Bonus QOTD January 1, 2014: It's Woo Hoo Wednesday -- give yourself a big "woo hoo" for helping yourself to be healthy and share something that you did today week to help you with your goals.
Well.... last Wednesday is a total blur to me..... but the one good thing I did over the past week to help me was to give myself NO EXCUSES to avoid the scale last Friday. I was going to get a "first of the year" weigh-in done, no matter what! While it wasn't a big gain (2.8 since Christmas Eve morning), it wasn't terrible and got me into a mental place to get right back on track.
QOTD Thursday January 2, 2014: Do you think tracking food is an important part of weight loss?
* Yes, definitely
* Maybe, it depends on the person
* No, I don't think it's necessary
Yes, yes, yes, and.... did I mention?.... YES!!!!!!!! There are definitely different kinds of tracking (PointsPlus, calories, carbs, etc), but I think that there needs to be some kind of RECORD of what you are eating.
QOTD January 3, 2014: What is the single best exercise for you? And what type of activity would you like to try? Is there any activity that you tried and you swear you will never do again?
Best for me?? Walking with a good friend or my daughter. I can walk and talk and walk fast and not get bored. Second best is walking on the TM while watching a good movie.
I did try running a few years ago and while I was pretty good at it, I really didn't love it (didn't even really like it) and it became a struggle and a mental battle to MAKE myself to run.... so I stopped. I will occasionally throw some run segments into my walks and it feels good to run because I WANT to, not because I HAVE to.
Never want to try again??? SPIN class.... although I said that after my first class and then went on to try it a few more times.... and said "NEVER AGAIN" after every class!
Which leads me to the QOTD for Saturday, January 4, 2014: Are you surprised by how much (or little) you can eat for the calories, depending on which foods you choose? Do you have a meal that you enjoy that gives you a lot of bang for the calorie buck?
After a full 6 years on this journey, things rarely surprise me any more (although I won't say NEVER). But yes, making the RIGHT choice, the SMART and HEALTHY choice, definitely usually gives me a bigger bang for my PointsPlus value buck! I have recently discovered that butternut squash is considered a 0 PPV veggie! All along I've been grouping it with sweet potatoes and counting it....and now I can eat all I want!! WOOHOOO! Roasted, steamed, mashed... yum!
A good high fiber/low fat veggie burger.... I can make a nice big sandwich with a double patty on a Sandwich Thin or low carb roll, lettuce, tomato, onions, sf pickles, mustard, and occasionally a bit of cheese.... filling and yummy! Another "big bang" meal for me is my "change it up breakfast bowl" (shameless plug for the recipe thread)..... the recipe for which can be found here.....
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2447512&page=9
Post number 127.
QOTD for Monday, January 6, 2014:
After all of the holiday eating and excuses, what is the best way that you have to get yourself "back in the wagon" (i.e. back on plan)? Do you do a few days of juicing? Extra time at the gym? Be super strict about your food journaling? Read an especially inspiring quote?
If this is your first "ride in the wagon", what do you think will help you in the future if you get off plan?
I usually need to pull my food journal FRONT AND CENTER on the counter so I have NO EXCUSE to skip my food journaling. I also go back to my "day one/year one" weighing and measuring of portions. I also try to plan some SUPER HEALTHY meals (some of my particularly veggie-rich, extra light meals like soups or salads).
A few days of juicing is a good "restart" too, but I can rarely maintain a "just juice" diet more than 48 hours, since I get too hungry.
Nice to see you back,
Pamela!
We did miss you!
Sounds like you had a great holiday with your family and are already back in the groove.
I missed you all too!
Snow shoveling burns a lot of calories -- I would call it exercise for sure!
Sounds like you are doing great!
A shameless plea for a coaching volunteer . . .we have one coaching slot left that starts on Saturday, 1/11 and runs through 1/15. Coaching is fun and motivating and you don't have to reinvent the wheel because we have our QOTD archive to use for inspiration. Please consider volunteering to coach -- we can even do a coach for a day if we have enough people who want to try that. Thank you! 
I would be happy to continue my coaching gig for an extra week if need be, but I don't want to step in the way if you have any other volunteers.
WHAT?! -3!!!
