Wow, that's rough, Zinke. Is he a interstate driver? Local delivery? I wonder if since he's so qualified (wants more $) they hire more inexperienced drivers who will do it for less. Has he not worked a regular job for 9 months now? That would be rough on any man's psyche I think. I can see your concern.

I'll have to check out Bob and Jillian on OnDemand! Thanks!

zinke--what kind of driver is he? My hubby is OTR trucker and I have never heard of anyone not finding a job..esp. with good driving record and references, you could get on anywhere around here with that. Maybe he's not OTR though? I hope he finds something soon...if that happened to my hubby he'd get depressed and I would be super worried as well.

I am still alive guys, weekends are just insane around here as hubby is home and working up the backyard...literally! There is a huge tractore sitting in my front yard and in a couple hours it will be out back leveling the yard...well, if that get that far before hubby has to go out. Going to take my first freebie week, sorry guys!

Hi Bluesers,

Dropping in to be accountable with my team. I've had a horrible off-plan weekend and I'm struggling to get myself back in-line. I'm not sure exactly what happened. I think it might have something to do with finding my measurements that I took in May of last year. I had a very unhappy wake up call. My measurements that I took at the beginning of this challenge and my measurements from May are exactly the same! And, the scales are only 11 pound lighter than my number for May! Yes, I've reversed my insulin resistance and brought my cholesterol numbers down....and I'm not discounting those accomplisments at all as this is amazing progress for my health. But, as far as looking thinner and better, I've not done a darn thing in 10 months. I keep telling myself that I was able to lose 30 pounds last year and pretty much keep it off, but I guess I let this numbers thing get to me in a big way and I've been off-plan all weekend. Today, I have a horrible headache and I just feel so discouraged. I haven't given up, though. I'm still fighting to pull myself together.

He doesn't want to drive OTR. He knows he could in a heartbeat but he can't bear to be away from the kids that long. We had unemployment for 6 months but since then have been living off of the savings which are almost gone. We live in northern MI and the economy here stinks. Plus over the years he has worked for everyone worth working for within a 60 mile radius.

Mostly it is just the getting jerked around that is killing him. He has had at least 3 potential employers tell him he has the best references and driving record they have ever seen only to hire someone else. Then two others didn't want to hire him because we lived to far away and they knew we owned a home here that we would have to sell. They didn't seem to care that we are willing to move.

Rhonda - sorry the numbers bug bit you. 11 pounds down isn't *nothing* though! I know it feels like it for the amounts of effort and time we invest in getting healthy. And you just recently realized that the amount of calories you were taking in was way to high to lose on. We live and learn. And I know that if you stick with the C25K you WILL see results!

On that note, my scale has only moved .8 of a pound this week. I wait until tomorrow to post though. I did have 2 very hungry days and ate 2000 calories both days.

How nice that you're getting a new back yard, Theresa! I gotta get busy in our yard also. My tulips are all up about 5 inches now!

Tulips already? Thats just not right. We still have over a foot of snow on the ground.

<-----head hanging in shame. I really don't even want to look at the scale in the morning. I'm getting back on track and am determined to do this c25k so that will help.

My back was hurting way to bad to start the C25K program today. Did you, Rhonda?

:)Ok its time to weigh in tomarrow hope we all do great.
I think if i lose it slow i can keep it off dont get in a hurry.
I taught water aerobics at ymca and lost weight about 3 years ago.
But got depressed and all came back need to learn how to
deal with things in a different way besides food.
I think i got my head on straight nowi
I'VE had a lot of trouble with my sister who lives in WV
When my mom died she was left to divied some land with us
kids.well she got like 57 acers and the rest between 7 and 14.
And i got 8 but it was about all mountain and me and my
husband went to WV and stayed over a year and helped
take care of mom.But she was mom 's pick i lost my mom and my sister.
So i let it get to me sorry didnt mean to say all that but thats my
problem.i love my sister didn't think she would do me like that.
Ihave 6 brothers and 1 sister i cant get over this please help me
if you can:?:talk to all later good luck to all.

Hope everyone had a good weekend.
Rhonda - sorry about the funk you got into.

I had a fitness eval today at the gym. It's been about 1 year since my last one. Although the poundage lost isn't great (about 30), I did drop 6 1/2 inches off my waist and hips. Am very pleased about that.

Good luck everyone on your weigh-in.

Ellie, I'm sorry about your sister. :( Have a sibling when you're adults can be SO difficult.

