BLC 11 - GREEN Team Meeting Place!

Hello GREEN team! :D  Welcome to the Biggest Loser Challenge 11!  Congrats on signing up for the challenge!  Let's use this meeting place to keep each other updated and motivated to cross that finish line together.  Feel free to share stories, tips, "OMG" moments, and lots more.  Each and every one of us will succeed if we just all stick with the same, positive, go-get-'em attitude.

So, come on over, introduce yourself, and let's get this party started!! :D

-Nikki

GREEN TEAM
bhmoore  (W0: 197.6, W5: 189.8, Total Loss: 7.8, Total %: 3.95)
justsmileandnod  (W0: 224.6, W5: 219.4, Total Loss: 5.2, Total %: 2.32)
keyster  (W0: 275.2, W5: 263.8, Total Loss: 11.4, Total %: 4.14)
kilkenny3  (W0: 181.4, W5: 177.2, Total Loss: 4.2, Total %: 2.32)**
ladyduece  (W0: 172.0, W5: 168.5, Total Loss: 3.5, Total %: 2.04)
lilspoiled66  (W0: 155.0, W5: 157.0, Total Loss: +2.0, Total %: +1.29) **
mamamiasmith  (W0: 179.8, W5: 174.6, Total Loss: 5.2, Total %: 2.89)
nikki_08  (W0: 159.6, W5: 154.8, Total Loss: 4.8, Total %: 3.01)
ohtobethinagain  (W0: 185.8, W5: 183.0, Total Loss: 2.8, Total %: 1.51) **
r4eboxer  (W0: 164.2, W5: 160.0, Total Loss: 4.2, Total %: 2.56)
sarahc09  (W0: 210.2, W5: 200.4, Total Loss: 9.8, Total %: 4.66) **
shannie3  (W0: 190.2, W5: 179.9, Total Loss: 10.3, Total %: 5.42)
staziic  (W0: 236.0, W5: 228.0, Total Loss: 8.0, Total %: 3.39) **
tazzie_23  (W0: 213.5, W5: 202.0, Total Loss: 11.5, Total %: 5.39)
Green Team Total   Week 0: 2745.1, W5: 2658.4, Total Loss: 86.7, Total %: 3.16

Here is the link to the main BLC 11 thread just in case you want to jump between the two with ease.
http://caloriecount.about.com/biggest-loser-p art-week-weigh-ins-ft137127

*Edited to include team members. (05.11)
*Edited to include main thread. (05.12)
*Edited to include new team member. (05.15)

Original Post by bhmoore:

Sarahc - 2 gallons!  I don't think I'd be able to move if I drank 2 gallons of water!  I'll work on it though! 

Kilkenny - Welcome to the group!  I love how diverse and encouraging this group is. Great job on the loss so far and keep it up!

 

Go Green Team!

 Oh I totally know that it sounds like a whole lot, but if you do it slowly and carry it through during the night by drinking a LOT before bed, you can get two gallons in. I've known women who've lost four to six pounds of water their body was clinging to just by showing it that it's hydrated.

Also, welcome Kilkenny! Let's keep kickin some fat!!

I'm going to tank up on water this week and see if that helps.  My weight loss this weeks seems to have stalled.  I've been at 183.2 for probably 5 days now, but I got dehydrated over the weekend being outside and I don't think I've rehydrated yet.  Hopefully that will kickstart things again.  

Despite my sucky weigh-in for this week, it looks like the green team is going to lead this week as well.    Lots of other teams are posting gains or staying steady. 

I drink about 68 ounces of water per day (that's my bottle filled up 4 times) - more if I am outside in the heat or really sweating during a work out, or ttom.  Like Sarah said, it's really not that hard if you learn to keep the water with you at all times.  It's my best friend now

GO GREEN!  We have a reputation to keep up now!

sooo... because

(1) i'm super excited about the green team, and
(2) i'm super crazy...

i've created some different icons for our team for this challenge.  you don't have to use any of them, but i thought it would be sort of fun to proudly display what team i'm on for the duration of this challenge - mainly because the green team is awesome!!  i'll post them in my gallery, and if you see one you like, just let me know and i'll send you the file.  or you could just snag it right from my gallery (not sure if that's allowed here on cc though).  OR, if you have any other ideas, feel free to share them!

i can't wait to see who the biggest losers are this week!!!

