Group LLC Holiday Challenge!

mom216

Hello to everybody - I wish everyone a happy healthy day!

VJ - thank you for all the great recipes!!! I will be experimenting soon -

I will be busy for the next couple of days (more family drama - ugh!) - prayers are greatly appreciated

If the family drama continues - I see a large bottle of gin in my future :drinker: It might not fix anything - but I could use the sleep

tammietifanie

what is everyone's plans for halloween???

VJ150

Hi Everyone,

Nothing too much going on today. I did get up early this morning and got 45 minute workout in before work. Now if only I could be consistent with it!!

Tammie, I don't celebrate halloween so it will be a regular day for me. Will plan something for dinner and watch football all day.

Mom216 - hope you enjoy the recipes. Tonight I think I will try CC's roasted cauliflower with salmon.

Getting ready to go on my walk - will check in later.

mom216

No Halloween plans - I'm visiting family & there aren't any kids around. I did go to a fashion show that had local 70 year old (and older) models - that was pretty scary.:laugh:

CALIECAT

I found a blog that has a lot of crock pot dishes inculding a yogurt made in a crock pot.
I was really looking to see how you cook dry beans in one. I am real please with her Web site.Quite interesting. Marie

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/cooking-dried-beans-in-crockpot.html




Scrolled down on the right hand side and it will list a lot of stuff to do in your crock pot.

tatiana_13

Halloween...I don't have kids in my life, nor do I drink or 'carouse,' so Halloween has stopped being something I celebrate. I may watch scary movies with some friends...but that's something we'll decide on a whim...so no plans.

I've been on plan. I started making flourless pancakes and I am hooked. I eat them every night as my post dinner snack. I'm completely hooked. And down another pound. It feels good to be able to fit into my clothes again. I was resisting buying bigger clothes, but it's hard to keep your resolve when you're down to a single pair of pants!

Mom216...hang in there. But I understand wanting that bottle of gin...

saverys_gal

Meh...so 2 days out of 3 on track aint bad I guess. I was doing fine today until I got home. It was storming and I was tired and had two sinks, full of dishes to be cleaned before I could cook...so I sat down to watch a movie with the hubby without working out and then he got hungry and decided to order Pizza Hut. Oh well. Back on track tomorrow.

profjan6

Halloween is a fun holiday, and I will try to refrain from the goodies. We enjoy the trick or treaters! So far, I haven't had any of the candy. We are going out on Saturday night for dinner and I'm going to have to be careful then.....good food and drink. I am getting bored with the exercising....can't seem to find something I like. Then again, does anyone really like exercising??? Happy Thursday to all. Off to work now.

saverys_gal

Happy Thursday!

Guess I'm in the minority - I lock the house up tight on Halloween!! I've never been tempted to buy bags of candy or any of that, so I'm safe!

@ profjan: I actually do enjoy my exercising!! But I do think you have to find what you like! I HATE running with a passion and I'm not a fan of anything that makes me do too many moves all at once because I have the grace and coordination of an elephant!! :laugh:

Planning to stay on track today-had a shake and a banana for breakfast, lunch is being bought for me (hello Ruby Tuesday!!) and dinner is planned and I WILL exercise.

saverys_gal

I'm hearing crickets over here ladies! Where is everyone on this beautiful Friday??

profjan6

Well, I certainly applaud anyone who enjoys exercising! I find it mindless and boring, and I just can't connect. I do it, just because I have to. One of my sons is a marathon runner and I just don't get it! This is a weekend full of going out for me, starting today. I will have to be very careful in my choices. I can resist the candy for the most part, and if I indulge, I usually don't eat much of it. I have lots of grading to do to keep me busy in between. It is midterm time!

saverys_gal

I felt the same way when I first started to exercise, but I find now that once I get it started the endorphins start to kick in and give me a really nice "high" and that's just a great feeling! What about working out with a buddy? That works really well for some people.

tatiana_13

Well, I know where I've been this friday. At the bar!

But a friend of my from work...this was her last day, so we went out. I have been really good at staying away from the wrong food. But I really enjoy a bit of the irish whiskey, so that has been more difficult to stay away from. But tonight....I decided to have a drink or two. But I'm an old lady, so I was home by 7:00

Otherwise, things are going well. I'm pretty much on plan, but I've decided to put the scale away for a while. I'm getting my dissertation data collection up and running...and maintaining good eating and a small amount of exercise is about all I can manage. I'm working everyday and pass out at the end of each one. So, as long as I maintain my weight, I'm okay for a month or two. I can fit into most of my clothes, feel good, and am not stress eating. So I'm pretty satisfied. The rest will happen eventually.

