Motivation and Accountability Thread - Mar 16-22....Make a plan
 

Good Monday morning fitday friends :) Last week, I set out a plan and did my very best to stick to it. I wasn't 100% on target, but very close. It made me realize that setting those short term goals really helped me to stay focused. It also made me realize that I've been spinning my wheels because I hadn't actually created a plan...I was just winging it. Also, checking in daily and staying accountable to my plan really motivated me to do well. I'm going to continue setting weekly goals and staying accountable.

Weekly Goals:
track food daily:
72 oz. water daily:
max. 1430 calories:
min. 90 g protein:
max. 180 g carbs:
3 full body workouts:
3 - 30 min. HIIT workouts:
4 - 30-45 min. steady state cardio:

http://img.pandawhale.com/post-28551...ust-a-XosQ.png

Thanks, lildebbieg for getting us going every Monday morning! I'll join in and make a plan too!

I've been experiencing 'Calorie Creep.' I started out the year pretty strict and got good results. Lately, my weekends and late night snacks have been pushing my calories per day up and up. So, I'm setting a new calorie and workout goal so I can achieve my Easter Challenge before I go on vacation the end of April.

The Plan
1. Max 1200 calories per day
2. At least 30 min workout each day
4. Drink a glass of water before each meal and snack

If I think of this as a diet reboot for just 1 week, then I can stick with it!

Good morning FitDayers. I pulled an all nighter last night. I slept mostly all day Sunday, so I was wide awake last night. Go ahead and ask me how badly I binged while awake all alone all night long. The answer is, I didn't. I did have some cheez-its, but I put some in a small bowl and that was it. I had an atkins w milk and at about 4am I had a bowl of oatmeal. I had a few grapes, but they were so cold they hurt my teeth so I only had 3. I did have a little bit of soda, but very little. I consider my all nighter to be a smashing success.

My goal for the week is to have an atkins w milk whenever I can't resist the urge to eat and binge. The shakes take a few minutes to drink (they're 19oz all together!), so they keep my hand-to-mouth occupied, and they taste delicious and take care of my cravings usually. I may have 3 (or even 4) in a day, which is a lot of calories, but I want to break the cycle of giving in to the binge monster with a different set of choices. My other option is to eat some fruit, maybe an apple with some peanut butter, a banana, a mandarin, or grapes...I got us stocked up on fruit this week!

I'm not going to focus so much on the scale. I may check in now and again just to see how things are going, but like I said, my main focus is to try to break binge cycle. If I gain a lb or 2 because I ate too much fruit or had too many shakes, then so be it. I just need to get off this roller coaster of binging, feeling guilty, repeating.

Pranava and Debbie, good sets of plans for you two. Debbie, I can't remember if you've gone back to counting or are you still doing intuitive eating? If so, how is it going?

I'm still not quite in a place to set plans, but I can tell you what my week looks like.

Breakfast - I now have outdated milk, so it looks like I get waffles every morning

Farm - 9:15 am to 2:30 pm

Lunch - hoping for leftovers from the night before

Monday - going to visit a friend 1 hour drive in rush traffic
Tuesday - going to the pottery place to finish my project
Wednesday - sewing project
Thursday - continue sewing
Friday - reserved for possible packing up van with equipment and sales items

Saturday - HAVE A GREAT DAY OFF WORK AT SCA
Sunday - actual day of rest

In simple terms, my evenings, and then my weekend are way out of control this week.

Morning, everyone, here we go on a brand new week!

Debbie: Thanks for getting us going.

Pravana: I like the concept of a "reboot".

Lisa: That binge monster is a beast! Good for you for staring it down. You will tame it, I have faith in you.

Annette: Looks like you have a very busy week ahead. By the way, what do you do at the farm? I've seen you mention it a few times.

