First...I did 25 minutes of bike and 15 minutes (maybe more) of toning yesterday so my #'s for the exercise challenge are moving in the right direction. 65/140 I still need to get in another 40 minutes today, but that won't put me where I need to be for this week...but I'll still keep trying!
OK...Something really strange happened to me today! It's kind of a long story but if you want to follow along, read on...
I have been thinking to myself lately: "What I really need to do for the next 6 months is really focus on losing this weight because I know how to maintain...have been doing it for over a year. Maybe I can just stop eating for 3 months...or maybe I can just really focus on working out...or diet...or something for just 3-6 months of my life. Truly...this is not long considering how long I have been struggling with this extra weight!..." And the conversation would go on like this in my head for the last week or so.
So, I have my old car (98 Taurus) up for sale and today a lady called and came to look at it. The converstation turned to her new job. She's going to be working for the Leukemia Foundation to help with fund raising. Turns out she was an average "non athlete" like myself for many years. Last year she turned 50 and wanted to really make a "mark" in her life. So she trained for a bike trip. The Leukemia foundation sponsored all of the training in return for her to do some fund raising for them! Anyway...I was very intrigued...she lost weight in the process and got in shape and it has changed her life! So...she offers me the same thing...to join this "bike team" (I don't know all the details, so I'll just leave it at that) and train with a group of women and at home to raise money for the Leukemia Foundation and ride in Lake Tahoe in JUNE!!! What more could I ask for?? It's like I asked for some direction...and it lands in my lap! It all sounds way too good to be true, but I can see how this would benefit not only me, but lots of children as well! Now...to present this to my DH will be the next hurdle!
Interesting how life can twist and turn, isn't it?
Hey Hikein ... that sounds like a fabulous opportunity. We had a similar thing with walking for four days I think... here in Vancouver to raise funds for Breast Cancer. You had to raise $2000.00 to get in ... (they provided food & accomodations etc.) I wasn't sure I could do that ... and nobody that I asked to do it with me felt confident in raising that kind of money either ... so I didn't do it. So anyways... if you need a sponsor (I don't have a lot of money, but I will put up a few bucks). Maybe you could talk to Jennifer and see if you could get the 3FC site to sponser you???
So, I've been laying low the past few days... two days of seminar and a day of class has me brain dead. I haven't been exercising ... I know same old story, but like my regular plan ... I will start tomorrow.
I haven't been too successful with not eating after eight ... but better than I was. My goal for the next week is not to eat after 8pm for seven days straight, pack my lunches all five days, exercise for 30 minutes each day = total 210 minutes. Drink 8 glasses of water every day, and, keep my calories under 1500 for the entire week and journaling everyday (fitday & posting). I'm drafting up a score sheet. One point for each thing I do consistently during the day. So each day is worth 5 points, the best possible for the week is 35 points. There is no almost on anything for example if I only drink 7 glasses of water ... no point for the day. I'm a tough task master on myself. Anyone care to join me?
Today was comfort food all the way.....swiss steak and mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans and sweet french bread.....and apple cake for dessert. I am sure my calories were out of range.....but I don't count on Sundays anyway. A little over a week and I will have my weigh-in......kinda nervous about not making my goal. That doesn't make any sense as this would not be the first goal I have missed......but I have tried harder this time and I really do want to make it!
Rosie......Life gets a little crazy sometimes and we all get short of time, so it is so sweet of you to think of us and stop by and say 'hello" anyway! How is your diet plan working? Everything on plan, or maybe there should be a little 'tweaking'? Believe me, I know all about tweaking......
Julie.....Being on a bike team sounds like a wonderful opportunity! Being ready by next June?.......you are going to do some serious biking, chickie!
Elisha.....You did fine on your party eating, so a little piece of birthday cake isn't going to undermine anything. Did you like the Harry Potter movie? DD saw is Thursday.....said it was good, but they had to leave out or change so much from the book (due to the books length, I suppose)
Joy....Great job in improving the 'no eating after 8pm'....we can't do it all at once, sometimes taking those baby steps gets us to our goal just as well. I like the idea of your score sheet...:...by the end of the week, you will really tally up the points! You should set a 'prize' for yourself when you reach certain point levels!
DH and I worked 4 hours yesterday cutting and splitting wood and stacking it. I will allot myself 30 minutes worth of exercise minutes.....which brings my total to 200/240. So close! But I am not disappointed in not making this exercise goal......I have made such gains in my exercise regimen and it has become something I just automatically do!
