiber: 4.5g/ Sugars: 0.3g/ Fat: 10.5g/ Sodium: 198mg

I've Broken the Plateau

Yeah! I've broken my plateau. I've finally lost 5 whole pounds. This isn't much for some of you, but it is huge for me. I haven't been below 140 pounds in 13 years. Now I am. All it took was the five pounds to get me motivated. Now, (starting today) every time I go to another room to clean, drop something off, put something away... I do one mini exercise. Squats ~ put socks in boys drawer, Arm circles ~ put wash clothes away, Lunges ~ put dust rags away, you get the idea? It is silly, it is little, but it is SOMETHING. It is more than I was doing. I might not make the 20 pounds in 3 months, but I'm on the right track.

Thanks for the motivation girls! (I still haven't got the running part down, but the way I feel...it might not be long.)

Dana, you bad girl! Now I too enjoy the Kashi Dark Choc. Oatmeal Cookies. (So does Ashley ~ I had to hide them!) I have to limit myself to one every other day. :)

Broccoli Breakthrough

Yesterday my husband was attending his first aid/CPR class and wasn't going to be home for dinner, so I thought I would have something easy. My mom babysat for me while I worked and she had made an early dinner for my 3 year old son Hunter. So, when I got home I had a grilled chicken salad with all the trimmings. My son decided to sit with me while I ate. He then decided he wanted to try a piece of broccoli. Low and behold, he had just discovered the best food on earth. He sat there and ate every bit of broccoli in my salad. Now, keep in mind I generally serve him what my husband and I eat because I can't stand making separate meals. I have served this child broccoli for the last three years and last night was the first time he actually ate it, not to mention he then ate half my salad! I am so excited to see him interested in all the good food I make, FINALLY!!!

My Thursday Weigh-In

Starting Weight 174.5
Week 1---164.8
Week 2---164.2
Week 3---161.7
Week 4---160.4
Week 5---157.8
Week 6--- 155.5

Total Weight Loss 19 pounds

I am just plugging away. Walking most mornings and jogging at least 3 miles in the evenings.
I grill a lot of chicken for myself on my George Foreman. I will steam some veggies and eat some kind of fruit and that chicken for lunch. I eat oatmeal almost every morning. And drink a big glass of 1% milk each day. Dinners are really light. A piece of fruit or a frozen yogurt.

Thank you all for your great support.We are all in this together; to help and encourage each other.

Weigh-In

It's Thursday again. Why does it always seem to be Thursday?? Oh well. I am down another pound. I am finding it easier to walk on my non-class days and I'm making a conscience effort to drink lots of water. I am no where near where I need to be with my food choices. I am still trying to fill a few holes I am feeling right now. Tomorrow will be 18 months since my Mom passed and that hole still has some jagged edges. Of course I miss my son. He left 29 days ago. He loves it and is doing well...but his Mama misses him dreadfully. So those are my issues this week. I'm trying not to make them into excuses. I'll just try to do better everyday. I am thankful for all who are so supportive and nice. It's good to have a place where we can be surrounded by women who get how hard this is. Thanks, Dana. Thanks to you all.

Missing in Action and a gain of 3 lbs 4 oz

I've been out of town since Thursday and by no means have I been on plan. (However, I was up until that point). But we got the phone call that our granddaughter was going to be born 6 weeks early and we needed to hit the road for the 7 hour drive right away. Paisley Belle was born at 2:45 a.m. Friday morning weighing in at 3lb 4 oz and 17 inches in length. I am pleased to say she is doing great now, and the crisis is over although she is still in the NCIU unit in Wilmington, N.C. where her Mom and Dad are keeping close watch over her. Needless to say, this Grandma tried to stay on track and not let her emotions rule when and what she ate for the past 5 days, but it has been VERY VERY hard!! I refuse to weigh this week. But I am back to my healthy eating plan and exercise since my return home. So I am CONFIDENT that next week will be a great weigh in! :) I'm sorry I haven't been here to comment on everyone's blog, I'll try to catch up now.

Good luck everybody....keep up the good work!!!!

Whooo Hooo!

I lost 1 pound. Yep. One whole entire pound. Actually, I am very thrilled. For the last 3 weeks I've been a consistent 140. Today I weighed 138. When I ran to get my camera ~ 139. Who cares? I'll take the 139. So, that means since I've started consciously watching what I eat I've lost a total of 6 pounds, but since I've been with this site... I think it is 3 pounds. I'm good with that.

I've started reading the book, The Eating Clean Diet, by Tosca Rena. It has been so good. I also bought her cookbook. Some of the recipes leave a little to be desired, but overall, I've changed my habits. Yippee!

