Memorial Day Challenge
 

Time for a new challenge! :D I am told that Memorial Day is May 26, so that gives us a solid month to work with!
If it will help, feel free to post your daily journal here. Maybe that will keep us all on track!
I was only .2# away from my Easter goal last week, and ended up blowing it all by having a off pts week. I have been screwing around not doing the program properly for too long, I am FINALLY ready to commit!
My personal goals:
- to go from 164 to 159 (I can't wait to get back to the 150's!)
- to continue walking at least 1 hr/day, 5 days/wk
- to do 150 ab exercises at least 4 days/wk
- to stick to my pts range EVERY day, and bank for special occasions (I am in a wedding in 10 days!!!)

I can't think of a reward...$$ is tight right now since I am still on maternity leave! I know if I lose 5# I will fit into some jeans that I have perfectly. That is reward enough!! I will also feel better about myself, I feel all bloated from all the crap I have been eating!:^:

I think I will post my daily journal in the evenings, so I don't have to try to get to the computer every time I eat something new:) So far today I have done 150 ab exercises and walked for 65 minutes. :smug: A great start for a new challenge!

Thanks you so much for inviting me....I sure will join you in a challenge....this may be just what I need....I already have a goal to lose 10lbs by then or to get close....It is doable....

Hi everyone:

Wendy - congrats on meeting the Easter Challenge, good for you.

Judmom- that has to be water retention for sure, maybe too much
sodium as well.

Saskiemom - Nice start to our new challenge - keep it up.

Flabbythighs - welcome to our group.

As for me my goal is to lose 4.2# by Memorial day (c/w = 194.2)
walk at least 12 miles per week and bank for special events.

Looking forward to sharing journal information as well. I will post at end of each day.

Good luck & lets get going!!!

how do you calculate activity points?

FlabbyThighs-Is there something else I could call you, I feel mean using that name! :lol: Welcome to the challenge- there are a great bunch of people around here! Good luck with your goal!
I use my activity slider to calculate pts- generally I think it is about one pt earned for every 20 minutes of exercise you do.
Bandit2- How are you doing with the WATP videos- are they still motivating you? I have only used mine a couple times since the weather got nicer! You and I need to work together, we have both been stuck in the same bad pattern for awhile! :rolleyes:

I have only had one full OP day and I am well on my way to day #2, and I feel so much better about myself already!!!

Wednesday Journal
Br- 2 WW toast 1/1
2 TB lite cheez wz 2/3
L- KFC Twister 14.5/17.5
S- veggies and dip 2/19.5
3 ww bread 1.5/21
pasta bowl 6/27
2 ryvita & ff sf jam 1/28
Sn- sm sundae 9/37

Ex-65 min walk
150 abs
60 min walk

A good day!

Hello all. I used to post out here at 3FC awhile back but have mainly been a lurker for awhile. I'd love to join your challenge.

My goals will be:
1. Be at 205 on Memorial Day (a 7.4 pound loss)
2. Stay OP pointwise every day between now and then.
3. Exercise at least 5 days per week each week.

Thanks for starting this challenge...hope ya'll don't mind me joining!

Mind if I join in?
 

Hi! I am also like Debbie I used to post and awhile back on here but lost myself somewhere along the line! I would love to join your challenge and be able to post my journal to someone other then myself at the end of everyday!

My goal for Memorial Day is to lose 8 lbs! And to walk everyday I haven't done it in awhile so I am going to shoot for 1/2 hour everyday till I build myself back up!

I hope you don't mind me butting in on your thread and joining you all!!!!

Michelle

Hi everyone:

Saskiemom - I have been trying to do 2 miles per day on my tapes. But yesterday only did 1.5 - I still like doing it so that is a good sign.

Welcome Debbie & Sassycat!

Here is my journal from yesterday (a little bit over)

Morning: Coffee 1, Prunes 2, Instant Oatmeal 3 = 6 Pts
Lunch: Pump Bread 2, Ham 3, Cup of Soup 1, Melba Toast 1,
Becel .5 FF Mayo .5 Lettuce 0 = 8 Pts
Afternoon Snack: Herbal tea 0, 2 Pt Bar 2 = 2 Pts
Supper: Steak 8, 1/2 Large Bun 1.5, 1/2 Large Baked Potatoe 1.5, Green Beans/Tomatoe 0, Corn 1 = 12 Pts
Evening Snack: Lil Cravins 1, Easter Candy 2 = 3 Pts.

Total = 31 (4 Points over)

Walked 1.5 miles = 1.5 Activity Points

Goal today is to do better than yesterday.

Count me in - I'll shoot for 5 lbs by Memorial day.

