Went to spin this morning. I cranked up my efforts on it since I know I will be missing it for a couple of times. Almost killed me. This one is "Mind Over Intensity", and I only have it on Fridays and Mondays. So, I'll miss it on Friday, and then I'm going out of town on Sunday, so I'll miss it on Monday. That's ok, tis the season. There is a different spin class I go to on Wednesdays, so just one more before Christmas. Body Pump tomorrow and then I'll miss a couple of those, too. There is a body pump class on Saturday, so I'll probably go to that one, since I'll miss the one on Tuesday. Then, we'll get back to normal soon!!!!!!
I've been doing some holiday baking. I am pretty close to being over it now, being around all of the sweets and other stuff. But, it's ok, it only comes once a year. I'll enjoy this week for sure. May not be enjoying January much, once it hits. I'm ready to fully commit and dedicate again.
Nici: I'm so sorry about your foot. That is just such an inconvenience!!! But I do agree with Laurie that many people continue to lose weight even when they can't exercise. Hang in there! Just make sure you take care of that foot!!
Laurie: I'm also sorry about your personal issues. Depression is a tough one. I hope you are finding your way through to the other side! You've done so well lately and we're getting ready to really amp it up in January!!!! You can do this!
Just stopping for a quick afternoon check-in. I will respond in more detail in the morning.
Just went to the gym. I am doing C25K again, but not running this time because I don't want to mess up my knee again. I am doing the elliptical, but really pushing the speed during the "jogging" times. It felt amazing! I have had a very restrained day with calories, and have a decently low-cal options for dinner. I just need to not blow it this evening. So, I am committing to eating dinner at 7ish, and then being done eating for the day. I can do it. I can do it. I can do it. Onderland in 2016, y'all.
Last edited by LaurieDawn; 12-21-2015 at 05:45 PM.
Nici - You are totally rocking this steroids thing. Like you, I wouldn't be counting any chickens yet, cuz I hate to be disappointed. But a whoosh and a new low are cause to celebrate regardless! Onederland in 2006, indeed. But you are absolutely right about exercise being hugely beneficial to the mind. I know that I rely on it to assist me in staying on track. But, hopefully, the gym membership comes through, your toe heals, and the steroid side effects quickly subside.
Diane - Once again, your dedication to your work-out schedule and the work-outs themselves is inspiring. I am glad you're choosing to not be so rigid you can't enjoy the holiday season. I may disagree with you, though, about January being rough. I like being on track, with a regular schedule, and getting great results. January is going to awesome! Onederland in 2016, baby.
So - I went home and had lemon garlic chicken. It's made with a bit of olive oil, but was nonetheless fairly low-cal. I ate a few Hershey's kisses at the office, and had a cookie with dinner. But at 8:00, I stopped eating. And it didn't matter that my husband had bought tons o' Christmas candy for the stockings and we were bagging it up, and it was all my favorite kinds. I ate not one piece, because it was after 8:00, and I was done eating. This morning, the scale registered my commitment, and I am down to 246.8. I may make my "Christmas challenge" yet, which would require me to be down to at least 240.8. Fifteen more days to do it. I will relax some on Christmas Eve, and maybe on New Year's Eve,but if I keep those indulgences to a reasonable calorie level and stay uber-focused on the other days, I think I can do it.
Tuesday, y'all. Just a few days before Christmas. Let's do this.
Body pump today. So hard, but so much fun. The instructor challenged us on the tricep part to go with a higher weight. I did and I have a feeling that I'll be feeling it big time tonight and tomorrow. I just love working out. I am looking forward to getting back to running when I get all of the little holiday chores done. I decided to see what the weather is like on Thursday, but since I don't have to go to work, I think I'll skip the gym and try out this path near our house, do some running outside. I can bundle!! I am really excited for Christmas now, and spending time with family, but I can also feel the excitement and anticipation for getting back to workouts and eating on plan, after Christmas. With both of you, Nici and Laurie, I am so inspired and excited to get the numbers on the scale to go down. To get back to feeling that rush of being on plan, and feeling fit!!!! Yay!
Laurie: That would be great to make your Christmas challenge! It sounds like you are feeling that rush of being on plan! I think your choice on the C25K is a good one. I'm also with you on the Christmas sweet treats. I haven't felt the temptation this year like last year. Of course, I haven't been to my mom's house yet. She makes some pretty good treats!!!! But, I think that the desire to feel good will keep me under control.
Nici: Wow, what steroid issues??? Ha! Maybe you'll react better than you thought? Sounds like you are doing well. Good for you! Where do you live that you're getting rain? We're supposed to have a bunch of snow in the mountains around us, and hopefully not at our house too much!! Looks to be a Colorado white Christmas.
Double serving of good news today! I'm 1.5lbs down, and I got the authorization from the Board of Nursing to take my NCLEX. I'll be testing on January 12, three weeks from today. That means I've three weeks to study my brain out, start working out and generally get my life in order lol. What makes this even better is that I can tell the people tomorrow at the interview that I have a set date for my test - they don't have to wonder when or if I'll take it at all.
Diane: Going harder and stronger is always such an awesome feeling!!
