Turn your knowledge into Power Challenge
Replies
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Great job on your long walk Laura!0
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I decided I wanted to lose the weight naturally rather than going through with the surgery.
Good for you! I think that everyone's journey is different and what works for some will not for for others. I think it is important to realize what is going to work for YOU. I am still in the learning process, but I do know that surgery for weight loss is not it for me.
I have also learned that I need to work with moderation. Nothing is off-limits! If it is, I want it even more, just to prove that I can...they can't tell me no!0 -
Hi everyone, I'm joining you today and am looking forward to the next 8 weeks with you all. Here are my musings about the 'readiness for change' questions:
1. Are you motivated to make long-term lifestyle changes?
My motivation - at risk of diabetes, 4 kids who I want to have the energy to play with and be an example for, tried of feeling old and desire to be truely free.
2. Have you addressed the big distractions in your life?
Only dealing with the many minor challenges that come with this mortal life.
3. Do you have a realistic picture of how much weight you'll lose and how quickly?
I am not, (and never have been) interested in dieting. The only way for me to do this is through making healthier food choices and developing a consistent, regular habit of physical exercise. I don't expect this path to be short, but I hope that it will be lasting. I don't want to gain, but have a consistent slow downward trend over time. 1-2lbs would make me very happy, but really anything less than the week before will feel like progress.
4. Have you resolved any emotional issues connected to your weight?
hummm, well no. I'm working at it but this is my biggest issue. I struggle with all-or-nothing thinking, I fear failure, and have very high expectations of myself. Food has defineitely become an unhealthy crutch, perhpas even an addiction - my sole way of coping with a wide range of emotions. I have found that as I limit sugar, my cravings and energy and moods are significantly improved. I do believe that my success depend a great deal on the enabling power of Grace (because I actually don't have the ability to conquer this on my own), and an understanding the biological effects of sugar in my sugar sensitive body.
5. Do you have support and accountability?
Yeah for MFP - all the support I have here, plus the tools to log my choices and track my progress. My husband is kind and non-judgmental for which I am grateful everyday. But he isn't into exercise and has one of those metabolisms that allow him to eat a lot without gaining - so in a lot of ways he just doesn't understand my struggle. I think the more personal challenges here help me to be accountable.
6. Have you embraced the weight-loss challenge?
Celebrating successes is one thing I am practising. I only have to go for a jog to remember how great I feel when I move. Funny but the only thing I dread is the comments about my weight - for me whether it is the dreaded, "Are you expecting?" When I'm not question or the "Have you lost weight - you look great." They both feel horrible to me. I don't want people to notice, never mind comment on my weight - that is not who I am and it is really none of their business. Am I crazy? Does anyone else feel like that? My MFP friends are different we are all focusing on our own journey - and trying to encourage others to be more active and make healthy choices - maybe it is just because I'm not standing face to face with everyone here. I'm not really sure what the difference is. I do feel like I am engaged in a process that is bringing me joy and light and a greater abundance of life.0 -
As of July 8th:
Sw 233
Neck 14"
Bust 43"
Waist 41"
Hips 53"
Thighs 31.5"
Arms 13.5"
My goals during this challenge are to:
Track my food/water every day,
Exercise 3-4 times a week
Lose 8 lbs.0 -
Week One Question:
What are your challenges to exercise regularly?
Barrier No. 1: I don't have enough time to exercise
Most often it is the end of the day before I manage to fit it in.
Barrier No. 3: I'm self-conscious about how I look
So I'm sweating like crazy in my own house instead of a gym or in the neighborhood.
I've got some cute workout clothes and a well fitting bathing suit and cover-up, so that is helping with the idea of exercising in view of others.
Barrier No. 4: I'm too tired to exercise after work
Getting enough sleep is the key for me - I am a night-hawk and love the quiet hours I have solely to myself at night. (don't look at the time I posted this!)
