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

@cbabie You are getting consistent with checking in more so you'll find a good time for your exercise. Tzatziki is that yummy sauce that comes on a gyro.

@trooworld Yaaay on the water.

@teresaw1020 So glad your knees are getting better.

@its_cleo I eat the theater popcorn. I just take my own 1 cup container and keep refilling it until I've eaten the number of cups I can have for the day depending on what else I've already eaten. This last time I ate 5 cups. But the time before that I could only eat 3.75 cups. My daughter would also like to see Iceland. It's on her list.

@mswatson0777 I think I do so well with social eating because I have a lot of practice lol. It's the times when no one is looking that used to be the problem. But I'm getting a handle on that. Right now my mantra is I can be loose with food or be thinner but I can't do both. Even when I make good choices the scale moves upward sometimes. Not fair at all. But then it eventually comes back down. I know some of it is from the sodium in the restaurant food and popcorn I ate.

@retiredandlovingit How did you fare with all the recent snow? That's a good idea about using your average for the weigh in amount. Although I don't think the small increments would keep me motivated. I don't know.

Red Day- Stayed OP 100/100 I went out with a group of friends for a bday party. Since we had two birthdays they brought out two big brownies with ice cream. I was at 98 then. So I had 1/2 a teaspoon bite of the brownie no ice cream and I was done. Food pusher friend kept saying oh come on and eat some. "No thank you, I'm good. I'm done for the day." Then later same food pusher but it's my bday in a "sweet" voice. " Well I hope you are having a good bday but I'm following a program and I'm done for the day. But that leaves more for you all. Enjoy." Then she asked me if I was doing intermittent fasting. lol It's like the whole world is doing that or keto. I said no because I can't stay on it long term because of my social engagements which are at night. Plus I know myself. I can fit alot of food into a short window of time if I really want to. But OMG that was a good brownie. Lots of times brownies are dry. So I know where I'm going for my bday. Then while at the party a text came through and the neighbors are getting together tomorrow night to go visit one of the neighbors who is old and sick. That usually involves sweets and such. So more planning for that. I'm just going to not eat dinner and my snack to leave the carbs for that since I don't know what I'll be facing. Breakfast and lunch will be extremely low carb like today. I only have 100 tomorrow to play with. How I wish they would visit on a Thursday. lol Exercise was a rest day.

January Week 3 goal: 3 glasses of water daily. Met goal 1/7 days

@its_cleo, going to Iceland and Greenland sounds amazing! You should totally start your planning and go! I’m the same when I travel and like to plan and research every little detail. Not sure if we will get a vacation this year at all with all the expenses we have with bringing my mom here and finishing our backyard. Maybe a weekend getaway later this fall when my mom gets used to the dog and can watch her for us.

@mswatson0777, bummer about the scale but you will get it to go back down! Hang that new swimsuit in your kitchen to keep you mindful of your food choices.

@RetiredAndLovingIt, yes staying the same over gaining is preferable. I used to go to TOPS (have you heard of it) and when we stayed the same weight, we would say that we turtled. I still say that. Good for you for getting your steps in!

@theslightedgeforever, food pushers are such a pain and you handled your friend beautifully! I so admire that you could have a tiny taste of brownie and not dive into the rest of it.

@trooworld, I think this week is speeding by! Glad, you liked your book. Hubby went to the library and is constantly reading this giant novel and making me jealous that I don’t have my own. I told him that I want to go with. Of course, the question is would I really sit down to read. Hmm??

Good morning! My pulled pork and coleslaw dinner was so yummy last night that we will have it again tonight! I finally found a black coffee that I can stand so I can stop using heavy cream in my coffee and do a clean fast for IF. Everything I’ve read says that clean fasting is the way to go so that is what I’m doing even if I don’t love it. I will save my yummy cup of coffee and cream for the afternoon. I’m off to workout. Today is shoulders and then I will walk on my treadmill.

@theslightedgeforever at least Quorn looks more like meat than mushrooms!!!! UK supermarket chain cafe changed it's vegetarian breakfast- "shroomdogs" 😢 instead of soya sausage!

@cbabie I'm trying to get my DH to use MFP! Since retiring from teaching he's working for a supermarket chain but hours not great for health- good for us but not conducive to healthy mealtimes! Trying to get him to track so he can see that!

@trooworld brilliant thanks. We'll have to look out for those. Target is on our "todo" list. Wish it was in UK! Must try Greek Quesadillas

@TeresaW1020 good news on the knees. Enjoy rest day.

@its_cleo DH & I started cutting out red meat (when I discovered high famial cholesterol), we then cut right back on pork then chicken. Started veggie one New Years Day- although we kept fish for a while. Eventually dropped it but went back to eating it, by chance, when I was pregnant. Must be about 25 years-ish.