*EDITED TO ADD:

bhmoore - because you were the biggest loser within our team for last week's weigh ins (week 1), you get to snag the week one green team biggest loser banner from my gallery and display it proudly - only if you'd like.

i'll let ya'll know who gets the week two one once everybody has posted their weigh ins for this week!

i'm pushing for a 3 lb loss this week, from my weigh in weight until next thursday. HOPEFULLY my totm doesn't get in the way :( I'm avoiding sodium as if it's gonna give me swine flu and drinking as much water as POSSIBLE to avoid fluid retension.

i'm changing my icon, too! great job nikki! we couldn't ask for a better team leader.

i also decided that tomorrow i'm going to be stopping by EVERY MEMBER of the green team's journal pages and putting something sassy and motivational!

sarahc09: you are too sweet!  thanks so much!  and i most definitely could not have asked to be team leader of a better team!  reading everybody's posts makes it sooo much easier to stay motivated.  it's nice to know that there are other people in this world that struggle with the same things i struggle with - and it's even nicer to know that there is an entire support system rooting for me us to succeed.  i'm super proud to be part of the green team and wanted everybody in the cc world to know it, haha!

Nikki, the icons are an awesome idea!  Thanks for putting them together. 

And thanks to everyone who gave me fun, non-food-centric date ideas.  Right now, they're still kind of food-centered, but inevitable we end up walking around for hours, too, so I guess it kind of balances out.  And, I'm not going to say no to the offer of an actual picnic (one where I'm not responsible for anything but showing up!) tomorrow.

Different problem now.  I did post an almost 3lbs lost this week, which is great, but I'm getting to a point where I'm incredibly bored with what I eat, and inevitably that means that I just don't eat.  Or at least, not as much as I should, ESPECIALLY given the amount that I exercise.  I think I should be eating anywhere between 1700 and 2000 calories to lose, but recently, it can be a chore just to get to 1500.  I guess there's no real question--I just needed to vent some frustration, because I don't want to sabotage myself by not eating enough (I mean, isn't that how I got in this mess in the first place, by eating too much????).

justsmileandnod: what does your eating plan look like now?  maybe we can help you figure out how to add some cals and/or variety to your meals to help increase your intake without it feeling like a chore.  for example, i used to eat just yogurt as a mid-morning snack, and then i started adding a few crushed almonds to my yogurt and that added around 50-70ish calories (in a good way - with the good oils) and sometimes even a diced up apple and i didn't ever feel any more stuffed than usual.  it added an interesting texture and taste to the yogurt too, which helped - 1/2 cup of yogurt every single day starts to get really boring really fast, lol.

I don't have a super-structured eating plan, but I do seem to just rotate the same foods through the week.

Breakfast used to be 1/2C. of egg whites with 1TBS of Nutritional Yeast with 52g. of Kashi Go Lean with 1/4C. unsweetened soy milk.  Since that's been sounding unappetizing lately, I'll sometimes have the eggs and yeast on a low-carb whole wheat tortilla with some taco sauce and 1 whole avocado (though I don't do that often, because the avocado is so high in fat, albeit good fats).  This morning, the only thing that sounded good was french toast, so 2 pieces of white bread (haven't had that in a long time) made with 2 whole eggs, 1TBS of vegan butter and 20g. of strawberry preserves.

As for the rest of the day, it'll be some variation using a spinach salad with tuna, carrots, 2% cottage cheese with cashews and cantalope, brown rice and salmon for dinner.  I'll usually have a protein shake after my workouts and maybe some Lite cheese wheels for snacks, but nothing sounds good anymore.  I've started making cheese quesadillas with carefully portioned cheese, and last night for dessert I had 100g. of black berries with 14g. of chocolate chips and soy whipped cream.  That was satisfying, actually.

I guess I'm just so tired of feeling like I'm obsessing over food.  I have no problem measuring and portioning everything, but trying to eat 5-6x a day and worrying about getting enough calories and enough of the right kind of calories is exhausting.  I really want to reach my goals, but I'm mentally depleted right now.

Everyone - Just so you know, my name is Bethany.  I probably should have picked that as a user name, but I didn't realize I was going to be joining message boards or anything like that when I signed up!  I thought I'd hide in my corner and count calories by myself at home!

