Find Your Own "Directive" - the February Weight Loss / Life Style Change Challenge

[pinklmaonade]

Hey everyone, I'm Ali. I'd like to join in the february challenge... I'm motivating myself to go to the gym at the moment but when I get back i'll write more! just wanted to say hi!

 

[courtneybeth]

How do you all like your Fitbits, Garmins, etc??? Any suggestions of one over the other?

I have the Fitbit One and the Garmin Forerunner 220.

I love the Fitbit because I can wear it in my bra and not think about it. My friends and family all have one and we do the "workweek hustle" challenge to keep us all motivated and moving. Seeing what others do motivates me to do better because I'm competitive. It's a great piece of technology and I like that it syncs my steps with MyFitnessPal so all apps talk with one another to give me a total view of my health.

The Garmin Forerunner 220 is a running watch with GPS. I only wear it for races or runs when I'm outside and want to track my pace and path. For a treadmill, the line would be a dot in 1 spot.

*i know crayons are non-toxic, but you get the point. picture yourself eating an orange crayon because that's basically what a dorito is.

Your comment made me laugh because it's so true. Processed snack foods are terrible for you - and I'll never look at a Dorito the same way again

 

[pinklmaonade]

Hello again. Got distracted before going to the gym.

So I'm obviously new to the DIS boards... I'll just jump in and tell you about myself.

I'm 29, i'm a freelancer, I live in LA and have been really struggling with my weight over the past few years. Like a lot of you, it's been a life-long battle for me, but I was in a really bad relationship* about 2 years ago that devastated my self esteem and i spiraled into an unhealthy weight (5'4" at 190). Trying really hard to get back to myself again, but the weight doesn't seem to budge. Did well with Atkins for a while but the holidays ruined that, and I can't seem to stick to zero carbs 100%.

My (current) BF is unbelievably supportive, so when I heard about the Star Wars Dark Side Half and asked if he wanted to fly to WDW and do it with me, he immediately said yes. He's not a runner and I don't think he even likes running at all, but I know he's doing it so I will be excited about getting more fit. Plus, my birthday is a few days after the race so I get to spend my 30th birthday in WDW!

Ok lets get to it...

DIRECTIVE: to be able to comfortably run 10k without stopping. I can do 5k at 18min/mile now pretty easily, so i'm just hoping to continue that and build my endurance. I know its a short time frame, but I know I can do it. Losing weight will also make the running so much easier. I guess i'll monitor it by how far past 5k I can run comfortably. So right now I'm at 5k, which is 0%. if I can do 6k, that will be 20%. 10k will be 100% Make sense?

CURRENT PROGRESS: I've been running 4-5 days/week and have a 5k race coming up this sunday.

DOWNFALL: Keeping my nutrition balanced has been hard. My BF eats very healthy and loves to cook, so that's a huge plus, but I find that eating low-carb (while hard on its own) is especially hard when I'm exercising so much. I can't get through a run on pure protein, so doing this atkins-style is pretty impossible. I just don't have the energy. But then I feel guilty for eating carbs (even stuff like cereal and granola) because I know it's just jacking up my blood sugar and I never stay in ketosis. I've been trying to read about fitness nutrition (especially for runners) but the middle between "already an athlete running a 5min mile" nutrition" and "total n00b don't eat candy" nutrition is kind of hard to find as of yet. Can someone write a book called "Losing weight and running fast - a book written for Ali" and toss it up on Amazon so I can Prime it to my apartment asap?

ACCOUNTABILITY: The thing that motivates me most is getting my mind right. For me, that means reading about running (or about Disney! lol) before I go to the gym. It's the same idea as when you learn something new (lets say you come across an arts and crafts tutorial on Pintrest) and you want to run out and try it (so you shoot on over to JoAnn fabrics and go totally ape-sh** on your credit card). When I read about running or technique or inspiring stories, it makes me want to run, instead of forcing myself to. Born to Run is a great book about ultra-marathon runners that was super interesting to read, and also made me think about running in a different way... almost like proud to be a runner and excited to get out there and run my *** off. I also love seeing the little rings on my apple watch full after I work out. I used to use the app Lose It! a lot when i was strictly monitoring what I was eating (I should probably get back to that!)... I've also been logging my runs in the app Gipis, which is just for running and gives you a training plan all the way up until your race day. I like that I can see my pace slowly lowering over each workout... even by a few seconds. it's rewarding to see the progress even over a few days.

