Hate Salads?

I do. I really hate salads. I keep trying to convince myself that I don't, but it's like trying to convince myself that I'm not jealous of people who have dishwashers. It just is.

I used to pack salads to work. I'd chop my veggies, add some cheese, pack the dressing on the side. But when lunch time rolled around, usually following a hectic day of trying to force 9 year-olds that preparing for the upcoming high-stakes tests was fun, the last thing I wanted to eat was a container of sad looking leaves and sprouts. At that point, I usually hopped over to the local bakery and snagged a muffin and a latte, ruining both my diet and my budget.

On my recent rip to Kentucky, though, I had two awesome veggie sandwiches -- one at Panera, one at Cosi. Between two slices of whole wheat bread I ate two different versions of salad. For some reason, the bread made it palatable.

So, if you're on WW, or just trying to be healthier like me, here's Randi's Salad Sandwich, my own creation built from my favorite parts of those sandwiches I ate. Feel free to omit and/or add veggies of your own; that's the beauty of this recipe!

Randi's Salad Sandwich
2 slices whole grain bread
Cucumber slices
Tomato slices
Red onion slices
Sliced roasted red peppers (I used canned)
Whole basil leaves
Hummos
Crumbled feta cheese

Spread hummos on both slices of bread, as you would mayo. Sprinkle the feta onto one slice. Top with basil leaves (I used 2 large ones). Add the chopped veggies as you like. Put on the other slice of bread and press down so items don't pop out as you eat.

I went ahead and chopped up a lot of veggies and put the leftovers in a tupperware container so I could make the same sandwich tomorrow!

I wish I could show you a picture, but we can't find our camera. I hope we didn't lose it somewhere between Kentucky and New York! Trust me, it's a purdy sammich!

What's your excuse?

Mine was I was too busy, in a bad mood, exhausted and didn't really even care anyway. Food tasted good, I didn't feel like saying no to anything, I'd rather check my Facebook page than go for a run.

This morning, I strapped on my brand new (expensive, but worth it) running shoes and hit the pavement. Later today, when I pass the ridiculously delicious and cheap bakery, I will keep on walking. Tonight, after the baby goes to sleep, I might relax and watch TV, but I will not eat.

I am not doing this to be thinner. I am doing this to feel better. And I do. Already.

So, what's your excuse?

We're baaaaaaaaaaaaaack...

Well, we're not officially back until June, but some of us have decided to get a head start before then. Something about the impending swimsuit season has kicked out butts...in a good way.

These first two weeks are just for bragging rights. And right now, it seems NS has the most to brag about! Here are our stats:

NS: 1.4%
Mama Drama: .9%
Mama J: .5%
JS: .2%

Keep up the good work, everyone! We'll be in those thongs in no time!

This could happen to you...

...and if it does, don't you want your butt to look good?




ps... I love Paula Deen :)

Weight-Loss Wednesday 2/11/09

Every Wednesday we will post our percentage losses. We want to keep our actual weight to ourselves and to make the competition fair we will use our weight loss percentage only. To learn how to calculate your percentage of weight lost, go to http://www.freedieting.com/tools/weight_loss_calculator.htm and use the Percentage Loss Calculator at the bottom of the page.

On the first Wednesday of the month, we will also post photo updates.

Sorry for the late update... We've added wind storm to our many crazy weather events lately and I was a bit distracted today. JS is still maintaining a good lead and the rest of the board was a little shuffled around. Let's all kick it in to high gear this last 3 weeks!!! Good work!!!

JS: 5.46%
NG: 4.25%
Alex: 4%
Mama J.: 3.8%
NS: 3.76%
BG: 3.53%
Mama Drama: 3.31%


~NG

Motivation...

Let's stay focused and heed the words of these great motivators!

Weight-Loss Wednesday 2/4/09

Every Wednesday we will post our percentage losses. We want to keep our actual weight to ourselves and to make the competition fair we will use our weight loss percentage only. To learn how to calculate your percentage of weight lost, go to http://www.freedieting.com/tools/weight_loss_calculator.htm and use the Percentage Loss Calculator at the bottom of the page.

On the first Wednesday of the month, we will also post photo updates.

We've made it through the first half of the challenge! Congratulations for making it this far! JS has pulled out to a substancial lead. WAY TO GO!!!! And, I am equally proud of Mama J, BG, NS, and myself for doing well despite being without power for a week. There was no point counting going on with BG and I. We had McDonald's, Papa Johns... you name it!

