Wanna Lose Weight? Calling All Chunky Monkeys!
Lounge By TexasSugar Updated 7 Jun 2009 , 10:27pm by TexasSugar
Sorry I missed Monday's check-in, but I was sick with a sinus headache/migraine all day.
This week is my "girl" week, so while I had lost another 2lbs by Monday, it's back because of it being that time of the month. But, that means I'm still down the full 20lbs! And next week will be a new week.
I'm also thinking of getting hubby and I both up earlier in the morning to go walking or something. I can walk on a treadmill if I have my iPod with me, so I'm more than willing to do it. It's the part where I have to get out of bed, get dressed, get cold to get to the exercise room at our complex, and then workout.
I know they say if you buy exercise equipment, the majority of people won't actually use it, but I'd be more tempted if I had a treadmill in my home.
Hey Jade. It really sounds like you are doing great!!! Keep up the good work. As far as purchasing exercise equipment for your home, I say, if you can do it and you have the space, go for it. We purchased a treadmill and an eliptical many, many years ago and we use both almost daily. I knew that I would not take the time to get dressed and go out to a gym and exercise on a daily basis. Just wouldn't happen. Having the equipment in our home has made ALL the difference in the world. We have a TV to keep us occupied and the time goes by pretty quickly. Before we know it, we've walked a few miles. Just one word of advice. Make sure that you purchase the extended warranty. As much as we use both pieces of equipment, it takes a pretty good beating. But everytime something fails or just simply wears out, we have it repaired without any problems at all.
You know, I never thought I'd agree about purchasing an extended warranty on anything--hey I'm a big Dave Ramsey fan--but I would (if I could do it over again) get the extended warranty on my treadmill. The mother board just went out on the stupid thing for the third time. The first time was still under warranty, I can't remember how much it cost to repair it the second time and now I just moved it out to the garage until I have time to deal with it!!! FRUSTRATING--but now I must look at the positives...it's getting nicer and nicer outside and I can walk there, the treadmill is finally out of the living room and we moved the piano in so my daughter doesn't have to go out to the cold garage to practice anymore.....Our piano is a hand-me-down "antique" and it is the only piece of furniture we own that my husband has ever expressed a firm opinion on and the opinion is "That is so ugly it can't come in the house!" It's only taken me 23 years to convince him otherwise, but now it's inside, the treadmill's in the garage, and my commercial kitchen is actually happening!!!! All in all way too much going on for me to pay enough attention to my weightloss attempts--sorry to ramble on, but please know I'm thinking good thoughts for you guys and your weight loss and I'm hanging in there!!!! Go Chunky Monkeys!
Hey Jade. It really sounds like you are doing great!!! Keep up the good work. As far as purchasing exercise equipment for your home, I say, if you can do it and you have the space, go for it. We purchased a treadmill and an eliptical many, many years ago and we use both almost daily. I knew that I would not take the time to get dressed and go out to a gym and exercise on a daily basis. Just wouldn't happen. Having the equipment in our home has made ALL the difference in the world. We have a TV to keep us occupied and the time goes by pretty quickly. Before we know it, we've walked a few miles. Just one word of advice. Make sure that you purchase the extended warranty. As much as we use both pieces of equipment, it takes a pretty good beating. But everytime something fails or just simply wears out, we have it repaired without any problems at all.
There are few things I would be willing to buy an extended warranty on, and most of them are things costing more than $300. I didn't get one on my iPod (wish I had now), but I did on my laptop. I also got accidental damage coverage on my laptop. Usually it's things that I know I couldn't fix myself.
I know that a treadmill will have to wait until DH and I have a house of our own (THIS YEAR!!!), and we save up for it (we don't like having debt of any kind).
I just need to nudge him about it now, so when we do have the house, it's not a shock to him...I've been talking about a house for almost three years now, so he takes a while to get moving once I mention something. 
I wish I had an eliptical at home. I have access to a gym at school but it is such an effort to go. I usually just stay home and use my stepper or other exercise dvds. As far as walking, I agree with Mencked that it is nice to just walk outside! I live in San Antonio and we have been having 70's-80's. Good luck everyone this week and keep up the good work.
Checking in quickly, girls. This is the first time I've been on the computer all week. The kids and I are still fighting the "crud". DH is out of town all week. Sleep is just not happening for me and my appetite is almost nil, which should help, but it doesn't. I find myself nibbling a lot, and not very good things, because nothing sounds particularly good.
