Struggling. Anyone used Dietbet for motivation?

endlessloser · September 2014

I'm on a crazy schedule right now, and am trying to figure out the best way to keep me motivated to REACH my goals. It's not that I'm not motivated actually, my life is just literally crazy/insane/busy.

No, I can't get up "earlier" to get a workout in or I just won't get even 6 hours of sleep. (I typically am getting between 6-6 1/2 hrs of sleep a night). I know, I should be getting more, but that's literally how crazy-busy it is right now for me.

I don't watch much tv (when I do, I'm multi-tasking like ironing at the same time, watching the replay of the biggest loser usually). We have one "family movie night" which is usually Saturday night, and since it's dedicated family time, (other than meals - the only set aside time) I won't interfere with it.

Not making excuses, it's just fact - However, my other days are nuts but I'm pretty sure I can now figure out a sense of routine.

YES I do reach my steps goal with my fitbit daily now, (been working on improving it so I hit daily), and for the last 3 weeks I have been. My daily routine should be levelling off this week to steady pace so I think I can finally get in gear.

So here's my schedule, and what I'm "planning":

(Two notes on this schedule:
1, I work for myself. Anyone who does knows that it's usually MORE hours than working for someone else, except I am flexible in hours/times working.
2., my daughter started college this year, and didn't get her driver's license in time... meaning for the moment, I have to drive her 45 min to college, wait for her - (which I work at this time), then 45 min home).

Mondays - up at 6:30, get my hubby off to work / have breaky same time / get started working by 7:30. Work till 11:30. Get ready / drive to college in nearby city & drop my daughter off by 1 p.m. Go to starbucks 1-4 (No, I don't get the junk coffees, I know better

I get plain tea). Pick her up from school, we're back home "usually" by about 5-5:15, depending on traffic. Evening is usually going for a 1-1.5 hour power walk with a friend. (So this day I'm pretty covered). Work time: less than 7 hours (closer to 6-6.5 of actual work time)

Tuesdays: up at 6:30, get my hubby off to work / have breaky same time / get started working by 7:30. ** Note, this is my daughter's only day off school, so I know I can fit a workout in here, I'm home for the entire day (usually). Start supper by 5, out for a commitment every Tuesday night by 7 (so basically, I'm booked off from 5 till 10 p.m.). "Sometimes" we fit in an ab workout after 10, but not always. Work time: 9 hours ideally... usually ends up being about 7-8 if I have to run out or anything.

Wednesdays: up at 6:30, get my hubby off to work / have breaky same time / get started working by 7:30. Must stop by 9-ish, get ready, get out the door before 10, get my daughter to school by 11.... turn around and come back (this is her long day - I can return home) - home by usually 12/noon. Work from 12-5... supper / get hubby back out the door by 6 - he goes to pick my daughter up, I've now got from 6-8 "free" (Usually work). Work time for the day: 6.5-8 hours ("if" no interruptions)

Thursdays: up at 5:45, out the door by 6:45-ish, driving daughter to school for 8. Reach Starbucks by 8:15, work till about 11, then pick my daughter back up by 11:15. Home by about 12:15. "IF" nothing comes up, can work from 12:30 - 5. Work time for the day: roughly 6 hours. (ideal, hasn't happened yet).

Fridays: up at 5:45, out the door by 6:45-ish, driving daughter to school for 8. Reach Starbucks by 8:15, work till about 11, then pick my daughter back up by 11:15. Unfortunately while ideally I head home, it hasn't happened yet - for the past 3 weeks stuff has been going on like crazy, but ideally it's like Thursday, home by 12:15, then can work till 5.

So - trying to fit in my workouts, Monday's I'm pretty covered.

Tuesday's I know I can fit an hour in. (I just have to do it because this day is my most focused work day, and it's really difficult to stop when it's my one really full day)

Wednesdays I need to get myself into routine to fit in an hour in probably when my hubby is getting my daughter.

Thursdays and Fridays - Was figuring I could get to a gym nearby the school so that I could get 1-2 hours of workouts in there, but so far that has LITERALLY been my only work time those two days for the past 3 weeks.

