Hi my name is Tammy and I have just started this blog program. My husband and I just got married on October 8th and when I looked at the pictures, I was disgusted at how big I looked. We have since started on the SOUTH BEACH diet and he has lost 6 pounds and I have lost 7. My goal was to lose at least 43 pounds so after 2 weeks, I am well on my way. If you haven't tried this diet, it is great! It makes you realize that food is just food. We don't need to overdo portions, carbs, or sugars because those are the exact things that make us (as women) gain weight. I was watching OPRAH and she said that the leading cause of death in American women is Cardiovascular Disease. The doctor on the show said that women who hold their fat in their stomach or upper portion of their bodies are more suseptible to having a heart attack because that fat can further damage or block other organs. LUCKY FOR ME - I carry it in my hips. I always hated being so "hippy" but after hearing all of that, I was happy!

Anyway, my weight loss is my quest. My husband used to be a trainer in the U.S. Navy and he is also a diver, a former body building champion, and so on. I really want to start keeping up with him so that we can have fun no matter what we do! I am looking forward to hearing your stories because I know they will help in my quest!

Thanks,
Tammy
http://www.bronzedcouple.blogspot.com

it has been two day's since my last posting.

Last night I had weights and measures, and I found that I only lost one pound since my last check in. ONE POUND! That's it! I didn't have her do the measures because I didn't want even more discouragement. How can that be? I run approximately 9-12 miles a week on the elipitcal, and I do weight training! Except for my binge the other night, I really don't eat that badly. I drink TONS of water. ARRRRGGGGGHHHHH! What is so wrong with my body that it refuses change?

I went from being bummed to really angry.

After I did my 3.25 miles on the elipitcal machine, I stopped at Taco Bell and had Chicken Nachos Bell Grande for dinner. And it was really good--and I'm not going to feel guilty for eating it.

So, you know what? Screw you, extra pounds. You want a piece of me? Well, BRING IT ON! 'cause I'm gonna kick your nasty little butts back to where you came from, and I'm gonna send all of your family members packin' with you! YEAH!

~ruthie

(ps--i'm not crazy--just a little overzealous sometimes.)

I haven't done that in a while, and the whole time I was doing it, I was thinking of how disgusted I was with me.

All around me, success stories of weight loss--a girl i work with has lost 45 lbs. A girl at the gym has lost 87 lbs. And I'm struggling to lose just 5 lbs. I just felt like the biggest fatest loser. Even though it's not an excuse, the weather isn't helping much either. I'm happy for the cold, but the incessant rain and dreary days are getting to me.

After work, I went home and ate
1. left over hamburger helper from Sunday night's dinner
2. 10 slices of turkey bacon, 4 slices of whole grain bread, a kraft single, helmans mayo, and ice berg lettuce (essentially two sandwhiches, but it sounds much worse when you break it down into ingredients)
3. 2 low-fat brownies from the batch I made over the weekend
4. a diet barq's rootbeer
and I still felt that incessant "hunger". I ate until I was sick, and I still wanted more. Nothing seemed to satisify me.

Since it was so cold and rainy, and I was tired, I thought about just staying home and binging all night--but I'm so tired of being in this body. And I know that unless I am dedicted to changing it, it never will. So at 7pm, I put on my gym clothes and went and worked out--35 minutes on the elliptical machine. I was honestly afraid I would get sick and barf everything up (and maybe subconsciously I WANTED that to happen--maybe to teach myself a lesson about eating all that crap, and to show me why I shouldn't do it again). Luckily, I didn't get sick-though I did get a bit nauseous for the first mile or so, but it subsided, and I finished 2.78 miles.

I am not proud of myself and the compulsive binging I do on occasion. I know it's not good for me--but I was compelled to do it. Most of the time, I can control my cravings, but last night I lost control.

The worst part is, I know that I have a weights/measures at the gym tomorrow night. Is it possible that I'm sabotaging myself?

~ruthie

My name is Cori and I too want to become Bloggers Biggest Loser. I found this site through Andrea and wished I would have known about it sooner! But here I am-now I will take a seat and join you in our road to lose. Glad that I am here. Thanks Tee!

That's what happend yesterday, to make a long story short.

Now my buddy Sandy is trying to support me and we're pumping ourselves up to get back in gear.

