Healthy habits challenge check-in 1/24 - YouLookFab Forum

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Healthy habits challenge check-in 1/24

medusa

Veteran

It's Monday - time to check in again. How did things go last week? I'm particularly curious about how things are feeling as the excitement of something super-new starts to wear off. Is it starting to feel tedious? Or is it all good?

Last week I had some major work stress - a big deadline, and a couple other things that were challenging. I've worked long hours for the last 7 days and am pretty tired. I had to miss a couple workouts to get more sleep, but I still did crossfit twice and yoga twice, as well as walking to/from work each day (which is about 2 1/2 miles total). My weight was up this morning, but I'm trying not to worry about it because I'm having my period and that usually happens. Overall, I think that's prettty good.

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17 replies

Latest reply was from medusa

rute

Veteran

I did well this week, better than the week before!
I'm happy because I've been able to mantain my weight which I always find so difficult!
I exercised everyday and that helps a lot to feel good and to have more energy!

anne

Veteran

Well done both of you for your frequent exercising!

I don't feel I am doing well. Weight has gone up and I used my hosting my book club on Sat as an excuse in overindulgence. Started trying to be stricter with myself today (ie no "white carbs or sugar") but didn't stick to it completely.

I don't feel the exercise is going that well either. I did 2 long swims last week, totally 7.3km but they tired me out so much that I didn't do much else. Anyway the race I am training for is in 2 weeks time so I may have to wait to sort this out.

Also very tired. Went to bed at 9pm last night to try to catch up but my whole body (specially my legs) was still crying out for sleep before midday!

In answer to your question Medusa, I think I wasn't properly committing before this week anyway (because of being on holiday and having family birthdays)

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

I'm doing fine, just adding a habit a week. So far these have been:
- drink a pint of water first thing
- eat every 3-4 hours
- eat at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day

Next one is to drink a pint of water at lunchtime.

I am finding adding these habits very straightforward and I think I have possibly lost a couple of pounds since the beginning of the year. Not sure as our floors are so uneven and my weight fluctuates depending on where I put the scales! Luckily (because I am lazy) I still have a few more weeks of habits to add before I can no longer put off the time when I have to commit to more exercise...

So impressed with how everyone's been getting on so far. I think it's much harder when you have other pressures on yourself - work etc - and you have to be gentle on yourself at those times.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I only did Yoga once last week, but that was beyond my control. I'll be missing again today, but will try to do a make up class. I'm still getting over being sick, but eating has been going really well. I'm enjoying cooking more and feeling less stressed about it. I actually dropped a few pounds, and have hit another new all time low weight (bringing my total loss so far up to 67 pounds).

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have been doing well in the exercise department and finally got in the yoga I've been skipping each Wednesday along with my usual training runs and indoor biking. I did push ups before bed all nights but one. It's the food part I'm struggling with. Not that I'm eating too much, but that it's convenience foods and not fresh home cooked meals. I cannot seem to get motivated to get into that kitchen and cook! So after my 60 minutes on the bike this morning, I will head to the grocery and stock up for the week. Oh, I did better and better every week on the wine intake - yay.
So this week I plan to continue with my training schedule (3 weeks til my race!) and cook from scratch at least half the time. I also plan to continue slowly decreasing my wine intake. Lastly, I plan to get up earlier by a half hour each week until my race so that 7am running time won't be so traumatic!

Elly

Veteran

Sounds like everyone is doing great so far!

My first meeting with my "student trainer" is Tuesday afternoon. I am a little nervous and excited. Apparently she is a lacrosse player, so she can probably kick my butt!

Depending how far we get with the initial evaluation and the like, I will probably start the rest of my cardio routine on Friday. Today through Wednesday are going to be very busy for me, so I am just trying to keep my wits together in the meantime!

I also on my way to eating better. I have noticed in the last three weeks or so I have gained some weight for the first time in years. I probably need to weigh myself, but I know it has gone up since my pants aren't fitting right and I am the proud owner of new stretch marks. My system is just so messed up right now that I don't think me or my body knows what is up! I have been having problems with sleep and also with nausea-- both are related to my heart and circulation issues. I am also dealing with a lot of stress and pretty much constant exhaustion.

I know I need to talk to my doc about this, and I have an appointment on February 4th. Hopefully I can last that long. I usually have sleep disturbances, but the bone-deep exhaustion is something that has increased exponentially and I am feeling like I am fighting just to keep afloat. Right now I am on my second cup of joe (I usually don't do caffiene in the a.m.) and I am still a zombie.

