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

Morning all! I'm officially starting my first day working remote and it already feels weird. I had extra time this morning since I didn't have to get ready for work so I was able to take the dogs for an extra long walk and cook breakfast. I'm going to set up a daily schedule for myself to keep the hours from dragging and that so I have stuff to look forward to throughout the day.

@its_cleo Sorry to hear you haven't been sleeping. I've had trouble as well. Anxiety really does a number on us, doesn't it?

@RetiredAndLovingIt I'm glad you're practicing social distancing and that your kids are able to take care of your grandkids so you're not exposed.

@renaegry I can't even imagine having to work and care for two kids at home. This is certainly going to be a challenge!

@trooworld Let's definitely keep each other accountable now that we're home for the foreseeable future.

@theslightedgeforever Low carb is going great, since I no longer have any restaurants or social gatherings to tempt me. Honestly, I'm glad I did it when I did because otherwise I think I'd be bingeing with all this stress.

My Anti-Stress/Social Distancing Tactics:
1) Set up a daily schedule so that I don't waste my day doing aimless things
2) Within that schedule, do both a morning and an evening walk with the dogs
3) Eat all meals at the table with no media distractions
4) Workout 6 days a week (get my heart pumping)
5) At least 15 minutes of yoga/relaxation breathing before bed
6) Connect with at least one person/friend via messenger and phone every day
7) Make a list of house stuff I want to get accomplished so I have things to keep me busy on the weekends
8) Rent books from the digital library so I can escape with stories
9) Drive to new hiking paths on the weekends

@trooworld Baking bread....mmmmmm......I've been wanting to do that since I got my new dutch oven. I'm going to try raisin bread. I've been craving that. But I keep putting it off because I'm afraid I'll eat the whole loaf just one slice at a time. Well now you don't have the commute so you can do all these other things. How about your bicycle? Maybe 10 min a day on that and then switch to something else? Your food seems to be going very well. :clapping:

@its_cleo I need to get back to my journaling too. (lots of things I need to get back too) I always enjoyed when I was journaling and wrote down three things I was thankful for each day. I hope you enjoy the documentary

@cbabie Yaay on the treadmill. Each little day in the week counts. I read the other day about thinking about exercising like a snack. Sometimes all you have is 5-10 min. Do something. We don't always have to think about exercise like a meal and must do 30 min or longer. Goodness, hope your GS stays safe. Crazy people. I've gone to wiping down different objects in my house three times a day. Things I know dh and ds routinely touch. They will be the ones bringing me home the virus. I'm like a parrot in the house. Wash your hands Wash your hands.

@mswatson0777 It would be nice if companies could see that a lot of work could be done remotely. It would free up SO MUCH time for people. Less money spent in gas driving back and forth. Less polution in the air. Great list. I love hiking. I haven't decided if it's the outdoors I love or just the hiking itself.

@nighthazel01 How goes it with all the kiddos at home? I would be like Calgon take me away. I don't know if you are old enough to remember that. I'm snickering about your dh in the garage. lol Your extra walks sound good. Always a good way to clear the mind and move the body at the same time. I've been eating apples the past couple of mornings for breakfast. I always seem to start out the day good and then it seems to go south around lunchtime these days.

Yellow Day- Went Over 190/164 Exercise- 35 min strength training

March goals-Drink 3 glasses of water Decluttering

Hello everyone! Well, things are changing every day and now we are told to work from home if our job is the type that can, so I won't be going into the building unless I run out of work! LOL My first day of being WAH (work at home) was weird. I felt a little lost. I did work, but not at the pace that I usually do. After lunch, I took a nice walk in the neighborhood. I plan on doing that every day.

@cbabie I'm glad you got on the treadmill. This virus is bringing out the worst, and in some cases the best, in people. I've seen on Nextdoor.com people offering to get groceries and run errands for the elderly in the neighborhood and I think that is really wonderful. But I've also heard some horror stories, including something that happened to my mother-in-law. Do continue to be careful, cbabie.

@mswatson0777 It is weird, isn't it? Yes, let's do it! I'm trying to stick to a schedule as well. I love your anti-stress/social distancing tactics.

@nighthazel01 Yeah, if my husband gets sent home to work from home, we are going to have problems because we only have one computer lol! I'm glad you found your space.

@theslightedgeforever That sounds yummy. I made beer bread on Monday when I made chili, it was delicious! Bike schmike I hate that thing lol. I should ride it. Especially now that I am home all day. I'll think about 10 minutes a day.

