Need to Lose 100 LBS -Robins Thread !

Friday Fitness ... well, the regulars know that I don't do exercise for my fitness, being able to just walk without a walker or a cane is doing good for me. ... but that said, I have been very active today, which was a good end to an active week. I've had to work through a haze of discomfort from my knees so I've had to baby them along but I am up and about. Saturday will have to be a rest day as I have plans for Sunday and want to be able to follow thorugh on them. Also, looking forward to Monday as it is forecast as being an unseasonable warm day and I have something in the back yard that needs my attention.

Yesterday I needed to cook some ground chuck that was a couple of days in the fridge and was running short on time, so I turned it into a soup ... the soup came out more as a sort of stew or chili ... and is surprisingly very good. I only used a few ingredients and let it simmer on the stove for a couple of hours as I attended to some goal chores.

Niki's beef-barley vegetable soup
1.25 lb. ground chuck ... browned and drained.
6 cups stock (had some of my own in the fridge, low salt version)
1.5 really big fat carrots - grated on large holes of a grater
3 stalks celery - sliced thinly on the slicer section of a grater
3 cloves garlic - minced
1/3 cup barley
1/2 head steamed cauliflower - cut into small bits (left over from a previous cooking session and added to the soup after some of the broth had evaporated away)
15-oz can cannellini (white) beans, drained not rinsed
24-oz can crushed tomato
12 peppercorns

I think the cauliflower is what turned it into a chili consistency from a soup, plus added a lot of good crunch.
This made a pretty large pot ... like a 4.5 quart size pan. I figured it made 7 servings of 3-ladles each when I put it into MFP to get the nutrition ... which works out to 259 calories, 19 g carb, 7 g fat, 30 g protein, 5 g fiber. The salt depends on if you use store bought broth, or water, and how much salt is in the canned tomatoes.

If anyone tries it, let me know how it tasted to you.

Have a great weekend everyone ...
Follow-through
Niki

Hello All,
@lizmil79 and @mou_254 - Welcome back. "The most certain way to succeed is to try just one more time." ~ Thomas Edison. IMHO A very wise man.
@grandmakaye44 - So glad to know DH is doing well with his PT. I hope this trend continues.
@susan2396 - I remember that corporate battlefield when I worked in a local hospital. One of the reasons I left. Thanks for the tip about writing a note to the hotel about them picking me up when I got lost on my bike ride. I hope the clerk got at least an "attaboy".
@RobinsEgg - Yippee on the news for your friend. I hope all goes well with stepmom's house clean.
@Terri70 - I shop Goodwill regularly and have found some great deals. I need to dress "business casual" for work. Another source for me is Varage Sale. It is an ap that helps you find things for sale in your local area.
@tinkie_04 - Hello to you as well. Being able to move easier was one of the best things about losing weight. I love my new lifestyle.
@skinnyjeanz - Woot on the review. I love how they picked up on more subtle victories in your classroom. Congrats to you.
@Morgori - I had an omlet for dinner tonight before I knew it was egg day. Thanks for the tip on Depression Screening Day. It does run in my family and both me and my oldest son deal with it daily.
@rachellosesitall85 - I love your screen name, it made me smile just reading it. I love the positive it gives.
@Nikion901 - Good for you for keeping active with your limitations. The soup you mentioned is very close to one I make but I add mushrooms instead of cauliflower. I think that will be on the menu this weekend.

AFM: Up, down, forward and back this week. I do struggle this time of year with SAD. So I know that is one factor. Coming back to a huge to do list at work was another. The house was in pretty bad shape also.
I have been eating well, exercising, drinking my water and still was up a pound this week. I will just keep doing what I have to and see what happens. I refuse to get bent out of shape about it.
I have a pretty busy weekend planned. Having a reasonable to do list helps me keep a positive attitude. I want to get some cleaning done and paint a couple of window sills. We will be putting the house up for sale in the next few months and there are many jobs that have been on the list that will finally get done.

Love to all,
Lori

Be happy and smile!

Hi everyone I'm Janet & new to "my fitness pal". Am currently over 300lbs I needed help getting the weight off so I went to the doctor; he has me on a plan that am determine to follow 100%... This is 1 week down with 5 to go in till I see the doctor again and weight in.

