Why Not Now? Reaching weight loss and fitness goals in 2016--All Welcome!

[Jaime4004]

184lbs for me today, up 1 lb. Guess i'll have to be better this weekend.....

 

[indimom]

I've never tried this, but have you seen the recipe on Pinterest for Buffalo cauliflower bites? Instead of wings, you could try those.
Also, maybe you could make individual salads in cups. Smaller portion and easier to hold/munch on.
I did see that. Maybe I'll give it a try and give everyone a review....


I have been tracking all my calories and got into a running routine/schedule. I am happy about that and want it to continue.

In February I need to work on strength training.
Sounds like a great plan. Keep it up. I really need to get a workout schedule going. It's been hit or miss so far.

Jill

@Rose&Mike
January has been a pretty good month for me. I am a little nervous for Fridays weigh in not because of going over my calories or not exercising but because I am hoping I am back down a bit even if it is .1. I really need to improve my water intake next month. Winter time is always hard to drink lots of water. I just need to stay ontrack even through the stress in my life.

I have a hard time with water in the winter also. They only days I know I get enough are my work days. The air at the hospital is dry, so I always get thirsty when I'm at work. lol.

To think about for today...

A friend shared this with me today.
http://dailyburn.com/life/health/expert-weight-loss-tips/
Which of these tips do you think will work for you?

Interesting ideas. I've never tried the clenched fists and telling myself "no" literally. It might be worth a shot.
I do think a clean house calms and relaxes me, so that might be a good idea for me.

Successes: No Coke! So happy I stuck this one out. It will probably continue to be a challenge when we travel (because let's face it grabbing a soda is easy and convenient), but health wise I think it was such a good change! Number two--I am keeping up with my squats challenge. Only 285 (eek!) more to go to complete the challenge.

To work on: Meal planning, more consistent cardio, more healthy carbs--less garbage carbs, strength exercises for my foot, more water. I think I need a plan for February!

Awesome job with the Coke challenge. I always struggle with soda. This time, I told myself I can have a diet pop on my work nights and if we go out to eat. I've managed to stick with that so far. And I don't feel like it's been a struggle.

I weighed this morning and found myself down 7 lbs for the month so far! While I'm excited, I know it's just a start. And from here on out, it's not water weight and I will have to fight for every ounce to come off. February is always a struggle--seriously, something major ALWAYS happens to derail me big time. The past few years, February has been a bad, hard month. I'm praying to get past it this year without any major problems. That's the key to continuing this for me. I'm thinking ahead to decide what to set my February goal at.

Awesome job this month!!! Keep up the good work!!!

I haven't checked in recently but I am down 10 lbs!!!
-running 3+ times a week
-tracking EVERY calorie and sticking to a nutritional plan
Awesome!!! Keep it up!

I already do some of these, so I'll tell you the one I struggle with. #5 Clean up your environment.
This is probably just an excuse, but it is hard having boys in the house. They do not want cucumbers and hummus for a snack. They want a bagel or chips or cookies. So I have junk food around. I do buy myself healthy snacks that I can enjoy and not worry about calories, but watching them eat Doritos kills me!

I think having support is key to success. That's why I am so thankful for this group here on the dis!

Great. My mom just texted that she made a pie and has a piece or 2 for me. I told her to take it all to work and don't even think of bringing it here. Why all these temptations??? And Valentine's Day is just around the corner...
Jill

It is really hard when there are snack foods around. My family has been hurting lately since I'm not buying much junk anymore. lol. I did buy them each a small candy bar last night to make up for the loss. lol. Great job telling you mom "no thanks." You're doing great!!!

I especially liked #3 which was:
Don't break old habits, start new ones. I am going to make this my focus for February.

If you think February is going to be a challenge, then what about setting a very modest goal for the month and instead work on other things to keep you healthy--like an exercise challenge, or xx fruit and veggies per day. January seems to be that month for me every year, so I get you on the challenge. I am proud for what I have accomplished this month even if it wasn't a huge scale victory.

Those are great ideas! I've signed up for a challenge group next month. There will be a different e-mail challenge every day. Short challenges, but things to keep me engaged. I'm looking forward to it.

