May Challenge - Monday 14th

[Mitra]

Good morning :).

I'm starting today with a visit to the dentist. Oh joy :rolleyes: . Just a routine check up, but I spent enough time and money there last year to last me for the rest of my life :(.

For those who've been struggling to get back in the groove, why not join in our Monitor Monday thread, and post today's menu. It's amazing how much better we all eat when someone's watching ;).

See you later :).

[mepc06]

Good Morning Mitra...hope you have a good checkup :D

I had a great weekend.....outside...in the sunshine....3 trips to Walmart for yard landscaping and other stuff.....I got a lot accomplished...and Ibuprofen is my friend.

Had my parent's over yesterday, after Mass, for Sunday dinner.....grilled steaks and asparagus, sauteed mushrooms, deviled eggs and salad....it was very nice, especially since I missed doing that last weekend for my Mother's Birthday because I was in OHIO.

My behavior has been good and I'm looking forward to a strong Monday and the week to come.

Michelle

[Mitra]

Thank you, Michelle. I'm relieved to say I've got the all clear for another six months :cool:.

Your Sunday sounded nice - a good start for the week to come :).

[Doctari]

Monday is starting off well:

Decided to push 2/days through Wednesday. Same with IF. Quite possible Thurs-Sun is going to be off plan.

Well, we will just have to see.

[maxlharris]

It's the week of Interval Abuse.

In getting ready to go to Italy, and not wanting to pull anything inconvenient, I'm doing nothing but intervals this week. No weights at all. I am gonna post more on the thought behind this in Use/Lose weekly thread. I dunno that it's going to be particularly insightful, but I like to talk and I have reason 895 to drop flat cardio and do intervals.

At any rate, am on the post interval high. Warm all over, the bottoms of my quads saying "Why?... We didn't even lift anything." The feeling of accomplishment.

Started reading The Value Sphere by some former professors of mine. I'm trying to get back to that MBA edge when I get back from Italy, and this is one of the best strategy books I own but haven't read. I dunno how useful it will be, but it's good to be reading business again. Damn, I'm weird.


You can be a hero in an age of none.
I dunno if this is an age of none or not, but it doesn't matter. You can be a hero today. Stick to the plan. Do the workout. Do something extra. Say good morning to everyone. Give a little bit of help to someone who needs it. It's not just about losing the weight. It's about becoming a bigger, better person, pound for pound. The folks I know well here are truly some of the best people I know. Working the plan for all it's worth.

Rock on.

[Missy]

Good Morning!!!! OKAY!!!! FOR THE HUNDREDTH JILLION BILLIONTH TIME I'm HERE to SAY...I'm gonna BE GOOD restarting TODAY! :o :D :eek: :jawDrop: :paranoid:

I AM! I AM! I AM!!!!...even though, I must admit....I've had MIGHTLY LUSTFUL THOUGHTS about NOT doing what I'm supposed ta...and get in ONE more day. :rolleyes: :D lol I'll NEVER change. :evil: lol

BUT...the point is...that IF I'm not losing (even gaining) I'm still not in the truely dangerous zone of "I don't care" thinking. I do CARE. If I didn't, I wouldn't remain here on bad days keeping my foot in the door. And those regained pounds would remain temporary, but back to permanent! EKKK!!! Can't be havin' THAT NOW!

Oh...gotta go "refresh" ...out of smilies.

[maxlharris]

Missy,

I'm counting on you to restart properly today. My day will be a little less excellent if you don't.

[Missy]

but I like to talk (NOOO!! REALLY, coulda fooled me! :o :jawDrop: :D )

Damn, I'm weird. (yeah, but, well, we love ya anyways! :D LOL)


I dunno if this is an age of none or not, but it doesn't matter. You can be a hero today. Stick to the plan. Do the workout. Do something extra. Say good morning to everyone. Give a little bit of help to someone who needs it. It's not just about losing the weight. It's about becoming a bigger, better person, pound for pound. The folks I know well here are truly some of the best people I know. Working the plan for all it's worth.

