Weekly Weigh In

Ryan-This week I'm down 5 pounds. Last weeks gain was hard on me and I'm thankful for loosing this week. I still haven't lost a full 5 pounds, only 1 more to go! Hopefully next Friday I will be at 6 pounds!
Week: -5
Total: -4
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Lesli- This week I lost 0 pounds. This week I gained 0 pounds. When I saw that my weight hadn't gone either way I had a very different feeling about ZERO this time than I did last. I do know that last week I worked out running and shredding 4 times and stayed within my points for the week. I also began writing down everything that I eat, so I could be completely aware of what I'm putting into my mouth. I can tell that my body is getting stronger everyday, and I'd like to look as good as Jillian, but I'm sure it took her longer than 6 weeks to get where she is today. Even the biggest loser contestants can eat perfect and work out 6 hours a day for a week and only lose 6lbs. The thing is, they work hard and eventually lose a lot more! For any of you that feel like you are working hard and maybe not getting the exact results that you want, I hope that you will let me be an encouragement to you. This is a lifestyle journey and I truly feel that I am living and functioning with a completely different mindset!


Lesli: 0
Total: 5lbs
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Christina: (from Lesli) There will be no weigh in from Christina this week as she had surgery on Tuesday. All the Fat Chicks ask that you keep her in your thoughts and prayers that she'll have a healthy and speedy recovery. We love you sister and miss you!


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Hi! So this week I have to admit to ZERO weight. The good thing is no addition and bad thing is no loss. BUT, my weekend was FULL of activities in which I didn't have control of my food. And then 2 days in a row of eating badly messed with my head. So then Sun, Mon, Tues I had the total munchies. I wasn't hungry, but I just wanted to eat! I'm gonna go on the record AGAIN an say that my overeating is totally mental!

Week: 0

Total: 18

2 Point Breakfast Recipes

Tired of beginning your day with the same old breakfast? Try these easy recipes below!

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Sandwich

Makes 1 serving
POINTS® value 2 per serving

Ingredients
· 1 slice pumpernickel bread
· 1 1/2 tsp reduced-fat cream cheese
· 2 tsp fresh chives, parsley or dill, minced
· 3/4 oz smoked salmon
· 2 thin tomato, red onion and/or cucumber slices
Instructions
1. Spread bread with cream cheese and sprinkle with herbs; top with salmon. Layer with sliced vegetables.

Waffle with Cinnamon-Ricotta Cream

Makes 1 serving
POINTS® value 2 per serving

Ingredients
· 3 Tbsp non-fat ricotta cheese
· 1/8 tsp cinnamon
· 1/2 tsp sugar
· 1 store-bought low-fat waffle, warmed or toasted
· 1 large strawberry, chopped
Instructions
· In a mini food processor or small bowl, whip ricotta cheese with cinnamon and sugar. Top waffle with ricotta cream and strawberries.

Scrambled Egg White Pita

Makes 1 serving
POINTS® value 2 per serving

Ingredients
· 2 sprays cooking spray
· 1/4 cup scallions, chopped
· 3 large egg whites, whipped until frothy
· salt and hot pepper sauce, to taste
· 1 small pita pocket, white or whole wheat
· 2 thin tomato slices
Instructions
· Coat an 8-inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium to medium-high heat. Add scallions to egg whites; pour egg mixture into skillet. Cook until edges just start to set, about 45 seconds to 1 minute. Scramble egg and cook 1 minute more. Flip eggs and cook until done, about 30 seconds more; season with salt and hot pepper sauce.
· Make a slit in pita; fill with eggs and tomato.

Breakfast Burritos

Makes 1 serving
POINTS® value 2 per serving

Ingredients
· 2 four-inch corn tortillas
· 2 Tbsp reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
· 2 Tbsp salsa (or chopped tomatoes)
Instructions
· Preheat broiler or toaster oven to high. Place tortillas on a cookie sheet and top with cheese; broil until cheese melts, about 30 to 60 seconds. Spread salsa (or tomatoes) down center of tortillas and roll up.

Asparagus and Bacon Frittata

Makes 1 serving
POINTS® value 2 per

Ingredients
· 1 oz uncooked reduced-fat bacon (about 2 slices)
· 1/2 cup water
· 1 cup asparagus, cut into bite-size pieces
· 2 sprays olive oil cooking spray
· 3 large egg whites, whipped until very frothy
· salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
· Preheat broiler to high.
· Microwave bacon according to manufacturer instructions; drain, crumble and set aside.
· Fill an 8-inch nonstick skillet three-quarters full with water; cover and bring to a boil. Add asparagus to skillet; cover and cook for 5 minutes. Drain asparagus and place in a bowl of cold water; set aside.
· Off heat, wipe dry same skillet and coat it with cooking spray. Heat over medium to medium-high heat. When hot, add egg whites, bacon and asparagus to skillet. Cook until edges of egg set, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Place under broiler until eggs cook through, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes more. Slide onto plate and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve hot, warm or cold.

