beesknees

Hi Ken! Your goals sound great!! Congrats on the wedding engagement!! I look forward to following along on your progress! You're doing great P.S. The only thing that makes me a tad nervous is the fact that you're going vegan until the big day. Going from no meat and dairy to meat and dairy could maybe make for an uncomfortable wedding night? Just be careful! Maybe you have a strong stomach but switching a diet so quickly is problematic for some people.

Wow you guys are great! Thanks for keeping in touch. I'm struggling getting back on the BBWW. I can't figure out exactly why I am avoiding it, I was enjoying it for a while. I keep making excuses that I'll get back to it tomorrow. Maybe school is just wiping me out. Finals are almost over!! But I am still doing the biking and overall more conscious and healthier eating! 2 pairs of pants fit much better now So while I'm still only making D's on my weekly points, it's still technically not failing and I'm finding that I am changing small habits which is really making me feel better overall about myself. Sustainable! Thanks for that suggestion! I LOVE cooking but with school and work I often lose the motivation! Definitely gonna use this. Aaaand now to get back to seeing how others are doing! Everyone here is so great and supportive

Thanks for all of the encouragement everyone!!! Really helpful traveling for work this weekend and feeling good about coming back to the hotel after my meetings are done and getting back on that BBWW bandwagon. Aaaand I also want to say that some work pants I have been avoiding because they were uncomfortably tight and not flattering now fit the way they used to! Longer update on its way. Thanks again everyone!!

I have been actively avoiding posting anything. Not sure why since I don't feel like I'm toooo off track. Generally eating pretty healthy. Riding my bike. I splurged a little by allowing myself delicious tacos on Sunday. Been good about only drinking on Fri and Sat. I'm not keeping up with the BBWW as much as I should...riding my bike but I need to work more on my upper body! I feel like I'm just halfway motivated in this whole thing right now...losing steam.

I feel like struggle is unfortunately inevitable (otherwise everyone would always be at their peak fitness/health level no?) YOU CAN DO IT! Keep it up and you will eventually see and feel the results your looking for. I've also been struggling a bit lately but think about the whole thing about willpower is limited, so I gave in to not riding my bike this morning knowing that I was just too exhausted and letting myself join our office pizza party. Feeling a bit better and confident about being able to stay healthy and do some workouts later and am really excited to get back on my bike tomorrow. You're doing great, keep going

Oh jeez. I am SO EXHAUSTED this morning. I got at least 8 to 8.5 hours of sleep so I don't really have an excuse. My whole body feels just wiped out. Is it just adjusting to more activity? Am I not eating right or enough? I've only been sort of ball-parking my calories in my head just to make sure I don't go crazy overboard but maybe I'm not getting enough protein or something. I'm struggling with that because I am trying to do a semi-paleo diet, or eating with the paleo diet in mind when I make my choices. However, this is adjusted for vegetarianism so I gotta allow myself some protein from non-paleo foods. But now that I'm eating less beans and tofu I'm struggling to find good protein sources (but I do eat fish sometimes!) Anyways, aside from being completely wiped out today I am doing pretty good. We shall see. BBWW this evening and back to biking tomorrow.

Thanks for the encouragement C! Definitely time for reconditioning! I tallied up my points for last week. Maybe I'm making it too harsh? I think the weather and not being able to ride my bike really brought things down. I got a D! 3 points for keeping my no drinking except fri and saturday goal, and 3 points for eating out no more than 2 times. But then only 4 points for the BBWW and 2 points for bike riding, so 12/20. I also realized the BBWW should be done every other day instead of every day. What do others do? Maybe if I plan on this I should rearrange my point system. I guess I don't care that much about the points but really about changing my habits, and those are a good way to sort of gauge what's going on. ANYWAYS, already on track to step it up this week. Rode my bike today and yesterday and it FEELS SO GOOD. I can already feel the hills getting slightly easier (that is, unless I'm riding against the wind the entire time...I could even feel the resistance to picking up speed going DOWN the slope on the bridge...spring weather.... )

You got through the weekend hoorah! Have a great start to the week!!

Great job on Saturday! I definitely know the sluggish feeling after letting yourself go a bit with guests and friends. Seems like you are getting back on track! Sometimes you gotta just indulge and then get back to it the next day! Have a great week!

Welp. Saturday was my day I was allowed to drink alcohol and I went a bit overboard. I also should have just ordered the salad when I was out with friends...I felt bloated and sick after an unhealthy meal. Need to keep that in mind next time. Plus, it's not like I DON'T like the healthy options at restaurants (they are usually delicious), I'm just conditioned to not order them for some reason... I'm not beating myself up about it, just reflecting and trying to figure out ways to avoid this same thing next time. I did ride my bike though so that was good. Picked things back up today with a healthy breakfast. Planning to do BBWW later this evening and playtime with the pup.

Hey Shynnee, I agree, visualization is generally pretty great. I have some weddings to go to in August, so I can keep visualizing that This weekend started off pretty good - healthy dinner last night, healthy breakfast this morning, and already got my BBWW (2 reps only still...) out of the way for the day. Hopefully a break from homework with a bike ride or walk to the park with the pup.