@mswatson0777 we ended up watching a missed TV program on catch up!!

@RetiredAndLovingIt Quark is sort of cream cheese. Quorn is the veggie protein! It's alright! LOL!

Feeling very energised after 1.5hours in gym incl 1hour training. Got some new protein flavours- the coconut & vanilla one is gorgeous.
Starbucks trip tonight to do school planning whilst youngest at Police Cadets.
Have a good day all.

@trooworld I'm glad you enjoyed your book. We're reading Educated by Tara Westover. I have until the 30th. Yes 1/2 teaspoon. I have a brownie in my freezer that I may or may not indulge in tomorrow. Still haven't decided yet. I have to plan it if I want to eat it.

@teresaw1020 "Turtled" lol Love it. I feel like I turtle all the time cause I'm so slow at this but still moving in the right direction. I'm really working hard to stick with my boundaries. I could have given up the mashed potatoes and gravy and had the brownie instead but I just had brownies last week. So I said I can save them for another time. My question is the opposite of yours Would I sit down to read? Mine would be would I get up and get stuff done?

@retiredandlovingit I feel like saying Elizabeth this is the big one. The young gals on here probably won't get that reference. I need to get a schedule for water. I drink 24 oz of hot tea when I wake up and that carries over to breakfast. Sometimes I have lunch and sometimes I don't. Then another 24 oz of hot tea from about 4-7 pm. Which includes dinner but I'm making a conscious effort to drink a 12 oz mug of water with dinner. If I go to the gym I fill up my water bottle but lately most of my exercise has been walking at the mall and I never think about taking my bottle with me. So I need to work on that too. I'm the same with Diet Coke. I like it with meals outside but I buy 2 a week for home. Sometimes that's my lunch. I used to have a 3 Diet Coke a day habit. I prefer dh to do my planning or my dd. Just tell me when to show up. Good for you for getting in an early morning walk. Plus trying out other new things. I also need to do that too. It's on my list. lol So was decluttering but then company showed up and here it is January is almost over. So onto February.

@joannadavison I can't eat too much soy because of breast cancer risk. I do like edamame though. I set my dh up on MFP too. He used it for about first 3 days and then nothing. He says I know what to eat. Yeah right. lol I can see that. Sounds like you had a great workout. Good for you.

@mswatson0777 I'm living vicariously through you. Enjoy the cruise. One of my 100 day books for 2019 had food pushers in it and how we were to learn the skills of how to push back. So that's a work in progress. I'm glad you are feeling calmer now. I think it helps making good food choices.

Red Day- Stayed OP 93/100 carbs Exercise - 30 min walking club

So another successful social event. Another skill in my book was learning to say No not yet, I'll have some later, thank you and then I determine when "later" is.

@joannadavison Starbucks makes school planning sound like so much more fun. And 90 minutes at the gym is impressive!

@trooworld Sounds fascinating! Once I have a break in classes I'll have to add it to my reading list!

@theslightedgeforever That sounds like a fantastic resource! I'm fortunate I don't really have any food pushers in my life so we all just eat our own things and go on with our lives. I think the rise of knowledge on food allergies/preferences has really helped reduce this and it's definitely working in my favor.

I woke up this morning thinking it was Friday, boy was I disappointed! Other than that, I'm in a much better head space today. I went to a 2 hour class last night and ended up just laughing the entire time with my friend, it was exactly what I needed! The crazy part is I almost didn't go because the weather was awful and I was in a pretty bad headspace (which is when I need to go the most!). Hope today goes well for you all!

Was on WW for years but they keep changing the plan and I floundered. Need help in changing over to myfp. Any help in this new life is welcomed

@retiredandlovingit What about walking in the mall for you and dh. That's what I'm doing right now. Sometimes I feel like driving the 20 min over to walk for 36 min and then 20 min back is pointless as I'm driving longer but it has help me be consistent. I'm the only one that shows up for my "walking club" now. But I still go and act like it's still a club. I do it just two times a week. Cause I know if I said I'll just do my treadmill or a tape I won't do it.. I was shocked I get a better workout in the mall than I do on the treadmill according to my fitbit. Plus I'm piggybacking grocery shopping after one of those walks. An object in motion tends to stay in motion. Yaaay for you for doing the treadmill. Arizona will be nice this time of year. Better than July and August.

