Marching Our Way to a Healthy Lifestyle ~ March 2016 WISH Challenge

[4Mickeys]

Have you fallen into any unhealthy patterns that you feel are never-ending? What can you do to stop these patterns?
What healthy patterns have you introduced that you hope become never-ending patterns?

1. Drinking soft drink, chocolate so much chocolate, take-out way too often, thinking I am going to do heaps of things over the holidays only to end up sleeping a lot or lay on the couch watching tv/dvds.
2. Limit how much soft drink I buy, make some ready to go meals to have in the freezer over these holidays, try to make some plans with other people so that I am more likely to get up and get going over the holidays.
3. I want to keep being more active especially the morning paddling - although the time of year for me here is starting to interfere with that as the days are getting shorter and it is darker for longer - my paddling buddy and I don't want to be on the water at feeding time lol. I want to keep going and get better at breakfast choices - as well as other meals as well but especially breakfast so I can fuel for the day like @JacknSally has taught us this week.

I am going to sit down this afternoon and do some meal planning while I have the extra time for shopping/cooking etc over the holidays @Flossbolna your new meal planning calendar is just too cute.

I think I have a Costco shopping trip coming up this week as the sleepover plans for the kids kicks off next week starting at my house with for my daughter and her friends - no doubt the boys will follow suit - need lots of kid friendly food to get us through the next 2 weeks without breaking the bank - healthy options will also be factored in.

 

[Flossbolna]

My long Easter weekend is off to a brilliant start!! Good Friday and Easter Monday are both public holidays here, so this is a four day weekend - nearly a mini vacation!!

First, I decided to step on the scale this morning. I haven't weighed myself in 10 days or even more. I was just frustrated with my eating and non exercise while it took me three weeks to get over a simple cold. Well, it seems while I felt that I struggled, I did not really do as badly as I thought as I was down over two pounds since my last scale visit!!!

So, I can report that I am at 85% for the month! And there is still nearly a week to go, so I do have a realistic chance to make it to goal!! Which would be fabulous!

I guess the fact that both Wednesday with the jeans and yesterday with a skirt, I noticed that my clothes fit better than I thought they would, was a good indicator as to where my weight was (lower than I thought).

I also made good use with the holiday so far and went out for a nice run (in the drizzling rain, but such small hurdles don't keep me in!) and more importantly did a nice stretching session afterwards. I incorporated one of the yoga stretches that I learned in my yoga/foam rolling class at work. So, I feel great and energized and it is only 11:30 am!!

 

[dsnyfn1022]

My long Easter weekend is off to a brilliant start!! Good Friday and Easter Monday are both public holidays here, so this is a four day weekend - nearly a mini vacation!!

First, I decided to step on the scale this morning. I haven't weighed myself in 10 days or even more. I was just frustrated with my eating and non exercise while it took me three weeks to get over a simple cold. Well, it seems while I felt that I struggled, I did not really do as badly as I thought as I was down over two pounds since my last scale visit!!!

So, I can report that I am at 85% for the month! And there is still nearly a week to go, so I do have a realistic chance to make it to goal!! Which would be fabulous!

I guess the fact that both Wednesday with the jeans and yesterday with a skirt, I noticed that my clothes fit better than I thought they would, was a good indicator as to where my weight was (lower than I thought).

I also made good use with the holiday so far and went out for a nice run (in the drizzling rain, but such small hurdles don't keep me in!) and more importantly did a nice stretching session afterwards. I incorporated one of the yoga stretches that I learned in my yoga/foam rolling class at work. So, I feel great and energized and it is only 11:30 am!!

I love little scale surprises like that! Congrats on your goal and on your run! It seems like you're killin' it today!

 

[SarahDisney]

Wildcard Weekend – Friday March 25th:

This weekend we’re celebrating the holidays with Walt Disney World’s Christmas Parade – Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.

This parade runs regularly during November and December as part of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Starting shortly before Christmas, this parade will run once or twice during the day, replacing the regular 3:00 PM parade.

The parade features Disney characters in their Christmas best, fun and festive holiday music, and lots of special Disney touches!