Laurie: Congrats on the recommitting! So proud of you for not giving in to that guilty candy.
Nici: Glad the steroids aren't messing you up like you thought they would! And yeah, it takes a tiny bit for your body to readjust but from the sounds of it, you'll be fine.
Ok... intense, tough spin workout today. The instructor is typically amazing anyway, but she said she wanted to get in a good workout since she had been indulging a little too much lately. Oh my gosh... I was exhausted. I think that was the hardest one she has ever done. But, I'm glad she did. Now I will be away from the gym for a couple of days. Kind of happy about that.
Nici: Nice job on keeping on the good side of the calories. That's the best thing you can do for weight loss, that's for sure. And, my 2 cents is that you get your white Russian, enjoy it, and then that's it!
Dread: What a great weigh in for you! And then, to be able to start studying for your test. You have an end in sight and that has to be exciting! Good for you!
Diane - The super intense work-outs are the best! And you, per usual, rocked it. I am actually working out with someone today, and hoping it will push me to work harder. Have a great few days off of the gym!
Nici - I just Googled White Russian. I do not have that particular craving, but I may try it, cuz it looks pretty delicious. I am new to the whole alcohol thing, so I periodically like to try new stuff. Yippee on making it almost to the other side on the steroids thing. And making it a MONTH while staying at or below calories? That is freaking fantastic. You, my dear, can do anything.
Amanda - WOOT on getting your NCLEX scheduled. Such a great step. Add to that an interview - life for you is about to get much better, I suspect. You'll still be working hard, but you'll be getting a paycheck for it. =) I started lifting weights when I was studying for the bar exam. It was the best decision ever. It was a great pressure valve. Hope you find your go-to method to keep you sane these next few weeks. Can't wait to hear about the interview.
I had a pretty great work-out yesterday. For months now, every time I would make it into the gym, I would be more "going through the motions" because getting there and doing something was always better than nothing. But now that my gym attendance is consistent, I am really enjoying pushing myself a little harder each time, and I am loving it. That, plus the undeniable increased energy. Unless I am super sore, going up and down the stairs is just so. much. easier.
Had another good weigh-in this morning. I am making good progress, as you were kind enough to note, Nici. But it is the water weight from gaining so much in such a short time and finally starting to shed it. It will slow, but for now, I am LOVING it. I have to admit, though, that 240 feels like my "real" weight, as it is where I've probably spent most of my time the last 10 years (although I think my weight fluctuations would rival Oprah's). So, these first 16 pounds won't really feel like much of an accomplishment, even though I tell myself that 16 pounds is an incredible amount of weight to lose. Indeed, this is so much a mental issue!
Happy almost-Christmas, friends! Have a great day.
Nici - That's fantastic news about the weigh-in. You are unquestionably on track for Onederland in 2016. And good work on ignoring the side effects literature. It won't help you do any better to be aware of the potential problems, so . . . might as well not make yourself crazy. Good tips on the White Russians. I Googled it. I don't really like coffee at all, so I am thinking I might try a White Belgian (chocolate liqueur instead of coffee liqueur) instead. Is that sacrilege? Really hope the toe feels better soon. Maybe, the pain is from the toe recovering? (Yeah - I know. Wishful thinking, but hey. It's Christmas Eve.)
At work today. Boo hiss. Going to head to the gym at some point. I might do a noon work-out and leave work a bit early this afternoon.
Trying to focus on process over progress. I am making good progress, and I am grateful for that. I no longer feel like I have to unbutton my pants as soon as I get home to remove the sensation of the button digging into my gut. Progress, right? But I really want it all to happen NOW. And that's the attitude that gets me into trouble.
My two cents on the Great White Russian debate: that White Belgian sounds soooo good, but so does the White Russian (I love coffee). And I vote a calorie splurge now and then is worth it, as long as it's something you're REALLY going to enjoy!
My interview went well yesterday! The job sounds intimidating, and I'll have lots to study up on, but I can do it. So now just have to concentrate on getting ready for that test. I dropped that initial weight and it hasn't budged, but it's only been a few days and I haven't tried all that hard tbh. It's Christmas, so if I stay out of the cookies and sodas and don't have multiple servings of dinner, I'll count it as a victory!
Nici: Just thinking about drinking things like White Russians is already giving me a hint of a hangover! The sugar tastes sooooo good and makes my head hurt SO much the next day. I'm definitely a wine and margarita kind of girl.
Laurie: Not having to unbutton and rip off too-tight clothes when you get home is DEF progress. HUGE progress! Congrats on the little things, girl.
Hi all! Hope everyone had a great Christmas! Ours was good, and now I'll be heading to see family tomorrow. I don't feel like I'm overdoing the food, but missing some exercise. That's ok. I want to be able to be with family without guilt, and I've done well with that!
May not be posting the next few days. I'll be back at work on Wednesday, so I'll probably see you all then!
Came into work for a few hours today. I did well on Christmas and Christmas Eve, but had a really off day yesterday. I ate TONS o' garbage, and did not do much that was useful. Today, though, I am back on the straight and almost-narrow.
Thought I would check in because I am at work. Can't wait to hear everyone's post-holiday stories!