Barrier No. 8: I can't afford health club fees
I've got an exercise ball, a $100 tredmill, resistence bands, a bike, Wii dance & Wii fit, stairs, housework, lots of body weight to push-ups and squats, and live in an area with plenty of hills. I realize I don't need a membership and I'm done with finding excuses, I can always use the resources I do have. (I just miss swimming though.)0 -
StepbyStep, (Sorry I don't know your name)
I can so relate to your comment about all or nothing thinking. That is a difficult one for me as well. Hopefully, we will find some great ways to deal with this and turn it into a positive for us instead of a challenge.0 -
Week 1 Updates:
Power Challenge -- so far I have walked 1/2 mile. I have done a lot of other exercising as well.
Knowledge Challenge -- The excuses that apply to me are:
# 3 I'm too tired to exercise -- this one is so easy to use and I tend to do so more often than I should
#4 I'm self-conscious about how I look when I exercise -- I am so bad about this that I have a membership at the gym and I rarely use it. I am fine exercising by myself or with other overweight people, but you get skinny people in the gym and it all changes. I also have a hard time working out in front of my husband because I am not real coordinated when it comes to the moves. :grumble:0 -
Hey All....so nice to see everyone here and read your answers to our first 6 questions. I feel the same as many of you. . . . . especially the all or nothing folks out there!
I'm ready to get started...........
1. Are you motivated to make long-term lifestyle changes?
I am motivated today. Now the trick is to stay that way. That is the hard part!
2. Have you addressed the big distractions in your life?
Not sure that I have 'big' distractions. I had been laid off work for a year, and just started working again in March. It has been stressful, but hey that is life, right? Distractions will always be part of life. I want to learn to respond to the 'big distractions' and more importantly the little every day stresses in a healthy way.
3. Do you have a realistic picture of how much weight you'll lose and how quickly?
I do have a realistic picture, but I do not like.
4. Have you resolved any emotional issues connected to your weight?
I am any emotional eater. Happy, sad, tired . . . . ice cream would went welll with all those emotions. As I said in answer #2, I want to learn to deal with things/life/feelings in a new way. I would love to have a stressful day and think I can't wait to get home and exercise, because I know that will make me feel so much better . . . . . instead of thinking I want to get home and sit on the couch with a piece of cake and some ice cream.
5. Do you have support and accountability?
My husband is very supportive. Although he is not over weight and he really doesn't understand the struggle. Of course all my pals here!
6. Have you embraced the weight-loss challenge?
I've embraced it and I know that I must do this for my health, but it scares me too.
Week One Question:
What are your challenges to exercise regularly?
Of course time is a challenge. My biggest challenge though is that I hate exercising. I will however push through and exercise at least 3 days per week. That brings me to my goals for this 8 week challenge........1. to exercise 3 days per week. 2. to loose 10 lbs. 3. to focus on the positive.0 -
Week 1 Updates:
Power Challenge -- so far I have walked 1/2 mile. I have done a lot of other exercising as well.
Knowledge Challenge -- The excuses that apply to me are:
# 3 I'm too tired to exercise -- this one is so easy to use and I tend to do so more often than I should
#4 I'm self-conscious about how I look when I exercise -- I am so bad about this that I have a membership at the gym and I rarely use it. I am fine exercising by myself or with other overweight people, but you get skinny people in the gym and it all changes. I also have a hard time working out in front of my husband because I am not real coordinated when it comes to the moves. :grumble:
Great job on the 1/2 mile and the exercising!
I don't like how I look exercising either. I will NOT do an exercise video in front of my husband. Now a nice walk with him is something entirely different
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Power Challenge-Week One
Friday: -
Saturday: -
Sunday: .70 -
1.Are you motivated to make long-term lifestyle changes?
Yes, I am most days and then there are days that I just feel like I want to eat everything and other days I dont want to eat anything because I am so disqusted with my body I just want to cut it off...
2.Have you addressed the big distractions in your life?
Aw Yes, I have a husband, children, a grandson, friends. Stresses, people to minister to. They are everywhere.