Rock on.

LOL...first to statements made me LAUGH....and yet the last paragraph was a glimmer of the MAX I've come to know so well. :D Thanks Max...we DO have some great folks here, huh?!

[Ammy]

I'm on plan again today, but didn't do so well over the weekend.
My GF mentioned toast during breakfast yesterday and I couldn't get the thought out of my head, so for lunch I had two pieces. We buy bread about three times a year and keep it in the freezer for when GF wants toast, darn it...
THEN to top it off...I had a muffin in the evening.

Life goes on though...I went out dancing Friday night, danced for FIVE hours straight! Then I spent the rest of the weekend in the yard just like Michelle. I mowed, edged, tilled the garden (just me and a shovel), lined rocks around the garden, and then planted veggies. We're trying to grow edamame this year. Anyone ever grow it before? I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing, but we LOVE to eat the stuff!

Not sure how long before I can officially do a resistance workout. I may go do a modified version today, just no machines that touch my abdomin (I still feel VERY bruised and sore from the procedure).

Have a great sunny day today everyone (it will be 90 degrees and raining here - UGH).

[Missy]

Missy,

I'm counting on you to restart properly today. My day will be a little less excellent if you don't.

lol....:eek: you slipped THIS one in on me! :jawDrop: I almost MISSED IT ENTIRELY! :jawDrop:

I promise Max! Promise. Gosh, in some MAJOR way Max....lol your comment works for me. :o I know I'd trade my excellent day in with ease....BUT...I can't let you down. lol I just wouldn't!

[hawk]

I'll join you missy. Last night my son brought piza from the most awesome pizza place...it was heavenly..Today I am constantly clearing my throat from the allergy to wheat and my stomach is bloated....Was my son being good or bad????

He wanted to go out and get dairy queen...I kabashed that. But he bought me a dogwood tree. A cherokee dog wood. Redish edged flowers. I am trying to figure out where to plant it. I LOVE dogwood trees.

Michelle..I have gardened myself all weekend and spent as much time as you at gardening centers. I am still planting two more flats and that tree today . I work at 1 pm. I love it here.

I woke up and had hot wings for breakfast with my protien shake.Upperbody today.,.whew!

I have freinds on that cruise in Alaska!!! The one that went aground.

[Karole]

Gosh, Hawk, hope you hear from your friends soon !! We have a good friend on an Alaska cruise this week, but not with that ship line. He is with Holland America.

I have already gotten my walk in for today, 35 min. worth anyway. I may do some resistance with my bands this p.m. as I want to to more this month in the exercise dept.

Hey, Missy, Max really put the pressure on didn't he. I know you won't let him down, theres no way !!

I'll be back later-- I just remembered I didn't check in with my yes for yesterday.

[Missy]

Na...not pressure...just nice to think someone cares. :) :o So far so good that Max's is having an excellent day on my account! :D

[Jingles]

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to drop in and say hello. Sorry I haven't been around. It's one thing after another.

I found out a little over a week ago that I really need to find another job as the one I'm in is a deadend job and I'm bored to tears. I was informed that I would probably not get the open position that I want in this district. That put me in a tailspin for the weekend where I just didn't do much of anything. And then I kicked myself in the butt and started doing research on what jobs where out there. I haven't changed districts in 10 years, so it's not an easy task. I have applications in for 2 districts and am on page 10 of 19 pages for another district (can you believe 19 pages! WOW!).

On top of that I've got to get programs to the printshop, recruiting days done at 3 schools and a host of other things to close out the year. And THEN! they tell me I have to have grades in by this Wednesday. :mad: My end of the year concert isn't until the 24th! And it's "supposed" to be graded.

Sooooo, I haven't had much time to get on the computer and keep up with you guys here. I'm sorry. And I do need you! I haven't done very well on my own :( ... carbs all over the place, stress eating, just not doing well.

