AND THE WINNER IS..................

Hey everyone!!! Sorry I didn't post this last night, I wanted to wait for a couple late-weighers... Anyway here are the grand totals:

#1 ANDREA with 20lbs off and a total 11.68% NICE JOB!!!
#2 EMILY with 20lbs off and a total 10.87% SO CLOSE!!!
#3 Craig with 20lbs off (magic number I guess) total 7.6% WhaHoo!!
#4 Aaron with 29.8lbs off total 7.3% can't believe how close that was!!!
#5 Virgil with 12.8lbs off total 6.82%
#6 Sue Ann with 17lbs off and a total 5.78%

Our top 6 winners! Awesome job!!! Great game, was seriously down to the last weigh in!!! I will get the TOP THREE winners their money once I know exactly how much each one gets!! :)

For those of us who fell short of our weight loss goals I plan to host another contest starting January 1st- details to come if interested please let me know! Thanks again everyone I hope it helped even just a little bit to try and be a little better!

Virgil

Grandpa finishes this contest 12.8lbs lighter for a total loss of 6.82% !!!!

Big Daddy C

Worked hard this week to not eat my normal stuff and lost 4 lbs. So my final numbers are 20 total pounds total % loss is 7.6%. Congrats to all!

Aaron Eldridge - total

All in all this was a fun challenge.. i would love to try again.

total pounds lost 29.8

total percent lost 7.3%

Lisa C

Ooops, forgot about my free lb. My total will be 3 lbs. and 1.52%! Thanks!

Sue Ann

Sue Ann is cashing in her free lb today and her final total is: down 16 (+1 for 17)lbs for a total % of 5.78%!!!!!

Virgil

Grandpa Carter lost some this week but he isnt home with his total numbers so I will post his final results later today! Stay tuned....

Katie...

Well after a great 1/2 effort this week I did lose the lbs I gained but didn't get below my lowest weigh in during this contest. On the up side today I ran 7 miles with my fam and if someone told me I would do that at the first of this year I would have laughed at them- so this contest has definately gotten me out of my "box" and really helped me head up this weight loss journey- I still hope to lose 20lbs in the coming months but feel like it is a definate do-able goal now!

Thanks everyone!!!! Good luck! I end at -6lbs for a total of 3.46%

Emily

Okay all I am down one pound

Total lost 20 lbs
Total% 10.87%

I am still pretty far from where I was after the first weight loss challenge we ever did, but I am happy to say I am down about 3 pant sizes since Andrew was born. I hope I stay motivated I really want to lose another 20 lbs. or so. Thanks for doing this it is always so fun! Good luck to everyone else

Lisa C.

Well, I am happy to say at least I'm not at 0, but did not stick with this challenge as I had hoped. Truly allowed life stress to dictate my actions. I only lost 2 lbs., so my total percentage is 1.02%. Congrats to Andrea & Emily...looks like it was so very close!!! Craig is out trying to shed some more this morning at the gym....he has been a really good boy the last few weeks without seeing the big results. Thanks Katie for organizing. Good Luck to all...may the joy of good health bless you all!!!!

Andrea

So who knows if it was enough but I gave it my all this week. I didn't cheat, made 2 dinners most nights (one for my family, and one really low fat one for me), and went on LOTs of walks with my kiddos. Tough but I'm glad it's over so I don't have to be so strict. With that being said I'm down 3.6 lbs this week. My grand totals are:

Total weight lost: 20lbs (on the button)
Total percentage lost: 11.68%

Whatever the outcome, I wore my pre-pregnancy (before ALL 3 kids) jeans yesterday and they weren't even painted on! Woot woot!! Thanks Katie for the motivation. xoxo

LAST WEEK ALERT!!!!!

Alright Folks this is it!!! Our FINAL WEEK in this CHALLENGE!!! As you can see on the graph we have a close game with 1st Place and almost a 3-way tie for 3rd place!!! So really if anyone puts up BIG numbers this coming week, who knows who the WINNER will be?!?

Also wanted to remind those that won any of the challenges to PLEASE include their free "pounds" in their total % lost, with this race 1 lb might be the breaker/maker!!!

Lastly just a reminder... I want to make SURE that I get the exact total % weight loss for everyone so on your FINAL weigh in this coming Saturday, OCTOBER 15, please use this formula to get me your numbers:
TOTAL LBS LOST / STARTING WEIGHT = TOTAL % LOST

Thanks! It has been such a fun time- even though some of us took a month vacation from losing weight, let's ALL end a "lighter" note... Haha...

Aaron Eldridge - update

After being plateaued and gaining and re-loosing the same 5 pounds over and over again for a while i'm finally heading in the right direction once more.

weighing myself yesterday morning i've lost another 4.8 lbs since my last post for 1.25 %

total pounds lost 27.8

total % lost 6.81 %

big Daddy C

Big Daddy C is down 1 whole pound wow! So my total % loss to date is 6.1%. Let's all try for a big finish. Thanks Katie for doing this again - it does help, at least for me.

Good luck this week!

Sue Ann

Sue Ann lost 2 lbs this week for a weekly % of .71% and 16lbs lost thus far, awesome job!

Virgil

Grandpa stayed the same... Plus one.... I told him he is still in the running if he has a good week so hopefully big numbers from him next week!

Katie....

I didn't even get on the scale- I was too depressed about my poor choices of dieting this week- mix that with nasty cold = not good numbers. One more week hope to get something wonderful for our last weigh in next week!

Lisa C.

Big Mama who had a birthday and chocolate cheesecake.....nothing lost! One more week....I may fast for 7 days! xoxo Good work to you 4 that have stayed focused!!!

Andrea

Same, same...

Emily

FINALLY!!!!! I lost one wonderful pound!!!!!! so my total is 0.6% weekly and 10.33% for the total!!!! Yay!!!! I still am really far from my original goal but I'm still happy i'm losing!!! Hope everyone else had a good week.

Emily

Okay frustrated! No weight loss, but I swear my jeans aren't as tight....o well I can't believe how long I've been at this weight!!!!I think my scale is broken. Here we go....major diet this week hopefully some extra exercise if I can get off my bum when the kiddos go to bed!!!!

Sue Ann

Sue Ann did awesome losing weight this week- but it was the same weight again so not any new numbers!

Virgil

Grandpa Carter stayed the same this week!

Katie

Well...Well...Well... Nothing knew to report, darn it! Really bad week- I let my "stress eating" get the best of me so I hope to try again this week..

Just so everyone knows Saturday OCTOBER 15th is our last WEIGH IN!!!! So get losing! :)

Andrea

I don't know if it was the pizza ordered one night, the greasy B&D Burger the other night, or the tub of cookie dough sitting in my fridge but it's a big fat ZERO pounds lost for me. Last week. No cheating. No treats. More veggies. More exercise. Going out with a bang...

Update!

Ed Johnson - down .20% for a total of 4.31%

Kyle Jones - down .33% witha total of 3.97%

Jen Jones - Zip...nadda...0

Janet Johnson - 0

Katie- Karina- Lyle- Em- Virgil-Sue Ann

Hey SORRY for the late weigh in- I haven't been home at all this weekend!
Katie, Em, Lyle, Karina, Sue Ann all stayed the same.

Virgil lost:1 lb for a total of 7.79% and 11.2lbs

Happy Last TWO WEEKS!

big Daddy C

No Change for me this week, to bad. Trying to bust through the 15 lbs. barrier.

Lisa C.

Well, back at the gym....but no love on the scale yet! Still have 21 days until Oct. 15th....I may go get my jaw wired!!! Good luck everyone!

Andrea

This week can just go bye-bye. No motivation to stick with it. Cheated here, cheated there, cheated here again. I did, however, drop .5lbs and .32%. Not what I'd like here at the end of the competition but it is what it is. I'll be better this week. I can't give up at this point.

