2015 Amazing-can-do-Attitude April WISH challenge! ALL welcome!

[Trith]

for Monday, I thought I'd post a QOTD (question of the day) and get this party re-started

QOTD Monday Apr 13, 2015 --
What are the warning signs for you that you are maybe starting to lose your way on this lifelong journey? Is is eating more? Not journaling your food? Skipping workouts? And the more important part of this.... HOW DO YOU GET BACK ON TRACK?

Well, this is pretty relevant to me right now. But I've been here a few times before, so my answer would be: just do it. Yeah, I messed up, maybe for longer than I hoped, but it's time to just leave it behind and start over. I have a desktop wallpaper that is a huge inspiration to me, it's just a quote: "if I quit now, I will soon be back where I started. And when I started, I was desperately wishing to be where I am now." I very rarely look at my desktop, but I see it sporadically and it just reminds me of what I'd be giving up if I slip back in to old habits.

Hey all! Hope you had a great day! It was WARM and SUNNY here!!! SO EXCITING! Got two loads of wash hung outside and raked flower beds for about 90 minutes! It felt good to get so warm in the sun that I had to take off my sweatshirt!!

We had grilled cheese for dinner tonight, in honor of it being national grilled cheese day! Mine was Laughing Cow cheese and WW string cheese with baby spinach and caramelized onions on a low carb Sandwich Thin with a side of roasted green beans and steamed broccoli and a small dish of homemade applesauce for dessert! I'm STILL not getting enough PPV at each meal though.... today I had 5 PPV (well, technically 4.5) for breakfast, 4 PPV at lunch, and another 4 PPV at dinner. It is already 7pm and I'm trying REALLY HARD to CONSISTENTLY not eat after 8pm, so that means I have 13 PPV left to eat in the next hour..... Guess I'll indulge in some nuts.... but certainly not 13 PPV worth!

Well.... I've got to grab the last bit of laundry from outside before the dew settles. I answer the QOTD tomorrow! Thanks to ohMom for thinking of us ahead of her busy day and getting it posted early!! ..........................P

Okay, so I've had a rather large glass of wine, so it might be that talking but: HOW DOES STRING CHEESE TASTE ON GRILLED CHEESE THIS BLOWS MY MIND. Also, everything else in that meal sounds AMAZING. And as a second question that I'm genuinely curious about: what is the aversion to eating after eight? I've heard it in a few places but it's not something I've ever understood/practiced. I snack at night all the time (since I tend to have trouble with not eating enough in the day like you), and the only issue I've ever run across is the weird dreams I have when I eat cheese before bed. And I assume that isn't what is stopping everyone else.

 

[pjlla]

QOTD Monday Apr 13, 2015 --
What are the warning signs for you that you are maybe starting to lose your way on this lifelong journey? Is is eating more? Not journaling your food? Skipping workouts? And the more important part of this.... HOW DO YOU GET BACK ON TRACK?

Definitely a lack of tracking is a HUGE signal to me that I'm starting to go off course..... followed by a falling away of the important habit of weighing/measuring portions!

I usually plan (in writing) a full day of OP eating ahead of time (and prep the foods if necessary).... I decide what I will eat for each meal and snack, portions, etc and PRE-TRACK the entire day.... then I just need to eat it!! Sometimes just ONE FULL DAY of eating right helps reset me!!

Well, this is pretty relevant to me right now. But I've been here a few times before, so my answer would be: just do it. Yeah, I messed up, maybe for longer than I hoped, but it's time to just leave it behind and start over. I have a desktop wallpaper that is a huge inspiration to me, it's just a quote: "if I quit now, I will soon be back where I started. And when I started, I was desperately wishing to be where I am now." I very rarely look at my desktop, but I see it sporadically and it just reminds me of what I'd be giving up if I slip back in to old habits.

That quote is SO TRUE!!!


Okay, so I've had a rather large glass of wine, so it might be that talking but: HOW DOES STRING CHEESE TASTE ON GRILLED CHEESE THIS BLOWS MY MIND. Also, everything else in that meal sounds AMAZING. And as a second question that I'm genuinely curious about: what is the aversion to eating after eight? I've heard it in a few places but it's not something I've ever understood/practiced. I snack at night all the time (since I tend to have trouble with not eating enough in the day like you), and the only issue I've ever run across is the weird dreams I have when I eat cheese before bed. And I assume that isn't what is stopping everyone else.