But, anyway, I tend to eat a lot of sugar when I have nausea, otherwise I get low blood sugar and it is the only thing I can keep down (usually sugary juice, pop, ect). Of course, then later I am hungry, but I have already poured a ton of calories down my throat.

I did two years without caffeine but started again last year during a stressful period. A lot of my calories are coming from soda with caffeine. I am waking up fine in the morning, but am just too foggy to focus and then all I want to do is sleep in class and after I am home. So, I am going to try switching to more tea and coffee.

I also have a messed up school schedule right now. I am busy from 11 to 1:30 or 2 something in the afternoon everyday, and without a lunch I am dragging.

Groceries have become a problem as well, because I almost can't handle going during a busy time of day (I get overwhelmed, and cannot stand and wait for people to move, or stand in long lines). My schedule is leaving me shopping at "rush hour." I did manage to get in a week ago, only to find that someone had gotten into most of the food I had purchased for lunches/snacks. I am the only one in the house that doesn't eat PB (gives me stomach aches, I don't digest it well, but do fine with peanuts). Of course, there is a jar of peanut butter, but a little mouse has been eating my almond butter!

Anyway, wish me luck with the trainer and in getting through the next three days and then the two weeks to my doc appt!

kellygirl

Veteran

I'm hanging in there too. We had company for the last week so meals have not been as vegetable laden as previous weeks. I think we are still doing well though. Exercise is going well--managed my regular schedule and the couple extra cardio sessions I'd set as my HH goal. I didn't weigh this morning but feel pretty much the same as usual.

Nothing feels tedious yet--probably because my challenges are not very dramatic. I think I'd feel differently if I felt deprived or over worked. So far, so good.

Anonymous

Congratulations to all who have made progress and hugs to those who are especially struggling. My exercise is going a little better but still not "first thing when I get up" that I want it to be. It seems that my son in Japan calls then (his nighttime) and the dog needs feeding and her routine. It's too dark, snowy and icy to walk her yet so she makes do with the fenced yard. Dh wants to discuss the days plans, etc. Yes, many excuses.
I'm also still working on the bigger helpings of low-carb veggies. When it's so cold, salads are not appealing. My plan this week is to get a big carton of spinach at Sams and eat some as salad, saute some as a side dish, and add the rest to minestrone made with extra beans and no pasta.
Mo, my wine portion is not to be more than 1/4 cup and taken with a protein (cheese or nuts for me). I use a very small glass like a tall shot glass made of lovely crystal that holds just that amount. If you savor each tiny sip, one can get it to last a long time and not feel deprived.
For those not getting a good night's sleep, you might try moving anything electronic out of the bedroom. I'll try to find the Feng Shui articles that addressed this. It helped.

Edit: Not the articles I wanted but they may help:
hthttp://www.care2.com/greenliving/feng-shui-for-teenagers-rooms
htmltp://www.care2.com/greenliving/feng-shui-for-serenity-in-the-bedroom

MsMaven

Veteran

At present I am watching the tape measure more than the scale, and both are moving slowly downward. Nearly all my weight gain has been in the belly and muffin top, and they are shrinking. Early last week I was getting sleepy in the afternoon and exhausted by evening. A diet coke helps with the sleepiness and I don't feel so exhausted. I do want to get off caffeine though.

My husband is feeling much better and went to work a couple of days last week, but then one of my indoor cats injured himself somehow, so I had to take him to the vet and nurse him. He shut down and wouldn't eat or drink, so I had to force liquids with an eyedropper. He's better now.

I've been adding yoga asanas gradually and carefully. I have to give thanks to Judy and Mo who posted about Esther Gokhale and Dr. Bookspan a couple of months ago. After looking at the two websites I was motivated to find exercises that would work with some degenerative arthritis in lower back and knees. I have less stiffness in the joints now.

At the North Cal Swap almost everything I brought home is somewhat fitted through the waist, so I have to keep up with the program to wear them. I'm going to take advantage of the warmer weather now to get out and do some pruning. I always feel better when I can work in the yard and be outside in the sun (with my hat and lots of sunscreen.)

Lynne

Veteran

well done, All! Thunalata (Polly?) I am so motivated by your small changes policy - well done! Good luck with the training, Mo, and well done, Khris! I noticed you were looking especially trim in your last wiw..

Elly, I feel for you - it's tough when you're feeling so low. MsM, enjoy the yoga asana. I love what yoga does for my head when I do it - I am noticably calmer and more focussed and sleep better.

we've had a manic week of hospital appointments for DH, so I have missed the gym (in both senses of the word) and I have been comfort eating.....but I am back on the wagon and ready to go again.