P.s I don't no how to make friends on here lol so if anyone looking for new friends please add me thank you;)

Thank you all. I really needed to see a change. Now if I can just get past the night time urges and cheats!

Have a great day!

tinkie_04 wrote: »

Saturday success: I launched a Pinterest board for my job. For most of you, that probably sounds small. But with my job, it's huge! I work for a governmental entity that is about 20 years behind everyone else and very scared of the big bad Internet. So launching a Pinterest board requires approvals upon approvals. I also managed to launch a new FB event, convince my sisters to do something together today and I'm awake at 7:30am on a Saturday!

Wow! Kudos to u!!

@laurie-- congrats on one successful event under your belt! Is it 2 more to go?

@robin-- haha, that's funny about watching the game after meeting lori. Glad you had a successful visit and cleaning session with your step-sister. Wow, 95 is quite a milestone for you step-mom!

@kristen, janet, & any other newlings I've missed personally welcoming-- Welcome to the thread!

@lori-- traveling often does wacky things to our bodies in terms of water retention. I'm sure that pound will come right off as you get back to your normal routine. Thanks about my review. Yes, one challenge teachign the higher levels is getting the students to realize that they don't have to always be "right" to contribute something valuable to the class discussion. I've actually found that mu seniors and juniors are pretty good in that aspect this year. they are willing to take some risks which makes class so much more interesting.

@niki-- Even though I don't love to cook, I do enjoy seeing the recipes you post. Good for you for having such an active week!

AFM-- I thought the chest congestion was clearing up, but then last night it worsened to the point that my lungs hurt when I breathe. I called the doctor this morning, and though I couldn't get in today, they have walk-in hours on Monday when I'm off for the holiday. I also managed to make hair and pedi appts in the next couple of weeks. In dire need of both.

I still haven't renewed my gym membership. I can only do it when the trainer is there and her hours are limited. She's there Monday evening, so I may try to get there then.

The next 2 weeks will be filled with lots of after-school meetings.

Saturday Success:
I managed to get almost all of my grading done this week--including a bunch of test corrections, so all I have left this weekend are the analysis activities. A friend lent me the 3rd Hunger Games book, Mockingjay, and I'm so excited that I may have time to actually read it this weekend!!

Grading Goals:
1. x/10 AP analysis activities

Exercise Goals:
Mon-- walk gunner DONE
Tues-- walk gunner NOT DONE
Wed-- walk gunner DONE + gym NOT DONE
Thurs-- walk gunner DONE
Fri-- rest day
Sat-- walk gunner DONE + gym
Sun-- walk gunner

Thank for the friend request in encouraging words

Good morning everyone, happy Sunday Share day. I am up early early for me - I did a sleep study last night and had a full 8 hrs sleep for the first time in a long time, despite having to sleep the first half of the night without my CPAP machine. There were only 2 bad things - the gummy stuff in my hair from the sensors, and the freezer like conditions in the private bath! Other than that, it was great. I've been using a CPAP machine for more than 20 years and I knew that they would have to put me on the machine during the night, so no surprises there.
Since it's Sunday I will share about myself. My name is Tracy, I live in central TX (go Longhorns!) and I'm a 55 yr old grandma of 2. My DH of 37 (almost) years is terminally ill with end-stage COPD and I'm his only caregiver at the moment, so I don't post here very often, but I do keep up with the thread every day. I have been on & off MFP for years. Last year I was diagnosed with BC and went through chemo & radiation, lost all my hair, and beat the disease. In Jan of this year I recommitted myself to getting healthy and so far have lost 48 of the 108 lbs I want to lose. I was on a plateau for 2 months from July through Sept while dealing with my DH 's illness but seem to be on a downward progress again.
I've always had a problem with late night snacking too, so it's my goal over the next several months to not have anything after midnight (I work nights so that's the equivalent of 6 pm for me).
To all you new or returning to MFP I say, never give up, pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, and start again. We can do this together!
Tracy

Hello All,
My name is Lori, I am from Wisconsin.
I have a lot on my plate these days. I am working my way toward divorcing my husband of 35 yrs. Trying to get started on the rather lengthy to do list getting the house ready for sale. My oldest son is winding his way through the court system on his 3rd and 4th DUIs. Younger son is still living at home as well. Business is at an all time high. My personal trainer entered me into the Fall Fitness Challenge. I think he was trying to motivate me into getting closer to my goal weight.

