7 Day Motivational Thread 12/10/12
 

Good morning (or evening) everyone! I figured I'd get us started, that way I'm kinda forcing myself to join in. I haven't really been "feeling it" for a while but I know I have to stick with it.

I can't think of many goals but I do have a few really difficult ones. I can remember when was the last time I went a day without a PB&J sammich. In fact I've been eating two a day lately. I'm still getting up during the night to eat, although I haven't had any run ins with the ghost during the night. I did have a little activity yesterday when I was cooking supper though. :mad:

So I'll come up with a few goals, and if anyone would like to add to it, feel free. If I pick your goal, I give you my word that I'll do it!

Heath and Fitness
1) No PB&J sammiches
2) No eating after going to bed

Other
1) Write 4 policies :eek:

The Ghost? I must have missed that. :eek:

Was pretty good with all my goals last week except Cholesterol. Eat a few boiled shrimp, and a couple deviled eggs, and the number goes through the roof! I better stick to peanut butter instead.

Things will be bit different this week, so I'm going light on the goals:

• Exercise > 30 mins:
• Cholesterol < 250 :

Other: Be especially nice to my Mom.

- Donna

Good for you Mike for starting us off. Like you and Donna I will keep my goals simple this week.

Goals
1. RELAX. Yes, I'm putting this as a goal. If I actually see it in writing maybe I will do it.
2. Try to keep carbs/protein in check.
3. Drink the water! I think I only had about 1 day all last week that I actually met it :O
4. Exercise at least 3 days for 30 mins.
5. Put up tree. This is rolled over from last week because Sat went out with friend and Sun church.

Jenn

I'm in.

Had a great weekend and stuck to plan, even with the Christmas party. I'm starting my Christmas baking this morning, but I'm going to freeze the majority of it so that I'm not tempted.

Very simple goals because this time of year is way too complicated, demanding and full of pitfalls for me to get too fancy as I will surely mess up.

1. Calories under 1100/day.
2. Weigh in daily.
3. No mindless eating.
4. Take all vitamins and supplements.
5. Be proud of every, single thing that I eat.
6. Have a happy, grateful attitude. If that means bagging some long-time traditions that the family expects, so be it. "If Momma aint happy, aint nobody happy..." lol.

I like the "be especially nice to my mom" goal. Can you send that to my daughter? LOL.

Relax is a good goal, especially this time of year.

Goals:
1) plan meals
2) stick close to plan
3) 1600 cal max
4) drink 6 glasses water minimum
5) stretch every day
6) get back into exercise reasonably
7) don't overdo
8) let go of anger
9) meditate
10) write
11) don't be a self (or any other kind of) hater
12) don't answer phone or spend too much time online till I get work done.

Thanks for starting us out, Mike. Good like with the sammies. Haven't heard about the ghost in a while; thought maybe it was gone and yes I believe in it.

Quinn, I am about where you are, thinking anywhere from 6-9 pounds, depending on how it looks on me at this age (52.) Wrinkling could be a problem.

Donna, I originally posted about the ghost a year or more ago. For a while we had a lot of activity, things that you can't explain or write off. For example, the youngest refuses to sleep in the living room because she sees shadows of people walk by. The middle one (she's a brave girl) freaked out one day when she was taking a bath, laid back to wash her hair and felt fingertips run across her forehead. Doors shut and open. One night I got up around 3 am, Mytsie (my small dog) follows to the kitchen. While there we hear a man in the living room say something. Mytsie flipped out, ran back to the bedroom, was under the covers growling and shaking. It's been quiet lately except for Saturday, I was home alone cooking supper and I hear one of the girls doors open... both of the dogs were sound asleep.

Plan (considering I have to food shop)
Brunch:
eggs, possibly with cheese
slice of Ezkiel bread with margarine and jam
Meal
organic hot dog with one slice of bread, mustard and sauerkraut
Dinner
grass fed burger, no bun, onions
frozen peas?
Snacks
nuts
apple or whatever fruit I find
cheese stick

veggies, if I shop

adjustments, already:

turkey bacon and eggs

(maybe a bun for the burger, we'll see)

returning leaf
 

Hi everyone, Can a returning newbie join you? I'm trying to get back on track with a goal of 55 lbs over the next year. I've checked off goal 1 for the week -- sign up for fitday and log it all in.
2) Walk to the new gym that is opening in Jan. and sign up.
3) Log log log. Food, exercise, mood, hydration.
4) Go to a Lifering (sober living) meeting and keep away from the cosmopolitans.
5) Join an online group that will help keep me motivated and accountable.

Whew! :rolleyes:

Hello, all...just popping in for a rare moment of sanity and peace.

I need to keep goals simple or my head will explode. I did very well last week with the minimal goals I had; seems if I focus on big things, the little ones take care of themselves.

