Well, got through another day, including the dreaded teaching. Now needing to get out again for it...
Took a needed break at the gym from necessity (no time) and the first piano lesson since early June. Though i can't really afford it financially, I can't afford not to spiritually. The music is a non-caloric, cheap, non-poisonous escape, one that (through the practice) only benefits. I am now learning Debussy's Reverie. The other day coming back from the mountains, I put on my iPod to my piano playlist, switched it to shuffle and said I would learn the song that came on. That was it. It was dusk, but the sky was still light, the mountains silhouetted outside the train window. It was beautiful. Yes, I know, maybe I'm kind of weird...
No Smoking Challenge Day 14 completed 3 pauses taken
No Booze Challenge Day 15 completed 2 pauses taken
No Sugar Challenge Day 15 completed 3 pauses taken
jolly -- Change your mindset! Just do it! Act like me, a lunatic, pretend you're auditioning for Broadway! Positive vibes and strength to you!!
justmerose -- Welcome! Great challenge and good for you for starting, if small. That's the way!!
SeaWave -- Hope you're on track!!
Last edited by redballoon; 08-30-2010 at 07:03 PM.
Hi everyone! I'm afraid today wasn't such a good day re: my commitments (that's my pattern at this point - a really good day is followed by an exhausted day, still chemo leftovers I guess).
1. 7 fruit/veggies per day - DAY 13 (1/3 pauses left) (no appetite at all today)
2. Get fresh air twice per day - DAY 14 (1/1 pauses left)
3. PT exercises for arms - DAY 13 (1/1 pauses left)
4. Pencil in my menu for the next day -- Day 5 (2/3 pauses left) (I didn't eat what I pencilled in yesterday, so I'm counting it as a fail on this one...)
BUT I did get some good news. I've been taking baby steps on the road to recovery from chemo/surgery, and my surgeon today ok'd me starting to take "child-sized steps". SO I'm digging out a yoga DVD, gonna try the reclining stationary bike, and perhaps even some gentle water aerobics.
1) Daily posting - day 10, 3/3 pauses left
2) Follow exercise plan - day 10, 3/3 pauses left
3) No deep fried foods - day 10, 3/3 pauses left
4) Follow menu - day 10, 3/3 pauses left
That is awesome news SeaWave. Slow and steady, and I know you can do it. Red, wow - piano lessons? That rocks. Glad you turned your day around. Justmerose - we are always ready to dance, or cry, or do both at once
Thanks for all the positive vibes. Got through the hearing, tried to convince myself I wasn't taking it personally, and did not turn to food. Did some yoga breathing, and got back to work.
Welcome Symmetry, and good luck with your challenge!
Just stopping in to say hi. I have class tonight, so not sure I can post at the end of the day. But since I did my workout, and am posting now, just need to worry about eating challenges for hte rest of the day.
having a very bad time of things again...made the challenges though...
No Smoking Challenge Day 15 completed 3 pauses taken
No Booze Challenge Day 16 completed 2 pauses taken
No Sugar Challenge Day 16 completed 3 pauses taken
1) Daily posting - day 11, 3/3 pauses left
2) Follow exercise plan - day 11, 3/3 pauses left
3) No deep fried foods - day 11, 3/3 pauses left
4) Follow menu - day 11, 3/3 pauses left
For yesterday. Red, sorry you are hving a rough time of it. Need an ear, or rather, an eye?? Way to go Justmerose.
I met my challenges for yesterday, but am kind of bummed with myself. Had done well all day, then at school last night saw some food being put out for one of the student groups. There was this beautiful looking I was offered one, and without thinking, took and ate one. Probably almost as many calories as I had eaten all day I am not upset that I ate it, but that I didn't even think about it. It wasn't a choice, it was impulse. I will have to work on watching out for that.
redballoon - yay on making the challenges - you've got some really tough ones. Just think how easy it will be once they become a habit!
justmerose - bravo on doing your challenge. Execise is probably one of the biggest changers we can do.
jolly - bravo to you too on doing your challenges with a bonus - you've learned something about yourself! Someone once told me we didn't learn anything new without making mistakes, so don't be too hard on yourself.
