10 minute run, Day 12 completed, 1 pause left
20 min additional exercise, Day 13 completed, 2 pauses left
Crunches, still a start over
No Beer, Day 9 completed, 1 pause left.
I've been battling a sore throat. Today it is winning. It is definitely easier to stay away from beer while I am not feeling well. I'm surprised I've come this far on my challenges.
Hi Red. Green stuff. yum...
Hey Cyndi, looks like you are close to finishing a challenge! That's great!!!

10 minute run, Day 13 completed, 1 pause left
20 min additional exercise, Day 14 completed, 2 pauses left
Crunches, still a start over
No Beer, Day 10 completed, 1 pause left.
Hello everyone. Looks like everyone is busy with week-end stuff.
Depressed about absolutely no results at 2 weeks in. Not working hard enough I think. I'd like to run more. Darn dogs. well, if I ran, and THEN walked the dogs, that would be fantastic. I really don't have a lot of time for that though. Maybe once or twice a week. Usually I combine the 10 min run with the dog walk for 30 or 40 minutes. These last 2 days I've just done 10 minutes, no dogs, and I love it. I can listen to music and I don't have to stop. Ahhh.
Well, we are off to the art museum. Enjoy the 3 day week-end!

The weekend went well. Yesterday I stared down the bag of sweets and WON!!

No Booze challenge
Day 8/14 (second number is straight days) Yet another round completed!! 3 pauses --starting new streak Jan. 4 -- longest streak 56 days Nov. 5 to Dec. 31
No Smoking challenge
(Started Nov. 5)
Day 11/74 fourth round, no pauses -- Third round COMPLETED!!! JAN. 6
Good eating challenge
Day 7 completed, 1 pause taken

**************

Cyndi -- Good to see you. Great going on your multiple challenges! You're nearing through the grain challenge. Is that helping you maintain your weight, do you think? I'm surprised you've had komatsuna. I guess all kind of veggies are available these days. Funny this vegetable isn't cultivated in the States. Or is it? What is you CSA? Don't know the acronym. The smoking challenge was aced 11 days ago. I am on my fourth round! Seventy-four day without a puff. That, however, is due mainly to not drinking, because it was only when I drank (and a rare one elsewise) that I smoked. I was thinking the other night, that it would be fun to let go totally again and do the irresponsible nights out on the town, drinking and smoking till dawn, but then I thought, no, I have to make a choice. You can't have both. The revelry (if you can call it that) just saps my energy and resolve and I can't do what is important. So, no, no need to go back to that now. Good, eh? I gotta get a stepper too. There's someone here who is going to give me one when I go get it. It's far by train but I was thinking the same. I can get it in some exercise while watching the tube.
You know, the word "guilt" just doesn't seem to be in my vocabulary. Never has, since I was a kid, but I do feel I've wasted time, not done what I could have. I then feel disappointed in myself. I guess it's a perfectionist thing or something. Even though I have no problem forgiving myself, I just feel I could have and should have done better and I could have, just didn't. I guess I'm basically a self-centered hedonist.

Apple -- YES!! on the beer challenge. You're rockin' it this time. Keep it going! Hope you're feeling better. Sore throats are terrible. So, did you have a vegetable binge because of my green juice porn?
Oh, I just saw you posted while I was typing. We often are on at the same time, eh? It's Monday morning here. Gotta get off to the office. The gym opens late today so I won't make it.
Don't be down about the lack of progress. You're not gaining, right? Just analyze and redo. I'm in the same boat. I could get all ticked over not losing because even though I'm not exercising much, I'm not drinking nor eating sugar. You really think that would be good for something but it don't seem so. Still, what's the point? Gotta find what DOES work for my super smart body!
I was going ask what the three-day weekend was and then remembered. Martin Luther King Day, right? AND the inauguration. Wow.
Enjoy the museum. What museum might that be?

Two days in a row! Guess I'm getting used to this laptop.

* Chocolate Challenge, Rnd 2 - No solid chocolate, 2/3 serving sized pauses. First challenge completed 12/20. 20/21 - used 2 pauses. I'm glad this is working. I want to learn to eat serving sized chocolate occasionally without losing control.

* Grain Challenge - Limit of 3 grain servings per day, 1 pause used.20/21 This has been more difficult the last few days. The naturopath actually wants me to eat wheat every day so we can get accurate allergy testing done. How weird, I have to eat it to find out if I can't eat it!

