This January I Will....

135

Replies

  • nebslp
    nebslp Posts: 1,672 Member
    @SheilaCali You have a great attitude, and what a meaningful quote! Good going last week and I hope next week goes just as well for you.
  • leanna_aroha
    leanna_aroha Posts: 22 Member
    I met all of my goals for the first week (joined the monthly challenge a bit late)! Wahoo! Now to refocus on the upcoming week and not celebrate too long.
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,152 Member
    This January, I will have a staged approach to my goals.

    Stage 1: Goal 1: CALORIES 😍
    Reason: I need to get used to a lower calorie target per day, I think.

    I will focus on keeping my calories under 2,000 for 7 days in a row...

    1 ❌ 🥦 3 sweets 2 hi pro bars 2111m
    2 😍. 🍓 2 sweets, 1 bar. 1599mg
    3 😍. 🥗 1 sweet, 1 bar 1,899mg
    4 😍. 🥦. 1 sweet, 2 hi protein 2152mg
    5 😍 🥕. 1 sweet, 1 bar. 2155 mg
    6 😍 🥗. 1 sweet, 1 bar. 🧂💕1228
    7 ❌ 🥕. 1 sweet 2,317mg
    8 😍 🥗. 1 large sweet 🧂💕954
    9 😍 🥕. 1 sweet. 🧂💕703
    10 😍 🍎. 1 sweet. 1,657mg
    11 😍 2. 1 hi pro bar.👍 🧂💕1,091
    12. 😍 🥗 1 sweet, 1 bar 🧂💕1,174
    Finally!!!
    Blood pressure dropped to Normal 102/75 pulse 70.
    SO relieved.
    I looked back over the past couple of years to see what I ate prior to an occasional, elevated bp reading. Sure enough, it was a restaurant meal.
    I’m highly motivated to eat at home now. “This is no joke!”

    Two more days with calories & salt under control (and veg/fruit too.) & I’ll figure out the sweets.
    13
    14

    Stage 2: Goal 2: Vegetables/Salads/Berries
    Reason: Better health, nutrients, more satisfying meals, fiber... 🥗🥦 🥕 🍓🥒🍅

    Eat a minimum of five 3-oz servings of veg/fruit per day. I’ve actually done that each day, so I guess I’ll begin recording this now, but my FOCUS is my calorie goal.


    Stage 3: GOAL 3: Decrease Sweets over Time to 1 a day, pre-planned.
    Reason: They creep up in number over time. Look at Jan 1 above!!

    Eat no more than one sweet item per day. (82% dark chocolate does not count)
    I haven’t tried this approach before, but I think it will work.

    I’m just recording these now...as veggies/salads will be my goal after calorie goal has been met.

    ADDED: Reduce salt 🧂 under 1,500
  • nebslp
    nebslp Posts: 1,672 Member
    @MadisonMolly2017 Yay for normal blood pressure!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. Improving our health is possible with awareness and willingness to make changes like you have been doing.
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,152 Member
    Thank you @nebslp !

    Yes indeed. Normal bp at night...
    AM still *slightly high”

    I appreciate your response!!!
  • walk4today
    walk4today Posts: 1,195 Member
    I am making progress cutting back on sugar. Thought I could just stop using it cold turkey, but I don't think that's realistic for me right now. I am gradually reducing how much I put on cereal and avoiding sugary snacks.
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,152 Member
    walk4today wrote: »
    I am making progress cutting back on sugar. Thought I could just stop using it cold turkey, but I don't think that's realistic for me right now. I am gradually reducing how much I put on cereal and avoiding sugary snacks.

    Yay! @walk4today Way to go!
    I find the same...Some folks can just go cold turkey, but I have always had to sneak up on the things I want to change...much as I am this month with my I WILL!
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,152 Member
    edited January 2020
    This January, I will have a staged approach to my goals.

    Stage 1: Goal 1: CALORIES 😍
    Reason: I need to get used to a lower calorie target per day, I think.

