Mo' GO!

Improvise

2010-06-27T20:16:00.002-06:00

So Keith and I ran up to the store tonight to buy some fireworks and decided just to grab a freezer meal for dinner since it was getting quite late. We grabbed some orange chicken which I thought was a low fat meal but on further inspection (at home) realized I'd looked at the package wrong and that 1C of the prepared meal was 7 points. So deciding 7 points was a little high for dinner I grabbed a huge bag of frozen veggies and mixed it into the dinner to cut the points to 5. I can live with that.

week 1

2010-06-25T22:38:00.002-06:00

Start weight 315
end of week 1 weight 309.8
5.2 weight loss.

weekly score 604.8

This week as far as the MOGO goes, was not too bad for me. Unfortunately I did not post a goal oriented good habit forming thing. . .so I missed out on an extra 60 points for that. . .My exercise is going good. . .my food is going good. . .I cant really stop talking shit (even to my own teammate!), so my communication is going good. I've really enjoyed my happy points. . .I miss playing my guitar. . .but hopefully that'll change soon. . . and my water is easy. . usually have it mostly done by 10 am.

My goal/ good habit thingy will be to get out into the field for atleast an hour or 2 to get to know my pumper runs better. . . .I've had a hard time to get out into the field lately, but that is my goal thingy. . .

Hope everyone is doing okay with thier game . . .and keep up the good work peeps.

Week 1

2010-06-25T15:36:00.002-06:00

Heres my scores for the first week. Due to Cafe Rio's excellent chicken salad I might not make weigh-in next week. I have a feeling my butt just grew a foot and a half but we'll give it a shot.

Starting weight: 226.6
Ending weight: 224.2
Score: 605

Better late than never

2010-06-24T13:59:00.002-06:00

Well here is my post a week late :( guess I dont get points for blogging on time this week..... My habit that I'm working on is to not yell at my kids (wish me luck haha). Starti ng weight for this round was 151.6. I will be posting again tomorrow :)

super late. . .for team chavez . . .

2010-06-23T21:47:00.002-06:00

I am posting this to get everyone on the same page. I started this competition lower in weight than last GO. starting weight 315. im doing a fitness goal, where i am going to power lift weights atleast 3 times a week on top of my daily 30 mins of exercise. lifting weights generally doesn't promote weight loss .. . .especially while your gaining muscle , but im hopeful that with my diet and exercise i will lose some weight as well.

Progress

2010-06-23T18:33:00.002-06:00

I stepped on the scale today and for the first time since the last game found i'd lost some weight. I love that feeling. Also, I love to look in the mirror and see that my clothes fit better, so awesome.
However, I found myself cooking eggplant for the first time in my life tonight and I don't know quite how I feel about it yet. There are ups and downs to everything in life but eggplant may just be one of those things I just can't handle. We shall see after dinner. Wish us luck that we don't die or turn purple.

better late than never..

2010-06-21T10:36:00.003-06:00

My starting weight is 320.6

I'm up 4ish lbs from the last time we played.

Not as bad as I thought it would be.

My habit/goal whatever we are calling it now is for me to be in bed by 11. This will be a big change from 1 or 2 and will hopefully help me get up earlier and with more energy so I can get in my exercise.

Thats it. Sorry to my wife now for all of the lost points later.

Sucky

2010-06-20T09:44:00.003-06:00

Starting weight: 226.6
Totally sucky that I've gained 6 lbs since last game but I'm going to try and make this game count. This cold is totally kicking my butt and i'm finding it hard to excercise and find motivation when I can't breathe and moving my head at all gives me a splitting headache but I'm hoping the better I get the better my score will get. Here's to hoping.

GO our way.

2010-06-19T22:42:00.000-06:00

Starting weight - 275.4

Two perfect days so far. Not a whole lot to say tonight, except, BRING IT. Have a good week everyone. Night.

coo coo ca choo

2010-06-19T22:28:00.002-06:00

Official weigh in 265.4, pretty lame considering thats up 15 lbs since the last game ended and damn near 30 from my super lowest.