I haven't gained anything back, but BS and BP numbers have been all over the place. I have to get back on track ... and stay there!

Just wanted to let you guys know that I'm going to try REALLY hard to get back on here, even if it's just to say hello.

[OregonRose]

Howdy folks,

Hawk, good luck to your friends! :eek: Thank goodness they got everyone evacuated.

I had two very nice yes days this weekend (one of them thanks to Gaelen, who took the pressure off me when I was trying to limbo under a 21g carb limit--oooowwwww, that was hard).

Today looks to be on plan: eggs and leftover pork roast for breakfast, more pork for lunch, almonds for snacks, and, as always, cluelessness for dinner. Probably more leftover pork!

Also saw 195 pounds on the scale yesterday, although I was back up to 196 this morning. That's okay, though--just three days ago I was unsure whether the 196 was real or not. So if I see 195 again in the next few days, I'll be 1/3 of the way toward (weight) goal. Might just have to go shopping or something... :D

[Missy]

Hi Jingles!!!! Glad your back with us! :D

Oregon Rose! YAY!!! Gotta love new numbers!!! :D

Max....put down my portion of your E for excellence! :D I had a Yes day!

[maxlharris]

Good fer you Missy.

I'm on my way. Have destressed (I got something I've been waiting for for nearly a month at work today, then polished the whole thing off in an afternoon... nice). Have eaten low carb (protein shake, garlic herb steak, 3 droste 72% pastilles (1/2 ounce total), chicken breasts and a peach coming for dinner). Did my intervals (6*30 seconds with 90 second rests, 145-165 rpm), and took all meds and supps. Nice.

[Anniesnan]

I dunno if this is an age of none or not, but it doesn't matter. You can be a hero today. Stick to the plan. Do the workout. Do something extra. Say good morning to everyone. Give a little bit of help to someone who needs it. It's not just about losing the weight. It's about becoming a bigger, better person, pound for pound. The folks I know well here are truly some of the best people I know. Working the plan for all it's worth.

Rock on.


Weird, Max! By your definition, I've been trying to "be a hero" for the last few weeks:D . I have been extra nice, extra helpful. Volunteering to do extra, not just doing the extra when someone asks or hints.
And I've gotten some nice back. I met an extremely pleasant civil servant who went out of his way to do a great job, and then told someone who told me that he did it because I was so nice on the phone. What was even better was he stayed nice even after meeting me in person (I sound like I'm a really cute 18 year old on the phone:cool: :D ).

[Anniesnan]

Thank you, Michelle. I'm relieved to say I've got the all clear for another six months :cool:.



Glad you got the all clear, Mitra!

I have a fantastic dentist, but I still hate going! And I'm supposed to, after I got the okay from the insurance to do the work...hmm, call tomorrow and make an appt for me and a check-up for dh...

[Doctari]

I'm a yes today

[joanneb608]

Today was a yes day, later it will be a work night for me. We're awaiting some thunderstorms here, and it's about 88 degrees and really windy. I think I will make some cod for supper - broiled with lemon juice, just simple because my brains don't feel too creative.

My neighbor is getting married at the end of September, and her brother is someone for whom I have had affection, for years. I haven't seen him for over a year, so that goal is basically in mind for me to look a lot more "normal" weight by September. I know, I know, it should be enough motivation just to create internally better health, and it is, but the other incentive is good for me, too. I know I need to buckle down and JUST DO IT, day by day, in the here and now, or else it won't be accomplished by September.:rolleyes: Okay, now I need to keep repeating that to myself every day!:D

Just keep doing the right thing Missy, it's a struggle for me sometimes too but I know the results are WORTH IT!!:)

[Anniesnan]

Hi everyone!

I am having a super fantastic, be a hero to myself day!

