Good morning all. Taking a little time here to say heh. It's Monday morning and I plan on heading out to the gym in about half an hour. It's raining again but I'm going to brave the inclemency and trudge those 50 mins. there to get in a run and some weight lifting before work. I had planned on going anyhow but was also happy to see that my weight was at a low for this year, actually a tie with the lowest weight I had recorded so far this year, which is 71 kg in February. That's around 157 lbs., still very hefty at my height, or lack thereof, but every little bit counts when you don't have the stature to hide it.
My horoscope on TV has me just before the bottom of the lot. I hate that I actually watch it and, yes, must admit that it affects me. When it says I'm going to have the best luck of all, I feel great, optimistic that it'll be a great day. When it has me at the bottom, I feel apprehensive. However, one bright spot, it said that I would have a big fight with a friend too and I thought, well, seeing as I have no friends at work, it will probably not concern me.
Now, an email just popped in from a friend in Italy, from whom I haven't heard in ages. So, even if I have a lousy day, I will think of that. It was like yesterday. I was feeling so down, thinking of all the shite happening at work, but going out to see my horse I was so happy to see that a little neglected dog always tied on outside with little food, not much shelter, now has a new shade roof built over her. I was so happy. Even later when the owner of the riding club gave a characteristic snide remark, I didn't let it faze me, thinking of little Koro and how she has some protection from the sun now...what with temperatures far over 100 F here soon.
Ah yes, I am babbling...trying to hold on to my little successes, trying not to let life make little of them, trying to oh so stubbornly shout, "I will prevail!"
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dj -- Thanks for keeping things going here as I have been in a non-posting mood, with the lack of time not helping. You're doing great on your exercise challenge and I'm sure you can handle the rest of the calorie challenge if you keep up the kind of attitude I see in your last post. Looking at what got you into straits and planning how NOT to go there again is the key to success. Great stuff.
Pink -- thanks for the link. Although it's mostly irrelevant to me where I live I'm sure it'll be of help to many. You're really doing well with your multiple challenges. Keep it up!
Evie -- You don't "stink!" You just need to alter your challenge. Your challenge was for exercise and it sounds to me like you're getting a lot. The 21-day challenge is different from most in that it's about habits, not cracking down for a week or so but about doing something in the form of something that will move you to your challenge EVERY day. You are doing just that with all your walking. So stop beating yourself up and start helping yourself recognize that you are already on your way to your goals!
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Well, I gotta run...literally....lucky, trob, Sushi, mez!, jolly, Chic, hope you're doing OK out there. Best of luck and keep the power on!
Last edited by redballoon; 07-23-2006 at 05:40 PM.
Challenges:
Day 12/ 1 pause used -Only one glass of Diet Coke a day or less (Level 3)
Day 13 -At least one bottle (34oz) of water a day (Level 3)
Day 11/ 2 pauses used -20 minutes of exercise a day (Level 3)
Day 12/ 1 pause used -No eating after 9pm (Level 3)
Day 4 - calories under 1800 - good, 0 pauses left, level 1.
Had a rather quiet day yesterday since it was so hot, but I did manage to get some walking and gardening in. Today is finally supposed to be a little cooler. Low 90's I guess, I'll take it after all the high 90's we've had lately!
I have to start a new challenge!
It's not so much it was bad food it was to much of it. Yesterday things kind of broke down. I believe it's PMS ... My worst time. Today is weight in day. I'm going to hate to see the damage. Since I'm trying to weight myself every two weeks. Geez is one day of cr*p worth 2 weeks of being healthy!!! Well there is nothing I can do about yesterday just plug away and do what has to be done.
My challenge is the same. Stay in my WW Pts (includes bonus)
Red, say it ain't so! Bring back that cheerful, optimistic balloon we saw so briefly. This one is just too darn grey. Makes me feel like flinging my sad self off the balcony...
Sorry, carla, the avatar stays. The bright one is simply not me. Doing challenges, dealing with life is not easy. Pretending it is by expressing myself otherwise (through the avatar) feels to me like denial and THAT, to me, is utterly depressing. If you will look at it as I do, the gray in the picture is the shite that we deal with in our lives, not only the difficulties inherent in the challenges themselves in a perfect world, but the other curve balls life throws us. If you will notice, the energy of the balloon, the string wiggling, fighting, refusing to give up and sink to the earth, is where you should and I do find my inspiration. The balloon may find the blue skies above the clouds momentarily but I feel better knowing that gray will always be there and I will work with it in order to prevail...so there you have it. I want no more out of you unless you plan to get your butt back in here and do a challenge! You wacky woman, you!!
This is my first time trying a 21 day challenge ... It actually sounds fun ... the concept has similar goals to most challenges but it seems more creative ... So I am ready to start ... My challenges to start are below ... good luck all!
Challenge 1: 100 oz of Water daily. - Level 3 Challenge 2: Take a vitamin everyday. - Level 1 Challenge 3: Walking 30 min. -Level 3 Challenge 4: No Fast Food! -Level 2
Another day checked off! Had the day off and spent it in the pool (exercising :-) and relaxing)! Boy am I burnt tonight.
Red you crack me up with your rebuttal! Whatever works for you!
Welcome Madame!!! Great to have you with us! What success already!!
Challenges:
Day 13/ 1 pause used -Only one glass of Diet Coke a day or less (Level 3)
Day 14 -At least one bottle (34oz) of water a day (Level 3)
Day 12/ 2 pauses used -20 minutes of exercise a day (Level 3)
Day 13/ 1 pause used -No eating after 9pm (Level 3)
Ok, I am down to no pause days, but, I am on day 18!!!!! I KNOW I can do this!!! Did my 3-4 miles today, only 3 days to go!!( I think...LOL the over 40 syndrome strikes again!!!).
red- i like your balloon. blue skies depress me, i have always found comfort in clouds.
madame- welcome, good luck with all of your challenges and congrats on the weight loss so far.
lucky- keep up the good work, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.
pink- way to go!! i spent a few hours poolside yesterday myself...nothing like it!
last night was really hard for me. i think that it might be ttotm because i was awake all night wanting to eat... BUT...i made it through. i admire all of you so much you have made multiple challenges i don't know how you do it. maybe once i have this first one under my belt i will be able to add more. thanks to all of you for your support.
new low!
Great stuff.
yowzah!
off the balcony...
You wacky woman, you!! 
