Effects of Guam's Biggest Loser on poor husbands!

Ok...on the first day of their 1,500 calorie diet...here's what me wif fed me:

pork chops, pork belly, and short ribs, with a huge portion of white rice with soy sauce and finedene! I looked at Jen and said " r u try'n to kill me?!!!!" I mean - it's so tacky to serve two types of pork...should've at least substituted one of the pork items for lamb or something?!!!!

I think it's great that Jen & Dre are doing this! Jen tried to get me to partner with her....but...unlike her...several thousand folks on this island know me!!!!! I can't make a fool of myself on public tv for the entire island to view!

I'm not sure I like one of these trainers....I think he's too "friendly" with my female folk! lol! Actually...this trainer Eli...he knows me.

One of the teams....one of the female partners....she's a local senator....just re-elected too!

It's really tough to lose weight on this island! We attend all kinds of events....baptisms, christenings, weddings, novenas, funerals, gala events, birthdays, office events, food...food...food everywhere!...and none of it healthy! We tons of fat/protein...and our vegetables are cooked in either butter if we're modern....or coconut milk if traditional! We eat tons of white rice....every meal including breakfast! I believe our national steak is spam. We even have a version of spam that has the Tabasco already added to it!

Dre tells us daily of us locals dying at the hospital because of complications from our lifestyles...we have a huge problem with diabetes! They know they're diabetic...but still eat like farmers and lay around like couch potatoes!

I downloaded several recipes of a leafy vegetable that's delicious sauteed with garlic....kangkong...but has Jen made it for us....nooooooooo! :-(

weight update

With only four weeks left in the Guam Biggest Loser contest I guess it is time for an update. I wanted to share with everyone why I felt it was time to get rid of some of my excess pounds and get healthy. Andrea and I had been informed of our selection for the local contest on September 20. I was so excited because I had been feeling extra fat and sluggish. On September 25 I went to work like every other day. I spent time in the office doing paperwork and then went on the sales floor to see what needed to be done that day. As I moved into the basement stockroom I suddenly had this strange feeling in my gut and thought that I needed the bathroom. I went into the bathroom to "take care of business" and was overcome with a tightness and pain I had never felt before. I was sweating as if I were in a sauna but at the same time felt cold. I heard someone come into the room and called out to her that I needed some help. I wanted her to get Katrina whom was working on the sales floor. The woman did not understand what I wanted and just kept cleaning the bathroom. I didn't want to die there on the toilet so I got up and went outside of the bathroom. I felt awful!!! I didn't want to make a scene so went back into the bathroom. Now everything was getting dark and I was so dizzy I could hardly stand. No more denying that I was in trouble and had to get help. As I left the bathroom the second time I was happy to see Katrina walking down the hall. I called out to her that I needed help. Something was wrong and asked her to call 911. Suddenly I was surrounded by the guys from our loss prevention dept. One of them is a EMT and he had me sit and helped keep me calm. At that moment I was sure that if I stopped fighting for my life and passed out I would die. I remember the paramedics trying to find a blood preasure without success. Then one said I can't find a pulse. I told him that I must have a pulse because I am alive. I could no longer feel my arms and hands as they were numb and the pain in my chest was bad. I was rushed to the hospital and spent the next three days there. I didn't have a heart attack, but was told I was very lucky to be alive. My Dr. said this was a warning and most people don't get that chance. I now always take my high blood preasure med. The dr. said I could and should excercise and that is what I have done. So far I have lost 27lb and Andrea has lost 18. I feel like an athlete rather then a couch potato. It is wonderful. I encourage everyone to get up and get moving. We always think we have another day to start. Today may be our last chance!!!

Ryan's Soccer Game

Ryan is one of our family athletes and plays several sports. He is on a men's soccer team and had his picture in the local paper this past week. Even though his team lost I would like to share the pictures with you.

