Hello everyone. Sorry I haven't been posting - was a very busy weekend.

I am home sick from work today. I have to accept the fact that my food choices are actually making me sick. I know what I want, and where I want to be. I have to ask myself, do I really have the courage to do what it takes to get there? Up to now, the answer has been a undeniably NO. But that has to change.

My big food issues are:
1. Eating too much junk food.
2. Not making healthy food choices.
3. Not following my menu when I do make it.
4. Not giving a darn about portion sizes.

So, while I am on day 12 of no caffeinated sodas ( and slowly weaning myself off on diet/decaff sodas and Crystal lite tea), I am now ready to make a new goal.

Goal 2: Follow my menus! I hope to combine a few things here, as I need to be making healthier choices when I plan my menu as well - really looking for healthier choices and limiting the foods that I know I go overboard on portion sizes. I will give myself 2 pause days.

Here's to healthy living. Have a good day all.

I totally hear you. I am traveling on company's business next week. Leaving Sunday eve and I am already planning to not take any more pause days, including saturday and sunday next week. Perhaps I will be too tired once I arrive. Monday next week I will work out - and yes I plan to swim there for half an hour as well. Tuesday will be my pause day. I have presentations, and then direclty to the airport for my flight. Once I arrive back it will be 9pm and i will be tired to go anywhere. so this is the plan. And yes I am hoping to stay good on food and water while I am there. i am sure the last one will be the biggest problem. I don't want to drag 7 bottles of water with me, but I will take a few. Hopefully I can buy others down there. If I do well through next week I will have for once completed my challenge.
Graduation... from my personal Phase I challenges.
Phase II I plan to do all same, but instead of no food late, add a journaling and eval. perhaps that will jump start my quest for switching from cafe at work to home preped lunches, which I know for sure are a lot more healthy, even if I compare chicken noodle soup with a small side salad, w/o dressing but with dry cranberries and vinegar. I know samon which is in my fridge is a lot healthier and has virturtually no oil what so ever, compare to soup for example.
So far I am learning w/o challenges how to give up my 2 teaspoons of sugar that I put in my morning tea. I gave up bread, replaced it with some thin dry thingies of 30 cals per one for sandwiches daily, and just 1 slice if I must over the weekend.

Tue, Jan 24th here.

And oh my, I finished the no sweets plus 10 min stationary bike challenge yesterday without even noticing! :cheer:
Makes me feel good that I didn't get up at 6 am today just to do the bike before leaving for work. :lol:

Exercises for thigh & abs - Day 14 done. I added 2 kg weights yesterday, which made the workout much more enjoyable.

Fruit challenge - Day 15.

Must think up something new soon!

Hah. Wrong. Day 21 is today, not yesterday. :lol:

So are you going to do those today? or did you alreay do them? I got confused.
But Regardless...GREAT JOB! Common last push and you are at the finish line if not already!!!! congratulations!!!!

Just slightly borred at work, so i am posting more than in the last few weeks.
I decided to split my food into mini-meals. Hard, I still and constantly think when is the next feeding. Reminds of me of being a baby...eat little eat often, and burp...Why should I? Because in between my meals, there are 2 hours and in order to make sure I don't chew napkins, pens, mouse, or my laptop, I drink nice water...now I am full and shell go for a small walk - I choose the restroom that is in another building, just to add some excercise...
please don't be grossed out...ok, I just wanted to be silly a bit...gotta run......:tread:

consider today done... still need about 10oz but i am chugging as we speak its only 7:18pm i'll get them in thats not even a full bottle

day 6

calories=1280

1 hr of circuit training

I'm sure going to do it when I get home from work. :)
Good that I didn't have that chocolate lamington yet! :lol:

coming to life here...
 