I read somewhere that I shouldn't try to drop my bad habits. It's far more effective to just introduce good habits. Cement the good habits in your life and commit to them, and the bad habits will fall away.

I'm sure there are exceptions to this, but I've found that the mentality of it has helped me greatly. I know I need to lose weight, but when that was all I was focused on, I never went to the gym and I ate like crap. Signing up for the SWDS Half has forced (no pun intended) me to exercise almost every day. When I feel really good after a workout, I'm less likely to eat junk food. Over time, I believe those positive additions will add up and hopefully I won't have room for the bad habits anymore

Okay that's all for now. Sorry for the long post. I'm going to MOTIVATE now and get myself out the door before I get lost shopping for cute stuff to wear to the race on etsy again!

Cheers!

ali







*Bad relationship anecdote: This is by far one of the kinder stories I could tell because this relationship was truly traumatic, but I thought you guys would appreciate it more than most other people... Sometimes when my depression becomes overwhelming I like to watch a lot of Disney movies. They just make me feel better and warm and fuzzy and loved (obv!). Instead of supporting me (or even just leaving me alone!) my ex would go on this big all-knowing genius rant about how I shouldn't retreat into Disney stuff because it's not realistic and keeps me from growing as a person. I get what he's saying, but I'm a very well-grounded, responsible, practical person. Even my therapist thought it was ridiculous. I remember looking at him and in my head being like, "Yeah okay buddy i'm done."

 

[pinklmaonade]

Your comment made me laugh because it's so true. Processed snack foods are terrible for you - and I'll never look at a Dorito the same way again

my brain is always seeing weird things like that, so glad someone else thinks its funny!

 

[pinklmaonade]

Things have been going great and I lost 17 lbs in January. I've been averaging about 15,000 steps a day and my calorie intake is around 1500 a day.

My goal for Feb is to lose another 15. My ultimate goal is to lose 100 lbs.

HUGE CONGRATS for you losing 17lbs. that's awesome. My uncle (in his 60s) just lost 105 lbs doing something called Ideal Protein... my entire life he's always been a big guy, it's so amazing to see him without back pain and knee pain from all the extra weight. Not only are you doing something amazing for yourself but also for your family... Your kids will see the healthy example you are setting for them too! Really happy for you Gunnie!

 

[Lady Marie]

I also "pre-log" So today I know we are having turkey chili for dinner (it's already in the crock pot). I already logged all of my dinner so I have a better idea of what I can eat throughout the day and still stay on track.

Such a good idea to be able to see where your day is headed so you can stay on track. I A) need to start tracking in general, but B) think this would be a great way to monitor my day! Thanks for the tip!

I am working, quilting and costuming Music Man for the local high school. I am at a point with the group producing the show that I am now getting paid for my costume work. We start fittings tonight. I am so happy to be doing this show. It has always been one of my favorites for years. It is also the first musical dh and I ever saw together.

So fun!!!! My background is in theatre and I worked in the costume shop in college. Never got paid though haha! But that is awesome! And Music Man *sigh* My coworkers are probably wondering why I'm humming Seventy-six Trombones all of a sudden....

Started to get sick last night and my throat is burning and sore but I went for my walk I had scheduled. I just want to eat comfort food and sit on my butt. Anyone else get like this with a cold?

YESSSSS! I am such a baby when I start to get sick... ESPECIALLY a sore throat. I applaud you for going on your walk anyway! I wish I could motivate myself when I feel sick, but I usually just sleep!

I worry more about the exercise part. In January, I was waking up about an hour earlier to walk on the treadmill for 45min (while finally watching Breaking Bad). Every day that passes it is getting harder and harder to wake up early. Once I'm up and walking, I'm fine, but I worry about not sticking through with it and going back to sleep. It's easier when the weight is coming off, but at some point that is going to slow down some. Those 45 min get me about 5,000 steps, and I get another 5,000 at work teaching, and 5,000 more after work on the treadmill. I have a feeling at some point I'm going to have to start rewarding myself with waking up early... not sure what that will be (hopefully not food related).