Lyle

Lyle emailed this week- his job keeps him gone all week but was able to update his results this weekend he lost 3lbs for a weekly of 1.25% and a total of 4.82%

Sue Ann

SueAnn gained a little weight this week- trying to get her diet figured out!

Kyle and Jen and Janet

Kyle is down 2.6lbs for a weekly of 1.22%

Jen and Janet are still the same!!!

Ed

Ed had an awesome week down 4.5lbs for a wkly of 1.81%

Virgil

Grandpa Carter gained a little bit of weight during his Disneyland trip this week!

Karina

Karina is the same this week!

Katie Weigh In

Sorry of the late weigh in- gone all weekend! I am down 1lb for a wkly of .59% and a total of 3.46% hoping for BIG loses this coming week!


PS- Due to the LACK of miles ran I am changing the challenge a bit. The next person to RUN/WALK 20 miles starting TOMORROW gets ONE FREE POUND to use for the last weigh in!!!!

PPS- 3 weeks left!!!

Lisa Colonoscopy Carter

Well, you'd think I would've lost at least 5 lbs. after my fun experience this week...but, alas...I went down 1, now back up to same 'ol same 'ol.

Thanks Katie for trying to keep us all motivated.....I hope that I will find my motivated loser self these last 4 weeks!!

Emily

Okay well I don't understand it, but I went up a pound, so none for me. I even started doing alot more intense work out this week I guess I need to re think my diet or something, but I am motivated hard core after the scale today I went on a nice run so add 3 miles for us and hopefully I shed some more serious poundage this week...my goal is to hit my fruits and veggies again. I have made it to one of my goals and it actually hasn't killed me like I thought it would...it may seem small but I have limited myself to one diet coke a week. We have made friday's our "coke nights" at first I didn't think i would do it, but here we are...so anyways as it is winding down I hope others have met some of their personal goals as well. Now onto the diet goal major natural foods this week! good luck all

Andrea

I lost 1.4lbs and .89% this week. I worked really hard for that 1+ pound!

And the best news? I wanted to lose 15lbs through this whole shindig and wha-la, I'm down 15.9lbs...so no matter what the end result is in a few weeks, I'm happy! :)

COME ON PEOPLE

Okay Team this is getting kinda sad! GET MODIVATED and lets pick up this competition this last week!!!!!

New Work Out Idea...

So I bought these Gold Gym Bands at Walmart a while ago- and they came witha workout DVD. I hadn't ever tried it until last night and it was actually a really good workout! It's about 30mins long and it worked the whole body! These bands are around $15 bucks and are great!

Big Daddy C

Very frustrating but no change for me this week. I am loosing inches but not as much weight as I would like. I'll just keep at it for the next month I need Disneyland $$!!

Non-losing Lisa

Zip, Zero, Cero, Nada.

I am praying to find the motivation to go for it this last 4 weeks! No excuses....just lacking in motivation and self control.

Emily

Alright well I am down 4 lbs believe it or not, I weighed myself twice to make sure because I didn't believe it cause I don't feel like I've lost any!!!! Yay I'll take it. So totals I'm at 2.35 % weekly and 9.78% total!!!!! Okay now for even more so hopefully I can get to the point where I believe my scale!!!! good luck everyone I'm proud of all of us!

Karina

Karina also stayed the same but ran 3 miles!!!

Virgil

Grandpa also had a rough week (all those football games!) haha he is up a little bit but hopes to change things around next week too!

Katie YIKES...

So this is the first week in 7 months that I really DID NOT want to even weigh in.. I was tempted not to, but I knew I had to face my fears or else my old habits will sneak in even more... Do to a very stressful week I ate it seems, for 4 people, and not rabbit food- as far from "good for ya" stuff as possible... It was intense. BUT even though I am up 2 stinkin lbs I really plan to hit it hard the next 4 weeks. Andrea is right- its just right around the corner and I don't want to end this contest empty handed (or empty pocketed either!) So BRING IT ON NEXT WEEK!!!!

Andrea

Down a whopping .9lbs and .57%. Almost squeeked out a pound! Four weigh-ins left. I suppose it's time to get real serious! Big numbers the next few weeks people, big numbers!!!

Sue Ann

Sue Ann lost 7lbs this week! Awesome job Sue Ann! She is down 2.44% for a total of 4.76%

Karina

Karina is down 1 lb .54% for a total of 3.16% she ran 8.5miles this week too!

Virgil

Grandpa has another exciting week down 1.2lbs for a weekly of .67% and a total 5.44% he is down 10.2 lbs so far!

Emily

Wow I've been struggling a little bit, I did lose 1 pound this week so a weekly total of .58% with a total of 7.61% I really need to start eating better and exercising more this week....my goal is to push through the tired after work feelings so here we go!

Aaron Eldridge week 8

lost 2.2 lbs for 0.57%
total pounds 23
total % loss 5.64%

Andrea

Down 2lbs and 1.25%, Woohoo!  I was hoping for 2 this week and hit it right on the nose.

I tried a new recipe yesterday, Chicken with Feta Sauce from a Weight Watcher's cookbook.  Absolute disaster.  It is made with balsamic vinegar and some spices, has brocolli, cauliflower and carrots in it.  It was gross and it was the icing on a completely horrible day.  I took a picture but looks like a pile of you know what so I don't think I'll even post it.  Maybe I'll try another one, otherwise, Em or Auntie Lisa can have that pound!!

KATIE WEIGH IN/DINNER

So I didn't lose anything this week! Ah!.. BUT I did attempt a dinner we didn't take picture of it but this is where I got it:

We choose the Red Pepper Alfredo

10 oz dried fettuccine

1 1/2 tbsp butter

1 1/2 tbsp flour

1 C milk

1/2 C half and half

3/4 C chopped bottled roasted red peppers

2 cloves garlic halved

1/2 C Parmesan cheese

Salt and Pep to taste

Melt butter in saucepan over med heat add flour cook a full minute. Slowly add milk, and half/half whisking to prevent lumps. Add red pep and garlic. Heat on low for 10mins pour mix into blender and puree until smooth. Season with S & P

Serves 4: 390 cal 12g Fat 730 Sodium 

Kid Friendly healthy = very happy mommy

We tried two new recipes, but I let the husband get a hold of one and it turned not as healthy pretty quick. So the one that worked  I wanted to find something that is usually classified as unhealthy food and see if we can turn it into something good that a 2 year old would love and a husband! I think we did it. It was super easy, and mom I think it is gluten free I don't know if cornmeal is or not, anyways it is Cornmeal crusted chicken nuggets with raspberry (or blackberry) mustard! It was super easy, a fun, and yummy meal, we had some yummy green beans to go with it and I felt pretty good afterward. We did have a little oil spill in the first batch, butt he other ones were not oily at all.  here's how it's done

• 1 cup fresh blackberries or raspberries, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 pound chicken tenders, cut in half crosswise (see Tip)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 3 tablespoons cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. Mash blackberries (or raspberries), mustard and honey in a small bowl until it looks like a chunky sauce.
2. Sprinkle chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Place cornmeal in a medium bowl, add the chicken and toss to coat (discard any leftover cornmeal).
3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook the chicken, turning once or twice, until browned and just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes total (thinner nuggets will cook faster than thicker ones). Serve the chicken nuggets with the berry mustard.

Nutrition

Per serving: 184 calories; 5 g fat ( 1 g sat , 3 g mono ); 67 mg cholesterol; 9 g carbohydrates; 3 g added sugars; 26 g protein; 2 g fiber; 452 mg sodium; 70 mg potassium.I love the website eatingwell.com it has great resources for any type of recipe. This was a fun shake up of chicken nuggets. They were super crispy and yummy and I loved the berry mustard dipping sauce and I can't stand the taste of mustard. Super good choice for anyone with picky eaters!