About the exercise...I hate it too! I have tried all kinds of things over the years, and I have come to the conclusion that I just hate physical activity. I think I was a rock in a past life. A rock that tumbled over and hit someone in the head and so has been cursed in the next life to be a human who has to exercise. But this is why I have long opted for intensity over duration...if I'm going to hate it anyway, I'd rather half kill myself and get it over with in 20 minutes rather than doing something easier for 45. Intervals (running and weight lifting) and sprints. You feel like you're going to die, but its over in 20 minutes. 15 on a bad day!

profjan6

You know, once I do the exercising I don't think it is so bad. After, I feel so much better. You'd think I was getting root canal. All that complaining for nothing, right?? Well, everyone sounds so busy! I think that is good....I know when I'm busy I'm happy. It is a nice, fall weekend here and I plan to enjoy it! Spanish restaurant tonight....might be difficult, but I'll deal. Hope you all have a fun, safe weekend!

tatiana_13

Hi all!

Despite that exclamation point, I'm a little low on motivation at the moment. Excitement about logging all you meals and exercise is a little hard to maintain. And it hasn't helped that I really just want some gummy bears. (No, I don't want any low carb whatever desserts. I WANT SOME GUMMY BEARS!)

But, I'm hanging in there. By a thread. But that's all that's necessary, right?

My low motivation may have come from eating out. For some reason, I haven't responded very well to food eaten out in the past year. I pick all the "right" foods, but soon after I eat them, I don''t feel well. Then the cravings set in. Maybe there are some secret additives in there...but what could they possibly have added to half a rotisserie chicken? Or to a chef salad? (i read the dressing's ingredients, so....) I felt so strong on induction...during which I avoided eating out because it seemed like a hassle to interrogate the server about all the ingredients. So I'm feeling like eating out was a mistake. But I don't want to become one of those people who can't eat outside their own kitchen...

Whine, whine, whine...perhaps I'll put this baby to bed. She might feel better after a good sleep.

Hope you all are having a great weekend.

--Tati

tatiana_13

So, its Halloween. I guess you all are busy enjoying the day, or just enjoying a nice Sunday. I just wanted to check in and say, hey. I tried a low carb cheesecake recipe...halved it so I wouldn't have more than 2 servings in the house (just b/c its low carb doesn't mean I'll have self control!). And it helped with the candy cravings. Although I have to say...I'm not a fan of gelatin based cheesecake. I'm just sayin'...

Hoping this week starts out better than this one ended.

I've been a minimalist regarding exercise lately. Which I figure, if that's where I'm at, that's where I'm at. But I'm starting to think about something that might coax me out of my relative inactivity. I'm no runner, but sometimes I do it for a few months (I've done Couch to 5k about 10 times) So, I'm thinking about either trying a running phase, or taking a really inexpensive, low-commitment class some place. I'm a grad student trying to live within her means, so it has to be something cheap. Have any of you ever tried yoga for fitness? I've done it for stretching and meditative movement, but never considered it to be "exercise." Any thoughts? I'm like a mule at the moment...trying to figure out what my carrot is going to be...

CALIECAT

. I haven been around much lately, Thought I would dropped a line or two

I am into Portion control plate system. I bought me a diveded plastic plate at Dollor geneal store and it has a lid Just right for frezzing meals. you get 2 plates for 3.00 dollors. Will be buying me some more. I filled the half side with non starches veggies., 1/4 with protein, 1/4 with a strarches or starches food. Seems to be working out fine with my feeble mind............. I started a thread called Portions control plate buddies no food is off limit just control. For example for lunch I had 1/4 of PERSONAL PIZZA !/.2 half plate of brocolli and carrots. on the side I had 1/2 c greek yogurt and 1/2 c applesauce wITH SPLENDA and cinnamon i did not filled the other 1/4 of plate for I figure the pizza took care of that I am thinking difference these days.

Good talking to you guys.

HAPPY HOLLOWEN stay out of the kids candy.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



















for exaample for lunch I has 1/2 personel sige veg and ............1 glass of milk and a fruit outside of the plate. I just started Friday. I don't count carbs I just keep them low I think this will work out fine with me. I started a thread called Portion control plate buddies.

tatiana_13

Good for you Marie. Figuring out what works for you is half the battle. Learning portion control was key for me as well. I still prefer eating out of salad plates when I'm at home...

I hope you keep checking in from time to time.

--tati

mom216

Just checking in - Hello to everybody!!! I'm traveling - (not a fun trip) - sitting alone in a hotel room. ARRRRGGGH!!!The good news, I packed a lot of healthy snacks. The bad news - I'm drinking a glass of wine.
Going home late tomorrow.

Happy Halloween!!!!!