@TeresaW1020 Yes, definitely. Although I did eat over my points yesterday. Being home working is going to be an adjustment. I didn't drink enough water and I got bored I think. I'm glad you can sign your mom up for Medicare online. That's a relief I'm sure!

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

Hi all--I am thankful for this thread where everyone is so thoughtful of each other. A neat thing happened yesterday when we were walking around the neighborhood. One of our neighbors who we have only met once (we've been here 2 1/2yrs) told us to let her know if we need anything. I said, thanks, we don't think of ourselves as old, but I guess we are. My dd will help us, too, I know. The grocery stores around here are allotting the first hour they are open for anyone 65+, or having other health issues, or pregnant. They figure that's when they are cleanest & hopefully less people.

@theslightedgeforever I like the idea of a gratitude journal. I think I am going to start doing that also. Good luck with telling your fam to wash hands. My dh gets tired of me saying it, lol. I cleaned everything the other day, so as long as we wash as soon as we come in, we should be good. Of course, I still clean somethings anyway.

@TeresaW1020 Our church has been cancelled, along with everything else. The area is starting to have community spread. Glad WW is helping you stay with it.

@trooworld Will either of your work let you bring home a computer? My dd is able to do that. I think her ex may still have to go in to work. They usually alternate kid weeks, but not sure they will continue that if he does. Dd still worried about GS cookie sales. Think I will order a few more boxes, maybe it will help her stress. Dh says we don't need more, but I can always give them away later.

@mswatson0777 That sounds like a good plan. It is different being home when you are used to being so busy, but you will figure out what works for you.

@nighthazel01 Thanks. Glad you are all finding your spot. My stepniece is in Switzerland on lockdown. She had a picture of Facebook where they were all working different places.

@itscleo I see on my Fitbit that I am not sleeping that well either. Think I better shut off the info on my Ipad & go back to doing my jigsaw puzzles on it.

@cbabie I especially love your post. This is definitely trying times, and we do need to trust in God's plan for us. I love that last line about things changing for better the next day. So true!

I know there are still people that think it is nothing to worry about & like someone said, others believe its right outside their door waiting to get them, lol. I think I tend toward the latter, but trying to stay calm about it. We were walking yesterday on a fairly wide walking path & we meet 2 women, so I ducked behind dh & assumed they would do the same. It would have left about 4 ft or more between us, but no...they just kept walking & talking, so only about 2 feet. After they went by, dh said he held his breath til they got by. Darn...I didn't think of that. Of course, I started obsessing, then decided they weren't coughing or sneezing, so I decided to let it go & not think about it.

If anyone wants a little levy, there is a posting of Covid memes on here. Some are pretty funny! We all need something to help us laugh.

Stay as safe as you can & keep washing hands!

Your comment about people over 70 in the house made me chuckle. My dh (he's69) went to the grocery store. When I told dd, she laughed & said oh--he got to go because he's not 70 yet, huh? Yup, that darn birthday last December!

Hi all, I took forever to catch up after a week. I read everyone’s posts and I can’t reply to them all. But some things:
* I am a non-stress person and I feel for those that are stressed by COVID. It is such a sad situation.
* It is really sad how the hoarding has made necessary items unavailable to those who didn’t have enough.
* I, too, love the extra time in the morning since my 30 minute commute this week was eradicated.
We did the one day to and fro totaling 920 miles in one day. But no hotel and Mishka is home with us. I wouldn’t wan to do it again. Road trips are only bearable by eating my way across America. So it was a cheat day that turned into a cheat week and I’m back on track today. The scale is terrifying but I will step on it eventually. Our schools are closed through April 28th. I work at a school district. This week I’m working at home and next week I have to back because my level one support (database manager is my job) is starting on Monday and I have to train her. But eventually I will be only part time and working totally from home. This week was my testing of how it will go apparently. And it went really well. I didn’t snack nearly as much as I do at work so that is cool.
DH finished making dinner so I am off. Stay healthy all!

@huskymarie I have that same problem with roadtrips. It's like stop at the gas station to fill up the car and then I run in and fill up my stash. Glad I don't take many roadtrips. That's good that you seem to snack more at work than at home. Probably cause so much more available. We will all get through this. I keep thinking the world is still here after Spanish Flu and the Depression. Life changed but life goes on. I'm not good with change. Oh that's a negative thought. Ok, how about I used to be terrible with change, but now I am working on adapting and processing the changes. I can do this.

