A YOU Worth Fighting For | January 2016 Weight Loss & Better Living Challenge

[courtneybeth]

@JacknSally -- You can sign up until race day. Online registration will be open until 72 hours before the race?

 

[flvy]

I guess @courtneybeth and I will be here for all your race peer pressuring ermmm I mean motivational needs.

 

[CruisingKate]

What is it like to have so much snow around you? I've only seen snow once and we don't get seasons here in Southern California. I'm asking because I'm really curious - what do people do with seasons and all of that snow? Is it peaceful and nice and it appears in pictures or is it a PITA because you have to keep shoveling your drive way?

The snow is beautiful; love looking out into the back yard with all the trees snow covered. But 2 feet is about 21 inches too much! I absolutely love having 4 seasons of wonderfully varying temps; I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. We live 2 hours from the Jersey shore and 90 minutes from the Pocono mountains and truly appreciate the fun and activities each season brings. However, I'm an RN so must get to work in all this. I'm grateful for my hubby and son digging us out!

QOTD -- so appropriate, as I just sat down with a cup of tea to Dis. As a night shift worker, I love my coffee all year long. But in the winter, I enjoy tea tremendously and count on it to keep me hydrated. My water consumption falls when it's cold. I love Celestial Seasons Bengal Spice and Jammin' Lemon Ginger.

I've never tried the cabbage soup diet, but I have incorporated big pots of soup into my WW plan. I use to make an all you care to eat veggie soup from a recipe in GoodHousekeeping years ago. Since I love creamy soups, I would purée it; loved how satisfying it was.

 

[JacknSally]

@JacknSally -- You can sign up until race day. Online registration will be open until 72 hours before the race?

HMMM... OK! I will keep it in mind for sure!

 

[Zoesmama03]

Oh lookie i went on the dis on my phone. Maybe i can keep up better. It's a bit weird and i still have to keep in my limit of high speed data though.


I came across a friend that had posted a skate dancing video. I watched a few videos and was reminded of my skating days in childhood and teen years. I miss it. I will have to take my dd soon. Im a bit scared of going at my weight though. It's been probably 15 years or better. It's definitely something to work at. I used too roller blade for miles. I started on quad skates as kid. Tried blades in junior high didn't like them at first. Continued quad skating at think with friends on weekends and lived it. Later bought some inline skates for street skating.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

QOTD- I love tea- both hot and cold. as long as it is decaf. Nothing too crazy flavor wise though.

Soup is another thing I really enjoy. In S Fla it is ofter way too hot to really make it untill the cooler months. I just had some more of the homemade chix soup DH made for my cold the other day. One of my favorite is cabbage soup-it is really good. I again got the recipe from DH family restaurant. My son wants me to make it next. I love it and even make extra for my friends, but it has given my terrible acid reflux for the last year or 2 whenever I eat it so I think thats why I have been making it less often.

I am enjoying these few days of cooler weather just so i can eat more soup.

 

[JacknSally]

Sigh. January is going to be a wash for me, I can feel it. I had gotten down to 210, which was 100% of my 4-lb goal, but I don't think I'll finish there. I didn't track or walk like I had wanted/planned this month, and birthday night contained WAY more alcohol than anticipated. Our eating has been pretty abysmal all month, too. Definitely not proud of myself in the least.

Going to bed tonight feeling a weird mix of defeated and motivated. The defeated.... The Etsy thing is getting me down - not because it's harder than anticipated, because I knew it would be hard. But mainly, I guess, just that I don't really know what I'm doing as far as promoting myself, and I feel like I'm just one of the many and I don't know what I can do or create to set myself apart. Sigh. I know it could take a long time to really get things going, if it ever happens at all, so I'm really feeling the pressure - and feeling conflicted about the whole thing. DH is so incredibly supportive, though, and really wants me to put my everything into this... He's currently looking for an evening and weekend job so that I can focus on this. I feel so guilty! Ugh. But, I do have a job prospect come March, waiting tables (for the first time ever! ) at a restaurant in town that DH's aunt owns. So at least there is a glimmer of light at the end of that tunnel, and she is so supportive and awesome that I'm not really worried that it might detract from anything else. My anxiety is just through the roof at the thought of waiting tables, especially during a busy time of year.

