A Seinfeld September...
Options
Replies
-
My September focus is on doing a daily two-minute deep breathing session. So far so good!
8 -
I left Noom to try My Fitness Pal and I have had trouble adjusting. I have gained 16 pounds. The message boards and groups and threads seem as if there are so many. I am using my computer rather than my phone because there are so many. I certainly need to establish some good habits. For instance, what would be a good breakfast? I am so hungry when I wake up that I grab a bagel and cream cheese. I am too hungry to cook an egg. I have had breakfasts from Nutrisystem but they are expensive. My first task is to conquer breakfast at about 300 calories. I am looking forward to reading some of your posts.5
-
@Rosemarie2972 welcome! A good breakfast can be lots of things. Right now I’m cooking eggs, but others love oatmeal. If you are that hungry before brea, you may have your calorie goal set low. MFP doesn’t really tell you what to eat, it just allows you to track your food and exercise choices and adjust them to work for you.5
-
@themedalist I love your tracker!4
-
Denise, The Tracker is fun and is so intentional! Well I just cooked my first egg in the microwave. It went well!6
-
@Rosemarie2972 hi and welcome.
I like to boil some eggs in advance and have one in the morning. I don't know how long a boiled egg lasts but, if you have a couple pre-cooked, it'll do for 2 or 3 days anyway. Also, having bananas or mandarins ready to grab are good to quell the hunger pangs. If I have one of each, an egg, a banana and a mandarin, it can keep me satisfied until lunch or break time. Of course other easy prep fruit and nuts are good as well.5 -
@themedalist I love your calendar doodles 😍3
-
Thanks for the comments on my tracker. I’m trying to discover my inner artist!
@Rosemarie2972, I’m also a big fan of eggs in the morning. I have a microwave egg poacher that cooks 1 or 2 eggs in 90 seconds. While it cooks, I toast an English muffin. I add a vegetarian sausage (the Beyond Meat sausage patties are amazing!), top with a slice of those delicious summer tomatoes, a bit of grated Parmesan and voila… a quick to go breakfast sandwich with 16 gams protein and about 300 calories. A little more sodium than I usually shoot for, but I’d offset it in other meals that day.5 -
Rosemarie2972 wrote: »I left Noom to try My Fitness Pal and I have had trouble adjusting. I have gained 16 pounds. The message boards and groups and threads seem as if there are so many. I am using my computer rather than my phone because there are so many. I certainly need to establish some good habits. For instance, what would be a good breakfast? I am so hungry when I wake up that I grab a bagel and cream cheese. I am too hungry to cook an egg. I have had breakfasts from Nutrisystem but they are expensive. My first task is to conquer breakfast at about 300 calories. I am looking forward to reading some of your posts.
Welcome @Rosemarie2972 I found when I was first starting out on MFP that I focused on my logging and personal goals and did not do a lot of community activity. Once I had a lot of the common foods on my tracker for my meals it was easier to have extra time to have friends (on my wall/profile) to engage with and also be in the community.
As far as breakfast, one of the things to perhaps address is WHY are you so hungry in the morning? I find that if I eat too much or too late or a lot of sugar/salt/starch the night before I am starving in the morning. I might just have a metamucil cookie (50 cals) to help fill my stomach for a little while before I exercise (run). Other options besides eggs are oatmeal. I like the microwave 100 cal packs but some folks make overnight soaked oats which are then easy to prep? Variety is always good! It may be a little harder to log but it ensures we get proper nutrients and if our calorie count is off we aren't always making the same mistake one way or another.
@themedalist so glad to see you here this weekend! My breathe habit for Sept is very similar to yours. Instead of a tracker I also am just using a cal sheet and putting down the data and using a gold star. I am finding that I am getting more than the 2 minutes so far. Admission: I have to drive on the highway to see Bandit and I sometimes will turn my watch on breathe just to steady my drive and relax more during it. Esp when the idiots are out in full force.
