Thanks....I have been doing pics all along, but trust me those are ones you DON'T wanna see....LOL

It is a real eye opener once you see the difference...I suggest that everyone do this and you will see and feel so much better about your success.

Everyone looks great! Keep up the great work guys.

I'll have to see if I can find any pics. Unfortunately I'm always the one taking the pics LOL. I wish I had taken some pics before I started. I'll see what I can dig up :D

Good Luck today Betterlife!! I hope you reach your mini goal!

I need some breakfast ideas. What do all of you eat? I am only allowed 2 proteins so I try not to eat them for breakfast :)

I hear ya on the no proteins for breakfast. I'm pretty boring. I either eat
cereal with milk and fruit or 2 3oz yogurts and a fruit. Sometimes I have cottage cheese ( used as a dairy) with some tomato cut up in it with a fruit also. Have you tried that diet bread? You can have 2 slices for 1 starch. Toast?
Breakfast is hard for me. I usually eat a light breakfast at like 830a and have a snack at 1030a which usually is enough to carry me over till lunchtime.

Thanks so much Alberta....not only did I beat it...I SMOKED IT!! WOO HOO....I was down 4lbs!!!! WAHOOOOO!!!!!!

174...holy crud, I don't even know when I weighed 174lbs the last time!!

I am estatic this morning!!! And now I am only 5lbs from my next mini goal of 169....they even gave me a sticker...LOL...good job done....was down 3lbs last Saturday and 4 today...:)

:carrot::carrot::carrot:

Hey Everyone
Sweet pics Betterlife and Alberta - you guys look fantastic! I'll post pics sometime soon. And mega congrats Betterlife - 4lbs is a GREAT drop!! :)

My fave breakfast is french toast - one slice of bread, one egg (so only 1/2 a protein), splenda, cinnamon - yummy. There are also a few recipes inthe HM cookbook that I like, such as the banana bread which counts as a starch, 1/2 dairy, 1/2 fruit and I think 1/2 fat. Let me know if you want recipes and I'll post a few.

Yesterday I went to the Banff Springs spa with girlfriends - soo much fun. I felt a bit self conscious in my bathing suit, but not because of my size, but because my bathing suit was too big - ha ha!! Ended up eating at the spa for lunch and out for dinner in Banff - my choices were good, but when eating out you just know you're taking in more fat and salt than you want. Anyway, lots of water today and a TOTAL KILLER bootcamp workout this morning makes up for it (I worked so hard in the class, the instructor asked if I was ok - thought I was going to pass out for a moment)

Have a great weekend everyone!!
Laura :)

AWESOME WORK BETTERLIFE!!! I'm proud of you!!

Laura- Thanks for the comments on the photos! I look at them like 20 times a day cause it amazes me! LOL. Too funny about your bathing suit! I would love the recipe for banana bread if you'd care to share!

Love to share Alberta....

Banana Bread
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup Special K (I use whatever legal cereal I have)
4 tbsp wheat germ
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
4 pkg artificial sweetener (I use 4 generous tsp of Splenda - I like sweet)
2 ripe bananas mashed
3 egg whites
4 tsp soft light margarine

Combine the dry ingredients (first 6)
In another bowl mix banana, egg whites, margarine until smooth
Add dry ingredients and mix until moistened

Spray a loaf pan with nonstick spray. Pour mixture into pan. Bake for 30 minutes at 375F or until toothpick comes out clean. Invert pan to remove.

Serves eight (I've halved the recipe, and used a smaller loaf pan)
One serving = 1/2 fruit, 1 1/8 starch, 1/2 fat
(Really, I don't count 1/8 starch - anything under a quarter serving is free in my book - ha ha!)

Have fun!!
Laura

Okay, got another one. It's a pumpkin pie without the crust - super good, and best of all it counts only as a 1/4 protein, 1/4 dairy, and 1 vegetable (who doesn't have a spare vegetable in their day!).

It's from a radio morning show host in Calgary who is on HM. Her blog is at: megherbalmagic.blogspot.com

I can't put the actual link in as I need two more posts before I'm allowed to post a link :( Scroll down to Oct 7 entry and the recipe is there. She doesn't say a temp to bake it at - I find I do 400F and still needs a bit more time than what she's got. So good! :)

Thanks Laura!!

My daughter loves banana bread so I always have it in the house. I get quite jealous when I can't have any. I'm excited to try out the recipe!

Hey Laura...are you in Calgary? I'm in Red Deer!

Thanks soooooo much Laura and Alberta!!! Feels great!!

Laura I think I am going to try the french toast one tomorrow morning, something a little different!! That banana bread sounds YUMMY as well!!

Off to check out the website for the pumpkin pie, yum oh yum...LOL

BL
xo

No prob! I gotta admit, I use about a tsp of low cal syrup on the french toast - I figure it's only about 20 calories, so isn't doing too much harm. But if you want to be more strict, then I've taken some blueberries (fresh is best - i know tough to find right now), mash them slightly, and then heat them up with a bit more splenda - just like blueberry syrup and then you just count as a fruit. If you use frozen blueberries, don't mash them, and drain them after you've heated them.