    I will focus on keeping my calories under 2,000 for 7 days in a row...

    1 ❌ 🥦 3 sweets 2 hi pro bars 2111m
    2 😍. 🍓 2 sweets, 1 bar. 1599mg
    3 😍. 🥗 1 sweet, 1 bar 1,899mg
    4 😍. 🥦. 1 sweet, 2 hi protein 2152mg
    5 😍 🥕. 1 sweet, 1 bar. 2155 mg
    6 😍 🥗. 1 sweet, 1 bar. 🧂💕1228
    7 ❌ 🥕. 1 sweet 2,317mg
    8 😍 🥗. 1 large sweet 🧂💕954
    9 😍 🥕. 1 sweet. 🧂💕703
    10 😍 🍎. 1 sweet. 1,657mg
    11 😍 2. 1 hi pro bar.👍 🧂💕1,091
    12. 😍 🥗 1 sweet, 1 bar 🧂💕1,174
    Finally!!!
    Blood pressure dropped to Normal 102/75 pulse 70.
    SO relieved.
    I looked back over the past couple of years to see what I ate prior to an occasional, elevated bp reading. Sure enough, it was a restaurant meal.
    I’m highly motivated to eat at home now. “This is no joke!”

    Two more days with calories & salt under control (and veg/fruit too.) & I’ll figure out the sweets.
    **Adding icons for each fruit/veggie svg**
    13 😍🍎🍎🥕Berries🍊🍊6.6 svg
    ZERO SWEETS !!! 🧂💕1,095

    14

    Stage 2: Goal 2: Vegetables/Salads/Berries
    Reason: Better health, nutrients, more satisfying meals, fiber... 🥗🥦 🥕 🍓🥒🍅

    Eat a minimum of five 3-oz servings of veg/fruit per day. I’ve actually done that each day, so I guess I’ll begin recording this now, but my FOCUS is my calorie goal.


    Stage 3: GOAL 3: Decrease Sweets over Time to 1 a day, pre-planned.
    Reason: They creep up in number over time. Look at Jan 1 above!!

    Eat no more than one sweet item per day. (82% dark chocolate does not count)
    I haven’t tried this approach before, but I think it will work.

    I’m just recording these now...as veggies/salads will be my goal after calorie goal has been met.

    ADDED: Reduce salt 🧂 under 1,500
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 8,557 Member
    1. This January I will practice intermittent fast 12-14 hours and reduce my carbs to around 100.
    2. The small actions I’ll be taking to accomplish this goal: No food after dinner.
    3. The trigger or cue to remember to do my habit: Brush my teeth after dinner
    4. How often will you do your new habit:daily
    5. What reward will you immediately give yourself for doing your habit? Pat myself on the back and fist pump
    6. What help do you need from us? Giving me a place for accountability and encouragement
    7. What does success look like to you at the end of January? I will be ready to tackle busy schedule that starts in February with this habit firmly established.

    Well, I've missed the intermittent fasting 2 days so far this month. Last night was one of those days. I just wanted a snack close to bedtime. I think one problem might be that my dinner was a bit early and skimpy, so I was hungry. Then in the morning I didn't have time to continue fasting before heading out to work.

    The staying around 100 carbs is also a struggle. I've had several days closer to 130 than 100. I may have to loosen that number up a bit, but I'll still keep that as a goal.
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,152 Member
    This January, I will have a staged approach to my goals.

    Stage 1: Goal 1: CALORIES 😍
    Reason: I need to get used to a lower calorie target per day, I think.

    I will focus on keeping my calories under 2,000 for 7 days in a row...