I got these recipes from Weightwatchers.com, Hope you enjoy!

FABU FIBER!

Last year when I was Living Great in '08 I began taking fiber upon Dr. Oz's recommendation. I swear I would follow that man right off a cliff, because I believe every word that comes out of his mouth. My typical breakfast is a Kashi Bar, so I eat fiber, but always feel like I should get a little more. Couldn't hurt, right?

My first Fabu Fiber Adventure began with Benefiber. Have any of you ever taken Benefiber? It's the Rolls-Royce of Fiber, my friends! It honestly dissolves perfectly into whatever you pour it in. It has no taste, it is not grainy, it's is invisible fiber perfection!

Benefiber is a little on the expensive side, so I figured I'd try it's very very striped down non-luxury version Metamucil. So not the same. I read the directions and poured a tablespoon into water and figured I'd gulp it down quickly. It is with major regret that I have to inform you that I DIDN'T take a picture of the SLUDGE! Yep, it turned to sludge when I didn't drink it fast enough! SO GROSS!

I've always been the kind of person that like pain though. When I got my nose pierced in college the piercer asked me if I preferred the gun or the needle. I picked the needle. So, with the Metamucil I figured, what the hell, what if I put a tablespoon of it straight into my mouth and then drank the water? I have to say... it wasn't that bad! To me it was much MUCH easier than sludge chugging!

So Ladies, be brave and add some Fabu Fiber to your already healthy diet. And just this once, do NOT feel bad about splurging on the Rolls Royce!

Tweny-Six Year Old Kid.....

Did you all watch Oprah's episode on overweight kids? It seriously made me cry my eyes out. I'm talkin' runny nose, mouth wide open making noises crying. I was not an overweight child, but i was picked on consistently throughout elementary school. I couldn't imagine the things that are said to those kids, but i truly felt their pain.

I started to think about all the things i used to eat as a child, that i wouldn't dream of now....because of the sugar content alone. However, there are a few childhood favorites that have made it back to my refrigerator.....and the best part about it is...they are both ZERO points...

I mean seriously....need i say more? They put sugarfree kool-aid in these completely convenient packages. You just throw the powder in your ice cold bottled water, shake and enjoy. Even though its sugar free, it does not disappoint. I even get a kick out of my whole mouth being red after i drink it....i fear that i am now as addicted to this as i was as a child....

Had it not been for a mandatory 24 hour liquid diet prescribed by my doctor, i don't think i would have ever considered buying popsicles....especially not now while it is still so cold...but it was one of the few items i could eat and I LOVED popsicles as a child... (does anyone remember those cases of 100 popsicle sticks? my brothers and i would go through an entire case in less than a week!) The last thing i wanted to do was to get popsicles loaded with sugar and artificial coloring....of course it was my mother that found the perfect solution....

Not only are these zero points, but they are all natural and delicious. Also, they are great after a workout. When i finish working out, i always feel like i am completely starving. These not only cool me down, but also pacify my appetite until dinner is ready.

Now if they could only make sugarfree Skittles...... :-)

Dottie Warning!

So, it's been brought to our attention that the WW Point values on Dottie's Weight Loss Zone website are not correct. EATER BEWARE!!

I'm sure that sweet Dottie isn't intentionally giving us the wrong values, but her site is quite outdated and restaurant menus change often! Also, she trusts others that send her values, that may or may not be accurate.

The Four Fat Chicks def recommend going to the restaurants website and checking their nutrition guide and calculate the points yourself. The 4 of us are going to keep our own list of our favorite fast food places and of course we will share them with all our faithful followers. Be watching for Chick-Fil-A & Taco Bueno!

Oh, and I had lunch at Applebee's (not usually my favorite place) one day last week and the Grilled Chili-Lime Chicken Salad, was REALLY good. It's 5 points and a very large portion...I didn't even finish it {and I'm a member of the clean your plate club!} I would def recommend it, and will order it again. Here are the details: Grilled chicken breast atop a bed of fresh spinach, tossed with red onions, roasted red peppers, sliced fresh mushrooms and reduced-fat cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Served with a side of chili-lime vinaigrette dressing.

Weekly Weigh In

Ryan-I’m disappointed in myself. I gained 1.5 pounds and I’m feeling discouraged now. Thank goodness I have my 3 girls doing so well to keep me motivated, I’m so proud off ALL OF YOU for loosing this week. I’m really trying hard and I’m trying not to fall off the weight wagon. I know this is a battle and I WILL WIN!


Ry= +1.5 Pounds
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Allie- Hi to all my Fat Chick followers, hope everyone had a great week. Mine was good, I was encouraged by my other girls and was totally flattered when a friend asked me to have lunch with her and help her start WW! We talked all about the food and the points and working out...but my biggest advice to her, and I'll share it again with yall...you HAVE to get the mental aspect in check before you will ever be successful at it. Bob Greene has said it many times and I never understood what he was talking about, UNTIL I actually wrestled with it, and like Ryan said, I'm so happy to say that I WILL win this battle.

