This February “I Will” ... Newcomers Start Here
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I had a new variation of oatmeal today and it was possibly the best yet. I used oatmeal, almond milk, and a little salt. Then when it was done cooking, I added a container of strawberry greek yogurt. YUMMMM!!! SO creamy:)4
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Wow @SummerSkier two thick layers of ice sandwiching snow. Wow.
Glad you are getting warmer (?!) temps & could drive.1 -
Such great observations and goals for February. I’m enjoying the oatmeal talk! @SuperMotivated56, I can’t think of a better goal than working to infuse your life with more positivity. It is hard when your inner circle is filled with negative people. Is there someone you know who exudes happiness and positivity? Even if you don’t know them well, I think it might help to have a few positive people in your life to offset the negative. Having a simple daily gratitude habit such as listing 3 things your grateful for each morning, can be very helpful too in boosting happiness.
Thinking of @SummerSkier and @texasgardnr and anyone else in our group in Texas who is suffering through this past week. And I want to echo what @nebslp said. Be extra careful when snow and ice are layered. Snow is trackable. Ice is not. I can’t tell you the number of friends that I’ve had here in New Hampshire over the years that have slipped on their driveways on ice, broke bones, had surgery, and were never the same.2 -
Hi everyone 👋. So excited to be here.
This february, when I finish working, I will watch a tv show while stationary biking for 3 mins.
When I finish I will reward myself by actually getting off the bike after 3 mins instead of pushing myself to do more 🙂
@dcbern17, this is such a great way to begin! Start a tiny habit and then keep at it. Scale up very slowly. Your reward made me smile!
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I finished Kelly McGonigal’s book, the Joy of Movement...my February goal. The title is key. Until we enjoy moving our bodies, exercise will always be a struggle. One of the chapters I found most interesting is why people enjoy doing ultra marathons and events like Tough Mudders. As someone who’s not particularly competitive, these ultra events have been a mystery. Why do people put themselves through something that is so grueling? There’s no single answer of course but it was a fascinating chapter. The most surprising response of participants is that learning to coexist with excruciating pain while still achieving a goal is a great skill that carries over to the rest of their lives.3
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Three weeks into February and going strong! 💪 That sounds like an interesting read!My attitude toward exercise has certainly changed over the years. I miss it when I can’t workout or walk. I always figured people liked doing tough mudders because they liked playing in the mud as a kid. 🤣
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Hey everybody! Just a warning before you send a friend request. Make sure you check out the profile and their friends' profile pictures. I think I have a target on my name and pornographic pics are becoming a regular occurrence these days. I'm finding it very disgusting. MFP is worthless to handle this. Can't trust anyone, I guess, which I find VERY sad.2
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@themedalist Thank you for the oatmeal recipe you shared awhile back. So far I've been making it in the microwave every day to keep it simple, but it sure sounds yummy! Also, I'm always open to book recommendations. Loving Atomic Habits! I had to wait over a month for it to become available but worth the wait. I looked to see if my online library has The Joy of Movement, but no luck there. I have an Amazon card to use so maybe...
This morning I went back to oatmeal with cinnamon and maple syrup. I just need some variety. I didn't like blueberries in it...tried that a few days ago.2 -
@nebslp I traced some of the bot requests to my friends' friends lists. So altho I am not friends with a person I can see their list sometimes (depending on settings of course) and I could see one gal with a zillion friends who had bots all over her list. I think that is how they spread the most by mining friend lists. I guess that's why I keep mine pretty tiny and only to the ones who are active on the newsfeed. Other than that I can keep up with folks in the community areas.
My oatmeal habit is still flickering about like the pilot on my furnace and I honestly haven't kept track but I would say I am now able to eat it again without feeling nauseous. LOL. And if I had to hazard a guess I have been on track more than off.
I am totally failed at the Feb organization de clutter but I have already decided on my March. And per @themedal and @77tes and Maddie of course I am going to start witha VERY VERY tiny step. Keeping yall in suspence until the march thread of course.
Still worried about @texasgardnr and wish she would chck in. I feel almost normal but still have the bruised ribs and every muscle in my thighs is telling me I ran a marathon (lactic acid overload!) for some reason. Who knows. The grocery was back to normal so it was good to do stuff like get gas in the car yesterday and pick up grocery supplies mid morning today without stress or long lines or missing items.
SummersunbathingweatheragainseriouslyTxmakeupyourmind4 -
It's so good to hear that you're back to sunbathing weather in Texas @SummerSkier. I think you get an excused absence considering from the February Declutter due to the crazy weather. Survival is a more important priority than decluttering.3
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@SummerSkier I'm sure no one can hold your perceived failures against you, and I'm glad you're able to start eating oatmeal again. Mostly glad that you're not freezing and breathing noxious fumes anymore! It's sunny and gorgeous looking here and we're celebrating the temps as they inch towards 50 by Sunday. Can't wait until the lane has dried up and isn't a icy, slushy, mushy mess anymore so I can start wandering again.