Nikki - I LOVE the banner and the buttons!  I'm so excited!  I wish I could wear it to work!  Haha! 

Sarah - I'm drinking water and peeing like crazy, but unless a miracle happens, I doubt I'll make 2 gallons today.  Right now I am just under 1 gallon.  On most days that I don't do a hard workout I struggle to make 8 cups, so doubling my intake on a non-exercise day is really hard.  On exercise days I lose track because I just keep filling up my water bottle.

Just Smile - Yay for fun dates!  I just got a call from a guy who I have known for a long time and he asked me if I wanted to hang out and get coffee with him on Friday!  It isn't a date, but it should be fun and I'm looking forward to it.  Plus They have great tea there so that is a tasty low cal drink option instead of the whipped cream topped strawberry Italian cream soda that I love!

Bethany: if you get a gallon today that's great! that peeing like crazy is your body saying "oh god i'm hydrated" and letting go of all the fluid it was storing!

nikki: you rock me. just sayin.

justsmile: i think your meal plan sounds delicious. when i get time later i'll put up an average day for me and i think maybe nikki could do the same and we'll see if we can give you some new ideas.

(i am going to try the apples in yogurt tomorrow, i'm so SICK of fiber one vanilla!)

Thanks Nikki, I'm proud to wear green!

Hi Green Team!!

Have had a look at icons and they are brilliant (Nikki take a bow - you are truly a great team leader).

I need help though i can't download them and i want one badly

If anyone can help please let me know!!!!

Thanks in advance

Anne

Hi Anne!  I saved mine by right clicking on the picture, clicking "Save Picture as" and saving it to my hard drive.  Then, I simply uploaded it to my gallery and made it my default picture.

ahhhhh!!!  i'm SOOO excited ya'll liked my little icons!!  i thought maybe some of you were gonna think it was lame, haha!  what you didn't know about nikki til now:

i volunteer for a youth leadership organization that hosts annual seminars every summer.  last summer, I was the facilitator for the green group (woo! go green!!).  in year's past, we had always struggled with the different teams bonding and feeling like a team.  so i figured i'd go out and get a bunch of different things that were green to help reinforce that we were (1) a team, and (2) the GREEN team!  i got a green bandana for each kid in the group - including my two assistants and myself - and told them that they could wear the bandana however they wanted, but they had to wear it the whole weekend.  i also got them green jolly ranchers (to stay awake during the presentations, lol) and green sharpies and all sorts of things.  it was SOOOO fun to see my team really bonding over these little things that were all green.  they were all super proud to show them off and it really felt like we all belonged to something - the green team!  and in all the pictures from the seminar, our team totally stands out because we were all wearing our green bandanas.  it was crazy cool!

anyway, all of that to say that i figured i'd try that same approach of bonding and showing our pride for our team with these little icons.  and i'm really glad that you all liked them!  and like i said, if you have any ideas on how to improve them, please by all means feel free!

bethany - gorgeous name, btw!  i secretly wish my green shirt were real so i could wear it to the gym, haha!

sarah - i enjoy rocking people.  it makes me smile.

justsmileandnod - i think you said your name was ashley, right?  anywho, yes, i will post my daily meal plan momentarily - i didn't ignore you, i promise.

mamamia - you are oh so very welcome!  i'm proud to wear green too!!  i even wore green shoes today, haha!

anne - yes, try doing what bethany (bhmoore) suggested - right clicking and saving the picture onto your computer.  i thought i could send files through cc, but no can do.  if it still doesn't work, let me know and we'll try and figure something out.

Sorry about this week everyone =( Just glad that unlike the show we get a second chance if we fall below the line.... with my gain I totally have this week.  I shot up to 176 so getting it back down to 174.5 is good but not when last week was 171.  sigh.  Darn evil time of the month... don't want to imagine how bad it would be had I binged.  Could be worse.

