Brian and Christine's Biggest Loser Million Pound Match-Up Space

Feeling thin

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:59:59 GMT

Even though I haven't been exercising as much as I should be I'm having a "thin" day. I feel thin! I love that feeling. It's so much nicer than a "fat" day.

Who was frustrated with last nights BL? I was watching and kept thinking about who was going to get eliminated and then it didn't show it and we have to wait until next week. I have a hard enough time waiting a week for the next episode, but now I have to wait a week just to see who went home? UUGGHH!
Anybody else surprised at Jillians "outburst" last night. The look on Alisons face was just priceless.

Well, I'm off to go enjoy my "thin" day!! Yay!

I hate Mondays!

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:21:11 GMT

Well it's Monday again. I hate Mondays. I never want to get out of bed in the morning, but Mondays always seem so much worse.
I've got a ton of work to do today and then I will get to the gym tonight. I think I'll take the kids and let them swim for awhile.

Another good day!

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:22:00 GMT

We made it another day. No cheating! I'm headed to the mall right now. I just might treat myself to something nice. Not food nice, clothing nice!

Or maybe I should wait and reward myself after a longer period of time. We'll see.

No cheating!

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 03:19:38 GMT

I made it all day with no cheating! Honestly it has been a long time since I haven't cheated on my food intake so this is a great first step!
It feels good!

I also wanted to share a cute little bit of information with you all. Brian and I finally had time to watch last weeks Biggest Loser last night. It has been driving me crazy trying to find time to watch it since we were both so busy last week. Well when Brian got home from his tournament last night I said we aren't going to bed until we watch it! So anyways, we are watching it and the blue team wins the trip to Vegas. Well as posted in our profile Brian proposed to me in Vegas. So I was kind of excited to see Vegas again since I have only been there that one time and have great memories from that trip. While watching the show we see the guys decide to ride the "Bigshot" at the Stratosphere. After their ride they start to walk down the steps and Brian and I both looked at each other. We had to pause the show and look at the tv another minute. Brian proposed to me right on those steps after riding the "Bigshot". So not only did we get another boost of motivation watching the show we also got to re-live Brian's proposal to me. It was a nice added bonus to watching the show!

Todays the day!

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:19:19 GMT

No more excuses! I'll be back later to let you know how I did!!

My little bit of advice

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:44:01 GMT

Don't ever stop exercising!!

Once you stop for a little bit it is so hard to start back up. Honestly, if you ever need an excuse to not exercise just give us a ring because I think we have used every one imaginable these last couple weeks.

We originally stopped exercising when Brian had his stitches. It's obvious why he didn't exercise during that point but why I didn't keep exercising is beyond me.
Once the stitches came out it was just one excuse after another. At this rate I don't have a clue when we will actually get back to the gym.

It kind of scares me. I'm wondering, would we be the kind of couple on the biggest loser that is constantly complaining about having to exercise? I'd like to say "no" but really at this point I have no idea.

What really bothers me is we have decided to try and have a baby. I have 4 children from a previous marriage but Brian doesn't have any and this is something we have been thinking about for a long time. Wait, let me back up a second. I said "what really bothers me is we have decided to have a baby", that is not really the way it sounds. What I mean is that it bothers me because I know that it would be a lot healthier for me to get pregnant at a lower weight. It would be a lot easier of a pregnancy if I was in better shape. And by shape I don't mean ROUND!! Despite how much we want to have a baby, and knowing that it would be better if I lost weight, why am I having such a hard time getting to the gym?

Hopefully we get it figured out quickly. We have started the necessary steps to have a baby so really we don't have a lot of time. When I say the necessary steps I don't mean the obvious way to get pregnant. Unfortunately there is a lot more that has to be done in order for me to get pregnant. Anyways the ball is rolling, we just need to get our butt moving and get back to the gym and get healthy!

Things are going in slow motion

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:16:39 GMT

I hate it when I get to this point in my "diet". Things slow down dramatically and I start to wonder what I'm doing it for. I hate that I let the slow weight loss get me frustrated. I know it's going to happen so mentally I need to prepare for it but I never do. Usually this is the point where I throw in the towel. I'm NOT going to let that happen this time!