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As for me, as noted in my signature, I'm a work-in-progress. As such, so is my "diet" plan. Mondays are my official weigh days and today, the scale gave me a nasty surprise. Up 2 pounds since last week (up a pound and a half since yesterday). Honestly, I'm not sure why (and that's what's so baffling). Calories have been decent, sodium has been decent, I've downed enough water to fill a small bathtub, so why the dramatic up-tick? It's frustrating, to say the least.

This diet beast is vicious, but it will not defeat me (*puts on her determined face*).

I'm making a few tweaks in the strategy, doubling-down on my efforts and forging ahead.

• Tweak #1 -- I'm changing my title from "Goals" to "Strategy".
• Tweak #2 -- focusing on 7-day, rolling averages, rather than day-to-day numbers
• Tweak #3 -- stop trying so hard to force Calorie Cycling -- let it happen more organically (see Tweak #2)

My Strategy for the Week (March 16 - March 22):

• 7-day Rolling Average calories = 1200-1300:
• 7-day Rolling Average water/tea, minimum 1500mL:
• 7-day Rolling Average sodium = 1000-1500:
• Extra Credit -- 7-day Rolling Average Sat-Fat = under 15g:
• Extra Credit -- 7-day Rolling Average Fiber = 15g or greater:
• Extra Credit -- 7-day Rolling Average Protein = 50-75g:
• Explore! Try something new or do some nutrition-related research at least 2 times:

I know, I know, the Sat-Fat and Fiber numbers aren't ideal. Sat-Fat is too high, Fiber is too low. BUT, right now, I'm having a really hard time even making those numbers. The plan is to gradually decrease/increase them until they're where they should be. Baby steps.

Good afternoon/evening! I am going to jump on board too! Positive peer pressure is good.

Aiming for 6 veggies, 3 fruits
Log food daily as I eat it.
Plan meals in writing.
Weights 3X
Cardio 3X
Yoga 2X
Floss nightly

Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely=SMART

Hi Beth. ;) I need to get in on that floss nightly goal. :D

Episode, I work the busy times on the farm.
We have animals and right now is breeding season. Yeah I know, it's rough but someone has to write down which male did which female. After this is done I have to go in and stand in one place for four hours at a time preparing bedding for the babies. Then vaccinations are done in the summer. In the fall we bed them down again. That about covers my jobs for the year.
I might have to help build a better fence this year too. We'll see.

Hello! Had a tough weekend healthwise--lots of tummy pain. So tomorrow my plan is to be at the Diagnostic Center for a GB test and, depending on what the tests show, possibly to the hospital for GB surgery. I dread it but this pain is no fun either.

Got a compliment at church Sunday on my weightloss! Gonna have to get new clothes sooner rather than later cause my fav pants/skirts won't stay up on me any longer! Even my rings will have to be put away pretty soon or resized at least!

Take care and keep to your goals! Vicki

I ended up not feeling well today, so my calories are on the low side....which I suppose is fine since I didn't workout. Because my calories were low, my protein ended up low as well. Hopefully I feel better tomorrow so I can stay on track.

Weekly Goals
track food daily: M-yes
72 oz. water daily: M-72 oz.
max. 1430 calories: M-995
min. 90 g protein: M-75 g
max. 180 g carbs: M-123 g
3 full body workouts:
3 - 30 min. HIIT workouts:
4 - 30-45 min. steady state cardio:

Vicki: GB was the catalyst for me making so many changes to lifestyle/diet in September. Trust me, I know how dad-blasted awful a GB attack can be. I ended up spending an entire day in the ER, but they didn't do surgery. Instead, they had me come back a few days later for a consultation. With the specialist's approval (seconded by my personal physician), I opted to make some changes and see how things go.

Of course, there's no guarantee I won't eventually end up having the surgery, but so far (knock on wood), things have been going smoothly. Have a heart-to-heart with your doctor(s) and weigh all your options.

In other news, congrats on the compliments! That has to make you feel really good.

Debbie: Oh nooo!!! I hope you feel better ASAP!

