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

[SarahDisney]

and YES, I just went to the fridge after walking and grabbed pre-portioned watermelon, hummus, and blue corn tortilla chips to munch on. If it hadn't been that easy, I would be skipping food right now, or looking for something quick and junky.

Yay for pre-planning paying off!!! I love success stories like this!

Sorry I didn't get a solid number to you. I was down just a tiny bit last week (.5), but I'll take it! I'll report a percentage later tonight.

Any loss is good! I'll add the percentage to the progress update once you post it!

Doing the first race IS scary - so committing to one is the toughest part. Once you do it you'll feel like a million bucks and I am so so so excited for you! I suggested Rock n Roll because they're a little bit more lenient when it comes to corral placement, slower runners, and time limits. (Not sure where you fall on the spectrum, but having a course and company that favors the participant builds confidence!) Setting the bar and having a baseline to say "I DID IT" is the first step to your half marathon journey. Congratulations on taking the first step and considering doing one!

Philly has a time limit of 4 hours, which is 30 minutes longer than Disney's limits. If you fall behind you can board the sag wagon and be pushed along the course a little bit and still earn the medal. True Story: I'm glad that I managed to do RNR for my first race because I was at 3:39 - nine minutes longer than the RunDisney race! I would have been swept. YIKES. You also have the freedom to place yourself in a specific corral based on time. I like to start with the 2:45 - 3 hour people because I'm ahead of the walkers and can finish in about 3:15.

So, I'm at a point right now where I'm 90% sure that I could finish a half in less than 3 hours (assuming no major character stops, which is not a safe assumption if the half I'm doing is Disney). I do like the idea of having a longer time limit just in case, but it's not a huge factor for me.
(Also ... it's not definite, but from what I know of Disney halfs ... it's possible you'd finish with a 3:39, depending on where you started and where they were sweeping - the 3:30 is not as strict as people think, it all depends on how you stay ahead of the sweepers).

Having a good baseline of time on a race will also allow you to put yourself in a better corral for RunDisney! Which is what every race participant needs

Yeah, there's that. If I was doing a runDisney race, I'd have to go out and find a local 10K ASAP to get a good proof of time, because I know I can do a 10K at a 12:15 or faster pace, so that would be helpful for getting good corral placement (which in my head translates to more character stops).

So... I've done Rock n Roll halfs and while I haven't done the longer races at Disneyland (yet - about a month and I will!) -- I live in the area and am familiar with what you'll experience. The weather for the Disneyland Half is beautiful and can be a little bit warmer than the Avengers weekend. Personally, I think the vibe for the Disneyland weekends is much more "race" like than the Super Heroes weekend. I don't know if that makes sense at all, but the Labor Day race felt much more like a race than the Super Heroes weekend did.... BUT, Avengers will allow you for the opportunity to run through Disneyland all decorated for CHRISTMAS. Both courses are the same - you'll have 4 miles in the park and 8 miles roaming the streets of Anaheim. You get to run the field at Anaheim Stadium, home of the Angels baseball team

Thanks for the local tips! I've actually seen Disneyland all decorated for Christmas ... it's pretty amazing (especially Cars Land... that was my favorite). And Angel Stadium is basically the #2 reason I want to do a Disneyland race.

Side note: Rock n Roll Philly is my birthday weekend - so I'll be there partying and having a great time. Basically the tl;dr of this is that i will be at both of these races so you won't feel "alone" for your first experience.

Thanks
I definitely have a lot to think about ... I actually just looked at flight prices for Disneyland Half & Super Heroes weekend and it's only about a $70 difference ... but it's hard to justify spending over $400 on flights when Philly is so close ... it's a lot to think about. But I think I'm getting close to getting to a point where I can make a decision. We'll see.
I could always do Rock n Roll Philly, and then if I like that, Avengers might not be sold out yet ...

I'm a continued diet failure but I have started tracking again. Not pretty but it is a start!

