The September Motivation Journal
50extra
Posts: 751 Member
Since we have had two months of Motivation journals already, why not start a third? Everyone feel free to join and post how the month of September goes. Feel free to answer the questions below so anyone who pops on here knows what you are doing, where you want to go, and why you are doing what you are doing.
1. What is motivating you in September?
2. What are you goals for September?
3. How are you planning on meeting your goals?
4. Is there anything that you want to change in September that you did differently in August?
Feel free to add any questions to the list as I don't have a very good imagination to do this stuff.
Good luck this month!
1. What is motivating you in September?
2. What are you goals for September?
3. How are you planning on meeting your goals?
4. Is there anything that you want to change in September that you did differently in August?
Feel free to add any questions to the list as I don't have a very good imagination to do this stuff.
Good luck this month!
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Replies
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1. What is motivating me in September?
a) I actually have a couple things that are providing motivation for me in September. The first is the fact that I have been on this journey since January and I am looking back and am not happy with how long it is taking to make progress. I'm right around 30 pounds down, but I was right around 30 pounds down two months ago. Summer holidays stalled me but they are over now and its time to get to work. The second reason was going to be to get in shape to hit the beach. We have since cancelled booking a trip to Hawaii and decided to go on a cheap vacation to Phoenix. No one to strut my stuff to there since its only my mom and dad, sister, wife and daughter going. Still would like to get toned up a bit.
2. What are my goals for September?
a) I have one goal for September and it's to lose weight and get more fit. This is a big goal and can mean many things, but I want to lose as much weight as possible and start to tone up my muscles. As far as an end of September weight goes, I am not putting one on. I am eating more than have been for the rest of the year in order to give my muscles the fuel they need to build up some lean body mass.
3. How am I planning on meeting my goals?
a) I plan on meeting my goals by working out six days a week and eating under my gross (not net) calorie number six days a week.
4. Is there anything I want to change this month from last?
a) Yes there is, and a lot. Last month was summer holidays. BBQ and beer were a staple for the whole month pretty much. For September there are two big things that I am going to change. First off, no booze. Other than the big celebration on this Sunday, I will not be drinking a drop of beer for the month I am here. I would go completely sober but the Oilmans day celebration is the only day in the year that we get to celebrate the line of work that we are in. The second goal and the one that will be much harder is NOT to fall of the exercise and eating wagon when I get home. Pretty much every time I have gone home from work in 2016 I fall off for a while, if not the entire time I'm home. This month will be different.
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1. What is motivating you in September? Halloween, bring on Harley Quinn!
2. What are you goals for September? I'd really like to lose 5 lbs, kind of ambitious, but I believe in bold plans!
3. How are you planning on meeting your goals? I have an aggressive workout schedule, and I just adjusted my MFP settings for a greater loss.
4. Is there anything that you want to change in September that you did differently in August? Don't miss any workouts!!!0 -
I
you guys and gals. This rocks and will be what gets me started.
1. What is motivating you in September?
For September, I'd like to be able to not "put the past summer behind me as I cannot "PUT" the death of my dad behind me" but I'd like to focus on moving forward with the goal my dad had for me which is getting healthier.
2. What are you goals for September?
So my motivation for September is to lose 6 lbs.
To add exercise back in and pick it up on 09/14/16 once I see the PA.
3. How are you planning on meeting your goals?
Step up the exercise and keep searching for a program that works for me.
4. Is there anything that you want to change in September that you did differently in August?
I gave up in August. After my dad died, all I did was cry. Crying isn't sweat, not burning fat. Seen my psychiatrist Tuesday evening who kept my antidepressant at 375 mg. He also said if the crying persists where I don't feel like I'm capable of getting thru the day... up it again.
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Kicked off September with a bang. Crushed an extremely demanding workout, ate great, and got down to uncharted territory on the scale. Well on this scale, I have seen lower on my other one. I'm looking forward to a great month!
9/1 Calories YES Workout YES0 -
Great job @50extra0
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Thanks Cari. Another killer workout last night and another reward on the scale this morning.
9/1 Calories YES Workout YES
9/2 Calories YES Workout YES0 -
Did my baseline measurements for September, no significant changes from mid-August other than the scale, but I'm hoping to trim more fluff this month, would like to see at least another inch off the belly.