Annette: Goodness, I have to imagine you're exhausted after a day of that! Good exhausted, though :).

Beth: I love, love, love that SMART acronym! You're a clever one!

Debbie, sorry to hear you're not feeling well. Hope you're back to normal tomorrow.

Vicki, sorry you're having GB problems. I had mine out when I was 20. So glad I had it done because the attacks were unbearable. Happy for you on getting the compliments!

Hi, Beth, nice to meet you.

Annette, working the farm is such great physical work. I hope you enjoy it!

I've had a great day in many ways. Although I have had some soda, I have not binged on eating junk food. I had just 1 granola bar that is more junky than healthy. I had rice, chicken and broccoli for dinner. I know my portion was too big, but I can't change everything all at one time. I feel really good about my day so far. The last 2 or 3 days have been a change because I haven't been completely non-stop ravenous. I don't know what's causing the change in my hunger level, but I'll take it. I've just been more mindful of really paying attention to why I'm reaching for something. and I have to realize that being "stuffed" is not what it means to "be full". Right now I feel like I've had enough to eat, although I'm not stuffed, and I'm not feeling compelled to make myself stuffed. I call that a victory for the day.

Just another check in.

Getting close to the danger zone binge time of night. I think I'm going to make it. A little while ago I felt like I needed something and I opted for a banana. It was delicious. I had forgotten how good they are. When I'm keeping count of the calories I don't usually eat them though because they're high calories.

Having a little trouble relaxing for sleep. That's when things are precarious for me. I eat out of control from boredom. I'm going to not give in tonight. If I have anything else the rest of the night it will be an atkins w/ milk. I'm going to take a clonazepam and hope it helps my mind rest enough for me to fall asleep.

See you all tomorrow.

Good morning all :) Feeling better today! I was up this morning for my scheduled workout, so back on track. The workout I missed yesterday will get tacked onto another workout sometime this week. The kids are on March Break and there is a movie night tonight at the local community centre. We'll be taking them to that and then hopefully I can get in a little cardio before bed...I'll have to see how my energy is by that time of the day.

Lisa - So happy to hear you're feeling stronger and getting back on track. Wise decision to take small steps and not change everything at once. To answer your question, I am counting calories. I just don't think it's sustainable for me personally and hope that I can someday just eat intuitively again. Now that I've set my calories at 1430 for the day, I have no problem staying within that number. I'm used to 'dieting' at 1200 cals a day, so eating 1430 a day feels easy and like I can do this forever really. :)

Vicki - Sorry to hear you're having GB attacks! Did you go to the Diagnostic Centre yet? What were the results? Congrats on the compliments! How nice that people are noticing your hard work!

Beth - Nice goals for the week! What do you do for weights and cardio? Do you workout at home or in a gym?

Annette - Hope you had a fun visit with your friend last night!

Epixi - Your weekly strategy looks good! That darn scale....can be so motivating at times, yet other times so frustrating! This is why I'm currently avoiding the scale and focusing on the things I do have control over....energy in and energy out. I know if I'm in a deficit, the scale will eventually cooperate ;)

Pranava - You are soooooo close to your Easter goal!! You can do it!!! So what are you planning for your workouts for the week?

Have a great day all!

Debbie: So glad to hear you're back on your feet. School break time always seems to throw everything home-wise out of whack :D. I hope you and the kiddos enjoy the movie tonight. What's playing?

Lisa: Here's hoping the rest of the night went uneventfully and that you were able to settle in for a good 40-winks.
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My Strategy for the Week (March 16 - March 22):

• 7-day Rolling Average calories = 1200-1300: 1200 <--- literally, 1200.3, just barely edged in there :D
• 7-day Rolling Average water/tea, minimum 1500mL: 3423
• 7-day Rolling Average sodium = 1000-1500: 1118
• Extra Credit -- 7-day Rolling Average Sat-Fat = under 15g: 14
• Extra Credit -- 7-day Rolling Average Fiber = 15g or greater: 15
• Extra Credit -- 7-day Rolling Average Protein = 50-75g: 56
• Explore! Try something new or do some nutrition-related research at least 2 times:

Still holding onto the weight uptick, no change. I find it so frustrating that this body has no qualms about gaining a pound and a half overnight (even though I did nothing wrong!!!), but will take 2-3 weeks to release that same pound and a half. This body is so unfair (*pout*).