I weighed in today and I ended up down one pound for January. I am not going to weigh in again until Monday, so that's where I will finish the month. I am disappointed, but very proud that I kicked the coke habit and I am on task to finish my squat challenge. I have 150 more to go on Sunday!

Great job with the Coke challenge and the Squats challenge. Can you share some more details on that, I probably missed it?? Was it a certain number for the month?? I hate squats, but really need them, it might be worth considering....

To think about for today....
February has some special events coming up. How do you plan to handle the Super Bowl and Valentine's Day?
Please share any healthy ideas and/or recipes.

I've been working on this since I want to enjoy the SB with my family. I've got a few recipes, now I just need to decide which ones I'm going to make. Luckily, Valentines Day isn't a big one for us, so I'll just coast on by that special day. lol.

I am down another 2lbs this morning. Total of 15lbs this month! Way ahead of my 10lbs set for myself. I know next month will be harder to lose. Going to keep at it though.

Great Job!!! I hope I catch up to you soon. I'll be so happy when I've lost 15 pounds!!!

So, my goal for February will be to complete every day of the Challenge Group I've joined.
My weight loss goal for February is going to be 10 pounds. It's ambitious, but I'm going to really challenge myself to add activity, and hope to see those pounds falling off. I've got that trip in June coming that I really need to focus on. I want to be fit enough to really enjoy all the outdoor activities we have planned: hikes, zip lining, white water rafting, etc.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Down another .9 lbs. For super bowl--I am in charge of the menu. I will plan to cheat but honestly when I am on a roll it is hard to get portion sizes/calories out of my head. I plan fun meals surrounding each city/state that is a contender, so I will just try to keep them light and supplement with things that aren't tooo tempting for me. And definitely a veggie tray with some kind of low cal dip so I can snack all day. Valentines Day? We are slackers on that front too, but nothing makes my v-day like a giant steak. So that is what I'll be budgeting for. An amazing steak and a baked potato too. And then LOADS of green beans and broccoli. And wine. I'm much more tempted by red meat than chocolate

 

[momabaarjo]

To think about for today:

Looking back on January where have you been successful? What do you need to work on for February?

I have had a really good January, except for my "TO HECK WITH IT ALL" 3 day binge. The rest of the month has been pretty awesome. The miles are clicking away with Fitbit and the treadmill (right now I am over 200 miles with fitbit and 150 intentional workout miles). I need to focus for February to NOT have more than "TO HECK WITH IT ALL" binge days. Which means also...staying on the course and no cheats!

 

[momabaarjo]

To think about for today....
February has some special events coming up. How do you plan to handle the Super Bowl and Valentine's Day?
Please share any healthy ideas and/or recipes.

I have not really thought about how I am going to handle either one of these days. Luckily my children are in the middle of winter show performances and every weekend until the end of February is booked Friday & Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons with shows. So that will help.

We also asked MIL NOT to make her famous Valentine cookies that she makes every year for us. Thankfully DH told her that...not me. We are all trying to eat better...I doubt she will listen, though.

As for Super Bowl...my team is in, but we are not going to any parties or doing a party so pretty much just treat it like any Sunday football weekend. Maybe it will be nice and we can grill outside.

 

[~~Darci~~]

To think about for today....
February has some special events coming up. How do you plan to handle the Super Bowl and Valentine's Day?
Please share any healthy ideas and/or recipes.

We are going to a super bowl party but my plan is to stay the course. Valentine's day is going to be dinner out I'm sure but that's also going to be on plan

In other news Tuesday is my WID and I'm thinking that I'm not going to make my -4. I'm with Rose and going to have to be happy with 1 or 2. Better than a gain I say!!

 

[momabaarjo]

Really struggling last night and this morning with emotional garbage all caused by me and me alone...I shut down and shut out of life. I just want to bury myself in whatever I can find. I don't even want to exercise/walk (which has been my saving grace lately)...feel all over the spectrum of emotions.

 

[5xdisneyfans]

@momabaarjo sorry your having a bad day. I totally understand where you are coming from and it can be so hard to push through it. Try and go for a walk even if it is a short one. Stay strong and it will pass. I am in the same boat as we speak. I am having a tough emotion morning. Going through my hating food moods and wish I never had to eat again because that would be so much easier than having to think about it all the time.