I found a quote tonight that I really love. The second I saw it, it clicked with me. "Inhale confidence. Exhale doubt." Now it's just a matter of living it. That's where the feeling motivated comes in. DH is an amazing support system. I've got my foot in the door with an opportunity that I think could really help my Etsy turn the corner, as long as I don't mess it up. I've made a list of things I need to get done tomorrow. It's a totally doable list if I can just make myself do it. After she introduced me to croque glaces, I realized @courtneybeth knows what she's doing, so I am going to start working toward the 5K in Nashville at the end of April. I don't expect to run it at all, but I just want to get to the point where I feel comfortable even being there. I average 12-14 minutes a mile as-is, and I'm not really looking to shave any time off of that - I just don't want to feel like I'm dying by the end of it. Plus it's a good excuse to go to Nashville for the weekend!

Anyway. Thanks for letting me get all of that off of my chest!

 

[JacknSally]

QOTD for Wednesday, January 27, 2016



IT'S WEDNESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are always reasons to WOOHOO on Wednesdays, even if they aren't obvious, or aren't huge. You're now halfway through the week, and this Wednesday is extra special because it's our LAST Woohoo Wednesday of January!!

So what's got you woohooing today? Do your clothes fit a little more loosely? Did you wake up and make the bed before work today? Is the sun shining? The snow glistening? If nothing else, YOU WOKE UP TODAY, and that's a huge thing to woohoo!

Because it's our last one, I challenge everyone to find THREE reasons to woohoo today. No matter how big or how small.

If you're struggling, either with woohoos or just in general, just remember...

​

 

[flvy]

@JacknSally You got this! Just take each day as it comes.

 

[JacknSally]

QOTD for Wednesday, January 27, 2016
​

Because it's our last one, I challenge everyone to find THREE reasons to woohoo today. No matter how big or how small.
​

I'm going to spread my woohoos out throughout the day, I think. I'll start with this one, though!

Woohoo #1 - the high tomorrow is 45 degrees BUT after that, we have a WEEK of highs in the mid-60's!! Just the thought of it has me excited and motivated and ready to be productive. Spring, I know you're nearby!!

 

[JacknSally]

@JacknSally You got this! Just take each day as it comes.

Thank you! It sounds simple, but thank you for the reminder. I get so overwhelmed easily by the "big picture", and forget to break things down into bite size chunks.

 

[JacknSally]

Stumbled across this blog post just now and thought it might be a good read for the group! All about motivation, lack thereof, and staying on course when everything in you wants to do otherwise.

http://tinadegenhart.com/2016/01/25/the-struggle-of-motivation/

 

[Flossbolna]

Thanks for the nice comments yesterday! It really helps so much to have all of you as a support group!

It seems that my cold is finally on its last legs - I am planning on restarting running again either tonight or tomorrow morning. The weather has also turned to spring like weather again with highs around 50 degrees. Very good for running! Eating is still a bit of a struggle, but I am back to tracking and have managed to maintain a calory deficit (if not the planned 750 calories, but at least 500, so not too bad!).

I love having my boyfriend here and he is a great support for my weight loss (he is trying to lose weight, too), but I am finding that my spare time is vanishing a bit for things like the DIS and even for exercise since he is not a runner. But we went for a very nice one hour walk together yesterday evening, which was lovely.

I guess that could be my first woohoo, so here they are:

1) Getting out for a long walk with my boyfriend
2) managing to pack a protein snack for this afternoon (a piece of cheese, am planning on making some hard boiled eggs to bring along to work)
3) chosing the cappuccino and not the cafe latter for my after lunch coffee

 

[ohMom]

QOTD - yesterday, hot tea and soup are a staple for us during the winter. DH could eat soup all year long, but I only make it whe it's cold outside. I haven't done th cabbage soup diet, but one of our favs is what used to be called Zero Point soup which is broth, low carb veggies and shredded cabbage. I try to stick with broth based soups bc I'm always trying to lose .....

