Hello all.

Sushi, sorry to hear you slept so badly. No fun at all. And it sure doesn't help with meeting goals the next day.

Mscat, it sounds like you're just trying to do too much. Even your home computers are stressed out! :lol: Switching to an achievable goal is a very good idea.

I'm not really doing too well on this challenge myself. I've been drinking lots of water, which is easy in this muggy heat. And I do get in a bout a half-hour walk in the evenings, but I can't even convince myself that should count as exercise. It amounts to less walking (and slower) than I would do just walking to work. As for the 15 min housework, I think I'm close to that one, although I haven't accomplished a lot. I do have a shiny sink all the time... I keep meaning to do the Flylady mission of the day, but I have done other things instead, so I consider that goal achieved.

In my defence I have this sore throat that has been getting slowly worse for about 3 weeks. I was on my way to the walk-in clinic down the street when the skies opened and a torrential downpour started. So I put it off to tomorrow - again. Between the throat and the heat, I really don't want to do anything. Even doing the dishes leaves me in a sweat, and that's with the AC on. I'm hoping to get some lake time in this weekend.

I do think this challenge is a good idea even when I don't meet the goals. It certainly keeps me from "forgetting" that I'm supposed to do (or not do) whatever.

Keep on truckin'!

Had a good Wednesday - Walked 50 min in the morning and another 40 min last evening. Stayed within my points. And Wed is my weigh-in day and I lost a pound! One more to go to be down 25# by Labor Day so I should be able to do that.

I am so glad to hear that I'm not the only one that's sick of this heat/humidity. Just seems to wear me out. I do just what is necessary but seem so tired all the time. Am hoping that turns around when we get that nice, crisp fall weather.

MsCat - It probably is a good idea to re-focus on one goal at a time. Sometimes we expect to be super-women and just try to do too much. The one thing I tell myself over and over is that I'll never be perfect and doing what I'm able to do is better than just giving up and doing nothing at all. I can finally accept that and know that quitting is not an option.

Everyone have a great Thursday - we are getting just a few drops of rain so will see how soon it quits so I can take my walk. Have to grocery shop and run errands today so would like to get an early start.

Thursday Check-in
 

Morning Ladies!

Our Wednesday Star leading the pack are . . .
Bonniebelle :cheer: - you rock on the cleaning thing! Isn't great to accomplish something? Accomplishing your cleaning goals will help you be more focussed and confident in facing your other goals when you are ready - besides all that cleaning counts for something on the exercise scale!
carla :cheer: - giving you kudos for your walks. On weight watchers, 30 minutes of walking is about 2 activity points. Be encouraged that according to the new book "French Women Don't Get Fat" (? I think that title is right) they don't exercise all the time - they walk. A daily walk may not help you lose mounds of pounds but it will lower your heart rate, keep up your metabolism, and help you maintain your weight loss from eating right and drinking water.
Bev :cheer: You are incredible with your consistency lately! I like what you said about not giving up, and striving to meet goals whenever we can. You are so right - it's better than not doing anything at all! What a great inspiration to all of us.

Thanks for all your support and comments regarding my idea to refocus on one achievable goal. I am committing the remainder of this week and starting the 21-day challenge over today with the water goal. I believe if I can do it for a week here, and then at least another I can master that just as I did the exercise and then focus on my points.

Have a great day!

mscat-
All that we have is right now.
Yesterday is gone, Tomorrow is not promised, and Someday is not a day of the week!

What's wrong with me?!?!?!? I can't get motivated to go to the gym, I've been getting really bad headaches in the afternoon and have just been going home and sleeping and can't get motivated to go to the gym. Every single day this week, I say I'm going to go to the gym after work or I'm going to take a bike ride and it just doesn't happen. Ughh!! I don't know why I'm doing this. I have been eating fairly healthy (except for a huge unhealthy bean & cheese burrito with cheese sauce on it last night). I want to lose weight so bad, why can't I motivated myself to just get to the gym and do this??? I still have Thurs-Sun to work out, so I can still get in 4 days of exercise this week. I just can't get going to actually do it. Any tips????

Haleys, I feel your pain. Since my little flurry of swimming, I've ground to a total halt apart from my evening strolls. If it's hot where you live, that may have something to do with it. And sometimes we just need to veg. Not everyone will agree with me, but for weight loss alone, I think the eating is most important. IMHO, the exercise revs up the metabolism, makes us feel better about everything, is good for our hearts and lungs etc, but really only burns off a limited number of calories. So give yourself a few days off without guilt, maintain your water and eating programs, and you'll feel ready to start again in soon.

Thursday report - walked 40 minutes and had an extremely low point day. Ate lots of fresh vegetables - went grocery shopping and then stopped at our local produce stand and got fresh tomatoes (I could LIVE on fresh tomatoes!), cucumbers, green beans and a huge cantaloupe. Lots of treats for very few points.

Haleys - I hope your headache goes away. Have you had them before or is this a new thing? If they continue might be a good idea to check with your doctor - or could it be your eyes? Anyway, I do hope you feel better. And don't stress about exercise right now - just get better and then the exercise will be easy!

Carla _ I agree that my walk doesn't do much to help my weight loss but it sure does make me feel better. No swelling in my legs and feet and I rarely get out of breath anymore. Besides, my annual checkup is coming up and I really want to look him right in the eye and tell him "oh sure I walk every day ... just like you told me to a year ago" ... going to be a big surprise as I've been ignoring that piece of advice for about five years!!! And my puppy loves it ... he's pretty spoiled so whatever he loves, we do. Did you ever get your sore throat checked out?