Allie week 5: -6lbs.
Total: -18lbs



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Christina - All i have to say is... WONK WONK! I gained 2 pounds this week. Not good! I feel like i sound like a broken record every week talking about my struggle with working out. Lesli gave me a great suggestion during our FFC Conference Call last night.... work out like its your job. That is my goal for the upcoming week. I am going to work out like i am getting paid to do it!



Christina week: +2

Total: -8 pounds

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Lesli - What a difference a week makes! That big fat zero that I logged in last week kicked my ass into high gear. That zero and Jillian Michaels. I've been diligent with my 30 day shred video and after this week I'm going to take it up a notch and add running into my work out routine. As Christina mentioned in her post above, I saw an interview on TODAY with a lady that lost half her weight and was featured in PEOPLE magazine. She talked about working out and she thought of it like her job, therefore she had to do it. When it comes down to it, I don't have hours to devote to the gym every day and I'm sure you don't either, but I certainly have 30 min. Maybe even more if you count up the time I can quickly waste browsing blogs and watching Oprah. I am proud to say that my hard work paid off this week... finally!

Lesli: -4lbs

Total: -5lbs

Something New

The past week has been tough for me; I’m getting burned out on all my “go to” low point meals and snacks. I don’t think I can eat another 2 point hot dog this month! I wanted to switch things up so I started the search for the perfect low point foods and here’s what I have found that I LOVE.

15 Frozen French fries, baked = 3 Points some are 2!

Boca burger with white wheat bun = 2 points

Shrimp cocktail-3 JUMBO shrimp = 1 point

1 Cup of strawberries with 1/2 cup fat free ice cream = 3 points!

1 cup of Mussels (out of shell) = 2 points (These are wonderful if you cooked them in chunky spaghetti sauce

Please don't stop the music!

I've been doing the shred off and on for a month now and I just about have the dialogue memorized like you would for your favorite movie. Honest to gawd, I view Jillian as my personal trainer and that alone has helped me feel motivated and accountable to her. She's going to show up on my TV every day whether I'm there or not.

To break up the monotony of hearing the same instructions and motivational phrases I created a playlist for my iPod to pump me up. You'd be surprised how fast a work out video goes when you don't have to listen to them! "Just take the stairs is a false message of lethargy that isn't doing you any favors!"

So, here's my playlist and for now it's just long enough to get me through a run & the video with NO skips.

Titled: "The Biggest Loser"

1. Proud - The Biggest Loser Theme Song

2. Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it) - Beyonce

3. Stronger - Kanye West

4. Don't Stop the Music - Rhianna

5. SexyBack - Justin Timberlake

6. All Dressed in Love - Jennifer Hudson

7. Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne

8. Every Little Thing She Does is Magic - The Police

9. Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5

10. The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson

11. Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder

Let me just say there is NOTHING like cooling down to What have you done today to make you feel proud! That's only 11 songs though and my goal is for my work outs to get much longer here very soon, so I'm going to need some tunes. The problem is ~ I RARELY listen to the radio. Justin and I don't have the same taste in music, so we listen to ESPN radio or we talk.

I need your help ~ What songs pump you up for a good work out?

Diets don't work.....

" I tried every diet in the book. I tried some that weren't in the book. I tried eating the book. It tasted better than most of the diets." - Dolly Parton

As you know from reading about our journey, we are all committed to not only loosing weight, but to living a completely healthy lifestyle. Diets are only a quick fix, not a solution to your weight loss goals. I love it when i come across helpful tips to aid in not only weight loss, but for maintaining your goal weight after as well. I found this article recently and have been following these five rules. I promise they have made such a difference with my appetite, portion control, and cravings. I hope you find these suggestions as helpful as I did.

1. Break Leftovers Down Instead of using one large container to store leftovers such as casseroles, side dishes, or pasta, why not separate them into individually-sized containers? That way, when you reach in the fridge to find something to reheat, you're retrieving just enough for one helping. Breaking down meal-sized servings into single servings will help you limit your food intake with no additional effort.

2. Say Yes to Salads Eating a salad before lunch or dinner is a sure-fire way to keep from overeating. It will help curb your appetite and give you a sense of satiety sooner. Of course, we're not talking a little bit of iceberg lettuce here. To reap full portion control benefits from rabbit food, load up your salad with veggies or even lean meat like turkey cubes. The fiber in the veggies will help you feel fuller and lean meat's protein will give you an instant energy boost.

3. Keep Seconds Out of Sight Don't serve family meals family-style. Keep pots and dishes away from the table where it's all too easy to go for seconds. I can't tell you how many times I've rethought my second helpings as I've made my way from the table to the stovetop. I've often told myself to sit back down and wait it out. Remember, it takes about 20 minutes to feel satiated. By giving myself that "breather" I've realized I wasn't hungry enough for another helping after all.

