I've mentioned before that I do a rough draft of my menu monthly. I opened my file today, looked at what I'd tentatively put down, and screwed up my face. None of it sounded appealing.
That's okay. I'm more than happy to make changes. My problem is that NOTHING sounds appealing. I thought about all the meals I make. Nothing. I thought about the meals I know that other people make. NOTHING. I thought about meals I get at restaurants. Nope. Nothing.
This is a problem. I have a husband and four little boys who need to eat. Every day. Every day I have to provide them with meals. It is terribly difficult for me to make meals when nothing sounds good.
So, I don't know what we'll really be eating this week. If I had no concerns about nutrition or health, we'd be having brownies a'la mode all week and maybe the occasional tater tot. But I do have concerns about the healthiness of the meals I give my children and I am still working to lose weight. So the brownies and tater tots are out.
Here is what I'd originally thought we'd be eating. I doubt any of it is right. Okay. I'm sure we'll have pizza. That's a given around here.
MONDAY: Pizza Pasta (also known as baked ziti, but my boys will eat anything called pizza so we changed the name)
TUESDAY: Baked Potato Bar
WEDNESDAY: Tuna Noodle Casserole
THURSDAY: German Pancakes
FRIDAY: Take-out Chinese
SATURDAY: Pizza
SUNDAY: Roast, potatoes, and carrots in the crock-pot
How did your week go? I can tell you that I survived my week, which was my only goal. I knew I'd eat like junk (and I did) and I knew I'd skip my exercising (and I did) and I knew my whole routine would be off (and it was). But the bathtub is in place. Now we just have to find the time to finish the tiling.
This week I have a different goal. Change is supposed to be good, right?
About a week ago I bought a gym pass from a friend of mine. It's a 3 month pass and it cost me $20. Since a single month costs $29, I thought this would be a great opportunity to try something new and shake things up.
So tomorrow I'm going to the gym for the first time. It's the beginning of my 3 month weight loss stint. While I become a gym-goer I'm also going to cut stuff out of my diet. I did this a while ago and had great success in eating so much healthier. So during the next three months my goals are: go to the gym regularly (this week we'll see what "regularly" might mean), and cut out simple carbs, pop, and fatty foods. I've learned that I need strict structure to lose weight and I haven't had that lately. It's time for change. And I think I'm ready.
What about you? What are your goals this week? How did you do last week?
In case you missed Tuesday's episode of Biggest Loser, click Here. Or watch it below.
***SPOILER ALERT***
This week we saw a new/old twist. Once before this season we've seen the possibility of no elimination if a certain weight goal was reached. But this time, everyone was put on the same team: the Blue Team. The total amount to beat: 64 lbs.
Anyone else kind of confused by this? When I watch twists like this, I can't help but wonder about the motivation of the producers. Was this challenge created to encourage unity and support within the house or was it to create tension and strengthen the animosity between Red and Black?
I would really hope that it's the first. But the Red vs Black mentality still lingered. I think everyone was guarded since no one ever knows what's going to happen next week.
The cooking challenge was fun. I thought it was good to mix up the couples teamed together. But, again, I wondered if the motive was unity or fueling the rivalry. Luckily, everyone was nice and helpful. Really, throughout the week everyone was nice and helpful, but there was always that sense of them vs us. Anyway, Curtis Stone and Lorena Garcia showed up as guest judges and voted Moses and Olivia as the winners with Baked Cod with Asparagus. Click the link for that and the other recipes as well.
The challenge consisted of following and pulling ropes out of sand. I thought it looked so fun. Last week a challenge in the mud, this week one in the sand. Makes me miss the good old days of Mud Olympics in high school and playing sand volleyball with drunk airmen at the military base family days. What? Not everyone did that one? Well, it was fun. The team had to complete the challenge within an hour and a half in order to gain a 5 lb advantage at the weigh in. However, if even one person was left behind the finish line, the entire team would be given a 5 lb disadvantage. Could they have come any closer to losing it? They finished with 6 second to spare. Holy cow. So that brought the total weight to lose down to 59 lbs.
During the week we saw the trainers taking on the players they hadn't worked with yet. Anyone else a bit annoyed with the whole attitude of "Jillian and Bob are the only good trainers"? But, I did love seeing Bob take Rulon under his wing. I do love Bob. And to have him and Rulon have a chance to work together was fun to see. And I loved watching Cara take on the girls. I think it would be amazing to train with Cara. I can't handle people touching my head. It's something that I've come to learn and accept about myself. So I can't imagine someone punching me there. But the rest of it seems like it would be fun and I like kickboxing on the videos I have.
