"All I Want For Christmas Challenge" week of Sept 4th

Hey Challengers!

Great week last week in terms of woe and exercise, although our hearts were almost stopped with the news coming out of New Orleans. Today is a new week and the first thing I heard this morning on CNN was that rescue teams are getting close to being able to get the remaining survivors out of New Orleans. I know many are still trapped in buildings in flooded areas so I hope that is accurate reporting and not just to appease the public, but what a blessing that now soon things can start to move forward for at least some of those those souls who have survived it. It won't be easy, but I do believe that people are amazing, and can overcome the seemingly insurmountable when they have to. With the rest of the world pulling around them, it's possible. There are a number of postings around these boards with references to contacts for volunteering time and skills as well as donating clothing (apparently a great need for plus sized clothing) and of course there is the red cross for monetary donation.

Some of the footage I saw on CNN got me thinking about something. We are all too familiar with the added health issues of being overweight and/or obese and the illness this state of being can, and does, give rise to. Never before had I really given much thought to it in terms of complicating, or even negating, my chances of survival in the face of an emergency. Diabetes, hypertension, coronary issues..they all would greatly compromise our ability to survive an emergency if we didn't have access to medicines or hospitals...and almost all of these conditions are preventable. In fact, I used to joke that I'd never starve to death in a natural disaster, but that isn't necessarily the reality. I came to realize that the very protective sheild we build around oursleves when we get overweight is what may very well result in our ultimate demise under emergency conditions. While I personally don't have the threat of a hurricane where I live, I do have the very real threat of a major earthquake or volcanic eruption...both serious emergencies..I'd bet we all have something where we live that could contribute to a natural disaster.

Anyway..probably enough food for thought..low carb food

Today is the day we need to post our day by day goals. Make them count! It's already September and Christmas is closing in on us... Have any of you started your Christmas shopping yet??? I work with one woman who is already FINISHED! Organized people make me want to hurl! ...just kidding!

If you are having get togethers for labour day weekend, try to stay on track and make good low carb choices.

I still need mailing addresses from all but one of you for the workout cd!

This week, let's beat the six pages of posts from last week!!!

Now lace up your althletic shoes and get moving!!!!!

M
xoxo's

[gettenthere]

hi every one,
Mandy as usual good food for thought a great way to start a week bless you for giving so much of your self I really do appreciate you. Whats with 12 oz of MJ cheese and then 1 more oz how many carbs are you eating I thought we were always allowed only 4 oz of cheese So glad to know that little Joshua is feeling better.
Sinny today is my 7th day of induction doing it by the book but after 2 weeks I'm upping my carbs every week then I'm gioing to weigh my self what date is that or do we even have to give our weights and measurements before christmas
HN I'm so happy to about Bubba but at the rate you are going you will be a size 6 before christmas
still being said for all victims and those who are not well all around.
today
food clean wter still lacking Excersise not sure yet but will do an hour of something.
gettenthere

Oops..I must have typo'd ! imagine that! me ..typoing..LOL..I never eat 12 oz of cheese..2 maybe, but not 12.

our end date of the challenge is Christmas Eve I think

[goalinsight]

Goals for the week:

daily prayer time
recumbant bike 4x this week minimum of 15 minutes
stay on WOE
keep up the water more diligently
keep up on meds and coconut oil
cut intake amounts and/or reduce snacking
plan my children's joint (7 person) b-day party

Okay, is it obvious I need more accountability? Well, I do. I am stressed with all the heath issues and need to be accountable for a few things I am letting slide...in my distress. Are y'all willing to allow me that? I would appreciate it very much - I depend on all of you guys and don't feel comfortable sharing with too many who live nearby as their are alot of gossips. You guys are supportive, friendly and (Melly where are you? I feel the need for a well placed shoe) willing to hold me accountable on my WOE and food issues. And I thank you for it! WOW!
This morning I tried on some old clothes I had packed in a box that were 7 (yes, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 years ago) years old... and they fit! I mean yes they were tighter than they used to be but I was not straining the buttons either...so two new dresses. Which means I can avoid the sewing and dealing with new clothes and body image a while longer (and finding a pattern).
I did complete my goals for last week except for the dr appt which keeps getting moved as the docs are more concerned about other health issues than my arthritis and thyroid problems. Now it is set for wednesday and the big scary testing thursday at 8 am.