Enjoy Losers,

Emily

Delicious Mango Salsa Chicken with Rice/ Lisa Carter

So, I tried this new recipe tonight, it is DELICIOUS!  It was actually under  a gluten free/diabetic recipe I found...so low in sugar and no gluten....but truly very easy and yummy!  

Grilled 6 chicken breasts....with light salt and pepper.  Made the mango salsa...I was out of the rice vinegar and used red wine vinegar...of course I didn't measure...(I have an issue with following recipes; like to add my own twist.)  I also used green and yellow peppers, not just the green pepper in the salsa...so 1/2 of each of the peppers. We did grill the peppers for a few minutes first before making the salsa. I made white rice, instead of wild or brown...my son likes the white, but I would recommend the brown or wild rice.  Fresh green beans; and a melon medley. It made for a great dinner in our back yard!!

Nutrition Facts
Makes 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories	181.6
Total Carbs	11.3 g
Dietary Fiber	1.3 g
Sugars	2 g
Total Fat	2.8 g
Saturated Fat	0.6 g
Unsaturated Fat	2.3 g
Potassium	373.1 mg
Protein	26.6 g
Sodium	365.9 mg
Dietary Exchanges 1/2 Fruit, 1 1/4 Starch, 1/2 Vegetable, 3 1/2 Very Lean Meat

Ingredients

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts 

3/4 tsp salt 

3/8 tsp black pepper 

1 1/2 tsp olive oil 

1 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar 

1 1/2 fresh mango , finely diced (about 1 cup) 

3/4 red onion , finely dice (about 1/2 cup) 

1 1/2 chopped green bell peppers , finely diced 

3 cup cooked long grain brown rice (optional) 

Directions

1 Prepare indoor or outdoor grill.

2 Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Grill chicken breasts over medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side or until juices run clear.

3 In a small bowl, whisk olive oil and vinegar. Add remaining ingredients except rice and toss to coat.

4 Pour mango salsa over grilled chicken breasts. Serve each chicken breast over 1/2 cup brown rice.

Additional Information

For a different flavor you may also grill the vegetables first before chopping and making the salsa.

Sorry we are so late.  We had ball games most of the day on Saturday and that messed up our schedule.  Ed & Jen stayed the same.  Kyle lost .65% with a total of 2.47%

NEW CHALLENGE ALERT

***NEW CHALLENGE ALERT!!!!***

Prize: 1 FREE LB to use at any weigh in AND you can add 5 MILES to another competitor for the following week!

TASK: Cook a meal you HAVE NEVER MADE BEFORE! Make it as healthy as possible. You must then either post/email the recipe and/or picture of the meal! The most creative and healthy wins those awesome rewards!

Good Luck! May the best chef win!

PS Don't use this meal.... You won't win!

Emily

Blah....I stayed the same for the 2nd week in a row....at least I didn't gain, but blah. This week I will lose...I'll just put that out there.

Big Daddy C & Big Mama Lisa

Ok Craig lost 2 lbs or .08% for the week - 14 total 5.5% total lost.  Lisa stayed the same.  A lot of work for 2 pounds!

Andrea

Down .7lbs and .44% this week and a total of 6.77% lost so far. 

My twinners turned 3 yesterday and we celebrated with Red Robin and I made a from scratch birthday cake.  I'm proud to say I split my meal, didn't get the big greasy burger I wanted, and had A bite of cake...not a whole piece.  I made my husband take the rest of the cake to our neighbors so I'm not tempted to eat it today.  Ta-dah!!  I'm quite impressed with myself ;)

Karina

Karina stayed the same but was able to add 3.5 miles this week.

Lyle

Lyle stayed the same this week!

Virgil

Grandpa the ROCKSTAR has lost .89% this week for a total of 4.80% and 9lbs so far!

Katie

So I gained 1/2lb but lost 2 toward the end of this week!  Anyway .24% loss for the week and a 2.88% for my TOTAL thus far!

Aaron Eldridge Wk 7

lost 2 lbs for 0.51%
total lbs lost 20.8 for 5.10 %

AWESOME AWESOME Recipes! Can't wait to try them all!!!!

Healthy recipes from Kristen Bowen:

Cheese Crackers with Almond Flour (Gluten Free)

1 1/4 cup blanched almond flour (not the same as almond meal)(honeyville grains is best)
1/8 tsp. salt (I used fine grind sea salt)
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese (I used extra sharp cheddar and lightly packed it into measuring cup)
1 1/2 T olive oil
1 large egg
            If you store your almond flour in the freezer like I do, you'll need to take it out and let come to room temperature for a few minutes before using in the recipe. Preheat oven to 350F/175C. Grate 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
            In a medium-sized bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda and cheese. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the egg and oil. Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until well-combined.
            Cut two pieces of parchment paper the size of your baking sheet. (To bake in a toaster oven with a small baking sheet, you'll need three pieces.) Put one piece of parchment on cutting board and put dough on top, or half the dough if baking on small baking sheet. (I made the dough into the shape of the parchment.) Put second piece of parchment on top of the dough and roll out with rolling pin until dough covers the parchment sheet. (It's fairly important to roll it out the same thickness or the thinner pieces will burn, a lesson I learned the hard way.)
            Remove top parchment and cut dough into pieces 2 inches square. (A pizza cutter would be perfect for this if you have one.) Slide the parchment with the cut dough onto baking sheet and bake crackers 12-15 minutes, or until lightly browned.
            Let crackers cool on the baking sheet for 30 minutes (or if you need to bake another batch like I did, carefully slide first batch off to cutting board to cool while you use baking sheet to bake the second batch.)
            Crackers will keep for a few days in a plastic container!  (Makes about 30 crackers, recipe from The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook by Elena Amsterdam. This recipe is half the amount in the book, so it can be doubled.)

Amazing Biscuits
1 and 1/2 tablespoons of unsalted organic butter or nonhydrogenated shortening
1 cup plus two tablespoons of finely ground almond flour
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
4 egg whites
            The technique for these biscuits is simple. All you need is a fork and couple of bowls. Follow these simple steps to biscuit perfection!
1. Cut cold fat (butter or shortening) into dry ingredients with the tines of your fork, rotating the bowl around with your other hand until the mixture has pea-sized chunks throughout.
2. Chill mixture in the fridge for 5-10 minutes or as long as you can stand it. The longer the better. The more the fat can get cold and hard, the puffier your biscuits will be.
3. Separate the egg yolks from the whites and whisk egg whites with a fork in a bowl for 20 seconds, until no longer stringy and goopy. You just want them a little foamy.
4. Remove mixture from fridge and whisk in the egg whites for a couple of seconds, breaking up any massive chunks in the dough with your whisk or fork. It'll be extremely runny dough with chunks of the almond mixture. Pour it into greased foil-lined ramekins/nonstick muffin cups/a muffin top pan and get that sucker in the hot oven before the fat can even THINK about softening!  Preheat oven to 400˚ Fahrenheit and bake for about 15 minutes. Makes four biscuits
Cheese Crackers
1 1/4 cup blanched almond flour (not the same as almond meal) I only use Honeyville Grains.
1/8 tsp. salt (I used fine grind sea salt)
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese I use the Richmond cheese from Farmers market that has no growth hormone
1 1/2 T grapeseed oil
1 large egg
            Mix all of this together and roll out between two pieces of parchment paper. Take of the top piece, score and bake at 350˚ for 12-15 minutes.  Really watch these depending on how thick you rolled them. I do it to the size of the parchment paper that fits right on the baking sheet. Make sure to score them before you bake them.
Almond Butter and jam Cookies
½ cup creamy roasted almond butter. I use Barney Butter
¼ cup Spectrum vegan shortening
½ cup coconut palm sugar
1 egg
1 ¼ cups blanched almond flour
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
½ cup Butchers Bunches Sugar Free jam found at Gardner's market in Logan or Cascadian Farms raspberry jam.
            In a large bowl, cream almond butter, shortening, palm sugar and egg with a hand blender.  Blend until smooth then stir in almond flour and salt.  Scoop dough 1 tablespoon at a time onto a [parchment] lined baking sheet.  Make a large thumbprint in the center of each cookie.  Scoop jam 1 teaspoon at a time into the center of each cookie.
Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes.  Makes 24 cookies.
Dairy Free Chocolate Mousse
¼ cup water
¼ cup coconut palm sugar
1 cup dark chocolate chips
4 eggs, separated
½ cup cream/fat from can coconut milk
            In a medium pot, heat water to boiling.  Reduce heat, and then stir in palm sugar until dissolved.  Remove pan from stove and cool palm sugar mixture for 8 minutes.  Add chocolate, stirring until melted.  In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks until pale yellow.  In another medium bowl beat egg whites to stiff peaks.  Stir egg yolks into chocolate mixture (yes, into the pot).  Stir egg whites into chocolate-yolk mixture until well combined, and then stir in coconut fat.  Pour or spoon mousse into jars, then place in refrigerator overnight to set.  Grate some chocolate on top and serve.

