Need to Lose 100 LBS -Robins Thread !

@Kaye…hope you have a wonderful trip. I once was anywhere from 4.5 – 7 hours away from all my family and I’m thoroughly enjoying being less than 15 minutes from three of them now. Have a wonderful time with your sisters and your dad!
@Mollybell13…well if it’s support you want, it’s support you get from this thread. Welcome!
@Kaye @Tom…great article - I thought the “brown fat” information was fascinating. I always knew our bodies adapted but very interesting. I love colder…in fact when it was beautiful weather during the day but still in the 40s at night, I had my bedroom window shut. My husband allowed two days of that and then shut it, but…
@Susan…sounds like you kicked butt this weekend. Hopefully you can have a couple relaxing evenings this week.
@Karen…since you got 4” out of that system, I won’t complain about my 1-2” from the same one.
@Tracy…as I’m working on protein, I saw your list of good veggie sources. I wouldn’t make a very good vegetarian since I only liked 3 out of the specific 20 items listed.
@Laurie…I’m so impressed with your swim meet results!! Way to Go!

AFM…We got some sad news through our church Facebook page. One of our high school seniors was in Red Lodge Montana at a ski trip for spring break with his dad, brothers and some classmates. He apparently veered off course and went into the trees and hit one. About an hour later was found by a classmate. He has a concussion, contused left lung, dislocated a vertebrae, crushed a vertebrae and severely damaged his spinal cord. He’s paralyzed from the mid torso down. They’ve had to fuse 5 vertebrae together and there’s only about a 10% chance he will ever walk again. Any prayers / good thoughts you can send his way are appreciated. Jacob knows him well from church and I tried to get him to see that he could be dead or paralyzed from the neck down. And while we know things could be worse, it’s a lot for this young man to be going through (and his family).

Well, I didn’t quite make 11:00 last night but was lights out at 11:27, so better than normal. Today is going to be a fun night that I’ll be saving my calories for…a group of 4 of us are going to supper and then to the HEART/JOAN JETT concert. Whoo hoo!! Have a great day – I’m going to go pre-plan my calories for tonight and try to get my water in before 5:00 tonight. HA!

For those that buy the Amy's Kitchen frozen foods, there has been a huge recall on items containing organic spinach:

http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/amys-kitchen-recalls-73000-products-containing-spinach/

Feeling a bit down today, weighed in to find that I've put on 5lb in the last 2 weeks, I know I haven't been making the best decisions, I've even skipped logging meals because I know they'll be so bad... I feel like I'm just sabotaging myself and it needs to stop! I'm determined to log all of my food for the next week and see if I can make it a habit, at least then I'll know how bad I'm being....

Any other advice to stop self sabotaging?

Both a news day and a goal day for me, since I have news.

I went to the doctor yesterday about the stress pain in my stomach. I didn't agree with his diagnoses, but I'm going to get it checked out any ways. In the meantime I've stopped Keto because it seems to be interfering with my ability to eat a healthy amount, but I'm still going to stick to my calorie goals.

I went through a crazy stress day on Saturday when we found out my husband's EI ran out about three months before we thought it would. Then, amazingly, yesterday he got a call for a job. Today is his first day at work!

Also, today my second niece is being born! Yay!

As far as goals are concerned, I have many. Some weight related, some not. I'd really like to publish a book. I'd really like to become an amazing artist. I'd love to learn how to sing. I'd like to find a job I enjoy (and work there!). I'd really like to be a healthy weight. Those are a few of my goals. I have more. Many more. But those are a few.

@cassybaca~Welcome, you found a really great place for support and motivation in this sometimes frustrating lifestyle change. I call it a journey (some people don’t like that term), that is how I think of it—life it a journey, there are ups and downs. We cannot be perfect every day, we do what we can. We will fall off the wagon from time to time, the important thing is to get up, dust ourselves off and start again. I’m sorry for what you’ve been through, but hope you can find solace in the healthy changes you’re making for your future and for your kids. You are off to an excellent start! The best advice I can offer is to not deny yourself the things you enjoy, it makes this easier to work them into the plan (occasionally) you've developed for yourself. Check back here often and join in on the conversation when you feel ready.

@ricka82‌~Welcome to you as well, you're off to a great start!