I did weigh in Monday morning, and I am trying to get a lot more water in this week.
Welcome, Chrissy, if I didn't say that before. Great to have another voice of inspiration aboard! Sorry about your Bally's experience. You should go ahead and report it to someone. They were trying to "hard sell" you under the guise of caring about your health. It's not right to treat someone that way or to try to scare them into a bad financial decision. Give yourself some credit for being strong enough to walk away. I bet using those tactics has gotten them a lot of "clients" who end up paying a lot of money they can't really afford. Those same "clients" probably don't work out for very long, if at all, after being made to feel so. Congratulations for not falling for their treachery!
Go *cough, cough* Chunky Monkeys!!!!
Stacy, I'm so sorry to hear that you and the kiddos are still sick. I know it's miserable. I had a cold a few weeks back and all I did was eat. I know it's weird but when I get sick I get this appetite like you wouldn't believe. I can't get enough. The only time I can ever remember not being able to eat was when I had strept throat. Not that I didn't have the enormous appetite but it just plain hurt to swallow. Anyway, I so hope that everyone there is feeling better soon. Take care of yourself and as they say, drink lots of fluid......
Chrissy-I am totally appalled!!!!!!PLEASE write to all the concerned authorities...I wish I could smack those 3 in the face for you. Horrible what people can do for some paltry $$$. I am sorry you had to go through that. BUT as always there is something good in everything and now you have some impetus to workout on YOUR OWN! Good luck honey!
Stacy hope you feel better soon!
Diane-SOOOO happy for your kitchen!! Good luck!
I have been chugging along albeit WITHOUT the diary as promised...urgh! next week for sure.
Keep at it girls, with the weather and all...it only gets easier form here!
Hello, my name is Trace, and I have fallen off the wagon! Tuesday was just a horrible eating day for me. Like Stacy I found myself just nibbling and eating things that weren't good for me. I totally think it is the cold I have. Because I can't really taste anything, nothing is hitting the spot.
I have an online friend that is also working on losing weight and she did make me feel better about it Tuesday night. She reminded me of the saying "feed a cold, starve a fever" and told me my body was telling me what it needed and that the weight would still be there when I was feeling better and in a better place to work on it. Of course that doesn't give me the open ended eat everything in sight, but it made me feel less bad for eating all day.
Yesterday I did well for the first part of the day, then went over to a friends after class. We ended up grabbing a burger and fries to eat. UGH. Of course I have been craving one, and it wasn't near as good as it was in my head. And then I had a couple of drinks with him.
So I had two 'bad' days in a row and haven't done any exercise since Monday. So far today I have been on track eating, so hopefully I can finish it that way.
Oh and that 12 minute work out I did Monday night? I totally felt it Tuesday night when I went to bed and yesterday. Those exercises that didn't look to be much, sure did leave my abs and shoulders/arms hurting. My calves were sore as well, and are still sore today. I'm wondering if they are not from the ellitipcal I tried out. I didn't go very far on it both days I tried it out, but was certainly getting my heartrate up on it. I'm not sure if I liked it though. It felt too tall for me. I don't know that they were made for short people.
Hope everyone that has the stuffy nose, icky feeling stuff is improving, and feeling better. I'll try to keep from sneezing on the screen and passing my germs around.
HUGS Monkeys!
My mom and I signed up for Weight Watchers online together today.
I realized I didn't own a scale then remember "oh yeah the Wii fit!"
So I dusted off my WW points calculator and pulled out my books from a couple years ago and will be starting tomorrow.
I have about 55 pounds in total to loose so I look forward to this great adventure that I start tomorrow.
We'll see how I do this time around.
Trace-dont beat yourself up - its the weather and that time of the year! After all that motivated start to the day today, guess what the DH just ordered-PIZZA! aw shucks...just give in I guess..tomorrow is another day and watch me seal these lips uh hu! Love to all
TS, I so hope that you are feeling better soon too. Geeez, this mess is really going around. I know you'll get back on track. Just take care of that cold and things will turn back around for you. I get those nibbles sometimes and it drives me nuts. NUTS. Oh yeah, nuts sound good right about now. See, what I mean? Here we go again, now I've got a craving... 
OK, just a handful of almonds. They're good for me.....
CarolynGwen welcome and good luck with WW. One warning about the Wii Board, don't use it on carpet for weighing. We were playing it over the holidays and our weights would change go up and down by huge amounts from day to day and we think it was the carpet or maybe an uneven floor.