Favorite snack: Water! Sounds crazy, but whenever I'm hungry I grab a bottle of water. If I'm still hungy after that... blueberries.

"here"

i'm holding steady ... i've lost 3 pounds total ... but i'm pms'ing this week, so i'm not concerned about not losing any. i usually hold onto about 3 lbs the week before my period. hopefully i'll see weight loss on my next weigh in. *crossing my fingers*

my favorite healthy snacks are a) apples - i LOVE apples. i could eat them all day every day, and b) homemade granola. oh YUM!!

How is everyone doing?

Let's have a roll call of sorts!
Everyone that is still participating in our 20 Pounds in 3 months Challenge please leave a comment letting everyone know what your favorite healthy snack(s) is/are!

I will go first!
Mine are Kashi Oatmeal Dark Chocolate cookies, Apples, and steamed veggies!

No Change

No change, no change. I'm tired of seeing the same number on the scale! It hasn't been easy but I've really been trying to get that darn number to change. Unfortunately for my weight loss goals, I am a cake decorator. I also like to ensure quality control by sampling my goods. *sigh* If only my buttercream frosting wasn't so good...

I've decided to pull out the Wii Fit and get in some step aerobics! Should be good for my pedometer count, too!

Monday Weigh in

I am happy to report a pound has been shed this week. I was very nervous to get on the scale this morning because this last week has been very busy. Keep up the good work everyone!!

Start 137
wk 1-135
wk 2-136
wk 3-135
wk 4-135
wk 5-131.5
wk 6-130.5

Friday - Weigh In Day

Hi Everyone: Hope everyone is doing well. I have managed to lose another 2 lbs. which makes a total of 7 lbs. Starting weight was 170 lbs. and I now weigh 163 lbs. This has been a supreme struggle! I have had cravings for cheese, chips you name anything bad and I want it!!! I have had to fight the demons within. For example: I love to go out for coffee. Instead of having coffee and a "little something" to go with it I've just had a cup of coffee and focused on the social aspect of being out. You do tend to hit a brick wall, but I'm very proud of each and everyone of us who has undertaken this challenge. "Positivity" is my new word thanks to a friend on this blog. It seems that we had to adjust weight loss strategies from time to time in order to make progress. It is also difficult to "bare your soul", but I think by doing that we can encourage each other to keep striving towards the ultimate goal. Baby steps - set tiny goals for yourself each week and you will get there. Thinking of you all...Maureen

Gaining back............AHHHHHH!

I thought missing a little exercise and having a little added stress would not matter.......well, it does!

For the last two weeks I have only worked out 3 days and I am now up .6 lbs (not much, but I am suppose to be going the other direction ;p)

I hope I can get into the groove of my new schedule.

Better Than Gaining....

My Thursday weigh in has been a bit of a bummer. I have been doing pretty well....until this last week. Having PMS sure does mess with a girls ability to think rationally. I think all I did was sit on the couch and eat. Well....I am the same weight as last week. Now it's time to get back up and do something the 3 days of the week (I usually take Sunday off) that I don't have class. Oh....I need to get drinking more water too. I still struggle with that. Here's to a new week!!

My Thursday Weigh-In

Starting Weight 174.5
Week 1---164.8
Week 2---164.2
Week 3---161.7
Week 4---160.4
Week 5---157.8

Total Weight Loss 16.7 pounds

This week was a roller coaster ride for weight gain and weight loss. I was all over the scale this week. Luckily my exercise was consistent otherwise I would have had a positive weight gain this week...LOL! Weight loss+That Time of the Month=Fluctuations DELUXE!! :P

I did meet the goal I set for myself last week of getting into the 150's.Now will be the time I have to mentally play games with myself. I tend to stay real comfortable with my weight at this point. Sooo, I need to find ways to push myself beyond this point.

Anyone have any suggestions for me?

Maybe another pound

The last two mornings I have weighed in down one more pound. That would make 5 in total. No record by any means, but after pulling off my 7 year olds birthday party, grandparents visiting for a few days, and taking care of an aging aunt many, many hours last week I was pleased. Weeks like that make me wish for school to start sooner and yet I don't want to wish away their summer. Enough complaining by me!!! I try to click on here as often as possible and feel energized by the rest of you. My exercise needs to be creative because on my dissablilty, but I also can't excuse myself because of that. Hopefully tomorrow I will post my one fish dish that the kids also eat- fairly health and coated with crushed rice krispies so they hardly notice the fish.

Thanks for everyone posting and helping to keep up all going.

Don't you love a digital scale?!?

