This May I Will...
themedalist
Posts: 3,218 Member
Spring is exploding all over the place and it's a beautiful sight to see!
Every day, there's something new. A bud that wasn't there before. Shrubs that are blooming. Chives poking up through the soil. And the Eastern Phoebe that builds her nest every year over the motion detector on my garage...she's back too!
I just love this time of year and I hope you do too. Surrounded by so much growth and renewal makes me believe that all things are possible. And all things are possible in us!
What's on the top of your to-do list this May? What healthy habit would you like to start or continue to work on this month?
If you are joining us for the first time, welcome! Let us know what your goal is and how we can help. And if you're joining us midway through the month, you don't have to wait for June to get started. Start now and you'll be well on your way toward your goal when June does get here. If you're looking for ideas, our list of previous challenges can help.
If it's useful, frame your goal along these lines:
1. My goal for this month (This May I will...")
2. The small actions I’ll be taking to accomplish this goal
3. The trigger or cue to remember to do my habit
4. How often will you do your new habit (daily is best if possible)
5. What reward will you immediately give yourself for doing your habit?
6. What help do you need from us?
7. What does success look like to you at the end of May?
Let’s make May a terrific month!
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Replies
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Posted a day early because tomorrow is my anniversary and I've got dinner plans.
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1. My goal for this month (This May I will...") I have become lazy when it comes to my meditation. I fall asleep at night to it but I have not been doing my day time meditation. This month I will do morning meditation.
2. The small actions I’ll be taking to accomplish this goal. I have the app Insight Timer and I will set a reminder.
3. The trigger or cue to remember to do my habit. The meditation time will go off and I will set an alarm on my phone.
4. How often will you do your new habit (daily is best if possible). Daily
5. What reward will you immediately give yourself for doing your habit? I will mark a calendar and take note of my accomplishment.
6. What help do you need from us? Support and any tips.
7. What does success look like to you at the end of May? A calmer and more centered me.
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1. My goal for this month (This May I will...") go to sleep earlier (starting again with before midnight, or earlier) than I have been (have been... way after midnight for sure )
2. The small actions I’ll be taking to accomplish this goal: (perhaps getting some night time things done ahead of time)
3. The trigger or cue to remember to do my habit: (my husband is much better at getting to sleep earlier, I need to pay attention instead of using it as a cue to be by myself :bigsmile:)
4. How often will you do your new habit (daily is best if possible): 5-6 days a week to start with.
5. What reward will you immediately give yourself for doing your habit? If it is early enough I'll read a bit, using my timer to know when stop. Maybe I ought to pick out a book that I only read at night before sleeping???
6. What help do you need from us? Your wonderful encouragement as individuals and as a group is always a blessing
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7. What does success look like to you at the end of May? An establishment of an earlier night time routine over the course of time. Feeling rested in the morning. Getting up earlier. I like the early morning hours, but it is hard to really enjoy them when I don't feel rested. Or I lose out on them them because I sleep in.
:flowerforyou:4 -
I have the same meditation goal as @PinkyPan1, except that I want to do it at night. I have benefited so much from making meditation a regular practice over the past year. I do it every morning for 10 minutes using the Calm app. Adding 10 minutes at night will relax me and should help me sleep better. I’ve become very protective of my sleep! I have seen what a difference more sleep has made in my life and I want to make sure I do what I can to get a good nights sleep!
1. My goal for May: evening meditation
2. The small actions I’ll be taking to accomplish this goal: 10 minutes of a favorited Daily Calm session.
3. The trigger or cue to remember to do my habit. After I take my shower, I will meditate.
4. How often will you do your new habit. Daily.
5. What reward will you immediately give yourself for doing your habit?. I will give myself a star in my nightly journal entry.
6. What help do you need from us? Encouragement....What I always get from you!
7. What does success look like to you at the end of May? I’ll be interested to see if it helps my sleep. But even if it doesn’t, I’ve benefited from meditation and I know I’ll enjoy replaying some of my favorite Calm sessions.3 -
I'm going to be continuing my April goal of staying under my diary fat goal at least 3 days per week. I didn't really make it a habit yet.
1. This May I will stay under my fat goal at least 3 days per week
2. The small actions I’ll be taking to accomplish this goal - I'll pre-log my food diary the night before (or earlier)
3. The trigger or cue to remember to do my habit - finishing up by diary for the day in the evening while watching TV
4. How often will you do your new habit - I'll pre-log daily and stay under at least 3 days (going for daily, but don't want to make it too hard).