On a much lighter note, I finally learned how to make a perfectly cooked, easy-to-peel hard boiled egg (yes, it's taken me all these years -- I'm slow)! I've been experimenting with a few methods over the past few weeks and have settled on one that makes an easy-to-peel egg just about every time. My thanks to the chef who wrote the blog I read (I'll look his name up and edit it in later, because he deserves credit for writing it).

Steps: (Have you noticed yet how much I like making lists? Or how much I like using parentheses?)

• Get the water at full boil
• Place the eggs in directly from the refrigerator (not room temp eggs -- COLD eggs). Don't worry, they won't crack (unless you drop 'em).
• Lower the heat to just barely boiling
• Let them cook for 12ish minutes
• Take them out and IMMEDIATELY put them in ice-cold water.

I let them sit in the cold water for 20 minutes or so, in order to get them thoroughly cooled. Give 'em a crack (roll 'em under the palm of your hand if you so desire) and the shells practically fall off!

Result: Perfectly shaped egg (cute dimple), no green around the yolk, non-rubbery white. Delicious!

The farm is something that I married into. City girl here. Moved to the country when I got married. At first it wasn't a good fit. We had a few episodes where I squealed at yucky things like maggots and spiders. There was also that incident where I went deathly pale and had to put my head on my knees.

In more recent years, I do the work while gritting under my breath that "he is lucky he married me and not some sexy little thing."

In the past year it is more like, "you jerk." I'm still trying to get my head around him not even coming to the hospital to find out what was wrong with me. He just waited for me to phone him or hear from one of the kids what was going on. I could have died alone. There were three incidents where it was highly possible.

Okay, I have to stop this. I am just upset at having been married for 38 years and still being alone. I have the kids, but they have their own lives. Or they should.

Epixi - I'm not sure what's playing? My husband told me, but I can't remember. Should be fun though. Yes, the kids being off school is changing the schedule this week. I'm happy they get a little break and change of scenery though....wish I could be off with them :rolleyes: When you boil the eggs, do you cover the pot or leave it uncovered for 12 minutes? I usually put the eggs in a pot, bring it to a boil, once boiling, I turn the heat completely off and cover the pot for 12 minutes then run them under cold water. It works pretty well.

Annette - Sorry to hear your husband wasn't by your side during your health crisis. It's no wonder why you feel alone. Wish I had some words of wisdom here.....

Happy St. Pat's Day!

Debbie and Vicki: Sending healing thoughts & prayers!

Lisa: We're right with you there refocusing on feeling fantastic rather than on night-time bingeing.

Annette: A true farmer--now there's a workout!

Just chewing up my red bell pepper as I strive to get those veggies in...challenging as it requires I slow down!

Greetings and Happy St Paddy's Day!
GB results are in: normal size/shape and no stones visible. The process of elimination continues to figure out what is going on with me--no pain/nausea if I don't eat/drink anything; pain, nausea, if I do eat/drink. Another test will be scheduled later this week--this one checks my GB, liver and pancreas.

Annette: Farmers are some of the hardest working folks I know! I understand-- husband's aren't the most sensitive to our needs sometimes.

Beth: I love red bell peppers! Yellow and orange too--green, not so much!

Lisa: Today is just one day in your life--tomorrow will bring another opportunity to get on target with food goals. Sometimes I have to take it a few minutes at a time when it comes to eating something not on my food plan.

Epixi: You've got some awesome goals!

Pranava: Kudos on being so close to your Easter goal!

Debbie: Enjoy your time with the kiddos! Hope you feel better real soon!