Woo hoo wed - this week has been a bit of a wash for me, I'm fighting sinus crud still and feeling too "low" to workout, that's a term used to describe how you feel when your cortisol levels are low due to illness, stress, etc. I know a wo would put me over the edge, I'm barely getting anything done and I don't need to zap my energy for the reaminder of the day, so I think I'll take the dog to the dog park and stroll a bit later....so woo hoo the park

All your running chatting is inspiring! I miss my half marathons days, my body just can't do it anymore sadly

 

[Lady Marie]

Stumbled across this blog post just now and thought it might be a good read for the group! All about motivation, lack thereof, and staying on course when everything in you wants to do otherwise.

http://tinadegenhart.com/2016/01/25/the-struggle-of-motivation/

Thank you so much for sharing this! I need sooo much help in the motivation department so this was so fitting.

As for my woohoos this week:

1) Just finished inputting our spending for the month in our budget, and our grocery budget is down significantly from using Blue Apron and sticking to a meal plan this month! I can't believe it.... I guess I was wasting a lot of money on meals that never got cooked bc we would be lazy and go out instead.... and I know I cut us back on snacks that I shouldn't have been eating anyway.

2) The scales started forgiving me this morning for our Disney indulgences this past weekend. I'm not down to where I was before we left yet, but we are going the right direction now!

3) DH finished his birthday cake last night (proud to say I only had one piece on the actual day and didn't touch the leftovers-- an incredible first for me!) and so we are now a cake-free, temptation-free household!!!

 

[pjlla]

The snow is beautiful; love looking out into the back yard with all the trees snow covered. But 2 feet is about 21 inches too much! I absolutely love having 4 seasons of wonderfully varying temps; I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. We live 2 hours from the Jersey shore and 90 minutes from the Pocono mountains and truly appreciate the fun and activities each season brings. However, I'm an RN so must get to work in all this. I'm grateful for my hubby and son digging us out!

QOTD -- so appropriate, as I just sat down with a cup of tea to Dis. As a night shift worker, I love my coffee all year long. But in the winter, I enjoy tea tremendously and count on it to keep me hydrated. My water consumption falls when it's cold. I love Celestial Seasons Bengal Spice and Jammin' Lemon Ginger.

I've never tried the cabbage soup diet, but I have incorporated big pots of soup into my WW plan. I use to make an all you care to eat veggie soup from a recipe in GoodHousekeeping years ago. Since I love creamy soups, I would purée it; loved how satisfying it was.

Bengal Spice is a favorite of my DH but I haven't been able to find it lately so I was thinking that maybe they didn't make it any more. I guess I'll have to look harder!

Sigh. January is going to be a wash for me, I can feel it. I had gotten down to 210, which was 100% of my 4-lb goal, but I don't think I'll finish there. I didn't track or walk like I had wanted/planned this month, and birthday night contained WAY more alcohol than anticipated. Our eating has been pretty abysmal all month, too. Definitely not proud of myself in the least.

Going to bed tonight feeling a weird mix of defeated and motivated. The defeated.... The Etsy thing is getting me down - not because it's harder than anticipated, because I knew it would be hard. But mainly, I guess, just that I don't really know what I'm doing as far as promoting myself, and I feel like I'm just one of the many and I don't know what I can do or create to set myself apart. Sigh. I know it could take a long time to really get things going, if it ever happens at all, so I'm really feeling the pressure - and feeling conflicted about the whole thing. DH is so incredibly supportive, though, and really wants me to put my everything into this... He's currently looking for an evening and weekend job so that I can focus on this. I feel so guilty! Ugh. But, I do have a job prospect come March, waiting tables (for the first time ever! ) at a restaurant in town that DH's aunt owns. So at least there is a glimmer of light at the end of that tunnel, and she is so supportive and awesome that I'm not really worried that it might detract from anything else. My anxiety is just through the roof at the thought of waiting tables, especially during a busy time of year.