And then the weigh in. No one had huge numbers, but nearly everyone had a decent week. I'd kill to lose 4 or 5 lbs in a week and have it not be a fluke. But everyone was upset because they needed an average of 5 lbs per person and weren't quite getting there. Rulon, Ken and Austin all struck a 7 lb loss a piece. Finally it got to the smaller women. Marci went up and pulled a 0. No real surprise. Earlier in the episode Dr H told Marci that she's at her ideal weight and now needs to learn to maintain. But Kaylee hit a 2+. She's swung from little weeks to big ones. I'm glad the trainers want to help her learn balance. Send some of that lesson my way, please.
In the end, the goal was not met. And in true After School Special form, Marci graciously bowed out and sacrificed herself for the good of the "kids." I really, really wish she had done it because she's reached her goal, though. But, everyone was crying over her leaving. I'm sure there's more to the story than what we know and see. It's probably different when you spend 24/7 with the same people for weeks at a time. But it just seemed to be the same martyr/parent thing yet again. Maybe with Marci gone it will be easier for Moses to be a good example of how to be a loving, supportive parent.
So it's so long, Marci. I do hope you're able to maintain your weight. But I can't say I'll miss you.
To see the episode from last week, go Here or watch below.
***SPOILER ALERT***
This last week the alliances reared in full force. It seems that the alliances this season are greater in magnitude than in the past. Before there have been three, maybe four, people in cahoots with each other. Now it's as many as 6 at a time. That's a huge alliance. And it's proven to be the only way to keep people safe or ensure their demise.
So this week saw captains coming into play. It was no surprise to see Justin take the captain role on the Red Team. He continually stepped up to challenge or encourage everyone throughout the season so far. But I wasn't all that thrilled with the idea of Marci as the captain for the Black Team. Her leadership skills depend on martyrdom and parental guilt. She's the captain by default because all of the other parents (and the Black
Team depends on parents to keep the "kids" alive) have already sacrificed themselves. Maybe I'm still bitter from a few weeks ago when the parents all bullied Jesse into sacrificing himself and then they threw the weigh in so they could self sacrifice rather than work really hard to beat the Red Team. That still irks me and it still bugs me that they've been allowed to have this mentality for so long. Um, Bob, Jill, need you guys to see what's going on and slap your team around a bit until they realize that they're just setting themselves up for failure at home.
The challenge looked like fun. Playing in the mud is always a great way to spend time. I don't blame Courtney for being upset that she had to sit it out. Where was Marci's brain on that one? If poor Ken hadn't struggled so much on the other team, it would've been very obvious that Courtney should've played. But, as usual, I groaned when the Red Team didn't win.
What about the challenge of one cook per team? I thought it was hilarious that Olivia (or was it Hannah?) thought she understood now how the "mothers of America" feel. That still makes me chuckle. A) She had no children crawling all over her as she prepped and cooked. B) She had no husband wanting her attention. C) She got to put a spin bike in the kitchen (not all of us have equipment at home). And D) She had no housework, bills, job, cleaning, or kid pick up/drop off to do as well. Maybe she got a glimpse of one aspect of mothers trying to lose weight, but it was limited. I think her 2 lbs lost is very decent for missing so much time in the gym and it makes those little victories at home that much more obvious.
So the weigh in. The Red Team finally got some good numbers in. Remember at the beginning of the season how they absolutely dominated? That over-abundant weight loss isn't going to happen for them anymore because their bodies are getting fit again. But to see higher numbers was a nice change.
The Black Team struggled. They had great numbers the previous week, so it's really no surprise. But here's where the alliances came back into play. Marci couldn't sacrifice herself like she'd ignorantly hoped. I called it from the moment she stepped on the scale. You can't be her size, lose five pounds, and then be shocked that you're the biggest loser of the week. But the alliance got rid of Sarah because she wasn't originally one of theirs. In my opinion, it was just as sad to see her go as it was Arthur. She needed to stay and continue to build her confidence and muscle strength. The girl lost most of her muscles after a car accident that left her unable to walk. She was doing well, she took the chance of doing something different by going to the Black Team, and ultimately the alliance kicked her out. If the Black Team complains one more time about the Red Team sending someone home who was not "one of their own" I think I'll barf.
Two weeks ago I made some specific goals. Seeing as how it's taken me an extra week to get back into Blog Land, you may be able to imagine how my last two weeks went.
Really, I tried to accomplish all my goals, but I just didn't get to everything. Then I got sick last week. We're talking zombie sick. Night of the living dead/I can't fully open my eyes/I sound like a modern-day-Kathleen-Turner-as-Chandler-Bing's-dad sort of sick.
So sick I still haven't even seen last week's the Biggest Loser episode.
I know.
So this week is different. This week is our vacation week where we are devoting all of our childless hours to fixing a bathroom we didn't want to fix.