Don't forget it isn't just about the number on the scale. You can use measurements and how your clothes fit as a guide as well. 
Monkess and Butternut, thank you! Today was a better day, which I needed. I still need to talk myself on to the treadmill or to do some form of exercise before the night is over.
The pizza and nuts both sound good! Maybe we need to have to have pizza discussion and see how many healthy versions of pizza we can come up with. HeHe. I bet we could come up with some interesting combos we could make at home.
My mom made a black bean soup last night, that I got to try for lunch today. It was good and even my dad said he enjoyed it. He's a meat and potatoes kinda of guy, so for him to like a veggie only meal is something.
TS - I've been thinking the same thing about the pizza. There really are ways to make pizza and it not be so bad. Matter of fact, Bob on The Biggest Loser mentioned that on the show the other night. I guess you would start out with a whole wheat crust, use lowfat mozzarella cheese, turkey pepperoni if you really want the meat, and of course green peppers, any kind of veggies you like and maybe even some fruit like pineapple. There are ways that we can change up our foods that we like so much to make them healthier. I don't believe in giving up on foods that I thoroughly enjoy. My lifetime change will always consist of the foods that I love but in moderation and changed up if possible to make it healthy. It would be unrealistic for me to even think that I could give up the foods that I have enjoyed for so many years. I try to find ways to change them up so that I can live with it and be happy and content. Otherwise the "lifetime change" will fail for me. It can without a doubt work, but it does take a lot of time to find substitutions for some of the high calorie items that we've grown up eating. But hey, it's worth the time because after all WE ARE ALL WORTH IT!! 
Oh yeah, whole wheat crust. Maybe some sliced fresh tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes cooked down rather than pizza sauce that may have sugar in it. Possibly grilled chicken, lots of veggies and maybe some herbs, can't you just see the combinations out there? Mmmm! I may just have to do this soon.
I haven't gotten to watch the new season of Biggest Loser. I unfortunetly scheduled a class on Tuesdays this month. And since it is a Course 1, I'll be teaching (hopefully) for the next 3 months.
Everything you said about your eating/cooking is how I feel. I don't want to stop cooking those hand my down recipes I grew up eating and learned how to cook with. I just want to work in changes to make them better for us, but still taste good and like what I remember. And on foods that don't really have a lot of healthy options, then I have to remember moderation and portion control.
I'm trying to cut out or at least cut back on those really high in calories things that come in small packages, like butter. I use olive oil in place of it for cooking. Which yes I know it is high calorie and high fat, it is fat that is good for us. Plus I have found that I really can use less olive oil than I would have butter.
We all know it is better to bake/grill rather than fry. Remove fat and skin when possible and have low fat cheese and milk over the whole fat versions.
I was telling my mom that something I have noticed is that 'healthy' foods have more spices/herbs in or on them, rather than the sauces and gravies you find over the fattening foods.
What are some of the healthy changes you have done to your cooking and recipes?
I put in the exercise step work out video this morning that came with the step I have. I didn't get to far past the warm up though. My nose is still stuffy, and my house was warm (temps are in the 70s today) so that wasn't helping my breathing while working out and had to stop doing it. I watched most of the rest of the video and I think once I get the steps down and the routine of it I would probably be able to do it okay. I'm gonna try it again to see if I can atleast get past where I stopped.
Trace and butternut--stop talking pizza guys...i loose it totally around pizza!!!lol.... THAT is one food that makes me weak in all resolves...not that i will have too much, max 3 slices but i know the carb in a ww, thin crust is very very high. There is no way to make a pizza low carb, trust me I thought and planned it all!
I think I am doing rather well for the weekend, ate no more than 60 carbs today- trying to limit them drastically from my regular 90 grams, I NEED TO BREAK THIS PLATEAU!!!! I know once I start losing again even if it is just a couple of pounds, the roll down will be regular, it is the break I need....hopefully the exercise and carb reduction should do it...I do think I notice a slight difference on my face...MONDAY MORNING shall tell all...good luck ladies!! GO GO GO!!!
Monkess, what do you eat when you are only eating 60 carbs. I've been keeping track of my carb/fat/protein and there is no way I could ate that few a day.
Also are you getting enough calories? Remember, no less than 1200 a day. Have you tried adding in more exercise to help break through the plateau?
I'm not even gonna step on the scale after last week. Thankfully I'm almost over this cold and getting better control on my eating again.
