Awesome job @fearthisfish42 !! You are an inspiration for sure! I've just started the C25K app on my phone, got the new runners, and today is day 2 Have a great week!

Checking in because I am supposed to be grading assessments so I'm finding every possible thing to do other than that!

Seriously though - I didn't make it to the gym yesterday but I did manage to stay close to my calorie goal (only 23 calls over!). I've also realised lately that I'm not drinking enough water or eating enough fruit (damn this cold weather ) so I have made a small goal for myself to get my 8 cups of water and 2 serves of fruit a day. Yesterday I got in about 6 cups of water plus a large mug of tea and I got my fruit intake as well

Here's hoping today is just as successful!

Hey! I'm new to the group but thought I'd check in and say hello Today was weightlifting day, and while I still lift ridiculously low weights, I upped my weight on two exercises today, and my partner whom I asked to check my form said that I had better range of motion than most people he saw exercising there, and that my form was pretty good.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

@fearthisfish42 That's amazing, congratulations!

aleph_0 wrote: »

Hey! I'm new to the group but thought I'd check in and say hello Today was weightlifting day, and while I still lift ridiculously low weights, I upped my weight on two exercises today, and my partner whom I asked to check my form said that I had better range of motion than most people he saw exercising there, and that my form was pretty good.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

@fearthisfish42 That's amazing, congratulations!

Welcome! You're doing it the smart way. Get the moves and the posture down first. I see guys all the time who treat biceps curls like a full-body exercise.

THIS time everything is clicking. Need more work on exercise but down 16 pounds for the month of June. I decided to spend a little more money for a higher grade of food (THANK YOU PUBLIX) and I really grateful that things are going well. I would appreciate a break in the 100 degree weather in the Charlotte area but that's not up to me. I hope everyone has a terrific week.

Despite a month of travelling, being sick and doing field work I'm proud to announce that I'm finally below my starting weight from when I joined MFP several years ago.

My fitness instructor was in an especially sadistic mood yesterday and it was my first time going to her class for a couple of weeks. I never thought that the act of sitting down today could be so painful, but it feels good to be back to it.

Keep up the good work everyone and congratulations on gay marriage!

I go through such stress when it comes to actually GETTING ON the scale! UGH. I need to weigh myself int he next week and though i KNOW it won't be bad (i'm doing really well at following my plan (less calories in, more exercise OUT) and have been challenging myself to make healthy changes, i still get anxious about it... I KNOW that the number isn't the most important indicator, but I wish my brain would KEEP THAT thought so I could just weigh myself... *sigh*... That said, it's a new month and I successfully completed my 30-45 min of exercise every day of June goal... even had to exercise at least once at 10:30 pm, but I DID IT! This month's goal is 30 day ab challenge... day one complete.

gothicfires wrote: »

Down to 200lbs! Now I'm just sipping a drink waiting for the weather to warm up a little to go get in the pool. I don't know how I'm going to handle the it not being in the mid 90s again. I'm not complaining but where in the heck did all that heat go in one day?

Fronts can be crazy. I drove down a hill last summer approaching the coast and watched the temp drop about 18 degrees on the dashboard of my truck, in the span of a mile.

Glad you are making the best of the weather!

@wikkidwanda - I know how stressful things with numbers can be! For me it is tracking the right number of calories. I get stressed when I can track a certain food or dish. I am learning to let go when I can't track certain things along the way. I need to remember tracking calories is not my goal, it just helps me get to the goal. I weighed myself after a long time today--I knew I was going to see a number higher than I wanted. I am proud of how hard you are working and a fine job you did with reflecting! You are making great strides on your path, whatever the number on the scale might show! I would love to hear a post-reflection once you weigh yourself.

@TweedleDebo - I was looking for a group that matched my feelings and was active as well! I am happy we both found this area. I also wanted to make friends with other married LGBT people in the community (though I am open to friends of all types). Cutting things out can be difficult in the beginning but it is refreshing once it is done. My caffeine intake has been quite high and have been working on dialing it back. I hope you enjoy the walk with the dog!

jharden12 wrote: »

Any tips I welcome, or if you're in my boat, share. I'm usually very encouraging but I'm tapped out right now...

Hi @jharden12 ! Nice to meet you! I too have been working on getting back on track! Finding people who can be a ring of support is something I hope will help me. Just keep on the path to getting back on track and you will get there soon! Have you been drinking enough water? Part of getting on track today is I made sure I drank at least eight cups of water--today I drank ten! This really helped me with feeling hungry of having the desire to eat.

By the end of the day I was about 400calories under the 1,200calorie limit set up by MFP--luckily it was early enough when I realized this that I ate two kind bars as a desert at got to a decent range. Like you, I too am working on getting on the right track! With great support and friends I know we will be there in no time--and maybe enjoy the journey!

How do you feel at the end of today? Anything good happen?