CALIECAT

Good day folks Hope you are all having a good one.
I am having a ball on the portion control plate plan. Feel confident that it is for me. Don't have to think just filled my plate up with 1/2 non- starche vegs. for me 2 oz of protins on acct. of my kidneys,, in 1.4 section in the other 1/4 goes a starche of whole wheat product and on the outside of the plate a glass of mil or greek yogurt and a small fruit. no thinking. just fill it up. I will be weighing Friday to see how I am doing

Have a wonderful day..

saverys_gal

Happy Monday one and all!


I'm so glad you checked in with us Marie! Good to know that you've found something that may be the right WOE for you! Keep us posted!!

@ mom216: I hope your trip went well! Good job packing healthy snacks!!

@ tatiana: yoga is good exercise; its great for toning and stretching and of course is very meditative. But no, it doesn't burn quite as many calories! Try Jillian Michael's Yoga Meltdown-that's some kicked up yoga! Have you ever thought about pilates? But on the whole, I'd say if you're just trying to move a little bit every day and don't want to do cardio, there is nothing wrong with yoga. I love it!

tatiana_13

HI everyone,

I want to thank mom216 for the advice about stowing some foods at work. I had a day where I planned to go to a local cafe and get their spinach pie...healthy, low carb, and cheap. Well, they were out! So I made a lunch up of string cheese I had stashed. Not the healthiest thing in the world...but it will do until I get home. Much better than the coffee I had to settle with last time my lunch plans fell through!

I'm having a good week so far. I''m going away to a conference this weekend, so I am already fretting about how I'm going to eat well while away. Its easy to avoid certain foods when I have yummy alternatives. But when you travel, there often aren't any yummy alternatives. Sometimes a nasty looking iceberg lettuce salad with dry, chewy chicken breast is the best you can do. That's when the flour-y dishes start to look especially yummy...I just used the word yummy 3 times. Odd....

Yesterday, I tried doing tabata intervals. Those are intervals that try to give you a heart attack in 4 minutes. And I almost had one...but I'm going to see if that helps to jumpstart my quest for something active to do. My hormones have stopped attacking me, so I'm going to see if I can make it to my next mini-goal in the next 2 weeks. And it won't happen without exercise!

Anyway. I hope everyone's Tuesday is going alright.

--Tati

mom216

Hello everybody!!

Caliecat - sounds like you are doing a great job taking care of yourself.

Saverys_gal - How are YOU?? Your post is so kind to all of us, it left me wondering, what about you?? I hope all is well.

Tatiana - For your conference - are you staying overnight?? Check to see if the hotel room has a mini fridge and a microwave. If possible, pack a small cooler. If it is a day trip, throw some atkins bars, salted peanuts, string cheese, small packs of tuna etc into your handbag. I even go to my local grocery store and pick up small foil packets of salad dressing, mayo, mustard etc. All that stuff doesn't need to be refrigerated, and is small enough to put in my handbag. To prevent a gooey mess, place the mini packets into a small hard plastic container.

saverys_gal

Hey ladies!

I definitely agree about keeping healthy, low carb snacks at work! I always have string cheese in the fridge along with some greek yogurt. In my desk drawer I keep a medley of almonds and a few different cans of the Planter's mixes. A note: opt for the other nuts over peanuts as peanuts aren't the best ones out there. I also keep some granola bars on hand and some 100 calorie bags of popcorn!

Aw! :blushing: You're so sweet mom216! Thanks for asking after me! Things are going well for me...I'm in my last couple of days of my job and start my new position this Friday. I'm really excited and mildly nervous. My neurologist appointment yesterday went very well and I'm trying a new mixture of medicines for my migraines. Other than that I just can't believe that it's November already!!

tatiana_13

Thanks for the tips, mom216! I hadn't even thought of tuna! I feel more mentally prepared already. And it is overnight. Two night. So I need all the tips and motivation I can get!

And saverys_gal...I get the mix of nervousness and excitement about Friday. But the excitement will win out.

profjan6

Tati you sound like you are well prepared! I think that is half the battle. Good luck with your new job Saverys....it is wonderful you are moving on to something you seem excited about! Marie you seem to be doing so well with this new food plan, so that is also great. I guess everyone else is doing pretty well also. I am working hard with my exercising, and trying to do as much as I can.
I am much more positive now. Although, with Thanksgiving approaching, I'm wondering how that will go for me. One day at a time....as they say!

mom216

Hello to everybody!


I'm still here doing LLC - and I must admit, I have been very lazy! The family drama has settled down for the time being so now I must kick my own butt:happy: For the past couple of months, my weight has remained stable; I have bounced up and down by approximately 2 lbs. I have noticed some physical changes but nothing really significant. (some clothing is a little looser) Now it's time to get serious! I am re-starting my exercise program, and reducing my total calorie, & carb count. Hopefully that will improve my results.

