Day 7 - March Challenge - Choosing the Road

[Ottawa]

Where is everyone???:D


"There's still time to change the road you're on" (Page-Plant from Stairway to Heaven)
http://www.christianlife.cc/db/admin/siteimages/crossroad%20copy.jpg


An idea to start Day 7, although it is speaking to the converted.;)

Along with the results that we see from this program it was great to see James thread on the recent Diet study (http://72.32.36.211/forum/showthread.php?t=2417).


What a difference this road makes. 4 years ago I had just started on what I was thinking might be just another shot in the dark at dieting.

What a difference a change in the road makes!

[Mitra]

Hello, Randy - I was just thinking that I'd better start the thread myself since all the usual early risers aren't about today. You just beat me to it :cool:.

Even though it's preaching to the converted, I think your quote is still relevent - most of us need to keep tweaking our direction on a regular basis!

[maxlharris]

Sorry. No incentive to turn on computer before gym at new office, so I can't be on before 8 unless I go from home.




You're a shining star
No matter who you are.
Shining bright to see
What you can truly be.



Indeed.

Anyrate, this is my day:
in half an hour, I have an all day training on Retirement planning for new federal employees. I dunno how long I'm gonna be with the guvmint, but it isn't gonna be 30 years.

I get to skip out of that around 2:50 to go to a meeting at 3 with some big wigs.

After the meeting, I either go back to training or I go home. Or I sit at my desk and redact some documents.

Amazingly, I don't find any of this even mildly depressing. I guess it just proves, the best food can only be determined when you are starving.

[hawk]

WHOA>>>> Where is everyone!! This was a change.

I woke up with a headache.. I will get my UBWO in when I get home from the office. I am working for a living today..I love the office though. Lots of people in and out.

I woke up today feeling really bad and smelled coffee. My stellar husband made it for me. My first smile of the day. Then I was looking for something to wear because my dress slacks are all loose and look weird. I picked out a pair I have not worn in some time that were a favorite and they fit awesomely. Soon to be loose also as I plan on losing more weight. Second smile of the day... Then I came on here and had my third smile of the day...
You are special Randy,Max<Mitra, I am glad you were here to start my day off. HAve a great day. gotta go!!

Lynn

[Bonnie]

Morning all,

Snowing here. Not supposed to amount to much. Yesterday wasn't a BAD day, plan-wise, but it wasn't good enough to be a yes in the challenge. Today will be better!

Bonnie

[Claudette]

Randy,
Aren't you glad you tried the new PP road?
I look forward to reading you link.

Janet, I am finding out "tweaking" is essential for me anyway.

Hawk, great news about your favorite slacks that now fit. Isn't it a great feeling? Hope your headache gets better.

Bonnie, you can do it.

Today, snacks/meals planned. Slept a little later today, will have to work in exercise tonight before supper. I plan to be on track today.

Will edit later.

Claudette

[Karole]

Hello everyone finally am able to post again after having a perforated appendix removed and just getting home from the hospital yesterday.

I have hardly eaten anything since last Sat. when my symptoms (read that PAIN) began and after 2 trips to the ER I had the surgery. Whew, no way to spend March.
I am feeling better today so hopfully things will keep improving and I'll be back in the challenge before to long----well except for the exercise part.
Getting tired so will close out and check back later.

[Mitra]

:eek: Karole, I hope you're feeling better. And the challenge is to meet your exercise goals, so if your exercise goal for this week is getting out of bed for a while each day, then you can still get your point for doing it. We all have to vary our exercise plans to a level that will improve our health at any given point - not just to workout at some predetermined level.

[oceanblueLA]

Karole... welcome home. I hope you feel better! Yikes.

Hi everyone. Sorry I was not around yesterday. Whew it's been hectic. But I kept to my workout and food plan, so yesterday was a yes.

I love the thought for today... that there's still time to change the road you're on. Amen. But that does cut both ways. There's always the wrong choice to be made as well. Still, it's good to work from a place of choice.

I've been having very bad lower back issues and my doc said not to do the treadmill anymore for a while. I've been working on building my core strength with a trainer twice a week. But now I have to find a way to get aerobic that does not involve sitting or standing. Good luck, huh? I do have a pool but it costs a fortune to heat. But I am going to have to bite the bullet and do it. I live in L.A. andit's going ot be 80 today. But the water doesn't really warm up to swimming temp until June. But what price, fitness? I guess I'll soon find out. ;-)

Hope you're having a great day.

Blue

[Ottawa]

Karole, What a major event! Hang in and I hope you fell better soon.


