223 Bale of Turtles Planning for Halloween!

[bandit2]

Hi everyone

Lauren - nice to see you back & glad you had a wonderful trip.

I had my weigh in last night & between Thanksgiving and movie popcorn night before I was up 2# - that is the biggest gain I have had for awhile. It sure doesn't take much for the scale to go up. And the last few weekends I have also gone to dances & probably having too many calories with those coolers.
So, REALLY have to rethink my behaviours lately. This is crazy, constantly going up & staying the same.

Anyway, enough - its a new day!

[msmeri]

Judy ~ another pound gone for good!

Lauren ~ at least you did not do what you would have two years ago, That shown you have learned good habits...and that is the important thing.

Bandit~ no it sure doesn't take much for that ol scale. I was off the program sat & Sunday while we were in LA. And last night at WI the scale reminded me of that.



Hungry Girl's Breakfast Rice Pudding

PER SERVING (1 cup): 290 calories, 4g fat, 244mg sodium, 55g carbs, 4g fiber, 9g sugars, 12g protein -- POINTS® value 5*

This is like the lovechild of oatmeal and rice pudding. It's hearty, cinnamon-packed, and super-delicious!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice
2 1/2 cups light vanilla soymilk, divided
2 tbsp. plus 2 tsp. Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (granulated)
1 tsp. cornstarch
Dash salt
2 tbsp. fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original)
1/2 tsp. light whipped butter or light buttery spread (like Brummel & Brown), room temperature
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. cinnamon, divided
1/2 tbsp. brown sugar (not packed)

Directions:
In a medium pot, combine rice, 2 cups soymilk, Splenda, cornstarch, and salt. Set stove temperature to medium-high heat and bring mixture to a light boil, stirring occasionally.

Once boiling, continue to cook for 10 - 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until thick and creamy.

In a small bowl, combine egg substitute, butter, vanilla extract, 3/4 tsp. cinnamon, and remaining 1/2 cup soymilk, and mix well. Add to the pot and stir thoroughly.

Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture returns to a thick and creamy consistency.

Sprinkle with brown sugar and mix well. Top each serving with a dash of the remaining cinnamon and enjoy -- hot, cold, or anywhere in between!

MAKES 2 SERVINGS

[Lin S]

Hi, everyone,

Been peeking in, but not much time to post. Concert week=extra work and less time.

Lauren and Bandit. Seeing the scale go up is not fun! Lauren, it's pretty much inevitable that any situation that involves a lot of restaurant food leads to weight gain. Restauranteurs are in the business of selling food that makes us want to come back and eat more. And all that huge portion stuff. No matter how carefully you order, there are things they do that add calories unless you're aware and ask them not to. Example--did you know that a lot of restaurants spread butter on a steak before they serve it? Makes it glisten, a look that's appealing to customers. So, you should be able to get it back off, now that you're back to your regular eating habits.

Nice job, Judi. You're really moving that scale.

And nice work, Ms. Meri. You're just really moving!

I'm doing OK. Had a high point day, but wasn't as hungry the next day, so I didn't eat as much. That balances it out, which is a good thing. Aside from the busy week at work, which I'm managing because I have a lot of food already prepped in the kitchen.

I'm apparently NOT post-menopausal. Although it's been about 13 months, I'm having a perfectly normal, but frustrating, TOM. I was enjoying not having the bloating, PMS, headaches, etc. I lived with for most of my adult life. Anyway, I'm hanging in there, but I hope this is the end of it. It wrecks my weight loss efforts more than anything else because I have such low energy levels that I just want quick. I crave high-fat foods. Chocolate. Chips. I'm managing with popcorn and Godiva gems, which are 1 point each and they're rich, so 1 is enough. I just thought I was done dealing with this!

Anyway, tomorrow is weigh in and I'll let you all know how it goes.

Keep on turtlin'!

[LaurenH]

Oh, Lin! What a drag! 13 months, and then -- wham! Gack. I feel for you. I have PMS most of the month, now, and yes, it definitely makes sticking to healthy eating harder. But not impossible, as you're demonstrating. These are challenging years, but we WILL prevail.

No, I had no idea they added butter to steak. Blech! Awful thought.

