Chrissa

I will definitely will prepare better for the rough week ahead of me. Tonight I am just letting it go and tomorrow I'll deal. We lost him not long after he was transferred back. If I'm not on for a bit I'm sorry but I'll keep updating my food diary and checklist. Tonight I drink to a great man who will sorely be missed, my second father.

I'm just glad to be active back here on the threads now. I missed you and felt terrible not being able to respond to more of your posts. I wanted to but accessing the forums from my cell really sucks. I need to figure out a better way before I go to see my family in the States in 2 weeks. I'll have to try on my husband's iPad. I haven't used it much but perhaps it's time I become more acquainted with it since my next cell is going to be an iPhone instead of the Android I have now. I realize right now we all have our own struggles and the only real competition is with ourselves. I am very grateful to have the support of this community right now and would have given up this challenge already had I attempted it by myself. There really is strength in numbers, so I'll be here for you, still cheering in your corner through this challenge and together we'll come out of it that much stronger.

Hapkido is what is keeping me going right now, last night my class helped so much. We didn't have a big turn out but the workout felt wonderful and gave me release because I had something I love to focus on. I get my real satisfaction there and no empty calories can touch that. Today I am once again determined to get back on track. Yesterday I got derailed when I got called into work a few hours to cover for my boss who's wife is now in the hospital as well with severe stomach pains. I was not ready for that and had a stress snacking episode in the few hours I was there. It didn't get as bad as it could have this time but it was a fail and my only redemption yesterday was making it to class afterwards. After class I felt so much better and when I got home, found out that they are moving Dad back here to the local hospital today. He's stable now and we're hopeful that we won't be losing him just yet. Today I'm back at it again, hopefully I won't get called into work but I'll deal with it if I do. I am sticking to my routine and going to own it. I'm getting myself back in the game and going to play to win. Everyone seems to be having struggles with there challenges right now but I believe it's just a part of the process. We're barely 2 weeks in, it's not time to give up it's time to press on. We've hit our first wall and it's something we need to climb. Luckily for us we have plenty of people around us to offer a hand up or a push from behind. Never give up. Never surrender!

Sounds like you are struggling like I am but you're not giving up and neither am I. I made it to hapkido last night and just the workout alone helped my stress levels and got me refocused once again. After class, I got word that Dad's coming back to the hospital here in town today so he'll be near us again. He's stable now and we're hopeful that we're not going to lose him yet. Today I got up at 3:45 am and was wide awake. I just meditated so far but later I have my basic training today. I plan on getting out to the beach if I don't get called to work again to cover for my boss who's wife is also in the hospital now. Yesterday I thought I was ready and getting back in my groove when I got the call to work a few hours but failed the very first test by stress snacking when I got there. I was only there a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes. I am very disappointed in myself but I realize I just don't have the willpower right now and I am not ready to go back yet. Today I will press on, it's all we both can do. Things will get better because we want them to enough to make it happen. This is just a setback, another wall we have to climb to get closer to our goals. I won't beat myself up over it, but I won't let it defeat me either. It's time to fight back, to fight harder, to push ourselves forward and not look back.Today is a fresh new day and we are stronger than we were yesterday. We have great friends and family by our side and we have the potential to be that which we want to be. I am going to own it today and you will to. Let's do it!

Wow, you are doing so awesome under those circumstances. Your job seems scary but also very exciting. I really envy how well you are handling things. I have been really falling apart here and am struggling to get it back together but one bad thing keeps coming after another. Today I had a stress snacking fail. My boss called me in because his wife was rushed to the hospital with severe stomach pains and I was definitely not emotionally ready to go back to work under all this pressure. I'm still hoping to find release by going to hapkido tonight. At least I can burn off the crap. Don't know what's wrong with her yet but I may get asked to work tomorrow. I hope not but I can't refuse someone in need like that.

