The E-LAB Project

NativeMainer

Friday check in, 3 points
weight 227 pounds, 0 point
water, 7 points
exercise, 7 points
extra credit, went swimming for the first time this summer, took the dog, too
Total = 18 points

Hmm, still didn't quite hit 20.  Gotta step up the exercise. 

badger

attawoman NM, 18 points is GREAT!   

NativeMainer

Thanks, Badger. 

The world is conspiring against me.  This ayem I weight 225 #. All week I 've been weighing 226#.  Why do I always get the worst weights on Friday morning????

NativeMainer

RoadRunner checking in:

 Friday Check in =3 points

Weight 224# = 3 points. 

Water = 7 points

Exercised =  6 points

Extra Credit--= 1 point--didn't drink any soda this week. 

Total =  20 points.

HAH!  I hit 20 points!!!!!!!!!

zogo

I'm up a little today, but doing quite well considering all the beer (Lite) and festivities.  I've seen some awesome bands so far at summerfest. The *Fun.* concert was fantastic. Last night was Dark Star Orchestra and BareNaked Ladies.  Haha I guess those names don't represent their music at all!! Saw some Pat Benatar, Dispatch, Avett Brothers, and Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeroes. Spin Doctors today.

Friday ~ 2

Water ~ 6

Wt (164.4) ~ 0

Exercise ~ 13

Total 21

badger

hi birdies ~ sounds like fun, Jane, and way to go, NM!

Late check in = 1 point

Weight down from last week = 2 points

Exercise = 16 points

Daily H2O = 7 points

Extra credit = 1 point – did a Firecracker 5K fun run/walk on 4^th of July (no surprise, I walked).

Total = 27 

Anonymous

Hi friends.  Missed 2 weeks but it would not have mattered as I was busy and eating on the run.  Just about back on track now so hopefully this week will show progress.

mimi1964

Hey ya'll I have missed a few weeks and I have just hit that almighty plateau.  I guess it's my own fault as I've not been working at it very hard.  It's very difficutly at work.  I keep saying this but geesh I just seldom find time to eat a meal at work.  If it wasn't for protein bars I would starve a lot of days and when I get home I'm so hungry I eat things I shouldn't.  I guess I need help or a new job... LOL!  Really a vacation would just be nice right now.  I'm pretty tired.  Anyway my weight is stuck at about 154-155

zogo

mimi, Patoo, Badger, NM.....Where are you my friends?

I've done terrible so far this month. I'm up again 

Friday ~ 3

Wt (165.8) ~ 0

Water ~ 7

Exercise ~ 10

Total ~ 20

badger

hi birdies, Happy Friday!  Jane, some of WI ladies are meeting in Aug.  PM me for details!

Friday check in = 3 points

Weight down from last week = 2 points

Exercise = 12 points

Daily H2O = 7 points

Extra credit = 1 point – brought a healthy lunch every day this week (kale with chickpeas & tomato, and some fresh fruit).  Should subtract a point, though, for wolfing it down at my desk working through lunch AGAIN because I’m so freakin’ busy right now.  And I brought work to do this weekend.  Paying in advance for vacation next week.  BTW, I’ll be out of town next Fri.

Total = 25 

Keep trying, slow but steady with backslips expected, give ourselves a lot of credit!  ♥

NativeMainer

RoadRunner checking in:

 Friday Check in =1 points  missed Fri check in, overslept

Weight 230# = 0 points. ;(

Water = 7 points

Exercised =  6 points

Extra Credit--= 1 point--kept moving even though my back hurts like he##

Total =  14  points.

Hmmm.  I know I haven't been moving as much with my back hurting so much, but I didn't think it would make this much difference.  Of course, I have been having trouble getting moving in the ayems, and not eating breakfast.  Apparently eating breakfast does make a difference in this game. 

NativeMainer

Zogo--sounds like a fun concert!  Good for you!

Badger--you did a 5K walk?  Cudos to you!

Patoo--welcome home, and here's to getting back on track!

Mimi--I have days like that too, and end up eating all sorts of stuff I shouldn't.  I've got to get some stuff in the freezer that I can just microwave when I get home after a day like that. 

Zogo--you're not the only one up, I'm up 4# in 1 week! 

Badger--Eating healthy lunches is a big step forward, even if you do eat them at your desk.  Baby steps is the way to go, first step is the healthy lunch, next can be taking a break at lunch. 

badger

thanks for the encouragement, NM!  I haven't been entirely faithful but my strategy of avoiding chocolate, cheese, sugar, and wheat is paying off.  I do still eat Greek yogurt (with sugar) daily but it's dessert.  Been losing less than a half-pound every week but it's a consistent and not a punishment.

The healthy lunch I pack can be eaten hot or cold.  Here are the nutritional values I've calculated per serving (i.e. divided by 5) then the recipe.

cal 232 / fat cal 66 / % cal from fat 28.4 / fat gr 6.8 / chol mg 0 / sodium mg 190 / carbs gr 34.4 / fiber gr 6.6 / sugar gr 3.8 / protein gr 8.2

2 Tbsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced

1-2 bunches kale, stemmed and torn into bite size pieces (approx 4 cups)

1 cup vegetable broth

2 tomatoes peeled and chopped (approx 2 cups)

1 cup chickpeas (I use a 15-oz can)

1 cup corn kernels (optional)

Basmati brown rice, cooked (approx 1 cup)

Sauté the garlic in olive oil for a minute (you could also add some onion here).  Add the kale and mix well to coat it with garlic oil.  Stir until it starts to wilt.  Dig a hole in the middle and put the tomato in there.  Put a lid on it and let it cook until the tomato starts breaking down (5 minutes or so).  Dig another hole in the middle and add the chickpeas and broth.  Put the lid back on and simmer 15 minutes or so.  Add the corn kernels, if used.  Serve over basmati brown rice.  (I just mix in the rice because I make a batch on Sunday and pack five individual containers to make it easy to grab in the morning.)

zogo

sounds yummy, Badger. What do you call it?