@sineanbroc~I wish I had an answer for self-sabotage, we all do it from time to time. Often times it’s a question you need to ask yourself, “why am I doing this?” Maybe put a reminder on your fridge or pantry when you go to grab something you shouldn't and always ask yourself “why am I eating this?” Am I hungry, stressed, anxious, depressed? Am I scared of seeing myself succeed?Really, it may not be self-sabotage but we’re bored—with what we’re eating, how we’re exercising, logging food, depriving ourselves of things we enjoy. That is when we need to change things up a bit—try a new food/recipe, a new exercise, etc. I can say skipping logging is not a good idea (been there), eventually that can cause a huge downhill spiral. Log everything—it will open your eyes and by not logging you are not being truthful with yourself. I’m guilty of this too, as are so many others—I’m better about it though. I think it takes 3 weeks to form a habit, so make a promise to yourself to log everything for the next 3-weeks and see how it affects you.

Welcome to all of the newlings! You'll find a lot of support here, so come back often and share.

@tracy (tlh)--yes, 4 inches yesterday morning, but a lot of it is already gone. It's not a "gorgeous" day here, but sunny and in the 40s. So sorry to hear about the boy from your church--what a tragedy.

@browneyed--congrats on your husband's new job! My DH is currently unemployed and looking, but not having much luck. Fortunately, we can live off of my salary while he job hunts.

@sineanbroc‌ -I also have no sage advice and am currently in the same boat as you. Keep saying I'm going to really kick it in gear, and then I eat what I shouldn't. Not terrible, horrible amounts of calories, but just enough to keep me from making any progress. I agree with kelley that logging everything is essential for me. Even when I'm over, it helps keep it in check. Also, I like to use the reports to figure out my TDEE, so I need to be accurate for that to really work.

@kelley--My juniors just finished Gatsby and seniors just finished Wuthering Hgts. My juniors also just read some poems about America--Whitman, Hughes, Rodriguez, and Blanco-as part of our American Dream unit. My seniors are about to start their second poetry unit with a lot of different poems, but the focus will be Yeats. I actually don't teach any Poe though I do love him. Our students get a lot of his works in grades 7-10, so not much left for me.

@tracy (goins)--thanks for sharing the info about protein. Always good to get new ideas about increasing my intake. I love the Hobbit inspired meal names. My DH and I joke that our dog is turning into a Hobbit b/c lately he's been trying to get a "second breakfast." LOL

@laurie--awesome job at your swim meet!! I'm glad to hear you are still training for the tri in April. Yeah, keep me posted on your plans for the racecation, an if there's any way I can possibly join you guys I will. However, my guess is I will have to cheer you guys on from afar.

AFM--my friends who had moved to Switzerland moved back last Fall and just bought a house. I hung out with one of them today (the other was at work) which was fun. I got to see the new house which is adorable and then we did some shopping and lunch. We went to CPK so I got a half Thai chicken salad, so not bad on calories.

Now I'm at starbucks trying to get a little more grading done.

Tuesday Goals:
Normally, I have a lot of household chores I like to get done this week, but with my husband not working, he takes care of most of the day to day cleaning. I still have a few tasks though:

1. clean fish tank (DH does this, but doesn't do a "great" job)
2. seal bathroom floor grout
3. wash all of the bedding
4. wash throw rugs
5. buy new sheers for living room (gunner finally put a paw through one of my silk organza panels and tore it completely in half. I already had them shortened when we first got him b/c he tore up the bottom with his big puppy paws, so I can't just replace one panel. Nor do I want to as they were super expensive--I bought them years before we had a dog.)

March Challenge:
At or under calories 5/7 days every week and at or under as a weekly average.
Week 1: At/under calories 4/7 (but one day I was only over by 7 calories) UNDER FOR WK
Week 2: At/under calories 5/7 OVER FOR WK
Week 3: At/under calories 3/7 OVER FOR WK

All-in strength challenge=core work 3 x/week; PT 1-2 x/week; run 3 x/week:
Week 1: 1/3 core; PT DONE; 1/3 runs (sick most of week though)
Week 2: 1/3 core; PT DONE; 1/3 runs
Week 3: x/3 core; PT DONE; x/3 runs YUCK
Week 4: 1/3 core; PT; 1/3 runs
8k at end of month (not sure what day) in 55 minutes (Thanksgiving 8k = 56:49, NYE 8k = 57:47, 1/25 = 55:41; 2/28=55:15)

Grading Goals:
1. x/64 AP essays
2. x/16 AP analysis activities
3. x/12 America Poem analyses
4. 45/60 Gatsby tests
5. 1/64 Wuthering Heights journals