    1 ❌ 🥦 3 sweets 2 hi pro bars 2111m
    2 😍. 🍓 2 sweets, 1 bar. 1599mg
    3 😍. 🥗 1 sweet, 1 bar 1,899mg
    4 😍. 🥦. 1 sweet, 2 hi protein 2152mg
    5 😍 🥕. 1 sweet, 1 bar. 2155 mg
    6 😍 🥗. 1 sweet, 1 bar. 🧂💕1228
    7 ❌ 🥕. 1 sweet 2,317mg
    8 😍 🥗. 1 large sweet 🧂💕954
    9 😍 🥕. 1 sweet. 🧂💕703
    10 😍 🍎. 1 sweet. 1,657mg
    11 😍 2. 1 hi pro bar.👍 🧂💕1,091
    12. 😍 🥗 1 sweet, 1 bar 🧂💕1,174
    Finally!!!
    Blood pressure dropped to Normal 102/75 pulse 70.
    SO relieved.
    I looked back over the past couple of years to see what I ate prior to an occasional, elevated bp reading. Sure enough, it was a restaurant meal.
    I’m highly motivated to eat at home now. “This is no joke!”

    Two more days with calories & salt under control (and veg/fruit too.) & I’ll figure out the sweets.
    **Adding icons for each fruit/veggie svg**
    13 😍🍎🍎🥕Berries🍊🍊6.6 svg
    ZERO SWEETS !!! 🧂💕1,095

    14 🥰 🍎🍎🥕🥬🌶🍊🍊 6.6 svg
    1 sweet 🧂💕1,398 [Switched to protein pacing]

    15

    Stage 2: Goal 2: Vegetables/Salads/Berries
    Reason: Better health, nutrients, more satisfying meals, fiber... 🥗🥦 🥕 🍓🥒🍅

    Eat a minimum of five 3-oz servings of veg/fruit per day. I’ve actually done that each day, so I guess I’ll begin recording this now, but my FOCUS is my calorie goal.


    Stage 3: GOAL 3: Decrease Sweets over Time to 1 a day, pre-planned.
    Reason: They creep up in number over time. Look at Jan 1 above!!

    Eat no more than one sweet item per day. (82% dark chocolate does not count)
    I haven’t tried this approach before, but I think it will work.

    I’m just recording these now...as veggies/salads will be my goal after calorie goal has been met.

    ADDED: Reduce salt 🧂 under 1,500[/quote]
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 8,557 Member
    @MadisonMolly2017 , great to hear about that normal BP reading! score!
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,152 Member
    77tes wrote: »
    @MadisonMolly2017 , great to hear about that normal BP reading! score!

    Thank you @77tes! 111/71 pulse 68 today. What I eat seems to make a HAuGAe difference.

    I read your post. Could you please remind me why you want to do IF & why you want carbs below 100?

    ♥️

  • HEGoddard0928
    HEGoddard0928 Posts: 824 Member
    64oz+ Daily Water Habit
    1/1/20-😁
    1/2/20-😁
    1/3/20-😁
    1/4/20-😁
    1/5/20-😁
    1/6/20-😁
    1/7/20-😁
    1/8/20-😁
    1/9/20-😁
    1/10/20-😁
    1/11/20-😁
    1/12/20-😁
    1/13/20-😁
    1/14/20-😁
    1/15/20-😁
    1/16/20-😁

    Every day so far! I've been drawing big smiley faces on the calendar hanging up in my kitchen every time I hit my goal! I think it's really been helping. And I feel better health wise too. Although I do pee a lot. Lol



  • nebslp
    nebslp Posts: 1,672 Member
    @HEGoddard0928 great job on the 😁! You’ve made it half way through the month already.
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 8,557 Member
    77tes wrote: »
    @MadisonMolly2017 , great to hear about that normal BP reading! score!

    Thank you @77tes! 111/71 pulse 68 today. What I eat seems to make a HAuGAe difference.

    I read your post. Could you please remind me why you want to do IF & why you want carbs below 100?

    ♥️

    @MadisonMolly2017 , I read the book Genius Foods about supporting cognitive function through diet, and the author recommends IF and low carb. I set the number 100g carbs as a kind of moderate way to reduce carbs.

    I assume your good BP readings coordinate with low sodium days. That's something I haven't tackled yet other than eliminated processed foods.

