Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

Extra credit:

I don't know that it makes sense for me to re-post my fave recipes. I got them all off of this site!

Recently I discovered cheese crisps (microwaved or panfriend cheddar cheese). Oh -my - gosh! I missed that crispy crunch so much and the cheese is perfect. One oz of cheese, on parchment paper, for 1 minute 20 seconds (depending on your microwave). Crispy, cheesy heaven.

Also, just learned about Muffin in a Minute, which you all knew about. It's fantastic. 1/4 cup of flax seed bran, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, about 2 teaspoons of splenda, one egg, beaten in a pre-buttered mug, with a dollop of butter on top. Mike for one minute. I could even see adding cheddar to this (and skipping the splenda) to make a cheesy-biscuit. I'd eat these daily if they weren't so high in calories. They are also very good for your digestive system.

Yay new recipes, even the simple ones!

Muffy

This is for a brand new, this week, food or recipe. That's why you have until next Monday to post. It can't be something you have tried before today. Trying to get everyone to try something new. I wish I hadn't already tried pumpkin last week! I never tried it as a veggie, cause I don't like pumpkin pie. I tried just warming up canned pumpkin with some butter, salt & pepper and a half-package Splenda and it tasted like mashed sweet potatoes! I have missed sweet potatoes so much! I believe I'll have some more tonight!

Sunny!

[TitianWasp]

Re: Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

Argh - a completely new one, huh? Ok, I will see what I can come up with.

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

1. I will eat three well balanced meals per day and one snack, if needed (but not after dinner). I will not eat anything after 7:00 p.m. each night. 5/7

2. I will begin my exercise program once again, starting slowly and increasing as health permits. I managed to get in all my exercise before the most recent medical disaster 100%

• Bed exercises and stretches first thing every morning, 5-6 days per week. Check!
• Walk Away the Pounds video 3x per week I did 1 mile Check!
• Lift 3xs per week. (start again with 2-pound weights) Check!
• Recumbent stepper 3-5 times per week (start w/ 10 min., increase by 5 min. each week) 3 times, 15 to 20 minutes Check!
• Walk outside; weather permitting, several days per week. walked outside 4 days Check!
  

3 I will be cheat free for the duration. 7/7 100%

4. If I have to be away from home, I will have legal food with me at all times, so I don't get too hungry. 100% Took food to church for choir practice after a long day at church


5. I will not eat nuts out of hand, but can use them in recipes. I will not eat peanut butter. 5/7
6. I will post on the challenge a minimum of four times a week, reporting my progress. 100%

7. I will weigh in on Friday and Monday without fail. 100%

8. I will continue to drink 128 ounces of water per day. I slosh when I walk! 100%

9. I will fit into my winter white wool suit and awesome red dress by the end of this challenge (with pictures to prove it).N/A

[Aya]

Re: Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

Hey Sunny, you should try canned pumpkin with an ounce or two of cream cheese, Splenda and cinammon - microwave for 40 secs and mix. You'll be hooked!

How's it going, Alexa> Back on track?

I didn't do too well after the horrible colonoscopy and am just really struggling to not eat little bits of chocolate (which I hadn't let myself eat for months). It's true that once you cheat, it's so much easier to cheat again.

Any advice on how to get that rigid mindset back, especially in this yucky cold weather? Posting really helps to clear up one's thoughts though. And strengthen resolve. I might actually try a adaily plan at this point, because I feel a small out-of-control spiral coming on.
Tomorrow's main focuses:
1) Stay within my cal carb restriction
2) Not eat after 7pm

[TitianWasp]

Re: Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

Aya it is touggghhhhhhhh! The last two days of snow that you and I have had, combined with the well meaning guilt/badgering/cajoling and full on goody-assaults of one's friends and coworkers make it very, very hard to keep on track despite one's best intentions.

The way I am viewing it is more of a "minimize the damage" mentality. Sunday I went to a fantastic, once in a year brunch, but Monday I was right back on the wagon fighting the ridiculous hunger that the brunch left in its wake.

Don't give in to cheating for the heck of it. Don't cheat out of boredom or sadness or stress. I think that sort of thing is much harder to recover from because then you feel doubly awful. This is the holidays and there may be some events or meals that are virtually unavoidable - so be it. But don't go crazy, record everything, and get back on plan immediately thereafter. No exceptions. If you can get through the holidays feeling generally ok about yourself, not like you've completely blown it, come Jan 1st, you will be ready to tackle 2008 with renewed enthusiasm. Hey, it's only 25 days away!

[Purple Rain]

Re: Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

Monday Stats Check

I did a lot better this past week. This week is going to be great!