5. What reward will you immediately give yourself for doing your habit? In my food notes, I'll give myself a check mark for pre-logging, and angel emoticon for staying under for the day, and a devil for a fail.
6. What help do you need from us? This thread you are all my accountability partners and I also appreciate the Encouragement you generously share
7. What does success look like to you at the end of May? I'll be in better control of my food diary and making better choices.
I really appreciate these monthly challenges because as I review former challenges, I'll be doing those as well as this month's challenge - daily yoga, prioritizing grading essays before other homework, sewing on a near daily basis, and keeping the surfaces in my house tidy.
Have a great MAY!5 -
I had my evening meditation session on May 1, but missed it last night. For a good reason! I went to be early and slept soundly for 7 hours. I feel great!5
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I'm going to be continuing my April goal of staying under my diary fat goal at least 3 days per week. I didn't really make it a habit yet.
I really appreciate these monthly challenges because as I review former challenges, I'll be doing those as well as this month's challenge - daily yoga, prioritizing grading essays before other homework, sewing on a near daily basis, and keeping the surfaces in my house tidy.
Have a great MAY!
I appreciate hearing this, @77tes and I’ve noticed the same thing. With a monthlong focus, new habits that are a good fit for us tend to stick. Not only are the monthly challenges easier for me to do than the weekly challenges, but I think they are more impactful. I’m still doing most of the monthly challenges I’ve focused on in the past. Still not as consistent on food logging but getting better. And I’ve finally turned the corner on getting consistent sleep. Yay!5 -
I so agree @themedalist about these monthly challenges. They are so helpful. Sometimes two months are necessary to nail down a habit (that's what I'm hoping about my food diary).
I'm glad you are doing better with sleep. This semester I've been doing pretty well sleeping, but then I don't have early classes at all, so the pressure of getting up early is off and I seem to sleep better (also it's been cool - who knows as the weather gets warmer).4 -
For May, I’m going to focus on my newly declared maintenance 4/25/19.
I will lift weights every other day & on alternate days do harder cardio (hills/ex bike/ maybe join gym for treadmill). Each day I will walk 10K steps & do a minimum of 60 mins of cardio/walking. If I’m too tired, I will do flat walks at slower pace.
These are not new- except for greater frequency of the wt lifting.
Doctor completely agrees with this plan.
I will monitor my average weekly weight & make changes as needed.
Goals: Average wt in May =< 153, great energy, good muscle/strength. Continued great health❣️4 -
I have been vacillating between two goals so I think I have May and June figured out. I spend way too much time on my iPad in the mornings so for May...
1. I will go outside every morning for 5 minutes and appreciate the new day.
2. The small actions I’ll be taking to accomplish this goal: before going to bed I will put my binoculars and camera in my backpack and set it on my favorite chair where I spend too much time in the mornings.
3. The trigger or cue to remember to do my habit: the backpack will be in my way when I go to sit down.
4. How often will I do my new habit? Every day that I’m home.
5. What reward will you immediately give yourself for doing your new habit? I will have the pleasure of being outside, a place that I love, and may see something cool to photograph, and will inevitably pull a few weeds while I’m out there.
6. What help do you need from us? The usual amazing support and encouragement that this group provides.
7. What does success look like to you at the end of May? I will have spent time outside and hopefully will have some nice looking flowerbeds, nature photos, and I will feel more fit because I’m moving more in the mornings.
So far:
5/1 I was still figuring out my goal
5/2 I sat in the sun ( getting vitamin D) on a porch bench and caught up on old local newspapers which I was then able to recycle.
5/2 I drained our small yard pond, cleaned and refilled it.
5/3 I brought mealworms to the pair of bluebirds that are nesting in our yard and then took a few pictures.
Happy May!6 -
April avg wt 153
May 1 - 75m Lifted weights + 77 walks
May 2 - 18m moving around + 40 walks
May 3 - 80m lifted weights + 37 walks
May 4 - 261 m hiking (2,222’ elevation)
9.3 miles (PR)
May 5
May 6
May 7
Previous 30 day avg wt:3 -
Totally lost track of what day it was yesterday so my days are off. And I might need to find a trigger for my trigger. Forgot to set backpack on chair 🙄 but will get outside soon.5
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I didn't want to go out but at 11:00 I put on my shoes and went out to feed the bluebirds armed with camera and binoculars. I got a few photos that might be good but you never know for sure until they're downloaded. I was going inside when I decided to plant some seeds. However, to get to the rake I had to walk past one of my flowerbeds. There are some daylilies that I want to transplant so I grabbed my rake and the shovel. Then I noticed that the front bed had dandilions that were about to spread a million more seeds so I dug those up and pulled lots of maple saplings in that flowerbed. Long story short, I'm a bit ADHD when I'm outside. The planting and dividing will have to wait until later today or tomorrow.6
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Hi everyone! I'm late to the party again. Shocking, right? I'm sorry, but life has been a bit overwhelming and I've realized this weekend that during all the turmoil is when I need to stick to my routines the most. I went backwards last month and even missed my favorite challenge -- declutterfest! So bummed, but I will still have a declutterfest on my own when I have time.