[sinny]

happy Sunday

Gettenthere WTG 7 days of induction .Good for you girl.
I had a different girl at curves measure me and I went up in inches LOL. Guess I will way for the other one next time since she is more forgiving with the inches LOL

Sherry WOOHOO what a great feeling to fit in old clothes. I am so happy for you. You are doing great and should be so proud of yourself. I pray you have some stress releive soon.

Mandy only about 112 days left til xmas. LOL they have it posted at curves. I can't imagine starting my xmas shopping.

I was off on my goals last week. This week I will get back to drinking all my water, eating clean . goining to curves at least 3x and walking at least 12 miles.


to everyone and have a nice holiday weekend

Sherry...you possess a rare strength..I admire you greatly! With what you have to deal with, all those kids , and you still stick to it! We are alla so proud of you! And wonderful about the clothes..good feeling, huh?

Gettenthere! 7 whole days..woooohoooo!!!!! KUTGW!

Sinny..I hope you slapped the measuring girl !!!

My goals are :

M,W,F to run at least 2 miles each of those days
T,TH 30 minutes free weights in gym...heavy weights

Eating: no more than 1200 cals and < 50% fat, carbs 25-30

Water..100 oz per day

Cya..M
xoxox's

[HeatherNicola]

My goals for this week are to stay cheat free, remember to do my exercises and my watm tape every other day and of course to stay away from the ciggies.

Nikki

[Impoverished Writer]

Hello everyone,
Well I have made it through 3 days of ME, and that's really helped me feel in better control. No weight loss yet, but, TOM is starting..it figures and also explains why I was haing so much trouble last week. I think I had killer PMS. I didn't even realise it though So maybe when TOM leaves I'll drop some weight. So food and water are good but exercise is down. My goal is to get to the gym 3 times this week. I used to be so good about it, I need to be again. I think I'll stick to ME a bit longer to see if I can break this stall. Nice Sunday post Mandy! TTFN

[Melly]

Hi to everyone....
I am here.....spent the weekend moving my grandmother from 90 miles away....from a house she lived in for 35 years.......and she has NEVER thrown anything away in here entire life......'nuf said?

I am tired.....eating on track....not enough water today but I will make up for it tomorrow.....I am beat and this is short ....... shall see if I can do better tomorrow.

On a side note......Mandy you sure got some $hyt stirred up on the poll thread........I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Melly

On a side note......Mandy you sure got some $hyt stirred up on the poll thread........I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hehe..yep Melly..but it has had a very nice side effect..starting yesterday evening, we have had several people come into chat and indicate to me that it was because of what they read in my poll And they seem to be liking it cuz several came back today! So it's allllllllllllllllllllllllllllll good

[Melly]

Yay Mandy..........thats what it is all about.........help and support.......that is why I came here and why I stay

[HorseNutt]

[IMG][/IMG] Pizza I wish all I could do was jump up and down and be a size 6

Melly I know what you mean by she never threw anything away. My Dad never did either and we would have to make dump runs when he wasn't around.

My goal for this week is the finish unpacking my boxs and help DH with the Weimaraners Dog pens. Sierra will be having her puppies soon.

My WOE will be cheat free and my water will be good as well. Still need to find a gym but I guess we won't until we are all settled in.

Hugs... Jeanie

[Pizzamama]

Well said Mandy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're much appreciated on this end too

Wavin' hello to Melly, HN, Impy, Nikki, Sinny, Sherry, and Getten and Dano if your out there!!!!!!!!!!!!! and anyone else I missed.

I made beef veggie soup from scratch today and it was totally awesome - everyone loved it and ate off it all day - ummmmm - change of plans on food today obviously - havin steaks tomorrow -ummmmmier!!!

I will actually be happy for this weekend to be over and cut the partyin - big night of corn-hole again FUN but dh and I had a late one last night too so I prolly should make it part of my goal for the week to officially end crazy summer nights except next weekend is already brewing to be a fun one with neighbors daughter in law due with twins and in town for her baby shower and neighborhood get together with them OMG will it ever end?????????????????????