I weighed in today - no change. Not surprised since 2 of my 3 kids had hand foot & mouth disease last week so it's all a blur of me not sleeping and rocking feverish sweaty babies and feeding popsicles. For one day each that was all they could stand to eat from the pain in their mouths. :( When I don't get enough time during the day, I don't eat enough, then I'm ravenous at night when DH gets home and I totally binge. Guess I'm grateful I just stayed even and didn't GAIN, yk? Seems like everyone is feeling better now, PLUS!!! We have GREAT weather suddenly so I'm taking the kids to the park to run around this morning and really enjoy it!!! :)

Hoosier hope the kids are better. We are so done with winter as it seems its nothing but back to back illnesses with the kids etc. I actually got hit with a whopper of some kind of bug on Saturday so dealing with some extreme body aches, sore throat and one heck of a rocky tummy!
Ellie sorry about your sister. It's amazing how people fight over 'things' when someone passes. Not much you can do but klnow that it is her loss!

I've just sent the kids off to daycare and now i'm heading back to bed. hope you all had a good weekend and a great week ahead.. remember if you dont' write it, don't bite it.. take a few minutes and do your food diary for the week so you don't eat off plan!

Rhonda - I am sorry you are feeling low - you have achieved some great accomplishments, and permanent weightloss takes some time. You are doing well!

I am back to work after having a few days with my dad in hospital. Gee - I have sooo much to do there - I dont know when I find my way above the mountain of paperwork!!!! At least it keeps me busy and my mind off food!!!!

If I am going to see the numbers fall this week - I am going to have to exercise!!! I hope I can manage to get some time in, hopefully Wed- Sun!!!!

Good morning, Accountability Friends!

Today is my official weekly weigh-in day and I’ve gained 1.4 pounds. I apologize for letting my Blue team down, but I promise to do everything within my power to have an awesome loss for next week. I’m so glad the weekend is over. It was not a great on-plan weekend for me and I’m ready to get my head back into my plan. I’m not 100% sure of what exactly happened. I don’t think it was one thing in particular. I think I just allowed a series of stressful days build up my frustration and anxiety until I exploded and turned to my familiar remedy…food. But, my mantra is “Quitting is not an option anymore” so I’m still here and trying to get this weight off and learn new ways of coping with the stresses of life.

Anna – A virtual 5k sounds like a great plan.
Karen – Congratulations on getting into your pre-pregnancy clothes! :carrot:
Vanessa – How’s Dad?
Vixjean – What test do you have on April 7th?
Selina – I hope you enjoyed your visit with your Mom.
Zinke – I’m so sorry to hear that your husband is having trouble finding employment. That is major stress for all of you! And, I know how that can mess with your husband’s self esteem. I hope something comes through for him soon.
Nori – I didn’t start the C25K program yet. I hate to wimp out on everyone, but the reality is that I’ve not been on my treadmill for over 3 weeks. I’m not sure my body is up to the running yet. What I’m thinking of doing is making sure I get on the treadmill for an hour each day this week and do the incline intervals. Then, I might try running next weekend and see what happens.
Ellie – I’m so sorry that your sister did that to all of you. That must hurt you so badly. Hopefully, knowing that your grandchildren love you will be a big comfort.
Kris – Congratulations on the 6 ½ inches lost!
Heather - Glad your kids are feeling better. Enjoy the park! The weather is beautiful here today, too. But, they’re saying we have a possibility of snow tomorrow.
Krispie – Hope you start feeling better quickly!

Last night, I managed to remember to put on the crock pot for my steelcut oatmeal. So, I’m starting the day off on the right foot with my healthy breakfast. I also realize that I must make exercising a priority despite my heavy workload. I must make myself a priority again. I’ve decided that I’ll only work occasional overtime from now on. My health is too important and my family needs me, too.

Hope everyone has a great on-plan day.

Its getting a bit quiet around here. I think we need to start having questions of the day again so we can spark a little dialogue. I'll post one for today. If anyone else has one to post, please let me know and I'll not post one for the next day. Don't want to be a QOTD hog! :D

Today's Question:

Do you take vitamins or nutritional supplements? What do you take and why do you take it?

I take my thyroid meds and glucophage. Along with those I take a multivitamin, evening primrose oil per doc request and I have started taking biotin for my hair and nails.

I'm using a freebie week for sure.

