Just for today --- daily commitment thread

abacus93jp wrote: »

So, I'm back after a long absence. Was doing okay until 2 weeks ago and got way off track! Went to doctor and had lost 5 lbs, was sure I was going to have gained 5 lbs! Then I proceeded to sabotage myself and have been out of control! Not sure why I do this but now I'm back and jft will write everything down and stay within my calorie and nutrient goals, will drink water and work up to 10K steps. Will check back tomorrow. I CAN DO THIS ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!

druidkat7 wrote: »

slittlemeister wrote: »

slittlemeister wrote: »

Today's commitments:

1) run before work
2) do exercise class after work
3) no eating of team snacks!
4) eat a healthy dinner
5) log everything i eat / drink
6) stay within calories (including run) - but have a little surplus if possible

Hmm, I didn't do so well... I did both sets of exercise, and had a reasonably healthy dinner I think, but I forgot to log my food and hence have no idea if I stuck to my calories or not. I probably did though as I did a LOT of exercise and didn't eat that much. I did also fail to meet (4) and had a chocolate biscuit, plus I had a beer, but I still think I'll have been within it.

Exercise is brilliant, when I actually make the time to do it it sorts everything out... It gives me more freedom on calories but also makes me feel energised and gives me more willpower to be good as well! My class yesterday was 'improvised dance', it was brilliant... I'd really recommend it if people are looking for enjoyable forms of exercise.

Today I'm going for lunch with colleagues so there will be challenges. I have already chosen my food, so no options there. I think I chose something healthy (pre ordering is good - you choose when you have willpower not when hungry!) But not sure.

So commitments are:
1) log everything I eat/drink
2) no calorific drinks at lunch (including alcohol!)
3) exercise class after work
4) moderate size of dinner to fit calories left - to stay within 250 calories of goal max
5) NO SNACKING AT WORK!!!!

The last one is in capitals because of my frustration with this constant barrier to weight loss... my team has a real culture of snacking on sweet stuff and there are always treats available. They sit just next to my desk and it's a constant battle! Often I manage to avoid them, but equally often I give in, particularly when I'm stressed. Anyone got any tips for not giving in?!

Instead of you worrying about giving in, which I do understand, there are some action steps you can make:

1) Ask your team-mates to do you a favor of either not bringing in sweet stuff, OR, someone else needs to keep it at their desk instead of next to yours, if they cannot bring themselves to cease eating sweet stuff right along with you.
2) Bring in your own healthy options if you find yourself getting truly hungry (baked crisps, veggie straws, even an orange or apple).
3) Take a brief moment to write down when you are feeling stressed and why. The action of writing--however briefly--about your stress levels will get it all off your chest, and perhaps help you see solutions to the work issue that stresses you. On top of this, noting when you are stressed might help you break the cycle of emotional eating. Ask yourself, "am I truly hungry, or am I eating 'cause I'm stressed?" (This is a tip from my own physician's assistant, Deb. I wish you could know her. She is so sweet, and really truly hears what her patients have to say.)
4) Find a fitness role model. Someone you really, truly admire for whatever reason along with their fitness regimen. Get a cheap notebook to use as a hard-copy fitness journal (even if you simply record what you're feeling as a way of breaking the emotional-eating cycle), and find a couple images of that role model, print them out and tape them to the inside. Think to yourself the next time you reach for something that is not that healthy, "Is this the food that this person would eat and still stay fit?" If the answer is likely "no," then don't eat that food.

The last method is what has helped steer me away from a lot of the sweet stuff. This said, I know I need to do better if I want to feel like I've not let my role model down. It's why I came back here to MFP after falling off the fitness wagon.

I hope my action suggestions were somewhat helpful and inspiring. :-)

Blessings on the journey,
Kat ^.^