4. Serving Standards Learn to "eyeball" standard portion sizes and stick to them when dining out or dishing up meals. Keep these tips in mind: 3 oz. of meat is the size of a deck of cards or an audio tape; 1 oz. of meat is the size of a matchbook; 1 cup of potatoes, rice or pasta looks like a tennis ball.

5. Treat Yourself And last, but not least ... indulge!
Treating yourself once in a while to a "forbidden" food will keep you from feeling deprived; a sense of deprivation can easily lead to overeating. Stop a binge before it starts by indulging every now and then. This is what your 35 flex points are for!!!

P.S. Don't you just LOVE Dolly Parton??

Edamame is our friend!

The Stats: Per 1/2 cup of shelled Edamame
100 Calories/ 8 grams of protein/ 4 grams of fiber / 3 grams of fat = 1 WW point

Adding them to your diet!

Edamame are available year round in the freezer section of the grocery store.

IN THE POD :
Boil 3 minutes drain and toss with coarse salt. To eat, squeeze beans out of the inedible pod with your teeth.
SHELLED:
Boil 3 minutes; drain. Add about a cup of edamame to a green salad for nutty flavor and crunch. The added protein turns a green salad into a light meal.


Replace sweet green peas with edamame in recipes to pump up the nutritional benefits, or use them in place of lima beans in dishes such as sussotash.
Add edamame to replace garbanzo, black, kidney, or white beans in soups, dips and sauces.

I made them last night, and they were delish!

From the frozen food section

Put frozen pod in a sauce pan


Cover with water and bring to a boil

Once it comes to a boil, let them boil for 3 minutes

Drain, and season (I sprinkled with kosher salt)

Here is the evidence, that I kinda like them! And here is the best news....the 1/2 cup is for SHELLED beans, so if you measure them in the pod I think you eat 1 or 2 cups! Let me know if you try it, or have another great edamame recipes. Allie

P.F. Changs

 P.F. Changs is one of my favorite restaurants!  My first thought, I WONDER HOW MANY POINTS MY MONGOLIAN BEEF IS?

Well, I did some research and found out that Mongolian Beef is 30 points! My mouth dropped open when I found this out! I can’t believe this whole time I had been eating around 45 points in one meal! I started calculating and found out the best thing to get on the menu is the Shrimp in Lobster Sauce, which is worth 11 points, or the Cantonese scallops worth 10 points. If your wanting an appetizer, get the steamed shrimp dumplings, there only 3 points for half of the dish. I hope this helps if you’re a P.F. Changs lover like I am. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

Shrimp in Lobster Sauce

Week Five Weigh In

Christina - It is currently -2 degrees in Chicago right now, and I am currently -2 pounds down this week! I guess that is the silver lining of this treacherous weather! I have not let this keep me away from the gym. Even my husband, (who was born and raised in Chicago and used to this weather) commended my courage before I left for the gym at 6:00am in the snow and -22 degree wind chill. I think i was right last week when i said i needed to commit to exercising this week if i wanted to see some weight loss. It has taken me 6 weeks to loose 10 pounds, so i am now on track to reach my first goal of 18 pounds lost by March 1st.

Christina: -2 pounds

Total: -10 pounds

Ryan-I jumped on the scale and I'm down 1 pound. This makes me very happy since I was a bad bad girl last Friday night. The goal for this weekend is to be active at least 30 minutes a day and to stick with my daily POINTS. Weekends are so hard for me since J and I like to have a nice breakfast, and then I cook us up a nice lunch, and then comes dinner! I have everything planned out this weekend so I won't screw up, here is a sneak peek: GRILLED 3 POINT PIZZA! I will post the recipe if it's worth trying. Congrats to ALL MY FAT CHICKS!! :)

Ryan: -1 pounds

Total: -4

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Lesli - Gaining weight last week was just the kick in the ass I needed to get myself in high gear. This past week I was diligent with Jillian and didn't even use my flex points on the weekend. My only splurge for the entire week was a few chips and salsa and some refried beans that fueled me to work extra hard in my work outs. I'm really trying to view Jillian like she's my personal trainer, because she's a beast and she motivates me every time! I wake up Wednesday morning and I have CRAMPS and my tummy is bloated like it has a beach ball inside of it. Are.You.Kidding.Me? I neither gained nor did I lose, but I had to hold myself back from throwing one of my punches straight into Jillian's nose during my work out immediately following the weigh in.

Lesli: 0

Total: -1

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Good morning! I had a pretty good week, lots of Progresso soup. One thing I find strange is that two servings of something zero points equal one?? Wait, Mrs. Hastings taught me how to add in first grade and zero + zero = ZERO.........but whatever! I didn't work out this week, why am I so lazy about that? Aaarrrggggg, it makes me so mad at myself. The 2 weigh ins that I pulled big number are the 2 weeks that I really worked out like I'm suppose to. Why can't I get it through my fat head? Do better this week? (I say that every time, don't I?)

Allie: -2

Total: -12

The Biggest Winner!