Good night! Vicki

Vicki, so sorry you're having a lot of pain. Very frustrating when they don't know the cause!

Annette, Very sorry to hear your husband isn't always there for you. I'm sure you've probably tried talking to him about it? I wish I knew the magic words to make it better for you. :(

OMG! I've been awake since 11:00 last night. I watched tv for a while then sewed a new bag using a new pattern I found on YouTube. Pic attached. The top band and interior matches. The little polka dot looks cute with the larger flowers (at least I think so :) ). Anyways, I had an atkins w/ milk, I did have a little soda, but other than that I've had nothing!!!!!! I'm getting hungry now, though. Will probably make a bowl of oatmeal. So proud that I didn't have any junk food all night. woohoo me!

Hi Everyone!

I have made a sad realization :(

I am in the same spot as I was last August. I have gained/lost the same 15 pounds about 3 times over since then!

Now had I just lost the 45 THAT would be substantial.... I'm determined to stop cycling!!

Hi all :) I didn't get a chance to do an accountability check in last night. I ended up feeling ill at the movies, so when I got home I went to bed. As a result, my calories were again on the low side as was my protein. Not sure why I was feeling off again...I feel fine again today and did get up to do a workout before work this morning. It's already Wednesday though so I need to step it up if I want to hit my workout goals for the week! :eek:

Weekly Goals
track food daily: M-yes, Tu-yes
72 oz. water daily: M-72 oz., Tu-80 oz
max. 1430 calories: M-995, Tu-1033
min. 90 g protein: M-75 g, Tu-85 g
max. 180 g carbs: M-123 g, Tu-91 g
3 full body workouts:Tu-yes
3 - 30 min. HIIT workouts:W-yes
4 - 30-45 min. steady state cardio:

Bea - Good to see you back! You are not alone in losing and regaining...I'm soooo with you! I kick myself...if only I had taken the time to learn how to maintain I wouldn't be at the starting line again. No way to fix that but lose it again and try once again to maintain. Big breath...we can do this!

Lisa - I looooooove the bag you made! The patterns and colours are so nice! Kuddos on staying on track during your all nighter ;)

Vicki - I hope they get to the bottom of what's causing you pain/nausea quick! Going for all those test is no fun!

Beth, Annette, Epixi, Pranava - **big waves** ;)

Have a great day all!

Hi Debbie!! Let's do this!!

Quick accountability check in.

Exercise so far so good
6 veggies/day...not so easy! Prep is everything & life is busy. This goal is going to take some time. 4 servings has been my achievement so far. Its a process.
3 fruits good.
Flossing good:D
logging good
checking in here, good.

Planning seems to be a perfect goal!

For those who are sick: please be kind and patient with your body (I know that's easier said than done). There are a few stubborn viruses out there right now.

Be well all!

Bea, is that a recent picture? You look good.

I came to my own realization yesterday after walking yet another 2.5 miles. I have come a long way. Not necessarily weight wise, because I have gained some back, but health wise.

On March 17, 2014 I walked 2.5 miles, resting under the guise of stretching every 1/15 of a mile. I wore a back brace to keep from falling over in pain and put my feet up every night hoping the puffiness would subside before morning when I had to put my work boots on again.

On March 17, 2015 I walked 2.5 miles, resting every 1/2 mile just because the animals can only do there thing so fast. I am taking pain killers, but they are for a toothache. In the evenings I am out doing other activities. Granted my baby toe hurts from being squished a little in the work boots, but nothing a band-aid can't cure. Oh and I did ice my left foot last night due to an old injury.

But now I'm just being nit-picky.

Three more days of this.

Hi Annette :D

Thank you, and yes it was taken about 2 weeks ago!
I'm still rockin and lovin my grey locks :)

I think I'm aging pretty OK

I shovelled for 2 solid hours on Monday (and it wasn't even MY place, I went to rescue a friend) I live in an apartment, so my landlord does snow removal. The bank the snowplow pushed up in her driveway was taller than me!! But I managed to get it all moved! The hardest part was WHERE to dump and all I could do was throw it up higher. There is NO place to put snow anywhere, except UP!