Rhonda - I order you to go get on the treadmill and try at least a little bit of the c25k. Anything is better than nothing and you might surprise yourself. Didn't you say you were doing a modified 30 second jog with a 4.5 min recovery? No one said you had to be fast either. The first few times I did intervals I kept my speed pretty much the same. I just changed my stride from a walk to a jog if that makes sense. It was enough to get me going. Now get on the treadmill. ;)

missrocky - That stinks about your sister. Just remember you can always hold onto your memories and she can't take those away. (hug)

Hoosier - Glad the kiddos are feeling better. I bet they'll have a blast at the park.

Krispie - Get some rest while the kids are at day care. Hope you are on the mend soon.

I think I am gonna put some of the steel cut oats on my grocery list. Everyone keeps talking about them and they sound so good.

Have a great day everyone!

Hey team! I'm still sick, I ended up taking today off work. I did nothing this weekend but sleep, and it shows on the scale. I've gain 4.5 pounds since the last weigh-in. I can take my second free week, but part of me just feels like I need to "own" that number. I realize now that I need a backup plan. If I'd had some already prepared dinners stuck in the feezer, I wouldn't be looking at such a gain. I'm used to fixing each meal, and when I get sick, DH tends to try and feed me comfort foods. Now he didn't force me to eat that ice cream, but when your throat is sore and scratchy, it sounded like a good idea at the time. :dizzy: So do I take the free week or not? I suppose I don't need to decide right now, maybe I'll see what the rest of the team posts.

I'm off to the store to get more meds and kleenex.

Today's Question:

Do you take vitamins or nutritional supplements? What do you take and why do you take it?[/QUOTE]

I know I should take a daily vitamin but I don't. I buy them but never end up taking them.

bev

I think you should take the freebie...and if you want to own the number you can change your ticker maybe to reflect it. Not taking the freebie would affect the overall number for the team, so it's not just about owning a number, ya know? I see a gain as cancelling out the loss of another member (or two) and that is why I am taking my first free week this week, I don't want to do that, even though my gain wasn't even a whole pound.

zinke--I have daffodils blooming all over my yard for the past two weeks, it is wonderful! Tulips coming up, just not blooming yet. Sping is coming, it will make it's way to you...so hard to be patient though, I know :)

Ellie--At least you know where the pain is coming from and can deal with it in other ways. Just remind yourself that stuffing yourself with food won't change your sister...maybe exercise through it when it hits you hard :hug:

I am up like 0.8 lb. but I am going to take my first freebie week and not hold the team down. I am back to plan full force today...and I have to find a way to get through busy weekends without eating out, it's taking away the weight I lost during the week. Problem is we are just not in the house much on weekends, or I'm here but dealing with men and their tractors in my backyard, and running around to take care of everyone. Now my daughter has changed gymnastics class and has one on Sunday as well, so just complicates it a bit more.

Gotta run, almost time to pick up son at the preschool and we're going to eat lunch with daughter at elementary school.

Weighed in after finally getting TOM and I'm down 2.4lbs! :carrot: Maybe all that NOT chatting is working!;)

Good lord, yes! Since I went to the east/west doc, I am on cal, mag, manganese, potassium in addition to 182 mg of aspirin, multi vitamin and extra Vit C.

Oh my goodness I can't believe how much I've missed!

I'm back from my strep throat / flu nastiness and hopefully jumping back on the right track. Because I was ill I lost a pound and I used that for my WI this week. I did hop on the scale this morning and I'm up because of water and bad food choices. I'm hoping to get those back down this week!

I'm going to be honest and say that I probably wont get a chance to get personal on all the past stuff. I noticed a few people left us and some are still upset about having to participate.

The one thing I see that keeps getting repeated is that people feel like they HAVE to check in to be there for the team. Or they feel they HAVE to say something everyday. This is not the case. The participation thing is just so you can drop by once a week and let us know how you are doing, whenever you get time. No one is forcing you to be here. I'm not holding a gun to your head saying you have to post everyday. People just genuinely want to know how you are. Come'on people... it can't be that hard to say "Hey I'm having a great/bad week, this is why, hope you all are doing swell."

But anyway I'm not getting into that because it gets me upset and thats drama I don't need. :dizzy:

My to-do list is pretty long today cause I need to update the Blue's Cruise in a bad way and get 7 chapters of homework done before tomorrow night. School called and wondered where I'd been. Then when I said strep throat they freaked out like I was still contagious. :lol:

Better get moving on that update. Still :crossed: for my tax check to come!