Hi all...I might have posted on here once or twice before, but make a point of reading this everyday. Figured it was time to stop skulking about in the shadows
I've been pretty slack with my eating for the last month or two and it's started catching up on me, so am just trying to make better decisions when it comes to what I eat (even though I'm not logging things right now) and get a little more active. Went for a run yesterday morning before work and it felt great, so was looking forward to doing that again this morning, but when my alarm went off, I checked the weather and decided I was staying in bed--it was already 24C with 84% humidity, plus we have a LOT of smoke in the air from forest fires. I'm going diving for the weekend, so that will help burn off a few calories, and am going to do my best to get out and run next week in the mornings.
Anyway...there's my rambling for the morning, hope you all have a great day and make it yours!

Hi Everyone! Today I did quite well again. I am learning how to budget my desires with the calorie limit I set for myself. A balance of give and take so I feel satisfied but am still making my goals. For example, I wanted salmon ravioli with dinner so I budgeted out how I would do it. With the right planning, and my cooking skills, dinner came out to only 440 calories. The ravioli was the bulk of it and I dressed it up with veggies and fruit (I am on a grilled watermelon kick right now).

I drank more than enough water today--which makes things easier. I also like planning my meals and day ahead. Budgeting in what I am going to eat for the day in the early morning. I get up before my husband so I usually go into MFP then and figure out my whole day. I am leaving myself a lot of room to work with and I feel up for anything. I am also working on my estimation skills. That way I can eyeball calories if i need to. Working on mistakes and trying to let myself make mistakes if I need to. On this journey I know there will be times I will stumble. I just need to stand up, dust myself off, and keep going. What does Jillian Michael's say on her podcast "If you get a flat tire, don't get out and slash the other three good ones.

I sometimes come down too hard on myself. Thinking that my aspirations just might always be that--aspirations and nothing more. I keep telling myself that I am capable of anything--sometimes I believe it and sometimes I do not. Fake it until I make it is what I will need to do at times.

I am young, beautiful, smart, and powerful. I can inspire myself and others.

Day by day, keep on being fabulous and keep on keeping on.

I did a ton of studying today but still want to get some exercise in. I think I will do yogatoday before going to bed.

@wikkidwanda - You made me laugh quite a bit with all your comparisons! Congrats on seeing your image change before your eyes! Keep on bragging! You are doing fabulous! Celebrate the victories as you keep on your path! I am so happy for you!

@djasper73 - Welcome out of the shadows! The light feels wonderful (just wear sunblock)! I enjoy running as well but I am out of practice. What do you have planned for running? Do you run for a certain block of time or two a specific place? The better decisions sound awesome! More healthier choices will lead to great success!

@jharden12 - I have been thinking about you and trying to send positive vibes to wherever you may be. How are you feeling today, any better? I hear you on not wanting to deprive yourself--as I said above--give and take. I love tea (and coffee) too! I take both without any milk or sugar but I gotta watch my caffeine intake (we all have our vices). Keep fighting and staying on the path to victory!

Hi everyone! Sunday night means the start to a brand new week tomorrow. I am kinda looking forward to it. Today my stomach was feeling a little wonky. I made healthy choices with my eating today, I think my body is just adjusting to my new rhythm. I heard that a real "detox" is just eating good food and making healthy choices. I guess my body is just "detoxing" a bit. I did not feel the anxiety I did yesterday--everything in stride.

I spoke with my husband today about the healthy choices I have been making and my plan of action. He is in support of what I want to do and even found ways he can help me. My husband is a tiny thing and needs to be eating more calories--at the very least be reaching maintenance mode. It is nice that we know where each other is and I am glad we can adjust what we are eating based on our own needs. Having support is nice.

What do you all do for exercise? That is my next goal--to find and rhythm and a schedule that works for me with exercise. My current practices seems sporadic and a mix of different things. Basically I need to find time and method. Find out how I am gonna switch it up. Planning worked for my meals. Maybe I can plan my exercise practice every Monday. I will leave that for tomorrow.

I hope you all are well. Thanks for reading and know I am proud of you for any strides you are making--even just signing on MFP!

Hey all,

Trying to keep my calories low this week in preparation for Munich pride. (I wanna look good, but it'll also be a cheat weekend!) Wish me luck!

wikkidwanda wrote: »

Thanks so much @hgtedo really appreciate the encouragement!

I just wanted to share an awesome with all ya'll. So, with my scale aversion, sometimes it is difficult for me to see the differences. I've been taking pictures in the same bra and underwear (except once on the underwear cuz I couldn't find the right ones) in front, back, left and right so that I could SEE the difference.... OMG most girls have "muffin top" I, on the other hand, had straight up "banana bread" which was coming damn close to a "sourdough spinach dip roll" no lie... well, I just added last month's picture (front and back) with the others in the group and OMG I'm down to a "muffin top"... maybe even a "heart healthy muffin top, made with whole grains and healthy fibers... with fruit rather than butter!"

I'm so proud and stoked and excited for the next pictures in 3 weeks! *doin the happy dance* go me, go me!!!

*ahem* ok... brag over, thanks for listening *blush*

Great work... I take photos too even though they make me cringe, it is good way to track your progress.