Teetering

The Teeters are teetering on Tumblr

2010-09-21T06:01:00.000-07:00

If you've visited this blog in the last few months you may have noticed the lack of posts. Turns out I've been trying out a different platform called Tumblr. It's a scaled-down blogging platform that is easy to use on the computer or mobile phone. If you'd like to see what some Teeters have been up to, go to http://alyteeter.tumblr.com/.

With James' help, we may migrate the teetering.org doman over to Tumblr too. Stay tuned!

If the weather is crappy in Zurich, just head south!

2010-05-05T02:26:00.000-07:00

Last week Zurich's weather turned from gorgeous to dreadful. One of the American women suggested that we head south for the weekend because chances are the weather would be nicer. That seemed like a sound theory, so James and I decided to take a train to Milan, Italy.

As you may already know, trains are quite popular and efficient here in Europe. They also have good deals on discount cards. For only 150 CHF (Swiss Franc, which equals USD), you can buy a half fare card that's good for one year. This means that all transportation within Switzerland, including training, trams, busses, boats, etc, is half price. A longer trip, like our train ride to Milan, would be discounted at half price for our travel within

Switzerland. Obviously you can get your money's worth pretty quickly. James and I bought our half fare cards and booked a discounted trip to Milan in the same day.

I should also mention that besides the weather, another reason for getting out of town was 1 May. I always thought of 1 May as May Day, a time to celebrate Spring (I think I received daffodils in grade school in honor of the holiday). But here in Europe it's a day for protesting as it's their Labor Day (protesting was also popular in L.A. this year). We heard that everything would be closed and boarded up in anticipation of rowdy hooligans wreaking havoc through out the city. Seriously, I never figured Zurich could be rowdy.

I wish I had a picture, but when James and I walked to the train station (Hauptbahnhof), we saw policeman on every block. We also saw them interrogating a few men. It was really creepy and I kept my head down and didn't make eye contact with any of the police. Once we arrived at the train station, we calmed our nerves by watching some beach volleyball.

After our uneventful 3.5 hour train ride to Milan, we wandered out of the train station and looked for maps. Our lonely planet book wasn't much help and our cell phones only worked in Switzerland. So what did we do? We went with our instincts and started out towards the hotel. Holy crap, that was a nightmare. After awhile we had no idea where we were going. Thank goodness we were able to hop on someone's wifi hotspot and fire up Google maps. We figured out where we were and found our way to the hotel.

Once we checked into the hotel, we found a map and set off to explore Milan. By explore, I mean walk 10 miles and ogle at places and people. Most shops and restaurants were closed due to the 1 May holiday but that didn't prevent us or the Italians from going out. I noticed that Italians love to window shop. There must have been 20 people looking at Nike sneakers at the Footlocker.

The Milan Ca thedral was open for business. You could go inside, say some prayers, look around and leave a donation. You could also stand outside and stare at the advertising posted on the cathedral's scaffolding. I thought the advertising industry was unscrupulous in the U.S., but a fashion ad posted on the side of a cathedral is absolutely terrible! I can't imagine seeing this back home, but you never know.

After we explored the cathedral and the Piazza del Duomo, we made our

way towards the streets. Instead of protesting in Milan, it appeared that the local youth celebrated May day with a lively rave parade. We weren't really dressed for the occasion or in a rave mood so we veered back towards the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

The rest of Saturday and Sunday were spent wandering. James used his cell phone to track our path -- we walked more than 20 miles while we were in Milan.

A trip to little 'ole Murten

2010-05-04T06:08:00.000-07:00

Before we departed the States, a fellow BIAC rower recommended I join the American Women's Club in Zurich. (She had lived in Switzerland for a short time.) I thought that was a fine idea being that I'd be unemployed and in need of activities to occupy my time while James is at work. I emailed the club and was soon in touch with the club's Welcome Chair.

A couple days after we landed, the Welcome Chair encouraged me to stop by the AWCZ clubhouse and get oriented with the club. Luckily the club is right down the street from our apartment so I ventured on over. Not only did I get an awesome orientation to the club's facilities, but I also was invited to play Bunko! The week before I had played Bunko with my mom's group, so I was able to jump right in. During the course of the game, I found out that the club had a day-trip excursion planned the next day. They were going to Murten.

Where is Murten, you ask? I really didn't have a clue, but I immediately signed up.

The next day a handful of the club members and I jumped on a chartered bus and traveled clear across Switzerland, which only took 1.5 hours. Murten is located in the Friborg Canton on the French side of the country.

During the course of the trip, we received a guided tour through the town. The guide was a college gal who grew up in Murten.

After the tour, we had a tasty/fancy/long lunch at a restaurant that overlooked the lake. I have a feeling that a bulk of the tour cost went towards lunch -- eating out in Switzerland is spendy!

We wandered down to the water after lunch and went on a tour boat. There wasn't much to see during the boat ride, but it was super relaxing (and wine was provided). Did you know the chocolate AND wine are cheap in Switzerland? Hallelujah!

And that was my first excursion outside Zurich. My photos from the trip are posted here.

The Teeter blog will become a Travel Blag

2010-03-31T17:18:00.000-07:00

We've arrived safely in Zurich, with no loss to personal property, arrests, or horrific injury. More to come.

I'm not a Teeter, but I am a pilot.

2010-03-19T22:34:00.001-07:00

Today, after seven months of studying, practice flying, varying degrees of elation, frustration, and excitement that occasionally bordered on terror, I passed my private pilot checkride. I can take passengers to far off distant places, fly into busy airspace, and walk with the confidence knowing that I can fall back to a career of smuggling drugs across the border.

I'm incredibly grateful to my instructor, Paolo Resmini for his guidance, good humor, and patience, and to the main Teeter in my life, Alyson Teeter-Baker for letting me stay up late to read the FAR/AIM and steadily drain our bank accounts.

Balloon: 1, Femur: 0

2010-02-22T20:20:00.000-08:00

An update from Roy about Rylan's status:

On Saturday night at the end of Jillian's little surprise birthday party Rylan tried to pop a balloon by jumping on it. Unfortunately the balloon won and Rylan ended up with a fractured left femur. (Happy birthday Jill, LOL) He was transported to Tripler Army Medical Center by ambulance. Sunday morning about 8:45 am, he was sedated and had his bone reset, thankfully without them having to cut into his leg. The resetting and casting took close to 2 hours, but all the doctors said it went great. He is in a dark blue/light blue cast from his nipples to his right knee and down to his left ankle. He will be in this cast for about 6-8 weeks, then depending on x-rays will hopefully be done with casts. He is in a really good mood, and appears to have very little discomfort from his leg. Seems the IV and such bothered him more than anything. He's been super lovey and pretty much is normal self, other than being immobile. We came home this morning around noon and he is now the king of the couch and guest bed.... I have a feeling the hard part has just begun since he's such an active little guy and will now be confined to the couch, bed, and wheel chair. Please pray for our family over the next few weeks as I'm sure this will be a very exhausting process to get him fully recovered. Also please pray that he recovers fully with no lasting effects.

Despite the general perception of military hospitals, we are very satisfied with the treatment he received during his day and a half stay. Everyone did a great job and made the incident as comfortable as possible given the magnitude of the injury. There are pics on my MySpace and Jillian's Facebook. Again thanks to those of you that physically supported us, as well as to those of you who mentally and spiritually supported us!