Start weight - 216
current weight - 192.4
Memorial day goal - 187.4
Goal Weight - 140:devil:

Welcome, Debbie, Michelle, and Shrewish! :wave: The more of us to work together, the better!
Bandit2- 1.5 is still good-much better than sitting on your butt on the couch! :lol: I really like my 1 Mile Tape, but find the 3 mile one just a little too long, I lose interest! I could't find the 2 Mile One, but may look for it next fall when the weather gets bad again!
It's nice to see other's journals, gives you some new ideas!
I have only had 2 OP days, but I already feel less bloated, more energetic, and way happier about myself! :D

Thursday Journal
Br- 1/2 banana 1/1
6 ryvita + 3 TB ff sf jam 2/3

L- McD's Chicken Ceasar 8/11

S-0 pts veggie soup
hubby's crust off his pizza 2/13

Sn- lounge nachos 20/32
2 meditranean 4/37
1/2 chicken wing 2/39 greasy, high pts, but ok due to activity pts!!

Ex- 150 abs
60 min walk
100 min walk

Pts Range- 30-37

I find your food journals very interesting....lately I have been starving when I get up in the mornings and have been eating 2 bowls of cereal!! I think that is to much but, I am famished...anyone have any ideas for me????...I made some WW zero point soup today....I love that soup...I will eat that with a left over piece of chiken for lunch. Also...if I am going to go off P it is going to be between 2 and 4 pm...bad time of day for me. I have planned trying my new pilates tape for then...any other suggestions????? I need more excercise but I don't sleep well and am very lathargic when I get up in the mornings. I just want my coffee and food!! :lol: I think that is my hungryest time of day!! ;)

Morning hunger pains
 

If I eat an egg and 2 slices of dry diet toast or a bowl of cream of wheat or oatmeal in the morning it carries me much further and I feel much more satisfied then eating a bowl a cereal. I don't know if that helps you or not Flabbythighs.

I had my first OP day in a long long time it feels great!!!! I will post my journal also:
Morning
banana 2
coffee/ww ff non dairy creamer 1
Subtotal 3
Midday
3 oz deli-style roast beef 3
1 slices Land O' Lakes American Cheese Slice 1.5
1 tsp mustard 0
1/8 cup Iceberg lettuce 0
6 pieces Old London Whole Grain Melba Toast 1
2 slices diet bread 1
Subtotal 6.5
Evening
1 cup cooked broccoli 0
1/2 cup brown rice 2
Chili rubbed center pork lion 4
Subtotal 6
Snacks
20 fl oz ready-made cappuccino from machine 5
WW Choc Chip Cookie Dough 4
Subtotal 9
Total Food POINTS used 24.5
Total Food POINTS left for today 2.5

The only exercise I got was cleaning today but I am going to shoot for getting that in starting tomorrow!!!!

Hope everyone is doing great and Good night!
Michelle

just so you guys know....I am not flabbythighs anymore...I am whimsey!!!! haha I got way to much flak over flabbythighs....

Friday!
 

Happy Friday everyone!!!
Whimsey- I like the new name, it is much more positive! I like to make oatmeal with a diced apple for a 3 pt breakfast, that keeps me full for awhile. I also like 0 pts soups- great way to get veggies/fiber in!
Michelle- It looks like you get a lot of food for your pts, I like to do that too! :) Good luck getting your exercise today!
I am going to try hard to stay OP this weekend- I have gone off every weekend since...about January! :( Not this time!!

Friday Journal
Br-oatmeal & raisins 3/3
L-veggie chili 3/6
chicken wing 2/8
Sn- tuna, mayo, veggies 4/12
2 mini muffins 4/16
S- pasta 6/22
sauce 2/24
chz slice 1/25
frozen veggies 0
asparagus 0
Sn-mini muffin 2/27
25 mini nachos & salsa 4/31
Daily Total-31pts
Banked for week-4pts
Banked activity for week- 14pts

Exercise- 60 min walk
150 abs
60 min walk

I know some people hat the zero point soup....I just love it...especially in the winter time...it is a great lunch.

Hashbrown Omelet
 

Hi Whimsey ~

Here's a great breakfast idea ...it's one of my own recipes, and it's low point, good and filling!

I wish you success (and I'm sure that you'll have it!) on your weight loss journey.

Hashbrown Omelet

Brown 1 cup of fat free O’Brian Hashbrown Shreds (1 point) in a fry pan coated with Pam.
When browned, add ½ cup Eggbeaters (1 point)

Cook on top of stove until edges are set, and then put in your oven (on broil) until done.

Crumble 1 cooked Morning Star Sausage Patty (1 point) and add to top of omelet.
Sprinkle with 2 Tbsp. Sharp Cheddar Cheese (1 point).