Since we’re talking about the Christmas parade (and it also happens to be Good Friday), let’s talk holidays:

What is your favorite holiday? If you’re not a big holiday person, is there a day of the year that is extra special to you (birthday, anniversary, kid’s birthday, etc)?
How do you make Disney part of your holiday (and non-holiday) celebrations?​

 

[SarahDisney]

Weekly Challenge – Week 4:

We’re introducing something new this month – weekly challenges! Every Friday I’ll post a challenge, and you’ll have until the following Thursday to answer the challenge. Challenges are about sharing with your fellow participants and bringing everyone closer to your favorite parts of living a healthy lifestyle.

Thanks to all those who participated in last week’s challenge – I know this was a tough one for many of you, but I did enjoy seeing a few people post great workout outfits/components!

This Week’s Challenge:
For our final challenge of the month, we’re going a bit freeform.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines healthy as “in good health” … but what exactly does that mean? Healthy can mean something different to each of us – and we each need to focus on what healthy means to us individually. The dictionary cannot define our quest for a healthy life (and apparently it doesn’t even try) – only we can do that.

This week’s challenge is all about you and what “healthy” means to you. Is it fitting into your wedding dress or tux? Learning how to plan healthy meals? Running a goal race? Seeing a number on a scale that you haven’t seen in 20 years?

Share a picture that represents your view of healthy – or what you want your “healthy” to look like!

Challenge Due Date: Thursday, March 31st ​

 

[dsnyfn1022]

What is your favorite holiday? If you’re not a big holiday person, is there a day of the year that is extra special to you (birthday, anniversary, kid’s birthday, etc)?
How do you make Disney part of your holiday (and non-holiday) celebrations?

Christmas!! I looooove Christmas. It's my absolute favorite holiday. Last year and this year we did the MVMCP and it was perfect. And we did a tour of different resorts and looked at the Christmas trees and the gingerbread houses. It's just so festive and fun.

 

[Oneanne]

Weekly Check-in:

Weight Goal: 194
Actual Weight: 192... 101% of goal!

Step Goal: 125 miles
Actual Miles: 130.53... 104% of goal!

I know the month isn't over yet, but I wanted to hit both goals by the end of this week, before vacation starts, so Woohoo!

 

[dsnyfn1022]

I feel like I read lots this morning/yesterday about meal planning so I'm planning this morning. I'm trying to space my points out in a more healthy way. And I'm also trying eating "regular" food for breakfast because I just don't love breakfast food. so I'm hoping that eating meatballs for breakfast will feel more satisfying LOL.

 

[Oneanne]

Wildcard Weekend – Friday March 25th:

This weekend we’re celebrating the holidays with Walt Disney World’s Christmas Parade – Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.

This parade runs regularly during November and December as part of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Starting shortly before Christmas, this parade will run once or twice during the day, replacing the regular 3:00 PM parade.

The parade features Disney characters in their Christmas best, fun and festive holiday music, and lots of special Disney touches!

Since we’re talking about the Christmas parade (and it also happens to be Good Friday), let’s talk holidays:

What is your favorite holiday? If you’re not a big holiday person, is there a day of the year that is extra special to you (birthday, anniversary, kid’s birthday, etc)?
How do you make Disney part of your holiday (and non-holiday) celebrations?​

Favorite Holiday... hmmm... I usually end up hosting Thanksgiving and/or Christmas so that's a lot of work to get ready and then the family that comes over is my same old family so that's kind of blah and anti-climatic. I've gone to WDW the first week of December twice now and have to say I don't love going at that time of year because it throws the holiday countdown off so much. Plus it is strange on the body to go from cold-dark-hibernation-mode back in to hot-and-sunny. This past December I had a lot of after-hours activities which were in the dark after sunset, so that actually helped. At home I'm not real big on Halloween but I do love to travel to WDW in October, which I've also now done twice, partly for F&W and partly for MNSSHP. Riding BTMRR in the dark in a tutu was one of the funnest/silliest things I've ever done and it still makes me giggle just to think about it. I'll be there in October again this year for a group get-together, and am really glad that they have adjusted the adult costume rules as I do like to wear a little something special, but not go over board.

