A one year commitment….

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  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    @AnnPT77 Thank you - your words of encouragement are very much appreciated!
  • itladyee
    itladyee Posts: 5,483 Member
    Hi @54shadesofBLue

    I booked marked your page a while ago and started reading. I just got caught up today and Kudos to you for keeping the commitment.

    I appreciate your honesty and candor. I like that you've given yourself and entire year to accomplish what might seem unsurmountable...but breaking it down into smaller goals will make it more manageable.

    I heard that two weeks into the new year a lot of people have already given up.....My words to you: DON'T YOU DARE GIVE UP!!!

    I am no expert by any means and fighting my own battles but someone asked me about thoughts for success and here is what I said.
    • Make sure you have a reasonable plan for nutrition and exercise.
    • Set smart goals (how and when) of the steps needed to follow your plan
    • DO IT - but don't beat yourself up if you don't get it 100%
    • Trust that the plan will work
    • Have patience
    • Celebrate the wins...all of them!

    And on a final note, I second what @henridw2095 said about the Ultimate Accountability Challenge. It's an awesome and very motivating group.

    Good Luck on your Journey.
  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    @itladyee - Thank you so much. Its a little uncomfortable to put it out here in public view sometimes but that is also the edge I need to push through at this point, and after the year is over it would be great if someone else could also benefit.
  • itladyee
    itladyee Posts: 5,483 Member
    54ShadesOfBlue wrote: »
    @itladyee - Thank you so much. Its a little uncomfortable to put it out here in public view sometimes but that is also the edge I need to push through at this point, and after the year is over it would be great if someone else could also benefit.

    And benefit along the way! :)
  • henridw2095
    henridw2095 Posts: 1,179 Member
    edited January 17
    @itladyee is right! And she wrote an awesome opener for tomorrow about processed foods. It will be a good discussion. No pressure of course, but the UAC is a good place to be.
  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    edited January 18
    Jan 17, 2024 - Day 40

    Much, much better day today in every way.
    Too cold for the gym tonight (24F, and just got inside from re-salting mg driveway and path to the door) but I will be active in my shop… not going to try to figure out the calorie count for any activity down there as my food and general steps for the day have already brought me to my goal.
    I have decided to try some body weight training starting tomorrow instead of the barbell stuff, if it takes root I will sell my weights at home and also my sumo rack, as I’d rather have the space for shop projects and generally own less ‘stuff’… over the last few years I have gradually tried to pare way things to cut down clutter.

    Weighed in today at 204.4 lbs which isn’t great but still within the 1 pound per week goal. My gut says I’ll be hovering around 203-204 for another week and then a ‘whoosh’ drop.. two more days till the weekend !!!

  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    1/18/2024 - Day 41. Caloric intake was on goal. Usually Thursday night is my weakest night in terms of will power. My step-father in law usually comes over and that introduces a little stress as it’s a weekly thing which usually involves sweets and many times during the week I don’t want to be obliged to socialize- I know that sounds *kitten*, but it is what it is. He is a good person and now lives alone so it’s good for him. Anyhow, I got through meal time without getting sucked into the glass of wine, have a chat and eat a cookie (or several cycle)
    Shop time didn’t happen yesterday and probably not tonight either, as it’s been so damn cold outside even the basement is uncomfortable to do work in and I am not bringing an electric heater down in a dusty Woodshop. Also even when I had sand stuff I open a window and have a fan vent the dusty air outside..not something I want to do for a day or two… might just be an early night as I only got 4 hours of sleep last night , usually there is one or two days a week where I have a really had time getting to bed.
  • Adventurista
    Adventurista Posts: 2,113 Member
    edited January 19
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    You're doing great. I like that you're sticking with your plans, but being realistic about modifications when needed to accommodate twists and turns in routine.

    Sticking with the process is the main factor in success, I think. An off day here or there is less of an issue, especially if - as you're doing - we think about why the off days were that way, accept it if it was worth it, and modify plans going forward if we think another solution would be better on another future day in similar circumstances. And then keep going.