Red Day- Went over 297-100 Yeah, you read that right. But I'm still tracking and being accountable to myself and to you all. Exercise- Nada

March goals-Drink 3 glasses of water Decluttering


So let's start a list of things we deserve credit for each day while we are traveling through this storm.

I deserve credit for.....

tracking my food
eating a healthy breakfast that included fruit
eating a healthy dinner that included 2 vegetables
met my water goal
said no to popcorn
checked in on my MFP group

Morning everyone! I'm starting to realize that I'm more of a people person than I realized. I've been very lonely and felt very isolated these past two days of working from home. I don't know how I will survive! lol Yesterday I did very well as far as eating goes, I didn't eat any snacks so that's good. The day before, I did get into some chocolate graham crackers.

@cbabie That's fantastic! Go, cbabie!!! That's a good point.

@RetiredAndLovingIt That's very nice of your neighbor. I don't have any 65+ neighbors or I'd offer that up to them. Unfortunately, my work didn't have enough computers to spare (everyone was required to work from home and there are a LOT of people in my company) and my husband said he can't cut checks from home (he works in accounts payable). Besides, I think he thinks we would drive each other crazy lol. But I do wish he would stay home. That's too bad Dd is still worried about the sales. I definitely think it's something to worry about...I'm right there with you!

@mswatson0777 Yeah and I actually fell asleep yesterday afternoon while I was supposed to be "working" lol. Not for long, but still...I felt guilty! I'm sorry your anxiety is spiking. You aren't watching the news, are you? If so, stop. I was watching the news and my anxiety was spiking...I stopped for a few days and my anxiety came back down.

@its_cleo Thanks for letting us know about the free stuff on Mindspace. I'll check it out. Yeah, it is an adjustment, I hope I adjust soon! I'm over on my points, I'm -13 for the week, but I'm not going to beat myself up right now. I'm just going to keep tracking.

@huskymarie That's great you are a non-stress person. I wish I was that way! I agree about the hoarding. I'm so glad Mishka is home!!!

@theslightedgeforever Yes, great service for the elderly. I wish you were in charge of punishments (except if I did something wrong haha). Okay to 1 minute. On the immunity note: I've read that elderberry supplements can boost your immunity to colds, allergies and the flu so I've started taking them. So you are having trouble at lunchtime. Do you do what I do and make enough at dinner to have leftovers at lunch? That's good you are still tracking.

@nighthazel01 Yes, weird for me too. I thought I would like it, that I would love it, but I hate it. I think I need to take walks every day. I'm glad you found a use for your dining room and living room. Like your "wasted space", I am glad that I have a wall full of spices...I used to question the need for all of those spices but now I'm glad I do have all of those because when push comes to shove, if I don't have much to make stuff out of, I'm going to need those spices to doctor things up!

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

@its_cleo I hope you give yourself some grace during this transition period, we'll all settle into our new routines soon. I will definitely check out that mindspace app, what a good idea!

@trooworld If you want a work from home buddy, just shoot me a message/let me know. We've all got to keep each other centered during this crazy time. I haven't been watching the news but because I'm a state employee and a part of my union's executive team I get A LOT of email updates I have to keep tabs on for our members, so there's no signing off for me.

@nighthazel01 I've also appreciated the walls/room separation during this time. It gives me more options/change of scenery.

@theslightedgeforever I love the idea of a daily list to give ourselves credit. It is a challenge to rework everything now that all our lives are in chaos so I love the idea of looking at the good.

@huskymarie I'm glad your road trip went well and that you're not a stress person. It sounds like you're handling this all really well!

@RetiredAndLovingIt That is too funny! I love that your husband is "living it up" at 69!

I'm officially on day 3 of working from home. Yesterday I was able to connect with my Mom which really helped center me. Tonight I'm face-timing my friend and we're going to do a facebook live workout video together. I really miss seeing my jiu jitsu classmates during this time so I appreciate that my friend is willing to connect long distance.

In more fun news, my dogs are LOVING this change. They now get two daily walks instead of one, and I'm home all day so they're getting way more attention and love. I always joked I wanted to be a stay at home puppy mom, so I guess this is my chance! This weekend I think we're going to bake homemade dog treats to stay busy!