It *should* get better from now on, but here's my thing:

As crazy/nuts/busy as my life is, I know I have to get my workouts in. Frankly for the past while, my work time has been down to 3-4 hours most days, as I've had to do running around with my daughter for her classes (take her places for her to get her assignments done). Until she's driving fully, this is my life right now.

(Sorry for the long-winded post - thought it would make more sense if I posted a bit more details)

So I was thinking - from a motivation standpoint, has anyone ever tried Dietbet to help keep yourself on track?

If so, did it work?

If anyone is as crazy-busy as me (and cutting sleep is NOT an option) - got any other suggestions?? It seems like every time I plan on something, it just doesn't happen - or because other stuff gets in the way (like car breaking down/dealing with stuff like that as well), sometimes I'm just too wiped at night to try to fit in a workout. And while I should be "able" to work by looking my schedule for about ___ hours, frankly it's been UNDER 29 - on a good week lately. I just can not go lower, I'm already behind (and yes, I have staff that can help - but they can't do some stuff I do).

I'm sorry if this sounds like I'm making excuses, I'm really seriously trying to figure out something that works.

Oh - and food wise, while I could have some tweaks (hard being allergic to fresh fruit/vegies) - we DON'T eat out, I DON'T eat fried crap, I'm ALWAYS under my calorie goal 6 days a week (I let myself fluctuate on the 7th, but often still stay within my calories - ranging from 1450-1850) - so it's not so much food, as it is moving I need to focus on, I know that.

Been to a doctor (specialist), can't find any "reason" for my weight going up and down like a yo-yo within 5 pounds constantly (it's all in my head, but I won't even go there with issues right now, in short - female stuff that they admit is happening but can't find any reason for (which I'm sure is a big part of the issue), but according to them I'm perfectly healthy even though they admit my issue is real!!! (YEAH NOT)).

Anyway - I know my biggest thing to get results is I need to move more (I sit at my desk for work, too sedentary), and was thinking "maybe" dietbet might be a thought to try?

Pretty much at my wits-end here. (And yes, I've tried some challenges here, last one I actually GAINED 3 pounds on, and missed reporting because the cut off was odd).

Linnaea27 · September 2014

Wow, you are really, really busy! Ugh. I have been for me insanely, exhaustingly busy lately, and haven't exercised enough, but thankfully I don't have as many responsibilities as you do.

I have a suggestion which may or may not work-- a huge potential time saver (which you may have already looked into): public transportation for your daughter to get to/from school. I imagine you may have looked into this already, but I'm mentioning it just in case you hadn't considered it. Even if it cut your driving distance in half, that would be a huge time savings (not to mention gas and gas money savings!). If public transport is an option, would your daughter be able to hang out at school (in the library or something) doing homework until the bus/train ran again and she could get back home, rather than you waiting for her and bringing her home right after her classes are over every day? And . . . she's probably really overwhelmed with school right now, but can she continue to work towards getting her license? Or can she carpool with friends? It seems like figuring out an alternative to you/your husband driving her back and forth, even for one or two days a week, would help you so much.

For now, with the schedule you've got, is there any way you can take walks or runs during lunchtime? Or can you have walking meetings if you're meeting with people or on the phone? Where I work, walking meetings seem to be encouraged; I think it's common enough to be something you could institute at your business.

Force yourself to work out every Tuesday. It seems like that would be a day when you could fit something in since you are home all day (though working).

You don't *need* to do 1 to 2 hour workouts every day. Of course that would be better in terms of getting fitter and burning calories, but it sounds like you don't have the time-- so commit to 20-30 minutes, say 4-5 days a week (do you exercise on weekends?). Make those 20-30 minutes intense-- circuit training or running, if you can do those. Or heavy weight lifting. In winter, when it's dark when I come home from work, I try for a half hour workout-- circuit training with weights or riding the stationery bike. It's better than nothing, though I prefer spring/summer/fall runs outdoors or spending a bunch of time in the garden or the yard when there's enough daylight to be exercising for more than half an hour.