    Keep thinking, keep experimenting, keep on keeping on: That's perfect. I'm predicting that you succeed. :flowerforyou:

    I added bold and particularly Like that, very helpful concept(s). Very different from the 'diet approach' in our family to 'start a fresh diet, not take a bite off it, lose the weight and keep it off forever!' Total crash and burn, every. single. time.
  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    edited January 20
    1/19/2024 - day 42.. six weeks from when I started. Calories were good today but food quality could have been better however next thing I need to work on is better sleep amounts and quality… then more fruits and veggies.
  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    edited January 21
    1/20/2024 - day 43.
    A mixed day. The cold kept me indoors. I definitely see the appeal of going somewhere warmer after I retire!
    Food choices were not great, including some sweets. (I blame this on cabin fever) but I did get in some exercise in the shop (saw restoration, filing and then hand ripping some lumber , plus cleanup ) before I sliced my finger open!! (yes even hand tools can cut you bad if not careful, in this case a wheel type cutting gauge of all things 🙄)
    Aside from bleeding on my work, the cut wasn’t too bad … between 1/16 and 1/32 of an inch deep.. I washed it, and put on some steri-strips. I’ll get a tetanus shot tomorrow… the down side is this cut short the things I can do as the injury is at my first finger joint so I must keep my pointer finger straight 😒. Decided it was time to stop for the day…I’ll talk to the doc tomorrow to see what I can realistically do.. fortunately it is on my right hand (I am lefty)…
  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    1/21/2024 day 44
    Food quality was poor but net calories were to plan - went to urgent care get a tetanus shot and also have my finger checked- all good there only downside was my blood pressure was really pretty high. It also was high over the summer last time i went. I need go start to monitor, I’ll give it a few weeks checking daily, if I don’t see a decent trend, I’ll make an appointment with my primary care doc who I am sure will prescribe medication again. What i think I will do is make the appointment for several weeks in advance… I’m overdue for a checkup anyway.
  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    edited January 23
    1/22/2024
    Day 45
    Food quality was much better today. My lunch was so filling did not feel hungry for dinner. One small bit of good news - I am able to fit into a shirt that was too tight back in December, so I’ll call that the first non scale victory. I did buy a bunch of suits the first week of January to step up my appearance at work, I’m also one of those people that works better when they are dressed ‘professionally’, I’m hoping to be out of those suits by the spring time and today I’m feeling optimistic that will happen. My waist is down 3/4 of an inch since the beginning of the month now down to 42.75 as per the tape…
  • Adventurista
    Adventurista Posts: 2,113 Member
    Wonderful!
  • sandramarshall200
    sandramarshall200 Posts: 108 Member
    I agree , that’s too much, I know you don’t want advice, and I’m no sort of role model to offer it, but I have found saying nothing at all about my food choices, takinga small plate, and then stopping works for me. And if it don’t get a head ache and go home !
  • sandramarshall200
    sandramarshall200 Posts: 108 Member
    Wanted to tell you I’m finding your honesty really helpful.
  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    sandramarshall200 wrote: »
    Wanted to tell you I’m finding your honesty really helpful.
    Thank you for both of your messages.
    When complete, the goal is this might benefit more people than just me.
  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    1/24/2024 - day 47
    As expected, the calorie goal for the day was torpedoed, although I did make reasonable choices at dinner with my boss. He takes out his directors once a quarter to a very nice restaurant- usually an excellent steak house. He is a very good person, and I genuinely enjoy his company regardless of our professional relationship. Unfortunately I just got back home and am now more ready for the bed rather than the gym!

    Although the calorie part of the day went poorly, my attitude since last post has improved. Two more challenge days to go before my Monday weigh in.