My friends want to go out for dinner tomorrow night. The friend organizing it picked a restaurant near her house which I have never been to and is a small local restaurant that has no nutritional information online. The menu is online but let me tell you there is now low calorie options Feeling angry about it and think why do I bother. I am ready just to stay home. Everything is carbs and fat food. Not a salad in sight on the menu. Makes me hate food and feel out of control.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

So i hit my 5 lb goal for jan- Happy about it and starting to look toward Feb.

Thanks for doing this and keeping track. It makes me feel accountable.

 

[Julia M]

So i hit my 5 lb goal for jan- Happy about it and starting to look toward Feb.

Yeah!!

Going out tonight for my dad's 79th birthday. A special day for us, as he was diagnosed two years ago this month with brain cancer (astrocytoma stage 3). I'm grateful he is here!
Anyway, I went to the Black Angus website, and planned my meal. A 36 point meal (unless I take home leftovers, which I might, since I typically do so). It sounds like a lot of points (and it is), but I have tracked everything. I made sure my breakfast and lunch were low points today (total of 8). I still have 22 remaining extra points for the week.

One thing that amazed me.....I initially planned on having the grilled shrimp. Fire grilled prawns are 780 calories, with 23 grams of saturated fat. The filet mignon is 320 calories and 8 grams of saturated fat. It's good to check the nutritional info if you can....it can be surprising.

 

[Zoesmama03]

Weighed in 310.6 that's another 1.2 down this week. Well really more because of what I had gained last week but just shy of 5 lbs for the month. 4.7 lbs total lost this month so just .3 shy of the 5 lb loss goal I had. I am switching weigh in from Sunday morning to Saturday morning I think it will help me stay motivated on weekends better to keep better track of calories and macros through out the weekend and keep to plans.

February my goal will be 8 lbs. Which will be sooooooo close to my first mini goal reached. I can't wait because its been awhile since I was down under 300. I think 2009(well not true I did see 298.3 for a week in May then bounced back up) was last time. I was down to 230 or so but unemployment and other stuff happened. I don't want to see that 3 at the start again once I'm out. As soon as I find a full time job I totally want to join a crossfit gym with my 12 1/2 year old who wants strength for gymnastics(or just mad ninja skills she says. LOL) and balance for skateboarding she plans to take up as soon as she can get a board. Maybe the other two(my brother and my friends soon to be 14 year old) in the house would get involved too at his cost of course. Support and family together can be a big motivator. Of course those two and my DD would be doing it purely for the muscle gains or strength. hehe They are all at healthy weights.

 

[Zoesmama03]

Well started with the questions of the days. Well some of them. I will read more after I get back from the grocery store.

To think about for today:

Looking back on January where have you been successful? What do you need to work on for February?

***I could use some help this weekend. If you could post a question for Saturday/Sunday and reply to posts this please let me know.
Thanks!

I've been more successful with exercise and tracking food. In February I'd like to improve those a bit more PLUS work on making sure I'm eating 6-8 veggies/fruits a day and cutting out two days of grain carbs. Will make these changes slowly until my diet is where I want it. I'm want to go gluten and dairy(completely already avoid some dairy) free. And even less processed foods. But I figure I can work on parts broken into smaller goals each month.

To think about for today...

A friend shared this with me today.
http://dailyburn.com/life/health/expert-weight-loss-tips/
Which of these tips do you think will work for you?

Starting with today. In the past I've always made plans but never start. Ones that will definitely work is getting the kitchen into shape.

To think about for today....
February has some special events coming up. How do you plan to handle the Super Bowl and Valentine's Day?
Please share any healthy ideas and/or recipes.

Both will be pretty easy to handle. We are NOT a sports family. We won't be watching the superbowl or going to parties. Well I know I won't. My brother does some years but I doubt he will go to any. He's not a big sports fan but some of his buddies are. No extra foods to avoid there. chocolate on Vday could be trouble. Or rather avoiding the after holiday clearance priced candy. I've been avoiding that stuff though I really really wanted to get some sour patch kids. Instead I had TWO little pieces of the bag my brother had bought. For the superbowl I'd recommend roasted cauliflower with buffalo hot sauce. I've been wanting to try it. I got cauliflower but no sauce. LOL Next weekend I will try it.