Definitely a good start! Just keep tracking and working hard and eventually things will get easier (hopefully).

Which leads me to my final thought of the day. I'm scheduled to be our hostess for May. I have a GREAT theme idea but admit that I am flakier than a true French croissant these days. Does anyone want May? I'm happy to do it but would be equally happy to postpone for a few months in hopes of getting my (word I can't say here) together a bit more.

Anyone want to take over May?
We'd love to have you if nobody else volunteers, even if you can't be here so often - we appreciate any time you can stop by and keep us on track!

Ignore the good cleaning that my fridge needs, but here is everything in it right now. I really want to get some plastic bins and whatnot to make it more OCD-friendly, but it's working for now. Eggs and protein waffles on the top, veggies and snacks on the 2nd shelf, fruits on the 3rd, and protein and dairy on the bottom, not counting the cheese in the drawer. I'm trying to keep the fruits and veggies on the shelves instead of in their drawer because 1) I don't think it really makes a difference as far as freshness and 2) I forget about them when they're in the drawer and this way they are front and center when I open the door.

I love how well organized everything is!

Seriously. My childhood comes back to haunt/amuse me every year.
Thanks for volunteering ... if nobody else volunteers, I'll put you on the list for May.

Let's see - mine will be a little selfish -

Selfish is acceptable!

(1) I wish that I craved super healthy food, instead of junky food
(2) I wish that I craved exercise like I crave computer time.
(3) I wish that vegetables would stay fresh longer.

I wish for all of these - I definitely also struggle with these!
Especially the vegetables. I wish I could buy enough vegetables for a month and not have them go bad. So much easier.

About May - I was thinking I might volunteer for one of the months later in the year that hadn't been filled yet so I could have time to work up to it....

May is a good month to host and we'd be happy to have you!

 

[Oneanne]

Question for the Fitbit wearers in here - I have to recharge my CHR every 2 days. I thought I read it should only have to be charged every 5 days. Is my battery running out super fast or is this normal?

I think I can go 5 days, but I've been plugging it in every night when I plug in my phone.

 

[Oneanne]

Question of the Day – Monday, March 28th:

For the last week of our March challenge, we’re celebrating Mickey's Soundsational Parade at Disneyland.

http://www.**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Soundsational-Parade_featured.jpg

Mickey's Soundsational Parade contains whimsical floats, Disney characters, and classic Disney movie songs. The parade starts at "it's a small world" and ends at Town Square (this route is reversed if there is a second parade).

One of the floats in Mickey’s Soundsational Parade celebrates Aladdin. Leading this unit is the beloved character Genie.

Let’s talk hypotheticals today: if you had a genie, what would your three wishes be?
As with any genie, there are rules.
Rule #1: You can’t wish to magically be at your goal weight.
Rule #2: You can’t wish for calories to never count.
Rule #3: You can’t wish to burn calories without having to exercise at all.

What are your three healthy wishes?​

I have the same wish as others, for health for family and friends. Other than that 1. I wish I liked to run. 2. I'm surprised the idea of a personal chef doesn't grab me, but instead I wish I was a good cook and 3. I'd wish for consistent results, even when I put in less than100%.

The first two days of my trip have not been great eating wise. Mostly due to more food than I'm used to, but also a few bites of things that really shouldn't have gone into my mouth. I was at my Brothers house and so really not in control of schedule or food but now I'm out on my own and today has been better. Enjoying Texas so far... Today was 5 hours of driving that I really enjoyed.

 

[courtneybeth]

I definitely have a lot to think about ... I actually just looked at flight prices for Disneyland Half & Super Heroes weekend and it's only about a $70 difference ... but it's hard to justify spending over $400 on flights when Philly is so close ... it's a lot to think about. But I think I'm getting close to getting to a point where I can make a decision. We'll see.
I could always do Rock n Roll Philly, and then if I like that, Avengers might not be sold out yet ...

You got this - no matter the decision.... it will be the RIGHT ONE for you.