We have to start making our 'battle plan' for Thanksgiving dinner. Luckily, the turkey dinner isn't really all that bad......turkey, veggies, cranberries, etc.......so if I just watch the portion size and steer clear of the desserts, it might be ok. Steering clear of the desserts is going to be the hard part for me......might have to have a sliver of pumpkin pie for my sanity's sake?
The holidays are upon us, and therefore the season of large dinners and stuffing ourselves to the gills. Not only that, but let's face it, chicks, there's going to be cookies and candies every time we turn around from now until New Years. So what is your strategy for holiday eating, both meals and goodies?
I don't have a lot to say today. My weekend was ok. I ate a bunch of junk, but didn't do too badly calorie-wise. The scale was down Saturday and yesterday. This morning it's at 212.0. I think I'm about ready to throw the darn thing out.
But alas! My motivation is nowhere to be found without that stupid contraption.
I'm sorry I didn't come back and comment yesterday. Yesterday was not a very good day for me. I got hit with one of my little spurts of depression, and it's still lingering today. I did manage to work out, though I admit it was a half-hearted session. Consistency counts for something, right?
Let's just say I'm really glad it's a 3-day week.
Thursday is dinner with my family at my grandma's house, then a football game, though I may not go to the game. Steve's parents offered us their tickets (sold-out game, big school rivalry), since his mom wasn't going to go anyway, but I told Steve that his father could go if he wanted, as I'm sure the game means more to him than it does to me. I mean, yeah, I like football, and I'll be happy to go, but it is his ticket, and this is a big game. We'll see. Then Friday Steve and I are going to his parents' house for dinner. I've never had to do 2 dinners before, so this will be an experience for me. But I guess I'd better get used to it. Actually, once we get in our house, I plan on inviting everyone there, so we'll just do dinners once.
Speaking of my house, I'm not sure if I mentioned this, but the home inspector is checking out our house today. Keep your fingers crossed that there is nothing wrong with this one, chickies!
MsRD: You got close to your exercise goal! Making improvements is what really matters, so you shouldn't feel bad about it. As for Harry Potter... I thought the same thing. It was good, but there was a lot left out. I, personally, would have gladly sat through another 30 minutes to have some of that other stuff put in there, but I understand why they did what they did. I just hope it doesn't come back to bite them in the butt when they make the next movie (as they skipped some important stuff).
Joy: Again I say that it is improvement that matters, not perfection. If your habits have gotten better, count it as a success! Looks like you are all set up to achieve some goals now!
Julie: The bike team sounds like a good challenge! Not only do you get to work on improving yourself, but you also get to help out a worthy cause. You can't ask for more than that! Now, get biking!
Rosie: How are things going for you? Thanks for stopping by, check in when you can.
OK, that's enough from me for now. I hope you all have a wonderful day!
~Elisha
I went grocery shopping yesterday, so food was all planned out for the week. Then I read Elisha's post and realized, hey, Thursday is Thanksgiving! Feels like July here, so I had forgotten about the holiday. My parents and two of their friends are coming to Hawaii to watch the UH v. University of Wisconsin game. Go Badgers! (I didn't go to school in WI, but my mom is an alum, and growing up, I went to nearly every homecoming game. So I'm loyal. )
ANYWAY, back to diet issues, I hadn't even thought about the three restaurant meals I had planned while my family is in town. My strategy will be to refrain from eating out for the rest of the week, including avoiding treats like ice cream from Baskin Robbins and cookies from the Cookie Corner. When I eat treats, they will be only the ones that I have in the house. And on the days of the restaurant meals, I'll eat light for lunch.
Truth be told, I'm a little disappointed that my mom is planning all of our family time around meals. She kept asking me, "When should we go out to eat?" instead of "When can we spend thirty minutes to see your new apartment? Or golf the course that is right in your backyard?" My dad has commented in the past about how my mom plans her life around restaurant meals. Hopefully noticing that trait about her will help me avoid developing it.
And THIS JUST IN, BREAKING NEWS... I emailed the sensei of the jujitsu dojo and committed to joining! My first class will be Monday night. I am so scared. Positive self-talk... must think of something good to think. Y'all will be reading a lot of nervous posts from now until then.
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Elisha -- GOOD LUCK on the inspection. The sellers are probably just as nervous as you; from what you told us about the offer negotiations, I bet the sellers will be reasonable.
MsRD -- Here's hoping that you'll make your goal. You're such a sensible person, you'll make progress no matter what happens.
Joy -- Hey, "better than you was" is... better. You have set yourself some strict guidelines. Sounds like you are determined. As for the scoreboard, I was thinking it would be fun to have something like that for our next challenge. If anybody is interested (it wouldn't be a competition, just self-accountability), let me know and I'll set it up.
