To Infinity and Beyond - A Pixar WISH Challenge! February 2018

[Lady Marie]

Weekend Fun!

And now for some wise words from Brave....

There are so many wonderful and inspiring quotes from Disney and Pixar movies!

What’s your favorite inspirational (or just favorite in general) quote from either a Disney or Pixar movie? ​

 

[HappyGrape]

oh man - I love pistachio ice cream. I had some last night after dinner with friend in town.

hat are some foods that you find easy to eat proper portions of? Generally I am pretty active and can get away with eating good portions but any cooked meals that are based on legumes, meat, potatoes, rice, fish, vegetables I tend to eat in right portions
What foods are hard? Cheese and fresh bread, ice cream, nuts
How do you keep yourself on track? Counting calories. It's little easier now, during weight loss I didn't eat much of the foods I tend to over indudgle. I don't buy ice cream home, still. But I enjoy it guilt free when out

I find chocolate and other junky foods don't bother me and I don't feel much temptation with them.

 

[HappyGrape]

OH that's easy!
"Stop whining. Woman up." Big Hero 6. I often use it when my two guys are being too whiny!

 

[lovesmurfs]

There are several we use a lot.

"Ladies do not start fights. But they can finish them." Marie, Aristocats

"We're not on my planet." Buzz, Toy Story

"If you don't think, you shouldn't talk." March Hare, Alice in Wonderland

"If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." Thumper, Bambi (well, Thumper's father - he's quoting him)

 

[HappyGrape]

What messy weekend. Friday night out with friends - drinks and too much snacking. My husband made cake. Saturday night - I baked cake, wanting to try our new oven. A lot of running around, eating on the go, eating too much, not great choices.

I am trying to figure out why and I can't come up with anything, other than I am stressing out that my husband have 2 big scans this month and next month and this is bringing up negative emotions that I am not dealing well with and eating too much lets me disconnected from my feelings in way. It takes the focus off, it doesn't make me happy but eating too much and feeling guilty about it is easier to handle than anxiety of medical screening

I went shopping feeling guilty, end up buying a lot of frozen vegetables and making a recipe with frozen peppers. It turned out HORRIBLE! Life is too short to eat frozen peppers. It's always like this with me, I can eat few bland meals here and there but my meals need veggies, fat, carbs, proteins and enjoyability and if they lack any of the listed - I will still want food when I am finished eating. I decided I have two options - try to make use of the packs for frozen vegetables and the pasta dish, or toss it and cut my losses short. I use peas and corn from the freezer, but other frozen veg just doesn't work for me. Out of side, out of mind. I did option 2. I hate waste, but I don't want to eat stuff I don't like either. And it's all part of trying new tasty and healthy meals - some work others not so much!

Why I am saying all that? Life doesn't stop so you can stick to your plan. Things happen. Little less perfect, little more consistent. Breath in, breath out - it's a new moment, something is different and something is new than second ago and I will have to let go of the guilt over messy weekend. As the minimalists say - learn to let go or learn to

 

[piglet1979]

Things are settling down in our house. I don't want a week like that again. The doctor has me giving DD Melatonin now at night because he thinks she is not sleeping well and this could be a big part of DD's issues. I am not at the point as to say that this is fully it but this weekend was the most pleasant in a very long time. She was very happy and helpful. I didn't even have to yell at her this weekend or this morning. I am really hoping this continues.

Now to get back on track. I did walk for 45 minutes on Saturday but I took yesterday as a day of resting after the week we had. DH and I did prep for this week. This is something we need to more often. We have salad stuff cut up and ready for salads all week, we bought strawberries and cut them up and we finally cut up the watermelon I bought last week. We also made a breakfast casserole for the week. I need to get back on track this week and this should really help.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Sounds like you all have great ways of getting back on plan! I really love the work week, because that's when I get my exercise in and I plan ahead for my food. If I'm not careful, my weekends tend to be a free-for-all.

Had a great weigh-in on Friday morning, but then...snow. So I didn't walk. I only logged 1,600 steps for the WHOLE DAY. I usually do about 12,000 steps. Added to that, I ate all sorts of snacky foods (4 servings of Cheetos??!!) because I was home and they were there. I had Brie and Havarti cheese and Ritz crackers for dinner. To top off the trifecta, I was working from home and wasn't the most productive work-wise (didn't help that DH was home--I'm easily distracted).

Saturday I walked 4 miles at our rec center, and stayed on plan, and then only did 30 minutes on the treadmill Sunday. But I made a healthy jambalaya recipe, and drank my water, so was within calories. This morning, I was 0.2 down from Friday, so Friday is only a dim memory in my rear-view mirror.

