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21-Day Challenge -- post-crash, everyone jump back on!!

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#61

redballoon , 01-27-2004 04:43 PM

Keep it up!
Good for you Dena. Don't let the scale discourage you. I know it does me too but being healthy IS the most important thing. You can always work on minor points such as weight loss later. It's really the quality of the food and exercise that is the hard part. So you're on track. Stay there!

Best of luck!!

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#62

Den@ , 01-27-2004 05:50 PM

Thanks so much for your encouragement, Red Balloon. I really was discouraged about no loss today. Although I went for a walk this morning and just came home from the gym, I was about to overeat until I saw your message. Thank you. It's funny how that scale can almost ruin a perfectly good week. Thanks so much for caring.
Dena

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#63

redballoon , 01-27-2004 06:38 PM

Banish the scale demon!
Thank YOU, Dena. I'm glad I could be of some help. I do the same thing, throw up my hands in dismay and anger at the first sign of opposition. Don't! Don't sabotage your efforts because of the reading on a scale!

The scale is a poor judge, a lopsided evaluator of your efforts. It doesn't register anything but weight, mass, with no care for what that mass looks like, what it contains, nothing, absolutely nothing but mass. The scale is blind. You're not. So you can be a much better judge of your efforts AND you can be more compassionate about them as well.

There are so many things/people out there that couldn't care less about your efforts, the things that are difficult for you individually. So YOU have to care. Give yourself major pats on the back for what you're doing, eating healtily, exercising. No scale measures that. Keep it up, Dena!!

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#64

Marti , 01-27-2004 07:38 PM

You're doing great!!!
Hello ladies--

Dena--I'm the same way with the scale, but I TRY to not let it get to me. You are doing so much to make things better in your life, and that is what counts the most. Just think...you're getting in more water, your eating right, and your exercising!! Your body is loving you! And now you have to love your body. No matter what size you are,,, loving your body will bring great benefits. It may be slow at first to see results on the scale...but give it time... you WILL see a difference. Keep the positive attitude. Sometimes I think scales were put here to discourage us...to keep us from reaching the goal we want to meet. So... I put the scale out of eye sight and continue to do what I know is right for me. And after awhile, you'll see the changes without the scale...looser clothes, a bounce to your step, more energy...THEN, that's when you bring the scale back out. Or better yet...get the measuring tape out. Amazing how the scale won't budge, but the measuring tape will give you the inches you've lost.

Keep up the good work and don't feel discouraged. We are here for you through it all so keep posting and keep reaching for that goal. Because I know that each one of us WILL reach it!! I have faith!

As for me today...I haven't done my pilates yet...but I will, and I will post later to let you know that day 9 has been a success. I can't believe how long it took for me to get going on the water, and how easy it is for me to do exercises. Go figure!

Be back later girls......

Marti

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#65

Marti , 01-28-2004 01:18 AM

Heading to bed, but I said I would be back. Day 9 finished!! WooHoo!!

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#66

Den@ , 01-28-2004 11:23 AM

Dear Red Balloon and MNJ,
Thanks so much for your encouraging, motivating and inspiring words. What wonderful insight. You gals are the best!!

I want to let you know I made it to Day #21 on my exercise and water. And now I'm on Day #10 of eating healthy.

I had an emotional day yesterday and I think that contributed to my wanting to blow it. I think the scale was the last straw. Taking a closer look, I realize I did the bills and had a lengthy phone call with with an insurance problem dating back to the year 2000 (something they processed wrong.) Anyway, I've come to realize that when I get super stressed, I tend to want food. (At least I'm finally getting what's going on.)

I want to thank you gals for helping me through a rough time. When I blow it, it's only a temporary fix and then I feel totally upset with myself. I beat myself up pretty badly. This is a habit I would LOVE to stop.

MNJ, I hadn't thought of the idea of actually loving my body. I am trying to make it healthier, so why not nurture it in the meantime? What a concept!

Red Balloon, You are right... I HAVE TO CARE about my efforts in eating right, exercising and drinking water for my health. Kudos to me. (That's a first.)

I hope you both have a great day!!!!

Thanks again for your inspiring words.
Dena

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#67

Marti , 01-28-2004 08:33 PM

Oh ladies.....

