Weight Loss Success Story

I just came across this blog and thought it might be something interesting to read. She has some good tips that might work for each of us.

www.kevinandamanda.com

P.S.

By the "weigh". I made it to 126#!!YEAH for Nik!!

goal

I'm basically at my goal, so I guess now it's just maintainance. I fluctuate about 3 lbs up than back down. I'm happy with my weight, finally!! I'm just not getting regular excercise anymore because we've been landscaping. I've been heaving around ginormous rocks, but that's not quite the same as my elliptical and bike. So, back to fitting in a bit of cardio at least 4 days each week. I'm just feeling great that I can steal Kelsey's clothes!! I even fit into her size 6 American Eagle Skinny Flares. It drives her NUTS!!!! Heee, Heee!!!!

OK GUYS! I'M DOWN ANOTHER POUND- 140, BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I SHOULD BE CLOSE TO MY GOAL. WE ALL NEED TO GET BACK ON TRACK! MY GOAL FOR NEXT WEEK- 138!

Motivation Anyone?

Man, with the Biggest Loser done and over with I'm not motivated at all. It looks like everyone else has plateaued as well. Any ideas to get re-motivated?

Pledge #2

Liv's Pledge for May 12th - 2 pounds (wimpy, I know, but I need to be realistic)

LIV- I LIKE YOUR IDEA OF A PLEDGE EACH WEEK. I WAS ACTUALLY UP A POUND AND A HALF A WEEK AGO BUT TOOK IT BACK OFF THIS WEEK. SO MY TICKER IS ACCURATE. MY PLEDGE FOR THIS WEEK IS TWO POUNDS. THAT WOULD PUT ME ABOUT 141ISH. I'D REALLY LIKE TO BE UNDER 140 BY THE TIME WE GET TO MONTANA. I JUST HAVE TO REMEMBER HOW GOOD IT FEELS TO FEEL EMPTY BUT NOT HUNGRY.

A Pledge

Okay people, I need to get serious here. So I'm going to make a pledge. I'm actually up a couple pounds this morning due to the fact that we have homemade bread in the house - never a good thing. We'll see if this helps me stay motivated for the week. If so I might pledge every week.

Liv's pledge for next week: 3 pounds

Food Blog

Our Best Bites. This is by far my favorite food blog I've found so far. I've only tried a few recipes but they've all turned out great. These ladies know how to cook. Last night we had THIS for dinner. We made the salad at the bottom of the page with the fabulous Bermuda Vinagraitte dressing. The dressing is good enough to drink...sweet but not overpowering. Look around on their blog...there is some yummy yummy stuff, not all of it is healthy but they have a lot of variety.

Actually I think I'll add their button to the side of our blog.

WOW

Look at us go! Great job mom and dad! Sammy, only 15# to go. Do you realize that as a whole, we've lost over 130 lbs. Keep it up!