Aloha!

2009-12-30T14:41:00.000-08:00

Various Teeters and a Baker were graciously hosted by the Calicas in Oahu, HI. Spread out over a few weeks of sunny 80-degree days there was shark diving, motorcycling, an anniversary, a birthday and a Christmas. This year there were no* emergency hospital visits!

*during our stay

Everyone is fine. The car is not.

2009-11-21T16:40:00.000-08:00

After merging onto 92 westbound from 101 southbound, the driver in front of me was cut off by another merging driver, and he had to slam on his brakes. I was unable to stop in time, and hit him. When I hit him, his spare tire fell off the back of his car. The spare tire rolled into traffic and struck another car. Airbags didn't deploy, and the other cars could drive away.

Maps link. I was in the middle of three lanes, going with the flow.

View Larger Map

Pictures of my car

CarAccident

A Teeter's Return

2009-08-17T23:26:00.000-07:00

He's finally home!

A Teeter is Set to Return

2009-08-10T13:00:00.000-07:00

As previously mentioned, SSgt KC Teeter deployed to Iraq last year, and he's finally coming back!

KC left Kuwait at 5:00 a.m. Sunday morning PDT. KC's unit was stranded for a week until an elite squad of airline ticketing agents could extract him from Kuwait. Unfortunately, due to the tremendous energy it took to buy plane tickets, there will be no welcome home ceremony at Ft. Lewis. But we'll make up for it when he'll most likely arrive home this Saturday. We are planning a welcome home potluck. It will be at 1:00 pm Sunday, Aug. 15. Bring beer and ponies.

Anyone with a .mil email address: sign up for Google Voice!

2009-08-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

If you've got a .mil email address, sign up for Google Voice. They're offering free accounts for service members, putting you at the head of the line for the free accounts:

For servicemen and women who are constantly on the move, having a single number and an easy way to retrieve messages from loved ones can be invaluable. To help our service members communicate with their loved ones and show our support to those serving our country, Google is launching a new program. Starting today, any active U.S. service member with a .mil email address can sign up for a Google Voice account atwww.google.com/militaryinvite and start using the free service within a day.

Google Voice gives you one new phone number that can forward to your work phone, home phone, cell phone, etc. simultaneously. If you're unavailable, it records a voice mail, automatically transcribes the spoken voicemail to text, sends you an SMS of the message emails you and an MP3 of the voice mail. You can set up call groups so certain people always go to voice mail, certain people can ring your cell phone, etc. And it's free.

It also has spam filtering, which is good, because Aly and I don't have landlines to give the telemarketers so I just give random companies my GV number and let Google block them.

Definitely useful for anyone active duty!

Retirement

2009-07-25T07:58:00.000-07:00

I have one more week as a transportation screener then I am off to the beach. Bernie is introducing me to the "do nothing club" and everyday is Saturday.

Does anyone want some furniture and general stuff? I am doing a major downsizing, rolltop desk, bedroom furniture, Great-Grandpa Baker furniture?

Moved to freebie hosting

2009-07-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

It seems like a lifetime ago that we lived on the east coast, thousands of miles and a few timezones away from family. It was a time when staying in touch with family required real effort; the tools to keep in touch were primitive and slow. By dim candlelight I would play sysadmin at home and dutifully pay for and maintain a humble private server that hosted teetering.org's mail, photos, and blog posts, endlessly configuring and upgrading countless settings and options while seated at my crude wooden computer and chalkboard monitor.

But now we're back on the west coast, and technology has moved well beyond the venerable smoke-billowing computing machines of yore. Today I play sysadmin for far more time consuming projects, and the free image, mail, and blog hosting from The Google do a far better job keeping their systems up to date and secure than I could ever do in my spare time, responding to vulnerabilities faster than you can type "apt-get upgrade".

Moreover, social networks like Orkut (yeah! Orkut rocks!) and facebook (which is trash) do a better job of informing family about important events like how many cavities Aly's dentist found last week than long rambling blog entries, that -- despite their banality -- require a considerable amount of effort to keep up to date.

What a year for the 129th!

2009-01-22T19:47:00.000-08:00

If you know me, you were aware that I was pretty busy with my job this year. (I'm the public affairs officer for the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard.) This video montage showcases 129th Rescue Wing missions from 2008, which include water bucket drops over the Northern California wildfires, long-range over water rescues, and rescue support during Hurricane Ike. The video is synced with the U.S. Air Force Airman's Creed too. Enjoy!

Day of Service: Jan 19

2009-01-14T17:56:00.000-08:00

Did you know that MLK Day is a national day of service? This was mandated by Congress in 1994, but since then it hasn't been publicized much. I was truly inspired when I watched Colin Powell's speech last week about the renewed focus on MLK Day being a national day of service. I promptly went to the Web site, usaservice.org, to look for volunteer events in my area. This line from the Web site gives me the warm fuzzy:

Every time our nation faces crisis, our national experience has shown Americans rise to the challenge. While government has an important role to play in helping rekindle our economy and addressing the problems of a distressed nation, President-elect Obama believes each of us, as Americans, have a responsibility to do what we can for our communities and fellow citizens. We are one nation.

That's right - be responsible and do what's best for our collective needs, not just what's best for ourselves. It'll be great if this day will help jumpstart a spirit of sacrifice and service. It's just what our country needs!

Teeters spread out again

2008-10-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

First off, I'd like to send a shout out to Madi - she turned two on Wednesday! Happy Birthday, sweetie.

Earlier this month the Calica's bid adieu to the Pacific Northwest. Roy had orders in hand to PCS to Hawaii, where he'll return to Military Police duties. It was a tough three-year assignment in recruiting, but I'm sure Roy came away with lessons that will carry him through his career and make him a better Marine. By the way, the Calicas are stationed at the Marine Corps Base, Kaneohe Bay, which is located on the windward side of Oahu, approximately 12 miles northeast of Honolulu. So far the Calicas are digging the locale, as you can imagine. We can't wait to visit (especially Ma and Pa Teeter - they miss the boys).

A few days after the Calicas departed, KC flew from Wisconsin, where he'd been going through deployment spin-up training, to the Middle East. By the end of the month his unit will be working from a forward operating base near Mosul, Iraq. I'm for sure going to spoil my brother while he's gone! I love putting together care packages... Please keep KC, Steph and Madison in your thoughts and prayers.

Posted thesis online

2008-10-25T11:20:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Michelle Anaya for compiling my monstrous thesis into one pdf doc (due to pagination issues, it used to be three Word docs). I went ahead and posted it online here. If you don't want to take the time to read the whole thing, skip to the last chapter.

Argh, I miss school! I'm such a nerd.

Ma Teeter and the Calica's visit to Cali

2008-09-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

Ma Teeter, Jill and the boys drove to Sunnyvale last week to visit with James and I. We were soooo looking forward to the visit. I absolutely adore my two little nephews, Reece and Rylan. They are cute, charming and rambunctious...uh uhm, I mean, energetic! I give Jill a ton of credit for being a stay-at-home mom. Wowza! Here are some of the 3,000 photos James snapped during their stay.

Roy, Jill and the boys will be moving to Hawaii next month because Roy will be taking on a new duty assignment on Oahu. It'll be great to visit the Calica's in Aloha Land, but the Teeters will be sad they'll be so far away.