Total points: 4

Loosinit - I make a similar recipe only I've never tried Morningstar. I find that having protein at breakfast really helps keep my hunger down. In fact, I try to get protein in with every meal and snack. The lowfat string cheeses are 1 point each so for a quick snack I'll eat a couple with a piece of fruit. I really suggest trying to eat more protein for those of you out there who struggle with feeling hungry alot.

That sounds wonderful....I love hash browns....My husband suggested I make my breakfast the biggest meal of the day!!! Sounds good to me....I love breakfast food and, am always hungry in the mornings.more so lately) I will try this soon...Thanks, Whimsey

That recipe sounds really good. I wish we could get Morning Star Crumbles in Saskatchewan! There are not as many vegetarian choicess here. I really need to make a trip across the border, into North Dakota, to get some new (healthy) items!
It is the start of the weekend, and I am NOT going to go off program!
I finally got my bridesmaid dress for next Saturday-it had been held up in Hong Kong due to SARS! I had not anticipated that the dress would look good on me, it is straighter cut and I am not! :lol: It does not look horrible, but I will definitely not win any beauty pagents in it! The consolation for me is that even if I had lost the rest of the weight and was back at goal it would still not be a flattering dress for me! It does give me extra motivation to eat healthy this week so I am not bloated for the big day!
Anyone have any big plans for the weekend? DH and I have our nephew for the day, so I think I may take him and dd to the nearest park. Nothing much other than that!
Have a great day!

Well, Saturday went OK. I used 2 banked pts and did not do any formal exercise. That leaves me with 2 banked pts and 14 exercise pts. I was very hungry all day, and am still hungry this morning...but I have not gone off pts yet so I am proud!
How is it going for everyone else?

I am doing very well...I stay OP all day. I do not know how to calculate activity points. I bet I have a bunch from yesterday...we helped friends paint there deck...

Way to go, Whimsey! Are you stiff from bending over and painting and stuff?
I am still doing good, staying OP:) I have 8 pts to reach my minimum, so today will be the end of my first succesful weekend in a very long time. It feels great- even though I am fairly hungry. I really need to get groceries!
Hope everyone had a really great, OP, weekend!

I'm having a horrible time staying OP. I'm in my time to go on vacation mode. I don't care about work, I just want to get the heck out of Dodge. I'm sure I'll be fine for the 6 days we travel, I have my crochet to keep my hands busy in the car and we always walk tons when we vacation with the friends we are visiting, I just need to survive the next two days without eating so much I explode.

Hi everyone:

Had some computer problems & was really busy over weekend with helphing bf at office. We went out for a bd dinner Sat night & I had the chicken which was good. Had some wine, but didn't go crazy. Back on track today.

Breakfast - Instant oatmeal w/apple 3 Pts, coffee 1, diced peaches 1 = 5 Pts
Lunch: Shepphards Pie 10, melba toast 1, becel .5 = 11.5

Walked 2 miles this am = 2 A/P

Usually have w/i Mon nights but am working tonight so I will w/i on Thurs night.

Hope everyone has a great week. Bye for now.

Shrewish- Are you going anywhere exciting on your holiday? Road trips are hard for me- I want to snack all the time! I wish I could crochet! Good luck, and have fun!
Bandit2-Thats good that you can go to another meeting- good luck at WI!

I have had an ok day so far- although I ate an easter egg and its not even supper time yet! Have to get my bm dress altered toinght, and WI tomorrow. Thats my motivators!

Hi everyone! Well I didn't do so great this weekend. I did exercise quite a bit, but succumbed to temptations for sweets. I am back on track today though. I did 45 minutes on the elliptical trainer and my 20 minutes Pilates tape. Stayed within my points too. I really want to meet my Memorial Day goal!!!!

Hope everyone else is doing great.

I had a very good weekend stayed op. Biked about 10 miles between the two days I also had my two little ones being pulled in bike cart behind me. between the two kids I was pulling 80 extra pounds. I did have a lot of excercise points that came in handy each day.
I legs aching on monday did not excercise to much. did some walking. nothing very strenouse(sp) though.

Hi everyone:

Saskiemom - Have you tried the St Ives Saugage Patties (think they are .5 Pts each) and are pretty good. Could use it on that hash brown/egg beater thing.

Judmom & Debbie - good going on the exercise

Shrewish - have a nice trip.

Have stayed on track so far.

Todays journal:
Breakfast - instant oatmeal w/apple 3, prunes 1.5, coffee 1, 1/2 oz light cheese 1 = 6.5
Lunch - egg drop soup 2, melba toast 2, becel .5, grapes 1 = 5.5

Don't know about supper since I have a wine/cheese party tonight.

What is everyone else having for suppers this week? Some new ideas would be welcome.