Looking forward to getting some results.

My habit is going to be getting up earlier. I need to work on getting my ass outta bed a little more than 19 minutes before I have to be at work.

Pretty encouraging to start off the week with a 1.8 lb loss in the first day. But not really saying much for my food choices leading up to the start of the game.

Not a lot to say, freaking tired.

-adam

Mo' GO! -rules

2010-06-14T13:17:00.004-06:00

Alright boys and girls.

Gonna try out a modified version of GO! Probably won't get the same drastic results as we did out of the first few games, but I feel like doing something is a little better than nothing. So, here are the rules as of now, we have until Friday June 18th (after work) to revise and revamp any rules.

All suggestions will be considered and voted on. Everything here should just be considered a starting point. But remember, if we go too easy on ourselves then there is really no point.

Goals: you can set any goal you like for any reason you like. Try to make it a very black or white subject. Don't leave any wiggle room for not accomplishing.

Food: WW pts dictate what you can and cannot eat. Everyone is pretty well versed in the art of WW dining. So if you want to drink 30 Diet Cokes and a 12 pack of Coors light, with a 20 piece nugget on the side then GO! for it, as long as you've got the points. The only way to get your GO! food points is to track daily and accurately. This is a big one. It's super hard to get into the habit, and pretty damn hard to maintain, but it's the only way. No track no points.

Exercise: Going to step this one up a bit, thirty minutes daily. Once you've committed to actually getting off the couch (or outta bed) then adding ten extra minutes of exercise shouldn't really be too much harder. And I think the added benefit of 30% more calorie burn won't hurt anybody's feelings.

Water: 3 liters daily. Diet soda and other beverages to not count as water, but they don't cost any GO! points either.

Sleep: No rule governing sleep. Of course you're going to want to get at least 7 hours, but sometimes kids puke all over themselves or you finally get a chance to wind down only to look at the clock and realize you NEED to be asleep in 12 minutes or you lose points. So, try your best to get your seven hours but don't stress over it.

Happy points: I would like to introduce a new one here. Try to spend at least 15 minutes per day doing something that makes YOU happy. There are a lot of times that an entire day can go by without ever taking time for YOURSELF (this one is for everyone, but the Mom's especially) Happy points are 15 per day. This is subjective and need not be named in advance, as the same activity might not be done daily. Just include it on your food tracker.

Communication: Commenting on blogs, Txt messages and BlackBerry chat all counts as well as phone and face to face. I believe the intent of this rule is to keep people engaged. So, engage.

Blogging: Blogs must be done weekly, before midnight on Saturdays. I would also like to see a pic posted on initial blog post and one posted on ending post. I found that comparing some pics of yourself is one of the most motivating things ever. It is hard to see the changes from day to day, but amazing from week to week.

Weigh-Ins: Weigh in on Fridays and post weights and weekly recap before midnight on Saturday (as mentioned in blogging rule). Try to use the same scale every time and if possible record to the tenth of a pound.

Weight loss/Fitness Goal bonus: 1% Weekly adds 20% to your score, as does completion of any Fitness Goal. Fitness Goals should be just as hard as losing 1% as far as effort goes. So, if thats the route you're taking, make it legit.

Prize: Winner will get a night of babysitting from the team with the lowest score. Scores from each week will be added up and the highest total wins.

Teams: We're gonna rock teams of two. Teams to be established by drawing names from a hat (or gladware...whatever)

Scoring: I will make a modified score sheet in excel and send it to everyone, once all the details are totally hammered out.

Comment on this post for rule mods as this will be the best way to keep the discussion all on the same page for everyone.

Lets have a good time with this one, this is a GAME with some really cool benefits. Lets keep it light and fun, and shit talking is always encouraged.

I'm Ready to Kick Your Butts

2010-05-06T09:05:00.002-06:00

I have gone up a bit since our last game. My starting weight for this game 188.7.

My new good goal- I am going to read something I enjoy not work stuff or crochet for 20 minutes everyday.