Popsicles

2 1/3 cups Greek yogurt, divided
1/2 cup organic sliced strawberries
1/2 cup organic blueberries
choice of sweetener to taste: stevia, agave

            Mix in your blender and pour into molds. My kids like to slice kiwis and push down in before you freeze so that you get chunks of fruit. Add some cocoa and bananas without the fruit and it is a fudgesicle.
Smoothies
A bit of so delicious coconut milk.
about 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries (always add these to cover the green)
2 huge handfuls of organic spinach
2 cups of any frozen fruit we like the mixes at Sam’s club and usually have all on hand to choose from.
1/2 to 1 frozen banana because it makes it so creamy
Chia gel 1/4 cup per person I am serving
sweetener if needed we like nu-naturals Stevia
            Blend, if it is too thick add more coconut milk not too much or it overpowers the flavor. Ice cubes make it thicker you can throw those in if needed. I put in the blender the night before and then pop in the fridge add the ice cubes in the morning and breakfast is served along with a muffin. We also take the extra and freeze for popsicles.

Good info.

This was posted by a friend of mine who is a personal trainer, this is basically a note to self!!!




Smart eating & dieting advice... Choose cheat meals wisely. Most items are not worth the heavy calories, fat & sodium you will take in. But if you really want something tasty, then eat it once a week as a cheat meal not an entire cheat day! Cheat meals are an important part of an intense training program but need to be done in moderation :

Lisa

Same! Stress! Shizola!  I admit to stress eating quite a bit this week... waiting for my son's surgery this Weds.  I am hoping that I can close that door of sneaking my snickers bars with the mind set that those things will actually do something for stress.....old habits die hard!

To better days ahead!!

Kyle Jones - week 6

No loss this week!

Ed Johnson - Week 6

No loss this week!

Jen Jones - Week 6

This week has been a little better.  I really wanted kick it in high gear but considering the many many hours I have been workin (lack of sleep is not good for weight loss) and not feeling that good at the same time didn't help much. 

Down  1.4 lbs (.73%) total loss 2.15%

Virgil

Grandpa was on vacation for a lot of this week and gained some weight but was able to lose .11% which is 3.94% for his total and 7.6lbs so far!

Katie the sicko

Well I am sad to say I gained back what I lost last week... Exactly! I blame the gallons of OJ I have been drinking this week due to this nasty cold going on. I wasn't able to work out like I usually do (I would start running and end up turning around a block or so down the road!)  :) Anyway better days next week!

With our carbs- I wasnt great with keeping track so I will try again next week too!

Andrea

You know how some diets have "cheat days?"  Well, I had a cheat week.  Luckily, I had a few days to get my eating back in check and am happy to report a loss of .2lbs and .12% for a total percentage lost of 6.36%.  Not a big loss but not a gain either.  I think I'll have to work really hard this week to make up for all my cheating.

Aaron Eldridge Wk 5 and Wk 6 (forgot to post last week)

Week 5 lost 1.2 lbs for 0.31 % total % 3.97 total pounds 16.2


week 6 lost 2.6 lbs for 0.66 % total % 4.61 total pound lost 18.8

Carbohydrate Week!

Okay our focus this week is going to be learning how many CARBS we should be eating each day and what are "good carbs" and what carbs we should do without! Looking online I found an article stating:

Start with your daily calorie need  and divide that number in half. That's how many calories should come from carbohydrates. Now take that number and divide it by four - each gram of carbohydrate has four calories. The final number is equal to the amount of carbohydrates you need each day. For example, a person who eats approximately 2,000 calories per day should take in about about 250 grams of carbohydrates.

Keep track of your daily calorie and carbohydrate need with a food diary. You can also keep track of the foods you eat this way - choose the best carbohydrate-rich foods, such as 100% whole-grain products, nuts, seeds, legumes, fruits and vegetables.
Avoid foods that contain large amounts of refined (white) flour and sugar, such as sugary snacks, pastries, sugar-sweetened soft drinks, candy, cookies, greasy chips and most processed, packaged snack foods. These foods contain too many calories while offering little or no nutritional value. Some of these foods also contain saturated and trans-fats that are bad for your heart

Karina

Karina stayed the same this week NO GAINS (amazing with all the crap we ate at work!) But adds 6 miles

Lyle

Do to a very stressful week Lyle is up 1 lb- so what he lost last week! Hopefully some new exciting things for this up coming week!

Rebecca

Becca lost 1lb for a weekly of .20% !

Big Daddy C & Big Mama Lisa

Craig is down 3 lbs for the week or 1.2% and 4.5% total.

Lisa stayed the same.

Now that the busy stressful time of the year is past at the school district, maybe I can get a little more regular on exercise.  It's tough to be a fat old man!

Janet Johnson

Zero lost.....

Kyle Jones

Down .37%

Jen Jones

I have been a slacker!  Between birthday's and vacations I have went up almost 2 lbs!!!  So I need to adjust my total % to 1.43%.  I will get serious again...

Ed Johnson

down 2.6 lbs - total 1.03% for the week

Emily

Well kind of a crazy week LOTS of anxiety and stress...I started working full time...walking around a huge facility, lifting people that weigh more than me, and eating smaller portions I guess worked cause today is the first day I have actually exercised all week, BUT I am down 3 lbs for a 1.72% weekly weight loss and a total of 7.07% weight loss...stress it can be beneficial :)

For my fiber this week it wasn't on my mind too much, but I tried to take and apple and another fresh fruit for lunch every day or a yummy green salad!!! So since I'm not at my house anymore to just graze and munch I'm going to try and pack healthy lunches so I don't really have a choice, but to eat what I have :)

you can add 2.5 miles today for us!

Katie

So I thought my diet had gone to the birds this week with LOTS of work stress and Birthday Party planning for this weekend (had to taste test a lot of things you know) BUT I was able to lose 1/2 lb putting me in a new "weight area" that I haven't been in since college! So SUPER excited about that craziness! I hope to really focus on DIETING this week and lots of cardio for workouts!

As far as the fiber this week- I really tried to have raw fruits/veggies with each meal- I also had some dried apricots (DO NOT a lot in the same setting....Yikes!) and fiber bars for snacks. I want to try those "green shakes" with spinach etc each morning. I also ate only "whole wheat" breads/tortillas!