 

[Kiren]

I'm going to be at WDW May 23-28 --- so I'll finally be on the 'correct' coast but a little distracted.

AHHHHHH! We are going to be there the 24th to the 31st! We should meet up!

 

[courtneybeth]

AHHHHHH! We are going to be there the 24th to the 31st! We should meet up!

That's fantastic! We totally should. PM me and we'll coordinate schedules to find a way to celebrate DIS'meeting with a cake pop

 

[SarahDisney]

I have the same wish as others, for health for family and friends. Other than that 1. I wish I liked to run. 2. I'm surprised the idea of a personal chef doesn't grab me, but instead I wish I was a good cook and 3. I'd wish for consistent results, even when I put in less than100%.

Great wishes!

The first two days of my trip have not been great eating wise. Mostly due to more food than I'm used to, but also a few bites of things that really shouldn't have gone into my mouth. I was at my Brothers house and so really not in control of schedule or food but now I'm out on my own and today has been better. Enjoying Texas so far... Today was 5 hours of driving that I really enjoyed.

It's definitely rough when you're dealing with someone else's schedule and food choices. But it's important to do the best you can - and hopefully you'll do better now that you're more in control of your own schedule!

You got this - no matter the decision.... it will be the RIGHT ONE for you.

Thank you!

---

Okay, it's almost bedtime for me. Not a great day - a lot of unnecessary snacking - but it's giving me some ideas for what I want to focus on in April.
Good night/morning/afternoon/evening, all!

 

[JacknSally]

Currently at 46:55 at the start of this post. This is hour #2 on the treadmill today, but my attention span is suffering, so I'm here! Rambling! Lalala. Haha. I designed a shirt full of Mickey-shaped foods... while on the treadmill. That works, right? Anyway. This go-round I bumped it up to 2.5 miles to test how much of an effect it would have on the laptop situation, and it's actually not causing any issues, so yay! But I can definitely feel my left thigh cramping like a monster. And I'm INSANELY irritated that 2 hours on the treadmill has only gotten me 13,000ish steps today. That ROI needs some work.

End of post time: 49:19. UUUGGGHHHH.

 

[JacknSally]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOO did it! Did a full hour - no stops - at 2.5 mph.

But it put me at 5.67 miles for the day. And @courtneybeth is terrible horrible no good very bad person and bullied me into walking til I hit 6.2 miles, because I want to do the Princess 10k next year. So here I am. Stiiilllll. Walkingggg.

 

[ski_mom]

I'm new to this so someone with more experience may have a better method, but all of my stuff is in baggies or plastic containers with lids (one day I plan to upgrade to glass because it's supposed to keep things fresher longer but for now I use what I have!)... I use the small ziploc baggies (mainly the snack size ones, but also the sandwich size).

Ignore the good cleaning that my fridge needs, but here is everything in it right now. I really want to get some plastic bins and whatnot to make it more OCD-friendly, but it's working for now. Eggs and protein waffles on the top, veggies and snacks on the 2nd shelf, fruits on the 3rd, and protein and dairy on the bottom, not counting the cheese in the drawer. I'm trying to keep the fruits and veggies on the shelves instead of in their drawer because 1) I don't think it really makes a difference as far as freshness and 2) I forget about them when they're in the drawer and this way they are front and center when I open the door.

View attachment 158768

Oh my goodness! Your fridge looks GREAT!!

I'm saving your picture for inspiration that maybe some day, mine could look similar. I love how you grouped all your like foods together. Mine are always just pushed in anywhere they'll fit and I end up throwing away some things just because I forget that they are in there.

Thanks again for the ideas!

 

[DisPup75]

OK. I've changed my mind. It's long past time for me to pull myself together and hostessing is the best motivation of all. I'll keep May!

 

[courtneybeth]

OK. I've changed my mind. It's long past time for me to pull myself together and hostessing is the best motivation of all. I'll keep May!

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THE MONTH. You're a great leader!

