I'm off for the week! See you on Friday everyone! Keep your heads up! I will try to keep my hands out of the bags of chips and other goodies at the campsite! hehe
Where I stand on Tuesday (not including Tuesday)
CHALLENGES:
NO sugar 18 days completed/no pauses of 3 left
***************
No alcohol current straight 2 days/longest straight thus far June 28-August 3 = 36 days
No sugar current straight 6 days/longest straight was 39 days (July 1-Aug. 9)
No cigs current straight 2 days/longest straight was 38 days straight July 1-Aug. 8
No processed foods current straight 0 day/longest straight 40 days (July 1-Aug.10)
Thanks, Miriam. Hello faux, jolly. Things are no better here. I took off again from work yesterday. It felt so good to be away from there, but now, Tuesday morning, and I'm dreading going in. Please, do I need an alternative to this job.....
Last edited by redballoon; 08-18-2008 at 04:42 PM.
Hello Red! See, you are still working the challenges and are very successful with the sugar. There is a reason they are called challenges. These are not meant to be easy. I have restarted all of mine except food journal, which is pretty easy for me anyway. I am still trying to do them--just imagine where you would be without these goals to try and hit. What with the amount of incredible job upheaval and stress you are encountering right now--if you did NOT already have these goals/challenges you made for yourself--you would be eating and drinking like crazy b/c that's what we all used to do--use the stress as a good excuse to give in and drink, or eat bad-for-us comfort food.
I truly believe b/c you started this thread, and have all of us to account to (not just yourself) you are being so much more disciplined than you would have been otherwise. Don't you see that?
Of course, we are helping each other, to lift ourselves up, to persevere. Not to scold, but just to encourage. How great is that?
Hi everyone. We are back from our "pseudo" vacation. It was fun, although I am now in serious need of some glorious, wonderful, relaxing ALONE time. School starts tomorrow!!! I was thinking that I would start up again YESTERDAY, but here I am today, and today is not shaping up too well either. I really have to formulate a plan, because eliminating one item from my diet and twirling around for 30 minutes probably won't be my road to success. Hmmm... Think think think. Well, I'll keep thinking.
For now, to get a leg up, I'll start with my usual No Beer, 30 min exercise. And I want to start up my running program again. Shoot, if I had stuck to it in the first place I'd be keeping up with Jolly. (You are doing SO AWESOME, by the way)
Red, I really hope things are looking up for you soon. Modcat has a great point, you really are holding up quite well considering the circumstances.
Sorry, I have to run, the little one is being demanding. I'm here to serve.
Where I stand on Wednesday (not including Wednesday)
CHALLENGES:
NO sugar 19 days completed/no pauses of 3 left
***************
No alcohol current straight 0 days/longest straight thus far June 28-August 3 = 36 days
No sugar current straight 7 days/longest straight was 39 days (July 1-Aug. 9)
No cigs current straight 0 days/longest straight was 38 days straight July 1-Aug. 8
No processed foods current straight 1 day/longest straight 40 days (July 1-Aug.10)
Ah, people, I am out of control it seems, well not really, but the drinking, the smoking has got to stop!! Yes, my sugar challenge is holding for some odd reason but the other is awful. Other people say the same, that I look good even though things are bad. I think I am merely in denial, denial that things are absolutely awful and very scary. I think really I am merely hiding. Not good. And yet, I am NOT hiding from people. I am out there more than ever even if that means drinking. I don't have to drink. I can actually meet and talk over tea. Really. And THAT realization is pretty powerful. Maybe that's why I'm not totally losing it. Despite the madness and my not really doing anything I am not despairing. Should I be?
OK, declaration time!!!! I am back on NO BOOZE, NO SMOKING for the rest of August and ALL of September. That will be a 21-plus challenge and make a new "longest ever streak" on both fronts And in order to tie this to a higher power, a larger cause/power than myself I will do it in honor of my mother, the 25th anniversary of whose death it was last Wednesday. I will do it in her honor, because I believe that my interest in health was perhaps totally due to her inflluence when I was a child and teenager. I wish so much more had been known back then. Maybe it would have allowed her to be with us so much longer. I don't know why but when I do this, tie the challenge to something outside of me and my little desires, I have SO much more strength to carry on. Ah heck, after having a cry and then some....
I am also going to come back with more challenges. You bet. When the going gets tough...
************** mod -- Yes, you are right. You all are out there, actual people, not just names and words on a board. And you all have your hardships, your battles. We've banded together and we're in this together. Thank you so much!
miriam -- Hello there. Glad to hear you'll be getting a break. Things WILL get better!!!
Apple -- Welcome back! Thank you too! "Eliminating one thing" and "twirling around for 30 minutes" are two pretty big things though. Don't poo-poo them. They are also the tip of what is surely a personal Everest of change, change to heightened self-respect, symbols of much, much bigger things going on inside you. You will come to do other things even if you don't (and sometimes I think it is better not to) make them specific challenges. Exercise and not drinking are your flags of commitment. Hold them high as you make your way up the mountain and plant them on the summit in victory! Hurrah!!!!
And thanks to all the others, jolly, faux, Fish, you're all too kind.
NEW CHALLENGES:
No booze 0 days completed/no pauses allowed (started Aug. 20)
No smoking 0 days completed/no pauses allowed (started Aug. 20)
Last edited by redballoon; 08-19-2008 at 09:29 PM.
Well, I need to re-start my exercise challenge, and try again. Maybe a new standard? Nah, I will just give myself 3 Pauses. I obviously cannot exercise every day, even just a walk. It's just impossible on some days.
BUT, I can exercise an average of 6 days/week. I think.
I also broke and had a marguerita yesterday at a (gasp) Mexican restaurant! Bad food choices combined with booze and no exercise--so of course the scale has to completely mess with my mind and give me a whoosh downward today!
Oh well. To start over:
No alcohol: Day 0 (3 pauses left)
Exercise everyday: Day 0 (3 pauses left)
Food journal everyday: Day 20 (no pauses)
Back on track for the healthy goals--it all works towards my ultimate goal, to lose weight, get in shape.
Well, today was the big day. I knew over the last couple of weeks the weight was coming on in droves. My clothes are all really tight. I went to see my knew doc today and did a new weight in. Yes, a ton of weight gain but that is ok. I know where I am. He said two more weeks of meads and then he wants me off of them to see how things are going. No problem. This too shall pass.
Last edited by Shy Moment; 08-20-2008 at 05:25 PM.
Where I stand on Thursday (not including Thursday)
CHALLENGES:
NO sugar 20 days completed/no pauses of 3 left
NEW CHALLENGES:
No booze 1 days completed/no pauses allowed (started Aug. 20)
No smoking 1 days completed/no pauses allowed (started Aug. 20)
***************
No alcohol current straight 1 days/longest straight thus far June 28-August 3 = 36 days
No sugar current straight 8 days/longest straight was 39 days (July 1-Aug. 9)
No cigs current straight 1 days/longest straight was 38 days straight July 1-Aug. 8
No processed foods current straight 0 day/longest straight 40 days (July 1-Aug.10)
************** mod -- Best of luck on your restarted challenges. Good for you for getting right back in the game!
Shy -- Sorry for the disheartening news but how impressive of you to just take it with such determination. Good luck and I do hope for good news for you.
OK, made to the end of the day! Yaay! So I'm counting.....
Exercise: day 1 (3 pauses)
Alcohol: day 1 (3 pauses)
Food Journal: day 21--now keep going....
Apple--I agree with Red, doing your "twirling" and eliminating one thing from diet are good goals and nothing to sneeze at. But I do understand the frustration of not seeing improvements fast enough to stay motivated. So adding something else to shoot for is also a good idea. Keep us posted!!
Miriam: I kinda love it if I have a day or few without DH as well--I can answer only to myself, and do whatever I want, when I want. It is an all-too-rare treat for me, unfortunately. I mean, I love him and everything, but he does demand a lot of my time and energy, lol!!!
just a quick post this morning - I have been eating pretty healthy, but getting no *real* exercise in.
My back has decided to protest the extra belly weight by not allowing me to be comfortable in any position for more than 30 minutes. Only 2 more months though!
Hey modcat! Looks like you finished a challenge! Congrats!
Good to hear from you fish! Wow, 2 more months! I'm sure you'll figure out how to get comfortable.
Red, I know you can break your record!! GO!
I didn't get around to "twirling" yesterday, but I didn't have beer. So...
30 min exercise,Day 0, 2 pauses left
No beer, Day 1, 2 pauses left
Where I stand on Friday (not including Friday)
CHALLENGES:
NO sugar 21 days completed/no pauses of 3 left
Heh all. I just realized I finished this one!!! Wow!! I was thinking I had another day. Yippee. Now, I can indulge a bit and then hop back on the wagon. Yippee!!!!
NEW CHALLENGES:
No booze 2 days completed/no pauses allowed (started Aug. 20)
No smoking 2 days completed/no pauses allowed (started Aug. 20)
***************
No alcohol current straight 3 days/longest straight thus far June 28-August 3 = 36 days
No sugar current straight 9 days/longest straight was 39 days (July 1-Aug. 9)
No cigs current straight 2 days/longest straight was 38 days straight July 1-Aug. 8
No processed foods current straight 0 day/longest straight 40 days (July 1-Aug.10)
**************
mod -- Congrats on the journaling challenge! Wish I could get there!
Apple -- You have liftoff!!! Hurrah!!
Fish -- Good to see you! Go easy on yourself. Eating healthy is a big thing!
ilana -- Are you new here? I can't remember if you popped in once before. In any case, welcome! Tell us more about yourself! You've picked some tough challenges. Best of luck!!
Hey all. Sorry - been crazy busy with work, and just driving myself insane. PMS and pre school stress. Can't wait for my cruise in 16 days
Half marathon is a week from Saturday. Will be slow, but doable. I hope I do well. School starts Monday. I am trying to stay calm But we all know how well I do that.
So, sorry I haven't been here. Eating is still inconsistent, but workouts are going well. I really hope to make it to the 1's soon here. I did enjoy going out and buying a few new outfits for school. That made a huge difference.
Talk more later, and good luck with new challenges.
I was thinking that I would start up again YESTERDAY, but here I am today, and today is not shaping up too well either. I really have to formulate a plan, because eliminating one item from my diet and twirling around for 30 minutes probably won't be my road to success. Hmmm... Think think think. Well, I'll keep thinking. 
You are doing SO AWESOME, by the way)
we have liftoff...
I'm sure you'll figure out how to get comfortable.
Tell us more about yourself! 
You've picked some tough challenges. Best of luck!! 
But we all know how well I do that. 
