Mottainai ~ Your "together day" with the hubby sounds lovely. Keeping track of measurements also sounds like a good plan.

Hungerwerks ~ That is dedication for sure. ;-) Even charred meat can be good, man.


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I have this habit of eating whatever crap wanders across my path. "Dinner" last night was leftover quinoa salad, bean dip, 1/2 a mini pizza, broccoli, and an entire container of merengues from Trader Joe's (ate the entire thing... oops...)

Also did a 10 minute pilates routine, which was helpful if only in my mental state.

Thinking about making myself take a picture of food before I eat it, just for the discipline of slowing down enough to think before I shove it into my pie hole... Some people are all creative and artsy with the food pics... That would not be my goal. This is trench warfare, man. Thin me against glutton me...

I clocked in at 152.4 this morning. Ugggghhhh!!!!!

Setting up a 14 day (ish) challenge.

Here's my affirmation -

I am so grateful and happy that I've been able to reach and maintain a healthy weight of 148 lbs by Saturday, 2/28/15 or sooner. I'm enjoying my slim, lithe and confident body.

Might be a little cheesy, but hey! Neuroscience tells us that it works!!!

Sounds awesome, and perfect for Valentine's week! :)

Do the Japanese celebrate Valentine's Day at all? Also, I lived in Asia for a while. Do they have the ramen in Japan that you can eat straight out of the package? It's just crunchy and spicy and delicious. I don't remember if that was Taiwan or Japan...

Affirmations definitely work. They probably even change pathways and such. And you're planning and strategizing. All these things will pay off! :)

Hungerwerks ~ Thanks for the encouragement. Oh, the best laid plans.... The strategy that has worked for me in the past has been:
"The 5 Point Plan"
1. No eating after 8pm
2. Yoga every day
3. Drink 90 ozs of water (it's a lot, I know)
4. Cardio
5. Focus on healthy foods (we know what they are...)

Aim for all 5 points a day.

It's worked in the past, but nOt sure how well it's going to work now that my body composition has changed a bit. Am going to give it a whirl and just try to cut out mindless eating... Oy.

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Ended up going for all-you-can-eat sushi with a girl friend yesterday. I did remember to take pic of everything I ate, which was strangely helpful. Felt like I ate like a pig, but looking back at the pictures, it probably wasn't all that much. Also managed to wake up at the same weight (albeit one that I'm not happy with right now)

Forgot to take a pic of the blueberry muffin and pear I ate for breakfast, but hoping to stay on track for lunch.

Have been experimenting with different teas as well. I have Cinnamon Apple slim life from Yogi, and Get Lost from World of Teas. The slightly nutty side of me wants to do that "Fit Tea" thing that's been going around youtube, but the rational side of me is rolling her eyes...

Have a rehearsal for an orchestra concert I'm playing tomorrow. (How a sassy single lady spends valentine's day...) Then hoping to meet up with a guy from a dating website on Sunday (that should be... an adventure)


Make it a fantastic day, feather friends!!!

So much good stuff here. One tiny sniggle: My math isn't that good, but you might want to research about the water amount. I've "heard" that too much water can wash out your B vitamins. Maybe just a rumor... :shrug:

Tea is my savior on those IF days where I've eaten my 600 calories in the morning (like today - total for week will be over 8400 cals). Practically any flavor is just so yummy when you're looking for those lovely lower numbers in the morning! :goodscale:

Do you mind if I ask what instrument you play? You don't have to say, if you don't want to. Sounds so fun to be in an orchestra, though! :)

One more thing: I try to do yoga, but always seem to end up doing the same routine (back on heels, back on heels with toes under, touching toes, neck rolls, twist, leg lifts, those stretchy things where you put your knee on the opposite side to stretch your hips, cobra, and a few other things - it's comprehensive, at least, I think). How do you incorporate variety for yourself, or do you? Sorry if too nosy. :o

Hungerwerks ~ I have heard that about drinking too much water, but I'm definitely an extreme person and find that if I have to do something to an excess, it might as well be drinking water (Rather than eating cartons of whatever)

This website has a guide - It's not super scientific, but she's suggesting something roughly in my range.
http://www.slenderkitchen.com/how-to...-drink-a-day/#

I play viola/violin. :D Started as a kid and have become that "community player" I swore I would never be... It has been an on-off kind of relationship, but I will probably always love it. Playing is just something I have to do!

Re: Yoga - I don't usually have a set routine. I do a few sun salutations and the see where the mood takes me. There are tons of good videos on youtube, too. If you also do Pilates, I HIGHLY recommend Lara Hudson's 10 minute dvd. I don't usually like Pilates as a rule, but she is probably the only routine that doesn't make me feel like my neck is bearing the brunt of the workout.

