[BillBlueEyes]

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Solved the double fruit evening snack issue, CREDIT moi, by having no evening snack at all. That wasn't so hard since we went out and returned late enough that snacking wasn't an issue. That made the whole day under plan, CREDIT moi - wouldn't mind a few more of those. Left over Halloween candy remains untouched; only one day until it's out of here.

Bumped into a friend at gym (CREDIT moi) who started out bigger than me and has lost weight until he's now smaller. Good for him, and good for me for feeling pleased with his journey rather than challenged. We walked, CREDIT moi, last night to an event where I learned that one Bowhead Whale was estimated to be 211 years old!!! Pretty amazing. It's a joy to walk places where I would have driven before my journey. Yay for my journey. It's also a motivator that the cities are eliminating parking spaces to motivate folks to walk more, LOL.


onebyone – Hooray for the new studio - can't wait to accept your invitation to come visit. Gotta love listening to what you see when you look at blank walls. Kudos for facing that "the wheels will come off my wagon very fast" when you diverge from the path.

Joy (gardenerjoy) – Interesting to come to accept that "some of which I need to jettison and some of which I need to punt." Sometimes we're behind because the dream wasn't realistic; that isn't easy to realize.

Debbie (Lexxiss) – Yay for persistence.

Nature Girl – Outstanding!!!, Yes, "What a victory!!!" It so amazes me that so much raw emotion gets caught up in discussion of little kids when there's so much room for raw delight. Kudos for distinguishing actual hunger from "trying to fix feelings with food."

maryann - It's such a demonic Sabotaging Thought, "You can lose that weight in a week." Kudos for spotting it so you could respond. Congrats on "( MFA, job, family) is going well" - that should be in Broadway lights.

HaleyJu - Amen sista' to "This weight loss thing is a strange process." Yep, Kudos for ignoring the pleas of the M&M's.

Readers -

chapter 8 Stage 5 The Motivation-for-Life Plan

Re-Motivation Plan

The next few techniques will remind you what will happen if you abandon your efforts.

Visualize the future if you gain weight. Imagine, in great detail, the most likely scenario if you go back to your old way of eating. Can you see yourself getting heavier? Can you imagine how you will feel when you see the number on the scale going up ... and up ... and up? Can you picture having to put away your smaller clothes and getting out your bigger ones - the clothes you had promised yourself you would never have to wear again?

Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., The Complete Beck Diet for Life (Green book), pg 193.

[gardenerjoy]

Credit for making a food plan that matches what my kitchen can produce (writing "soup" on the plan when it will be a couple of weeks before I can make homemade chicken stock is unhelpful). Credit for many squats and lunges (also stretching at the moments when I would have otherwise stood still) while hauling and spreading compost for a new bed.

An extra snack did not help me get more things done. New response: I get more things done by doing things, not by eating.

WI: +0.45kgs, Exercise: +120 175/1600 minutes for November, Food: 80% op, Read my Advantages and Responses: yes

onebyone: I'm so excited about your new studio! Can I request tea when I drop by?

[HaleyJu]

The only thing that I can take credit for today is going for a walk and coming here to say that I went totally off plan. I don't mean a little off plan but big time off plan including left over candy, cookies, and way too much food. I even had those "the **** with it, I've blown it anyway" thoughts (which i acted on). Now that it's done, tomorrow is another day -- time to start over again.

[BillBlueEyes]

Diet Coaches/Buddies - On plan for the day, CREDIT moi. Evening snack was a small piece of coffee cake with friends rather than my usual fruit, but I had planned it so count it as on plan. Today's the day I attempt to foist my leftover Halloween candy on some folks. Doesn't seem compassionate on my part to give away a drug. When I become semi-enlightened, I'll just toss it in the compost; when I become fully enlightened, I'll not buy it. Perhaps I need the slogan, Friends don't give friends drugs.

Walking, CREDIT moi, was through the Harvard Forrest in central Massachusetts. The great thing among a bunch of current researches is worldwide carbon accounting. We saw a large stand of trees circled with stainless steel gauges that expand with tree growth. The researchers will be able to estimate the accumulated carbon per year of that section of forest. Cool stuff. It's coming back into vogue to be aware that forests are part of us. I touched an American Sweetgum Tree that was more than 400 years old as determined by a drilled core. Seems that the earlier settlers left a bunch of them because their wood is too hard for much use other than mallet heads. Yay for trees.


Joy (gardenerjoy) – I need this, " I get more things done by doing things, not by eating."

HaleyJu - Yep, Kudos for the walk; Kudos for posting; Kudos for going forth rather than spiraling down with the Sabotaging Thought, I've already gotten one speeding ticket, might as well drive faster.

Readers -

chapter 8 Stage 5 The Motivation-for-Life Plan

Re-Motivation Plan

Now visualize the Future if you keep following the Beck Diet for Life Program. Imagine a specific event you have coming up (perhaps a wedding, vacation, party, or business meeting) and think about how great you will feel if you have kept your weight down. Picture it in your mind. What will you wear? Whom will you talk to? How much more comfortable will you feel at your new weight?

Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., The Complete Beck Diet for Life (Green book), pgs 193-4.

[Nature Girl]

Exercise decision: go for a walk right now before I go work in my classroom, or wait until after so that I can hit low tide and walk on the beach. It makes sense to go first so it's done and can't talk myself out of it, but it would be so much more fun to walk on the beach instead of the paved road. Normally would plan both, but as I recover from the asthma crisis, moderation is important.

Met my husband in the big city halfway between two homes for breakfast yesterday...involves a walk-on ferry ride which is always fun. Had my traditional breakfast at our 25+ year favorite joint but told 'em to hold the toast. Late breakfast held me until dinner--not even any snacks! So the larger than normal breakfast turned out to be not too far off plan.
Hung out together a while, hopped back on the ferry, and got home in time for chores and relaxation--just what is needed after a long week and lots of asthma symptoms. Saving special salmon & fresh veggies I bought at the market for tonight--after yesterday's delicious breakfast, dinner could be simple; today's breakfast is simple and dinner will be something to look forward to.

[Lexxiss]

Hi Coaches!

DH and I just got in from raking the yard. credit for exercise of necessity. We have a giant (by our standards) spruce tree of which the pine cones get blown all across the yard if we leave them to winter over. It was an enjoyable task as the weather is quite mild this morning.

I weighed, had my kale smoothie and am heading into work (again). A coworker jokingly asked yesterday if I wanted to work so she could watch football and I said sure. My lunch is already there credit and I have dinner thawing in the fridge.

HaleyJu, yay for back on track. I, too, had one of those days yesterday. I drew a "line in the sand" and chilled out last night. I resisted many items still left to be eaten. I always find that resistance aids me in finding more resistance.

[maryann]

Good morning, Coaches.
I have been up in Tahoe writing for two days. the weather is fall beautiful. I met a friend who was up here for a wedding and we went on a lovely hike to a lake. Then i worked like a madmen and went to a new yoga class-Yin. It is a type of yoga which demands you to hold poses for five minutes each. It was an hour and a half class. I was hoping it would help my sore neck/shoulder. Still stiff this morning, though. Food is ok. My DH and DS filled this place up with crap when they were here last week. I ate a small amount but on the whole was very proud of myself. Still resisting a formal plan.
Haleyju: I like your motivational statement yesterday.
BBE: re motivation quote was great. Noone wants to put their old fat clothes on again.
onebyone: Happy Birthday.

[gardenerjoy]

Credit for a 100% day although it happened oddly. I bunched up lunch and both afternoon snacks into about 90 minutes because I really wanted to eat more. But it worked.

WI: +0.1 kgs, Exercise: +55 230/1600 minutes for November, Food: 100% op, Read my Advantages and Responses: yes

[TeachMe]

Some very inspirational posts--thank you all.

Am still slightly reeling, though, from the notion that I would ever become so enlightened that I don't even buy the stuff! I want to blame my beloved granddad who once admonished me for going to visit him while on a diet. The same man who caused the security staff at Memphis airport to want to search my purse because he'd (unbeknownst to me) put the leftover pork chops wrapped up in foil so I'd have something to eat when I got home to California! At least we all laughed.

Did not lose an iota this week, but I suppose some credit is due that I didn't gain either. Some eating off Poland and some attempts to compensate on other days. Today I have been OP, but am heading toward making the decision to disallow all evening snacks in favour of a bigger dinner. It could be a good decision. That's why I'll be resistant!

Back to school tomorrow, and though I am not particularly rested I welcome the routine.

[spanky]

Greetings,

Rough week, I don't get to post a loss from today's weigh-in, but no gain either, so OK.

Further angst over DS kindergarden--we feel totally NOT heard by the staff and aggravated by the fact we are spending so much. Even my father-in-law, a teacher for 35 years--who is always on the side of the teachers in any discussion--is upset. It's amazing at how this is unbalancing our family life.

I do have a plan and my food set up for the coming week, hoping I can get on an even keel before my weight loss efforts begin to erode!

Kinda too low to write more tonight--my best to all, tomorrow is another day!

spanks

[HaleyJu]

Today was a better eating day. Credit for that! Looks like I'm not the only one that has had a hard time this week. Between now and the end of the year I will be more than busy. Realizing all that I have to do may have been one of the factors in the crash of the plan yesterday. Besides the normal stress of teaching school and all that goes with that, I have two weekend workshops to teach, a 5 day vacation trip to DC (paid for by the proceeds from teaching the workshops), and two holidays to plan and prepare. I'm really excited about the trip, but not excited about planning lessons so that I can miss 4 days of classes. I actually think I'm a bit OCD about planning and prep in most things --- too bad I can't translate that effectively to food.

[BillBlueEyes]

Diet Coaches/Buddies - I did it. I contributed my 4.5 pounds of leftover Halloween candy to the reception for a friend's exhibit of water colors. It was welcomed beside the homemade cakes, cookies and top shelf cheeses and crackers. Good news: I ate NOTHING at the reception, CREDIT moi, to be part of an on plan day. Evening snack was exactly one Honeycrisp Apple - my favorite apple in the whole world.