Exercise Goals: (week 4)
Sun--walk gunner DONE + gym DONE
Mon--walk gunner NOPE
Tues--walk gunner
Wed--walk gunner + gym
Thurs--PT
Fri--walk gunner + gym
Sat--walk gunner + gym

2015 Mantra = Just 15 minutes

Welcome to all of the new people. Just a quick report. We made it safely to Utah. My very organized BIL who is my age had waited for me to get here to walk. He has drawn maps of the neighborhood and drawn out routes of different lengths for me. We walked 3.25 miles together. He has very long legs and this area is much more hilly than at home, so I really felt like I got a good walk. He walked his first 5k last weekend. He says he was inspired by me.
Lots of plans. I don't get to see my sisters nearly enough. It's an 8 hour trip down. We split it into 2 days. Since DH had his strokes, it just feels like too much for 1 day.
Onward and downward. Kaye

@grandmakaye44‌ - I think it is so cool that your BIL not only is inspired by you but went so far as to map out different routes for you two to walk while you're visiting. Very thoughtful!

@jtconst - Mmm...chicken picata! I'm still trying find the right lemon balance, but I love that dish. Don't make it nearly enough.

AFM, I thought I'd be super productive today because Stepdad wasn't coming over to work on my ceiling (that's just...it's a thing and I need to work on it not being a thing). Instead, I had more kitty drama. This time it was Frost who had to go to the vet. He's been sleeping a LOT since at least Sunday, and I haven't seen him eat or drink other than a few drops of water I got down him today. Even bought him some canned food, but he wasn't interested. When he did get up, he moved around fine, he still cleaned himself, and I couldn't find any wounds, so I didn't know what was going on with him. After a checkup and blood panel, the diagnosis is: he's fighting a virus. The vet gave him an anti-inflammatory to help with any aches and pains (like taking Tylenol when you have the flu) and sent us home. He's not dehydrated yet, and she thinks he's on the tail end (ha!) of the virus at this point; I'll keep an eye on him and see if he perks up tomorrow.

So after almost 3 years vet-free with these two, both Frost and Marlowe have been to see the vet in the past month. Here's to 3 more years!

I did get a short article for the newspaper finished and filed, did a little cleaning in the back room and kitchen (the whole house is a mess because of this ceiling project; I don't do well with that), ran a few errands, and made spaghetti with Italian sausage for supper which felt like a total splurge because I usually use ground beef.

@angelika--Oh dear, sounds like you guys have had it rough! So sorry to hear about you and your son both getting injured. Hope you heal quickly. Your doggie is adorable--as soon as I posted the question about her breed, I took a closer look at the picture and thought "poodle?" but figured I would just wait for your response. I think it's great that you guys have given her a loving home for her "retirement."

@melissa-glad it was nothing serious with your kitty. My husband keeps commenting on how "lethargic" gunner is lately. However, he's got energy when it's time for walks or playing, and he's eating and drinking fine. I think he's just slowing down due to age and my husband is in a bit of denial about the fact that he's getting older. (the dog, not my DH )

AFM--I can't believe I almost forgot about filing my taxes. It's always at the top of my to do list for spring break. I was about to do more grading tonight and then something clicked in my brain and I remembered. So I just finished entering everything into Turbotax, but will hold off on filing for a day or two just in case I missed a donation. I keep all of my receipts in digital files, but my personal laptop died last summer, so I'm going on memory for the first 6 months of 2014.

1. clean fish tank (DH does this, but doesn't do a "great" job)
2. seal bathroom floor grout
3. wash all of the bedding
4. wash throw rugs
5. buy new sheers for living room (gunner finally put a paw through one of my silk organza panels and tore it completely in half. I already had them shortened when we first got him b/c he tore up the bottom with his big puppy paws, so I can't just replace one panel. Nor do I want to as they were super expensive--I bought them years before we had a dog.)
6. DO TAXES!!! DONE

@jtconst I agree with Melisssa. Chicken picatta sounds great! I had forgotten about that one and am always wondering what to do with the chicken to make it interesting. I will be doing that soon.

@Kaye What a neat BIL! Mapping the walks is really cool. Is he an engineer? He sounds like some of the engineers I know.

AFM: I am still here and reading all the posts, just don't have much to say. I do well some days then mess up the next....just need to string more good days together. My weight just bounces up and down a couple pounds....time to get it to move down, down, down.

Make it a good day everyone. Thanks for being there.
Barb(mountmary84)