WHILE IN TUCSON WITH LORI WHEN SHE TOOK BRITT TO THE AIRPORT I FOUND THE BEST BRA! I DECIDED ON A WHIM THAT SINCE WE WERE IN TUCSON I'D TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOME SHOPPING. MY TWO BRAS ARE 100 YEARS OLD OR SO AND I WAS GETTING DESPERATE. LOR AND I HAVE A HORRIBLE TIME FINDING A DESCENT BRA THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE TORPEDO THING GOING ON. SO WE WENT INTO MACY'S (NEVER SHOPPED IN A MACY'S) AND THEY HAD ALL THEIR "MINIMIZERS" IN ONE PLACE NO MATTER THE BRAND. EVEN THOUGH I HAD REMOVED THE TAGS ON MY OLD BRAS, I'M PRETTY SURE THEY ARE "PLAYTEX." SO I ASK FOR A PLAYTEX MINIMIZER. SHE GAVE ME A DISGUSTED LOOK AND SAID THEY DON'T CARRY PLAYTEX. BUT SHE DIRECTED ME TO THE ONE BRA THAT SHE SAID, "YOU'LL NEVER WEAR ANOTHER BRA ONCE YOU'VE HAD ONE OF THESE." I TRIED IT ON AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS REALLY NICE. NEVER DO I GET A FIT LIKE THAT WITH A BRA, ESPECIALLY ON THE FIRST TRY. SO I LOOK AT THE PRICE TAG AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT SAYS $68.00, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE MY GLASSES ON AND THOUGHT I'D READ IT WRONG. I HADN'T! SO I GO BACK AND ASK TO LOOK AT A COUPLE MORE. I THINK SHE WAS DISAPPOINTED. BUT I FOUND TWO OTHERS THAT LOOKED SIMILAR FOR HALF THE MONEY. THE "BALI" FIT BEAUTIFULLY, EVEN BETTER THAN THE EXPENSIVE ONE. PLUS IT'S SOFTER AND MORE COMFORTABLE. $34.00! IF I'D BOUGHT TWO, I COULD HAVE GOTTEN THEM BOTH FOR ABOUT FIFTY BUCKS. I TRIED TO CONVINCE LORI SHE NEEDS A BRA BUT ENDED UP JUST GETTING ONE. I'M AFRAID IF I HAVE A COUPLE OF REALLY COMFY 36 D'S, I WON'T WANT TO LOSE ANY MORE WEIGHT. NOW I KNOW YOU DON'T EVEN WEAR A BRA ANY MORE NIK, BUT LIVA THIS IS A "BALI PASSION FOR COMFORT" MINIMIZER IF YOU NEED A BRA.

Aar Bear

Is Aaron dead?

A GOOD WAYS TO GO YET- WAIST TO GO, THIGHS TO GO, BOOBS TO GO

scales?

O.K., tell me this, I weigh 133# on my electronic scale at home but just weighed at Dr. Schutte's this afternoon and it read 128#!! What the heck. His is a balance scale. I weighed on it in Jan. and it said 152#, so it can't be off. Anyhow, I don't know what my actual weight is. Aren't the balance scales the most accurate? I certainly don't mind being 128#. I always felt like my doctor's balance scales weighed me heavy. Maybe I just was really heavy!! Anyway, it was nice to see that low number!!!!! Doesn't really matter, because my size 8 American Eagle jeans are really nice and comfy, actually a bit loose!!! Sam and I have decided it's all about how good we feel (and how much easier it is to hike around in the back country)!!!!

LIFE HAS A WAY OF DRAGGING ME OUT OF MY ROUTINE OF GOING TO BED EARLY, GETTING UP EARLY, EATING NO SUGAR, CUTTING CALORIES, AND EXERCISING REGULARLY. SO I'M GONNA TRY SOMETHING TO GET BACK ON TRACK. I GOT UP THIS MORNING AND REALIZED IT'S THURSDAY. THURSDAY IS THE DAY I STARTED A PROGRAM THE YEAR I GOT TO MY DESIRED WEIGHT AND STAYED THERE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. SO I LIKE THURSDAYS. ANYWAY, I SAT DOWN AND WROTE OUT A MENU FOR ONE WEEK. I WILL REPEAT IT FOR THE NEXT MONTH. THIS IS JUST TO GET MYSELF GOING SO I CAN MAYBE STAY ON TRACK. WE'LL SEE HOW IT WORKS. ANYBODY SEE BIGGEST LOSER TUE. I WISH NICOLE COULD HAVE STAYED A COUPLE MORE WEEKS, BUT SHE SEEMS TO BE DOING JUST FINE AT HOME. EXPECT HER TO TAKE THE $100.000 PRIZE. SAMMY- I DREAMED ABOUT YOU LAST NIGHT. I THINK CAUSE I TALKED TO NIK RIGHT BEFORE GOING TO BED. ANYWAY, IN MY DREAM YOU WERE AMAZINGLY SLIM AND LOOKIN' GOOD. KEEP IT UP! HOPE YOUR VAN SURVIVED TIMMY'S BOO BOO LIVA.