I had oatmeal for supper last night so I just wasn't into it this morning. I will consider having it for a midafternoon snack. I've missed maybe 3 days so far this month.3 -
@SummerSkier
I’d say all but 3 days is Amazing, esp given what you’ve been through!
“Progress, not Perfection”1 -
Hello lovely friends
I apologise for my relative absence this month - I might have been absent from this page a lot, but certainly hard at work on my February goal and following the great goals that you have all been accomplishing. This month has been a real challenge - I'm really pleased with the goal that I set for myself as it was very timely. Just to share though that after a very tumultuous time, I am finally (within these past 48 hours) starting to feel that I might just be "getting this" and regaining control. I am sure that this will be an ongoing process, but as so many of you have said about baby steps - a step forward or even absence of a step backwards seems like a win to me at this stage.
I'll finish on this for today:
Thanks for all of your ongoing support - sending the love and support right back at you!
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@SuperMotivated56 What you posted is so very true. We can't be authentic with others until we have figured out who we are as individuals and then behave in ways that honor our true selves. I'm glad you are feeling better about things lately.
I'm about 2/3 way through Atomic Habits and have 14 typewritten pages of notes. I write 2 pages a day and then stop reading. I think writing helps me process the information better. I just finished up reading about rewards. That's the hardest part of this habit formation for me. I have a glimmer of understanding and will really work on that the next couple of days to figure out how I will use rewards in March.
Visual measurement @SummerSkier, like moving marbles from one goblet to another, is clear evidence of your progress. James Clear recommends using a habit tracker and explained that it works well to measure your progress, so I will get one ready for March.
I'm excited! Spring is coming. I got my first vaccine. My husband is mapping out travel routes. YES! It's still super muddy but with temps in the 50's for the next week, that problem will go away quickly. Now I really need to work on getting in shape after a whole year of regress (backwards progress!) I'm really pretty mad at myself
Well, maybe just disappointed. 2 -
Hey @nebslp,
Yes, habit trackers definitely work!!
Please don’t be hard on yourself. We need to love ourselves even more at those times. Being “mar at yourself can cause more stress & postpone our turning things around.
Sometimes it’s best to say, “That behavior is behind me” and just let it go! Then decide one relatively simple & easy thing you can do to turn the behavior around.
💕3 -
@SuperMotivated56 What you posted is so very true. We can't be authentic with others until we have figured out who we are as individuals and then behave in ways that honor our true selves. I'm glad you are feeling better about things lately.
I'm about 2/3 way through Atomic Habits and have 14 typewritten pages of notes. I write 2 pages a day and then stop reading. I think writing helps me process the information better. I just finished up reading about rewards. That's the hardest part of this habit formation for me. I have a glimmer of understanding and will really work on that the next couple of days to figure out how I will use rewards in March.
Visual measurement @SummerSkier, like moving marbles from one goblet to another, is clear evidence of your progress. James Clear recommends using a habit tracker and explained that it works well to measure your progress, so I will get one ready for March.
I'm excited! Spring is coming. I got my first vaccine. My husband is mapping out travel routes. YES! It's still super muddy but with temps in the 50's for the next week, that problem will go away quickly. Now I really need to work on getting in shape after a whole year of regress (backwards progress!) I'm really pretty mad at myself Well, maybe just disappointed.
@nebslp I’m Thrilled you got the vaccine!!
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MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »Being “mar at yourself can cause more stress & postpone our turning things around.
Sometimes it’s best to say, “That behavior is behind me” and just let it go! Then decide one relatively simple & easy thing you can do to turn the behavior around.
💕
I know this wasn't directed to me, but this is great advice, Maddie. Thank you!
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MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »Hey @nebslp,
Yes, habit trackers definitely work!!
Please don’t be hard on yourself. We need to love ourselves even more at those times. Being “mar at yourself can cause more stress & postpone our turning things around.
Sometimes it’s best to say, “That behavior is behind me” and just let it go! Then decide one relatively simple & easy thing you can do to turn the behavior around.
💕
This is really good advice! It’s very natural to be mad or frustrated at ourselves for doing something we wish we hadn’t done, but ultimately it’s self defeating in moving forward. Keep in mind too that processed foods are engineered to be habit forming. The manufacturers repeatedly test how much fat, salt, sugar, crunch, & mouth feel are optimal to give people a dopamine rush that will trigger future cravings. Even if processed foods aren’t your thing, typically the most satisfying and delicious foods we can have (looking at you spaghetti carbonara) are exceptionally high in fat, sugar, and salt.