I'm going to repeat my March goal this month.
1. In May I will journal every single bite, good or bad.
2. The small actions I’ll be taking to accomplish this goal prelog my work B, L and snacks; use the camera on my phone to capture serving info easily.
3. The trigger or cue to remember to do my habit Log it before I eat it. This will help me see if I really want it, depending on the calories and my daily allowance.
4. How often will you do your new habit (daily is best if possible) Daily
5. What reward will you immediately give yourself for doing your habit? Close my Food Diary at the end of the day. I love doing that. Gives me a feeling of satisfaction. I will also place a sticker on the day in my bullet journal.
6. What help do you need from us? Just be your awesome selves!
7. What does success look like to you at the end of May? Stickers on each day of my bullet journal. I should be down at least 3 lbs if I stay the course like I did in March. I will be feeling better because when I log, I make healthier choices.
So nice to see you all. I'm sorry for disappearing for a while. :flowerforyou:3 -
April avg wt 153
May 1 - 75m Lifted weights + 77 walks
May 2 - 18m moving around + 40 walks
May 3 - 80m lifted weights + 37 walks
May 4 - 261 m hiking (2,222’ elevation)
9.3 miles (PR)
May 5 77 mins of walking/stairs
May 6
May 7
Previous 7 day avg wt:2 -
So far my May goal has been going well. Last week I stayed under my fat goal ever day except for Sunday, so I exceeded my goal of 3 days per week.2
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I got my 5 minutes outside done but that was all. Got my hair done and then it rained the rest of the day. I stood in the garage a few minutes to listen to the rain on the roof😍5
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April avg wt 153
May 1 - 75m Lifted weights + 77 walks
May 2 - 18m moving around + 40 flat walks
May 3 - 80m lifted weights + 37 flat walks
May 4 - 261 m hiking (2,222’ elevation)
9.3 miles (PR)
May 5 77 mins of flat walking/stairs
May 6 149 mins flat walking + 80 mins wts
May 7
Previous 7 day avg wt: 153.89⬆️2 -
These are great habits to focus on in May! I like that we choose what works for us. It can be a carryover from a previous month, or something brand new. Whatever works best for us.
@nebslp, I love your goal of getting outside every morning! I’m doing the same thing. I’ve replaced my morning 15 minute treadmill walk with a walk through my woods. It’s just lovely this time a year!
Work is still crazy but our first annual report was submitted yesterday and the second annual report on a completely different project gets submitted in mid June. Then I shift to a more relaxed summer schedule. I’ll be here more and able to contribute more often. I’ve also decided I want to write 2 blog posts this summer. I think I have the blogs identified that take guest posts for the audience I have in mind. I’ve outlined both posts and this summer I will write!
I’m getting my evening meditation in most nights, but I need a stronger trigger. “After my shower” just doesn’t quite work. So I’m shifting it and tying it to a very entrenched evening habit I have —playing the guitar. Going to try that out and see if it’s a better fit.3 -
@themedalist
Sounds like wonderful morning walks & a joyful summer! I love how you identified that you might need a more entrenched trigger. You continually inspire us!2 -
Well, it’s been one week since I set up my “I will...”
On May 3, I wrote:
For May, I’m going to focus on my newly declared maintenance 4/25/19.
I will lift weights every other day & on alternate days do harder cardio (hills/ex bike/ maybe join gym for treadmill). Each day I will walk 10K steps & do a minimum of 60 mins of cardio/walking. If I’m too tired, I will do flat walks at slower pace.
These are not new- except for greater frequency of the wt lifting.
Doctor completely agrees with this plan.
I will monitor my average weekly weight & make changes as needed.