JS: 6.0%
Mama Drama: 4.70%
NG: 4.01%
Alex: 4%
Mama J.: 3.8%
NS: 3.62%
BG: 2.85%

We are still working on gathering our 1 month after pictures and I'll post those later. I'm so proud of all of you!!! Keep up the good work!

~NG

Laughing burns calories, right?

So we've had a week off and now we're back on track. While we're compiling all the weight losses, I'll share this video with you. Yes, it's 6th grade humor, but it's pretty funny and should make you laugh.




~NG

ICING.... and I don't mean the good kind...

Unfortunately, Weight-Loss Wednesday is having to be postponed due to um.... well ICE. Most of us here in the Ohio Valley do not have power. BG and I (NG) are at some friends' house and waiting for for our power to come back on which may take a few days.

Another big bummer is all our competitors will have a major advantage on us and we've been eating pretty rotten. Pizza... grilled cheese... popcorn... McDonald's.... we're in grease heaven over here. We're not pigging out though and we're trying to keep it at a minimum.

So, please say a prayer for our safety and that we all get power back soon. We'll keep you posted!

When the going gets tough...

Times have been trying in the Brooklyn Baby Household recently. There's a myriad of reasons why I've been stressed. One of them is Stella's been sick, which means nobody's sleeping.

No sleep = bad decisions for Mama Drama. Don't be surprised if I remain on the bottom after tomorrow's weigh-in. That's all I'm saying.

On the upside, my wii fit is incredible, and for some reason, even if I've eaten relatively poorly, I always work out. My back feels almost normal for the first time in a year!

Ugh...dreading the scale, dreading the scale...

Weight-Loss Wednesday 1/21/09

Every Wednesday we will post our percentage losses. We want to keep our actual weight to ourselves and to make the competition fair we will use our weight loss percentage only. To learn how to calculate your percentage of weight lost, go to http://www.freedieting.com/tools/weight_loss_calculator.htm and use the Percentage Loss Calculator at the bottom of the page.

On the first Wednesday of the month, we will also post photo updates.


Alright! We've conquered another week and it looks like there's been some serious shrinkin' going on! Alex is our winner this week! Congratulations!!! It goes to show you, it's anybody's game!

Alex: 4%
JS: 3.93%
NG: 3.76%
NS: 3.62%
Mama J.: 3.45%
BG: 2.85%
Mama Drama: 2.21%

Keep it up and keep your eye on the ULTIMATE prize: how great you'll feel when you achieve your first goal! Good luck!!!

~NG

Alex's inspiration

These are two pictures of me. sometimes it's hard to integrate them, to look at both and know that they are both of ME.

I suspect i have a touch of body dysmorphic disorder since I can't tell visually when i'm gaining weight, and i couldn't tell how thin i was when i was down to my thinnest.

The first picture is probably from 2001. The second picture is 2005. i miss 2005 me, but I feel like Harry Potter with the Patronus charm... i know i can do this because i've already seen myself do it. -alex

Some Inspiration from Spongebob Squarepants

NG's Goal Weight....

I want to look like this again:



I found this picture this morning while cleaning out my office. I was 15 and at my skinniest. This was the eve of a very scary, crazy, chaotic time in my life that started a downward spiral of my health and fitness. I want to undo what I've done to myself and get back to that healthier weight so I can be active and full of life again.

~NG

Celebrating with a drink... of coffee!!

Ok, I have been alcohol-free for over a week now, but I've had a little caffeine here and there. This morning Don and I are watching the inauguration coverage and i would have loved to have had Mimosas to celebrate, but instead... we made coffee. Delicious, caffeinated coffee. I had forgotten how much i love herbal tea, and have been enjoying it these last few chilly days, but cozying up on the couch watching people celebrate in D.C. with a cup of trader joe's coffee is exactly what I wanted.

I don't want to jinx anything, but I am following this eating plan to the T (other than the caffeine, ok, ok) and unlike the last time i tried to follow induction, it is WORKING! I feel amazing and I'm already seeing great results on the scale. I wish I had taken my measurements but i forgot. It's so encouraging, and so are all of you.

Happy Inauguration Day!!! I hope everyone is somewhere today where they can witness this historic, awesome event. Did you all know Obama is being sworn in on Lincoln's Bible? Eeeee chills!