3. Do you have a realistic picture of how much weight you'll lose and how quickly?
I think I have a realistic picture. I try not to be too hard on my self when I dont do what I need to do...Anyway I know it will take me a while to get to my goal at least a year or more but the I want it now in me says I should be able to lose the weight in a month or so. : )
4. Have you resolved any emotional issues connected to your weight?
Honestly probibly not... I can recognize now when I get upset that I want to eat. I have sabotaged myself all my life, it is almost as if I did not feel I was worthy enough to love myself. So at this point I am learning to make myself a priortiy and to be confindent that I am worthy of love and to love myself.
5. Do you have support and accountability?
My support and accountabilty is ME AND MY MFP family. I have some people who care in my life but they are not actively involved with me in this journey.
6. Have you embraced the weight-loss challenge?
I have embraced and accepted this challenge in my life. Im tired of being fat, and tired and wearing and shopping in fat womens clothing. I want to wear pretty things and feel like I am pretty for myself. I also want to feel like my husband finds me attractive. But that is another story and definately goes with the emotional eating.
So Are you Ready?
YES! I am ready and excited! Truly I find my motovation knowing I have you all here on MFP. And doing these challenges with you all moves me! In all kinds of ways!0 -
Walking Challenge:
Friday - .5 miles
Saturday - .5 miles
Monday - .5 miles
Love reading everybody's responses. It's always good to know that you aren't alone in the journey. So many of us face the same obstacles. Thanks for the support and motivation. Hang in there.0 -
Just wanted to stop in and see how everyone was doing this morning, to say hi, and to read the posts. Wishing you all a Motivational Monday.......have a great day all.0
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Hi ya'll! So excited to see so many participating! Here's my update-
Power Challenge- so I didn't end up getting my planned jog in on Friday. By the time hubby got home from work it was pouring down rain (and he was riding his motorcycle, so he was soaked, poor thing) so we didn't run Friday night, and we had planned on doing it sometime on Saturday, but we got an early start putting on our "Log Jam", so all day Sat. ended up being up and down the ladder, on scaffolding. It wasn't super intense exercise, but my shoulders and especially hands were not happy with me by the end of the day. We also got the floor laid down on the second half of our wood shed, so now I can get started on splitting the rest of the wood and stacking it up there, which is a HUGE job that has to be done by the time the snow starts to fall.
So, I needed that whole novel to tell you all that I am planning on doing my run tonight, hot weather and all (it's about 75, so not horribly hot, but we have thick blood, anything over 70 feels really warm).
Weekly Question- I don't really have any of those excuses for not exercising, I just don't like to do it so much, at least cardio exercise. I LOVE to lift weights! I do, however, love the feeling when I'm done exercising.. maybe I need to set myself up a "First exercise, then feel great" chart as a visual reminder (Do you think that's too much "taking my work home with me" Dorothy? hehe). I guess I'm in a minority in that I actually don't like exercising alone, I love having hubby go with me, and son, and daughter, the more the merrier!
The post that LauraLee made really resonated with me, especially the part about "learning to make myself a priority". That's a tough one for me. I'm a caregiver by nature and generally put myself last, so it is hard to start doing things just for me. Maybe that's why I always want the family to come with me exercising, cause then I'm still taking care of them too, LOL. Even little things like getting regular check-ups, regular hair appointments, etc. I usually make excuses to put them off. It's definitely something I need to work on.
~~Veronica0 -
maybe I need to set myself up a "First exercise, then feel great" chart as a visual reminder (Do you think that's too much "taking my work home with me" Dorothy? hehe).
I am all for positive reinforcement! This one even has a built in contingency with it. 0 -
Just checking in with everyone today. Hope everyone's week is off to a great start. I walked a mile today and feeling pretty good about. Tomorrow I plan on working out with a friend. Hopefully I can get another mile in.0
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YAY FOR YOU KIMBERLY! THAT IS FANTASTIC!0
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Ok so I totally blew it today! TOM showed up and made me lose my mind! and even with working out I am still over by 1500 which is a whole day for me.
Anyway now I feel sick...I wish I could puke but that is not me...
So I walked a mile at the track today with the family. My husband and daugher brought thier bikes so I even rode the bike for a 1/4 mile and that made my heart rate explode! It went a little too high but man it was a great workout for those 3 minutes...My husband was like so you should buy a bike like mine and I am like well I think I need to lose a little bit more weight before I purchase a bike. The tires on my daughters bike were screaming help me help me!...
