Chris, great job on pushing on in crappy weather!
John, I hope the tobacco craving is getting easier by now

I wish there are more "normal" women portray in media. I know they are all airbrushed but once a while I get sucked into "Sigh I wish I look that" mentality. And I'm an adult! I can't even imagine how impressionable girls feel. I'm just in a weird mood, my knee is healing slowly but getting better and I just fought off a sinus infection. Haven't trained in a little over 2 weeks is making me antsy.

John, good deal on the tobacco free so far! Keep it up!

Sundays always involve some cheating for me. Stole some snack size candy bars from our candy box in the class I teach. Oh well once a week my sweet tooth gets the best of me... basketball tonight with the young guys. That balances it out right? Lol

Shall31: congrats! That's awesome!

Good morning everybody.

Happy Monday. Digging out here from the snow. At least kiddo is happy ( tho he'd be happy if school had been cancelled).

Heron, I do measurements ( and monthly progress pics). Like you waist is slowest changing at the moment. Bust fastest. Waist do a big drop 3" or so when I first cleaned up diet. But glacial speed now. In last set of measurements (mid-Dec to lat Jan) bust down 2", Waist 0.5, hips 1. I'm planning on next DEXA early -mid March. Birthday reading ( which is St. Pats day) Probably should schedule it soon.

Progress pics show zero difference in my mind. Even comparing ones from months ago where I know I've changed based on clothes and scale. I'll continue taking them as I know at some point I'll be glad I did. But, ugh.

shall31 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the cheers and congrats. I still have a long long way to go but it is easier when there is a group like this one to keep me motivated. I would have never done the whole 30 if it wasn't suggested here. Thanks!

Wow!! Susan!! Congrats on the success.
I lost 9.2 and I was tickled to lose inches in my hips/thighs.

Heron- forget those Silicone Barbie Doll images! I work out to Meghan Trainer's "All About that Bass" and the words are doing WONDERS for my attitude!


John- I missed it! Didn't know u were working on tobacco. WOW! Rock on Hammer! YOU BE JAMMIN'!!

John, great job! I've never smoked, so I don't know first hand how it is, but I'm sure it's a tough road, but we all know you'll get through it.

Heron, that's a ton of fur! I thought it was snow, for a second! Also, could you post your recipes in the Healthy Recipes thread, so they're all in one place?

Whole30 update:

I made it! I feel great about completing it. Even though she wasn't following it, my wife was super supportive. I'm incredibly proud of my will power over the last few weeks. They've had many cakes and treats throughout the office, this month, but I dodged them all, even the German Chocolate and Red Velvet cakes (my 1st and 3rd favorite cakes!). I lost right at 15 pounds and I'm on the last hole of my belt! My clothes are fitting better and I'm starting to actually see the changes myself. Even though I strayed this weekend, I'll be continuing this way of eating for the foreseeable future. I do have some crock-pot meals in the freezer that I need to get rid of, so it may not be as perfect as I've been, but they are pretty close. I'll just have to resist eating them over rice!

TJ next time when I post recipes I'll post it on the recipe section. I keep forgetting that there a recipes thread. And good for you for hanging in there for 30 days! Like John said previously it will change your relationship and eating habits with foods. Having a love one supporting you definitely helps. Congrats on that big loss!! Woop woop!!
John did you check your HRV after meditation? Good choice meditating instead of getting up..

Fun fact: native used to save the fur to make yarn. When their dogs die they also save various parts to use ( skin, teeth)
Arturo and I are seeing a RKC trainer next week, really looking forward to it. For us right now it's a better fit than 5X5

Fun goal for me: I've been growing my hair to be donated for over a year now. I've set a goal to cut it when I hit 160. I donated my hair once and it feels good to do it.
I can't wait to cut my hair!! Long thick hair and workouts don't go together very well. It's also a pain the a** to do my hair, so I end up wearing it in a bun A LOT

Carb Nite tomorrow for us. I'm really going to try and keep it low fat and reign in the carbs. I've been getting bloated fairly often again. I think I messed my GI up by going overboard with the carbs over the holidays, I've been getting bloated a lot ever since the holidays. My weight loss has stalled but I haven't yet completed a "clean carb Nite cycle" as well. I learned. Valuable lesson about carbs, grains over the holidays and that is my GI really don't like them lol. Kiefer talks about it takes the GI years to heal for people who eat a high carb. Grains diet their entire life.
We've also cut out cream from our coffee, we are now using coconut cream which does not taste "coconuty"
I'm hoping for the best!

Whoa, a very stressful weekend with tenant and car issues. I survived by caring about what I ate and did, which was mostly successful. Things have turned a positive corner now. It is bitter cold in PA today - we're now up to 22 degrees. I have walked about 3 1/2 miles so far, but am disinclined to do more than another mile or so for the walk home. At least it is sunny and not too windy!

Sleep is always an issue for me. I fall asleep really quickly, but wake about 3 AM and it takes a long time to go back to sleep. I just ordered a hemp oil product that Ben Greenfield recommends - it is high in cannabidiol but very low THC. In theory, the relaxation and pain relief of MJ but not the mind-altering issues (and legal in most states). Has anyone tried this? I'm a bit nervous, having never smoked a joint in my life (no, not even in college in the 1970s), but am willing to try something that is more natural than big pharma products. It should arrive in a few days, and I'll keep you posted. Just hope not to get the munchies!

3.51 miles today

7:46
7:43
7:42
last half mile was 7:49 pace

27:21 total 7:46/mi

Kim--(luckily) I'm coming off an injury so I am a little apprehensive to go heavy anyways. Did 95lb squat, 85lb bench, 65lb bent over row. They all felt really light. I'm not sure what my 1RM or 5RM is anyways so starting low and 5lb increments will be fine by me. 5/3/1 was great when I did it. I highly recommend especially if it's a change of pace.

Hi Tom, big congrats! 2lbs is great!!
In regards to going back to working out, take it from someone who has a lot old injuries. Don't rush it, and do your PT. If you are still feeling pain don't use your arm. Do interval walking (speed walk 2min then walk normal for 30 seconds, repeat )and core workouts that don't require arm movements. You want to have stability and core strength when you are ready to workout again. I like to do flutter kicks works your core and quads.
Right now I am nursing an old knee issue. Why? Because I got lazy with my PT and I didn't rest enough when I first injured it. Because I got complacent that small injury got worse and now I'm out for at least 2 months.

Tom, congrats on the weight loss. I agree with Heron on the walking. First tho is just add nice steady state walks. Then when that becomes a habit, add done of the speed intervals. And your PT. The PT should get you started doing some weight bearing movement. Ask your therapist if you can incorporate air squats and some lower body resistance training ( bodyweight).

I'm pretty anti steady state "cardio" as a weight loss tool, really increases appetite, and causes some muscle wasting instead, walking at a pace you can carry a conversation, the occasional sprints and strength training to build/retain muscle and lean mass ( which in turns but s more calories all day long)

Awesome progress Tom!
John - you got this!!! If anybody does.. It's you!

Love seeing all the healthy things we are doing recorded here.
Kevin, that ice cream is a blip compared to all the healthy things you did before & after it!

We are doing a Jen's Jaunters show this weekend & TJ and I are doing a Whole30 wrap up show.
Susan- hope you can join us!!!

I'm at the gym before work... Yay me!