@1Whitewolf12 In my mind it's still counting. Before I was counting orange slices but now I'm counting apple slices and I only get so many apple slices a day. So I'm learning to preplan my meal in the tracker and stick with that unless my husband suddenly comes and says let's go out.....which means I have to do some quick thinking but I'm learning which restaurants I want to go to and what they have on the menu. How many carbs it has. I'm doing a carb cycling program (medium-high carbs). Since that's already in my tracker, I can see which place/item is best for me and I don't go over. Most important thing is daily tracking I think. Then finding out how many calories/carbs or whatever you are doing works for your body. I don't think lower is better. I'm trying to lose weight by eating as much as I can and moving as little and still lose weight. lol It's a work in process but it's working. It has kept me consistent 6 months now. I'm losing weight. My glucose numbers are down. I'm fitting into smaller sizes. :does a victory dance:

Green Day Stayed OP 221/238 Exercise Rest Day.

I'm sick with the flu. Hoping this goes away soon.

Oh, lost 0.9 lbs this week

@trooworld, ohhh my goodness! I am so sorry to hear about all you have going on. I hope your family member will be well soon. I have Audible on Prime and need to spend more time looking at the books that I can get. I could listen while playing with my jigsaw puzzles.

@mswatson0777, glad you had a good time with your friend! Laughter is often exactly what we need to get us through the stress of our lives.

@theslightedgeforever, I would also not get much done if I got all wrapped up in a book. I usually carry around my phone with Hulu playing in the background while I’m at work or doing housework. I can listen or not, but with a book, I would also lose focus if I wasn’t concentrating. Good job on learning such an important skill and saying, not yet but later. That is truly a key to your success!

Good morning! Well, yesterday we had quite a scare when I got a call that my pastor/boss had a mini-stroke and was in the hospital. The doctors are hopeful that no permanent damage has been done and he has an MRI this morning and we are praying he will go home today. The man works wayyyy to hard and needs to slow down. Maybe this is God’s slap upside his head to get his attention. On a happier note, I lost a little bit of weight this week.

@mswatson0777 glad you enjoyed your class. You are so right it’s when we don’t feel like that it helps the most. I hope you enjoy your trip.

@trooworld I’m going to check out an audiobook as I still can’t find a podcast I like. I’m really fussy I guess.

@theslightedgeforever do you count your 24oz of tea in your water allotment? It should count….I’m not sure I could drink a bunch of water on top of that.

@joannadavison I tried to be vegetarian a few years ago but I just couldn’t do it. It wasn’t will power- I just felt like I was starving all the time, and it didn’t matter how much cheese, beans, or tofu I ate. Plus I did get tired of just eating the same stuff all the time. So I gave it up, also as I said it was making me anemic. But that’s great it has been working for you for so long.

@RetiredandLovingIt glad when you can pop in. It takes time. I can only do it a couple times a week myself. More on the weekends.

@TeresaW1020 glad you found coffee you like. I don’t mind black coffee but I do like cream. No sugar for me.
I’m in a very foul mood. I just feel like the New Year is just continuing to be crappy, things going wrong. I will spare you the details. I’ve done a lot of working out this week, and have been on calories so my weight was down a couple pounds today.

This week is the end of my 3 month goal cycle, so I will post later my accomplishments and set some new goals for the next 3 months.

Hope everyone is having a nice day.

@theslightedgeforever "No. Not yet. I'll have some later, thank you.' Love it!

@mswatson0777 to be fair it was my only gym session this week as had bloods appt on Thurs. Next week same but dentist!
Re:the funk. I blame the time of year. We set new goals etc with such enthusiasm at start of January. It's then a long month, often Christmas bills, short daylight (certainly here), and a long time 'til our next break- work & things in general feel a slog. So yes- do some nice stuff for you. For me it was my scrapbooking day & booking a holiday I thought would never happen. Those parts of your course will soon pass. Is there a better bit you can focus on?

@RetiredAndLovingIt I just need DH to actually do it & monitor what he's eating. Like me, he comes from family who easily pile weight on. He was seriously fit & at times ripped when we were younger but kids, less time for his sports, knee replacement but halt to that. Lost loads on WW with me a few years ago & potentially saved his life when he had heart 'episode' (thought heart attack but on investigation results suggested not , angiogram revealed birth anatomical defect). Now, like me, it's creeping up & I blame not eating properly due to odd shift pattern or Male menopause in sympathy with me?🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

@1Whitewolf12 Hi & welcome. I lost between my babies & after with WW. Been a bit on & off but then joined seriously 10 years ago to shed for surgery required once diagnosed 4 years after 2nd child. Worked. Never actually got to goal as had other incidents where lost plot & gained but only in recent years have I seriously gained & that's due to hormone changes & therefore different diet of macros required. The "free" food just doesn't work for me at all.
Trainer at gym put me onto MFP & in the 1st instance suggested I just log everything. Initially looking over 1st month I was low enough of calories but needed to up protein. For my age GP said I need more protein than carbs & suggested % so I'm working on that & it's working. I would suggest monitoring for 2-4 weeks. Look at weight loss & the re-evaluate from there- more protein/less fat/less carbs/ less calories/more exercise & keep checking.