MsCat - good luck on your water goal. I know you'll stick with that one for 21 days.

Bonnie - by now the GD is there. Yippee! Have fun with her but don't forget about us.

:sorry: Bev, I looked at your posts and see you walk a LOT. I really didn't mean to say that walking is a waste of time. Not at all. Just that Haley's weight loss won't necessarily be stalled by a few days off. And I'm a little ashamed of my very short, very leisurely strolls. They provide less exercise than I got before starting my weight loss program! I'm willing to bet your doctor will be impressed by your fitness and your weight loss. So please accept my apology - I really didn't mean to be negative. (It sounds like your eating is healthier than mine too.)

Edit: I forgot to say that my throat is improving. Apparently it's a combo of cat and ragweed allergies. So I've been popping pills, and it's getting better. Thanks for asking!

Just popping by for now... waiting out the rain. :) I'll post more when I get home.

I've been off the wagon for the past few days, but I'm gradually getting back on track. That's why I'm planning to post later, when I know whether today was a success. For now I'm determined to make it! :)
I sort of let one thing slip (water), and then I got this feeling "well, I might as well..." Or maybe it started with having a chocolate bar at 7 pm on Monday? I was starving for chocolate and decided it would be better to have a bit than to have the craving get so bad I'd eat like 3 chocolate bars and not one. And I told myself it was ok to have it a few minutes after 7 pm because I was at work and couldn't eat earlier than that. Now, normally I make arrangements to avoid such situations, so that's why I'm thinking that this "it's ok because I had a good reason" started me on a slippery slope...

Tuesday started off fine, but went downhill. Wednesday was a total flop. Yesterday went pretty well, but then I got so annoyed (couldn't get to sleep again) that I got up and had cookies and milk while watching a movie... I was so tired around 7-8 pm that I was virtually falling down on my face, but I knew that if I went to sleep, I'd wake up at 11 pm and then have a sleepless night. So I decided to push it till 9 or 9:30 and then go to bed, but by the time it was 9:30 pm I was wide awake again... :tantrum: I'm considering getting sleeping pills or something - something that actually will make me FALL asleep.

But I've been good with taking my iron, and I've been avoiding all kinds of escalators and elevators successfully. Today I ended up having to take the elevator 3 times at work, but I'm glad because what I was doing would normally involve 5 elevator trips.

I think I'm frustrated with the progress of my weight loss program... I'm not even losing 1 lb per week... 1.5 weeks ago I was at 137 lbs, and since then i'ts been 137.5 to 140.5. I probably should change my tracker, but what to set it to? I really have no idea what I'm doing wrong... and the way things are going I'm not going to hit 120s by Labour Day... sigh.

Anyway, enough of ranting, I'll be back later. :)
Take care ladies :)

Carla - I didn't take your post regarding walking in a negative way at all. In fact I agree that missing a few days of exercise doesn't affect weight loss much. I just enjoy getting out and walking in the early morning - I am an "outdoor" type person and that's about the only time it's actually nice to be outside with all our heat & humidity lately. So instead of starting anything very productive (like housework!!), I take my walk. Good excuse and I've been workin' it all summer!

Night ladies
 

I am struggling with my water goal - been on the run with two award ceremonies at work and a run home and back in the middle of the day to catch a delivery. Then this evening I ended up with the runs! :eek: Oh well, I am going to get what I can in tonight and then work on it anew tomorrow.

haleys - I agree with everyone about not beating yourself up about the gym. Is there some other exercise commitment you can keep when you can't get to the gym? A short walk 15 - 20 minute walk is easy to squeeze in and is better than doing nothing at all. Otherwise try to get your gym workout in as early as possible - focus on DIN (Do it Now) and DIA (Do it Anyway). The later you do it the better the chance you will put it off.

Bev :cheer: I reallly admire your tenacity!

carla glad you are feeling better!

Sushi - :cheer: for you and the darn iron pill! So nice to hear from you. I hope you get some relief for your insomnia - be careful with the chocolate - is has ingrediants that may affect your ability to sleep through the night.

Have a Great Weekend!

Mscat, with all that running, I hope you do find a way to get extra water in. You don't want to get dehydrated! On the plus side, a good case of the runs can bring your weight down a notch...

I'm still sticking to my puny little evening stroll (seriously, if I went any slower I'd probably fall over.:lol: ) The humidity keeps coming back after a very short respite, and it's just too sticky. I've been doing all right with the water, although even more wouldn't hurt. And knowing a cat-sitter will be living here while I'm away has inspired a flurry of housework: the papers on my desk are sorted, tons of old cards and papers are gone, most of the surfaces in the house are cleared. Next stop: floors and bathrooms.

While I was putting my unnecessary work papers thru the shredder, my Bigboy was standing on his hind legs, ears flattened and tail batting back and forth watching in fascination. He even hissed at it. And after I was done he stayed in the office lying on the rug staring at it for a good two hours. Cats are so silly. And so entertaining.

Friday - Walked 35 minutes in the morning and then had to go to work. Had one point left at the end of my day so stayed well within my range.

Sat - Another 35 minute walk and then went car shopping. Oh I hate even the thought of shopping for a car, but the time has come. Found two I really like -- and of course the one I like best with the lower mileage and still under warranty is about $3000 more -- so now today is decision time. Actually I'm glad I found two I like first time out as I was thinking it would be hard to find anything within my price range.

Sushi - I know what you mean by that slippery slope. That's exactly what I do and it's really hard to talk yourself back into control. Just take it one day (or maybe one hour?) at a time and you'll be back on track before you know it.

Well, time for me to go find something to eat and start the laundry.

Have a good week-end everyone.