durfette

Hey! Checking in. Hope the little dogger has been fun. I always love house-sitting! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just popping in to say I really admire you. Your posts are like a breath of fresh air. Truth here, truth there, sprinkling truths everywhere! Keep up the good work! I look forward to reading more of your wisdom and how your challenge is going. Hope you survive that group project! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ugggh hormones are the worst. I'm sorry you had to deal with that. Did you make it to the gym for your third weekly workout? Working out at lunch is pretty stressful for me, but despite the crowd I always feel better than if I did nothing at all! Checking in to see how you're doing. [emoji5] hope those hormones learn their place! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Countess!!! Hello! Another familiar face. [emoji5] Weekends are the worst for me too! Something about unscheduled time opens the door to copious Bad Choices. [emoji85] I think we aaaaall feel you there. I remembered you were in law school and gracious me, you deserve a pat on the back for the fabulous victories you've had this week!! Sleep deprivation is no dragon to sneeze at and you came out triumphant! I hope this week you're able to keep the momentum! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Checking in: So for the past week it's felt like everyone needed my help and I've felt a little frantic. Thus the lack of update. My husband has had the plague (basically a really bad flu [emoji40]: vomit, aches, gross cough, the works), baby has felt needy, possibly had a mild bug and wanted to be nursed literally every hour and my sister in law was having a hard time and stayed with us. We have a car in the shop and we don't have warm clothes that fit baby and I missed some social events I was really looking forward to bc of the sickies. It's been stressful and exhausting. It's also been pouring rain, so walks have been impossible and yoga has been nearly impossible due to space and timing and such. BUT here are my victories: -I have been logging my food intake consistently -I've been stacking my recipe collection and trying new recipes that are on easy, and sometimes on the healthy side -I have made packed my freezer FULL of meals that can be tossed in a crockpot or heated in the oven for the nights when I'm working (I made ELEVEN meals, and breakfast burritos) -been getting in a daily green protein shake mid-morning to fulfill my breakfast = protein goal and lunch = veggie goal (two birds with one stone!!) -on Saturday I was having a bit of a meltdown and was about to make some poor choices... when instead I made myself a green smoothie, read scriptures, and did a session of yoga when Baby was asleep. It was like night and day the difference with that bit of self-care. -baby has started smiling consistently at me and only me and it is sooo sweet. I'm cherishing this time since she's gonna start smiling at others soon. But I LOVE that I get it first. [emoji173]️ it was on my hardest day too, and it was like a little positive nudge to keep me going. Thanks for checking in on me zeroh! And Bean, thanks for the encouragement. I didn't realize how much of motherhood is feeling like you're doing everything wrong all the time. I know my baby is fine, but I constantly feel like I should be doing something differently or better! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi! So happy to see you here! I love what you said about your time out. It's so relatable. I've been having really similar thoughts with my mindset. When my decisions come from the outcome (energy or how you feel, etc) it's easier to make healthy choices. Problem is it's hard to get the momentum to start making good choices. So glad you've found a formula that helps you come alive and do whet your heart most desires. Good priorities, I say. Love having you here! Good vibes to you! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi hi hi!!! Welcome back! I'm respawning this challenge too! Happy to see you here. [emoji846] I'm sorry you've had some setbacks but you've got that unbeatable chipper attitude and resilience that I admire. Great work on your week one! Especially with being successful even with an atypical work week. It would've been easy to use it as an excuse. But you didn't! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey! Hope you're feeling better today. Sending good vibes! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

