Get Ready for a Western Adventure-August 2017 Wish Lifestyle/Weight Challenge

[sweetpeama]

Thursday QOTD Does your environment set up up for success or failure towards your goals what changes can you make

 

[glss1/2fll]

I eat the same thing for breakfast every week day. A little bit of oatmeal (like less than 1/4 cup) with about half a teaspoon of brown sugar. Then a bit later I eat a Greek yogurt. I vary the flavor of that. I used to eat the oatmeal because I'd have worked out then have just a few minutes at home before I joined my walking group. I'd be too hungry if I didn't eat anything. Now I just do it because it's habit and I figure the oatmeal has to be good for my cholesterol!

My wahoo is that we are officially empty nesters! Today DH moved DS into his dorm, 3,000 miles away. A bit more time together, good-bye ceremony at the college then he left him there. I keep going back and forth between being so excited for him and feeling so sad that he is so far away. It's the right place and the right time. He's ready. Just sometimes wonder if mama is! DH comes home tomorrow night. Good thing because I think I need a hug.

The eclipse was amazing. We had totality. Just stunning. And although officially I read we only dropped four degrees, I got cold and felt it was a much bigger drop. The shadows were so cool. My principal (I work at a school) had a photo from a colander. The holes in it made a bunch of eclipses. Very clever.

Stay as on track as you can!

 

[piglet1979]

I live by the Metro Parks and have a ton of area's to get out and walk. However I do live in Northeast Ohio and the winters can be brutal. They are predicting and bad winter for us with lots of snow and cold. During the winter or if it rains I go to the rec. Our town is a big Pokemon area and we play a lot. It is a great way to get the kids out as well.

 

[Oneanne]

QOTD: I think my own laziness has a greater negative impact than my environment. A couple cases in point: we've been having a lovely warm, sunny summer and even though the days have been long, I haven't been getting out for evening walks: I have beaches in close proximity but don't go to them: and this one I'm going to resolve this weekend... up the street a couple miles is a city park that actually has camping cabins and walking trails but I've never ever been there. I've been thinking about this a lot, heck I pass the place a couple times a day, and this weekend they are having an art festival so I am for sure going.

 

[sweetpeama]

This is not my photo but it is one being shared on social media around here of the Lodge Pole Fire Complex which burned in Garfield and Petroleum Counties, MT in July 2017.

While wild fires can do a lot of damage there is also some good that can come from it such as the cones of the lodge pole pine are not opened up in order to grow new trees to replace the ones that are diseased, dying, or even dead rather standing or not without the intense heat of a fire. Likewise often times it is a significant event in our lives that is the flame that leads us to the change of seeking a healthier life and to start however slowly to make those changes.

This maybe an uncomfortable and even private issue for some of us to share but if you feel comfortable feel free to share what that event was and/or share a photo of what ever you want. It could be something from your area, a place you have visited, your family, or even yourself. (Hint for those wondering I am using imgur.com the bbcode for uploading photos to here as photobucket decide to go with a you don't have our subscription plan you can't post on boards or forums system)

 

[Oneanne]

QOTD: So this is a very interesting question. Of late I've been thinking about a book that Clarissa Pinkola Estes wrote, after 'Women Who Run with the Wolves', which spoke to the power of spiritual forest fires and the cycle of death/re-birth. I was just searching on-line and couldn't figure out which book it was, so I think at lunch I'll go across the street to the bookstore and see if I can figure it out, as I would like to re-read it.

I've had several forest fire type passages in my life, where everything seems to burn-up/disintegrate and then regenerate, and while they are tough to get thru I've always been the better for them. As far as health/weight loss is concerned, I've just recently had the wake-up call of seeing myself in a photo, which is so tough to look at but is a motivator to get back on track.

We've had a brief period of slight cooling, heck, yesterday there was even a very light misty rain for a bit, but this weekend the temps are supposed to get back up in to the high 80's/low 90's, so I'll be out doing stuff early and late and laying low in between. Feeling for Texas right now,as the pending storm looks like it's going to be a very bad one. My brother is quite far north, so they will be on the outer edge with a lot of rain but should be OK.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

Just back-so this was our view from the telescope

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

We had a great trip! Loved Al and TN. We stopped at Barber motorsports museum in Birmingham, Space center in Huntsville as well as the US veterans memorial museum ( full of real tanks, shells, so much memorabilia). We viewed the eclipse from lebanon , Tn. The above pic was thru DS's small tele and my cell phone. We went to lookout mtn for ruby falls and the rock city gardens on the way home and stopped at the Museum of Aviation in GA on the way home.