For Aug 31
1. 7 fruit/veggies per day - DAY 14 (1/3 pauses left)
2. Get fresh air twice per day - DAY 15 (1/1 pauses left)
3. PT exercises for arms - DAY 14 (1/1 pauses left)
4. Pencil in my menu for the next day -- Day 6 (2/3 pauses left)
I'm coming back....but not until after Labor Day. I'll be a challenge lurker until then. My back is very, very painful. And after another MRI and several specialists, I'm going to get an injection in my spine tomorrow. This is supposed to help the inflammation around my discs relieve the pinched nerve(s) that are causing pain/numbness down my leg (as well as my lower back). After I get the shot, I can't do any exercising (not even my therapeutic PT exercises) for a few days. I'm also following a combination of WW and a bariatric eating plan (even though I'm not doing bariatric surgery). Bottom line, I can stick to my eating plan and drinking water challenges starting yesterday...but I want to start all challenges at the same time....so I'm setting my official start date for my challenges as Tuesday.
Jolly - Great job on sticking to your challenges! And also for your insight into how easily we can fall into mindless eating. I really need to watch out for that too.
Red - I hope things get better for you soon. But I'm SOOO Proud of you for sticking to your challenges through your tough times!
things are getting worse....I really shouldn't allow sugar yesterday but am...I was about to smoke but didn't, really only because I was too tired...this is madness...I am NOT in a good way and the challenges are really losing their meaning in light of the other hardships, no work, no money.
No Smoking Challenge Day 16 completed 3 pauses taken
No Booze Challenge Day 17 completed 2 pauses taken
No Sugar Challenge Day 17 completed 3 pauses taken
Hang in there Redballoon, it sounds like you are giving up alot all at once. If you are seeing progress on the weight challenge - go easy on yourself. Alcohol has alot of sugar in it, so thats moving you in the right direction. Instead of a pause - Take a deep breath or two..
For Sept 1
1. 7 fruit/veggies per day - DAY 15 (1/3 pauses left)
2. Get fresh air twice per day - DAY 16 (1/1 pauses left)
3. PT exercises for arms - DAY 15 (1/1 pauses left)
4. Pencil in my menu for the next day -- Day 7 (2/3 pauses left)
Redballoon - please, please don't give up. I agree with Zinger - alcohol and sugar are so closely related. You know that once you beat one, you'll have beat them both, but it certainly won't be easy. As she pointed out, you are seeing a difference in your weight and that has to count for something. Just keep hanging in there, one day, one hour, one minute at a time if you have to. And keep posting -- we're all behind you on this!
1) Daily posting - day 12, 3/3 pauses left
2) Follow exercise plan - day 12, 3/3 pauses left
3) No deep fried foods - day 12, 3/3 pauses left
4) Follow menu - day 12, 3/3 pauses left
Hey all. Had a crabby day, and had pretty much convinced myself to blow it tonight with eating. After that last night, why not right? But I convinced myself to at least start with what I had on the menu. And it worked. I added an allowable treat, and now am too full. But I am ok with the choices that I made, and I did not give in to that old habit this time.
Way to go SeaWave. Michelle, hope the injection helps. Sending positive thoughts your way.
Red What can you pare things back to as far as your challenges, while you sort out the rest? Success with some steps forward should help you feel good, and give you proof that you are worth it. Because you are. Control what you can, and hang on with the rest. You are worth it, and you can get through this, and we are here believing that for you, even if it is all too much.
Great challenge and good for you for starting, if small. That's the way!!
I was offered one, and without thinking, took and ate one. Probably almost as many calories as I had eaten all day 
I am not upset that I ate it, but that I didn't even think about it. It wasn't a choice, it was impulse. I will have to work on watching out for that.
for your insight into how easily we can fall into mindless eating. I really need to watch out for that too. 
to the rest of you for your challenges!! 