I got in a mile (walk/run/sprint) on the track today.  My calves hate me right now.  Guess it's my way of seeing that I'm not imagining the gazelle being too easy.  I'm really that out of shape just skating by and using it as a reason to not go out for a real run.  I'll do another run tomorrow and then again Monday.  I know that will help.

justsmile: i'm posting a generic day of food for me, maybe this will help you out!

breakfast:  1/2 c egg substitute, 1/2 c good cereal (i like kashi's strawberry fields), 1/2 c fat free milk, 1/2 large banana

morning snack:  1 c of oatmeal, weight control banana bread flavor, 1/2 orange

lunch: 2 oz protein fortified pasta, 1/2 c spaghetti sauce, green salad, fiber one yogurt

afternoon snack: southbeach diet protein bar, 1/2 orange

dinner: 4 oz chicken breast, 1 cup brussels sprouts, 1/2 c baked sweet potato, green salad, wheat roll

evening snack:  popcorn or unsalted pretzels or some kind of nuts

This is on a 1600 calorie day, which is how much I eat when I workout. I also drink water CONSTANTLY, some days over 2 gallons. I have a 20 oz bottle that I fill up probably 10 times at work, 3 times during workouts, and every time it's empty at home.

On days that I don't get to do a full workout I eat 1200 calories, like yesterday:

breakfast: 1/2 c cottage cheese mixed with 1/4 c fiber one and 1 tsp brown sugar

morning snack: 1 pack weight control oatmeal

lunch: 3 oz turkey breast, 1 square cornbread, 1/2 c peas, 1 fiber one yogurt

afternoon snack: 1 medium apple

dinner: 4 oz steak, 1 cup sugar snap peas, 2 oz sweet potato fries (i have a delicious recipe that's only 100 calories a serving!)

No evening snack, and a ton of water throughout the day. 1200 calorie day.

Original Post by ladyduece:

Sorry about this week everyone =( Just glad that unlike the show we get a second chance if we fall below the line.... with my gain I totally have this week.  I shot up to 176 so getting it back down to 174.5 is good but not when last week was 171.  sigh.  Darn evil time of the month... don't want to imagine how bad it would be had I binged.  Could be worse.

I got in a mile (walk/run/sprint) on the track today.  My calves hate me right now.  Guess it's my way of seeing that I'm not imagining the gazelle being too easy.  I'm really that out of shape just skating by and using it as a reason to not go out for a real run.  I'll do another run tomorrow and then again Monday.  I know that will help.

 Don't apologize for not binging! You did great! We all know how crappy that time of the month can be. :) I

If anything, see this as YOU gaining the power over your emotions. You didn't stop working out, you've realized why you hit a plateau, and you're doing something about it! That's something to be DAMNED proud of.

I'm pretty sure we all agree here that it's not about whether our numbers are higher or lower. We don't do this to win a competition, we do this to improve ourselves... to inspire others to improve themselves, to be healthy and live the lives that WE DESERVE! And you are doing just that, ladydeuce. You won this week, IMO, for admitting that you CAN push yourself harder and comitting to doing it!

Alright, so, as promised, here is what my meals typically look like...

1 serving of wheaties (1&1/4 cup) with 1/2 a banana (sliced) and 1 (sometimes 1&1/4) cup of 1% milk = 310 calories
OR
1 packet of weight control or less sugar quaker instant oatmeal with 1/2 a banana (sliced) and 1 cup V8 fusion light = 230-270 calories (depending on which oatmeal I choose)
OR
1/2 whole wheat hearty grain bagel with fat free cream cheese and strawberry jam and 1 cup V8 fusion light = 260 calories
OR
1 serving (maybe a little more) of kashi vive probiotic toasted graham and vanilla cereal with 1-1&1/4 cup 1% milk = 370 calories
AND
1 mug (~14 ounces) of coffee with splenda, a dash of 1% milk, and a benefiber stick = 25 calories
NOTE: I try to get at least some sort of fiber (which helps keep my full longer) and I must always have my coffee (also helps keep my full longer, and less cranky, haha!).

1/2 cup light and fit dannon yogurt with 1 apple (cubed) and 6 almonds (crushed) = 160 calories
OR
1 apple and 10-12 almonds = 135-150 calories
OR
1 cup light and fit yogurt with 6 walnuts (chopped) = 180 calories
OR
1 peach (canned, in light syrup) with 1/2 cup light and fit yogurt and 6 almonds (crushed) or 6 walnuts (chopped) = 145-185 calories
OR
The other half of the banana from breakfast in 1/2 cup light and fit yogurt and 6 almonds or walnuts = 157-193 calories
OR
1/2 cup light and fit yogurt with 1 apple (chopped) and ~10 red grapes = 135 calories
NOTE: I pretty much always try to get in yogurt with some sort of nut and some sort of fruit.

