A YOU Worth Fighting For | January 2016 Weight Loss & Better Living Challenge

[courtneybeth]

If you do not own a foam roller go get one asap.

Hoping you can link to a few that are recommended. @dsnyfn1022 and I are having similar questions.

 

[DisPup75]

Just a quick check-in (unfortunately without any idea of where I am weight wise as my scale is broken). The new job is burying me alive. I knew it would be a challenge but two weeks in and I'm staring to think, "what was I thinking???" For now, nothing to do but put my head back down and plow along.

Health and fitness wise, I'm also trying to plug along. It's been so icy cold that even the dog doesn't want to go outside so my steps have sadly dipped below 10,000. My eating has been OK - still too many meals out and too many snacks but I'm doing a better job of making the other meals really count. One good side effect of too few hours in the day is that I've really started to rely on just a handful of quick, healthy meals. Fish or chicken + salad and broccoli or asparagus is boarding but it tastes good and it is one less thing I have to think about. Goal for the week is to get a new scale so I can see whether I am on track. I'd like to fit in a WW meeting but that just isn't going to happen.

I hope everyone is well and warm and happy! My phone is telling me that it is currently 12 degrees and blustery, with a windchill of -3. Time to play rock, paper, scissors with DH over who has to leave the warmth of the down comforter to walk the dog. At least the days are getting longer and then sun will be up in a mere 2 hours.

 

[Flossbolna]

Happy Tuesday everyone!

I am finally starting to feel better! I am so happy and full of energy. Not totally healthy yet, still coughing and my throat is a little sore. But compared to the previous days it feels like night and day!

Eating has been really good so far as well. So proud that I managed to pack my lunch today. Had a lovely ham sandwich and plenty of carrots and a blood orange (I love them, but their season is rather short). Now I need to come up with some dinner for tonight and finally do my meal planning for the rest of the week. But at least I have the energy to actually get it done!

 

[JacknSally]

Good morning, friends!! I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and that we are all surviving the cold! We didn't get above freezing here yesterday, and our first "winter weather advisory" is set for tonight, so the "I" word is being thrown around a LOT. Ugh. How many days until spring?

QOTD for Tuesday, January 19, 2016

We are now officially more than 50% of the way through the month, so let's have a little mid-month reflection.

How are you doing on your goals? I don't just mean what is your progress percentage so far. Are you struggling, and if so, what is derailing you? Are you finding that you set your goal too low? Too high? Are your methods of achieving your goal working out like you expected, or are you discovering that you aren't seeing the results like you thought you should? Are you feeling good about your progress/goal?

 

[flvy]

I'm in a business training but tonight I'll give a foam roller 411.

 

[dsnyfn1022]

How are you doing on your goals? I don't just mean what is your progress percentage so far. Are you struggling, and if so, what is derailing you? Are you finding that you set your goal too low? Too high? Are your methods of achieving your goal working out like you expected, or are you discovering that you aren't seeing the results like you thought you should? Are you feeling good about your progress/goal?

While precentage-wise I'm doing really well, I do find that I'm struggling with WW and smart points now. I've been going waaaay over on my weekly points for weeks now. Last week I didn't go over but this week I'm already over -37 points! I know what I'm doing. I'm eating crap on the weekends. And on Sunday I had a terrible binge-fest that made me feel so horrible and ashamed. Obviously, this week I can't do anything more than not dig myself further in the hole and continue to work out. So next month I'm definitely going to be focusing on staying with my weekly plan so that I stop going over.

 

[SarahDisney]

How are you doing on your goals? I don't just mean what is your progress percentage so far. Are you struggling, and if so, what is derailing you? Are you finding that you set your goal too low? Too high? Are your methods of achieving your goal working out like you expected, or are you discovering that you aren't seeing the results like you thought you should? Are you feeling good about your progress/goal?

Eh. Disney threw me off. I wasn't eating great before I left, and I mostly stopped exercising. At Disney I did okay, but not great. Once I got back ... I had a really hard time adjusting to being back in the real world, and while I'm getting better, I still haven't gotten my eating and exercise back under control. I really need to work on that.