I'll be at the gym tonight, walking off my fat!

Getting back to us

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:30:07 GMT

Yeah, I got my stitches out and I have full range of motion in my arm. I can't wait to get back into it again. Chris and I both are waiting for all this snow to stop. It seems we get about 8 inches of snow each week to add to everyone's already growing piles. We're ready to enjoy the summer again. I want to get back to the gym and run a full 20 minutes on 4.0 again and I'll see what my goal is from there.

Wish us luck.

Slowly coming along

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:43:29 GMT

Thanks for the kind comments. And just for the record Brian fell while going down the steps that were covered with snow and ice. (no drinks involved! ) He really shouldn't have even used them but he was in a hurry and trying to rush to get to the hotel for the tournament the next day. I always worry about him because he is in such a hurry all the time. Oh well, maybe this will teach him!

Like Brian said we have been struggling with getting our exercise in. We have probably been making more excuses than we should be so we will just have to try and do better. Eating is going alright. A few slip ups here and there but nothing too major. I'm not going to stress about it. It really is about doing this for the long haul so as long as we get right back at it and don't let the slip ups become more frequent I'm not going to worry about it.

Hope everyone else is doing well. I'm looking forward to the show tomorrow night. It always re-motivates me. And it seems I need that right now.

Tournaments and working out

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:41:05 GMT

Both Chris and I have not worked out in some time. We are heading to the gym tonight, hopefully. I fell down the stairs Saturday night and had to get stitches in my elbow (Damn Ice) I had two tournaments this weekend and I'm so happy to just sit and work for a while. We're still eating okay. Not good enough to really lose weight, but we're not going crazy. What the hell is wrong with us that we can't just get it together. If you noticed, we haven't posted in a long time. Maybe that's a coincedence, but I don't think so.

It's February and we're doing well

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:53:22 GMT

So far we've been holding our own, we went to the gym on Saturday and worked out after our son's basketball game. I even went sledding with the boys yesterday on our 20 foot snow mound in the parking lot. We've been eating well except for a few miscalculations. We're motivated still and want to make it work. It's very hard when the scale slows to a few ounces difference each week but it's got to give sometime soon.

We remain optimistic and hard working. Devoted to a better us in the future.

Looks like we had a tough week.

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:05:11 GMT

Despite our successes in the gym and the goals we've reached, the scale did not reflect our work. However, Chris is down 2 pounds and I stayed the same. Chris' number is great and she's still losing, but of course, not fast enough for her liking. These low or non-losses is to be expected every once in a while so we're okay with it. It is true that right around this time in our work to get thin we begin to doubt everything. But I'm sure there is something we can do to jump start our losses again. I'm heading off to New York tomorrow and I'll be getting back on Friday evening. I'm putting it on all of you to check in with Chris and make sure she's staying on track. :)

Pictures are forthcoming, have a good night.

Snow Day

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:57:52 GMT

We were unable to get to the gym today due to the massive snowfall and horrible roadways tonight. Chris even shut down the restaurant 3 hours early since no one was driving around. It's really not exercise but we played the Wii with the kids and I'm almost glad because my arms are still recovering from Saturdays workout.

For dinner tonight, we had Chicken Cordon Bleu Atkins style.
We breaded the chicken with Parmesan cheese and used ham and swiss cheese for filling. We had some Garlic and Onion sauteed Asparagus for a side dish.

We are also 2 weeks away from getting a really nice camera. With this camera, we plan on doing some video logging to let you know what we sound like.

Have a good one.

Busy, Busy, Busy....

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:19:24 GMT

Things are really busy around here the last few days. Brian is preparing to go to New York on Thursday and he will be back home Friday night. I'm busy at work finishing up end of the year reports and such. We didn't make it to the gym tonight because we had to make an unexpected trip to Sams Club tonight for a new mattress. I woke up this morning with the waterbed leaking and the sheets all wet. We decided to put a regular mattress in instead of another water bed. Hopefully I will sleep alright tonight.