Good luck! I've found doing this type of schedule where almost the whole day is devoted to work and other people's needs can be draining-- take care of yourself! :flowerforyou:

endlessloser · September 2014

Thanks for the suggestions, ideally I wanted 1-2 hrs/day because I need to lose quite a bit, but you're right, 30 min is better than nothing. I didn't count weekends because we're usually running around so much that I blow past my fitbit steps by almost double (well over 12,000, closer to 15, I'm set to 7500/day currently). So I sort of do get stuff in there, its just not considered "exercise" from a formal sense. (Gardening, washing vehicles or other yard work, groceries, usually get 1-2 hrs of walking in too). It's the other days lol.

Public transportation isn't really an option (yes, checked) - we're 'rural'/small town so nothing that I've found that goes back and forth.

My daughter was supposed to go with a (family) friend each day, it had been all planned out, they were even able to drop his dad off at work on the way (he's half way between the two cities) but as it turned out, our friend didn't get into the location my daughter goes to, he had to start his first year within our city at the local campus here. (It's small, they only offer like 5 courses, and my daughters - photography - wasn't one of them-he's in pre-health).

She found one girl who is in her class that lives here too, (Note we moved here just over a year ago, so she didn't know anyone from school really) - but apparently this girl was in one of her high school classes and connected with my daughter. Unfortunately the way this college works, they're on completely opposite schedules

Because we did consider that.

Next year, for year 2, I know there won't be an issue because our family friend, plus 2 others are set to go to the same school, (first friend is going ultimately for paramedic, which they DON'T teach at this campus, it is at the one my daughter goes to). Plus with 2 others, somewhere, they'll be able to carpool... and at worst, yes she'll have her license by then.

I've told her we're going to get her practicing more which (with my time schedule) lol - hasn't been easy - she's a nervous driver so I know its going to take time.

I just have to figure out/be firm in setting aside my 'me' time. Somehow. lol. I think I can figure out Mon-Wed, it's Thurs/Fri that everything seems to go to pot, but I'll have to make it work right?

endlessloser · September 2014

Tomorrow my daughter has her 'photography field trip week' class at a market... I investigated it - it's literally two blocks to one of the gyms I was considering going to - so I've got an appt to go there and to the other gym I was considering tomorrow.

making myself do this!!

pandagram · October 2014

http://diet.bt/Qk2Kfs

Here's a relatively low stakes one I started.
It's my first as well so I kind of want to try it before joining the huge games

meggwtw · October 2014

Yep. 6 month one. "The Transformer" -- http://www.dietbetter.com/games/44482

shai74 · October 2014

Are you sure you're not making it all too hard? I have 4 teenagers, a partner, a full time job (with a 50 minute commute each way), a grand-child, a horse, a clean house (no housekeeper). My life is no where near as stressful as yours sounds. I've also lost 46lbs and I do not bust my *kitten* trying to workout every day. I go for a walk at lunchtime, and I ride my horse Saturday mornings. Weightloss is at least 80% what you stick in your mouth. Which is also not a problem, if you get into a routine, eat the same kind of thing most days, and record everything. I make lunch for the week on Sunday afternoon.

Doit61 · October 2014

Organise some driving lessons with an instructor to pick her up at college and she drive home. Or the other way. Once or twice a week, she will get here driving hours up and yes it will cost money, but if she gets her licence sooner, it will eventually save you money.

AllOutof_Bubblegum · October 2014

Here's a thought, have your daughter start acting her age and getting her own self to school. So she didn't get her driver's licence in time...I fail to see how that's her mom's problem, especially to the extent that it takes an hour and a half out of your day to cater to her needs that she should be taking care of herself.

Have her take the bus, or arrange a carpool for herself. There's a line between helping your kids out, and enabling them. You've crossed it.

endlessloser · October 2014

shai74 wrote: »

Are you sure you're not making it all too hard? I have 4 teenagers, a partner, a full time job (with a 50 minute commute each way), a grand-child, a horse, a clean house (no housekeeper). My life is no where near as stressful as yours sounds. I've also lost 46lbs and I do not bust my *kitten* trying to workout every day. I go for a walk at lunchtime, and I ride my horse Saturday mornings. Weightloss is at least 80% what you stick in your mouth. Which is also not a problem, if you get into a routine, eat the same kind of thing most days, and record everything. I make lunch for the week on Sunday afternoon.

