[Terri in MO]

Challenge Thread for "In it for the Long Run" posters.



To change behavior, it is said to take 21 consecutive days to make the change behavior.

I'm using a three week challenge to help me focus on goals that will change unhealthy behavior into healthy behaviors.

Join me if you will!! There are no rules. Think about what you would like to change, set your goals and make a plan. Post that here and post how you're doing. I start a new thread for each week of the challenge.

[Terri in MO]

My overall goals for challenge #2:

1. Journal how real life has affected how I feel each day. Am I tired, bored, stressed, whatever is going on and how I react to those situations. My goal isn't to change anything to be aware.

2. Continue to maintain my focus on planning and journalling - being aware of food and what I'm eating.

3. Continue to build my exercise stamina.



What I plan to focus on for week 1:

1. Make note of how each day goes.

2. Increase my strength-building exerices to 25 mins a day and 30 mins of cardio (walking, spinning, or stationary bike).

3. Make a menu plan for the week.

[j-ann]

This Challenge I want to set attainable goals that will:

1: Improve my consistancy in journaling.

2: Improve my attitude towards sticking to my goal

3: Try my best to avoid falling into known traps.


To that end my 3 week goals are:


1. Write EVERYTHING down.

2. Remind myself to NOT PUT MYSELF DOWN and work on being really involved in remembering the reasons for my weight loss goals.

3. STAY AWAY from Fast Foods. Yep, you've read that one before, but I'm going to try to only stop for preplanned, OP meals.

[Terri in MO]

Monday was a good OP day. The structure of the work week sure makes a difference for me:

First, I've added a few strength-builder exercise and am doing 25 mins worth each morning. It is really paying off as I can feel underlying muscles developing. Especially in my torso area.

Food was good too. As I noted on the other thread, one of my weak areas is the after lunch snack. I forgot my fruit and its a mental thing about the chocolate. I do journal it though and its what keeps me at the top of my range.

It was also a good emotional day. I truly feel better emotionally when I start my day with exercise. It certainly helps me from doing mindless eating. Now if I can just remember that on the morning I want to lay in bed.

J-Ann - Your goals look great! Hang in there with me and hopefully we can be good examples for others that this works.

[Terri in MO]

Another good day.

This morning I added a 10 min session on the airdyne so I at least got some cardio in today. Tonight I worked in the yard for a spell.

Food was good. Somehow I managed to miss breakfast and went out to lunch for a work meeting. I talked so much I didn't get to each much. Tonight was healthy choice kielbasa and sauer kraut. It was good for being under points but not a good balanced day of veggies & fruit.

I was so busy today at work that I barely had time to think about food. I wasn't very hungry this evening either and it felt great to work outside. The temps are falling. No emotional issues today to derail me.

Onward to tomorrow!

[j-ann]

Tuesday was GOOD! Journaled my heart out. Finally got back in the pool after it's annual closing for cleaning and did 45 minutes of jogging/exercises and stretches. I can feel the time off in my legs this mornin. Didn't make any stops at drive-thru's while I was doing errands after work. HURRAY FOR ME!

j-ann

[j-ann]

Wednesday wasn't the best.

Had a slip points wise. Looks like I'll have to stick to the low end of my range for a few days.

Today I'll have to readjust some of my meal plans.

I CAN do this!

[Terri in MO]

Wednesday was a problem for me too.

I had a small breakfast and a small lunch. It was dinner that blew me away because it was Chinese buffet. Its really hard to eat Chinese and not be blown away. I did try to take small portions of entrees that looked sauteed and not deep fried. My real downfall is in the appetizer section. I love crab rangoon and eggrolls. This time I limited myself to one each. Fortunately, we had our chinese fix and won't do that again for a few weeks. DH is wonderful about that when it comes to fast food and buffets.

I didn't exercise much either. I felt tired in the morning and decided to give my muscles a rest from my strength builder exercises and did only 10 mins on the airdyne. I think I should have done the exercises without weights because my body hurt all day. So a lesson to me, is that some exercise everyday is needed to keep the muscles stretched out.

Onward to Thursday! J-Ann: I'm with you on making up for Wednesday's food. I need lots and lots of water and veggies today. Good luck and be good!

[Terri in MO]

I can't hardly believe a week has gone by so quickly:

Thursday started out on track. I did my morning exercises and then in the evening worked for 2-1/2 hours with my brother building a privacy fence. I was so tired and hungry and we ended up with KFC. I ate too much but at least I did discard 95% of the skin. I did eat a couple of biscuits though.

Friday was just a dud day. I didn't sleep well Thursday so I was tired. I got a pizza and ate too much and then slept most of the evening. So much for an evening without the DH!!

The progress that I have made this week is that I am increasing my strenth and endurance with the better exercise consistancy. And I did add a few airdyne sessions to my morning routines.

That is progress for the long run.

On to week two!