The WW 1 PPV string cheese actually melts VERY nicely! And the taste is nice as well..... but I also shmeared in some Laughing Cow cheese .... MMMM!

Anyhow.... it isn't an aversion to eating after 8pm, but study after study that I hear about and read seems to confirm that eating late in the evening can lead to weight gain. Bob Harper (from BL fame) has said it for YEARS... "no eating after 7pm"! And I recently heard about a new study that was done with mice. Essentially two groups of mice were allowed the same number of calories per day.... but one group was limited to eating it over a specific span of time (it was tested with a 9 hour span, a 12 hour span, and a 15 hour span) and the other group was allowed to graze any time of day or night.... but they were ALL given the same number of calories. The groups that were limited to 9 hours and/or 12 hours did NOT gain weight and did not develop any of the issues associated with overeating and weight gain like diabetes, high blood pressure, belly fat, etc. The group that was allowed to eat those calories at any time of the day or night DID have weight gain (and specifically belly fat if I recall properly) and other weight-related health issues.... ALL ON THE SAME NUMBER OF CALORIES!!

That was enough for me to hear! If I can limit my calories to between 7:30 am and 7:30 pm, I do!! It doesn't always work out practically.... especially on evenings when I work and don't get home for dinner until 8pm. On those days I try to push off my breakfast until at least 8am, but if I am working during the day also, that isn't always possible. And honestly, it has shown that it works by my results on the scale when I am SUPER vigilant in avoiding the late evening snacking.... even if I am still eating my full day's PPV!

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

Hey all! It was looking like I would have the day off, but I got called at the last minute and had to dash out the door. But I'll be happy when the paycheck comes, right? Tonight's dinner is already prepped and just needs to be cooked, so I may have time to rake the two flower beds that I had planned to do this morning.

Thankfully I had that big pot of lentil soup I had made on Saturday ready to grab some for lunch!!

Off to get ready for my recess duty.... it is SUPER nice today!....................P

 

[ohMom]

What are the warning signs for you that you are maybe starting to lose your way on this lifelong journey? Is is eating more? Not journaling your food? Skipping workouts? And the more important part of this.... HOW DO YOU GET BACK ON TRACK?

not food journaling is one of my first signs...and mindless snacking. like right now, I'm tired, I've had a really busy day, got a good WO this morning and walked Piper so I'm really tired and it would be so easy to grab a snack for a pick me up. but I'm not hungry...I've got to interpret my symptoms correctly, sometimes tired gets misinterpreted as hungry for me. but I'm getting off track...if I'm not logging my food into MFP than I'm eating too much. period

 

[Trith]

Definitely a lack of tracking is a HUGE signal to me that I'm starting to go off course..... followed by a falling away of the important habit of weighing/measuring portions!

I usually plan (in writing) a full day of OP eating ahead of time (and prep the foods if necessary).... I decide what I will eat for each meal and snack, portions, etc and PRE-TRACK the entire day.... then I just need to eat it!! Sometimes just ONE FULL DAY of eating right helps reset me!!

The WW 1 PPV string cheese actually melts VERY nicely! And the taste is nice as well..... but I also shmeared in some Laughing Cow cheese .... MMMM!

Anyhow.... it isn't an aversion to eating after 8pm, but study after study that I hear about and read seems to confirm that eating late in the evening can lead to weight gain. Bob Harper (from BL fame) has said it for YEARS... "no eating after 7pm"! And I recently heard about a new study that was done with mice. Essentially two groups of mice were allowed the same number of calories per day.... but one group was limited to eating it over a specific span of time (it was tested with a 9 hour span, a 12 hour span, and a 15 hour span) and the other group was allowed to graze any time of day or night.... but they were ALL given the same number of calories. The groups that were limited to 9 hours and/or 12 hours did NOT gain weight and did not develop any of the issues associated with overeating and weight gain like diabetes, high blood pressure, belly fat, etc. The group that was allowed to eat those calories at any time of the day or night DID have weight gain (and specifically belly fat if I recall properly) and other weight-related health issues.... ALL ON THE SAME NUMBER OF CALORIES!!