I won't be rejoining this challenge when this one is done because of the simple fact that the weekly biggest loser was not recognized because she didn't chat. That is enough to make me not want to participate in future challenges. After looking through the weight losses on here I realized that the people who chat the most are generally NOT the ones losing the most weight. Therefore, I don't think people who ARE losing should be penalized. When I joined the challenge there was no mention of having to participate in discussions in order to be the biggest weekly loser. That is in itself the biggest thorn in my side right now. I think that move was completely wrong and as I said in my original post....this is not the biggest poster challenge. It's about losing weight and getting healthy.

I'm biting my tongue...I'm biting my tongue...I'm biting my tongue.....

Okay, so where all of my awesome team mates today? I'd love to hear from you and know how you're doing. We may not all be losing the most weight, but I sure do appreciate your support and encouragement on this very very difficult journey.

Hi everyone,

I too, sadly have a gain this week. I've learned a lot about myself in the last two weeks and I am struggling to get back into this.

I do feel proudly that I have lost a total of 11 pounds in 7 weeks. I plan to show a loss next week :) I have a goal to reach and I hope to reach it by March 15th.

I posted on the main page about the biggest loser Australia season 1 being available on you- tube ..(it's airing in Canada now, but I've heard it hasn't aired in the US) so if you are looking for inspiration it's a long season and it's really fabulous-- you get to see lots more of Jillian and Bob training. Check it out - the episodes are in 4 parts (no commercials) and there's tons of them!!

Cheers!
Ginger

In all fairness, because I believe this is your first challenge right?, the information I state about people who post lose more is not solely based on this one challenge. It's based on all of the challenges I've run since September of 2006. I'm simply basing my information off of a trend in challenges, this one however may be different. Like all trends, they have to end sometime.

This sounds like you're making a suggestion that people that do chat don't lose. The team leaders aren't penalizing anyone because they are losing. The three of us agreed that if you aren't participating then you shouldn't get to be Biggest Loser. No one has said that you can't get recognition in the chat threads or elsewhere. I know I personally buy the overall Biggest Loser a gift for winning. If I don't know you or anything about you, why would I want to send you something for just posting a number every week?

You are correct, when the challenge started there was not a rule in place because the team leaders had not thought of a way to boost participation. I was approached by Melissa (the Red team leader) about her team participation because it upsets her that she works so hard as a leader but only a handful participate. So we had to come up with a way to either have people participate or do whatever.

You post a number once a week, but dropping by to say hello and how you are is painful?

I don't think it is the biggest poster challenge either... hence why I said:

Purple - I see your point, it really isn't fair to the team to post such a big gain when I have a free week left. So freebie week it is.

I finally found a medicine that seems to be working for me. I'm to the coughing up a lung stage of this crud. Mom recommended Mucinex which has an expectorant and cough suppresant, which never makes since to me, condiering they do opposite things. Oh well, I don't argue with my Rx tech mom. I just wish it would make me sleepy, daytime TV sucks. No wonder I work. Oh, wait, that's for the $$$.

I'm supposed to me planning a menu, I'd better get back to work.

Meh...I've been gaining weight. *sniffles*
But the weird thing is...my size hasn't changed. I guess the resistance band training has been helping my body stay it's size even though i've gained weight. My pants are still loose.
But since it's warmed up, I can go back to the gym again, and I've started working out again since I started Saturday. I started doing some yoga again though. I just feel soooo tired, I need to get better sleep I think.
I'm supposed to start some martial arts training in a few weeks with my friend. I think it'll be a good change to kick butt and do some aerobics.

Oh Rhonda! I :love: you!

Right now I'm at work and I just finished invoicing so that's all done and waiting for approval. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to fix my mess of the Blue's Cruise challenge since we missed a week. I'm thinking we are going to have to sail right on by Portugal.

My eating has been really bad since I got sick. Thankfully the bug decided to eat up the majority of it but I'm rolling back up the scale since the bug flew away.

My main focus right now is trying to move more. I need to finish up painting in the fitness room (yea I'm still working on that!) and get the treadmill and tv moved in there. I'm kind of waiting on the tax refund to come in so I can buy a big floor rug for that room since its all hardwood flooring. Need to have some traction when I'm working out!

