WISH Away the Pounds -- Fantastic February Challenge -- Everyone Welcome!

[The Mystery Machine]

QOTD for Wed., February 6, 2013

Today's question is inspired by "Made To Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst.

We've talked before about the good feeling of being "in control" when we are eating the way we know we should and getting enough exercise. But have you ever thought about WHY the in control feeling is so good? I think because it brings us PEACE! And to quote from the referenced book......

"Nothing tastes as good as PEACE feels."

Think about this today. Is your struggle with your weight not allowing you to have peace in your life? Could you find a way to get peace in your life REGARDLESS of your weight? Think about it. Remember...the number on the scale does NOT measure your worth as a person.

I see what you are saying, I think?

My "peace" with eating is about health issues and has nothing to do with weight. I was eating so much sat fat and unhealthy foods I felt awful everyday. That is no fun.

So now that I eat better I am better able to handle the stressors in my life.

 

[PlutoBaby]

QOTD for Wed., February 6, 2013

Today's question is inspired by "Made To Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst.

We've talked before about the good feeling of being "in control" when we are eating the way we know we should and getting enough exercise. But have you ever thought about WHY the in control feeling is so good? I think because it brings us PEACE! And to quote from the referenced book......

"Nothing tastes as good as PEACE feels."

Think about this today. Is your struggle with your weight not allowing you to have peace in your life? Could you find a way to get peace in your life REGARDLESS of your weight? Think about it. Remember...the number on the scale does NOT measure your worth as a person.

This is a great couple of things to think about! 1. Is the weight struggle preventing a peaceful life? I'd have to say somewhat. It's always something in the back of my mind (and in the front when choosing what to eat), but I don't think it's gotten so big of an issue that I let it control everything I do. If I want to have some Thin Mints then I'm going to have some. It's not like I sit there and eat the whole box, easily though I could . But I know if I don't let myself have any "fun foods", I'd be miserable. It's become much easier over the past 13 months to eat what I like in moderation, and every so often splurge on eating whatever I want. I think the beauty of adapting a more healthy eating style is once you've been on that track for a while, when you go to eat crap, the sick to the stomach feeling inevitably follows, and makes the temporary "crap time" less enjoyable, and something you're more likely to remember when the opportunity again presents itself . So knowing what will follow a little side trip into junk food, I think helps keep the peace with the healthy decisions.

2. Since I'm so close to my goal weight and am trying like heck to get there for once in my life, finding that peace is a bit out of my reach for the moment. I want to hit that magic number so badly, simply because I've never hit a weight loss goal before. However, if I don't ever get there, I'll be disappointed with myself, but I can learn to live with what I have accomplished. For crying out loud, starting to run multiple half marathons and seriously thinking about running at least one full at 45 years old?? Who does that?? Oh that's right....ME!

And thank you Jenny for posting the link about Teresa! I was practically in tears as I read it. How many of us have done the same thing when looking at a picture of ourselves? I am definitely guilty of looking at myself and noticing first how awful I think I look instead of what the picture is trying to capture in that moment in time. I truly do believe as we get older, the term "putting things in perspective" becomes more and more relevant, which I think completely relates to the QOTD. So to all my DIS friends, keep things in perspective, have that Thin Mint if you want (just not too many ) and know that you are ALL beautiful!!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Looking for ideas on how to exercise with a broken foot.... proving more difficult than I anticpated. AND... even though I would like to lose another 25 pounds, I have managed to gain 6-8 pounds since the WDW Marathon weekend.

Sigh....

I posted a reply to you on the exercise thread.

Too many to count. My weight issue started with the college life and the freedom to eat what I wanted...hmm? Still have that problem! I did Jenny Craig after college and lost all my weight. Problems started again after married life and lack of time to keep fit w/ jobs and kids etc. It's been up and down for years now!

Not sure what's different this time. HOnestly probably nothing - I'm feeling pessimistic! I want to be thinner/healthier for sure but I feel so addicted to sugar and snacking! I get to feeling good and working out and then another cold/cough kicks in and no more treadmill for a few days then it's hard to get started again.

Sorry - just a pity party going on. I've felt like why bother lately. I was out of commission for 4 months and put on weight over the holidays and it's been so hard getting out of thise funk. I've thoght about going back to Jenny Craig. I liked it mostly, it's easy ad it works but I just HATE cooking a meal for my family and then having to microwave my seperate meal.

I did well w my eating today and limited my snacks - well not totally true. My husband brought home fudge someone gave him for his bday and I ate 2 pieces. PLus my dessert I made for DH bday (Nanaimo bars - if anyone's heard of them). I ate 2 tiny pieces but I wanted more and didn't have more so I'm calling that a win! My main meals were good though.

Terrible sinus pressure and headaches so no workout again

Hoping for a better day tomorrow.

I have been there. Just out of curiosity, are you drinking diet soda or using artificial sweeteners? I gave up all artificial sweeteners in 2010 and I really think that went a long way towards helping with the sugar cravings. Don't get me wrong, I still like my sweets, but not on the craving level that I did before.

I think it is perfectly ok to have a treat at a birthday. The goal of all this is to not cut out treats (in my opinion) but to learn how to fit them into our daily lives in a healthy way. I always think of it as a work in progress that I have to re-evaluate and tweak.

So sorry to hear about your back problems!! I recently read something in an article that newest studies say that it seems that back problems might actually be more of a psychological thing than a real physical one. I am not saying this to make your pain sound less true or anything like that. But new research seems to point in a direction that by removing stress and adding care most patients will improve a lot. I know that removing stress is not always an easy thing to do. But perhaps if you could take some time for yourself to make you feel better, it would also help with the back?