Where do you live? We have CRAZY weather here today in NYC - right now it is 50 degrees and by tonight at 10pm it will be 8 degrees. Needless to say, my body is totally and completely confused. I don't know if I'd prefer the -3 for 2 or 3 days or the back and forth lol
Crazy like that here too! Super cold last Thursday/Friday/Saturday with lots of snow... and today 45 degrees and pouring rain.... plus we are on our third "no school" day!
I am very big on "starting." My family is one of planners, not doers. We are known for planning things months in advance, and then when the day comes, being too "tired" or "sick" or just plain lazy and not going. So, when it comes to exercise or eating right, I'm so big on the day to start. For instance, I was supposed to start Power90 in December. But, then I left my DVD at my friend's house. Instead of going to pick it up and starting the next day, I waited until the next week. Then, it was the holidays and I was making gifts and things were tough. Instead of exercising when I could, even if it was just 2 days a week, I kept pushing the date to start. When I eat a huge meal, I start indulging myself, saying well, I've already eaten this much, let's just keep going and I'll start fresh next week.
So, I think my problem is figuring out a way to "fall of the bandwagon," so to speak, and just keep on going! Because every time I fall for one day, I say, okay, I'll start again next week, or next month. I guess I have to start accepting that if I miss a day, I can just keep going! I don't have to wait around for the next "cycle."
When it comes to getting back on, and staying on, I use INO - comes from that book, Secrets of a Former Fat Girl. INO stands for It's Not an Option. Whenever I think about how that extra hour of sleep would be so nice instead of my workout, I have a piece of paper next to my bed that says INO in big letters! So that unless I am ill or injured, I know that it isn't a choice, its something I have to do! I try to be my own personal cheerleader!
I love the idea of a note right by the alarm clock! And as far as the "putting it off" excuse.... there is a famous WW saying that says "The next bite is a chance to do it right." Basically it is a reminder that we don't have to wait until "tomorrow" or "Monday" or "next month" or "next NYE" to start making ourselves healthier!!
I like that! I'm definitely going to have to start telling myself that! I mean, I'm a bit obsessed with holidays - I go all out for every one, even in my teeny apartment. Xmas just came down yesterday and I'm already feeling the emptiness of no holiday decorations!! I might put up Valentine's Day things tomorrow....
I actually am just the opposite. I really don't like holiday decorating.... too much work, too much mess. I was HAPPY to take out the tree yesterday and look forward to no holiday decorations! I usually just rotate a few basic seasonal type things (spring wreath, summer wreath, fall wreath, Christmas wreath, winter wreath), and don't go all out for specific holidays. I don't even OWN Valentine's Day decor! Maybe you can come decorate for me!
But, in terms of eating right - definitely have to stick just to the day!
This morning, I tried eating a Nutrigrain bar and a banana before my workout. Well, stressing about eating that much meant I was almost late for work! All over a silly banana lol
It turned out I didn't need that much fuel. Tomorrow I'm going to try waking up earlier, to give myself more time for digestion and eating HALF of a banana haha
Hope everyone is staying nice and warm! Sending you all lots of sun!!
How about drinking your pre-workout fuel? It might be easier to get in the fuel/calories you need without having that "too full to workout" feeling that is easy to get. And.... I feel badly saying this since you didn't really ask.... but I"m going out on a limb and saying DITCH THE BAR! Nutrigrain bars are really nothing but white flour and white sugar.... that is NOT the fuel that your body needs for a workout. How about throwing the banana (or half banana) in the blender with a cup of liquid (juice, low fat milk, almond milk) and a Tb of natural peanut butter or a bit of protein powder? Easy to grab and drink on your way, easier to digest, will probably keep you fuller longer, and probably a healthier meal overall.
I know, I know.... none of my business.... just the mother hen in me coming out. Feel free to ignore my butting in!
I missed a couple days here!!
trying to jump back in.
Lisa -- I hope we get another coaching volunteer and to anyone thinking about it, please give it a shot! it's easy and it's ok if you don't have time for long replies, posting a QOTD and keeping the chatter going in general is the main goal
QOTD for Monday, January 6, 2014:
After all of the holiday eating and excuses, what is the best way that you have to get yourself "back in the wagon" (i.e. back on plan)? Do you do a few days of juicing? Extra time at the gym? Be super strict about your food journaling? Read an especially inspiring quote?