  • itladyee
    itladyee Posts: 5,483 Member
    How's your finger?
  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    itladyee wrote: »
    How's your finger?
    Healing up nice, I should be back at full use this weekend - thanks for asking !
  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    edited January 26
    1/25/2024 - day 48 another over goal day as expected but think I am right around maintenance. Not too active on here today as the focus is on my younger guy for his 18th.
  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    1/26/2024 Day 49 - an uneventful day… ate a little over goal but under maintenance.
  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    1/27/2024 - Day 50.
    Not a great day as I was extremely hungry for some reason since last night and nothing has seemed to satiate the hunger. Over goal again today but should be at or under maintenance by the time I close out my diet.
    At least there has been some physical activity. Got a chance to put in some build time for my new workbench. Also put together a new entertainment center and bought a new TV. The old tv was a hand me down from a family member and the entertainment center was purchased in 1998 at the same time I purchased my last tv -a ‘tube’ one that wasn’t even high def. This new one is a littler bigger and a bit more current. It’s strange, I have worked in software my whole professional life (over 30 years now) but all my interests are ‘analog’ and I hold on to stuff for a long time. I was also the last of my friends and family to get a smart phone.. maybe I picked the wrong line of work 🤷‍♂️
  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    edited January 30
    1/29 - day 52. Today has been difficult momentum wise. Currently 375 cals over goal (still under maintenance) and I don’t want to do jack shite to do anything. That being said, this is a year of *commitment* so I am going to the gym and walk off some of that surplus… I won’t get it all but at least some of it. Mentally I really need that little bump to get me under 200 lbs. Yesterday I was fine with my rate of loss, today the negative side of me feels like it just sucks that I’ve been at this for 52 days and I haven’t lost the 12 pounds yet - hell, on previous attempts the first 5-7 lbs were easy water weight lol. Not this time…… Rationally I know a 1 pound a week rate realistic… this is gonna take a LONG time and really will never be over. It also underscores to me how far I had let myself go…. On the bright side , I won’t mind going shirtless on my boat this summer if all proceeds as per plan.
    Ok - I’m off to the gym !
  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    edited January 30
    Part 2…
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    Got that chit done !!

    Now great music for the ride home
    #mood
    ju604na6w4f5.png


  • whimsy38
    whimsy38 Posts: 158 Member
    The key is to take the actions we need and not wait around to feel motivated! Great work.
  • 54ShadesOfBlue
    54ShadesOfBlue Posts: 262 Member
    1/30/2024 - day 53
    And on the 53rd day I crossed over into oneunder land !
    It was funny, when I got out of the shower I saw a little improvement when looking in the mirror, a faint outline of what might be a ‘sponge worthy’ physique in the distant future, so I got on the scale and … boom 199… what a nice way to start the day. I then did one of those boot camp classes tonight at the gym and my arms where shaking trying to do those planks where you gotta start with your arms straight and then fold them in 4 steps to have your forearms in the floor then reverse back … well it’s a good thing this old bod doesn’t look boinkable yet cause I don’t have the arm , and core strength to perform at a respectable level at the moment. 💀

    So… we need to add that strength goal ASAP.

    The rest of the day was good. No drama, diet was good calorie wise, but my lunch could have been healthier.

  • Adventurista
    Adventurista Posts: 2,113 Member
    Big congrats & Happy Dances! ♡
  • Overheadfan
    Overheadfan Posts: 72 Member
    Well done. Anyone on a health and well being journey understands the frustration which you've been going through. And then the " yaaaay" moment when the positive downward scale number appears.
    I applaud your consistent approach and not giving up.
    I'm 60 so I've been on a health and wellness mission for decades ..it's all about " future proofing for my future decades. :)
    I'm more patient now about having the frustrations and the " yaaays". ...I'm in this for the whole of my life so I'm prepared to just incorporate the tracking , exercise , clean eating etc so it's just a pile of good habits I've accumulated over many decades. It takes a lot of the angst out of the FOMO. :smile:
    Its ok that the process will take a long time...unless you're extremely elderly you probably have a lot more years ahead of you! Like I say... future proofing !
    It's really apparent to me that you are committed and consistent in your approach. Some days you feel you haven't met your goals but you own it and just keep going. You'll get to where you want to go because you're in charge.
    Good on you.

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