A Teeter is set to deploy

2008-08-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

The Teeters gathered last weekend for K.C.'s farewell parties. The Teeter son departed this week for over a month of spin-up training in Wisconsin. Straight from WI, his unit will travel to Iraq and will be based in Mosul. K.C. was recently promoted to Staff Sgt. (Army E-6) and will be in charge of over a hundred people. He seems excited for the leadership challenge, and I think he'll do an outstanding job! I'm very proud of my brother.

Back to the parties. K.C. had a friends party and a family party last weekend. The turn-out for both parties was overwhelming, and goes to show how much K.C. is cared for. James took over 7,000 photos during the weekend, and the best 100 or so are posted here. Some people who didn't know James asked if he was the official event photog - too funny. James wouldn't put the camera down, but I think he captured some beautiful images. There are lots of cute kid pics as well...

Over the course of the next year please keep the Teeter fam in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your service, K.C.!

And the biggest loser is....Jillian!

2008-03-19T08:56:00.000-07:00

The 15 members of Teeter-Baker-Calica-Cole fams returned from their Maui vacation Sunday night. We snorkeled, body surfed (or even surfed), sipped Mai Tais, relaxed, hiked, and ate delicious Hawaiian food. A few of us also spent some time in the ER with little Rylan, who was suffering with a fever/pink eye/sinus and ear infection. Thankfully the little guy recovered by the end of the vacation. Overall, we all had a wonderful stay on the Valley Isle. Thank you to Ma and Pa Teeter for their overwhelming generosity!

The grand prize was also presented to the winner of the Teeter Family Maui Weightloss Challenge. Jillian was the biggest loser - she lost 37.2 pounds! Linda and KC were the runners up, with losses of 20 and 19 pounds. They all looked stunning and we are so proud of their efforts. Overall we all lost 104 pounds. I hope that everyone can continue to live healthier lifestyles, and perhaps lose more weight (I know I need to).

On another note, if you'd like to take a look at the photo shoot images, please let me know (I'll send you an invite to the gallery). James also posted photos - you'll find the link on this blog.

Now that the MWC has concluded, this blog will now transition to the permanent new home of teetering.org. James and I plan on utilizing Google Sites to make teetering.org a better source for all things Teeter. Stay tuned!

One last post before the big announcement

2008-03-04T06:23:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone - we're almost done with the MWC. Can you believe it? We started over 26 weeks ago! Cumulatively we've lost nearly 100 pounds. Only 3.5 pounds to go and we're there. Make a strong push to the end and let's get over the century mark.

You'll notice that I deleted the sidebar ranking. I'll post the final ranking on Saturday, and will notify the winner by phone. The winner will receive $200 cash after we arrive in Maui.

We're almost there! Thanks for your continued participation and endurance. It definitely pays off because no matter how much you've lost, you're now living a healthier lifestyle.

Entering the home stretch

2008-02-26T06:52:00.000-08:00

Wow - only two weeks left until we're relaxing in Maui wearing our bathing suits. We're in the home stretch of the Teeter Family MWC. We're in the 25th week of the competition, and we have two weigh-ins left.

Most of us have done an outstanding job shedding the pounds. I can't wait to announce the winner and how everybody stacked up.

On another note, this week four of us did not submit weights. What's the dealio? We're so close! Steph was the biggest loser - she lost one pound! Every little bit counts at this point, so keep it up Steph! We're still under the 100 total pounds lost mark at 95.2 lbs. We MUST get over it!

So close to the century mark

2008-02-18T20:24:00.000-08:00

Great week everyone - we're up to 95.8 pounds lost! K.C. helped us all get closer to the century mark by losing 4 pounds! He must workout a bunch during Guard drill or have slim pickins on food. C-rations or MREs...hmm?

Less than four weeks are left until we're laying on the beautiful beaches of Maui. Like I've said before, make these last moments in your weightloss count!

One month left - make it count!

2008-02-11T06:17:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it? The Teeter clan and compadres will be in Maui in less than a month! That means we're in a critical moment for our weight loss competition. I know a few of us have asked to throw in the towel. You still have time to lose a few pounds - don't give up!

One participant who hasn't given up is Linda - she was our biggest loser this week with a loss of 3 pounds! Awesome job, Linda. If each of us loses three pounds a week before the end of the competition, that's 12 pounds gone, which makes a difference!

It's official - most of us are slacking

2008-02-04T21:03:00.000-08:00

Ok, so most of us are slacking. I'll be the first to admit that I'm slacking. I feel like a slob.

What's it going to take to get our butts in gear? I'm thankful that I signed up for a half marathon in April. I know that I'll have to start working out again in a couple weeks if I don't want to seriously hurt myself during the race.

At any rate, I only said that most of us are slacking. There are a few shining stars. Jillian was the biggest loser the past two weeks. Jillian lost 3.2 pounds! Keep up the great work, Jillypoo. Your weight loss motivates me to want to do better. Thank you!

Your mission this week is to take the time to really think about your weight loss progress. Do you want to lose more, or are you content? Analyze the situation and come up with a gameplan for this last month of the competition. It isn't too late to lose a couple notches in your belt.

Let's keep going, I know it's cold and you'd rather just do what you want

2008-01-22T21:39:00.000-08:00

It was not a good week for the MWC participants. Even though there was a challenge posted last week to lose ten more pounds, collectively, and reach 100 pounds lost, we instead gained weight! 2.2 pounds, to be exact. The biggest loser was me, with a measly .2 pounds lost. OUCH!

I keep thinking about wearing a swimsuit. To increase the motivation to lose, I'm going to go to a department store in the next week and try on some Spring fashions. The thought makes me sad because I want to lose so much more and I know I won't feel as good as I had hoped to feel.

My problem is that I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to fit in exercising. It's also cold. If you're having a hard time exercising because of the cold weather, here are some tips for getting the blood pumping. Window shopping and people watching? What a great combination to keep you entertained while exercising!

Taking Your Walk Indoors
http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=45391

Daily exercise is a habit, which can slip-slide away as temperatures dip and snow or ice cover sidewalks and footpaths. What's the committed walker to do?

Mall Walk
Many people live close enough to a shopping mall to take advantage of those safe, well-lit open spaces during inclement weather. And plenty of malls open their doors early so that people can walk at a good pace without having to navigate around shoppers.
The pros of mall walking are abundant:

Safety
They're well lit and have a temperature-controlled environment, with no cars or dogs to dodge. You can wear headphones without worrying about thugs, dogs, cars or tripping over sidewalks or curbs.

Convenience
Bathrooms and water fountains are nearby, and there's plenty of parking.

Motivation
There are other walkers, and some malls even have incentive programs.

Scenery
Mall window displays provide interest and distraction.

Admittedly, however, mall walking may have a downside. The walkers in malls appear to mainly be silver-haired seniors, which is great if you are one. But if you're far from silver, don't let the age gap stop you.

"Bring a friend your own age," says Sara Donovan, creator of the Mall of America walking program. "Mall walking is for anyone committed to walking despite the weather. You can get a great workout. Run up the stairs or escalator to bump up your heart rate, and race walk on the smoothest surface you'll ever find."

Indoor Tracks
Check to see if your local YMCA, high school or college gym has an indoor track you can use. Sometimes the tracks are balconies that encircle exercise areas, squash or basketball courts, so you have a bird's-eye view of people working out.

The same pros as mall walking apply; in addition:

Motivation
You're close to other workout opportunities.