This year is the BIG 60 bday for me, so I should do something special but haven't really thought about it yet.

 

[tortilla24]

Wildcard Weekend – Friday March 25th:

This weekend we’re celebrating the holidays with Walt Disney World’s Christmas Parade – Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.

This parade runs regularly during November and December as part of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Starting shortly before Christmas, this parade will run once or twice during the day, replacing the regular 3:00 PM parade.

The parade features Disney characters in their Christmas best, fun and festive holiday music, and lots of special Disney touches!

Since we’re talking about the Christmas parade (and it also happens to be Good Friday), let’s talk holidays:

What is your favorite holiday? If you’re not a big holiday person, is there a day of the year that is extra special to you (birthday, anniversary, kid’s birthday, etc)?
How do you make Disney part of your holiday (and non-holiday) celebrations?​

QOTD: Christmas is seriously the best! I'm a pretty good gift giver (some people completely stump me, though!) and always shop head of time so I don't have to deal with the craziness that is last-minute shopping. I don't really even care about birthdays much or anniversaries (unmarried so maybe my thoughts on this will change in the future, but dating anniversaries are not really celebrated much - we can't decide on which date is our anniversary anyway!). I'm not a Disney fanatic so I really don't incorporate it into my life much but since I've been planning this coming trip, I've become determined to know everything I can about WDW and make the best vacation I can for my friend and her boys. It's been both stressful, and a blast!

 

[Flossbolna]

Interesting QOTD!

And I find it difficult to come up with only one answer...

It used to be Christmas, but I have found that in my adult years I enjoyed it less and less. I read an article last Christmas that one of the reasons why people have so many fights/disagreements over Christmas is that everyone wants to be a child again, do old patterns of behaviour come out and couples cannot agree on how to celebrate because everyone needs their own family's traditions. That kind of hit me and I tried to go into Christmas not trying to hang onto old things and it turned out a lovely celebration. But that might also have been due to other circumstances.

The holiday I like most from the general idea is one that isn't even celebrated here in Germany: American Thanksgiving. But maybe my view of it is so more positive because it is free from any personal history. I just love the idea of reflecting on what you can be thankful for and that it is so inclusive. Religion or heritage don't matter (not sure though what the Native Americans make of it, though?).

 

[JacknSally]

My favorite holiday is Halloween. I love fall and dressing up and it's just a fun day. There's no stress to be anywhere or make sure you see certain people or stay long enough before you rush off to the next house or give the right gifts or anything that goes along with Thanksgiving and Christmas (at least in my family). I love Christmas decorations and some of the things that go along with Christmas, but it isn't my favorite.

I've done the MNSSHP 4 times, and we did the MVMCP once when I was younger but I don't remember it (I was 8).

 

[pjlla]

Hey friends..... Here at DS's robotics tournament and DD is in Boston at an interview, so you'll forgive me for being too distracted to do read/replies right now. Just wanted to say hello! I "think" this morning's weigh-in showed a small loss, but i forgot to record it and check for a change (it was very early this morning) so I'll double check when I get home late tonight and report in tomorrow.

Have a great Good Friday! ...........P

 

[piglet1979]

Wildcard Weekend – Friday March 25th:

This weekend we’re celebrating the holidays with Walt Disney World’s Christmas Parade – Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.

This parade runs regularly during November and December as part of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Starting shortly before Christmas, this parade will run once or twice during the day, replacing the regular 3:00 PM parade.

The parade features Disney characters in their Christmas best, fun and festive holiday music, and lots of special Disney touches!