Today I'm working from home as well, but only because DH is substitute teaching and I'm determined to work efficiently. I got up at 4:30 and went to the rec center -- did my 4 miles and already have 10,000 steps for the day. Breakfast was on plan, and I've got lunch and dinner planned, with lots of fruit in the house.

 

[Lady Marie]

Monday, February 12

In Cars 2, Tow Mater gets kitted out in all sorts of disguises and spy gear!

Like Mater, we have access to so many gadgets available to help us on our journey to a healthier lifestyle.

It's becoming easier and easier to track our health and know
what we are doing in terms of activity, step count, heart rate, etc.

Do you have a fitness tracker? Which one?
Does it help you on your journey?

If not, is it something you think would encourage you or not?​

 

[Lady Marie]

And all the phyiscal clearing I've been doing in the house has resulted in mental renewal, because when I'm not constantly thinking "I should do this chore or that chore" I have the mental space to think about other things.

Yes! I am right there with you on this one. I haven't articulated it like this to myself, but this is definitely something I see changing in my space and life right now. I feel like there is more space in my for me to meal plan and keep myself on track rather than worry about finding the right tupperwares in my exploding drawers or digging out the food processor to make something I want to eat instead of take out. And even just simply enjoying sitting in an uncluttered living room.... it really makes a difference!

When I'm ready to give up I like to review where I was. It's nice to see change and feel change. I do so love those black lines on my scale and putting them behind me! But I also like thinking about how baggy my clothes are getting when they were tight before.

Isn't that great!? I do this too! DH laughs at me because every few weeks I go through my closet zipping up boots and dresses that used to not fit, but it is how I keep myself inspired!

I keep myself on track by planning out my day as far in advance as I can. DH and I (empty nesters now that DD is in college) have been subscribing to Sunbasket meal prep delivery -- it's healthy, organic food (mostly under 650 calories/meal) and so when I leave for work, the whole day is planned. The less I can leave to chance and decision-making, the better.

That's great! DH and I used to do Blue Apron, and I have been thinking about signing up for something like that again. Take some of the pressure off coming up with so many meals a week! I've never heard of Sunbasket though-- I'll have to check that out!

I think I'm going to have to go back thru the fridge and pantry again and just throw everything out, clear it all away, wipe the slate clean. Then go shopping and only restock with things on the Whole 30 list. Throwing away food is one of the things I want to get control of, but I think it has to happen one more time to effectively reset.

I'm bad at this too. And I felt sooooo awful throwing out so many bags of food when I did a clean out last week... I hope it was enough to click something in my head to quit hoarding stuff I shouldn't eat and won't eat!

OH that's easy!
"Stop whining. Woman up." Big Hero 6. I often use it when my two guys are being too whiny!

Hahaha! Love it!

Why I am saying all that? Life doesn't stop so you can stick to your plan. Things happen. Little less perfect, little more consistent. Breath in, breath out - it's a new moment, something is different and something is new than second ago and I will have to let go of the guilt over messy weekend.

Yes-- love this! I need to write "little less perfect, little more consistent" on my vision board!

Now to get back on track. I did walk for 45 minutes on Saturday but I took yesterday as a day of resting after the week we had. DH and I did prep for this week. This is something we need to more often. We have salad stuff cut up and ready for salads all week, we bought strawberries and cut them up and we finally cut up the watermelon I bought last week. We also made a breakfast casserole for the week. I need to get back on track this week and this should really help.

You had quite the stressful week last week, so I am so happy to see you got some you time to walk and also relax and prep for a smoother week ahead! Woohoo!

 

[lovesmurfs]

Do you have a fitness tracker? Which one?
Does it help you on your journey?

If not, is it something you think would encourage you or not?​

I did a typing job for someone back in September, and when I got paid I decided to get a FitBit. OMG -- it has made all of the difference. I have a Charge 2, which also tracks stairs, sleep, and heart rate. It tracks my exercise in terms of exertion and calories burned based on my physiology.

I started in mid September at 305. My only goal was to move more. So I started with a goal of 3,000 steps a day, and moving 250 steps once an hour. Since then, I've upped it to 10,000 steps a day -- during the week I get about 14-16,000 steps/day. And then I signed up with Noom and track calories in/calories out and have access to coaches. I can say the FitBit has given me the desire to move, and has been instrumental to my success so far.

That said, I can say that if it's charging, I won't move, and I have to really talk myself into doing exercises that won't add to my step count. It's probably not good to be SO dependent on it, but it's what's working for now. I've dropped nearly 65 pounds since mid September. A bunch more to go (over 75 pounds), but I feel really motivated, in part because of the FitBit.

It IS depressing waking up after a good step day and starting at zero again.

