Healthy habits challenge check-in 1/17 - YouLookFab Forum

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Healthy habits challenge check-in 1/17

medusa

Veteran

We've finished two weeks and are starting the third. How did it go last week? Do you plan to make any changes this week? Do you think that the changes you've made so far are sustainable over the long term?

I felt pretty good about this week. I was on a cross-country skiing trip, so I got a lot of exercise. And it was relaxing and felt great!

General

37 replies

Latest reply was from MsMary

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

So far, 3 weeks have been going well. I've been eating >1000 cal a day (my goal) and I feel more energetic. You'd think if you only ate like 600 cal a day you'd lose weight, but anytime I ate anything it went straight to my middle (your body is in starvation mode).

The cross-country skiing sounds divine - it was -35 outside today! I barely shuffled around the block

MsMary

Veteran

I had a good food week. All the bloat from the cruise is gone and I saw a new low on the scale today, which was awesome. Only problem is I'm just a tiny bit below where I was at Christmas, so I'm now behind schedule if I want to reach my goal by March.

I saw the trainer three times and took one tap class, so I had a good exercise week.

Kim

Veteran

So far so good! No run today, I have a nasty cold and don't have the energy to run 5 miles...(8 km) I actually stayed in my PJ's all day yesterday too, and I *never* do that.

I'm eating about where I want to be. Next step is to implement more water into my daily routine. I'm good about it during the week now, but I still find it hard on the weekends when my schedule is all over the place.

Yes, my changes are sustainable for a lifetime, that's why I'm making them! (More like tweaking my program now.)

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I did a 5 mile run yesterday, and made it to the gym twice last week for an hour on the elliptical.

I hope to make it to the gym at least 3 time in the coming week (my goal is 5 times per week but since I have switched to going at night it isn't always possible)

My calorie intake is averaging 1600 per day.

I've lost 3 pounds. Hopefully the first of many! (-:

My goal for this week is the pick up my orthodics from the podiatrist. I need new running shoes badly, and I can't shop for them until I get my new, redone insoles. I've been having bad arch pain on my runs (and heel pain the next day) and I know I won't be able to increase my mileage without the insoles. Plus, I am at risk for hurting my feet without them.

Mellllls

Veteran

Exercise is on track, albeit I'm not as in shape as I was last spring. Diet this week has been going better but is not perfect. My general goal for this week is portion control....but I am participating in a restaurant week lunch (very nice pricey restaurants run a special 3-course lunch or dinner for $20.11 for one week). It's a holiday tomorrow so we are going to have a nice lunch and then do some touristy stuff in our own city. So the lunch will be on the heavy side but we are going to a seafood restaurant so it could be worse I suppose. I've been wanting to go to this restaurant for years so I'm looking forward to it despite it will go against portion control....

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I had too much restaurant food and not enought fresh home cooked meals. I need to work on that this week. I did well overall with the wine but it could use even more curtailing on the weekends. I am getting into my last weeks of half marathon training so the running mileage is getting up there. I really need to fit in the yoga, which I keep managing to not do. So . . . this week is all about doing every cross training part of my schedule and not just the running!

LeahJanes

I ate out a bit too much but I made up for it in the exercise department. It's hard not to snack when you're feeding little kids all the time but I have showed a bit more restraint lately.

I swam twice, did a strength class and went for two 1/2 hour hill sprint sessions. It must be paying off cause I am down 3 more pounds and my body is feeling a lot stronger.

stringy

Veteran

I did pretty well - eating right and getting my exercise. I had a shock though when I looked at how many calories are in my standard serve of ice-cream! It feels like deprivation to have just 100g, but I've got a very good quality one that's quite rich, so at least I feel like I'm getting a treat still.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Doing good! I missed one Yoga class last week, but for a busy week that was good (since I actually missed two and did one make up). I'll miss again tomorrow morning because of a doctor's appointment, but I will try to go to the evening class again. I've been moving towards no grains and less sugar substitutes/more fruit. I'm cooking three meals a day from scratch right now (and I'm not talking oatmeal and sandwiches here), and I need to figure out more ways to pre-prepare and keep snacks on hand because it's causing me a lot of anxiety. So, my goals for this week are to get in three Yoga classes and continue working on easier ways to keep food on hand.

medusa

Veteran

Lyn, -35?!?! Where do you live?

MaryK, that's awesome! Way to stick with it.

Kim, very smart - no running when you have a cold.

Jenava, great progress! And getting orthotics sounds smart. I couldn't function without mine.

Melllllls, enjoy your lunch, sounds like it will be delicious!

Mo, sounds like a good goal. Congrats on all the running!

LJ, amazing progress. Wow.

Stringy, isn't it sad about ice cream? I totally feel your pain.

Khris, I'm impressed by how much cooking you do! That's amazing. You are the do-everything mom.

I'm also amazed by how few calories some of you eat. I get pretty crabby if I drop below 2000, usually I have more like 2000-2400. Last week when I was skiing a lot it was more like 3000-3500!