At least the food I did overeat was all high quality stuff. I'm very glad about that. If I'm going to gain weight, I want to have *really* enjoyed the journey!

Was OP yesterday, which felt great, and dropped a couple of the vacation pounds already. So that was good. I'm looking forward to another great OP day today.

Msmeri, thanks for the recipe. Did you try it?

Bandit, happy Thanksgiving! We had a Canadian Thanksgiving dinner at MIL's a couple of nights ago. I think it's nearly impossible not to gain something over Thanksgiving. And I get to celebrate the American one in a month! Must get this weight off before then.

Have a great day, everyone. We can do this.

[Itryharder]

Hi Turtles, We are the best!

Yes, Lauren, we can do this! So glad you had two OP days in a row. Coming back from vacation having walked and eaten carefully and still gaining weight is not fun! Your attitude is great and I feel you'll have these pounds off once you get rid of the extra salt, etc. that lurks in restaurant food. (There's a part of me thinking that you still look darn good and snug size 12 pants are a lot better than snug larger pants!)
I'm up for a challenge if you or anyone wants to make it "official". Thanks for the That always cheers me up!

Bandit, being up 2# is not fun when you want the scale to go in the opposite direction. But you've had lots of activities lately with the dances, coolers, and Thanksgiving and that blasted movie popcorn. I know you'll get this together and start losing weight again. TOPS was great for you last year. I wonder if you can stick with TOPS and then do one more new thing that will jazz up your weight loss? Let us know if you think that might work.

Lin, you sound very busy and having TOM after such a long time (usually it's one year TOM free and you're officially in post menopause) is miserable. Glad you found quality chocolate for so few points since that will help you a lot. Good luck, dear.

MsMeri, I know what you mean about being away. When I'm away I often eat a bit more than I should and stray from the points more. But then when I have to face the scale, it is not fun. I get annoyed when I "throw a month away" with a pound up and down and up and down because if I consistently lose 1# a week, I can be at goal this time next year. You've done so great in losing a wonderful amount of weight in what seems to me to be a short amount of time. Weigh to go!

Cherry, how are you doing? Everybody, do well, have fun and be happy and keep on keepin' on. We can do this. We are doing this!

Judy

[Lin S]

Hi,

Glad to see you're getting right back on track, Lauren. It seems to me that one of the secrets to maintaining our weight losses over the long haul is doing exactly that. Dealing with vacations, special occasions, "just didn't feel like doing the program" days, etc. by getting back OP asap. I think being OP needs to be the regular routine and not being OP should be the occasional splurge. I think being perfectionistic and expecting to be OP every day, every minute, is unrealistic, so dealing with our imperfect humanity is crucial to this journey.

Thanks for the cheerleading, Judy. We always need that.

Today is my weighin day and I try to make sure I don't miss posting because that's the accountability for me. I lost 1.5 pounds this week. I'm now 2 pounds from my original goal. I'm trying to decide whether to set 200, which would be another 20 pounds, or 199, which puts me in onderland, as my next goal. Decisions, decisions. What a cool one to have to make!

Keep on turtlin'!

[LaurenH]

Yay, Lin! That's a great loss this week! And dealing with TOM, too. Very impressive. You're definitely on your way to onederland; that's very exciting! I remember a few years ago when you started to get close to onederland that you felt some issues arise, some ... not fears, exactly, but some trepidation about going below 200. Any thoughts about that this time?

Judy, good point about snug size 12s. That's true; these things are relative. I would've been absolutely thrilled to be in snug 12s a year ago! But I'm also at risk for becoming complacent at this weight, because it's so much better than where I used to be, and I don't want that. I need to keep going. That's the main reason I've been routinely getting rid of my larger sizes this time, as I undergrow them, and deliberately buying clothing a little bit on the small side. I really do hate wearing too-small clothing, so it's good motivation to keep it up.

What kind of challenge did you have in mind?

Had another good OP day yesterday, and anticipate finishing today the same way. More water weight came off yesterday; 3 of the 9 pounds down. It's always exciting to lose the water; so dramatic. Of course, I'm going to hit the more solid stuff shortly, and that will take some time. But I'm encouraged.