If this is your first "ride in the wagon", what do you think will help you in the future if you get off plan?
my DH left for a business trip this morning until Fri, so it's just me and DD17 home this week. last night I asked her if 'light meals' were good in her book as I wanted to use this week to detox the bad habits of holiday grazing and overeating. she's game so that's the plan. and frankly not cooking this week sounds good to me as I have to tackle packing up the holiday decorations and cleaning. this morning I'm going to get some workout clothes on and do a 1-mile WATP and 10 mins of pilates. I know it's not much but it's where I need to start and not burn up too much energy for the day.
and I've really got to get back on the GF wagon, I get a rash around my eyes from gluten (I think, just putting the puzzle together still) and this weekend was very sluggish and achy. I think it's all tied together
Sounds like a good week to try out some new "lighter" meal options. My family had a hard time the first time that "yogurt parfaits" were on the dinner menu.... but they have come around and it is a normal part of the menu now (although mostly in the warmer months).
Our evening meal schedule just got crazy here. Robotics season has just kicked off, which means that DS and DH will be leaving the house about 5pm most nights. I work on Tuesday nights and will be gone from 4pm-8pm, so I think that will be soup night (something I can make up ahead of time and they can warm up as needed). Thursdays is "pizza night" at Robotics, so I won't have to feed DS and I'll probably pack a low carb sandwich for DH to bring along. Mondays and Wednesdays will have to be crockpot meals or a "no-cook" meal so that they can eat by 4:30 or so. Thankfully this craziness only lasts for a few weeks!
Good morning all.
This morning when I came into work it was 60, now it is 35 and snowing.
The high for tomorrow is 10. Ugh! I wish I had realized it would be so warm this morning; I would have set my alarm earlier and tried to get my run in outside! Oh well, off to the gym after work I suppose.
It is nearly 50 degrees here right now and while it is crazy warm for NH in January, the slush, puddles, and snowbanks make it impossible to get in an outside run. Plus it is POURING RAIN right now.
QOTD: getting back on the bandwagon for me is really just a matter of planning. similar to how i don't lose when i don't use MFP, i don't lose if i'm not planning out my meals/days/etc, and that's always when i fall off. even if it's only taking 5 minutes the night before to set out my gym bag and make sure a sandwich is packed. i love to tell myself "oh i'll just do it in the morning but most mornings i can't even make it to work "on time" when i DON'T have to pack a lunch or a gym bag, lol.
Planning is CRUCIAL for me as well!
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Okay.... I didn't do all of the replies that I intended because there was just SO MUCH to read. But I did read everything and would love to offer a big
WELCOME to our new friends and a huge
WELCOME BACK to our returning friends who have been away for a while.... and of COURSE a big "
Howdy-Hey" to folks like me who just can't seem to stay away!!
It is exciting to me to see some returning friends.... LTS, Rose, Buffy, 50sJayne.... you have been missed!! And so many other friends.... too many to think of all of your names right now.... but be assured, your absence has been felt.
Okay.... off to find a recipe for a butternut squash soup that includes JUST WW Simple Start ingredients. And if I can't find one, I'll create one!
BBL to chat..................P
). It was so yummy and really simple. I'll be posting the recipe over on the recipe thread and I'll provide a link when I've done that. I did get a few ideas reading other squash soup recipes on allrecipes.com (like including an apple), but there were really no recipes that didn't include butter, cream, cream cheese, lots of oil, etc. The soup I made isn't terribly rich, but tasty and (sort of) creamy and warm on a raw day like today.... and loaded vitamin A !!
Let us know what kind of FitBit you get tell us about your scale. I know my home scale is wonky but I just don't know if I can find a scale that doesn't have memory -- don't need the whole family watching my numbers. 
It is the best of all options-- we get to sleep in, have a shorter school day, but don't have a snow day to make up later!
I have been STARVING all day. Didn't matter what I ate my stomach felt like I hadn't eaten in weeks. Got home and had an OP snack and some very NOT OP peanut butter and finally felt better. For about an hour. Then the "urpies" started-- feels like everything I ate today is sitting right about the top of my belly and if I bend over it tries to come out-- KWIM? I am skipping dinner and my last required meal of the day because it would be a bad idea. 
new gym membership! 
That is a great way to start off the new year and very smart to make sure you have your health care providers okay. 
), then you need to POLITELY tell them to BACK OFF! It could be that they are feeling guilty because they need to make changes in their own life. Or they are jealous because you are actually MAKING changes that perhaps they are only thinking about.