Thanks for the encouragement. I am trying to get back to as normal as possible right now but I'm not really ready to discuss anything about it yet. I finally got around to putting together the picture and stats from week's end and I'm doing my best to get back on track with this challenge. I missed Hapkido on Tuesday because I was both mentally and physically drained. I am hoping to make up for that tonight. My week started off fairly crappy as far as my goals were concerned. Monday before we got the call I did get my stretches and kicks in after meditation. I missed brushing after lunch which was food court fare but pretty healthy actually. I did have a snack of raw veggies at the hospital but it was because we had dinner very late for me. I managed to do ok but I had to walk a few blocks to the grocery store for breakfast foods for the next morning because all the hotel had was continental (read: grain/dairy/carb overload) and ended up buying some chocolate for comfort. I also had way too much coffee pretty much all week. Slept for crap that night and got up early Tuesday. I meditated and did warm-up but not kicks because I didn't want to wake anyone. Made and ate a reasonable breakfast and remembered to brush but a few hours later went down to the lobby in search of more coffee and ended up eating some eggs with cheese and a sausage patty of some kind with it. We went to the West Edmonton Mall before going home for some retail therapy. Didn't buy much but browsing and walking that mall for 5 hours was a good way to blow off steam and get some sorely needed movement. I ate lunch in the food court, a bun-less burger that I had ordered plain but they put cheddar and bacon on it and I was too exhausted to take it back so I just ate it. Didn't brush, had forgotten to keep it on me. Before leaving I was craving something as a treat for comfort again so as a last treat I allowed myself some Marble Slab in a chocolate dipped waffle cone. The chocolate on the cone sucked actually and I didn't care that much for the cone at all but I ate it anyways. The ice cream was really good but I regretted adding the graham cracker to it. It was lemon custard flavor with coconut and almonds added too. It tasted good but as I finished it registered with me that it was only a quick fix and didn't give me any lasting satisfaction. I wished I had ordered a small instead of a medium in a dish. I learned from it though so I doubt I'll repeat that mistake again. When we got home I didn't eat much for dinner but the damage had already been done. I did brush afterwards and went immediately to bed instead or going to hapkido class. Yesterday I did much better. I got the rest I needed even getting up a little later than usual. I tried getting back into my routine with meditation, warm-up, kicks and basic training. I also made it out for a good couple of walks. I didn't eat much at all in the morning to make up a bit for the day before and I was back to my own cooking so I ate right and brushed afterwards successfully all day. My husband and I both appreciated another good night's sleep in our own bed and having my own cooking again. I am so sick of eating out after this ordeal that aside from our trip to NYC next month I'll be avoiding it at all costs. Today I got up and meditated, did the warm-up but skipped the kicks determined to go to class tonight. I ate a good breakfast and got out for a walk to get mom's paper. I'm still not ready to give up the caffeine quite yet but I plan on having less today and getting down lots of water. Now I'm just trying to get some things done I've been meaning to do. https://www.dropbox.com/s/ajvhia1dq08tcte/Week%201.jpg Edit: Instagram added to main post for travel meal pics. View it here and add me if you like.