Just wanted to admit it out here in public and make it real.

~Tee

well, just t-shirts. I've retired everything else maternity. I have these 3 Roots maternity t's that I have not been able to retire. But it is kinda brutal wearing mat clothes when your baby is almost 7 months old.

As for the weekly challenge, the scale said 159.5 this morning.... with no socks on.... *L* I can say that I'm in the "150's", but not honestly! This week will be better... I'm promising myself that.

We're having family photo's on Saturday. I'ved been putting this off to lose more weight.... and then I decided it was silly because no matter how you look at it, this is what I looked like when Kemper was 7 months old! Besides, atleast my acne cleared up! Whoa, I had some serious problems when I was preg-o.

I dug up some of my pre-preg clothes from the basement this morning. Just to see. I know I'm still 10lbs heavier then when they were my everyday stuff, but I thought, just check it out.... it may be more motivating. With more stuff in my closet that I used to wear, and less baggy stuff, I might be more motivated! So I squeezed my rump and mondo thighs into a pair of my old Levi's.... when I bought them they were a little big, to sit on my hips.... now if I suck it in, I can do them up... but then ofcourse, there is the flappy spare tire that hangs over top! *L* I might have to dig out the "sausage suit" for Saturday.... Just to keep the rolls in place!

Well, other than that, life is good. Working at the bulk store was easier that I thought. You're less likely to eat it if you're working. Now if I just stop by, look out! But when I busy working, I'm not as inclined to eat! So that's a big plus!

Well, I'm outta here for now ladies!

Ciao, Mandi

it has been way too long, i have missed you all.

my life has been a bit crazy last month or so....and i keep forgetting to post here.

i have got back on my excersie bandwagon....feeling good about it...

since the challnge will be over in a few short weeks, I know I am not winning, because I have only lost about 13 pounds....but i hope everyone is kicking butt still, and wish everyone else luck...

I am still gonna contuine on my journey...and will be back to check on everyone...

Good luck
Chrisitna

Anyone win the mini challenge this week? I unfortunately did not but I claim menstruation immunity :D

I already walked around the mall this morning and I'm being good food-wise today.

Keep up the great work everyone! :)

~Tee

I have been on an exercising hiatus for the last three weeks. Once I came down with strep on the 31st of September I seemed to have run out of energy. Exercise was the last thing on my mind. Sleep sounded soooo much better. After two weeks of this I am finally feeling 100% again.

So today, I woke up at 5:30 and jumped out of bed. I put in my Tae Bo DVD and punched and kicked myself thinner! :) It was a blast and I remember now why I enjoy it so much!

I am still down about 5 pounds from when I got sick so there is hope!

How are my buddies doing today? Andrea? Ruthie? Go girls!

I don't want to see a doctor. I got scolded by my father (who happens to be a doctor) to reduce weight. I got serious and now I enjoy reducing weight.
I still need to reduce weight, I will stop when I am no longer categorised as fat. :) I feel good now. What is surprising to me is that everyone here is so committed to his or her weight reduction plan. I hope everyone succeeds. At my age most girls are obsessed with being slim, so I am no exception. I doubt that I will plan to reduce weight if I were a wife/mother. But let's hope I am not fat then ;)

Tee's comments are so encouraging. That is why I am updating now. My father inspires me to stay healthy. He has never been fat and he is quick to notice if he himself is gaining weight and retaining his optimum weight.

Okay now suggest me some website to practise exercises from, preferably with images.

Don't expect me to reduce weight in Nov since I will be having exams, Ramazan is on full swing and Eid is around the corner. But I hate how it disturbs my weight reduction plan. :( But yay for Eid! : D

I went to Sheetz today. It's Hubby's payday and he said, "Go get yourself something good to eat in the morning. You've been so nasty lately." ... So I decided I would have a treat this morning. (I'm totally PMS.)

I got a box of Tastkake chocolate mini donuts to share with the kids. While I was standing in line I didn't really realize, but I was holding the box up to my nose and inhaling the donut smell from the crack on the box.

A hot guy walks into Sheetz, looks at me and starts laughing... So embaressing.

LOL.

Have a good weekend - and remember, we're checking in on Monday to see if you lost 1 lb. of fat or gained 1 lb. of muscle!