That was enough for me to hear! If I can limit my calories to between 7:30 am and 7:30 pm, I do!! It doesn't always work out practically.... especially on evenings when I work and don't get home for dinner until 8pm. On those days I try to push off my breakfast until at least 8am, but if I am working during the day also, that isn't always possible. And honestly, it has shown that it works by my results on the scale when I am SUPER vigilant in avoiding the late evening snacking.... even if I am still eating my full day's PPV!

Prepping my days ahead of time helps me soooo much. I have days where I work from 10-10, so I have to plan very carefully what I'm eating the day before. Once I know the food is there (and I tend to arrange it so I have plenty of snacks for any downtime) I can do a great job following the plan. Days where I don't plan at least a little in advance... those don't go so well.

Interesting about that study! I never really looked into it, I always thought it was just correlated with the amount of undigested food in you in the morning, when most people weigh themselves. Of course, now that I type it out it makes no sense. Sadly it doesn't work with my schedule at all, so I can't test it for myself.

What are the warning signs for you that you are maybe starting to lose your way on this lifelong journey? Is is eating more? Not journaling your food? Skipping workouts? And the more important part of this.... HOW DO YOU GET BACK ON TRACK?

not food journaling is one of my first signs...and mindless snacking. like right now, I'm tired, I've had a really busy day, got a good WO this morning and walked Piper so I'm really tired and it would be so easy to grab a snack for a pick me up. but I'm not hungry...I've got to interpret my symptoms correctly, sometimes tired gets misinterpreted as hungry for me. but I'm getting off track...if I'm not logging my food into MFP than I'm eating too much. period

Good on you for being able to interpret your cues properly. I still struggle with that sometimes (bored =/= hungry, but my brain sure thinks it does!).

---

Not much to say about today, it's day one of my mini-cut. I'm super duper bloated from last week, which I'm hoping will give me the inspiration to not give into my cravings. Meanwhile, filling up on lots of green veggies!

 

[DisFam95]

Hi there. I'm soooo trying to get back on track but someone keeps moving the rails and I can't find the station!!! I'm in one of those overwhelmed w/ life times but I keep telling myself my issues are no where near as bad as others so suck it up buttercup.

I really have a hard time getting online to visit and focus my thoughts but i Know it helps keep me focused so I'm trying again. I know I need to get organized and track my eating - that really. I just tried on all my summer shorts and pants and they are all tight. They button but it's not pretty - long shirts needed! Can't afford a new wardrobe so I need to get at it. I have a trip in 2 weeks then Disney in august.

Well there's my 2 minutes of free time - off to deal w/ the kids activities

 

[ohMom]

WOO HOO WEDNESDAY

Tomorrow is up and at 'em gym morning, so posting our topic tonight .....what can we celebrate with you for the past week?

 

[pjlla]

Prepping my days ahead of time helps me soooo much. I have days where I work from 10-10, so I have to plan very carefully what I'm eating the day before. Once I know the food is there (and I tend to arrange it so I have plenty of snacks for any downtime) I can do a great job following the plan. Days where I don't plan at least a little in advance... those don't go so well.

Interesting about that study! I never really looked into it, I always thought it was just correlated with the amount of undigested food in you in the morning, when most people weigh themselves. Of course, now that I type it out it makes no sense. Sadly it doesn't work with my schedule at all, so I can't test it for myself.

Here is a link to the information if you (or anyone else) would like to read more!

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/15/a-12-hour-window-for-a-healthy-weight/


Not much to say about today, it's day one of my mini-cut. I'm super duper bloated from last week, which I'm hoping will give me the inspiration to not give into my cravings. Meanwhile, filling up on lots of green veggies!

Good for you !!

Hi there. I'm soooo trying to get back on track but someone keeps moving the rails and I can't find the station!!! I'm in one of those overwhelmed w/ life times but I keep telling myself my issues are no where near as bad as others so suck it up buttercup.

Here!! RIGHT HERE! The STATION IS HERE!! Come back and CHAT with us more! Find some inspiration here! And you know what.... you are allowed to be overwhelmed by life. So WHAT if your problems aren't as "big" or "bad" as someone else's problems! They are still YOUR PROBLEMS and they are still causing you stress! So you need to find a way to fix them or deal with them constructively. And remember.... if hunger isn't the question, then food isn't the answer.

