Well.....I have been MIA since I finished my week of coaching. Has been absolutely chaotically busy with the end of the school year and having to say n to some of my favorite students and colleagues.
Fell off the wagon with a big thump and though Lisah, Fran, Pamela, and Buffy have sent it by my place through messages on the DIS and MFP, I have yet to manage to jump back in. I am gathering up my resources and getting my plans together as best I can, but I have a big unknown ahead of me because I leave Thursday morning to spend 3 weeks in Norway and Scotland. Will be able to cook my meals while at a friends in Norway but always struggle to find what I need at the store.
Anyway, thanks to you all for checking up on me and keeping the wagons circling. I think I will manage to pull myself aboard though I feel like I am running behind it right now.......and have managed to find nearly all that I lost in Week 1 of the challenge......bummer.
I did promise myself that I would answer the QOTDs so I should do that now.
Question of the Day Friday:
Our journey around the world and into the future begins to today! EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow and was a concept for a future world.
What in your health journey have you experimented with in order to help you reach your goal and create yourself a better tomorrow? Is there a certain diet you followed? Exercise plan? Did it work, or did you find that you needed to tweak it or start completely over because it just wasn't right for you?
My most successful loss occurs when I restrict my carbs intake. I try to stay high protein and high vegetables. I find that if I am in this pattern, I am not hungry but breaking it even a little can easily lead to binge carb loading......so that is not so good.
QOTD Saturday: As you enter the park you happen upon future world. Here we learn all about imagination and innovation. Most of us had already talked about our "one little spark of inspiration" so let's talk about these lesser known fellas. The jamminators are true innovators, using their cleaning supplies (which is all they have) to make awesome music. In what ways have you become an innovator on this journey? What health challenges do you face daily that you must come up with creative solutions to? Do you walk during your lunch break? Do you try and stand up most of the day, or perhaps use household items as weights if you are staying at a friends house?
I have given up the elevator at both home and work....take to the stairs.
QOTD Sunday: A Disney question today! Epcot is mostly known for the world showcase. A beautiful display of 11 different countries. Which one is your favorite and why? Which country would you put in world showcase if you could?
Favorite: Japan because I enjoy sitting in the tranquil gardens.
To add: India because it is very different from all the other countries represented and it has a vibrant colofrul culture and great spice in its food.
QOTD Monday: If WDW is known for something, it's gift shops! Epcot is one of the best place to shop besides DTD. With all the different culture's stores and Mousegears, there are plenty of different things to buy. Some people consider shopping a workout, which got me thinking: How do you define exercise/workouts? What is the least amount of work you have to do before you consider it a real workout?
A good healthy sweat derived from purposeful physical activity is what I look for to consider myself having worked out. I find that I can get this from cleaning my apartment actually, but I rarely count that as my exercise for the day.
QOTD: Wednesday. What do we all love? Food, of course! If shopping isn't fun for you, Epcot is probably one of the best places to try new and interesting food. What is your favorite restaurant in Epcot and what do you like to order?
Extra Question: Pizza is one of my "binge foods", as I call it, because I usually end up eating way more than I am supposed to and it triggers something that makes me want to eat more and more junk. What is your trigger food and do you take it completely from your diet or eat it every once in awhile and just try to control those cravings?
Tepan Edo is my favorite. I enjoy the chicken and steak combo.
Pizza is a trigger food for me too. I can't just eat one slice and combine that with my carb comment earlier......Pizza is bad news for my diet.
QOTD Thursday: One of my favorite things about Epcot is Illuminations. Epcot itself is a celebration of all cultures coming together and celebrating each others unique differences and lifestyles. Illuminations reminds us when we work together we can achieve the impossible and make the world a better place. In your journey to health are you more of a team player, or do you do better alone? Do you belong to a sports team, have a workout group, or attend WW meetings? Since we are all here on the BL thread, I assume we are at least a bit of a team player and do better with encouragement from others!
I tend to be a more solitary being. But I do need the push that others give by being involved in this challenge and MFP.....just need to use them now.....
MaryPoppins;45321355 said:
Question of the Day:
Have you ever noticed how Disney uses water in some way or form in its movies and parks? Describe one movie scene and/or place in Disney that provides a water memory for you.
My favorite WDW water memory is Splash Mountain. The first summer I worked at WDW was 1992 when the were building the attraction. There were Cast Member previews that allowed us to ride the attraction before it opened to the public. I rode it 10 times in a row without getting off and just soaked up all the details while lots of jealous guests watched me sail by in my little log. So cool.
MaryPoppins;45330245 said:
Question of the Day (June 30): What kind of fruit do you buy/eat? Are there some fruits you love and some you hate? And here is a challenge for the day
. Eat at least two different fruits today and try to do something different with one of them. (For example, mix some watermelon juice with some unsweetened tea, or make a fruit salad.) Share if you tried something different.
I tend to limit my fruit intake due to the high sugar content. But I am looking forward to the arrival of the white peaches that always come in the summer here. Much juicier.
MaryPoppins;45338685 said:
Question of the Day (July 1): I think most of the BL participants live in the Northern Hemisphere (If you dont I would love to know where you are from). So ... July is a HOT, HOT month. Since exercise is so important to a healthy life style (not just for losing weight), how do you adjust for the heat when you exercise? Do you do other activities that you typically dont do in the winter months?
Outdoor walking and running is moved to early morning or later in the evening when the sun has begun to lose its punch. But I also utilize the gym for mid-day exercise if it fits best into my schedule.
MaryPoppins;45345855 said:
Question of the Day (July 2): Well
½ of 2012 is here. Since this day marks the midpoint of the year, did you reach the goal you set on January 1st (if you set one ... or are you half way there) and where do you envision yourself this January 1, 2013?
Yes, I am much healthier than I was in January which was my main goal. And being able to enjoy the roller coasters this summer was my main motivation and that is happening. For January, my goal is to be into 38 inch waisted jeans and trousers. That will help solidify me in the "healthy" zone.
MaryPoppins;45357180 said:
QOTD (July 3): What are you planning to eat on the 4th of July? How do you intend to resist and/or alter your eating for the day, in order to help with your intentional weight loss goal? (If you are not from the US, share a national holiday from your country and apply the question to that day.)
Well the big national holiday here is August 1. There is not however, a big emphasis on food however. I will probably, focus on grilling my meat and veg on the balcony of my apartment while enjoying the day. As for celebrating the 4th tomorrow, I will Skype my family in WV and chat with them but be able to stay on eating targets by not having the direct temptations.....
Hmmm, it seems that answering these questions has helped to get one foot back in the wagon and I seem to be planning how to eat tomorrow and get my exercise in. Will do my best.
Have a great day!
Christopher