I do have a pool but it costs a fortune to heat. But I am going to have to bite the bullet and do it. I live in L.A. andit's going ot be 80 today. But the water doesn't really warm up to swimming temp until June.

Blue ... We're still walking on water up here (http://www.lastoutpost.com/photogallery/BigGull-Feb.JPG), possibly for another month. Try a solar blanket (Clear on top blue underneath). At 80 degrees it will likely keep it warm enough to pay for itself in a year.
Besides ... when you talk about it being 80 degrees some of us start crying.:crybaby: :lol:

[Ammy]

Welcome Home Karole, glad everything is figured out and taken care of!! Get BETTER!

Hawk, I know you're at work, but hope your headache is gone!
Bonnie...wish it was snowing here...it's going to be in the 40s again this weekend which means all our beautiful snow will be GONE!!
Randy, I LOVE the "change in the road" analagy.
Max...ugh, trainings, meetings, I hope you like it better than the other job
Blue...a Dr telling you NOT to walk on the treadmill??:D Wait, did you say you have a POOL?? Ah, LA...think what it would cost for ME to heat a pool at my house...in Minnesota!! It's 14degrees today!
Claudette, way to PLAN!!

I haven't been part of the challenge this month, but am still having success...another pound down...2 more and I'll be under 200 FINALLY!!

I was reading an article about "can you still be healthy if you're obese" and they were saying that if you do 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week, you may be healthier than a "normal size" person who does NOT MOVE their body. Great reinforcement!! http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2003/06/02_hetlandc_obesityfitness/

[~april~]

Well, I thought about posting this morning, but figured everyone would wait until the end of the day, once they know if they had a YES or NO day ;). I decided to check anyway, as i've become slightly hooked on this board in a short period of time. Do they have a PPA group for addicts?? LOL.

Anyway...I've been good. I've been very good. I realize that ketosis is not a factor in this WOE, but it feels gooooood to get there anyway. It's like a positive reinforcement that tells me that I AM eating the right way, and there aren't any extra carbs sneaking in and preventing me from losing weight. I was a bit worried about the very beginning of this plan, as everytime I work the plan, it doens't always show any results in the first month. I end up giving up - every time. :peeved: I read somewhere that you need 10 carbs the first week, 20 the second, and 30 then on to ensure that your body is in top form metabolically speaking. I am hoping that ketosis means that I'm in top form??? I am refusing my scale for a bit, as sometimes I get on and it shows no loss - I end up giving up. I'm not doing that again!! I think I'll wait until the end of this challenge to weigh myself. :eek:

I've been re-thinking my goal as well. I don't ever remember being 150. Even when I was in the best shape of my life just out of boot camp - I was 165 and a size 7. Do they even make size 7's any more? I feel as though once I get to the right size...my body will just stop losing weight. I'll feel great, my blood work will be great....and I will just know. How did you guys know when you were at goal?

Another difference for me THIS time around (I've tried it a hundred times) is that I am not giving up no matter what. Even if I do not lose weight (I think I will eventually...how can you NOT lose weight) I have to keep reminding myself that it is better for me and I feel better - and that is better than nothing. My past memories of when I lost a lot of weight and felt great on it also will keep me going....as will the support of this board. That is the number 1 difference between this time and last - I have you guys. :) Let's see how this works.

[Ottawa]

I read somewhere that you need 10 carbs the first week, 20 the second, and 30 then on to ensure that your body is in top form metabolically speaking. I am hoping that ketosis means that I'm in top form??? I am refusing my scale for a bit, as sometimes I get on and it shows no loss - I end up giving up. I'm not doing that again!! I think I'll wait until the end of this challenge to weigh myself. :eek:

I've been re-thinking my goal as well. I don't ever remember being 150. Even when I was in the best shape of my life just out of boot camp - I was 165 and a size 7. Do they even make size 7's any more? I feel as though once I get to the right size...my body will just stop losing weight. I'll feel great, my blood work will be great....and I will just know. How did you guys know when you were at goal?

I find that if I am drinking anywhere close to 64 oz., that the strip only shows the lightest of Lavender so I only check a few times a year if I get frustrated :lol: or am checking for something else (I use ChemStiks which check several things).

Although I have been close (just 7 pounds away), I have not met complete goal yet. I have met the BF target at 207 - 210 which is 18% or just a littel under, I had the 200 number as my goal and find it easier to have something to keep working at. When I tried Maintenance, I just slipped a bit and put pounds back on which required more worjk than I ever planned to regain the loss. At teh time I had figured I had earned it and it would stay fairly static but the scale proved otherwise. I will likely always be a Boot Camper at 40 ECC or less and just have a few extravagances each year which I can repair in under a week.