Julie -- Sounds like the bike ride was meant to be. From personal experience, training for a bike ride is a fabulous way to get in shape! The MS 150 changed how I view myself, from couch potato transformed into quasi-aathlete. You will reap emotional rewards as well as physical ones. I am so excited to get my bike soon; if you want, we can set up a training schedule and encourage each other.
Rosie -- Hang in there.
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Mmm, I only have one chore to do today. Just enough to get me out of the house. I plan on baking cookies tonight, and now that I have cable, I can indulge in a little zoning out.
I've been reading your posts and decided to jump in today. You seem to bee a great bunch of people. Real caring and supportive.
Julie
The bike ride sounds great. My daughter did a fund raising marathan a few years ago. It was a wonderful experience for her on many levels. She was already in good shape physically but it made her even stronger plus it was a super confidence builder.
She raised $2000 for a worthy cause and she says best of all she met some really great people. Her marathon was organized in fund raising and training teams of 10 people. She is still in contact with many of them, and considers 1 of the guys and his wife among her best friends....So, Julie, go for it. I'll be great!
I just tallied up my calories for the day.....it seems like I had eaten so much and I just 'knew' it would be way over, so I figured I better find out how bad it was......1800 calories! Not too bad....not great, but not as bad as I feared!
Elisha....Your body doesn't know that your heart isn't into exercise.....all it knows is that it is moving....so it all still counts! Yea You! Got my fingers crossed for the house inspection.....
TBj.....I know people that also plan their lives around meals! Sometimes I feel sorry for them....there is just so many other things that they are missing! I don't know as you are going to change your Mom, so do the best you can for the holiday. I am looking forward to (albeit nervous) posts on the jujitsu thingy. You can count my vote for the Scoreboard Challenge for December......it is one tough month to manage food-wise, so I need all the help I can get!
Babs......Welcome! I am so glad you are here! Just jump in where you are.......ahem....where are you anyway?
Well, I bought the turkey on the way home tonight, all 19# of him! Yikes! I was going to do a few things ahead......cranberry relish and maybe some pecan tassies....so that I don't have to stay up till midnight Thanksgiving Eve!
Monday's over! Not a bad Monday as days go, but I didn't get in any exercise today. Not that I couldn't have...I just didn't! Tomorrow I will be up early (I hope) and get in 30 minutes on the bike.
My tally for exercise this past week was 110/160. I certainly can do better, so I will try this coming week.
We are leaving VERY EARLY on Weds AM to head south (although I see the weather is not going to be warmer than here, drat!) to Knoxville, TN where we will spend a few days and the Thanksgiving holiday. I am hoping we will have a fitness facility in each of the hotels we are staying as I do plan to get in some biking and maybe some toning! Gotta do something after sitting in the car for 12 hours!!
As a last minute thought, we are going to spend a few hours at the Mission in Knoxville (which my DH's grandfather founded) helping to dish up their dinner! I'm hoping we can get some turkey too! It will be a fun experience for all of us and maybe we will make this a family tradition! We are also planning to meet another 3FC friend (Lisa, who used to be here with us on these challenges until a few months ago) in Knoxville. That will be exciting.
One of the things for which I am most thankful here with this group is the friendships I have made along the way! It is just awesome...what a great group of wholesome women! Thank you to all of you for being my friend!
QOTD: What is your strategy for holiday eating, both meals and goodies?
My stragegy is going to be like every day/every meal should be...plan! That is the strategy that works best for me. If I know I am going to be at a function (most likely for work), I will try to eat something light the rest of the day. Also, I like to know what's on the menu wherever we go...that way I can kind of predict what to stay away from and what I can "indulge" in! Fortunately for me, I don't typically gain during the holidays...which is not to say that I couldn't...just that I don't typically!
For our trip, I had DH get some fruit and healthy stuff tonight for in the car. We will take lots of bottled water and I am going to eat a salad a day! That will all help!
Having said that...I got on the scale today and I was horrified...of course, it was with boots, a sweater and in the middle of the morning...but YIKES...it was up in the 180's!!!! The scale has NOT been good to me the last couple of months, so I am wondering what is going on...I am really not eating any different...but maybe because I have started to focus more on working out again...who knows! I am not going to let it bother me right now! My pants are not feeling any tighter than they were, so that is a good thing! I know I have to get this weight off! That's just the bottom line!
Starting tomorrow, though...it's back to writing EVERYTHING down that goes in my mouth...I will do this through next Monday and see if things change at all! Heck, I can start today...why not? I just totalled up and it came in around 1550 which isn't too bad, but I'd like to be under 1500.