I really have a hard time getting online to visit and focus my thoughts but i Know it helps keep me focused so I'm trying again. I know I need to get organized and track my eating - that really. I just tried on all my summer shorts and pants and they are all tight. They button but it's not pretty - long shirts needed! Can't afford a new wardrobe so I need to get at it. I have a trip in 2 weeks then Disney in august.

Well there's my 2 minutes of free time - off to deal w/ the kids activities

I'm also fearing trying on my shorts..... not that I am that much heavier (perhaps just 8 pounds more than my lowest weight ever).... but I am FLABBY and out of condition and I KNOW that contributes to having more of a muffin top which, of course, means my shorts don't fit well. Perhaps we need to start some sort of ab challenge!!???

WOO HOO WEDNESDAY

Tomorrow is up and at 'em gym morning, so posting our topic tonight .....what can we celebrate with you for the past week?

My woohoo???? Well... I ate more yesterday! I know that sounds counter-intuitive to "dieting" but after many, many days of eating well under my daily PPV/calorie target, I managed to get 25 of my 26 daily PPV yesterday.... granted 5 PPV of that was a low carb snack bar at 8pm, but I still got there!

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

Hey all! Not working today, but I had an errand in town this morning, so this is my first chance to pop on and say hello!! Worked both jobs yesterday, so absolutely NO time to check the Dis. Hope you all are well! Weather has seemed to FINALLY turn the corner here (although it is supposed to be progressively cooler as the week goes along) and we have crocuses blooming in the yard!

Since I have an unexpected day at home (no work, errand was shorter than expected, and DS's track meet was cancelled) I was going to make a list of 10 things that I've been WANTING to do, but haven't had the time to do and get those 10 things done (hopefully some of them are fun things like scrapbooking!). I've done one already!

I'll be back later to chat!........................P

 

[DisFam95]

REALLY don't have time for this but I'm taking this minute to refocus and step back from the chaos of my day. Unexpected pool repairs, kid calling needing something to be brought to school (I first said no but then called him and said yes because he's working on 'fitting in' and whatever I can do to help I will), stupid computer issues, playing scheduling madness w MD appoints that HAVE to done by end of month (we have weird May 1 deductible start date) or else it's OOP, my chatty mom calling and me trying not to be rude saying "I HAVE TO GO" in the nicest way possible when my pool guy is trying to reach me, missed so many call backs today while on calls with other drama's, lost check book,need routing numbers, realized out of checks, tried to order new ones online and Java won;t let me see anything, don;t know how to fix it. AAaarghhhh!!!! I can't even imagine if i was pms'ing 1pm and no shower yet! School events tonight.

BUT I'm proud I haven't done any stress eating!!!! of course I haven't really had time to eat anything which isn't good either. Going to take a minute to go get something to eat (not some fries which I"m craving). Then shower than back to problem solving.

No exercise in today yet. Don; think that's happening today with school events tonight. There's always tomorrow!

pjilla thanks for this --> And remember.... if hunger isn't the question, then food isn't the answer.

 

[JoshMom5]

I have been really struggling lately. I seem to have absolutely no willpower. I have been doing great on my step goal but am wasting the calories I gain from the extra steps by eating stupid things like pastries, donuts, candy, etc. I just can't seem to stop myself. I like what was said previously about tracking. I am been off the track on tracking. I am going to track tomorrow and see if that will keep me from the mindless eating.

 

[pjlla]

REALLY don't have time for this but I'm taking this minute to refoc

sus and step back from the chaos of my day. Unexpected pool repairs, kid calling needing something to be brought to school (I first said no but then called him and said yes because he's working on 'fitting in' and whatever I can do to help I will), stupid computer issues, playing scheduling madness w MD appoints that HAVE to done by end of month (we have weird May 1 deductible start date) or else it's OOP, my chatty mom calling and me trying not to be rude saying "I HAVE TO GO" in the nicest way possible when my pool guy is trying to reach me, missed so many call backs today while on calls with other drama's, lost check book,need routing numbers, realized out of checks, tried to order new ones online and Java won;t let me see anything, don;t know how to fix it. AAaarghhhh!!!! I can't even imagine if i was pms'ing 1pm and no shower yet! School events tonight.