Hey! Great job so far!! I'm also starting the BBWW this week, doing only 2 reps and some modified/reduced push ups. It will be exciting when we are both doing 3 full reps (and I'm pretty confident we'll both get there before we know it). Keep it up!! (aand ...I need to follow your example and get some more water into my system...)

Wow you sound like you're doing great! My veggie suggestion: lightly coat broccoli, cauliflower, and/or brussel sprouts with olive oil and roast them in the oven till a bit crispy! Sprinkle pepper (and a pinch of salt if you want) and they are DELICIOUS Keep up your awesome work!

Day #2 of the beginner body weight workout. 2 reps, 6 pushups (1 more than yesterday!). Feeling a bit sore from yesterday. Will this get easier? It makes me feel so weak. For others struggling to get through routines - what do you think about or do to keep yourself from giving up early on a specific exercise? How do you get yourself to do those last few pushups or lunges? I'm a really new noob as well, and a lot of the point systems kind of overwhelm me so I'm testing it out with a semi-simple one and see how that goes this 6 week time around. And thanks for the encouragement! Keep up that beginner work out! Right now I'm not doing it to the fullest extent (push ups on my knees, and only 6 of them as opposed to 10. trying to up them one each day, and only did 2 reps this time because I was a bit sore). We can do this! Good luck with the rest of your grad program!

Hi! I'm with you on the push up thing! I'm still using my knees but want to progress to full push ups eventually. Little by little! And I'm so sorry to hear about the transphobic things your father-in-law says (and a huge majority of the rest of the population...) When they learn about your transition, I hope they are able to take a step back and re-think what they've been taught and show some kindness. So sorry that you have to deal with that!! Good luck on your goals! Keep it up!

Ok I did the beginner body weight workout yesterday and it was great! I really want to keep it up. For now, I had to adjust the push ups because I don't have a lot of strength in that area. I do them on my knees and only do half each rep. Maybe I can up it by one extra each time? Anyways, so far I am feeling good. I've cut down a bit on unnecessary snacking, am drinking more water, and no weeknight beers. I haven't ridden my bike this week due to blustery and rainy weather. Ho hum. Hopefully the weather will get better tomorrow and this weekend! I'm not doing the paleo diet, but I am trying to consume less processed food and carbs. I'm also a vegetarian (ok ok I eat fish sometimes). Are there other veggies out there that are trying to better their diet and get a bit more active? Want some accountability and recipe swapping?? ... -

Yayayay keep it up Osla!

Hey! How's it going over there?

Wow! I'm so impressed you went for a run instead of taking a relaxing bath and having a beer (I love treating myself to some lounging and a nice cold beer)! Great job! Keep it up!

Hiiii!!! Good luck on your goals just a suggestion for when you're craving that soda: do you like drinking sparkling water? Or even just still water with some lemon? I know it's not the same thing but it might be able to hold you over until your craving dies down! You could make yourself drink a full glass before you even think of letting yourself have that soda. Keep working at it!! You can do this!

Sounds like you are doing great! Keep it up! I'm also a first time challenger and love snacking I think for now I'm going to stick to healthy snacks if I must! (I am a huuuge popcorn lover so need to figure out how to cut that out....) Good luck and keep it up!

Decided to sign up for NF emails. I was initially avoiding that because I get to much crap in my inbox and didn't want to add to that but I'm really glad I did. I'm going to start the beginner body weight work out tonight and see how that goes! I'm excited, and it seems like something I can keep in my routine. I'll report back tomorrow! Is anyone else doing that on a daily basis? How's that working out for you?

Hi Carrie!! I'm new here too. Great job with the running group! It's great that you can go at a pace that works for you! It'll keep you going in the long run to know you can have that space of support that is open to all speeds and styles and what not. As I was reading I was gonna come down here and suggest brussels sprouts as a delicious veggie to include in meals but YOU ALREADY INCORPORATED THEM! I am currently on a brussels sprout kick and always appreciate yummy suggestions from others so wanted to spread the word. my favorite: halved and tossed in light amount of olive oil and roasted in the oven. Suggestions for bringing lunches to work: soup! Make a big batch at the beginning of the week and use it for a few meals (although don't make the batch so huge you get REALLY sick of it). it cuts down on dishes and prep time. I also like getting a pita and basically filling it with salad by chopping up alfalfa sprouts, carrots, cucumbers, some type of leafy green, tofu, tomatoes, parsley and then adding a tad of my favorite dressing. Nice way to get lots of veggies and also appease my carb craving. I feel like I'm rambling now but you sound like you're doing great! Keep it up! Good luck!

I love that you go geocaching!! What a great activity keep up the good work! Sounds like you've been doing great. All I would recommend is try not to beat yourself up so much (like the negativity about eating one piece of candy in therapy...no sweat just keep going!) Look forward to continuing to cheer you on 😉

Congrats!! On your engagement and also on your progress! Keep up the wonderful work Not sure if it helps, but a professor of mine always reminds me and my fellow students when we are questioning whether or not we can finish our graduate program: This time is going to pass whether or not you are in this program, but by the end of all this you'll have something to show for it! So if you ever doubt, just keep in mind: The time leading up to your wedding and all the fun adventures afterwards are going to pass whether or not you stick with your challenges, but keep up this great work and you'll have all the wonderful successes once you get there!