Fitness challenge

[Monica, child of God]

Is anyone interested in doing a fitness challenge after the Fast and Feast? If you have never done one on line, here is how it works:

1) The OP posts a goal like working out at least 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Working out could include anything like walking for 30 minutes, or doing fitness DVD or whatever. You don't have to go to a gym or anything.

2) People who are interested in working on the goal post on the thread and keep everyone abreast of their progress. We encourage everyone who needs it.

3) If anyone wants to post "victories" like losing inches or pounds or feeling more energetic or stronger, you can do so toward the end of the challenge.

This would be for men and women. Anyone interested?

Monica

[Monica, child of God]

This is just one challenge idea. Healthy eating challenges are an option as well like cutting saturated fat or trying to eating 5 fruits and veggies everyday.

M.

[ClementofRome]

I will even lend my word of encouragement:

I have lost 50 pounds since May. Wanna know the trick? Eat less and workout!

NO FAST FOOD (well maybe Subway occasionally)
NO FRIED FOOD
NO WHITE FOOD (white rice, sugar, white flour, potato)

Exercise (brist walk/light jog) for 1 hour, 3-4 x per week.

Started out at 254 and am now around 204.

I will join this challange because I have a few more pounds to go.

:)

[Monica, child of God]

Very cool Uncle Clem!

The great thing about doing a Fitness challenge or a healthy eating challenge is that you don't have to be overweight to join. Anyone who wants to get set on a good habit of diet and healthy eating or maintain one can join.

M.

[Khaleas]

I'll be more than happy to join! However, I won't start until hubs is gone (sometimes around the 10th next month) so if I can start a bit late then I'm game. I just realized my lower bloodpressure is slowly creeping up (still normal but it has gone up) and all I can think of is not enough exercise and some 'happily married' weight gain.
I'm still normal range weight wise but I've gained about 15 lbs in the past 2 years so I'd like to go back down to what I was for about 10 years. No need to gain weight now since I haven't even been pregnant yet...
Plus I need more self control and being 'accountable' even if it's just online might help me I think (it does with the cleaning)...

[EricTheRed]

I wish i had will power

[Tsarina]

I wish i had will power

First step: Stop drinking that "Pop".

[Greg the byzantine]

tentatively, I will be joining you. I have gone over the 230 pound mark, and I am starting to worry how this weight will affect me in the long run.

[repentant]

Clem, where do you get your carbs?

[ufonium2]

I'm in. I've been on NutriSystem for a month now (they have good vegetarian stuff, if you're ever looking for a plan that does) and have lost 16 lbs. I'm doing another month of NutriSystem, then trying to eat like a health-conscious adult (instead of an 8-year-old) on my own after that.

So that should coincide pretty closely with the end of the fast. I'm also trying to work out 5-6 times/week. I need all the help I can get.

[Theophorus]

... or trying to eating 5 fruits and veggies everyday.

M.

I eat two meals per day. (Breakfast is coffee)

5 fruits and veggies in 1 day!!!!!!! I eat that in a week. Do I have a problem? Should I join in?

[Tsarina]

I feel as if my diet is good, i just need to drink more water. What i need to do is more exercises, weight lifting probably? Mabe it won't hurt anymore if i hold a heavy book.

[kamikat]

I'll join the challenge. I'm usually good for a couple weeks, then fall off the wagon.

[Monica, child of God]

I eat two meals per day. (Breakfast is coffee)

5 fruits and veggies in 1 day!!!!!!! I eat that in a week. Do I have a problem? Should I join in?

Yes, you should join :) Perhaps we will do 2 challenges: an exercise challenge and a healthy eating challenge.

Kamikat,
I am the same way. That is why I am trying to rally support!

M.

[stivvy]

:help: We are losing wieght for a cure to cancer starting in January through February. We are looking for pledges on a per pound basis. Just as a heads up, I am looking to lose 10 - 15 pounds in the 2 months. You would be in a raffle for prizes for each dollar pledged per pound.:help:

And if I should gain then it is just your pledge.

Private Message me HERE (http://www.christianforums.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=153931) with name, address and pledge amount per pound I will lose.

GodsLittleRocker78 is in this to if you wish to Private Message her to pledge to her too. GodsLittleRocker78 Private Message (http://www.christianforums.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=161764)

[kamikat]

I have lost 50 pounds since May. Wanna know the trick? Eat less and workout!