    @HEGoddard0928 , staying hydrated is so important, and I find it hard to get enough water when the weather is cold. I had a friend who didn't care for coffee or tea, so she would dring hot water. I really should try that.
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,152 Member
    This January, I will have a staged approach to my goals.

    Stage 1: Goal 1: CALORIES 😍
    Reason: I need to get used to a lower calorie target per day, I think.

    I will focus on keeping my calories under 2,000 for 7 days in a row...

    1 ❌ 🥦 3 sweets 2 hi pro bars 2111m
    2 😍. 🍓 2 sweets, 1 bar. 1599mg
    3 😍. 🥗 1 sweet, 1 bar 1,899mg
    4 😍. 🥦. 1 sweet, 2 hi protein 2152mg
    5 😍 🥕. 1 sweet, 1 bar. 2155 mg
    6 😍 🥗. 1 sweet, 1 bar. 🧂💕1228
    7 ❌ 🥕. 1 sweet 2,317mg
    8 😍 🥗. 1 large sweet 🧂💕954
    9 😍 🥕. 1 sweet. 🧂💕703
    10 😍 🍎. 1 sweet. 1,657mg
    11 😍 2. 1 hi pro bar.👍 🧂💕1,091
    12. 😍 🥗 1 sweet, 1 bar 🧂💕1,174
    Finally!!!
    Blood pressure dropped to Normal 102/75 pulse 70.
    SO relieved.
    I looked back over the past couple of years to see what I ate prior to an occasional, elevated bp reading. Sure enough, it was a restaurant meal.
    I’m highly motivated to eat at home now. “This is no joke!”

    Two more days with calories & salt under control (and veg/fruit too.) & I’ll figure out the sweets.
    **Adding icons for each fruit/veggie svg**
    13 😍🍎🍎🥕Berries🍊🍊6.6 svg
    ZERO SWEETS !!! 🧂💕1,095

    14 🥰 🍎🍎🥕🥬🌶🍊🍊 6.6 svg
    1 sweet 🧂💕1,398 [Switched to protein pacing]

    15 🥰1905 🍎27oz (9-10svgs)
    1 small sweet, 1 hi pro bar, 🧂💕1,394

    16

    Stage 2: Goal 2: Vegetables/Salads/Berries
    Reason: Better health, nutrients, more satisfying meals, fiber... 🥗🥦 🥕 🍓🥒🍅

    Eat a minimum of five 3-oz servings of veg/fruit per day. I’ve actually done that each day, so I guess I’ll begin recording this now, but my FOCUS is my calorie goal.


    Stage 3: GOAL 3: Decrease Sweets over Time to 1 a day, pre-planned.
    Reason: They creep up in number over time. Look at Jan 1 above!!

    Eat no more than one sweet item per day. (82% dark chocolate does not count)
    I haven’t tried this approach before, but I think it will work.

    I’m just recording these now...as veggies/salads will be my goal after calorie goal has been met.

    ADDED: Reduce salt 🧂 under 1,500
  • SheilaCali
    SheilaCali Posts: 737 Member
    edited January 2020
    77tes wrote: »
    77tes wrote: »
    @MadisonMolly2017 , great to hear about that normal BP reading! score!

    Thank you @77tes! 111/71 pulse 68 today. What I eat seems to make a HAuGAe difference.

    I read your post. Could you please remind me why you want to do IF & why you want carbs below 100?

    ♥️

    @MadisonMolly2017 , I read the book Genius Foods about supporting cognitive function through diet, and the author recommends IF and low carb. I set the number 100g carbs as a kind of moderate way to reduce carbs.

    I assume your good BP readings coordinate with low sodium days. That's something I haven't tackled yet other than eliminated processed foods.

    @HEGoddard0928 , staying hydrated is so important, and I find it hard to get enough water when the weather is cold. I had a friend who didn't care for coffee or tea, so she would dring hot water. I really should try that.