This week I lost a whopping .2oz!! LOL!!! Well, it's better than the roller coaster ride I was on where I normally would have gained back my 2.2 loss this week, so I'm happy...somewhat. I am disappointed that I am not requiring more of myself because I know I can do so much better. I've really been slacking on the eating and exercise and it is just a matter of getting my mind set to believe that I am worth the extra effort it requires to continue on this journey I started in November. I've just hit a lull and I've got to give myself a jump start to continue on. You are all such an inspiration and motivation to me and looking at the chart at the top of the page, I AM inspired by you all!!! No one can do this for me, I MUST do it for myself and I do want to be a healthier version of me! I do want to feel better! I do want to have more energy!! Okay...I had a great check up at the doctor's office today and my cholesterol is way down and everything looks great...so no more excuses, right?!?! New day, new opportunity to get it right! So off we go!!!!! :)

Recipe for the Day

Blue Cheese Chicken Burgers POINTS® Value: 6 Servings: 4 Preparation Time: 15 min Cooking Time: 10 min Level of Difficulty: Easy Works with Simply Filling These burgers are Buffalo chicken wing knock-offs. They're brushed with a spicy BBQ sauce and then topped with crumbled blue cheese. Amazing flavor. Ingredients 2 spray(s) cooking spray 1/4 cup(s) barbecue sauce 1 1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce, or to taste 1 pound(s) uncooked ground chicken breast 1/2 cup(s) scallion(s), sliced 1/4 cup(s) celery, chopped 1/4 cup(s) dried bread crumbs, plain-variety 2 tsp minced garlic 1/2 tsp table salt 4 item(s) mixed-grain hamburger roll(s) 2 cup(s) romaine lettuce, shredded 1 large tomato(es), cut into 8 slices 2 tbsp blue cheese, crumbled Instructions Off heat, coat a grill or grill pan with cooking spray; preheat to medium-high. In a small bowl, combine barbecue sauce and hot pepper sauce. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, 1 tablespoon of barbecue sauce mixture, scallion, celery, bread crumbs, garlic and salt. Using wet hands (to prevent mixture from sticking), form chicken mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick patties; brush top of burgers with some remaining barbecue sauce mixture. Place burgers on grill, sauce side down; brush tops of burgers with remaining sauce. Grill, turning once, until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Lightly toast open-faced buns on grill during last minute of cooking. To serve, place 4 bun bottoms on each of 4 plates. Top each with 1/2 cup of shredded lettuce, 2 tomato slices, a burger, 1/2 tablespoon of cheese and a bun top (cheese will melt a little from hot burger). Yields 1 burger per serving.

For Dana. My mix up plan

After getting extremely frustrated about not losing anything last week, I decided I needed to work harder and eat better. The biggest change I made was running on the days I didn't go work out at the gym. The only day I took off was Sunday. Normally I would only work out 3 to 4 times a week. I have also made more of an effort to eat veggies everyday. When I eat a meal, I try and eat more of the veggies and a little less of the other foods. I felt hungry going to bed for a couple of nights but I just pushed passed the feeling of being starved, by brushing my teeth early. That way I couldn't eat because I didn't want to brush again. (silly but it helped me).
My advise, step out of your ordinary routine and your comfort zone for one week and see what you get. I owe this to Dana for challenging me to just run. It seems simple, but it was enough to get me motivated and thinking about what I needed to do differently.

Thank you Dana

Monday Weigh in

Well, after putting myself through a rigorous exercise program last week, It has paid off.

Start Weight 137

Week 1-135

Week 2-136

Week 3-135

Week 4-135

Week 5-131.5

Frustration was apparently the tool I needed to get my rear in gear and bust a move. Anyway I guess not giving up was the better choice and using my frustration constructively worked. Thank you all for the support, encouraging words and listening to my crazy thoughts.

happy monday!

i lost ... SIX OUNCES. are you proud? *lol* hey - i didn't gain, so i'm counting that as a loss of just a bit. it could be worse, but could definitely be better. i'm sure i'm gaining muscle as i'm losing the fat - clothes are fitting better, my medium workout shorts have to be tightened or they honestly fall right off of me. which is quite exciting! and i got complimented on my calves yesterday at church. lol.

hope everyone is doing great - and losing more than i am! have a great day. ~ jannet

Friday - Weigh In Day

Well, I kept the 5 lbs. off so I went from 170 lbs. to 165 lbs. so it's onto the next 5 pounds. We've been having a heat wave here so drinking water is salvation! Also my appetite has decreased and I'm forcing myself to eat at least 3 small meals daily otherwise my stomach will lock up and nothing will be lost. I've also been exercising as much as possible in our pool and that seems to be helping too. Portion control seems to be key for me and no snacking! I think everyone is doing really, really well and when you stop and consider how long it took to put the weight on it makes sense that it's not going to come off as quickly as we expect. I say don't be too hard on ourselves and just make good choices. Women Rock!!!