Also, I was supposed to run this morning, but decided I didn't want to run outside if it felt like negative temperatures. And then I decided to sleep in and didn't hit the treadmill because I didn't get out of bed until 9. I might try to get on the treadmill in the afternoon, but we'll see. Oh, and while making my snack (Starbucks Instant Latte - my cold weather treat), I had two pieces of chocolate and a handful of granola. Not my best day so far.

 

[courtneybeth]

I knew it would be a challenge but two weeks in and I'm staring to think, "what was I thinking???" For now, nothing to do but put my head back down and plow along.

Adjusting to a new job is always difficult - it can take up to a month to fully adjust. Keep chugging along and know that we're all wishing you good luck and sending positive vibes. You'll find your equilibrium soon!

I am finally starting to feel better! I am so happy and full of energy. Not totally healthy yet, still coughing and my throat is a little sore. But compared to the previous days it feels like night and day!

So glad to hear that you're feeling better YEAH!

hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and that we are all surviving the cold!

Our winter so far isn't terrible - mid 60s with highs of 72 on Friday. Sometimes I wish that Southern California would experience more than two seasons: summer and mild summer.

 

[courtneybeth]

QOTD for Tuesday, January 19, 2016

We are now officially more than 50% of the way through the month, so let's have a little mid-month reflection.

How are you doing on your goals? I don't just mean what is your progress percentage so far. Are you struggling, and if so, what is derailing you? Are you finding that you set your goal too low? Too high? Are your methods of achieving your goal working out like you expected, or are you discovering that you aren't seeing the results like you thought you should? Are you feeling good about your progress/goal?

While I'm still on target with maintenance mode I'm struggling with adjusting to the calories. Sometimes I don't want to eat my full calories and other days I'm in an 'eat all the things' mode. It's all a process and I realize now that I'm officially into Year of the Half Marathon that it's going to be crazy to adjust and get used to the increased activity and what type of activity I'm doing. So ... I say that 19 days into the month that i'm doing well so far but there's still a long way to go to adjust fully to these changes.

 

[5xdisneyfans]

Good morning, friends!! I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and that we are all surviving the cold! We didn't get above freezing here yesterday, and our first "winter weather advisory" is set for tonight, so the "I" word is being thrown around a LOT. Ugh. How many days until spring?

QOTD for Tuesday, January 19, 2016

We are now officially more than 50% of the way through the month, so let's have a little mid-month reflection.

How are you doing on your goals? I don't just mean what is your progress percentage so far. Are you struggling, and if so, what is derailing you? Are you finding that you set your goal too low? Too high? Are your methods of achieving your goal working out like you expected, or are you discovering that you aren't seeing the results like you thought you should? Are you feeling good about your progress/goal?

I am doing really well towards my goal on here plus I am sticking with using MFP and loving it. I think next month I will set my goal a little higher. The only struggle here is the weather. -10 without the windchill today so I opted to go mall walking. 4.5k around and around I went Anything minus double digits I am not going outside to walk.

37k/40k

 

[ohMom]

Halfway through already! Hard to believe, I'm struggling with weekend eating. Still can't make myself accountable for each bite Friday through Sunday, and I need to be real that that's almost half the week !

 

[Treysar]

I'm struggling. Last week kicked my butt. THis week I'm going to do better. No school monday, which throws off my gym schedule because I had to work today. I can get there tomorrw, thursda and Friday, keeping with my 3x a week goal.
As for eating...well, Onward and downward this week. My body seems really happy at this weight and I can't seem to get any lower, but I haven't been sticking 100% t my eating plan, and that is why. Sometimes my need for ice cream outweighs my need for skinny. I need an attitude adjustment. I seem be more successful in the warmer months.

 

[DVCFan1994]

HALF MARATHON: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

I didn't cross the starting line until nearly 40 minutes after the first corral crossed - so that caused a lot of waiting/standing and rising temperatures that earlier corrals didn't experience. Mile 9 had a huge hill that nearly wiped me out for the remainder of the race - but overall a great course and a lot of fun! As this was my first HM... It's a personal record!

