@Katmary71 I love Clive Barker, but haven’t read anything remotely new in years. I will check out Books of Blood. My go-to all-time favorite author is Dean Koontz. John Saul is a definite second with King taking 3rd. I haven’t kept up on reading, though, so it’s been several years since I’ve had a chance to read any of them. I’m definitely going to look into the Necroscope series. I googled them and it looks like a fun series. I should totally re-read The Stand. Such a good one right now, just like you said! So thinking about your spiritual reading and keeping away from negative/angry/gory things, I would think that some of the softer PG-13 horror/thrillers would be ok, don’t you? They don’t usually have any gore. I understand giving up angry music, though. My daughter that is bipolar can’t listen to Eminem (her favorite) because it puts her in a really dark place and she starts cutting. So, in our household we only listen to Christian and 80s music. I just can’t give up my movies, though

@trooworld What kind of horror do you prefer? I think creatures and monsters are my favorite. My all-time favorite horror movie is They (2002 Wes Craven) because it’s about night terrors and I have night terrors myself, so I find it relatable (which should make me MORE scared of it). Second favorite is Cloverfield because of how realistic it is. It’s hard for me to really classify my faves because I own over 1400 movies (I love physical media) and my horror collection runs the gamut – from PG13 all the way to unrated foreign films that would make most people sick. I've warned my daughter to not even touch those. Thankfully she trusts me.

@GabiV125 I am laughing about rolling eyes while reading. My mom just borrowed a book from her friend and said I would love it. Her description was just, “There a large hole in the ocean and people fall in.” It got me interested, so I borrowed it. OMGoodness. It was a young adult fantasy book. I was rolling my eyes, but decided I had to finish it out. I didn’t like how long the set-up took, but once the kids fell into the “drain” and ended up in purgatory, I liked it a bit better.

@leonadixon Good luck with the neurosurgeon. I am praying they can get everything figured out!

@Jactop Holy tofu! Awesome loss!

@LynnJ9 I am praying for your daughter, that it’s just a cyst. How scary…and the waiting makes it worse. Praying for peace while you all wait out the storm.

raleighgirl09
Monday check in

SHAZAM my friends - wow! Yes, @Cornanda, it does not pay to not read posts for a couple days.... I loved every minute of reading them all now (wow, 4 pages of August already) and must say you guys are all amazing. Birthdays and goal setting, books, recipes, bios with new and old friends jumping in - The Slims are hopping!

One of my August goals is to be more engaged in the posts and this is going to be fun and, might I say - do not skip any days! My other August goals are to get more than 10,000 steps everyday - I missed 5 days in July so I am stepping it up a notch and committing to all 31 days in August for at least 10,000 steps each day.

Ok, little updates. No job yet, still lots of applying. Thinking about how to expand the current contracted gig to include more of the same kind of client. Just a baby thought, for now. Water is still behind, most days back up to 8 cups but I really need 12. Calories have been ok, some high days. Currently on a very focused run to my mini goal of under 170 lbs by my birthday. Last I weighed was at 171.7 last Friday so looking to lose 1.8 pounds by the 11th. I don't weigh everyday and my weigh day here is on Thursdays so it's a little suspenseful but I feel super motivated and feel it's within my grasp. Last but NOT least - sleep. Still less than it needs to be, especially if I listen to Fitbit. I can't help if I am "awake" 53 minutes and I feel more robbed by my app than by sleep!!!!!

OK, I just lost a ton of replies checking out @trooworld recipe link, I added a brand new folder and put it in there but lost all my responses! I'm so sorry I can't retype them, it's hard for me to have my laptop on my lap as it worsens my pain but I'm reading everyone's posts and so glad you're all doing well!

@buniphuphu Happy birthday! Class of 89, right? Mine's in September, not too excited about it though! It's better than the alternative!