Really struggling last night and this morning with emotional garbage all caused by me and me alone...I shut down and shut out of life. I just want to bury myself in whatever I can find. I don't even want to exercise/walk (which has been my saving grace lately)...feel all over the spectrum of emotions.

Hugs. I had some emotional garbage today. I got a bill from a visit my DD had to the drs early in 2015. Never had one before and now I get one almost a year later saying its 120 days past due, I think it was a mistake. She was insured and should have been fully paid. Now I will have to call but I tried not to let my worry and anxiety disorder rule me. I have those days where everything just seems so buried. I don't want to do anything.

 

[kristenrice]

I'm back...

I have not been real diligent about recording my intake and I've also been way too busy to get to the gym, but I have been doing what I can when I can.

I'm happy to report that my weight today is 168.5 pounds. That is a 6.5 pound loss for January.

I have only been approved to continue PT until the end of February. My oldest daughter finishes her basketball schedule at the end of February and the youngest will be done with OM too. That means if I can post any loss for February, then I can go into March with a full head of steam and a wide-open schedule.

My goal for February is to hit 165...so only about 3 pounds. It's totally doable and I'm really going to work on my water intake. I've started my own drinking game....every time I think about or talk about a donut, I have to guzzle some water...I drank over 100 oz on Wednesday.

 

[Rose&Mike]

To think about for today:
Looking forward to February...is there a challenge you would like to undertake in February. Ex: give up soda, planks, squats, more water, etc? Do you want to publicly share your February goals so we can cheer you on?

Hi everyone. Hope it was a good weekend, though skimming through the posts it looks like a couple of people are struggling. Know that we are all pulling for you. Take care of yourself, do the best you can with the food, and most importantly be kind to yourself. One meal/bad day/bad week etc is not a reason to quit!

I will do some replies tomorrow and talk about how we are going to handle weigh ins for for February.

We took a mini vacation and drove to Jekyll Island in GA. It was a much needed mental reset especially for me. It was about a 5 hour drive each way so not too bad, and we got off season rates. They upgraded us to a mini suite which was awesome. The gluten free choices were not always the best, but I am ready to get on the scale tomorrow.

We were very active this weekend too--4+ mile beach walk and 16 mile bike ride around the island. So hopefully I burned off some of those calories!

Be back in the morning to catch things up!

 

[kristenrice]

I took the knee out for a test run today. It was cloudy and overcast and around 40-degrees when I started...then it started to rain. It was a cold, soaking rain and I was miserable. It was bad enough that I haven't been out for a "run" in over 3 months, but the rain just made it all the worse. I walked a 1/4 mile, ran 1/4 mile, walked 1/4 mile and ran a 1/4 mile and realized that 14 minutes was just not enough of an effort. So, I continued on past my house and power-walked up the street and back. All total, I did 1.57 miles in 22 minutes. Certainly not my best effort, but I was soggy and miserable and the fact that I went outside at all is still an accomplishment to me.

The diet today started out OK, but got derailed by my evil nemesis....donuts. After church, my parents and my sister (along with the kids) wanted to go to Krispy Kreme. I couldn't turn down time with the family so I went. I managed to restrain myself and ate only an apple fritter (Hey, that's usually what I start with...and wash it down with 2-3 more donuts) and drank a glass of water instead of Diet Coke...small victories. This afternoon was rough...lounging around the house gave me the munchies so I had a bunch of peanuts, a protein bar and some Doritos. For dinner, it's what I have been waiting for all week...venison burgers. I will probably eat two since I indulge in a burger about once a month...and I do it right! I will make the patties a little thinner than normal since I am only about 200 calories away from my limit...I'll exceed that with just the buns.

Tomorrow, it's up at 3:30am to head off to work. Maybe I will get motivated and pack my gym clothes, but honestly, after a 12-hour shift, exercising is really not what I want to do. I have to drive right by the gym on the way home though so maybe a little guilt will kick in.

Good Luck, Everyone! Let's put January behind us and get cracking on those February goals.