UPDATE Last Thursday I realized I needed to start pumping so there would be a supply for baby when I start back at work in a couple weeks. I wanted to pump after morning feeding, but this was usually when we take our family walks so it threw off our groove a bit. I missed breakfast that day and it threw off the whole day! But I got back on the horse the next day. I've been good with logging food and the protein and veggies. I'm not trying to stay below a certain calorie level yet cuz I was instructed not to really try to limit calories when you're breastfeeding. So I've been logging to be aware and I've been so surprised at how much I've been eating! Ugh. And I've been so hungry with the nursing. I've been getting the walks in also as much as possible. On Friday it rained so that cut the walk short. But we still got outside! The exercise has been hard since I have a narrow window of time to get it done and sometimes other things come up. But I feel way better than I did! Tracking calories has prevented me from grazing as much since I know I'll have to log whatever I take in. Also, Baby finally took a binky! [emoji1316] now she stays asleep and doesn't only accept comfort from mom (which was getting exhausting for me, as sweet as it was). The logistics of me returning to work (three days a week, not even full time!) is looking daunting and complicated. Any moms have any suggestions? I love my job, but I'm gonna miss my baby! Here's what my days are gonna have to look like when I work: 5:30am get up, get ready 6am nurse 6:45 run to train station 7am take train to work 7:50 arrive at station, start walking to work 8am arrive at work 9-9:15 pump 11:15am quick workout at office gym, shower Noon pump and scarf down food 3-3:15 pump 5pm leave for train station 5:30 take train home 6:10 drive home from track stop 6:30 arrive home, nurse 7:30 eat dinner, put baby to sleep 8 get ready for next day and sleep asap And baby is waking up two or three times a night to nurse in addition to this so... it's gonna be tough! Fortunately my husband is a huge help. Meal planning is going to become a necessity for survival, which is a good way to force the habit I guess. Suggestions welcome! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well hello there!! Happy to see you here. [emoji5] Dang everyone!! I wish I had your brains working together to solve my leg cramp issue when I was pregnant! Haha. I was taking supplements and drinking lots of water and eating bananas and string cheese and doing all my doctor suggested when he suggested to ease up. I think I concluded by the end that the pregnancy was just shifting and throwing my hips and legs off balance in a way that needed a different kind of help than supplements. I'll definitely keep these things in mind if I have another baby! Thank you!! Haha! For real. I boop my baby's nose ALL THE TIME. and kiss her chubby cheeks and take like hundreds of pictures a day. [emoji5] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I didn't know protein oats was a thing! I've made egg white oatmeal before which is basically mixing in egg whites while you cook the oats. It's good but it has a moist fluffy texture that isn't for everyone. I also mix peanut butter in, mostly to smooth out the taste. Peanut butter and Greek yogurt have been a favorite. I've also just out protein powder straight into my oatmeal and it was pretty good! And I second using powdered peanut butter! if it wasn't so expensive, I'd use PB2 for a lot of things... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi friend!!! [emoji112] Thank you for the support! Always a pleasure to have you on my thread! I'm not really sure what was up my last trimester. I just couldn't do almost any exercise beyond walking (even that I had to limit) without getting really painful Charlie horses that lasted for days after any exercise. I couldn't ingest enough calcium and potassium to prevent it from happening. I also had pretty bad sciatic pain the entire pregnancy and I wasn't able to figure out an exercise that helped. Stretching sometimes made it worse. There were some days I couldn't even stand up from my chair or walk. My doctor basically said "well, you're in the homestretch so take it easy and go on walks. But don't push it." In retrospect perhaps I should've visited chiropractor but was too distracted with all the things to fuss with it. With my foot, I had surgery on the larger sesamoid about 18 months ago... but then I found out shortly after that surgery, the second, smaller sesamoid broke. Before I got pregnant I got a "bone stimulator" that is used by professional athletes to heal breaks and injuries quickly, but was told not to use it while pregnant. So I've been using that daily now that I'm no longer pregnant and am hoping it helps. But the science behind it sounds like witchcraft so who knows! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

LOVE hearing this kind of excitement!! Keep up the good work! And at hard times when food and laziness are temptations, remember that feeling! This momentum will carry you! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good luck this weekend!! What play are you doing? (Sorry if already mentioned). In my experience, you don't know what "high energy" means until you work with young theater kids. Or adult theater kids. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi! I'm not sure if I'm gonna be able to keep up with your thread cuz it's chugging along quickly! But I'm gonna lurk when I can cuz I'm fascinated with how other people organize their lives. We just moved into a new apartment a couple months ago and you know how people say "every third move is like your house burning down?" Well that's sort of what this move was for us and we got rid of sooo much stuff. It felt so good! I'm nowhere near the Konmari approach (I would be hard bent in convincing my husband too.), but a blogger posed a challenge to get rid of 100 things in a month and that's something I think I might endeavor to do in the future. The Towhee is so cute! Thank goodness evolution did not give us bright colored butts cuz this caboose doesn't need more attention... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Okay so crossbreed beasts, corrupt law enforcement, disrespectful creeps... is your home called "Panem?" I don't have dogs (wish I did!), but I have a baby and people are the same way with babies! I was at a women's event last night and this lady was obsessed with my daughter and wouldn't leave us alone. I mean, I am obsessed with her too but I am her MOTHER. This was a stranger! When I was politely deterring her away from my daughter, she kept saying "it's okay, I'm a grandma!" And my daughter was getting fussy, she kept saying "oh I can make her stop crying cuz I'm a grandma!" Um no. Let me take care of my own child. Then she kissed her face without asking me [emoji34] I was appalled! I don't know you. I don't know if you have a cold or if you have been vaccinated. Don't touch my baby with your germy lips! Whyyy won't people just listen and be respectful! Ugh. Sugar is the worst. I feel your pain. When I make a specific meal plan, it helps me a lot! At least to get my head in the right place. It helps me "reset" to be strict for a few days and remember how good it feels to eat well. I have to plan snacks at specific times even so I don't mindlessly graze and grab a treat. Also, chewing gum after those snacks / meals I planned gives me just enough sweet to distract me from wanting sugar. Maybe that'll help you? I'm nowhere near conquered my sugar addiction, but having gum on me at all times helps. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ugh math. I don't know what it is about getting pregnant and having a kid, but since then I cannot do even the most basic math. The other day I was like "I wonder how old I'll be when I've been married longer than I was single." And I was really trying hard to figure it out and my husband was like "just double the age when we got married, dummy." OH. [emoji58] And fitness and nutrition is enough of a headache without too much math! I should be more accurate with my food logging too... just can't be bothered with it yet. Eventually I will... baby steps. I would think Irish dance would be tough on the knees? Maybe that's why mostly 12 year olds do it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Haha, "super perky soccer mom type." I've actually had several friends really enjoy and find success in Weight Watchers, but it's sooo good to feel comfortable enough in your own skin and know yourself enough to know when something is not a good fit... I did jazz and modern. Irish is SO COOL. I've never tried, but I find it mesmerizing and beautiful to watch! I just found out about that MoviePass card and I think it's such a neat idea! Have fuuuun!