Ugh, championship celebration recovery in progress here....had to cancel riding and I HATE doing that, but I am determined to make a dent in my room today so I will not consider the day a wash. So, at work yesterday I was psyched with the Steeler win. Had made a beautiful collage on my desktop monitor from all the photos coming in over the wire. Then, after work, instead of going home for the evening, I said to the four guys who were on my desk, I'll buy you all a beer in honor of my Steelers! So, that started the ball rolling and I went till late. But, heck, you HAVE to do that. It was so fun to have the Steeler win to lift my spirits. So, I had a Brit, an Irishman, an Aussie (all who I think have never seen a football game in their lives!) and one American, who isn't even into football, all toasting the Steelers. It was fun! :dizzy:

My challenges are still on course, as I made it in to the gym in the morning. I was late getting out so I only had time for 3K, but I did my crunches and back exercises and was happy about that. No caffeine, not even tea in the afternoon and I did write things down, though I have to finish that up this morning. I remember everything though and made some good decisions yesterday AND had no sugar. Although that's not a challenge, I am looking to cut it out or greatly reduce it. If I can't seem to I am going to put myself back on the wagon! And I'm thinking, I'm going to start back weight training. I haven't been doing it, thinking the riding, running and ab work is enough, but it's not. I like to feel stronger but am just going to try not to snowball into going heavy.

It was also a good day yesterday because I cornered the elusive superior and think I'll get some more work out of him. I had been complaining about not having any feedback for the page I did on the ski resort story but I hear that everyone was very happy with it, meaning the sponsors, which they should be as it was pretty much publicity writing. BUT, the boss said he actually read my story, liked it and said he missed seeing my byline. (I refused to put it on a publicity story) AND what's even better is a coworker on my desk said he had actually read the entire story and liked it, said he thought it was my writing but wasn't sure as there was no name on it. Now that is high praise indeed, to hear from another writer and especially when this advertorial type writing is not looked on well, understandably, but I need the money. So, yesterday was really a great day. It had its down points, like when the sports guy made a horrible layout for the Steelers story. I couldn't believe it, but what can you expect from an inexperienced Brit. Our paper is so dysfunctional these days and hiring people with no experience and, worse, no talent that it is really to scream about. But, those of us who still care make it work and maintain our sanity with spontaneous get-togethers like last night. Okay, I am babbling, aren't I? Caffeine rush! :p

Well, I am determined to make today another good day. I miss not getting out to the horse as it's looking to be a perfect riding day, sunny, no wind, but well, look, sometimes you just gotta flex a bit, right?!

CBETA -- Hi there. Glad to hear from you again. I like how you're sounding these days. You sound like you've taken up the reins and have decided to take control of what you can, observing, planning, doing. I take it you'll be in New York, right? That's where my parents were both from, Queens and Brooklyn and I know the town well and love it. I hope you have a good trip and can enjoy yourself apart from work as well. If you have time you can get in a lot of walking in NYC. It's a great city for that. No, wait, now I think I'm confusing you with Fish. Fish will be in the Apple, I think. Where, may I ask, are you going? I'm sorry to hear you're still feeling down. May I ask what happened to your parents? Have they both passed on or did they stay in Russia? I wouldn't worry about the gym. Yes, you can do that. It doesn't have to be every day and there are other ways of getting in exercise other than going to a gym. As you get thinner and fitter you will look forward to the exercise and your husband will just have to understand. If you are like that from the start when you meet, it will not come as a shock. Who knows, you may end up marrying a personal trainer or athlete! Good going on your challenges! I am very proud of you. You keep up the good work and don't be down. Sad times come and go and tears are just the flip side of laughter. You have to have both. The laughter will come too. Life is bittersweet. Embrace it.

Sushi -- Ok, one more day only, is it? Excellent work! And you'll be wrapping up the other two challenges very soon.

jolly -- There you are. Just where do you get to? Ok, busy, I see. So sorry to hear you're sick and I hear you on the bad food making you sick. I was doing the same last week and am now determined to stop it. My face started breaking out and my skin just does not look good and it normally does. No, the sugar and shite has to go! I like too the way you are also taking control and good luck on that new challenge! You can do it, jolly, you can and I am rooting for you! :cheer:

Fish -- I understand now it's you who is going to NYC, right? Cool! Do you think you'll be able to get into Manhattan. It's such a great city. I love it so. And yes, you can surely get a workout in walking stairs. But, you'll probably be able to use the fitness center or do yoga. I hate exercising in hotels really, but you can if you really want to, right? Usually the case, eh? Doing stairs is something I need to remind myself of at work. Instead of going out of the building and putting myself in earshot of the seductive call from the convenience store shelves, I could stay inside and climb the stairs. Boring, perhaps, but it would be great rumor mill material when I come back after 10 mins all out of breath, with color in my cheeks and a slight sweat on my brow!! Ooh, la, la! Won't that get them talking...not that they don't enough already! ;)

Apple -- I guess I shouldn't be discussing my wayward ways here in light of the fact that you are on a no-beer challenge. Tell me if it bothers you and I will stop (talking that is...) Not a nice thing to hear from your daughter now, was it? Oh well. How old is your daughter, by the way? Oh, and thanks for the photo! Silas is beautiful. Get those big ears! So, how many animals do you have now?