Goals: Average wt in May =< 153, great energy, good muscle/strength. Continued great health❣️MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »
MAY 10 1 week update:
April avg wt 153
May avg wt (so far): 154.2
May 3 - 80m lifted weights + 37 flat walks
May 4 - 261 m hiking (2,222’ elevation)
9.3 miles (PR)
May 5 77 mins of flat walking/stairs
May 6 149 mins flat walking + 80 mins wts
May 7 wts at PT
May 8 only walked 82 mins still sore from walk/PT
May 9 only walked 109 mins 18.5-18.9 min/mile fatigued & sore PT (new exercises)
154.5 up from 153.4 average weekly weight
Up 1/2 lb since Jan 1 2019
Looking at all of this, I’m of 2 minds...
My skinny aka 153 Clothes fit. I’m stronger & more muscular...AND I think what is happening has to do with Significantly harder exercise & warmer weather Because I’ve had a 3,223 calorie deficit in the 9 days so far of May.
I do feel more full than I used to, so I’ve decided to take a modified intuitive eating approach.
Things I already do:
1. Eat a good breakfast that balances overnight fast (as I have been, but slightly fewer calories is ok)
2. Continue wt lifting & minimum 60 mins exercise & >60 mins of exercise or as I call it “Keep Moving! Remember the National Weight Loss Registry research results!”
3. Remember that I am a POW, not a NOW...Previously Overweight, not Never Overweight.
4. Continue to track everything I consume
New things I will do:
A. Don’t eat if I’m not hungry. I know from past experience that if I only eat when hungry & stop when I no longer am, I will be normal wt.
1. Pay more attention to how my body feels.
2. I need to begin leaving food on my plate. I got it habit of eating it because I had already tracked it & I knew if I got too hungry, I’d overeat in future or make worse choices.
3. You will feel better.
4. No eating in advance ie to prevent being hungry. Instead carry foods & only eat when you ARE hungry
B. Focus on Contingency Plans when away from home for food..
1.Prepare & carry foods in my backpack for times when I am hungry. Nuts, washed apples/mandarins, single serve nut butters, dark choc. Kashi cereal or homemade granola
For times I’ll be away from home longer: cold pack- bob fat Greek yogurt, leftover cooked meat, washed berries, washed baby carrots, radishes
2 Re-enact contingency plan when I’m really craving eating out.
It’s expensive. So if you successfully do not eat out, you may put 2/3 of what you would have spent towards equipment such as artwork scanner, photography set-up for taking better pics of my artwork, or a Hypervolt (high intensity vibration massager) highly recommended by my PT “When you exercise hard, your muscles will not. This device will help.” Often on sale at the holidays...
In summary:
*****NEW So focus on true hunger & stopping eating when no longer****
Re-instate Habits/rewards from before that I haven’t been doing.
Motivation: more freedom in maintenance, feeling in control, successfully maintaining.
I don’t like routines too much, so my reward is being able to be more spontaneous AND maintaining. Time will tell!2 -
Bought indiv. Wrapped cheese sticks
Baby carrots & radishes
Ate them as in-the-go lunch
And surprised myself by eating apple, cheese stick & 1/2 oz pecans as “dessert” later on when I’d wanted a fattening dessert a couple hours earlier.
Scale dropped for first time in a while by 0.2
“Contingency Plans” will be the way I succeed in maintenance.
Happy.1 -
This has been a great week for pre-logging and staying under my fat goal. I've managed it every day so far this week. Even though I've had to cut back on some of my exercise because I'm dealing with heel pain, I'm still managing to be active. The scale is applauding my consistency - hope that continues. Maintenance weight, here I come. 2
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This has been a great week for pre-logging and staying under my fat goal. I've managed it every day so far this week. Even though I've had to cut back on some of my exercise because I'm dealing with heel pain, I'm still managing to be active. The scale is applauding my consistency - hope that continues. Maintenance weight, here I come.
@77tes Awesome! Cheering you on! 💕1 -
You’re all doing so well! I lost a message last night because my iPad died and this will be quick.
Friday outside time... fed bluebirds, then watched a nuthatch eat the mealworms😲, then transplanted some daisies, pulled some grass, and planted a dozen petunias for about an total of an hour. Later I went for a 1 mile walk on the road. Today after class I stopped at a park and birded a little while. Totally missed out on Thursday and didn’t give it a thought until I got home at 8 because I babysat that day and it was cold and windy. I haven’t been using my backpack as a trigger. I haven’t remembered to set it in my chair at night even once! I think feeding the birds is incentive enough to go outside. I always notice something that needs to be done and I stay awhile.3 -
Nice going everyone! You are all doing so great. It's so inspiring to hop on here and see how you are changing and adapting things to make it work for you, and the way you hit your goals.
