Beautiful Behaviors - January 2017

I so wish that MFP would rewrite their community boards software! I'm spoiled with FB on this point. I can find my comment and all the replies to it without having to sift through replies that are not grouped with original posts. So if I haven't replied to any posts, it's just because I missed them in the many posts this group now has. How much we've grown!!!! A BIG THANKS to Jessiquoi!

My question for those of us who eat more than we intended on particular days:
* Were you eating to socialize?
* Were you eating alone?
* Was it one food that tempted you?
* Was it an avalanche of several foods you consider "off limits"
* Was it just over indulgence in "diet" foods?

My answers (yesterday was an over the allowance day)
No
Yes
No, it was a combination of five foods: coffee, chocolate, milk, sugar, almond
No, it was just an avalanche of foods
No

Note that I expect everyone's answer to be different from mine. These are just questions to start a self discovery process.

Love you all,

Lea

Hi, ladies and gents. What a lovely concept for a thread! Count me in. Over this past year I've been focusing on cultivating positivity in my life and cutting out influences that drag me down or put a drain on my time and energy without contributing anything in return.

I have added to my life:
-Long walks in nature with my dog and on the weekends my husband weather permitting
-Kayaks! (Can't wait for it to warm up a little so we can get back out on the water!)
-Calorie counting and MFP. For so long since my last weight gain, I've been telling myself all sorts of reasons why I couldn't lose the weight. I'm learning that for me, portion control and accurate logging are key. No foods except for what I consider my "trigger foods" are forbidden as long as they fit in my calorie allowance. I avoid trigger foods simply because they awaken cravings in me that are difficult to curb, and I am actively trying to avoid sabotaging myself.
-Regular massage. I got a great membership deal from Massage Envy that fit into our budget.
-Physical therapy. Finally getting a handle on some health issues I've ignored for too long. Denial not only isn't just a river in Egypt, it's a terrible place for a cruise.
-Socializing with other writers and artists and starting a local writing group since there wasn't one when we moved here.

I have banished from my life:
-Reality television, except for "Born This Way," because the young adults and parents on that show are so positive and inspiring. I love following their accomplishments.
-Gossip. It's draining and pointless and usually creates unnecessary drama.
-Users and moochers. If a friendship isn't a two way street, it's not a friendship.
-Beating myself up. I'm learning to treat myself the way I treat my valued friends and loved ones. I'm quicker to notice negative self-talk for what it is and nip it in the bud than I used to be. Every success at noticing and redirecting builds the skill to continue in the same vein.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you and offer mutual support toward our goals in improving our lives. All of us were born with the capacity for curiosity, wonder, and joy in the experience of living. Cleaning out the baggage we've agreed to carry through the years reconnects us to our ability to notice and enjoy without judgment or guilt. The time is now!

@jessiquoi Thanks! Glad to be here! Thank you for starting this.

Jean - yeah. I drank water while at work, too. 8-9 cups an 8-hour day. Now that I'm not working, I don't remember to drink water! Hmm. That's something to think on. Any way, it's good to see you here again! I grew up in central Illinois. Are you anywhere near there?

@DarkSinestra - welcome! Everybody should ban beating themselves up. It's so pointless. And gossip, too. What sort of writing do you do?

@SpicyGorilla - Welcome! Goodness yes! Do be kind to yourself! I hope you come back here and tell us what you've done.

Libby - you handled it, and that's what matters. You'll be better than fine. You'll be great!

Jess - my gosh! We've grown! Wooooo. I've got two friends that I'm trying to get interested in this forum because I think they would benefit from the "baby steps" approach. (I did)

It was a good day!
1. I got out of bed
2. I got out of the house
3. I came back and planted vegetable seeds on the window sill
4. It feels good to be active!

May each of you have a wonderful evening.

Lea

@SpicyGorilla I am so familiar with the injury, working up to rehab, trying to get back on the wagon scene. I feel for you. It's tough, especially when you work so hard just to get back to able bodied, and then you feel like there's so much work left to get to where you want to be. It can feel like treading water with your nose barely above the surface. Feel free to vent and friend me if you'd like. I will be more than happy to be supportive of your efforts.

@aleahurst Thank you! I write creative fiction, mostly sci-fi, fantasy, and horror, but I occasionally dip my toe into the realistic and historical fiction genres, too. Congrats on your day. It sounds like a nice, productive one. What kind of veggies are you growing?

Good morning, all!

I'm very happy when gardening. I'm not good at it. Something about playing in the dirt is fun. I'm growing non GMO samplings of eggplant, tomato, wild spinach (lamb quarters), and dandelion. I couldn't get many regular seeds to produce fruits, so I am trying the wild stuff! Surely I can grow dandelion.

Today's beautiful behavior:
I am attending a ladies' luncheon at a church. I will speak, be kind and friendly, but when I wear out, I will not push to socialize with a big fake smile, instead I will sit quietly, breathe deep, and enjoy the stillness inside of my head.

Sometimes the act of watching the softly moving waters inside our heads is more satisfying than chocolate.

Love you all.

Lea

@aleahurst Not only is the wild stuff easier to grow, it is usually a nutritional powerhouse. Dandelion greens and flowers are delicious! My grandmother swore by lamb quarters and ate those more than almost any other kind of green. (She also made poke, but I never learned from her how to make it safe, so I won't touch that. No neurotoxin for me, thanks. lol) I hope it all comes up for you. Really enjoyed your insights today.

@woznube7 With depression, even the simple things are big victories. It's good to hear you engaged in some self-care today.

Today's beautiful behavior:
Worked my butt off in PT. I want this back pain gone, man. "Hurt now or hurt later," is my mantra on the mat. Now I'm off for a walk.

Enjoy your day!