Last week I purchased Jillian Michaels, “The Biggest Winner”. I have never been into workout videos, I would rather Rollerblade or do the elliptical, but this one has caught my eye. Jillian does a great job of keeping you motivated and pushing you to the max. It comes with 2 DVD’s each working different muscles, so each day you do something different. I really like how she mixes strength with cardio so you can burn extra calories. Hope everyone is ready for their weekend, and if you have a favorite video you would like to share I would love to hear about it. Weigh in is TOMORROW. We will see how good Jillian is!


Product Description: Jillian Michaels, TV’s toughest fitness guru, delivers a high-energy workout designed to keep viewers on track with their fitness and weight loss goals! Each of these high intensity DVDs will help get viewers moving, accelerate their fat-burning potential, and tone muscles through a series of creative cardio and weight training sessions. Her self-affirming blueprint for weight loss breathes life into her viewers’ workout regimen through genuine, supportive guidance backed by her impressive credentials. Jillian Michaels holds personal training certificates from the renowned National Endurance and Strength Training Association (NESTA) and the American Fitness Association of America (AFAA) certification program. Additionally, Ms. Michaels has extensive experience in the martial arts practice of Muay Thai and Akarui-Do, in which she holds a black belt. Ms. Michaels was recognized by The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) for her accomplishments in both Advanced Exercise Nutrition and Supplementation for Training and Performance.

Before-notice I'm smiling and I look very RELAXED..what the hell was I thinking, minutes later I was red as a firetruck!

Trying to keep up!

Jumping to get my heart rate up

DONE..after this picture Jim had to help me up. I went to take a drink of my water and couldn't pick up my water bottle...Jillian kicked my ABS!

Chocolate is for Lovers

Lesli here...

When I was in college I painted my Mom this canvas and it reads: "When it comes to chocolate and men make mine rich!" I don't know about the rich men part, but Mom and I definitely share an affinity for chocolate. Of the two of us, she definitely loves it more than me, but between the two of us we sure enjoy our choc-o-late!

I planned on this entry being a review of the 2 point Weight Watchers brownies and I was sad. Real sad. I just knew I was going to have to report back to you that they didn't make me happy. The brownies are totally diet brownies and they are boring and they are bland and they are small and blah blah blah. But then I came up with a plan that would take my lame 2 point brownie to a 3.5 point MIRACLE!

The plan includes...

1/2 cup Breyer's Fat Free French Chocolate Ice Cream

1 Weight Watchers Brownie

1/4 serving of 100 Calorie Thin Crisp Oreo's

It's the perfect portion size to make you feel satisfied and it is rich rich rich! As I live in breath, if I hadn't of read the box, I would have never known that the ice cream was fat free. It is delicious, and I just read on the website that there are MANY flavors. Why do I get the feeling that I'm going to have to pack a cooler and make a trip to Memphis to hit the big city grocery store? Also, I crunched up the oreo's, so I wouldn't need very many. I think it added a nice sprinkley touch on top.

{sorry for the blurry picture i was too tempted to try and perfect it}

Happy Hump Day Sister ~ Enjoy your Chocolate!

My Favorite Treadmill Workout

Before my wedding in 2007, I ran across a treadmill workout in Shape magazine. I prefer the treadmill over the elliptical because I feel like I get a harder workout, but I get pretty bored walking and running in one place for long periods of time. This workout was perfect because you are constantly changing the speed and the incline every few minutes, and doing different exercises the entire time. The best part about it is, after your 40 minute workout, you will burn 300-400 calories! The workout is pretty self-explanatory, but I included a picture of the "walking lunge" that you do during this workout below so you know exactly the angle you want to achieve. Let me know what you think after you try it!

Walking Lunge:

Happy Sweating!!

bitch fests & struggles

I first wore this dress in 2004.  I slipped it back on New Years Eve, which was also weigh in day and felt on top of the world.  For the first time in a very long long time I thought, "Look out Papa, Mama looks GOOOOD!"  The double chin was at a minimum, the belt cinched my waist just so and spaghetti straps were even ok.  Jillian had been kicking my tail lately and maybe just maybe it was starting to pay off through my shoulders and arms.

So, I did what I did best.  Rewarded myself with a big ole plate of delicious cuban food.  I justified that it was one entire week before weigh in AND new years eve, so it shouldn't matter.  Then the next day I had Qdoba for dinner, because it was just not fair that Justin got to go out to eat with his friend.  And then I had a heaping plate of Mediterranean food, because that's what I had really wanted to the night before and I was moving.  I deserved the extra calories.

Then came the NEXT weigh in and I was 4 pounds up and mad at the world.  I mean really... how can it take 3 weeks to lose 5 pounds and just one week to gain all but one pound back?

After a very long bitch fest to Allison about life is not fair because I wasn't born tall & skinny and my husband was and that mexican food isn't calorie free and neither are cupcakes I came to the end of my rope.

Reaching my goal weight is not the end of the journey it's only the beginning of the rest of my healthy life.  I think the hardest thing for me to do was to admit to myself and now to you that I am a reward eater and my reward is ooey-gooey mucho caloric food!  For as strong willed as I can be about many things, this is a road block in my brain that I can't move out of the way.