We have just hit the 500cm mark for this winter............. Think about that.

100cm is about a 3 ft........

Oh, and we are in the midst of a storm at the moment!!

Pressed for time -- I hope to get time later to come back and comment.

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My Strategy for the Week (March 16 - March 22):

• 7-day Rolling Average calories = 1200-1300: 1200, 1210
• 7-day Rolling Average water/tea, minimum 1500mL: 3423, 3417
• 7-day Rolling Average sodium = 1000-1500: 1118,1012
• Extra Credit -- 7-day Rolling Average Sat-Fat = under 15g: 14, 14
• Extra Credit -- 7-day Rolling Average Fiber = 15g or greater: 15, 15
• Extra Credit -- 7-day Rolling Average Protein = 50-75g: 56, 56
• Explore! Try something new or do some nutrition-related research at least 2 times:
  • Tuesday: Did some research on sat-fat

Over the last four weeks, according to the Fitday reports, my average calories have been 1188 and my average sodium has been 1240. I've been eating (mostly) clean and drinking plenty of water/tea. So why am I GAINING? I gained another half pound since yesterday. Basically, in the past 3 days, I've wiped out everything I lost since mid-February. Through NO FAULT OF MY OWN.

If I'm going to gain weight, I should at least have had the luxury of enjoying it. Gaining under these circumstances (eating rabbit food) is insult to injury.

Epixi - So frustrating when you're doing everything 'right' and the scale isn't cooperating! There could be many things that are causing the scale to stall. From some recent reading I've done, the body does everything it can to maintain homeostasis. If you are only eating 1100 calories daily on average, then your body will learn how to survive on 1100 calories. This is why we often read that when starting out on a 'diet', we shouldn't start out with our calories too low. If you start out too low, when you reach a plateau, it makes it more difficult to progress and leaves you no options but going even lower. My suggestion, rather than drop your calories any lower, start adding in exercise and increase the duration over time so you're burning more calories.

Hang in there! I'm sure we can all sympathize with the dreaded plateau!

This business of getting logged out all the time is really annoying! :mad:

Hi everyone - Happy mid- week and so glad I got a chance to catch up.

Vicki and Debbie - hope you both get to feeling better. It is difficult to stay on track when you are not feeling well.

Annette- I love animals and I am sure they bring some joy. It is hard work and from your look back to last year it seems you have come pretty far.

Lisa- great job in kicking that binge beast. I always do better when I have a plan and good healthy food in the house.

Epixi- love that you use the new word strategy. I need to get back to my original strategy as I have been slipping a little.

Pranave - I am stealing your word also and need a reboot. Was doing so well but this week has seemed to stall out.

Beth - so glad to "meet" you.

Bea- your new pic looks wonderful.

I think this was the perfect thread for this week. since I have lost 15 pounds total so far, I guess I slacked off and have not been logging and truly watching this week. I have maintained but if I want to hit my Easter goal then I need to kick it in high gear.

Annette- Love your positive attitude! We don't live to get fit--we get fit to live. Way to notice your own progress!

Epixi-I hope you don't mind if I put my "trainer hat" on, but if you were one of my clients (and there have been a quite a few who have gotten discouraged over the scale) Here's what I'd say: 1) Do not judge progress over scale weight. Judge progress over how your clothes feel and what behaviors you're practicing; 2) Make sure you log everything (keep notebook handy if you're not around a computer or don't have high-tech cell-some of us like ME occasionally forget some stuff; 3) assuming you have no injuries boost cardio gradually; 4) if you aren't already, limit starchy carbs to 2 servings/day unless you do a lot of running; and 5) NO diet should go below 1,200 calories. The goal is to acquire a lifestyle of eating that we can maintain, otherwise we'll just re-gain and yo-yo diet. Hang in there girl!