* Exercise challenge, Rnd 2 - yoga, weights or stretches every day. 1 pause First round completed 12/22. Restarted 1/5 - 13/21, 1 pause used

* Journal Challenge, Rnd 2 - Journal everything that goes into my mouth,no pauses. First round completed 16/27. Took a break when computer crashed. 15/21

* The Stay out of the Jar with a Spoon Challenge. No more than 1 serving size of nuts or nut butter daily. No pauses 10/21. This is the hardest one right now because I am craving nuts like crazy. Don't know what that's about but I know I can't give in to it.

Apple - How's the throat today? 10 minutes dog free sounds like a good idea - maybe get your run in and then bring them for their walk?

Red - Wow, way to go with the sweets!! Looks like you are back on track and it's paying off.
CSAs are Community Supported Agriculture - basically local farms that you can buy a share in and get produce in return. It gives farmers some guaranteed income in the spring and gives consumers a selection of fresh produce all summer. Our guy grew all kinds of different greens including komatsuna. I even dried some so I would have it in the winter.

Mod - hope you're having a good weekend

Hi guys! Well, my busy week is over and the busy week-end as well. Oh and it was just a doozy! I had my purse stolen in the middle of it all--can you believe that? So of course I had to squeeze in a visit to the DMV on Friday to apply for a new one--it takes at least two weeks to come from the state but at least I have a paper "temp" license. But no picture ID for awhile.....

Had to go open a new bank account, inactivate the ATM cards and apply for new ones, fill out police report, blah, blah, ugh! I just feel so stupid--left my purse in my car with the door unlocked! Jeesh! And after knowing there have been a lot of thefts of purses and wallets in recent months around here......

Anyway, I hope this coming week not to be so busy. So I can really concentrate again on hitting it with my exercise. I have been "stable" with my weight, but not really making any progress. I did go to yoga on Saturday, and decided to buy a yoga dvd for use at home--made one of the guest rooms my yoga room and have a mat there now as well as a spare dvd player and tv in there. Haven't tried it yet--it is The Biggest Loser Bob's yoga dvd--I heard some good things about it and thought it would be easy for me to do more yoga if I didn't have to try to plan my schedule to fit my gym's schedule. Also because it seems that I will be working now at least two days a pretty long day, (as I've taken on another job for now) and getting home late (for me) so no time really on those days (Wednesday and Thursday) to get to the gym. I'm not complaining--I really needed more days to work, it's just that it's not the preferred schedule for me, and it's a fair distance away as well.

So, my challenges.....well I guess I had been "ok", no binging, no desserts, just not exercising as often or as much as I should this week. But, I need to re-think my challenges now, as my schedule has changed.....

1) Logging in food and exercise--I need to do that again. It helps to make me conscious and accountable (no pauses)

2) Yoga on days I cannot get to the gym or pool--I need the stress relief (3 pauses)

3) Posting more here--once a day (3 pauses)

4) Continue again on the decluttering/organizing of the household. Stopped awhile ago, but need to get something done every day. Will really help my stress levels I think (3 pauses)

Ok, that's enough for now. I think those are gonna be tough enough with my busier schedule now. Let's see how it goes......

Apple--I too have been battling something--a little cold, sniffles, sneezing, but nothing full-blown yet thank god. Take care, hmmm?

Cyndi--you are doing great! Yes, I do love yoga, for some reason it really makes me feels good, and I miss it when I can't do it much...

Red--you sound so strong now!! You are full of self-discipline--isn't it great? I will be joining you soon, I'm sure.....

Well, off to bed. Adieu!

OK, thru one day and part way thru Day Two. De-cluttering/organizing is getting done, and logging food has started! Yoga at home posting here--check!

Back to work now--just wanted to check in......

10 minute run, Day 15 completed, 1 pause left
20 min additional exercise, Day 16 completed, 2 pauses left
Crunches, still a start over
No Beer, Day 11 completed, No pauses left.
Well, that beer challenge will now be very tough. Went to a brew pub for dinner on the way home from the beach. 10 days isn't too long I guess. I'm going to try to make it to the Super Bowl with out a beer. (Red, you must be pleased with your Steelers.) I might have to root for the Cardinals though. Big Kurt Warner fan.
So has anyone else spent a bit of time in front of the TV today? I am pretty darn exhausted from a very emotional morning. All I can say is WOW. I'm other wise pretty much speechless. I'm hopeful and excited about the future.