I read a book that talked about that last year. And while I think there is a lot of truth to it, I am pretty sure this is a problem made worse by running that isn't even starting in my back, but when it gets really bad, I feel it in my back. I just need the doctor to rule out arthritis or a bulging disc.

 

[Rose&Mike]

QOTD for Wed., February 6, 2013

Today's question is inspired by "Made To Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst.

We've talked before about the good feeling of being "in control" when we are eating the way we know we should and getting enough exercise. But have you ever thought about WHY the in control feeling is so good? I think because it brings us PEACE! And to quote from the referenced book......

"Nothing tastes as good as PEACE feels."

Think about this today. Is your struggle with your weight not allowing you to have peace in your life? Could you find a way to get peace in your life REGARDLESS of your weight? Think about it. Remember...the number on the scale does NOT measure your worth as a person.

Hmmmm. Good question. I think my issue is not what I weigh, but more a question of--am I doing the best I can with the circumstances that I have and living a life where I am not letting fear or anxiety effect my choices. If I can say that I am trying my best, working hard within my circumstances then I think I should be at peace with my weight. The trick is to learn to be able to say that to myself and not play the shoulda woulda coulda game. Good question, and definitely worth thinking about some more.

 

[DisFam95]

I have been there. Just out of curiosity, are you drinking diet soda or using artificial sweeteners? I gave up all artificial sweeteners in 2010 and I really think that went a long way towards helping with the sugar cravings. Don't get me wrong, I still like my sweets, but not on the craving level that I did before.

I think it is perfectly ok to have a treat at a birthday. The goal of all this is to not cut out treats (in my opinion) but to learn how to fit them into our daily lives in a healthy way. I always think of it as a work in progress that I have to re-evaluate and tweak.

Yes I do drink diet soda and I think I'm drinking more of it than I used to. I used to drink 1-2 a day and now I'm pretty sure it's more like 2-3 of the 16oz bottles of Coke Zero. I love that drink! I don;t drink coffee so that's my caffeine and I get tired of water. I've read lots about the diet drinks and artificial sweetners and th effects on sugar craving and I believe it's true but I've just had a hard time curbing the drinks

ok I'm actually out of coke zero and its on my grocery list today. UGH - I wont buy it today. I'm going to try and get more water. I can't do all the flavor additives because they're just the same artificial sweeters right? Maybe I'll make some 'spa water' - I love orange slices in it.

Tea! I'll get tea. I'm actually ok w/ non sweet tea, I prefer it. I have some orange spice tea. Ok I'm going to make a pitcher now - YOU INSPIRED ME!!!

 

[DisFam95]

forgot to ask - tell me about this plank? Is it just to do 1 a day? Is that enough? What are the goals to work up to?

Thanks!!

 

[nocomment711]

I'm booking tickets to Disneyland today. I want to be under 200 pounds or I'll cancel my trip. I consider it incentive.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Yes I do drink diet soda and I think I'm drinking more of it than I used to. I used to drink 1-2 a day and now I'm pretty sure it's more like 2-3 of the 16oz bottles of Coke Zero. I love that drink! I don;t drink coffee so that's my caffeine and I get tired of water. I've read lots about the diet drinks and artificial sweetners and th effects on sugar craving and I believe it's true but I've just had a hard time curbing the drinks

ok I'm actually out of coke zero and its on my grocery list today. UGH - I wont buy it today. I'm going to try and get more water. I can't do all the flavor additives because they're just the same artificial sweeters right? Maybe I'll make some 'spa water' - I love orange slices in it.

Tea! I'll get tea. I'm actually ok w/ non sweet tea, I prefer it. I have some orange spice tea. Ok I'm going to make a pitcher now - YOU INSPIRED ME!!!

Good for you! Honestly it felt like withdrawal for me at first, but I have not had a drop of diet soda since late Dec (close to New Year's) 2009 and I think it is one of the very best things I have done for my health. If we are out and I really, really want a soda I will drink a tiny bit of real coke or an unsweetened iced tea. The real coke is not good for me and I have to really watch the calories so I try to save it for "emergencies" .

****
I stretched and stretched and then ran 1.3. That's it for the day. Today is Mike's bday and we were going to take the TRX class, but that's out, so I have to come up with something else to do for him.

 

[pjlla]

Good Wed morning

I know that I posted something this morning but I don't know where it went to.

Pamela I know that feeling about lasts. When ds was a senior I thought all year about the last band show, the last band dinner, the last musical etc. Try to enjoy all the feelings.

I am starting to realize that EVERY DAY is a last of life as I have known it for many years! Next spring I won't be thinking just about February school vacation... I'll be thinking about March college break as well.

When her swim team fell apart this past fall, that was one of the things that make it doubly difficult.... we didn't really get to appreciate all of the "lasts" we had with that team.... we kept thinking those lasts would come this spring. She will still have "lasts" with this newer team, but it just isn't the same.

I worked on my plank this morning and my arms are tired. I did miss the last two days but I am back in it for the month.

Have a happy and healthy day.

Glad you are in with the planks!

I see what you are saying, I think?

My "peace" with eating is about health issues and has nothing to do with weight. I was eating so much sat fat and unhealthy foods I felt awful everyday. That is no fun.

So now that I eat better I am better able to handle the stressors in my life.

I think people definitely handle stress better when other things are in control!

