Hi@Julie_9! I am sort of starting today, also, since I am back from a family get-together, Covid and limited exercise all month.



I'm trying to insert an image for the first time so let's see if this works.

I actually seem to have lost a little bit this month even though I started out eating way too many cookies. I weighed on two different scales just to be sure but it's still hard to believe.

Back to yoga today. Every class after today is at 5:30 in the morning so I will have no excuses to start my day right. I'm alternating between beginner weights/cross training and hot yoga. When I get home my plan is to give the dogs a walk.

Hello friends! Welcome @Julie_9 - we are all in the same boat - or I should say all on the same struggle bus! It’s hard. I really feel like it’s harder to lose less weight - if that makes sense? Well you are in good company here!

@CeeBeeSlim thank you for sharing and for your empathy. I’m feeling better since I got home - clearly because I can eat better. Unfortunately back on the road tomorrow but just for one day - and one dinner out. It is so hard when a small group and a work dinner but I am determined to stick to my better habits.

@zenobia9777 totally agree about age and not moving. It’s like you really need to throw away ever you know and that worked when you hit your 50’s and start over. Trying!

I hear you @SparkSpringtime69 - those 5lbs…very challenging.

Well I hope everyone is having a good weekend and here’s to a great/successful week!

@zenobia9777 cookies are my biggest weakness!! I can never have just one! I use to workout in the morning many years ago and now I’m struggling to even get out of bed these days. Something has to change. I took some progress pics the other day and I’m really focused to track my food and increase my steps and workouts.
I know having connections and accountability will help me a lot.

@CeeBeeSlim I would love to have more Fitbit Friends. This week is the first time I’m doing challenges on the app.
My emails is juliemiller1981@hotmail.com if you’d like to add me.

@litstuesday I agree the less you have to lose is much harder.

Got a verbal offer from my previous company last night, but it was 5K below my current wages, so countered with what I'm making right now, so today got a verbal offer matching my current salary with the bonus, plus a reassessment once I complete the next level certification.

Regardless, same wages will equal about a $400+/month pay bump in my pockets since this will be mostly remote (right now spending $100/week on gas - I'll still need some gas, but a tank should last me at least 2-3 weeks if not longer), plus they cover the health insurance premium. PLUS, what I'll be doing is far more applicable to my future plans, both as an employee and with my own business, unlike where I'm at right now which is just a disaster.

Still radio silence from the position I really wanted, and it's been a week now since I sent my follow up (which had no response), so not holding my breath there (but may follow up if I am ready to sign on the line with my previous company just in case).

Eating and exercise is going as planned for the moment, will be more exercise once I have a more remote position though!

@HoneyBadger302 impressive negotiating!!! I have a friend who has been fighting for a better position for months and finally got there.

@CeeBeeSlim I never mastered the hula hoop. Sounds fun, though!

I love DC and want to go next year with our crew. Good luck! I think we were in a museum full of day care trips...

Yesterday I did not do well in the evening. Today is a rest day since my arms are a little sore. Shows progress made.

Hi all! Having a good week - on track and back down a few lbs. Helps that work trip was cancelled and no meals out this week. Huge help! No wine, no dessert…

The insane heat has made walking not so fun but I have been trying to get out early or late just to get steps in. That always helps my day too.

Have a great week all. Almost at the weekend.

@Julie_9 I used to work out first thing in the morning too. Since I was laid off I've been trying to set up a new routine for myself, but have been struggling to get one that sticks. We very recently moved to South Carolina and I've found the heat and humidity, even early in the AM, to be too much for exercise.
@CeeBeeSlim I'm also looking for a treadmill, and also a spot in my new house to park it LOL
@k8richer good job on the "no fries" (pizza and beer are always the hardest to resist, aren't they?)
@CeeBeeSlim sorry to chime in so late on your covid question, but here's my 2 cents: my mom is 90 (going to be 91 in Sept) and I worry any time she's around ANYONE! She's been vaccinated and had two boosters, so I probably should be less worried, but I guess that we worry about our parents the same as they worried about us when we were kids - better to be overly cautious than to make a terrible mistake. But, on a more practical side, can you just ask your nieces and nephews to test right before they come to visit so it will ease your (and their) minds? Also, and probably most importantly, how do your parents feel about the visit?
@zenobia9777 Glad to hear your family had mostly mild reactions to the virus. Your hot yoga class sounds interesting - how long have you been doing it?
@HoneyBadger302, I'm impressed, salary negotiation was always very difficult for me. I do hope you hear from about the job you really want before you have to make a decision.
@litstuesday I've been living with insane heat too, hope you can work around it.
Sorry this is such a long post, I missed a couple of days but wanted to catch up with everyone