 

[4Mickeys]

Currently at 46:55 at the start of this post. This is hour #2 on the treadmill today, but my attention span is suffering, so I'm here! Rambling! Lalala. Haha. I designed a shirt full of Mickey-shaped foods... while on the treadmill. That works, right? Anyway. This go-round I bumped it up to 2.5 miles to test how much of an effect it would have on the laptop situation, and it's actually not causing any issues, so yay! But I can definitely feel my left thigh cramping like a monster. And I'm INSANELY irritated that 2 hours on the treadmill has only gotten me 13,000ish steps today. That ROI needs some work.

End of post time: 49:19. UUUGGGHHHH.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOO did it! Did a full hour - no stops - at 2.5 mph.

But it put me at 5.67 miles for the day. And @courtneybeth is terrible horrible no good very bad person and bullied me into walking til I hit 6.2 miles, because I want to do the Princess 10k next year. So here I am. Stiiilllll. Walkingggg.

You are too funny - wow that is a huge effort on the treadmill! Did you do the Mickey shaped foods because you were so hungry from all the exercise haha?

By the way this morning I went and cut up the 2 wedges of watermelon that were just sitting in the fridge into 1 cup portions and put it in containers and announced to the kids that we all had to eat one container each per day. 3 of us have had ours already - my other cookie/cake hound son is yet to have his lol. So thanks for that tip

OK. I've changed my mind. It's long past time for me to pull myself together and hostessing is the best motivation of all. I'll keep May!

Oh so glad you decided to stick with it - I will save myself for those months later in the year that I think were open.

 

[DisPup75]

Question of the Day – Monday, March 28th:

For the last week of our March challenge, we’re celebrating Mickey's Soundsational Parade at Disneyland.

http://www.**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Soundsational-Parade_featured.jpg

Mickey's Soundsational Parade contains whimsical floats, Disney characters, and classic Disney movie songs. The parade starts at "it's a small world" and ends at Town Square (this route is reversed if there is a second parade).

One of the floats in Mickey’s Soundsational Parade celebrates Aladdin. Leading this unit is the beloved character Genie.

Let’s talk hypotheticals today: if you had a genie, what would your three wishes be?
As with any genie, there are rules.
Rule #1: You can’t wish to magically be at your goal weight.
Rule #2: You can’t wish for calories to never count.
Rule #3: You can’t wish to burn calories without having to exercise at all.

What are your three healthy wishes?​

Awesome question!!!

1. I wish that I had a properly functioning immune system instead of the crazy one I've got that is so busy protecting me from my own organs and from tree nuts and melon and cherries and almost all types of pollen that it fails to notice when strep, the flu, or the common cold come knocking.

2. I would LOVE a personal chef to keep me supplied in tasty healthy meals but that assumes that I have my current life. Since I have a genie, I wish that I had enough money so that I didn't have to work so that I could be my own personal chef. And I wouldn't mind some extra so that I could travel. A lot. And maybe buy a plane.

3. I wish I actually liked exercise! Or even that I could convince myself that I won't die if my heart beat rises and I get red and sweaty.

Trying to knock out two birds with one stone, I had DH cut a board that would fit across the handles of the treadmill that I could set my laptop on, so at the very least I could do some email responses and designing while I get in a walk. I can kill time sitting on a computer at a desk so easily, so I figured I might as well try to get some steps in while killing that time, haha. So here's where I've been for the last 48 minutes and 9 seconds! Haha. Since I've been typing, I haven't bumped the speed up above 2mph, so my time/distance ratio is pretty abysmal - but active is what counts, right? I'll probably call it when I hit an hour and try to get some more steps in later on. My attention span can only take so much. DH is working both jobs today so no outdoor walking.

View attachment 158633

I love it!!!

OK, I know this is a really odd question, but what do you use for pre-portioning your snacks, especially refrigerated ones? I've very good about breaking down my bags of dry snacks in just baggies, but haven't found the right containers for refrigerated things that last a decent amount of time.