From the desk of Mama J....

This post is from Mama J, I am at NG's on her computer and I don't know how to switch users!! I just had two more teeth pulled and my mouth is numb so I can't eat. Hope I don't make up for it tomorrow. I am so hungry!!!!! P.S. I love Ginger's picture.

~Mama J.

WW Spanish Tortilla

BG and I (NG) made this last week and it was a huge family hit! Best part? It's REALLY low in points. According to the Weight Watchers Complete Cookbook, it has 2 points per 1/4 of the pan!!! That ends up being a big plate full! It was delicious! ENJOY!!!

Spanish Tortilla

Ingredients
2 tsp olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 medium cooked, diced potatoes
1 10 on package chopped spinach, thawed, and squeezed dry
1 C egg substitute
2 Tbl finely chopped parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/4 tsp thyme
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

Directions
In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil and saute the onions until golden, about 7 minutes
Add the garlic; cook, stirring 1 minute longer.

Stir in the potatoes, spinach and egg substitute, parsley, salt pepper, thyme and nutmeg
Reduce heat to medium low and cook covered until set and browned on bottom, about 10 minutes.

Loosen edges with knife and invert onto a warm platter or serve directly from skillet.

~NG

It's always someone's birthday!

my biggest struggle with Atkins (and any diet, really) is that pretty much anywhere we go with friends, there is drinking involved.

I do not drink-to-get-drunk, but since the last time i was on atkins i was drinking pretty much only rum or vodka, my tolerance is through the roof, and i've noticed in the past couple of months that i could go out and have four margaritas and not really feel *dronk*. this leads to a lot of incredibly unneccessary sugar ingestion, and i'm sure that those margaritas and beer have lead to at least 20% of the weight i've gained.

Since monday, i've been to two functions where i have to say "No, I'm not pregnant, I'm on Atkins." you should see people's faces light up when i say i'm not drinking!! oy. now i say it before anyone can ask.

Last night for a birthday party, we even brought a chocolate-chocolate cake from the legendary bakery down the street, which we had heard so much about but hadn't tried yet. i only tasted it, and WOW it was delicious. but i only had that taste, and today i was still losing weight.

I feel really great. and today, husband and i are going down to a new gym that's opening up close by. they're having a really great pre-opening sale, the price is unbelieveable and this gym is huge! i miss going to the gym. i can't believe i'm saying that!

Thanks for including me in this challenge, it's a real kick in the pants. i've been ignoring my issues for so long because of all the crazy things life has thrown my way... but i realize now that it may not let up. there will always be some issue, some loss, some struggle that will make me say to myself "oh, well now you deserve to eat. it makes you feel better, and you need to feel better." that voice doesn't want me to be happy or healthy, it just wants food!

all the best to you all over the weekend!

A WW Suggestion and a Request

Afternoons are the danger zone for Mama Drama. I eat a healthy breakfast, a lovely lunch, I might have a piece of fruit for a snack here or there, but when 3pm hits, I want to shovel a mountain of food in my mouth. It's easy to tell myself I need the calories because I'm breastfeeding, but my chunky little girl will be just fine without them.

So I've discovered the majesty of Fiber One bars. At just 2 points, they barely make a dent into my daily allowance. They also satisfy both my need for crunch and my need for chocolate. Best of all, they are filling due to all the fiber (9 grams), which is apparently really important for women who are dieting.

Now, a request: we just got a crock pot! So, does anyone have any good WW recipes for my new contraption???

WW Chocolate Cupcakes

1 box of Devil's Food cake mix
1 can of diet coke (I use Coke Zero)
Mix and pour into cupcake papers. Bake for 15-20 mins.



2 points per cupcake..... THEY ARE YUM and MOIST!!!!!!


Take that low-carbers!

~NG

Weight-Loss Wednesday 1/14/09

Every Wednesday we will post our percentage losses. We want to keep our actual weight to ourselves and to make the competition fair we will use our weight loss percentage only. To learn how to calculate your percentage of weight lost, go to http://www.freedieting.com/tools/weight_loss_calculator.htm and use the Percentage Loss Calculator at the bottom of the page.

On the first Wednesday of the month, we will also post photo updates.

Well, our first week of the challenge has come to a close and it looks like we were all very successful!!! Congratulations to everyone on doing some serious shrinkin' this week, but a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS goes to JS for having the largest percentage loss this week!