This experience taught me a lot about perseverance, endurance, and patience. Also the pic with my brother before the race... I need to educate my husband on how to take photos. he's not so good, therefore we look terrible

Side note: Yes, my shirt says "In Training for the Tinker Bell 10K". Appropriate for today's run, eh? Skip the 10K and go right for the Half!

Congratulations! Such a great achievement

Meanwhile I'm refusing to look out my windows because it snowed last night. I know one of these snowfalls is going to push me inside eventually. Also holy quad burn today. My feel and calves are fine, my quads, butt, and core not so much. Looks like squats, lunges, and planks are in my very near future.

I got pushed inside today for the first time. -12 degree windchill is past my limit. 95 laps on the indoor track at my gym. Thats 5 mile miles, plus 3 on the elliptical, then another mile on the track. Hoping to get a good run in Friday when it is supposed to be cold but not intolerably so, and before Saturday's predicted storm.

Hey, everyone! Hope you are all enjoying your extended weekend, for those who were lucky enough to have one! Last call for week 2's progress reports, if you haven't already submitted them!

Sorry, I was away all weekend with poor cell signal. Then I was at the hospital with my dad the majority of yesterday, so I missed check in. But, I stayed stable, so not a huge deal.

Good morning, friends!! I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and that we are all surviving the cold! We didn't get above freezing here yesterday, and our first "winter weather advisory" is set for tonight, so the "I" word is being thrown around a LOT. Ugh. How many days until spring?

QOTD for Tuesday, January 19, 2016

We are now officially more than 50% of the way through the month, so let's have a little mid-month reflection.

How are you doing on your goals? I don't just mean what is your progress percentage so far. Are you struggling, and if so, what is derailing you? Are you finding that you set your goal too low? Too high? Are your methods of achieving your goal working out like you expected, or are you discovering that you aren't seeing the results like you thought you should? Are you feeling good about your progress/goal?

I think I am doing ok, all things considered. I had a crazy weekend, which I think erased losses I should have had last week. The derailing is mostly coming from convenience eating and not exercising as I usually do. I wish I were further toward my goal, but I can live with where I am, knowing how tough this month has been emotionally, and in terms of my schedule being way off.

 

[Lady Marie]

How are you doing on your goals? I don't just mean what is your progress percentage so far. Are you struggling, and if so, what is derailing you? Are you finding that you set your goal too low? Too high? Are your methods of achieving your goal working out like you expected, or are you discovering that you aren't seeing the results like you thought you should? Are you feeling good about your progress/goal?

Oh man, I am struggling this month. My birthday was the first derail (two separate fancy dinners - one with in laws, then one with mine). Then my gerbil died (on my birthday nonetheless) so there was some sad eating, then this weekend was an inlaw's birthday party where there was no "food" just mainly fried appetizers. And THEN I started feeling sick even before that birthday party so I've been fighting off a cold pretty hardcore so that I can be well for Disney this weekend. Add in some PMS and I am just all over the place. I haven't exercised since my birthday. I don't think my goal was the problem-- I am the problem. I just was NOT motivated last week and it's carried over into this week. The good news is that I have been eating well outside of one of the birthday meals and that appetizer party. We have been doing Blue Apron for dinner and eating at home for lunch! Silver linings!

Still can't make myself accountable for each bite Friday through Sunday, and I need to be real that that's almost half the week !

Well that just hit me like a ton of bricks! Haha! I totally forget that "weekends" count for so much of the week sometimes too!

 

[DVCFan1994]

I need one of these so bad but there are so many options! I get overwhelmed. I've seen some that are plastic and lumpy? Is yours actually foam that's surrounding the PVC?