 

[lovesmurfs]

That's great! DH and I used to do Blue Apron, and I have been thinking about signing up for something like that again. Take some of the pressure off coming up with so many meals a week! I've never heard of Sunbasket though-- I'll have to check that out!

Last summer we did the gamut of services -- there are a LOT of them. First week is usually 50% off. I kept a little journal of the ones we liked. Sunbasket and HelloFresh were the two we liked best. If you have an Aldi around you, they have a couple of boxes available every week in their meat section as well -- we've been meaning to try them, but haven't made it yet. We tried:

• Blue Apron
• HelloFresh
• HomeChef
• SunBasket
• Plated
• Gobble
• Marley Spoon

There's also Green Chef and Purple Carrot, which apparently get good reviews -- I just didn't see them at the time (maybe they're new?). Terra's Kitchen is another. Veestro is a vegetarian option as well.

It was a fun summer -- made us expand and realize how much of a rut I had gotten into.

 

[HappyGrape]

Fitbit and love it! Its awesoeme. I have kept average of 14800 daily for 2.5 years

 

[Oneanne]

QOTD:

I don't really have any favorite Disney movie quotes, but grew up hearing "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." It never occurred to me that it may have come from a movie, let alone Bambii. Some of Ellen's dialog in Universe of Energy sticks in my head... I was Googling to see if the actual script would come up and found a note that on the last day of operation the ride broke down and the riders had to evacuate, but where allowed to "linger" in the primeval diorama and take photos with the dinosaurs... I would have paid extra to do that! I love the grass eating dinosaurs and so hope they will find a new home. But I digress...

Fitness tracker... I have a FitBit and wear it religiously. Up until the past year I was really working at getting my 10,000 steps per day with my highest day being 30,000, then I kind of fell off, even though I still sign up for challenges with friends. As of last week I've also been tracking my food and I've been wearing it at night to monitor my sleep.

Weekly check-in:
Sort thru pantry... 100%
Outside everyday... 100%
Lose 5 pounds... down -2 so 40%
Total month to date: 80%

So, every day last week I was over in calorie intake but my intake and output was always really close, so I guess that was enough to drop a few pounds. I'll try a little harder this week, at least increasing my output with more walking. I'm going to try to ease in to a more Whole 30 eating style, instead of thinking I'm going to succeed in going cold turkey.

The weekend was kind of a bust. Saturday was one of those 'feel crappy' days where I just never got going. With the cold bugs and flu going around I really had to listen to my body and rest. Sunday was better, I got out of the house for lunch and then in the afternoon went to my tattoo appointment, which is over on Vashon Island so involves a ferry ride. Both days were beautifully sunny but so stinking cold, that I didn't get anything done outside, but sure did enjoy seeing that sun stream thru the windows. And I love my new tattoos!

Happy Monday all... let's make it a healthful week.

 

[Lady Marie]

I just realized I got wrapped up and never answered the questions myself... So here's my catch up:

Portions - I just can't with cookies.... NO control! Same for cheese. The recommended serving size for cheese is just depressing. I need to find some hacks with keeping myself on track with those two. I used to have trouble with peanut butter, but now I use the proper serving size of regular peanut butter and mix it with some PB2 and water so I can have the quantity I want without the guilt. PB2 alone is good, but having a little bit of the real stuff mixed in makes it way more enjoyable. OH! And wine is a struggle for me as well. I like more than 1 little serving, but I'm learning to balance that one and plan ahead with a low point meals.

Quotes - Obviously I love Marie, so I throw out "Because I'm a lady that's why" to DH all the time LOL! I also love "Adventure is out there!"

Gadgets - I had a Jawbone Up which I looooved, but recently upgraded to Apple Watch which I love even more! I wouldn't say it inspires me to move more, but I do like having a record kept of my activity. More than that though, I like the heart rate monitor on it so I can make sure I am exercising in the right zone!

--------------------------------------

So this weekend was great and a bit messy as well. Saturday AM I had a great weigh in (officially down 40 for myself, 10 with WW!) Just 3 little pounds stand between me and my goal. I've got this! This weekend I will not be going to WW since we will be at Disney, but I am hoping beyond hope that I will hit goal next weekend and start my maintenance! (Although, I have been debating if I want to keep losing or not... I'm not sure. My goal is healthy BMI, but I wouldn't mind being down another pant size either Haha!) Saturday night though, we met up with family for pizza and then cake for my uncle's 80th birthday. I did have pizza, a little cake, and 1...2... ok fine, 3 glasses of champagne!

BUT I am back at the gym. It's doesn't feel great on my poor little toe, but I do some things modified and riding the bike doesn't hurt at all, so at least I am getting some exercise in to make up for some of that champange!