This is a great couple of things to think about! 1. Is the weight struggle preventing a peaceful life? I'd have to say somewhat. It's always something in the back of my mind (and in the front when choosing what to eat), but I don't think it's gotten so big of an issue that I let it control everything I do. If I want to have some Thin Mints then I'm going to have some. It's not like I sit there and eat the whole box, easily though I could . But I know if I don't let myself have any "fun foods", I'd be miserable. It's become much easier over the past 13 months to eat what I like in moderation, and every so often splurge on eating whatever I want. I think the beauty of adapting a more healthy eating style is once you've been on that track for a while, when you go to eat crap, the sick to the stomach feeling inevitably follows, and makes the temporary "crap time" less enjoyable, and something you're more likely to remember when the opportunity again presents itself . So knowing what will follow a little side trip into junk food, I think helps keep the peace with the healthy decisions.

2. Since I'm so close to my goal weight and am trying like heck to get there for once in my life, finding that peace is a bit out of my reach for the moment. I want to hit that magic number so badly, simply because I've never hit a weight loss goal before. However, if I don't ever get there, I'll be disappointed with myself, but I can learn to live with what I have accomplished. For crying out loud, starting to run multiple half marathons and seriously thinking about running at least one full at 45 years old?? Who does that?? Oh that's right....ME!

And thank you Jenny for posting the link about Teresa! I was practically in tears as I read it. How many of us have done the same thing when looking at a picture of ourselves? I am definitely guilty of looking at myself and noticing first how awful I think I look instead of what the picture is trying to capture in that moment in time. I truly do believe as we get older, the term "putting things in perspective" becomes more and more relevant, which I think completely relates to the QOTD. So to all my DIS friends, keep things in perspective, have that Thin Mint if you want (just not too many ) and know that you are ALL beautiful!!

I can tell you really put your thinking cap on! That was the whole point of today's QOTD!

I have been there. Just out of curiosity, are you drinking diet soda or using artificial sweeteners? I gave up all artificial sweeteners in 2010 and I really think that went a long way towards helping with the sugar cravings. Don't get me wrong, I still like my sweets, but not on the craving level that I did before.

I think it is perfectly ok to have a treat at a birthday. The goal of all this is to not cut out treats (in my opinion) but to learn how to fit them into our daily lives in a healthy way. I always think of it as a work in progress that I have to re-evaluate and tweak.

I read a book that talked about that last year. And while I think there is a lot of truth to it, I am pretty sure this is a problem made worse by running that isn't even starting in my back, but when it gets really bad, I feel it in my back. I just need the doctor to rule out arthritis or a bulging disc.

Prayers that whatever is bothering your back can be easily treated and resolved.

AMEN to the statement about learning to live with treats in our lives!!

Hmmmm. Good question. I think my issue is not what I weigh, but more a question of--am I doing the best I can with the circumstances that I have and living a life where I am not letting fear or anxiety effect my choices. If I can say that I am trying my best, working hard within my circumstances then I think I should be at peace with my weight. The trick is to learn to be able to say that to myself and not play the shoulda woulda coulda game. Good question, and definitely worth thinking about some more.

Glad you are giving it extra thought.

Yes I do drink diet soda and I think I'm drinking more of it than I used to. I used to drink 1-2 a day and now I'm pretty sure it's more like 2-3 of the 16oz bottles of Coke Zero. I love that drink! I don;t drink coffee so that's my caffeine and I get tired of water. I've read lots about the diet drinks and artificial sweetners and th effects on sugar craving and I believe it's true but I've just had a hard time curbing the drinks

ok I'm actually out of coke zero and its on my grocery list today. UGH - I wont buy it today. I'm going to try and get more water. I can't do all the flavor additives because they're just the same artificial sweeters right? Maybe I'll make some 'spa water' - I love orange slices in it.

Tea! I'll get tea. I'm actually ok w/ non sweet tea, I prefer it. I have some orange spice tea. Ok I'm going to make a pitcher now - YOU INSPIRED ME!!!

SO GLAD you are trying something new!

Climbing on my soapbox NOW....

GIVE UP THE DIET SODA!! (I hope everyone is listening!) It is POISON! The combination of the aspartame, caffeine, and preservatives is LITERALLY killing brain cells. You are better off drinking a SMALL amount of regular soda than drinking DIET drinks! That being said, please try to give up both. Try unsweetened tea (and sweeten it yourself with stevia, sugar, or honey), sparkling water (LOVE my SodaStream machine), or just good old water!

I usually hesitate to give such a blanket statement here. I know everyone has a different level of "healthy" that they are trying to achieve, but this one is nonnegotiable to me. That being said, I'll be the first to admit that I STILL fall prey occasionally (usually in a restaurant) to the siren call of Diet Coke. But my kids remind me EVERY TIME that they love me too much to allow me to drink that toxic sludge! And I LISTEN! (Sadly, DH doesn't listen quite as well.) And I love YOU ALL in our group here too much to allow you to continue to poison your bodies without at least MENTIONING this to you all!

STEPPING OFF SOAP BOX.

forgot to ask - tell me about this plank? Is it just to do 1 a day? Is that enough? What are the goals to work up to?

Thanks!!

It is a plank-a-day challenge for February. Feel free to start now!! Prizes for people who complete the challenge!

I'm booking tickets to Disneyland today. I want to be under 200 pounds or I'll cancel my trip. I consider it incentive.

GREAT incentive!!

*****************

Laundry is moving along, one bed made.... may end up ignoring the kids beds. I may try to get in a wee bit of free weight with the arms and another plank before heading into the shower in a few minutes! Actually sat at my scrapping table this morning and accomplished a little something!!

