Feowyn

Ok wow, so things really fell apart this time. I basically stopped everything. I don't really have a specific reason why, I just stopped. Good news is though, I still tried to eat decently even though I wasn't tracking and gained about a pound in the last 3 weeks. I can't complain, really. Do I wish I had better discipline? Do I wish I was farther than I am? Do I wish I would complete a full challenge? Yes, a frustrated yes. I see things differently now. I don't see my past as failure because I have gained about 10 lbs total. It's been horribly slow, but I am moving the right direction. Since I know I can succeed for a week or two, I just have to plan better and commit and go longer next time. I will be writing up my new challenge post soon.

Quick update for last week- total chaos, the end. Ok so maybe not that quick, I highly recommend never trying to prepare for a birthday party 2 days after you've spend the last 2 weeks sorting through everything you own for a yard sale. It was a community sale, so we had no choice on the dates. The house was a disaster with bins and crates and clothes everywhere. Yesterday, I got up at 5 and didn't really rest until party time at 7. In summary last week was crap. I did manage I think 3 workouts? Other than that, bah. Down a pound but hoping to get back up to the goal I hit last challenge by the end of this one. Good news- birthday season is over, no more kids' birthdays until next Feb. I do enjoy them and we had a fun night, but I put so much work and stress on myself, it's ridiculous. So yay for regular life.

Welcome! Those are great first steps toward your goal! A lifestyle change is tough, don't beat yourself up if you slip up a few times, but keep at it and it will make a difference. I don't think I've ever done a mile without some walking. Great job! Woohoo! Breakthrough of the week: I just now did my update for last week, which wasn't super. I didn't track my food near as much as I should have and my water goal was out the window, but I'm not devastated and feeling like a failure. Even though I didn't do super great, I still had a bit of a gain last week. It may not be fast or totally right, but I am going the right direction and I'm choosing to focus on that.

Hey guys, sorry it's been so long. I guess getting ready for a yard sale and a birthday party the same week makes things a little crazy. I haven't been tracking my food as much, but I have become pretty good at estimating how much I need. I'm guessing maybe 4 days for sure last week. The workouts are great. I really like them and I rarely want to miss. I feel much better in the morning when I do them the night before. I get the kids to bed, then while hubby and I are watching our show for the night (currently Hawaii Five-0 season 2) I do my workout and then I drink my shake while finishing the episode. I had a little weight gain last week so I should be back to my first goal by the end of this week. The water...not great. I have a 33 oz bottle that I fill so roughly 1.5 times gets me what I need, but I usually only drink it the last half of the day. I really don't like the way water tastes in the morning so I do orange juice for breakfast and not much else until lunch. By dinner, especially if it's salty or spicy, I can easily drink my whole bottle. Maybe I'll start setting alarms on my phone? idk This is a big step for me, but I'm actually not drowning in despair of not being perfect. I'm making slow progress, but it is progress so I'm excited. Sometimes my goals seem so far away but if I keep inching in that direction I have to get there eventually right?

Come back

Evil octopus haha! I have been so drug down by all the things I need to do. I really don't take the time to enjoy little things like this. I need to make some changes.

It's a new week. Let's get more petunias!

Hi Mike! It looks like your building some good habits.I'm sure they will make a different in how you look and feel. Best of luck to you.

Hi, Ilham! That's terrible that it took you so long to find someone who could actually help you. Sometimes the professional medical field can be so frustrating. I'm glad you are on the right track now though and congrats for making so much progress since then. Best of luck to you!

Hi Nevica! Starting late is better than not starting. Your goals looks reasonable and measurable. You can do this.

Well, crap. I got my dates mixed up and I thought the challenge started this week. Last challenge I did really well in the beginning and kind of dropped off, but I'm still happy I got as far as I did. Main goal: Get up to a healthy weight- I've been a shrimp all my life and Steve convinced me I don't have to live this way forever. The plan: Goal 1: 1800 calories a day I know this isn't a huge amount, but for my size I think it will work. If I do this consistently, I'll probably bump it up a bit for the next one. Goal 2: Strength training 5x a week I've found that 5 shorter, muscle group focused workouts go better for me than three whole body workouts inspired by James Grage's Rewired Goal 3: 6-8 cups of water a day I have several reasons to keep this in check and make sure I'm getting enough. I had decent gains last challenge so I'm looking forward to seeing how far I can get this time.