This is going to end up being another crazy week for me. My nephew goes in the hospital tomorrow afternoon to get ready for his surgery on Tuesday. They are going to finally remove his appendix. He'll be there for a couple of days so it will mean some hospital duties for me, plus I have class Tues and Wed night.
I guess it just shows us in the 'real world' there is always going to be one thing after another that challenges our eating habits. Sigh.
Here early for roll call. We're all feeling a bit better and I'm going to try to break out of munchie mode this week. I dragged out the food journal notebook, so keep your fingers crossed. I didn't weigh-in, though. Wanted to focus on the positives this week - I'm feeling better and tracking my food.
Welcome Carolyn! I like the WW points system. We're here to cheer you on!
Margie and Tracy, sorry you are sick, too! I just have to keep reminding myself that I am trying to make a life change, not just lose weight. So, a week or two of not dieting in order to allow the body to heal is not a big deal.
Trader Joe's has a pretty yummy whole wheat crust and their pizza sauce is pretty good, too. I got some when my mom came to visit last time and we tried them. My mom and I follow WW points like Carolyn and, even using real pepperoni and full fat cheese it's lower points than the WW frozen pizza. I really don't need the meat as long as it's got plenty of yummy veggies on it. Plenty of veggies makes it more filling, too, so you only need a slice.
Monkess, do they make a low-carb pita you could use for a crust on those days you want pizza?
Well, I better haul it away from the computer. I hear stirring kids. Hugs to all my Chunky Monkey pals! Get well, stay strong, and have a terrific week.
Oh yeah, and thanks again for being your wonderful selves and sharing this journey with me. You are a truly a blessing to me, more than you know!
Good morning everyone. Hope all had a great week-end and all the colds are gone and everyone is feeling wonderful. Well, I think I really am back on track now. I lost 5.6 pounds this past week so I'm pretty happy with that. I needed that to keep me motivated to STAY on track. Makes me angry when I think I could probably have reached my goal weight by now if I hadn't given myself that green light the second week in December. OH well, it is what it is. Just had to find my way back and thank goodness, I'm back again. Tell ya what, when you pick up 12 pounds in a real short amount of time, you sure can feel it. It's amazing how just that amount can really make a difference in how you feel and the energy you have.
So, how is everyone else doing? Anyone try any new recipes? I did try the fried cabbage and it was really good. I've got another recipe for roasted cabbage that I'm going to try. I'll post the results when I do.
TS - I try to make my meals a bit lighter and healthier by doing away with or substituting ingredients with foods that are lower in calories and fat. For example, I used to always use full fat cheddar cheese in just about every dish I'd make. ( I like cheddar cheese) Now, if I use it at all, I'll use the low fat cheese. Can't and won't do the fat free cheese, YUK. When I make spaghettit, I used to always make my sauce with loads of italian sausage, now I either don't add anything at all or I just put in some turkey pepperoni. Doesn't tast quite as good but it's good and something I can live with. Also, I changed the pasta to whole wheat. I use 1% milk now instead of full fat. I've changed my recipes that call for rice to brown rice now. Instead of putting gravy on my rice, I'll just add some green and red peppers and maybe just a bit of cheese. Changed from full fat mayo to Hellman's light. Full butter to Promise Light. I bake most of my meats now instead of frying in a pan full of oil. When I do use oil, it's olive oil now. I've really made no drastic changes but the changes I've made do make a difference and it's things that I can live with forever with no feelings of deprivation. I've learned that if you give up things you really enjoy, your chances of achieving your goals will normally fail. At least that's what I've learned about myself.
Ok guys I hope you all have a wonderful week. Stay strong. I have a feeling that this is gonna be a great week for everyone!!!
Thank you Stacy. You're so kind. Also, thanks for the heads up on Trader Joe's whole wheat pizza crust. We have a store close by and I'll have to stop in and get some. I really like that store. They have so many items you can't find elsewhere. Yeah, I've got a feeling that you are going to have a very good week this week. You are a strong person, and it's a pleasure going through this journey with you too
Y'all, is it too late to join this thread? I really, really need some help. I've been yo-yo dieting for years, have been "loosely" doing Weight Watchers for 2 years, and need to lose 25#( 35 according to WeWa, but that will never happen). This time last year I was 20# lighter and running a lot, but I hurt my back over the summer and have had trouble getting back into it.
I feel SO GROSS and I can't believe that I am doing this to myself. In the AM and afternoon I do fine, then at night it all falls apart on me. I lose all self-control. Example, last night DS peed in his bed and woke me up at 1:30. I came right downstairs after getting him situated and ate Nutella with a spoon. I don't know why I even bring things like that into the house.