Convenience
You may be able to shower afterwards and store belongings in a locker.

Social Network
You'll probably see a more diverse population than at the mall.

Safety
If the track is rubberized or has a more forgiving surface than the mall, it may be easier on your feet and back.

Some cons include:

* It may be harder to walk and talk with a buddy. Ambient noise can make it hard to hear each other, and walking side by side may block runners who want to pass.
* You may feel a bit dizzy going round and round if the track is small.
* The track may be slanted. If so, be sure you turn around and go in the opposite direction every other lap, to avoid injury to muscles or tendons.

Local Large Buildings
Find out if you can get access to a large public building, like a high school, where you can walk the halls and stairwells after hours. (You might have to go to a school board meeting with a group of interested friends and neighbors to see if the school will allow this activity.)

If you have access to a building with several stories, try going up one flight of stairs, walking around that floor, then the next flight of stairs, etc. Alternating stair climbing with walking will be a great interval workout.

Next week, let's break 100!

2008-01-13T14:28:00.000-08:00

This week there was a tight race for the biggest loser spot. It's great because we were all pretty consistent - no big weight losses, just incremental steps. Every little bit adds up, don't you forget it!

Our biggest loser was Jillian with a weight loss of 1.2 pounds! Jillian has been especially consistent. She works out on a regular basis and that's definitely a smart strategy for this competition.

Our total weight loss for the MWC is 89.2 pounds. We are so close to 100...let's go for it this week. That equals to a little over a pound loss for everyone. We can do it!

First week in 2008

2008-01-07T06:52:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, everyone! This last week included New Years, which is always an indulgent holiday eating/drinking-wise, so I can understand why some of us didn't lose as much as we'd wanted. But on the whole, we improved from Christmas week; we all lost 5.5 pounds! Helping contribute to the overall weight loss were our two biggest losers,Linda and me - we each lost two pounds! Thankfully I lost a bit of what I gained over the holidays, but I still have more to go. Great job everyone, and let's kick our weight loss in to high gear!

Overall gain, but that's ok

2007-12-30T12:04:00.000-08:00

So, we've jumped our biggest hurdle - Christmas. We skipped weighing in last week so this week's ranking covers the last two weeks. Overall we gained 6.1 pounds, but that's because a couple of us didn't do so well and gained more than a few pounds (includes me). I'm ok with that, because I know that March is right around the corner and now is 'go time. '

A few of us already got a jump start from the holidays by losing weight. One of those jump-starters was our biggest loser for the last two weeks - Papa Teeter, with a loss of four pounds! Incredible job, dad. :)

January is the best time to lose weight because we're using our New Years Resolutions as motivation. Most folks give up after a few weeks - but the MWC'rs must not! Set your weightloss goal for the next two months and keep your eye on the prize.

Aly can't add or subtract

2007-12-16T18:40:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays, MWC'ers! Everyone should have received their 15-week weightloss snapshots today. If you looked at it and scratched your head, I don't blame you. I just figured out that I didn't enter in the numbers correctly in my spreadsheet. I inserted formulas for some of the calculations but there are others that I do myself. I apologize if I was off on your weightloss totals.

This week was a better week for us all. We collectively lost eight pounds, and K.C. was the biggest loser with a loss of four pounds! Wowza! I guess his NCO military training academy is paying off in a big way. Great job, K.C.!

We only have a little over two weeks left until New Years, thank goodness. To help alleviate my indulgence guilt, I plan to work out every day this week. This will give me the freedom to eat a bit more during the holidays. If you have the time, I suggest you do the same. God speed everyone!

This week, even better!

2007-12-09T13:07:00.000-08:00

Woohoo - we're back in full gear with the Teeter MWC. Almost all of us lost weight this week, and the two big losers were Keith and Linda. Both lost three pounds! It must have been the wild PNW weather, huh? If I were in Washington, I would have gained a bunch of weight because I have a tendency to snack to the max when the weather is windy, rainy and cold. Everyone's discipline should be commended! Keep it up.

Before you know it, we'll be done with the holidays and our weight loss efforts will go into overdrive. I can't wait... These holiday parties are tough to overcome.

Weightwatchers article: Holiday Stress Relief

2007-12-04T07:59:00.000-08:00

I'm feeling the holiday stress. Even if you aren't, this article has some handy weightloss tips.

Holiday Stress Relief
Weightwatchers.com
The holidays inspire visions of sugarplums for some, but for most of us, they also inspire dread. After all, between planning the perfect get-together and dealing with friends and family, it can be easy to overeat. But experts say you can avoid this trap. Consider this: Unless you examine your priorities and assumptions, chances are you're setting yourself up for stress, says Dr. Joyce Nash, PhD, a clinical psychologist. "Women especially get a picture in their heads about what the holidays have to look like. They hold high expectations and try to do too much," she says.

Nash says that by making a list and choosing only the things that are really important, you can avoid getting overwhelmed by things that don't matter. Unfortunately, when you're dealing with people — especially family — that's sometimes easier said than done. For example, it's often difficult to say no to a favorite aunt and her special holiday cookies or your mom's piled-high dinner plates.

In these cases, it pays to be firm but nice. Let yourself have a cookie and decline seconds. Likewise, tell mom that you'll serve yourself. Even better, offer to do the doling out this holiday season so she can sit down and enjoy herself. That way, you avoid turning a reasonable dinner into a calorie-fest.

You can employ the same strategy for relatives who insist on having you stay at their home while you're visiting, a scenario that may inspire stress eating. Tell relatives firmly that you'll be staying at a hotel. But be kind, says Nash.

"Remind mom and dad that just because you're staying elsewhere doesn't mean you don't love them. Tell them that it's something you need to do and remind them that you'll be visiting a lot," she says.

And if you are stuck in an uncomfortable situation, try the following strategies that can help minimize stress eating:

Don't skip breakfast. You've probably heard it over and over, but Lola O'Rourke, RD, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, says that this is key to a smart weight-loss program. "You'll be less likely to binge if you fuel your body early," she says.

Chew gum while preparing food. Those little "tastes" add up. Chew minty gum, which will keep you from noshing pieces of cheese or pinches of seasoned meat.

Give yourself permission to snack. Love your grandma's latkes? Work them into your plan. Saying "no" to foods you love is unnecessary and will only make you crave them more.

Keep your hands busy. Wrap gifts or wash vegetables in the kitchen. Go out and play touch football. If you keep yourself busy, there are fewer opportunities to eat.

Take small bites and leave some food uncut on your plate. Pre-cut food is easier to eat quickly. Cut your food one bite at a time and take small pauses in between swallows.

Pile on the lettuce. Avoid eating seconds by filling your plate with lettuce and fresh veggies.

Back to reality

2007-12-03T20:25:00.000-08:00

So, how did it feel weighing in this weekend? I don't know about you, but I was so scared to look at the scale. Most of us did pretty well considering we had eaten Thanksgiving dinner since the last time we weighed in. Jillian was again the biggest loser with a loss of 4.2 pounds! Outstanding job, Jill - your consistency is inspiring!

Keep on trucking, and get out and exercise. The good and bad thing about Christmas is the shopping. It sucks to have to spend so much money, but at least you get some exercise while you shop! Do you ever notice how exhausted you are after shopping? It's because you walked three or four miles.

God speed through the holidays, everyone. I'll be pinging you again next weekend!