Lots of driving today, of course. Nearly a 2 hour drive into MA to the Tech suit vendor.... then an hour drive north again to tonight's swim practice and an hour drive home after that.... but at least we were able to combine them! And hopefully the tech suit fitting won't take too long and we might have a few minutes to eat together. I'll pack sandwiches, etc to save money and calories, but it would be nice to be able to have a short picnic together rather than eating and driving.

Lunch today.... great big salad to start (spinach, spring mix, grape tomatoes, red bell peppers, carrots), veggie burger (not sure which flavor yet) on a low carb sandwich thin with a bit of greens... and definitely some fruit.... probably strawberries.

Dinner-to-go will end up being something unexciting like hummus and spinach wraps or something equally easy to pack. Or maybe I'll just pack up a bunch of snacky stuff like baby carrots, hummus, Laughing Cow cheese, pretzels, grape tomatoes, sliced apples, ants-on-a-log, nuts, and iced tea.

I will bring along the iPad and hopefully have some time to chat while she is swimming tonight (after I run to Costco to pick up a prescription for DH and some veggies). Practice should be just a bit shorter tonight, as they are tapering for championship season!!

TTYL..............................P

 

[PlutoBaby]

Climbing on my soapbox NOW....

GIVE UP THE DIET SODA!! (I hope everyone is listening!) It is POISON! The combination of the aspartame, caffeine, and preservatives is LITERALLY killing brain cells. You are better off drinking a SMALL amount of regular soda than drinking DIET drinks! That being said, please try to give up both. Try unsweetened tea (and sweeten it yourself with stevia, sugar, or honey), sparkling water (LOVE my SodaStream machine), or just good old water!

I usually hesitate to give such a blanket statement here. I know everyone has a different level of "healthy" that they are trying to achieve, but this one is nonnegotiable to me. That being said, I'll be the first to admit that I STILL fall prey occasionally (usually in a restaurant) to the siren call of Diet Coke. But my kids remind me EVERY TIME that they love me too much to allow me to drink that toxic sludge! And I LISTEN! (Sadly, DH doesn't listen quite as well.) And I love YOU ALL in our group here too much to allow you to continue to poison your bodies without at least MENTIONING this to you all!

STEPPING OFF SOAP BOX.

Let me jump up your soap box now too. I absolutely agree with the whole non-soda thing!!! I was never a big soda drinker to begin with unless I was at a restaurant. I made the switch from regular to diet. Then I read an article about the ingredients that are actually in soda (both regular and diet). OMG!!! You might as well down some turpentine or antifreeze with all the chemicals it's made with. Since then, maybe 7 or 8 months now, I haven't touched a drop. It makes me crazy that the DH has some every day and keeps it in the house, but some people's habits you just can't do anything about. So FWIW, PLEASE stop drinking soda!!!!! And that's meant with all the in the world for you all.

Okay, I'm done now ...

 

[pix13dust]

I've been doing my plank a day! I even have the kids doing it they can plank for 1 minute. I started at 6 seconds but now I'm up to 43 seconds, woohoo! Sometimes, when my hubby is home he will plank with me, it's a piece of cake for him so he screws around and bites my butt or tries to push me over. That's when I yell " cut it out! This is serious " I do notice my abs are a little achy, I think that's a good thing! For March I was thinking if doing Sun Salutation A, 4X a day??
Have a great Wednesday!
Melinda

 

[lisah0711]

Good afternoon all!

Thanks for all those PMs. I have the spreadsheet updated and am ready for those first weigh ins on Friday. I am reading along even though I can't seem to post every day. I really enjoy hearing from each and every one of you!

pix13dust thanks for the great snack list! There were some good ideas there!

Nicole, glad the surgery went well! for a speedy recovery.

Flossbolna, glad that you had a great visit with your sister. The 30 day Shred is a hard work out. I've never made it past level 1! And great call on the reminder about sunscreen!

Jill, good luck to you with your moving evaluation. It's good to think about where you live and why even if you end up staying where you are. I vote for someplace where the weather is nice!

Dona, congrats on the great numbers at the doctor's office!

Pamela, so sorry about the roof. And another big on the end of an era with early morning swim practices. When a door closes, another one opens.

QOTD for Tuesday February 5, 2013:

How many attempts at weight loss have you made in your adult life? Why will THIS TIME be different? What are you doing this time to be SURE that you make it to goal and maintain your loss??

I don't even want to think about how many attempts I've made at weight loss in my adult life. I can't waste any time beating myself up about what happened before -- I can only say that for several years now I have been succeeding and I intend to continue that success.

This time around is different but I'm not sure I can explain why. I have been 100% committed for over a month now and have not struggled once, which is unheard of for me. I just know that I can do it. I'm done having kids and it's time to start the next chapter of my life.

Woo hoo for the great attitude and success!

There's been a few bumps along the way - can you say the exact same weight for 7 weeks! - but the numbers have continued to go down and now I'm 7 pounds away from the goal I set for myself last January. Since I know I have all these fellow Disney dorks behind me, those last few pounds better get ready to hit the road!

Yep, your Disney dork friends are here for you!

BRB I'm sure the smilie police are approaching . . .

 

[lisah0711]

Rose, so sorry about the back. Hope you are feeling better soon!