Just wondered what you use.

Mason jars are one of my very favorite things. I've got them in sizes ranging from 1/2 cup to 1 quart and I put everything in them. They are kind of heavy but food lasts forever in them. I can cut up a week's worth of fruit at the beginning of the week, package it in portion sizes jars, and it stays fresh all week. Sometimes I put hummus in the bottom of one and stick carrot, celer, and pepper strips in length-wise (so they are sort of pre-dipped). They are also great for soup, making your own instant cup noodles, and the ubiquitous but tasty mason jar salads.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOO did it! Did a full hour - no stops - at 2.5 mph.

But it put me at 5.67 miles for the day. And @courtneybeth is terrible horrible no good very bad person and bullied me into walking til I hit 6.2 miles, because I want to do the Princess 10k next year. So here I am. Stiiilllll. Walkinggg

You are going to make it!!

 

[JacknSally]

Gonna go die now.

 

[4Mickeys]

I wish I actually liked exercise! Or even that I could convince myself that I won't die if my heart beat rises and I get red and sweaty.

This is so me as well - I almost put something along those lines in my wishes. When I get red in the face I get super red like the pants Mickey is wearing in my ID photo! It really freaks me out when I see it in the mirror.

 

[SarahDisney]

Currently at 46:55 at the start of this post. This is hour #2 on the treadmill today, but my attention span is suffering, so I'm here! Rambling! Lalala. Haha. I designed a shirt full of Mickey-shaped foods... while on the treadmill. That works, right? Anyway. This go-round I bumped it up to 2.5 miles to test how much of an effect it would have on the laptop situation, and it's actually not causing any issues, so yay! But I can definitely feel my left thigh cramping like a monster. And I'm INSANELY irritated that 2 hours on the treadmill has only gotten me 13,000ish steps today. That ROI needs some work.

End of post time: 49:19. UUUGGGHHHH.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOO did it! Did a full hour - no stops - at 2.5 mph.

But it put me at 5.67 miles for the day. And @courtneybeth is terrible horrible no good very bad person and bullied me into walking til I hit 6.2 miles, because I want to do the Princess 10k next year. So here I am. Stiiilllll. Walkingggg.

I think you need to start a blog - The Adventures of Megan on the Treadmill. These treadmill check-ins are so much fun!

I'm saving your picture for inspiration that maybe some day, mine could look similar. I love how you grouped all your like foods together. Mine are always just pushed in anywhere they'll fit and I end up throwing away some things just because I forget that they are in there.

I have the same problem! I just put things wherever they fit, and by the time I remember that I have something, it's gone bad.

OK. I've changed my mind. It's long past time for me to pull myself together and hostessing is the best motivation of all. I'll keep May!

Yay! Thank you - I know May will be an awesome month with you as hostess!

By the way this morning I went and cut up the 2 wedges of watermelon that were just sitting in the fridge into 1 cup portions and put it in containers and announced to the kids that we all had to eat one container each per day. 3 of us have had ours already - my other cookie/cake hound son is yet to have his lol. So thanks for that tip

Awesome! I love seeing people share tips and having something new work out well!

1. I wish that I had a properly functioning immune system instead of the crazy one I've got that is so busy protecting me from my own organs and from tree nuts and melon and cherries and almost all types of pollen that it fails to notice when strep, the flu, or the common cold come knocking.

2. I would LOVE a personal chef to keep me supplied in tasty healthy meals but that assumes that I have my current life. Since I have a genie, I wish that I had enough money so that I didn't have to work so that I could be my own personal chef. And I wouldn't mind some extra so that I could travel. A lot. And maybe buy a plane.

3. I wish I actually liked exercise! Or even that I could convince myself that I won't die if my heart beat rises and I get red and sweaty.

Great wishes!
And you won't die if your heart beat rises and you get red and sweaty ... as long as you don't raise it too much

Gonna go die now.