Virgil Weigh In

Grandpa lost 1.42% this week for a totla of 4.05% and he is down 7.6lbs!!!

Andrea

Down 1.1lbs and .68% with a total 6.25% down.  Slow and steady I suppose.  This week will be my temptation - around CRAP for half the week.  We'll see how strong my will power is.  I'll be happy to just stay the same!

Have you tried the E.D. Smith Peach Mango Orange jam at Costco?  It is great for anyone who may have diabetes as it is quite low in carbs for a jam (and the calories are low, too).  My dear mother introduced me to it.  One day we were shopping at Costco and we saw the lady from Bountiful who won the at-home prize for the Biggest Loser last season.  I looked in her cart and she had a jar of this, too.  Gotta be good, right?  I like to do scrambled egg whites with chopped up bell peppers, sprinkle a little shredded cheese on top and add a little salsa.  Then I toast up some Sara Lee Delightful wheat bread and use a little of that jam.  Delish and low cal.

Fiber from Mayoclinic.com!!!

How much fiber do you need?

How much fiber do you need each day? The National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine, which provides science-based advice on matters of medicine and health, gives the following daily recommendations for adults:

	Age 50 and younger	Age 51 and older
Men	38 grams	30 grams
Women	25 grams	21 grams

Your best fiber choices

If you aren't getting enough fiber each day, you may need to boost your intake. Good choices include:

• Grains and whole-grain products
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Beans, peas and other legumes
• Nuts and seeds

Refined or processed foods — such as canned fruits and vegetables and pulp-free juice, white bread and pasta, and non-whole-grain cereals — are lower in fiber content. The grain-refining process removes the outer coat (bran) from the grain, which lowers its fiber content. Similarly, removing the skin from fruits and vegetables decreases their fiber content.
Whole foods rather than fiber supplements are generally better. Fiber supplements — such as Metamucil, Citrucel and FiberCon — don't provide the vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients that high-fiber foods do. However, some people may still need a fiber supplement if dietary changes aren't sufficient, or if they have certain medical conditions such as constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome. Always check with your doctor if you feel you need to take fiber supplements.

Tips for fitting in fiber

Need ideas for high-fiber meals and snacks? Try these suggestions:

• Jump-start your day. For breakfast choose a high-fiber breakfast cereal — 5 or more grams of fiber a serving. Opt for cereals with "bran" or "fiber" in the name. Or add a few tablespoons of unprocessed wheat bran to your favorite cereal.
• Switch to whole grains. Look for breads that list whole wheat, whole-wheat flour or another whole grain as the first ingredient on the label. Look for a brand with at least 2 grams of dietary fiber a serving. Experiment with brown rice, wild rice, barley, whole-wheat pasta and bulgur.
• Bulk up your baked goods. Substitute whole-grain flour for half or all of the white flour when baking. Whole-grain flour is heavier than white flour. In yeast breads, use a bit more yeast or let the dough rise longer. When using baking powder, increase it by 1 teaspoon for every 3 cups of whole-grain flour. Try adding crushed bran cereal or unprocessed wheat bran to muffins, cakes and cookies.
• Mix it up. Add pre-cut fresh or frozen vegetables to soups and sauces. For example, mix chopped frozen broccoli into prepared spaghetti sauce or toss fresh baby carrots into stews.
• Get a leg up with legumes. Eat more beans, peas and lentils. Add kidney beans to canned soup or a green salad. Or make nachos with refried black beans, lots of fresh veggies, whole-wheat tortilla chips and salsa.
• Eat fruit at every meal. Apples, bananas, oranges, pears and berries are good sources of fiber.
• Make snacks count. Fresh and dried fruit, raw vegetables, and low-fat popcorn and whole-grain crackers are all good choices. An occasional handful of nuts is also a healthy, high-fiber snack.

High-fiber foods are good for your health. But adding too much fiber too quickly can promote intestinal gas, abdominal bloating and cramping. Increase fiber in your diet gradually over a period of a few weeks. This allows the natural bacteria in your digestive system to adjust to the change. Also, drink plenty of water. Fiber works best when it absorbs water, making your stool soft and bulky.

FIBER WEEK!!!!!

Attention All Fellow Losers: This week we are going to focus on getting enough FIBER into our diets each day! Good Luck and please share all your ideas/recipes for everyone!

REMINDERS...

Hey Everyone! Congrats to those of you that continue to do so well each week! Just a couple reminders to PLEASE include your WEEKLY % with your weigh in so I can keep our graph updated correctly and also include any MILES your run/walk (for now we won't count biking...) Also remember that weigh in's are every SATURDAY!!!! (thanks for those of you that let me know when you are gone!)

Craig

Craig lost 3lbs this week for a wkly of 1.2% and a TOTAL of 3.4% so far!

Emily

So I stayed the same this week bummer...it's been a little bit of a stress eating week :) you can add 20 miles to the thing though I forgot last week's amount so this if for two weeks! Better weight loss next week :)

Karina

Karina stayed the same this week but stated "Lose Weight Next Week or BUST"!

Virgil weigh in

Grandpa lost .33% for a total of 2.67% so far!

Katie

So I lost just a teeny-tiny bit this week .12%  I did run my first 10k today! And I did in 3 minutes faster then my goal so I am excited for that and feel good!

Aaron Eldridge Wk 4

only lost 1.4 lbs this week.  Thought i worked hard for it too.

weekly % = 0.35

Total % = 3.68

Total pound lost = 15

Lisa

I'd love to count the 5 lbs. that I actually lost this week...being that I had gone up 3 lbs. during the week, I only get to count 2 lbs.  It's been a good week...trying to be more positive about all the things that are good in life, not just the weightloss!  So, I am down 3.55% total, total of 7 lbs.

Add 9 miles to the walking running....Katie, can you count biking miles or not?

Have a great August everyone!

Andrea

This week I'm down an itty-bitty .6lbs or .37% with a total 5.6%.  I really gave in this week.  It's time to get back on track.  So watch out, I'm back in the game.

THOUGHTS FROM A GRANDMA....

For me, it's all about the food I put in my yapper.  

However, the exercise helps me be healthy....and I feel a stress release when I do it.

I've tried ALL the ways to lose weight (too many diets to list.) Today I thought, truly...it's about being in tune to what works for YOUR body.  I always go into "hyper" mode when I see someone who has lost a lot of weight and can't wait for them to reveal  a solution to the weight problem...."please tell me it's as easy as a pill....or a protein bar....." and yet in the back of my brain I'm saying "but you won't succeed."

Well, I'm going to say it out loud today: I am successful, and I am disciplined, and I can achieve goals...and I have proved that to myself in many areas of my life.  This weight thing....well, it's probably much more an emotional battle than anyone wants to admit.

So, I say....let's be nice to ourselves, be happy with the success's we do have in our lives....it's not about the "appearance" so much as what we are saying to ourselves on the inside!

I do hope for a healthier weight, a healthier life, a healthier self talking me!

Ever upward!!!

I thought I'd post some of my greatest successes!!!!!

I found some interesting Foods we should NOT eat.....

Sadly, some of our favorite household foods top the “should not eat” list. Here are some American favorites that should be approached with cautious moderation.

