We all have different thoughts and reasons for wanting to be on this journey. Today I want each of us to think about our "WHY". I've read that when we are digging into our WHY, we should ask ourselves that question 5-7 times. In other words, whatever answer we come up with, then we should take it to the next level and ask "WHY" again. You keep asking yourself WHY until you can't get a deeper answer. It's important to really know and feel our WHY in order to be able to better stick with this journey and see it through to the end.

WHY are you on this journey? What is your WHY? Feel free to share as much or as little detail as you like.

Since this is the second time this week I've heard about the Five Whys, it's probably important for me to try it 🤷🏿‍♀️

1. "WHY are you on this journey?"To improve my health by remaining at a lower body fat level...

2. Why? Remaining at a lower body fat and weight is important to me for health reasons (like avoiding cholesterol meds and not fluctuating in weight)...

3. Why?I want to improve my probabilty of aging with a high quality of life when it comes to physical and mental health...

4. Why? I'd like to contribute positively and actively to my "4Fs" (Faith, Family, Finances and Friends) as much as I can and for as long as I can

5. Why? I want to leave a legacy level impact on each of the "4Fs"

And now, my brain hurts 🙁 Also, I better get on with my day since I apparently have a legacy to create! What a thought-provoking question @Mrs_Hoffer thank you!

Did I exercise for at least 20 minutes?

Yeah, went on a run/jog with my old lady (she's my profile picture).
Did I stay within my calorie budget for the day?
Yeah, 250 kcal under it actually... I just wasn't hungry?
Did I keep track of everything I ate and drank?

Yup.
WHY are you on this journey?
To be and stay healthy. Looking at my parents who aren't that healthy has given me the motivation to stay in shape. And honestly, I just like abs on my tummy.
Also because I want to participate in exercise events like running a marathon or a titan swim. I want to be able to do them and do them well.

Morning Pilates reformer class and evening Jiu Jitsu. In between shopping and laundry and reading. Good food choices today and within budget. More energy today than yesterday which is good. Rainy day was a great excuse to stay in and read.

Why? I need to get back to my fighting weight (which is now less than 3kgs away) because the division I would compete in at this weight is the open division meaning there is no limit and I’m already fighting younger ladies (even in masters they could be a decade younger than me) so don’t want the added challenge of an extra 20+ kgs to deal with. I compete because I enjoy the challenge and the experience on the day and how the preparation and the event improves my game. Jiu Jitsu is pretty much my reason. The sport got me fit and healthy and I have a passion for it. It keeps me fit and strong, puts things in perspective, has brought some amazing people into my life, gives me confidence and knowledge that I could protect myself if needed, engages the entire body including the mind, and I love how it challenges me and helps me grow in so many ways. I’m a better person because of Jiu Jitsu and not just a healthier one.
Plus, I need to stay healthy to protect my solo kidney and I’d like to show everyone how much I can do after donating my other one. I’m still going to compete on the international mats at some point in the next few years, as a kidney donor athlete!

Day 5 check in - yes x 3.
Walked for 45 mins.
25 days to go - we got this 💪🏿

DAY 5

YES: aerobics 20 minutes plus (dumbbells) 2 set's 15 rep
YES: stayed under calories, not by much so ill try a little more exercise
YES: calculated all food

I have over 300 cal left, worked out (30 min HIIT), walked (1h) and biked (40 min) today.

I'll come back to the why... Excellent question 🌻

11/5
Exercise-? yes
Calories?-yes
Logged?-yes
I'm here for accountability.

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Did I exercise for at least 20 minutes? YES | Stair climb (14), Isometric Challenge (9) TOTAL: 23 min
Did I stay within my calorie budget for the day? YES | Base + 149
Did I keep track of everything I ate and drank? YES |
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Also, hit 10k+ steps today (not counted in calories).

Aiming to get to bed early to so that tomorrow's sandbag workout - which needs to be done outside, by necessity - can be completed before 6 am. That's when it's light enough outside for me to feel safe running but still too early for many people to see me struggling with the bag 🤣

Three done
Why? Because I am responsible only to myself my health and my well being (others in my family count) but I need to do it that’s why

Did I exercise for at least 20 minutes? Yes, 1 hour and 45 minutes strength training and a 60 minute Yin Yoga class.
Did I stay within my calorie budget for the day? Yes
Did I keep track of everything I ate and drank? Yes

Yes, yes, yes
Walking and weight workout

Why? I do it because it is the right thing for so many reasons. It gets reinforced by our sons who both work in the medical profession who continually tell us how grateful they are that we take care of ourselves knowing what the outcome is when you do not. And I think it is important to be a role model for them so they too take care of themselves.

Yes x 3 for Thursday
Tracked and on target. Did three separate dog walks totalling 80 min, and am about to do an hour of tennis.

Month #2 in the UAC group. Happy with how October went. Did well in the challenge and also took off 5 lbs along the way.

I am expecting November to be a challenging month. I would like to make the winner’s circle again, but at worst, I will accumulate the least number of passes I can. With all that will come at the end of the month (Nov 26 – 29), I need to really stay focused every day leading up to those dates.

For this round, I’m going to start logging my net calories since I think I should be looking into what portion of exercise calories I should be adding in. I have been getting some thoughtful input on this. There is likely going to be some evolution over the month, but I know there is a delicate and individual balance regarding total calories, I will update as I define. Starting the month on the same premise as October, with no exercise calories added.

Date: 11/5
Exercised?: Yes, 30 min upper body dumbbell, avg HR 114, 5.5 min mixed planks
Calories?: Yes, 1403/1430 + 114 exercise (net: 1291)
Tracked?: Yes

Remaining passes: 3

Date: 11/5
Exercised: Yes 130 mins on treadmill ( burned 730 calories )
Tracked: Yes
Calories: Yes
Pass Days: 3 left


Why am I on this journey?
1) I want to be healthy before my first grandchild is born in January ( a girl ) I want to be able to run and play with her without getting so tired all the time.
2) I joined the UAC to help me reach that goal through accountability.
3) I have learned to love walking on my treadmill and it has become my quiet relaxing time. Its a time that is carved out of the day just for me!
4) I am learning how to portion out my food better, make better food choices, and I have never drank this much water before!
5) The final overall reason is that I want to feel and look good, both on the outside as well as on the inside. Reading books on mind, body, and soul while walking on treadmill helps me to realize that I must make my health and happiness my first priority! I started this journey with the intention of just loosing some weight, but have found while loosing the weight I have gained so much more insight into why I had let myself go in the first place.