NON WW & WW NEWBIES, OUR NEW LIFE, THE START OF SOMETHING WONDERFUL

@theslightedgeforever @HappyBride917 @mmcjtink @trooworld @cbabie @gemwolf110 @mysticlizard @cathyfalcone9819 @fancyladyjeri @lore11a @NEOHgirl

Hello All,
I just wrote a whole bunch and lost it. Amateur move for a tech director.

I think I'm having a good week. I'm exercising and logging most of my calories. Thursday night I had spin class and I ate back most of the calories I lost. Unfortunately, I got real hungry and I could not sleep. I got up, ate two bowls of cereal and a kind bar, watched TV for 15 minutes and went back to bed. I did not track those Thursday night calories. I have been pretty good this week but not perfect. Who is perfect?

@theslightedgeforever I think it is possible to have about 3 plans while changing your life. 3 might be the max. I think the 3 categories for a life style change are calorie intake, exercise and possibly a sleep/mindfulness program. That is just me. Anything over that is too much for me to keep in my brain and it becomes unattainable. I read once only do things that you can sustain and maintain for a lifetime.

@cbabie Glad your Dad is now in rehab. I hope he gets well soon. I need about 9 hours of sleep every night. If not, I'm out of it for the next day. Hope you were able to get on the treadmill (1/27) at least for a little bit. Right now I pretty much alternate Yoga and cycling/XC skiing. Although, I maybe swimming today.

@trooworld It stinks that you have gone to work, were in too much pain and had to go home. I really hope you are feeling better now. Nothing is more important than our health.

@mysticlizard I hope you are able to exercise on Monday (tomorrow-1/30/17). I think husbands helping is very important. I try to help. Like yesterday my workout was vacuuming and riding my bike indoors.

@happybride917 I use the WW mentality in MFP. For example your frustration is feedback. My WW leader would say "It's not failure. It's feedback." I feel failure is the first step to success.

@mmcjtink I noticed a couple things. You are working hard toward your goal. Keep it up. I've not seen you post in a while. Hope all is well and you are still taking two steps forward.

@gemwolf110 Zumba twice on vacation? That is great. There is not better sport to watch live than hockey. It's hard to follow the puck on TV. Everyone needs a break. It helps us recharge.

@cathyfalcone9819 I like my job but I think about retirement everyday. I want to camp in the woods and drive an RV around North America. I also want to bike a lot. It is good exercise and I enjoy it. I'm not sure my wife wants to do any of these things with me. I have about 13 years before I can retire.

@fancyladyjeri Jeri. I used MFP and the WW app along side each other. That was what kinda helped me decide to go with MFP. I lost for those 3 weeks on both. I was within my point and calorie allotment. I had the hardest time convincing myself that MFP would work. Why? Because I was not faithful for MFP. How could I judge a new plan without fidelity and consistency? It can't be done. I gave MFP and earnest try so here I am.

@lore11a Good luck with getting parents to doctors and your physical therapy. You should post more often. I find it as a type of therapy.

@NEOHgirl Welcome to the group. Your story is great. I think you should make some slight modifications and add it to the "success story" board in MFP. Discovering your "insulin issue" must have been a great day of relief. Now you had a reason and something to hang your hat on when it came to your weight loss struggle. I can't wait to learn more from you. I have MFP set to 1 LBS a month. It is working for me. I also loved your "990 calorie" discovery. Shocking. That is good feedback.

Now I'm headed out to go XC skiing. Taking the pooch with me. When I return I will do the dishes again. Plus, I need to put my folded clothes away. Peace to all.

Rick

Yes. I know. I'm always positive but I'm disappointed that I gained the 3 pounds I lost last week. I gained them back. I did not sleep well last night and now I'm tired.

Weight loss is not always linear. I'm hoping that this is just one step back and next Monday it will be 2 steps forward.

Hello all - had a good OP day today. I stayed under my calorie target, and I earned 500+ calories shoveling my driveway to clear the 10"+ of snow that we go overnight. My goal this evening is to get a full night's sleep because I might very well have to shovel the darn thing again tomorrow morning. At least it gets my exercise in early *_* Have a good night.

My dh surprised me with a getaway and then came back to no internet. When I was sick this past month I forgot to pay the internet bill. Finally got that taken care of today and then MFP was down for maint. So here I am now.

Not even going to attempt personals 27 of them Welcome to the newbies of the group. Interesting info on insulin resistance and iTrackbites. I have used that app. When I was tracking both points and MFP but it got too much for me. Doc says I really need to watch my carbs.

My daughter is coming in tonight for 2 1/2 weeks. So the fun begins on combining healthy lifestyle and a break in my routine. In the past, I've not been very good at this. But I'm different now and I just need to focus on one day at a time. Remember my goals. Be diligent.