Waaay too many to count! Bu the most serious attempt I had was when I lost 100 lbs between 5/08 and 7/09. I was surpirsed how "easy" it seemed! NOT that it was easy, far from it, but weight loss always seemed like an enigma to me! I could never lose weight! And I didn't understand why... I considered gastric bypass, even started that consultation process, but then it just clicked... Eat less, move more Unfortunately, as it seems we all do, I stopped being strict, gained back about 20 lbs over the course of a year or so, then gave up altogether and gained back another 60 :scared2: Well, this time I think it is different because I understand what a healthier lifestyle is AND I realy feel committed to making LIFESTYLE changes. This is something I work with clients on and preach all day long at work (different kind of lifestyle obviously, but the same concept!). I FINALLY feel like I actually get it! No more excuses, just do what I know is right in regards to my health, not just NOW to lose weight, but FOREVER to be healthy. And set an example for my kids... I try to instill healthy habits with them, but if I am not practicing them myself, they likely won't either as an adult. This is my life, the only one I get and I better make it good

I think you've got it this time!

Susan, hope that you are feeling better today, too.

So I saw this link on facebook and thought it was worth sharing. As we work towards a healthier self, we should do our best to still live and appreciate the now.

http://myfriendteresablog.com/so-youre-feeling-too-fat-to-be-photographed/

Thanks for sharing!

Today, I de'cided to hold off on Tower of Terror until 2014. At the moment, I can barely "briskly" walk for 20 minutes without getting pain up my legs. I'm going to continue working out and what not, because I do wanna lose weight before I go to Disney, but at the same time, I realistically know my limits.

Better to start slowly and set yourself up for success!

Looking for ideas on how to exercise with a broken foot.... proving more difficult than I anticpated. AND... even though I would like to lose another 25 pounds, I have managed to gain 6-8 pounds since the WDW Marathon weekend.

Sigh....

So sorry, Dagny. Do you have access to a pool? When I injured my back last year the pool was a lifesaver.

Not sure what's different this time. HOnestly probably nothing - I'm feeling pessimistic! I want to be thinner/healthier for sure but I feel so addicted to sugar and snacking! I get to feeling good and working out and then another cold/cough kicks in and no more treadmill for a few days then it's hard to get started again.

Sorry - just a pity party going on. I've felt like why bother lately. I was out of commission for 4 months and put on weight over the holidays and it's been so hard getting out of thise funk. I've thoght about going back to Jenny Craig. I liked it mostly, it's easy ad it works but I just HATE cooking a meal for my family and then having to microwave my seperate meal.

I did well w my eating today and limited my snacks - well not totally true. My husband brought home fudge someone gave him for his bday and I ate 2 pieces. PLus my dessert I made for DH bday (Nanaimo bars - if anyone's heard of them). I ate 2 tiny pieces but I wanted more and didn't have more so I'm calling that a win! My main meals were good though.

Terrible sinus pressure and headaches so no workout again

Hoping for a better day tomorrow.

So sorry! Hope you are feeling better soon! We all have times like that. Do you think you would really feel better if you gave up? Probably not. How about letting yourself tread water for a bit and maintain?

QOTD for Wed., February 6, 2013

Today's question is inspired by "Made To Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst.

We've talked before about the good feeling of being "in control" when we are eating the way we know we should and getting enough exercise. But have you ever thought about WHY the in control feeling is so good? I think because it brings us PEACE! And to quote from the referenced book......

"Nothing tastes as good as PEACE feels."

Think about this today. Is your struggle with your weight not allowing you to have peace in your life? Could you find a way to get peace in your life REGARDLESS of your weight? Think about it. Remember...the number on the scale does NOT measure your worth as a person.

One of the things I love the most about being 50-something is that I have found so much peace of mind and acceptance about things that I never had when I was younger. I'm a lawyer, I'm never going to have total peace in my life, but it's not my drama. Control is overrated IMHO -- I would much rather be adaptable.

I see what you are saying, I think?

My "peace" with eating is about health issues and has nothing to do with weight. I was eating so much sat fat and unhealthy foods I felt awful everyday. That is no fun.

So now that I eat better I am better able to handle the stressors in my life.

Very good point!

However, if I don't ever get there, I'll be disappointed with myself, but I can learn to live with what I have accomplished. For crying out loud, starting to run multiple half marathons and seriously thinking about running at least one full at 45 years old?? Who does that?? Oh that's right....ME!

One of the best things about running to me is that you get the chance to amaze yourself -- you don't get to do that a lot as an adult.

Have a great day all!

 

[50sjayne]

I've been doing my plank a day! I even have the kids doing it they can plank for 1 minute. I started at 6 seconds but now I'm up to 43 seconds, woohoo! Sometimes, when my hubby is home he will plank with me, it's a piece of cake for him so he screws around and bites my butt or tries to push me over. That's when I yell " cut it out! This is serious " I do notice my abs are a little achy, I think that's a good thing! For March I was thinking if doing Sun Salutation A, 4X a day??
Have a great Wednesday!
Melinda

quotd---peace. Yeah I actually thought about this when I went to an OA meeting here. I was trying to explain how I over eat constantly and then exercise to make up for it-- plus my job is very physical, seems I'm always sore and I don't have time to do anything fun except watch tv at night. I only went to the one OA meeting, dunno why, just felt uncomfortable, and also felt like I don't do any real binge eating, just eat bigger portions of everything all the time. They were also kind of weird with the privacy and anonymity issues and awfully preachy for a group that's supposed to be unaffiliated.
Anyways it would be nice to break that activity thing-- be able to eat less calories and slow down, be able to do stuff like stay home and clean and organize the house, or go see a movie instead of working out--spending 3 hours at the gym every day. I am reminded of a story by Ray Bradbury, Frost and Fire about a space ship that crashed on a planet and sped up human life so that the survivors and the generations of people who come after them only have 8 days to live their entire lives. At the end a man makes it to the space ship and can feel himself slowing down and it is peace.

It's a really cool short story-- one of my favorites of his. That and the Foghorn.