1. Baked Beans – Many people keep a stock of canned beans in the pantry. Those that are soaking in sugary syrup, like baked beans, are high in refined sugars and contribute to many health problems.
2. Campbell’s Condensed Soups – Have you seen how much salt is in your classic Campbell’s condensed soup? Do yourself a favor and try the low-sodium version instead.
3. Chicken Pot Pie – Processed, store-bought pot pies are terribly unhealthy. Pepperidge Farm makes roasted chicken pot pie 1,020 calories and 64 grams of fat.
4. Hot Dogs – Not only are these a leading cause of choking in children and adults, they contain highly processed meat “byproducts,” whatever that may be. Stay away from foods with such mysterious ingredients.
5. Luncheon Meats – Commercial cold cuts are highly processed and packed with unhealthy additives.
6. Ramen Noodles – College students everywhere are scraping by with this inexpensive dish. However, it offers nothing in the way of nutrients and is loaded with sodium.
7. Saltines – These crackers taste good with your soup, but provide only excessive carbohydrates and sodium.
8. White Bread – Foods made of mostly white flour are just empty calories and carbohydrates. Don’t be fooled by wheat bread, either. You should be looking for whole wheat bread.
9. White Pasta – The white flour strikes again. Although tasty, this refined product offers too many carbohydrates and too many calories.
10. White Potatoes – These are the type of potatoes that are commonly used for junk food like French Fries. They contain solanine, which can have a toxic effect on people. Among other things, solanine can contribute to calcium depletion and arthritic pain.

Drinks
Everything you consume can have positive or negative health consequences, including drinks. While many people are conscious about the food they eat, they forget about the liquid calories in their diet. Below are some of the unhealthiest drinks in America.

11. Baskin Robbin’s Large Heath Bar Shake – According to Yahoo! Health, this is the unhealthiest drink in all of America. It contains a whopping 2,310 calories, 266 grams of sugar and 108 grams of fat!
12. Cocktails – What do you get when you combine high levels of refined sugar and unhealthy amounts of hard liquor? You get a cocktail, which was invented by the British Navy so sailors would get drunk a little slower. Like anything, moderation is key, but you would be better off with a glass of red wine than with a cocktail.
13. Coffee – Need a pick-me-up in the morning? Studies show that a fresh apple and a glass of water can actually do this in a more healthy, natural way. Let your poor adrenal glands get some rest by laying off the coffee.
14. Diet Soda – Don’t assume diet soda is better for you than the regular kind. Sugar substitutes are known to have long-term, unpleasant side effects. Plus, caffeine of any kind is bad for your health.
15. Eggnog – This creamy drink is a favorite around the holidays. Even without the liquor, it is quite fatty and unhealthy.
16. Fruit Juice – Most commercial fruit juices are loaded with sugar. In fact, some fruit juices offer more sugar in one serving than a candy bar. Think about that the next time you go for some Hawaiian Punch.
17. Fruit Smoothie – Just like fruit juice, most smoothies are delicious, yet contain more sugar and high fructose syrup than actual fruit. Be selective when looking for a healthy fruit-based drink.
18. Irish Coffee – This combines three unhealthy ingredients: coffee, cream and hard liquor.
19. Liquor – While studies have shown that moderate consumption of beer or wine can offer heart benefits, there is really no reason to drink hard liquor. It is bad for your kidneys, your liver and even a small amount will dehydrate you.
20. Red Bull – This drink gives you wings… and extremely high amounts of sugar, caffeine and carbohydrates. This intense energy drink has actually been linked to a few deaths. Listen up, America: France actually banned this potent tonic.
21. Soda – Soda is bad for you on many levels. It usually offers tons of sugar and caffeine, not to mention it isn’t so great on your teeth. It does, however, work well to remove rust from metals. Think about that, won’t you?
22. Starbucks’ Java Chip Frappuccino – Frankly, you should avoid any beverage at Starbucks that isn’t green tea or water. However, the Java Chip Frappuccino really stands out for its whopping 650 calories. You could eat a greasy cheeseburger from a fast food restaurant and consume less calories!
23. Whole Milk – Whole milk is not only high in fat, certain brands contain harmful hormones. Look for a dependable organic, hormone-free brand and try to make the switch to skim.

Snacks
Let’s face it — most of us don’t want to munch on celery stalks when we feel a small rumble in our tummy. However, the following snacks could make that tummy a lot bigger, so don’t overindulge.

24. Chocolate – It isn’t just the calories that make chocolate a big no-no. It is also a source of caffeine and some people are quite sensitive to the effects.
25. Coffee Cake – This sugary baked good definitely tastes great, but it is full of refined sugars, artificial additives and fat.
26. Cookies – Technically, there are healthy cookie recipes out there. However, the typical cookies are full of refined flour, refined sugars and more calories than you should ever consume in one nibble.
27. Corn Chips – Don’t let the word “corn” fool you. This snack does not count as a vegetable serving and are just as bad for you as any other fried, salted snack.
28. Doughnuts – Artificial flavors, refined sugar and trans fats abound in these devilishly delicious snacks.
29. French Fries – French fries are not only fatty, they contain acrylamide, which is a known carcinogen.
30. Ice Cream – Ice cream can be fatty with the whole milk and sugar alone. However, it becomes even worse when you start adding things like chocolate pieces or cookie dough. Opt for low-fat frozen yogurt if you must indulge.
31. Lunchables – This Oscar Mayer product is convenient for lunch or a quick snack, but contains highly processed meats, non-enriched bread and a lot of sodium.
32. Potato Chips – Most of us realize how bad these are for us, yet they are hard to resist. Potato chips are high in trans fats, calories, salt and the carcinogen acrylamide.

“Health Foods”
Some foods are marketed as being healthy and many of us assume they are great additions to our diet. However, the following items should be eaten in moderation or not at all.

33. Bagel and Cream Cheese – This is a favorite breakfast food for many people. It seems healthier than a big, traditional breakfast. However, the average bagel covered in cream cheese offers 40 grams of fat and tons of carbohydrates.
34. Bran Muffin – Those looking for a healthy start in the morning often reach for a bran muffin. However, refined flour and sugars are not a healthy source of energy first thing in the morning.
35. Dried Fruit – Fresh fruit is far healthier than dried fruit, as it takes more dried fruit (and calories) to feel full. Also, many dried fruit products are covered with sugar.
36. Fruit Cocktail – Fruit is an integral part of a healthy diet. However, you should be buying fresh fruit and not fruit that is soaking in thick, sugary syrups. Not only is the added sugar unhealthy, fruit can lose a lot of nutrients when it is processed and canned.
37. Granola Bars – While the word “granola” is often used to describe health advocates, granola bars are often loaded with fatty oils and sugar.
38. Low-Fat Salad Dressing – While some salad dressings offer a reduced amount of fat, the taste is often salvaged by adding sugar.
39. Margarine – At one time, margarine was hailed as the healthy alternative to pure butter. However, margarine is loaded with trans fats and is linked to a higher risk of heart disease.
40. Microwave Diet Meals – There are many brands, such as Weight Watchers and Lean Cuisine, that claim to offer “healthy” microwave meals. However low in fat they may be, however, they are very processed and salty. Also, the portions are so small that you are likely to eat again very soon.
41. Olive Oil – While real olive oil is good for raising HDL cholesterol levels, it is still just as fatty as vegetable oil and its healthy properties are reduced by heat. Don’t expect to drop many pounds by cooking anything in oil. Olive oil is merely the lesser of the evils.
42. Pasta Salad – Pasta is loaded with refined flour, which offers you a quick spike in blood sugar and isn’t so great for your waist line. That, along with high-calorie dressing, makes pasta salad a “health food” you should avoid.
43. Pretzels – While it is true that pretzels are better for you than potato chips, they only offer empty calories. There are no nutritional benefits to pretzels and some are filled with sugar, which only makes you hungrier.
44. Protein Bars – Why these food items line the shelves of health food stores is a mystery. They offer a convenient source of protein, yes, but they are also packed with calories and fat.
45. Tuna Fish Sandwich – This isn’t quite the healthy lunch you thought it was, particularly if you order one in a restaurant. Not only is the mayo high in fat, eating large quantities of tuna exposes you to mercury contamination.
46. Turkey Burger – Turkey burgers are not necessarily low-fat alternatives to regular hamburgers. In fact, they can be just as loaded with fat and grease. When purchasing patties in the grocery store, compare the turkey burgers to beef burgers and you might be surprised.
47. Yogurt Cups – Yogurt can be quite healthy if prepared properly. However, most yogurt cups found in grocery stores, such as the ones with fruit in the bottom, are loaded with sugary corn syrup.