    About the hot water...how about adding a squeeze of lemon? There are also a lot of "teas" that are just herb or fruit blends, without tea in them. There is something to holding a warm cup in your hands on a chilly day!
  • leanna_aroha
    leanna_aroha Posts: 22 Member
    This January I will:
    1. walk/bike 3 times per week for 20 minutes
    2. complete 3 squat, situp and pushup challenges per week
    3. log my food daily and stick to 80% oms foods and within 200 of calorie for the day
    4. weigh in weekly and aim for 0.5-1kg loss a week

    How I will reward myself:
    1. check off each item as I go (love my little checklist)
    2. buy a new pair of walking shoes if I meet 80% of my goals for the month

    What will I do if I don't meet one of my goals?
    1. look over past days and remind myself what I have done well
    2. reschedule it to another day and see if I can make up for it then
    3. write down what didn't go well, why and how I can change it for the next day/week

    Tomorrows my weigh in day, eek. Will see how these goals are working in the second week. I've been drinking water every morning. Which I now realise I have forgotten to add to this months goals. When I wake up I have my water bottle right there, it gives my water habit an early boost, which some days I forget about.
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,152 Member
    This January, I will have a staged approach to my goals.

    Stage 1: Goal 1: CALORIES 😍
    Reason: I need to get used to a lower calorie target per day, I think.

    I will focus on keeping my calories under 2,000 for 7 days in a row...

    1 ❌ 🥦 3 sweets 2 hi pro bars 2111m
    2 😍. 🍓 2 sweets, 1 bar. 1599mg
    3 😍. 🥗 1 sweet, 1 bar 1,899mg
    4 😍. 🥦. 1 sweet, 2 hi protein 2152mg
    5 😍 🥕. 1 sweet, 1 bar. 2155 mg
    6 😍 🥗. 1 sweet, 1 bar. 🧂💕1228
    7 ❌ 🥕. 1 sweet 2,317mg
    8 😍 🥗. 1 large sweet 🧂💕954
    9 😍 🥕. 1 sweet. 🧂💕703
    10 😍 🍎. 1 sweet. 1,657mg
    11 😍 2. 1 hi pro bar.👍 🧂💕1,091
    12. 😍 🥗 1 sweet, 1 bar 🧂💕1,174
    Finally!!!
    Blood pressure dropped to Normal 102/75 pulse 70.
    SO relieved.
    I looked back over the past couple of years to see what I ate prior to an occasional, elevated bp reading. Sure enough, it was a restaurant meal.
    I’m highly motivated to eat at home now. “This is no joke!”

    Two more days with calories & salt under control (and veg/fruit too.) & I’ll figure out the sweets.
    **Adding icons for each fruit/veggie svg**
    13 😍🍎🍎🥕Berries🍊🍊6.6 svg
    ZERO SWEETS !!! 🧂💕1,095

    14 🥰 🍎🍎🥕🥬🌶🍊🍊 6.6 svg
    1 sweet 🧂💕1,398 [Switched to protein pacing]

    15 🥰1905 🍎27oz (9-10svgs)
    1 small sweet, 1 hi pro bar, 🧂💕1,394

    16 🥰 1999 🥬11 servings!! ❤️🎉
    1 small sweet, 1 hi pro bar, 🧂💕1,396

    Stage 2: Goal 2: Vegetables/Salads/Berries
    Reason: Better health, nutrients, more satisfying meals, fiber... 🥗🥦 🥕 🍓🥒🍅

    Eat a minimum of five 3-oz servings of veg/fruit per day. I’ve actually done that each day, so I guess I’ll begin recording this now, but my FOCUS is my calorie goal.


    Stage 3: GOAL 3: Decrease Sweets over Time to 1 a day, pre-planned.
    Reason: They creep up in number over time. Look at Jan 1 above!!

    Eat no more than one sweet item per day. (82% dark chocolate does not count)
    I haven’t tried this approach before, but I think it will work.

    I’m just recording these now...as veggies/salads will be my goal after calorie goal has been met.

    ADDED: Reduce salt 🧂 under 1,500

  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,152 Member
    edited January 2020

    This January, I will have a staged approach to my goals.

