I can tell already I am going off this meal plan today but I will try not to get too crazy. It's supposed to be nice out: I am gonna try for a mellow walk.

I wanted the cashew butter and I had it dammit. But only a T and it was freshly ground by a local store. Maybe it was all this talk about peanut butter. Or maybe it's because I'm gonna be 53 and if I want cashew butter, why shouldn't I have it in moderation?

I love peanut butter (almond butter, cashew butter) on apples and celery. Did you know that cashews aren't technically nuts? They don't have a shell. One of my sons was in the Peace Corps in Guyana and they have cashew trees there. The tree has a fruit, and what we call the cashew nut is a little knob on the bottom of the fruit. They eat the fruit there, but it's a soft fruit with a fragile skin, so not suitable for export.

epixi - boy, when you do things, you go big! Glad you had a good time - there's nothing like sharing a good meal with friends and family - it makes all the calorie watching on other days worthwhile.

I'm doing ok on calories, not so good on everything else.
***
1. Calories under 1300: 1286, 1269
2. An hour extra movement a day: N , N
3. No sugar, white flour: N (ate 4 potstickers), N (6 pretzels)
4. Small bites and put fork down between bites.- getting better at stretching snacks and meals out

Goals for this week....
1. Lots of water M: yes, T: yes,
2. Exercise 2 times before work M: no, T: no, W: no,
3. Exercise 2 times after work M: no, T: no
4. Take Chloe for 1 walk (30 mins) M: no, T: no,
5. Planned foods during work & snack M: work yes but snack no, T: Yes,
6. Walk 9 miles on lunches M: 3miles, T: 2miles, W: 3miles,

Life Goals...
1. Be honest (even the white lies) M: yes, T: yes(didn't want to a few times but I did),
2. Do something to the rest of the laundry daily M: yes, T: yes,
3. Wipe down kitchen cabinets M: nope, T: No

One more mile to go to meet my 9 mile goal for the week. If I have to get it in 1/4 mile at a time, I will! LOL

Hi everyone,

Do you have to be a special group member to post here, or can anyone join in? I have been using FitDay for the past 10 years (according to my occasional weigh-ins). I've had several health scares this year and promised myself I would better take care of my body. I'm kind of lost right now, I'm not even following any type of "diet", just making good food choices and limiting portions.

My goals for this week are simple:
A. Log my food every day on this site (check so far).
B. Buy a battery for my scale and weigh myself (I weighed 2.5 lb. less than I thought!).
C. Eat a salad every day for lunch (check).
D. Go at least one night to the gym (haven't yet).

I am hoping to make this site a daily part of my life again, and I will need all the support I can get!

Katie (Current BMI 32.01)

Welcome, Katie! Glad to have you here. I've found the motivation threads very helpful - both in motivating me to keep to my goals (it does help knowing I have to post my success or failure publicly), and in the encouragement. And, I've gotten some good ideas from other people.

Your 2.5 lb loss was a nice surprise. Keep it up! Limiting portions, as you're doing, is really key.

Welcome Katie.........you have nice doable goals. Is going to the gym something new? I used to be fairly regular and today was my first day back after having some health issues. It was good.

April, my family and I LOVED the chicken, yum, yum, thanks for the recipe. We had homemade fries with it but at least they were made in the actifry:)

Hey Jenn, throwing some motivation your way:):)

Wed.
 

• Workout > 150 min/wk: 55, 15, 60
• Calories Avg. < 1400 /day: 937, 1130, 1498,
• Cholesterol < 200mg: 176, 67, 132
• Vegetables > 3 / day: 3, 5, 5
• Protein > 50 g / day: 38, 40, 62
• Do something I've never done before: (need to consult my Psyche on this.)

Pretty quiet here lately.