Hi Severine! Remember me? I was active on the forums about a year ago and loved following your threads! I'm back and I'm so happy to see you here too! And in the Ranger Forum! You brave lass. I'll be following along even though... I'm start back at newbie level and you're -gasp- like an established guild member now. And now "freggie" is a thing on the forums, which I assume is fruits / veggies? I feel like an old person trying to figure out Facebook. Anyway, you are in a different phase of life than you were a year ago! Last I read, you had been working like crazy 20 hour days on a farm with a crummy coworker and craziness. Now it still seems like you've got some hectic things in your life, but a very different sort of hectic. You're like a swiss army knife with all your skills and abilities and passions! Law, agriculture, now ESL. I am amazed by you! What is OCR? I hadn't heard of the Elements program until I jumped on the boards and there are a lot of users trying it out! Have you already tried the workouts? Do you like them? Is it worth the $75? I think your goals are great and brave and you're going to dominate them! Your "bright line" ban on foods you know you have issues with. It's also scary and sounds hard. >_< And "forest bathing" is my new favorite thing. I love that there's a word for that. See you around, friend! I'm gonna slink back to the Rebel forums.

Hello friends! I'm happy to be back!! It's so nice to see some familiar faces. [emoji5] And new ones! Hiiii! [emoji112] thanks for dropping in! I decided to start this challenge this week bc my goals mayyy change come October when I return to work a couple days a week (not sure how that'll effect things just yet!). And so far so good! I talked with my husband about how to get my exercise in (he'll watch baby while I go to the gym and we'll keep each other accountable for the walks). We're both also trying to eat healthier so he's been really supportive of that. HALLELUJAH. Oh, I also plan my weeks and challenges Monday thru Sunday instead of the typical Sunday thru Saturday. It's just what works for me personally. I love to-do lists and checking them off. However, with the baby that list is often more discouraging than not. So something I've started making "Daily Done" lists in addition. That way I don't feel like I've been a complete blob all day. I'm marking down anything I want credit for. For example, a couple days ago my list looked like this: -clipped baby's fingernails -read to baby -loaded and unloaded dishwasher -paid online bills -washed 2 mason jars And I felt so accomplished! As measly as those things are. Bc I kept a tiny person alive too! I don't think I'm gonna post those lists on my thread, but I might mention some woots each day to pat myself on the back. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

New Zealand sounds awesome!!! I've always wanted to go there. Despite the bumps in planning I hope you have a great time. [emoji5] I love the simplicity of your goals. Especially the waking up one! Best of luck!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ack I hope those ATV peeps don't return... [emoji51] people can sure be the worst. Also, COYWOLVES?! Wth. That sounds terrifying. Do you live in a dystopian society or something? I agree wth Wobbegong: I personally would pay off debt first. Debt makes me nervous and I hate it. I am also not opposed to using savings to pay off debt if it's possible. I also do not know what KPA is nor how important it is (and it sounds pretty important...). I also despise not having a buffer in my budget for unexpected expenses. (Basically, I hate money. Haha.) You mentioned if something comes up it would place you in a tight spot. Would you be able to pay off half the debt and keep the rest for KPA? Do what you feel is best! Good luck in your decision. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good goals! Our nutrition and fitness goals are similar! I'm trying to keep it simple too. Do you log food with My Fitness Pal? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi! Goodness you've got a ton on your plate! I have one newborn "agent of chaos" and I am flabbergasted that anyone adds to the litter! I am already so overwhelmed and how much other stuff you have... you must be Wonder Woman. Good luck! I'll be popping in to see how it's going! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hello fellow bullet-journaler! I love the sticker idea! I usually just use a basic habit tracker that I mark off, but stickers could be their own sort of motivating... Your goals are great! I found meditation so challenging and I am impressed with anyone who commits to it. It sounds like you're juggling a lot with that schedule of yours too. Best of luck! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk