At Goal & Successfully Maintaining. So Why Am I Doing This All Over Again?
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Have you tried a fitness tracker?
BL kicked and screamed when I suggested he try one, but he finally agreed to “try” my old one when I got a new Apple Watch.
It’s been a couple months now, and it’s almost a shock how much he’s increased his activity.
He’s very engaged in closing all his rings every day, and pops right up to go for walks now. He even keeps walking shoes at the ready in the hall closet. That didn’t used to happen.
He’s closed his move ring three times on a couple of occasions and is very proud- as well he should be.
And (imho) he’s getting a far more realistic record of calories burned than he was before, hand entering them via MFP’s calculator.
There’s so many discussions of motivation on these boards: how to get it, how to keep it?
Motivation may be as close as your wrist.
Some trackers have alarms to let you know you haven’t moved in the last sixty minutes, or that you’ve been unusually low activity and might want to step it up after dinner.
Most trackers have challenge apps. You can “compete” against other people anonymously, either solo or as a team, or set up private challenges with friend(s).
I’ve done team challenges with some ladies from my MFP friends group. This is our third month. It’s been really interesting to see them step up their activity each month to try to boost our score- and, maybe, a little bit for pride. It’s a game, not brain surgery, but no one really wants to consistently be the lowest scoring member of the team.
I’m trying to get BL to upgrade his apple watch, since he has to charge the thing twice a day now to keep up with his new activity level (and it’s aging battery), but……being BL and priding himself on being low maintenance, he won’t do it for himself. He deserves it, so I guess it’s up to me to just get one and hand it to him.
My daughter got a Fitbit (because she has an Android- Apple Watch requires an iPhone) and has been really pleased with it, too.
If you’re seeking motivation and you’re a bit of an OCD personality, consider a good tracker.
Oh, and you also find many non fitness tracker related challenges scattered here
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/categories/challenges
and throughout the MFP boards: push-up challenges, pound a week challenges and so on. These challenges can be joined via the threads, or links to groups discussed in the threads.2 -
springlering62 wrote: »So last night, BL sheepishly admitted he was craving a DQ soft cone. He was embarrassed about it. Acted like it was something shameful to have a craving.
“How many calories you got left? Oh wow, that many? Why are you embarrassed? Let’s go get you one!”
So I rode with him to buy a medium sized cone.
This is a double NSV. He had far more than enough calories for that cone (or two, if he’d wanted), and I didn’t want anything on the tempting ice cream menu, because I’d planned for and already made a yogurt-pumpkin pudding, which tbh, that sounded better to me.
Afterwards he said, “ya know, I enjoyed it while I ate it but now I just feel sick.” Dude, I know. I know!!!!! Been there a hundred times. Your head says,”oooohhhhh I want this now” gimee gimee” but then afterwards you’re wondering why you ever did it. Mild nausea, heartburn. But as he said, it was good in the moment.
I think as we get used to better choices, our bodies can’t cope with some of the old ones any longer? (Ask me about that batch of Xmas toffee cookies I put away . Urgh. * Shudder*.)
BTW, he’s been playing Pokémon Go hard during the Holiday Event. There’s a holiday Pokémon named Vanillite that looks like a soft serve cone. That’s what got into his head, LMAO.
Isn’t he a diabetic? With all due respect, no wonder he felt sick! A whole DQ medium cone would have my glucose through the ceiling and I would feel terrible. Edit: I looked it up and it seems to be 52 g carbs, and that’s gonna be the quick digesting processed type with no fiber to slow it down. Not too bad if it’s all the carbs you eat at a meal with protein and fat, but I feel better if I stay under 45 g per meal.
I do think there’s something to not noticing how terrible you feel when you feel terrible all the time - start making better choices and feeling better and you will definitely notice a difference though. Before I was diagnosed I used to wonder if I was allergic to something in the breakfast at Cracker Barrel, when it turns out I was having enough carbs to nearly kill me. I would feel nauseous and have to lie down for hours after eating there. I wasn’t aware of being diabetic at the time and haven’t been back since, but based purely on the numbers I’m guessing my glucose was in the 300+ range every time I ate there, which doesn’t feel good at all.3 -
springlering62 wrote: »Some trackers have alarms to let you know you haven’t moved in the last sixty minutes, or that you’ve been unusually low activity and might want to step it up after dinner.