Day in the life of Sarahissa

We had a quiet halloween. All of our children are grown up and busy doing their owm thing. The only one that dressed up this year is Sarahissa. She is a hostess at Outback steak house and was required to dress as a super hero . She found this costume as Bat Girl. After work she went to her best friends house. The three girls in this matching shirts are Summer, Sarah, and Omi. These girls are always together. Great Friends.

Guam's biggest loser week 2

I am still very stupid when it comes to being able to post pictures on the blog from the internet. I need a tutor. After one week with our trainers Andrea and I had a weight in. Let me tell you that our trainers are both pro fighters and show us no mercy. I didn't know my heart could beat so fast or that my lungs could beg so hard for air!!! My favorite part of the workout is when it is over and the endorphens kick in. At least we know it is working. Andrea lost 5 and 1/2 pounds and I lost 10. We are off to a good start and see cute outfits in our future. The program is only 15 min. long and can be viewed at kuam.com

...here's a link:

http://www.kuam.com/promotions/biggestloser/2008/bios/

Guam's biggest loser

The latest adventure is that Andrea and I were selected for this seasons edition of " Guam' Biggest Loser 2". We both had our first weight in on Monday. I knew I had gained weight, but oh my heck!!!! We are determined to be the winning team. On our local show no one is voted off. We work out with our trainers and the couple who lose the most weight at the end of the show is the winner. The program is broadcast every Wednesday at 6:30pm.

learning

I don't know much about this blog stuff . I posted pictures of Amber Grace and Erin Kimberlee. but I didn't know how to put labels under the pictures. As you can see we have two perfect little Grand daughters. Alexis is a great big sister.

pitures of the family

I LOVE MY KID'S

I am sure everyone can remember what is was like when all of our kid's were small. Little ones arguing over who got the biggest scoop of ice cream or who's turn it was to do the dishes. It is a wonder that with our seven kid's anyone survived. But as we watch them grow into adults and move into their own homes something wonderful has happened. Inspite of all logic my children really love each other. I love that everyone comes to the house after church for linner (lunch dinner combo). Cynthia will brings dessert, Mel will make a salad and Andrea will come and help out with whatever we need. Katrina and Sarahissa will do the dishes and Alexis will polish the Silver. The boys take out the trash or help bbq. Ryan makes sure we always have the water cooler full. The best part is that we sit and eat and laugh and talk. I know that no matter what happenes our family watches out for each other.

The NEW GRAND!

ERIN KIMBERLEE CLEMENA was born 2:39am
Wednesday June 25, weighing in at 6lbs 8oz, 17.5" long to the proud parents of Melissa Toves & Eric Clemena

at Guam Memorial Hospital, Oka, Guam. (I don't know why they use the area name of Oka...as it's not one of the official/proper villages?!!!)

Melissa had a hard time with this her first pregnancy. She gained a ton of weight, rashes, pimples, high blood pressure, and was placed on bed rest a week before the birth. She was induced and after 30 hours of labor...the doc recommended C-section.

Erin Kimberlee joins Jenny Alexis as the 2cd grand of the Toves-VanderHoeven clan. Here's GRANDMA JENNY holding Erin>

Jenny Andrea is due in August...we're expecting the 3rd grand-daughter! (there seem's to be a dearth of grand-sons!)

Baby Erin & Melissa got to go home just this last Friday. We didn't visit so they could settle in peace.

We think she's going to have "ching - ching" eyes...same as her mom & dad!

Proud Auntie

Katrina! >

Wrapping Lumpia 2007

Jeff & Valerie & baby supervising the wrapping of lumpia!

L: Karen with the nephews & neices wrapping Lumpia

Here's Valerie, Pam, and Judy wrapping Lumpia for our dinner. Was this only last year?!!!

Food - always comforting and excuse for all to sit around and visit!

Are the huge jar of Shrimp Chips still gathering dust in Dad's pantry? I'm always amazed at how the VanderHoeven clan doesn't do shrimp! Yum!

SPRING 2007

Anyone remember this???? Spring...Dad's tree in the back yard! The first time I've ever seen Seattle other than in the winter!