Hello all! I didn't sleep well last night so today will be a challenge. It's always a challenge when I don't sleep well...I have bipolar and sleep is very important when you have this disorder. Tonight, I'll be sure and get to bed on time and maybe use my essential oil mister. It is officially one week until I go out of town for a week on business. It will be a somewhat fun, but tiring, trip. I go every year.

@gemwolf110 I'm so glad to hear your bichon is okay! You are right, there is always something...vet bill...car bill...house bill. I wouldn't think that one slip up in any diet will derail the program, but the inventors of Whole30 are very specific about it, they say if you mess up even once, you have to start over. But I'm not. I think that's crap.

@NEOHgirl great job! Sleep is so important, so it's good you get it in.

@theslightedgeforever that was nice of your hubby! I'm sorry that you didn't have internet. Enjoy the time with your daughter. I know you will do fine!

@cbabie did you get on the treadmill? I'm sorry things are so hectic right now. Take care of yourself!

Yesterday I made poor choices and went off the wagon. I went off the wagon for about 6 hours. I guess I was discouraged with gaining back those 3 pounds. Why work so hard and not lose. I'll just eat what I want and not lose. Faulty logic, I know. Ho Well, back on track now.

Our new, expensive heating system has been messed up. Last night the max temp of the house was 56 degrees. We survived. It seems to be some kind of gas flow problem. It should be fixed tomorrow (Wednesday). I hope it gets fixed soon.

Daughter is grounded for 4 weeks. Punished because of grades. She took it well. I'm hoping she brings her grades up soon. She just started talking about careers yesterday. Something is going on in her brain.

@theslightedgeforever That was great that your husband surprised you with a trip. How can anyone live without the Internet now? It is kinda on par with electricity and indoor plumbing.

@HappyBride917 The one thing I really liked about WW was the emotions you could hear in everyone's voice. My fellow participants were emotional about the same weight challenges I'm having. That part was pretty powerful.

@trooworld Sorry about your bad sleep. I suffer from similar struggles. Not with sleep necessarily but with mental health. I'm glad your belly is better.

@cbabie Your life seems crazy right now. I hope things slow down a bit.

@gemwolf110 I am very glad your puppy is ok. We have a dog too and He is for sure part of the family. You you a Bishon. I have a Cavalier King Charles. He's great.

@mysticlizard Keep up the peddling. Not sure if you ride a bike or not, but to me the bicycle is the perfect melding of person and machine. I'm actually planning a 5 day ride from my house to Washington D.C. It is about 300 miles.

@NEOHgirl What is an "OP day?" Just wondering. Whatever it is I'm glad it was good. Shoveling snow can be a great form of exercise. I love the snow I'm just not so thrilled about driving in it.

Hope everyone has a great day.
Rick

Hi all! I continue to have mild stomach problems, I'm hoping they go away before my trip. It's not to the point that I cannot work though. I successfully ignored Girl Scout cookies that were in the break room yesterday. This is a big victory, as free food is definitely a trigger for me. I just kept telling myself, "They aren't on your plan. They aren't on your plan. Not for you." and it worked.

@mysticlizard that is a great way to describe bipolar. I also suffer from anxiety, so life gets challenging sometimes. Routines definitely help me, routines and structure. I'm going to Tucson, AZ for a gem and mineral show. Great job with the pedaling and great weight loss! So it isn't the 4 lbs you wanted, it's still excellent. I know what you mean about decent Mexican food...we have great Mexican food in San Diego, but not so great Chinese food. When I do find a place, I get really excited.

@rickweinberg I've done that very same thing. No, it doesn't help but it's good you are back on track now. I hope the heating system gets fixed soon. I love Cavalier King Charles, they have such sweet faces! I actually love any dog, but those are especially endearing.

@gemwolf110 I know you are going to do great today! Good luck, let us know how you do. Just try to think of it as you are excited for this opportunity, not nervous.

@bugmom92 it's always nice to have someone on the journey with you. My hubby is on the journey too, but rarely uses MFP. I wish he would more.

Heat Problems and Teen Age Girl Drama:

We found out that the gas line from the street to our house has a blockage. We are getting a new gas line and meter today. I hope this fixes everything.

Daughter is failing a class and we got a call from a teacher. We laid down the law even more and our daughter ran away for about 4 hours. No one knew where she was not even her friend. My wife and I started to worry sick about her. She came back and we are going to talk to her tonight. We are going to loosen up a bit. This parenting does not come with a guide book.

cbabie did you get on the treadmill?

trooworld Do you have plans in place for your business trip concerning healthy eating and exercise? Woohoo on ignoring girl scout cookies. That's a hard one.

mysticlizard January wasn't that great for me either being sick through most of it. But I ended up with a 2.8 loss. February will be a better month.

rickweinberg I hear you on the no internet thing. All my notes, planning, whole life basically is on the net. But I kept reminding myself there are people in the world that have worse problems and I tried to stay grateful for the things I did have. For me, an OP day was an on plan day. I had one of those today. Go me! So you hit a speedbump....keep pedaling.

gemwolf I hope all goes well with the interview.

karla Yaaay on hubby and MFP. Having support at home helps.

gotta stop there Dd needs something. I had a good day today regarding food. Stayed under my budget for carbs and followed my plan.