The focus at my counseling appointment this week was to enjoy the ride rather than focus on not being at my destination. I intend to take this to heart. There is really only so much I can do each day. I will do what I can and enjoy the day I am having.

Today I went to the gym and did a spin class and a cardio weight lifting class. My sons requested home made lasagna for dinner and that is done as well. I am geting caught up on some TV programs I missed this last week. I will do at least 1/2 hour of cleaning. then I am going to a friends house for a game of scrabble. Lastly tonight I am going to an AA meeting.

When I write this out it is no wonder to me I feel overwhelmed. So on top of enjoying the ride I will be kinder to myself when I do not meet my unrealistic expectations.

@RobinsEgg - on the Wisconsin win!!!! Football is HUGE here in my state. We have two great teams to root for. Go Pack and On Wisconsin.

@GOINSTD12 - This was the first time I had seen how much weight you have lost this year. Great job!!!!

@kah68 - I am interested in the salads. I look forward to hearing how it goes.

@Lauriek70 - Great going on the event!!

Love to all,
Lori

I was reminded my blood type is Be Positive!

@Tammingtons - Good luck! You can do it! You did it before. I think we all have been in the boat of having lost weight before and having to do it all over again. This time around, I'm aiming for a lifestyle change. That way, I'll never have to do this again. Even after I reach my goal, I intend to keep working out at least twice a week to maintain.

@tinkie_04 thank you. I'm really hoping I can build a support network on a forum and this one seemed to have everything!

Monday check-in: I think my weekend was overall a success. I was especially proud of when I ran up a ramp during laser tag and was NOT winded! I also forces myself to walk a mile Saturday morning, even though I was running late to get some errands done. I took my "cheat day" yesterday and finished only 200 calories over, which means I'm naturally making wiser decisions when eating. And I was right back at it this morning with my two mile walk.

Special shout out to my mom (though she won't see it), for trying to join me on at least one of walk a day. It gives us a chance to talk and makes me feel like someone is in this with me.

Good morning everyone.

Happy National Gumbo Day!
Wet your appetite for some good old Louisiana-style cooking as today, October 12, is National Gumbo Day.
For those who have not had the pleasure of tasting this delightful dish, gumbo is a rich stew usually filled with meat, shellfish, celery, peppers and onions and served over a bed of rice.
A dish that originated out of Louisiana in the 18th century, gumbo has become a staple of New Orleans-esque cuisine and has grown in distinction not just in the southernmost parts of the United States, but the world in general.
It is said that gumbo, much like Louisiana in general, is a savory mix of different ingredients that has introduced and blended a culture as a whole.
There is a strong debate over the true origin of the gumbo dish.
Many believe that the original recipe developed out of different interpretations of traditional West African cuisine, while there are those who believe that gumbo was derived from French cooking ideas and technique.
Regardless of origin of the idea for gumbo, it is a meal to be enjoyed and honored on its national day.
Gumbo Recipe
Here is a popular gumbo recipe submitted by Kevin Young to the cooking website Food.com.
Ingredients (serves 8):
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 large onion, diced
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup sliced scallion
6 cloves minced garlic
4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning (Tony Chachere's)
2 lbs any combo of sausage or 2 lbs shrimp or 2 lbs chicken (etc.)

1.In a large stockpot combine oil and flour and cook over medium-high heat about 15 minutes or until it turns very dark brown, almost between brown and black.
2.You will have to stir almost constantly.
3.This is called the roux.
4.Add onions, parsley, celery, bell peppers, scallions and garlic and cook about 10 more minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring regularly.
5.Add broth, salt, and Creole seasoning.
6.(If you like you may also add a 10 oz package of frozen okra at this point, but I despise the stuff).
7.Cover pot and simmer 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
8.Add your chosen combination of meat at this point and simmer an additional 10 minutes (if using whole pieces of crab like claws, or blue crab halves cook a little longer to ensure they're cooked all the way.).
9.Ladle over steamed white rice

God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me. ~Author unknown, variation of an excerpt from "The Serenity Prayer" by Reinhold Neibuhr



Tom