I wish I could make it easier lol - how long did it take you to lose the 46 lbs? Unfortunately I know that it's not so much food. I definitely only actually lose when I'm more active (thyroid issues run in my family big time, I'm diagnosed as "borderline hypo" but they won't do anything about it). Food I've been quite meticulous with for the past several weeks, prepping etc. Gained 7 pounds back... lost 4. ~typical for me~.

Still working on getting the workouts in a better place. That gym I checked out was way too far from where I need to be, and I wasn't really impressed with it. Considering checking another one tomorrow, but I've come up with (last night) a schedule that just might work for me now that things are levelling off.

endlessloser · October 2014

Doit61 wrote: »

Organise some driving lessons with an instructor to pick her up at college and she drive home. Or the other way. Once or twice a week, she will get here driving hours up and yes it will cost money, but if she gets her licence sooner, it will eventually save you money.

Would be nice... but not possible. College is in a totally different city, 45 min away. (well, 35 to the city, plus 10 into by the college). She's in a driver's course, they don't go back and forth like that. (Already considered that).

endlessloser · October 2014

AllOutof_Bubblegum wrote: »

Here's a thought, have your daughter start acting her age and getting her own self to school. So she didn't get her driver's licence in time...I fail to see how that's her mom's problem, especially to the extent that it takes an hour and a half out of your day to cater to her needs that she should be taking care of herself.

Have her take the bus, or arrange a carpool for herself. There's a line between helping your kids out, and enabling them. You've crossed it.

Um, yeah thanks. I recognize your attempt to 'help' but it's not.

Rural city to College city = no transportation in between. No buses go between, she HAS posted to try to carpool - three people she tried to work something out to carpool with from here (the only three that she could find) - all have totally different schedules. Not sure what it's like where you live, but here the schedules are all over the place.

And while you might think I'm "enabling" my daughter, I'm definitely not trying to in any way, I'm the one who pushed her to attempt to get her license in time. Her driving instructor got mad at me for it because she said she wasn't ready. (I knew that - but I also know sometimes you DO need to push to get it out of them). She's a very nervous driver, panics easily... which means she definitely needs a lot more practice. Talked to my hubby about it on the weekend, he's going to try to get her out more (as I just don't have extra time to spare on that too).

For the record - being a nervous driver - not enabling here, but we've been through stuff that might make your head spin (loss of a child/her brother etc) - so she is legitimately a jumpy/nervous person and doesn't handle stress like that well. We're working on that - but that isn't going to solve the time issue in the near future for me.

As I posted above though, I have done some reworking and may finally have a schedule for getting exercise in I can work with.

endlessloser · October 2014

And good news / update: my daughter just found someone to carpool with 2 days a week

Similar situation to ours (limited vehicles/license issues) - and she's in all my daughter's classes. So one week we'll drive, next week they'll drive - so this will free up a few days for me at least more than they are. (At least till the license issue is solved - which we're working on!)

newdaydawning79 · October 2014

I am in the DietBet transformer (6 months to lose 10%) and I love it. I fell off the wagon this past week with it due to a death in the family but I'm determined to make it to the month goal (the months end on the 12th) again this time around!

endlessloser · October 2014

newdaydawning79 wrote: »

I am in the DietBet transformer (6 months to lose 10%) and I love it. I fell off the wagon this past week with it due to a death in the family but I'm determined to make it to the month goal (the months end on the 12th) again this time around!

Awesome - I'm seriously thinking of joining one. My only concern - I get how it works for if you don't lose, or if you do reach your goal... what if you go way beyond the 10% in the time frame? i.e., 6 months, with my plan, that's not as much as I want to lose in that same time frame), my goal is closer to a minimum of 20%. Too aggressive for them?

Oi_Sunshine · October 2014

newdaydawning79 · October 2014

endlessloser wrote: »

newdaydawning79 wrote: »

I am in the DietBet transformer (6 months to lose 10%) and I love it. I fell off the wagon this past week with it due to a death in the family but I'm determined to make it to the month goal (the months end on the 12th) again this time around!

Awesome - I'm seriously thinking of joining one. My only concern - I get how it works for if you don't lose, or if you do reach your goal... what if you go way beyond the 10% in the time frame? i.e., 6 months, with my plan, that's not as much as I want to lose in that same time frame), my goal is closer to a minimum of 20%. Too aggressive for them?