Finally got my rear to the gym and had an amazing work out, I did 75 minutes on the elliptical, did all the weight machines, plus some free style to the point where I couldn't do any more with each one, and spent at least a half hour in the jacuzzi. Think I'll stay home today and organize and clean the bedroom--it really needs to be done. The hoodlums have taken over. I've kept even the best escapees in because I don't want the princess escaping and they have thus pillaged and plundered my bedroom, knocking books down, my laptop, toppling my jewelry box, knocking down stuff off the desk, spraying my boots I'm going to try to make the room more cat friendly and fix all they stuff they have messed up-- my jewelry is in sad shape. I might go ride my bike on the bike trail if it stays dry (it's sunny right now) Plus I need to pick a 2 1/2 pound crab for dinner. Am going to use up a few tuna helper boxes and add some peas I think. Will crank some music and it won't be too bad. The cleaning anyway. I used to only clean house when there was good talk radio on-- now we don't have anything like to it listen to around here anymore. I'm down 3 pounds as of now since this challenge started and feel really good about that, we'll see if I can maintain that until Friday.

 

[50sjayne]

Hey. Was just looking around...had a talk with husband last night about me drinking at night--told him there were a lot of calories is alcohol--80 calories or so for 4 oz of vodka and thought I'd check that again today--69 calories per ounce.

I've been drinking 6-9 oz a night....

I know it sounds really immature and kinda nuts but I need to do this to have ..relations anymore-- I need to think he is someone else. (It helps I am completely blind without contacts)
Well, if I stopped eating so much at night as well I think I could drink less, but this is hard on nights I work late and don't get home until 8 or 9 and I'm Hungry. I think if I get more veggies and fruits around to eat then and drink less-- I'll do better. I also found this interesting article: (lol)

http://healthland.time.com/2011/09/08/marijuana-slims-pot-smoking-linked-to-lower-body-weight/

Not for everyone-- I know--but everything in moderation right?

BTW thanks to the poster who posted that list-- I'm going to have a good look at it--lots of great ideas....

 

[Flossbolna]

I'm a lawyer, I'm never going to have total peace in my life, but it's not my drama. Control is overrated IMHO -- I would much rather be adaptable.

Hey, I am a lawyer, too!

QOTD: I had to think about this. To be honest, I am not sure whether "control" and "peace" aren't to each other like the chicken and the egg. I really can't say which comes first. If things are really chaotic in my life, I know that sometimes easy things like just tidying the kitchen will make me help to get out of the mind set of everything is just horrible. So in that sense, taking control is helping me to get peace. But I also think that I need a little spark of peace to start taking control.

In other news - I think I am the first one to have failed with the plank a day challenge!!! I went to see a play at the theatre yesterday evening and managed to cram in my 30 day shred training between work and theatre. And after I got through it I remembered the plank. After the training I was in no way able to still do a plank and thought I would do it just before I went to bed after I had relaxed a little bit. But I forgot!!

However, I made sure to do it today and was able to hold it for 1 minute. And even surprisingly easily. Also finally went out and bought 3 pounds weights for the 30 day shred - so far I trained with bean cans. I am now on day 30, so 10% done!!! And it sounds silly, but I already feel that I am getting fitter. And this morning the scale finally was friendly to me again and showed 2 pounds less than the weight I now had for the last 10 days or so....

I hope everyone has a great last day of week 1 tomorrow! I am looking forward to take over coaching next week - I hope I will be able to live up to the standards Pam set this week!!

 

[nocomment711]

I feel more at peace now than I have in a long time. I feel in control and bette about my choices. The decision to lose weight has been so amazing for me.

That being said, hotel an airfare are booked for Disneyland. All that separates us is 18 pounds. Sad though that the most expensive part of the trip are the tickets.

 

[pjlla]

Let me jump up your soap box now too. I absolutely agree with the whole non-soda thing!!! I was never a big soda drinker to begin with unless I was at a restaurant. I made the switch from regular to diet. Then I read an article about the ingredients that are actually in soda (both regular and diet). OMG!!!You might as well down some turpentine or antifreeze with all the chemicals it's made with. Since then, maybe 7 or 8 months now, I haven't touched a drop. It makes me crazy that the DH has some every day and keeps it in the house, but some people's habits you just can't do anything about. So FWIW, PLEASE stop drinking soda!!!!! And that's meant with all the in the world for you all.

Okay, I'm done now ...

Thanks for backing me on this!

I've been doing my plank a day! I even have the kids doing it they can plank for 1 minute. I started at 6 seconds but now I'm up to 43 seconds, woohoo! Sometimes, when my hubby is home he will plank with me, it's a piece of cake for him so he screws around and bites my butt or tries to push me over. That's when I yell " cut it out! This is serious " I do notice my abs are a little achy, I think that's a good thing! For March I was thinking if doing Sun Salutation A, 4X a day??
Have a great Wednesday!
Melinda

Woohoo on plank a day! Good idea for March. I was thinking of adding a 2 minute wall sit, but I like your idea too!

Good afternoon all!
Thanks for all those PMs. I have the spreadsheet updated and am ready for those first weigh ins on Friday. I am reading along even though I can't seem to post every day. I really enjoy hearing from each and every one of you!

pix13dust thanks for the great snack list! There were some good ideas there!

Nicole, glad the surgery went well! for a speedy recovery.

Flossbolna, glad that you had a great visit with your sister. The 30 day Shred is a hard work out. I've never made it past level 1!And great call on the reminder about sunscreen!

Jill, good luck to you with your moving evaluation. It's good to think about where you live and why even if you end up staying where you are. I vote for someplace where the weather is nice!