My resolution for next new years eve is to be standing before the camera not only a thinner and stronger me for an evening, but a healthier me for the long haul.  This is my lifestyle change and it starts now.

Week 4 Weight In

RYAN-I knew I had to catch up to all the girls since the entire pack have all lost pounds. I turned down chicken mini’s for breakfast, I stared at my husband while he ate the most wonderful looking pizza I had ever seen, as I was choking down the 2 point hotdog that tasted like cardboard. No, those hotdogs really are not that bad but they were that night. This was the first time I was really excited to jump on the scale, when I got on it was minus 2 pounds. YEA!! FINALLY!!

P.S. Lesli was right about Jillian Michaels, I got one of her dvd’s and did it for the first time last night, she kicked my a** ! My arm muscles are so sore this morning I barely could raise my hairdryer. Tonight I will rollerblade!

Ryan: -2 pounds
Total: -3 pounds from start date

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LESLI ~ this week has been one struggle after the other for me, but I will make no excuses. I've definitely been ultra motivated for this next week and I'm off to a good start. I've been without my Internet connection, but as soon as I get it I will be posting a picture from new years, my struggles and my frustrations. I keep reminding myself that reaching my goal weight is JUST the beginning! And all of your sweet comments of encouragement are definitely keeping me going and keeping my hands out of the cookie jar. Thanks to all of you for supporting us in our journey!

Lesli: +4 pounds
Total: -1 pound

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Allie~ Hey guys. I've had a rough week in my personal life...sickness, death, 2 funerals and we are only 9 days in! And so, the excuses stop here. Lesli & I were talking last night (if you know us, you know HOW rare that is, haha) and like she said, our goal weight is just being the tip of the iceberg, and that thought is hard to swallow. I've not cheated once at home. I LOVE veggies and lean meats and haven't missed the fried stuff or fattening sugars & carbs; but I will have to say that I am pretty frustrated with eating at restaurants. I ate out more this week than I have since I started WW, and it's just plain hard! To quote Lesli....I think we are just going to have to mourn the death of mexican food! Thankfully I had weighed in, PRIOR to meeting my whole family at a local mexican place for the $4.99 Wednesday enchilada special and was bummed by my weight, so there I sat looking at the chips & queso, mouth watering...but I didn't cave, nope didn't eat one single chip! I also didn't work out once since Saturday, another depressing thought. Gotta get back into the swing of things for this week.
Allie: +1
Total: -10

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Christina - I think my body is telling me that i have lost all the weight it is going to let me until i start getting it moving. Food consumption was good this week, but alas, exercising has been a problem. I know why it has been a problem....it wont stop SNOWING! Still, this is no excuse. I could go home and pop in an exercise video, instead of curling up on the sofa with a cup of hot tea. I didn't make my goal of getting to the gym 4 times this week, but i am committed to making it happen next week....rain, snow, sleet or hail!

Christina: 0 pounds
Total: -8 pounds

Oprah Pt. 2

I totally missed Oprah yesterday, and when i read Allie's post today, i knew that i wanted to rush home after work to watch it on my DVR. I completely understood how Allie felt while watching that show, and asked myself the same question as Oprah....how did i let myself get here?

While watching the show, they keep hitting on a specific topic; that your weight gain is not because of cookies, or chocolate, or even food really....it is because you are substituting something missing in your life with food. At the end of the show Bob Greene tells everyone to ask themselves 4 questions. He stresses not to ask these questions on a superficial level, but to really dig deep in your emotions to figure out the source of your weight gain, because until you do this, you will always struggle.

I was not brave enough to take a picture in my sports bra like Lesli and Ryan. In my introductory entry, i was comical, and not honest and vulnerable like Allison. I figured i could deal myself in on the hand of vulnerability, and answer these questions as honestly as i can; because the answers have genuinely made everything in regards to my weight gain make sense to me.

1. Why are you overweight?

Until i started this weight loss challenge, i had gained 28 pounds since i moved to Chicago from Atlanta two and a half years ago (although, i gained all the weight in the first year and a half). I moved here with the thought that everything would be the same, i would adjust, i would be successful, and it would only be a turn for the better. I started a new job and I can honestly say, working there was the worst time of my life. I would go to work and feel broken down more and more each hour i was there. I would then come home and spend my evenings on my sofa eating pizza and drowning my sorrows with a bottle of wine. I moved to Chicago to be closer to Kenneth, and our relationship was the only thing here that was going good at the time. I would go out to eat with him, indulge on food that was not healthy and neglect working out and taking care of myself. Being with him was my distraction, and it was so much easier to do that, than to think about how miserable i was at work and how much i missed my family and friends in Georgia.

