Did my stretching this morning when I got up but that was it. Had a visit with the dentist and he said I had to take it easy. He extracted a tooth and it has to heal. Which also put me on soft foods. The campbell's soup I had tonight was way high in sodium. WOW! I'll have to try something else tomorrow. It will be another low key exertion day tomorrow also.
gigiqueen - sounds like you had an awesome day today. Way to go and keep it up!
Congrats again kbranch - I'm gonna follow in your footsteps some day.
daily 3, weekly 7

Today I stayed under calorie budget. Did 25 min of circuit training and a light walk. Planning my meals ahead of time really works.

Good evening. I had a super long day and I just didn't want to do anything, but I went for a 25 min walk tonight. I had to do something and it's all I had time and energy for. I had a decent day eating, my typical calories count of 1600-1700. Tomorrow back to the usual workout and food. I was at a conference which ended this afternoon at a resort in Paradise Valley. Glad to see folks toughing out week 4. It's been kinda stressful.

Have a good night everyone.

D4-W11
Week 4

Didn't check in last night. I stayed with one of my mother's sick friends last night and took her to the doctor this morning. Didn't have a computer and I have no phone right now since mine went through a washing machine cycle. I was under my calorie count yesterday because I was still eating soft food like scrambled eggs, applesauce but I also didn't get any workout. This morning I started out with a McDonald egg and cheese biscuit but I'm back home now so hopefully I can eat better and get some exercise.
Tues. daily 1, weekly 8

Checking in. I wanted to do more cardio but my favorite machine in a particular spot at the gym kept resetting. I did do strength training and walking too. I ate under goal and doing okay. Been eating smaller portions, but I eat several small portions. Need to drink more water. I've been WAY over my protein goal, but keeping carbs low I don't know what to eat besides veggies.

I just discovered the @ thing to find names!

@MommaBeare you had me beat way back when. I ran the 1.5 mi in like 12-14 minutes. My best ever was 11 something. So I still run about the same, about a minute or two slower. I'm by no means a good runner. Never was.

@intotennis still being that awesomely inspirational leader!

@giglqueen thanks for all of the likes!
@kathyNKCSD I hope you feel better soon so you can chow down!

@lschreiber78 we'll wait to see what she had going on today, hopefully not as hectic.
@jorange88 I hope your workout tweak works for you. It's all about what works for you for the long term.

D4-W15
Week 4

Week 3 Day 4 Thursday

@kathyNKCSD I buy the orgrain protein shakes when I take one on the go (I'm picky and try to eat clean, so this is a very clean (ingredients) brand). I like the chocolate one.
The main shake, I make. I use PB2 powder, Protein mix, and Simple Truth has an organic unsweetened almond milk (Fry's). I like that brand because it doesn't have carageneen (carcinogenic) they put in most almond/rice/coconut milks.
I think my menu is viewable if you want to know the brand. I'm sure you can find cheaper, but I'm about clean ingredients, especially since I have to eaten gluten free and try to eat grass fed (not always easy).

Myfitnesspal will not post your menu if you are less than 1000 calories.

@intotennis I wanted to check you guys out and chit chat, but I knew you guys were in a match and didn't want to interrupt you. I hope you guys didn't think I was rude. I truly just didn't want to intrude on ya'll playing... plus, I was extremely motivated to get on the machine.

Hit the gym, got the 1 mile down, still not a piece of cake, but wasn't dying either. Still lingering at the high 13's. Did the walk, run, walk, run, 15% incline walk, etc... just getting time and stamina going.

Love all the choices and struggles, good to know we're all rowing in the same boat.

Sleep well, I'm going to go work on mine!

To add to KB above ^^^ if you don't have a blender, you can buy a shaker bottle (like a water bottle with a wire ball in it to mix the powder up). I started this way, then I would just put the powder in and whenever I needed something and didn't want to burn my progress, fill it with water and shake -burn 5 calories by shaking it lol This took care of food cravings, sugar cravings, hunger... I used to always have a shaker bottle with me.
I only use water when traveling or tennis, I prefer almond or coconut milk (for the benefits). BE VERY careful on the protein powder you buy, you could be sabotaging yourself buying one that has bad sugars and lots of filler and wheat crap. Garden of Life is a good brand, seems like an expense up front, but lasts for quite a long time. I throw in PB3 (peanut butter powder) because I like chocolate and peanut butter. I choose stevia because it doesn't effect my blood sugar or give me sugar cravings, since I don't get any added sugar..

KB GREAT run! way to go get em and so early! LOVE the beast mode!!!!

**I do have to say this*** for those of you who work full time and even more so, who have young ones, KUDOS to you! That takes an awful lot of will power and determination to put in a work out and watch your menu during work, after a long day of work.... I think you're by FAR having to work harder and the challenge is real! Don't be upset at yourself or not feel free to vent, or see some of us who aren't full time workers able to do several things... We aren't here to compare, but here to tell you Great job or there is always tomorrow, the world will not end if you are too tired to cook and you have to eat out... just be smart where you eat out... and drink your WATER!
IF I were working, I would tell myself: if you're too tired to hit the gym or work out after work: pump your calf muscles at your desk, sit on the edge of your chair as if in a squat and work your thighs, leg lifts under your desk, put 5lb weights at your desk and take turns working your arms...if you do not have weights or unable you give me your address, I'll send you mine. We are all here for each other in one form or another.
So, you give me a challenge and I give you mine:

WORKERS: I challenge you to
2 sets of 10 leg lifts under your desk (each leg)
2 sets of 10 calf pumps under your desk (both legs same time)
2 sets of 10 squeeze knees together for inner thigh work out
2 sets of 10 butt squeezes holding for 5 seconds
Throw in some arm stretches and HAPPY FRIDAY!

My challenge back is to quit bitching on the treadmill and push it 1 extra minute for all my workers, am sure they'd rather be where I am at.

This was my slow Friday but I did get to the fitness center to get on the elliptical. I am amazed at those of you in the working force to see how busy your day is and the planning and commitment it takes to stay on track. Don't worry about the little setbacks. Just being aware of it and having your goal in sight always, will always be positive for you and get you back on track. Getting up early to fit in a workout-WOW, enjoying the beauty of nature while getting a workout-AMAZING, trying some new recipes-YUMMY. Thanks for sharing your protein drink recipes!
day 4, week 20

Ate out tonight at Chili's. I got the quesidillas but only ate 3 of the 8 and some of the cheese fries. I feel full and felt like I kept my portions down but the poor nutritional factors of fats and sodium and calories is depressing. Good thing that I don't eat out very often.
kbranch - sounds like you were very conscious of your choices today when you ate in Sedona. I love the views and red rock there. I could probably do 3 miles in 45 minutes. I don't doubt that you will reach your goal. Hey, tomorrow's menu doesn't sound so bad.
intotennis - way to go on the scale, that is an awesome achievement and you're doing it right. You worked out enough today to prepare for your treat night.
jorange - way to start bright and early in the morning with your workout. I wish I could be more ambitious in the morning. Planning out meals makes the day go so much better doesn't it.
gigiqueen - I know you will have a better week coming up so keep on trying. You can do it!!!
mommabeare - I bought some almond milk to use instead of cow milk. Thanks for your tips.

day 3, week 23

And hungry