Phys -- Glad to have you in here when you can get here. Good for you for not missing a beat and getting back on your challenge. No days are really lost. Now, now, we can't have you NOT caring about the Super Bowl, not with MY team in there now and stage's having a heyday (and a dilemma) with BOTH her favorites in it. You'll just have to rustle up a cheer for us, okay? :yes:

marble -- You're rolling right along! Good for you! :cp: Sounds like your heart is already stronger. Keep it up!

stage -- Love the flashing lights on the Steeler heart. Yes, you do have a slight dilemma there. Then again, you could say, you can sit back and just enjoy the game as it doesn't matter who wins. Just getting to the Super Bowl is reward in itself. If I were you I'd say, just hope for a good game, one with few flubs and where each team gets to show their skill. This is what I do with the big horse races. I don't bet. I just hope for a good race, not a trouncing, no accidents, no frustrations. Big Ben looked great yesterday. I didn't see the game on TV as I don't have cable and that's what you need to see it here. I think Jake Plummer is handsome too though..had to look these guys up on the Net since I never see them in action. But heck there are just so many great looking men out there on the field, I am happy to look at 'em all!

Tayja -- :bravo: Congrats on another day notched! I don't see how you cannot love water. I absolutely love it but you have to be thirsty. Are you drinking tap water? Now, that IS gross. I drink mineral water. Distilled is gross too as it is flat. If you can afford it, get mineral water. French water is delicious as it is mostly hard. The harder the water the better it tastes. Sometimes I treat myself to some carbonated Italian water and that is exquisite!

Karla -- Thanks for the Steelers congrats. I didn't see the game but read stories and, yes, it sounded like they played well. Didn't Polamalu look cool with his dreadlocks loose? Jerome? Do you mean Bettis? I'm not really up on the players. I'm sure the Broncs had it all planned that way, just to let him play in Detroit. You gotta hand it to them, eh? Btw, tell me, what is this w00t you use? I'm not familiar with it. So, how's the challenge? You made it through Day 5, didn't you? Excellent going!!

curly -- :cp: And thanks for the pizza idea. I have a pack of pita bread sitting in my cupboard and I think I will make pizza! Yum!

Ok, must eat breakfast now! Starving! Others, where are you? :wave: carla? Where you hiding? :listen: Come in and post!

:comp:

Day 21 water challenge - complete! :carrot: :carrot: :carrot: (I'm not sure if it was yesterday or today, but I had a pause day left, and I've had my quota today, so I'm covered.)

Still not back on any other challenges - it'll happen, maybe when I get back from this business trip. Especially with all the *food porn!* at coffee breaks... The good part is that I'm in a nice snow-free environment where it's easy to walk and not too cold. My feet are killing me, but I've been out walking anyway. I can't wait to get my new orthotics in 2 weeks.

Sushi, baby, good for you! :woo: :woo::woo: I don't know how you've managed to keep up the 10 minutes on the bike - I somehow "forget" that I'm supposed to ______ (fill in the blank with any kind of exercise). :o

Apple, your new kitty looks a lot like my Lily, although her points are tortoiseshell, and her face is not as uniformly coloured. He also looks a lot bigger. But they have that love of erasing posts in common...

Phys, I'm not a football fan either, and don't know who any of these players are, nor where the teams are from. Now ask me about championship curling, and you'll get a response... (not really. but I did play when I wa a teen, and I do watch it once in a while on tv.:o )

Jolly, get well soon. I identify with your list of challenges - could have written them myself except I'd have to add a #5 - too fond of wine.