My bad habit I am going to change- I will pick out what I am going to wear the night before. I have a habit of wearing the same 4 shirts every week. I have a closet full of clothes that I never wear. I will not wear the same shirt to work in a two week period.

This first week will be rough we are headed to Mead for a long weekend. Wish me luck.

Vanessa - The Dream Team Week #6

2010-04-22T11:30:00.003-06:00

Starting weight - 148.6
Ending weight - 145.6
Difference -3
Goal - 145

Points - 850

I started my first round of Game On! November 12, 2009 and weighed in at 169.8. I have lost 24.2lbs in 5 mos.

On July 8, 2008 I weighed 233lbs. I have lost 87.4 lbs since the day I had Wilson.

I am proud to have played this game with all you wonderful folks.

I am so thankful for the bad habits I have changed and the good habits I have started. To this day, I take 3 minutes every morning and balance my accounts (for work) in Quickbooks. That alone was worth every minute of the game.

I am thankful for the good habits I have passed along to my kids. They have expressed an interest in exercise and making healthier food choices. Oh how I hope & pray they can get and stay on the right track at the ages they are now. Instead of having to relearn everything at my age like I did.

I look back and I am amazed at the progress I have made since November. Sure, there were some hard days. Some days just plain SUCKED! But I remember the good days, the increased energy, my first pair of size 6 jeans more.

I don't feel sorry or picked on for having held myself to this plan. I feel blessed. I feel like I know a secret I wish I could tell the whole world!

I came across this quote today on Kirk Weisler's T4D (Thought for the Day)

“Few people will turn to themselves to take responsibility for their results until they have exhausted all opportunities to blame someone else. ~ Larry Winget

If you don't get his daily T4D already, you should really consider signing up. It is fabulous! He's the Dog Poop Initiative author.

http://www.kirkweisler.com/t4d/

p.s. I think I answered my questions from last week in this post.
What benefits do I get from GO!
What benefits does my family get from GO!
Is the energy and time I channel to GO! better spent elsewhere?
Have I improved my overall health & well-being since beginning GO!?

Final Week

2010-04-22T08:51:00.003-06:00

Final weight 186.5 lbs I started at 200 lb I lost 13.5 lbs in six weeks, I am so happy.

I lost 1 lb.
710 points

Not my best week. I only lost 1lb so I did not get my bonus points. I exercised more this week and lost less weight go figure. I have really enjoyed the past 6 weeks and I hope we play again.

And...we...are...done...

2010-04-22T08:29:00.005-06:00

Starting weight: 199.0 pounds
Ending weight: 194.8 pounds
Difference: -4.2 pounds
Total weight lost since beginning GO!: -36.8 pounds
Goal: 175-180 pounds
Points: 766

The Dream Team: Ben - 760, Geoff - 766, Toni - 710, Vanessa - 850.
Weekly Team Average: 771.5
Overall Team Average: 780.4

As happy as I am to play GO! and see the amazing results I'm getting, I'm happy to have this round of the game finished. I plan to continue working out and following WW, but am also looking forward to not living under the stress of trying to get to bed by a certain time or remembering to spend 20 minutes writing about my day. I'm also looking forward to consuming a tall, cold adult beverage without taking a 25-point penalty.

Now....what do I want to eat for lunch today?

Ben's last and 6th week

2010-04-22T08:04:00.002-06:00

Ben's weight last week 177
this week 174

3 lbs

18 total in 6 weeks

Thanks you guys

Draggin cans...

2010-04-20T18:31:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to post real quick & thank everyone for their support and knowledge.
I enjoyed meeting you all the other day and appreciate the recipes!
The pizza, & cheesecakes were so yummy!!!

I just got done bringing our two garbage cans back to the house, we have to take them to the end of our lane, its not too far but it has an incline.
I was thinking as I was dragging them about a few months ago about (19lbs ago) when I had to stop twice dragging empty cans back, I was so disgusted with my outta shape self I wanted to cry!