NO FAST FOOD (well maybe Subway occasionally)
NO FRIED FOOD
NO WHITE FOOD (white rice, sugar, white flour, potato)



This is why it's going to be so hard for me. The new diet my GI doctor put me on is almost completely white foods. I feel so much better following his diet but the pounds have stopped coming off.

[Khaleas]

I never had a weight problem while I lived in Finland because you just walk everywhere. When you go into Helsinki center, you park and you walk everywhere. Here if you even go to a little strip mall you drive from one end to the other. So over the past 5 years I've turned into one comfort and food loving lazy bum. :D
My diet in itself is not bad, but I need smaller portions and at least when hubs leaves I won't be eating out as much (just getting in as much time with him as possible and cooking & cleaning just doesn't do much for that time). I make very little pre-fab as I'm just not used to it and I really need to learn to make some nice soups.
It's the exercise that gets me... lots of money down the drain with gym memberships and the whole deal with it takes a month or so to make routines doesn't hold true for me. I was working out 4 times a week a few years ago for over 6 months and it took me two days to fall off the bandwagon and not even miss it. UGH!!!

[ClementofRome]

Clem, where do you get your carbs?


Beans (mostly black beans) and whole grain breads. Whole grain tortilla shells.

Seems to work just fine for me.

[Mary of Bethany]

Monica, you would suggest this just after I *stopped* working out! :P

After the Fast and the holidays, I was planning on getting back to at least doing cardio a few times a week, so I will join in.

This has been a bad year for weight gain, even though I was working out several times a week. I don't know if I'll ever be able to lose weight again after going through menopause, but I gotta try. :doh:

Mary

[choirfiend]

I can think of some smart healthy-living choices that would be harder to keep than the fasting guidelines!!

I should jump in on this and pledge to not add salt to food, to forgo all pasta in place of quinoa and brown rice, and to drink at least 64oz. of water daily.
And I need to find the time to exercise and stretch. All the flexibility I gained last semester and the cardiovascular improvements I saw after exercising regularly are most likely gone.

[ClementofRome]

choir,

Help me with this: quinoa???

[kamikat]

quinoa is a grain that has a somewhat nutty flavor and when cooked, look a bit like kasha or maybe wheat berries or barley.

[EricTheRed]

First step: Stop drinking that "Pop".
Whats wrong with the "pop" ie Soda? All i really ever have around the house is diet and all that has is some sodium.

[choirfiend]

The carbonic acid in the soda eats away the enamel on your teeth. Diet is better than sugared, but it's still not good. Look into water.:)

[choirfiend]

Quinoa (keen-WAH) is a American grain(really a seed) similar to millet. The Incans or Mayans or such grew it. It's inCREDIBLY nutritious and also happens to be a complete protein in and of itself. There is a bitter chemical coating on teh grain that prevents birds from eating it that can be removed by rinsing well before cooking. Find it in health food stores or the bulk grain section of your grocery.

[Monica, child of God]

I am so psyched that you guys are with me on this!

M.

[Khaleas]

Yea, first the cleaning challenge and now the fitness challenge!!! COOL!!! I've been cleaning all day so hopefully the fitness challenge will make me work out too!!! :D
TAW is the greatest! I can already say that I won't be taking much of a break during Lent this spring since hubs will be gone so I'll be here to kick bums then too. If I don't hang out here a bit I'll go batty all alone.

[Tsarina]

Whats wrong with the "pop" ie Soda? All i really ever have around the house is diet and all that has is some sodium.

Everytime i see you, Eric, you're drinking that pop junk, lols. Drink water! It's free :P and it's good for you.

Pop is so acidic, i clean my toilet with it sometime and it works like a charm.

[EricTheRed]

Everytime i see you, Eric, you're drinking that pop junk, lols. Drink water! It's free :P and it's good for you.

Pop is so acidic, i clean my toilet with it sometime and it works like a charm.
BURN STOMACH BURN! :P

[Momzilla]

I'm in. I'm working on a "no-S" plan--no snacks, seconds, or sweets, except on "S" days (Saturday, Sunday, Special days). See here: http://www.nosdiet.com

But I need to work out, too.

[cobweb]

I'm in. Exercise and moderation will be my goals. I'm not very good with either.

[Khaleas]

I'm just bumping up this thread so we don't get off the wagon before we even start. I'm going to join after OC Nativity. Too much going on before then.