Emily week 3

I had an ok week, one day I totally fell off the diet plan and added some sweets, but next week it's a whole different ball game. I'm down 2 lbs with a 1.14% weekly loss and a total of 5.43% loss!!!

Aaron Eldridge - week 3

lost 4lbs for 1.0 % this week

Total percent lost 3.33 %

Total pounds lost 13.6

Andrea

Not much motivation this week and wandered off the diet a few times but still down 2lbs or 1.22%.  Yea!!

Big Daddy C

Down 2 for the week or .77% and 2.3% total so far.  This proves my assumptions that 2-3 days at Disneyland is not only a great time but good for you as well!  It must have been all the waves the beat the crap out of me at Huntington Beach!

Lisa

Well, I am thrilled to say I remained the same, even though I partook of crab legs, mashed potatoes, 2 marshmallow carmel chocolate mickey mouse sticks, rocky road fudge.......you get the picture!  I suppose all the walking on the beach and at Disneyland helped me out!  But, I am feeling the force this week...congrats to Sue Ann for the huge weight loss....I hope to do the same this week!!!

Brooke Field wk-3

3.2 lbs lost, wekkly % 1.61, overall % 0.91  195.8 lbs.  Yeah!

Sue Ann

After having a bad week last one- here are some great numbers for everyone! Sue Ann lost 7lbs! She wins the 5lbs challenge!!! Her wkly loss is 2.71%

Katie B

Great week! I feel like I stayed on the straight and narrow path of righteous eating for the most part- and lots of exercises this week! My weekly loss is .82%!

Brooke Field wk-2

I gained!!!!!  Oh ya, I am messed up!  199.0 lbs. Weekly %  -1.95, total %  -0.71. 

Some Summer Wonderfuls...Katie Style..

So here are a couple items that I sure do enjoy esp during these hot summer months!

Berry Mix: 4ppl add more if needed
3/4c-1c of all berries: Straw, Blue, Black, Ras 
3/4c- FF or reduced fat sour cream
1 T - honey
Mix Berries together and whip sour cream/honey together place dip in a bowl and top with berries. Delightful! And Gluten Free Mom! :)

Orange Cream:
FF cream cheese (or reduced fat if you are naughty)
3 T sugar
2 tea vanilla extract
1 tea orange peel grated
MMMMMMM~! Great with anything! Fruit, crackers, breads, etc etc

Frozen Crystal Light Ice Cubes
Frozen Grapes
Peanut Butter on Apple slices
Egg Salad sandwich/crackers boil a couple eggs- take most of the yolk out add a tiny bit of mayo S & P to taste- yummy lunch
We get the Bountiful Basket Bread 9 grain- only 50 cal and it tastes like Great Harvest!
Homemade Fruit pop cycles (recipes coming soon!)
Lastly now when I make cookies: I use only dark choco chips, wheat flour, sugar subst. and they still taste wonderful!

Andrea's snack

So my snack is probably not the very best thing but it tides me over.  My favorite thing in the afternoon when I think I need to eat is one of the mini bags of popcorn.  It's low in calories and lets me think that I'm getting to eat a carb.  That will usually tide me over until dinnertime.  I know it's not a carrot stick but it's not a Snicker's Bar either! 

NEW CHALLENGE ALERT:

The next person to lose 5lbs receives ONE free lb to use at any weigh in!

Aaron Eldridge - Week 2

Aaron Eldridge --
week 2  6.6 lbs  
weekly % 1.63
total %    2.35
total lbs lost 9.6

Lisa

Went a bit to the dark side this week, but remained the same! So....hopefully with a 30th anniversary (being marry that long to the same person should count for something right???)   trip to visit Mickey this coming week I can say "no" to Disney treats and lose some poundage!  

Add 9 miles to the log! (If you will take biking miles, I will add more!)

Kyle Jones - week 2

Lost .83% this week with a total of 1.46%

Jen Jones - week 2

Stayed the same this week but lost inches which makes me happy!!!

Ed Johnson - week 2

Lost .16% with total loss of 1.33%

Rebecca

Rebecca lost 1.4 lbs for a wkly of .78%

Karina

Karina stayd the same but added 12 miles

Lyle Wk 2

Lyle didn't have any changes this week (phew) but he is rearing for next week

Sue Ann

SueAnn stayed the same this week- but look out for this trouble maker next week!

Virgil Week 2

Virgil last a whaaaappppinnngggg 5 lbs!!! I am so excited for him!!! Good job Grandpa! His weekly loss is 2.67%!

Katie B

So I am the exact same this week! Did really well at the first of the week with dieting etc, but maybe let too many other items sneak in towards the end but I am happy I wasn't up any and I am so excited to report that this morning I ran my very first race ever. I ran a 5k beat my goal time by 2 minutes and it was a very nice way to start the weekend hopefully on a really good note!
Happy Postings...

Andrea

3 Birthdays, 2 BBQ's and 1 pizza party.  Lost 2.7lbs and 1.62%.  Can't complain.  Would have liked more but with all the partying going on around here I will take any loss!  Here's to a better week!!

Emily

Okay not as much as I would have liked but I lost 3 pounds for a 1.68 % this week and a total weight loss of 4.35% I blame applebees last night :)

How much water should we drink??

I don't know about the rest of you- but one thing that I sometimes struggle with is drinking enough water! Some day's I am great at it and feel like I might slash-swash while I walk, other day's I feel sooo thirsty by night time or when I wake up in the mornings.. So here is what I found out about drinking enough water each day...

You take the # of lbs that you weigh and multiple it by 2/3's   = the number of ounces per day you should drink!
ex: 150lbs X 2/3 = 100oz of water!
I found an awesome article

A little something else

Okay...I wanted to share with you all my new superfood!!! Maybe I'm the last to get on board or know about this, but I got some ground Flax seed and I'm very excited to use it! It can be substituted as fat and oil and eggs in baking, put in smoothies, on top of salads and it is just packed full of nutrients and the omega-3s. If you get it ground up instead of the seed form I had a friend tell me to put it in the freezer because it goes rancid quickly. I plan on adding it to my smoothies and salads. I'll let you know how baking goes. You have to triple the  flax compared to the fat. I went to Good Earth to their bulk section and got a pound for about 3 bucks, not super cheap, but hopefully it lasts for awhile!

-o and ps just watch out at the weigh in this week...that's all I'm sayin

Em's Fun Snack/Treat

Here is a yummy summer treat that can be as healthy as you wanna make it. At any store they have little popscicle makers that you can get. Then make any type of smoothie that you want and freeze it, so instead of grabbing that fudgscicle you can have a smoothie pop...much better choice. Also, another favorite power food I like to make especially in summer are green smoothies, I know they sound Yuck, but they actually are really tasty and full of all the good stuff for you. Just make any fruit smoothie (I think mangoes and pineapple give it a stronger fruit flavor personally) and then add like 2-3 big handfuls of spinach to your smoothie! You can't taste the spinach if you balance it good with the fruit. I don't know if you like to use milk with your smoothies, but you can sub cows milk with vanilla soy or coconut milk to make it a super weight loss treat!!!!