Well today I marched right up the lane, grabbed onto those cans, one handle in each hand,
drug them back & didn't stop once.
I hardly even noticed any effort being put out.
I am amazed at what a little weightloss and effort can do for you.
So Thanks guys and I hope that long after this round is over, we keep on going, trying to be better,
have more energy and be able to do simple everyday tasks without being totally winded!
~Christie~

P.S. I saw some cute girlies in the newspaper!
Good job girls....
This Mom of children that go to ConAmore,
Thanks you for your efforts!

Mental Tips for Losing Weight

2010-04-20T13:49:00.000-06:00

I love Livestrong.com

Weight loss can be a difficult task, especially if you don't really believe you can accomplish it. Although much of the weight-loss battle is physical, mental choices play a big role. In fact, a study by researchers at the Queensland University of Technology, in Australia, reported that your self-belief level can influence exercise and healthy eating choices. Several mental tips can be used every day to help your weight-loss process run more smoothly.

Don't Be Afraid to Say No

Remind yourself it is OK to say no when offered food. No matter who is offering--your mother, your best friend or even your boss--it is fine to decline. Because the offering of food, such as baked goods, sometimes is given as a token of love or affection, saying no can be difficult. If you are afraid of offending, the Fitness magazine website recommends accepting the food but disposing of it at home. Or, if offered a second helping, accept it, but chose seconds of vegetables or fruit instead of the main course.

Positive Self-Talk

According to the Cognitive Therapy Associates website, restructuring negative thoughts can have a positive effect on weight loss. Be respectful of yourself, avoiding critical behavior and thoughts. Talk to yourself with dignity, ignoring the negative internal dialogue that can lead to weight-loss discouragement. Instead, replace negative self-talk with positive thoughts.

It's OK to Waste It

Don't feel guilty about not eating everything on your plate. Although most children are brought up learning not to waste food, Fitness magazine says it is better to dump extra food into the trash instead of into your body. If throwing food away is not economical for you, reduce recipes so appropriate portions can be served.

Reduce Mental Stress

Reducing stress improves mental function and also helps reduce the craving for food. Reduce stress by reading, meditating, yoga, doing deep-breathing exercises or playing with children. Whatever the activity, Cognitive Therapy Associates says it should be so enjoyable that you are likely to repeat it. Because overeating sometimes is a coping mechanism for stress, reducing it can be effective against weight loss.

Activities Can Be Fun Without Food

Although many activities often are coupled with food, a movie can be just as entertaining without popcorn. "When you combine a certain pastime over and over with eating, you eventually stop listening to hunger or fullness cues and just eat on autopilot whenever you engage in that activity," says Tara Gidus of the American Dietetic Association. Change this behavior by altering your routine. If you usually snack in front of the TV at night, read a book on the porch for a change of scenery. Instead of meeting friends for dinner, arrange a walk or a game of softball. Think about how much cash can be saved if you skip the concession stand at the movie theater.

Shrimply Delicious Lunch

2010-04-20T13:31:00.002-06:00

1 can medium deveined shrimp, drained
1 wedge The Laughing Cow cheese
5 Zesta saltine crackers
mustard
salt & pepper

Drain shrimp. Divide cheese and spread on 5 crackers, add a little mustard. Add shrimp. Salt & pepper.

4 points

No-Bake WW Cheesecake

2010-04-18T20:51:00.002-06:00

No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe

Ingredients:
- 8 oz Cool Whip Free
- 8 oz 1/3 less fat Philadelphia Cream Cheese
- 9 inch reduced fat Graham Cracker Crust
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice

Directions:
In a large bowl, whip cream cheese, lemon and sugar for a few minutes until fluffy. Add Cool Whip and whip until smooth. Spoon mixture into pie crust and chill for a few hours, until firm. Cut into 8 equal slices. Or serve just the cheesecake as a mousse, without the pie crust, for only a 4 Point Total!

Entire Recipe makes 8 servings
Serving size = 1 slice
Each serving = 6 Point Total

Fruit pizza

2010-04-18T20:34:00.002-06:00

1 tube Sugar Cookie dough (you can probably skim some points off this my making a ww recipe or finding a sugar/fat free tube)

1 small container Marshmallow cream

1 small block Fat-Free cream cheese

Variety of any fresh fruit you like; raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and kiwi all work well.