@nebslp WOW~!!!! you did the hard stuff. I am so proud of you! I probably am the worst Aunt in the world. I bet those folks you sent cards/emails to were so happy to get them. I look forward to reading your intentions every day now because they are so insightful and at some point I might choose one of them for a habit, weekly, monthly etc.. I am still transferring my favorite photos monthly to the digital photo displays I have and altho for some reason I think I might have missed a month on one of the USB sticks I am keeping up pretty well and seeing them in the kitchen and living room all the time reminds me of beautiful things.
gosh we are already up to 3 pages! Sept is a very active month!!!!!!
It's holiday here and I am off for a run...
SUmmer5 -
Thanks for the breakfast ideas! I will try some of these ideas! We have had a digital photo display since Father's Day and we love it! Our son sends pictures of nature and it is always fun to see who notices first! My intention is to do a minute of deep breathing before each meal!4
-
Hello! I have been struggling to pick which one habit to work on first! I have so many that need changing or creating... But the "Read for 10 minutes" habit I saw mentioned really spoke to me. I'm already working on getting 4 basic weight loss habits on lock down (daily meal plan with 3 daily goals, 64+ oz water, getting enough sleep and eating only when hungry and stopping at "enough", i.e. portion control), so I think I'm going to go with the reading habit also.
In September, I will read 15 minutes per day from a real book with real paper pages. I will read with my morning cup of coffee immediately following creating my 24 hour plan. I will add this to my Habit Tracker page I already use to track the other habits I'm working on and will share it here at least once a week.
So happy to see familiar faces! I've tried committing to logging into MFP many times over this past year but I struggle with the app on my phone and since I lost my job and retired at the young age of 60 (yay me!) I hardly ever felt like logging onto my laptop!
So, along with my 15 minute reading habit, I'm also working on logging into MFP every day! LOL
7 -
@PackerFanInGB , good to see you! Sounds like you are working on some great foundational habits.
I love the reading goal! And the breathing habit is a terrific idea. Breathing while negotiating traffic is a super idea @SummerSkier .
The reason I chose singing is because I’m struggling with keeping joy alive. I miss singing a lot. When I taught elementary school, the day would begin and end with singing, and we’d practice for the Christmas program all fall. But teaching college doesn’t work that way. So to inspire more joy in my life, I’m singing at least one verse of a song. I’m also writing the song titles on my tracker.
My September tracker so far
9 -
@77tes I so understand your struggle. I think singing is an excellent way to inspire it!
5 -
Good morning! I already have a change to my September habit… surprise!! Lol.
I’m going to take the time of day restriction off. My days are so fluid, and I don’t want to feel like I failed if I don’t read until afternoon.
I have a hair appointment today and will have at least 20 minutes while she colors it, so I’m looking forward to it already! 😊
@77tes I can certainly understand how you could miss singing. My mom used to sing a lot and had such a pretty voice. It always felt happy and peaceful when she would sing!
September 15 Minutes Reading:
Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck
9/6 📖4 -
Well fellow healthy habit builders - warning, long post ahead. You may wish go grab a cup of tea.
Daughter and partner James were visiting for the long weekend and we all had a marvelous time. I used one planned pass day during the three (I am on the UAC September Challenge). And, tried to convince my darling daughter to join/help me in my healthy habit this month, by decluttering her MANY possessions that still fill the cupboards, closets, drawers, and basement of our home. Her response — “just throw it all out if it bothers you so much.” 🤨
Nope. Then it becomes my problem and I own responsibility for the decision. Any advice here?
She is 27, just finished her law articling year and passed the bar, started her first job as a lawyer, and bought a beautiful two bedroom/bathroom condo with her partner James in the city 2.5 hours drive to the north. Their condo looks staged, it is so perfect. Except for their spare bedroom — filled with stuff not sorted or addressed. Each are as “bad” as the other in this tendency.
We had James’ sister over for a wonderful jam session (she is a lawyer too, and a fabulous pianist; James is a former Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion, a six-time Grand North American Champion, and nine-time Saskatchewan Champion; and he is a very successful lawyer as well). Our daughter is a cellist and her first degree and career were in music performance (symphonic and chamber music). These youngsters are beyond talented and their session was fantastic and brought us all so much joy. I recorded some of it as husband Miles had to leave for a recording session (he is principal trumpet with the symphony). Their stories and discussion of “the 16 boxes of books in mom and dad’s basement, etc” by each of the three of them had me a bit mind boggled. No intention to move them out, or get rid of them? 😬 Is this a forever problem?