[Monica, child of God]

Thanks Khaleas! I've already begun working on my goals and I am feeling much better :)

M.

[Khaleas]

These are my goals/plans when I finally start.

1/ Work out 3-4 times a week for at least 30 mins (I've got to work myself up to 30 mins still - I'm in horrible shape right now) and make sure to stretch too

2/ Eat out max once a week (not counting eating at school)

3/ Switch 2/3 of the candy I eat to healthier stuff (nuts, dried fruit etc)

4/ Not snack on junk while I'm driving

5/ Eat at least 3 pieces of fruit/veggies a day (goal would be 5 but I'll start here)

6/ Eat smaller portions overall (ahem :sorry: )

I've got about 15 lbs of 'happily married' weight I could easily stand to lose, a goal that should be easily and healthily attained by summer. I think I'm going to let my priest in on this too, because not taking care of oneself is not good for spiritual health either. Knowing him, he'll be on my back every time I see him. :D
Hubs will be gone so I'll have no one else to blame either.

[Monica, child of God]

Those are great goals! Mine are:

1) Work out 3 times per week or every other day. My gym, Curves, is 3 blocks away from my job. It is a circuit workout that takes 30 minutes plus about 15 min. for stretching. I went today and it felt great!

2) Eat more fruit, veg, and whole grains.

3) Severely limit soda and juice/drink more water.

I would like to lose 30 pounds as a short term goal at a rate of about 2 lbs. per week.

But, I am trying to make the healthy eating and exercise the end in itself. Whether I am heavy or slim, I need to be doing these things. I am going to consider losing weight a side benefit.

M.

[Dewi Sant]

Here's my tip.

Walk everywhere.
It doesn't matter how far it is...half a mile, 4 miles. Think about how much time you waste watching television, you could spend walking.

Something I really love is just walking around listening to my mp3 player. Though, last Sunday, I walked to church (about 1.5 miles) and found it was shut, so walked to a friends house and back to mine, in all, I must have walked about 4 miles that day...without any breakfast.

Unfortunatly I gained a blister but that is because I walked in my leather formal shoes.

I somewhat worry about when and where my home parish meet since I contacted one of them and got no reply.

Infact, I'll send them an e-mail now.

[Khaleas]

Here's my tip.

Walk everywhere.
It doesn't matter how far it is...half a mile, 4 miles. Think about how much time you waste watching television, you could spend walking.

Something I really love is just walking around listening to my mp3 player. Though, last Sunday, I walked to church (about 1.5 miles) and found it was shut, so walked to a friends house and back to mine, in all, I must have walked about 4 miles that day...without any breakfast.

Unfortunatly I gained a blister but that is because I walked in my leather formal shoes.

I somewhat worry about when and where my home parish meet since I contacted one of them and got no reply.

Infact, I'll send them an e-mail now.
That's one of the biggest differences between Europe and the US. In Europe people walk sooo much more. Here you drive the shortest distances. Sometimes it's for safety reasons but most of the time it's laziness and the idea that we don't have the time to walk (excuses, excuses).

[kamikat]

After seeing the success that some of my in-laws have had, I'm joing Weight Watchers when I get back.

[rainbowbright]

i'm in. I've got twins plus my older two kids to lose. I also need serious help when it comes to chocolate. I'm nursing so I crave it all the time, but I also eat it when I crave it and I've gone through a whole batch of my mom's fudge and puppy chow (chex mix with chocolate and peanut butter, coated with powdered sugar). I try to go to the gym and started about 6 weeks postpartem but only went once a week and then completey fell off, although I went lkast night, but it was closed. So if anyone can help me with my chocolate addiction, I'll buy you a carrot.
Thanks for doing this Monica

[Philothei]

Wonderful idea! Would like to join you but I will have to do it next month. I am also a chocoholic with a chocoholic daughter. So I know all about it. I used to substitute it with gum. Most of the time it works if you keep a supply of them available.
I will try to make 1 hour walk a day. Like Khaleas I used to walk everywhere in Athens but now that I am back I gained more weight. I liked the Ramesses idea to walk whenever get the chance! Wish all the best in their effort. My hubby lost 60 pounds eating right and 1 hour walk a day. He still does it. Well, May God bless,

Philothei

[Monica, child of God]

After seeing the success that some of my in-laws have had, I'm joing Weight Watchers when I get back.