On a more NSV side of things - I wear cami tops all the time under my nice shirts, or just by themselves...they are all stretched around the belly button because I've had a poochy belly since having 3 kids...now that I'm finally getting some of that gone, they are all kind of baggy in the front, it's really weird looking, but makes me smile...now I need to shrink from a medium to a small so I can justify buying a new set of camis.1 -
My September is still rolling along nicely. A crazy hard workout and a perfect amount of calories to round off the 3rd day of the month.
9/1 Calories YES Workout YES
9/2 Calories YES Workout YES
9/3 Calories YES Workout YES0 -
9/1 Calories YES Workout YES
9/2 Calories YES Workout YES
9/3 Calories YES Workout YES
9/4 Calories NO Workout YES0 -
9/1 Calories YES Workout YES
9/2 Calories YES Workout YES
9/3 Calories YES Workout YES
9/4 Calories NO Workout YES
9/5 Calories NO Workout YES
9/6 Calories NO Workout YES0 -
I decided to change it up a little bit
September week 1
9/1 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1568 Minutes of Exercise 40
9/2 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1846 Minutes of Exercise 78
9/3 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1960 Minutes of Exercise 80
9/4 Calories NO Workout YES Gross Calories DIDN'T RECORD Minutes of Exercise 59
9/5 Calories NO Workout YES Gross Calories 2173 Minutes of Exercise 31
9/6 Calories NO Workout YES Gross Calories 2525 Minutes of Exercise 65
9/7 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1772 Minutes of Exercise 112
Week 1 Summary
Calories 4/7
Exercise 7/7
Totals for September
Calories 4/7
Exercise 7/7
Total Minutes Exercising 465 Minutes
Average time Exercising per day 66 Minutes2 -
Well I'm a little late to the party but better late than never I suppose. haha
Question 1: What is motivating you in September?
Answer: I'm really, really tired of being in the 190's. I'm also tired of losing/gaining the same 3-5 pounds.
Question 2: What are your goals for September?
Answer: My goals are really just to keep working out and get consistent with being in a deficit. More specific goals are mentioned in my journal but those two are the main ones and will be/are my main focus.
Question 3: How are you planning on meeting your goals?
Answer: I'm pretty set on working out. I think it's become enough of a habit that it isn't an issue anymore about whether I will work out or not. It's just when. I manage to fit it into my week pretty well making sure that I get the minimum amount in at least. 4 days a week is my happy spot. I've done more but I will not do less.
As far as a calorie deficit, I won't eat until I'm hungry. I won't let myself get too hungry. I will make choices that I know will satiate me better and save the goodies/treats for later in the day.
Question 4: Is there anything that you want to change in September that you did differently in August?
Answer: The middle of August was a disaster calorie wise, I'd like to make September much better. It got off to a bad start but there is still time for improvement!
September Week 1 Results: Bust
9/1/16: Under calories X Worked out ✓
9/2/16: Under calories X Worked out X (1/3) (Vacation Start - On the Road)
9/3/16: Under calories X Worked out ✓
9/4/16: Under calories X Worked out ✓
9/5/16: Under calories X Worked out ✓
9/6/16: Under calories X Worked out X (2/3) (Vacation End - On the Road)
9/7/16: Under calories X Worked out X (3/3)
September Week 1 Reflection:
I knew that this month wasn't going to start off very well and I knew that even with the best of intentions I probably wasn't going to be in a deficit during my vacation. We had take out for most meals and as the app doesn't really work very well on my phone I had to calculate in my head which I'm still not very good at and then tend to lose count of where I was at or I miss something and remember it late. The whole process isn't near as accurate as when I'm home using my scale but it's definitely a learning experience so I'll take it for what it is. Of course there were also places we ate that didn't have any nutritional information so I had to guess. I still logged everything though no matter how many calories it was and no matter how high the number was getting. It helps me to know where I stand and that if I keep this up, I'll end up exactly where I was when I started (or worse) and that is definitely not what I want.
Here is to a better week and a kickass month!