Just stopping in to say hi quick. I'll get my list up soon. Doctor Who- I'm excited that you want to check it out. I was very resistant in the beginning when my hubby was watching it. He bugged me to watch it with him and I declined after walking in at the worst moments."No, this is too weird." Finally he convinced me to watch the first episode. It was a little strange, but not bad. It took us a while, but we eventually saw them all and we can't wait for the next season.

Glad to see you back. These look good! Don't get discouraged on your meals. For me, it's been a painfully slow process. I just made a new meal plan yesterday and totally messed up setting myself up for breakfast so I'm making something different. Cutting back on the grains and sodas are tough, but I'm sure you'll feel much better when you do.You got this.

So much fun already! Your goals are great. I could use some of these myself. I love the random points, why not? I see you're still being a beast and swinging heavy things around I'll be following along.

Aahh! So much already! First, we just saw Big Hero Six this week and loved it. A big bah-la-la-la for everything you've done so far. Second, apparently I lost track of time and didn't realize Vegas was already here. Bummer on the robes, but looking forward to more details. Third, three races? Dang. Fourth, I'm gonna stop counting now but I like how your goals compliment each other. Less going out to eat is more money left in your pocket. Several years ago, we started tracking how much we were spending and I was shocked to see how much of our money was spent on going out to eat. Lastly- Happy Spring!!

Following, you've done so much already!

I don't know how to start this recap. I really have mixed feelings about this challenge. Several good things happened and several not so good. The good: -I probably was more consistent this challenge than any previous challenge -I actually made it to a goal weight I had been trying to get to which tells me that my basic plan works -Sometimes I don't "feel like it" but I'm getting to the point where it feels weird to not do a workout. If I miss a few days in a row and then get going again it just feels like "Ah, that's better." The bad: -I was really hoping to finish strong especially after hitting a goal, but these last two weeks totally fell apart -I ended up losing a few so I'm back down below my first goal point -I really just wanted to pass a challenge, dang it-but I do feel I earned half a level this time This has been such a slow process. I'm still navigating through the challenges of getting paid once a month, not always being able to go shopping when we want to, simplifying my meal plan, hubby being half on board, etc. This challenge was so up and down. Sometimes I just want to give up. If I don't get these issues figured out, it will literally take me years to get where I need to be. Both of my in-laws (in their 50's) have a whole list of health issues and I fear my husband is headed down the same road. A guy we knew suddenly passed away last week from a massive heart attack. He had been very heavy but was working on getting his weight down. He was married less than two years ago and was in his late twenties-younger than me! We don't know how much time we have. I know that was his time, but we can do the best with what we've got while we're here. I guess that's why I can't quit. Every challenge I feel like a failure, but I have to keep trying.

I've been there too. Sometimes I'm able to get right back at it and sometimes it's a real battle. Now, get that hero mask back on and kick butt these last few weeks!

Hey, hope you're feeling better. Stinks that you were sick, but yay for being productive!

Just did a weight check and I am back in the triple digits! I know this seems like an odd milestone but it's exciting for me. After having my last two kids and them sucking the life out of me and not taking care of myself, I was down to 88 lbs. I looked and felt horrible. My long term goal is to get back up to about 125ish only with more muscle than before. The weather is getting nice and I'm so excited to have strength and energy to play with my kids outside.

Ok so... I'm still alive. Overall, things have been going ok. I've learned that eating enough food and doing all of my workouts are both critical for the weight gain. If I do great at one and half effort on the other, it just doesn't happen. I am pretty excited though. I'm noticing some small changes. When I look in the mirror, I don't look quite so sickly thin. I have a ways to go, but it's encouraging. My workouts used to be kind of a pain because I would go to my desk and look up what exercise was next, go over to the living room and do that one, walk back to my desk, back to the living room...so I made some Workout with Stick Man cards so I know the order each night. And yes, he's smiling because workouts are fun. I'm still coming up short maybe half the time with water, but now that it's finally getting warmer, that should be easier. Although I bought some chips tonight (darn new flavors!), I think I have finally found something to fight my salt cravings. I've found if I eat about five salted pistachios, I'm good to go. I've got a few things going with my business so I'm hoping that goes well. I'll also be getting ready for Easter week activities with the kids, so bring on the fun!

Dang it, forgot to follow again. Hey, Artemis! Yeah, I'd say that counts. For some just surviving that day is an accomplishment. Breakthrough for me: My weight check isn't until tomorrow, but I've noticed this week that my body is slowly changing. I'm looking slightly less sickly thin and finally starting to get some shape. I'm pretty excited that I'm starting to see results on the outside.

Woodworking, how cool! My husband got into that a bit a few years ago and I love the look of log furniture! I think it looks really good already, great highlights and shadow.