Koaladle

Still doing the steps, still counting calories. I started adding some bike rides into the mix and reactivated my facebook so I could get more involved with the community surrounding the Hogwarts Running Club. May take a little break from NF; I have very busy weeks headed my way and my long term habits are well in hand.

Let's unpack this. First off, this is your challenge and it can be about whatever you need it to be. The goal is a healthy body and a happy heart, not to entertain the masses. Secondly, this challenge is fascinating. Few people are willing to be so honest and vulnerable about their personal growth and we are privileged to be invited along.

Yesterday was super productive! I spent four hours in the kitchen largely because I found that our sink is leaky. We've secured water in the kitchen for now until we can spot all the places that are trouble spots. I'm going to throw a bucket down there and wash the dishes from making dinner last night, but after that we're eating off paper plates and using chopsticks/one designated spork each. All hail Sandwichlandia! SUMMARY Daily Goals Track Food--CRUSHED IT! Self Care--CRUSHED IT! Creative Outlet--CRUSHED IT! And as a reward, more tonight! Do Chores--Plan to deep clean the kitchen, make dinner, dust/sweep/swab, fold laundry/assemble work clothes for Handsome Husband Family Time--CRUSHED IT! Ate breakfast together Challenge Goals Finish Green Stripe--CRUSHED IT! Let's change this to Yellow Stripe and see how far I get in a week! Ten Active Hours Spend 7 hours outside per week--1/7, but if I only make it to five this first week, that's okay Finish Binding Journal--No progress yet FOR TODAY! I have the itch to knit and am running out of time to finish this project so I'm going to focus on that. The "If you're sitting you'd better be knitting" rule is in full effect! I'll do steps when my hands need a rest and once I'm done knitting for the day I'll move onto another something. Folding laundry is a likely choice, as we have a couple loads of clean stuff sitting around and yet Gondor calls for Aid to locate socks every morning. Overall I'm just going to get this damn blanket done so I can start working on the other projects I have on deck (there are a lot and heeyyyy all time senstitive). TUHDAY Daily Goals Track Food--In progress Self Care--Relaxing day knitting like mf Creative Outlet--Knitting until my hands cramp Do Chores--Fold laundry, do one load because I forgot I need black pants tomorrow Family Time--Dinner, hopefully. Challenge Goals Finish yellow stripe--In progress Spend time outside--2/5 Finish Binding Journal--No progress yet

What to say to literally ANYONE who feels the need to say something (Sassy Janeway is an excellent image search) I get that desire to present yourself in an empowering way or a way that makes you feel ready to take on the world, but you don't need to be ON all the time. You certainly don't need to put up with anyone who can't handle the HORRORS of undone hair and a makeup free face. <3 <3 <3 Don't apologize for that! You are lovely and amazing no matter what your level of formality because you are compassionate, creative, and kind. I would suggest giving yourself the patience you'd give a child. You're starting this relationship over from the foundation and building it back up into something stronger and more beautiful. There's a lot of joy to be had in that! See if you can't choose to celebrate this process rather than looking at it like an achievement with an end result. Maybe track your biases like you would fitness--write down a bunch of baggage you want to get rid of and cross them out as you let them go so you can see your progress.

Say the self talk out loud. Good things will feel great and bad things will get corrected into something positive because you seriously don't want to say that crap out loud. DO THIS. Hold hands, sneak kisses, be playful. Inject as much spontaneity as you can! A huge part of Christianity is actively living scripture and you can't do that with your nose in the Bible--so actively live (and enjoy!) your vows. <3 OH MY GOSH HOW CUTE IS THIS! <3 <3 <3 <3