HELLO? Anyone out there?

Sorry, I clicked enter and it posted my title before I could add my post. Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone wanted to send pix of weight loss in the near future. Maybe, if we set a date, it will help motivate. I want to see everyone as they progress through the weight loss journey. If not that's fine too! Keep up the work and tune in to Biggest Loser tonight!!!

Pix's anyone

still losing!

Hey y'all. I'm at the 135# mark, so that means I'm down to the last 10 pounds!!!! I'm so excited about finally reaching this goal. I've lost it slowly too, so my body is already adjusted to the change. I really don't have cravings anymore and the kids are getting older, so it's easier to excercise on a regular basis. Anyhow, it's really satisfying to know that this will hopefully be the only time I will have to lose this kind of weight. Normally, I maintain my desired weight within 5 lbs. It's not difficult for me, but losing 29 lbs is not something I ever want to do again!!!!! 5 back to back pregnancies were not very nice to me! Now, that I'm done with all that, maintainance will be fairly easy. Anyhow, I hope everyone else is making this a life change! Sammy is down to 202 lbs. Going under the 200 mark will be very satisfying for him. Wow, he looks so small, it's really strange. Keep us posted on your successes and any other news. Love you all!!!

9 DOWN, 27 TO GO

DO YOU LOVE THE OPEN LID?

106# FAMILY WEIGHT LOSS

106 # FAMILY WEIGHT LOSS!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAN WE BE PROUD OR WHAT?

My Slow Progress

Well I look okay but I still got a pretty big belly. But I have built a lot of muscle in my legs and I am not afraid to ware shorts. With track starting I am hoping to lose a lot of weight but I really need to change my diet. That is my main problem (isn't it everybodies). Anyway just wanted to show off my progress.
~Katie S.

Sexier

Sexy

Hey y'all!

I'm soooo excited! I went to my Doc Schutte app. last week and he was shocked that I'd lost 16 lbs. He was so impressed with the muscle tone in my legs and my overall strength!! I'm just stoked. I'm doing 20-30 min on the elliptical and 20 min on the recumbant bike at least 4 times each week plus weights and situps etc. The weight isn't dropping very fast, but I had so much to make up in the muscle building department. Hopefully, I'll start seeing a nice steady weight loss again. Anyhow, I hope everyone else is still onboard, because Sam and I are in for some serious butt kicken'!!!!!!!!!!!!! He does a hard 60 min. on the elliptical 5 days a week. He's nearing the 200# mark! WhoooHoo!!! He looks FAntAStiC!!! And I must say, I do too! Kels posted a pix, but for some reason it didn't go. We'll try it again. We also need to know what the winner gets. Sam thinks it should be an all expense paid trip to AZ. Heehee!

Cute pics

I don't even remember posting these. I don't why I put them here but I'll leave them. It's easier than moving them to the Diesen blog.
I have been a really good girl all week except for yesterday and I swear I gained 2 pounds. You'd think with all the walking and bouncing around to keep Rachel happy I'd be dropping pounds like crazy. Instead I'm just tired.

Alive?

Where is everybody? The blogosphere has been quiet.

kids!

So, I'm standing buck naked in my bathroom getting changed to go work out. I'm feeling rather good about my weight loss and how nice my upper body is starting to look when I hear Turner coming towards my bathroom. I leaned over my sink to grab a quick drink of water before I put my workout clothes on and I notice Turner is in my doorway. It took only 2 words to completely bring me into reality.
Turner, " EWWWW....YUCK!!!"
I turn around and he's looking me up and down with a very serious and disgusted look.
I laughed and said, "What!"
Turner, "Yuck!"
Now that's brutal honesty!! What a Turd!!