JS -- 3.93%
Mama J. -- 3.19%
NS -- 3.13 %
Mama Drama -- 2.48%
NG -- 2.39%
BG -- 2.08%
Alex -- 1.6%

By the way... all our teammates are now on the first Weight-Loss Wednesday Post so you can meet them!

~NG

We're All In This Together!

So, as we're all figuring up our percentages this morning and beginning our 2nd week of the challenge, I thought I'd give us a little inspiration!




~NG

Temptation Tuesday!

So... yesterday as I drove to a meeting at our church, I passed a local donut shop. To my surprise the place was PACKED... on a Monday at 8:45 am. This is January, right? Unofficial National Diet Month? I chuckled to myself, "Perhaps the donut shops have an increase in business just like the gyms and diet clubs. People start new diets, then binge on donuts." :)

There is ALWAYS breakfast at this bi-monthly meeting we have at church. Usually, there is a casserole or two, lots of fruit, perhaps some bagels, juice, and of course.... donuts. On this first meeting in January, I expected there to be perhaps a few naughty items, but mostly healthy as most of us are watching our figures these days. To my HORROR, I found this when I entered the room:



Along side the FOUR boxes of yummy donuts was a small platter of grapes and pineapple. I sighed and said to myself, "You can do this! Just eat the fruit and forget about the melt-in-your-mouth donuts...." Just then, a friend walked in the room and said, "Hey! I have a couple weight watcher quiches in the oven!" The angels sang and the clouds parted. Here was a girl who understood! YEAH!!!

The quiches were quite yummy and I never missed the donuts. Next time, I'll try to eat a banana or something before going so I won't be as hungry.

How about you? Do you have a story of resisting temptation in dieting? Share with us and the best story will earn 1000 Shrinkin' points!!!

~NG

Dieting Tips from 30 Rock...

Skip forward to 1:32... That's ONE way to dine-out and watch those calories! BG and I (NG) laughed hysterically at this part the other night.

Disclaimer: This is a joke... not REAL dieting advice!

~NG

NG ate McDonald's for Breakfast...

Now... before you gasp and sigh, "She's fallen off the wagon," let me explain.

I dropped my daughter off at preschool this morning and needed to work on some things at our church. I had neglected to take the time to drink my coffee or eat my bowl of cereal this morning and was beginning to feel hungry. As I said in a previous post, my biggest problem is skipping early meals and then binging later so I decided to head to McDonald's to get a coffee and see if there was ANYTHING I could eat that wouldn't ruin my points for the day.

When I rolled down my window, the overwhelming smell of bacon hit my nose. It's sweet perfume almost making me forget what I had originally come for. As I quickly gazed over the menu for SOMETHING, ANYTHING that would possibly have under 5 points and provide some nutrition, the parfait on the dollar menu caught my eye. Sure, I'd ordered it before... but it was probably only to feed my daughter when she was younger and had yet to develop her craving for chicken mcnuggets. I ordered the parfait and a medium coffee with cream and splenda. Total cost: $2.37 versus the 5 bucks or more I used to spend on a value meal with one of those high sugar coffee drinks. It was tasty and a good substitute for the greasy bacon, egg, and cheese bagel that I REALLY wanted. I debated about whether to add the granola packet.... did it have too much sugar? Had McDonald's added lard to it in an attempt to make something healthy, unhealthy? I was a bit concerned. Once home, I looked online to see how many points I'd racked up. To my surprise, the parfait WITH granola was only 3! And the cream for my coffee only added 1 or 2 points (I'll count it as 2 to be safe).

Moral of the story, there are SOME healthy things to eat at McDonald's and you can resist the temptation of a greasy breakfast sandwich. If I can do it, anybody can!

~NG

ps... Still waiting for CERTAIN team members to upload photos and send me their stuff. I'll re post the "Weight-Loss Wednesday" when I have all of their information back. Be on the lookout for more great recipes and food tips from the other team members!

Weight-Loss Wednesday 1/7/09

Every Wednesday we will post our percentage losses. We want to keep our actual weight to ourselves and to make the competition fair we will use our weight loss percentage only. To learn how to calculate your percentage of weight lost, go to http://www.freedieting.com/tools/weight_loss_calculator.htm and use the Percentage Loss Calculator at the bottom of the page.

On the first Wednesday of the month, we will also post photo updates.