Lyle Week 1

Lyle had a killer weigh in down 7lbs!!! His weekly is 2.81%  Nice Job!

Virgil Week 1

Virgil stayed the same this week- due to a Chuck-A-Rama dinner last night! Uh-Oh~! Anyway he back on the band wagon and hopes to have a great weigh in next week!

Sue Ann

Sue Ann lost one lb this week for a total of .34%!!! She said lots of temptations at work made it hard, but hopes to be stronger next week!

Karina Weigh In

Karina lost 2lbs this week for a weekly % of 1.05%!!!! Nicely done

Aaron Eldridge Wk 1

Weight Loss 3 lbs 0.74%

Here is my goal. 

I was offered a IT job overseas with the military in IRAQ and when i read the fine print i found that they don't allow anyone wsith a BMI of 40.0 or higher.  My goal is to get my weight down where i can re-apply for the position.  i never in my life expected to be offered a career changing job only to find out later i wouldn't qualify becasue of my weight

Ed Johnson - week 1

Down 3 lb. = 1.18%

Jen Jones - week 1

Down 4.6 lb = 2.35%

Kyle Jones - week 1

Down 1.4 lbs. = .64%

Big Daddy C

Well down 3 lbs - 1.1%.  Not to bad given the eating experiences I had this week.  I'll try to do a bit better next week.

Brooke Field wk-1

P.S. 10 miles this week.

Brooke Field wk-1

Well I am pleased.  This was a very bad week for me, yet I still lost!  Yeah!  I lost 2.4 lbs with a % of 1.21.  Holl-a!!

Emily

well it begins...thanks to a little help from the flu bug...not much but a little and changing my diet I am down 5 lbs for a 2.72% weightloss

and add 10 miles to the running (we're counting fast walking right?)

Lisa

Happy(and a bit surprised) to report a 5 lbs. weight loss this week! Whoot Whoot!

Down 2.54%.  


Add 5 miles to the total run, if you count biking I can add quite a bit more from my excursions on my cruiser with the bell!

WHEN POSTING YOUR %

Hey Everyone,
When reporting your lbs lost etc- make sure to include your wkly % so I can keep track on the graph!
THANKS

Katie B

Week 1- Check!... I am starting with "calories counting" or attempting too- anyways lots of running this week, even though my body now feels like I am 70 I did conquer my mtn hill this morning which helped me lose some.

I am down 2.4lbs for a weekly % of 1.38%

Andrea

One week down.  This week was easier than I had anticipated. I remembered that the last time I went on a "diet" I was always hungry that first week so I figured that if I could get through this first week I'd be good.  Surprisingly, it wasn't so bad.  In fact, it was pretty easy to switch up my eating habits, knock on wood.  I had a conversation with my husband about how I hate that I'm in this challenge because I feel like I can't vear off course at all and cheat, but in the same breath, if I wasn't involved in this I wouldn't be strict enough to change my habits and lose the weight.  A double edged sword, you see.  In my insane world of toddlers and an incredibly busy husband at work I haven't snuck in much extra exercise and I need to work on that.  Actual "personal time" is hard to come by and when I do find a little, I use that time for sleep.  The lessening my portions and increasing my veggies has been good so far.  Always a work in progress, right?!  Anyway, enough rambling.
Stats:  Down 4.3lbs and 2.51%!

PS - my money is on you, Craig.  Brandt and I both think it's your game if you want it bad enough.  Don't let us down!! :)

Emily's goals

Ok so my strategy for this weight loss game is...

-work out 6 days a week
- eat mostly meatless meals for dinner, (healthy fruits and veggies for lunch and snacks)
-allow myself my delicious diet coke once a week
-my cheat days will be on sundays
-do strength training 3 days a week
-PORTION CONTROL

Hopefully I can see some good results. I know the big thing for me is changing my eating habits so this is great motivation to get going!

Let the games begin

This should be a fun few months.  I will try to put my all into this effort.  I would love to loose between 20-30 lbs with an additional 10 to go.  I believe my schedule will allow me to devote more time to exercise and doing the things I need to do to drop the unwanted pounds.  Thanks to Katie for being the promotor of this latest round.  Good luck to all and I will enjoy spending your money! :)
Katie's Daddy
Lisa's Hubby
Craig

Rebecca's Story...

So... about me... My name is Rebecca Speakman and I am 25 years old. I am a wife and a full time mother of two awesome kids. Our son Auden is 2 and our baby girl Margaret Kate is 7 months old. I was always active and fit throughout high school and the first year or so of college, but started putting on the weight about the time I got engaged... I guess that's what can happen when you get comfortable!

I continued to gain weight over the next few years. Five years of marriage and two kids later I am heavier than I have ever been. I currently weigh 210.6 pounds. That is about twice as much as I weighed in high school! I am completely unhappy with my appearance and uncomfortable in my own skin thanks to years of not exercising and indulging in an unhealthy diet. As you can imagine, I have tried multiple diets over the past few years, but it doesn't take long for me to quit and fall back into my bad habits.

But, this time will be different!!! I am more motivated than ever to loose the weight.

I am ready to shed the pounds and get myself healthy again. My plan is simple... Follow a sensible diet full of good-for-you foods and exercise 5 times a week. It sounds simple, but this is a major change from my current lifestyle. After all, nothing changes if nothing changes! Good Luck to all of you! I am determined to win this weight loss challenge, SO WATCH OUT! : )

Get your picture right Katie Lyn Carter Bunnell

OK tootsie, Jen and I are here at work are thinking (yes, checking out the blog) ....hey, get your current picture up there....you don't look like that "old" you anymore!!!  We know that you will look amazing in 15 weeks time as well!!!  Giddyup everyone!

Jen Jones

I have several goals this time around! 

#1 - Drink all my water before partaking in my Diet Soda
#2 - Cardio workout at least 5 times a week w/ weight lifting atleast 2 times a week.
#3 - Log all my food on www.myfitnesspal.com ....even the treats :)
#4 - Get rid of  20 lbs.
#5 - Go down 2 sizes in clothes
#6 - Record my progress w/ measurements & photos every 2 weeks

I know I will still eat treats because "Hello my name is Jen and I am an addict" HAHAHA!
It is the first step right? 

I am excited that my hubby, parents and friends are joining me in this challenge.  I am also excited to kick my flub in gear again.  Let's get this challenge started....

Lisa C.

A saga of  51.5 years (in a nutshell)

Being that I weighed 3 lbs. 6 ounces as a premie at birth, it’s hard to believe that weight could ever be an issue. But alas.....

I have struggled with my “outward” self esteem nearly  my entire life.  Now, that I’m nearly 52 years old, I am, (if I could put it in more direct terms I would,) just totally, utterly, tired of fighting a weight battle at all!!!!  I like myself at this age a lot more than I ever have; but my outward self doesn’t tell the world who my inside self is!

I have done the roller coaster just like everyone else....up, down, up, down----so many times I can’t count.  Motherhood, daughterhood, wifehood, stresshood, work-hood, church-hood,  all these “hoods” bring colorful emotions at different times of life----and I am definitley a stress eater, a total chocoholic (not kidding) which is better than the fermented kind of “holic” that runs in the genetics; but still.....

My motivation is to be a better example to my 2 beautiful daughters who are trying to be their best and do this “event;”  they  motivate me, they inspire me, and I truly want my grandchildren to know I value my life enough to be healthy for them.  I also want my husband and I to be on the same page of this health thing, and I’m so glad he is going to play in this competition!  I pray, that when October rolls around, the month I hit my 52 b.day.....I will be showing a new and improved outside version of who I really am!  Because I am strong, and I can.

Goal:

Lose weight

Gain Energy

Be proud of my efforts

Strut My Stuff!

30 years in August together!!! Now that's something!