Lin, I also agree with you about perfectionism and not letting it derail us. That has been such a hard lesson for me to learn. I'm still working on it.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

[Itryharder]

Thoughtful posts! It's super early in the morning and I'll come back later on to post, but I want to Lin for such a super : this week and your close proximity to onederland. What a decision to have to make in setting your new goal.

Lauren, yay and weigh to go in : and saying good bye to your vacation weight. and

Okay, I'm off to take a very early morning nap.
Have a great weekend and I'm thinking of us all. Go Turtles
Judy

[Itryharder]

Princess, how are you doing? We'd love to hear from you.
Love, Judy

[bandit2]

Morning, turtles:

Lin - nice loss this week!

Lauren - Size 12 jeans - I wish!!! Snug jeans would also be a great reminder not to over indulgence. Great job on dropping those vacations pounds.

Judy - hope you had a good OP weekend & whats this about a challenge?

Princess & Cherry - hope you are going well - let us know how you are doing.

As for myself, I had my Tops rally on Saturday & it was a real shot in the arm.
You got to see people who have really dropped alot of weight & heard their stories - very inspirational. Just what I needed to help me get serious again.
It was a fun day & nice to be in room of "same goal oriented" people.

My goal this week is to stay OP & go for walk tonight & tomorrow night, followed by a swim & hot-tub & hopefully show some kind of loss at the scales on Wed night.

Lets do it!!!

[msmeri]

Do

* Write down your fitness goals. You’re more likely to stick with a program once you have set some specific goals.
* Always strive to eat a well balanced diet that includes ample servings of vegetables and fruit.
* Break down your meals so you are eating several mini meals per day.
* Assess your current fitness level before starting an exercise program. By doing so, you’ll be able to establish goals that meet your specific fitness needs.
* Consider talking with your health care provider before embarking on a fitness program, particularly if you are struggling with a health condition such as diabetes or obesity.
* Supplement your diet with essential fatty acids. You can do this by eating two servings of fish per week.
* Choose alternatives to satisfy your cravings when possible. Consider frozen fruit over ice cream or opt for a mini chocolate instead of the whole candy bar.
* Always stretch before and after your exercise routine.
* Don’t overdo it! Try doing too much at once and you’ll burn out swiftly. Slowly increase the intensity of your workouts.
* Diversify your workout routine. If you do the same exercises day after day, you’ll quickly tire and are more likely to skip workouts.
* Work out with a friend. You’ll help motivate each other.
* Keep healthy snacks available at all times. You’re less likely to grab junk food if something good for you is readily available.

Don’t

* Over-train. Your body needs time to recover in between workouts.
* Skip breakfast. Eating breakfast will jump start your metabolism and provide you with the energy you need to get through the day.
* Skip stretching.
* Skimp on sleep.
* Set unrealistic goals. A healthy rate of weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week. If you have 50 pounds to lose, don’t expect it to come off overnight, you’ll set yourself up for disappointment.
* Compare your successes and failures to others. Everyone is unique, and what works for some may not work for others.
* Work out randomly. Work out regularly to maximize the benefits you’ll reap from a consistent fitness routine.
* Give up. Consider talking with a friend in times of discouragement.
* Forget to reward yourself on occasion.

Bandit ~ I need to be more serious too.

Lauren ~ 3 pounds Woo Hoo!

Lin ~ For what its worth I say 199, Celebrate the small steps, I thinks that's what being a turtle is all about.

Judy ~ I agree about the pants, I am in an 18 and I can pull them on & off without undoing them, But I am chicken to go to the store and try on a 16. Maybe when I get to Onderland.

Went to the Breast Cancer walk on Sat. 14,000 people were there. Pretty amazing all the survivors. And I got into a 1x T-shirt!!

[Lin S]

Hi, Everyone,

I had a very challenging weekend because it was so super busy. Rehearsal and two concerts. Fun, but really packed in there. I had to grab meals when & where I could. I packed food, when that was practical. I managed to stay within my points and I have plenty of weekly points for the rest of the week, should I need them. Whew!!

I got some extra activity points in yesterday because the bank is a nice walk from the office and, with my boss being in Germany, I did the deposit from the concert. So, all in all, I managed pretty well.

