Christmas Countdown Challenge (Closed) - Week #13

We are in the process of adopting our son. He has been living with us since March, and our lives have taken a definite change with a new member in the family. He was in my 3rd grade classroom last school year, and it was heartbreaking to see him shifted from family to family with promises of adoption but no follow throughs with a permanent home for him. This Thursday we have our first court date and get one step closer to permanency. We are pretty excited as a family.

And -- really -- all of that is to lead up to some of the lessons we have been working with him on coming back to preaching to myself. I have really been emphasizing "with priviledges comes responsibilities" as well as "choices have consequences." The more I think about it the priviledge of indulging in a treat once in a while comes with the responsibility of portion control and exercise. The choices I make everyday about what I will pick up to eat, how much I eat, when, how long, or if I exercise all come with consequences. Some are wonderful consequences which we refer to as NSVs while others often send me into despair.

I am tired of making excuses for myself because I have seen myself slip from excuses to not really caring so many times in the past. One thing I have loved about MFP is that I don't feel like I have to feel guilty for an off day, since one day does not have to break the lifestyle I have chosen. I didn't gain the weight over night. I won't lose it overnight. But - over time developing a habit of healthy choices will take it off bit by bit.

These are some of my motivators. I hope they can help encourage you too.

Hello everyone!
Sorry Ive been M.I.A. the past week or so. My life was so filled with craziness that when it all ended (court, divorce, sons testing etc) that when it all ended I just felt like I crashed into a brick wall. All I wanted to do was sleep and not talk to anyone! I have barely even talked to my friends! I DID however find an old friend and weve been chatting on fbook, I am somewhat back and going to try harder. I just needed time to assess my life and figure out the next plan of action!

Jenn-sorry I disappointed you!! :-(

Hey There ~ Hope you all have a great day!

Nita_bita ~ Good job on the exercise!!! Keep it up

Kristin~ WOW I will be thinking of you!! So awesome adopting an older child. Sounds like you are on your way to dumping those excuses and doing something for you!!! You are the only one that can do it!!! Just think of the good example you will be to your future son and students...working hard and not giving up, making a positive change!!!! Most important succeeding!!! You can do it!!! Remember what your Dad Says!!! Nothing changes if Nothing Changes.. make the change we are here for you :bigsmile:

luvmypj ~ glad your back...focus on one day at a time, this won't last forever!!!! You have come a long way!!! You are feeling better physically right...don't let that go!!!

Well I guess I need to get to work - Make Good Choices....oh and don't forget to load those skinny jeans with your $5. I am not sure where we are money wise..but when I see a $5 bill I think of this group and sock it away

We are in the process of adopting our son. He has been living with us since March, and our lives have taken a definite change with a new member in the family. He was in my 3rd grade classroom last school year, and it was heartbreaking to see him shifted from family to family with promises of adoption but no follow throughs with a permanent home for him. This Thursday we have our first court date and get one step closer to permanency. We are pretty excited as a family.

And -- really -- all of that is to lead up to some of the lessons we have been working with him on coming back to preaching to myself. I have really been emphasizing "with priviledges comes responsibilities" as well as "choices have consequences." The more I think about it the priviledge of indulging in a treat once in a while comes with the responsibility of portion control and exercise. The choices I make everyday about what I will pick up to eat, how much I eat, when, how long, or if I exercise all come with consequences. Some are wonderful consequences which we refer to as NSVs while others often send me into despair.

I am tired of making excuses for myself because I have seen myself slip from excuses to not really caring so many times in the past. One thing I have loved about MFP is that I don't feel like I have to feel guilty for an off day, since one day does not have to break the lifestyle I have chosen. I didn't gain the weight over night. I won't lose it overnight. But - over time developing a habit of healthy choices will take it off bit by bit.

These are some of my motivators. I hope they can help encourage you too.

Good luck on the adoption process. Glad to see your going to give him a good and permanent home. I just completed the adoption of my step daughter today, I'm excited that we are now "legally" a family. Since that's really what adoption is, paperwork to legalize a family that's already formed a bond.

Good luck on the adoption process. Glad to see your going to give him a good and permanent home. I just completed the adoption of my step daughter today, I'm excited that we are now "legally" a family. Since that's really what adoption is, paperwork to legalize a family that's already formed a bond.

That is so very true. We have already accepted him as family, and he is trusting more and more that we are his forever home. Congratulations on completing the process with your step daughter!

So this week I started 30 day shred along with Turbofire - again! :laugh: And I must say that after all that I feel amazing! I'm hoping the week continues this way and I don't hit rock bottom one again :grumble:

I've never considered meditation. Reason being I can't shut my mind off, but I will definately try. I'm sure it will help with the constant stress in life.

I started Turbo Fire this week also! This is like my 4th time starting so my goal is to make it a whole month Lol.

Lol I would LOVE to make it through a month at least! I've started and stopped so many times, and have only gotten through the first week after all those attempts!

We are in the process of adopting our son. He has been living with us since March, and our lives have taken a definite change with a new member in the family. He was in my 3rd grade classroom last school year, and it was heartbreaking to see him shifted from family to family with promises of adoption but no follow throughs with a permanent home for him. This Thursday we have our first court date and get one step closer to permanency. We are pretty excited as a family.