It’s helped me a lot to remind myself that my taste buds should not be in the driver’s seat. They are poor decision makers! A bit like letting a 4 year old direct my life. So instead, I try to find foods that are tasty and satisfying, recognizing they likely won’t be as instantaneously satisfying as the food I’m trying to avoid. And that’s OK, because we all make choices. The foods I ate before when I was 50 pounds overweight zapped my energy and put me on a path towards diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and a shortened lifespan. Since then, I’ve decided to enjoy and learn to love the foods that love me back.3 -
It's so good to hear that you're back to sunbathing weather in Texas @SummerSkier. I think you get an excused absence considering from the February Declutter due to the crazy weather. Survival is a more important priority than decluttering.
This! Glad that things are returning to normal for you, @SummerSkier, even though I’m sure it’s a very slow process. Our monthly challenges will always be here. Sometimes we have to press the pause button and attend to other things.2 -
Three weeks into February and going strong! 💪 That sounds like an interesting read!My attitude toward exercise has certainly changed over the years. I miss it when I can’t workout or walk. I always figured people liked doing tough mudders because they liked playing in the mud as a kid. 🤣
Such a beautiful tracker, @77tes!
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Paper Tiger 🐯 = file cabinet/ old papers
🌿🐯🌳 = hidden papers (such as found on book shelves or in drawers/closets)
📄📬 = new paper and/ or mail
🧩📚 = stuff
💻📱 = digital
🦋 = Declutterfest
🥣 = oatmeal
February 1: 📄📬, 🦋
February 2: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 3: 📄📬, 🦋
February 4: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 5: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 6: 📄📬, 🦋🥣🐯
February 7: Rest Day 🥣
February 8: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 9: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 10: 🌿🐯🌳, 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 11: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 12: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 13: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 14: Rest Day 🥣 It's starting to snow ⛄
February 15: 🥣 freezing cold so I hibernated 🥶
February 16: 🥣 Brrr still freezing & still hibernating 😲
February 17: Texas is still Frozen, & I forgot my oatmeal 😥, going back to hibernate
February 18: 📄📬🥣 Still cold, cold, cold, 🤪
February 19: 📄📬🥣 Will it ever warm up 🤷♀️,
February 20: 📄📬🥣 The great thaw is starting
February 21: Rest Day 🥣 It's warming up!
February 22: 📄📬, 🦋🥣The sun is out and I finally could hang laundry outside!
February 23: 📄📬, 💻📱🥣 Another laundry day, hanging laundry outside again
February 24: 📄📬, 🥣
February 25: 📄📬, 🥣
February 26: 📄📬, 🥣
February 27: 📄📬, 🥣
February 28: Rest Day 🥣
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texasgardnr wrote: »Paper Tiger 🐯 = file cabinet/ old papers
🌿🐯🌳 = hidden papers (such as found on book shelves or in drawers/closets)
📄📬 = new paper and/ or mail
🧩📚 = stuff
💻📱 = digital
🦋 = Declutterfest
🥣 = oatmeal
February 1: 📄📬, 🦋
February 2: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 3: 📄📬, 🦋
February 4: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 5: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 6: 📄📬, 🦋🥣🐯
February 7: Rest Day 🥣
February 8: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 9: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 10: 🌿🐯🌳, 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 11: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 12: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 13: 📄📬, 🦋🥣
February 14: Rest Day 🥣 It's starting to snow ⛄
February 15: 🥣 freezing cold so I hibernated 🥶
February 16: 🥣 Brrr still freezing & still hibernating 😲
February 17: Texas is still Frozen, & I forgot my oatmeal 😥, going back to hibernate
February 18: 📄📬🥣 Still cold, cold, cold, 🤪
February 19: 📄📬🥣 Will it ever warm up 🤷♀️,
February 20: 📄📬🥣 The great thaw is starting
February 21: Rest Day 🥣 It's warming up!
February 22: 📄📬, 🦋🥣The sun is out and I finally could hang laundry outside!
February 23: 📄📬, 💻📱🥣 Another laundry day, hanging laundry outside again
February 24: 📄📬, 🥣
February 25: 📄📬, 🥣
February 26: 📄📬, 🥣
February 27: 📄📬, 🥣
February 28: Rest Day 🥣
🤠🌺
WOW!!1 -
I read through everyone's posts since my last time here. I cannot reply to everything that was written, but I did read every word. But you know that I have to reply to some of the posts 😁!
@SuperMotivated56 such good words of encouragement and a beautiful rose in the picture! Thank you.