Pranave, Lynda, Bea, Debbie and Lisa-HI!

Bea, HI!!! So nice to see you again. I'm in the same boat as you having to relose the same weight repeatedly. I could kick my self every time I let it get out of control and have to start over.

Annette, that's so great that you noticed your health getting better. sometimes we live for the number on the scale, but there are sooo many other indicators of how well you're doing.

Debbie, thanks for the compliment on my bag. I'm super proud of this one. It's had the most kudos of any I've done so far.

Here's my report for the day. I ate too much, but I'm not mad about it because I honestly was hungry after I was mindful and checked in with myself. I had oatmeal at about 4:30am or something like that. I was hungry again a couple hours later and had leftover rice, chicken & broccoli. I had 1 atkins w milk today, and I did have something from the drive thru because we were out on the road and wouldn't be home for a while, but I forgot that we were going to be gone so I didn't plan ahead. I had a chicken ranch snack wrap (and soda :(). For dinner we had BLT wraps, and I had just 1. I'm pretty full now so I think I can go until pretty late tonight before having another shake/milk. So, all in all, I think I did well. I'm happy with what I did. I'm not counting and focusing on the calories right now. Like I said a few days ago, I'm mostly trying to fight my binging addiction, and I think I'm succeeding so far. The weight may not come off as fast, but as long as my habits are changing and I'm not gaining, then that is success in my book.

Hope everyone has a good night.

Whew, boards have been busy today! Let me see if I can catch up!

Annette: I echo what everyone else has so eloquently said. (((hugs))) Changing subjects, I love the perspective you gave, comparing March 2014 to March 2015. Such progress! You should be very proud!

Debbie: I hope you're not coming down with something. It was probably a good idea to get some extra rest in. Thanks for the thoughts regarding low calories. I agree with you 100%. That's why I've been trying to boost those calories up recently. I think my body has gone into what I call conservation mode (I don't like the term "starvation mode").

Changing subjects, I'm really impressed with your daily protein! It may not be as high as you want but you'll get there. I'm hoping I'll get there, too, one day.

Getting back to the eggs, boil with no cover. The chef's name, by the way, is J. Kenji Lopez-Alt. He's the Managing Culinary Director of SeriousEats. I really like his approach to marriage between food, cooking and science. For example, he delved into the science behind why his hot-start method works. And he had pictures :).

Lisa: You've been doing great facing the beast. Good job, too, on making difficult choices when you were on the road. And the flower bag is darling. You're very creative!

Bea (is it ok to call you Bea?): So frustrating losing and re-gaining. So many of us have had that exact same scenario. Heck, I bet most of us have been there. Repeatedly. You are not alone.

That's some heavy-duty shoveling you've done. 500cm -- whoa, that's a lotta snow. Sweet of you to help out your friend. I hope you actually enjoy shoveling (I do). Lived in a condo a few years and actually missed having to shovel (but didn't miss mowing).

Vicki: I'm sure it's a comfort to know the GB is normal, but the question now is, what is the issue? I hope you can get some relief soon.

Beth: I hear you on the difficulty getting in so many vegetables. I'm sooooo not a vegetable person. I can't even bring myself to call them "veggies". It sounds like a term of endearment and, to me, most vegetables are not very dear. I eat them because I'm supposed to, not because I necessarily want to. I don't think I've ever "craved" a carrot.

You're doing so well with your goals this week! Proud of you!

Thank you, too, for the advice on weight stalls (and no, I don't mind the trainer hat at all!). You're right -- the scale is just one measure of progress. I am looking at the image in the mirror and I can see progress. And clothes? Again, progress. I haven't bought new clothes yet (waiting for Spring and a few fewer pounds), but I must wear a belt now. No option. And about a month ago, I realized I can raise and lower my pants without unbuttoning/unzipping! Thrilling! Oh, TMI :o?