On another note we did end up buying a Nintendo Wii while we were at Sams. We have some friends that have them and they all say how much of a workout you can get playing the games. I'm not really into video games but I did play a little tennis, bowling and baseball tonight with Brian and it was actually fun. I'm not sure about the exercise part, but at least it will be a nice stress reliever.

Have a great night everyone!

Another Goal is reached, Even I can't believe it!

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 04:43:29 GMT

We went to the gym today and I ran for 20 minutes straight at 4.5 speed, 0.0 incline. I just kept fighting my urge to step off the treadmill and saying, "You only have 7 more minutes, think of how great you'll feel if you don't quit!" It worked and I feel great. Chris says I should shoot for more time, right now it seems like 20 is all I can take though. Maybe when I get to 5.0 for 20 minutes I'll go back to 4.0 or 4.5 and run for 30 minutes. Then I can start thinking about an incline. I enjoyed the Steam Room today and my muscles are really thanking me, even though I'm still sore.

I can't wait for the time when I'll just select a program and get on the treadmill and not worry at all about it. I also can't wait to see the fruits of my sweating. Running worked for me while I was in the Army. It got me in great shape, I know I can do it again.

We ate well today, Chris is a monster in the gym as well. We are both doing great and getting more and more anxious to visit the gym with each great workout. We are SO going to do this.

A Goal is reached...Early! :)

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:26:07 GMT

I did it! I reached a goal of mine and I did it 7 days early. One of my goals was to run on the treadmill nonstop for 20 minutes at 4.0 speed, 1.0 incline. I actually ran 21 minutes straight with a one minute walk warm-up. I can now use the steam room when I go to the gym!

I think my next goal is to run 20 minutes at 4.5, I would like to do this by February 7th, that's 14 days from tomorrow. If I make it, I'll reward myself with one day of lap swimming in the Y pool per week.

Reaching mini goals keeps us going and I know I'll look back a few months from now and laugh at the miniscule 20 minutes on 4.0 and laugh, but for now, I'm very happy.

I have collar bones!

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:44:07 GMT

I was sitting at the table this morning eating breakfast when for some reason I put my hand below my neck and started to freak out! Brian asked me what was up and I said, "I have collar bones!" He said of course you do. I'm like No, I can actually feel them!

It has been such a long time since I could feel my collar bones that this really made me happy. That in itself motivates me to keep going!

Ahh the small joys in life!

Weigh-in Day Again!

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:47:24 GMT

Today Chris and I weighed in and I lost 5 pounds, Chris lost 2 pounds. That's 7 pounds altogether! We haven't gotten to the gym since Friday, but we'll be going at least two days in a row this week to make up for it. Speaking of the gym, I'm at about 18 minutes on the treadmill at 4.0 speed 0.0 incline. I really hope to reach my goal of 20 minutes because I love the steam room.

Food-wise, Chris and I are doing very well. We have plenty of reasons for comfort food as a medical situation is upsetting the child of a very close friend of Chris, and because of it, we are both just waiting for word and very anxious to hear good news. I don't have a tournament for two weekends so I can kind of get in a groove and concentrate on eating enough through the weekends. Yes, being so busy at a tournament actually causes me to eat less, which doesn't help my weight loss and actually makes my body enter a temporary starvation mode.

We hope everyone has a great day and "see" you tomorrow.

I Made It, so did Chris!

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 04:17:39 GMT

Well, I'm back from my tournament and I did very well. Much of the same food since we found that it kept well in the cooler. My team also did well. We won our pool with a 3-1 record and moved up from 19th to 14th overall out of 28 teams throughout the state.

I was very flattered to see Chris' post when I got home. It's always nice to know that someone was pulling for you and thinking about you when you are away. :) We're going to bed now and we'll see what the scale says about my weekend tomorrow, but you'll have to find out on Wednesday. :)

I have to stay strong!