MsRD...That's one big turkey, chickie! WOW! Enjoy! And I have to say...you have really been inspiring these last few weeks! Kick butt, girl!
Babs...Welcome...and thanks for the information on the marathon that your daughter did. I really am inspired by all of it and want to pursue it, but DH and I talked about it and he really, really doesn't want us to do seperate vacations again next year...I've tried to convince him to do this with me, but...he's NOT interested! Darn it!
TBJ...YES! LEt's set up a bike training schedule...PLEASE??? I have a really nice recumbent Schwinn exercise bike which has lots of things i can adjust,so I'd love it if you could help me out with this! Even if I don't do the marathon, I can still train, right??? Hope your Holiday with your family is a memorable one! You will love the holidays in Hawaii! They will feel weird, but cool! New Year's Eve is the best!!!!
Elisha...I'm sorry you are having "one of those days", but you seem to be sounding ok, so that is good! Let's have a "throw the scale out the window" party...SOON!!! LOL! I refuse to let that stupid piece of metal dictate how I feel!!! Darn it!! Enjoy your turkey day!!
Joy...Great idea for rallying 3FC with the Marathon. I just need to figure out how to stand up to DH!!! LOL! I'm a wimp, what can I say?? He's soooo not supportive when it comes to my "great ideas"!!! Hey chickie...that's one tall order you are giving yourself for a holiday week...oh wait...you don't celebrate thanksgiving up there in Canada, eh??? anyway...I know you will be successful with your goals! You can do it!!!
Rosie...hope your week is going well! So check in again soon!
Today has definately been positive so far. Calories came in at 1472 (YAY ME) and I put in 45 minutes of exercise (15 walking, 20 ebiking, 10 arms&shoulders). Water is at 78 oz (plus I'm still drinking tea). My plan is not to eat anything else today (not much caloric room) and it is 7:51. I'm am planning to be ready for bed after Las Vegas is over at 10pm. 6 pointer day - that's gotta be a GREEN day. TBJ Go ahead ... Dazzle us with your December challenge. : I can hardly wait. Elisha So sorry you're feeling low ... but keep up that exercise (how ever half hearted) ... those endorfins : will soon kick in for you! Your holiday plans sound exciting, it sounds like you're ready to start some of your own traditions. I've got everything for you with the house. Hi Babs Share a little about yourself with us. What kinds of plans and challenges do you have? MsRd MMMMM My mouth is watering... but I'll have to wait until Christmas. My turkeys :thank2: are still 4 weeks away from the dreaded "turkey day" Julie I seem to be ebiking lately ... may I could tag along on your training with TBJ My bike doesn't have any of the bells and whistles tho.... and the ones it started with are broken. Oh yeah... the timer (a bell) still works. Rosie How are you chickie.... did I ever tell you my best baby doll was named Rosie ... and I think of her when ever you write (and that was 45 or more years ago).
Anyways gotta run and get everything ready so I can get to bed on time.
Well, I'm feeling a bit better today, but still not entirely up to par. Yesterday was the first day in weeks that I've missed a scheduled exercise session. I fell asleep around 7:45! Woke up around 9 to wash my face and say goodnight to Steve, then went right back to bed. I must've been tired. I still didn't sleep very well though.
But anyway, this morning my head is a little less foggy, and I'm breathing a little easier.
The house inspector didn't get to inspect the house because the utilities are shut off. Umm... yeah, we knew that. Why couldn't they have discussed that when they made the arrangements in the first place? But they say he should be able to get in today or tomorrow, so hopefully we won't be set back too far.
Calories yesterday... I don't remember. Too many, but not horrible. Not enough water. I will work a bit harder on that today.
My mind isn't functioning very well today, and I'm rather scatterbrained. I'll try to come back later to make some coherent comments.
Hope you're all having a good day!
~Elisha
Weekday exercise is going well. A 40 minute DVD in the morning is all I do then. I'm going to need a substitute for my weekend neighborhood walks, though, as it's now too cold. It's frustrating, though, since that was the only exercise I could get DH to do.
I'm not doing too well on my snack curfew. I lose track of time too easily. I think I'm letting too much time pass between feedings during the day.
Well, I was going to go for a small walk today, but it started pouring. At least I walked down to the mailbox -- seriously, sometimes it's hard to get the body moving.
Food was good yesterday. I didn't bake cookies for my treat. Instead, I had some cheetos. Still, it was a planned treat.
I'd be happy to set up the December challenge. I'll post it a few days ahead of time.
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Betani -- Sounds like you've got the exercise habit down.
Elisha -- Blargh about the house inspectors.