Got up as soon as the alarm went off
did my crunches and added 6 extra on
breakfast spot on (although this is the one meal I almost never screw up)
got in a ton of extra exercise at work - walked up 6 flights, started taking everything off my 14' x 4' bulletin board (after measuring it) - wanted to put new backing on part of it
walked up 4 flights and back down
walked all over the darn place
climbed up and down chairs to get things off said bulletin board
moved large desks all by myself
climbed up and down chairs to put things back on:D

lunch - dsicovered that YES, EVERY SINGLE SMOKE ALARM in my house WORKS!:eek: :D when I smoked out the house pre-burning my lunch
didn't really burn it - just one grill mark. I was broiling two pieces of chicken breast. Got tons more exercise running up to the second floor when I realized the alarm in my bedroom, my son's former bedroom, top of hall, then the living room again, then the bedroom again, then the basement :D

After work, dh & I did the walking around the park thing, then he cooked
Angus Burgers with 1 gram of carb in each
salad with strips of ham and turkey

excellent day!!!

[Karole]

Anniesnan, whew !! You got your exercise in today girl. Good for you.

Had a yes today, Mitra. Got in the protein, only 23 ecc and did my exercise early today. I used my stress balls to destress this afternoon.

It was pretty here today and I got out early to avoid the heat. Just can't take that stuff anymore when I'm walking.

Will see y'all tomorrow. Take care

[gitfiddle]

Agnes, that was a sneaky way to get your exercise at lunchtime! :D

Good luck with your new incentive, Joanne. You're already beauiful inside and out, by the way.

I had a great day until tonight when I ate more dinner than I planned. I'd have been okay except that I had to dish out the danged cheese potatoes for the boys. :o :( The good thing is that they're GONE now. :p

My exercise was actually a photo shoot. Trudging through the woods and fields.

[Jingles]

I made it through a day without any major hiccups! :D Carbs - yes, protein - yes, even some calming time before my scout meeting tonight.

The only thing I didn't get in was excercise. That's pretty good considering how things have been going lately.

Gotta run and get some sleep. If I hit the bed soon, I'll get in an hour more sleep than last night. That's still in the right direction.

[Mitra]

Doctari :eek: Thursday to Sunday is a long birthday party :lol: (Oh no, if I keep using the smilies at this rate, there won't be any left for Missy!)

Max, I agree, there are some real heroes here. That was the reason I joined the board in the first place, and it's what's kept me here.

Phew, Missy - I still have enough smilies left to give you one. It's not just Max whose day will be brighter if you report a yes. http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/_950/ole.gif

Amy, please don't talk to me about toast when I'm trying to be good! It's great to see you not making excuses to avoid exercise, but do be gentle with yourself while you're healing.

Hawk! I'm going to post myself at your door and not let any of your allergenic foods into the house. I don't know if your son was being good or bad, but he wasn't the one who ate it and set off allergies ;). I hope your friends in Alaska are OK. Have you heard?

Karole, how good to have you back in the daily reports. And congratulations on getting straight back down to it after your break. Not everybody manages that :o .

Jingles, good to see you. I hope you find just the job to suit you. Would changing districts mean moving house? Well done on not letting the situation derail you.

Rose, it's so rewarding seeing those numbers edging down, isn't it? Shopping sounds like an appropriate response to me :D.

Joanne, wanting to look good at a special event is just human. And, since getting there is going to improve your health as well, think of it as two for the price of one :).

Carol, photoshoots are good exercise. Especially if you take a really big lens ;). I've never had cheese potatoes - something tells me it's the sort of habit I don't want to start. But, just in case... what are they?

[Doctari]

Good point Mitra. I was feeling a little less then heroic yesterday. Instead of planning 4 days off plan I'm going to have dinner with my friends on Wednesday (cheat meal), go to my Aunts on Thursday (I called around and found a local gym that I could use while there) and have a cheat meal whenever she makes me my cake.

That way I'm off plan 2/3rds of a day and still have fun with my friends and manage to not hurt my families feelings. All while not missing any gym days!