First, major kudos for getting up early to exercise! I wish I could do that. I keep telling myself I am going to, but I just end up resetting my alarm for the normal time and going back to sleep... But you make a good point about it being easier when the weight is coming off! My favorite excuse for not exercising is my busy evenings so I may need to reevaluate and give the mornings another go.

What are you ultimately there to do at a Super Bowl party? Watch a football game. So the food is not part of that - eat before you go and bring your own snacks with you. No one will judge you. And remember, all of the food at those parties is poisoned and you'll die if you eat it. That's what I tell myself. If I eat something that someone brought into the break room at work... I will die because it's filled with poison or things I'm allergic to.

Yes, it's dramatic and hyperbole, but at the end of the day--- my waistline is not affected and I come out ahead!

I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!! Filing this away in the back of my head under "how to deal with parties" right now!

In fact, WW sells a beautiful set of serving spoons that are secretly measuring spoons! Your guests would never know!

This is BRILLIANT! I've got to look into this!

How do you all like your Fitbits, Garmins, etc??? Any suggestions of one over the other?

DH has a Fitbit and I have a Jawbone Up. We both prefer the Up because of the software. It integrates with WW. But mainly, it was soooo informative and positive and encouraging towards a better lifestyle rather than strictly fitness. Yeah, at the heart of it it is tracking your steps, but the smart coach gives you daily tips based on your sleeping patterns and food intake and when you are peaked and the like. It just seemed super personalized. Also, I like that they have an idle reminder that buzzes you and tells you its time to get up and move around a bit because you have been sitting too long. I don't believe Fitbit has this. I know nothing about Garmins, though. Hope that helps!

The thing that motivates me most is getting my mind right. For me, that means reading about running (or about Disney! lol) before I go to the gym. It's the same idea as when you learn something new (lets say you come across an arts and crafts tutorial on Pintrest) and you want to run out and try it (so you shoot on over to JoAnn fabrics and go totally ape-sh** on your credit card).

I have never thought about it this way, but this makes so much sense! Such a great idea!!!

 

[JacknSally]

@Lady Marie @donac I have a background in theatre, too! I acted and did technical work all through high school, majored in theatre in college (lots of acting but I was also the LD), and came home to work with my high school theatre again for a few years after. The local theatre here is pretty theatrically politic so it's really hard to break into it, and as a result I haven't really been involved hands-on in a while, but I have SO much theatre love! DH owned his own company for several years as a sound engineer, and we've always joked that between his sound engineering, and my lighting design, if our kids have any acting/singing talent, we're going to pack up and hit the road! Haha.

Sweetfire chicken is in the crock pot for dinner tonight. This has become a staple recipe in our house. It reminds us of the sweetfire chicken at Sunshine Seasons in EPCOT, and the "I-miss-Disney" feelings are exceptionally strong today, so it was a must for tonight.

@pjlla @4Mickeys Haha, yes! We've actually got several reasons to be saving money, not the least of which is just not having to stress AS much about paying bills every month, nevermind saving for the future. We know this, we are painfully aware of this, and somehow we still eat out almost daily. Every time, we say "Ok, but we have really got to stop eating out" or "we have really got to stop spending money"... and then it starts all over the next day. Haha. Last month we decided to do the "x-amount a week plan", where you save $1 for week 1, $2 for week 2, $3 for week 3, $4 for week 4, etc. I set up automatic drafts for every Friday this year where that week's amount is automatically moved from checking into savings without me having to remember to do it. The hiccup we run into, though, is that we then turn around and pull from savings to pay bills, so that is throwing a wrench into that plan... DH has an interview tomorrow afternoon for an evenings & weekends job, so hopes and prayers and pixie dust that that goes well. Every little bit counts at this point, as we were NOT the Powerball winners from Munford, TN. Haha.

