Feowyn

Hi Allons-y! (Love your name) It might take you a bit to adjust to lifestyle changes. Even if every day this week you did absolutely horrible, that's still just one week out of six. Don't give up. You probably won't get everything perfect every day, but the point is you're trying and you're doing better than you were before. When is the wedding and what color is the dress?

Hi and welcome! First off, congrats on quitting smoking. I know it resulted in some unwanted weight, but you've already had one victory so lets' go for another. Don't feel bad about the veggie thing. When I first got married, I was clueless in the kitchen. If you wanted a boxed mac and cheese or a grilled cheese sandwich, that was about all I could do. Eight years later, I'm still not great, but I've learned a lot. I like to make stir fry dishes with either frozen stir fry mixed veggies or sometimes just broccoli and put it with rice and chicken. I don't use the sauce packets that come with them. I make my own with honey, soy sauce, ginger, whatever. I also like to put pineapple with it. I make smoothies with a cup of milk and bananas, frozen berries, whatever fruits you want and I also add kale to it. I can't taste it at all. Another sneaky one I do is when I make mashed potatoes, I mix in cooked cauliflower (also can be bought frozen). It sounds like you're off to a good start. Will you be posting any of your art?

I love how you've set this up! I may have to do something like this for housework. I am totally with you on your goals, except school work for me is homeschooling my son. Do you do anything in particular to get yourself going in the morning?

Hi there! First I must say getting paid to hike =awesome job It's been a good 10 years since I've hiked. Your goals look good. I definitely think they will help get you on track for your black belt

I used to think I wanted a nice big house so we could have guests all the time. Now I'm so glad I only have one bathroom to clean. Right now I have a 2 year old that claims to have to pee all the time when we're out. I don't know how many times I've said "Don't touch anything!" in the last week. Even a small brave thing is still a brave thing.

My husband is joining me in my workouts for the first time this round and I'm super excited about it. Good for you both starting off the New Year right. I see myself as a shrimp- very small and weak. I've never done the tired or kettle bells before. Keep it up!

The average Joe stories are the best ones. Looks like you're doing pretty well so far!

Not bad so far! It's so tough to say no to things that are right there in front of you. I was in the show choir in high school and I loved it. You're at least musicing in one way

Yay for family! I finally gt hubby on board with mine too. I go back and forth with the gluten too. I definitely feel better without it. This sounds like a great plan. I'm sure you'll both be feeling much better by the end.

The food is going well. since starting on Tues, I've only missed one day and we were out almost all day so I couldn't follow my plan. My phone died halfway through the day too so I didn't track most of what I ate. Water hasn't been going great. Problems: I don't like the taste of water first thing in the morning. I also don't really drink much in general unless I'm eating a meal, but in that case especially when I make something spicy, I can drink 2 cups. Possible solution: There is a hot drink I make with honey, lemon, and apple cider vinegar. I don't mind those in the morning, so that would get me one cup right away (and warm me up haha) Workouts...eh I am super excited that I've finally convinced hubby to do them with me, but we've only done two so far. We missed the day we weren't home all day and last night he fell asleep and I thought it would be confusing if we were on different days. He's not really interested in following "the program", he just said he would do whatever I tell him to lol Problem: workout time gets pushed aside- hubby's work projects, housework, three little kids, homeschooling...The only workouts we've done have been at 9 or 10 at night, which then takes the place of the only time the two of us have together Possible solution- Get the kids to bed earlier so we have more time in the evenings? Photo challenge: no photos taken yet, but I did make a list of subjects/ topics so I'm ready once I get my battery charged and cards emptied. Overall I have mixed feelings about this last week, but the food is getting easier so I'm looking forward to gains this time.

Looks like you've accomplished a lot already. Great job!

Great to hear things are going well so far. A firetruck, how cool!

Breakthrough of the week: While I'm trying to put on weight, my dear hubby has about 50 lbs to lose. He spends most of the day at the computer. He says he wants to start jogging again but never gets around to it with everything else going on. I've been doing challenges for about 6 months now and finally he said he'll start working out with me. Last night was our first session. I'm hoping we can both stick with this and keep eating well. I'm just so excited he finally said yes.

These all look like things that will get you where you want to go. I'll be following.

Glad to see you back

I'm hoping to actually pass my challenge this time. It seems kinda quiet everywhere this round. I'll still try to post at least once a week even if it's just us.

I'm going to try to finish my one painting I started about a year ago. Three sounds like plenty to me. Yay for making time for music. I haven't played my guitar in a few years. My husband just mentioned it today. Fiddle looks like so much fun. I've wanted to play cello for years, love the strings I've added art photography to my challenge. I'm going to try to find a photo challenge or list of subjects or something. I'll post what I end up with.

Hi Randa, I'm glad the batch cooking worked for you. I've been wanting to try it, but haven't figured out how yet with a shared kitchen and three little ones. I really need to get my but out of bed in the morning too. Best of luck to you on your goals.

I'd like to join you here. I'm not really sure of a specific goal right now, one thing I'm struggling with is getting wrapped up in my day to day tasks, being more Martha than Mary. I'd like to change that.

For those who don't know me: After having a few kids, I'm an oddball and I'm struggling to put on weight. I'm a good 30 lbs below where I want to be. I look like a sick person. I have no strength. If I don't get my crap together soon, I could be in trouble. I'll be honest here. I really hate goal setting. I dread putting myself out there in front of people just to fail. I have no idea why I'm still here and trying when I normally give up on things early on. I've been at this for 6+ months. I'm at my lowest weight since #3 was born 8 months ago. I'm incredibly disappointed. Every challenge something happens and I just can't beat it. I don't know how many challenges I've done. I haven't passed a single one, but I know without you guys, I'd be in worse shape than I am now. So, once again, I'm giving this another shot because I have no choice. This is the best way I know how to do this. I can't just try anymore. It has to happen. Eat the good stuff Get at least 2000 calories a day of real food. Each challenge I've been doing a little better with this so I'm thinking positively on this one. +1 STR +2 STA +2 CON 85% and up--A 80% and up--B 75% and up--C Hydrate Drink 6 cups of water a day. I didn't put this one in my last few challenges and I've been slacking. +2 CON +1 STA 85% and up--A 80% and up--B 75% and up--C Be strong I'm changing up my workouts a bit. I'm loosely following a program that focuses on the mental part of getting healthy but includes food guidelines and workouts. Instead of three longer workouts a week, I'll be doing five shorter ones of different muscle groups. I'll still mainly be doing bodyweight and using some homemade weights (milk jug, etc). +2 STR +1STA 85% and up--A 80% and up--B 75% and up--C See the world I've decided to do more art photography. I'm going to find a challenge or list of subjects and try to get creative. I'm not sure how often I'm going to do this. I'll be posting my work in ChristArtist's group. +2 WIS So far I got my water and food in yesterday.

Hello all! I need to finish hubby's Christmas gift and hopefully do some others, so I'm back again . I've only done mini paintings so far so this will be my first full size (9x12). I've also been encouraged to get back into my photography so we'll see how that goes.

Sounds good, looking forward to following.

Here!

It's grey and yuck here in Ohio too. I have a hard time with the cold and dark as well. I do like snowboarding, but with three little ones, I haven't gone in about 10 years. I think your 34 goal is totally doable. These all sound like things that will help get you there. Looking forward to following along.

Not having to clean the kitchen and dishes before you even start preparing a meal makes a big difference, not only with energy and mood, but also time. Your goals look good. A bit each day makes a difference. I don't understand what this means In 2 1/2 years I've acquired over 12,000 pins. I have a problem lol