I've given up sugar and grains, but the chocolate and dairy?~ not a chance.

badger

I call it "Suzanne's favorite thing to do with kale" after the friend who gave me the recipe.

Knowing you're low-carb, I manipulated my spreadsheet and did an analysis of the per-serving nutritional values without corn, without rice, and without either one.

without corn: cal 208 / fat cal 64 / % cal from fat 30.8 / fat gr 6.4 / chol mg 0 / sodium mg 189 / carbs gr 29.2 / fiber gr 6.0 / sugar gr 3.2 / protein gr 7.4

without rice: cal 188.8 / fat cal 63 / % cal from fat 33.3 / fat gr 6.4 / chol mg 0 / sodium mg 188 / carbs gr 25.4 / fiber gr 5.8 / sugar gr 3.6 / protein gr 7.2

without corn or rice: cal 164.8 / fat cal 61 / % cal from fat 37.0 / fat gr 6.0 / chol mg 0 / sodium mg 187 / carbs gr 20.2 / fiber gr 5.2 / sugar gr 3.0 / protein gr 6.4

But the corn adds color & crunch, and the rice adds body & that lovely basmati flavor, so I don't think it would taste as good without them.

Also, I haven't given up dairy except for cheese because it's nutritionally dense (high-fat).  Plenty of room in my diet for other sources of protein & calcium. 

OT - Wisconsin State Fair soon.  Here's a JS article about the food.  (garlic-buttered new potatoes on a stick, anyone?)  http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/festivals/bacon-bacon-everywhere-on-new-foods-list-for-2013-wisconsin-state-fair-b9953013z1-215231431.html

Meece

Frustrated that after being back from a trip I am now at my heaviest.  I hardly ate while we were gone, but I have been swelling so I must be retaining water.  Dr is looking into it.  I won't be gaining any points for a loss this wee as I weighed in at 179.8!

NativeMainer

Badger--that sounds like a great lunch, I'm going to have to try it very soon.  I like the idea of making a batch and packing up lunches.  I often do that with oatmeal in the winter for breakfasts.  Thanks for sharing!

Meece-water retention weight is a bummer.  Hope yours comes off soon.  I know it sounds odd, but when I start retaining water I have found that if I drink extra water the retained water will come off pretty quickly. 

Meece

That doesn't seem odd, it was my first thought.  It just isn't coming off as quick as I'd like.

badger

Meece, it never comes off as fast as we'd like, otherwise we'd all be at our ideal weights next week (or tomorrow LOL).  ♥

Meece

It can sure go on fast though.  I ate so well on vacation, not a lot of snacking, balanced meals, and then 8 lbs!

zogo

oh no, Meece. Jump back on the wagon. We're here for you.

It is insanely hot here this week. Getting the water in has been easy, but not so much on the exercise.

Meece

A couple of pounds have dropped this week.  I go back to the doctor Friday and maybe she can give me some insight as to what is going on. She drew four vials of blood last Friday.  Hopefully one of them will tell her something.  With four vials out of me, there should have been some weight loss, don't you think?

zogo

LOL, Meece...four vials...too funny  

Meece

It would have been funny if I didn't panic about blood draws every time I get one since BC.  I wasn't given the opportunity for a port so my veins are shot and they have been poked unsuccessfully by many a phlebotomist.

NativeMainer

RoadRunner checking in:

 Friday Check in =3 points

Weight 228# = 2 points.

Water = 7 points

Exercised =  8 points

Extra Credit--= 1 point--deciding what I am going to have for lunch before going into the restaurant, so eating more salads

Total =  21  points.

OK, eating breakfast obviously makes a difference! 

zogo

Yay NM!! Great week for you!!

Rockin' Robin checking in:

Friday ~ 3

Wt Down (162.4) ~ 2 

E-Lab Low!!! ~ 1 This is the lowest I've been in YEARS.

Water ~ 7

Exercise ~ 8 (not that I didn't sweat ~ it's so dang hot)

Found new sweeteners ~ 1  (mong fruit, Xyla, and ground green leaf stevia)

Total ~ 22

NativeMainer

Yeah Zogo!!!!!!!!!!! E-Lab low!    Time to celebrate!!!

Anonymous

Sorry friends have been off the boards, or minimally on, for several weeks.  Will try and pick it up again since my BCo DC exercise friends wore me out the last few days, so I need to get back on board with some accountability.

NativeMainer

Welcome back Patoo!

Meece

I am exhausted but am exercising my mind thinking about exercising.  I need to do something!  At work there are two soda machines in the breakroom, both sell equal amounts of water and soda, I have never purchased a soda.  Good for me.  Well today they installed to junk food machines.  One with really bad foods like candy and chips and one with cup-o-noodles and "Meal" type foods.  Help me.  I will go to work without money if I have to.