My pledges are:

1. I will eat under 1700 calories each day. 4/7
2. I will do all my exercise challenges. 5/days a week. 4/5 I'm going to change this to 4 days a week because that's how many days I signed up for in the 6WEC challenge.
3. I will eat 12+ net veggie carbs/day. 3/7
4. I will use fitday everyday. 5/7


5. I will not cheat. 5/7
6. I will drink 125+ oz of water/day. 7/7
7. I will take my multi-vitamin and my calcium supplement every day. 4/7
8. I will post at least twice/week in Journal Stats. 2/2

Signed: Purple Rain

[Purple Rain]

Re: Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

This is how my week is going so far, as of yesterday. I'm going to check out some recipes and make something new tonight.

My pledges are:

1. I will eat under 1700 calories each day. 2/7
2. I will exercise 4/days a week. 1/4
3. I will eat 12+ net veggie carbs/day. 2/7
4. I will use fitday everyday. 2/7


5. I will not cheat. 1/7 I went to Supper w/Santa at my DS school last night and had 3 bites of pasta and half of a cheesy bread stick.
6. I will drink 100+ oz of water/day. 1/7
7. I will take my multi-vitamin and my calcium supplement every day. 0/7
8. I will post at least twice/week in Journal Stats. 1/2

Signed: Purple Rain

[Aya]

Re: Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

Aya it is touggghhhhhhhh! The last two days of snow that you and I have had, combined with the well meaning guilt/badgering/cajoling and full on goody-assaults of one's friends and coworkers make it very, very hard to keep on track despite one's best intentions.

The way I am viewing it is more of a "minimize the damage" mentality. Sunday I went to a fantastic, once in a year brunch, but Monday I was right back on the wagon fighting the ridiculous hunger that the brunch left in its wake.

Don't give in to cheating for the heck of it. Don't cheat out of boredom or sadness or stress. I think that sort of thing is much harder to recover from because then you feel doubly awful. This is the holidays and there may be some events or meals that are virtually unavoidable - so be it. But don't go crazy, record everything, and get back on plan immediately thereafter. No exceptions. If you can get through the holidays feeling generally ok about yourself, not like you've completely blown it, come Jan 1st, you will be ready to tackle 2008 with renewed enthusiasm. Hey, it's only 25 days away!

Titian, you're the best! Thanks for that motivation! Today was better, I guess it's all about resolve and how much you want it. You're right about the minimize the damage as opposed to the 'I've blown it so I may as well eat everythng in sight' school of thought.
Let's all ring in the New Year feeling fabulous!

[Aya]

Re: Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

BTW, Titian, ever since you mentioned the Egg Nog latte at Starbucks I've been itching to try it... never had eggnog ever but always heard of it and knew I'd be a fan.

I'm not a Dunkin' fan to be honest, but in this neck of the woods our options are limited...turns out they use light cream in their coffee when you ask for cream! (Most places use half and half and call it cream).

Any of you have any ideas for a really yummy big delicous-looking Christmas cake (not fruitcake but like sponge, cream, fruit) that is legal? I'll scour Linda's etc but just wondered if anyone knew? I should probably post this to the recipes forum.

Well, have a good day! Sunny, you okay?

[TitianWasp]

Re: Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

Never cared much for Dunkin's coffee, even though it's actually quite highly rated.

Starbucks, of course, is my mecca, but I don't recommend trying the latte. Once you start, there's just no going back, and a) it's not Atkins legal and b) it's seasonal, so just as you get hooked, they take it away like a good cocaine dealer.

The muffin in a minute has the same texture as a good spongecake. Maybe you could work with that somehow?

[TitianWasp]

Re: Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

I meant spongecake, not fruitcake.

[Aya]

Re: Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

Hmmm, not convinced about a giant flax/egg concoction but thanks anyway! Unless your recipe is different to mine...
BTW, if you like the muffin, you may like this, it's uber-yummy and may work for a bigger cake.
3 MINUTE CHOCOLATE CAKE
1/4 cup almond flour, 1 ounce
1 tablespoon cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon granulated Splenda or 1/4 teaspoon liquid Splenda
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon water
1 egg

Mix the almond flour, cocoa, baking powder and granulated Splenda, if using, in a 2-cup glass measuring cup. Stir in the liquid Splenda, if using, butter, water and egg. Mix well with a spoon or fork. Scrape batter down evenly with a rubber spatula. Cover with plastic wrap* and vent by cutting a small slit in center. Microwave on HIGH 1 minute until set but still a little moist on top. I had to do mine for 1 minute 20 seconds. Cool slightly and serve warm topped with whipped cream or cool completely and frost as desired.

