<p>Worknprogress … Congrats on avoiding the vending machine. And the Coke. Maybe you can give yourself the goal of no vending machine for 5 days straight equals an extra special treat, like a really good glass of wine or a pedicure?</p>
<p>I cheated yesterday … I had a glass of wine and I had not consumed my required water ahead of time. For punishment, I have to deal with a blizzard and all the shoveling that is entailed with that.</p>
<p>Snowflake – yes! What is an empty nester to do? – in my case, an almost empty nester. In my case, we moved from Cali to snow country, and I’m getting used to it again after not experiencing winter for about 30 years. Maybe next year I’ll get the skis – it looks fun. This year, though, I was too chicken to do anything that would require being outside for any length of time – too afraid of freezing to death.</p>
<p>One motivating factor. The people in my new neighborhood are all sort of skinny. And nice.They call it <em>Minnesota nice.</em> My 14 year old and agree that we both feel like maybe we are not nice enough to live here, LOL. Lots to live up to here. 
</p>
<p>I’m getting ready for my trip. I had hoped to be lighter, but hey, I did lose a little. </p>
<p>Also, reading a fascinating book “The Power of Habit.” It is both a little scary, and hopeful at the same time. I have been wondering lately about why my hands do things that my brain seems not to be aware of. One example, putting keys down, or in pockets (always looking for my keys), but more than that. If there is a container holding a beverage nearby, or a bag of crunchy things next to me, they seem to empty themselves into my body without me even realizing. This is esp. true in the car. Now, reading this book, I am understanding what is going on, at least a little. Awareness is a start.</p>
<p>^^^ Ugh! That’s a harsh punishment!!!</p>
<p>Remember if you plan out your calories and your exercise you can still have those “treats” - the glass of wine, can (or 1/2 can) of Coke, the frosting on one cupcake (that would be MY treat!)- you just got to PLAN for it within your day!!!</p>
<p>I am trying to not only lose ten lbs, but I HAVE to lower my cholesterol.
It is pretty frustrating when my H who smokes cigarettes, who has donuts for breakfast & a hamburger for lunch, has cholesterol 100mg LOWER than I do ( I am practically a vegetarian already + I do aerobic exercise 4 times aweek & eat better than he does)</p>
<p>( His BMI is also 20.4)
I appreciate his six-pack, but life is so unfair</p>
<p>SnowflakeVt- I am glad you are sticking around in the Cafe. I am a WLFD member who has all my kids launched into college and beyond. I came to CC years ago when my oldest was starting the search and my youngest is a freshman. I find myself mainly in the Cafe these days. I find myself in a similar place. Still wrapping my mind around what do I want to do. I like the border collie idea.
Mstee- I will look for that book.
Emeraldkity- I feel for you. H has a 6 pack but he is a healthy eater and obsessive exerciser. It is frustrating to live with someone who seems to have no problem with self control.
Workinprogress- hope your senior mends quickly. Great job staying away from the vending machine.</p>
<p>H actually *has *a problem with self control.
He is an alcoholic, although he went through treatment & doesn’t drink any longer.
If there was alcohol left on the table he would drink it. Same with anything. if there is ice cream he will eat it, coffee left/ he will drink it & whatever there is to smoke, he will smoke it…
( I bring up coffee because it is $10-12lb and he goes through it fast! -I originally fell in love with him because I envied that ability to indulge himself, I was big on self denial)</p>
<p>He just has a fairly active job & a robust metabolism.</p>
<p>I have been lurking here for a while.</p>
<p>I have 14 months until my daughter gets married. Imagining what the album will look like with my present self is motivating me (finally) to get with the program. 2 weeks in, 4 pounds down, with at least 20 more to go.</p>
<p>Myfitnesspal.com is helping me “pay attention.” With better weather coming (eventually!!) I hope to start walking most evenings.</p>
<p>Has anyone tried hypnosis to buck up the will power? I know someone who does it “professionally.”</p>
<p>Prozack, we will help you look awesome for your wedding! 4 pounds down … Wow, keep up the great work.</p>
<p>3 simple tips:</p>
<p>1) record what you eat (MyFitnessPal is one several people seem to like)
2) don’t get discouraged if you fall off the healthy wagon, we are here to pull you back on it
3) find an exercise you can enjoy for each season!</p>
<p>I was able to cross country ski tonight in the new snow … Check! Exercise complete and much better mood.</p>
<p>Great job Snowflake!</p>
<p>I made it to the gym today. I was talking to a friend who said that she started driving to the gym and turned around and went home. I know that feeling! Glad I kept going in the right direction today.</p>
<p>Started Atkins induction (again) 3 weeks ago, and exercise 6 days a week. The dietary thing is only somewhat challenging, but exercise is a killer. 40 something, fat, out of shape, 3 kids later, a commuter with only 3 waking hours at home each night. Bleh. But I’m determined to put in 30 min. of something every night but Tuesday. Lost 8 lbs. so far.</p>
<p>I started physical therapy again. The exercises seems pretty pathetic, a partial squat on one leg while balancing with the other foot. Sitting in a chair and straightening my leg out while pulling back on my tibia with a pt band.</p>
<p>The funniest one to me involved lying on my back on a long half circle with my arms on my chest and my legs bent. The exercise was to lift one knee at a time. One side was fine, but with the other side I keep rolling over!</p>
<p>I also added the weeks activities to my everymove app, which I know will make my youngest daughter happy. ( she sends me messages of encouragement and she also keeps track of her own workouts- she doesnt have any weight to lose, but she has been training for a marathon)</p>
<p>Wow Cromette, that’s impressive! And exercise 6 nights a week - make sure you’re not too sore!!!</p>
<p>wow Cromette … you are hard core … keep up the momentum. With that regimen of Atkins and 6 days a week of exercise you will be a lean machine in no time. Impressive.</p>
<p>Go, Cromette!</p>
<p>I have found that having the treadmill in my house has made a huge difference. I actually like using it, so removing the inconvenience barrier was key. I think I’m down about 9 lbs since Feb 11th.</p>
<p>Failed shopping day. Went to get cargo shorts. When I wore a size 36, piles and piles to choose from. Size 30 not so much.</p>
<p>Shorts?
Brr!
Look online @ REI.</p>
<p>But emerald, today is the first day of spring. Weather here has been great, did a long bike ride last week and actually got a bit sunburned.</p>
<p>I lost .2 lbs. this week. Hmmm. It is going to take a while to get skinny . . .</p>
<p>Okay, time to check in. How is everyone doing? </p>
<p>In the Northeast here I am moving from cross country skiing towards other outdoor fun, which is walking now and eventually jogging, if my plan goes right.</p>
<p>On the food front … I’m committing this week to avoid sugary treats, as I don’t know how to stop once I eat one, and that way I steer all of my eating towards fruits/veggies and lean proteins. I’ve slacked off my good water habit, so am also more closely watching my water drinking (need to get 64 oz a day … that is still a challenge).</p>
<p>My pants are still looser and I found some lighter weight pants in my closet from 2-3 years ago that fit now and look like new. Score!</p>
<p>Thanks for the bump, Snowflake! Yay on the pants! DS was here for seders and DH’s birthday and I finally convinced him to look at stuff in his closet for giveaway. Turns out two of the sweaters fit me. I can also get into his old pants, which is a hoot.</p>
<p>Still have a pound or so from the cruise to drop and Passover isn’t helping. Mmm mmm matzoh and butter. Oddly enough I gained 1.3 pounds from our seder but lost .7 the next night at SIL’s. I’m just sayin’… ;)</p>