Hi all! Today I'm going into work at 6:30 so I can leave at 1:30 for an appt. I like when I go in this early, although it means I have to get up at 4:50 at the latest.

@bugmom92 that's great! What an excellent NSV.

@rickweinberg oh I'm sorry Rick! I hope things work out in both situations.

@gemwolf110 yay I'm glad the interview went great, I knew it would! Yeah, I hope the stomach gets better soon too, before I leave for my trip.

@mysticlizard ha thank you! I get to go every year, my company has a display exhibit we put up and I work with another person to put it up. I get most of my jewelry for the year at the Tucson show (TGMS, not AGTA). It's a lot of work but it is fun to go. From your signature, it looks like you have great goals for Feb.

@theslightedgeforever I'm going to make the healthiest decisions I can on most days. I'll be getting a lot of steps in every day, I'm not going to do any extra exercise because of that and the fact that I'll be working late every day. Congrats on the loss and the food!

@cbabie that's when you know it's time to turn things around. Can you set a mini-goal regarding food? Maybe, eat OP for breakfast?

Finally had full force heat and hot water. My shower this morning was a delight. The gas company ran a new gas line due to a blockage.

Daughter has calmed down and is now longer extremely upset as of last night. We worked on her homework last night. I really can't help with the math but I was able to help in biology. That was good and possibly a bonding moment for us. She won't really try to let me help with the math. I'm sure a lot of you have been through that.

Monday through this morning (Thursday 2/2/17) I have been off plan. Eating with reckless abandon and no exercise. I've been making good choices so far today. I'm looking forward to spin class tonight. I've been tracking today to a "T." I hope to mitigate the damages when I get on the scale.

@trooworld I think my expectations compared to most of you are unrealistic. I, maybe wrongly, expect to lose about 2.8 a week. Not a month. I am pretty sure I need to dial it back a bit.

@cbabie Please make time for yourself. Stress is not good.

@gemwolf110 Great job on the interview. I think nervousness and excitement ar the best was to feel going into an interview. Crossing my fingers that you get the job. That pre-work must have paid

Keep working toward your goal(s). It is not an easy jouney. But doing it together makes it more palatable.

Rick

I was a frequent participate in the Weight Watchers community. Mostly the 100+ group and I blogged a lot. Nice to see other WW folks here.

Quick check in. So far two days OP with carbs and calories and today was OP with calories but not carbs. I exercised on Thursday but today was yoga day and no yoga. Need a better plan for that.

But I'm better than I was in January with all that sickness.

Welcome @jenmek

@rickweinberg; I hope things are settling down with your daughter soon. I cannot imagine how scary that was. Shooting for 2.8 a week is ambitious. Don’t they usually say to try & keep it 2# a week or under as a safe rate? Maybe changing your target to lose 1.5-2# might help you stay more on track. Sometimes we have to play mind games with ourselves, to avoid Negative Nelly screaming in our brains about how much we suck at life, you know?

@cbabie: hang in there with your dad. It sucks having to become a parent to your parent, and it can affect every aspect of your life. Do the best you can, and take care of yourself also; think of it like an oxygen mask on a plan. You have to put your own on first so you have the ability to help those around you.

@gemwolf: GL with the potential new job!

@jenmek – I am a former WW member that has newly found the group as well. Welcome!

@mysticlizard : great job fitting the activity in & taking care of your knee while you do it.

@theslightedge… : Hope you get your yoga in later. If not, can you do it tomorrow?

@trooworld : Great job sticking it out as long as you did. And yeah, it sounds super restrictive, but finding new techniques that assist you on your journey to better health is always a good thing.

I’ve been staying OP every day this week. My February goals are to lose at least .5 every week (lost 1.0# this week, so I am already ahead of the target), to maintain hitting my Garmin target at least 5/7 past days (today is my 6th out of the past 7), and to get to bed before midnight. I don’t want to rush as much in the morning. I did well on Wednesday and Thursday with my bed time, but I didn’t get home until close to 11 last night so was up until a little bit after midnight. I got a full 8.5 horus of sleep though. This morning I got out for an hour on my snowshoes; it’s the first time all season we’ve had enough snow on the ground over a weekend for me to do so. I loved it! The sun was shining, and I even had an older couple walking on the plowed path stop me & ask me some questions about them because they were curious. You never know when you might be inspiring someone to try something new that helps them be healthy *_ * Have a great day all.