April Healthy Living Club

[JanetMegan]

Well the first quarter of 2007 is already done, can you believe it? I know that some of you are keeping up and making great strides in being healthy in 2007, while others of us (me included) have had some bumps along the way. So why don't we all check in and offer some encouragement to resist all those chocolate eggs!

[disneydrmr]

So why don't we all check in and offer some encouragement to resist all those chocolate eggs!

I don't have any problem resisting the chocolate eggs.. it's those rascally chocolate rabbits that I have trouble resisting.. those cute little ears just seem to beg to be chomped off! Anyway - I'm not doing as well as I had hoped I'd be doing. I get my blood drawn next week for my cholesterol check and I just know I'm gonna get a lecture from my doct. So this week I'm planning to 'starve' myself - carrots, yogurt, salad, apples, oatmeal... taking my Red Yeast Rice pills... I also need to lose at least a couple pounds before my appt on the 11th or else I'll get THAT lecture. I have switched to using a smaller plate for meals - so I'm taking smaller portions and that has helped. Also helping is DH and my current financial situation - no eating out this month at all.. and being more 'frugal' at home even... so I am actually thinking April is looking bright for me! But time will tell. I do hope everyone else has had good luck!

[Beast_fanatic]

I'm down an additional 4 pounds for a total of 27 pounds lost since mid-November.

I'm still doing pretty well with walking although I'd like to add in some other activites too, maybe bicycling...

[MScholl13]

Last month I mentioned my trouble with getting up early in the mornings to go work out. Well, I am happy to report that I'm doing much better on that. A friend of mine gave me a treadmill, so now in the mornings I'll just wake up around six and run for about 45 minutes before I get ready for work. Makes working out in the morning so much easier since I don't have to drive to the gym! I'm also adding weight training sessions in at night. That way I'm not exhausted by doing cardio so late at night.

Guess we'll see how I do this month!

[Flower]

Can I join the April group?

I would like to lose 40 pounds by the end of September. September is our next Disney trip, and my brother-in-law is getting married mid-October. Also, I was just asked to be in a wedding next summer so I want to look good.

I have a baby boy November 9th, 2006 and since then I am 10 lbs LOWER in weight than when I got pregnant! It feels good to be lower, but I still have a long way to go. I think the weight loss is from breast feeding so I am afraid to stop BF'ing!

Now that winter is over with I am hoping to get outside more, in saying that it decided to snow here today (flurries).

[TheDuckRocks]

Just weighed in at Weight Watchers this morning and I've now lost a grand total of 57 pounds.
Going to my daughters tomorrow and hope I can keep my paws off of the grandkids' chocolate covered marshmellow eggs.

[DisneyGiant]

Congratulations Kay!!!!!

I'm on the healthy bandwagon too!

I just can't or won't follow any more diets - so I am trying portion control - plus exercise.

I love walking on the treadmill listening to my Disney music on the IPOD - its just getting to the gym that is challenging. I also really need this weather to warm up - my mind uses the cold as an excuse not to leave the house!

Good luck everyone with your good health efforts!!!!

[marlyn]

Congratulations and to you all! I am joining in as well. I had hoped to lose weight before my trip. I did lose about 10 lbs, but that is a long way off of the 40 I had wanted to lose.

I had joined Curves and was doing WW at home...then I got sick and had my surgery. You would think I would have lost more weight but it seems all the sitting around and inactivity didn't help.

I am off to WDW in 8 more days and am there for 2 weeks. I hope I don't overdo it with eating. I know I will be walking tons, but there are so many yummy things to eat as well. I think maybe an early morning walk around All Stars would be a good plan. Or maybe a few laps in pool.

When I get back I am going to get into my healthy living plan full force since this weight WILL be gone before I board the Disney Magic next June!

[DisneyRN]

I haven't been around the Water Cooler much in the past year and a half. In that time period (starting Nov '06) I was found to have a large lesion or mass in my left parietal lobe of my brain.

After rounds and rounds of tests and specialists (and coming REALLY close to a dangerous brain biopsy), the rhematologist knew exactly what it was!!!!
I have a form of vasculitis in the brain called bening angiopathy of the central nervous system...laymen's terms-I have some spasming blood vessels in my brain that sparked an inflammatory response that lead to swelling and this "lesion."

So, now I am on the right medicines (I am almost 29 and on blood pressure meds- but I don't have high blood pressure), off high dose steroids, and ready to lose this stubborn steroid weight.

So....Last week I joined LA Weight Loss.

I know not everyone likes this plan, and has some criticism over the cost, but I did the math, and I am coming out a couple of hundred better than if I had joined WW's.