All this to say, I didn’t have the success I hoped for on this past weekend. But it was her birthday celebration weekend and everyone really did need family time and a relaxing break. I did de-accession some little worn shoes in her size (I had to go a size up for an AFO splint I wore four years ago following the discovery of the continuing damage three surgeries had not repaired after an accident on my left leg, and as I waited for my ankle fusion). They are conveniently in her size and lovely shoes that she assured me she will wear.
She also happily took some professional wear from my abundant closet of options and sizes. I was very happy about that as now I can de-accession more clothes to Dress for Success. I did sort my summer clothes by size and labelled and put away a large suitcase of the size I intend to be by next summer. If that success fails to realize, the contents of that suitcase will be given away.
My realization now that I have “picked the low hanging fruit” and given myself a sense of achievement, is that I want to switch the focus for my September healthy habit.
I got a call last Friday from the artistic director of Philharmonic Chorus asking if I’d come back and join a small select group that will work to get back into shape and be prepared for the possibility of some performances with the symphony in Spring 2022. Double vaccination is required, masking (choristers’ masks provided), 9 feet distancing in the high air volume sanctuary of the cathedral, and indoor rehearsals limited to 1 hour. I said yes! I love to sing and am now committing myself to 15 minutes a day working on vocal technique. I have not sung (other than continuously to the puppy, in the car, etc) for two years.
First rehearsal is next Tuesday; tonight is a come and go to pick up music and masks. I am very excited.6 -
No time to comment now but just want to say ... "where is the LOVE button!?!?!" for many of the previous posts. I'll check in later today:)5
-
jamcnewman wrote: »Well fellow healthy habit builders - warning, long post ahead. You may wish go grab a cup of tea.
Daughter and partner James were visiting for the long weekend and we all had a marvelous time. I used one planned pass day during the three (I am on the UAC September Challenge). And, tried to convince my darling daughter to join/help me in my healthy habit this month, by decluttering her MANY possessions that still fill the cupboards, closets, drawers, and basement of our home. Her response — “just throw it all out if it bothers you so much.” 🤨
Nope. Then it becomes my problem and I own responsibility for the decision. Any advice here?
She is 27, just finished her law articling year and passed the bar, started her first job as a lawyer, and bought a beautiful two bedroom/bathroom condo with her partner James in the city 2.5 hours drive to the north. Their condo looks staged, it is so perfect. Except for their spare bedroom — filled with stuff not sorted or addressed. Each are as “bad” as the other in this tendency.
We had James’ sister over for a wonderful jam session (she is a lawyer too, and a fabulous pianist; James is a former Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion, a six-time Grand North American Champion, and nine-time Saskatchewan Champion; and he is a very successful lawyer as well). Our daughter is a cellist and her first degree and career were in music performance (symphonic and chamber music). These youngsters are beyond talented and their session was fantastic and brought us all so much joy. I recorded some of it as husband Miles had to leave for a recording session (he is principal trumpet with the symphony). Their stories and discussion of “the 16 boxes of books in mom and dad’s basement, etc” by each of the three of them had me a bit mind boggled. No intention to move them out, or get rid of them? 😬 Is this a forever problem?
All this to say, I didn’t have the success I hoped for on this past weekend. But it was her birthday celebration weekend and everyone really did need family time and a relaxing break. I did de-accession some little worn shoes in her size (I had to go a size up for an AFO splint I wore four years ago following the discovery of the continuing damage three surgeries had not repaired after an accident on my left leg, and as I waited for my ankle fusion). They are conveniently in her size and lovely shoes that she assured me she will wear.
She also happily took some professional wear from my abundant closet of options and sizes. I was very happy about that as now I can de-accession more clothes to Dress for Success. I did sort my summer clothes by size and labelled and put away a large suitcase of the size I intend to be by next summer. If that success fails to realize, the contents of that suitcase will be given away.