Nope! There are limits because they don't want anyone doing something unhealthy. If you lost 30% of your body weight in the 6 months, that's the only way you'd be disqualified. There are some in mine who have already reached the 10% mark and they're either trying for more or working at maintaining depending on the person. I plan on being well over 10% myself!

Feel free to friend me too if you'd like!

endlessloser · October 2014

Yeah, I think I'd rather lose because of losing more than the goal. Realistically my concept is losing about 2 pounds a week. Since I've been mostly sitting for work, getting into gear/exercising should help make the pounds go a little faster.

Also thinking (thinking I stress!) about starting running.... totally NOT my favorite thing, I prefer dvds... but I see it working for others.

Might join the next dietbet

heybebe88 · October 2014

I'm sorry, but it says that you are sleeping only 6-6.5 hours each night, but your schedule has you ending your workday / obligations by 5 or 6 most nights, except Tuesdays. What is happening between then and midnight?

If you feel like you aren't getting enough work time in, if you don't get carsick, can you get things done in the passenger seat while your daughter drives herself to school? Practice time for her, work time for you.

hortensehildegarde · October 2014

Check their rules they will disqualify you if you lose too much too fast but IIRC the upper limit is quite high.

I don't have kids but seems to me some places have raised the license age limit and I wonder about that sometimes. I took drivers ed right after I turned 15 and so started driving at 15, got my license right when I turned 16 and had the car out to 30 miles away the first week all by myself. I was only 17 when I left for college but had a fair amount of driving practice by that point.

Seems like some place won't let kids drive at 15 now and that seems counter intuitive to me if they are going to be sent off to college at 17/18 years old! You are right they need a lot of practice until they feel comfortable, for everyone's safety. Uncomfortable drivers aren't helping anyone on the road. (Though I think a wary teen driver is probably safer than an over-confident one!)

I'm thinking of doing a diet bet after I get done with a few upcoming trips. Want to make sure I win

I think it sounds fun!

ScottH_200 · October 2014

endlessloser wrote: »

I'm on a crazy schedule right now, and am trying to figure out the best way to keep me motivated to REACH my goals. It's not that I'm not motivated actually, my life is just literally crazy/insane/busy.

No, I can't get up "earlier" to get a workout in or I just won't get even 6 hours of sleep. (I typically am getting between 6-6 1/2 hrs of sleep a night). I know, I should be getting more, but that's literally how crazy-busy it is right now for me.

I don't watch much tv (when I do, I'm multi-tasking like ironing at the same time, watching the replay of the biggest loser usually). We have one "family movie night" which is usually Saturday night, and since it's dedicated family time, (other than meals - the only set aside time) I won't interfere with it.

Not making excuses, it's just fact - However, my other days are nuts but I'm pretty sure I can now figure out a sense of routine.

YES I do reach my steps goal with my fitbit daily now, (been working on improving it so I hit daily), and for the last 3 weeks I have been. My daily routine should be levelling off this week to steady pace so I think I can finally get in gear.

So here's my schedule, and what I'm "planning":

(Two notes on this schedule:
1, I work for myself. Anyone who does knows that it's usually MORE hours than working for someone else, except I am flexible in hours/times working.
2., my daughter started college this year, and didn't get her driver's license in time... meaning for the moment, I have to drive her 45 min to college, wait for her - (which I work at this time), then 45 min home).

Mondays - up at 6:30, get my hubby off to work / have breaky same time / get started working by 7:30. Work till 11:30. Get ready / drive to college in nearby city & drop my daughter off by 1 p.m. Go to starbucks 1-4 (No, I don't get the junk coffees, I know better I get plain tea). Pick her up from school, we're back home "usually" by about 5-5:15, depending on traffic. Evening is usually going for a 1-1.5 hour power walk with a friend. (So this day I'm pretty covered). Work time: less than 7 hours (closer to 6-6.5 of actual work time)

Tuesdays: up at 6:30, get my hubby off to work / have breaky same time / get started working by 7:30. ** Note, this is my daughter's only day off school, so I know I can fit a workout in here, I'm home for the entire day (usually). Start supper by 5, out for a commitment every Tuesday night by 7 (so basically, I'm booked off from 5 till 10 p.m.). "Sometimes" we fit in an ab workout after 10, but not always. Work time: 9 hours ideally... usually ends up being about 7-8 if I have to run out or anything.