Dona, congrats on the great numbers at the doctor's office!

Pamela, so sorry about the roof. And another big on the end of an era with early morning swim practices. When a door closes, another one opens.

I don't even want to think about how many attempts I've made at weight loss in my adult life. I can't waste any time beating myself up about what happened before -- I can only say that for several years now I have been succeeding and I intend to continue that success.

Woo hoo for the great attitude and success!

Yep, your Disney dork friends are here for you!

BRB I'm sure the smilie police are approaching . . .

Several years of success...how many can say that ? Great job! And of course, you "keep on keepin' on!"

Hopefully that "open door" for DD will lead to a college pool!

Rose, so sorry about the back. Hope you are feeling better soon!

I think you've got it this time!

Susan, hope that you are feeling better today, too.

Thanks for sharing!

Better to start slowly and set yourself up for success!

So sorry, Dagny. Do you have access to a pool? When I injured my back last year the pool was a lifesaver.

So sorry! Hope you are feeling better soon! We all have times like that. Do you think you would really feel better if you gave up? Probably not. How about letting yourself tread water for a bit and maintain?

One of the things I love the most about being 50-something is that I have found so much peace of mind and acceptance about things that I never had when I was younger. I'm a lawyer, I'm never going to have total peace in my life, but it's not my drama. Control is overrated IMHO -- I would much rather be adaptable.

One of the best things about running to me is that you get the chance to amaze yourself -- you don't get to do that a lot as an adult.

Have a great day all!

ADAPTABLE....what a great way to be! Wish I were a bit more like that!

quotd---peace. Yeah I actually thought about this when I went to an OA meeting here. I was trying to explain how I over eat constantly and then exercise to make up for it-- plus my job is very physical, seems I'm always sore and I don't have time to do anything fun except watch tv at night. I only went to the one OA meeting, dunno why, just felt uncomfortable, and also felt like I don't do any real binge eating, just eat bigger portions of everything all the time. They were also kind of weird with the privacy and anonymity issues and awfully preachy for a group that's supposed to be unaffiliated.
Anyways it would be nice to break that activity thing-- be able to eat less calories and slow down, be able to do stuff like stay home and clean and organize the house, or go see a movie instead of working out--spending 3 hours at the gym every day. I am reminded of a story by Ray Bradbury, Frost and Fire about a space ship that crashed on a planet and sped up human life so that the survivors and the generations of people who come after them only have 8 days to live their entire lives. At the end a man makes it to the space ship and can feel himself slowing down and it is peace.

It's a really cool short story-- one of my favorites of his. That and the Foghorn.

Finally got my rear to the gym and had an amazing work out, I did 75 minutes on the elliptical, did all the weight machines, plus some free style to the point where I couldn't do any more with each one, and spent at least a half hour in the jacuzzi. Think I'll stay home today and organize and clean the bedroom--it really needs to be done. The hoodlums have taken over. I've kept even the best escapees in because I don't want the princess escaping and they have thus pillaged and plundered my bedroom, knocking books down, my laptop, toppling my jewelry box, knocking down stuff off the desk, spraying my boots I'm going to try to make the room more cat friendly and fix all they stuff they have messed up-- my jewelry is in sad shape. I might go ride my bike on the bike trail if it stays dry (it's sunny right now) Plus I need to pick a 2 1/2 pound crab for dinner. Am going to use up a few tuna helper boxes and add some peas I think. Will crank some music and it won't be too bad. The cleaning anyway. I used to only clean house when there was good talk radio on-- now we don't have anything like to it listen to around here anymore. I'm down 3 pounds as of now since this challenge started and feel really good about that, we'll see if I can maintain that until Friday.

Thanks for the reminder to slow own in our lives!

Kitties are fun but they certainly can get into stuff!

Hey, I am a lawyer, too!

QOTD: I had to think about this. To be honest, I am not sure whether "control" and "peace" aren't to each other like the chicken and the egg. I really can't say which comes first. If things are really chaotic in my life, I know that sometimes easy things like just tidying the kitchen will make me help to get out of the mind set of everything is just horrible. So in that sense, taking control is helping me to get peace. But I also think that I need a little spark of peace to start taking control.

In other news - I think I am the first one to have failed with the plank a day challenge!!! I went to see a play at the theatre yesterday evening and managed to cram in my 30 day shred training between work and theatre. And after I got through it I remembered the plank. After the training I was in no way able to still do a plank and thought I would do it just before I went to bed after I had relaxed a little bit. But I forgot!!

However, I made sure to do it today and was able to hold it for 1 minute. And even surprisingly easily. Also finally went out and bought 3 pounds weights for the 30 day shred - so far I trained with bean cans. I am now on day 30, so 10% done!!! And it sounds silly, but I already feel that I am getting fitter. And this morning the scale finally was friendly to me again and showed 2 pounds less than the weight I now had for the last 10 days or so....

I hope everyone has a great last day of week 1 tomorrow! I am looking forward to take over coaching next week - I hope I will be able to live up to the standards Pam set this week!!

I love your "chicken and egg" analogy! You are so right....does control bring us peace or do we gain peace when we have more control?? Brilliant!

Looking forward to your coaching week! Thanks for taking the time to answer all my crazy QOTD!

I feel more at peace now than I have in a long time. I feel in control and bette about my choices. The decision to lose weight has been so amazing for me.

That being said, hotel an airfare are booked for Disneyland. All that separates us is 18 pounds. Sad though that the most expensive part of the trip are the tickets.

Woohoo on more peace! Disney prices do seem a bit steep sometimes, but when I start comparing them to other things (like local game of laser tag, a local amusement venue, and the like) and you start realizing what you get for the price, sometimes it doesn't seem so bad!