I'm doing WW too! This is my 3rd time on the program. I do really well for a long time, lose about 20 pounds, then something happens in my life and I fall off the wagon. It really is a great plan that stresses life-style changes, not just a fix it diet.

We'll support each other okay? I don't go to meetings. I do the online plan instead.

M.

[Edial]

Since all know that the Lutherans process their food differently, ... interesting idea.

When do we start, since I do not know when your feasts end?

Thanks, :)
Ed

[Monica, child of God]

Good question Ed. Perhaps January 15th? It will give those on the Old Calendar a bit of time to feast, but allow a month or so before Great Lent to get into a good rhythm.

Does anyone else have any thoughts?

M.

[Akathist]

This week I feast and relax then next week I start to clean out the room with the treadmill. I am thinking this year to set some big goal to walk a certain number of miles on the treadmill instead of a three times a week goal as I tend to do well for a few weeks then lose track.

In the last few months I have lost 25 pounds with no excersize at all. I just only ate when I was hungry. If I wasn't hungry even if it was a meal time, I didn't eat. I stopped eating when I was full or when the food stopped tasting as good (I learned this is a sign of pending fullness in the Weight Down diet.)

But I need some physical excersize. Cleaning house is good exercise and I have chores listed for each day of the week too.

Anyway, I am thinking of trying to walk either 360 miles or setting the bar higher and walking 500 miles.

I also have considered setting a goal of 250 miles and when I reach that I can decide at that time how much to increase it to.

I have a mini group at Sparks.com (google to find sparks) for Orthodox if someone wants to join me there. Sparks has a cool feature in that you can diary your food intake and it will look up the calories, carbs, protien and even some of the other nutrient values and keep track for you. I loved how I could do that with Weight Watchers but Sparks is totally free and gives more flexibility about how you use it.

I have not been using it lately to log my food intake but have in the past. I honestly hate putting that much focus on food during fasting times so I dropped it just prior to the Nativity fast.

[Mytheodos]

I'vw never had a weight problem. My secret? I don't drive!! Never owned a car.I use public transport.I commute to work by bike.I average about 1500 miles of cycling per year,500-600 miles of jogging,and i walk...god knows how much!! I am fortunate to live in a city with great public transportation(Montreal),And this city is truly a cycling town(Everybody cycles here!!!)
My diet? Cofee-toast in the morning,1 meal at lunch, a greek tomato salad in the evening,fresh fruit in between and some sweets here and there.I avoid all types of soda,power drinks,power bars.I just drink tap water.

Gotta go for my daily jog...and its snowing out there!!
God bless you all!!

[kamikat]

Yes, that is a good diet plan ;) When I lived in a downtown area, I was able to walk everywhere. Out in the suburbs, it's just not safe. Many of the streets in my neighborhood don't have sidewalks, which isn't safe when you walk with little kids in tow. Once both kids are in school, I do plan on doing more of my chores by bicycle. I've tried to do grocery shopping by bicycle, but the child seat goes where the baskets would go, so I couldn't carry much.

[kamikat]

I'm doing WW too! This is my 3rd time on the program. I do really well for a long time, lose about 20 pounds, then something happens in my life and I fall off the wagon. It really is a great plan that stresses life-style changes, not just a fix it diet.

We'll support each other okay? I don't go to meetings. I do the online plan instead.

M.

Why did you choose the on-line plan? I've been researching plans this week and am just curious. Someone recommending NutriSystem, but I don't think I can with the food allergies. Someone else recommended LA Weightloss, but it's too expensive. WW is the only diet plan that didn't have any negative pages when doing a google search. There is a WW center pretty close and I think the meetings would be motivating, but I do wonder if it's alot of hassle to get to them.

[Monica, child of God]

Before we go any further:

These challenges are not just for weightloss! They are for anyone who would like to get more exercise and eat better regardless of whether they are at an ideal weight or not.

Perhaps you need to built bone mass to ward off osteoporosis. Or perhaps you need to lower your cholesterol. There are myriad reasons to focus on fitness that have nothing to do with being overweight.

M.

[Monica, child of God]

Why did you choose the on-line plan? I've been researching plans this week and am just curious. Someone recommending NutriSystem, but I don't think I can with the food allergies. Someone else recommended LA Weightloss, but it's too expensive. WW is the only diet plan that didn't have any negative pages when doing a google search. There is a WW center pretty close and I think the meetings would be motivating, but I do wonder if it's alot of hassle to get to them.