How's the calorie counting coming along? I need to recommit to doing that since I've been slacking on my FitDay and my blogs. :lol: Won't you recommit with me? :grouphug:

Nope, I start off good about taking them and then just forget, so I don't take anything, that way I don't feel bad about wasting the money on them:D

This is truly your choice. If you need to post that number to make yourself accountable, then do it. If you feel you need to take the freebie and just getback in the sadle, do that. We are a team and as such I know that either choice you make, I will support you. Hope you feel better. Drink plenty of water:)

:lol: I had the same problem with birth control pills. So now I'm just using other methods. :p

BTW Rhonda...

I so forgot to mail out Wings in the Night to you! Its funny cause I saw it in the garage last night and I thought... OH! Rhonda needed that!

I'll be heading out tomorrow :D :hug:

Ok, I, unlike Rhonda, cannot seem to bite my tongue.

As someone who has lost weight EVERY WEEK during this challenge and posted at least once a weekday (I am bad about posting on the weekend), I found it very insulting that someone makes a statement like the one that was made today.

I come here to not only be supported, but to support. You know, not just take, but to give. If that wasn't what you were looking for, if you were only looking for a place to post your weight, why join a "Challenge". The point of a "Challenge" would be to participate, hence the definition "a call to engage in a contest or fight".

If you don't want to participate, then don't, but don't slam those who are.

Chelle, if the week that seems to have everyone up in arms about the "Biggest Loser" not going to the Biggest Loser because they didn't post, is the week it was given to me. Then Give it to them Maybe that will stop the bickering.

A bit in agreement with missingmyerica, at least the part about the minimum participation requirement for biggest loser title being made after the challenge started. I have no chance of being TBL I don't think :( BUT I think criteria shouldn't be added once the challenge has started. JMHO no flames please. ;)

[/QUOTE]

I take a prenatal vitamin - only because I still have them so I'll take them before buying new multivitamins - and fish oil. I took 5htp for a time but it made me too groggy to function well.

No flames HH. I actually don't disagree that adding a rule after it started was a little off IMO.

BUT that being said, I don't think that someone should take shots at those who are here everyday asking for our support and providing some in return. The grip over the "new rule" being added late was not my beef. The comment about those who participate "generally NOT" being the ones losing weigh was. This is a very emotional and personal journey and to have someone verbally "slap" at me or anyone else in this challenge like that was hurtful and disrespectful.

I have a second to check in properly.

I posted a pathetic loss, especially after taking a freebie. Makes me pissy.

I have found something new on which to focus my free time, so I am not going to be here as often, but I will be here at least once daily. My laptop is in the kitch, so when things are broiling, I can check back. The thing about which I am excited is that I am writing again. This time with full spousal support. There have been times when I have felt he was ready for me to give up because I was not getting published as quickly or in the publications that I wanted. That meant a lot of work for little, and usually no payout. We have worked that out as a couple.

Now I am being creative for the sake of creativity and hoping, but not counting on, prosperity to follow. I am spending a lot of time with a pen in my hand or colored pencils or some other medium and finding myself happy. I am journaling more, poetess-ing more and doodling more. That is all good. I would not be surprised if my stagnant weight loss and stagnant creativity were connected in some way.

I need to flip the fish (garlic chili tilapia!). I also wanted to add that I got The Sneaky Chef, which I find to be better than Deceptively Delicious. I am excited to get more weird veggies into our diets!

I apologize for hurting anyone's feelings. My feelings have been hurt by the following rant:

http://3fatchicks.com/diet-blogs/chellez/

I was one of those people who didn't post. I guess I couldn't get it through my....how was that put...oh yeah...."my small brain", that I needed to post.

There have been many things said about non or infrequent posters that have been very negative and nasty. Someone bravely expressed her feelings of being left out of conversations and was called a "whiner" by another poster. IMO that is not the kind of ridicule I want to be part of. I will continue to post my "numbers" even though it's clearly been stated in that blog that if wishes came true I would be dropped from the challenge. Yeah...kinda makes you feel all warm inside.

Hey everybody,

I posted a very small lose this week. But at least it was not a gain. My center says that it is because I started exercising that the scales are not moving. They said that my body will take time to get used to exercising. So, I hope to post a great loss next week.

On another note, I went to try on new jeans today. I went from a tight 16 to a 14/12 (depending on how they are made). I hope to get measured on Wed. and find out how many inches I have lost.

CONGRATS to everyone that had a loss and to those that didn't keep working on it you will prevail.

Well, I better go cook dinner we are supposed to get bad weather tonight.

:dizzy:

I'm here! Super, duper busy day at work and don't have much time to spend online. I'll be back later tonight after I get home.