The fun's over! It's time for an Easter (Sunday, March 31) Challenge!

[Lynn49]

hi Lynn!!




I was going to try those too ( Green Coffee bean thing Dr. Oz recommended once right??) but that would mean I'd have to change out of my pj's AND my two good shoes!

You are certifiable, you know that?
I'll let you know if I find any difference using those bean pills...I just remembered I still haven't had lunch (only a Smart Ones breakfast sandwich that I couldn't bite through whatever frankenmeat was in it; but Jenny had no problem with it.
I always thought one had to be some kind of stupid to forget to eat, which was always me, but now that my metabolism has gained a little ground by eating, I'm usually hungry these days, which is a good thing since I'd probably still be one of those who forgets! Crap...I'm forgetting to drink water today!

SO MUCH to think about when dieting!!!! Is mental exercise considered adequate for weight loss??

[Lynn49]

WHY oh why are tummies the last to start, and probably the last to finish losing weight??!!

[Lynn49]

Good morning, everyone!!
I received this from "Spark People" this morning, and thought it would be a good idea to
share it with all of you; a sort-of motivation for today...enjoy..

Dear Self,

Here is the deal: You screwed up.

You let a little emotional turmoil to cause you to question the value of what you do here at SparkPeople and then completely and utterly gave up on your own little unique Spark that is yourself. Not long after.... you turned to food to comfort and assuage. You have reaped the dubious rewards.

Augusten Burroughs in "Dry" wrote:

"Think of your head as an unsafe neighborhood; don't go there alone."

And yet you did it, you checked out of SparkPeople and into your muddled and cavernous head. What ensued were days of waking up with "junk belly" when you ate too much too late in the day. Days of wandering around and thinking, "What do I feel like eating?" instead of "What should I eat?" Weeks of thinking walking the dog was actually enough excercise as you nurtured a deep aversion to the gym, because if you are going to screw up, well, you were just going to screw up royally.

And now you are healing and back to Sparking but are still meandering and a little rudderless. Well, as you have advised countless others, pick up the oars and start rowing. Pick a direction and go back to what works for YOU. So here it is, your pep talk, your written definition of your peaceful "abstinence" from food borne misery. You know what to do. What works for you is this:

1. Weigh and measure your food, not yourself. Track every bite and put it into the SparkPeople Nutrition Tracker. Stay within the allotted calorie and nutritional ranges.

2. Bears repeating one more time: Weigh and measure your food, not yourself.

3. Drink at least 8 glasses of water over the course of the day, preferably more and track that.

4. Get in at least 45 minutes of decent fitness every day. Track it. Walking the dogs does not count for the time-being. It has to be OVER and ABOVE that!!

5. Set a period of time you will follow this edict and report back on your progress occasionally.

6. And remember, I love you and don't make this a chore. This is easy. Do this for yourself... because as your dear daughter has so eloquently reminded you - you have Potential....now do something with it. Oh, and keep Spreading the Spark.

XOXO,

[i_forget]

Been busy as heck.

Between school, going to the gym, the kids, and doing a side project for psychology, I am SPENT!

Sounds like everyone has been doing well this week. Keep it up!

[walkonby]

Good morning, everyone!!
I received this from "Spark People" this morning, and thought it would be a good idea to
share it with all of you; a sort-of motivation for today...enjoy..

Dear Self,

Here is the deal: You screwed up.

You let a little emotional turmoil to cause you to question the value of what you do here at SparkPeople and then completely and utterly gave up on your own little unique Spark that is yourself. Not long after.... you turned to food to comfort and assuage. You have reaped the dubious rewards.

Augusten Burroughs in "Dry" wrote:

"Think of your head as an unsafe neighborhood; don't go there alone."

And yet you did it, you checked out of SparkPeople and into your muddled and cavernous head. What ensued were days of waking up with "junk belly" when you ate too much too late in the day. Days of wandering around and thinking, "What do I feel like eating?" instead of "What should I eat?" Weeks of thinking walking the dog was actually enough excercise as you nurtured a deep aversion to the gym, because if you are going to screw up, well, you were just going to screw up royally.

And now you are healing and back to Sparking but are still meandering and a little rudderless. Well, as you have advised countless others, pick up the oars and start rowing. Pick a direction and go back to what works for YOU. So here it is, your pep talk, your written definition of your peaceful "abstinence" from food borne misery. You know what to do. What works for you is this:

1. Weigh and measure your food, not yourself. Track every bite and put it into the SparkPeople Nutrition Tracker. Stay within the allotted calorie and nutritional ranges.

2. Bears repeating one more time: Weigh and measure your food, not yourself.

3. Drink at least 8 glasses of water over the course of the day, preferably more and track that.

4. Get in at least 45 minutes of decent fitness every day. Track it. Walking the dogs does not count for the time-being. It has to be OVER and ABOVE that!!

5. Set a period of time you will follow this edict and report back on your progress occasionally.

6. And remember, I love you and don't make this a chore. This is easy. Do this for yourself... because as your dear daughter has so eloquently reminded you - you have Potential....now do something with it. Oh, and keep Spreading the Spark.

XOXO,

Oh Lynn!! What a great and encouraging motivational letter to send their clients. I signed up one day and the next day could not be bothered, and there it says it all , I went to that " bad neighbourhood " ( my mind ) alone. Great that you posted it.

[Patty Smyth]

I made bean burgers tonight. They went over pretty well with everyone except my dad

[Lynn49]

You're welcome, Walks...I'm happy if it gave you a kick in the butt....I mean...encouragement, of course.

Patty...black bean burgers? I've seen recipes that I'd love to try...!
p

[Patty Smyth]

You're welcome, Walks...I'm happy if it gave you a kick in the butt....I mean...encouragement, of course.

Patty...black bean burgers? I've seen recipes that I'd love to try...!
p

I used large white beans and I "fried" some onions until they were caramelized and put it all in the food processor with garlic, parsley, some whole wheat flour to hold it together, some ground flax seeds. Made the patties and pan fried them in the non stick, they get a little crunch on the outside slap them on a bun with tomato, lettuce , mayo.

[walkonby]

those patties sound delicious Patty. I love doing onions like that too, in most everything I add that and mushrooms.

[Lynn49]

Thank you, Patty...I have all the ingredients here and I think that'll be our dinner tomorrow~! I love portobello mushroom burgers, too and we also grill portobello mushrooms and put them on top of my homemade burgers...YUM!!

I also found this recipe on line and it looks pretty darn good, too!

• 2 cans white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 medium onion, roughly chopped
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (from a bottle packed in olive oil), patted dry (I'll use the dry ones I have on hand, and rehydrate them to skip the oil)
• 4-5 medium basil leaves (frozen ones from our garden)
• pinch salt
• pinch pepper
• 1/3 cup almond meal (something else)
• 1-2 tbsp olive oil for frying

I think I'd be more inclined to grill them in our George Foreman to cut the fat from frying them...the only almondy thing I have here is chocolate almond milk which will never do, lol, so I'll use another binder. I've even seen recipes that use quinoa as a binder...Yep, hubby's in for a taste treat tomorrow! I just have to pick up some WW or equivalent buns.
Am I drooling? I can't be!!!

WEIGH IN tomorrow peeps!! Good luck to all of us!!!

[Lynn49]

[Lynn49]

[Lynn49]

Ugh. SO true.

[Granger]

Down 2.5. Total loss 5 lbs. I am at my first goal in half the time I gave. We know I struggle with losing twice in a row, so this is a good start for me. Another 13.5 lbs to go for the dream. We can do this!

My nephew was born last night. Hoping we get to visit today.

[Patty Smyth]

Same here, oh well.