I find this feature helpful since I've seen some research saying that too much prolonged sitting isn't healthy, regardless of other periods of deliberate exercise the individual may do. As someone with a typical desk job I found this a bit worrisome, since I thought I had my bases covered with my daily workout. I think movement reminders started with my Charge 3? (don't think I had it on the original Charge)
Although, given my tendency to talk to inanimate things, it has led to some moments when the thing buzzes me to get moving at inopportune times and I yell at it, "I CAN'T! I'm driving, damn you!"
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@rheddmobile Yes, BL is diabetic. 🤷🏻♀️ But, to be fair he’s eaten a darn sight worse. And he was getting that cone come hell or high water. I think the experience surprised him.
Your Cracker Barrel story reminds me of my dad, who had not been to a doctor in thirty years. He was closing the door to his office, laying on the floor to take naps in the middle of the day, snapping at customers. I had a couple of customers take me aside to privately say something to the effect of , “Something is wrong with your dad. He’s never ugly with customers. He’s the nicest guy I know.”
We begged him to go to doctor and he refused. “I’m just tired. Back off.” He got ugly with us, and that worried us even more.
One day, my mom finally opened the door to the car, and told him,”I’ve had enough. Get in. I’ve made you a doctors appointment. No. Shut up. If you don’t go, I’m leaving.”
That was when he found out he was severely diabetic. They told him to lay off the drinking or it would kill him. Being him, he did the exact opposite. We went to dinner at a hibachi place a couple days later, and he drank every else’s plum wine that came with dinner. He was violently ill that night.
He gave up drinking the next day, after decades of being a weekend alcoholic. Never touched another drop. Giving it up cold turkey was…….quite simply, one of the most powerful things I ever saw. Didn’t watch what he ate and it eventually killed him, but he sure didn’t touch alcohol ever again.
Whenever I feel like I can’t continue watching what I eat another minute, I remember him giving up the booze cold turkey. And then I remember how he still suffered at the end, and giving up on life and his own health because mom was bedridden with her own diabetes issues.
I am so grateful BL has joined me on this journey, because it really takes two to tango and I want us to savor good health together as long as possible. And I feel like if we develop the habit of doing stuff, we’ll try to at least continue some of it even if the other needs care. I would never begrudge him getting out of the house to simply breath freedom for a bit, like my mom begrudged my dad. That’s an ugly, controlling thing.
Sorry, this veered completely off subject, but I would posit to any newbs who might be reading this thread, or anyone on the fence about continuing, or feeling themselves weakening, think about how your health (or lack of!!!) affects those you love the most.
Are you OK with putting your spouse or your kids
in an emotional prison because you can’t control what goes in your mouth? I beseech you to find a way.
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BL often waxes poetic about working at DQ in high school, and the joys of scooping frozen strawberries and making banana splits.
He’s still regretting that DQ cone the other night, but has calories left over again, so I suggested we make a banana split.
Ta Da!!!!! With a little creativity, we present the nutritious and delicious low calorie Skyrbanana Split:
1 serving vanilla skyr @ 120 cal
1 banana 80 cal (that’s from memory)
Canned whipped cream to taste (a serving is 15-20 calories depending on brand)
Syrups are zero calorie sugar free strawberry, caramel and chocolate Walden Farms.
A dry generous fabulous banana split for about 200 or so calories, before adding nuts, hagel slag, or sprinkles.
(Sprinkles have hardly any calories. Woot!!!!!!!)
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What IS "skyr" ? where would I look for a recipe (or is it a commercial thing, like yogurt?) Just not from an ethnic tradition I happen to be familiar with.0
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@BMcC9 Skyr is basically Icelandic/Nordic-style yogurt, there are several commercially-available brands. Siggi's is the one I've seen most commonly. It's even thicker and higher-protein than Greek-style yogurt.2
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Thanks! I will look around for it.0
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Thanks! I will look around for it.
I’m waiting for some rennet to come from Amazon and am going to try making my own.
Tastes milder than Greek yogurt, much thicker and creamier. Technically it’s a cheese because it uses rennet but the process to make it is very similar to yogurt.
Siggi’s brand is about $5.69 for the cottage cheese sized tub.
We’ve spent a couple of vacations in Ukraine and (“the other”) Georgia, and I’m fascinated by the farmers cheeses.