Ok, just this week...and maybe Christmas

2007-11-20T07:06:00.000-08:00

Last week was tough, again, for the MWC participants. Three of us (James, K.C., Dad) did not even weigh in! Jillian - you were the biggest loser again with a loss of 1.2 lbs! Jillian has been very consistent, and has been working hard to keep up her weight loss through the holiday season.

She knows that now is not the time to give up.

So, mom tells me that you all want a reprieve this week from weighing. Fine, I will grant you a reprieve - but you must give it your all to eat well and exercise between now and Christmas. I will be collecting weigh-in numbers on Dec. 1.

Eat what you want this week, but stick to small portions. Please read the advice James emailed out to all of you yesterday. It has some great nuggets of advice.

Good luck this week everyone. I will be checking in with you next week!

Bummer dude

2007-11-12T14:29:00.001-08:00

Simply put, this week sucked for most of the MWC participants. We collectively gained 7.1 lbs! I think it's a big case of the "the weather is colder and the holidays are here so I don't care about dieting" syndrome. Now is the worst time to give up because it's a slippery slope of quick weight gain if you do.

You must get moving and exercise.
You must watch what you eat.
You must support others!

So come on, get back on the bandwagon. It's good for your health, longevity, and mental well-being. Oh yeah, and there's no getting around this fact - you will be on a tropical beach in March. Just think about it.

On a more positive note, I'm proud to announce that this week's biggest loser was Jillian, with a loss of 2.4 lbs! She made fantastic progress by amping up her fitness routine. Jill is fortunate to have a personal trainer friend, which is a great motivator. Great job, Jillypoo!

"The Skinny on Holiday Eating"

2007-11-08T18:09:00.001-08:00

Here are some useful holiday eating tips courtesy of weightwatchers.com. I think #3 is an especially great tip.

The Skinny on Holiday Eating

With these seven simple tips, you will make it through the holidays with all of the jingle, but none of the jiggle. And you can thank us when the ball drops on New Year's and you're still fitting into your "skinny" pants!

1. Don't go to a party hungry.
You know not to grocery shop on an empty stomach, so don't hit a holiday shindig on one either. "It's way too difficult to make healthy decisions when you're that hungry," says Samantha Heller, MS, RD, senior clinical nutritionist at New York University Medical Center. "Everything looks good—even the ornaments." Take the edge off before you go with a piece of fruit or small container of yogurt so that you're not starving and tempted to storm the buffet table upon arrival, says Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, Nutrition and Exercise Specialist for The Wellness Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

2. Don't eat just to be polite.
"I couldn't refuse the apple strudel—Aunt Gertie spent hours slaving over it!" Sound familiar? We often fall off the wagon during the holidays for fear of crushing our hosts' fragile egos, but that's a poor excuse, says Heller: "Your thighs don't care that you didn't hurt their feelings." The next time you're being strong-armed into eating a high-calorie confection, simply say, "No thank you, it looks great, but I'm trying to lose weight." If Aunt Gertie's on clean-plate patrol, that's her issue.

3. Get your priorities straight.
The holidays come but once a year, and so do some of the season's quintessential treats. Ask yourself which foods you won't likely see again until next year—then savor them in moderation, says Jackson. For instance, pass over the mashed potatoes, which will likely reappear at the next family dinner, and make a beeline for the pumpkin pie.

4. Keep a friendly distance from the food.
Stay an arm's length away from the buffet table, says Jackson. You'll be less tempted to mindlessly nosh while you're mingling if you back up a step or two. And when you're finished eating, ditch your empty plate—it screams for second helpings. Instead, grab a glass of club soda so you'll have something to do with your hands while you talk.

5. Add it up.
Never leave a party without knowing how much you've eaten, says Jackson. Yes, that includes those seemingly innocent yet addictive canapés! At a cocktail party, allow yourself one pass of the hors d'oeuvres so that you can pick your favorites. Zero in on those you like best and keep count—it's a good idea to keep a "diet diary" and log what you eat. This technique works well on baking days, too—your diary won't let you "forget" those extra tastes.

6. Go easy on the drinks.
Alcohol, which tends to flow freely during the holidays, packs a double whammy. It's chock-full of calories, and it lowers our inhibitions, making us dive into dishes that we'd have a fighting chance at resisting if we were sober. Try following every drink with seltzer or diet soda, Heller suggests. "You'll save yourself extra calories, a hangover and embarrassment at the office the next day."

7. Get moving.
Sure you have a shopping list to plod through, but that's even more reason to hit the gym. After a half-hour on the treadmill, your mother-in-law's impending visit and the holiday cards you have to mail won't seem quite so overwhelming. "If there's ever a time to exercise, it's during the holidays," says Jackson. "It's one of the most stressful periods of the year!"

Maybe the earthquake explains the loss?

2007-11-05T06:50:00.000-08:00

The big winner/loser this week just so happens to be me - I lost 3 lbs. What's crazy is that this week was my worst week in terms of fitness. I also ate out a few times, which doesn't help matters. Maybe the 5.6 earthquake here in California on Tuesday spiked up my metabolism?

Halloween just ended so we've now officially entered the holiday season (you'll realize this if you go shopping). This is the time of year when people forget about diets. But the MWC participants must not! Once December is over Maui will be right around the corner. We don't have the time to backtrack or gain what we've lost. Keep up the good work, and let's encourage each other to stay on track.

Nice rebound this week!

2007-10-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

We were able to turn the weight loss around this week with a loss of eight pounds, as opposed to the .8 pound gained last week. Great job, everyone! The biggest loser this week was K.C., who lost five pounds - WOW! Incredible work, K.C. K.C. will be attending an Army National Guard Sgt.'s course in a couple months, so he's on a mission to get fit and ready for the course. That's one great thing about the military - you are forced to stay in shape. Granted, there are some slobby troops in the military, but for the most part physical fitness is emphasized as a critical component of a successful career. You gotta be fit to fight!

On another note, last week I ran the Nike Half Marathon in San Francisco. It was so gorgeous that I became a bit teary-eyed. Yeah, I was running up steep hills at the same time, but the pain was worth the ambiance and beautiful views. I beat my half marathon time from last year by almost 20 minutes so I was pleased. I've been bit by the running bug (even though I'm slow as heck), and James and I are going to sign up for a Spring marathon - probably the Santa Cruz Half Marathon. I definitely recommend these races as a way to kick start a work out program, even if you aren't a gifted runner.

The sickly man wins

2007-10-22T07:23:00.000-07:00

K.C. was the biggest loser this week with a weight loss of two pounds! The last time K.C. was the biggest loser, he said that exercise made the difference. This week he lost more weight because he was fighting a nasty sickness. Please do not try to get sick in order to lose weight! It surely wasn't K.C.'s choice - he spent some time in Urgent Care and had to wear a mask.

Overall it was a tough week; the MWC participants collectively gained .8 pounds. Now isn't the time to let up because the holiday season will soon be in full swing. I don't know about you, but my goal through the end of December is to lose at least a pound. It'll be like losing 20 pounds during any other two month period. My plan is to eat what I want but in very small portions. I will also keep up my exercise routine, which should help burn the extra calories. I remember that a group leader at a Weight Watchers meeting said the average person gains 10 pounds during the holidays - eek! Be careful folks, and think about wearing that swimsuit in March...

