The E-LAB Project

Meece

Well, Valjean, guess we just buck up and start.  No body here is where they want to be.

mimi1964

Val Jean this to shall pass... I know we all can do this with the help of each other.  I kind of got depressed and let everyone down towards the end of the year (or I felt like I did, especially myself), because my weight did not get down where I wanted it.  But you know this is a new year and a new attitude.  We all can do this Val Jean!!! We need to get healthy and stay healthy whether it's one pound or twenty the important thing is that we change our lifestyle and add healthy eating habits into it and try to add some kind of exercise or movement into our week.  Ride a bike, mow the yard, garden, walk more or further when you go to the mall, play games with your kids or grandchildren, however you can find a way, but make it fun!! If you keep if fun and interesting you will keep doing if, just like changing up your menu and foods you eat, if we make them simple, easy to prepare, different and "fun", but healthy we will eat them and hopefully lose weight all at the same time.   

 I know I'm ready for some good weight watchers recipes Meece and some great salad ideas ladies.  We could post them on here by Wednesday and that way we could prepare our grocery list by Friday and stock up at the store on Saturday (that's when I shop) for the next week.  I personally could take my lunch.  Not only would it save money but a lot of calories.  What do you think???

Renee

NativeMainer

OK, I'm a little late joining up, but here I am!  I'm starting at 218 pounds.  Looking at all your 140's and 150's and 160's makes me feel like a total blimp, but hey, this is where I am.  My current nutrition goal is to get 3 servings of fruit/veggie a day. 

mimi1964

Welcome Nativemariner!!!

Meece

WhooHoo!  Welcome NM.  It isn't about how much you are, just that you are will to try. 

Mimi, do you know something about NM's hobbies that we don't?

Ainm

Ok - Meece you can log my 2011 start weight at 143 lbs (I was 135.5 before chocolate... I mean before Christmas!!)

NM - if it is any help to you I started at 234lbs.

Patoo - belated happy birthday !!!

I'm aiming for about the 130 mark if that is at all possible.

Mimi - I get totally obsessed about my weight - having been overweight for most of my adult life I have the worse habits and even tho I have lost a significant amount of weight I cannot shake the old habits and revert to them when ever my resolve weakens or when I get stressed - which is now fairly regularly as I have my Mother who has Alzheimer's living with me.

Well I wish every one the best success with The E-LAB Project phase 2011!!

Anonymous

Found this and had to sign back on because it's really good:

1 box sugar free jello; 2 weight watchers yogurts; 1 x 8 oz Lite Cool Whip; 1 reduced fat graham cracker crust

Thaw Cool Whip and mix with both yogurts

Use a wire wisk to combine jello and ¼-cup boiling water and then fold into cool whip mixture

Pour into pie shell and chill for at least an hour - enjoy.

(wouldn't be any better with 'regular' ingredients,so prepare with the lite ingredients)

Meece

Mmmm, a dessert!  I wonder if you could freeze pieces, and bring them out when you felt the need to satify your sweet tooth.

faithandfifty

OK. I'd like to run for coach of one of the teams.

I propose that once Meecie gets us divided that we have some sort of "point system" that is tracked by the individual team captains for their respective team members.

We can keep it fairly simple.

What if the team scored a point for every 60 minutes of exercise generated. I've seen that 20 minutes is supposed to be long enough to have some value, so in 20 minute chunks perhaps and for every 60 minutes the team scores a point.

For every every Fri that a team member has a loss, there could be a point for the team.

Hmmmmm. For every time a team member is down a full pound that could be another point.

Hmmmmm. How far to take this??

Points for drinking water?

Points for sharing a recipee?

Points for sharing a tip or a website/link??

Points for posting a funny cartoon??

Meecie you will have to referee and set the boundaries.

My concept is that there should be points earned for positive behaviors, in addition to actual weight loss.

****Oh, and I want my team to be named the Humming-birds.

Meece

Okay, Faithie is captain of the humming-birds.

Meece is the referee

I need two more team captains...Any volunteers?

sheila888

Meece

That looks yummy, Seyla.

I found this on "fats not to avoid"

1. Oils good for cooking and baking

When evaluating your fat intake, first examine the fats you regularly use for cooking and baking. Butter, shortening, and lard are high in saturated fats (a not-so-healthy fat). Margarines can be high in trans fats (a bad-for-you fat). An easy way to improve the quality of your fat intake is to switch to a canola or vegetable oil when baking; use olive oil for stove-top cooking. These oils are both high in healthful mono- and poly- unsaturated fats.

Aside from being great for sautéing and baking, oils can also be a healthy accompaniment to bread. Serve plain or add your favorite chopped fresh herb to olive oil for an elegant alternative to butter.

2. Avocado: high fat but nutritious

Also known as an "alligator pear," due to its shape and skin texture, this high-fat nutritious food is the perfect addition to salads, salsas, soups and more. Not only does it add great creamy flavor, it can also boost nutrition. Many vegetables are loaded with beneficial carotenoids that are great for your health and can aid in disease prevention. Adding avocado to a vegetable dish will enhance your body's ability to absorb these potent carotenoids. Studies have revealed that carotenoids are fat soluble-which means they need a high-fat food, such as an avocado, to be fully absorbed by your body.