1. Check in daily.
2. Log everything.
3. Exercise when I can.
4. Get on the scale by the end of the week.
5. Make smart, clean food choices (aka spend calories wisely).

I am already in about hundred different directions today and spitting nails because I just got subpoenaed for tomorrow...nothing like some advance planning time! Deep breaths...

Wow. Just gotta say, that sounds pretty low. I couldn't keep that up for a week. Are you sure you want to?
But if it works for you, go for it.

Donna

Hope, I'm with you! Wrinkling could be a problem (age: 54). I bought some expensive face cream for that and all it did was make my face break out, causing me to spend more money on a dermatologist. So, now I use it on my stomach. Seems to be working well there. (I'd call them Abs, but you can't see that much of them!)

- Donna

Thanks for bringing up abs, Donna. Gives me an excuse to post this:

Hi Donna,

Yes, it's low for most people. Over the past several years, to maintain my 30 lb. loss, I have used three calorie ranges:

1) For when I'm doing well and maintaining my goal.
2) For when I'm doing OK, but could drop a couple of pounds and
3) (The 1100 Calorie Boot Camp) For when my eating has been out of control and I need strict discipline and a heavy hand to reign in my bad habits. (Think of it as my "Time Out"... lol.) I don't do it for long. Just long enough to "re-boot" my healthy habits.

It seems low, but I eat a largely vegetarian diet, but don't call myself a vegetarian because I'll mix in a little chicken and seafood. Additionally, people around me get snarky when I go full-blown vegetarian. lol When your diet is largely fruits and vegetables, you can eat pretty large amounts of food and yet your calorie count remains fairly low. It's only when I mix in things like bread, pasta, cheese, etc. that my calorie counts rise.

Welcome (back) 4Jim! Glad you're here (always good to have new voices.) Good luck with your goals.

Donna, you made me laugh out loud with the cream (not at you but in recognition.) And I needed the laugh so thanks.

Cassie, subpoena? (unless you don't want to share and I completely understand but if you do...)

Funny pix, Cassie.

Quinn, fruits and veg. I do the fruits but could use to eat more veg....

I'm In
 

Goals
Lots of water:
1 cup tea/day (green or earl grey):
Limit processed foods:
Be mindful of portion sizes:
Multi-Vitamin/day:
Exercise at gym x2/week:
Exercise at home x2/week:

I have made great progress with Christmas preparations! Cards are done/sent, white elephant gifts are done (but not wrapped), and giving tree gifts are done and delivered. Still have some family gifts to get, and have not planned food and cleaned house for this weekend’s event, but plan to finish most of this by the end of this week.

Hope everyone’s week has started out strong!

:D Ama
5’6”
40yo
5lbs to new goal:

Nothing salacious, Hope. I do expert witness testimony from time to time and I just have to testify about one of my evals tomorrow.

Just wanted to share this, if anyone needs a healthier cookie idea; it appeared in my inbox this morning: 20+ Holiday Cookie Recipes - Prevention.com

I just finished making a batch of Italian cookies to use up leftover ricotta from the weekend...wasn't sure how they would do with the fat-free cheese, but they are great! About 50 calories, without the icing (but I halved the recipe and got 4 dozen): Ricotta Cookies III Recipe - Allrecipes.com

I'm in for this week!

Hope - Welcome back! We missed you last week :)

Quinn - I'm a pescetarian, so I know what you mean about being able to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. But I definitely need to cut back on the breads and pasta ;)

Let's go for a good goal week! Time off before my next two grad classes, so it'll be the perfect time to get a work out regimen.

1) Keep calories under 1900/day
2) Walk with dog at least five days
3) Work out at least three days
4) Stretch
5) Meditate before bed
6) Stay Positive!
7) Work on Christmas gifts

I hope everyone has a great week! And welcome to you 4Jim! :D

Goals
1. RELAX. Yes, I'm putting this as a goal. If I actually see it in writing maybe I will do it. YES--also helped got a video of my niece smiling for "Auntie Jennifer and grandma" :)
2. Try to keep carbs/protein in check.YES-130/50
3. Drink the water! I think I only had about 1 day all last week that I actually met it So far 5 glasses so I should make it.
4. Exercise at least 3 days for 30 mins 20 mins today
5. Put up tree. This is rolled over from last week because Sat went out with friend and Sun church.

Jenn

Hey Krystal!