Joy -- Sure, you, Julie, and I could all bike-train together.
Julie -- Yes, let's set up a bike training schedule. Sorry to hear about the ride. Are there any major trails near where you live? (Even if you have to drive to get to them?) You could make it your goal to bike a long trail this coming June.
MsRD -- Nah, I wasn't going to try to change my mom. Was just commenting on how sometimes meals can become a raison d'etre.
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Bike training -- Generally for biking, people do long and short rides every week. Back during the MS training, I would do short-medium-long-short. I don't know what people's individual fitness levels are. I know Julie has been doing about 25 minutes for her workout. I tend to do at least 35 minutes for a short workout. So I'm thinking 30 minute rides three times a week, and one 40 minute ride, would be a good place to start. Does anybody else have any input? Let me know if those times are too long to start with. Don't forget that on exercise bikes you can vary the resistance, and start out low.
Day TWO ... and alls well.
GRR .. forgot b/s again this morning and didn't weigh in either. I did get up at 4am to do 2mile WATP this morning and went for a walk at morning coffee. Water is 60 oz so far. Food is 13& change... DH brough home ben & jerry's tho. I will try to limit to 1/2 cup (290 calories) I'd have to do 2 sessions of WATP to burn that off.
So .. I'm not going to take the calories under 1500 point today ... I will choose to eat a small portion so I'm taking .5 as I wouldn't want to penalize myself for a good choice. I will be sure to eat my treat before 8pm and my plan is to get to bed before 10 ... so I'm taking the other points. Hopefully I won't have to go back to change it.... I'm all for positive thinking. TBJ Thanks for including me on your bike challenge. I've only been doing 15-20 minutes at a time on the bike ... but that's just laziness ... I need some motivation there. 30 minutes 3 times a week and 40 minutes once... is that the schedule? Elisha Glad to hear you're feeling better ... wouldn't want to have you under the weather for the long weekend. You've got lotsa food and family to enjoy Betani BIL and I took jive dancing lessons together once. It was a lot of fun and let me tell you - "glowing" does not cover it ... definately "dripping" wet. Maybe you could sign up for something like that ? What does DH enjoy doing... volleyball, tennis, line dancing. ??? MsRd? ... Julie ??? stop you're holiday chores for a moment and check in chickies.
I thought this one was especially appropriate for us RATS out there.
Eating cheese and crackers isn't the best idea for your diet, but that doesn't make it any less difficult to resist them when you're at a party. If you decide to dip into a decadent nosh, enjoy the cheese but save some calories by skipping the crackers. Most crackers are high in sodium and fat and they don't add much flavor to the treat. Oat crackers, for instance, have 115 calories per two tiny squares. Indulge yourself a little, but pass over the pointless calories wherever you can!
Sunday...
We had a similar thing with walking for four days I think... here in Vancouver to raise funds for Breast Cancer. You had to raise $2000.00 to get in ... (they provided food & accomodations etc.) I wasn't sure I could do that ... and nobody that I asked to do it with me felt confident in raising that kind of money either ... so I didn't do it. So anyways... if you need a sponsor (I don't have a lot of money, but I will put up a few bucks). Maybe you could talk to Jennifer and see if you could get the 3FC site to sponser you???
I'm a tough task master on myself. Anyone care to join me?
....you are going to do some serious biking, chickie!
:...by the end of the week, you will really tally up the points! You should set a 'prize' for yourself when you reach certain point levels!
Question of the Day
Feels like July here, so I had forgotten about the holiday. My parents and two of their friends are coming to Hawaii to watch the UH v. University of Wisconsin game. Go Badgers! (I didn't go to school in WI, but my mom is an alum, and growing up, I went to nearly every homecoming game. So I'm loyal. 
) 
Not that I couldn't have...I just didn't! Tomorrow I will be up early (I hope) and get in 30 minutes on the bike. 
I am not going to let it bother me right now! My pants are not feeling any tighter than they were, so that is a good thing! I know I have to get this weight off! That's just the bottom line! 
to you all!
Calories came in at 1472 (YAY ME) and I put in 45 minutes of exercise (15 walking, 20 ebiking, 10 arms&shoulders). Water is at 78 oz (plus I'm still drinking tea). My plan is not to eat anything else today (not much caloric room) and it is 7:51. I'm am planning to be ready for bed after Las Vegas is over at 10pm. 6 pointer day - that's gotta be a
: I can hardly wait.
for you! Your holiday plans sound exciting, it sounds like you're ready to start some of your own traditions. I've got everything 
Share a little about yourself with us. What kinds of plans and challenges do you have? 
Weight loss tip #40