One container fruit glaze ( I use strawberry)

Splash of lem0n juice (Optional)

Roll cookie dough out on baking sheet and bake according to package directions until light golden brown. Allow to cool.
Mix cream cheese with marshmallow cream and spoon onto cookie crust.
Top with fruit and drizzle with glaze. Allow to chill before serving.
Servings: 30
Points per serving: 3
(You can combine the lemon juice with the glaze to help preserve the fruit)

Its the thrill of the fight.

2010-04-16T09:52:00.005-06:00

Starting weight: 247.8
Week 5 ending weight 245.6
Difference: -2.2
Week score: 426
Initial GO! starting weight: 260
GO!al weight: 205- in fighting trim...

Team Tons o' fun weekly avg: 533

What witty BS reason can I come up with this week for my craptastic score? hmm. Work stress? nope. If I'd been GO!ing like I should have, I would have been solidly in my routine and none of it would have bugged me. Family? nope. My family rules, there were several times this week that Gracie was begging to go for a walk after dinner that got shut down because we just didn't want to stress about trying to get dinner/bathtime/bedtime done out of scheduled order...pfff. Pretty pathetic attempt at rationalizing.

I have actually been going back and forth a whole bunch on the game, and I gotta tell ya, I'm happy to see the end approaching. I have been getting wicked feelings of resentment toward the game because I find myself wanting to just chill out and relax and just live without self imposed rules all the time... but then the smart guy voice in my head pipes up and reminds me that this way of thinking is exactly why I am in the fat ass boat that I'm in.

Then I get all guiltified and start humming "Eye of the Tiger" and want to go run thirty miles to make up for my piss poor decisions all week long. Then for the coup de grace, after all the bogus food choices, the half hearted attempts at exercise and the attitude towards the game...I go ahead and lose 2.2 lbs. Now, thats not enough for a bonus as that would have just been a complete insult to my whole way of thinking... but still. I was only .2 lbs away from it. All I can attribute that to is possibly some kind of metabolism shock because if this was any sort off effective diet, I would have looked like a hungry Haitian refugee a looong time ago.

So, not really sure how this week in gonna go. Been so..so.. already, but we'll see. I want to end it on a high note and days off are a pretty good time for me as far as workouts go...so...

Duh, duh duh duh, duh duh duh, duh duh duuuuuuuuuuh.

BoOM!

.adam.

oh, sorry bout the late bloggin' I was waitin' on a score, and fell asleep before I recieved word.

Start of Final Week.

2010-04-15T22:05:00.000-06:00

Previous weight - 265.8
Current weight - 268.0
Difference +2.2
GO! Score - 510

Fab Four week 3 score - 596.7

Nothing to say about this week. Not really in a great place as far as GO goes.

Vanessa - The Dream Team Week #5

2010-04-15T10:40:00.003-06:00

Starting weight - 149.2
Ending weight - 148.6
Difference -0.6
Goal - 145

Points - 850

What a battle I am having with the scale, balancing points, exercise and finding the 'happy medium' to maintain for life. I am learning that I will have to be very structured for life. And I guess I just haven't come to terms with that yet. I almost feel as if I am starting from scratch.

I feel rather introspective today. I guess it's because this round of GO! is nearing an end. Some of the questions I have been asking myself:

What benefits do I get from GO!
What benefits does my family get from GO!
Is the energy and time I channel to GO! better spent elsewhere?
Have I improved my overall health & well-being since beginning GO!?

Me. Me. Me. I know. But that is what I have control over, me. How I act, react and respond to situations and occurrences in my life.

I want to thank my team for being such awesome players. You guys ROCK!

GO! V

Week 5 end - Week 6 plan

2010-04-15T10:21:00.003-06:00

634 Points

4lbs lost

I've lost 30lbs since we started.

I feel like I would be closer to my 40lb goal if I were more diligent with my exercise. I am going to try really hard to motivate myself for this week. If I can have another 10lb loss week I will be pretty damn happy.