~Tee

My diet profile:

Zunaira, here are your BMI results

BMI : 24




Your BMI is within the normal range of weight for your height. Weight is not always the true indication of your fitness. The BMI represents a range of healthy weight for your height. Your ediets plan will help you fuel your engine and get you to your goal weight without compromising your energy or good nutrition.

Height: 5 ft. 3 in.

Age: 18

Current Weight: 136 lbs

Goal Weight: 119 lbs

Daily Calorie Guide: 1200-1300

:)

My papers are starting soon, the sad thing is that I do emotional eating. When I am tense I eat alot. Old habits die hard !

Hey all, just a quick update.

Last weeks hurdles deifinitly got the best of me. Pre-Leafs game we ended up having Pl@net H0llywood.... the four of us shared nachos... and then I had some chicken pasta dish.... but at least I didn't eat until I couldn't move! I drank water with dinner and then had nothing at the game. (Like heck I'm going to spend $5 on a soda!)

The wedding on Saturday was nice. Pre wedding we got W3ndy's, because you never know what wedding food will be like. I got a spinich chicken salad..... and a frosty... and I killed the Frosty... every last drop gone! The food at the wedding was pretty good. At least *I* thought so. A little too different for my hubby and his fam (they like it boring). We had Butternut squash and zucchini soup, followed by baby spinich salad, followed by roasted red pepper and zuchini stuffed chicken breast with potatoes and vegetable medley, and for dessert I had white chocolate mousse. D@mn! I yummed up everything! And ofcourse, the bar had Coron@'s... and they were nice and cold! I managed to only have 2 Coron@, one Malibu and pineapple juice and a glass of wine. One of the things I don't miss at all from my pre pregnancy life is the hangovers I would torture myself with by drinking like a glutten.

When I weighed myself Sunday when we got home, after ofcourse breakfast at Kevin's Uncle and Aunts place, I was up to 164.5. I was pissed. But, what else can you expect consuming that much stuff in one day?

I weighed myself this morning, pre breakfast, and I'm sitting at 160.5. I am so looking forward to getting into the 150's!

One more hurdle, starting today... I'm starting to work Thursday nights for my mom. Yeah, I mentioned before she owns a bulk food store.... eek... And, two weeks from now I'll be starting my second cake decorating course. That means cake in the house.... every week.... eeek..... I'll get through it!

Talk to everyone soon!

Mandi

I don't have my weights-n-measures until next Wednesday night.

I've kicked up my gym work to 3-4x a week. I've increased resistance on the eliptical machine from 2 to 3, and extended my time to 35 minutes a session. I still manage to do 3 miles a workout. My weights have bumped up from 35 lbs on arms to 40 lbs on arms, and from 100 lbs on legs to 110-120 lbs on legs.

I've discovered Coke Zero (tastes like coke with no calories and none of that aspartame after taste of diet coke). I also drink Diet Sprite and Caffine Free diet coke (which tastes better than regular diet coke). I eat alot of peanut butter ( on 9 grain toast or on celery with raisins). I keep Crystal Light and small cans of V-8 in the fridge, and also skim milk and water at all times.

Tee wanted the recipe for Russian Chicken. I'm not sure how healthy it is, but it IS easy.

1 cup red french or russian dressing (reduced fat if available)
1 cup apricot preserves
1/2 package of Lipton dried onion soup mix
celery seed and garlic powder to taste
1 cup thinly sliced onion and green pepper
optional--pineapple tidbits in natural juice (drink juice, leave pineapple) :)

mix together all ingredients in bowl. place 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (fresh or frozen) in greased baking dish. pour mixture over chicken, covering all exposed areas. If making more than 2, double recipe as needed.

Bake in oven on 400 for 1 hour (or until chicken is cooked through). Serve over rice with French style green beans as a side dish choice.

I'll post again next week when I *hopefully* have good news to share.

~ruthie

I'm not doing well at all. I haven't even bothered to weight myself in quite sometime. I think the problem comes down to letting depression get the best of me.

Posted by Surviving

I'm doing great! I am making excellent choices and obeying the CalorieKing program. When I run out of calories for the day I don't eat any more. When I crave something bad, I find something similar to take it's place.

