Extra Sparks!

Way to go Candy!

Congratulations!

I am down from 22W to 18W.

Super proud of you Kathy! You are an inspiration to all of us!!!

Just want to let you know that if you are determined to go the mile you will reap the rewards!

I have been focused keeping to my eating plan the past 6 days without any processed foods except Bacon at breakfast and daily exercise. I have kept my calories at low or below the recommended Sparks levels. Today I am down 8 pounds! Even if the weight is water weight it is the lowest I have been in at least the past 5 years!

Now the real challenge is to continue this streak and hold onto the ground I have taken! I still have the distance to go to reach my ideal weight. If I can set my sail hold true to course I have high hopes of reaching my goal by this time next year!

We can do it! Thank each one of you for the support and encouragement - I needed that in the hard times!

If I can change my attitude and "Git er dun" You can too!

The struggle is real! It is so hard to explain to people why I just can't keep the weight off when I lose it. But it just happens. If I knew the answer I could help a lot of people.

A coworker lost a lot of weight after a health scare a few years ago. I was so proud.
I just saw him and he gained a lot of weight. It's happened gradually. I'm trying to remember while I am tempted by candy.

If you are tempted to order pizza or go to subway go on their web page and build your pizza or sandwich 1st - they have a tool that you fill in what you want on it and the bread or crust and it does a nutritional breakdown like on the back of items you purchase at the grocery store. It is nice because you can try different options and tweak your choices to get better numbers!

Yesterday, I snacked a LOT.
So last night, I listened to "Hypnosis for Weight loss and sleep " by existotherapy.com on YouTube. It helped! I avoided eating while driving. I still snacked at work, but I also drank water. And I threw out some chips I didn't like!

I'm reading "Lit" by Mary Karr. It is her memoir about her struggle to get sober. She mentioned having to relearn the same lessons over and over again. I find that also in my struggle to avoid overeating.

I had my colonoscopy on Tuesday. The day before, I had only clear liquids and NO gum. That taught me I can make it through the day without gum. I'm trying to remember that every day

Are you hungry for a burrito but really don't want the extra calories or carbs. maybe just something more healthy - request a mission burrito, ask them to hold the wrap and just put it in a bowl!

Me too! But if we don't bring it, we can't eat it and I won't get anything from the darned old evil vending machine.

I noticed that I eat all the snacks I bring with me. So I am packing less snacks

Candy, so true! Whenever I feel tired, I get up and move around and feel better

I love the list Kathy!

My tip for today is... If you don't have energy fake it until you make it! Once you start moving and being active the energy will happen!!!

10 wys to getting back on track:
1) START NOW by recommitting today.
2) DRINK WATER like it's your job.
3) PLAN each meal!
4) EAT! Don't make up for overeating by NOT eating.
5) REVISIT your food journal and repeat a good week
6) REMIND yourself how far you have come
7) MOVE, get your sweat on.
8) DON'T let a bad week turn into a bad month
9) VEGTABLES are your friend
10) REPEAT this tomorrow.

Good hints ladies! That is what this thread is all about!

Great ideas - I thought I would do great no sweat getting 5 fruit/veggies in. Had not planned to work ab12 hour shift and miss lunch! Have a bad fire in the area and had staff out that was evacuated from area. Was busy day at work and snacked on jerky - OK on carbs but to high on sodium to eat at snack and lunch... I will pack a morning fruit snack a lunch veggie and protein and an afternoon fruit. I should get my 5 in then by dinner! Thanks for reminding me to pack my veggies ahead of time and avoid the morning rush.

Great Idea about lunch, Candy!
I prepare my lunch the night before. I put non perishable snacks in my lunch bag when I prepare the dish I am going to take. Any refrigerated snacks (carrots, celery, etc) I place next to my container in the refrigerator. Then when I pack my bag in the morning, I'm more likely to take everything I planned

My realization today is that we tend to live by numbers. If I feel a little bloated in the morning, I run to check the scale. This is similar to when someone feels hot and checks what the room or outdoor temperature is. Now I'm sure that there have been days when 70 degrees feels warm to you. Then there are other days when 70 degrees feels cool to you.

If you really think about it, the numbers that we rely on to assess ourselves don't have a consistent meaning. In other words, don't let the scale dictate how you feel.

My Extra Spark idea for today is preparation is everything! I need to have some food ready for my lunch to grab as I am running out the door in the morning. If not I run the risk of making a quick and unhealthy decision later... As the old saying goes, "If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail." Well something like that... lol

My "Extra Spark" to share is that the Lose to Win Sparkers are here for you! We can cheer you on when you are succeeding or be understanding and supportive when you are struggling. Hang in there!!!!

It was YOUR great idea!!!! Keep them coming Kathy!!!!!

My extra Spark is when you are tempted at a social function to go off course, resist and hold strong to your plan. When the event is over you will feel so powerful and skinnier too!

Candi, That is a super idea.

Tip to control hunger: Keep a protein snack available especially in afternoon to help so you are not tempted to snack on the way home or so hungry you over eat in the evening.

Amazing how a boiled egg, an couple slices cheese, or a tablespoon of peanut butter will keep the wolves away.

Much easier to fit in a planned protein snack than that extra portion at dinner or the nibbling on the way home.

We could all use an "Extra Spark" once in a while, if not daily!!!! This is the place to post things that are working for you that might help someone else on the team. A new recipe, something that motivated you, an "Aha" moment, or anything else that that has given you an Extra Spark!