July/August - Weight Loss Challenge

**GLC1968** · 07-14-2008, 08:29 AM

Hey all!

OK, for my weigh in, I was at 166.9 (down 0.3). You guys inspired me, so I also decided to start SB phase 1 this week since my only cycling will be my short commute. Next week, I'll have to move into phase 2 because my riding will ramp up, again.

Miles this week: 30 (5 commutes!) not good, but eh...
I did a lot of heavy lifting and up and down a ladder while painting this weekend, so I was active. Next weekend we are moving ourselves, so again...pretty active. I just don't know how to 'track' that kind of activity. I think I'll just count it as 'bonus'.

My activity goals are to do more each progressive week until by the end of 8 weeks, I'm back up to my 'normal' levels.

Lizzie & Katie.marie - you are both welcome to join! Just post your starting weight and your goal and then join us for weigh in's on Fridays.

Martinkap - there isn't a link to the chart as I've just been tracking it in excel. Just post your weigh-in and I'll update (even if it's late).

**Jallora** · 07-14-2008, 08:52 AM

Tabby,

Have you been able to put together an excercise chart? Are you just going to do miles ridden, or are you putting something together for all exercise? I would think that would get to be too bulky and complicated of a spreadsheet. I'm getting in some weight training and kayaking, but I'm really just worried about tracking my biking miles.

And thank you for volunteering to do the chart! You're awesome!

Aimee

**katluvr** · 07-14-2008, 09:22 AM

OK, I knew it could not be true. I weighed myself today and was right back at my starting weight--EXACTLY! What is w/ this crazy scale and/or weight fluctuation!

OK, I know it is not Friday. And it could be "fluid" and thing may even out after I get rid of the excess "weekend" stuff. But darn it, I really wanted that 2 pound weight loss.

Wish me luck! maybe it was just "fluid" HA!

**jobob** · 07-14-2008, 10:49 AM

I'm re-introducing complex, high fiber ("good") carbs back into my diet, and one of the best is oatmeal made from old-fashioned steel cut oats.

They can be cooked overnight in a slow-cooker, but I don't like the texture that way - it always comes out too mushy for me.

They can be cooked on the stove in thirty minutes, but that's way too long a time most mornings.

So I'm trying to prepare them using a microwave. I'm told it can be done ... but so far for me it's been a bit of a disaster. The time saved microwaving is lost by the time it takes to clean up the mess in the microwave.

Here's what I've tried so far:

1st attempt (from here) :
Microwave - Mix 1/2 cup of steel cut oats with 2 cups of water in an 8 cup bowl (the size of the bowl is important as it must be large enough to allow the oats to bubble up without spilling over). Seal the bowl with plastic wrap and run at full power for 5 minutes. Stir and finish cooking for another 5 minutes (since microwaves vary in size and power, cooking times may need to be adjusted for different models).

Result: catastrophic oatmeal biol-over. The oatmeal that actually remained in the bowl tasted really good though.

2nd attempt: Cut the quantity in half! I mixed 1/4 cup steel cut oats with 1 c water, and again sealed up the 8-cup pyrex serving bowl with saran wrap. I figured that should do the ticket.

Result: another catastrophic oatmeal biol-over.

I've been using an 8 cup pyrex serving bowl with glass handles at either end and I don't get the saran wrap to seal very tightly over the handles. So I'm going to get an 8+ cup pyrex mixing bowl - perfectly round, w/o handles - and see if that will do the trick. Otherwise I'm stumped.

Any other tips?

Ed to add:
If microwaving is a lost cause, I might try one of the other time-saving approaches on that website. Cooking up mass quantities and re-heating a bit at a time might work out the best.

**GLC1968** · 07-14-2008, 10:55 AM

I had more luck cooking them using a lower power setting. On my old microwave, I would use a 60 or 70% power and I could see how it would cycle the power off and on. What was cool was that it would cycle it off just as the oatmeal started to boil over and the oatmeal would calm down. When it cycled back on again, the oatmeal would start heating up again and just as it was about to boil over, it would cycle off. This went on for the entire cooking time. I got it to a point where I could cook 1/3 cup of oats, 1/3 cup of milk, and 2/3 cups of water for 8 minutes at 60% power. (disclaimer: I forget the exact time - I think it was 8 min.).

**jobob** · 07-14-2008, 10:56 AM

Duh, I can't believe I didn't think of that! Thanks GLC!

**GLC1968** · 07-14-2008, 11:00 AM

Good recipe for quick breakfasts:

1-minute Flax Muffins

1/4 cup of flax meal
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 egg
1 tsp liquid sweetener (maple syrup, sugar-free syrup, etc)

Mix wet ingredients in one bowl. Mix dry ingredients in another. Mix them both together and pour batter into a mug or ramekin sprayed with cooking spray. Nuke on high for 1 minute. Eat! This recipe is easily doubled for days when you need a little more fuel. I find that one is fine for sitting on my rear all morning at work, though.

I also often sub 1 T of almond meal for 1 T of the flax meal to add a slightly nutty flavor. This is really good with apple butter on it (in phase 2).

**katluvr** · 07-14-2008, 12:08 PM

GLC....so this makes 1 muffin? Do you know how many caloires and protein (my main interest)?

**GLC1968** · 07-14-2008, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by katluvr

GLC....so this makes 1 muffin? Do you know how many caloires and protein (my main interest)?

According to MyFoodDiary.com, it comes to 254 calories, 13 g fat, 10 g carbs and 12 g protien (made with sf syrup). Good fats, though! I tried making it with 2 whites instead of the whole egg and the texture sucked. With the whole egg - it's more cake-like.

And yes, it makes one (ugly) muffin.

**Lizzie** · 07-14-2008, 12:57 PM

Thanks for letting me come on board on be a part of this!
My starting weight is 145 and I would like to get down to 135 or so.
Diet-wise I have cut out sugar and white flour (although during the long ride it is difficult to not eat whatever you can get your hands on)and for excercise I am riding 60 miles a week (all in one ride usually) and interval training on the treadmill 3x a week and also just finished a kettlebell workshop-so will attempt to do that several times a week (has anyone tried that)? I like it better than lifting weights. This is my grand plan anyhow!!!!

**berkeley** · 07-14-2008, 02:10 PM

So my jeans today were WAY big on me... the last time I wore them (maybe a month now?), they were a little tight.

YAY!

**jobob** · 07-14-2008, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by berkeley

So my jeans today were WAY big on me... the last time I wore them (maybe a month now?), they were a little tight.

YAY!

Awesome, Berkeley! To me, that matters more than a number on a scale.

**teigyr** · 07-14-2008, 04:31 PM

Jobob, I'd like to hear more about this Rooster Cream Ale please

**berkeley** · 07-14-2008, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by jobob

Awesome, Berkeley! To me, that matters more than a number on a scale.

Well good because so far the scale hasn't moved!

I was happy to spend the day pulling up my pants.

**teigyr** · 07-14-2008, 04:45 PM

DDH, don't get too discouraged. I think sometimes it takes the scale a while to budge and then when it starts, it starts with a semi-vengeance. Just keep your head up and remember this is a new week.

berkeley, woohoo!!! I always fear the jeans test but when it comes out good, it is SUCH an awesome feeling! Congratulations

Thread: July/August - Weight Loss Challenge

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Exercise chart

so much for weight loss

Hep !! Any tips for microwaving steel cut oats?

1 - Minute Flax Muffins

weigh in

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