    DONE Stage 1: Goal 1: CALORIES 😍
    Reason: I need to get used to a lower calorie target per day, I think.

    I will focus on keeping my calories under 2,000 for 7 days in a row...

    1 ❌ 🥦 3 sweets 2 hi pro bars 2111m
    2 😍. 🍓 2 sweets, 1 bar. 1599mg
    3 😍. 🥗 1 sweet, 1 bar 1,899mg
    4 😍. 🥦. 1 sweet, 2 hi protein 2152mg
    5 😍 🥕. 1 sweet, 1 bar. 2155 mg
    6 😍 🥗. 1 sweet, 1 bar. 🧂💕1228
    7 ❌ 🥕. 1 sweet 2,317mg
    8 😍 🥗. 1 large sweet 🧂💕954
    9 😍 🥕. 1 sweet. 🧂💕703
    10 😍 🍎. 1 sweet. 1,657mg
    11 😍 2. 1 hi pro bar.👍 🧂💕1,091
    12. 😍 🥗 1 sweet, 1 bar 🧂💕1,174
    Finally!!!
    Blood pressure dropped to Normal 102/75 pulse 70.
    SO relieved.
    I looked back over the past couple of years to see what I ate prior to an occasional, elevated bp reading. Sure enough, it was a restaurant meal.
    I’m highly motivated to eat at home now. “This is no joke!”

    Two more days with calories & salt under control (and veg/fruit too.) & I’ll figure out the sweets.
    **Adding icons for each fruit/veggie svg**
    13 😍🍎🍎🥕Berries🍊🍊6.6 svg
    ZERO SWEETS !!! 🧂💕1,095

    14 🥰 🍎🍎🥕🥬🌶🍊🍊 6.6 svg
    1 sweet 🧂💕1,398 [Switched to protein pacing]

    15 🥰1905 🍎27oz (9-10svgs)
    1 small sweet, 1 hi pro bar, 🧂💕1,394

    16 🥰 1999 🥬11 servings!! ❤️🎉
    1 small sweet, 1 hi pro bar, 🧂💕1,396

    DONE Stage 2: Goal 2: Vegetables/Salads/Berries
    Reason: Better health, nutrients, more satisfying meals, fiber... 🥗🥦 🥕 🍓🥒🍅

    Eat a minimum of five 3-oz servings of veg/fruit per day. I’ve actually done that each day, so I guess I’ll begin recording this now, but my FOCUS is my calorie goal.


    DONE Stage 3: GOAL 3: Decrease Sweets over Time to 1 a day, pre-planned.
    Reason: They creep up in number over time. Look at Jan 1 above!!

    Eat no more than one sweet item per day. (82% dark chocolate does not count)
    I haven’t tried this approach before, but I think it will work.

    I’m just recording these now...as veggies/salads will be my goal after calorie goal has been met.

    DONE: Reduce salt 🧂 under 1,500

    17 🥰 1,830 🥕 9 servings
    1 hi pro bar. 🧂💕827mg
    110/73 p58
    ♥️

    All 4 goals solidly in place now. BP normal. Scale decreasing gradually. Energy level very good.

    In the future...
    1. I will not go into free for all mode. It was an experiment. Doesn’t work for my blood pressure. End of story.

    2. I will remember that unlike many on here, I am not able to snap back to healthy/calorie deficit eating immediately. It took me about two weeks or more & a health scare (bp) to get serious. We must know ourselves!

    I’m clearly a turtle 🐢❣️
  • nebslp
    nebslp Posts: 1,672 Member
    @walk4today I totally get that! The Jr Mint bump didn’t send you over the cliff so it’s all good! Good progress with the sugar reduction and a nice payoff, too!

    @MadisonMolly2017 It looks like tracking is going well for you. Every. Single. Day!