Goals for this week....
1. Lots of water M: yes, T: yes, W: yes,
2. Exercise 2 times before work M: no, T: no, W: no, Th: no,
3. Exercise 2 times after work M: no, T: no, W: no,
4. Take Chloe for 1 walk (30 mins) M: no, T: no, W: no,
5. Planned foods during work & snack M: work yes but snack no, T: Yes, W: Yes, Th: Planning lunch with hubby,
6. Walk 9 miles on lunches M: 3miles, T: 2miles, W: 3miles,

Life Goals...
1. Be honest (even the white lies) M: yes, T: yes(didn't want to a few times but I did), W: Yes,
2. Do something to the rest of the laundry daily M: yes, T: yes, W: Yes,
3. Wipe down kitchen cabinets M: nope, T: No, W: no

Robin...I'm glad you liked the chicken. I've seen the same recipe with mayo instead of the yogurt but wanted to try this much healthier version and loved it!

poem
 

I wrote this poem about my "twin family" at conferences that I attend. Just to give you a reference point.

TWIN FRIENDS

How does it feel to be known from the start?
A feeling of fullness inside my heart
People who "get it', they already know
They've suffered the loss and sorrow
Twins who walk with me along the road
A friend to guide me and lighten the load
How can it be, we laugh and have fun,
The clouds have lifted and there is the sun
We're honouring love...
the gift of our twin
Put back together, feel whole again

Jenn

Hi, folks! It's only Thursday but it has been a very stressful week so far, so sorry I haven't been as chatty as usual. Anyway, looks like we're all doing well with goals and, more importantly, still in there swinging. Keep going! We can do this!

April, you're tearing up the road with all that walking!

Hope, I'm so glad you enjoyed your cashew butter. You're absolutely right: if you want it, have it (in moderation). Savor it, let it make you smile and move on.

Donna, your week is looking good! You're poised for a big finish!

Mike, my son used to be a HUGH PB&J fan. I mean, he could easily down 3-4 in one sitting. He doesn't do that now, but when he was younger, I pretty much single-handedly kept the bakery department of our supermarket in business. As you said, PB&J actually has a lot going for it nutritionally, especially since you're using healthy-alternative ingredients.

Carolynn, hehe yep, when I choose to indulge, I go all out :). No regrets. "Choose to indulge" is the key phrase there. Regarding the cashews, I knew peanuts weren't nuts but had no idea about cashews. I learn something new every day. Thanks!

Katie! Welcome aboard! I'm so glad you decided to join us! This is a great group. I see you're from Milwaukee -- ex-Oconomowoc here , so welcome, neighbor!

Thanks for sharing your poem, Jenn!

If I left anyone out, it wasn't intentional. As I said, it's been a rough week here, so I haven't had as much time as I normally might.

Goals for the week:

• Log everything, no exceptions (nibbles and "tastes" count!): yes, yes (and goodness, it was a whopper...), yes
• At least 1500ml water per day: 2500, 2500, 2500
• At least 15g fiber per day: 21, 15 (14.8 but I'll take it as 15), 17
• Maintain 7-day calorie rolling average under 1550: 1237, 1537, 1475
• Maintain 7-day sodium rolling average under 1400mg: 815, 1177, 1100
• No red entries on this report: Monday, Tuesday (but just barely), yes (whew!)
• Study every day: yes, yes, yes

Hang in there, everyone -- we're almost at the weekend!

Well went swimming this am, again for the first time in months. I am trying to figure out my exercise goals. Without doing (or trying to do) too much too fast. I am looking at weights 1x week, swim 1x week, walk 12k along with the other "regular" stuff (yoga and TKD). When I write it this looks like a lot but it ends up being about 30-60 mins per day (not counting yoga). As long as the scheduling and the back hold up (fingers crossed).

Jenn - WONDERFUL poem!

Robin - I think it’s great how you do so many different exercises.

April - good going on the walking - you’re sure to make your walking goal - and probably surpass it.

Donna - Wow - you’re doing great on all your goals - awesome! It HAS been quiet this week. I hope everyone’s off enjoying fabulous vacations, but they’re probably just busy with work and real life. Something you’ve never done before? Gosh, that’s hard. There’s a ton of stuff i’ve never done, but it’s really hard to think of something. The one new thing I’ve done this year is go paddleboarding (where you stand up on a surboard-like thing and paddle with an oar). I was actually good at it - i didn’t fall off at all and stayed out for an hour.

epi - hope your week calms down. Good going on the calories - one day and your average is back down! I just noticed your signature - love your attitude about "13.5 pounds still gone". That is an achievement - anything but up is a success!