I’ve made yogurt, Greek yogurt, kefir, lab-something cheese, and paneer. Loved the kefir but two of us couldn’t keep up with production. We even tried eating the kefir grains and they still got ahead of us. Kefir was like tribbles.
I want to try my hand at mozarella and other simple cheeses.3 -
springlering62 wrote: »Thanks! I will look around for it.
I’m waiting for some rennet to come from Amazon and am going to try making my own.
Tastes milder than Greek yogurt, much thicker and creamier. Technically it’s a cheese because it uses rennet but the process to make it is very similar to yogurt.
Siggi’s brand is about $5.69 for the cottage cheese sized tub.
We’ve spent a couple of vacations in Ukraine and (“the other”) Georgia, and I’m fascinated by the farmers cheeses.
I’ve made yogurt, Greek yogurt, kefir, lab-something cheese, and paneer. Loved the kefir but two of us couldn’t keep up with production. We even tried eating the kefir grains and they still got ahead of us. Kefir was like tribbles.
I want to try my hand at mozarella and other simple cheeses.
The only one I've ever "made" is viili, or Finnish yogurt, and that was only because the SO's father gave me some starter. Technically I didn't make it, it's one of those things that you feed every time you use it, like sourdough starter. Viili is at the thin end of the yogurt viscosity spectrum, more similar to kefir.0 -
springlering62 wrote: »Have you tried a fitness tracker?
BL kicked and screamed when I suggested he try one, but he finally agreed to “try” my old one when I got a new Apple Watch.
It’s been a couple months now, and it’s almost a shock how much he’s increased his activity.
He’s very engaged in closing all his rings every day, and pops right up to go for walks now. He even keeps walking shoes at the ready in the hall closet. That didn’t used to happen.
He’s closed his move ring three times on a couple of occasions and is very proud- as well he should be.
And (imho) he’s getting a far more realistic record of calories burned than he was before, hand entering them via MFP’s calculator.
There’s so many discussions of motivation on these boards: how to get it, how to keep it?
Motivation may be as close as your wrist.
Some trackers have alarms to let you know you haven’t moved in the last sixty minutes, or that you’ve been unusually low activity and might want to step it up after dinner.
Most trackers have challenge apps. You can “compete” against other people anonymously, either solo or as a team, or set up private challenges with friend(s).
I’ve done team challenges with some ladies from my MFP friends group. This is our third month. It’s been really interesting to see them step up their activity each month to try to boost our score- and, maybe, a little bit for pride. It’s a game, not brain surgery, but no one really wants to consistently be the lowest scoring member of the team.
I’m trying to get BL to upgrade his apple watch, since he has to charge the thing twice a day now to keep up with his new activity level (and it’s aging battery), but……being BL and priding himself on being low maintenance, he won’t do it for himself. He deserves it, so I guess it’s up to me to just get one and hand it to him.
My daughter got a Fitbit (because she has an Android- Apple Watch requires an iPhone) and has been really pleased with it, too.
If you’re seeking motivation and you’re a bit of an OCD personality, consider a good tracker.
Oh, and you also find many non fitness tracker related challenges scattered here
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/categories/challenges
and throughout the MFP boards: push-up challenges, pound a week challenges and so on. These challenges can be joined via the threads, or links to groups discussed in the threads.
I am wanting to purchase the Apple Watch Series 7. But I'm having difficulty deciding between the 41 mm and 45 mm. Many reviews say they love the larger screen for easier use. Many reviews say it's too large on a woman's wrist and they prefer the 41 mm. Anyone have a recommendation for this woman?0 -
@yayamom3 - I had the larger apple watch for my first watch (series 2). When I upgraded I switched to the smaller 41mm. I prefer the look of the smaller watch on my wrist and had less problems with accidentally pressing the crown button. I also set up my watch so the crown button is towards my arm instead of towards my hand which helps with unintentional crown hits (especially during exercise like planks or yoga).3
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sandielewis2001 wrote: »@yayamom3 - I had the larger apple watch for my first watch (series 2). When I upgraded I switched to the smaller 41mm. I prefer the look of the smaller watch on my wrist and had less problems with accidentally pressing the crown button. I also set up my watch so the crown button is towards my arm instead of towards my hand which helps with unintentional crown hits (especially during exercise like planks or yoga).@yayamom3 - my original gen 1 apple watch is still going strong; it's the 42mm version and I wouldn't even go any larger as an average-sized dude (6'1" 175lbs). My wife is 5'9" about 145 and has the ~38mm and it's a good size for her wrist.