I have to put a stall on my pilates. I don't want to say that I'm going to start over from the beginning because I WANT to do them... I'm just not too sure I should today. My MWF schedule at school consist of three classes.... and so I have many books to drag around.....anyway..to make a long story short... I swung my bag around after one of my classes and pulled a muscle in my back. Not much comfort right now.

So...as much as I would love to jump into doing my pilates.. I think I'm going to need to take the night off. Miserable. The stretching may help it some, but right now... I just need to relax. I will attempt to do them tomorrow night.

Dena....Congratulations to day 21 on the exercise and water!! How wonderful! Feels pretty good doesn't it? I'm very proud of you. And you're doing very good on the eating too. I'm so glad that you were able to over ride the feeling of stress and sticking with your healthy eating rather than giving in. Good for you. I know you can do it. Anytime you need to talk...we are here for you. And to let you know... I also post with the Jaded Ladies Forum so if you ever want to pop in and chat...feel free.

That goes for anyone here!

Red... how are you doing? Sugar being good and staying out of your way?? I hope so! You're very inspiring... I don't know if I could give up sugar completely. But I guess I've never really tried...well..I did when I tried atkins...and that was difficult. Still have area's I need to learn self control.

Ok ladies.. I have some homework to do. I am so worn and tired today....

You all take care.
Marti

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#68

redballoon , 01-28-2004 11:15 PM

Hurrah for Dena!!!
CONGRATULATIONS DENA!!! to you for getting through your challenge, all 21 days of it!!

Ditto Marti. I'm proud of you too, Dena! I hope you're feeling real good about yourself. Great kudos to you!!

And good luck on the rest of your challenge.

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#69

Den@ , 01-29-2004 10:10 AM

Happy Thursday, Everyone!!

And thank you, thank you, thank you! Yes, I am feeling pretty good about myself today. I'm on day #11 of eating healthy, and guess what, I feel lighter, too. The exercise actually makes me feel better, more alive. So I'm looking forward to my walk and then going to the gym.

MNJ, take care of yourself. Sorry you pulled a muscle in your back. You'll be doing pilates soon. Don't worry about that. In the meantime, pamper yourself. Drink some hot tea while hitting those books. I know how stressful studies can be, so maybe stretching a little here and there will help relax those muscles, too. What classes are you taking? In any event, good luck with your back and your courses.

Red, I want to congratulate you for your continued success without sugar. I've been trying to do the same these last few days. I did have a muffin for lunch yesterday as a reward, but that's the only real treat I've had with sugar these last few days. You're inspiring me to kick that sugar habit. Keep up the great work!! Take care.
Dena

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#70

redballoon , 01-29-2004 06:07 PM

Back on track . . .
Hello there all. Thank you for your words of praise but I'm afraid I'm not totally deserving of them! I had a sugar slip the other day and have had to start over. I didn't want to say anything right away because I was so annoyed with having to say "it's Day 1 again." So I wanted till I was into the new challenge a bit. So, now, it's the start of Day 3 for me again.

I didn't want to eat the sugar at all but I had gone to an acquaintance's home for advice on a work project and I'd brought the obligatory gift, which were (I bought them) expensive handmade chocolate truffles. Stupid me, I should have known I'd be offered them. I thought I could simply turn them down but this time it was too tough. They sat there in the box and over and over again I was offered them so I really couldn't turn them down. So I had some. I felt awful and then not. They were incredibly delicious. So that's that. Then, since I'd blown it I had more sugar later.

But, I decided to get right back on the wagon the next day instead of making a weeklong pigout or something.

One thing I learned from this, is, buy something I CAN eat when bringing gifts. Perhaps somewhere deep (not so deep) down I knew I'd be offered them and I knew I'd probably accept so I consider myself a full accomplice in my slipup.

OK, Marti. How are you? I hope your back is better. Are you able to continue with your pilates now? Yes, I wouldn't consider that a slip. You were forced not to work out. It'd be stupid to risk injuring yourself further just for the sake of not having to start over with the challenge. Perhaps you could do some movements that don't affect the back at all though, legs perhaps, if there is such an exercise.

Dena, I'm glad I've been an inspiration to you. If a muffin is all you've had in the past few days that's fantastic! And good for you for continuing to eat healthily and exercise. Yes, you see, you're starting to reap some of the benefits that comes from being good to yourself, really good, the kind of benefits that don't show up on the scale. Keep it up!!