My realization now that I have “picked the low hanging fruit” and given myself a sense of achievement, is that I want to switch the focus for my September healthy habit.
I got a call last Friday from the artistic director of Philharmonic Chorus asking if I’d come back and join a small select group that will work to get back into shape and be prepared for the possibility of some performances with the symphony in Spring 2022. Double vaccination is required, masking (choristers’ masks provided), 9 feet distancing in the high air volume sanctuary of the cathedral, and indoor rehearsals limited to 1 hour. I said yes! I love to sing and am now committing myself to 15 minutes a day working on vocal technique. I have not sung (other than continuously to the puppy, in the car, etc) for two years.
First rehearsal is next Tuesday; tonight is a come and go to pick up music and masks. I am very excited.
Congratulations @jamcnewman! Sounds like great fun!
BTW- I went through the same. My son & DIL have a minimalist home “where we have curated everything & love it.” While filling a very large closet, another large closet, etc.
What worked?
1. I focused on everything else in our home. There was plenty to do!
2. When they did visit (1-2 times per year per-CoVID), they would do a short session with the closet that is now 1/3 full. Took awhile, but what is there now is too bulky/heavy to ship across an ocean.
3. I realized I’d rather spend happy times with them rather than having them declutter.
Since we have had big garbage bins delivered this week, I have been looking throughout the house to see what we should pitch (that can’t be re-used, given away, or recycled). I’m coming up empty for the most part. This was a BIG realization. My chipping away at all of this over time, seemingly, has worked.
I still have photos & sentimental papers I’m going through, but I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel!
I went through a box of baby clothes today that I’d loaned a couple of times. Decided it would be best if they keep a baby/toddler warm this winter…💕 ditto the crib mobile.
These things are 35 years old - or older as many were hand-me-downs. If our son & wife gave kids, I’m sure I’ll have lots of fun gifting sparkly new things & I KNOW her mom will!!!
I am slowly addressing my past. I see that now. My joyful teaching career, my early adult years, the family I grew up in & my ancestors, and my delightful experience as a mom of a child/teen.
Last comment - an insight I had yesterday.
I balance my Past, Present, and Future each day. This was an ah-ha for me.
Past: Sentimental Decluttering
Present: Meals, nature hikes, walking, exercises, tracking, family/friends, sleep habit, reading
Future: learning, discovering, creating, playing, experimenting, organizing art space to support my emerging Art Flow.
I am happiest when I do all three. The fun of the Future items balances the twinges of sadness with the Past. And the Present keep me healthy!
If I only do the Art, I don’t feel productive
If I only do the Decluttering, I feel bogged down.
The present items are the non-negotiables 😄6 -
🍄🍁🍂🌾🍄🌾🍂🍁🍄
🍄🍁🍂 SEPTEMBER 🍂🍁🍄
🍄🍁🍂🌾🍄🌾🍂🍁🍄
In September I will ..... write in my journal for 10 minutes every day.
Week 1 done and dusted. I have 7 links in my chain. Now I don't want to break the chain. 😂
September:
📓📓📓📓📓📓📓
New September Tracker: I think i need a double page to get all my habits on and leave room for notes as well. I'll change it for October.
5 -
@jamcnewman
I had a similar problem when my daughters got their own places. What I did was to take them a present of one or two of their boxes every time I went to visit. Or if their stuff was loose in a drawer or cupboard, I just lifted the whole lot out and put it in a bin bag to take to them. They didn't have much choice in the matter. If they said anything I just laughed and said it was their stuff, and their problem, not mine.
I didn’t spoil the visits because it was over very quickly at the beginning.
It's bad enough dealing with our own clutter, never mind anyone else's. 😂4 -
@nebslp I need a love AND a laughing button.
Thanks @TerriRichardson112 for the tip! I haven’t wanted to go that far yet as I really want them to have a lovely visit. Next time I travel up there, I may reconsider.
@MadisonMolly2017 Great insight about past, present, and future — and it is so true that we need that balance. Like you had (but have now conquered!!!) I have SO much else to focus on before this is actually holding me back. And, I also really want her and us to enjoy our time together. 💛5