Thank you for the insight! I was leaning toward the smaller version, but needed some other opinions. Greatly appreciated!0 -
Have nearly convinced BL to get a new watch so he doesn’t have to charge twice a day. He was horrified at the thought of getting the 44. He said the 41mm was plenty big.4
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I was researching fitness equipment online last night. Thinking of putting in a few pieces, since BL now using (and enjoying) the recumbent bike, and because so much stuff has shut down locally. Would like to have some additional backup options for next lockdown (heaven forbid).
Was looking at some very informative YouTube reviews by someone called “garage gym” or something like that. I never look at YouTube.
Boy was I shocked at the ads. Women claiming to lose 50 pounds in 90 days. Some guy ranting that “you’re doing it all wrong” and need the “forgotten” weight loss secret only he can provide. One fellow had a 14 minute ad inserted in the middle of this excellent equipment review- shirtless, from the most flattering angles, and he was haranguing and preaching about losing weight “the right way”, but it was his way. Send money!!! I felt like a gazelle in a lion’s gaze. I couldn’t look away at first. I got sick to my stomach after about two minutes. Thank heavens for fast forward.
WTF! No wonder peoples’ heads are in such a bad place about weight loss.
I never look at FB, Insta or Snap. If this is a sample, God help the poor confused souls who come here with such unrealistic expectations and leave in a day or two because “it didn’t work for me”.
I assure you, simple calorie counting does work. Go to the Success Stories board if you have any doubts. Read the NSV (Non-Scale Victories) thread if you need proof.
Lower your expectations and raise your effort.
I’m just sorry, but that’s life. Nothing good comes easy. If it did, four of ten Americans wouldn’t now be self reporting themselves as “overweight”. We’d be a svelte society.12 -
Although BL’s scale is down a bit this morning, this is a “me” post again- potentially an “us” post, since we’re both emotionally invested in a current serious family crisis.
Stress can cause weight gain. Bet you didn’t know that.
This happens in several ways. You can revert to emotional eating and pile on calories by eating your worry. .
Stress can also create or increase cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone that (abbreviated version) can mess with sugars and cause weight and/or water retention.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037
For me, I was up an hour or so early because I couldn’t sleep (a whole different issue which can cause weight loss to be significantly harder, or cause gain). I had breakfast very early. I didn’t pay a bit of attention to what I was eating and am already ready for Second Breakfast at the usual time.
My body says I’m hungry. My brain very logically says,”No, you’re not”.
So, instead of caving in, I’m going to go have a couple of big glasses of water. I’m not really hungry. I’m stressed, and probably dehydrated to boot.
If I’m still hungry afterwards, I’ll reshuffle my entire pre-logged meal plan to accommodate.
Doing stupid stuff to your body is not going to help any situation one bit.
Posting drivel can also take your mind off things. 🤷🏻♀️
Y’all have a great, stress free day out there. And, please!!!! get vaccinated and boostered to keep the emergency rooms free for those who can’t help their illnesses.21 -
I hear you on the "second breakfast" struggle. I never have a problem falling asleep; my problem is staying asleep. So I'm often awake and up at 4 a.m., but usually at about 5 a.m. That means lunch is at 10??
I'm sorry to hear that you're going through a stressful time right now. If it makes you feel any better, I have an appointment for my COVID booster this morning....
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springlering62 wrote: »Although BL’s scale is down a bit this morning, this is a “me” post again- potentially an “us” post, since we’re both emotionally invested in a current serious family crisis.
Sorry to hear this, hope things resolve quickly.
Booster was on Wednesday though (half dose). Unfortunately I had to disobey the advice not to exert myself because there was snow that needed shovelling and that seems to have resulted in more of a sore arm than I had with the two previous shots.1 -
springlering62 wrote: »Although BL’s scale is down a bit this morning, this is a “me” post again- potentially an “us” post, since we’re both emotionally invested in a current serious family crisis.
Sorry to hear this, hope things resolve quickly.
Booster was on Wednesday though (half dose). Unfortunately I had to disobey the advice not to exert myself because there was snow that needed shovelling and that seems to have resulted in more of a sore arm than I had with the two previous shots.
So glad you didn’t have too much problem. And thank you for being vaccinated so you don’t clog up the hospitals.1
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