@WhatMeRunning Since I know that I cannot ever control anyone else nor know why someone feels the way that they do, the best that I can do is ask permission to walk alongside of another.

Did I exercise for at least 20 minutes? Yes. Not much more and just a quick Cubii, but that was what fit today.
Did I stay within my calorie budget for the day? Yes.
Did I keep track of everything I ate and drank? Yes. I need to make sure I stick to this one; I've had a couple nights where I just don't feel like putting together the dinner I had planned for various reasons. The end result is I'm significantly under calories (i.e., 300-500 calories), which can actually be really dangerous because those are the times I feel like I can just eat whatever because I'm not going to go over calories, but I'm usually reaching for the least healthy/nutritious foods in the house.

Leaving tomorrow for a weekend away so hoping I can keep up with everything (and have decent enough weather for some nice long walks).

7/8/2021

Did I exercise at least 20 minutes? Yes. My daughter had a treatment today, so I don't get my morning/afternoon hustle to/from the bus stop. But I walked the dog a couple of times and after dinner, both my daughter and I took Sienna out on the Loop and put in a little over a mile. It was a slightly more tolerable sauna than last night. I am going to try to make that after dinner walk a habit.

Did I track everything? I did.

Did I meet my calorie goal? I did, but used the exercise calories.

Today was a pissy day.
I'm so incredibly frustrated. My NSV today is that, although I didn't eat well as I could have, I didn't binge on my normal comfort foods. I didn't go for the chocolate. I didn't go for the cookies or the ice cream. So, there's that.

As for today's topic? My inner critic is a loud mouthed pain in my youknowwhat. And it doesn't hesitate to tell me what a fuckup I am. In every way. As a parent. As an employee. As me. So, I haven't learned how to shut it out. On the other hand, I tend to be sympathetic and try to be encouraging to others going through a rough time. I hadn't thought about people of the "hold my beer" persuasion, and I'm not exactly sure how to determine who needs what, so I'll just probably just keep on being sympathetic and as encouraging as I am, and I'll just ask you to let me know if I'm going about it all wrong.

Have a good night/great day!

8th July
All was going well until I joined friends for drinks early evening, and the planned single G&T became two, not slimline tonic either. Then when I got home I had a yen for toast and pate ... Didn't log those either, couldn't be bothered to make, eat or change the very sensible omelette I had planned. Exercise was good though, almost an hour's walking!

Yes, yes and yes
Walking and pushups.
Looking at this I realize I need to get back to stretching. My whole routine is a mess these days and with travel on the horizon, I worry about it even more. I am so stretched for time and am not doing as much exercise as I would like. I am working on my commitment to consistency but it is being challenging.

So what would I tell myself right now at this moment in time that I might tell to others.... hmmm? Do your best. Small steps add up. You are still ahead of the game because you are off the couch and trying? Appreciate what you can do and fit into your day and give yourself credit? Good timely question though I did not realize it until I started writing.

Very true on extending kindness to yourself. I think this also relates to learning to love yourself.

Advice to those struggling: This isn't a perfect journey, it's an up and down but as time goes on the the good days out weigh the bad days and the overall downward trend line forms as you discover what works for you in the long run. Also, learn to measure success by how quickly you turn around a bad choice, meal, day, etc. Try to keep your bad day from becoming days, week, weeks, month, etc.

Yes x 3 today - Storms were here once the work day was over - so pulled out my under desk bicycle and spent 30 min pedalling. Not a lot of calories burned, but the point is mindful exercise daily. As I knew the forecast, I ensured to keep my calories under my base calorie budget to ensure I stayed within goal even if I couldn't get in the pool or on my bike tonight.

@ashleycarole86 those results prove you're doing it right. Great job avoiding those doubts. And wow! Hours on the bike? Super impressive!

@seilidhe that is so frustrating when a needed referral seems to not answer their messages. I hope Ais is comfortable again soon! Huge kudos for not stress eating and keeping your focus on your goals! While I only know you from your UAC posts, I believe your inner voice is judging you wrongly, you're an inspiring champion fighter in my opinion! Also congrats on finding something that slipped through the kitten filters!

@Chinkiri while the calories may have been off, that big walk certainly offset a lot. Small victories like that don't eliminate the bad days, but when combined with good days it tips the scale overall towards the good side.

No, thank you @MadisonMolly2017 and @Mrs_Hoffer (and everyone else) for giving folks like me the opportunity to take a shot at a post like that and see if it is helpful (sometimes good intentions backfire). MFP and most importantly the community here has done so much for me over the years that I feel blessed any time I feel I can return the favor to anyone.

@calvin20874 you keep cranking out consistently impressive days! Keep it going!

@biketheworld allowing yourself smaller victories like knowing you were a lot closer than you think can be very helpful.

Congrats @Winner_in_Life you are a true inspiration!

Excellent job @snowshoe072 keeping on track amidst the house projects!

@Bovaryoo yes that is indeed a real struggle for some people. I've been there when I would allow myself just about any food as a reward after a huge calorie burning race or long run. As a potential binge eater, who had the post-run hungries, that was disastrous. While we are wired to respond to the reward system, it can become corrupted when the rewards completely reverse what prompted us to allow that reward in the first place making you worse off for the efforts from the start. If you use food as a reward you have to work to ensure you track it and bring it in line to meet your goals.

Congrats @tdrjustus3 and @abowersgirl

@donna25trinity you are making huge steps by identifying unhealthy food triggers. That's critical. Once you start recognizing them, you can begin addressing them instead of letting them control you.

znaoiec wrote: »

Do your best. Small steps add up. You are still ahead of the game because you are off the couch and trying? Appreciate what you can do and fit into your day and give yourself credit?

Very true and valuable advice!

Jana_2020 wrote: »

Advice to those struggling: This isn't a perfect journey, it's an up and down but as time goes on the the good days out weigh the bad days and the overall downward trend line forms as you discover what works for you in the long run. Also, learn to measure success by how quickly you turn around a bad choice, meal, day, etc. Try to keep your bad day from becoming days, week, weeks, month, etc.

Perfect summation!