BUT I'm proud I haven't done any stress eating!!!! of course I haven't really had time to eat anything which isn't good either. Going to take a minute to go get something to eat (not some fries which I"m craving). Then shower than back to problem solving.

No exercise in today yet. Don; think that's happening today with school events tonight. There's always tomorrow!

pjilla thanks for this --> And remember.... if hunger isn't the question, then food isn't the answer.

Oh my my!!! What a day!! Prayers and hugs coming your way!! Hopefully things will start straightening themselves out after today!

I have been really struggling lately. I seem to have absolutely no willpower. I have been doing great on my step goal but am wasting the calories I gain from the extra steps by eating stupid things like pastries, donuts, candy, etc. I just can't seem to stop myself. I like what was said previously about tracking. I am been off the track on tracking. I am going to track tomorrow and see if that will keep me from the mindless eating.

Sorry you are struggling. Sometimes it isn't so much about WILLPOWER as it is about PLANNING. Plan ONE tasty treat to use some of your extra calories and that's it.... tell yourself that the other calories need to be fruit, veggie or protein. Before you put something in your mouth ask yourself "how will I feel about this decision tomorrow?". And pull out that tracker and have it ready and waiting!! Hugs to you!!

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

Evening all! I kept busy today, but of course did not get all of the ten things done that I wanted.... just spent too much time on the necessities of laundry and cooking and dishes and driving. Oh well.

I'm off to have a quick cup of decaf (made a pot as a treat tonight) and finish putting away the clean laundry before Survivor starts!.................P

 

[JoshMom5]

Sorry you are struggling. Sometimes it isn't so much about WILLPOWER as it is about PLANNING. Plan ONE tasty treat to use some of your extra calories and that's it.... tell yourself that the other calories need to be fruit, veggie or protein. Before you put something in your mouth ask yourself "how will I feel about this decision tomorrow?". And pull out that tracker and have it ready and waiting!! Hugs to you!!

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

Evening all! I kept busy today, but of course did not get all of the ten things done that I wanted.... just spent too much time on the necessities of laundry and cooking and dishes and driving. Oh well.

I'm off to have a quick cup of decaf (made a pot as a treat tonight) and finish putting away the clean laundry before Survivor starts!.................P

Thanks for the kind words. Enjoy your decaf AND Survivor!

 

[Trith]

To everyone struggling right now (myself included), just remember: one treat isn't going to bring you down. To put on a pound you need a 3500 calorie surplus and something like a donut is what, 300 calories? One is fine. Admittedly, for me, one becomes two and two becomes four and four becomes heartburn and acne, but just bear that in mind.

---

I've been slowly dragging myself back onto the wagon since Monday. Eating well and have gone to the gym every day. I'm still bloated from last week, hoping that maybe a whoosh will come my way soon to clear that up. I've been thinking that maybe tracking my water intake will help a bit with that, so I grabbed an app that might help me through the day. It's called Plant Nanny, and I can't remember if I heard about it here or somewhere else. It's kind of cute, you have a little plant and every time you input a drink it "waters" the plant. There's also reminders at set intervals to remind you to drink more.

 

[pjlla]

To everyone struggling right now (myself included), just remember: one treat isn't going to bring you down. To put on a pound you need a 3500 calorie surplus and something like a donut is what, 300 calories? One is fine. Admittedly, for me, one becomes two and two becomes four and four becomes heartburn and acne, but just bear that in mind.

---

I've been slowly dragging myself back onto the wagon since Monday. Eating well and have gone to the gym every day. I'm still bloated from last week, hoping that maybe a whoosh will come my way soon to clear that up. I've been thinking that maybe tracking my water intake will help a bit with that, so I grabbed an app that might help me through the day. It's called Plant Nanny, and I can't remember if I heard about it here or somewhere else. It's kind of cute, you have a little plant and every time you input a drink it "waters" the plant. There's also reminders at set intervals to remind you to drink more.

All very good feedback and information! Thanks for the reminder that ONE is okay!!

The app sounds really cute.... I'm going to look into it today! I get my tea and my coffee and my plain seltzer.... but just plain water is a struggle for me! Gonna grab an extra water to take to work with me today! Thanks for the reminder!