2. What are you really hungry for?

I am starved for acceptance. I know that i am loved an accepted by my husband, and that has never changed. What has changed is the fact that in Georgia, i was accepted at work because of my skills, my repore with clients and my successes in business transactions. I was accepted by my family 100% because they loved me for the person i was, flaws and all. Now, I feel that i am accepted at work only when i am generating more revenue than anyone else, working even during my vacations, or being the last one out of the office each day. Now, my family in Chicago are my in-laws, and i feel like i am only accepted by them when i am doing something that they want, contributing to something that they want, or accommodating them when they want.



3. Why have you not been able to maintain weight loss in the past?

I think the true answer to this questions is my lack of adjustment. I have gained weight in the past, but have always been able to get it off soon after. I have moved around all my life as a military brat, and it always goes the same way. When i move somewhere, i initially gain weight the first year. After that, the weight comes off, because i get into a rhythm of life and eventually adjust. Every time i have moved i have always been near my family, until this time. I think my inability to adjust to this move to Chicago has been a major factor in not being able to lose weight.

4. Why do you want to lose weight?

I want to lose weight because i know that i am stronger than this. I know that i have the strength and the courage to live a healthy lifestyle, and not let my circumstances dictate how i treat myself. It doesn't matter who accepts me or where i live; i love myself enough to take care of myself. Everyone who loves me and accepts me wants me to take care of myself. There are so many wonderful things about my life, and i need to focus on those things. I need to stop coping with my life in Chicago...but really start to embrace it and live it to the fullest.

One of the things that stood out the most in the show to me was when Bob Greene said that you will win your battle with weight when you realize that it never ends. I will never be the person that can eat whatever they want and not gain a pound...i have to love who i am, and take care of that person. Allie hit on one of the best points that Oprah made during this show. I have been BLESSED in this body. No matter what i have done to this body, my heart is still beating and it is still working for me. It's time i returned the favor.

Oprah

So, did you watch today? I've been excited about this episode for several weeks. I knew it would be inspiring and hit home. And here I sit on the couch watching, with tears streaming down my face and a lot of this show I feel like I wrote myself. For those who missed it, or if you just need to hear this motivation one more time. I took notes, and these are Oprah's words, prob not exactly....but close enough. My thoughts and feelings will be in red.

How did I let this happen again? My closet has 10, 12, 14 and elastic!

This past year has been really difficult. I didn't feel like being a cover girl. I wasn't proud of my body, therefore didn't want to show my body and didn't want to be seen. I'd rather NOT be seen. I didn't want to have to go through the closet and see what's gonna fit...let's try that, oh that doesn't fit, it's too tight in the arms, take that off, let's try this pair of pants, that doesn't work, you're not a twelve anymore, oh and now the fourteens need to have some stretch in them. It's embarrassing to me; I'd rather not do it. All this year I've been hiding my body, cause I didn't want you to see it. You said a mouthful there sister...I honestly feel like I wrote that paragraph.

To love yourself is a never ending journey. My goal isn't to be thin, my goal is to be the weight that my body can hold and be healthy and be strong & fit and be it's best health. And one of the things I had to learn to do is embrace this body that I have and be grateful for what this body has given me. And to everyone that is watching right now, whose fallen off the wagon, I'm telling you that's where you have to be again, Because God blessed me in this body. GOD BLESSED me in this body. I mean I could weep right now, thinking about the love and appreciation I have for THIS body, that 40 lbs over-weight but let me tell you, in spite of being over-weight and exhausted...my body still works for me...my heart still woks, my body still works for me. And for that I am truly grateful.

The key is to put yourself back at the top of your own To Do: list. You have to plan your meals. There is absolutely NO way you will EVER be able to maintain your weight without cardio workouts, at least 30 minutes a day. I'm learning this so much right now. You can't be lazy with your food, cause when you don't plan ahead I've found the alternative is always much worse. Taking breakfast with you in the car, packing a lunch, packing my gym bag the night before, etc. Cause time is not your friend and seems to always work against me.

When I gain weight it's not about pigging out, it's always about my life is out of balance. Anybody who struggles with a weight issue....it is about what you are really hungry for. It's not about the food. It's about USING food, abusing the food. When my engine runs down, my drug of choice is food. My drug of choice is potato chips. I struggle with this, cause I think of myself as a "foodie" I do LOVE food....but when I heard this and typed it and re-read it, gosh it hits me hard. Looking back, I started gaining weight about 2 and half years ago, when I was insecure in my relationship, in my job, scared that the life I had made for myself 250 miles away from my family was about to crumble. THAT is when I started the weight-gain. And then my greatest fear came true, and my life as I knew it did crumble. So again I filled that void with food. It's not that 2 years ago I just started loving food. I've ALWAYS loved food; even as a little kid I loved food. Some of my fondest moments of my dad are helping him make biscuits and gravy as very little girl. So for me, YES I do love food....but I realize now I abuse it. And then the more weight I gained the bigger the void and thus it must be filled with more comfort, food!