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Week 1 Check in:
9/1 - calories 1708 - exercise 110
9/2 - calories 1426 - exercise 30
9/3 - calories 1620 - exercise 103
9/4 - calories 1110 - exercise 70
9/5 - calories 2187 (mostly alcohol) - exercise 45
9/6 - calories 824 (hungover) - exercise 130
9/7 - calories 1463 - exercise 150
Average 1477 calories consumed per day and 91 min exercise per day.
Weight went from 147.8 to 148.2 - probably additional water retention from the change in exercise routine, so I'm not worried about it at this point, my eating has been mostly good. I'm kind of shocked at how not sore I have been, usually the first week of a new routine leaves me practically crippled, but this month has been a smoother transition than most.0 -
September Week 2
9/8 Calories YES Workout Yes Gross Calories 1945 Minutes of Exercise 600 -
September Week 2
9/8 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1945 Minutes of Exercise 60
9/9 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1799 Minutes of Exercise 630 -
September Week 2
9/8 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1945 Minutes of Exercise 60
9/9 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1799 Minutes of Exercise 63
9/10 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1994 Minutes of Exercise 830 -
Did measurements this morning - up in the chest (sigh) but down in the hips and belly! The scale is not being too friendly, but I'm sure it's just water.0
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tcunbeliever wrote: »Did measurements this morning - up in the chest (sigh) but down in the hips and belly! The scale is not being too friendly, but I'm sure it's just water.
Excuse me for a second for being male, but isn't that the dream scenario? A larger chest but smaller hips and belly?0 -
Missed my calorie goal by 31
So I made up for it with almost two hours of exercise!
September Week 2
9/8 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1945 Minutes of Exercise 60
9/9 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1799 Minutes of Exercise 63
9/10 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1994 Minutes of Exercise 83
9/11 Calories NO Workout YES Gross Calories 2031 Minutes of Exercise 1180 -
tcunbeliever wrote: »Did measurements this morning - up in the chest (sigh) but down in the hips and belly! The scale is not being too friendly, but I'm sure it's just water.
Excuse me for a second for being male, but isn't that the dream scenario? A larger chest but smaller hips and belly?
It might be a dream scenario for my husband!!! For me it just means PMS and unpleasantness to follow.0 -
Like I said, please excuse me for being male!
September Week 2
9/8 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1945 Minutes of Exercise 60
9/9 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1799 Minutes of Exercise 63
9/10 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1994 Minutes of Exercise 83
9/11 Calories NO Workout YES Gross Calories 2031 Minutes of Exercise 118
9/12 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1830 Minutes of Exercise 721 -
This month has been impossible. With mom having her surgery 08.31.16, me running like a chicken with her head chopped off since. She is able to do limited things for herself. I have got to put me first. I found a plan that will work for me. It's MFP with a concentration on proteins and veggies and only non processed starches.
I do go to the PA tomorrow to see about additional physical therapy or being released from the Dr's care for full exercise. I have videos out the butt that I want to do. I just need the OK to do them.
My exercise program and food program has not been on plan at all. Today is the day that I plan on putting me first. I've got most of my food logged in for the day. I'm having zucchini noodles for dinner with pasta sauce. 9/13/16 is a brand new day for me.1 -
@carimiller7391 As I mentioned on your journal. Don't get wrapped up on needing a special eating plan. Just count your calories and the scale will reward you. Exercise is just a bonus that lets you eat more, it isn't required to lose weight. You can do this.0
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Huge workout last night, over on calories.
September Week 2
9/8 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1945 Minutes of Exercise 60
9/9 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1799 Minutes of Exercise 63
9/10 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1994 Minutes of Exercise 83
9/11 Calories NO Workout YES Gross Calories 2031 Minutes of Exercise 118
9/12 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1830 Minutes of Exercise 72
9/13 Calories NO Workout YES Gross Calories 2228 Minutes of Exercise 640 -
So its starting to look more and more like I set my calorie goal too low. I was able to keep it up for the first little bit but I am getting more and more hungry each day, and well, a mans gotta eat! I would still chalk up week two as a success strictly because of the exercise I was able to do. I will try to tighten up the calories for the rest of the shift but will have to play that one by ear. It is worth noting again that my goal is below 2000 gross calories, I didn't even meet my net calories for a one pound loss once this week so I am still in good shape, however that being said the scale hasn't moved since Sunday morning so I hoping for another magical whoosh!