I weighed in today and I'm down 2 pounds from my upward blip 10 days ago, but still a couple pounds above where I was a bit before that. I still think I'll continue with my current plan, because my waist measurement is dropping - I think I shouldn't pay too much attention to the scale. Has anyone else had that experience of losing inches but not pounds?

Anonymous

I need to replenish the veggie supply as I've been snacking on nuts and cheese too much. It's been soup weather here. I've not done well with my exercise goal this past week. Time to pick up and start again.
Medusa, I've had that. The scale will probably show weight loss all of a sudden. Congratulations on losing at the waist...my hardest area.

kellygirl

Veteran

We're doing pretty good over here. The girls have pretty much given up on the complaining--they've been good about eating whatever I make. I do try to mix it up a bit and make sure they get a couple dinners a week that they really like (mac and cheese from scratch) with the side of veggies or salad. I met my fitness goals and am back to my "normal" weight.

You posted an interesting question, Medusa. I feel like my weight doesn't change much at all but I do notice a difference in how clothes fit--looser through the waist and thighs. For me, the scale can be very discouraging--I may think I have lost a pound or two but it doesn't show on the scale. Perhaps for people with a lot of muscle mass already, it might be more beneficial to measure than to use the scale as a means to track progress. Just thinking out loud here.

Mellllls

Veteran

I am making up for the large lunch by stopping at the grocery store on the way home to stock up on fruits and vegetables

Lorem Ipsum

I'm off to a slow start, but I've made some progress. I'm doing well with my commitment to floss my teeth daily. And I've managed to go a whole week without drinking any Coke! I still need to drink more water though.

Unfortunately, my yoga class was cancelled. I felt it was important to get out to do some physical activity at least once a week, so I enrolled in a Zumba class based on jen321's testimonial:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ng-results

The first class was a fun workout. I'll be missing this week's class due to another commitment, but will go back next week.

I'm pleased I've started making these small changes.

Mellllls

Veteran

also, i'm planning to take my husband skiing for a weekend. i love skiing but am always deterred by the hassle and expense of it (need to rent a car, rent skis, lift tickets, and probably a hotel room because we don't live too close to any slopes). but i figured it's a healthy way to spend a weekend much better than putting the money into a trip to lay on a beach. so we are going to try to go late jan/early feb.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I'm doing well...5 workout days last week, I'm tracking my food on loseit.com and I'm guzzling water like crazy. I'm down 2.5 pounds from January 1st and it feels really good. I'd like to lose a total of 10 pounds, but I'm not trying to do it in a hurry. Even half a pound a week would be fine with me. I'd just like to be closer to the lower end of my current weight decade.
Medusa- I know what you mean about the calories. On my non-workout days loseit only gives me 1400 calories and that is really hard to stick to. When I earn calories for working out, it is much easier to finish the day on budget.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Medusa- yes I experience the body changes without weight changes at some point in weightloss, too. You are very active with all of your cycling/walking, so you need those extra calories.

Lynne

Veteran

Well done, all!

On the positive - I made it to one workout and enjoyed a long walk with DH this past week. And we only ate pre-prepared food once (a quiche - very salty!) In addition to my normal cooking I made a very nice vege soup and came up with a lovely salad combo that included pecans and avacado oil. yum!

Re exercise, I have reverted to babysteps, and will aim to make it to the gym 4 times in the next fortnight.

My gorgeous man is facing some serious health issues at the moment and I am feeling very sad and fragile. So my healthy habits are aimed at keeping me in a good place to deal with life one day at a time. Please keep us in your prayers, and keep patting yourselves on the back for any good thing you do for yourself, however small! Sorry if I am ranting...

MsMaven

Veteran

This was a stressful week for me--my DH was back in the hospital for a few days. They have ID'd the infection that was making him miserable and at last he seems to be on the road to recovery.

Nevertheless, I didn't calm my nerves with sweets or wine. I have now lost 10 pounds since the peak last July and I almost feel like my old self again. I lose weight if I stick to around 1300-1500 calories average per day. I write down a rough estimate of what I eat in a daily log. This works much better for me than WW points or sticking to a strict diet list of allowable foods.

I've gradually added more core exercises and yoga--I don't want to aggravate my arthritic joints. So far so good. I have tightened up my mid-section already, and as this is where my extra pounds go, it's a double bonus.

Instead of partaking of comfort foods and drink, I've allowed myself some slack as far as spending time on YLF and all of my favorite fashion sites.

I've been feeling too ragged and worn out to take photos lately, but I am working on being dressed and wearing pretty colors, even if I don't go out much.

Lynne

Veteran

MsMaven, all the best for your hubby - I hope he has the right a/b now. I'm sure the effort you put into dressing nicely during this time helps keep life positive, well done

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

Well Done everybody!! I hope the colds and flu's disappear fast and Lynne & Ms Maven I hope your hubby's are on the mend.

I blogged about my week on Sunday - its Tuesday here, so I feel like I'm halfway through the next week and it kind of feels funny looking back at it now LOL

http://fitnessclothesspending......ck-in.html

My main issue last week was sleep - I absolutely cannot sleep in or everything else goes out the window - but school goes back on Monday, so only a few more days of no daily commitments to get me up and going!