Cbeta, I thought of you while I was packing for this trip. You're right, big clothes do take up a lot more room, partly because we need extra layers to camouflage the lumps and bumps. No flimsy, clingy tops, no little straight skirts in this wardrobe. And of course, in my case, the giant shoes... As for spending 90 minutes a day exercising for the rest of your life, maybe once you've gotten to a lower weight you'll find you can exercise less and still maintain. I saw an interview recently with a weight loss guru who said overweight people don't need to eat that much more than slimmer ones to MAINTAIN their higher weight, which is why it's so hard to lose. And the main secret to weight loss is reduced calorie consumption. So don't let that get you down. Besides, you might end up with a husband who's a sports nut and wants you to hike and ski and walk and bike with him every day, and who'll be delighted that you want to spend that time working out too!! Glass half full, please!!

Curly, you're sneaking along nicely toward another success. Is it lonely up in your monkey tree now that this sloth has fallen out and gone boom?

Red, I promise I'll get back on track soon. I just don't want to start up again until I really intend to keep going. Of course now I'm kicking myself for dropping my other challenges so close to the end. It always seems so easy to stick with things in retrospect, or beforehand. It's the now that's so hard. (Another brilliant revelation from Carla. You must be so impressed...)

Fish, Marble, Tay, and everyone I've omitted, take care and stay on track.

I'm off now to think dinner, maybe get some vino to see me thru watching the likely trainwreck of our federal election results... the polls have just closed back home, there's 90 minutes before we get any results on tv here when the polls close locally. Gee, I could go work out with Cbeta for her daily stint! Not.

5 minetes before my fav show comes on 24 baby keifer southerland is old enough to be my dad but *rawr* lick him like a lolipop.... anywho lol day 5 complete. took the pause day yesturday i really NEEDED it to recover from my rock star weekend. congrats on everyone hanging in there. whooohoo now off to see keifer save the world again but i will ALWAYS LOVE JOHNNY DEPP!! mmmm soo good and yes i do love him in the new charlie and the choco factory

water for today officialy complete... red: i usualy get spring water in a bottle.. i love me some french evian but i cant hardly find it nor afford it , i get what ever is cheap by the case :lol:

Thank you sooo much for your words of support. I think I am doing better than last week but still some depression lingers, and yes it's great that you and everyone else is here to think through my little discoveries and comment and talk, and support.
Eearlier you asked me if I liked being depressed all the time, my answer is a big huge NO, I actually like being optimistic and upbeat...and I am actually that way ....for most of the time.
You did confuse me with Fish. I am going down to LA for my business trip. As far as that incident with tears about my parents. what happened, i was reading a book and it ended so sad...got me thinking about how life is fragile, how much I miss them (they live in another state, but here in US) so my depression coupled with those thoughts induced immediate tears. Trueth be told, they are all alive and doing well. Thank you for asking. My grandpa was the only one who passed away over the last few years. It will be 4th anniversary of that terrible day soon.
BTW, I don't believe any athlete can understand how normal girl did what I did to myself in terms of flab and overeating...so I doubt he can be a guy for me, but one can dream right? ;-) Weird things do happend in life, I totally believe. If you'd ask me 15 years ago, will I live in US? I'd say may be. But if you'd ask will I be on a date with a millioneer, I'd say Never and no way. Guess what about 9 years ago I was, and it's still seems unreal to me, being flown for breakfast in the mountains...naaah that does not happend to people...not true IT CAN! I believe in almost everything now.
Speaking of this, here is a puzzle question.... straight out of the textbook.
I invite everyone to answer it and then I will disclose proper answer!
Question:
What are the chances that you will meet a dinasore on the street?

Hey Freakybella, I'm 2 years older than Kiefer, so I guess that makes me old enough to be your mother! GO TO YOUR ROOM!!!!!:lol:
Yea Carla!!! Great job finishing a challenge!!!:cp: :hat: :cp: :hat: :cp: :hat:
Post another pic of Lily please! I can't imagine a siamese with tortiseshell...It's wierd having a little guy around. The other cats were old-timers, not especially playful anymore. I feel like there's another kid in the house, and I have to know where they all are. Now I have 2 dogs and 1 cat. The dogs are winning. Boo. I was secretly hoping there would be 2 cats at the pound that needed to be adopted together so I would have an excuse to bring home an extra. I don't think he'd approve of another.:( We used to have 3 so even just one is wierd for me.
No Red, I don't mind hearing about your beer drinking. I'm actually more jealous of your social life.;)
And HURRAY to Sushi too!:cp: :hat: :cp: :hat: :cp: :hat: It's encouraging to see your success!!! Way to go!