Makes 2 servings

With granular Splenda:
Per Serving: 237 Calories; 22g Fat; 7g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 4g Net Carbs

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

Extra Credit Assignment Week 8 (12-03-07)

Can you believe that it is week 8 already! Here’s your assignment this week:

Try a new recipe this week and post the recipe. It can be veggie, meat or main dish. Must be something you have never tried before. This does NOT have to be turned in until next Monday! This is a change from having it in by Wednesday. Here’s some links to * low carb recipe sites:

*Low Carb Luxury http://www.lowcarbluxury.com/lowcarb-recipes.html


*Sugar Free Sheila http://www.sugarfreesheila.com/RecipesPage.html


*Linda’s Low Carb Recipes http://genaw.com/lowcarb/recipes.html

Here's my extra credit recipe. It came from Linda's Low Carb recipes. I still bake my daughter's favorite Lemon Poppy Seed Cake for her birthday and share it with her son, my grandson, on her birthday, even though she is no longer with us. Her 35th birthday is on Tuesday, so I baked these muffins to take the place of the regular carb laden kind.

LEMON POPPY SEED MUFFINS
4 ounces almond flour, 1 cup
1/2 cup golden flax meal, 2 ounces
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
1 cup granular Splenda or equivalent liquid Splenda
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon pure lemon extract
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons water
2 eggs

In a small bowl, stir together the almond flour, flax meal, baking powder, salt, poppy seeds and granular Splenda, if using. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Stir in the liquid Splenda, if using, the extracts, cream and water. Add the dry ingredients and the eggs to the butter mixture; stir with a wooden spoon until well blended. Fill 6 paper-lined muffin cups with the batter, dividing it evenly among them. You can spray the liners with cooking spray, but they didn't seem to stick too much. Bake at 350º 15-20 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. Cool 5 minutes on a rack before removing from the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store in the refrigerator. Serve with butter or Cream Cheese Spread.

Makes 6 servings
Can be frozen

TIP: You can mix the dry ingredients ahead of time and store them in a zipper bag in the freezer until you're ready to make the muffins. Be sure to label the bag and bring the muffin mix to room temperature before using.

With granular Splenda:
Per Muffin: 253 Calories; 21g Fat; 8g Protein; 11g Carbohydrate; 4.5g Dietary Fiber; 6.5g Net Carbs

With liquid Splenda:
Per Muffin: 237 Calories; 21g Fat; 8g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; 4.5g Dietary Fiber; 2.5g Net Carbs




I also tried jicama this week. I am hard-pressed to find veggies that I haven't tried before. I tried them baked as 'fries' and they were really good. I tried them fried like fried potatoes, and they were okay. I liked them best raw. I used to love raw potatoes sprinkled with salt and pepper. This tasted exactly like raw potatoes.


Sure not much activity on this challenge. There's only 11 days left in this challenge, if that matters to anyone. I finally had my medical procedure done correctly on Friday, so I will try to start up my exercise program tomorrow.

Sunny!

[TitianWasp]

Re: Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

Sunny, don't sound so blue. We've not been terribly active lately, but we're all still here and still trucking away. I think that the holidays are very busy for a lot of folks, and many of us are struggling to stick to our Atkins bylaws. I have noticed that I post less when a) I have a lot going on at home and at work and b) when I have been a bad Atkineer. It's being December and all, I am betting that a lot of us are in the same boat - and hence, less posting.

I have done everything I can, job-wise. I have gone through all my interviews and discussed renewing my contract at my current position. Now I have to calm down and just wait. I am very, very bad at waiting for something if I am not already certain of the outcome. I think I am driving my husband batty at this point. Regardless, I need to just find a little inner peace and wait it out. I will have a job, either way - and likely a raise/promotion.

This being said, I can't use stress as an excuse any more and today I am getting my fanny back on the 1200 calorie, 4x exercise wagon. Carbs around 50 or so, once the hunger goes away. The only hurdle in my immediate future is Christmas dinner, and since I have already special ordered my plum pudding, I will just acknowlege I am going to take a hit that day and prepare accordingly.

Everyone, let's make these last 11 days really count. Points or no points, really focus and see what progress you can make - our health and fitness is always the best Christmas present!

Muffy

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Slow Losers Club Christmas Challenge

Monday Check-in:

1. I will eat three well balanced meals per day and one snack, if needed (but not after dinner). I will not eat anything after 7:00 p.m. each night. 7/7

2. I will begin my exercise program once again, starting slowly and increasing as health permits. Not medically possible

• Bed exercises and stretches first thing every morning, 5-6 days per week.
• Walk Away the Pounds video 3x per week
• Lift 3xs per week. (start again with 2-pound weights) Recumbent stepper 3-5 times per week (start w/ 10 min., increase by 5 min. each week) Walk outside; weather permitting, several days per week.

3 I will be cheat free for the duration. 7/7 100%

4. If I have to be away from home, I will have legal food with me at all times, so I don't get too hungry. 100%
5. I will not eat nuts out of hand, but can use them in recipes. I will not eat peanut butter. 6/7
6. I will post on the challenge a minimum of four times a week, reporting my progress. 100%

7. I will weigh in on Friday and Monday without fail. 1 of 2

8. I will continue to drink 128 ounces of water per day. I slosh when I walk! 100%

9. I will fit into my winter white wool suit and awesome red dress by the end of this challenge (with pictures to prove it).N/A