September Week 2
9/8 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1945 Minutes of Exercise 60
9/9 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1799 Minutes of Exercise 63
9/10 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1994 Minutes of Exercise 83
9/11 Calories NO Workout YES Gross Calories 2031 Minutes of Exercise 118
9/12 Calories YES Workout YES Gross Calories 1830 Minutes of Exercise 72
9/13 Calories NO Workout YES Gross Calories 2228 Minutes of Exercise 64
9/14 Calories NO Workout YES Gross Calories 2570 Minutes of Exercise 117
Week 2 Summary
Calories 3/7 Total Calories Eaten 14397 = Over by 397
Exercise 7/7 Total Exercise in Week 2 577 Minutes
Average Calories per day 2057
Average Exercise per Day 82 Minutes
September Totals
Calories 7/14
Exercise 14/14
Total Minutes Exercising 1042 Minutes
Average Exercise per Day 74 Minutes0 -
Week 2 Check in:
9/8 - calories 1544- exercise 110
9/9 - calories 1910- exercise 70
9/10 - calories 937- exercise 40
9/11 - calories ??? didn't track- exercise 0
9/12 - calories 1663 - exercise 120
9/13 - calories 1427 - exercise 145
9/14 - calories 1317- exercise 105
Week 1 average 1477 calories consumed per day and 91 min exercise per day.
Week 2 average 1466 calories consumed per day and 84 min exercise per day.
Week 1 weight went from 147.8 to 148.2
Week 2 weight went from 148.2 to 147.8 - so I'm back to where I started the month
I'm not thrilled with the week 2 results.
First, I missed a day of tracking entirely and I'm sure that was a high calorie day because I was at a party and eating and drinking - on the plus side I didn't eat anything until the party, so it may or may not have put me over maintenance, would have been nice to track that so I would know for sure, but responsible decision making is contraindicated when alcohol is involved.
Second, I feel terrible this week. I'm having to be careful with my shoulder, my hip flexors have been really screaming at me most of the week, and now my foot has started aching so I'm working on stretching that out and trying to keep it from getting worse. I'm starting to feel like I'm falling apart and I don't like feeling my age.
Third, my appetite has been crazy this week, I have been able to keep the calories under control, but I don't like feeling hungry all the time, it's just a miserable existence for me.
Solutions:
Tracking is a must, that is just something I am going to have to suck it up and do, and there are no future social events for the rest of this month, so this should be something I can accomplish, no excuses. I'm going to try to take the workouts down a notch in impact. I'm not going to remove any of the workouts, but will instead modify as needed to protect feet and shoulders and hips. Less jumping, more stepping through the moves, lower the impact but keep the intensity of activity. Also, I ordered a foam roller so that should help with getting the hips and feet properly stretched after workouts. I think the appetite problem is hormones and will resolve itself in the next few days, shark week is scheduled to start tomorrow and I still feel like I'm retaining a ton of water so I'm kind of looking forward to getting it over with and being more even keel.0 -
@50extra.. I wish for me losing weight worked as cals in/cals out. I'm bipolar and 2 of the 3 meds I am on cause weight gain regardless of cals in/out or weight retention. I currently and have been at the same weight I have been since I was 27/28 years old. I did balloon up to 411 at my highest and can safely say I've lost over 140lbs since then, but just stuck now. I did go to the doc yesterday and the PA was excited to release me to go back to working out. YEAH me.0
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September Week 3
9/15 Calories YES Workout Yes Gross Calories 1980 Minutes of Exercise 1140 -
@50extra Great job.0
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@tcunbeliever You personally may not be happy with your week two but looking from the outside in, it really was a great week in both the exercise department and the eating department. You workout like mad, and your average CI were great for 5/7 days! If you are retaining water now, it should be exciting near the end of this week when you see a nice whoosh of weight loss. All you need to do is keep doing what you are doing now. Lots of exercise and calories in check makes for great gains in the health department. I hope your joints and limbs start feeling better soon with the reduced impact workouts, I'm sure you will be chomping at the bit to get back to the high energy exercise. Oh yeah one more thing, if your body is anything like mine, the increase in exercise (especially leg workouts) caused me to be much hungrier than normal.
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