(Pizza Hut pizza? NO... Frozen single serving of South Beach pizza.)
(Halloween candy? NO... A very small handful of dark chocolate chips.)
(McNuggets? NO... A grilled chicken & baby spinach sub on Honey Oat bread at Subway.)
(Fried Calamari?...NO. A green tomato w/very light breading "fried" in diet butter.)

Here is an example of a day of food for me:

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs - 1 whole egg, 2 egg whites. 1 whole wheat mini bagel with light cream cheese. Crystal Lite.

Lunch: Boca Spicy Chicken Patty on Roman Meal whole grain bread. (1 slice... I've found that if you freeze the bread, you can slice it into 2 thin slices!), lettuce and tomato on the sandwich. (You could add light mayo but I don't see the need since the chicken has such a good, strong spicy flavor.) ... Crystal Lite.

Snack: 1 small apple with a tablespoon Simply Jif peanut butter spread on the slices.

Dinner: 12 inch sub from Subway (yes, I ate the whole thing. Some would encourage you to eat only half.) Grilled chicken, provolone cheese, baby spinach and banana peppers. Toasted. Yum. Crystal Lite. (Instead of typing Crystal Lite a thousand times, just know I drink it all day long.)

Snack: 6 cups (it's alot!) light popcorn and a Diet Sprite. (No caffeine before bed but tastes so good with popcorn.)

... As for exercise, I need to get on it. I usually wear my pedometer - go for short walks, play with the boys in the backyard, do housework. I need to make a more focused effort on that.

So I want updates from everyone. I'm ready to Email all the Blogger Biggest Losers right now. Tell us what you've been doing. Any tips, tricks or recipes you have. Come on! We can do it!

~Tee

I know this is the point where the initial excitement begins to wear off....

You are no longer able to visualize yourself in those smaller clothes or hiking up that trail. You are only able to see yourself, sitting, overweight, unhappy, and in misery.

But you know what?

NOW IS THE TIME TO KICK IT IN GEAR! You can choose to sit and be miserable or you can choose to keep on that path to what YOU want! You have to find the things that work for YOU so that you can keep this up. It is a lifestyle, not a diet. If you want to be healthy and strong and lean and that beautiful vision you have in your head, changes have to be made!

Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal -- a commitment to excellence -- that will enable you to attain the success you seek. Mario Andretti

So all of you who feel like giving up, or who have already given up, COME BACK! You can do this. You just have to find the right mix of gadgets, foods, and motivation.

A little pep talk never hurts either. :)

Jodi

I did!

Who else managed to shed a pound of fat or gain a pound of muscle this week?

I'm up for another weekly mini challege, anyone else? Who will lose atleast one more pound with me this week?

The weeks are slipping by - we will soon be surrounded by Halloween candy, Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas cookies and glasses of champagne! - Get a head start on becoming strong and look your best at all the holiday parties :)

(By the way, I couldn't have done so well this week without the Calorie King program. If you still haven't downloaded the free trial - DO IT! You won't be sorry.)

Are you ready to compete against me?



LOL.

~Tee

Wow, this post will be a total opposite from my last update. I am doing FANTASTIC! (And a lot of credit goes to you guys for telling me to get over it and keep going.)

My Mom called me yesterday afternoon and told me about a website with a cool tool for dieting. At first I was skeptical. Ok, a calorie counter. Woo-hoo. Who cares, Mom?... But she kept talking about it! She told me to download the free 14 day trial. To have it forever you pay $30 and she said it's so fantastic she'll buy it for me. (She bought it for herself already.) That's how bad she wants me to have it. She said it has been the one thing keeping her on track this past month since she found out she had diabetes.

Each day you enter the food you eat and exercise you do. It has a huge menu to choose from of pre-entered common foods, so you aren't typing in calories, etc. Just drag and drop. EASY. Then it has a clear graph of how much more you can eat the rest of the day. Simply awesome.

I am in love with this tool. I recommend everyone atleast try the trial.

Calorie King Diet Diary Free Trial Download

~Tee

PS - It's 6:30 AM and I already exercised on my Gazelle for 20 minutes! W00T! ;)

The only good thing I can say for myself for yesterday was atleast I didn't get ahold of pixie sticks, pour them out on a mirror in lines, and snort them up my nose.