***
1. Calories under 1300: 1286, 1269, 702 (too low, I know, it just worked out that way0
2. An hour extra movement a day: N , N
3. No sugar, white flour: N (ate 4 potstickers), N (6 pretzels), Y
4. Small bites and put fork down between bites.- getting better at stretching snacks and meals out

Jenn, your poem was so lovely and moving; thanks so much for sharing. Good to have the poetry back.

Epixi, if only I had stopped with the cashew butter but I have been on a two day binge of epic proportions... but I did take a small walk and wrote yesterday and managed to get into PT today, called an oesteopath on a friend's advice. Anyone have any experience with osteopathy?

Welcome Katie! Sounds like you're off to a great start!!!

Hope - I have no experience with osteopaths, but I say, give it a try. When you're in pain and miserable, anything is worth a try. What works for some people, doesn't work for others. Even if I knew something had only a 1% chance of success, I'd give it a try if nothing else was working.

Happy Birthday, Hope. Wishing you all the best...

Happy Birthday, Hope! Virtual (((HUGS))) coming your way!

Best Wishes ...
 

It can sometimes be hard to cope,
with the aches that can cause one to mope.
But live life to the fullest,
and just say "WE'VE GOT THIS!"
Like the Fitday writer named Hope!

Happy Birthday Hope.

- Donna

Thursday
 

• Workout > 150 min/wk: 55, 15, 60, 10
• Calories Avg. < 1400 /day: 937, 1130, 1498,1493
• Cholesterol < 200mg: 176, 67, 132, 4,
• Vegetables > 3 / day: 3, 5, 5, 2
• Protein > 50 g / day: 38, 40, 62, 35
• Do something I've never done before:

Half an awesome sourdough baguette, no meat, few vegetables. fresh squeezed juice.

Goals for this week....
1. Lots of water M: yes, T: yes, W: yes, Th: yes,
2. Exercise 2 times before work M: no, T: no, W: no, Th: no, F: no - Total flop on this goal this week
3. Exercise 2 times after work M: no, T: no, W: no, Th: no, and I already know that F is a No also - another failed goal for the week
4. Take Chloe for 1 walk (30 mins) M: no, T: no, W: no, Th: no, F: no
5. Planned foods during work & snack M: work yes but snack no, T: Yes, W: Yes, Th: Planning lunch with hubby,
6. Walk 9 miles on lunches M: 3miles, T: 2miles, W: 3miles, Th: 0miles,

Life Goals...
1. Be honest (even the white lies) M: yes, T: yes(didn't want to a few times but I did), W: Yes, Th: Yes,
2. Do something to the rest of the laundry daily M: yes, T: yes, W: Yes, Th: No,
3. Wipe down kitchen cabinets M: nope, T: No, W: no, Th: No,

How much more red marks can you fit in a week? I guess at least I drank water and walked. I must have done pretty good at watching what I ate.
Today was weigh in day here at work and I am down 1.2lbs since last Friday.
I hate this. When I started losing weight over two years ago I could drop 6-7 lbs in a week with little effort. Now some weeks it feels like all I do is work out & walk and drink tons of water and have a few unhealthy foods in there and I barely lose anything. It is so hard to get back into healthy living when the rewards are so small right now.

Sorry just feeling down on me for all the red this week. I do have a fun weekend coming up with just me and the hubby home after dinner tonight until Sunday for dinner. But hubby has to work Sunday so that will still be my cleaning day. Having the house to ourselves for two nights in a row hasn't happened in years probably. One night, yes, but not two nights in a row.

Hope, I have limited, but positive experience with an osteopath. My Mom started seeing an osteopath who is also a geriatric specialist. The Gerontologist she had been seeing previously left her on all the meds that the prior GP had prescribed for her various aliments. The osteopath weaned her off half the meds, and now Mom is doing much better! She will turn 90 in July. I think she the best doctor I've been to, even if I'm not her patient.

Jenn, Welcome back! Sweet poem

April, Don't loose motivation! Weight lose seems to come and go in spurts.

