Faervel17

So I ended up being sick all weekend even though I was away and yesterday was the first day I started to feel better today I'm out of bed but not moving fast. I hope to back into routine tomorrow but I do need one more day of leisure and rest. I have to quit being so hard on myself and remind myself this is my first challenge, my first attempt it's okay to be trying my best but not know what kinks would get in my way.

I'm not sure I'm going to take part in this one. I do tend to munch too much while on the computer in the evenings but I'm working not just watching or playing a game and I have cut tv out except for family movie night and the point of that is to cuddle and spend the time with the littles.

I'm still working on the chocolate thing. I'm supposed to bleed Monday so I've been fighting it all week so far and it's been a challenge. I made some "healthy" brownies that didn't taste good at all, other than that just working on limiting how much I have. Because I have been anticipating being down for a few days I've been working out harder and pushing myself more because then my 1-2 days rest will be well deserved if not needed. Did a huge workout the first two days and then my program yesterday was supposed to be a rest day but I balked that and did my beginner body weight workout plus went for a short but intense run with my husband at sunset. Today I have to do my program again and then again tomorrow and I'm off to the lake for the weekend. Thinking I'll "rest" Saturday but we'll be teaching 2 of our kids how to ride bikes properly (we live on a farm) and taking them to the park. And then Sunday morning I have another short run with the hubby planned.

Your very right! When I feel good I am okay with cooking and eating good but when I am down emotionally I resort to junk food. and processed food which only makes things worse. I also learned that week before my menstrual cycle I crave anything and everything chocolaty or sweet like iced cream, chocolate, cookies, etc. All of it I just can't shake it either so I'm finding some healthier recipes that can curb that craving but not backtrack my progress. Weekend was amazing, sun was out for the first time all year and the snow is still there but just around the yard so we played outside. Played ourselves out and learned how out of shape we really are. Think I'm going to move my work out to earlier in the day as I was active all weekend but then was too tired to to my entire workout by the evening so ended up just focusing on half one day and the other half the next day.

I'm not doing so good this week at cutting out the crap. I'm also really saddened to know that the challenge is half over. Oh well....I AM going to continue out this challenge strong because I've been doing so good in other areas.

Thanks that helps a lot actually. I have a tendancy to beat myself up and then quit so I have to give myself permission to grant graces. I've been doing much much better this week, staying super hydrated, cooking a proper supper and eating better lunches, been working on my course, and am back into my exercise routine. Today is a break day as I pushed things a bit hard but I'm going grocery shopping and going to the mall for frozen yogurt and plan to window shop just to walk the mall a bit and count that as my activities (hey beats sitting on the couch/computer).

Thanks guys, I'm just going to put myself out there and be open. First, I'm new here I'm read quite a bit of the blog posts but I haven't taken the time to sit down and read the forums or really get into it yet it's hard to get yourself into a new community and I'm struggling with that a bit. And it is my own fault I haven't given it enough of my time. Second, last week was really hard because my husband had been lying to me and we ended up separating. However, we have three young kids so we agreed to give things one last chance which also includes some counselling I was so depressed and truly out of it I didn't eat, didn't sleep, didn't want to function at all I basically just did the bare minimum for the kids and then was a sad lump in the corner. The first day (after he was home again but things didn't settle right away) that I was able to eat, drink and sleep again was Saturday and today is the first day I feel like I have any amount of energy. Yesterday I was beating myself up for having a bad week and eating only crap when I did eat and then I decided no I did the best I could and now I'm going to pick things back up. So I'm about to go do my exercise routine before the hubby gets home, I have supper cooking in the oven, I have had two glasses of water so far and I am giving myself until Sunday to finish my photography course (wanted it done today but giving myself grace).

I don't think I love doing anything.

Sorry I have not checked in thrice this week but only twice I really hope that doesn't disqualify me I did not mean to I simply forgot to check in. This week has been my worst week in a very long time. I have been struggling immensely in all areas and really need to get back on track.

My weekend went very astray! Did my best but it was still off. Got tons of exercise, ate lots and actually ate pretty good considering it was all restaurants but ate too much, managed to drink lots of water though. Been back into normal this week and doing really good in all areas.

Update! I'm going to be busy all weekend so I want to update now then Update Sunday too. I've been doing really well at drinking more water, I started back up my exercise routine after being a bit sick and am back to cooking healthier meals (may slip up a bit this weekend being so busy but going to keep trying), making steady progress on my photography course and hope to have the course done and be practicing by the end of the month. This weekend is really going to be a test for me so I am hoping I can eat well and remember to stay hydrated. Staying active won't be hard when there is a pool and waterslide involved.