Meetings are good if you have a good leader. My leaders were great but when they were away for vacation, pregnancy recovery or illness I got a taste of what it would be like to have a wacky leader. One fill-in leader forced everyone to say "Superstar!!!" ala Molly Shannon of SNL with hand motions and everything. I don't think so.

I like meetings but I just don't have time right now. I work full time and go to school part time and I have a family. Online works for me because I can look up all the tips, recipes, success stories, etc. at my own convenience. They have message boards too but I haven't gotten into them much. I log my points online at work, at home or at the university library. Plus, using the recipe builder on line is much faster than trying to figure points out with paper and pen. You just plug in the ingredients and the amounts and that's it.

If I ever get close to my goal weight I am going switch back to meetings so that I can get lifetime membership. I would love to have the option of working for WW part time for extra cash.

M.

[Monica, child of God]

One thought--

Online is easy for me because I know the plan. It is just like getting back on a bike. If you are just learning the plan, it may be easier to do so at Meetings. Also, it was helpful to have the weekly meeting as a sort of accountability check. They give little awards and stickers for lbs. lost or for NSV (non scale victories) like fitting into clothes or for exercising consistently. It may seem silly but those stickers and keychains become really meaningful.

M.

[kamikat]

Monica, help! I went to my first meeting, got the monthly card, starter kit, ect. However, it wasn't what I was expecting. There is no structure. Sure, I know how many points for the day, but the leader gave no tips on how to plan the day, how many points per meal, ect. Should each meal be 1/3 of your points? Should I be eating 5-6 small meals with the points divided up between them? Really, I was kinda looking for something a little more structured.

[ufonium2]

I forgot about this thread! Next week will make two months that I've been on NutriSystem, and I've lost 26 lbs. I'm transitioning to cooking my own food now, which is going well, but I'm not sure what the effect will be on my weight loss. I started doing Taebo a couple of weeks ago, and love it! If you've never tried it, and they have Dollar General stores where you live, you can get the VHS Basic video there now for a dollar. I highly recommend it.

Anyway, I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight, I think (wasn't big on scales before) and now I'm shooting for my before-I-met-my-husband weight. My husband eats about 4,000 calories a day and weighs 145 lbs, so you can imagine the impact dating such a person would have on a normal person's weight.

[Akathist]

Monica, help! I went to my first meeting, got the monthly card, starter kit, ect. However, it wasn't what I was expecting. There is no structure. Sure, I know how many points for the day, but the leader gave no tips on how to plan the day, how many points per meal, ect. Should each meal be 1/3 of your points? Should I be eating 5-6 small meals with the points divided up between them? Really, I was kinda looking for something a little more structured.

I strongly recommend you check out the Weight Watchers website. Their forum area has great ideas. For another very small fee on top of your regular fee for WW, there are member only resourcs on the ww website too.

Here is what I did when I did WW. I studied the points system and make up sample menu's that I wanted to eat and checked out the points. Then I just used the prefigured out menu's to plan my day. This way it was sort of like an "exchange" diet which has worked for me before too.

the other approach I used was to just carefully count my points as i went through out the day and keep in mind the need to save some for supper and an evening snack. But this didn't work as well for me as I would sometimes not have enough points left and would go over as I can't go to bed hungry and sleep. Or, I would have so many points left that I found it hard to eat enough to use them up without eating too close to bedtime.

That is when I developed the menu idea. I had 10 different breakfast, lunches, afternoon snacks, suppers and evening snacks figured out and I would plan a menu for three or four days at at time and go grocery shopping twice a week.

I also used TV dinners for times when I just didn't want to have to take the time to measure every single incredient.

If you hate to track things that carefully, WW has a different plan where you can eat from a list of food without tracking your points. It is a very low carb plan. I was able to read about it on the WW website back when I was a WW member and had that level of subscription.

[Monica, child of God]

Monica, help! I went to my first meeting, got the monthly card, starter kit, ect. However, it wasn't what I was expecting. There is no structure. Sure, I know how many points for the day, but the leader gave no tips on how to plan the day, how many points per meal, ect. Should each meal be 1/3 of your points? Should I be eating 5-6 small meals with the points divided up between them? Really, I was kinda looking for something a little more structured.

Don't panic! WW has made their plan less structured so that you can figure out what combination of foods result in the most satisfaction. Everyone is different and situations change from day to day, so people need to be able to "roll with it."