Congrats on living a pescetarian lifestyle! That's cool. I don't think I'm quite there yet, but if I lived in a more coastal area, I would love it! My eating habits didn't originally come from health or political reasons... I just never liked meat, especially red meat. I was always the kid picking the meat off of my sandwich or pizza and feeding the dog under the table until I finally decided to do without. lol

I told my doctor at my last appointment that I couldn't claim to be a vegetarian because I want to reserve the right to swing through McDonald's every once in a while for a greasy burger (...which I usually pay for for a couple of days. :))

Thanks, Canary! It's been a good day (so far, within calories!). Hope you're doing just as well with your day :)

Quinnesec, love your icon -- I have a few of my own to add to the karma-missed-it list! And a few karma gratitudes (I've recently heard from TWO 10-years-+-past exes who bent my heart, and I gladly told them I'm happy, loved, married, and moved-on while they remain alone and unhappy) -- it's every girl's dream. Thanks, karma!

In terms of goals, I didn't walk to the new gym, as I had hoped, but drove. STILL, I did register! Woohoo! And I helped a friend for 3 hours, moving about, sending FedEx packages and such. No heart rate bump, but a nice endurance bump. And I'm here, checking in, which was another goal. Woo!

Quinn, that's really funny how you want to "reserve your right for a greasy burger" :P LOL

Actually, I'm about one year into my lifestyle change. A lot has happened to me in the past year, and as I was originally a lover of red meat - I was a steak and potatoes kid growing up whenever I could get it! - I just lost interest in the taste of it. So I decided it was time for a change. But, I just couldn't give up those fish! Lobster, clams, scallops, shrimp, salmon, AH! All sooo yummy :) But it is very limited with most of the bottom feeders. I want to try to have fish at least once, if not twice, a week for the omega-3 fatty acids.

:) Glad someone else here understands the vegetarian lifestyle though!!

Okay, had to post for today because I'm super happy with how well I've done! (Keeping it under 1900 did not looking good because my brother baked a cake for our December month employees. Chocolate and peanut butter cake with chocolate and peanut butter frosting?? I couldn't resist a slice!)

Okay, onto the goals! This week is starting on the right track :)

1) Keep calories under 1900/day: Y
2) Walk with dog at least five days: N
3) Work out at least three days:Y
4) Stretch: Y
5) Meditate before bed:
6) Stay Positive!: Y
7) Work on Christmas gifts:

Welcome, 4Jim!

Glad that you'll be joining us! Ah, yes... Karma is my friend. I'm a non-confrontational, quiet, nurturer who has enlisted the help of Karma to do my "dirty work" for years and she has never let me down. ;) Glad to hear that your life is in a great place right now. Mind, body, soul, healthy eating, healthy mind... it's all so intertwined, isn't it? There are several of us here who have been at this for several years, but take a "leave of absence" every so often (as I have recently). But, luckily, we make our way back to our friends who share our love/hate relationship with food. Lately, I've been loving it a bit too much. lol

Speaking of friends, where's Mr. Sonic?? lol Sure! He drags me back from my face stuffing only to disappear! Hey, Mister... If my butt has to climb back on the wagon, I'm dragging yours with!! :) :)

1. Calories under 1100/day. Yes
2. Weigh in daily. Yes
3. No mindless eating. Yes
4. Take all vitamins and supplements. Yes
5. Be proud of every, single thing that I eat. Yes
6. Have a happy, grateful attitude. If that means bagging some long-time traditions that the family expects, so be it. "If Momma aint happy, aint nobody happy..." lol. Yes

1. Check in daily. Yes
2. Log everything. Yes
3. Exercise when I can. That was not today.
4. Get on the scale by the end of the week. I will
5. Make smart, clean food choices (aka spend calories wisely). Yes

Well, I had success with baking today; I didn't delve into holiday stuff, but to use up the ricotta and keep the boys happy while working on their project, I did the cookies I posted above, tasted one small one, and really had no desire for more. Maybe the protein in them from the cheese kept the carbs from slamming in too quickly and causing cravings? We had homemade soup for dinner (made biscuits for the guys and passed on those, too), no processed foods; today was a win food-wise.

Congrats to all on what looks to be a good start to the week. Welcome to our group, 4Jim. Looking forward to getting to know you.

Thanks for noticing (me being gone.) I wish I could maintain a pescetarian (love that word) or vegetarian lifetstyle but for health reasons, low carb works best for me and I get bored easily. And am frankly lazy about vegetables. Yeah I said it. I am lazy about veggies, cutting them up, cooking em, etc, even peeling a cuke. I like veggies I do but I am alas an omnivore and a recovering carboholic (and if sugar isn't a drug, I don't know what is. I recently saw a bumper sticker that said Sugar: The Gateway Drug.)

Quinn, I love your icon too. I am not quiet, nonconfrontational, etc but I still invoke Karma. And where IS Mike? If he doesn't come back at the request of his bud "Quinnie-poo" then IDK what's up.

Cassie, glad the subpoena is NOT salacious. You always have so much on your plate (pardon the pun because actually you have less on your food plate than some...)