@4Mickeys - it's already been decided that the nursery theme will be Peter Pan! Haha. I think we decided that a year ago or so. No clue on names, though. I know, our priorities are clearly in line.

@5xdisneyfans oh my goodness, the social anxiety. I can't tell you how many times I've cancelled on a friend last minute because of my anxiety. I'm supposed to have coffee tomorrow with a sorority sister that I always liked but was never super close to, and my anxiety at the moment is through the roof. I can talk online or email or text all day, but if I have to talk on the phone, or see someone face-to-face, I'm a nervous wreck. New situations for me often lead to anxiety attacks, and I'm one of those people who needs to know EVERY SINGLE DETAIL before they do something. It's probably bad enough that I should see someone about it, but I am not a fan of doctors or pharmaceuticals, so I had rather not do anything like that. Once I am familiar with a situation, I'm FINE. I was a front desk manager at a hotel, and a tanning salon manager who had to make sales pitches daily, and once I got into the swing of things in both jobs, I was great. But the actual getting started and getting familiar with the routine? Paper bag handy at all times. Bless my dear sweet DH for dealing with my neurosis so well. Haha.

 

[JacknSally]

@Lady Marie THANK YOU for your Jawbone review! I'm going to look into it. I want a tracker but haven't been crazy about the Fitbits, and I don't do a lot of outside walking right now so I don't really need the GPS. I'm going to look into the Jawbone Up!

@pinklmaonade WELCOME to our group!!! We are so excited you're here, and we can't wait to get to know you better!! And you are SO RIGHT about your motivators - I've never really thought about it, but I am SO MOTIVATED when I am looking up ideas and info on Pinterest and other places. I am SO NOT when I am sitting on the couch watching TV thinking "I really should be on the treadmill right now". Haha.

 

[JacknSally]

OH, and the groundhog says there will supposedly be early spring! BRING IT ON!

 

[courtneybeth]

Personal anecdote story hour time:

I've been hesitant on whether or not I should keep working with the personal trainer, but I've decided that i just can't get to where I want to be unless i make the commitment (in both time and finances). Today we worked on flexibility and strength - through circuit training. What i learned: I'm weak in my upper arms and core - I am neither flexible nor strong. Gaston would be so unimpressed with my current state.

On the plus side... it's been three weeks and I'm already feeling the differences of my workouts when I go to the gym. Body takes a little time to adjust but in the end I have to remember: I put all of this weight on over a long period of time. It is a process. And it'll take time to fix and get to where I want to be. Losing 65-75 pounds is only the first step. Now it's time to shape and perfect my muscle tone.

 

[dsnyfn1022]

My bridesmaids are from/live in Eureka, Missouri, and they are also very distinctive about where they live! It's Eureka, NOT St. Louis. Haha. Missourians are very territorial!!

That gave me a good laugh lol! We just NEED you all to know where exactly we're from! hahaha

I also "pre-log"

I do the same thing! I've always wondered if that's strange because I have a friend who uses MFP and basically tracks as she eats. I always thought that was crazy. I want to know that I'll be able to eat dinner and still snack throughout the day.

Share with the group some of your tools, tips, and tricks for accountability.
How do you hold yourself accountable? Is this accomplished through:
Apps? Mobile Devices? Reward/Punishment systems? Something else?

I use WW to keep myself accountable to food. I use my Garmin watch to track my runs. It's my favorite . I also just signed up for my first race of the year! It's a 4 miler and should be a good warm up to the 3 10Ks I'll be running later in the year. This group has been a big accountability booster too. I find myself thinking "would I be embarrassed to post this on the Dis?" and that helps me. I also have a friend who is currently working on her weight loss. So I go to her when I feel a binge coming on.

I do have rewards set up too. I have a gift certificate for a 1 hour photo session that I can redeem this year. I can't wait to hit my goal weight and get some professional pics taken with my DH!

 

[JacknSally]

Personal anecdote story hour time:

I've been hesitant on whether or not I should keep working with the personal trainer, but I've decided that i just can't get to where I want to be unless i make the commitment (in both time and finances). Today we worked on flexibility and strength - through circuit training. What i learned: I'm weak in my upper arms and core - I am neither flexible nor strong. Gaston would be so unimpressed with my current state.