Social media, social media, social media!!! That seems to be the way to go these days with a small business. I've been doing some reading and even have a Pinterest board about my "WW business" because essentially that is what I have ..... a small business. I am pretty much responsible for EVERYTHING within my meeting.... ordering supplies, ordering products, set-up, break-down, local advertising (I suck at that), staffing, etc. I've never actually gone directly to Etsy to see something.... it is always something I see through a FB link or a Pinterest link. And obviously look for Disney-related groups to advertise in. I know that the "You know you're a Disney addict" FB group doesn't allow advertising or outside links, but there are definitely some out there that do! Advertise in your local FB yard sale groups (most of my local groups allow local folks to advertise their craft businesses regularly or they have a "small business Saturday" policy). And SO many of your items would be beautiful for wedding/shower gifts, perhaps you could advertise or have a table at a local wedding expo (there are lots of those in the spring!!). I'm actually approaching my boss about having a WW table at a local women's expo AND a local wedding expo.... not to discriminate against men, but we KNOW that a big population of our members are women and SO MANY women are motivated to lose weight for their weddings (been there, done that!!).

BTW, I actually found waiting tables to be kind of FUN! Sure, stressful at times, but fun! You are usually BUSY, BUSY, BUSY so the shift goes by quickly, and it is one of the few jobs out there where the harder you work, the more you (usually) make! I used to set myself goals to hit a certain number every night by upselling and giving OUTSTANDING service whenever I could. Yes, sometimes you get jerks who don't tip well no matter HOW good the service is.... but usually the good folks outweigh that. Plus it is a great ACTIVE job.... you can definitely burn some calories!

I found a quote tonight that I really love. The second I saw it, it clicked with me. "Inhale confidence. Exhale doubt." Now it's just a matter of living it. That's where the feeling motivated comes in. DH is an amazing support system. I've got my foot in the door with an opportunity that I think could really help my Etsy turn the corner, as long as I don't mess it up. I've made a list of things I need to get done tomorrow. It's a totally doable list if I can just make myself do it. After she introduced me to croque glaces, I realized @courtneybeth knows what she's doing, so I am going to start working toward the 5K in Nashville at the end of April. I don't expect to run it at all, but I just want to get to the point where I feel comfortable even being there. I average 12-14 minutes a mile as-is, and I'm not really looking to shave any time off of that - I just don't want to feel like I'm dying by the end of it. Plus it's a good excuse to go to Nashville for the weekend!

Anyway. Thanks for letting me get all of that off of my chest!

Please expand this quote to see my other comments. So proud of you for making the decision about the 5K!!!

QOTD for Wednesday, January 27, 2016

IT'S WEDNESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are always reasons to WOOHOO on Wednesdays, even if they aren't obvious, or aren't huge. You're now halfway through the week, and this Wednesday is extra special because it's our LAST Woohoo Wednesday of January!!

So what's got you woohooing today? Do your clothes fit a little more loosely? Did you wake up and make the bed before work today? Is the sun shining? The snow glistening? If nothing else, YOU WOKE UP TODAY, and that's a huge thing to woohoo!

Because it's our last one, I challenge everyone to find THREE reasons to woohoo today. No matter how big or how small.

If you're struggling, either with woohoos or just in general, just remember...​

AMEN about woohooing for just WAKING UP!! Because the alternative is I keep trying to remind my WW members who don't want to celebrate (either because they didn't lose or only lost a bit) that they need to celebrate just COMING TO the meeting!! It is far too easy to skip meeting when you don't think the scale will be kind..... so just COMING OUT and GETTING ON the scale is a reason to woohoo!!

Anyhow...... woohoo #1 for me is kind of a mixed woohoo/blah feeling. I am not working today..... so WOOHOO on a day at home to get stuff done.... but blah about the chunk of the paycheck that will be missing.... but that's the life of a sub, right??

Woohoo #2..... my new position at WW as a 24/7 Expert Chat coach! I'm already really happy about the training I've done.... in fact, I'm going to write to one of our "big wigs" about having ALL leaders do one part of the training.... I found it SO inspiring and helpful!

Woohoo #3..... the weather is approaching 40°F with some sun, so I was able to get a load of laundry onto the clothesline. It may sound silly, but the NH electric rates are some of the highest in the country and our bills are crazy in the winter between the hot tub, having more lights on, using the oven instead of the grill, and having to use the dryer more. So any chance I get to use the clothesline I will!!

I'm going to spread my woohoos out throughout the day, I think. I'll start with this one, though!