Welcome Katie!

- Donna

Goals for the week:

• Log everything, no exceptions (nibbles and "tastes" count!): yes, yes, yes, yes
• At least 1500ml water per day: 2500, 2500, 2500, 1500
• At least 15g fiber per day: 21, 15, 17, 5 :(
• Maintain 7-day calorie rolling average under 1550: 1237, 1537, 1475, 1501
• Maintain 7-day sodium rolling average under 1400mg: 815, 1177, 1100, 1238
• No red entries on this report: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• Study every day: yes, yes, yes, yes

Fiber. Phooey. Messed up my Solid Blue week and making me highly grumpy. Sure, I could have boosted fiber by munching fiber tabs, but that sort of feels like cheating. Problem is, I simply don't enjoy most "healthy" food (fruits and vegetables) that have fiber and, although I could get fiber from grains and pasta, I'd have to eat so much of them that I'd use up most of my calorie allotment. Given that I have a calorie budget, I'm not willing to spend a good chunk of it on foods that don't bring me pleasure (I'm looking at you, fruits and vegetables). Right now, I'm thinking I may have to pass on the fiber requirement. Or I'll have to reconcile the "cheating" feeling and start shoveling in the fiber tabs. They'll add the fiber with just a few extra calories.

Maybe I should start thinking of them as vitamins (which I take every day, anyway, and yes, I account for them in the food log/calorie budget :)).

Bah. Rant over :). Hey, it's Friday! No time for being grumpy!

I sooooooo hear you! Although I've never in my life lost 6-7 pounds in a week, I have tons of experience with working so hard, sacrificing so much, enduring all the diet drudgery and feeling as if I had virtually nothing to show for it at week's end. It's really hard to keep pushing on sometimes.

BUT, through it all, you've lost 1.2 pounds!!! What you're doing IS working and you DO have something to show! Maybe not 6-7 pounds-a-week working but it IS working. And for that, I'm truly happy for you!

epixi - why don’t you change your fiber goal to an average of 15g a day? Then you’ll be blue. I’ve been thinking about following your and others’ lead to have goals as a weekly average.

Donna - I’m glad your mom found someone who would evaluate her meds. My mother’s doctor kept prescribing and prescribing stuff. Once she was on something, he never evaluated her as to whether she still needed them.

April - Stay positive. i know how you feel. With how I’m eating and exercising, i would have lost tons of weight years ago. But, we’re presumably healthier and more fit for having worked as hard as we have, and that’s good. And our weight not going up is good. You’ve been successful at eating and walking - probably your two most important goals. if those were your only goals, you would have had a successful week. Maybe you should consider changing some of your exercise goals. Maybe start with a goal of something like 5-min of exercise before or after work, or 15-min of exercise a day. Then when you’re successful at that, and it has become a habit, consider upping the frequency or time.

***
1. Calories under 1300: 1286, 1269, 702 (too low, I know, it just worked out that way), 1055
2. An hour extra movement a day: N , N, Y, Y
3. No sugar, white flour: N (ate 4 potstickers), N (6 pretzels), Y, Y
4. Small bites and put fork down between bites.- getting better at stretching snacks and meals out

Sold!!! Can't change this week's goals (that would be cheating) but I can most definitely change it for next week. Hey, I feel better already! Thanks, Carolynn!

Happy birthday Hope! Donna I loved your poem AND your story about your Mom.

Tomorrow is my youngest son's 18th birthday and he has requested cheesecake which I will make tonight. I plan to have "a piece" at his birthday dinner. I'm going to make a calorie goal of 1800 tomorrow so that it can be a "break even" day rather than feel like I might as well blow it.

April, enjoy your time alone. It is a treat :)

Hey, Robin, tomorrow is my son's 31st birthday. He only lives about an hour away, but we won't see him tomorrow as he has community theatre play rehearsal all weekend. A little sad I won't see my "baby," but at least I won't have to budget calories.

Donna, I LOVE this!!! What a great present!!! Thanks also for your osteo info.

Thank you everybody for making me feel special with the birthday wishes!!!! Even tho I didn't make my weight goal, I met such good people here!!!