Anyway, thanks for listening.
Michelle
Hi Michelle. Welcome, so glad to see you on this thread. Of course it's not too late, it's never too late to join in. We have a great group of people here who never judge, just offer advice on how to get through the ruts and are there every step of the way for us through our journey. You and I share the same history with the yo yo dieting, losing weight, gaining weight. It's a pain in the butt and I've finally decided enough was enough and am making that change that I need to continue with for a lifetime.
I too am too tempted by having goodies in the house. So, I have stopped buying them, period. I have a weakness at night as well. I always keep 100 calorie popcorn on hand, fat free jello pudding, and I also like the Yoplait yogurt. I really don't miss the other stuff as long as I can have one of those three foods. Michelle, if you've really set your mind to losing and being more healthy, you can do this. There is no doubt that you can do this. You've lost before so you know that you can do it. We all just need to stay motivated, upbeat and determined. So glad you're here...... By the way, have your hubby's relatives seen that article yet on the Villages? 
Today I am really going to try hard. I'm about to take DD to the bus stop, then going to the gym. I can't get into any of my clothes, and the ones I can squeeze into are uncomfortable and look horrible.
In May I'm doing a half marathon, so I'll be running and cross training 4-5 times a week, hopefully.
RE: The Villages-I have to send the article to them. Posted it to my Facebook page, but they aren't on it.
Ok I officially started this morning.
I did good, I not only ate breakfast which I never do, I also remembered to take my daily dose of calcium, vitamins etc. wait there's more....I tracked it!
I also ran to the market (had to we were out of bread) and noticed that the Smart coice meals (the ones iwth the WW points on the box) were on sale for $1.88. I got four of them to get me through until payday on Wednesday. I'm going back for more!
Those get me a decent lunch and I can add a salad to it for filler.
My worry is tracking points for dinner. I make meals and have no idea how I'm going to do some dishes. I figured this first week is going to be a trial and error with points for dinner so I'm watching my breakfast/lunch points.
I know I have 35 for reserve "just in case" but I'm pretending those don't exist. If I admit they are there I'll use them up at least twice in a week.
I feel good about doing this this time around. Before it's always been the co-worker peer pressure "I'm doing and I need a buddy to help me!" and after a couple weeks they drop out so I would too.
I'm ready for change, I need it. Hubby's being snarky and sarcastic over it but it's because he needs it to and won't admit it. Regardless this gals getting thin, he can support me or not but it's going to happen.
This weekend he saw a tub o fmy size 14 and a tub of my size 12 clothes and said "you should just get rid of them." My reply "no, in a few months I'll be getting rid of that!" and pointed to my current clothes hanging up.
I can do this... I have to. For my health but more importantly for me.
Ok there's my weekly pump me up post! I'm off to do a quick Wii fit work out and then clean the house.
CarolynGwen - GOOD FOR YOU!! You have to want to do this for yourself. Sometimes my hubby can be my worst enemy when it comes to trying to lose weight. I have to keep reminding myself why I wanted to lose weight in the first place and stay strong. I'm doing this because I need to for myself. Not because someone else thinks I am too large or so that hubby will think I"m sexy. I'm doing this because I want to be around to see my grandkids grow up. I'm doing it because my cholesterol is getting higher and I need to eat more healthy. I'm doing this because I'm worth living a full and happy life. We can't let someone elses negative comments distract us from what's important to us. Our weight, and our health are totally in our own hands. If we want this badly enough we will do it. Sooooooooooooo, LET'S DO IT!!!!!!!!!
Carolyn-are you doing WeWa online? I am so mad. You know how they tell you to take their little questionnaire every so often to evaluate your points allotted? I did that and they knocked me down to 18 per day. I had trouble staying under 20, so I've got to earn some serious activity points.
Yes it's WW online. I can afford $15 a month but I can't afford to go into the meetings in person and pay weekly.
Hubby and I were just chatting on IM. I let him know I signed up and he was actually very happy for me. He said I'm more apt to stick with it since I can go to their site daily. lol
I just got done putting some of our favorite meals I make into the recipe builder.... HOLY 
! The points per serving on a few, no wonder why my butt keeps moving for a few seconds after I stop walking! I didn't go with low fat/non fat items like I could, I put them in just like I've been making them all these years. As I make them I'll convert them over. I am actually thinking of doing a print out of the full fat and then one with low fat alternatives so I can see a before/after comparison points wise.
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