Wednesdays: up at 6:30, get my hubby off to work / have breaky same time / get started working by 7:30. Must stop by 9-ish, get ready, get out the door before 10, get my daughter to school by 11.... turn around and come back (this is her long day - I can return home) - home by usually 12/noon. Work from 12-5... supper / get hubby back out the door by 6 - he goes to pick my daughter up, I've now got from 6-8 "free" (Usually work). Work time for the day: 6.5-8 hours ("if" no interruptions)

Thursdays: up at 5:45, out the door by 6:45-ish, driving daughter to school for 8. Reach Starbucks by 8:15, work till about 11, then pick my daughter back up by 11:15. Home by about 12:15. "IF" nothing comes up, can work from 12:30 - 5. Work time for the day: roughly 6 hours. (ideal, hasn't happened yet).

Fridays: up at 5:45, out the door by 6:45-ish, driving daughter to school for 8. Reach Starbucks by 8:15, work till about 11, then pick my daughter back up by 11:15. Unfortunately while ideally I head home, it hasn't happened yet - for the past 3 weeks stuff has been going on like crazy, but ideally it's like Thursday, home by 12:15, then can work till 5.

So - trying to fit in my workouts, Monday's I'm pretty covered.

Tuesday's I know I can fit an hour in. (I just have to do it because this day is my most focused work day, and it's really difficult to stop when it's my one really full day)

Wednesdays I need to get myself into routine to fit in an hour in probably when my hubby is getting my daughter.

Thursdays and Fridays - Was figuring I could get to a gym nearby the school so that I could get 1-2 hours of workouts in there, but so far that has LITERALLY been my only work time those two days for the past 3 weeks.

It *should* get better from now on, but here's my thing:

As crazy/nuts/busy as my life is, I know I have to get my workouts in. Frankly for the past while, my work time has been down to 3-4 hours most days, as I've had to do running around with my daughter for her classes (take her places for her to get her assignments done). Until she's driving fully, this is my life right now.

(Sorry for the long-winded post - thought it would make more sense if I posted a bit more details)

So I was thinking - from a motivation standpoint, has anyone ever tried Dietbet to help keep yourself on track?

If so, did it work?

If anyone is as crazy-busy as me (and cutting sleep is NOT an option) - got any other suggestions?? It seems like every time I plan on something, it just doesn't happen - or because other stuff gets in the way (like car breaking down/dealing with stuff like that as well), sometimes I'm just too wiped at night to try to fit in a workout. And while I should be "able" to work by looking my schedule for about ___ hours, frankly it's been UNDER 29 - on a good week lately. I just can not go lower, I'm already behind (and yes, I have staff that can help - but they can't do some stuff I do).

I'm sorry if this sounds like I'm making excuses, I'm really seriously trying to figure out something that works.

Oh - and food wise, while I could have some tweaks (hard being allergic to fresh fruit/vegies) - we DON'T eat out, I DON'T eat fried crap, I'm ALWAYS under my calorie goal 6 days a week (I let myself fluctuate on the 7th, but often still stay within my calories - ranging from 1450-1850) - so it's not so much food, as it is moving I need to focus on, I know that.

Been to a doctor (specialist), can't find any "reason" for my weight going up and down like a yo-yo within 5 pounds constantly (it's all in my head, but I won't even go there with issues right now, in short - female stuff that they admit is happening but can't find any reason for (which I'm sure is a big part of the issue), but according to them I'm perfectly healthy even though they admit my issue is real!!! (YEAH NOT)).

Anyway - I know my biggest thing to get results is I need to move more (I sit at my desk for work, too sedentary), and was thinking "maybe" dietbet might be a thought to try?

Pretty much at my wits-end here. (And yes, I've tried some challenges here, last one I actually GAINED 3 pounds on, and missed reporting because the cut off was odd).

Wow, for busy so busy I'm amazed you had time to write this long post ;-)

Struggling. Anyone used Dietbet for motivation?

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