Your overweight self doesn't stand before you craving food...it's craving love! That is what you didn't give yourself. When you love yourself enough, you take care of yourself. This is a double edge sword for me, and am just now dealing with it and really trying to focus every day to make myself happy with things OTHER than food. It's not a weight issue at all....it's a love issue

Hopefully this is just the motivation or the shame or the kick in the pants you need to make 2009 your Best Life!

Love, 4th Fat Chick Allie

Burrito’s On the Brain

I’m so glad to be home and back on my daily routine! Being gone for over 2 weeks has really taken a toll on my weight watchers program. I have a confession to make…I ate at Taco Bueno 4 times, twice for breakfast. It was worth it, until I looked and added up how many points I had eaten in ONE meal…it was over 20! Those Muchaco's killed me! I have been a stickler ever since I have been home; I NEED to catch up with my girls! So I have to say, I am excited for this weeks weight in…I hope to beat my 0 and 1 pound goal!! WISH ME LUCK!

P.S. Speaking of Taco Bueno, try this below!

Ry’s Cream Cheese Bean Burrito

1 whole wheat tortilla (1 point)
Scoop of canned refried beans (2 points)
2 tlb spoons of LIGHT cream cheese (2 points)
Sprinkle of onions (0 Points)
Salsa (0 Points)

WARM IT IN THE MICROWAVE

TOTAL: 5 points

I know it might seem weird to put cream cheese on your tortilla, BUT TRY IT!! I PROMISE IT’S YUMMY!!!!

Posted by: Ryan

Allie & Ryan's Favorite WW Finds

Fat Free Turkey breast lunch meat, you can have 4 slices for ZERO points! I made a quesadilla, with 2 point whole wheat tortillas and tons of salsa (0 points) and onions and mushrooms, today and it was delicious!

Those 90 calorie breakfast bars are little, but very tasty and 1 point! And those Orville Redenbacher's "rice cakes" are really good, I pretend they are popcorn! I've only tried Sour Cream & Onion, but they make other flavors too, and you can have 12 of them for 1 point! And since they are crunchy & salty they are a great alternative to chips.

Laughing Cow Cheese 1 Point...I love these!  Get the reduced fat ones.

Hummus with carrots 2 points...I'm like Zohan, I brush my teeth with hummus :)

Lay's Lights 1 point for 20 chips!

Palm of Hearts 0 Points!  I eat these right out of the can, I love them!

WW 1 point cakes

Week 3 Weigh In

LESLI ~ It is our 3rd week to weigh in and I a could not be happier that the holidays are finally over! Allie and I have been lucky that we weigh in the day before Christmas and the day before New Years, but it will be nice to get on a normal dining schedule! I was of course nervous, because I can not confirm nor deny that I might have had Bryce's Chocolate Pie for dinner the day after Christmas. I then proceeded to have ANOTHER full blown Christmas meal with Justin's family, but I can confidently say that I felt proud being able to maintain portions and keep the eating under control. The rest of this week I've been a lonely lady without my husband, and without a boy around it's MUCH easier to eat smaller portions and lighter meal. There's been a lot of mexican soup consumed in my home this week! Without further adieu, I am proud to say that I lost 2 POUNDS this week! I am the lightest I've been in years!

Lesli: -2
Total: -5
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Ryan-I'm finally home!! I have been eating dinners with family for the past 2 weeks. It's been horrible for weight watchers. I'm so happy to be getting back on the right track. I'm so proud of you girls for loosing so much weight during the holidays! I hope to be catching up to you soon!

Ryan:-0 pounds :(

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Allie-Hi everyone! It's been a good week, I've been able to stay within my points and eat smaller, healthier options. My main sacrifice has been eating at home, and taking my lunch. I'm a bit scared to not be in control of my food! My 1 restaurant was the WW menu at Apple Bee's and it was good (7 point cajun talapia with broccoli). I did cheat pretty bad on New Years Eve, we had a big family dinner and I ate BAD and drank wine. But I was able to work out 3 times at the gym, and am going back to that "assault on your body" class tomorrow morning at 8am. Drum roll please.....I'm down 6 lbs.


This week: -6 lbs
Total: -11lbs

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Christina - This week was so much better than last and I am really feeling the difference. I slipped on a pair of pants that totally didnt fit a month ago, so i am very excited! This week's challenge is getting in the gym at least 4 times. It should be a good week! I am shooting for 10 pounds down next weigh in!

This week: -2 pounds
Total: -8 pounds

Black Eye'd Peas on New Years Day

Texas Caviar - **1 pt**

1 - 15.5 oz can of black eyed peas (drain)

1 - 10 oz can of diced tomatoes and green chilies (do not drain)

1 - 15.25 oz can of black beans (drain)

1 - 15.25 oz can of whole kernel corn (drain)

1/2 cup chopped green peppers

1/2 cup chopped onions

24 oz of ff Italian Dressing

1 tsp minced garlic serving size 1/2 cup, 19 servings

This comes up at 1 pt - 2pts if you use part lite and part ff Italian dressings.

Happy New Year from all the fat chicks. Be sure and check by on Friday for Weigh In numbers!!