Woohoo #1 - the high tomorrow is 45 degrees BUT after that, we have a WEEK of highs in the mid-60's!! Just the thought of it has me excited and motivated and ready to be productive. Spring, I know you're nearby!!

I'm chuckling because your " " temperature is my "" temperature!! It guess it is just a matter of perspective. It was 36° when I went outside to hang my laundry and I didn't even wear a jacket!

****************************

Hey friends! As I mentioned above, I'm HOME today! It is a mixed blessing, of course, because the money is ALWAYS needed. But I will have a chance to earn some money with my WW job today, so it isn't a total loss.

I had a really unusual moment over breakfast this morning.... absolutely NOTHING was appealing to me. Usually I make a quick decision (partially based on how much time I have) between egg whites, yogurt, or oatmeal.... but today I just couldn't get interested in anything like that. I started thinking about what I would pick if I were at a breakfast buffet and had anything available and the only thing I could even get excited about was a fruit salad. I was hungry, but...... anyhow, I finally settled on a smoothie.... a little sweeter and with more fruit than usual because that is what I was craving.... almond milk, protein powder, banana, strawberry, peach.... and it HIT the spot! Glad I listened to my body and went with the fruit! And since I ate a bit later than usual I think I'll make it to lunch without getting hungry.

Off to be productive! BBL to chat.....................P

 

[dsnyfn1022]

QOTD for Wednesday, January 27, 2016



IT'S WEDNESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are always reasons to WOOHOO on Wednesdays, even if they aren't obvious, or aren't huge. You're now halfway through the week, and this Wednesday is extra special because it's our LAST Woohoo Wednesday of January!!

So what's got you woohooing today? Do your clothes fit a little more loosely? Did you wake up and make the bed before work today? Is the sun shining? The snow glistening? If nothing else, YOU WOKE UP TODAY, and that's a huge thing to woohoo!

Because it's our last one, I challenge everyone to find THREE reasons to woohoo today. No matter how big or how small.

If you're struggling, either with woohoos or just in general, just remember...

View attachment 147738 ​

Woohoo #1 - I'm actually excited about tonight's run! I've done some evaluating and now I have the motivation to do longer runs on the weekends (because running for 1-1.5 hours on Monday evening just super sucks) so I'm just super happy with my training plan right now.

This leads me into Woohoo #2 - we've officially signed up for our first race of the season! It's a 4 mile run that my DH did last year and I sat out on the sidelines because I was too out of shape to even attempt it. This year I'm ready for it because I'm regularly running that distance or longer! It stinks because there's no bling and I like to run races for the bling and the glory. But I'll take the t-shirt and the satisfaction of knowing how far I've come.

Woohoo #3 - As of last Saturday my BMI was at 30.8 which means I'm flirting with just being overweight! That feels pretty great because 2 months ago that number seemed so far away. I'm still about 5.5 pounds away from that goal so hopefully by the end of next month I'll be there!

 

[chasingthtdream08]

QOTD-

My three woo-hoos for today!

1. Got on the scale this morning and lost 5 POUNDS!!!!! OMG! Such great motivation when you see that number!
2. Tax refund was just deposited into my account this morning which means I can pay off my furniture finally! And get a haircut/highlight! And buy my flight to Orlando for a quick weekend getaway in April!
3. Lunch today at a farm to table restaurant for a work birthday! Looking forward to that Egg White Florentine Omelette!

 

[bigsis1970]

,

QOTD for Tuesday, January 26, 2016

View attachment 147500

Did you know that January is Hot Tea Month?

I am not a tea drinker at all, with the exception of Lipton's Diet Citrus Green Tea (the cold kind).... Oh, and Chai Tea Lattes are my go-to at Starbucks, so I guess that counts! Being from the south, I'm basically the black sheep of my born-drinking-sweet-tea friends and family, haha. Are you a big tea drinker? What are some of your favorite teas? Do you find that any which tote having special powers really work for that purpose - such as chamomile being relaxing, green tea aiding in weight loss, etc.