Use ripe avocado as a spread on your veggie-filled sandwiches. It can be spread alone or mixed with some plain yogurt and fresh cilantro for a Spanish inspired kick.

3. Nuts are healthy

Once given a bad rap due to their high fat content, nuts are now considered as a health food-ironically because of their fats (the good, heart-healthy kind). They also contain an array of beneficial nutrients, including vitamin E and zinc, and are a good source of fiber.

Nuts are so versatile; they can be used at any meal. They add a great crunch to dishes. Try substituting them for breadcrumbs when coating chicken or fish before cooking. Simply grind some nuts; dip chicken or fish in a beaten egg; coat the meat with the nuts; then, place in a 350-degree oven until cooked through.
4. Fish fat is essential

Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fats are termed "essential" because the human body cannot make them on its own. The health benefits of omega-3s run the gamut; they have been said to improve everything from heart health to mental health problems.

Poaching is a quick and easy way to prepare fish. Simply fill a small sauce pan with three inches of water (or white wine), bring to an almost boil and poach fish for eight to ten minutes or until it flakes easily.

5. Olives - the perfect snack

Olives are a good source of healthy monounsaturated fats, but don't let these high-fat little bites fool you. Unlike many other high-fat foods, olives can also be a low-calorie snack all on their own. One serving of 20 small black olives is a great snack with less than 100 calories and will contain a good amount of iron, fiber, vitamin E, and copper.

Rather than munching on olives plain, try making a simple tapenade by combining fresh olives with some garlic and oil in a blender or food processor. This is a great dip for bread, and also works great as a pasta topper.

sheila888

Meece...thanks. i have been following all those you mentioned.

So Im on the right track.

how about goldfish. They have wheat now

Mixing yogurt with avocado and cilantro sounds yummy.

Meece

Hmmm, I don't know if "GF" have the omega 3 fats that are mentioned in the article.

faithandfifty

Now that's what I'm talking about.

The pictured salad is such a motivator for me: LOOKS Divine & I know that I'd like it & it would be good for me.

Thanks too for the info on the healthy fats.

A point for each of you!!

sheila888

Faith.....As a salad, veggie and fish eater. I can do it. And I am doing it yes I can eat little lesser amount..........

Again i want to mention something I'm not that much concerned about loosing too much weight but be fit and BC numbers healthy which has been the last 9 months.

I eat healthy but once a week i need something to break the cycle.

Like my gold fish or some chocolate.

So can I follow more the healthy eating part than the weight lost itself.

I have no fantasies loosing 30 pounds and i dont even want too. I feel happy and healthy as of today even putting back about 10 pounds since summer.

EDITED TO SAY WHEN I WROTE BC NUMBERS I MEANT COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT NOT BREAST CANCER

Ainm

It's so hard to be good with food!!!!

sheila888

I walk a lot too.

Meece

I just discovered something today.  I am frustrated with things going on in my life and got antsy.  It is a brisk 39° here, but I went out and pruned a tree.  Lots of motion and walking.  I got exercise, I got most of the tree pruned, and I burned calories.  Another good thing is that I really warmed up and could set the thermostat lower when I got indoors.

Valjean

Meecie ~ Don't forget to put my weight up top, I was 153# on Jan l.

Thanks!

Meece

done

oakley

Hi all.  Can I join you?  This is a great idea and I'm inspired already - had my 3rd radiation treatment today and came right home and had oatmeal with flax seed.  I am about 130 and want to lose 15-20 pounds (I am a small-boned person).  

I'm hoping I can find some interesting ways to enjoy healthy foods that I normally don't like (fish, salad, chicken - without the tasty skin!) - although that picture of the salad that Sheila posted looked really good.   

Starting to exercise again.  I am in the cold climate (NJ) so it is refreshing to go outside and walk, even though I haven't done that recently! 

Meece

Glad you found us, oakly.  Of course you can join.  I will put 130 as your starting weight.

Meece

How about everyone state their goal of pounds lost and there will be points for hitting that goal?

suzwes

That sounds good Meece.  I started back with the exercise this week (didn't do much during the holidays).  My goal is to lose 7 - 10 pounds and then maintain that weight.

Meece

Maintain is the key.

Anonymous

Meece, pounds lost over what period of time? 

I have managed to keep 18 lbs off over one year period - YAY!

Meece

That is great.

My cohort in planning, Faith, what do you think?  Are we going to do this in steps?  Say first step will be from Jan 1 to March 8, for the anniversary of this thread?

I don't think this will ever be "over" because we need support just to keep it off.  The best thing about this is the accountability.

faithandfifty

Indeed!!!!

oakley

I have found maintaining to be very difficult.  Once you start to lose some pounds it's really exciting - so you want to keep going.  Then when you get there and just have to maintain...that's when I find the cravings for the bad stuff kicks in.  Like "I haven't had that whatever in a year...just one..."