View attachment 158865

OMG YAY!! You did it!!!! I'm so proud of you!

---

Good morning all! I actually got out of bed early today, so instead of heading out for my run early, I decided to do replies before the QOTD.
I gotta get dressed now ... but the QOTD will be up at some point before I leave for my run (probably within the next 10 minutes or so, actually).

 

[SarahDisney]

Question of the Day – Tuesday, March 29th:

One of the units in Mickey’s Soundsational Parade features favorite characters from Neverland, including Tinkerbell, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, and Peter Pan.

Peter Pan reminds us that we all still have a bit of our childhood inside of us. Many of us may have been very active as children, but we became a little more sedentary as we grew out of activities that we considered childish.

The truth is, many of these “childish” activities are also acceptable for adults – sometimes in a slightly different way, and sometimes in the exact same way we did them as kids. Today, let’s think about how to bring back some of our favorite childhood activities.

Are there any activities, exercises, or sports that you had once thought were too “childish,” but you later grew to love as an adult?
Is there an activity, exercise, or sport that you loved as a child that you want to learn how to do as an adult?
For those of you with young (or not so young) kids – are there any activities that your kids do that seem like a lot of fun and you would love to join them?​

 

[DisPup75]

Question of the Day – Tuesday, March 29th:

One of the units in Mickey’s Soundsational Parade features favorite characters from Neverland, including Tinkerbell, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, and Peter Pan.

Peter Pan reminds us that we all still have a bit of our childhood inside of us. Many of us may have been very active as children, but we became a little more sedentary as we grew out of activities that we considered childish.

The truth is, many of these “childish” activities are also acceptable for adults – sometimes in a slightly different way, and sometimes in the exact same way we did them as kids. Today, let’s think about how to bring back some of our favorite childhood activities.

Are there any activities, exercises, or sports that you had once thought were too “childish,” but you later grew to love as an adult?
Is there an activity, exercise, or sport that you loved as a child that you want to learn how to do as an adult?
For those of you with young (or not so young) kids – are there any activities that your kids do that seem like a lot of fun and you would love to join them?​

I'm pretty much willing to be a kid all of the time! Unfortunately my inner kid wasn't all that active when she was actually a child. I'm actually more active now because I live in the city and I walk a lot. My one organized sport was volleyball and I hated it. Still do. My primary activities are the same as always - walking and hiking with the dog, occasionally riding my bike and swimming (both too casually to really be exercise), skiing a few times a winter, and ice skating once in a blue moon.

Once in a while I think about dance classes (the kind I failed at as a kid - straight ballet and tap) but my pigeon toes tripped me up when I was young, they haven't improved, and I worry that my complete lack of flexibility would just make things worse.

 

[tortilla24]

Question of the Day – Tuesday, March 29th:

One of the units in Mickey’s Soundsational Parade features favorite characters from Neverland, including Tinkerbell, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, and Peter Pan.

Peter Pan reminds us that we all still have a bit of our childhood inside of us. Many of us may have been very active as children, but we became a little more sedentary as we grew out of activities that we considered childish.

The truth is, many of these “childish” activities are also acceptable for adults – sometimes in a slightly different way, and sometimes in the exact same way we did them as kids. Today, let’s think about how to bring back some of our favorite childhood activities.

Are there any activities, exercises, or sports that you had once thought were too “childish,” but you later grew to love as an adult?
Is there an activity, exercise, or sport that you loved as a child that you want to learn how to do as an adult?
For those of you with young (or not so young) kids – are there any activities that your kids do that seem like a lot of fun and you would love to join them?​

I played all sorts of sports as a kid and the one that I really had the most promise in was gymnastics. But I quit right before middle school because I was convinced it was childish. I never quite did pick it back up but I'd really enjoy to. I just don't feel like it's something I have time for, sadly.

I also LOVED the trampoline as a kid and would enjoy picking it back up... someone here mentioned trampoline class and I'm definitely going to look into it!