My goals for the week are as follows:
~~~Up my water - its been good but not great and I feel the difference when its great!
~~~Keep food on plan for maintence - don't overdo portion sizes

We brought 5 pizzas home tonight to take down to the party and I had this funny feeling like I should somehow be trying to share with the needy to our south instead ~ it was strange!

Well it's gettin late and busy day tomorrow so here's wishing everyone a happy holiday - be happy for what you have and spend it with loved ones!

[Melly]

ROFLMAO...........Horse Nutt that looks like my chat icon....'cept my froggy is sexier what with the jaundice eyes and all

Happy Labour Day!

Just a quicky message for now..going to be a fairly busy day today. Yesterday was on track, water good, rest day as scheduled, eating:

Breakfast: Homemade flax wrap with 3 scrambled eggs, 2 oz shredded montery jack cheese and salsa
Lunch: 2 oz roast beef and a celery stick
Snack: 2 egg whites
Dinner: 8 oz baked sole fillets and 20 green beans
Snack: 2 egg whites

My food goals are: less than 1200 cal, less than 50% fat, and no more than 25-30 carbs
I had: 1187 cal, 49% fat and 23 carbs YAY!

Joshua finally appears to be quite a bit better this morning although he's only been up 20 minutes. And I get to see my oldest son again today..he's been gone since Tuesday, went to Portland Oregon to visit some of his Dad's side of his family.

Nikki...is this the first time you put your pic on your avatar or was I just oblivious ..nice picture Nikki! It's always nice to be able to put a face to the name ..thank you.

Pizza..if your soup recipe was low carb, can you post teh recipe for us? thanks

Impy! glad you are feeling better about your woe now

HN..love those crazy pictures!

Gotta run..love all your posts..you're a great bunch to wake up to!

Mandy
xoxo's

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM..breakfast was gooooooooooooooooood

3 eggwhite omlette with 2 oz shredded very lean roast beef , lc steak sauce and 1.2 oz shredded monterey cheese..yummers!

I forgot in my last post to tell you all about my weird dream last night!

(brought to you courtesy of 'cut & paste' )

I had the strangest dream last night...strange in as much as I wouldn't have expected to have it now after all this loss. It was a weekend day like any other, out and about running erands, shopping, hanging with the kids...BUT..people kept asking me the dreaded "Oh, how lovely! When are you due?" question!!!!! I kept trying to explain to people that I wasn't pregnant NOR was I actually fat so WHY WERE THEY ASKING ME???? lol...I actually woke up feeling kinda panicy that I may actually STILL look pregnant..btdt..ain't goin' back, nuh uh! Needless to say, I flung off my nightie , ran into the bathroom and did a quick check in the mirror! (the cat looked at me like I was a maniac as I went streaking past her on the 3rd floor landing!!!! silly moggy!) Happy to report I only look about 3 months or so

Not sure why this reared it's ugly head now...have to admit , one of my most humbling moments was being 18 months post partum and being asked when the baby was coming Guess it still haunts me! *insert ghosty emoticon here*

Been baking my fool head off for the rest of the family today so that there are things for school lunches ...tomorrow is start up day for Chandler grade 7 (first year of middles school ) and a gradual phase in this week for Anastasia (starting kindergarten ) ..my babies are growing up (wonder if the powers that be would notice if I kept Joshua home with me forever..my last little baby ). It just all means I'm getting old! To be honest, it's both gut wrenching and wonderous to see them all grow up. But, I'm proud to report I have not sampled ANY of the baking..not even licked a mixing spoon!

OK..off to get all purdied up and head into town to do some shopping. Should be interesting as now Joshua is feeling better, Anastasia now has his cold and she gets real nasty when she's sick..lol

Much love ..M
xoxox's

Forgot to mention something about using up egg yolks for those of us that are watching fat and calories too and only use the white...I have a lovely traditional english orange sponge cake recipe that will use up your left over egg yolks nicely ( I think I used 9-10 yolks last night when I baked it)..not lc but nice to make for other people, co-workers, as hostess gifts etc..and it freezes very well if well wrapped..and it isn't iced (frosted for you americans ) so one less step It's pretty dusted with icing sugar. So as not to tempt fate of those who might begin drooling, I'll not post the recipe here..pm me if you would like it.