<--- RAWKSTARZ

[maxlharris]

Carol, photoshoots are good exercise. Especially if you take a really big lens ;). I've never had cheese potatoes - something tells me it's the sort of habit I don't want to start. But, just in case... what are they?

Wife's family recipe looks roughly like this:
Frozen Hash potatoes (the ones in little cubes)
Cheddar cheese
Sour Cream
Cream of chicken something soup
Maybe an egg or two for binding
Butter
topping (DW's mom uses corn flakes I think, DW uses Panko crumbs with parm)

Mix together. Bake in a casserole. Spoon out.

I think you could toss some onions in it (have seen), some ham (my thoughts on the matter), or really anything you'd put into smashed potatoes or top a baked potato (more of my thoughts).

Have seen them called Texas Potatoes (at the supermarket in St. Louis).

Definitely NOT LC, though, if you were industrious (like my pop), you could make a Cheesy Fauxtatoes with cauliflower for the potatoes, and shaved parm for the top. I'm not a huge fan of fauxtatoes, but can get em down without a struggle. In chunks, I dunno.

[Missy]

Yep, that's pretty much the recipe Max! :D

Mine is specifically:

Frozen hash browns (as Max said cube style as opposed to shredded) AND I've resently used the ones with the frozen diced green and red peppers and it was pretty darn good TOO I may add!

2 cans of cream of chicken soup (makes them extra creamy)
1 Cup of sour cream
Cheddar Cheese....and I use a whole bag of it, yum!
Onion (again, I tend to enjoy a whole large onion, diced)

Topping:

Corn flakes, (the BEST) crumbled down
1 stick of butter, melted and tossed with the corn flakes

Bake 1 hr, 350 degrees. I don't know what that would be for you Mitra...but it's just a medium temperature....and I don't know WHAT to tell you on the length of an hour...LOL (just kidding!) :rolleyes: :jawDrop: :D

Be sure to spray your pan with non stick spray!

And Mitra! I loved your double row of SMILIES.....:D I'm JEALOUS JEALOUS JEALOUS!!!!!!

[Mitra]

Thank you for the recipes - I think I'd better steer clear of this :). Missy, we don't have sticks of butter over here - but I've shopped in America, so I can translate that one ;).

[Missy]

lol...yeah, STEAR CLEAR MITRA!....don't let your virgin lips NEAR them! lol :o :D ~ but...just think, if you DO get addicted to them....you'll be joining US in the challenge as a MEMBER not a Maintainer! LOL :eek:

You know...it would be kinda fun to make the califlower version of these.....that might be darn good come to think of it! Although...I'll lay odds cream of chicken has got more carbs then allowed. And I'm sorry but butter pork rinds does NOTHING for me. :rolleyes:

Where's KEVIN! :D

I forgot Mitra that you all don't have sticks of butter. One stick is 1/2 cup...:o LOL....like THAT makes any sense to you either! LOL But...it don't matter cause YOUR NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE THEM!!!!! lol :suspicious: :D

[Mitra]

We don't measure butter by volume, either. One stick is 4 oz (we're supposedly metric, but in practice that's variable ;) ). I think I'd probably have to make the soup. I'd probably have to make the cornflakes too :lol:. Not that I'm a control freak or anything, you understand :o .

[Ammy]

Yes, Mitra...STEER CLEAR!!

DANGER, DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!!
http://re3.mm-a8.yimg.com/image/4204361477 (http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fs earch%2Fimages%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26fr%3Dsfp%26p%3Ddanger%2Bwill%2Brobinson&w=430&h=540&imgurl=www.lostinspacetv.com%2FART%2Fdownload%2FE-Episodes%2FE16.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fanhedonicamadeo.blogspot.com%2F2 005%2F04%2Fjob-just-o-bey.html&size=42.7kB&name=E16.jpg&p=danger+will+robinson&type=jpeg&no=2&tt=1,214&oid=b3df97296bf7d3ac&ei=UTF-8)


Does anyone but me even REMEMBER this show??