============


Randy, I LOVE the "change in the road" analagy.
Yeah ... I used live on Fat Boy Lane ;) before I picked the "other road". Way to go on the 2 lbs. to 200. You'll have to change the Caterpiller.:D

[SherryJ]

Hey, ALL... :)

Randy, that pic looked like a tiny part of the six mile trail I walked this am... cool analogy, ALWAYS choices, huh?!?!?! ;)

Karole... DANG!!! Feel better, Girl!

Sherry

[Karole]

Talking about ketosis reminded me of Sunday , the first dr. (who misdiagnosed me with food poisoning) said my urine test showed keotones in it, then shrugged, and said but I guess that would happen if you haven't been eating much. Kind of funny. But at least I knew I was in ketosis !!
Thanks Mitra about the exercise , I'll remember that. But I can't even do the carbs and protein either yet, just not much appetite and I get full real fast. So I'll just try again next week .
Sure is good to be back on the board again tho, so I will still keep posting.
See y'all later.

[Bonnie]

Karole,

Take care of yourself.

Bonnie

[maxlharris]

Another day ends in the federal government, Went to a high level meeting on my A project and might get to go over to Congress next week. Training was dull and kind of redundant. Had to leave the session on Estate Planning, which I don't know everything about.

Tomorrow, 3 hours on Financial Planning. With 20+ MBAs in the room. And about 10 other people. Should be interesting.

[Jingles]

We're quite warm down here too, high in the 70's but we've had frost the last 2 mornings. I don't think I've mentioned it, but I'm in Texas. T-shirt and jeans at the moment, but my light jacket is with me too.

I think it's great that there are people from all over the place on this board. I've moved around a lot in my life, and it's nice to hear about other places, some I've even been too ... others I'd love to see. Half my family is in Washington/Oregon/California, and the other is New Hampshire. I'm more than aware what really DEEP snow is like, and it's not my thing -- although I absolutely love cross-country skiing! :D As long as I can come home and thaw out when I've had enough! :p

As far as my plan for today ... I almost messed up, but caught it in time. I usually bring some peanuts for a snack and forgot them today. I was really craving almonds so stopped in a little store to get some. It was a small package of mixed nuts and the cashews looked sooooo good! I had a few, about 5, before I read the carb count on the package and my carb counter.:eek: That was close as I could have eaten the whole package!

However, I'm right on target for everything else, even wearing my pedometer today ... just getting a baseline for steps this week.

Well, time to leave work and get the kiddo's. Since DH is working late tonight, perhaps the kids and I will go walking before dinner. Have a great evening everyone! :)

[msgq]

Another difference for me THIS time around (I've tried it a hundred times) is that I am not giving up no matter what. Even if I do not lose weight (I think I will eventually...how can you NOT lose weight) I have to keep reminding myself that it is better for me and I feel better - and that is better than nothing. My past memories of when I lost a lot of weight and felt great on it also will keep me going....as will the support of this board. That is the number 1 difference between this time and last - I have you guys. Let's see how this works.

HI April -

Wow. I'm glad you wrote tday. I can totally relate to what you are saying because for me the scale is not moving. But, I am feeling real good. I have to believe that at some point the weight will start coming off.

Although for me, today was a NO day. I lost in after my workout. I was hungry and I didn't have appropriate snacks handy, so when I gave my sons their animal crackers -- well, you know the rest of the story. But, I was back on target for dinner, just over my carbs.

I don't want to give up either, although it seems mighty tempting at times. My big question is will I ever get this weight off?

Another day in the journey,

Have a good evening everyone. I'm alone tonight with the three little men. Awfully cute, high energy and draining. But, oh so worth it. (Except for the chest cold they passed on to me:(

Kathy

[oceanblueLA]

Besides ... when you talk about it being 80 degrees some of us start crying.:crybaby: :lol:

I'm sorry! Actually, I envy your wild winter weekend you had a few weeks ago. That sounded like a blast. I would have gone in a heartbeat. I never get to do anything like that in Southern California. :-(

I will definitely look into a pool blanket. Thanks.

Blue

[Ottawa]

Mitra,
A YES day all round.

On busy days I definitely end up under my ECC target as long as I have something safe somewhere in/on my desk.