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#71

Marti , 01-30-2004 10:56 AM

Morning ladies--

Well last night I tried to do some pilates, but half way through the pain in my back spread to my neck and I ended up with a **** of a headache!!

The pilates itself wasn't what caused it, but it sure didn't help. But since I was "half" way through... I guess you could say that it counts as day 10?!

Anyway... I woke up today with no pain at all, so tonight should be good. I will check in later.

Marti

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#72

Scuzin , 01-30-2004 11:47 AM

I"m baaaaaaaaaack
Hello all, I know I've been MIA for a good week now, but I'm ready to start again! Here we go with day 1 of the water challenege!

Big Congrats for finnishing those challenges!

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#73

CareOLen , 01-31-2004 06:23 PM

Hi everyone! Sorry I have been gone for so long. I've been visiting friends all over the state of MN lately.

First of all,

Dena-What everyone says about the scale is right. I got weighed when I donated plasma the other day, and there was no loss in weight. But yet I felt so good, and so did my pants. That was when I reminded myself, fuggetabout the scale and just go your feelings!

Red-Don't worry! I've fell off the cycle with sugar lots of times already. BAD! However, there are some times when you have to question if you deserve to eat that little piece of chocolate!

My update: My updated 21 day challenge consisted more of sticking to my diet and making it become part of a better lifestyle. And writing down my feelings. Since I was visiting people, I splurged. But yet, I didn't feel guilty about it after the fact. I still kept on my workout sched. However, I am ready to get back onto my challenge and start er over! I have already come a long with my eating, and when I feel depressed and down, I remind myself of that fact.

I realized today: If at first you don't succeed, just dust yourself off and try again!

And hello to everyone and good luck! I already feel better catching up with y'all!

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#74

redballoon , 02-01-2004 04:41 AM

Day 5 in the bag. . .almost
Hi there people. Just reporting in to say I'm wrapping up a successful Day 5 of my new challenge after having fallen off the wagon last Tuesday. It's been hard (and the truffles are still in the refrigerator after my friend had me take them home!) but I'm doing it again. Yeah!

M.N.J., glad to hear you're feeling better. You'd better stop swinging your books around like that. Must have been a pretty wild class!
Scuzin, good to see you back with us again. Keep us posted on how you're doing, OK?

CareOlen, good to have you back as well. I had wondered where you went. Yes, I hear you on the just get back up and try again. That's what I'm doing and that's why I didn't make a weeklong pigout about it. I don't think I exactly "deserve" any chocolate but I'm not going to beat myself up about it. It was good and I certainly am doing better by having stayed off it for over 10 days prior to that indulgence and now again for 5 days after so things are fine. And I DO look forward to my next indulgence and I'd like it to be after another clear 21-day round!

I think you've got a great attitude. Writing down the emotions you're having as you eat is a great awareness exercise and great training. I quit smoking years ago by asking myself all the questions I'd give as excuses for smoking. The "I'm bored" I turned into, "Is smoking this cigarette really so exciting?" and things like that and I was able to finally quit. It was a pride thing I think that finally made me quit. With eating too, it's similar. I've gotten a lot better about thinking about what good bingeing on food is going to do me, how it's really helping to alleviate stress, anxiety, whatever. I've really gotten better and cutting out sugar has been a major help because my body is just more balanced I think.

So, Carolyn, what is your new challenge? Is it still no sugar or is it sticking to your diet and writing? In any case, good luck! Let us know how you're doing!

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#75

CareOLen , 02-01-2004 02:22 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by redballoon
I quit smoking years ago by asking myself all the questions I'd give as excuses for smoking.

So, Carolyn, what is your new challenge? Is it still no sugar or is it sticking to your diet and writing? In any case, good luck! Let us know how you're doing!

First of all, congrats on the quitting smoking! That's awesome! That already has made you the stronger person. And I try to have a good attitude, but it doesn't always go as well as I want it to. I am such a binge/emotional eater that it makes it hard for me to do. That is the problem that I need to overcome first. Now if I could only find the best way to do that!

Congrats on Day 5! And with truffles in the fridge, wow!

And yes, my new challenge is to stay on the diet. But it's mainly to keep journaling. I feel I need to cope with my feelings now, before I can successfully start my diet again. I already have eaten pretty badly today, but coming on here has helped. The support is wonderful! Now, I am going to work out and burn that pizza off.

Happy Sunday and good luck to the 21 day-ers!

Carolyn

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