So far, it seems doable. I am set up for 25 weeks of weight loss followed by another year and a half of maintenance. I eat vegtables, fruits, some good protein, limited starch and dairy, minimal fat, plus some other stuff. Oh, and I am drinking about 2L of water a day.

I weigh in tomorrow, so we will see how I do. I lost 1 pound after one day, so we will see if that was a flook.

[Here we go again...]

Mary, it is good to see you back on the boards! I am sorry to hear about the health issues and hope they have everything under control. I know all too well what those steroids can do to your weight.

I joined Weight Watchers last week. I tried once before but did not give it an honest attempt. I realize now that I was not counting everything. Do you know how many points I was adding with my morning coffee??? I was not measuring anything.

I purchased the scale to make sure I am eating the right portion sizes. I also purchased the serving spoons. Now I can scoop 1 cup onto my plate and I know that I can not have more unless I plan to count the additional points. You have no idea how much that is helping. I also make my meal plans before walking into any restaurant so that I am prepared for the points I will use.

I will know Saturday if I lose any weight... wish me luck.

[DisneyRN]

I also make my meal plans before walking into any restaurant so that I am prepared for the points I will use.

I am the same way with all my meals. I pretty much base what I have for breakfast and lunch on what I am having for dinner, so that I can eat more "liberal" at home. It is hard to make weight friendly foods with a picky 4 year old and husband at home!

As a snack, has anyone tried an apple with splenda and cinnamon sprinkled on it? It is delicious and a nice change from plain fruit.

[DisneyRN]

Oh, and I lost 4 pounds in 5 days, so I am doing great on this diet!

And, I have a TON more energy. I feel great... except for seasonal allergies. Won't these trees stop dropping pollen?

[TikiGoddess]

Hi all,

I am making some changes in my life. The first is that I am training for my first ever 5k in July, with plans on running the entire race. I have never been a runner so this is a big thing for me!

Secondly, I'd like to lose about 5 lbs. I want to change my diet slightly to incorporate healthier choices. I thought what better way to get common-sense, easy-to-do ideas than to ask Intercotees!

I need ideas for healthy, low-fat breakfasts and lunches including fruit and veggies. Maybe you could post what works for you?

Thanks for any suggestions!
TikiG

[Here we go again...]

Well, I went to my Weight Watchers meeting yesterday and I am happy to say that I lost 4.4 pounds!! I find it very hard to believe since I am unable to do any exercise. I am being very careful about what I eat and have not cheated once!

I cooked a pork loin a couple of nights ago and it was sooooo good. I was able to eat 4 ounces which is a lot of meat and I had Rice a Roni and corn. I also at at PFChangs last week and had crawfish etouffe. I ate very well, but measured everything I ate.

I hope I see the same results next week.

[jennbunn]

ok well april has not been a good month. lot's of chaos with my extended family so alot of stress eating. now i am back on track and started working out again as well as eating better. may will be a better month!!!!

[TheDuckRocks]

Mary, I'm so glad to see you back on the boards and are feeling better.
Angel, I hope you have as much success with Weight Watchers as I've had.
Drum roll please...... ......I've lost another 2 pounds for a total of 59, just 11 more until I reach my goal weight.

[Here we go again...]

Congratulations Kay!
I hope those last few pounds just fall right off.

[Beast_fanatic]

I need ideas for healthy, low-fat breakfasts and lunches including fruit and veggies. Maybe you could post what works for you?

Thanks for any suggestions!
TikiG

For breakfast, I have 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal (1/4 cup uncooked) with Splenda and 1-2 tablespoons of milled flax seed (per my nutritionist, it's a good fat that everyone should incorporate into their diet). I normally would also be able to have 1/2 cup fruit along with it, but my blood sugar is a bit high in the
morning, so I just do one serving of carbohydrates.

I also get a mid-morning snack, and I try to have fruit then too (usually a small banana).

My lunch varies a lot, but I try to have a serving of fruit with it. My guidelines are to have 3 ounces of protein (about the size and thickness of three fingers), 2 servings of carbohydrates and a fat. I can also have vegetables with my lunch so long as they are not starchy vegetables, so a salad (with little or no dressing) or some raw carrots help to fill me up.

[Here we go again...]

I just got back from my Weight Watchers meeting. I lost 1.4 pounds, for a total of 5.8!
It is slow going but I am trying hard to stick to it. I have been unable to do any exercise because of this darn knee.

[TheDuckRocks]

At my Saturday Weight Watcher weigh-in I lost an amazing 3.5 pounds this week. Have no idea why! Maybe it's just sticking with it so long that I'm getting a bonus for some of my not so good weeks.
My total loss is now 62.5 pounds with only 7.5 more to go!!!!