I came home and am about 3/4 lb up. I thought it would be more because I ate some junk food every day. Potato salad, beef and cheddar, fried chix sliders...and there was not a lot of fruit and veggies at all. I hope to knock that amount back off and finish out the month with at least 2 more lbs gone.

I'll try and catch up to see how everyone is doing and what you are all up to!

 

[Oneanne]

View attachment 264500
Just back-so this was our view from the telescope

WOW!

 

[Flossbolna]

View attachment 264500
Just back-so this was our view from the telescope

So impressive!! The next solar eclipse here in Germany is not until 2090. I don't expect to still be around then. So, I am seriously considering being in the US for the 2024 one. I saw one in Germany in 1998 and it was such an amazing event!

 

[glss1/2fll]

Love your photo 4Holidays!

Like Oneanne, I seem to be more of a problem than my environment! The "environment" problem is being married to a choco-holic. There is lots of dark chocolate in the house, always.

There have been no big events in my life that have caused me to change my habits. I did lose 10 pounds for DS1's high school graduation--I've gained 15 back! We were very much in a crisis mode a couple years back with DS2. I purposefully made myself eat healthy because I knew if I didn't I'd never stop eating, ever. I knew I was an emotional eater and just focused very hard on eating only at mealtimes. It gave me something to think about besides all the stuff happening around me that I couldn't control and our breaking hearts. Because you really can't control a broken heart. We just focused on breathing in and breathing out and making it through each moment. Snacks were prohibited for a while. Now they're back but I try not to make them chocolate!

I was pretty proud of myself because yesterday I was craving peanut M&Ms like nobody's business. It was hard, but I resisted. Mostly because I knew that weigh in day for me was coming! That and logging my food was telling me I just didn't have enough calories for that!

Hope everybody has a great weekend!

 

[HappyGrape]

quick drop by, hope any forum members from Texas and their families remain safe.

 

[4Mickeys]

Hello all,

I have a busy and exhausting week. Lots of school visits in the first part of the week then conference to attend in Brisbane on Thursday and Friday which meant an almost 2 hour drive each way in traffic both days - so up early and home late - plus all that brain power used listening and taking notes! As a result my good start to the week took a hit but that is ok. I did what I could - Thursday I ate a banana in the car for breakfast with some almonds in my bag to snack on - I did indulge in the available food at morning(brownie)/afternoon (small waffle) teas and lunch though - it was held at a Greek event centre - so lunch was Chicken kebabs, spanakopita, lemon butter potatoes, haloumi and greek salad. Yummy but the weird thing was it was a 2 day conference and they served us the exact same food on both days!!

The speaker was from the US - from Santa Clarita and it was all about Social Thinking - particularly aimed at supporting kids with ASD and other developmental conditions who struggle with social competency - but there were plenty of nuggets in there for all of us!

Hi ho... I'm back.

Welcome back - so glad to hear you enjoyed your break so much

daughters birthday

Happy belated Birthday to your daughter - hope she had a wonderful day

Do you vary your breakfast or do you have the same thing every day

I do vary my breakfasts most days - although not varied in the way the article refers to. Last week I decided we needed to alternate a cereal/fruit day with a cooked breakfast day. The kids at first we like what the?? with eating fruit at that time - they are used to mostly having it in their lunchboxes (it remained there as well - I was just trying to boost the fruit intake of all of us).

QOTD Does your environment set up up for success or failure towards your goals what changes can you make

I am in an environment where I should be able to get activity for free fairly easily - e.g. walking in some really nice places. I tend not to walk around my immediate area too much as it is hilly - even though it would give me a good workout - I am so unfit it is really challenging to me and that puts me off doing it . As for the food in my environment .... well I am in control of that so have to claim all the responsibility there.

My wahoo is that we are officially empty nesters! Today DH moved DS into his dorm, 3,000 miles away. A bit more time together, good-bye ceremony at the college then he left him there. I keep going back and forth between being so excited for him and feeling so sad that he is so far away. It's the right place and the right time. He's ready. Just sometimes wonder if mama is! DH comes home tomorrow night. Good thing because I think I need a hug.

I hope you son has a wonderful start to college and you get to see him as often as the distance and schedules allow. My oldest will graduate HS at the end of next year - I am approaching that with very mixed feelings as well.

Feeling for Texas right now,as the pending storm looks like it's going to be a very bad one. My brother is quite far north, so they will be on the outer edge with a lot of rain but should be OK.