@CeeBeeSlim 8 lbs!!! Wow. Congratulations.
@SparkSpringtime69 to answer your question, I have been on and off for years, depending on issues I had with sciatica and other exercise methods. I am in a good period now. I think I've been consistent since the end of February.

I like your idea about testing for Covid. Yesterday I had a day with one grandson. Just stayed home and did crafts. He was so happy. 4 is a great age. It is an option for get togethers and keeps us away from crowds.

Today was a circuit class and I did up the weights some, but I do not think I will be very sore. It was a good amount. Got lazy on the planks, though.

Happy weekend!

@spirittrail sounds like you've found what's working for you, I hope you continue with your success. I always feel success when my clothes fit better, the scale can be such a fickle thing sometimes.
@zenobia9777 Your day with your grandson sounds awesome. I haven't done my planks in over two weeks, and now I'm afraid to try because I'm afraid I lost ground.
@k8richer Great job on the 9.2km! Size 18 does sound sad, especially when you take vanity sizing into account - a size 8 dress today is nearly the equivalent of a size 16 dress in 1958 (https://www.eonline.com/news/687475/a-brief-history-of-women-s-clothing-sizes-and-why-you-just-went-up-a-size). So a size 18 now would have been a size 26 then!

@k8richer it sounds like you had a blast at your game. That is fantastic.
It is strange about sizing. Clearly it is all over the map anyway.

It's all that crazy fast food, portion sizes and inactivity. I was thinking yesterday why it's just not as simple as stop eating after a reasonable amount.. but it's bad food and the way it makes us feel so horrible so that we don't go and do activities.

@SparkSpringtime69 I will do five planks today if you will!

I walked the dogs about a mile, but today is an off day for exercise. I just need to practice my balance and my planks.

I did pretty well on my food last night.

Make happiness-creating choices!

@k8richer Hi! I'm not American either. And I'm not at all surprised at the size 18 average.

Consider....I had my first Big Mac at the age of 15....and it was a mistake!! I would get a small cheeseburger on my few visits and my cousin just ordered for me what she always ordered. She's American. Fast food restaurants are not part of the landscape in Canada. One sometimes has to search quite hard if they REALLY want fast food.

My husband and I love traveling and just last night he mentioned....Why did we not gain any weight at all after spending three weeks in Greece and eating exceptionally well? When one week in the States can completely destroy us? Not all States, we always exercise and do our best when eating out. Portions are HUGE so we never do a full meal. Usually an entree then share desert. Or appetizers and desert. I cook dinner every night with a heavy emphasis on vegetables. We rarely eat out. Most Canadians don't.

Finally, the States is the ONLY country I have seen in the World with "drive thru" check out lanes in the grocery store. They are EXCEPTIONALLY WIDE so that obese people can walk thru with their grocery carts or those with disabilities caused by morbid obesity can drive electric carts thru. It seems every decade the size increases by one....so an 18 sounds about right. 20 years ago the average size was 14, ten years ago 16.

Lol! I started with a 12 hour fast. It's quite easy. Stop eating at 730 or 8 pm....after dinner....and have breakfast 12 hours later. But I am finding some days breakfast is put off until 930 or 10 am. So a 14 hour fast. ♡ The more water I drink I have NO appetite for sugar, sodium or preservatives. Just start with a simple plan of x amount of water....and x amount of hours without eating. The body adapts and gradually improves. There is never a time limit on feeling your best!

Have a wonderful weekend all....be happy 😊!

Let's do it! 6 planks. Start with 10 seconds, then double each time (or your increase) until you can try for a minute!