The way I "spend" my points might be very different from what you end up most comfortable with but here goes:

Breakfast: about 6-7 pts. I have to have some protein at the start of my day or I will be hungry by mid morning. A typical meal might be a few ounces of cooked tofu on an english muffin, some transfat free margarine and some fruit. Or I might grab a soy yogurt parfait (reduced calorie granola, soy yogurt and fruit) for something easy and quick.

One of the 8 healthy guidelines is to eat 5 fruits and veggies everyday. This has an added advantage of bulking up your meals with fiber which makes you feel fuller.

Lunch: about 7-8 pts. Yesterday I had baked stuffed eggplant with marinara (3pts), a slice of whole grain bread (2 pts.) with a little cashew butter (2 pts) and a cup of soy yogurt (3 pts). That worked out to 10 pts, but I was able to make it through the afternoon without a snack. If I have a smaller, lower points lunch, I will have a 2-3 pt. snack midday.

Dinner: 7-10 pts. The other day I made baked chimichangas and served it with a spinach salad (10 pts for 2 chimis, fat free dressing on the salad). Last night we had pasta tossed with veggies and shrimp which was 7.5 pts for a cup and a half.

I don't spend many points on beverages. I drink seltzer or regualar water, green tea w/o sugar and one cup of coffee in the morning.

Three main meals and a couple snacks work for me. If you are used to eating mini meals, give that a try. The best thing to do is sort of "feel" your way. Take what you would normally eat and begin to tweak it with smaller portions or by adding more veggies. Begin figuring out which meats are leaner than your usually choices, since you'll get more bang for your buck. Fish, chicken breast, ground turkey breast, etc. I switched over to reduced fat cheese and dairy to save points. Of course steaming, sauteeing with cooking spray or a little oil, baking and broiling are preffered methods of preparation.

And there will be certain things that will be important to you, idiosyncracies. For example, I eat dessert just about everyday. My usual is a snack cup of fat free pudding topped with Lite Cool Whip (2pts.) Last night I had a Tofutti Cutie ice cream sandwich (3pts). A half cup of Edy's lite ice cream is 2-3 pts. Psychologically it is just really important for me to have a little something sweet everyday before bed.

Don't be afraid to use your Flex Points if you need to or just want to. That is what they are there for.

Feel free to ask me anything or contact me via e-mail, pm or cell phone.

M.

[Monica, child of God]

Does the little booklet for the first week give you a sample meal plan and some recipes? I seem to remember that being helpful to begin with. As you go from week to week they will give you more recipes and food ideas.

And I do plan out my eating for the day in the morning. Some people fill out their points tracker the night before or in the morning and then use it as a guide to follow.

M.

[Dewi Sant]

I just weighed myself (out of boredom and curiosity) and since the last time I weighed myself, I've lost nearly a stone ?!?

was: 12st 6lb
now: 11st 7lb


weird.

I've been eating like a pig recently. Drinking plenty of coke and eating foods such as chocolate.
But, I have been walking quite a lot, and doing housework such as cleaning a well used oven. Believe me, that oven was not easy to clean, it took three going overs with industrial strength oven cleaner, in the end I resorted to iron wool and ajax (harsh abrasive). It sparkles beautifully now, though, there is a little left on the floor of the oven, but, that wouldn't take much to get off.


Am I right in thinking that sugary foods are good for you providing the energy is burnt off almost as soon as it is consumed?
I find that when doing essays, I have, absolutly have to have a bottle of coke.


I think I'll probably have some caffeine based drinks today, because I've been up since 6am and I've got a 4 hour train journey starting at 11am followed by a 1.5 hr bus journey before finally landing at university.

All that sitting around shouldn't be too bad, seeing as I will have to carry round a bag full of books, a laptop computer and a suitcase full of clothes, and icons. And, the train I'm getting is finetuned at the change...9 minutes change. Depending on what time the train lands on the platform, it can be anything from a stroll across the platform bridge to an intense aerobic excercise.

[Dewi Sant]

My standard day of food (when at home in university)

On a normal day:

Breakfast: bacon and eggs
Lunch: something small meat or fish with some form of potato. Possibly finished off with a yoghurt. Might be something like Chilli Con Carne or Chicken Korma.
Dinner: May just be fruit, may be a jacket potato with cheese and beans (depends on how hungry I am).