@vegan4lyfe2012 The majority of my hardbacks are Dean Koontz, John Saul, Anne Rice, and Stephen King. Robin Cook and Patricia Cornwell are up there too. I share books with my mom (well she shares with me) and we both read urban fantasy, sci fi, basic fiction like Nora Roberts and Catherine Coulter, and some regular and paranormal romances. I usually just read hers because I have thousands to read but just started buying my favorites which are more along psychological thrillers. I'm about to start a Catherine Coulter and just finished a good Nora Roberts. With music it's weird, I struggle with depression but feel like my hardcore metal music charges me up and lets out my anxiety, disco 80s rap and older pop cheers me up and reminds me of when I was young, then country and slower music mellows me out so it's different sides of my personality. I played the organ when I was young so I love instrumental music too. Definitely avoid Eminem then, I like a few of his songs but can see where he could cause aggravation. I'll be singing Christian music after church then I'm head-banging a few hours later, it's all fun to me!

Monday check-in
Calories - I was under my daily allowance although I’m hoping I counted that salmon poke bowl correctly😬. I planned on going for a walk in addition to the 45-minute cycling workout but that was a bust! Between work and chores, before you know it the sun went down. I pushed myself to still get on the bike and felt great after. I met my daily move and exercise goal on my watch so that made me feel good!

Hoping that I do good again tomorrow and actually check all 3 boxes on the habit tracker!

Good night team!!!

@Bettyboag You have good goals for the month. I especially like your plans not to do rapid weight loss. It really is better to go slow and keep it off.

@anido1 Great weight loss this week! Good for you for pushing yourself to get on your bike even though you had already had a full day of work and chores. Just keep it up and those checked boxes will add up.

@Katmary71 Yikes on side splits! You really do thrive on challenging yourself, don’t you? I am sure that you get that amethyst for your birthday. I hope you have fun with your guy.

@raleighgirl09 Yayyy for checking in every day! I really should make that one of my goals too. You just stay focused and you will reach your goal. Ugghhhh, don’t get me started on sleep. Twice this week I woke up in the middle of the night and laid there wide awake for over an hour. Last night I got up and took another sleep aid. Probably shouldn’t start making that a habit.

@Tracey0888 Great job on tracking your goals! I hope to see your next post update that you are improving on your self-care. You know that is very important!

@bakatit8gn19 You are doing great and that small gain will come off in no time. You know that if you have been exercising, especially using weights, you will retain some water. I know that I always do when I up my weightlifting.

@buniphuphu Happy birthday! Your birthday dinner sounds wonderful and I hope that you enjoyed every bit of it. Ohhhh and great weight loss this week!! Keep it up!


Good morning team! I really have to not skip a day here because I don’t like missing out on all your post. My mom’s eye surgery went really well yesterday. She does the other eye next Monday and hopefully, that will improve her vision. Otherwise, she is looking at retina surgery. I started week 7 of my workout hybrid calendar of Barre Blend and weightlifting. It’s hard but I’m determined to finish all 8 weeks. My weight is up for the week, which is annoying me so I need to pull back on the amount I eat for dinner and up my fasting times, which have slacked this week. OK, I'm off to work out and then do this week's grocery shopping. Take care of yourself and stay focused!

Monday check in
Not my best day but not a total disaster. No formal exercise and calories were higher than I'd like but still in the green

1. No sugar ✔
2. Weights
3. Cardio
4. At least 15k steps per day
5. Log my food ✔

@Katmary71 I'm impressed by your side splits goal. I couldn't do them even when i was a kid.

Hello there! I have been having a crazy few days, and so am introducing myself late, but here goes! I'll hit the reset button and get going!

I'm Austin, one of your three Team Motivators! I work to support the awesome @Katmary71, @raleighgirl09 , @broncobuddee and of course our wonderful @TeresaW1020 as needed to help keep this wonderful group humming along!