I majorly fell off yesterday. Man, I'm like a drug addict. It started out that I did a favor for my MIL. I went to the post office to send a package for her. Right next to it is a Dollar Tree. I took Nick in the Dollar Tree for good behavior to pick a treat. I ended up buying cookies for his teacher and cookies for Hubby... I ended up eating some cookies from both packages. (I'm sure the idea of getting cookies for others was just a subconcious ploy to get my hands on them.)

So after I got sick on those, my neighbor, the German lady, comes over with one of her famous desserts. A huge pineapple cake with real whip cream topping... It melted in my mouth. I think it was her best dessert yet.

I went to bed feeling disgusting - my throat sore from the excess sugar even.

Sorry guys. I'll try harder.

~Tee

Tonight I skipped the gym for a reason---to avoid temptation! All day, i craved KFC. I wanted original recipe chicken (skin and all) with mashed potatoes, that fake brown gravy, and their weird excuse for cole slaw they serve. I knew that if I drove to the gym, that through no fault of my own, I would find myself in the drive thru of KFC on the way home from my healthful endeavors. So, instead of facing a temptation I could not conquer, I came home, changed clothes, and went for a walk around my neighborhood. I didn't get as much of a workout as I would have gotten at the gym. I did a 30 minute walk, more leisurely than my eliptical speed, but i probably did about 1.25 miles. And then I came home and ate Russian chicken and rice for dinner with green beans. I still want KFC, but I was stronger than the chicken. And I will continue to be so.

"ten pounds by new years....ten pounds by new years....ten pounds by new years"

The weird part is--I don't even LIKE KFC-- I just wanted it.

Edited to add: Posted by Ruthie

I've come to the conclusion that exercise is no longer my problem! Walking with my baby is my new favorite thing to do. And the fall is so beautiful here.

My problem is I like food. I know it's my problem. Pretty near every weekend, I decide that THIS is the week where I cut out the CRAP. And every week, I find something nasty bad to snack on.

There should be NO excuses now. Thanksgiving is over. Turkey dinners, and pecan pie, and mashed potatoes (which I actually avoided this holiday), and yummy stuffing (which I didn't avoid).... all gone.

This week I will have a few challenges, but ones I'm sure I can get through. Tomorrow my husband and I are heading to the Leafs game. We'll be eating at The Hard Rock C@fe. I've never eaten there, but I'm sure they've got yummy salads. And I do love salads. I'll be alright at the game because I'm not drinking beer yet. Saturday we have an out of town wedding to go to. I should be alright there too. Mind you, if they have Coron@, I might have to have one or two!

Well girls, good luck on the "One Pound Challenge"! We can do it!



And as you'll notice, I'm back up to my 162 mark.... booooooo!

Ciao

Time is ticking away, friends! Where are you and what have you been up to? Who is going to win this thing?

Well, here's an update on me.

Some of you know that about 3 years ago I had a tumor removed from my left anterior abdominal muscle wall. Thank God it was non cancerous, but this type of tumor (desmoid), does have a high chance of reoccurence.

I have gained 40 lbs. since I had that surgery. I began feeling very uncomfortable in that region and worried that the tumor was back. A few doctor appointments and a CAT scan later, they say they are pretty sure everything is A-OK.

That's good news of course, but there is still the uncomfortable sensation. I talked to the doctor and we agreed it could be the weight gain since the surgery. When they removed the tumor 3 years ago, they had to remove quite a bit of muscle and other tissue. In it's place they put something called "mesh" - which is holding me together inside there. The extra weight could be putting pressure on the mesh, causing the discomfort... This could also be potentially dangerous because if it pushes hard enough it could break, causing a hernia.

So, admittedly, more out of a little fear, and curiosity, I've buckled down to lose this weight. I've lost 2 lbs. this past week bringing my total weight loss during this competition to 5 lbs... I'm feeling happy and proud and I want to keep it up. I can already feel, just from those 2 lbs., more comfortable... I guess those 2 lbs. could be the straw that broke the camel's back - there has to be a limit - and I was there... but I'm not stopping... I'm wondering how much better I'll feel with the more I lose.

...Anyway, I'm thinking it's time to pump everyone up here. Maybe a weekly challenge will do it? Today is Monday. Everybody needs to lose 1 lb. this week. Can you do it? Yes, you can!