Sarahissa's new Skimboard! March 2008

Sarahissa's new skimboard! This is Tumon Bay, the heart of our Tourism district.

Sarah's gotten quite dark using her board! She's into cheerleading, Polynesian Dance, the newest music, and boyfriends!

Sarah's got to attend summer school....or no graduation next year! Summer school is gonna cost...so her sister Cyn is hooking up for a hostess job at Outback Steakhouse. Cyn is a supervisor/server there. Has been since she moved out a couple of years ago.

This was taken after Easter Brunch...I went home and slept, the clan took a dip.

The kids! Dec 2003

Foreground: L-R Ryan & Doug
Middle: Cynthia, Katrina, Sarahissa
Back: Melissa & Andrea


Wow, to think...this was only 4.5 years ago! They grow up fast!

Andrea's UOG Graduation Pics Jun 2007

This is Doug and my brothe Ebb with the look of "when r we eating?!!!"

Andrea's Graduation Jun 2007 Pics

Andrea-Alexis-Jenny...this ugly red dress has been ordered destroyed upon pain of shame!

Andrea's UOG Graduation Pics Jun 2007

Here's Cynthia-Andrea-Melissa-Katrina-Sarahiss posing next to Dre's cake at her graduation dinner

ANDREA'S PINNING CEREMONY 5-19-7

Here's Andrea with her daughter Jenny Alexis posing after her pinning ceremony that makes her a nurse!

After completing her degree, Andrea took a few months off. She was really nervous about taking the Enclex exam that is the legal benchmark for being a registered nurse in the US. She really stressed out over it....but....passed it on her first try! (the Nurse's program at our university is excellent....95% of the graduates pass the Enclex exam on the first try)

Everytime I bumped into the 2nd Lady of Guam, her first question would be when would Andrea turn in her papers for our only civilain hospital on the island. The 2nd Lady of Guam is the Head Nurse at GMH. When I was leaving her wedding reception a few months ago...I went through the receiving line to say goodbye as I was ditching...same thing...not "hi Frank" or anything...but when was Andrea gonna start at the hospital!

Living on a small island with a relatively small population...has its advantages. Due to our involvement in local civic events....we have the advantage of being able to actually speak with our local leaders at most events.

Andrea has been working at GHM for the past few months....and is loving it! There are major problems at the hospital...the island is basically broke...and the hospital is constantly short of nurses, doctor specialists, and supplies. There's a private movement to establish a hospital under private control, but of course open to all.

Andrea is basically resigned to the fact that in about a year, she will move to the Seattle area to explore the economic benefits of being a nurse there. The pay here is terrible....$17.70 an hour for a registered nurse! Andrea's husband has a brother there somewhere....so they'll have family on both sides!

I have to congratulate Andrea in reaching her educational and career goal while also providing for her daughter by working full-time while going to school full-time! It was tough, but now she's set for life! :-)

We'll upload pics of her, her daughter Alexis and her husband Andy next week Sunday...as it seems they've planned a family BBQ here at the house to celebrate not only Fathers Day...but Alexis' 10th Birthday!

esta,

si Kiko

Catching Every1 Up

So, here's the first VanderHoeven-Toves Blog! That's Ryan about a year ago showing off is spear fishing catch!


Jenny Diana - also working hard, still at K-Mart
Jenny Andrea - Guam's newest Registered Nurse, working at Guam Memorial Hospital, expecting August 28, Jenny Alexis is turning 10 tomorrow!
Melissa Adrianna - Operations Manager Bank of Guam, expecting July 17
Franklin Douglas - working at TGIF
Ryan David - graduates from UOG next June with degree in Marketing
Cynthia Rita - supervisor at Outback Steakhouse, completed 1st year of college, hates it!
Katrina Lynn - works at K-Mart, completed her 1st semester of college, luvs it!
Sarahissa Mikaila - enjoying her last summer of high school!