I didn't get to meal plan yesterday as DH and I ended up going out to the movies. He got popcorn and I had exactly 0 kernels! Woohoo NSV! Haha! I wasn't hungry so I didn't eat it. But, I do need to meal plan tonight! I have no idea what I am going to do for lunch today, so it may be the one day a week we allow for take out today. Oh well, going to be better and get my week started off right tonight with my planning for sure!

Have a lovely Monday all!

 

[Lady Marie]

If you have an Aldi around you, they have a couple of boxes available every week in their meat section as well -- we've been meaning to try them, but haven't made it yet.

Aldi is right by my WW! I will definitely have to check it out! Thanks for the other recommendations

 

[piglet1979]

I love my fitbit most of the time. Days like yesterday where I got about 3,000 steps I am not a fan. It can really show how little you do. But I do really love as it will motivate me to do more so I am not just sitting. All 4 of us have one now so we do competitions with each other. I am also doing some challenges with people at work that have a fitbit. This makes it fun and really can get me moving.

 

[Lady Marie]

Tuesday, February 13

Today let's talk about self-talk and positive thinking -- something that's very important to Lightening McQueen's success!

Some data shows that mindfulness helps prevent overeating.
Being mindful can also help us be present in the moments of the day and
lead to less stress overall - which also can contribute to unhealthy habits.

Do you practice mindfulness?
Is there anything you do to help stay centered in times of chaos?
Does this have any effect on your weight loss/healthy living journey?​

 

[HappyGrape]

I didn't sleep well last night at all and finding it hard to stay awake today. if I try to workout I will end up injured, I am in no form to do even yoga! However I organised myself and cooked delicious meals for days ahead.

I never just eat, I always either eat with people and talk, or eat and read or eat and work/check emails. It's not good habit really, but dinner is with the family, lunch at work and breakfast on my desk.

I use the meditation app on my fitbit. I try to do it once daily for 2 minutes. I love bodybalance classes and now on demand. I often leave it more relaxed and even energetic after the class. Like if I feel stress and tired walking in, I leave feeling calm and having energy

I read somewhere stressed mind have many times more thoughts than calm one, it's good to chill out and enjoy the moment as it is at times. Does it help my weight loss - yes, it did. Nothing works if I feel down, better I feel more likely I will keep at my commitments to myself.

 

[piglet1979]

I am not good about staying centered during certain chaos. Last week was a good example of that. If the chaos is just a lot of activities for the week I am good and I do my best to just stay to my schedule. I love schedules and have a hard time deviating from them. Weeks like last week where my schedule gets thrown off and my emotions are all over the place and the stress is high I do really bad. I eat out more and I don't work out. Than this just makes me feel worse. The stress got the best of me last week and made me sick which helped me to lose weight but not in a good way. I am back to normal this week and I worked out last night. I got 114 active minutes yesterday.

Today we had Paczki's for breakfast and the kids had just regular doughnuts for Fat Tuesday. So I am not starting out on the right foot but I planned this. I have a salad and strawberries for lunch and a snack today. I did get a call from the nurse at DD's school. She is dizzy again. I put my foot down today and said she can eat one of her protein bars that I send with her each day (just in case her blood sugar was low from the doughnuts and chocolate milk this morning) and said she needed to go back to class.

 

[Oneanne]

QOTD:

Mindfulness is a big deal with me... being awake, in the moment and paying attention is so important. I struggle with it though in relation to food, because I'm fighting the addiction to sugar, which shuts all that down. At least with tracking on my FitBit I see the aftermath, but it hasn't stopped me before hand... yet. And every time I tell myself "eat with respect" that sugar monster just laughs at me.

There's a business at one of the bus stops on the way to work that has a sign in their window saying"The attitude of gratitude" and when I read it this morning I realized I haven't been specifically thinking about gratitude lately. Also, one of the most powerful things about the class I'm taking is the constant messages of love and it's really got me to thinking that I don't need to be so focused on figuring old stuff out and undoing stuff, I need to consciously change my internal language to be positive and self-loving and soon that will be my default setting, the way I think without thinking about thinking.

I'm feeling super crappy this morning, due almost entirely to the fact that I let the sugar monster chose dinner last night. Plus I've been having to get up half an hour earlier to make it to work in time for daily calls with someone who works from India, and it is really killing me. 30 minutes really isn't that big of a deal, I think it's mostly just not being used to it, plus I get up so early any way. On the brighter side, yesterday and this morning continue to be clear and sunny, which is so restorative. And sunset is now at 5:30pm, which I love, love, love... going home last night I got off the bus early again and got some steps in. Without the cloud cover it is also very, very cold... there was frost on things this morning. Hopefully the green things that are already budding out will not be damaged.

Here are some thoughts for us today...