Importance of goals: comment by Roy

2007-10-19T08:21:00.000-07:00

I thought this comment from Roy deserved a post. Thanks, Roy!


Roy said...: Good job everyone! We are losing more weight than the teams on that Biggest Loser show, and their entire life revolves around losing weight! One of the most important parts to this whole thing, in my opinion, is setting goals. Every week Jillian and I set a goal. This past week I didn't meet my goal, but still lost and Jill didn't meet her's the week prior, but didn't gain either. Other than that we've met our goals. Having goals creates self discipline, so when we feel like not working out or just having one more helping, with our goals in mind it's easier to do the right thing. Small goals work great. If someone lost 2 lbs a week between now and March, that would be a significant weight and I think everyone would be happy. 2 lbs isn't a lot, maybe just a change in eating habits our taking the stairs instead of the elevator. I know we can continue do great, biggest everyone's biggest goal here should be a healthier longer life. We as a whole have a pretty damn amazing family and I for one want to be around for as long as possible to enjoy it! Oh yeah, James crystal meth is not a safe weight loss method! Hope everyone is having a good week!

October 17, 2007 7:39 AM

Notification system

2007-10-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

FYI MWC Participants: In case you forget to check the MWC blog, James created a mailing list that will notify you when someone posts to the blog. We'll see if the mailing list actually works; this will be our first test. Thanks for the idea, Jimmy!

Way to make a comeback!

2007-10-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

I'm so proud of the Teeter clan this week. We rebounded from a gain of 3.8 lbs last week to a loss of 13.8 lbs this week! Nobody gained, so it was a good week for all. Jillian was the biggest loser this week with a loss of 4.2 lbs! Jill had been sick last week and it's great that she was able to recover so well. I started getting the sniffles yesterday - I'm not looking forward to working out this week...

How do you cope while suffering from the cold or flu? I get ultra lazy with my physical fitness and eating habits. It's amazing how much I can eat even though I can't taste anything.

This week hurt

2007-10-07T09:49:00.000-07:00

This was a tough week for most of us, but Roy stepped up and was the biggest loser with a loss of 2.4 lbs! Great work, Roy Boy! Collectively we gained 3.8 lbs this week, which is our worst week so far. With the arrival of the cold weather it is indeed more difficult to keep disciplined.

Here's a suggestion: Try journaling what you eat and your workouts. That way you can reflect on what you ate and perhaps figure out what is hampering your weight loss. I know what my problem is...eating out! I hate having to write down that I ate a Royal Red Robin burger and a margarita. Eating out is the bane of my dieting existence. But I at least know what I need to fix.

FYI: I emailed everyone their 5-week snapshots. We've all lost weight, which is outstanding! There are many more weeks to go so there are plenty of more pounds to lose. To help build my motivation, I just have to think about wearing a bathing suit. What's your motivation?

"7 Ways to Build the Exercise Habit"

2007-10-05T17:41:00.000-07:00

I know it's a bit late in the week to address the weekly focus, but I found a website that is beneficial towards starting a fitness routine. Take a look! This link will be added to the 'useful links' section.

Good luck when weighing in tomorrow!

This week's winner: Fitness is key

2007-09-30T19:43:00.000-07:00

K.C. stepped up this week and was the biggest loser with a loss of 4 pounds! I talked to K.C. today and he said he was able to start working out this week and that made a difference. Steph works at Thorbeck's Gym now so K.C. took the opportunity to start a membership. I agree that fitness makes a big difference. Not only does working out help you shed pounds faster, it also increases your cardiovascular health, which is great for the heart. There are countless benefits!

Our focus this week is to jump start your fitness routine. Whether it be walking 20 minutes a day or attending kickboxing class three times a week, try to incorporate some sort of fitness regime in to your life.

Here's a quick fitness tip: James and I ran a 12K run today in San Francisco. We (more like I) kept the pace slow but steady. We enjoyed our time together, the vibrancy of the crowds, the beautiful sights/weather, the runner's high, and the race freebies. I really hate running but I like having a fitness goal to work towards. I recommend you check out local 5/7/10/12Ks in your area. You won't regret it!

Aly's Crock Pot Recipe: Turkey Chili

2007-09-24T09:21:00.000-07:00

Here's my healthy crock pot recipe for the week. It's a Turkey Chili recipe and it has to be the tastiest chili I've ever had (recipe courtesy of my former co-worker, Ryan).

"The Best Chili EVER"

2 lbs ground turkey
1 large can crushed tomatoes (no salt/sugar added)
2 large cans diced tomatoes
1 small can diced "chili style" tomatoes
1 package frozen corn or 2 cans "niblet" Green Giant corn
4 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 small can diced green chiles
1 pkgs "Hot" McCormick Chili Seasoning
2 pkg "Regular" McCormick Chili Seasoning
1 tsp cumin
1 small bunch, fresh basil, rough chopped
1 small white onion, minced
1 clove fresh garlic (not dried or jarred!!) minced
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers (jarred works better) diced
Mrs. Dash Hot Spice

Directions:
Brown ground turkey; drain once when about 85% cooked through, replace in pan and season the turkey well with Mrs. Dash and ½ tsp of cumin. When cooked through, place on platter lined with paper towel. Let stand for a minute or two. Place all ingredients in large bowl, mix well to combine. Place in crock pot to heat through at low temp for at least least three hours, no more than eight.

Yields 20 servings
1 cup = 3 points (approx. 150 cal)

The chili tastes great with a small slice of toasted sourdough bread. You can also amp up the spiceness with more jalapeno peppers or green chilis. Enjoy!

This week was tough for all, but the winners are...

2007-09-23T09:29:00.000-07:00

the dynamic duo of Jill and Roy - they both lost 2.2 pounds! Great job, Calica fam. Overall this week was a hard one for most of us. Collectively we only lost 3.2 pounds; ouch.

I think my eating went off the deep end this week even though I kept up my exercise regime because of the arrival of Fall. I ask you - what are your personal weight loss goals? With the arrival of the cold weather it's important to keep those goals in mind when you make eating decisions. It'll be especially important the closer we get to the holidays.

Does anybody have healthy but tasty crockpot recipes? If so, please post them to the blog.

Better luck to all of us in the next week!

Recipe of the Week - Sloppy Joe Loaf

2007-09-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

I have a good recipe to share it's easy, quick and very filling. It is a weight watcher recipe. KC and Dad really like it so it must be good!

1 loaf Italian or French Bread
1 to 1 1/2 lbs. hamburger (lean)
1/2 c. onion chopped
1 can diced tomatoes (any kind)
2 T. brown sugar or splenda b. sugar
2 T. white vinegar
6 oz. (1 1/2 cups) reduced fat Mexican blend cheese

Brown hamburger, onion. Add 1 can tomato bits, the brown sugar and vinegar. Let simmer...meanwhile, slice bread in two halves. Put in preheated 425 degree oven. Toast until light brown (5 min). Remove from oven, fill both halves with hamburger mixture. Add cheese over top. Return to oven and let bake until cheese is melted.

Serve with green salad and there is your whole meal.

Serves: 6
WW Pts: 9

Enjoy!

And the biggest loser this week is....(drumroll)

2007-09-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

JAMES, with a weight loss of four pounds! Great job James! Don't ask him for any weight loss advice because he's got secret metabolic powers the rest of us lack. This week we all lost 15.2 pounds; let's try to amp things up next week!