You turned it into a limerick. Even better!!

You're welcome. Can I make a slight improvement to the last line?

Originally Posted by dmartz http://www.fitday.com/fitness/forums...s/viewpost.gif

It can sometimes be hard to cope,
with the aches that can cause one to mope.
But live life to the fullest,
and just say "WE'VE GOT THIS!"
like the writer on Fitday named Hope!

- Donna

Goals for this week....
1. Lots of water M: yes, T: yes, W: yes, Th: yes,
2. Exercise 2 times before work M: no, T: no, W: no, Th: no, F: no - Total flop on this goal this week
3. Exercise 2 times after work M: no, T: no, W: no, Th: no, and I already know that F is a No also - another failed goal for the week
4. Take Chloe for 1 walk (30 mins) M: no, T: no, W: no, Th: no, F: no
5. Planned foods during work & snack M: work yes but snack no, T: Yes, W: Yes, Th: Planning lunch with hubby,
6. Walk 9 miles on lunches M: 3miles, T: 2miles, W: 3miles, Th: 0miles, F: 2-1/2miles Total walking miles this week 10-1/2!! :) :)

Life Goals...
1. Be honest (even the white lies) M: yes, T: yes(didn't want to a few times but I did), W: Yes, Th: Yes,
2. Do something to the rest of the laundry daily M: yes, T: yes, W: Yes, Th: No,
3. Wipe down kitchen cabinets M: nope, T: No, W: no, Th: No,

Thanks for all the positive thoughts. I get that I could make my goals smaller and attain them but that really wouldn't help me in the long run. I am the type of person who needs to go at it hard or have little to no improvement. Yes, I lost 1.2lbs last week putting me at exactly 75lbs from when I started this on 2/21/11. But at the end of June last year I had hit the 100lbs lost mark so I am still trying to fight back from gaining nearly 30lbs of that back.
I know some of you weren't here my first time on this path so here's a brief "me".

At 15 yrs old I weighed @235lbs and wore a 16/18 women's size. I continued upward from there at a fairly even trend. While I was pregnant with my first son I topped out somewhere in the 290's (only 4 yrs later). One year after that and pregnant again I was in the 320's. Problem is I never went back under about 310 after he was born. Actually I continued to gain and ended up weighing more than the scale could tabulate because it only went to 350 at both my doctor (OB & Family) offices. I was miserable, lonely, self-conscious, depressed, embarrassed all through my 20's and early 30's. My husband and kids supported me no matter what. God bless my hubby because no matter what he has always treated me like the prettiest, sexiest girl alive. At 33 yrs old (2011) my new employer announced a healthy weight challenge. Every pound we lost would be donated as a lb of food to Feeding America. I lost 27 lbs in those 8 weeks!! Simply from walking about 30 mins (not even a mile most days) and watching what I ate. I was amazed that I could do it. I decided to keep going and slowly added more walking speed until I could do 2 miles in 36 mins. Then I started adding working out before work. I would find those exercise plans in Fitness magazine and do them. 5-10 mins before work. Then I would string them together and ended up at about 1hr before work. The next year they did the weight challenge again and I lost 16lbs during the 8 weeks. I got to where I lost 100 lbs and somehow it all fell apart. I got a self-inflicted injury (tattoo LOL) that went way too deep and caused my ankle to swell horribly for like 2 weeeks. So I couldn't walk or workout because I didn't want to agrivate it. Then we went to camp for 4 days. Ate whatever I wanted all those days. I stayed at it here and there from then on but then it was holidays, etc etc. And I was quickly gaining weight. Now it is harder than ever to get back to the way I was losing. But I am and I will succeed. There is no question about that. I will do it. We are 8 weeks in again now and I have only lost 3.6lbs. This time we have 4 more weeks to go.

Thank you for all of your encouragement and support. Sorry to ramble on. LOL

April, thanks for sharing your story. Are you on another challenge at work? That's what it sounded like.

Your walking mileage is great, you clearly walk way faster than me, I could never get in 3 miles at lunch hour! You are inspiring me with the walking. What's happening with the other workouts? Time, energy? I think it's impt to identify clearly the obstacles, which are different for everyone.