Yes, WTG Cardinals! Such a good story there--gives all the non-superstar franchises HOPE!

And yes, we've had the tv on at work in the back and I've been keeping up--quite an emotional affair most years anyway, but even more so b/c of the sheer history of it. And the numbers of people all turned out in the freezing cold for this! Poor guy, he's got the weight of so many great expectations on his shoulders--I sure hope he can handle it--so much pressure is being put on him. I would be super stressed about that much being expected from me.

I am really rooting for him to thrive, and shine.....

10 minute run, Day 16 completed, 1 pause left
20 min additional exercise, Day 17 completed, 2 pauses left
Crunches, still a start over
No Beer, Day 12 completed, No pauses left.
Oh, yesterday was kid of a crummy day. I had a good morning spent watching TV mostly. But I had things to do and when they didn't get done I started eating. Ate kind of a lot yesterday.
Red, I'm glad you were able to pull yourself out of negativity. I was almost ready to throw in the towel with you. But I would really like to loose some weight before my brothers wedding. So I'm in it for another 5 months or so. Then I plan on concentrating more on exercising because I like it, not because I need to to loose weight. By then, I will have larger chunks of time to myself to get back into that routine. Stick with me, chica! We can do it!!

10 minute run, Day 17 completed, 1 pause left
20 min additional exercise, Day 18 completed, 2 pauses left
Crunches, still a start over
No Beer, Day 13 completed, No pauses left.
8 more days of no beer. I think I can...I think I can...I think I can...
I went out and joined a gym today. I was not supposed to spend any money in January, and I'm not doing so well in that category....But not terrible either. Only 1 purchase that I can't really rationalize. I'll just be good next month too.
Anyway, I joined a gym and now I have to go 3 times a week at least and get the ball rolling here. The dude I spoke to seemed to think 20 pounds by june would be no problem. I really hope this helps. I'm sticking to the 10 minute run, I think I'll up it to 15 next time, then I should try to get back into the half-marathon training program.
So where is everyone else??

Part way through day 5. Why oh why can't I get on here more? Is it just working more, and trying to then go to the gym and also fixing healthy food (i.e., not eating out so much or relying on the "convenience" foods?) or is it just my calendar seems extra busy lately? Social engagements, other commitments (like babysitting), some de-cluttering in my few spare moments, trying to satisfy my husband's wishes? Argh! Did I say I wanted to work more? Let me amend that to I needed to work more, but with that comes a distressing dramatic drop-off of "me" time!! For about 6-7 months or so, I have been working only 2-3 days/week--that hurt! But now back to a full 4, sometimes 4-and-a-half or 5, that sucks! Can't I have a happy medium?

Oh well, not meaning to complain, really I'm not. It's just me. I am trying sooo hard to hang onto my gains and progress I've made these last several months, and I feel like I am not, maybe. I am letting my fitness goals slide. Yoga is great, yay, but I've got to do more cardio and weight-training! More spinning and swimming and running, etc.

Maybe this week-end--no football and no social commitments (yet).

Apple--you can't give up--you are sounding the strongest of all of us. I'm not sure what is going on, but it seems like several regulars on several other threads are also having dedication issues now as well. Is it the economy? The political change we have now (so still a sense of uncertainty about the future?) Is it the moon? Climate change? What?????

All I know is I am in the same boat as you and Red, not really able to be strongly disciplined or focused right now.

And Red--you can't admit defeat and throw in the towel--I firmly believe even if we are struggling, we still need to have our goals to shoot for and keep our conscious alive, even to feel guilty about not hitting our goals or not acing our challenges. If we just give up--that's like giving us free rein to do whatever and you know as soon as we do that, we will all really backslide in no time at all. And just think of how hard it will be to come back from that!!! I think I have gained about 4 pounds--but I am not quitting! I refuse to give up--just have to learn it is all a process, and soon, I will be able to really crank it back up again, and I will feel good that I didn't completely go AWOL and cause double or triple or worse the amount of damage that entails.

Come on guys--I am really sorry for not being on here as much as I should, but let's work together and try to kick this strange sort of malaise and ennui we have all been fighting.

I know we can.