Since we’re talking about the Christmas parade (and it also happens to be Good Friday), let’s talk holidays:

What is your favorite holiday? If you’re not a big holiday person, is there a day of the year that is extra special to you (birthday, anniversary, kid’s birthday, etc)?
How do you make Disney part of your holiday (and non-holiday) celebrations?​

Christmas is my favorite but I love them all. Just spending time with family is great. Christmas lasts a week for us. My parents have been divorced since I was a baby and my mom has been remarried since I was little and my dad on and off has been marriedoing so that means lots of family to visit. Then you need to add in my husband family. Each side gets a separate day. My husband and I always takes the two weeks off too. Easter and thanksgiving are harder. My husband comes from a small family and he wants to go to only one house, I am used to several in our example day so we tend to have some arguments around those holidays.

A follow-up from yesterday. I got my workout in but did not complete my steps. I was only lyrics 400 short though. I also ate good and stayed away from snacking. I stayed in my calories and had one treat at night.

 

[JacknSally]

I'm so glad so many of you found the nutritionist tips helpful (or at least interesting) too! She just forwarded us a few more documents, so here are some other things I found enlightening.

She's coming at this from a nutritionist "this is how to help your body be as productive and healthy and purposeful as possible", not as a "this is how to lose weight fast" standpoint. But, obviously, if your body is working the way it should, you'll probably drop some weight.

• So much of this is psychological. Take your serving of food and put it on a giant plate. Take the same serving and put it on a smaller plate. See how much bigger it looks on the smaller plate? It's the same amount - it's just all in your head.
  
• Eat throughout the day.
• Keep your foods simple. If there are ingredients on the box that you can't pronounce, it's probably not the best for you.
• It's ok to eat the "bad" foods every once in a while.
• The 51 day thing? The more fast food or highly processed foods you're eating, the longer it takes to leave your body, and the less likely it becomes that it will leave your body completely.
• Harsh cleanses, juice cleanses, salt water cleanses, etc. might make you feel good that day or the next day, but it basically shocks your system. It's not jump-starting anything. If you want to cleanse healthily, incorporate lots more fiber and lots more leafy, green things into your day. Every day.
• Meats like fish take roughly 20 minutes for your body to process. Red meat can take up to 6 hours to process.
• The glycemic index is super important. If you're going to eat something with a high glycemic index (like rice or other heavy carbs), then you want to pair it with something with a low glycemic index (like spinach or kale or something along those lines) to avoid the sugar spike and the subsequent crash. 55 is the magic glycemic index number - foods that are under 55 make you feel fuller longer and makes you "less hungry" through the day.
• The low-glycemic foods are also anti-inflammatory foods, so you might notice that increasing the intake of those foods helps with joint pain or swelling, or especially headaches.
• You shouldn't eat high carb foods after 4pm because of how your body processes them. Not sleeping well at night? It might be because you're eating too many high carbs too late in the day. Also, when you eat high carb foods, make sure to eat them WITH a low carb food to help balance those carbs.
• Green beans have more calcium than milk.
• Spices are your friends. Cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, cloves, rosemary, and thyme are big in antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory.
• You. Need. Good. Fats. Don't be afraid of things like coconut oil, peanut butter, chia seeds, flax seeds, olive oil, walnuts, avocado... you need those fats. You just don't need a ton of them. Roughly 30-35g per day, but keep it to 5g per serving.
• Did you know a banana is really 2 servings? You should only eat half of it at a time because it's so high in carbs. Eat half, set the other aside for 20-30 minutes, then eat the other half. You'll feel fuller longer and you avoid the blood sugar spike.

Servings:

• Low carbs - 1/2 cup per serving, 6 times per day - pair with a protein and a fat
• High carbs - breakfast and lunch only, 1/4 per serving - pair with a low carb
• Vegetables - 1 cup per serving, 3-4 times per day - pair with anything or eat solo
• Fat - 5g per serving, 6-7 servings per day - protein fats (like peanuts) can be eat solo

If anyone's interested in the food lists as far as WHAT to eat, or what to eat with what, let me know and I'll post them or PM them to you. @dsnyfn1022 she lists a lot of things to eat for breakfast that aren't your typical eggs-pancakes-bacon-sausage type of foods!

 

[courtneybeth]

What is your favorite holiday?