Saw the physio again yesterday, so based on what we are doing, I'm only doing the exercise he is prescribing as I am not keen to cause more issues and he has banned me from doing things like mowing or weeding for a while! So I'm aiming for 5-10mins walk on the treadmill (or outside) daily, neck stretching exercises, a pilates exercise he has given me and also plevic floor exercises - they teach different way of doing them these days compared with how I was shown whilst pregnant with #1around 7 years ago.

Food is fine as long as I'm sleeping well!

Khris I know what you mean about cooking every meal from scratch - I have to do a fair bit of that with the girls because of their allergies - every single day I cook at least 2 things like biscuits or bread etc to freeze/store, as well as then all their meals throughout the day (they need a lot of fresh meat as its their only complete source of protein) - it sure takes the enjoyment out of food when you spend most of your day cooking, or washing up, or preparing for the next round of cooking.

My town has been isolated for around 2 weeks due to the flooding, so not only are the supermarkets very bare, but my regular organic F&V delivery hasn't been able to happen so I'm really missing quite a lot of my regular bits and pieces. But road is open now, so hopefully in the next few days the supermarket shelves will be restocked.

Keep up the great work everyone!!!

medusa

Veteran

Thanks everyone for posting! It's so encouraging to see what everyone is doing.

Lynne and MsMaven, I hope things improve with your husbands' health soon. Best wishes.

MsMaven

Veteran

Thanks for your kind thoughts about hubby. I know what Lynne means by feeling fragile. Tomorrow he is going to try to go to work. He does too much too soon.

Lynne

Veteran

Oh, Teresa, I hope things start getting through soon. It's awful worrying about groceries with little children, especially with allergies!

MsM (!) and Medusa - thx.

Elly

Veteran

Lynne, Ms. Maven -- I am sending good wishes for your husbands and also to be with you while you are going through this stressful time.

Theresa, I hope your groceries make it to you soon. One of the kiddos in my family had horrible asthma for years where he was frequently hospitalized. The only thing that lessened the amount of attacks he had was a completely organic diet eliminating many foods. I feel for you!

I am one of the ones who can get much fitter without loosing a pound. I put on muscle very easily, so I can weight exactly the same and be the same size or close to it, but be either very fit or very out of shape. During one of my fitness peaks (running, lifting, ect) I was exactly the weight and can wear the same pants as I do now (they are a little tighter though). Sadly I wish it was because I am still in good shape!

Chewy-- do you mind my asking as to your decision to switch to eating more fruit and less artificial sweetner? I am just wondering because I read your post on your hypoglycemia issues and it seemed like fruit was a trigger for those issues. Hopefully you can work around it, I've had some issues with artificial sweetners myself, but I didn't want to jump in because they seemed to be your only option.

Ooo--- skiing, fun! I live within an hour or two pretty decent ski areas, but I never ski. I used to, but now the whole "fainting when standing" thing is holding me back. Can you imagine the injuries I could accumulate! There is a local organization that does adapted skiing, and I have been thinking about checking them out, but I think I might feel silly since I walk unassisted (I just avoid walking very far!)

I had another meeting today with the person organizing the program I had talked about. If everything goes ok, I should have my first session on Thursday or Friday. Yeah, slow start to this year, I know.

Lisa

Veteran

The scale has not budged here. I am still going to the gym 5 days a week, but the weather is interfering. Ice storm today and snow last week interrupted the 5 day a week plan. I tried to do weights at home instead to keep the habit. I've been cooking more meals at home, which is a help. Now if the scale would just budge, just a tad.

Tricia

Veteran

Well done, everyone! I have good news - I hit my goal weight on Saturday! I'm down 24 pounds from just after my miscarriage in August, and about 17 pounds from where I'd been since I had my first child six years ago. I haven't been this weight since my wedding!

I'm doing well with eating - I hit Maintenance on WW, so I get a few extra points a day, and I hadn't been feeling deprived anyway. I'm not doing so well with exercise. I was doing great all fall and into the winter, but now with the weather being gross I just don't have the same motivation. I can go to my office gym after work, but something always seems to come up. We do have an elliptical machine in our basement, so I need to committ to doing that on days when I can't run outside OR go to the office gym.

Kari

Veteran

I really slipped up on snacking yesterday & today. I guess I need to allow myself more wiggle room and say that snacks like cheese or air-popped popcorn (plain) are okay in moderation so I don't grab the nearest *bad* snack in Trader Joe's.

I'm off to the gym, grumpy with myself.

medusa

Veteran

Elly - I think you should look in to the adapted skiing program! Why not? The people who run it know about disabilities, so they know about the concept of hidden disabilities. They won't be surprised. Besides, if you do fall down snow is a great place to do it - it's much softer than hitting the ground.

Lisa - Don't be discouraged, and stick with it. It will get there.

Tricia - WOW!! Congrats, that's amazing.

Kari - I have the same problem with Trader Joe's. They do sell healthy things, but they are REALLY putting sweet treats in your face all the time. And the names of the snacks and the packaging just makes them all sound extra delicious. It's hard. And you do need snacks, so great idea to find some healthier ones.

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