Originally Posted by stimkovs:
joss first and foremost, can i just say how BEAUTIFUL and HAPPY (like you could poop a unicorn type of happy) you look in your new display? like, its AMAZING. congrats, so many congrats, you're such an inspiration!

i am more then certain you can get your food thing together! and good luck on your weigh in. it's amazing that you have it figured out to what makes you get "snacky". i actually had the same epiphany last night. i had to cancel a date that was supposed to happen today because i just...realized i wasn't ready. we all know how that ended.but the thing is? what i medicated with, the quantity calorically, and how i felt after it, i maybe ate between 1000-1200 extra (that's me being very generous- it could be as low as 700, i dont track these things) then i skipped yoga, and went to bed as early as i could, but with that, i realized a couple of things. 1. im not ready. 2. i don't want to be ready, and 3. things just need time.

so, with my realization- this snacky thing you're doing- it needs time, and with time, even if it's baby steps of gradually eating LESS to have that feeling. baby steps.

LOL Poop a unicorn happy?! You are too funny! Thank you, we just finished up our ceremony and photo shoot at that point, so we were happy to have it over with and ready for a cocktail!

You are totally right though, it's good that I'm seeing this emerging pattern and know what's triggering it. It's happened the last two trips, and a few times before that too I'm sure, so I would be a dolt not to see that for what it is; a big old trigger! Grrr! So yeah, that will be a big goal for me this next trip.

As for your date situation, I can relate. Sometimes I have found myself in a place where, rather than force it, I just chose to stay in and "play it safe". I don't know that I've ever regretted it, but I'm sure I might have had I gone out and overdid things.

This is my first time on the monthly goals thread. Your goals are all so inspiring! I've been yo-yoing between 149 and 150 lbs, so I was planning to play it safe for August, but I think I need a kick in the rear! I'm going to go for a 10 lb loss. Good bye 150s AND 140s!

My goals are:

1. Start running with Dh. We're going to go every other day. We'd like to train for a half marathon, but I think we'll start with a 5k. We already walk 4 miles a day when we're both in town. Summer time has really thrown us off.

2. Weight train and pilates at the gym. I literally have not been back to the gym since I had my baby 18 mths ago! I'd like to try body pump 1x a week, and Pilates a couple times a week.

3. Keep up with intermittent fasting. I started a couple days ago and it's been going well. I'm not hungry or tired and it seems to be calming what I felt to be too much focus on food and calories. I eat dinner, and then, I don't eat again until lunchtime the following day. It helps to keep my calories in check when I'm spreading them between two meals instead of three. I'll use this month to try it out and see how I feel.

I just started my weight loss journey again strictly about a week ago, started counting calories using an app on my phone and have lost my first five pounds in that week.

My goal for August is to lose 10 pounds by the end of the month. I have been sticking to my allotted calorie amount pretty strictly,I haven't gone over since starting so I am pretty confident in being able to reach that goal. I want my size 18s to feel loose.

I'm going to shoot for 6lbs in August, though I am going on holiday for a week, so we shall see. I aim to keep eating well & making good choices while away. I'll be in the south of France so lots of lovely salad & veg I hope :D

SW: 221.6
GW: 215.6

Good luck all!

1. Continue to count calories carefully - weigh and measure my food

2. Work toward walking 2 miles, three times a week. I am up to 1 mile now, but not sure I can do it three times a week.

3. I want to loose 5 pounds in August.

Hoping to keep my binges less then 2 this month :D
~oh, and losing 5-10 pounds would be amazing, but the binge comes first :D
-goodluck ladies :D

i cant focus on the scale for goals...my weight loss has been SO SLOW...but here are my goals for august:

- continue calorie counting and staying within a healthy range
- get back to my focus on low sugar, low wheat foods
- increase my running distance...right now i can comfortably do a mile and a half in intervals on the treadmill...i'd like to get up to two miles comfortably, perhaps increasing the length of intervals...i've had difficulty with increasing speed because it bothers my ankles (weird!)
- continue weight training on the machines, increasing weights

I lost 13 lbs in July, more than I expected, so my new goal for august is to lose 10 lbs-be 168 by the end of the month.

I am going to keep this month as simple as possible. I got my fitbit replaced so I am going to start using it again! :carrot: It seems since summer began, my calorie burn has dropped so I will need to adjust for that. I am also still adjusting to a new medication and am having some bloating. Anywho, back to basics it is!

For August, I will be aiming for the following:

*1400-1600 cals daily
*workouts 3-4 times a week

I don't want to set a weight goal right now. I have been struggling the last few months with one issue or another so I just want to focus on doing what I need to do and trust my plan to do it's thing. Since pressuring myself doesn't help, I want to practice patience and awareness this month through slow, purposeful baby steps until I find my groove again.

I would love to be in the low 230's between Aug. 1st and Sept. 1st., but I am giving myself until mid-September to lose 8 - 10 lbs. There is no reason in particular, just a personal mental goal I want to achieve.

I'm trying to take things slow and steady. I feel like I'm at a good place to make this goal. I no longer have extreme cravings for sweets and junk like I used to and I look forward to my daily workouts so this time I think I can really do it!

Good luck everyone!!!!

4star- I love my fitbit! This little thing really has helped me get started working out

Yeah I really like mine too. I do wish they'd chill on the changes to the mobile apps and dashboards. They seem to change them a lot and it boggles my poor little brain. :D However, it's nice to have something that tracks your calorie burn and the company has great customer service in my experience! I know when my new tracker kicks it, I will be buying another one. I'd love to put one in the hands of everyone who struggles with their weight. A great tool for awareness! :)

4star your resolve, determination, and self respect are absolutely inspiring! I have also been struggling- so lets work on our patience, and the rest will follow. just to be repetitive and kind of dull "the universe will correspond to the nature of your song" - i think in our case, we just need to sing loud enough :P

premature send button.

so, july 31st. im going out to dinner tonight, still injured (badly) but food seems to be more or less under control. im kind of hovering around maintaining, which is still a step in the right direction, now if only this injury would go away.

1st of August tomorrow, lets make this month rock and achieve all our goals!!
I am adding another goal of trying to avoid my scales for as long as possible... they are seriously messing with me!! I am wondering if I have the strength to resist getting on them for a whole month... highly unlikely!! LOL!

Originally Posted by stimkovs:
4star your resolve, determination, and self respect are absolutely inspiring! I have also been struggling- so lets work on our patience, and the rest will follow. just to be repetitive and kind of dull "the universe will correspond to the nature of your song" - i think in our case, we just need to sing loud enough :P

premature send button.

so, july 31st. im going out to dinner tonight, still injured (badly) but food seems to be more or less under control. im kind of hovering around maintaining, which is still a step in the right direction, now if only this injury would go away.

well thank you! I love that quote about the universe!

To be honest, I am at this point b/c pressuring myself and trying to exert perfect control doesn't do anything for me. I have to accept that I will have problems, injuries, hormonal fluctuations that bring bloat and cravings but I also accept and declare that I am capable of overcoming all of those obstacles to get to where I need to be. I may have to learn new coping skills, constantly practice self-care, and learn to be as kind to myself as I am to others but those things are all possible if I want them for myself and I do!

Sometimes, I am too hard on myself or get down about my limitations but I am finding it easier to put that in perspective when I think about what advice I'd give to a good friend in my situation. I'd tell them they're ok, they'll get where they are going and if they don't have the skills now, they are surely capable of acquiring them, just persevere. No matter what, keep/safeguard your spirit b/c that is one limit that you choose!

Hmmm...Perhaps I should print that as a reminder for myself....;)