I do log everything, even that little bite here, nibble there. As I mentioned earlier, I'm working to get the calories up -- it's now part of the strategy. I hadn't really considered the starchy-carbs versus other carbs issue. Something to consider! I know potatoes are a starchy carb, but is rice (brown rice or wild rice) also a starchy carb?

Lynda: Woohoo! 15 pounds, gone! Way to go!

Ok, I *think* I'm all caught up! Hope you all have a great evening! Oh, I still have to post my results for today, since it's late and I'm not going to have anything else tonight. Next post :).

Epi, you are doing great on your goals! Good job! Keep it up.


I just got done watching one of my favorite shows, My 600lb Life on TLC. I don't know why I usually do, and it just goes to show how sick in the head I truly am, but when I watch this show I usually eat while it's on, and it's usually junk food. I find this show so motivational, that I CAN do it, but I sabotage everything I'm learning by stuffing my face. Tonight I had 1 granola bar and an atkins/milk instead of too much junk food. I will consider that a win for the night.

Good morning everyone!

Hi Epixi, yup my name is Bea :)

Hi Lisa!! Hi Beth!

Well it's a new day and I am feeling motivated. I plan to make it successful!

My goals:

3 meals

NO Snacks!

minimum 8 glasses of water

1 piece of fruit (as opposed to 5-6)

all other fruits and veggies in the form of veggies

Hi all. I didn't check in last night to report on my goals. I ate waaaay over my calories...maybe because Monday and Tuesday were waaaaay low? At least it averages out to just over 1200 over 3 days...so maybe not so bad? Like how I did that ;) Today is a new day and I'm simply moving forward. The kids being off for Spring break has changed our schedule this week and it's made it more challenging to get in all my planned workouts.

Weekly Goals
track food daily: M-yes, Tu-yes, W-yes
72 oz. water daily: M-72 oz., Tu-80 oz, W-80 oz.
max. 1430 calories: M-995, Tu-1033, W-1765
min. 90 g protein: M-75 g, Tu-85 g, W-126 g
max. 180 g carbs: M-123 g, Tu-91 g, W-193 g
3 full body workouts:Tu-yes
3 - 30 min. HIIT workouts:W-yes
4 - 30-45 min. steady state cardio:

Bea - Love fruit! So easy to eat a lot eh!? I always tell the kids that fruit is mother nature's candy ;)

Lisa - strange how we sabotage ourselves.....you are not alone! Sounds like you've been making some good choices. Keep it up! All those good choices will add up!

Epixi - I'm was feeling much better last night and made up for the lost calories ;) I'll have to check out chef J. Kenji Lopez-Alt. I like to watch Chef John's videos on foodwishes.com. His food always looks so delish! As for protein, I don't usually have too hard a time hitting my goal....but when my calories are low, so is the protein. I too am not a fan of the term 'starvation mode'...the term is soooo overused :rolleyes:

Lynda - You are so close to your Easter goal! 3 more weigh ins until the end....you still have time to hit your goal!

Beth - Good, solid advice :)

Have a great day all!

Debbie, I'd say a 3 day average of your goal is completely legal in the rule book! :)


Me? I can tell this will be a tough day. I'm already craving food. I really want a bag of Entemann's mini powdered donuts! (Yes, a whole bag!) I'm just really craving food in general, but junk food the most. I heated up the last of the chicken/rice/broccoli and it was so delicious I wanted more more more. I'm super exhausted so I'm going back to bed. When I wake up I hope I feel differently. If not, an atkins w/ milk will be on the plan of attack against the sweet tooth and to keep the hunger at bay.

Have a happy day, all!

After spending too much time getting logged in after numerous disconnects from Fitday (Argh!) I just have a second to say keep taking good care of yourselves!

As to what constitutes starchy carbs: Be leery of bread and cereal. Even though brown rice and yams are starches, I've never had anyone tell me they couldn't control it;), and they are good for us as long as we don't overdo it too much.