Sandwhich with ~50g (5 slices) of some sort of thin, deli sliced meat - turkey, chicken, pastrami, roast beef, etc. on whole wheat, double fiber bread with mustard and one slice of 2%milk american cheese and a spinich salad with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, baby carrots, craisins, and raspberry or balsamic vinaigrette = 310 calories
OR
A large spinach salad from the salad bar at work - spinach (instead of iceberg lettuce - much more health benefits), tomatoes, cucumbers, calliflower, grilled chicken, mandarin oranges, celery, grated carrots, 1/2 hard boiled egg (not the best, I know - but oh so delicious), and bell peppers lightly sprinkled with sunflower seeds and cheddar cheese with balsamic vinegar and a dash of olive oil = 400-450 calories (depending on whether I put chicken or not, and how much)
OR
A wrap with all the contents of the sandwhich above (including the spinach salad) in a low carb, wheat tortilla instead of the bread = 290 calories
OR
Leftovers from dinner in smaller portions - tortilla soup, fajitas, ground turkey with rice and beans, spaghetti made with whole wheat pasta, spinach pizza, stirfry with rice, etc.
OR
6 inch roast beef sandwhich from subway with shredded cheese, spinach, tomatoes, pickles, and banana peppers and a diet coke = 350 calories
NOTE: When I have subway or eat out anywhere with co-workers, we usually walk instead of drive - there are several places within a ten minute walking distance, and I try to eat as healthy as possible - no fried food, salad instead of fries, etc.
NOTE: When I take lunch (4 out of 5 days), I pack it (along with all my snacks) the night before. If not, I'll run out of time in the morning and then I'm forced to eat out. And it's much easier to plan your calories out for the day if you just take your own lunch.

Afternoon Snack

1 whole grapefruit = 100 calories
OR
1 apple and 10-12 grapes (eaten about an hour apart) = 85-95 calories
OR
Dried fruit and nut mix = 200 calories
OR
Some other type of fruit and/or nuts that equal ~100-200 calories

Stir fry - lots of veggies (frozen packet) heated in a pan with water (or extra virgin olive oil if you need more cals/fat) with a protein (chicken or shrimp - meats and other proteins would work too, I just like the ones I mentioned) and teriyaki sauce with rice = 400-600 calories
OR
2 Soft tacos made with lean ground turkey and low carb tortillas loaded with lots of tomatoes and spinach (chopped) and shredded cheese (part skim) with salsa = 500 calories
OR
Tortilla soup made with chicken broth, lots of veggies, chicken, corn chips with flaxseed, avocados, and cheese (part skim) = 300 calories
OR
Spaghetti made with whole wheat pasta and lean ground beef, heavy on the sauce (with vegetables), light on the pasta and a side spinach salad = 500-600 calories
OR
2 slices of homemade spinach and chicken pizza = 400 calories
NOTE: I pretty much try to get protien in since I eat dinner after I work out, and my muscles need protien to be happy, lol.
AND
1/2 cup ice cream = 150 calories
OR
A few slices of watermelon = 150-170 calories
OR
A cookie or two with hot tea = 200 calories
NOTE: Typically some sort of dessert that comes out to 100-200 calories, if and ONLY IF I have a few extra calories to spare.

The weekends are about the same, except I usually have a heavier breakfast on Saturdays (scrambled egg with spinach and veggies and such) since we run all of our errands on Saturdays and don't eat lunch til later in the day (we also wake up later too ), and a lighter breakfast on Sundays (some fruit or 1/2 bagle and juice or something) since we go have our traditional Sunday brunch/lunch every Sunday after church. And the lunches and dinners are about the same too - maybe a little lighter or heavier depending on what we do and when we eat. Weekdays are definitely more structured, but I'm working on getting the weekends the same way too - it's hard though.

Anywho - that's a day in the eating life of nikki, lol. If it's a workout day, I eat around 1700 calories and on a non-workout day I eat between 1200-1400 calories. Oh, and like sarahc, I drink water ALL FREAKIN' DAY LONG! Between 80 and 120 ounces per day, for sure. If anybody has any questions about anything or wants specific recipes, feel free to ask! I'll be glad to share.

NOTE: There's lots more stuff that I eat, but I would need an entire website to document it all.