@courtneybeth @dsnyfn1022 Just my two cents on foam rollers. How you use it matters as much as which one. I have two different ones, and I frequently use a third kind at my gym and my Physical therapists office. I currently have the "Trigger Point Grid" and a Gaiam was my first roller, its now at my parents where I run a lot in the spring, summer and fall. At my gym or PT classes I use the standard cheap black foam roller you find at most gyms. I could be wrong, but I think @flvy is referring to the Trigger Point roller. It is a plastic/pvc tube surrounded by dense foam that is indented with varying sizes of a grid. The point is to use the different size grids to loosen muscle in different ways or with different intensities. I can use any of the three and get similar results. I do like the grid the most, because I can sort of intensify how deep I'm rolling more directly on certain spots. I use a trigger point ball or a lacrosse ball on really tight spots in my calves or my piriformis as well. If your roller comes with links to videos, watch them to learn good technique. A good way to get tough spots once you find them, is to stop on them, take a deep breath in and then feel yourself letting the roller sink deeper into the muscle as you exhale.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

I am about half way so I guess i am doing okay for the month. I feel like 2 steps forward, 1 step back. That's how it usually goes for me. Being sick for over 2 weeks has meant alot less activity than I had hoped and eating what is easy.

 

[flvy]

@DVCFan1994 Ugh I was in CT all day for training so I missed the cold. I have a run tomorrow so we'll see about that. It's just a half hour though.

Okay so this is my foam roller. http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=34451176 As was said it's a trigger point roller. There's no mystery to use it, you literally roll your muscles out. It hurts, a lot, but after you just feel so much better. Someone I know swears by the Rumble Roller brand but they seem a little to hardcore for me. I wouldn't go near the ones that are just smooth and foam they won't do the job quite the same. A lot of runners in the podcasts I listen to swear by it for quicker recovery.

 

[5xdisneyfans]

I have a question for all the runners that live in the north. How do you run outside in the winter? Do you have different running shoes for the snow, ice, slush.....? Starting thinking about the future and I can't stand running for any amount on a treadmill. But I think about training for a run next winter and think what do I do when it gets to be winter. It may seem odd to ask this but I know with just walking outside I wear boots and am worried about falling on my butt,LOL. I always start in the spring and go through to the fall then when the snow hits I attempt the treadmill at the gym but can't stand it so I stop running so then I am back at the start again in spring. Any insight on winter running from people I would love to hear. Thanks

 

[flvy]

In MA we've gotten pretty lucky with only a little snow so far. I skipped the one run that would have had me outside in full on slush. I've hit a few spots that were slippery, but you just kind of accept you'll be slower due to caution. They do make things like yaktrax to slip on your sneakers for traction. I keep going to buy them, but haven't yet. I should seeing as I now refuse to run inside.

As for the cold bundle up and protect your face. Honestly gloves and ear protection are all the extra I wear till the low 20's. That's when I layer up way more. My buff can turn into a balaclava which is helpful. I found the dress like its 10 degrees warmer rule to be so true. Anything in the 40's and I'm in capris. And this is from someone that is normally freezing.

There are also lots of people who run that do cross training and strength training in the winter while running pretty low mileage and only when they can. Those are the people that favor fall races and train for them spring and summer.

 

[SarahDisney]

I have a question for all the runners that live in the north. How do you run outside in the winter? Do you have different running shoes for the snow, ice, slush.....? Starting thinking about the future and I can't stand running for any amount on a treadmill. But I think about training for a run next winter and think what do I do when it gets to be winter. It may seem odd to ask this but I know with just walking outside I wear boots and am worried about falling on my butt,LOL. I always start in the spring and go through to the fall then when the snow hits I attempt the treadmill at the gym but can't stand it so I stop running so then I am back at the start again in spring. Any insight on winter running from people I would love to hear. Thanks

Personally, I wear my regular shoes. I will only go out if it's not actively snowing and the streets have probably be plowed. I have fallen a few times, but very minor falls. I've actually found that my regular shoes are okay for snow, but I need to be careful to avoid ice.
I get uncomfortable running with something on my neck, so I can't wear a scarf or anything, but I do wear gloves and a hat. I also usually wear fleece-lined tights and a few extra layers on top.