Sorry I seem to have dropped off the face of the Earth here. As I type this I am sitting in a hotel room waiting for the inevitable call back to the hospital to see my father-in-law off. Today has been a very hard, trying day for our family and I am just exhausted. I want to check in though and let you all know how my week ended. We did spend Friday and Saturday as planned at Dinofest. I was doing very well with the no snacking but failed in a way because I couldn't stick to normal meal times and had to grab something to tide me over or help meet my dietary needs. It sucks to go to a food tasting event that's all protein and not a veggie in sight! I used estimates on my food diary and took some instagrams that I will edit and post links to later when things calm down. I did have a bit more sugar than I had wished and somethings I just should have avoided. Saturday I failed to brush and it showed so overall I would rate my eating attempts at a C. Physically, I did a bit better. I stuck with my meditation, warm-up, and even basic training and Sunday burpee ladders. On Friday we walked about 5 km and got caught in a downpour. On Saturday we walked for about 5 1/2 hours all over town and along the river trails. I went primal with some tree climbing, balance walking on park benches and on the playground equipment. I have the sunburn to prove it too. I practiced kicks and even did some of my techniques with my eyes closed. It really does feel different. I feel I should have practiced more hapkido than I did so I give that effort a B. Sunday after I got myself back on track we left Drumheller early so we could stop by Edmonton to see dad before we went home. I had myself on track when we left, good breakfast, workout completed and I was ready to fix the damage I did on the previous days. In remembered to brush and had the best intentions but being thrown off routine all weekend and then hearing from mom that dad got moved to Edmonton took a toll on me. I had way too much caffeine and sugar in my system and I regretted it. After seeing dad in the hospital we had to find dinner before going home and it was really hard because I was surrounded by nothing I wanted at all. I missed my own cooking. I hate eating out so much. I settled for a bun-less burger loaded with veggies and a salad but still ended up eating some fudge after I got home 3 hours later. Brushing didn't happen for lunch or dinner. Sunday was a fail. I was so glad last night when I got home and could sleep in my own bed. I weighed in at 141lbs but I forgot a picture. I'll put up measurements and take pictures and all when I get home again. I meant to do it this morning but then mom called us back to Edmonton after getting the news that after the MRI they realized there was nothing more they could do for him. She called us to come say goodbye. It's getting late and I want to catch up so much but I know I won't be able. I'll keep updating my diary and tracking and post when I can so you can see how I'm holding up under all this pressure. I won't give up this challenge though in light of everything it might be just what I need to keep me moving forward. Thank you all for the support and I'm still rooting for you all with your challenges too.

Last night I had a great class as I had hoped but I still am a little annoyed at myself for the wavering I did yesterday at work. I'm not sure if I should call it my one mess up this week or not. I feel I did right recovering the situation like I did but that doesn't mean I have to like it. For those who didn't see my post on Jem's thread, I caved a little to the frozen cookie dough crumbs (mostly dark choco chunks) in the bottom of the box. I only had a scant handful and ate lunch and brushed right after to get back on track but it did happen. I'd grade yesterday as a B because of it. I did a lot of good too though. I got out there and walked a lot even though it was colder and windy. I had low energy late afternoon and drank tea instead of eating. I went to hapkido anyways and worked hard. That's not bad. This morning I ate a huge salad with the leftover mooseloaf. I'm heading on the road soon and so far only managed to meditate. I got a warmup and basic session to do so I'm going to get my butt moving. I won't have access to my pc this weekend so my posts may be a bit limited but I'll see what I can do. Have a great weekend everyone, and keep up the awesome work! Week 1 is almost over.

Sweet circuit I'm impressed. I might have to steal that workout sometime. I faltered a bit today too. The cookies really were a problem but I settled for a handful of the crumbles of chocolate chunks left in the bottom of the box of frozen dough and ate my lunch right away to stop me from going back for more. I brushed and was right back on track. A small victory but important one. I need to stop the rationalization I am using at work right now. I know I'll be changing jobs by as early as next week possibly and I won't be around those stupid frozen cookies anymore. No willpower needed anymore = easy win. I read your post not long after that happened and it really encouraged me not to beat myself up over it and stay strong. Thank you for that. I'm glad we're in this together. I feel kind of drained tonight but I refuse to let it hold me back knowing I'll get plenty of rest on the road tomorrow. Tonight I will own my hapkido class. I'm gonna listen to my favorite motivating song before I go! <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NGhyL8zg3_I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Actually the cauliflower was raw, I didn't cook it just tossed it in the food processor to "rice" it. It went very well with the sweetness of the coconut milk, vanilla in the whey and a dash of cinnamon. Very good reasons indeed, who has time for talking if that happens You're totally right about the moose steak. All I'd use is some fresh ground pepper and sea salt. Save your maple syrup for drizzling on grilled peaches to go with the steak and it's win-win. I really want to try elk, I hear it's even better than moose but I haven't found anyone willing to part with some yet. One of these days I need to learn how to hunt. I could easily live on game meat and fish.