Thanks in advance & hope you all stay within your range :-)

Way to go with the exercise, Debbie and Judmom!
Bandit- I haven't seen those here- will keep my eyes open though! I will post some supper ideas when I have free hands some time!
I have WI tonight- and am looking forward to it a bit, since I actually stayed OP this week- first time in months!!! I will report back later!

Had a great day today....stayed within my points, drank my water, ate my veggies, did 30 on the elliptical trainer. Now, if I can just keep this up.......

bandit - don't think I can help you with dinner ideas as I ate a bowl of Cheerios for mine tonight!:lol:

I did well on monday had about 6 points banked. tuesday on the other hand was not very good actually it was fine til I got to work. But the extra excercise point I had and the banked point I had help me out there.

Bandit2-I eat at Work most days so I don't have very many dinner ideas. Maybe you could try the recipes posted. hope that is of help

Hi all! I had my weekly meeting last night. It was horrible, from a receptionist's pov! There were a pile of new people and tons of returning members...and it was my first night totally on my own. Very crazy!
My WI was great, though. I lost 3.6#, and was very happy that I worked so hard to stay OP and exercise so much! :D
My goal this week is to stay at the low end of my range and bank pts for the weekend. I have a big wedding out of town and will be eating out a lot. Having to fit into the dress should keep me on track for Friday and Saturday, Sunday will be the only really tough day!
I have already walked 80 minutes and done 100 abs this morning, so I am off to a good start!
Have a great day!

Saskiemom - 3.6# down is soooo great! Good for you.

Thanks Judmom for the suggestions.

Tonight I am going shopping while my daughter is at dance - I think I will pick-up a piece of fresh fish & bake it in the oven & have some steamed veggies with it. That would be fast & easy.

Anyway, some other suggestions would be really nice.

Have a great evening. I have w/i tomorrow & I hope it is OK.
I did another 2 miles this a.m. & have stayed within my range this week.

Hope everyone has a great evening.

Bandit2- WI should be good for you this week! I will keep my fingers crossed! :crossed: What kind of fish do you buy? How do you bake it? I love fish, but never cook it because I don't really know how...and it stinks up my house! :lol:
Have a great evening!

went a litttle over points today but I made that up with the excercise points for today. I did a lot of walking today between my regular excercise and walking at work i have a lot of excercise points.

Also I have a question Does WW just go by weight or do they also measure? and if they don't Do you measure yourselves? just curiouse never been to a meeting due to no extra $$. Sorry that was two questions.

WW just weighs you on the scale. The started book recommends measuring yourself though. I was measuring myself for a couple months to make sure I would fit into the mysterious bridesmaid dress. What a relief that it is finally here and fits!
Way to go on the exercising- you sound so much more positive about the program lately, that is really great!

Hi everyone:

Did w/i on Thurs & was down 1#. Am going to meeting tonight, but will weigh in on Thurs for awhile to see if that helps.

Saskiemom - Easy way to cook fish is to spread a little margarine or butter over fish then shake some lemon pepper over all of it and wrap in tin foil & bake for about 15 minutes, then I open the foil to let steam out & bake for another 5 minutes or until flaky.
Bake at 350.

Or cover with seasoned bread crumbs and spray cooking sheet with cooking spray and bake at 350 until done.

Keep up the good work, everyone & talk to you later.

Bye for now.

Bandit2- Nice job on the 1# loss! :)
Thanks for the tip on cooking fish. That sounds easy- I will try it this week for sure!
I had my big wedding this weekend. I took Sat and Sun off from tracking, just because things were nuts and I have been working towards this weekend ever since I had dd 7 months ago. I was not down as far as I would have like (on the scale) but I think I looked pretty good in spite of that. I had a very good time, lots of good food, champagne, dancing, and visiting. I felt horrible last night, though, from eating more than I am used to. It is good motivation to eat healthier and smarter!
My old focus was to fit into my dress for the wedding. Looking at the wedding pictures, my new focus is to tone my body and to meet my Memorial Day goal.
How is everyone progressing with their goals?

So, when is Memorial day?

Just returned from vacation and had a great time. I know I didn't loose but I think I maintained - tonight will be the test. After 14 hrs in the car I felt super bloated the next day but I'm back to normal today - I think I just allowed myself to get dehydrated.

Saskiemom - Nice to indulge sometimes & glad you had a good time at the wedding. Sounds like you're re-motivated for Mem Day Challenge. I have been doing my tapes each morning (except Sun), pretty much staying OP & need to lose 3.2# (as of last Thurs) to meet Mem Day goal. Will update again after w/i this Thurs.

Shrewish - Memorial Day is May 26th. After the easter challenge, we stated our new goal for Memorial day. So, come on & jump in and join us on our "mission" :-)

Judmom - good going on the walking. Keep it up.

Bye for now & have a great day.