I also want to take this opportunity to explain the ranking system. Instead of posting an overall ranking, I thought it would be more exciting to list the weekly weight-loss ranking. If you follow the rankings closely week-to-week you may have a good idea of who is in the lead. But the possibility exists that the overall winner will never actually achieve the top ranking for any week. Interesting, eh?

Keep up the good work everyone! We still haven't had any weight gainers, which is really remarkable. If you get in to a healthy routine, you should be able to lose bit by bit each week. Just imagine, one pound lost a week equals 27 pounds!

Weekly focus: Water Intake

2007-09-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

Whenever I've hopped back on the diet bandwagon, water has always been a crucial factor in successfully losing weight. This week, make it your goal to drink six 8-ounce glasses of water each day.

Below is an article that explains why drinking water is good for your health, and tips on how to increase your water intake. One way I've been able to keep up my water intake is to not stock my fridge with soda or juice. I spike my water with Crystal Light To Go during meals and keep a large supply of cold water in the fridge. I also bring water with me in the car wherever I go.

Good luck this week, and if you have any troubles with weekly focus or have questions, feel free to post to the blog!

Why Drink Water?
Weightwatchers.com

Why is water crucial to your health? The average adult body consists of about 50 to 80 percent water and relies on it for many vital functions, from body temperature regulation to nutrient dispersion and toxin removal. As you breath, perspire and urinate, you deplete your water resources. If you don't replace what you use, imbalances can occur that affect your bodily and brain functions.

Effects of Dehydration
If you're not properly hydrated, you're apt to suffer from dehydration, which can cause symptoms such as headache and fatigue. Drinking enough water—six 8-ounce glasses each day at a minimum—may also help you avoid overeating. If you're hit by a craving, try drinking some water, seltzer or juice and seltzer mixed. This will hydrate you and help fill you up.

Need another reason to drink your H2O? Being even slightly dehydrated can also make you feel irritable and cranky—a mood that leads many of us to eat unwisely. "People tend to seek out comfort foods when they're not feeling their best," says Therese Franzese, MS, RD, director of nutrition for the Sports Center at Chelsea Piers in New York.

Drink up.
According to a Rockefeller University survey of 2,818 Americans, only 34 percent drank the recommended amount of water daily. To make sure you're getting enough water:

Track your water intake.
Record every glass of water or other beverage you drink.

Bring it with you.
Buy a large, refillable bottle and take it with you wherever you go. If you fill it with two thirds ice and one third water, it should stay cool for most of the day.

Drink up while drinking.
Alcohol is a diuretic that can deplete your hydration level. Drinking water or seltzer between alcoholic beverages can help you stay hydrated—and save calories, too, by filling you up.

Spike your drink.
Don't like the taste of plain water? Try a home water-filtration system to improve the quality of your tap water. Or try cutting it with a bit of fruit juice or lemon. Another option is to try mineral water, which has an added bonus: Many brands contain calcium, a mineral that can help prevent bone-weakening osteoporosis.

First week down, many more to go!

2007-09-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

Congrats to everyone for accomplishing your first week of the MWC. Our biggest loser is Sheila - she lost 4.2 lbs! Congratulations!

Nobody gained weight, which is also great. Our total pounds lost for the week was 19.2. Next week let's try to surpass 20.

Tomorrow I'm going to post our first weekly focus item, so stay tuned!

How to pack a healthy lunch

2007-09-04T18:49:00.000-07:00

I got a call from Jillian today asking for some advice. She was shopping at Costco and was wondering whether the croissants were somewhat healthful. I had a hunch that it wasn't the best choice and I found a website with the nutrition information. Yikes, that's eight Weight Watchers points! Jillian was looking for some healthy lunch items and was out of ideas. I suggested she try shopping at Trader Joe's because I buy my bread there - it's less than 100 calories for two slices and it's filling. It turns out that there aren't many locations in the South Sound; the closest TJ's is in University Place. I think it would be totally worth the trip though because the food is healthy, tasty and super cheap!

My lunches are almost entirely composed of TJ food. Here's my typical lunch menu:

2 slices TJ Multigrain bread (2 pts) w/mustard (0 pt)
6 slices of Oscar Meyer lowfat Turkey meat (1 pt)
1 pack of TJ 100 Cal Crackers (2 pts)
1 Kids Chocolate Chip Clif Bar (2 pts)
1 cup of grapes (1 pt)
Total points = 8 (approx 400 cal)

My lunch is filling and cheap, and I think it's the type of lunch a kid could eat (since I'm semi-picky). Veggies can easily be substituted for the chips, which would bring down the cal/points count. I think the 100 cal packs are great because it enforces portion control. Oh yeah, and don't drink juice or soda. Try a Crystal Light To Go pack if you need to add some taste to water.

I know lunches are a hot topic - mom had asked for advice on packing lunches for Dad. Does anybody else want to offer up suggestions?

Don't forget, our journey begins tomorrow

2007-08-31T19:36:00.001-07:00

MWC Participants: Please remember to weigh in tomorrow. I'll be sending out a reminder text just in case you forget. Once you have your weight, text it to me and I'll get our weight tracker started. The weight tracker is strictly confidential, so no worries!

Entries submitted = $200 grand prize

2007-08-27T07:18:00.000-07:00

The Teeter clan spent their last weekend before the beginning of the MWC gobbling down delicious desserts, grilled meats and casseroles at the Christensen Family Reunion (at least I did). I justify that sort of gluttony because it's not very often you have the opportunity to taste such delicious cooking! Grandma Teeter's pineapple coconut cake was to die for. But it's time to get focused because the weightloss challenge will soon begin.

Everyone submitted their entry fees this weekend and the grand total of entries is $200! Next Saturday will be the first weigh-in day. Please email me the weights by the end of the weekend (or write them down and email them as soon as you can - I know most of you aren't on the web as often as James or I). I will be the only person viewing your weight and it will be strictly confidential! I will only post the weight loss winner for the week and the ongoing standings. Please see the contest rules for more information.

Good luck everyone, and be sure to check in with the blog on a regular basis!

the looming doping scandal

2007-08-20T17:04:00.000-07:00

I saw this on SNL a few years ago:

Jimmy Tango's Fat Busters

I lost 155 pounds in less than three weeks! How did I lose all that gross fat? By combining the miracle of technology with ordinary street junkies! Producing this: Jimmy Tango's Fat Busters! It's this simple: wear my patented vibrating heat-bead suit, then jam an unbelievable amount of pure, raw crystal meth into your system! You might ask, "Isn't crystal meth illegal?" You bet! But my scientist, Dr. Cody, spends his days in a tin shed deep inside a small canyon outside San Bernadino, constantly altering the scientific formula of a bathtub crank that keeps us one step ahead the law, and keeps you one step ahead of the fat farm! Fatties, here's my promise: wear my vibrating heat beads, while blasting down handfuls of crrystal meth, and you'll drop weight so fast you'll lose your mind!

I know we're all fiercely competitive losers, but let's not forget that in this competition there are rules. Rules that are not meant to be broken. Let's not soil this competition with ugly rumors about using unapproved FDA dietary supplements.

We want lean, fit bodies -- but not covered in open sores, walking slack-jawed into the sun with loose or missing teeth.

So I beg you, hear me: Avoid the siren call of crack-cocaine use, avoid that cheap meth you can find so easily in Washington. It's not fair to the other competitors who just use a cocktail of black market ephedrine.