And -- really -- all of that is to lead up to some of the lessons we have been working with him on coming back to preaching to myself. I have really been emphasizing "with priviledges comes responsibilities" as well as "choices have consequences." The more I think about it the priviledge of indulging in a treat once in a while comes with the responsibility of portion control and exercise. The choices I make everyday about what I will pick up to eat, how much I eat, when, how long, or if I exercise all come with consequences. Some are wonderful consequences which we refer to as NSVs while others often send me into despair.

I am tired of making excuses for myself because I have seen myself slip from excuses to not really caring so many times in the past. One thing I have loved about MFP is that I don't feel like I have to feel guilty for an off day, since one day does not have to break the lifestyle I have chosen. I didn't gain the weight over night. I won't lose it overnight. But - over time developing a habit of healthy choices will take it off bit by bit.

These are some of my motivators. I hope they can help encourage you too.

Beautiful! And what a lucky boy he is to get a mom like you

Hi there ~ Molly - Oh my...so sorry you are having such physical challenges. I will be thinking of you and hoping things ease up for you soon. Do your best and don't be hard on yourself...pain can really put a person in a bad place. I hope you are feeling better soon!!!

I am excited... I went to running class last night and the teacher bumped the run time up!!!!!! He said tonight we will run 9 mins!!!!!!! I didn't know what to do! Of course the class is getting smaller and smaller so my slow speed would really stand out. But really I was OK and thought "let's do this!!" So we walked to warm up then the teacher yells "TIME" off we went. I was thinking oh gosh can I do it, what am I going to have for dinner, oh gosh is has only been a minute, then I just focused on running to the next lamp post or street and then he yelled 'TIME".....I thought wow that hasn't been 9 mins! We walked a minute and then started again. I DID IT!!! We had to tackle small bridges with hills the smell of people fixing dinner and the great feeling off well worked muscles..oh sweat too! I was really proud of myself.

Then I ended up getting a turkey burger and stopping at a friends house before going to my Dad's. I watched the end of the Biggest Loser with my friends and then they were going for a 2 mile walk. I said, "I'll go with you!!" I pushed them to walk faster and I even did some more running. Felt fantastic.

I am not telling this story to brag or to get a pat on the back..... I just want you to remember how nervous I was when I started this class. I had trouble running 1 min!!!!!! I couldn't imagine running 1 mile!!!!! I am now there I CAN!!!!! If there is something you are thinking of trying but not sure you can.....PLEASE push yourself to give it a try!!!! YOU CAN!!!

Sorry I am really turning into a work out dork! I don't mean to preach. I just want to share this great feeling.

Have a Great Day

Wow Jenn those lyrics really hit home. Living paycheck to paycheck is my way of
Life. If it werent for making tips idk how I would survive. Unfortunately living this way doesn't help my diet. Some people who think oh that means you don't eat slot which would make you lose, but while the not eating slot
Is true, losing is still not easy. I find my car in the drive through almost every night grabbing dollar burgers or 5$ pizzas . I can't wait to get out of this struggle but idk how yet.


I dont know if it counts as meditation but last night I found myself struggling to fall asleep. I shut the tv off and while laying there I felt my mind start to wonder, but I decided to turn it off too. I started taking deep breaths and
Focusing on my breathing and before I knew it I was relaxed enough to drift asleep. :-)

It is not easy living paycheck to paycheck but you can do it. Try to stay away from the drive through and weight loss will get easier. As for the meditation, you hit it. It's nice to relax like that. Take care and in time everything will fall in line. Keep your chin up

Judy - your posts always make me feel so cheery!

Had an ok day today. Not bad, but not as good as the last two. Hopefully the scale will reflect my new-and-improved effort from this week! If I see 158 - 160 again, I might just cry. Just give me a 157.8 I don't care! haha I'll take the .2! So, fingers crossed!

:flowerforyou:

CW: 158.8... kind of disappointed, but at the same time, it means my gain is finally gone.

165.2 not that happy with it but I'm just going to continue to work on it.

CW: 160.0
Thats a 3.2 pound drop from last week!! So excited 10 more pounds to go!! Anyways I am hoping its not stress, had a crazy week full of arguments, bad news, and just feeling helpless..but I have watched what I have eaten and tried to exercise and changed all the exercise! Looks like we all have had a crazy week!!

I'm happy to report that the 2lb I gained last week are already gone plus another one. Monday is my official weigh in day, so we shall see how it goes then.

I'm away for the next week at the in laws which will be a testing time - difficult to do my preferred form of exercise (30 DS) as there is nowhere with enough space except the living room and I don't really fancy doing it in front of everyone! I'm going to take it anyway and try to do it before anyone else is up if possible. I will also walk the dog 3 times a day as the kids will be too busy with granny to notice I'm not there! My problem will be the food - my mil cooks with lots of salt and lots of fat and her portion sizes are enormous! I'lll have to stop eating when my body tells me I've had enough and try and log food daily but the orange mobile signal is terrible round there - I might have to try while I'm out for my walk.

In short, I need to stay strong and work as hard as I can to stay on track. I can do it, it is only one week!

SArah

Sarah ~ You can do it!!!! Can you still log in while you are away????? Maybe focus on logging all your food...every bite..sometimes that helps me not eat because I don't want to look it up or log it in. But this is where you have to be totally honest :indifferent: You can!!!!! Good Luck :bigsmile:

Kristin ~ Are you doing OK????

Bye for real this time :laugh:

gennybunny1 and Judy thank you for the kind words. I will say that I do log everything I eat so even though it isn't always the healthiest I still log and try not to go over calories. Having a pretty good day hopping to keep it that way