@SummerSkier Oh, no, your flowers in your photo are frozen in time 🥶. But yay! your amaryllis is so beautiful and happy inside your house. I'm sorry to read that you lost your power. That is really hard to go through. We wouldn't have had enough snow to cover our food in coolers if our power had gone out. I'm glad that you had enough to do that. Then without water also 😥😫. Oh, my. I was happy to read that the barn did not lose power and Bandit has a heated water bucket! Whoever thought up a heated bucket was genius!!
Oh, my look at your snow & ice picture! Gotta see the humor in you having skis and poles in the photo. Now you are 'Summer aka winter skier'
🤣
@nordakota welcome! that is an excellent plan to meet your step goal!
@PKM0515 thank you for the informative article about becoming more resilient, on the Mayo Clinic's website. Your I will tracker is bright and amazing!
@znaoiec it is so good to see you posting, and to read that you are discussing Atomic Habits with your sons!
@dcbern17 yours is great plan for using your stationary bike while still being kind to yourself, as you start out! Well thought out!
@nebslp good for you knowing when enough is enough when eating oatmeal every day in a row. Yeah, sometimes days off work the best! I often eat mine for supper lately 🙃.
@MadisonMolly2017 You Found your iron!!!! Oh, my goodness!! And it was right where it 'belonged' (sort of) all along. What a lesson to learn, and us right along with you 😲!
@77tes how amazing is that... from starting out with a goal of writing only one word... to an almost filled journal! That truly is an example of the power of a tiny habit! Well done!!
@themedalist so glad to see you posting!! You wrote: "Keep in mind too that processed foods are engineered to be habit forming." So true, and what a timely and good reminder!!
I've also received several very questionable friend requests with unsavory profile pics, and/or their friends have such pictures also. Once there was a bunch of stuff written in another language??? Translator indicated Russian... Really? Not to mention her profile pic also 🙈. Usually they haven't filled anything in their profile. Hmmmm, don't think so.... 🙄.
@SummerSkier how did you figure out which profile pic is a bot??
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texasgardnr wrote: »I read through everyone's posts since my last time here. I cannot reply to everything that was written, but I did read every word. But you know that I have to reply to some of the posts 😁!
@SuperMotivated56 such good words of encouragement and a beautiful rose in the picture! Thank you.
@SummerSkier Oh, no, your flowers in your photo are frozen in time 🥶. But yay! your amaryllis is so beautiful and happy inside your house. I'm sorry to read that you lost your power. That is really hard to go through. We wouldn't have had enough snow to cover our food in coolers if our power had gone out. I'm glad that you had enough to do that. Then without water also 😥😫. Oh, my. I was happy to read that the barn did not lose power and Bandit has a heated water bucket! Whoever thought up a heated bucket was genius!!
Oh, my look at your snow & ice picture! Gotta see the humor in you having skis and poles in the photo. Now you are 'Summer aka winter skier' 🤣
@nordakota welcome! that is an excellent plan to meet your step goal!
@PKM0515 thank you for the informative article about becoming more resilient, on the Mayo Clinic's website. Your I will tracker is bright and amazing!
@znaoiec it is so good to see you posting, and to read that you are discussing Atomic Habits with your sons!
@dcbern17 yours is great plan for using your stationary bike while still being kind to yourself, as you start out! Well thought out!
@nebslp good for you knowing when enough is enough when eating oatmeal every day in a row. Yeah, sometimes days off work the best! I often eat mine for supper lately 🙃.
@MadisonMolly2017 You Found your iron!!!! Oh, my goodness!! And it was right where it 'belonged' (sort of) all along. What a lesson to learn, and us right along with you 😲!
@77tes how amazing is that... from starting out with a goal of writing only one word... to an almost filled journal! That truly is an example of the power of a tiny habit! Well done!!
@themedalist so glad to see you posting!! You wrote: "Keep in mind too that processed foods are engineered to be habit forming." So true, and what a timely and good reminder!!
I've also received several very questionable friend requests with unsavory profile pics, and/or their friends have such pictures also. Once there was a bunch of stuff written in another language??? Translator indicated Russian... Really? Not to mention her profile pic also 🙈. Usually they haven't filled anything in their profile. Hmmmm, don't think so.... 🙄.
@SummerSkier how did you figure out which profile pic is a bot??
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So happy to see you back and get your updates! Your Feb was amazing,. Congratulations......1 -
@ texasgardnr , so glad to hear that you are okay after your hibernation! You totally nailed the month in spite of some real difficulties!
Oh no! Identity fraud is such a pain to deal with. My sister has had that happen a lot. Her husband sells a lot online all over the world. I hope you get it figured out @SummerSkier .
Final February tracker - it’s been a great month, although I’ve slacked a bit on strength training.
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Here’s February’s tracker.2