Love love love Halloween - but the cutesy parts of Halloween. Wearing fun costumes, the candy, pumpkin carving, and all the other parts. Horror movies are not my thing and I don't like scary Halloween celebrations, like Knott's Scary Farm or Universal Halloween Horror Nights.

How do you make Disney part of your holiday (and non-holiday) celebrations?

We have done an annual December trip to WDW and we love the Candlelight Processional! We've had Trace Atkins, Edward James Olmos, Isasbella Rosalini, and Daniel Dae Kim read for us and each year it gets better and better. it just puts me into the Christmas spirit for the year and I love that feeling. This will be the first year we go to the Christmas party too!

 

[courtneybeth]

Good Friday and Easter Monday are both public holidays here, so this is a four day weekend - nearly a mini vacation!!

You're so lucky - rest and enjoy your mini vacation!

nd I'm also trying eating "regular" food for breakfast because I just don't love breakfast food. so I'm hoping that eating meatballs for breakfast will feel more satisfying LOL.

Cereal goes through me fast - so let me know if you have success. I may board this bandwagon.

I've become determined to know everything I can about WDW and make the best vacation I can for my friend and her boys

Let me know if you need help - I'm happy to help provide food options or ride planning.

My favorite holiday is Halloween. I love fall and dressing up and it's just a fun day. There's no stress to be anywhere or make sure you see certain people or stay long enough before you rush off to the next house or give the right gifts or anything that goes along with Thanksgiving and Christmas (at least in my family). I love Christmas decorations and some of the things that go along with Christmas, but it isn't my favorite.

Are you me? Because this sounds like me.

Here at DS's robotics tournament and DD is in Boston at an interview, so you'll forgive me for being too distracted to do read/replies right now.

Good luck DS and DD!!!

 

[dsnyfn1022]

We have done an annual December trip to WDW and we love the Candlelight Processional! We've had Trace Atkins, Edward James Olmos, Isasbella Rosalini, and Daniel Dae Kim read for us and each year it gets better and better. it just puts me into the Christmas spirit for the year and I love that feeling. This will be the first year we go to the Christmas party too!

When are you going this year? I told DH that we are doing the CP dining package this year because I've been dying to see it! Do you usually do the dining package? Or just wait in line?

 

[Dr Gunnie]

What is your favorite holiday? If you’re not a big holiday person, is there a day of the year that is extra special to you (birthday, anniversary, kid’s birthday, etc)?

How do you make Disney part of your holiday (and non-holiday) celebrations?​

Favorite holidays by far are Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Last year our family went down to DW from Dec 18th through the 23rd. We had a great time. We caught the last MVMCP on the 18th and made some great memories. We also really enjoyed seeing "Dr Bailey" reading at the Candlelight Processional.

Here's one of the pics of our family (and me at my heaviest - about 45 lbs ago):



I also love thanksgiving. This year I missed out on thanksgiving because our football team had out state finals game the Friday after at NIU. We left thanksgiving day and stayed overnight. Luckily there were some leftovers when we got back, but it wasn't the same.

 

[courtneybeth]

When are you going this year? I told DH that we are doing the CP dining package this year because I've been dying to see it! Do you usually do the dining package? Or just wait in line?

This year it's December 9-16 -- but the last two years we have had to go Christmas week because of finals weeks. I love going when we do because it's the lull between Thanksgiving and the Christmas crowd showing up as we bounce. Christmas week is HORRIBLE. Anything after the 16th is death and you want to cry as to how crowded it is. You're literally walking shoulder to shoulder on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Always book the dining package! We go off the schedule from the last year and put 3 days between when we wanted to see the announcers so that as they're announced we can pick the better of the two. This year we're doing Tutto Italia Ristorante for the package, but in the past have done Tokyo Dining, Marakesh, and Coral Reef. All options are delicious with plenty of food. I think the 4:30 time put us perfect for the second show, which allowed us to do some character meet and greets and be back in time to our favorite viewing area for Illuminations with a Croque Glace!

Our Candle days this year are December 12 and December 15. Identical touring schedules planned until we get the announcers. Standard dinners will be at 6:30 with the Candle dinners at 4:30 (which ressies for these open in August).