 

[Julia M]

To think about for today:
Looking forward to February...is there a challenge you would like to undertake in February. Ex: give up soda, planks, squats, more water, etc? Do you want to publicly share your February goals so we can cheer you on?

I would like to add exercise to my program. I have done well in January foodwise, but would like to add a walking regime to my efforts.

 

[Tigerlulu]

I'd just like to say (vent!) that I'm currently riding in a car surrounded by people eating horribly yummy things from Wendy's and the smell is overwhelming. And I'm drinking my water and eating an orange. And trying desperately to breathe out of my mouth instead of my nose!

 

[5xdisneyfans]

I'd just like to say (vent!) that I'm currently riding in a car surrounded by people eating horribly yummy things from Wendy's and the smell is overwhelming. And I'm drinking my water and eating an orange. And trying desperately to breathe out of my mouth instead of my nose![/QUOT

Good for you! I actually do the opposite I sniff really hard I can almost taste it. Sniffing is zero calories

 

[Tigerlulu]

@5xdisneyfans I told them all that they were going to have one extra fat roll in the morning and I was not. Haha!

 

[jillbur]

To think about for today....
February has some special events coming up. How do you plan to handle the Super Bowl and Valentine's Day?
Please share any healthy ideas and/or recipes.

February is TERRIBLE for me! Not only do I have Valentine's Day and the Super Bowl, but THREE birthdays! My MIL is turning 60, my nephew is turning 18 and my sister has a birthday as well (but not a biggie like 60 and 18). Sigh...I'll just try my best and either avoid cake or only have a bite of DH's.

Really struggling last night and this morning with emotional garbage all caused by me and me alone...I shut down and shut out of life. I just want to bury myself in whatever I can find. I don't even want to exercise/walk (which has been my saving grace lately)...feel all over the spectrum of emotions.

Hugs. I hope you are feeling better. Try to get out for a walk and some fresh air. Even if it's not an "exercise" walk and just a relaxing, take everything in walk.

To think about for today:
Looking forward to February...is there a challenge you would like to undertake in February. Ex: give up soda, planks, squats, more water, etc? Do you want to publicly share your February goals so we can cheer you on?

Hi everyone. Hope it was a good weekend, though skimming through the posts it looks like a couple of people are struggling. Know that we are all pulling for you. Take care of yourself, do the best you can with the food, and most importantly be kind to yourself. One meal/bad day/bad week etc is not a reason to quit!

I will do some replies tomorrow and talk about how we are going to handle weigh ins for for February.

We took a mini vacation and drove to Jekyll Island in GA. It was a much needed mental reset especially for me. It was about a 5 hour drive each way so not too bad, and we got off season rates. They upgraded us to a mini suite which was awesome. The gluten free choices were not always the best, but I am ready to get on the scale tomorrow.

We were very active this weekend too--4+ mile beach walk and 16 mile bike ride around the island. So hopefully I burned off some of those calories!

Be back in the morning to catch things up!

A mini vacation sounds great! Glad you had a fun time.

I don't have a particular challenge for February. I guess I want to continue running 3 times a week and tracking all my food. I should do a daily challenge like pushups or crunches. I'll think about that!

I'd just like to say (vent!) that I'm currently riding in a car surrounded by people eating horribly yummy things from Wendy's and the smell is overwhelming. And I'm drinking my water and eating an orange. And trying desperately to breathe out of my mouth instead of my nose!

Nooooooo!! Wendy's fries are the best!! Stay strong!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My final weigh in is 165.6. I am very pleased with January and hope February is just as successful. Will we be keeping this thread going for February? If so, my goal will be 4 pounds and I will just use today's weight as my starting weight. Is that okay Rose?

I put a cruise on hold today while DH double checks his vacation dates. I'm still not sure it's a definite (4 port stops with a family of 4 equals $$$$ for excursions). But it got me thinking, I want to feel good on vacation and look good in pictures so I better keep this going! 4 pounds a month could be a 20 pound loss and put me at my goal weight by July. That should light a fire underneath my big old butt!

Guess what I'm off to do? Laundry. Again. DSs have a tendency to throw everything down the laundry chute in one day. So, I had no loads to do yesterday and 2 today somehow. Sigh...

I'll be back tomorrow to check in for a new month! Good night

Jill