Introduction (but zupped for easy scrolling past if TMI!):
****************************

MONDAY CHECK-IN: 🟡
Calories: 🟢 all good, on-plan choices; everything weighed/measured and tracked
Water: 🔴 I let myself run short yesterday
Exercise 🟢
Monday Goals TUESDAY GOALS
So far, so good!

raleighgirl09
Tuesday check in

Hey, HO!!! Great evening to all, hope you've had a great day to kick it off! => My stats for today: day 4 of the monthly challenge of 0 days under 10,000 steps and busto-bango. So many things got in the way, although I could have pushed past it at the end of the day but juuuuust didn't have it in me by then. So many reasons that only feel like excuses so I'll just say - didn't make that one. Learn from it and plan better for the rest of the month so that I'll be prepared for September! Calories are on track - pre-logging is my best friend so that I know what to eat and it's all laid out. Water is on target with 8 cups so far, working to get a few more in by bedtime. 7 hours sleep last night and happy about that. Counting a good day in the books!

@Katmary71 - - - So. Many. Times. UGH! I always say I'm gonna do what @TeresaW1020 does with a word doc and then I forget and live dangerously (I am as we speak) by typing 'live' into the reply box. Sounds like a good day for you - the splits??? Zowie - that is super impressive!! And you know what they say...if you want to see how someone will behave, spend some time in isolation with them! Or - maybe that was spend time when one of ya has the flu but I peppered it up to be up with the current situation....
@anido1 sounds like you also had a good day and did FABULOUS with the exercise! And - to be sure - any day that inludes a poke bowl is a GREAT day! =>
@Bettyboag sounds like you've got a solid aresenal of goals going - and sensibly keeping it real for yourself, way to go! I started playing with 'no alcohol' nights, too, I do 1-2 nights a week off. We're like the book ends for the movement!
@TeresaW1020 good luck to your mom and a little prayer! My mom had her eyes done (cateracts) about a year ago and wow, her sight improved by about 95%. Thinking of ya on the adjusting what you're doing in order to meet the goal - so much easier when we get on it right away!! =>
@trooworld what a super day, that's awesome!
@jactop hey, some days are better than others but you've been keeping it consistent - and I have loved watching your lead into Onderland grow.... =>
@digger61 so awesome to see your progress and - wow - your exercise has been awesome, way to go!
@AustinRuadhain yeaaaaah, I love this - and we'll do this 'cause we GOT this!! =>

AustinRuadhain wrote: »

@vegan4lyfe2012 hey - I think I know how you got through all of that cast time - READING! I used to read a lot, and many of the authors you mentioned but my attention span for reading has really been challenged for the last several years. I am delving into audio books and podcasts, trying to see if I want to actually subscribe with a service
@Cornanda I gotta say - it's just amazing to look up and see yourself starting down a familiar slide and then stopping and getting off the ride - ON PURPOSE! Yes, indeed - that is why we need to be kind to ourselves. No matter if it's ourselves we're reacting to or someone else....we always do a better job with a cooler head. => And the best part of that, the priceless part, is how it will help you the next time (because, there's always another one coming down the pipe) you'll see it sooner and the day is coming that you catch it before anger eating. Awesome you!

Tuesday check-in

exercise- chair cardio, arm resistance bands, 5 Tibeta

raleighgirl09 wrote: »

raleighgirl09


@Cornanda I gotta say - it's just amazing to look up and see yourself starting down a familiar slide and then stopping and getting off the ride - ON PURPOSE! Yes, indeed - that is why we need to be kind to ourselves. No matter if it's ourselves we're reacting to or someone else....we always do a better job with a cooler head. => And the best part of that, the priceless part, is how it will help you the next time (because, there's always another one coming down the pipe) you'll see it sooner and the day is coming that you catch it before anger eating. Awesome you![/quote

Cornanda says: "Love this and feel I'm getting closer to that day!"

My new scale came, and my weigh in was WAY off. In fact, I don't even know that my start weight was right based on the weight I got from my new scale. How should I go about correcting things? I'm pretty sure I have an accurate weight now. It was consistent from yesterday to today. I'm at 340.2.