I'm a Loser...and proud of it!

Greetings Friends~

I'm not sure how many of you watch the Biggest Loser each week but I do.

I find most of it helpful...there are food segments like the one last night that showed healthy alternative foods...they made a turkey burger with all the fixin's and instead of a bun they used portabella mushrooms. It looked pretty appetizing.

I also enjoy watching the trainers put the contestants through their paces as well as seeing different kinds of exercises that I'm not familiar with...mostly the weight or strength training...since I only do cardio.

This week's episode had two events that I felt were significant.

The first was that Rudy reached a 100 pound loss in 7 weeks on the show which made him the all time quickest contestant to accomplish this gargantuan feat. Even more impressive than the actual loss was the idea that from Day 1, he set out to break that record.

The second event was very emotional...Abby, the contestant who had lost her husband, young daughter and newborn son in an auto accident, realized that everybody deserves a second chance at a healthy life. I was very moved by this part of the show, especially at the end when they wrote that this episode was in memory of her family. I was trying...quite unsuccessfully...not to cry like a baby.

If you would like to see a recap of the show, (I recommend at least watching the end), here is the link; http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/

Now, the part that I didn't like was all the sobbing and crying by the women on the Black team. I had to fast forward through the dramatics. I'd like to apologize but I won't. Hey, I'm a guy...save that gushy stuff for a chick flick. But, there was something that happened with this that you may not have caught. Each of the three women that were struggling, with their emotional demons, had a poor showing on the scale.

That, Travelers, is the crux of today's posting. Rudy set his goals and did each and every small and large step possible, in order to reach that. Other contestants were so wrapped up in all the emotional baggage they were trying to carry that they couldn't concentrate on their objective. Guess what? They weren't able to successfully drop the weight like they usually do.

Emotions can obviously play a very large part in our success. I know when I am feeling low or unhappy, I'm more likely to NOT workout...more likely to withdraw into the couch and television...more likely to grab that jar of peanut butter, a stick of butter and the Ritz or saltine crackers. Then watch out...it's Cracker-pa-looza time. I know when I am happy, feeling like I accomplished a baby step or two, proud that I took those (fill in the blank) stairs, that I function at a higher level.

I'm setting my goals high, taking small steps repeatedly to progress in the right direction and striving to maintain a positive upbeat attitude. With a state of mind like this, how can I possibly fail?

Look within yourself to discover how strong you really are. I think you will be surprised at what you find.

Inspiration of the Day

Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together. – Vincent Van Gogh, 1853-1890, Dutch Painter

Recipe of the Day

Fall days are a perfect time for soup! Here is a low calorie alternative.
http://www.recipezaar.com/Zero-Points-Soup-Weight-Watchers-189795


Shopping Tips

Albertson's has Bumble Bee Albacore tuna, 5 oz can, for $.88 each, Lean Cuisine Entrees for $1.88 each, green bell peppers for $.69 each and Roma tomatoes for $1.49 a pound.

Safeway has red seedless grapes for $1.28 a pound and boneless skinless frozen chicken tenders (3 pound bag) for $5.97.

Top Foods has, Wed-Saturday only, Reduced Fat Triscuit and Wheat Thins (don't eat the whole box in a sitting like me) for $1.59 and Jennie O Turkey Franks for $.89 a package. Other items that are on sale the the entire week are Hass avocados (med) for $.49 each, Yoplait yogurt (reg and light) 10 for $5 and cilantro (mmm...home made pico de gallo), radishes and green onions for $.49 each.

Ralph's Thriftway has Fuji apples for $.77 a pound, asparagus for $1.57 a pound, Yoplait yogurt (reg and light) 10 for $5, english cucumbers 2 for $3, local celery for $.58 each, and yellow onions 4 pounds for $1.

I think one of my small steps for this coming week is to take advantage of the produce on sale to make a nice hearty pot of either french onion or vegetable soup.

I know that I can set goals. I know that I can put out effort everyday to get closer to those goals. I know that I can feel good about myself if I chose to. All of these things ARE being accomplished because I am taking this One Step at a Time.

Happy Trails!