Laura GIRL!!! Thanks so much for the french toast suggestion...OMG I loved it...such a nice change, and it something I could whip up really quick at 5:30am for breakfast...and I will get in a protein as I have a hard time choking down that 3rd protein each day as it usually ends up being boiled eggs...and you can only handle so many of those...ICK!!

I didn't add splenda to the mixture, I added cinnamon. Then for the topping I just added my light margarine and I have a grinder that I bought through epicure that has sugar and cinnamon in it and I grinded it over the top...very minimal amount of sugar...I think it is a much better choice then the syrup!!

OMG it was delish and very filling...looking forward to tomorrow's breakfast...LOL

Hoping to get to the gym again today...went lastnight...did about 42 minutes on the treadmill...burnt off over 400 calories....it felt great!! Did the bike for about 5 minutes as I am finding it getting hard on my knees and I don't want to push it as sometimes I have a hard time sleeping because my legs race all night long sometimes...it is an awful feeling!! Plus I did a workout on the machines...we were there almost 90mins.

My favorite right now is the treadmill....hate the machines. I don't feel the burn from them that I feel from the treadmill.

Do you guys have a favorite??

Weight was the same on Friday, better than gaining I guess! Had a bigger meal last night than usual, but didnt eat much in the morning as I was busy with weekend errands.
I am totally going to try the banana muffins, I miss muffins so much. I love baking and it hard not being able to try the nice treats I do make. End up sending most of them home with the kids I watch or send them up on base with my husband.
Hoping to enter into the 170's by mid November. So far so good, with the bar and shakes, although it is weird just having a shake for lunch!

Trying to get myself motivated to get back to the gym. When I do go I have a love hate relationship with the stair climber and cross fit! Cross fit is an awesome workout, kicks my *** in 45 minutes.
Good luck on all your weigh ins next week!!

Hey Alberta - I'm in Calgary, but I work a ton in Airdrie - just down the road from you. Well a busy road, but down the road :)

That's great the toast worked well for you Betterlife. Probably good you didn't use the splenda. I know I use way too much. I think you're supposed to use only 2 tsp a day (including diet pop etc) and I'm sure I use about 8-10. A goal may be to cut down on that after my goal, but right now I feel I need it. I've learned through this that while I like potato chips, I really do have a sweet tooth.

I love the treadmill too Betterlife - nothing beats running on a treadmill or outside for a calorie burn. But yesterday I did a boot camp class with a really good instructor. Oh the pain this morning! Feels good though.

Hmmm...maybe I'll have to try the french toast.

At the gym I love the stairclimber, and ellipticals. I hate the treadmill!! We have a cardiowave at our gym which is BRUTAL!! I last like 10 minutes...maybe, till I feel like dying!

Laura- I definately need to cut out the Splenda too. But like you I figured one big goal at a time!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

hi all. i started tuesday and it is now sunday night. from tuesday to friday i lost over 5 lbs. :)

Welcome okeesego

Welcome to the group...there's a great bunch of gals here! Congrats on the weigh loss thus far! Whereabouts in Alberta are you?

Way to go Okeesego! Its a great feeling. Thanks so much ladies for the recipies! I will be trying them for sure!!! I am not looking forward to my weigh in tomorrow. I was away at my parents house for the weekend...and although I stuck to the program quite well I thought...tonights dinner ruined it a little. It was my moms bday dinner. We had Tortillini...it was so good. I had a small helping and salad...but then I had cake...........only a small piece..but oh man I could have eaten the whole thing! It was weird...but I did stop at just a small piece! We will see how the WI is.

Hey Everyone
I just went to a friends for dinner and pretty much blew it :( Did so good until dessert and then port. Oh well, tomorrow is a new day!

Welcome Okeesego!!

Alberta, I'll bite, what the heck is a cardio wave?

Ok, off to bed to sleep off the wine and calories - sigh.

Apparently a little piece of cake didn't hurt! I went this morning and dropped 2.4lbs over the weekend...I'm very happy with that. 2 more pounds and I"ll be at 25lbs gone....Unbelievable!

Everyone is doing awesome!

Laura don't worry about it. We all have our bad days. Just get right back on the wagon :D

Thanks for the breakfast suggestions. I have tried the diet bread and sometimes I do have that with peanut butter and a piece of fruit. I also do yogurt and fruit. I never even thought about french toast so I'll have to try that one.

I am sooooo nervous about my weigh in tomorrow. I think because my first two weeks it came off so fast and last week it wasn't so good. I know I am following the diet and other then my drinking weekend I haven't cheated once. I am just hoping the last week wasn't as big because of my period. Guess I'll find out tomorrw :dizzy:

A cardiowave is like an elliptical machine only you go side to side rather than front to back. Kind of like rollerblading. OMG it's so hard. It kills me everytime!So good for the butt and thighs though!