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

Hey all! I literally have one minute to say hello before I dash out to work! I'll try to pop on tonight when I get home (after the men go to robotics)!................P

 

[Flossbolna]

Once again sorry for being so absent!! Still struggling with my eating. And the coming weekend I am going to be away, so that will be a challenge as well. I seem to have trouble to have the energy to be better with my meal planning and shopping. I had planned to bring lunches to work twice this week and ended up eating out every day so far. I don't think I will manage to get organised for tomorrow again. The problem seems to be that I don't have the time and energy to stay on top with exercise and meal prepping. Arg!!

But all in all I am not doing too badly. I am still tracking despite going over my daily points every day, at least the tracking prevents me from going far far too much over my points. I am really active at the moment and will end the week with about 55 activity points.

I hope next week will be better as it should be a quiet week at work where I can get a lot done. Also, the next few weekends are without plans, so hopefully I will be able to get back on track with stuff. I am thinking about taking a day off from work sometime in the next few weeks in order to catch up at home with all kind of things... I think I need to sit down and make a to do list. I know that that always helps to get myself better organised!

Thanks for listening!! I promise to be better in replying again soon!

 

[DisFam95]

Hello all! Seems to be a lot of us struggling at the moment but a lot of good advice too. One day at a time. Planning is definitely my downfall. I dream of making schedules and meal calendars but it never happens. I'll surf Pinterest at times ot get ideas but they never seem to manifest. Or maybe I manage a week of planning but then it's gone. BUT I'm not giving up. My challenge is dinners and family schedules (like all moms I'm sure). Who's home when, something to make that can be served at different times, starting on time!!! I admit I HATE cooking and we eat out way more than we should. I feel bad because I know I;m setting my kids up for food failures and what to expect as normal eating. I'm going to try and work on making a list of go-to meal options and planning a whole week of no eating out and see how that goes.

So far so good today. I'm in some pain today due to some medical stuff going on which has really cut my ability to exercise/walk. Have another appointment today. All these med appts are eating into my time which also causing me stress.

The cupboard is bare (has been a couple days) so I'm off to the store. Healthy choices!!!!

Hope everyone has a great day!! Stay focused and don't let one slip up get you down!!

 

[ohMom]

hello all!! where has our week gone!? i never got back to answer my woo hoo Wed...which was that despite oversleeping I still made it to my Wed morning class!

now for the confessions, I'm struggling with eating too!! i had a whoosh last Friday and for some reason i feel like I've lost those pounds, now I can relax. this is NOT the right attitude! i still have 15 lbs to lose! would anyone be up for a mini-challenge next week? maybe a 10 day journaling challenge? that would REALLY help me get back on track!

I'm posting another quick one, sorry i don't have time for personal replies, but I'm heading out to pick up my daughter (she lives an 1+ away) and my BFF and we are all going out to dinner and wine/paint class. I offered to drive so that i don't inhale too much wine that i don't need to be drinking! i'll keep dinner light, i didn't do an official WO today but Piper and I took a super long walk and i am over in steps! yay! and she's pleasantly pooped and not trying to play fetch non-stop

tomorrow morning I'm going to the gym with my BFF, she's new into fitness and very excited about it, and for me to come WO with her trainer. i hope I can walk this weekend, he's tough! I'll report in when I get home!

FUN FRIDAY APR 17 -- http://blogs.disney.com/oh-my-disney/2015/02/16/quiz-which-disney-squad-do-you-belong-to/

 

[Flossbolna]

would anyone be up for a mini-challenge next week? maybe a 10 day journaling challenge? that would REALLY help me get back on track!

I am up for any mini-challenge you want to throw at me!!

I did medium well today again. Too much snacking (but not still not totally crazy candy etc. and then when I went in the kitchen for even more snacks, I managed to leave the kitchen without getting a snack!! So, I was proud of that!). Maybe I need to make a sign and put on my kitchen door saying: "Closed for service for the night!"

Did go out for a run and ended up with some bowel trouble while running. That is the second time in a row. If it does not get better the next time, I need to go and see my doctor about it.