I'm doing really good at keeping hydrated and drinking more water. I did really well Monday and Tuesday for eating way better today was my husband's birthday so I did have pizza (his request) and cake with him. Did well the rest of the day except supper. I have not been able to do my exercises as I overdid it last week and just needed to give my body a break so I will be back at it tomorrow. I have sucked at going to bed early due to a teething child who has been monopolizing my sleep time. Photography course is on track. Lots of videos to watch still but I'm over the halfway point

Thanks Snayll. I'm really just hoping to feel better and get back down to the mid range of normal in weight. I will have some pictures and my measurements posted by the end of the week I just really wanted to get myself in on the challenge. I am very new to my photography only been doing it with deep study for about a year so I finally think I have enough work to start a website and am working on it right now with my brother in law and when I have it up of course I'd love to share

I love the way you have written your list, and how it includes your grading system.

no clue, needing to know myself I've been doing only what youtube offers and that sucks

This video here helped a ton with my fears.

I definitely need this. I find yoga helps for me but its hard doing it via youtube videos all the time.

I home school my kidlets so far. Granted my kids at this point at 5 yrs and under the oldest being in Kindergarten. It wasn't a part of our original plan. In fact my oldest did 2 years of preschool and my youngest did half a year. Then we learned my husbands job is only until the end of his apprenticeship and there are no other companies around here that he could work for so we will have to move. My oldest is a very sensitive child who would not do well just getting comfortable somewhere and then having to move so we chose to home school until the time we have to move. We thought that would be this summer we are very fortunate that it will be next summer instead so we will be homeschooling grade 1 as well. However, we are liking it so much we are going to keep it going and hope to move to a place with more home schooling families.

Okay to answer your question yes they make the gel deodorants for woman. No, they are not as good quality as the men. I have the same issues you do so I buy a lightly scented mens deodorant. However, I have a quest to be all natural as your skin absorbs 60% of what you put on it and it's one of the leading reasons for cancers. So, I use a product called Lavalin. It's a 7 day deodorant. It only lasts me 2-3 though. Or I use a homemade deodorant and all it is is coconut oil, baking soda, and I put a bit of organic cornstarch in mine.

I'm in love with Lululemon. It's a new love and I refuse to pay retail so I get most of it at my local plato's closet then the rest on craigslist or kijiji. I just bought my first pair of capris and love them, I have the no limits tank and it is by far my favorite. I do lots of yoga, zumba, running and then the bodyweight routine so I find it very versatile and so comfortable I wear it as a normal top. I love lulu's pants for everyday wear as sweats and the fact that I can work out in them without having to change so I do have quite a few of those. I am very picky about my tops though as I don't like the look of my boobs in a sports bra.

If you feel your stretch marks you'll notice the skin beside the marks is quite thick and firm and the skin thats stretched and is visibly your stretch mark is actually smoother, thinner and you can feel the indent. The only way to heal stretch marks is to firm up that piece of skin. To do this you need to give your skin the nourishment is needs to rejuvinate and regrow itself. Coconut oil, lavender, tea tree oil, cocoa butter, aloe vera as well as eating right and lots of fluids are the best ways to do this. It won't be a miracle cure but it will help them tighten back up so that they aren't so large and noticeable. I'm also sure that you have heard of it works wraps and the similar. I don't highly reccomend them but they are designed to give your skin the nutrients it needs and help tighten tone and firm your areas. They work for some, not for others depends on your body and your lifestyle.

I have to take the first two days of my cycle off. It's super heavy and really I just feel like I've been hit by a truck. The third day I don't do much and definitely not yoga or anything that wants me to throw myself around. Instead I just stretch or go for a short walk but I do try to get moving that third day if I can. Then I'm usually pretty good to go from there so I just get back into my normal routine. Natural remedies for cramps, a heat pack that you microwave and put on your back and across your abdomen does more for me than any advil or tylenol. Same with a hot shower or bath, it just relaxes everything so well. In that same relm is a massage. I always go for a massage within those first two days as I tense up with makes the cramping worse. Drink some chamomille tea it has relaxing and healing properties. I also just watch what I eat, drink lots of fluids if I don't feel like eating & remember to take my multivitamin. I was on the pill in highschool just for my cramps and not sexually active at that time and it did help a lot. However, the pill does mess with your hormones so depending on your desire to be natural it could work for you or it may not suit your lifestyle.

You can do it! I think these are great goals, easy to maintain and without a lot of little components!

Thanks guys. I did separate them into two challenges. I originally viewed them as one because drinking more water would flush out the crap but I totally see your points. Still figuring out the forum but that's a great idea to ask for models via here. Thanks!