Very valuable role, bringing the beauty of music to the community. Amazing! :)

Thanks for the yoga info. I might have to just get a book, as we don't have wifi or a smart phone, and I don't want to haul my laptop into the exercise room. There are probably millions (or so) of books on yoga, so I'll check out our local library. :carrot: Not sure I have the patience for Pilates...

Hungerwerks- Valentines Day here is weird. The February one girls give chocolate to guys, then March 14th there's a separate day for the opposite. And there's weird cultural expectations about giving chocolate to friends and coworkers and stuff. We don't really celebrate that way though, we're too foreign, lol. And I have no idea about the ramen, probably not Japanese!

I was pleasantly surprised because my usually non-romantic gesture-doing husband came home with several gifts for me and my daughter and a bunch of cake. I didn't even get him anything because I was so sure he wouldn't care! He's been extra sweet ever since the baby...

You guys doing anything for V-day?

Werks ~ I've used books for yoga in the past, too. They're helpful as a guide to get you started, then before you know it, you've memorized the routine and are off and going.

Mottainai ~ SO SWEET of your hubs to come in with all those gifts. (I remember those chocolate giving days.... (I taught English in Korea for 2 years). Had been meaning to ask: What's the origin of your username? Does it mean something?

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Weighed in at 150.2 this AM!!! (big win!!!) Was super hungry after coming home from rehearsal, BUT kept the cut off last night, had a cranberry weightless tea before bed and presto! Then kept up the momentum and did Shaun T's 6 min Hip Hop Abs. Also researched a bunch of power yoga routines and hoping to add that into my day (5 point plan).

I feel like every single time I'm craving a "comfort eat" and choose not to, something better fills the space where a binge would have been. Case in point: last night rather than eating, I followed up on an inquiry into taking a cruise and ended up booking it at 11:50PM. Called my sister and mom to let them know. We are not really a "vacation" family taking family, so this is the first time we've gone away as a group in a looooong time (since 2006, i think). So we're taking a cruise in November :D

Happy Valentine's day, Feather friends!

Yes, the Japanese have an interesting approach to so many things. Like I think there's one - maybe it's antiquated now - but they say "no" to an invitation six times before they'll say "yes"? So cute. That would never work with me, as I'm a pretty straightforward person, and if you say "no," I assume you mean it the first time!

That's funny - and sweet - about your hubby. I almost did the same thing, thinking he wouldn't go all out. But then he mentioned something about a receipt, and I got an inkling I'd better buy something while I was at the store besides a card (just lots of nuts and jerky and a couple things of very high cacao - 86 and 90% - chocolate). Sure enough, he got me a very thoughtful gift. Usually, we keep it kind of mild, but he stepped up his game this year! :)

But he's working today, so I will be spending my time not clearing the office table, and eating! :carrot::hungry:

Yes, happy Valentine's Day to all! :)

Alexis, this is so full of good stuff! Congrats on the weigh in. It sounds like you're making so many excellent choices, and that is one of the payoffs, plus your extra time and other benefits, including a great feeling of being in control.

I'm finding I get a lot more done with this new IF approach, because I'm literally spending about six hours a day less than I used to eating (five days a week). And that would include: cooking, cleaning up afterwards, and the actual time it takes to eat. Interestingly enough, I feel like we're spending about the same amount of money on food...hmmm. :chef:

And a family cruise - how fun! I can hardly imagine anything better. And that is quite a thing to look forward to for all these months. I'm going to give an early "Bon Voyage" - no doubt the first of many! :cool:

I have to be quick my pc keeps cutting out to the internet. The wind I think.
I didn't weight in today so nothing important. Did eat good today so far. :carrot:

Good going! Yeah, it did seem a little windy here, too. It's supposed to calm down in the next couple of days. :)

Glad you were able to long on. Congrats on eating well today!

Thank you SO MUCH!!!! Cruise isn't until November (and it's super 'budget'), but I'm really excited! It's been ages since we've had a family vacation.

Glad that IF is working for you! I did it awhile back and remember that I liked it, but it's a bit of a challenge now with my lifestyle. If you find something that works, work it!



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Concert went well last night, then came home and chilled out with a mug of tea .... and glass of wine (shhh!!!)

BOOM!!! Weighed in at 148.8 this morning! :carrot::carrot::carrot:

(lol - the affirmations work!)

I definitely notice a correlation between posting on this site and doing well with my diet/exercise. I'm more likely to come here if I'm doing well and I'm more likely to do well if I know I'm coming in here.

*sprinkles losing dust over the entire thread*

Stay strong, all!!!

Congrats! Yes, I get very motivated by the site, too, and I'm very appreciative to you all for the support. :)

I was wondering: Is your signature quote from Geneen Roth?

The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you tell yourself about why you haven't gotten there yet.

I'm just now reading her God, Women, and Food. Definitely love her, though I disagree with some of her principles, like "natural weight." But adore that quote, and much of what she says! :D