Paul's been sick for a couple of days, but he's obviously feeling better because he wants to go out to breakfast. I have the points and the restaurant he wants to go to has a lot of healthy options, so it will be fine.

Lauren, the last time I was close to onederland, I was stuck in that 5 pound up and 5 pounds down with TOM every month. I'd speculated that perhaps I was having issues, but looking back, I'm wondering if that worry wasn't hormones or discouragement at my lack of progress. Or maybe I'm just in a different place, with a different attitude now. I'm not sure, but I'm looking forward to it. YAY on the progress you're making.

Paul starts a new job next Monday, so the worry that I won't be able to manage even a basic interim wardrobe as I lose is gone. I won't be able to go hog-wild, but charity will get the jeans that are in nearly-new condition and I will get new ones that fit. The ones I'm wearing now are almost at the point where I can pull them off without unzipping them.

Go, Bandit!! I'm looking forward to seeing the results of your newly-found dedication.

Ms. Meri, Nice with the XL T-shirt. That's always a nice feeling. Thanks for the advice. I have 2 pounds to go until I have to decide. The funny thing is that it's liking "evens" that's making me head for an "even 20" and 200. That seems so compulsive and I'm trying to avoid being too compulsive (long story), so I may go ahead and do 21 and 199.

Hope to hear from the rest of you soon.

Keep on turtlin'!

[CherryAutumn]

Hi Turtles,
I am sorry i haven't been on for awhile. All three of the kids have been sick with congestion and coughing. Even the little baby. Poor guy was miserable and couldnt breath through his nose so he could barely eat his bottles. Thankfully i think they are all on the mend.
I am still not doing well in losing weight. I am in the rut where i don't like myself for the decisions i have made so i end up eating more because i am unhappy with myself and only make the situation worse.
Glad to see everyone else seems to be heading in the right direction.

[msmeri]

Promise yourself:
my mousy friend

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind;

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet;

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them;

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true;

To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best;

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own;

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future;

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile;

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others;

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear; and too happy to permit the presence of trouble;

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds;

To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

[LaurenH]

Gack; yesterday was NOT a good eating day. One of the worst I've had in a long time, in terms of just wanting to mindlessly eat the house down. Fortunately, we don't have junk food in the house, but I could still do a lot of damage. Beets! Can you believe I went nuts on beets?? These are the kind packed in sugar, so they're not lo-cal. Obviously, I had a major sugar craving. I also ate prunes (we will not discuss the results) and fruit and nuts. Like I said, no junk, but still lots of calories. I don't even know why, other than hormones.

Actually, the house wasn't as binge-proof as I'd thought; guess what I remembered last night, just before going to bed? We had a whole BAG of chocolate in the house! I was so thrilled that I'd completely forgotten it until then. If I had remembered earlier, it would not have been pretty.

Well, today is a new day. And I'm wearing my "skinny" jeans (size 14 this time; can't even think about the 12s) for inspiration. These are very fitted but not tight; hard to describe. Anyway, I expect today to be much better, in part because I'm at work. Yesterday I was home, which is always tougher.

Judy, an early-morning nap? Sounds wonderful! I've been feeling sleep-deprived lately, in spite of getting 8.5 hours most nights.

Bandit, I love your exercise goals -- you manage to include to fun stuff, like the hot tub! You know, I should look into TOPS for now, until I decide to re-join WW. I'm thinking that might be what I need to shake things up.

Msmeri, if you can pull your jeans on and off without undoing them, you're ready for the next size down! Go for it; you'll be amazed how much better you'll look. Good for you on that BC walk.

Lin, glad to hear you'll be able to get new clothes. That's always so inspirational. Do you ever shop at a consignment store? We have a great one near us, so I'm spoiled. But I have found as I hit the 16-14 range, that it's harder to find clothes there because everyone else is that size, too! Ironic, isn't it? There are always lots of plus-sized jeans and extra-smalls available. But larges? HA.

Cherry, sorry to hear about the kids and about your rut. Self talk is so important. What if you talked to yourself like you would a dear friend rather than being judgmental and harsh? Sounds like you could use some TLC from yourself.

Well, back to work. Have a great day, everyone!