Glad to hear is out of the main danger - I was coming on here to send you my thoughts then I saw your post

Just back-so this was our view from the telescope

That is just amazing!

I was pretty proud of myself because yesterday I was craving peanut M&Ms like nobody's business. It was hard, but I resisted.

Well done! You should be proud of yourself a peanut M&M craving is hard to fight

quick drop by, hope any forum members from Texas and their families remain safe.

Hope you are well


REPORTING IN: 46.18% - again it is mostly my lack of activity that is affecting by double goal this month!

My weekend is half over - we watched DS16 in a nailbiting semi-final hockey game yesterday - he played well - they went to a nil all draw at full time - so that moved to penalty shots - which we managed to win!!!! phew So that means both boys teams are in the Grand Finals next weekend - so hoping for good results for both of them. Which means in another week I will have less to do on a Tuesday night and our weekends back! Just have to start making the most of them doing something else active as a family. I had a short sleep yesterday afternoon - to catch up on some of that sleep. Today is washing and getting ready for the week - DS16 doesn't have a shift today - he did 3 night ones this week - he is worried that because he is getting closer to 17 and therefore will start to cost them more they are transitioning him off the Sunday shift as he gets double time for those shifts - which is a nice boost to his pay without taking up too much of his time.

 

[sweetpeama]

Ok who from the group is in the path for the 2014 eclipse though there is an annular eclipse in 2023. It's 7 years plenty of time to plan a get together and everyone can plan their healthy snacks to share. I am wanting to try a non artificial sugar free homemade jello recipe I found online. I know I should cut back on the sugar but the question comes down to reaction to the artificial sweetners or deal with the sugar. I need to find a nice warm food item that is easy to eat yet says moon for the lunar eclipse in 2018. We are in totality here and I have a fairly decent view in the direction I need to look. Hopefully it is not -20 to -30 without the windchill because if that is the case we will just be opening the front door and viewing for very short burst from time to time if we can't see it out the windows. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/list.html

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

We will definately be going to see the eclipse in 2024. We were looking at the maps that showed the path of the 2024 eclipse even before this one. As it is in April we will be going towards the warmer states. No sitting in the cold for us, and that means it needs to be above 65 or it is COLD.

I am down 4 lbs for the month, so 4 of my 6 lb goal. I still have this week so I will definately get to 5, unsure of 6.

Today will just be yard work, laundry and Game of Thrones.

And at least 10k steps. I am just not feelin' it today. I am in a crabby mood. I had just finished all the left dishes, pans, dirty clothes, bathroom that was all DH while gone(expected-he works long hours) but woke to find a mess in the kitchen. Splattered grease, filthy towels,spilled coffee and on top of that him using "my" food, used up my canadian bacon that I use every other day for bk instead of his regular bacon or sausage, my fat free cheese vs the 4 bags of reg cheese. That has set the tone for the day. Ugh..

 

[DisFam95]

Well everyone's in bed and now I have a quick list of things I need to get done. Had a good week. This weekend was our 22nd wedding anniversary so we went out to celebrate - one of favorite steak houses we go 1 maybe 2x a year. We asked for no bread at the table but other than that I ate what i wanted. I've learned to beat myself up over annual celebrations! Wedge salad, 7oz filet oscar style and 2 beers. I barely ate all day to save my calories - maybe not the healthiest strategy but it helped me mentally for 1 day.

My woohoo this week was no longer being in the obese category as far as BMI goes. I know some say it's not that great of an indicator but it's just thing I could see on my app go from red to yellow to that felt good.

We're in texas but not near the coast. We'll get rain in a few days when it moves up here but it's been so hard watching the devastation - and those old ladies sitting in the nursing home in wheelchairs one with her face bent forward and almost in the water! Thankfully they were rescued after the picture was posted.

my other woohoo was meeting my goal!!! I'm down 5.1 for the month and my goal was 5.

Hoping everyone has a good week ahead of them!!

 

[piglet1979]

Ok who from the group is in the path for the 2014 eclipse though there is an annular eclipse in 2023. It's 7 years plenty of time to plan a get together and everyone can plan their healthy snacks to share. I am wanting to try a non artificial sugar free homemade jello recipe I found online. I know I should cut back on the sugar but the question comes down to reaction to the artificial sweetners or deal with the sugar. I need to find a nice warm food item that is easy to eat yet says moon for the lunar eclipse in 2018. We are in totality here and I have a fairly decent view in the direction I need to look. Hopefully it is not -20 to -30 without the windchill because if that is the case we will just be opening the front door and viewing for very short burst from time to time if we can't see it out the windows. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/list.html

We are in the Path of the 2024. Weather should be ok. We get lots of rain then and if it is anything like this year Feb and March will be like spring and then April and may will be winter. My son's birthday is the day before the eclipse. It tends to be colder int he morning and then warms up nicely by mid day. I can't wait. My kids will be in 11th and 12th grade then.