Minor exercise: helped my DS with some yard work - we cut back an overgrown Lilac Bush. Pruning is still difficult for me since I'm not a real gardener. I understand the theory but it's painful to cut off a living branch.


onebyone – Happy Birthday. May you feel grounded to welcome the BIG one next year.

Joy (gardenerjoy) – LOL at 100% "oddly" - whatever it takes.

Debbie (Lexxiss) – Is this ever so for me: "resistance aids me in finding more resistance."

Nature Girl – Sounds like a good day: walking, working, on plan, and moderation to boot.

maryann - Five minutes is one looooong yoga pose. Congrats on that much writing done.

spanky - Kudos for accepting a zero change week with equanimity. Sending supportive thoughts that you connect with your DS's teacher.

TeachMe - Good luck working your decision to shift food from evening snack to dinner - with Kudos for recognizing that you can make changes to stay your path. LMAO at discovering foil wrapped pork chops in your purse - food pushing at a new level.

HaleyJu - "more than busy" is a challenging background for planning the eating and the exercise - but recognizing that is the hardest part. Sending supportive thoughts that you carry through. Congrats for working out those weekend workshops to get a Washington D.C. trip. What's on your list to visit?

Readers -

chapter 8 Stage 5 The Motivation-for-Life Plan

Re-Motivation Plan

The following techniques will help you respond to your sabotaging thoughts.

Remind yourself that the difficult times are temporary. Dieting or maintaining, like many things in life, is sometimes easier and sometimes harder. It's supposed to be that way. Don't get too worried. As long as you keep pushing through, this difficult time will definitely pass. There are many techniques in this chapter that you can use to make it pass ever sooner.

Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., The Complete Beck Diet for Life (Green book), pg 194.

[Koala]

Hello Beck Trekkers!

I’m back from my holiday to visit my family in the west – had a fun time, and managed to be one whole kilo down on my return. Unexpected and undeserved, but I’ll take it and do my utmost to refresh, reinvigorate, refocus and build on this small start … Today was about 90% on plan – a few too many carbs for dinner, but it was a meal I cooked from scratch and ensured I didn’t have cause to stop in at the supermarket on the way home from work – I suspect that wouldn’t have ended well No exercise, too busy and it’s starting to get a bit too warm to be walking during lunchtime. I may have to do the unthinkable and get up 30 mins early and have a go on the exercise bike or the wii fit – not anticipated with pleasure

BillBlueEyes – glad to hear you survived Sandy and Halloween unscathed. I doubt I would have the fortitude to donate ALL the leftover treats to a good cause. Credit indeed for staying on plan in the face of so much temptation! Thanks for your insightful comments on our Prime Minister – I think that speech garnered a lot of personal support for her.

HaleyJu – all your plans sound fun fun fun, even though they may bring stress – hopefully it is ‘good’ stress.

Spanky – sorry to hear you are having a tough week, sending good thoughts your way.

TeachMe – it is so difficult to undo the years of learned behaviour about food – especially when our nearest and dearest lived through the Great Depression – although your grandad did seem a tad extreme LOL I’m definitely a work in progress in changing my attitude.

Gardenerjoy – credit for flexibility, especially when it resulted in staying on plan, not straying.

Maryann – your retreat to Tahoe sounds blissful: a beautiful location, time to write and the benefits of yoga – peace, perfect peace!

Lexxiss – thank you for “resistance aids me in finding more resistance” – I have put that on my phone as a reminder.

Naturegirl – sorry to hear your asthma has been playing up, scary stuff. I would choose a walk on the beach every time!

Onebyone – happy birthday! Your new studio sounds awesome – so exciting that you have the freedom to make the space reflect you.

Have a good Beck Trek day

[maryann]

Good Morning, Coaches.

Well, I woke up this morning ready to recommit. I don't know the impetus but I will take it. I am going back on the Zone. I realize Food for Life is a great eating program but too time consuming for me during the school months. I simply do not have the time to get to the grocery store three or four times a week and the terrific fruits I ate in the summer are gone now. So Zone it is and I will make an attempt to keep most of my carbs fruits and veggies.

I have logged in my meals for the day and posted here. I am looking forward to my first clean day in months.
Haleyju: Have fun in DC. I am going there in January with DS and DH
gardenerjoy: Congrats on 100% day. I hope to say the same tomorrow.
BBE: I brought all the candy and cookies DH stock the cabin with and will deposit them in his ranch office where I can't get to them.
Wave to everyone else.

[gardenerjoy]

Another OP day but the scale isn't being kind. I may have misinterpreted what my maintenance weight wants to be so I'm just observing right now. Last month, the scale moving up was part of my derailment. This month, I'm determined to treat the number as data.

WI: +0.25 kgs, Exercise: +50 280/1600 minutes for November, Food: 100% op, Read my Advantages and Responses: yes