Hardcore. Passionate, dedicated, focused. Willing to take risks. Willing to fail. Knowing that failing is a natural part of pursuing your vision. Embracing your failures and growing from them physically, mentally and spiritually as much as you do from your victories. Hardcore, I’ll buy that.
romani, as someone with two chronic illnesses, I can tell you it’s a long, hard slog. The mind may be willing, but the bod says No. It took me three years to lose 100 lbs, and at nearly five years since I started this trek it is STILL a challenge every day. I thought habits would be ingrained, exercise would be easier, that the motivation to stay alive would be enough to keep it going. I’m up almost 20 lbs and am freaking out.
I don’t know that I have peppy things to tell you, but I know the struggle and I know you are doing what you can. I get it. Work on the medical part first. Walk as you can. Let Mr. R be there for you.
And I know others of you here get it, too, so while I will never run a 5k, y’all still inspire me. And that’s why I’m here.
Set yourself really small and achievable goals, romani. That is why Couchto5K worked for me, because it was so doable - I could run for a minute, walk for a minute, etc. instead of feeling I had to go run 3.1 miles off the bat. I think your Fitbit goal is a nice one. Maybe even alternate if it’s too much for you right now - 3,000 steps one day, 5,000 the next, back to 3,000, or whatever til you build up more stamina and learn how to deal with this. Best of luck!
Thank you all :).
It’s just been a frustrating few weeks and like I’ve said, I’m really impatient.
I logically know it is going to take a long, long time but I’m just in that early frustration stage. Heck, I’m still in the setting up introductory appointments stage so I know I’m going to be “stuck” for a while.
I think I’m just getting used to my new “normal.” It actually almost feels like mourning or grief or something similar.
Plus, I watched my mom go through this and it took her about as long to lose her weight as you, CD (and nearly 10 years later she’s still not down to where she really wants to be).
Both Mr R and my roommate have been wonderful. The dog is not so understanding 
You need a hardcore attitude if you want to keep the weight off.
Enabling folks isn’t going to do it. If you can’t deny yourself calories—you won’t lose weight. If you don’t make time to exercise—you won’t lose weight. There aren’t any shortcuts.
I see folks reading while working out who think are increasing their productivity. If you can read while exercising, you are not elevating the heart rate high enough. It is such a colossal waste of time.
One of the major reasons I’m hardcore is I’m hoping to meet up with many of these fellow hardcore folks at their 100 year old birthday parties 30-50 years from now!
“You’re not hardcore, unless you live hardcore”
I had a terrible weekend foodwise. Combination of things but I am more aware of that then I used to be. I am getting back on track.
As for the FitBit counting the stairs, D reports that her FitBit went “nuts” during the blizzard (she lives in Brooklyn). FitBit told her she walked up 29 flights of steps one day - she had never left her apartment which has no stairs! This did not happen with mine.
We have ice and snow outside (not a lot- but definitely not OK for me footing-wise) so I managed 4 miles this am on the treadmill watching the boring election stuff and snow reports.
romani, while its tough not to do, resist the temptation to compare yourself to the you of years ago. I think we all fall into that trap from time to time and it’s usually a pointless endeavor. (I did last night while trying an old body weight exercise that I haven’t done in 28 years. Compared to 28 years ago,less than stellar results, lol.) We all change as we age and as life throws us curves. What’s important is who you are today, the goals you set today that are relevant to today’s you and the efforts you make to achieve those goals. In the fitness training world, there is an acronym for goal setting: SMART - specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound. While I normally tend to cringe at cutesy labels, the concepts are so on point. By applying these concepts, we can all find measures of success that we can achieve and will find rewarding. We all start at a different place and all are on a very personalized fitness journey. Despite the challenges you face, you are making the effort and commitment to yourself. As others have said, take it in small increments, set SMART goals for yourself and you will make noticeable progress. (And my relative “failure” last night in absolute terms was actually pretty good given who I am today and has given me a new goal to set my sights on incrementally. 
)
Alrighty people, for those who celebrate it’s Fat Tuesday.
Someone in the office brought in an enormous box of paczki - mind you, there are only 5-6 of us in this office! I’m sort of the worst Polish person ever - not really a fan of paczki (now, give me a chocolate covered cream filled donut…) Sitting at my desk with my soft egg and clementine for the moment…
Stay strong, abasket
FallGirl, Fitbit has an altimeter which measures height by drop in atmospheric pressure. When the weather is stormy, atmospheric pressure can change rapidly, so no wonder it registered stair climb! The good thing, such stuff can be deleted in the Dashboard.
Made my 10,000 steps yesterday. Probably more, because when I carry my heavy bag in the fitbitted hand, it does not always measure steps.
When I ran a marathon in November, my Fitbit gave me credit for 244 floors that day and it was a very flat course! I think with the way I hold my arms and pump while running it must pick up pressure changes that it counts as floors. So I don’t put too much stock in the absolute number of floors, but it’s fun to see what it shows.
I have noticed that I tend to carry everything possible in my non-Fitbit hand to keep my Fitbit hand free to move normally. I must look ridiculous sometimes. But, yeah, I’m obsessed.
I checked the map - the elevation I climb during my daily treck is about 250 ft. The weather was calm, no wind gusts, no rapid change in pressure due to an upcoming storm, so the data from yesterday was fairly reliable. I like that the Dashboard allows the user to delete questionable data.
Raise your hand if you love toast + avocados!!! These combinations on a piece of Ezekiel bread = to me, an amazing breakfast or lunch!!!
http://www.thekitchn.com/11-easy-ways-to-fancy-up-your-avocado-toast-219143
Did 20 minutes on the treadmill and then Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. Kicked my butt. I am not flexible.
Trying to resist the paczki also Abasket!
Weight training in the books - I am proud to report that I have increased the weights I hold when I do a particular exercise (start in squatting position, left foot on Bosu, right foot on floor, step up onto the Bosu and lift weights above my head like a cheerleader, then squat back down - it is an MNK-approved functional move so you know it’s good!).
I can resist paczki and stuff like that - but I couldn’t resist the this-week-only-for-Valentines Starbucks molten hot chocolate which I am drinking now. Hot chocolate of any sort is a real weakness of mine.
After I read your post, abasket, I was driving to work in the snow and the radio host was discussing paczki. It sounds absolutely fabulous and I would not be able to resist.
I am not generally a believer is giving up things like candy or meat for Lent (I do other Lenten disciplines in my observance) but this year I think I am going to do candy and diet sodas and force myself into a discipline. I will incorporate my Lenten observances into this discipline and not just treat it like the “Januaries”. It won’t be easy.
Pizzagirl- Michael will be proud! Good work.
I am trying to get back on the healthy bandwagon and lose some weight. GIven there are 3239 pages to this thread, I will apologize if I am asking a question previously answered. I did well in the past with weight watchers, but am wondering what you all think are the best weight loss diets/food programs (not fasting as I don’t think I could) and any sources of good, low-cal recipes.
I do a good bit of cardio and did weight training up to several months ago when I pulled muscles and hope to get back to it. But it is the food that is my downfall. I know it has to come from within, but hoping for some words of wisdom from those who have BTDT. Thanks!!
@abasket, the avocado toast link is wonderful. Thank you!
We have a restaurant called First Watch (it’s a chain) that has fantastic avocado toast. They put 2 eggs on the top. I love it! They add some sea salt and some other seasonings. We love to get it for lunch. I haven’t made it (that is, asked my husband to make it) yet at home, but we’ve talked about it.