Bonus - January is also Soup Month, and boy can I eat some potato soup! Do you have a favorite soup? Have you ever tried one of those crazy detox diets, like the cabbage soup diet?​

Love tea both hot (Earl Grey, English Breakfast) and cold (Sweet is yum but... diet with lemon is good too) and my FAVE soup is my Faux Zuppa made with cauliflower instead of potatoes.. altho I do also love plain and basic homemade chicken noodle/rice soup with a good broth, chicken and the carb (no veggies or spices LOL)

Forgot to mention that today I am officially the PARENT of two ADULTS! How did this happen? Am I really that old? How can I be that old when in my head I am still 30 !!?? Yup, my youngest, my DS, turns 18 today. He was born on the side of the road here in our small town 18 years ago today..... I didn't make it to the hospital. But fortunately DH did have the foresight to call the town PD along the way (thank goodness we were some of the first folks with real cell phones in our area) who arranged for me to meet an ambulance along the way.... otherwise he would have been born in the back of our Saab! I wasn't even in the ambulance for 3 miles before they had to pull over and he made his appearance! Always makes for a nice story on his birthday. Wish I had time to meet him at the "spot" for a picture today! Maybe I'll ask DH to do it for me on their way to robotics....................P

Happy Birthday to your DS and congrats on the two adults! I too fit that mold and wonder what the heck are your sure they are grown ups! LOL

QOTD for Wednesday, January 27, 2016



IT'S WEDNESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are always reasons to WOOHOO on Wednesdays, even if they aren't obvious, or aren't huge. You're now halfway through the week, and this Wednesday is extra special because it's our LAST Woohoo Wednesday of January!!

So what's got you woohooing today? Do your clothes fit a little more loosely? Did you wake up and make the bed before work today? Is the sun shining? The snow glistening? If nothing else, YOU WOKE UP TODAY, and that's a huge thing to woohoo!

Because it's our last one, I challenge everyone to find THREE reasons to woohoo today. No matter how big or how small.

If you're struggling, either with woohoos or just in general, just remember...

View attachment 147738 ​

Ok so my WooHoo is that when I went to the Dr today for my diabetes check up (which I wont have the results for a few days) he was very excited to see my weight was down (May2015 180.4 to today 172.2) 8 pounds!! I was happy because since my WI at WW on Sat I'm down 1.3 !!! YIPPEE.. I have my fingers crossed that my A1C is down from 8.4 (normal is under 6 I think) but we'll see.. I also had my hip xrayed.. while it wasn't bothering me today - YAY -- it does bother me a lot of days and it bothers me at night every night (so I take Tylenol PM) .. so my Dr ordered the xray to see what is going on.. maybe it is just bursitis like he told me last spring but maybe it's something else .. I hope I know something by Friday..

HUGS to all the friends out there needing them.. KUDOS to all the runners! echoing everyone else who says AMAZING!! and YAY to all the peeps WOOHOO ing today!!! Michelle

 

[5xdisneyfans]

QOTD for Wednesday, January 27, 2016



IT'S WEDNESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are always reasons to WOOHOO on Wednesdays, even if they aren't obvious, or aren't huge. You're now halfway through the week, and this Wednesday is extra special because it's our LAST Woohoo Wednesday of January!!

So what's got you woohooing today? Do your clothes fit a little more loosely? Did you wake up and make the bed before work today? Is the sun shining? The snow glistening? If nothing else, YOU WOKE UP TODAY, and that's a huge thing to woohoo!

Because it's our last one, I challenge everyone to find THREE reasons to woohoo today. No matter how big or how small.

If you're struggling, either with woohoos or just in general, just remember...

View attachment 147738 ​

@JacknSally you have been a great motivator and leader on here. You may not have had your best month on the scale but you have been great on here. Thank you. You will have a killer February


Woohoo Wednesday are always hard for me since I am never woohoo about myself. #1 even if I have not been very balanced with my food I have used MFP everyday and stayed with in my calories for the day. #2 I have been sticking to my walking schedule even with winter and physical struggles. #3 Didn't give up when i usually would have due to stress and not being perfect with my eating.


I walked 4.4k in the mall today since it rained yesterday and was below zero this morning. Didn't want to wipe out.

53.1k/40k goal for this month