    I’m doing very well with logging every day and keeping a bit of a difference between calories logged and calories burned. I’m not obsessing about it and it’s getting easier. I did miss one day, but it was a choice I made and I don’t think I was over my burn that day. The only day I know I was over was the Christmas candy fiasco🤪
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,152 Member
    nebslp wrote: »
    @walk4today I totally get that! The Jr Mint bump didn’t send you over the cliff so it’s all good! Good progress with the sugar reduction and a nice payoff, too!

    @MadisonMolly2017 It looks like tracking is going well for you. Every. Single. Day!

    I’m doing very well with logging every day and keeping a bit of a difference between calories logged and calories burned. I’m not obsessing about it and it’s getting easier. I did miss one day, but it was a choice I made and I don’t think I was over my burn that day. The only day I know I was over was the Christmas candy fiasco🤪

    @nebslp Way to go!! I love your attitude! Keeping a difference between calories logged under calories burned, whatever the size, gets us closer to our goal!

    This is SUCH an everchanging journey❣️
  • leanna_aroha
    leanna_aroha Posts: 22 Member
    walk4today wrote: »
    I am making progress cutting back on sugar. Thought I could just stop using it cold turkey, but I don't think that's realistic for me right now. I am gradually reducing how much I put on cereal and avoiding sugary snacks.

    Hi @walk4today , I have a sweet tooth myself. I have found in the past that a hot/cold cacao drink and making sure I have enough of the B vitamins really helps me with my sweet cravings :smile: Awesome work reducing the sugar, I know how hard it can be.
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    SheilaCali wrote: »
    Hello all and Happy pre-Monday! I know that Sunday nights can be a downer for most, but let's be intentional about those Move-It Mondays. It's not just about moving our bodies, but our mindsets in a forward direction. I'm going to be more grateful this week, for what my body can do. Focusing on the positive can be just as hard mentally for me as trying to run a marathon physically. "Motivation is often the result of action, not the cause of it." Small steps cause momentum to build, so I'm on a roll. I met my goals the past week, although I'm sore. I feel empowered to keep it going, and I lost a pound a well. Good luck everyone and have a great week ahead!

    @SheilaCali, I know you posted this last week, but it’s a perfect rallying call for this week as well. Happy Smonday everyone and let’s make it a great week!

    xqti1o45bjm9.jpeg
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    I met all of my goals for the first week (joined the monthly challenge a bit late)! Wahoo! Now to refocus on the upcoming week and not celebrate too long.

    Way to go, @leanna_aroha! And I like your celebrate, but re-focus for the upcoming week as well. Great attitude!
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    Thank you @nebslp !

    Yes indeed. Normal bp at night...
    AM still *slightly high”

    I appreciate your response!!!

    Woohoo, @MadisonMolly2017, this is great to hear. One of the many things I learned from my dad’s stroke last summer is that high blood pressure is a huge risk factor for strokes. It’s critical to keep these numbers in the healthy range.
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    walk4today wrote: »
    I thought I was doing well kicking sugar until temptation presented itself in the form of a box of Junior Mints my daughter gave me because she didn't want them. It was just before I started making dinner and I succombed and ate the whole box! Just because it was there. Didn't feel so good afterwards and realized I don't like them that much either. except for the chocolate. Still, in spite of this, I have done better this week cutting back on sugar and lost almost 2 pounds anyway. So I will treat the Junior Mint indulgence as just a bump in the road.

    @walk4today, sugar is a toughie. It’s delicious and addicting. I know I need to stay away from simple sweets in order to maintain my weight loss. I can have it on occasion without the cravings returning, but every day would be the express train to derailing all the progress I’ve made in the last 8 years. I won’t let that happen.

    I think the fact that you didn’t feel good afterwards and didn’t enjoy them either is key. You may find it much easier to forgo the temptation next time. You are doing great and you have a wonderful attitude!
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    It’s been a pretty good week of refocusing on my goal for this month, to have a mindful meal a day. I’ve been more successful shrinking it to just pausing a few minutes while I eat breakfast.