@trooworld hope things get better for you. Big hugs xox. How quick do banks resolve issues like that? I would imagine loan company not too concerned- we've had to fight to get overpayments back but they'requick to sort when it's the other way.

@TeresaW1020 hope your pastor is ok.

@its_cleo becoming veggie does take a bit of adjustment. Our 1st summer was hot (for UK) so we ate loads of salads & felt ill. Turned out we were missing a lot of protein in root veg & pulses that we'd had in winter recipes. IKWYM about eating same stuff- I'm like that with quick to cook "diet" recipes on week nights. Made it one of my goals, this year, to build up huge bank of quick recipes so we're not getting sick of same things.

@nighthazel01 lol re: Pinch of Nom! I've just been adding some of their new recipes to my planner!

Friday was yuk at work- too many kids not behaving well on a Friday afternoon. But now weekend & I'm having lazy morning reading then now planning meals. Youngest at sleepover & eldest doing homework. DH working all weekend so it's up to me. Church Anniversary service tomorrow so hoping I can it fit in sleepover pick up.
Dreading next week at work- moving into new- prefab lab as our split site/campus school goes single site. I have to pack up my stuff all again!!

@joannadavison you’re right about how we start the new year with enthusiasm. I did and then yep it flagged about half way through. I’m trying to regroup and start fresh.

Everyone earlier was talking about mottoes- I think mine for this year is Choose Health. So I’m hanging on to that. Instead of like last night I wanted to Choose Pizza 😊 But I didn’t.

Hello everyone....I'm down but not out. I've completely lost my voice. Dh has been dancing in the streets...... I'm still able to use "hand signals" though. I've also triggered my asthma so I'm dealing with that. Good news is that I'm drinking lots of water. Who knew it would take me being sick to hit my goal each day. Anyway wanted to check in. As I was scrolling down something caught my eye.

I need to be more like my sister.........I should frame that one. lol

Good morning everyone. I struggle every week to find something for breakfast that will be easy to prepare that I will actually eat. I don't like eggs, I don't like sweet stuff (mostly) and I don't like oatmeal. This week, I found a recipe for "Whole Grain Breakfast Cookies" I thought I'd give a try. Well, I made them and DH tried one and said, "You are eating cookies for breakfast!" lol and he's right: they do taste just like cookies. Back to the drawing board...

@theslightedgeforever Oh you poor dear! I hope you feel better soon. Are you getting in some good reading at least?

@its_cleo Thanks! Yes, I'm an avid reader. I've always been one...reading saved my life I like to say, that's why I became a librarian. It's difficult when things are out of your control (banks). But at least I had the money to cover the overage. It sounds like you had a nice time with your uncles...what a nice treat!

COMMITTED.
January goal: track 1 meal a day, go for a walk 1 time a week

@its_cleo I LOVE your SMART goals! I think you're doing a great job making incremental life changes and I love that you're setting yourself up for success with future maintenance.

@TeresaW1020 Fabric resistance bands sound way less painful! Keep me posted on how they go!

@trooworld I'm pretty lazy with breakfast so I do grab and go things. String cheese, hard boiled eggs, nuts, bananas, protein bars, etc. It might be helpful to think along those lines instead of adding the pressure of cooking.

@theslightedgeforever Losing your voice is so frustrating! I hope you gain it back soon and take care of yourself.

@cbabie Sorry to hear about your weight frustration. I think it's easier to try to help others eat healthy than to do it for yourself, because fighting against yourself is the hardest thing!

@joannadavison Congrats on shrinking out of your work pants! Sounds like it might be time to give the next size a try since you don't want to lose your pants at school! lol

@nighthazel01 I'm glad you're able to take some time for yourself to get a walk in, that work schedule sounds so stressful!

So pretty sure I was the wicked witch this weekend, or the creature from the black lagoon. Either way it wasn't good.

I ended up doing social things both Friday and Saturday, which means I didn't get any schoolwork in so I had 200 pages to read, a presentation to record, and an 8 page paper to complete on Sunday. My partner was trying to be so sweet and affectionate, doing the dishes, going to get breakfast, trying to find something for us to do together, but I just needed to be left the %$*& alone to get all this done so I totally snapped. Which made me feel like an awful person, cause he was being so sweet and trying to be helpful, and I became the dragon lady.

I apologized and we ended up spending time together in the evening, but I still feel awful. I was even snapping at the dogs Sunday cause I felt so stressed and overwhelmed. And it's not like I wasn't working on homework throughout the week or that I was behind, this is just how heavy the workload is ALL THE TIME now. The first class ends in 5 more weeks so I'm looking forward to being able to take a breath then and just focus on one class.