They usually are but I am good at looking at menus and changing stuff they already serve up enough to make it paleo by replacing bread or pasta with more veggies or asking for no sauce and salsa or something more acceptable on the side. Most places are good about it though sometimes I think the servers and cooks must think I'm a pain you know where.

So yesterday went pretty well. I managed to keep up with my brushing strategy and outside of meals I only ate one sample chocolate covered cocoa bean at the local health food store that the owner asked me to try because I am one of her regulars. I was awesome and didn't throw me off at all so I consider it a win. I kept up with the rest by doing my meditation, warm-up, 100 kicks and basic training with finishing move and even improved my number of reps overall but my planks were a little weak. I would have liked to get out more but I had a lot on the go yesterday before work. I'm proud to say I made it through my shift without snacking though I did add a few extra veggies to my dinner and a tiny bit of loose chocolate chunks for dessert. Then I brushed and was good all night. Dad's doing a little better in the hospital. I didn't get to go see him but my husband did and he said he was a bit more lively. Still no results back yet but he wants us to go away this weekend as we had planned so we didn't cancel our trip to Dinofest in Drumheller. This morning the tv was on during breakfast and I found it annoying but with what my husband is feeling right now I didn't want to complain about it. I got my meditation and warm up stretches done but found my mind wandering a lot more today having so much on the go. Hapkido should be a good hard class tonight because Kwan Jang-nim will be there. I am looking forward to giving it my all. We head out tomorrow morning and it's going to be interesting to see how well I can keep up my routine and eating habits on the road. I hope I can get my basic training in before we leave in the morning but if not I'll have to do it in the evening. I know there will be plenty of physical activity, fresh air and sunshine at Dinofest and I plan on eating pretty clean and as I said, you should expect some pics of good food here. My favourite restaurant in Drumheller is Sublime. It's run by a red seal chef and his wife and their food is simply amazing. I can't wait to see them again, they are an awesome couple! I have a few things to do before getting off to work this morning but here's to another day in the trenches. I'm glad to have you all at my back. See you out there on the battlefield.

That's a high compliment coming from our fearless leader! I said I was going to go all in and I meant it. This weekend will be a huge challenge for me because we're going away and I'll be eating out the whole time which is something I rarely ever do anymore. I will stick to the plan and avoid snacking as well as trying to keep my meals as clean as possible but I'll be eating at non-chain restaurants so I won't be able to track everything on MyFitnessPal so I'll be taking photos of my meals and posting them. At least the B&B we're staying at is taking my diet restrictions into consideration. I hope they have bacon and eggs for me!

I love avocados! Sometimes I'll bake an egg inside half of one it's really good. We had a cauliflower rice porridge I made with coconut milk, vanilla whey protein, raspberries, walnuts and chia seeds. It was surprisingly a great substitute for oatmeal which I gave up when I went paleo. I also had to give up the black bean and corn salsa but it was really good. I still eat the PC Extra Chunky Mild and it's pretty good too. If the Salsa Verde or Guacamole mix is in your store too I highly recommend it. I think it's great you and your wife can push each other like we do here. You'll have to get her a pole to practice at home so you can watch! Get out there and take those baddies down today!

He really is an amazing guy, knows me better than I know myself. I am very lucky to have him and his family. Both my own parents are already deceased so they are like my second parents for me. We are very close and I love them a lot. Thanks, littlewings. I have no word yet of his test results but he is being well cared for. I've surprised myself already being able to avoid the snacking completely so far. I sure am drinking a lot of tea and coffee right now though. Mostly decaf but I don't want to end up over doing the caffeine and letting it become a crutch for me. I need to fix my insulin sensitivity and cortisone levels not make them worse. I would make excuses in the past too. I am tired of feeling sorry for myself though and "I should" is no longer in my vocabulary. Thanks for the support! Everyone really is wonderful here and I have a lot more confidence after reading all your replies. I will own this challenge!

LOL, anytime. I love to cook because it let's me be creative. I am always taking recipes and making them my own. It really helps too when you're 80% or more paleo. The real challenge for me is making food that my husband is willing to try also because he isn't quite as adventurous as me.

Glad to hear it, and don't worry about your run time for now at least you got out there and enjoyed it.It's actually better for you to have runs like that once in a while and fresh air is never a bad idea. With everything going on here I didn't get much sun today but I did get my workout done and everything is so far so good. I have a link to my My Fitness Pal under my goals in my thread you can use to add me or my username is Chrissa_Hunt. I would be very happy to have you friended there.

LOL no, I'm making Mooseloaf! I just happened to get my hands a several lbs of moose meat from a hunter friend of mine. Most of it is ground but there is one roast that I'm either going to turn into jerky or cook on the bbq. I haven't decided yet. I do see moose chili and burgers in the near future though.

Sorry I didn't get a chance to comment yesterday, but I think it's really great that you knew when to say enough with your workout and stop. You certainly earned a good rest day after all of that. I hope to be able to burn through a workout like that! The meatballs sound amazing. I am looking forward to my planned dinner tonight: Meatloaf made with ground moose! If you never had moose meat, I highly recommend it. It's even better than venison.

Sorry there was no post yesterday, as I had a really hectic day but I didn't let it be an excuse to keep up the good fight. Operation No Snack was a complete success, the afternoon tea at work and brushing is really helping! I managed my morning meditation and warm-up stretches, but knowing I had hapkido skipped the extra kick workout because I had to go into work an hour early. I had a really tiring day and was looking forward to dinner and hapkido when I got home to discover my husband had been dealing with a harder day. His dad fell and cut open his head and he was helping his mom take care of him. His head is okay but his health has been declining the past few weeks to a point he looses motor function. It happened again and long story short, we had to call the ambulance. Mom went to the hospital with him and I offered to stay home with my husband so he wasn't alone to worry but he encouraged me to go to class. I was seriously freaked out worried about dad but I thought of my goals and went anyways. My husband was playing Terraria when I left. I got to class a total nervous wreck afraid that I was going to cry in the middle of class and let the black belt that was instructing know I was in a poor mental state so I may need to take a breather during class. He really helped me out by starting with our breathing exercises. By the time warm-up was finished my head had cleared a little and I enjoyed the feel of doing the normal routine. I felt more energy in my kicks last night, releasing my stress into them and felt way better and very sweaty by the end of class. I'm so glad I went last night. Today is a new day, and I didn't sleep very well last night but after my basic training today I am going to try to take a nap since I work the close shift.

You have chosen...wisely. I had a pretty stressful day yesterday, especially putting my father-in-law in an ambulance last night before my hapkido class. There wasn't anything else I could do so and I was freaking out but I went to class anyways. Falling into the warm-up routine helped clear my head and by the time class was over there was no tension left in my neck and shoulders and I felt so much better. I have a shiny red ipod nano that's 3rd gen. The new ones are tiny and cute but I really love this one. Good luck today!

My husband isn't into MA at all, but he lets me use him as a practice dummy for techniques and such because right now he's all I got outside of class. Hopefully before class ends for summer I can enlist one of my fellow students or the black belt who lives near me to help with my practices so I can continue improving. I'm going to mention it tonight in class.

Thanks for that. I know that I am always so hard on myself and I need to ease up a bit. I seem to be taking that first step a lot lately because I have been practicing mindfulness. I'm not very sure where those steps are leading but as long as I'm moving forward I'll keep going.

Not an odd breakfast at all, it would be delicious. I had an odder one. Leftover grilled turkey and eggplant over warm spinach with tomato sauce and pine nuts. Sure was filling and delicious. My class is tonight. That's really awesome that you were singled out for your kicks. In our class it would be a very high compliment indeed. Give that bench hell today!

You got off to a great start. I also avoided the cookies with their evil Jedi Mind Tricks! Glad you realized you need more protein, especially if you are working on building muscle. It's really essential. I can't wait for my Hapkido class tomorrow too. Let's rock it!