Today was 4 Protein Cookies on the way to work. I had a Cherry Protein Cooler (1 ECC) with a bit of yogurt in it, (2 ECC) for the lunchtime workout and since we were in a new room with no water fountain and it was quite hot, everyone was making comments about the pink drink on the table.:D
I had a few Protein Cookies for afternoon snack and then Pork ribs with Broccoli for dinner.
I'll have a Caff - Lib later on with a bit of Davinci and cream.

Protein: 135
ECC: 26

[pelhamga]

my BF- plain yogurt,cottage cheese,berries,1 T coconut shredded
17 carbs 15 pro
my lunch -5 hot chicken strips ,peanuts
4 carbs 64 pro
D chef salad,no dressing
carbs 3 pro 32
total carb 25 total pro 112

A YES day for me
exercise- long stroll, pushing a double stroller temp 75 and sunny

[Stephie]

Hi everyone - again I tried posting while at work today, and it seemed to post, but looking now I don't see it. Sorry if some of this is repeated, and the post really is out there somewhere.

Karole - feel better soon!

Sherry - still impressed by the mileage! You go!

Today is a YES - Carbs will end up under 20, Protein at least 87, and lots of water and more throughout the evening. Also had a salad for lunch, so I met my daily salad goal.

I'm heading downstairs - I brought work home with my tonight (Grumble, grumble, grrr :angry: )

Have a great night all!

[SherryJ]

Thanks, Stephie! ;)

I miss Michelle! :cry:

Sherry

[~april~]

Kathy,

You have the key to being successful. When you fell off (for one meal) you did NOT say to yourself....well, I messed up, I might as well do it right!! (and then eat very BAD for the rest of the day). Then when you get up, you say, "I'll start on it tomorrow...etc" Before you know it a month has gone by.

Kudos to you. That is strength. :)

[Claudette]

Janet,
Today is a YES all around!



Hugs,
Claudette

[hawk]

YES today is yes.........

[oceanblueLA]

Yes... today is a YES DAY!!!!

Sweet dreams,

Blue

[Mitra]

I've been re-thinking my goal as well. I don't ever remember being 150. Even when I was in the best shape of my life just out of boot camp - I was 165 and a size 7. Do they even make size 7's any more? I feel as though once I get to the right size...my body will just stop losing weight. I'll feel great, my blood work will be great....and I will just know. How did you guys know when you were at goal?

I found it quite difficult. There seemed to be people out there who had a very definite number in mind, but I didn't really know. I'm 5'2", and a fairly small build. I knew I was 107 at 16-18, but that seemed unrealistic in my 40s. I set a goal initially of 119 (8 1/2 stone), and stayed there for a while, but then my weight started to drift up again, so I started doing some detailed journalling of what I was actually eating, and not only lost the few pounds I'd regained, but a few more, down to 112. I stayed there for a while, then drifted down a bit more to 110 at the start of last year. I (with advice from Shadow and others here :) ) made a decision not to go any lower than that, and over the last 12 months, have wandered back up to 115. Really, any weight between 110 to 120 is OK, but actually I try quite hard not to go over 115 or under 110. For me that corresponds to a body fat level in the low 20s and a BMI of 20-22. It's what I weighed in my 20s when I wasn't doing anything to control my weight. So, the choice for me is a mixture of looking at weights I was happy with in the past, looking at the numbers, and also, having definition to my shape, but not too bony. If my exercise routine was building lots of extra muscle, then the weight I'd be happy with would go up, but so far that hasn't happened.

Basically, I think you have to use past experience, body fat calcs, BMI, other people with your height and build, or whatever other info you have to get a rough idea of what a healthy size/weight for you might be, then fine tune it as you get closer, to take into account your individual build, and balancing the effort to maintain your new size against just where you want to be - staying at a very low size will require more stringent restrictions (forever) than a more moderate one.

I've also noticed that I can feel fat or thin at any weight within the range, and that I generally feel as if I'd like to lose another 5 lbs no matter what I weigh :rolleyes:.

[maxlharris]

Janet:
Nutrition: Yes
Extra: Yes
Exercise: Yes
Extra: Yes

I'm switching my 20% extra for this week. I will be doing 3 Italian lessons on my iPod per week. Now that myPod is finally repaired and ready to go (cross fingers) this can be done.

[Bonnie]

Hi, I'm a YES for 3/7.

Bonnie

[Jingles]

YES!!! for the 7th. :D :thumbsup:

[Mitra]

Max, thanks for the reminder that I need to try to improve my Italian in the next few weeks too.

I'd better go and update my spreadsheet with all these reports!