For our first "Weight-Loss Wednesday" we are introducing our readers to the team including photos, goals, and some basic information.


Alex Before:

I have gained a startling amount of weight in just over a year. A few years ago, I lost a lot of weight on atkins, but at the top of 2008 I tried weight watchers. Bless all of you, i know some peopleswear by it but it discouraged me and i quit. So, i'm back on induction and doing it right, no caffeine, noaspartame, no alcohol. BUT, I just noticed some dumb fiber supplement I was taking had extra non -fiber carbs!!! I'm cutting those out as of today, wed jan 14th. Very annoyed. I'm looking forward to getting my butt in gear. I don't have much in the way of exercise so i need to really get my butt in gear there, but i do do the wii fit and i love the hula hooping! i'm up to 6 minutes and about to try the 10. I feel a side cramp coming on.


NS Before:


This is NS. She's a really cool chick who's capable of blowing away the competition in this weight-loss challenge. NS is choosing to do a low-carb diet to get her weight off. Like the rest of us, she's most excited about getting healthy!



JS Before:

This is JS. He's hilarious and a force to be reckoned with in this competition. JS is also on a low-carb diet and knows several tricks and recipes to get through the tough first weeks.


Mama J Before:

Hey, I'm Mama J. I'm hoping to loose 11.33 % of my body weight for this challenge. I had put back on 14 pounds since the last time we had a weight-loss challenge (that I won, by the way), so I'm thankful to nip this in the bud for my health.....and the money wouldn't hurt.


Mama Drama Before:

I'm excited to really begin a weightloss regime after months of whining and complaining! I want to lose 10% of my body weight by the end of the challenge, and 12% by April 14th, my daughter's birthday, so I can be at my nice pre-pregnancy weight. (Finally!) Hopefully the only drama this mama will have will be the pounds melting off quickly and easily. (Yeah...right!)


NG Before:

I am NG and administrator of this here weight-loss blog. My goal for this first challenge (ending March 4th) is to drop 12.83 % of my body weight. If I do that I will feel like a million bucks! My second goal is to be MUCH healthier and fit for our Walt Disney World trip in May!



BG Before:

I am BG, and I am fat. My goal is to lose as least 10% of my weight by March 4th. Of course, I want to win this contest, but more importantly I want to lose weight and feel better. I have done many diets….Atkins, South Beach and Weight Watchers, so I know I can do it if I put my mind to it. My ultimate goal is to lose about 50 lbs by this time next year!


I am still waiting on the rest of the crew to send me their pics, goals, and info. So check back for updates to this post!

~NG

NG's lunch.....

My biggest problem is that during the day I am so busy with kiddos and cleaning and running errands that I honestly forget to eat breakfast and sometimes lunch... then when dinner hits I eat seconds and thirds followed by a 10pm snack of something horrifically fattening and full of sugar. So, to start this diet off right I MADE myself sit down for a bowl of high fiber cereal for breakfast and I am now sitting down to lunch.

Lunch is always an issue because I either eat fast food with my mom, or as I said earlier, I skip the meal because I'm too busy doing 1000 other things to fix myself something. Today, I racked my brain for what to make. I had pasta and ingredients for a healthy sandwich but I didn't want either. What I came up with is something that others may not enjoy, but I am LOVING...

I call it.... Warm Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad. I took an entire bag of frozen broccoli and cauliflower, steamed it on the stove top (using one of those little steaming do-dads), put it in a bowl and topped it with some fat-free Italian dressing. It's yum. And I'm kicking butt on my veggie/fruit count for the day! Wooo-whoo!!!

~NG

Here We Go!!!!!!!!

Hello... Today is January 6th, 2009. As many others in the world, we are recovering from binge eating over the holiday season and will be beginning a hard-core diet regiment tomorrow. Some of us will be using Weight Watchers, while others will take the low-carb approach.

However we choose to loose weight, we are in this together. The challenge: to loose as much body percentage as we can between now and March 4th. All of us in this challenge are putting in $20.00 and the person achieving the largest percentage weight loss by March 4th will win the entire pot... somewhere in the neighborhood of $160 depending on how many more join our challenge.

Tomorrow the challenge officially begins. My last meal will be pancakes and some leftover Christmas candy :)... Please comment with what your last meal will be and say goodbye to the days of eating until you approach a diabetic coma. We're fixin' to SHRINK!

~NG