On a fast day:

Breakfast: Grapefruits
Lunch: Spaghetti Neopolitan. Fruits.
Dinner: Fruits and bread. When it comes to bread, I always buy the really posh stuff, with the special seeds and the soft edges. I believe a bread should be good enough to eat on its own.
Supper may be kiwi fruits (oh how I love kiwi fruits) and more of that beautiful bread.


To drink: generally plain water, though, the water at university isn't very nice, so I add a little cordial.




mmmmmmm, grapefruits!
Can't wait till I'm back at college on my normal diet.
My friends think I'm mad eating grapefruits, and even more mad when I'll be finishing off a loaf of bread I only just bought that morning.
But one of the advantages of my diet is that it only costs me £16 a week...sometimes I push it up to £20 when I buy a bottle of Merlot, though, a bottle of wine lasts me a good fortnight.

[Dewi Sant]

Would you look at that! It's 9:25am, I need to be in town, buy a ticket and catch the train for 11am, so, I better go now.

Seeing as I need to stay up till like 5pm without stops for food, I think I'm going to get a takeaway from McDonald's to eat on the train.


Now to change my clothes, close my suitcase and leave this house for my trek back to uni.

[Monica, child of God]

Reading your English makes me smile :)

M.

[rainbowbright]

I have some good weight-loss news!! I have lost 40 lbs since having my twins,just another 40 and I'll be back to my pre-twin pregnancy size. I know the nursing is really helping. Then I have to go through my other two pregnancies and then I'll be about where I was when I got married.

[kamikat]

Ok, I was able to take some more time to read through all the materials. I went through some of my usual foods and wrote their point count on the box, bag or whatever. That really helped. I've been kinda surpised at some things, ie my frozen waffles have less points than my sandwhich bread, sugar-free pudding is 2points, while fat-free pudding is 1 point. I got a couple frozen meals for when I don't want to count and I got a kitchen scale, which has been VERY handy. I've already lost half a pound, which doesn't sound like much, but every bit counts.

[AJB4]

Drink more water! I've been drinking loads lately. The benefits are enormous. It also helps your appearance (healthier-looking skin). It's helping to clear up my, um, pimples. LOL :D

[Greg the byzantine]

I wanted to post my goals here. I started this on the 1st of the month.

My goals are:

1. No snacks between meals (really useless calories)

2. No liquid calories so no juice, soda, coffee, tea, or anything of the sort. Basically just water.

3. Portion Control. I tend to eat anything that's put in front of me and clear my plate. So I am trying to cut back on how much I eat.


So far I have been following my plan. I'm going to weigh myself on Monday which will be one week since I started.

[AJB4]

I wanted to post my goals here. I started this on the 1st of the month.

My goals are:

1. No snacks between meals (really useless calories)

2. No liquid calories so no juice, soda, coffee, tea, or anything of the sort. Basically just water.

3. Portion Control. I tend to eat anything that's put in front of me and clear my plate. So I am trying to cut back on how much I eat.


So far I have been following my plan. I'm going to weigh myself on Monday which will be one week since I started.
I only weigh 60kg (132 pounds), which is a healthy weight for a 15 year old male, and I can pretty much eat whatever I want and still maintain that weight, so I'm not going to diet. My only goal is to drink more water. Right now I'm drinking about 6 glasses a day.

[ufonium2]

Okay, I had some cool weirdness at work today. I teach at night, and I'm basically the only person in my department who does, so I go weeks without seeing my colleagues or my boss sometimes. This, combined with Christmas break, means I haven't seen most of the people at work since early November, when I started trying to get in shape. I was on campus during the day to get some paperwork turned in, and of the three colleagues I ran into, two of them made awkward comments about my weight loss. I've never had a problem acknowledging that someone has lost weight or telling them they look good, because I guess it never occurred to me that anyone would take that to mean that they were overweight or looked bad before (I'm a little socially dense).

But today I got one, "You look different? You did something. It looks nice." (from a colleague for whom English is a third language, so some awkwardness is expected) and one "You look good, and happy. You've...must be chasing that kid a lot."

I think I get some kind of perverse joy out of making others feel as awkward as I always feel socially, but a big part of my current happy dance is that my weight loss is dramatic enough that people notice :)

[Khaleas]

Congrats! That's awesome work! :thumbsup:
Today and tomorrow are my last days of junky food and couch potatoism. Then I'm slowly going to ease into eating better and working out (gotta kick this cold too so I can breathe).