 

[pjlla]

Once again sorry for being so absent!! Still struggling with my eating. And the coming weekend I am going to be away, so that will be a challenge as well. I seem to have trouble to have the energy to be better with my meal planning and shopping. I had planned to bring lunches to work twice this week and ended up eating out every day so far. I don't think I will manage to get organised for tomorrow again. The problem seems to be that I don't have the time and energy to stay on top with exercise and meal prepping. Arg!!

But all in all I am not doing too badly. I am still tracking despite going over my daily points every day, at least the tracking prevents me from going far far too much over my points. I am really active at the moment and will end the week with about 55 activity points.

I hope next week will be better as it should be a quiet week at work where I can get a lot done. Also, the next few weekends are without plans, so hopefully I will be able to get back on track with stuff. I am thinking about taking a day off from work sometime in the next few weeks in order to catch up at home with all kind of things... I think I need to sit down and make a to do list. I know that that always helps to get myself better organised!

Thanks for listening!! I promise to be better in replying again soon!

I will listen ANY TIME!! Definitely look forward to some empty weekends so that you can do some planning! It definitely takes TIME and ENERGY to keep up with this healthier lifestyle.... but it is SO WORTH IT.... and YOU are worth it! Good for you for keeping up with the tracking despite the struggles.

Hello all! Seems to be a lot of us struggling at the moment but a lot of good advice too. One day at a time. Planning is definitely my downfall. I dream of making schedules and meal calendars but it never happens. I'll surf Pinterest at times ot get ideas but they never seem to manifest. Or maybe I manage a week of planning but then it's gone. BUT I'm not giving up. My challenge is dinners and family schedules (like all moms I'm sure). Who's home when, something to make that can be served at different times, starting on time!!! I admit I HATE cooking and we eat out way more than we should. I feel bad because I know I;m setting my kids up for food failures and what to expect as normal eating. I'm going to try and work on making a list of go-to meal options and planning a whole week of no eating out and see how that goes.

It takes TIME to get into a routine of eating at home every night....especially with crazy schedules.... but it CAN BE DONE! Some of the things I learned when trying to get used to meal planning for a busy family....

Prep ahead when possible (i.e. when cutting onions for tonight's meal, keep going and cut the one for tomorrow night's meal as well! Or better yet, pick a weekend afternoon and chop everything for the week!)

The crockpot is your friend! (I have multiple crockpots and have been known to have a main dish and a side going all at once!)

Not every dinner needs to be Food Network worthy! Sometimes chicken soup and sliced apples are enough!

Why make ONE meal when you can make TWO just as quickly (double batch cooking... one for tonight, one for the freezer!).

Have an unplanned night at least every 7- 10 days.... for using up leftovers and for those things that just never got cooked on their scheduled night!

BE FLEXIBLE and have a BACK-UP plan! When little Billy informs you at the last minute that his game was rescheduled for tonight at 6pm and it is now 5:15 and the chicken isn't even in the oven yet..... put the chicken back in the fridge and pull out your back-up plan! (For me it is usually either scrambled eggs or veggie burgers.)

So far so good today. I'm in some pain today due to some medical stuff going on which has really cut my ability to exercise/walk. Have another appointment today. All these med appts are eating into my time which also causing me stress.

Sorry you are in pain.... hope that the appointment was able to help with that.

The cupboard is bare (has been a couple days) so I'm off to the store. Healthy choices!!!!

Hope everyone has a great day!! Stay focused and don't let one slip up get you down!!

Are you feeling like Old Mother Hubbard with the bare cupboard?

hello all!! where has our week gone!? i never got back to answer my woo hoo Wed...which was that despite oversleeping I still made it to my Wed morning class!

That's a woohoo for sure!

now for the confessions, I'm struggling with eating too!! i had a whoosh last Friday and for some reason i feel like I've lost those pounds, now I can relax. this is NOT the right attitude! i still have 15 lbs to lose! would anyone be up for a mini-challenge next week? maybe a 10 day journaling challenge? that would REALLY help me get back on track!

Any kind of challenge would really be welcomed!! Bring it on!!

I'm posting another quick one, sorry i don't have time for personal replies, but I'm heading out to pick up my daughter (she lives an 1+ away) and my BFF and we are all going out to dinner and wine/paint class. I offered to drive so that i don't inhale too much wine that i don't need to be drinking! i'll keep dinner light, i didn't do an official WO today but Piper and I took a super long walk and i am over in steps! yay! and she's pleasantly pooped and not trying to play fetch non-stop

tomorrow morning I'm going to the gym with my BFF, she's new into fitness and very excited about it, and for me to come WO with her trainer. i hope I can walk this weekend, he's tough! I'll report in when I get home!