[Doctari]

Lost in Space! Great early Sci-Fi :)

[gitfiddle]

Okay, lets get those cheese potatoes out of our system. :peeved: (tapping foot) There is no way they are PP friendly.

Missy, I don't use corn flakes, just let it get brown and bubbly.

Max, ham works! Also green peppers, mushrooms, sausage, definitely big chunks of sweet onion.

I'm really sorry I brought it up. :o I hope it didn't lead anybody off the path or start up any cravings. I usually make them once a year for a family party at Christmas. I have no defense against them. :paranoid:

Did I mention a NO for yesterday? Not just for ecc, but for sleep as well.

[Mitra]

I usually make them once a year for a family party at Christmas. I have no defense against them. :paranoid:

Saving that sort of dish for a once a year treat - like Christmas or your birthday works for me. I don't feel that I can never eat it again, but neither do I have the opportunity to eat it all the time. It's just for special celebrations.

[Missy]

No big deal Carol....we can handle talking about them! AND BESIDES....by talking about them...I've decided to make it a new mission to make them LEGALLY! :D

AND I found this recipe with cauliflower:

http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/diner_potatoes.html

OH...My. GOD...and this one! :D

http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/just_like_stuffed_baked_potatoes.html

This womans after my OWN HEART, I tell ya! lol

I really under use that ladies site! I'm going to make it a renewed misson to find legal recipes and MAKE THEM!!! I think that's one thing I tend to do is get into a rut. :rolleyes:

[Anniesnan]

Yes, Mitra...STEER CLEAR!!

DANGER, DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!!
http://re3.mm-a8.yimg.com/image/4204361477 (http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fs earch%2Fimages%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26fr%3Dsfp%26p%3Ddanger%2Bwill%2Brobinson&w=430&h=540&imgurl=www.lostinspacetv.com%2FART%2Fdownload%2FE-Episodes%2FE16.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fanhedonicamadeo.blogspot.com%2F2 005%2F04%2Fjob-just-o-bey.html&size=42.7kB&name=E16.jpg&p=danger+will+robinson&type=jpeg&no=2&tt=1,214&oid=b3df97296bf7d3ac&ei=UTF-8)


Does anyone but me even REMEMBER this show??

I guess I'm dating myself, but I was "in love" with Will Robinson :o :D
Just can't remember if that was before or after I was "in love" with Davy Jones:razz:

My favorite episode was when Will travelled back in time.
I wanted black hair like Angela Cartwright:p .

Those cheesy potatoes sure do sound dangerous :D
I'm glad I never heard of them before now:eek:

[Missy]

Davey Jones, Donny Osmond, David Cassidy....sigh. Though...my first TRUE LOVE was Scott Baio. lol and my FIRST concert was...The Bay City Rollers! LOL :o :D

Annie...I'll give a full report on the cauliflower casserole modified!

[maxlharris]

Lost in Space. Did anyone else get the vibe that Dr. Smith was like a latent pedophile? Will Robinson was always in Danger when Dr. Smith was around.

I don't want to talk politics or anything, but we had long discussions about Dr. Smith's sexual proclivities when I was in college. The coding on him was more loaded than a 50's monster movie's evil monster (communists / nuke fear).

[Missy]

LOL.....Oh MAX! lol....well, I must admit...the guy gave ME the CREEPS! :suspicious:

[Anniesnan]

Lost in Space. Did anyone else get the vibe that Dr. Smith was like a latent pedophile? Will Robinson was always in Danger when Dr. Smith was around.

I don't want to talk politics or anything, but we had long discussions about Dr. Smith's sexual proclivities when I was in college. The coding on him was more loaded than a 50's monster movie's evil monster (communists / nuke fear).

Dr. Smith sure scared me:suspicious: .

We knew he was the man our parents warned us about.