I will be doing a May Re-Start beginning tomorrow. I had a whole paragraph typed out about all the stress in life lately, but deleted it. Although I know I've been giving myself the green light to eat anything and everything in sight and have allowed myself to be lazy and blaming it on my emotions and depression, it's just not okay.
Now, I have 3 family members with serious health issues and because of my CHOICES, I'm going backwards. How am I supposed to help any of them if I allow myself to get sick again? Why, why, why do I always sabotage myself?
I'm disgusted with myself again, and enough is enough. I need to be healthy so I can be here for my mom, my stepdad, my father and my stepdaughter. Period.
Beginning tomorrow, Monday, May 13th, I WILL log every single bite. No excuses are acceptable.
Thank you for hanging in there with me, even though I keep sliding backwards. One of these times, it's going to stick! :flowerforyou:2 -
PackerFanInGB wrote: »Nice going everyone! You are all doing so great. It's so inspiring to hop on here and see how you are changing and adapting things to make it work for you, and the way you hit your goals.
I will be doing a May Re-Start beginning tomorrow. I had a whole paragraph typed out about all the stress in life lately, but deleted it. Although I know I've been giving myself the green light to eat anything and everything in sight and have allowed myself to be lazy and blaming it on my emotions and depression, it's just not okay.
Now, I have 3 family members with serious health issues and because of my CHOICES, I'm going backwards. How am I supposed to help any of them if I allow myself to get sick again? Why, why, why do I always sabotage myself?
I'm disgusted with myself again, and enough is enough. I need to be healthy so I can be here for my mom, my stepdad, my father and my stepdaughter. Period.
Beginning tomorrow, Monday, May 13th, I WILL log every single bite. No excuses are acceptable.
Thank you for hanging in there with me, even though I keep sliding backwards. One of these times, it's going to stick! :flowerforyou:
Dear @PackerFanInGB
I applaud your efforts. I’m sorry you feel disgusted. One thing that might help: talk to yourself as if you were a friend of yours! I find my compassionate side & wisdom come out when I try that.
For example: oh my friend, no need to feel disgusted. You are amazing & I love you. You have a lot in your plate right now, of course it is stressful. Perhaps we can brainstorm other ways to help with the stress or ways others can manage some of the many tasks that are now on you.
Maybe their are some baby steps that you can make. Logging breakfast this week, breakfast & lunch next week, all 3 the third week? Maybe setting up a time, even a few minutes, for you to do something totally relaxing. Please be kind to yourself. I love you.
We’re here for you @PackerFanInGB ❣️3 -
1. This May I will lose at least half a stone!
2. I will go out for a walk on the days inbetween my gym days to gain extra steps and calories lost!
3. I will remember to do this by doing it at the same time everyday and immeditately when I get in from work.
4. 4 times a week inbetween gym days
5. I will get to watch a new episode of my favourite show once complete, if not complete no episode!
6. Just normal motivation from the group will be lovely.
7. Success will look like 15 stone or under by end of May! 5lb + loss
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1. This May I will lose at least half a stone!
2. I will go out for a walk on the days inbetween my gym days to gain extra steps and calories lost!
3. I will remember to do this by doing it at the same time everyday and immeditately when I get in from work.
4. 4 times a week inbetween gym days
5. I will get to watch a new episode of my favourite show once complete, if not complete no episode!
6. Just normal motivation from the group will be lovely.
7. Success will look like 15 stone or under by end of May! 5lb + loss
Hi @rhi_hall, Welcome to the group. That's a great goal for May. Give yourself a cheer or a pat on the back every time you do the little things that will help you reach your goal. Every time you hit the gym, cheer yourself on. Every time you head out the door for a walk, give yourself 3 cheers.
@PackerFanInGB , I agree with @MadisonMolly2017, stop with that mean self talk! You'd never say that to a friend, so be a good friend to yourself. You are struggling with being everything for everybody else in your life, and I get that. I remember hearing Suze Orman point out the importance of helping yourself first like the emergency instructions we all hear every time we fly, “If you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask on first, and then assist the other person.” Suze made the point that you should do this about your finances, but I actually immediately made the connection to taking care of my health. I would be doing stuff for the kids, my husband, and other family members, but really taking care of yourself is a primary responsibility. So, do try to carve out a little time to relax and get away from all the stress, maybe a walk or some such. Get help if you are doing it all. Lots of virtual hugs. Celebrate the things you did right today. Restart May today and be your own cheerleader.4