Cadbury Mini Eggs...mmm

Nice pix Suzy. I think next week everyone should post a picture on weigh in day just so we have them on record and we can look back at the blog and be like, 'whoa, I looked like a sea lion'! I'm not calling you a sea lion, Suzy, I'm calling myself a sea lion. Sammy is looking fabulous, by the way. Brings a little tear to my eye. Nik looks great too but she's always been able to lose weight when she wants to - I know she won't agree with that. I was inspired after visiting them and have done super good counting calories the last few days. Then the blasted Easter candy showed up. Those dang Cadbury mini eggs. I just took down my Valentines decor and decided it's time for the Easter stuff. I was smart and got some decorative plastic chocolates to go in my glass jar. They're cute and I can't eat them. But then I had to make a Walmart run and impulsively bought a bag of Cadbury mini eggs - for decoration of course. They did make it to the candy dish but didn't last long after that. I ate every single one of them in maybe an hour tops - 1330 calories. That's what happens when I put off cravings for too long. I just go completely crazy. It hasn't translated to the scale yet so I just need to stay away from those things in the future and just get me a wee little candy bar when I have a craving. And get some more plastic candy decorations for my display.

Suzy's Big Whopping 5Lb Loss!

You really want a laugh?

NICE JOB KATIE! KEEP IT UP!

Pilates for the boys

Oh my gosh! Andrew loves watching The Biggest Loser and likes to run around the house and lift my 5 lb weights during commercial breaks. Last night after the show, he was still bouncing off the walls so I asked him if he wanted to do an exercise video with me. He said yes and surprisingly Tim wanted to join in. I decided on my Billy Blanks Tae Bo video because it has punches and kicks in it and I thought that might be a little more manly for the boys. We didn't get two minutes into that video. I was laughing so hard at Tim he made me shut it off. He is so incredibly uncoordinated! So we switched over to a pilates video. They made it about half way through (a good 30 min) and Tim is pretty sore today. I think we're going to try to do this every night or at least every other night. I just can't watch Tim when he does it because I get the giggles.

YAHHOO!!!

Kuddos to Niki, too!!!!!!!! FINALLY, I am under the 140 mark(139). Only took me 5 weeks(average of 3# per week). Not too bad. I feel so much better!!! I'm noticing muscle in my legs again and more definition between ankles,calves and knees. Instead of verging on tree trunk legs(you know what I mean ladies)!! My hips and butt are shrinking, too!!!! I think we should all post a before, midway and after picture!! I'm hoping to feel comfortable in a swimsuit this summer!! Good luck to everyone and love you lots!!!!

KUDOS HAROLDO AND SAMMY!

I THINK THIS SOUP HAS ABOUT 2 CALORIES

Seriously I don't think this has too many calories. It's pretty mild in taste but has a good flavor. Also Chris just added sirachi (sp) sauce as usual.

Tong Tong

ABOUT 3 LBS BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST
FRESH GINGER (I grated about 1 inch off a finger of ginger)
GARLIC
BEAN THREAD NOODLES (Fry's didn't have any so I just used
1 BUNCH BOK CHOY (chopped up leaves and all - big chunks
4 1/2CUPS WATER
1 T CHICKEN BOUILLON
PEPPER


Combine chicken, ginger, water, water, bouillon, and pepper. Simmer til cooked. Throw the bok choy in and cook til tender.
Soak bean noodles in hot water until soft.

Add to the pot.

Serve over rice

I couldn't find bean thread noodles at Frys and was too lazy to go to the Oriental market so I left those out and added some oriental style wheat noodles (they cook up a little softer than regular Italian type pasta) and served it without the rice.

Spicy Hot Chicken Soup

4 boneless chicken breasts (2lbs)
2 TB Oil
2 medium onions, minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2-1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp powdered ginger
8 cups water
1-2 TB chicken soup base
3/4 lb egg noodles
2 scallions (green onions)

Chop the chicken and brown. Add onion and garlic. Cook about 5 min. Add the pepper, ginger. Start with the smallest amount of pepper. Add more at the end if desired. Add water and soup base. Simmer at least 20 min. Cook the noodles til almost done. Add to the pot and let stand about 5 min. Serve topped with scallions.