I haven't been recording what I am eating but am starting to think I should - I like the idea of eating for the size you want to be and doing it slowly.

medusa

Veteran

Sounds like it's been a mixed bag for others, like it has been for me.

Rute, Thunalata, Khris, all of your posts made me excited for you! Sounds great, and it's very inspiring.

Anne, Mo, Elly, Kelly, Joy, MsMaven, Lynne, I know that you may not be exactly where you wanted to be, but you're still doing great things. I think it's important to stick with it even when things aren't perfect. That feels challenging for me right now, it's easy to want to give up when things hit a rough patch.

Lisa

Veteran

Well, I haven't been able to get to the gym as much as I like. So I have been working out at home instead. I have free weights and a small stepper so I've been using those to stay on track. The snow may get in the way to drive around town, but I can still exercise! And I am continuing to cook more. Take out has been reserved for Friday nights and Saturday lunches, this is huge!

Kari

Veteran

When I am struggling or am feeling too tired or discouraged to continue, I am trying to envision my healthy habits as a journey with peaks and valleys. Sometimes the going is easy, the weight is dropping off, the motivation is there, and it feels great. When I'm struggling, and building and maintaining healthy habits literally feels like an uphill battle, I try to keep in mind that I *will* get over the peak at some point - kind of as if I were running up a steep hill and knew I would head downhill eventually.

I don't know if that metaphor helps or even makes sense - I just got back from doing an hour of cardio and I am WIPED.

Medusa, you've caught me in my post-workout-endorphin-high, so please forgive me if I'm a little overly optimistic. But things are going really well right now!
* I've met or exceeded my minimum weekly workout goals, even despite being ill for part of last week and taking a couple days off from the gym.
* I have seamlessly integrated a LOT of vegetables and (some, but proportionally less) fruit into my daily meals. I mentioned this in the healthy habits tip thread that I started over the weekend, but since I have an aversion to cooking a lot for just myself, I'm trying to manage my laziness by keeping ready-to-go vegetable-laden or low protien snacks on hand, and save my cooking energy for one or two items for dinner.
* I've improved on my Weight Watchers tracking and so far this week have logged everything that has entered my body.
* As of today, I have lost 9 pounds since Jan. 1. Woohoo! (And my boyfriend and I are currently in the lead for our friendly "Biggest Loser" competition his family is having right now. This isn't driving my fitness efforts, but it is a boost.)

That being said: I am only measuring my weight loss once a week, at the same day and I attempt to do so at the same time of day as well. My weight can fluctuate a LOT just within an hour depending on how long it's been since a meal. I'm trying not to focus on the numbers at this point, but as there is no noticeable difference to my body shape or other measurements, I'm thrilled to see any progress so far.

Lynne

Veteran

Gosh, Kari, well done!

LeahJanes

Go Kari!

Keep it up everybody else - there is no need to be perfect. Just keep ticking away and relish how much better all these new habits are making you feel.

I did ok this week. I measured my waist and I am half an inch down. The scales have stayed absolutely stagnant though, but I figure it must have to do with the new weightlifting regimen. As long as my body is getting stronger and leaner then I don't really care what the scales say (well I'm trying to tell myself that anyway)

We've been eating well. On the days I work late I've been putting something in the slow cooker in the morning, to avoid the inevitable resort to take-out that happens when I get home at 9pm. Though my husband has requested Chinese food tonight! I think he's missing it...can't say that I am though.

MsMary

Veteran

Yay for Kari! And yay for everybody else, too!

I feel kind of stuck, I'm afraid. I was down to my lowest weight at Christmas and then because I went on a cruise right after New Year's I've only lost about .2 of a pound in January. Right now I'm at 125-point-something and I am DYING to get under 125 because that will be 50 pounds lost, so I'm a little frustrated.

Other than that, though, things are going well. I'm tracking all my food and exercise and everything is pretty much as it should be. I had the month off school in January and I took advantage of the extra time to work out with my trainer three times a week instead of twice a week, and I really saw some good results, especially in my upper arms.

Hopefully next week I'll be able to report breaking the magical 50-pounds-lost barrier!

medusa

Veteran

Lisa, sounds like you've found a way to make it work for you. That's fantastic.

Kari, thanks so much for your detailed post! It's great to see how well things are going for you. You are an inspiration!

LJ, you're doing great. Apparently this week is all about sticking with it when things aren't necessarily going smoothly - and even though your weight didn't change you are getting leaner. That's awesome!

MaryK, I understand your impatience. But it will get there. And you're about to start crossfit, right? So you may see some significant changes soon.