Hope tonight's wine and paint is fun! I've really wanted to try that myself! And congrats on being a good influence on your BFF and getting her into fitness!!

FUN FRIDAY APR 17 -- http://blogs.disney.com/oh-my-disney/2015/02/16/quiz-which-disney-squad-do-you-belong-to/

The Disney Squad I belong with is Mickey and Friends!!! "Your classic sensibilities are just perfect for this goofy group. Friendships like yours are truly timeless."

I am up for any mini-challenge you want to throw at me!!

I did medium well today again. Too much snacking (but not still not totally crazy candy etc. and then when I went in the kitchen for even more snacks, I managed to leave the kitchen without getting a snack!! So, I was proud of that!). Maybe I need to make a sign and put on my kitchen door saying: "Closed for service for the night!"

Did go out for a run and ended up with some bowel trouble while running. That is the second time in a row. If it does not get better the next time, I need to go and see my doctor about it.

Good for you for walking away WITHOUT a snack! Give yourself a pat on the back! Sorry about the belly issues... hope they clear up!

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Hey all! Hope your Thursday was good! Mine was pretty decent. I was a one-on-one aide with a sweetheart of a little girl with some physical disabilities, so it was actually a pretty easy day! I know that her para is pretty sick right now, so perhaps I'll get to be there again tomorrow.

Got a good walk in tonight and dragged DH along (well... he came willingly, but walking is not his thing), so I feel good about that. And I tried HARD to get ALL of my calories/PPV in today....I'm at 17 (out of 26) right now, so I probably won't make it totally today, but I definitely tried! Guess I'll have a low carb snack bar in a few minutes to give me a last bump~

BB in the a.m. to chat I hope!.....................P

 

[JoshMom5]

Did much better today since I took your advice and tracked the day. It's good to hear everyone having ups and downs....make me feel normal. I am up for a mini-challenge. I too have an empty cupboard. Saturday will be the big shopping day. Pulled out two slow cooker recipes to make. We usually get 2 or 3 meals out of each. You are right, it is possible to cook at home. Thanks everyone for sharing the good, the bad and the ugly.

 

[pjlla]

Did much better today since I took your advice and tracked the day. It's good to hear everyone having ups and downs....make me feel normal. I am up for a mini-challenge. I too have an empty cupboard. Saturday will be the big shopping day. Pulled out two slow cooker recipes to make. We usually get 2 or 3 meals out of each.

Wish I got 2-3 meals from a crockpot day! My men are big eaters and I'm lucky if I have enough leftover for one lunch usually!

You are right, it is possible to cook at home. Thanks everyone for sharing the good, the bad and the ugly.

That is what I have ALWAYS loved about this group (even as it has changed over the years). People are willing to be so transparent and HONEST and it truly helps others to know that they are not alone in the struggle. And it is always a wonderful place to get helpful ideas, suggestions, and support!

Yes, it is possible to cook at home.... EVERY DAY (or virtually)..... but it definitely takes planning and practice and a LOT of trial and error over the years..... plus it helps that I am cheap and I NEVER want to pay restaurant prices.... plus we have NO (and I mean NO) fast food or real restaurants here in my town (just a Dunkin Donuts, a fairly new Subway, and our local sub and pizza shop and each of those is still a 20 minute drive each way).

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Hey all! Happy Friday! Sorry I didn't make it on this morning, but I awoke to no electricity. Apparently a morning accident took out a pole.... so I did my hair the best I could and put on my make-up with a flashlight! Surprised I didn't end up looking like a clown!

And of course, in my distraction I forgot to take out the beef for tonight's beef and broccoli... hopefully I can defrost it quickly before 6pm dinner.

My weigh-in this morning was less than stellar..... down just .2. I KNOW that I'm not eating enough or exercising enough and I MUST find a way to remedy that next week. I am going to take another peek at the scale tomorrow, in case there is a change in the right direction.

Gotta dash and grab my students from Music! I'll pop on again tonight to chat!..............P