Hello everyone, my name is Stephanie. I currently live in Luxembourg but am from the US (Oklahoma). I have been with this group since 2019, when we moved overseas for my husband’s work. I am married with three kids, my oldest is living in the US and the other two (11 & 13) are here in Luxembourg. It is interesting to get to the point where they have their own activities and I have most of my time back to myself. I am learning to speak French, going back to school for my master’s degree and not working at the time. I was surprised by how difficult it was to learn what I liked again. I had let me career and family take over my life. My highest weight was 182 in June 2019. Based on my new scales and adjustments I think this number is lower than I am willing to admit. I started to focus on my fitness in 2019 when I left the US. Both the shock of the move and my available time helped me to reevaluate myself. I used NOOM for awhile and it helped with that, but the encouraging effect wore off after about five months.

During 2020, I started at 168 and ended at 163.6 pounds. So not a lot of progress on the scale... Although I did get two different new scales and my weight increased each time. I have always thought I could exercise more and loose whatever weight I needed - I like working out, hiking, running and have exercised a lot - but I didn't lose much weight with those methods. I'm pretty good with water intake and getting an average of 10K steps per day. I ate about 1500 calories but didn't pay attention to what made up those calories. I worked out a lot and beat myself up mentally when that wasn't working.

I'm still working my way to 145lbs and I needed to change my approach. So, I have big goals for fitness and nutrition in 2021; run more than 400 miles, take 12 new hiking routes, master 16h fasting, integrate low carb (<100 carbs/per day) into my regular food intake, try five new recipes each month, reduce alcohol consumption, log my meals with MFP, read AND participate in these discussions, buy new jeans, create better sleep routines, dance everyday and feel good naked (whatever my weight). I'm planning to focus on one of these activities each month.
I just completed "dry January" and it has helped me recognize that I was drinking just because I wanted a cold or bubbly drink and there are plenty of other options for me. I also fasted for at least 16 hours for 30 days in January, that meant no snacking after dinner and coffee with cream for breakfast. My mindfulness and focus on how I interact with food has started to change.

This February I am focusing on creating a better sleep routine. During the week I usually sleep on 6 hours per night and I refuse to nap. Then I use the weekend to get more rest and feel super lazy.

I think this is the longest post I've ever written here. I would say to all the new members that our group is amazing with encouragement and suggestions on the bad and good days. I've picked up a lot of good resources here and hopefully I can share more going forward. I'm looking forward to February and 2021!

Well I did manage to find an app that will allow me to more easily access the Habit Tracker while on Mobile, but cause I like the visual of colouring, I've made my own Habit Tracker Calendar!



I'll tape this to the wall next to my workout plan in the bedroom and I get to colour in the boxes as I go. I'm not able to buy an actual calendar in a store until at least next week as my province has deemed that 'non-essential' so home-made it is! The hardest for me will honestly be the water.... I just can't seem to remember to drink enough while I'm at work as we're always wearing masks. I'm only allowing myself the reward if I drink the water EVERYDAY so it's going to be a focus. I've gotten my workout plan down to 15 minutes of intensity which really works for me. There should be no excuses for 15 minutes, right??!?!?!?

Okay, so, I did well with most of my food choices and managed to exercise simultaeneously with my daugher (in the living room and my OH was at an online class until 7:45 pm) doing a combination of marching in place, using the mini-elliptical, and arm exercises with a 3 lb weight for a total of 25 minutes.
I allowed myself a couple of handfuls of candy during a zoom meeting - I decided that was the end of that and the container now lives in a cupboard in the kitchen instead of on my desk!
I had hoped to check in by 3:00 in the afternoon but this was as soon as I could get to it.
I'll still aim to check in during the afternoon, so I don't forget.
We're getting snowed on tonight and I'm feeling a bit worn out from being up early and feeling the storm swoop up the coast.
Sleep well, everyone.

Morning from the UK!
@micki48 steps for Feb 1 were 11800.

Managed to stay on calorie target yesterday and didnt succumb to evening snacking which I usually do! I also drank enough water, need to really work at that one as I am a coffee fiend. I didnt get in a dedicated workout, but I did go for an hours dog walk, so I got moving. This morning I have a zoom gym class so that will tick the box for exercise today. The rest of the day will be manic, my husband is going to his job on a farm (second job that he picked up to get us through covid, hes a swim teacher/coach by career but with all the pools shut hes lost alot of work!)... So I will be trying to do my job, homeschool my two youngest and generally just survive the day!! 🤣