Get moving!

~Tee

PS - If you are weight training and GAIN 1 lb of muscle that is also acceptable!

It's been almost a week and no new posts from all the old crew....

Where is everyone?

Happy Thanksgiving to any Canucks out there!

Ciao,
Mandi

Hello there !
I happen to be probably the youngest here. Dieting and exercising occured to me two months back, when I weighed around 68 kg . I am 62 now ! but I am losing patience now, thought checking on people I can relate to in terms of losing weight can help me alot to continue and reach my optimum weight which 54 kg.

I obviously don't want to lose the pounds bad enough. When my wedding was on the way, I put my mind to it, and lost the weight. (mind you I also took up smoking) Now, I'm just not feeling it. I'm still walking every night. (about 6km) I'm just liking naughty food too much. I think I might have to suck it up and join ww. I need structure. I need to KNOW that weigh in is coming at the end of the week. Being on mat leave just makes it a little challenging. I mean $ wise....

Anyone have any good ww recipes?

That's another thing I need to start doing... cooking. Not just the grilled cheese when the hubby comes home. I'm home all day, and I rarely cook great meals. My husband is fantatic and he never complains about the food we eat. I really do have the greatest man. When I mentioned to him last week about WW he says, "Well if it means anything to you, I think you're doing great, and look amazing." Wow. It does mean something. It means I have the most incredible, supportive husband.

*sighs*

I'm on the search now for a yummy recipe for dinner.

I'll check in soon!

Mandi

Got this from my niece:


1) You walka pasta da bakery.

2) You walka pasta da candy store.

3) You walka pasta da Ice Cream shop.

4) You walka pasta da table and fridge.

You will lose weight!

LOL! A little levity never hurt anybody!

Hey girls!

Just a post to check in. I've been pretty good about going to the gym at least 3x a week. I've increased my eliptical machine use to 30 mins (averaging about 2.3 miles a session), as well as my weight training frequency and the heaviness of the weights I'm working with (110 lbs on legs, and 35lbs on arms).

My eating hasn't been so great, though. I have an addiction to the ease and convenience of Minute Rice, but I've been trying to balance it with low fat meat and vegetables. I've also been more hungry lately, but have been trying to cut down on extraneous snacking. Oh, and I only have fast food once a week (breakfast on Sunday).

My mom insisted that I haven't been eating right, so now I've started taking the new One-A-Day Weight Smart which is supossed to help boost your metabolism. I don't know if it will make a difference yet or not.

I don't have a weigh-in with my trainer scheduled for anytime soon, but I'll post again when I do.

Keep up the good work, girls! :)

~ruthie

Okay, for some reason, every Sunday, I get the strongest cravings for anything sweet!! Yes, it is usually on Sundays that I will bake something or binge on what ever sweet thing I have in my house. I am not proud on this . . . and, I am admitting it to you all right here and now!! LOL!
So, today, the cravings started around noon. I decided that I was going to make some "No Bake" cookies. (For some reason, I really wanted something with chocolate AND peanut butter in it!) But, I decided that I would make them lowfat by using skim milk, lowfat peanut butter, and Splenda. BAD IDEA!! They were disgusting - however, this didn't stop me from eating a couple!
After dinner, I decided that I still needed to have that peanut butter and chocolate fix. I then resorted to eating a couple handfuls of chocolate chips with a spoonful of peanut butter. Can you say "falling off the bandwagon"?! That still didn't satisfy my craving so I decided to pull out the Christmas recipe for Reeces candy. Yeah, it was not a pretty sight! I franticly assembled the ingredients, fully aware that I was going to regret eating this concoction after the sugar buzz wore off! After I had everything made I put it into the fridge to harden.
Then, I went and took a shower (at 6 o'clock at night . . . don't ask!) And, here is the pivotal moment!!!!! Duh duh duh!!! While I was in the shower, I decided that I was NOT going to eat the treat!! YES!!!! (Ok, a small victory after showing my face all day but hey, it had to stop somewhere!)
I got out of the shower and even put in my bleaching trays to keep me from being tempted. So, here I am, pouring my heart out, trying not to think of . . . it! So, there you have it. My name is Zoe and I am a sugarholic!

~Zoe