Does anybody have any good tips for enjoying the holidays, and remaining on LLC? I fear the family influence, drinking, and just the whole party atmosphere. While I enjoy the holidays - I just don't want to ruin my "LLC game plan".:drinker: :drinker:


Tatiana - Enjoy the conference!!! Try to have some fun! All work & no play - makes for a long boring 2 days

Saverys_Gal - Congratulations on the new job. Here are some tricks I learned a long time ago - If I am going somewhere new or special - I do a "dry run" I try on my clothes & accessories the night before ( and I do mean everything from under garments to over coat) . Once I am satisfied with the look, I hang it on the outside of the closet door. I pack my handbag with extra cash, snacks, etc. Then I do a commuting test. If driving, I drive the route and locate the best parking. It also helps to know if there is road construction etc. If using public transportation, I do a test run. And check the weather! If a major thunderstorm , or bad weather is predicted - You might want to change - shoes, coat, etc. When it is the "real thing" - I have a lot less to worry about and I can focus on the event. I can't tell you how many times these simple tricks have made my day go a lot smoother. I wish you the very best!!!

tatiana_13

Hi everybody! I am packed and ready for the conference. And thanks to everyone's tips, I have packed some emergency food. The hotel doesn't have a fridge, but I have some non-perishables. Why do the fancy hotels never have anything you need? Best Western, holiday inn, has free wifi, often free breakfast, fridge, microwave, etc. But whenever somebody else is footing the bill and puts me up at a fancy hotel (fancy to me, anyway!), they're always trying to nickel and dime you for everything. I guess they are accustomed to nickel and diming someone's expense account! But anyway.

Mom216...the way I deal with holidays, is to remember that they are only 1 day each. Thanksgiving is one day. Christmas (or other winter holidays people might celebrate) is another. And if I want some sweet potato pie on Thanksgiving, well, I have it. On thanksgiving. And for christmas dinner. Not a week before. Not two weeks after. And not every day of the week from Nov 15 through January 1. IF there are leftover sweets, I take them to work. (not so great for my coworkers, but great for me!) A day, although it may bloat me and take a few days to get back to normal...isn't going to ruin my life or my weight loss. But a few weeks will. And a few months will undo a great deal of my hard work. After losing a good proportion of myself, I learned I have the will to do it...but i never want to have to do it again.

I also only eat the things that I *really* want. I like macaroni and cheese (baked macaroni and cheese, that is!). And sweet potato pie. But candied yams? I really could care less, so why eat them? Rolls? Yes, I like them...but they are around everyday...they are not a *special* holiday food. So I pass. I really just make sure i enjoy the things I really want, but don't eat a whole lot of things that I could take or leave, just because its tradition, or to be polite, or because its being served. And for pushy relatives (who mean well, they really do!), I just say, oh, I don't care for x so much. Or, as I've gotten older, y just doesn't agree with me anymore. But I did have some of that macaroni and cheese...delicious!

Do not say, I am on a diet (or any euphemisms like new way of eating or health plan). Do not say, I don't eat bread! I wouldn't even make up a vague health condition like blood sugar problems...I've seen too many people push pie on diabetics. Just keep it simple. Pain. Nauseau. Digestive problems. These are things people seem to understand. Do not say anything that makes them want to tempt you. Because, no matter how much they love and care about you, they will. Because they're human and that's what humans do. (if we're honest, we've probably done it at least once ourselves!) But I've learned that nobody every says...oh, green beans bother you when you eat them? Eat them anyway! I made them! I don't care if you get sick later! But they will say, you don't eat green beans because you're on a diet? You always liked green beans before! What kind of weird diet is that! Green beans never hurt anybody! Just try them! They bother your blood sugar? My uncle had diabetes, and he ate green beans everyday!

So don't even open that door. Do everything you can to keep it firmly and securely closed. Weird looks you can deal with. Conversations about your choices, debates, and food-pushing...that's what you want to avoid.

that's my two cents.

--Tati

mom216

Hello to everybody!!


Tatiana - Have a happy healthy trip!! Thank you for all the great advice. My family is very food centered, and they start the holidays now and don't stop until after New Years. I agree - I'm only going to indulge in truly "special once a year" type of foods. I'm starting to get excited - there is a small chance I will see a few family members that I have not seen in a long time. I don't want to get my hopes up - but my prayers are said, & fingers are crossed. IMHO - that would really be the best gift!!!

VJ150

Hello Everyone,

Sorry I have been MIA - I have been trying to make sure everything and everyone is set before I leave on my trip. Well - today is the day and I am very very very very excited!!!

Well - I'm off to the airport. Everyone have a great weekend and a fantastic next week!! ;-)