4Jim so glad your day was a good one. Mine not so much but as that cheerful little singing orphan said: Tommorow tomorrow I love ya tomorrow...

Just an update, for those who responded a few weeks back, I think we will be creating a new section for our thread, so as not to confine it to the Women's Corner. We can all use motivation, male and female alike, but want to preserve the Women's Forum in the event that new and existing members don't feel awkward if wanting to post something just for the ladies.

Once the IT folks get that new section set up, we'll be sure to let you know where to find it :).

Donna, the ghost strikes again. I've been up for a while, can't sleep. I just head (about 3:50am) what sounds to be a faint scream (more like an "ahhhhh") from a female in the living room... I don't have any plans on getting up to check it out. :eek:

The part that gets me is the only other voice I've ever heard was a males voice. My mom passed away in my house (it use to be hers), but I can't really say that I've thought she was here. The crazy thing is that I often get a "feeling" that a young girl is staring at me, standing on side of my bed, while I sleep. Never actually seen, heard or felt her so I always chalked it up as being my imagination.

Around 1:00am Mytsie was looking at my bedroom door growling.

I did get up to eat about an hour and a half ago, no pb&j, just pop tarts

quinniepoo, I'm here. Mondays are usually rough because I have pool league after work. Today was playoffs so I was home for maybe 30 minutes after work, then I was gone again until almost 11 pm. Don't fret, I'm here right by your side hun.

Goals:
1) plan meals -yes
2) stick close to plan - ate much less
3) 1600 cal max -860
4) drink 6 glasses water minimum - 5 or 6
5) stretch every day -no
6) get back into exercise reasonably- no
7) don't overdo -yes
8) let go of anger - no
9) meditate -no
10) write -yes
11) don't be a self (or any other kind of) hater -no
12) don't answer phone or spend too much time online till I get work done - no but this will be one I will try and follow

Not a great start. I lost a couple more pounds but I get the feeling it won't stick cause it is hard for me to maintain such low calories. I just get too hungry!!!

Welcome back, Mike. I knew Quinn could get ya. I find your stories very interesting; wondering who you are chanelling there. I didn't know that about your mom. Powerful energy in that house, I think.

Please excuse me if my food lists are boring but they do help.

Meal plans:
Breakfast
egg white, ham and mushrooms
Lunch
salad with ham, cheese and veggies and no cal sf balsamic dressing
Dinner
fish (salmon?)
broccoli
Snacks:
chicken (yeah I know)
nuts
apple or other fruit

Oh Hope, I don't like the no's beside letting go of anger and self-hate. I hope today you can have a yes beside both of those!!

Jenn

Hope, yeah she died back in '98. For the longest time, my GF and I kept what was going on from the kids because we didn't want to spook them. Then it spooked us when THEY started talking about it one day. I guess deep down we were trying not to believe what was going on and didn't want to corrupt their thinking. Nothing crazy has happened (like you see in movies, like the house shaking, etc), but there is definitely something not normal going on.

Goals
Lots of water: Y
1 cup tea/day (green or earl grey): Y
Limit processed foods: Y
Be mindful of portion sizes: Y
Multi-Vitamin/day: N, Y
Exercise at gym x2/week: N
Exercise at home x2/week: N

I am at my kitchen counter (working on my laptop) and there is a box of peanut butter cookies staring at me... DH bought them for a fishing trip today, but just took a handful with him so the remainder are here! 170 cals for just 1! I think I'll pass :) But can't say it is easy...

:D Ama
5’6”
40yo
5lbs to new goal:

Well how could I not?? Even in the few short weeks I've been here, you have been such a positive and wonderfully kind person! I am loving getting to know everyone here :)

As for cutting up veggies? Omgosh, I can't stand it! My Christmas gift this year was given to me early - it's a food processor! This makes my life soo much easier, and I find cooking a lot more fun now with less prep work to not worry about! ;)

I know what you mean Ama. Mom bought an apple pie (a while ago) and it was 300 calories for 1/8 of the pie--and it wasn't that big to begin with. That turned me right off having a piece!

TREE IS UP!! It's not decorated but it's no fun doing that alone and my Mom has gone to church dinner.
Jenn

congrats Jenn on getting your tree up!

Ok... you get a pass. Now, lose the Pop Tarts and chew on an apple or something! (Oh, an apple smeared with peanut butter... now that sounds pretty good! ;)) One of my favorite snacks lately has been a Granny Smith apple dipped in caramel Greek yogurt.

I shouldn't tease you because I made 8 dozen cookies in the past 2 days and MAY have tried a couple, for quality control, of course. ;)

Will probably do 3-4 more dozen this afternoon... We had 5" of snow on Monday, so it was nice to stay home and mess around in the kitchen, my favorite place to be. :)