Any ways I hope everyone else had a great day! You all are awesome!0 -
Power Challenge- Week One
Friday: -
Saturday: -
Sunday: .7
Monday: 1.0
Total: 1.70 -
Laura,
I have a tendency when I overeat, to give up on the exercise as well. It's that "all or nothing" problem I have.
Thanks for setting such a great example that one does not negate the other.
Dorothy0 -
Power Challenge- Week One
Friday: -
Saturday: -
Sunday: .7
Monday: 1.0
Total: 1.7
Your moving Dorothy! That is great!0 -
Laura,
I have a tendency when I overeat, to give up on the exercise as well. It's that "all or nothing" problem I have.
Thanks for setting such a great example that one does not negate the other.
Dorothy
I just wish I would of had the energy to burn all of the extra calories I consumed...it hours latter and I still feel like I want to throw up...(excuse my vulgarity).0 -
A quick post before work-
Power Challenge-
Monday- 2.6 miles (in 30 minutes of jogging) plus .3 mile walk in warm up and cool down
Also did about 20 minutes of weights (arms, shoulders and chest)
Great job LauraLee with the walk and bike ride! And hope you have a better eating day today!
Dorothy- great job on your mile yesterday!
~~Veronica0 -
Excellent job Veronica!
I can't imagine jogging at this time, but I hope that eventually it will come like everything else.0 -
Just wanted to stop in and catch up on the posts and send everyone some encouragement. The thing about this journey is that each of us faces moments that cause set backs. It is so important to remember that this isn't an "all or nothing" process. It's a "when I fall I must get back up" process. You guys are all doing so well. You have to recognize when you stumble and what causes those before you can figure out how to change. I'm so glad you are here to support and encourage me; I want to give just a little of that back. So yesterday, or the day before, or lunch today weren't so great. The next decision you make can be a great one!!!! Hang in there. Kristie
Walking Challenge:
Friday - .5 miles
Saturday - .5 miles
Monday - .5 miles
Tuesday - .6 miles0 -
Ok so I totally blew it today! TOM showed up and made me lose my mind! and even with working out I am still over by 1500 which is a whole day for me.
Anyway now I feel sick...I wish I could puke but that is not me...
So I walked a mile at the track today with the family. My husband and daugher brought thier bikes so I even rode the bike for a 1/4 mile and that made my heart rate explode! It went a little too high but man it was a great workout for those 3 minutes...My husband was like so you should buy a bike like mine and I am like well I think I need to lose a little bit more weight before I purchase a bike. The tires on my daughters bike were screaming help me help me!...
Any ways I hope everyone else had a great day! You all are awesome!
Today is a new day!
I have a bike and I used to ride, but I am too afraid to get on it now. Next summer.....is gonna be a whole different story.0 -
Power Challenge- Week One
Friday: -
Saturday: -
Sunday: .7
Monday: 1.0
Total: 1.7
Great job Dorothy!0 -
I know about two months ago I tried to ride my daughters bike and the tires went flat and the seat went up my butt...I was not liking that at all. That is why I am going to wait for a few before buying myself a bike. I want to make sure It is something I can ride without breaking. : P0
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Woot! You go Kristie, great job walking, and a two thumbs up to your post. What an empowering idea that each day we get dozens of opportunities to do great things for our health! And, if we don't make the best choice, the very next choice gives us another shot at choosing to put our health above all else.
Dorothy, I never thought I could be a person who runs either, but I lost some weight, and found the right program to keep myself motivated (I LOVE the Couch to 5K program!) and now I can actually run (albeit slowly, LOL). My goal is a 10K run that happens here every year called the Midnight Sun Run. It happens at the summer solstice and it is run at midnight. Next year I'm gonna make it happen!
Kimberly and LauraLee, you are both gonna have so much fun when you get on those bikes. Kudos to you for taking the steps to make it a reality! I'm here rooting you both on!!!
~~Veronica0 -
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