For my daily list, my positives were:
1) Getting over two hours of activity
2) Doing the best I can at work, even when technology fails me
3) Eating a vegetable with every meal
4) Only having one treat
5) Sticking with my low carb goals
6) Connecting with my Mom for a long chat
7) Making my dogs intensely happy

@mswatson0777 I love “making my dogs intensely happy”. Best motto ever. My 4 doggies are loving the extra mommy time. I’ve been dragging a dog bed into my quilt room that has now officially become my home office just so they can visit while I work. Mishka was a daddy’s girl because he is retired and at home so he was her go to person the first week. Now she’s becoming a mommy’s girl. I really like that.
@its_cleo I just YouTube searched the Corona Rhapsody and it is so cool. If we can’t laugh, this would be so much harder.
@theslightedgeforever how cool that the dolphins returned to Venice. Mother Nature will always be victorious.
@trooworld just some thoughts on company that isn’t really there. I currently have a concert video on the TV and stereo. I’m seeing lots of people so it isn’t lonely. If you can work and not need 100% concentration, you can call a friend or sister and just idle chat while you work. And dogs are the very best company in the entire world.
@nighthazel01 You made me laugh at wanting to tear down the walls. We did that but if I had a houseful, I’d be regretting it.
I scan news headlines and it isn’t nearly as stressful as full reports. I stay semi informed but can’t get over excited about it.
So I’ve been on MFP for 4 weeks and off WW for about 2 weeks. It is such a different mindset. I’m so used to munching on free fruits and veges that it is weird to have to count them. But I am really trying to incorporate the healthy eating on WW into counting calories. I would have much preferred 100 cals of M&Ms to the banana this morning but I did learn mindfulness with WW.
Be safe all!

@huskymarie Thanks for the ideas. I had a musical on in the background today, "Kinky Boots", which I enjoyed immensely. I also texted a couple of friends. You are right: doggies are the very best company! I have a pug and he's a snuggler.

@RetiredAndLovingIt Sorry you hurt your foot, I hope it heals quickly. I always have leftovers for lunch, it makes it easy! Oh, it was the spin bike I was on, but thanks! lol about the 2 bags of chocolate chips. My hands are getting dry, too, even though I'm moisturizing the heck out of them!

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

@trooworld That;s the Cyndi Lauper musical, I've never heard or seen it, though I like Cyndi Lauper. lol at the bike picture. Looks good!

@RetiredAndLovingIt coming up with the ideas for what to cook is the worst part. I just feel tapped out on it.

@huskymarie yeah counting the fruits and veg. Sometimes I don't weigh them. Like if I have a salad, there's a standard entry I use regardless. As long as I do the same thing every time I feel like it's ok. But watch out. I didn't weigh grapes for a long time and then I did and it was like 200 freaking calories. I had only been recording like 50.

I just feel fed up with this today.

Last night the internet and cable got wonky, and an article this morning said there is a huge increase in usage bc everyone is home. It scared me, it would be hard to do this with no Internet or TV.

I'm also incredibly thankful that I bought a part for my computer in Feb and it seems to be working better.

Quiet day, lots of walking.

@trooworld I'm similarly worried once my partner has to start working from home. I think we're going to drive each other crazy!!! I'm jealous of your takeout Thai. Our nearest Thai restaurant is 45 minutes away so I almost never get to eat it. Pad See Ewe with tofu is my favorite!

@its_cleo My IT department has been scrambling to increase everyone's VPN access since everyone was flooding the system so I feel your pain. I downloaded 5 books from the library so I have something to do in case everything goes down.

@renaegry We've also got cold weather, but I've been bundling up to go outside so I don't go completely stir crazy! I hope your cold clears up soon.

@RetiredandLovingIt I'm glad your church is doing video services to connect. Anything that keeps our stress levels lower is a good thing.

@huskymarie Great job still incorporating mindfulness in your choices! I'm trying to look for any brightsides to this situation and that's the one I'm clinging to lol.

Happy Friday all! Although working from home with no social plans on the weekend means it doesn't have the same kick that it normally does. Luckily the sun is shining so I'm planning on a long dog walk after work. My friend and I worked out together last night over facetime, it felt good to connect. My work days are starting to have more structure, which feels good but now I've got to extend that to the weekends. I'll start brainstorming ideas today so I'm not just drifting aimlessly this weekend.

In other news, my weight was up 1/2lb today, but since it was down 4lbs last week I'm not surprised. I'm just going to stick with it and see how next week goes. I bet it'll be down since I feel lighter after this week.