Was down 1.4 for my weigh in today. Not bad. I totally feel like I'm in a funk though. I can't get it together. Everyday I have full intentions of staying on plan, with no cheating but I can't help it. Yesterday one of our regular customers came in with Timbits...I had about 6. EEK... Then we had a family dinner where my mother-in-law made lasagna with about 5 million pounds of cheese, with icecream for dessert. Tonight was my father-in-laws birthday celebration with cake and icecream. Wednesday is another family dinner with beefpie. I feel like there are so many things setting me up for failure! EEK! If it's not bad food being shoved in my face, its no food at all. I'm still having a hard time, getting all my food and water in. Gosh...I really need to get it together! HEEEELLLLLLPPPPP!

Alberta - I can relate. I really get to hate dinner engagements - they're nearly impossible to manage. I don't have any suggestions but wish you luck this week. You've done so well. Hopefully everyone's comments that you look so great will keep you on track.

Alberta that's great that you were down 1.4 lbs especially if you find you haven't been following the plan to a T. Hang in there. I too find dinner's out very tough. The worst for me is a lot of people don't know I'm on the plan so they don't know what I can and can't eat. How are the ladies at your centre? Are they good at giving you suggestions that may help you. I know my centre I told them I am worried about Halloween coming up and they suggested the 100 calorie chocolate bars and the snack they sell. Hang in there ((HUGS))

Evening all.....Alberta...WTG on the loss...sorry to hear you are having a tough go right now...lord knows I know all about that...I hope you can work through it....you can do it!!

Sunflower how did you make out at your WI?? Great I hope!!

WTG Renee!!!!!

Laura how are you doing??

And EVERYONE ELSE...hope you are doing fantastic!!

I go tomorrow for my WI....I hope things get MOVING before tomorrow, if you KNOW WHAT I MEAN....having trouble in THAT department again.....it has been a few days...since Friday to be exact....and it is getting VERY uncomfortable!! Hate weighing when I am not regular...:(

Have exciting news....going to see DAUGHTRY Monday night in Toronto...and I cannot wait!! He is my next favorite to Keith!!

I have to go to the dentist tomorrow to have a tooth pulled, cannot wait....YIKES!!!!!!

Well I am off to have a hot bath....have to get ready for The Biggest Loser~~

Take care everyone!!

Hey Better Life - OMG, I thought it was only me!! :o I totally have a problem in that department too and hate taking laxatives cause I don't want to rely on them. I'm sure it makes a difference in wi too. Sigh - as if we didn't have enough on our mind. If it helps I notice lemon in water sometimes helps. Good luck tomorrow - I'm sure you'll do great! :lol:

No your not alone Laura...:stress:

I hate laxatives as well, as I don't want to become dependant on them...I eat healthier than I ever did 3 veggies/3 fruit a day.....2 starches which is usually whole wheat bread...how much more fibre can one have?? Not to mention all the water I drink.

I have about 12 hrs to DO THE DEED...LMAO

Never made it to the tub, so I will be waiting until TBL is over....lol...darn facebook....LOL

ANYONE GOT ANY SUGGESTIONS....MOVE THIS BUS.....ok couldn't resist....feels like one right about now....oh my it has been a LOOOONG day:joker::joker:

Believe it or not I was down 2.8 lbs :dancer: Which means I've hit my first 10 lbs :cp: I weigh in again on Thursday which I have to learn won't be as big as a number because of the timing. So I am VERY happy!

Way To Go Sun!!!!!!!

Try adding warm lemon water to your nightly or morning routine.
Real lemons cut up and pour boiling water into it.
It helps naturally "Move the bus" :) May take a day or two to kick in for some people.

Thanks Dria...will have to buy some lemon and try that from now on, cause the bus isn't a movin!!

Still laughing at your last post Betterlife - hee hee. Thanks Dria- I'll try that too. With a touch of splenda it may even be a treat.

Congrats Sunflower!!

If ya have splenda in it have another glass of water to flush the fakie (splenda) product from your system :)

Well it's D-day.....and the bus is still parked.....stupid (*&%^&.

Hate to share all this with you guys but it ticks me off....I guess because my scales are very similar to the ones at the center and on mine I am up about atleast a pound. I have been working so hard the last few weeks...and now this.

But I am going to try what Dria suggested, should I drink that everynight?

Not looking forward to te dentist this afternoon either.....this day just SUCKS...LOL....but considering all....I am in very good spirits this morning...;)

Told you all this day sucked...first off I was up 1 and a 1/4 pound.....I refuse to change my ticker...going to take something tonight...can't do the lemon as I had not 1 but 2 teeth pulled today, I knew 1 was coming out, but not the 2nd. I can't eat or drink anything hot/warm.

Had to call the dentist because it is still bleeding, and I had it done 4hrs ago. So here I sit with a teabag in my mouth trying not to throw up. Apparently it will help the bleeding to stop.

Hope you all had a better day then I did!!!

Thanks everyone!! I'm still having a tough time. Was up 0.2 at my weigh in today, GRRRRR!

Oh Betterlife- What a tough day! Hope you get some relief soon...like real soon, you gotta be in tiptop shape for Daughtry!! Lucky duck!

Laura....hoping you get some relief soon too!!

Way to go Sun!!! Great job!