    Still, I’m feeling distracted and that’s OK. One of my goals this year is to extend my love of playing the guitar and music and start recording some pieces in GarageBand. I took a short online class through Udemy ($19!) over the holiday break and now I can navigate through the software. I’ve now recorded a couple of songs and my mind is racing with possibilities of other projects this year! Maybe I should’ve made GarageBand my focus for this month. :)



  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,152 Member

    This January, I will have a staged approach to my goals.

    DONE Stage 1: Goal 1: CALORIES 😍
    Reason: I need to get used to a lower calorie target per day, I think.

    I will focus on keeping my calories under 2,000 for 7 days in a row...

    1 ❌ 🥦 3 sweets 2 hi pro bars 2111m
    2 😍. 🍓 2 sweets, 1 bar. 1599mg
    3 😍. 🥗 1 sweet, 1 bar 1,899mg
    4 😍. 🥦. 1 sweet, 2 hi protein 2152mg
    5 😍 🥕. 1 sweet, 1 bar. 2155 mg
    6 😍 🥗. 1 sweet, 1 bar. 🧂💕1228
    7 ❌ 🥕. 1 sweet 2,317mg
    8 😍 🥗. 1 large sweet 🧂💕954
    9 😍 🥕. 1 sweet. 🧂💕703
    10 😍 🍎. 1 sweet. 1,657mg
    11 😍 2. 1 hi pro bar.👍 🧂💕1,091
    12. 😍 🥗 1 sweet, 1 bar 🧂💕1,174
    Finally!!!
    Blood pressure dropped to Normal 102/75 pulse 70.
    SO relieved.
    I looked back over the past couple of years to see what I ate prior to an occasional, elevated bp reading. Sure enough, it was a restaurant meal.
    I’m highly motivated to eat at home now. “This is no joke!”

    Two more days with calories & salt under control (and veg/fruit too.) & I’ll figure out the sweets.
    **Adding icons for each fruit/veggie svg**
    13 😍🍎🍎🥕Berries🍊🍊6.6 svg
    ZERO SWEETS !!! 🧂💕1,095

    14 🥰 🍎🍎🥕🥬🌶🍊🍊 6.6 svg
    1 sweet 🧂💕1,398 [Switched to protein pacing]

    15 🥰1905 🍎27oz (9-10svgs)
    1 small sweet, 1 hi pro bar, 🧂💕1,394

    16 🥰 1999 🥬11 servings!! ❤️🎉
    1 small sweet, 1 hi pro bar, 🧂💕1,396

    DONE Stage 2: Goal 2: Vegetables/Salads/Berries
    Reason: Better health, nutrients, more satisfying meals, fiber... 🥗🥦 🥕 🍓🥒🍅

    Eat a minimum of five 3-oz servings of veg/fruit per day. I’ve actually done that each day, so I guess I’ll begin recording this now, but my FOCUS is my calorie goal.


    DONE Stage 3: GOAL 3: Decrease Sweets over Time to 1 a day, pre-planned.
    Reason: They creep up in number over time. Look at Jan 1 above!!

    Eat no more than one sweet item per day. (82% dark chocolate does not count)
    I haven’t tried this approach before, but I think it will work.

    I’m just recording these now...as veggies/salads will be my goal after calorie goal has been met.

    DONE: Reduce salt 🧂 under 1,500

    17 🥰 1,830 🥕 9 servings
    1 hi pro bar. 🧂💕827mg
    110/73 p58
    ♥️

    All 4 goals solidly in place now. BP normal. Scale decreasing gradually. Energy level very good.

    In the future...
    1. I will not go into free for all mode. It was an experiment. Doesn’t work for my blood pressure. End of story.

    2. I will remember that unlike many on here, I am not able to snap back to healthy/calorie deficit eating immediately. It took me about two weeks or more & a health scare (bp) to get serious. We must know ourselves!

    I’m clearly a turtle 🐢❣️

    18 🥰 1,999 9 svg 🍊
    1 hi protein bar, 1 protein bar. 🧂💕1.224
    Home-cooked a really nice dinner
    Found and loved an easy, delicious, and healthy whitefish recipe❣️

    #OneRecipeataTime