Hmmm..now I'm not sure if maybe Canadians say 'frosted' too..lol..it gets confusing when one is raised in Canada by non-Canadian parents and speaks mostly to americans in here! ( and one cheeky aussie fellow...you KNOW who you are! )

I liken it to my personal religious history: Born C of E (anglican), attended a United Sunday School, joined a non-demominational youth group , married an agnostic from a bhuddist family in an Episcopalian church, attended baptist Christmas celebrations, then married a greek orthodox/ ukranian catholic on the beach! Any wonder I'm ?

You'd better all be AWOL due to being out exercising or Major Mandy is gonna getchya!

Here's a link that, while the inital quoted article is nonsense, some of the other comments in the thread illustrate my point from my first post for this week. Well worth reading

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/sh...d.php?t=375533

Love'n'stuff
Mandy
xoxox's

Just for fun!..what was your nickname in High School...from family or friends! (not a mean name..one from those who liked/loved you!)

I was "Mandibles" in school.."Louie" at home

OK..I'm starting to look like a real loser being the only one to post today..LMAO...GET IN HERE!!!!!!

[gettenthere]

Hi Mandy,
Yesterday I lied again do you think its becoming a habit did I say an hour of something for excersise well all I did absolutely nothing!
today I did my 3 mile WATP and tried to do the 8 minute work out with billy
blanks. that was hard but I'm going to to keep trying it the only part I enjoyed was the cool down couldn't quite get the hang of that too
water still not as good as before whats the matter. Food still clean
8th day of induction.
Sinny thank you! still doing induction by the book I'll do it for 2 weeks and then add 5 carbs a week and see if that will help I know I have to up my carbs what you said makes sense.
Pizzamama here's right back at you and all my fellow low carbers. I actualy went to a park to day with my little charcoal hibachi and made my self 20 shish kebabs on sticks I'm putting them in the freezer to have later.
Sherry you go girl!!!!!!!!!! I'm so proud of you what a role model for all of us
Mandy I just buy egg whites in a carton so then I don't have to bother with the extra yolks. but the cake sounds good do you have the recepi or is it in the bb's
HN you crack me up and it was I who said you'll get into a size 6
Dano hope you had a great time camping.
all that fresh air in the park an now I just dozed off while posting woke up and for amoment did'nt know where I was so I'm sure you will all agree its good night for me all around
gettenthere

[goalinsight]

Okay, company all gone - thank you Lord we made it through the holiday. No cheating either - Yeah for me! Had SF jello w/ stevia whipping cream 2X today...<blushing> but better than eating the sweet treats.
I have done my 15 minutes of biking and my chair excercises...UGH! Watched a good movie while we cut up veggies for salsa which we will can tomorrow. We pick more tomatoes and green beans to can at 3pm tomorrow...if my brakes get fixed tues morning. Then wed is bible study and supper at a friend's before that with a dr appt thrown in.

OK..well. seems most of you dropped off the earth today

Didn't get my run in ..simply no time where I had someone to watch the little ones

Food was all good though:

Breakfast: 3 egg white omlette with 2 oz lean roast beef with 1 tbsp lc steak sauce
Lunch: bunless grilled chicken burger with mayo, lettuce and tomatoe
Snack: celery stick
Dinner: Warm Beef Salad (3 cups red sails lettuce with 6 ounces of julienned lean roast beef, 1/2 medium onion sauted in 1.5 tsp olive oil and all warmed thru with 2 tbsp lc steak sauce.
Snack: celery stick with 1/2 tbsp CO peanut butter

Water currently at 98 0z, cals 1054, % fat = 49%, total carbs = 19
Goals: water 100 oz, cals <1200, fat <50%, carbs no more than 25-30

= daily woe goals MET!

Goodnight folks..hope to see you tomorrow!

M
xoxo's