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 03:53:24 GMT

Well Brian has left for the rest of the weekend and I'm telling you it's hard staying strong with my eating plan while he is away. I have been tempted so many times today and I have this little voice in the back of my head telling me to just go ahead and eat whatever. He won't know. I have been fighting that voice and have not given in but it's really hard. I just have to remember my promise to Brian that I would stick with it. Besides if I give in, that will only give Brian an excuse to give in next time he is away. I'm not going to let that happen! Also, who would I be hurting. Not him. He loves me either way. The only one that would be hurt by it would be me. I would only be fooling myself. I'm stronger than that!

Have a great night everyone and GO PACKERS!!

Photo Album: Honeymoon '07

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:31:40 GMT

Honeymoon '07

Formal night on our Honeymoon Cruise.

Chris and I at the Airport on our way home.

Our Canadian table mates and our excellent dining room staff.

Chris at the beach at Atlantis resort in Nassau, Bahamas.

Brian during the adult scavenger hunt game on the cruise ship. We won, YAY! :)

Brian and Chris at Atlantis

Photo Album: January 30 Weigh-In Update

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 05:09:39 GMT

January 30 Weigh-In Update

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Photo Album: January 16 Weigh-In Update

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:51:55 GMT

January 16 Weigh-In Update

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Photo Album: Before Photos

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 07:13:39 GMT

Before Photos

Brian_Before_Front

Brian_Before_Right

Brian_Before_Back

Brian_Before_Left

Chris_Before_Front

Chris_Before_Right

Chris_Before_Back

Chris_Before_Left

Brian_Before_Face

Chris_Before_Face

Photo Album: Our Motivators

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 04:08:59 GMT

Our Motivators

Our Grandson, Cayden, and his mom, our daughter, Stephanie.

Devon, 11 (left) and Deryck, 13 (right)

Stephanie, 17 (left) and Alyssa, 18 (right)

This is what we looked like in April of 2004, Brian had gone from 305 to 208. Chris had gone from 232 to 160. Wow, what a motivator!

Photo Album: Wedding 11/17/07

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:00:42 GMT

Wedding 11/17/07

Our main wedding picture.

Aw Shucks!

The newly married couple.

Chris and I with the kids

Custom List: Brian's Goals

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 04:45:32 GMT

Brian's Goals

Ask my wife how she is doing everyday.
I want to help her and never forget to ask her how she did "today."
Take 4,000 steps per day
Wear a pedometer and walk 4,000 steps a day (at least)
Go to the gym 4 times a week.
I need at least 20 minutes of heavy cardio 4 times a week. I want to spend an hour at the gym a day though.
Eat breakfast by 10 am / No snacking after 9 pm
Self explanatory.
Discover at least 2 new recipes a week.
And use them.
Drink 200 oz. of water a day
I carry a jug with me around the house and drink almost constantly. Water is key.
Run 20 minutes on the treadmill at level 5.0
I want to do this at an incline of 0.0 by February 8, 2008. If I make this deadline, I'm going to reward myself with a day of swimming laps and the steam room.

Blog list: Low-Carb Recipes

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 06:19:27 GMT

Low-Carb Recipes

Mock Cream Cheese Danish
A nice breakfast treat once in a while.
Hamburger Wooshie Pie
This hamburger pie can sometimes create a wooshie (or unexplained loss of weight)
Joe's Special
This recipe tastes like hamburger helper with creamy white sauce.

Custom List: Chris' Goals

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 04:26:42 GMT

Chris' Goals

Live a long healthy life
I was blessed with a grandson while I'm young. He is the light of my life and I want to be able to spend time playing with him at the park and be around to watch him grow up.
Feel Proud
I want to be able to go to bed at night and feel good about myself and my accomplishments throughout the day.
Give Support
I want to be Brian's support system. If he is having a rough day or feeling frustrated I want him to be able to come to me and we can talk things over and get through it without throwing in the towel
Up my daily water intake
I have a very hard time drinking all the water I know I should be so my goal is to drink 100 oz of water a day
Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!!
I hate the gym! With a passion. I don't want to lose weight and be saggy all over though, so I know exercise is not an option. I will get to the gym at least 4 times a week. I will do a variety of treadmill, elliptical and weights.