My goal this week is a daily goal: Survive.
Maybe the word is even Endure. I'm not sure yet. If I come away from this week with a new tub, an intact marriage, and kids I'm happy to see, I'll be very happy.
How were your two weeks? What's your goal for this week?
I'm doing major spring cleaning this year and this week I'm attacking my kitchen. Every cupboard and drawer will be emptied and wiped down. Dinners have GOT to be easy and simple. And the fewer complaints from the boys, the better.
MONDAY: Frozen ravioli with spaghetti sauce, green beans, fruit/yogurt salad, and green salad.
TUESDAY: Soft tacos and cheese quesadillas
WEDNESDAY: French Toast with Vienna Sausages and fruit
THURSDAY: Corned Beef Hash with brussel sprouts, green bread, and green jello.
Less is more. I think that all the time. I especially think it right now as I'm doing a major Spring Cleaning/Dejunking of my house. Fewer games we don't ever play = more space to reach the ones we play all the time. Fewer never worn coats = more space for coats we wear. (Can you tell I cleaned my coat closet today?)
But sometimes MORE is more. I love it when I find an article or blog that says what I've been thinking. This morning I read this article and found myself nodding my head over and over.
In the world of weight loss, it applies too.
More fruits and veggies = More filling and satisfied.
More time exercising = More muscles.
More pounds lost = More victory dances.
More water = More trips to the bathroom.
Anyway ...
This week I had more pounds lost on the scale. I did my victory dance. I got excited about losing weight again. I got the drive back to work harder at making good food choices and fitting in more exercise. I'm hopeful that my weight plateau had to do with the sicknesses and dull days of winter. I'm down 12 pound in the last 14 weeks. Five more pounds will put me lower than I've been in 3 years. I can't wait.
How late is this? Way? Should I even bother posting this? Yes? Okay, if you insist.
To see last week's episode, go Here or watch below.
***SPOILER ALERT***
The contestants went home for two weeks. This is always risky. Some people rocked it. Some didn't.
The challenge, which was basically the last chance workout, was to replicate what the first challenge was: going 5k. This time the challenge was done individually. And then the reward was picking which team you wanted to be on.
Here's the conundrum. Arthur came in last and became the odd man out on the Red Team. And even though he's still hundreds of pounds from his goal weight, he was voted off. The Black Team blew away the weigh in. They were amazing. And Arthur, because of loyalties and alliances, was voted to go home.
Did the Red Team make the right choice? Or did they let the game get to them? I originally thought I'd have voted for Kaylee. She's been incredible and she's very close to her goal weight. And she only lost 1 lb in 2 weeks. But once they sat around the table, you could feel the tension through the TV. I really don't know what I would have done. On a show like this, when do you begin game-mode?
I'm really good at doing this for dinners, but I need more variety in my lunches (my own, not my kids - they live off of bologna and cheese). I need to research some healthy and low calorie lunches that are also quick. Hmm, another project to add to my week.
And here's my week's dinners:
MONDAY: Leftovers via Mom ~ she has leftover ham and funeral potatoes from dinner yesterday that she's bringing in tonight.
TUESDAY: Spaghetti with meatballs (if I get them made), salad, green beans, and fresh bread.
WEDNESDAY: Tin Foil Dinners ~ probably with hamburger patties, but I'm leaning toward chicken tenders instead. Potatoes, carrots, peppers, onion, meat on a cabbage slice in a foil packet baked in the oven (or the grill if it isn't raining).
THURSDAY: Breakfast Burritos ~ scrambled eggs with veggies on a tortilla.
FRIDAY: Subways
SATURDAY: Pizza
SUNDAY: Potato soup (from my freezer stash) and bread
This list came from the nutritionist for the Biggest Loser show. She recommends looking at our own lives and, if we do any of these things, that we have a great place to make a small change for the better. I know I need to especially work on #4 and #10.
People with weight gain problems usually,
1. Prioritized other things—such as their families, friends, and jobs—over their own health and well being. 2. Had absolutely no idea how many calories their bodies really needed (or how many they consumed each day). 3. Frequently skipped breakfast and other meals. 4. Didn't eat enough fruits or vegetables. 5. Didn't eat enough lean protein. 6. Didn't eat enough whole grains. 7. Ate too much "white stuff," such as white flour, white pasta, white sugar, white rice, and simple carbohydrates. 8. Didn't plan their meals in advance and often found themselves grabbing something on the go, which they ate standing up, in the car, or at their desks. 9. Drank too many of their calories (some people consumed their daily calorie budgets in sugary drinks alone!) but didn't drink enough water or milk. 10. Didn't get enough exercise (if any).