Powdered ginger is a distinctly different flavor than fresh ginger. In this recipe you want to use the powdered. The first time I made this I used pepper flakes instead of cayenne and I think I liked it better that way. Also the first time I made it I scrounged for Ramen flavor packets for the soup base and the second time I just used bullion. I found the soup base tastes better.

I also found that all the onions that make this so good are not so good for Rachel. Darn it.

just checking in!

Hey, everyone! Great job on the weigh in. Good to see Katy's joined in, great job Katy!! Set a realistic goal for next Tuesday guys and get out and excercise! Love you all and miss you tons!!

Liv's Recipe of the Day

I'm getting back to using my slow cooker more often and have this heating up as we speak. I haven't tried this recipe before but I can tell just from tasting it as I was putting it together that it's going to be FaNtAsTiC.


I love my slow cooker! I can put something in it in the morning and dinner is done! I don't have to worry about throwing something together in the evening and try to time it so it's still warm when Tim get's home - and I never know when that's going to be so it's very frustrating. Because of his schedule we gradually were eating later and later, sometimes 10 at night! With the slow cooker Andrew and I can eat earlier in the evening (not that he's going to eat this soup!) and whenever Tim gets home dinner is still nice and warm. If you don't have a slow cooker, get one! But you can simmer this in a regular pot also. I also love the slow cooker because come dinner time you don't have dirty pots and pans piled up in the kitchen.

You can add meat to this recipe if you want but I left it as is. And Aaron, you can make it vegetarian friendly by using veggie broth. I added a couple of chopped up parsnips because I love them and pretty much anything that calls for carrots can have a few parsnips too. I'm passing on the rice because it's just unneccessary. I can't wait until it's done tonight. Mmmmm....

BIGGEST LOSER TONIGHT!

WAY TO GO LIVA! YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY!

WEIGH-IN DAY CHRIS, REEVES, TIMMY, AND SQUIRT.

MOTIVATION

Amy and Jen

Way to go Nik! Way to go ME!

WEIGH IN

Hey guys. Buck naked weigh in day!!! Whoo Hoo!! Get out the weights and yoga mat tonight. I find a great time to work out is during Biggest Loser!! It really motivates me. Well, and I just feel really skinny next to those guys! Good luck, everyone!

Obama Taking Oath Messed Up By Roberts

I'm so excited. Thanks Aaron for helping me figure out why I couldn't upload videos to the blog. Now I just need to remember to upload to the right one. I don't know if I can move it. Aaron? Help!

Tip of the Day That's Been Working for Dad

Don't eat past your evening meal and eat your evening meal early.

Suzy's Tip of the Day

Brush your teeth after every meal and after every snack. Any time you put something in your mouth head to the bathroom and brush your teeth.

Weigh In

Don't forget to weigh in tomorrow - TUESDAY the 20th, first thing in the morning buck naked.

Liv's Tip of the Day

Nik was wondering about tips cause she has gained a pound. I haven't lost squat yet because I'm just barely getting motivated but earlier in the year when I lost 25 pounds FIBER was a huge part of my diet. Jenny mentioned fiber also being a big part of how she lost weight. Fiber is fabulous. I was eating a lot of foods naturally high in fiber and also using milled flax seed which you can add to just about anything to pump up your fiber intake. I like to have a berry and yogurt smoothie after I work out and I always pour some flax seed in with it. You can get flax seed in the baking aisle next to the flour and stuff. It worked for me once, so I'm now getting back on the fiber bandwagon.

SparkPeople

Jenny sent me the link for SparkPeople which I have up on the sidebar. I haven't looked at it a whole bunch but it's very similar to Weight Watchers except it's free. I think we all know how to lose weight, it's just a matter of doing it. But if you want to check out SparkPeople it looks like a pretty nice site.

Weight Loss Tickers

Yo Fam. Just click on your own ticker and update your numbers. You don't have to repaste the html code. Just change the numbers, hit next and it will update on the blog automatically. You can also change whether you want it to track your weight or your weight change.