Sk*rt.com: Digg for women

2007-08-20T13:05:00.000-07:00

Ladies: If you are perusing the Internet and don't have anything specific to read, go to Sk*rt. Included on the site is a "Mind, Body & Spirit" section that has some helpful weightloss and fitness advice. Check it out!

Old fitness guru still going strong

2007-08-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

I read this article in the newspaper today. In it Jack LaLanne gives some great fitness/weightloss advice. If this 94-year-old can do it, why can't the Teeters?

Working out with fitness legend Jack LaLanne
By Mike Cassidy
San Jose Mercury News
8/17/2007

Work out with Jack LaLanne?

Sure. How hard could it be? What is he, about 180 years old?

So there I was outside San Jose's Fairmont Hotel at the crack of dawn Thursday, approaching a short man in a chair who was watching the crowd gather for a community exercise class led by the legendary fitness guru himself.

Yes, the Jack LaLanne. The godfather of fitness. The man whose "The Jack LaLanne Show" brought regular workouts to living rooms nationwide from 1951 to 1984. The man we have to blame for all this healthy living.

I stroll over and start to introduce myself.

"Shut up," he barks. "No autographs. Well, except yours. Say, you look pretty good. Can I have your number?"

For a minute I'm trying to remember whether I've come to see Jack LaLanne or Robin Williams. But I learn a lot from LaLanne - quick.

First, he's 92, not 180. And this guy could bench-press me. With one hand. Turns out I'm the proverbial 98-pound weakling, facing down the 92-year-old he-man.

Jack LaLanne is a force of nature, a physical dynamo, a comic, a cut-up, a guy who has so many bromides that it seems he's rattling them off rapid-fire to make sure he doesn't run out of time before he gets to them all.

The reason Americans are obese? "They're exceeding the eat limit." Why avoid sweets? "Ten minutes on the lips; a lifetime on the hips."

LaLanne is in town to promote the U.S. gymnastics national championship at HP Pavilion this weekend. He's also here to promote fitness. And, well, himself.

"I'm a salesman," says LaLanne, decked out in a blue track suit. "I get them laughing. I get them crying."

I tell LaLanne I've come to work out with him and interview him. Silly me. You don't interview Jack LaLanne. You stand back and listen.

You've got to exercise, he says. Vigorously.

"You can't just be sitting on your big, fat butt and watching TV," he says.

My big, fat butt? And suddenly I wonder whether he notices the doughnut crumbs stuck to my sweat shirt. I ask him what it is with exercise people. Why do they have to exercise so freaking early in the morning?

You're too tired at the end of the day, LaLanne says. Besides, it's good for you. "To leave a hot bed, to leave a hot woman and go into a cold gym," he says, "man, that takes discipline."

There's got to be an easier way, right? Some magic fitness pill?

"You know what the magic pill is, baby? Having goals."

His goal, even since before he opened his first health club in Oakland in the 1930s, was to help people. Sure, along the way he built a lucrative empire of gyms, juicers and videos. But that wasn't the goal. That all happened because of the goal.

"Let me see you get on the floor and do push-ups until you die," LaLanne erupts.

"Where's the fun in that?" I ask. I figure it must be the doughnut crumbs. But no, he's making a point. Exercise won't kill you. Your body knows when to stop. So do what you can.

Eventually, LaLanne takes the stage to fire up the crowd of about 80 early-morning fitness freaks in the Circle of Palms downtown. One thing I notice: LaLanne's buff assistants actually do the working out. LaLanne does a lot of encouraging - "Let me see you squat. Drop your butt down. Way down." - but he doesn't do any exercising. Could that be his secret?

No such luck. He tells me he put in 45 minutes in his hotel room before the 6:30 a.m. event. In fact, LaLanne, who now lives in Morro Bay, says he works out seven days a week. He never drinks coffee or eats anything "that comes from a cow or a pig."

So I ask whether it might be better to live 50 years of a wild life than 100 years of a disciplined one.

Not a chance, LaLanne says. Life is what it's all about. And he's more than willing to do the work to make his an incredibly long one.

"Man ought to live to be 120," he says.

Well, I don't know about me. But I do know one guy who's got a chance.

Thanks mom!

2007-08-15T15:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks for contributing your first blog post, mom! I believe that the more we participate and stay engaged with how we're all doing in the competition, the better off we'll be in the end.

In regards to your question about Dad's lunches, I left you a comment with some suggestions. I think the secret to having Dad eat healthier lunches is to provide him with filling, yet healthy, food. I heard at Weight Watchers that the heavier the food (in terms of weight), the more full you'll feel. I think apples and grapes are good lunch foods. I'd also try to find a bread that is hearty and low in calories.

Let us know how eDiets goes for you. I'm really curious to see how it works!

Am I the first blogger??

2007-08-14T20:13:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone! I wanted to share that I went shopping last night and tried to make good food choices. It was easy for me, but harder to figure out what to get Keith for his lunches. Any ideas on that please share. I tried the new Lean Cuisine Panini sandwich. It was very tasty and was 6 pts. on weight watchers according to the package.

Starting to get geared up for this. Good luck to everyone!

Useful website and added links

2007-08-13T08:10:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited about this competition that I can't stop thinking of new ways to update this blog and make it useful for our weight loss challenge. I added all of the Teeter Gmail-users as blog authors, so they can also make changes to the site and add information.

James posted this website on his Gtalk status yesterday. You'll find that the even though the site is aimed at 'geeks' the information is simple and useful for anyone. Check it out!

I also put up some more links on the sidebar. I'd like to make this blog a one-stop-shop for us Teeters to keep up on our weight loss progress. Feel free to add your own health links or shoot me an email with the link you'd like to add.

~Aly

A new mission for the Teeters

2007-08-12T21:23:00.000-07:00

The Maui Weightloss Competition was created today. From now until March, this blog will be devoted to the competition amongst the Teeters to shape up of for their family vacation to Maui.
Here are the rules that have been devised thus far:

Competition begins September 1 and ends March 8.
Competition habits should be adapted into your lifestyle after the competition ends.
Winner will be selected based upon greatest body percentage loss.
Winner will receive a Hilo Hattie giftcard purchased from the entry fee proceeds.
Each participant will pay a $20 entry fee. Fees will be collected during the Family Reunion weekend (Aug 25).
Weigh-ins will occur every Saturday morning on the same weight scale.
Weight Watchers meetings are allowed and encouraged as a weigh-in option.
Participants will submit results to Aly every week. Weekly tallies will be posted on the blog (pounds lost or gained). A running tally will also be updated.
Tips, comments, and questions can be posted by all participants on the blog. You must have a Gmail account to post/comment on posts.
Encourage your fellow competitors - it's all about improving our health and well-being!

Additional information will be forthcoming. Stay tuned and get ready to shape up!

What happened to my blog?

2007-05-30T08:34:00.000-07:00

I started my blog on blogger.com a year or so ago, and it disappeared. I only posted once, but honestly, I guess it wasn't enough blogging to suit blogger.com! Oh well, it isn't too difficult with this nifty interface to start again from scratch.

Eventually, this blog will be used to post Teeter News, which is currently maintained at teetering.org. I've started incorporating Picasa Web with my posts - that is the first step of many that will be required to migrate the site over to blogger.com. James and I are fairly lazy and have short attention spans, so it may take us a year or two to make the transition.