MUCH. It was a 24 hour blerg with a couple of moments over the holiday weekend. I'm changing the challenge a little bit. During our Anniversary Staycation, I noticed how much time I spend in the house. While I don't begrudge people occasionally hermitting. the fact is that I am home ALL the time and almost always indoors. This morning I carved out some time to drink coffee and knit in the backyard and it was HEAVENLY. Our neighborhood is pretty active; we have kids outside and playing, birdsong, neighbors mowing lawns, and the occasional dog barking, not to mention living up to the name Sunshine State. I'm going to change my challenge goal "10 active hours" to "7 hours outside per week". I don't get anything from that many active hours so I'll keep it a nice bonus accomplishment rather than enforcing a habit. "Oh, wow, a super active day!" This weekend was not particularly productive, although we did do taxes and overhaul our financial plan for the year. Husband was incredibly burnt out, but we did finally make it to that date. As an extra bonus, I took a selfie and felt gorgeous for the first time in years (literally years). I normally make horrific faces when I get within 4 feet of a camera, but my makeup was perfect and my hair was a level of lovely I'd never attained myself. Me to myself: Anyway, today is going to be a BIG chore day. I'm talking kitchen deep clean, dusting, sweep and swab, laundry, making dinner, wiping dog drool off the picture window, and de-furring the couch (which has gotten so gross to me that I don't sit on it, but FEAR NOT I jut have a very low threshold). If for some reason I don't make my step goal today (not bloody likely) but I get the "oh shit, woman" stamp of approval (very likely), I will be satisfied (no I won't, but I'll try). For my next challenge, I think I'm going to add "put effort into appearance". It is a major boost to my self esteem to give a shit about how I present myself. I put care into almost everything and frankly I deserve some of that too. For now, it'll be a little extra accomplishment (like the active hour goal). By the way, buy tissues and watch "Queer Eye" on Netflix. SUMMARY Daily Goals Track Food--In progress Self Care--Plan to shower, do a little makeup, dry hair, and wear Outside Adult clothing Creative Outlet--CRUSHED IT! And as a reward, more tonight Do Chores--Plan to deep clean the kitchen, make dinner, dust/sweep/swab, fold laundry/assemble work clothes for Handsome Husband, Family Time--CRUSHED IT! Ate breakfast together Challenge Goals Finish Green Stripe--CRUSHED IT! Let's change this to Yellow Stripe and see how far I get in a week! Ten Active Hours Spend 7 hours outside per week--1/7, but if I only make it to five this first week, that's okay Finish Binding Journal--No progress yet

We decided to put it off. It's too expensive and special an outing to risk a Bridesmaids incident. XD (GIFs so horrifying I'll let you look them up)

That hair color absolutely suits you! Definitely getting Janeway, especially with the red blouse.

DAY FOUR: Did steps, knit a lot, had a nice, relaxing day, blah blah. BUT THEN I'd been craving ice cream for a couple weeks, so as a anniversary treat we got pints of ice cream. Specifically pints so that 1) I can test out my self control around food, and 2) if I totally fail at self control it doesn't devastate a month of work. So far, I haven't gone off the deep end! Whoo! Unfortunately, I woke up tummy sick this morning. Really, REALLY sick. I'll spare the gruesome details, but between drinking wine last night (no alcohol since Christmas) and forgetting that my dairy intake has been cut back in a big way, I am absolutely miserable. This is much worse than when I had to start eating meat again before I deployed, probably because back then I didn't COMPLETELY FORGET TWO DIETARY CHANGES!!! Wish me luck; we're supposed to go out on a very fancy date tonight but right now I don''t want to go anywhere that isn't a direct path from my bed to the bathroom.

DAY THREE: Monthly weigh-in is done and dusted! I am 240.2 pounds (roughly) and have lost 2 inches on my waist, three on my hips, and 1.5 on my thighs. I didn't do a bust measurement because my standard measuring bra is in a laundry bin somewhere, but I suspect I've gotten smaller there as well. Since I can round down to 240 I went ahead and colored in my wand progress chart to celebrate! Whoohoo! Speaking of celebrations, my anniversary is coming up. I'm forgoing a fancy dinner out tonight for a dinner later this week at a Brazilian steakhouse. It's a dinner not for stretchy pants, but for a full-skirted dress (dodge the limitations of a waistline!). Granted, I can't eat as much as I used to, but still--delicious. Going to hit that low step goal and spend the rest of the day knitting. I think my legs will be fully functional in the morning.

RELATABLE.

DAY TWO: My calories seemed to evaporate today, but I did track my food and am closing in on my lower step goal (10,000). Other than knitting and going to bed early it's a low key day. I may need tomorrow as well for recovery since my calves are still mooing (as opposed to dogs barking? Makes sense in my head). Heating pad, hydration, naps, the muscle roller, and protein will eventually work healing magic. Tomorrow I'm going to do my monthly weigh-in and measurement day! I stepped on the scale this morning and saw 240.6 (squeeeeeee) but was hungry and not patient enough to do the thing.

Terra , you are amazing and positive and 100% right.

That sounds like so much to take on at once, but you are going to come through like a champ.

End of challenge wrap up: On steps and portion sizes, I have been consistently doing well. The quality of food has room for improvement, but the quantities are definitely controlled. I chose Super Bowl Sunday as a holiday (i.e. get pizza delivered and *gasp* have a single serving of soda) but even then I was marking time the entire first half and most of the second. By the time I went to bed I hit 30,000 steps and had burnt off my excess food. In fact, I've hit 30,000 steps a few times and during Zero Week of the next challenge I upped my goal to 12,000 in addition to yoga every night or using my weights. Anyway, this is my second challenge in a row that's gone super well. Here's to the third! Same topic name, as always.