Day 10
All challenges met. Sorry I haven't been chatting. Have been so busy have to sleep more and more with little naps. I am at least getting stronger each and every day.

Hi All

I'm a little freaking out.. This morning - the glass doors kept rattling - and my pre-programmed-california-mind shouts "EARTHQUAKE!" <reminds me of the first week I was in Israel - there was a boom and the windows shook while i was at school - what could I do? I dove under the desk to take cover, and then I realize the class is very quiet and staring at me...So, yea, um, it wasn't an earthquake - it was a sonic boom. But boy did I get some strange looks! LOL> and my heart started racing and I went to the doorway and it kept happening and I was shaking! I am soooo earthquake phobic! Turns out - there was no earthquake - we're "just" bombing Gaza. Hmph. Life is so.......exciting (?!@#$$) here.

Red - sorry to hear you're feeling down. But think about what you ARE doing - not what you're NOT doing! You have been keeping up the daily stuggle of your challenges - and you figured the pause in - and now you know how you react Maybe you can document in depth your insights of sugar-binging and put it in the BOX ! and the tahini was local, and the thief is still at large..

Rennie - Glad to hear you're doing better - and that you're getting some rest!

I finished Day 4, and soon day 5 is coming to a close. The hardest time for me is after dinner before sleeping.

Day 5 completed

Red - as a fellow vegetarian - I know how you're feeling about all the work for food preparation!! I've resorted to nuking frozen vegetable because I'm too tired at the end of a day to cook anything! I do find that making a good veg soup at the beginning of the week is very helpful = and when I'm so hungry I could see stars - I have a bowl while I figure out what else to eat.
Tomorrow is the last day of Hannukah - and then live resumes its <semi>normal routine- i.e. all kids back in school on Tuesday.
Maybe I'll be able to start some routines of my own then!!

Well I don't know what I was thinking when I said I'd start my new challenges Friday! I'd already decided to try one each of my Mom's from scratch cookies (nothing with mix ingredients allowed) and exercise wasn't happening unless you count the 6 hours driving. Yesterday was the return day and while I might have exercised and had no chocolate, the drive home in heavy fog with the check engine light on and car constantly threatening to stall did not lead to exercise. I had a glass of red wine and one 100 calorie whole grain brownie with dinner. Soooo that's my long-winded way of saying I'm starting my new challenges today!

*this is how motivating this thread is - I was just about to admit that I blew the journaling challenge because I didn't log my food Friday. I realized I could still do it from memory and just did so instead of admitting defeat I get to tell you as of yesterday I completed my first 21 say journaling challenge! And it turned out I didn't do badly even with the cookies because I was careful with everything else.

So here's where I am today:
Chocolate Challenge, Rnd 2 - No solid chocolate (I'm allowing hot chocolate with unsweetened choc.almond milk since it doesn't seem to cause cravings for me), 3 serving sized pauses First challenge completed 12/20, 1 week break

Grain Challenge - Limit of 3 grain servings per day, 1 pause for New Year's Eve. 1/21

Exercise challenge, Rnd 2 - yoga, weights or stretches every day (cardio is assumed). 1 pause. First round completed 12/22

Journal Challenge, Rnd 2 - Journal everything that goes into my mouth,no pauses. First round completed 12/28, 21/21

Red - I'm wondering if you have the same issue with high fructose corn syrup I do. I can allow myself small amounts of sugar (like my Mom's cookies) without feeling like crud or binging afterward, but the couple of times I've unthinkingly ingested HFCS I've been off the charts with eating and then felt awful afterward. Unfortunately a lot of that candy is probably loaded with HFCS unless it's the more expensive, "natural" stuff.
I kept going back to the same hair dresser on and off for 10 years so some of us just learn slower Sorry it's so frustrating. I have to admit my last one never really stopped annoying me until it grew out enough to have someone else fix it.

Miriam sounds like life is very stressful there. How did day 5 go?

Shy - Glad to hear you are taking good care of you and feeling stronger.

And now off to my chore list

*ETA - Mariam congrats on day 5! You posted while I was taking my time with this tome
I'm also a vegetarian.

Hey all! Haven't checked in this forum for days. Sigh to me. I've had so much on my plate that I'm just now starting to breathe and get rid of each to-do one by one. I love lists.

I'm on day 12 of my second 21-day challenge. Next challenge I'm going to incorporate some running. I don't want to be specific, because I know I'll talk myself out of it so I'll put it at "some" for now.

How's everyone else's day so far?

Happy holidays!

Cyndi - you're doing great on soo many rough challenges! I know that being accountable;e is such a help - by knowing I'm going to post success <or defeat> help me loads too!

Red - you know what? All those issues you are going through sounds like one source: PMS accounts for all of them! The lousy mood, the sugar cravings, the alcohol cravings etc etc etc.... The good thing about PMS is that it goes away Be strong for today! Just for today... Then tomorrow is a new day - a day that maybe your hair will even be longer!

I finished day 6 - no pauses as of yet. I stayed away from my major trigger - and that's watching something with DH on the boob tube at night. Instead I stayed in my bed, drank some coffee, and read a 700 pg novel. I'm a little compulsive, and therefore had to read the entire things, and therefore went to sleep at some obscene hour and therefore am exhausted now!!!

Hi everyone! Sorry to be absent, but with bil here and the various activities we've been doing, it has been busier than normal for me, and that's actually a good thing! Today we are going to leave shortly to drive to Big Sur and take in a couple of hikes as it is a deliciously crisp but sunny day here--high to be in the mid 50's. the most important thing is the clear sunshine we've had for a few days now, after a rainy period. Yesterday, we went to the beach with the dogs for a walk, and Thursday we hiked in the forest near here with them. I think the dogs like it when we have (certain) company as well!

Well, day 8 today I guess on my "not over-eating" challenge--I really have done quite well with that. I think the amount of activity has helped, plus I worked on Friday and I will again tomorrow. Now that the holiday goodies are gone from the offices, not much of a problem there for me. Weight today was decent, not a gain, but actually a little less than a week ago--182.4. Not really starting to obsess about it until after my bil leaves, though. But feeling optimistic I can continue downward in the new year!

Happy last day of Hannukah Miriam! (And belated Happy Holidays to all the rest of you.) How scary about the rattles and vibrations! I feel for you--I would be quite unsettled as well, to be in such a political "hotspot" 24/7. Stay safe, ok?

Red--bad hair day (week, month.....)--let me tell you, I have had so many with various hairdressers. That's why I will cling with amazing tenacity once I find a stylist "in tune" with me--even traveling a fair distance away if we move several miles away......now the one I finally found here after a year has my undying loyalty and I hope he doesn't leave here for the "big city" someday........
You are doing so awesome with your year-end challenges--wow! The sugar thing is tough--I find as well once I open that door I often can't stop as it is soooo addicting.....Finally took last box of candy someone gave us and put in the freezer b/c DH didn't want to give it away (he claims to love that type, but I know him, he opens the box and has one piece or two at the most every day--he can stretch it out 2-3 weeks, but I can't resist it, the box is always gone in 2-3 days, then he says "What happened to the candy?")
Once the New Year is here, you will be soooo motivated to continue onward as you have gotten over the holiday "hump" so successfully!! As I am going to be, hopefully! Notwithstanding my birthday (Jan. 8th)--only makes me feel more motivated to try to not "look" my age. I have decided to ignore my b-day if possible--I do not want to think about the ever-more-swiftly advancing numbers there--I WILL NOT GO THERE!! haha

CyndiM--Look at you as well, your accomplishments and successes are simply amazing throughout this holiday period. You sound like you are in the zone and going strong--keep it up! How awesome you are ready to jump right back in there for Round 2 right away at this tricky time for everyone! The one thing I will like this year is even though at the first of the year there are always so many news articles and media pieces about how to start your new diet and exercise and health resolutions to shed those excess holiday pounds, that THIS year, I will not have had any gain to work on losing, just to get back to where I was before Thanksgiving!!!! As most of us here can say! We are "just" continuing onward, and downward, on our losing and exercising, not having to feel badly about ourselves and depressed, procrastinating every day before finally getting the energy and motivation to "start" our new healthy program, our new "diet" or whatever. This is maybe one of the very few years of my life that I can say that I haven't felt like I really went overboard and gained a bunch of holiday weight. SO NICE to feel like I'm ahead of the curve, for once!

Sunni--you are also doing awesome, as are you Shy! Even being busy is not keeping you from being mindful of the bigger picture here, and after this holiday time has passed, you'll both feel so happy to continue striving forward!! And Quix and Tech--sounds like you two are also doing your best to be "mindful" and keeping things real. Just know we are all here working on the same thing (basically) and hang in there....only a few days more until life settles back into relative normalcy once again!!

Well, gotta go get ready for hiking and enjoying this gorgeous day!
Have a great New Year's Eve everyone (If I don't get back before then!)

__________________________________________________ ____________

Good evening all

Challenges:
Chocolate Challenge, Rnd 2 - No solid chocolate, 3 serving sized pauses. First challenge completed 12/20. 2/21

Grain Challenge - Limit of 3 grain servings per day, 1 pause for New Year's Eve. 3/21

Exercise challenge, Rnd 2 - yoga, weights or stretches every day (cardio is assumed). 1 pause. First round completed 12/22. 2/21

Journal Challenge, Rnd 2 - Journal everything that goes into my mouth,no pauses. First round completed 12/27 (miscounted yesterday). 2/21

Sunni - Good job sticking with the challenge with everything going on! Can't wait to hear about the running. I'm trying a little again though my knees stopped me last time. I really want to be able to run so am giving it another try.

Red - You had a treat but didn't binge even though you've been having a stressful week! That's incredible! Hope things are looking up a little.
I do know what you mean about the sugar. I actually tossed part of a good chocolate bar in the compost last week because I just couldn't get myself to stop nibbling all day.

Miriam - I used to be like that with reading. Now it's exercise. I miss my reading time though and hope to find some this winter. As far as the challenges go I do well with this format. I just wish I would develop that much internal motivation but so far no luck.

Mod - Good to see you! The hike sounds heavenly. I do miss hiking weather. As far as the age thing goes I don't always love getting older (whined at the Dr. today about impending arthritis in overused joints) but I am so much healthier than I was 15 years ago. Back then I smoked 2 packs a day and weighed about 50 lbs more than I do now, and I never exercised if I could avoid it. I could run circles around that younger me, so I don't miss her even though I envy a little of that age related ease. I'm going to age my way and that means strong and healthy and fit, doing the things I want to do. Oh, and I got a tattoo for my 40th gift to myself a few years ago. Scandalized some people which made it even more fun

Okay, off to make the morning coffee and hit the sack.

Good Morning All,

Red - Hope today is better for you. Hang in there you are doing so well.

Cyndi - Congrats to you on sticking to all your challenges even with all that was going on.

Miriam - That shaking and rattling would scare me too. I actually will read the last couple pages of a book so that I can put it down and go to sleep, so it's not really that weird.....

Modcat - Yay on sticking to your challenge too. I would love a walk on the beach. My folks are down in FL for Jan and have invited me down for a few days, and I'm trying to figure out if I can swing it.

Tonight we're "celebrating" our New Year's since DH has a chemo treatment tomorrow and won't be in any mood/shape to go out. So I will begin my challenges tomorrow. They are as follows:

Challenge 1 - Write down everything I eat (and I mean everything) - 3 pauses
Challenge 2 - Clear up junk spots in house 20 mins each day - 3 pauses
Challenge 3 - 15 mins of stretching every day no pauses!!!!! I feel like a knotted mess and this will help.

Unofficial challenge - check in everyday with progress report.

That should definitely do it for me. Now I just have to stick to it

-Tech

Red - I feel for you and can totally imagine what you're going through. Everyday I have to tell myself not to overeat and it's difficult with the snacks in the house (I can't deny other people living here the snacks that they can control themselves over). However, I can imagine it must be worse because of the temptations around at this time of year. I wanted to tell you to hang in there and I know that sounds really weak, but just think - wouldn't you feel GREAT if you came through this without yielding to temptation? Try it! Only one day...it's so close for you! Try faking sick and stay at home, watch some movies, make yourself a nice and healthy dinner, ring in the New Year and go to bed. It will be over. Yes, it's not the most thrilling New Year ever, but hey it's one more day that you overcame and that's the most important thing.

So yesterday I got into an accident that was partially my fault but not really. Nothing major happened, I'm just really bummed because I've never been in an accident before and it was kinda my worst nightmare. I need to shake myself out of this but I keep thinking about my perfect record with driving and how it's going to be busted because of this. Anyway, Happy New Year to everyone!!

Sunni I'm so sorry to hear about your accident--oooh I hate having one also, though I haven't for many years now, but I can still remember all the anguish and embarrassment--luckily no injuries but still horrible all the same, even if just a "fender bender"......keep strong and this too will pass......

Red--Hope you were able to hold out and not "binge" on the NYE thing--tonight of course is mine and I also want to "keep it real", just going to a local place a few blocks away to hear a little band (or maybe just a single guy), just some music with bil and dh and a couple of friends, and not gonna over-indulge!

Tech--I hope your early NYE celebration was good--so sorry to hear about your dh's chemo tx--we have two family members who are dealing with that stuff--they have for about 3-4 years now, still hanging on, still enjoying life as much as possible, though looks like not a cure for either of them at least a worthy battle and grateful extension of life.....

CyndiM--well, I have my fair share of tats and not gonna get anymore, so don't know what I could do to "shock" anyone, oh hey, I know, get back to a "normal" weight, look great, feel great, be happy, be organized and disciplined and at least "act" like I'm much happier to be this age than 10 years younger, haha! Oh yeah, that's the ticket!!

Well, Happy New Year to everyone and now I'm off to the gym for a quick WO before the day gets away from me!