@mswatson0777 So far, he's stayed out of my way. He's on a walk with the dog right now! Oh dear, I wouldn't be able to take not having a Thai restaurant near me. There are tons around me! I love Pad See Ewe with tofu. Yum! That's a good idea to workout with a friend over Facetime.

@TeresaW1020 Thanks! Yeah, I feel like I need some homemade chicken noodle soup or something. If it weren't so hard to get groceries, I'd go get some! I doubt I could even get the supplies to make it. That's good that your church is still finding ways to reach the community. I think that's important. Stay safe, too!

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

@nighthazel01 I think alot of people are struggling with food right now. I seem to go over a little bit each day. But over is over. I can get through this without gaining 10 more lbs.

@trooworld Have online gatherings via Messenger's Video Group Call or whatever other app you choose. We're having our bookclub this way on Thursday. Since we are usually at a restaurant for it, everyone is to prepare their own food and we'll just do it that way. lol You all know I'm a social butterfly. I have alot of What's App groups, so I'm talking to them that way each day. But I want to see their faces. Hooray for you for not getting into any snacks. Leftovers: It depends on how much is left. There are 5 of us in the house. So usually not much left. lol Dh has been the one to lead me astray. I used to be able to say no thank you. But he's come home early twice from work and had fast food with him. Woohoo you got on the bike. OK, I will commit to you that I'll get on the treadmill in the next 2 days. (That's my version of your bike-I used to love the treadmill don't know what happened)

@its_cleo How about just doing one bodyweight lunge? Remember when you told me to lower my water goal? Back at ya, sistah. In my book today it was talking about resistance. If you are feeling resistance then your expectations are too high. If the internet goes wonky there are always books. Lots of free books out there on Kindle.

@mswatson0777 I love your list of things you did right. Facebook live is a really good idea.

@huskymarie I wonder if I'm the only non-dog owner on this group. Hopefully soon you will be able to blend your good habits you picked up from WW with the calorie counting. Since I count carbs, I haven't been as good on staying within my boundaries for the calories either. I keep a watch on both. But mentally I've succeeded if I've stayed within boundaries for my carbs. This week I've just not succeeded. Here's to tomorrow.

@retiredandlovingit I wish like a 3D printer that we could look at a picture of food on our computers and then Voila! you could open a door and it's made for you. Can't somebody come up with that? If I lived by myself I would probably never cook. Tomorrow I'm going to try and make some cinnamon raisin bread. my bag of MnMs opened and gone. I do have a carton of Whoppers in there that I'm holding out til May 1 to open. For a chocolate fix, I put 2T of Hershey's Sugar Free choc syrup in a mug of milk. That seemed to do the trick. Sorry about dd. I know I worry about my dd cause she has severe asthma. She rides to work everyday on a bus with all the other hospital employees. How many of them are treating covid and passing along to her? She says don't worry. I tell her I earned that right when I became a mother.

@renaegry It's been interesting to watch how differently everyone handles the slow down. That's what I've started calling it versus shut down or lock down. Seems more positive to me and I'm one of those "you can't tell me what to do" type of people. Slow down seems more mentally healthy I think. Goes along with stopping to smell the roses thinking. I know I'm BSing right now but whatever helps me get through this without hurting myself and others in the process. Brrrr that sounds cold

@teresaw1020 So now that you are sheltering in place, will you and your church staff just have virtual group meetings? We told my mil about covid last night. With her dementia she really has no idea. When her other daughter calls my mil will always say I never go anywhere. I just sit here in this room watching TV. Never go outside. I laughed when my sister in law responded the whole world is like that right now.

So in my book today it gave a good idea. Pick a mini habit relating to food and fitness. Then roll the dice and whatever comes up, that's the one that you do. There are virtual dice if you don't have any at home and want to play along. Here's my list. If I roll a 3 and 4, I have to go drink a mug of water and run in place for 30 seconds

Food Mini Habits

1.go eat a fruit.
2.go eat a vegetable
3.go drink a mug of water
4.add a slice of lemon to my water
5.go find a new healthy recipe
6.free choice plus 1 mini candy

Fitness Mini Habits

1.One push-up
2.One sit-up
3.10 jumping jacks
4.Run in place for 30 seconds
5.Walk around the outside of the house one time
6.Jump on trampoline for one song


Yellow Day- Went over 170/164 Exercise- 35 min

March goals- Drink 3 glasses of water Decluttering (That's cause I did 1/2)