Epixi, I take physillium husk on low fiber days. Seems to be a healthy supplement.....I too find it hard to get enough while I am dieting especially with reduced carbs.

Carolynnq Happy Birthday to your son! My son's cheesecake is in the oven right now and I did engage in some spoon licking while I was making it.

I swear (to myself) to honestly report here how much cheesecake I end up eating (food porn I know but it makes me accountable). And we are probably going to the movie tomorrow (ugh popcorn). Better up the workouts for tomorrow.

Robin, Some of us are living vicariously through your cheesecake, (and popcorn) reports. We wait with (seafood) baited breath!

- Donna

I'm done!
 

You might ask, "Why is Epixi posting her Friday numbers already? Friday's not over yet!" Well, for me it is! I just looked at my Average Calories number :eek:. Seriously, that is way too close for comfort! If I want Friday to remain blue (I do, I do!), I literally can't eat another bite!

Well, at least until midnight... :D

Goals for the week:

• Log everything, no exceptions (nibbles and "tastes" count!): yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
• At least 1500ml water per day: 2500, 2500, 2500, 1500, 2000
• At least 15g fiber per day: 21, 15, 17, 5, 20
• Maintain 7-day calorie rolling average under 1550: 1237, 1537, 1475, 1501, 1547
• Maintain 7-day sodium rolling average under 1400mg: 815, 1177, 1100, 1238, 1367
• No red entries on this report: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
• Study every day: yes, yes, yes, yes, yes

*crickets*

Wow. 12 hours, no new posts here. Where are you all? Wait -- my Fitday is apparently on Central time, so it's been 11 hours with no posts... but still... come on, folks, let's start the chat!

Hi Epixi-did you manage to get through the night and not go over?

Nice job on your numbers this week. Yes the thread has been quiet for a few days now and getting more so. I find the weekends pretty slow. I am always on on the weekends.......no life I guess lol. That's funny because I teach TKD and yoga on the weekends and for the last few months I have been doing marking/prep for a course I have been teaching. However I have more time to get on-line than I do during the week.

Todays my son's 18th birthday so we'll probably be busy the rest of the day.

Have a nice weekend :)

Robin, happy birthdyay to your son!!! I hope you all enjoy the day!!

I have been on a three day binge; gotta stop... this...now.

Goals:
1) plan food (except maybe Friday) - yes, yes, yes, yes no
2) stick to plan (except maybe Friday) -yes meh but I stayed at 1260 or so, lost weight at first and then gained half a pound back. I need to not get too crazy about this stuff or I will wind up weighing myself on the mantle no, no, no
3) 6 glasses of water -6 4 IDK for all 3
4) lower sugar (except maybe Friday unless I find a sf dessert)-yes ish but not low carb no, no, no
5) stretch -yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
6) move, even small amount -yes meh back bad walk, PT, walk
7) practice Spanish -si no si, si, ?
8) meditate - yes no yes, no, no
9) don't give up -yes, yes, yes, yes, yes

Plan (so hard because IDK what I'm doing and because my tummy hurts)
one egg, one egg white
tuna and salad
salmon and veg
100 calories of nuts
lox
clementines
vegan dried kale
fruit

Sure did! Honestly, I wasn't hungry, but oddly, I felt as if I wanted to nibble on something simply because I knew I shouldn't. Weird, eh?

I knew about the yoga, but what is TKD? Tae Kwon Do, perhaps?

Happy 18th, Robin-son!

Speaking of birthdays, did you enjoy yours, Hope?

Oh by the way, Robin, I'm going to check out the physillium husk. I've heard of it but never really looked into it. Thanks for the reminder!

• Workout > 150 min/wk: 55, 15, 60, 10, 0
• Calories Avg. < 1400 /day: 937, 1130, 1498,1493, 2137
• Cholesterol < 200mg: 176, 67, 132, 4, 177
• Vegetables > 3 / day: 3, 5, 5, 2, 2
• Protein > 50 g / day: 38, 40, 62, 35, 65
• Do something I've never done before:

Ate everything and choc. chip cookies.