Diane - If food is on track, it's probably better for the weight front than the exercise being there. But it's probably also really good on the exercise front to give your body some rest time.
Nici - I think you already beat the January rush! You're already totally on top of this and moving in the right direction. Yippee for avoiding chocolate, alcohol, and eggnog.
Amanda - Can't wait to get an update on the job front. My limited understanding is that the nursing job market is pretty good for candidates, so I hope that you find a fantastic job quickly.
I work tomorrow, so it's back to routine for me. Have a great rest-of-the-holiday break for those lucky enough to be still on it.
Kinda glad to be back to routine. Haven't weighed the last two days. I was up on 12/26, so it might not be a great weigh-in, but I will step on the scale in the morning.
Today's Action Steps
1 - Hit the gym in the early afternoon.
2 - Eat my low-cal food today.
3 - Clean out the fridge / clean the kitchen. Get rid of anything I can that will make it harder to stay on track.
So there's been good news and bad news in all fronts of my life. Family has been in town, and it's been great visiting with them...but then I got into this epic fight with my brother that pretty much centered around both of us being cranky and awake too early in the morning. I think we're already over it, though lol. Still waiting to test for the NCLEX and it's driving me a little batty, but I did manage to get my date moved up to January 7th at noon from the 12th. I sent in a typing test result today to another job, a scheduler position at a local hospital. It pays decently, better than my last job pre-nursing, but not as well as a nursing job would...however, it is a PRN position, which is as wanted/needed shifts and I could probably keep it while working another job.
And finally, the weight front...I've stayed at the exact same weight for the last couple of days - exactly one pound down from the peak I reached last week. Not great because I'd love to be losing again, but not terrible because maintaining is always better than regaining. It's so frustrating, having to do this all over again and having to fight for every little inch of ground given. Better to fight than give up. Just need to remember that. Currently working on my New Year's resolutions. I know a lot of people think they're stupid, but I like making them and I usually manage to follow through on at least one or two of mine every year. Want to make some good ones for 2016!
Nici: Thanks for the kind words! And yeah, every new job is intimidating. Nursing is already a little scary, and something about having to do it all (the invasive treatments) on children just makes it that much more so. Thank goodness a lot of it is breathing treatments, because I am definitely a champ at those lol! And OMG, the weather here in Texas is insane right now. We had flash floods, tornados, blizzards, and winter storm warning and alarms all in one day two days ago. CONGRATS ON THE WEIGHT DROP!! That's so exciting to tip towards a new low number!!!
Laurie: Everyone needs off days! Glad to hear that you're back on track, though. And yeah, there's lots of great jobs out there that unfortunately all want at least a year's worth of experience...so the trick is to just find a bearable job that will give me experience and possible get me through RN school. And as for Christmas break, I've now been out of school so long that I'm forgetting what day it is on a regular basis
Diane: Food is 80% of the battle, so technically, if you're still doing that right you're perfectly fine! Merry Christmas!
Amanda - Even a hospital scheduler position gets your foot in the door. And PRN makes a lot of sense if you're still in school. (I guess I didn't understand that you were still in school, but now that I have Googled NCLEX, I get it a little bit better.) And yay for the scale being down from your peak. Progress is progress, even if it's ground that we've lost and are regaining. It only gets better from here, right?
Nici - Yay for the scale going slightly down. With the holiday and the steroids and the sore toe, that is a phenomenal accomplishment. Congratulations! Hopefully, the toe responds well, the appetite is curbed, and you can add the exercise back in.
Diane - Thinking of you. Can't wait to hear about your holiday!
I am up to 250.00 again, and I'm frustrated. So, of course, I ate leftover ham this morning, even though my strategy centers on little to no calories in the morning. I then ate Christmas candy, even though it had been packed with spearmint gum and tasted nasty. Because I allowed the scale to mess with my head again.
But no more. The rest of the day will be on track, and the weight will start to drop again. I am still in the gym regularly, and if I have that, I won't completely give in. So, here's to recovering from my first setback!
I feel like I need to list all the reasons why this is so important to me, but work is calling, so I won't. For today, I will tell myself - This is really hard to deal with the mental exhaustion that is only exacerbated by setbacks. But I can do hard things. I don't have to solve it all today. But for today, I can make good choices with both food and exercise. And I will.
Have a great day, everyone!
Last edited by LaurieDawn; 12-29-2015 at 10:00 AM.
I came here because I desperately want to eat all of the candy. All of it. I know where all of the candy jars are located, and I have access to many of them. Good candy too. But I will not do it. I also got a meeting stuck right in the middle of my regular gym-going time. So, I either have to go later, skip the meeting, or skip the gym. AARRGGHH!!! So not a good day for this to happen.
I can do this. I can be strong. NO CANDY. Not the first piece. And I will figure out the gym thing. Not because I can't skip a day. But because I can't skip today, feeling the way that I do.
I think I may have heard this before, so I am not taking credit for it, but . . .
lalala.patience.patience.patience.
lalala.must.concentrate.on.week-to-week.numbers.
lalala.fake.it.til.you.make.it
I'm ready to fully commit and dedicate again. 