**************

Evening all! At the Merrimack Y waiting for DD. Got to MA without difficulty and got her new tech suit. Those things are CRAZY expensive! The 2 we have bought her have cost, combined, more than my entire wedding ensemble! This one was last summer's birthday gift.

Never packed anything for dinner, as time got away from me...plus I didn't want to get home late with a sack full of Tupperware to wash. So I stopped at Panera and got DD a bowl of soup and then dropped her off to swim. Then I went to a local supermarket that does fresh, cooked-while-you-wait stir fry. Had a huge quantity of veggies and some tofu cooked with just 1tsp of EVOO and topped with just 1 Tb of their traditional stir fry sauce (sweet, not too greasy).....YUM! I had brought along plenty of water, so no need to buy drinks. I have some fruit in the car that I bought at Costco. I may rinse some berries with some water from the car and eat them on the ride home.

Thanks to you all for taking the time to really think about today's QOTD. I know it was a bit "deep" for our usual light atmosphere, but I really wanted to give us something to think about. And so many here have been commenting about feeling defeated or like they were failing (or like heir bodies were failing them) and it seems like many have mentioned suffering with depression. It seemed like the right time to delve just a bit into the mental aspects of this journey.

I promise to lighten up a bit for tomorrow! See you in the a.m........P

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I've been doing my plank a day! I even have the kids doing it they can plank for 1 minute. I started at 6 seconds but now I'm up to 43 seconds, woohoo! Sometimes, when my hubby is home he will plank with me, it's a piece of cake for him so he screws around and bites my butt or tries to push me over. That's when I yell " cut it out! This is serious " I do notice my abs are a little achy, I think that's a good thing! For March I was thinking if doing Sun Salutation A, 4X a day??
Have a great Wednesday!
Melinda

Sun Salutation sounds fun. I could use a little sun, this dreary weather is the pits.
great job on the 45 seconds!!

In other news - I think I am the first one to have failed with the plank a day challenge!!! I went to see a play at the theatre yesterday evening and managed to cram in my 30 day shred training between work and theatre. And after I got through it I remembered the plank. After the training I was in no way able to still do a plank and thought I would do it just before I went to bed after I had relaxed a little bit. But I forgot!!

However, I made sure to do it today and was able to hold it for 1 minute. And even surprisingly easily. Also finally went out and bought 3 pounds weights for the 30 day shred - so far I trained with bean cans. I am now on day 30, so 10% done!!! And it sounds silly, but I already feel that I am getting fitter. And this morning the scale finally was friendly to me again and showed 2 pounds less than the weight I now had for the last 10 days or so....

Doesn't she do planks in the workout?? Or side planks?
I'll give you a pass on the missed day!! 30 day shred is hard!

Woohoo on plank a day! Good idea for March. I was thinking of adding a 2 minute wall sit, but I like your idea too!

Flat or on toes? Arms up or down?

DS16 is taking his XC/track coaches sports science/kinesiology class and coach challenged a football player to wall sits. Coach is teaching class for a good 5 minutes in a toe only wall sit and the footballer was dying. Footballer can bench press 280 but can't do a wall sit, they all learned a valuable lesson about the difference between strength and endurance.
I see a lot of teaching assistance in DS16's future in that class because Coach likes to do hands on stuff and 99% of the stuf DS can do.


****************

got my planks in every day so far. Last 2 days were only 1:01 though. Last few days have been crap eating too. But today I turned it around. good food, DS16 and I went for a 2 mile run outside today, I was slow due to DD's whining but we got through it.
I also did 2 more miles on the treadmill, really liking to Jeff Galloway 5K app.
Still need to go do my plank.

I really hope the scale is kind to me this weekend, so far it's been all over the place.

 

[Flossbolna]

I feel more at peace now than I have in a long time. I feel in control and bette about my choices. The decision to lose weight has been so amazing for me.

That being said, hotel an airfare are booked for Disneyland. All that separates us is 18 pounds. Sad though that the most expensive part of the trip are the tickets.

Good Luck with those 18 pounds!!! Which hotel are you planning to stay at at DL? I am tentatively thinking about a trip there in the autumn.

Doesn't she do planks in the workout?? Or side planks?
I'll give you a pass on the missed day!! 30 day shred is hard!

Thanks! But level 1 does not include a plank, maybe it will be included in a later level. That would be convenient!

Looking forward to your coaching week! Thanks for taking the time to answer all my crazy QOTD!

I am already thinking about possible QOTD... Not easy to come up with good ones that can spark discussion!

Never packed anything for dinner, as time got away from me...plus I didn't want to get home late with a sack full of Tupperware to wash. So I stopped at Panera and got DD a bowl of soup and then dropped her off to swim. Then I went to a local supermarket that does fresh, cooked-while-you-wait stir fry. Had a huge quantity of veggies and some tofu cooked with just 1tsp of EVOO and topped with just 1 Tb of their traditional stir fry sauce (sweet, not too greasy).....YUM!

That sounds delicious! When I used to live in Berlin there was a lunch place with that concept. I got lunch there very often because it was so easy to get a healthy lunch. Loved the variety I could get. When I make stirfry for myself it seems ridiculous to buy many different vegetables and then only use a tiny amount of each...

I found out that I really like tofu, but I have never been able to make it myself in a way that I really enjoyed. Does anyone have a good recipe they can share? Maybe I ought to look at the recipe thread....

Hope everyone has a great start for their days! I already had my lunch - once again a salad from the cafeteria. Seems to be my staple these days...