This weekend was our 22nd wedding anniversary

Happy Anniverary

 

[Oneanne]

Ok who from the group is in the path for the 2014 eclipse though there is an annular eclipse in 2023. It's 7 years plenty of time to plan a get together and everyone can plan their healthy snacks to share. I am wanting to try a non artificial sugar free homemade jello recipe I found online. I know I should cut back on the sugar but the question comes down to reaction to the artificial sweetners or deal with the sugar. I need to find a nice warm food item that is easy to eat yet says moon for the lunar eclipse in 2018. We are in totality here and I have a fairly decent view in the direction I need to look. Hopefully it is not -20 to -30 without the windchill because if that is the case we will just be opening the front door and viewing for very short burst from time to time if we can't see it out the windows. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/list.html

My Brother is in the totality path for 2024, and in seven years I suspect I will be living in Texas as well.

This weekend was really kind of odd... I had the TV turned to the 24/7 news channels to watch the coverage of hurricane Harvey, then it was really strange to go outside to run errands and have it be such a lovely day. My Brother said they have been getting very little rain at all, but I have IG and FB friends who are closer and are being impacted, so that really brings it all home. In our area we are over due for a massive 9.0 earthquake that will be so severe it will alter the coastline: they used to say be prepared for 3 days now they've changed it to 12. I'm not prepared at all, but Harvey is getting me there... I started by stocking up on cat food, something I frequently let run down to nothing before I replenish. Next I'll refresh my water reserves and non-perishable foods.

And I guess if I can plan for a catastrophic earthquake, I should be able to plan out my meals and snacks for the week...

 

[sweetpeama]

I told my DH last night actually early this morning that there needs to be a way to get all the extra water from the Houston area up here to MT to help with the fires.

 

[Flossbolna]

quick drop by, hope any forum members from Texas and their families remain safe.

Great to see you here! I hope you are doing well!!

REPORTING IN: 46.18% - again it is mostly my lack of activity that is affecting by double goal this month!

It looks like you are at least doing really well with one of the two goals of the month though!! Well done!

I know I should cut back on the sugar but the question comes down to reaction to the artificial sweetners or deal with the sugar.

Have you tried stevia? It is not artificial, but very sweet. It does have a bit of a strange taste, but you could use half stevia half sugar and would still reduce the sugar intake.

Besides that I have noticed that for most recipes it is possible to cut down the amount of sugar without really changing the taste so much. A lot of sweet recipes just make things sooooo sweet.

I am down 4 lbs for the month, so 4 of my 6 lb goal. I still have this week so I will definately get to 5, unsure of 6.

That's great progress!!

I'm down 5.1 for the month and my goal was 5.

We are in the Path of the 2024. Weather should be ok. We get lots of rain then and if it is anything like this year Feb and March will be like spring and then April and may will be winter. My son's birthday is the day before the eclipse. It tends to be colder int he morning and then warms up nicely by mid day. I can't wait. My kids will be in 11th and 12th grade then.

Your son and my father share a birthday!! I hope you will have clear skies in 2024!

And I guess if I can plan for a catastrophic earthquake, I should be able to plan out my meals and snacks for the week...

But you made me think. I really should up my stores a little as well. It can never hurt to have supplies. I usually have plenty of food stored. But I do need to put a few bottles of water into the basement (and then put a reminder in my calendar for when to replace the water...).

---

Hello everyone!! I am sorry for again neglecting the thread... I have been in quite a slump over the last days. Not sure why. I am also getting beyond frustrated that the scale just refuses to move. I go away for a weekend and eat a little bit more than other days and I am rewarded with nearly 5 additional pounds on the scale... So, the little I lost two weeks ago is again back on and nothing is moving. Well, I am moving a lot. I have been running three days a week, I have added in some 30 Day Shred sessions (I try to alternate running and DVD days, but today will be a pure rest day). I am tracking my food. And still nothing!

Since I haven't been on here that much I am not sure if we have a host for September??? Anyone wanting to host? @sweetpeama has done a wonderful job to guide us through August, but the month is nearly over!!