On the plus side... it's been three weeks and I'm already feeling the differences of my workouts when I go to the gym. Body takes a little time to adjust but in the end I have to remember: I put all of this weight on over a long period of time. It is a process. And it'll take time to fix and get to where I want to be. Losing 65-75 pounds is only the first step. Now it's time to shape and perfect my muscle tone.

Proud of you for being dedicated and taking the steps that YOU need to take for YOU to get to where YOU want/need to be! You're gonna go far, kid. Keep it up!​

I do the same thing! I've always wondered if that's strange because I have a friend who uses MFP and basically tracks as she eats. I always thought that was crazy. I want to know that I'll be able to eat dinner and still snack throughout the day.

When I track, I pre-track for the day, too. Or I at least log it before I eat. It seems so backwards to me to do it any other way. What do you do if you eat and then track and oh, that was double what you thought it'd be? You can always remove/add from your plate. Lots harder to remove from your body!!

 

[flvy]

I did a drive by read and like. There was a lot I wanted to comment on, but I'm still kind of out of it. I'm just really unsure of how I'm supposed to process this situation. Work was awful. I'm just going to try and sleep it off today and tomorrow and get get back to it. I'm sure running tomorrow morning will help.

 

[courtneybeth]

I want to know that I'll be able to eat dinner and still snack throughout the day.

I also pre-log. It takes all of the guess work out of eating. Tonight I've earned enough calories that I can indulge in... mac n cheese - my favorite

Proud of you for being dedicated and taking the steps that YOU need to take for YOU to get to where YOU want/need to be! You're gonna go far, kid. Keep it up!

Thanks so much. It's been a wonky day where I feel like so much has happened, but at the same time it hasn't. I'm still at the very beginning and it's so far to see that end goal. I cannot wait to go to my graduation in May and have the best arms ever and look so amazing in the dress I bought.

 

[JacknSally]

I also pre-log. It takes all of the guess work out of eating. Tonight I've earned enough calories that I can indulge in... mac n cheese - my favorite




Thanks so much. It's been a wonky day where I feel like so much has happened, but at the same time it hasn't. I'm still at the very beginning and it's so far to see that end goal. I cannot wait to go to my graduation in May and have the best arms ever and look so amazing in the dress I bought.

You found one!!!! YAY!! So excited for you! Be sure to post pictures!

 

[courtneybeth]

You found one!!!! YAY!! So excited for you! Be sure to post pictures!

It's not a Kate Spade as I had hoped - Ms. Spade only makes dresses for women who are flat chested. So women like me that are gifted in that area sadly cannot wear her dresses.

I ended up finding two dresses - one for the graduation/dinner (Maggy London - below) and a black dress for Victoria and Albert's when we go to WDW the following week. Total cost for both dresses was 1/2 the cost of a Kate Spade so I am ahead

 

[JacknSally]

It's not a Kate Spade as I had hoped - Ms. Spade only makes dresses for women who are flat chested. So women like me that are gifted in that area sadly cannot wear her dresses.

I ended up finding two dresses - one for the graduation/dinner (Maggy London - below) and a black dress for Victoria and Albert's when we go to WDW the following week. Total cost for both dresses was 1/2 the cost of a Kate Spade so I am ahead

I am not usually a floral print person, but I LOVE that!

 

[pinklmaonade]

So women like me that are gifted in that area sadly cannot wear her dresses.

Amen. I feel you there. I find that some Anthropologie dresses are flattering to us larger chested ladies. I bet that dress will be very flattering with the side panels! Nice choice.

I have a herve leger dress I'm determined to fit back into. They make curves look amaaaaaze.

 

[courtneybeth]

I find that some Anthropologie dresses are flattering to us larger chested ladies.

Anthropologie sale room is my weakness. Just don't let Mr. @courtneybeth know.

 

[pjlla]

Hey friends! Just popping on for the evening to say hi! WW meeting was good.... but I'm tired and haven't filled my belly yet so I'll dash for now. BB in the a.m.!

WELCOME to our new friend Ali!!! ....................P