21 Day Challenge

Okay so it is confession time.  I have been doing good on not snacking and dessert, except for some really good hot chocolate last night.  I am eating big meals and skipping meals to make up for that, which I know is not the healthiest way to go.  I need to work on healthy eating habits, like smaller meals more often.  That way I won’t get starving.  I have walked this week, but I have not put in the effort that I need to in order to get fit.  I have decided to sit down and plan my weekly exercise time and routine.  I do much better if I have a plan. 

I pulled out my weight watchers folder that I used about 10 years ago and I had a picture of me when I was my heaviest.  I was amazed how big I was.  It was definitely motivation for me to make sure I don’t gain any more weight and that I lose about 5-10lbs.

This is definitely work in progress.  I know at my age this is all very important and I know I can do it.

Donna S. - 12 June 2009 11:25 AM

Miles - 10 June 2009 03:11 PM

Writing things down seems to bring an amount of accountability to things, so thats a great idea. Another thing you can do is right it on a wall calendar and cross thru the days as you complete each days exercises and after a few days you can look at the calendar and see all the check marks and have a real sense of accomplishment.

Hi Miles,

You’re more of an inspiration that you realize. I’ve recently been unpacking a box of journals from the 1980s and 1990s. I struggled with some of the same issues then as I do now, but found success in writing down what I ate and counting calories. I’ve been avoiding this, but after seeing your success, I think that’s the direction I’m heading again.

Donna

I dont know how much of an inspiration I am but I know it helps to have people sharing their thoughts, and helping each other over rough spots because there will be rough spots. Im just happy to be able to be here and make this journey to health together.

Well I saw my doctor this morning for a checkup my blood pressure is back in check before I started this diet my blood pressure was 145/100 and now its back in check its at 127/70. I have reached the 100 pound weight loss mark Im now down to 315. So as a reward my wife is making me homemade biscuits and sausage gravy for my cheat meal tonight. Hope everyone else is doing well and sticking in there.

Take Care, Miles

Miles - 15 June 2009 05:47 AM

Well I saw my doctor this morning for a checkup my blood pressure is back in check before I started this diet my blood pressure was 145/100 and now its back in check its at 127/70. I have reached the 100 pound weight loss mark Im now down to 315. So as a reward my wife is making me homemade biscuits and sausage gravy for my cheat meal tonight. Hope everyone else is doing well and sticking in there.

Take Care, Miles

Wow, Miles, congratulations. That is great news.

I won’t be weighing in until next Monday…and I’m trying not to focus on just what the scale says. I have about 25-30 pounds to lose. However, I am motivated, and my drinking water and exercise goals are being met. But remember how I was struggling with my eating…well, I’ve had three good days in a row, and that’s pretty major considering it encompasses the weekend.

I’ve adjusted my eating goal. Instead of “eating when I’m hungry” I am limiting my calories during the first part of the day to 500. Snacking during the day is the biggest reason I’ve gained weight and that has helped me to cut way back.

Just the fact that I’m exercising regularly is a major accomplishment. I walked three days last week and worked in the garden for an hour and a half over the weekend.

I’m really excited because my heart attitude has changed. That helps so much.

Enjoy your biscuits and gravy!

Donna

Donna S. - 15 June 2009 08:08 AM

Miles - 15 June 2009 05:47 AM

Well I saw my doctor this morning for a checkup my blood pressure is back in check before I started this diet my blood pressure was 145/100 and now its back in check its at 127/70. I have reached the 100 pound weight loss mark Im now down to 315. So as a reward my wife is making me homemade biscuits and sausage gravy for my cheat meal tonight. Hope everyone else is doing well and sticking in there.

Take Care, Miles

Wow, Miles, congratulations. That is great news.

I won’t be weighing in until next Monday…and I’m trying not to focus on just what the scale says. I have about 25-30 pounds to lose. However, I am motivated, and my drinking water and exercise goals are being met. But remember how I was struggling with my eating…well, I’ve had three good days in a row, and that’s pretty major considering it encompasses the weekend.

I’ve adjusted my eating goal. Instead of “eating when I’m hungry” I am limiting my calories during the first part of the day to 500. Snacking during the day is the biggest reason I’ve gained weight and that has helped me to cut way back.

Just the fact that I’m exercising regularly is a major accomplishment. I walked three days last week and worked in the garden for an hour and a half over the weekend.

I’m really excited because my heart attitude has changed. That helps so much.

Enjoy your biscuits and gravy!

Donna

That’s great Donna, weekends can be a real obstacle with all the parties and get togethers it can be a challenge. Just keep your eye on the prize. I find just dieting alone does not work for me, I have to excercise regularly and Im glad to hear you are doing well. As far as the scale goes, some people get so obssessed with weighing themselves and that can be very discouraging, because your body fluctuates and can retain water and you may lose inches and not pounds. I only weigh myself once every 2 weeks. Especially if youre excercising you may build some lean muscle so you may not lose pounds but you are losing inches.

Keep it up!!

Miles

Wow Miles.  Congratulations!!  It really shows how important it is for our health to eat healthy and exercise.  I am so very proud of you.  You definitely are an inspiration.  Your story definitely motivates me to keep on track.  Keep up the good work.

Christine - 15 June 2009 05:58 PM

Wow Miles.  Congratulations!!  It really shows how important it is for our health to eat healthy and exercise.  I am so very proud of you.  You definitely are an inspiration.  Your story definitely motivates me to keep on track.  Keep up the good work.

Thanks Christine, its hard work but nothing worth doing is normally easy. I hope you have great success as well, its nice to chat with others and keep each other motivated and on track.

Miles

Miles - 15 June 2009 12:42 PM

Donna S. - 15 June 2009 08:08 AM

That’s great Donna, weekends can be a real obstacle with all the parties and get togethers it can be a challenge. Just keep your eye on the prize. I find just dieting alone does not work for me, I have to excercise regularly and Im glad to hear you are doing well. As far as the scale goes, some people get so obssessed with weighing themselves and that can be very discouraging, because your body fluctuates and can retain water and you may lose inches and not pounds. I only weigh myself once every 2 weeks. Especially if youre excercising you may build some lean muscle so you may not lose pounds but you are losing inches.

Keep it up!!

Miles

You are so right. I did measure myself at the start of this whole weight loss process. At the start I had only lost three pounds by 18 inches—4 off my waistline. I think I’ll weigh once a month. I used to be addicted to the scale and for me it’s not the best to weigh too often.

Donna

Christine - 15 June 2009 05:58 PM

Wow Miles.  Congratulations!!  It really shows how important it is for our health to eat healthy and exercise.  I am so very proud of you.  You definitely are an inspiration.  Your story definitely motivates me to keep on track.  Keep up the good work.

Hi Christine,

How are you doing with your goals? I’m doing fine with two of mine—the drinking of water and exercise 3-5 days a week. My eating is better, but I have a long ways to go. However, I’m holding on to the fact that my eating has vastly improved and this 21 Day Challenge has definitely helped.

Donna

Hi Donna,

I am doing pretty well.  I have stayed away from sweets.  I have stopped snacking except for some almonds.  At first, I completely stopped snacking and I found myself starving and I ate a lot at each meal.  Now I am taking a hand full of almonds in between and that seems to be helping a lot.  I have been drinking all my water as well.

My goal was to exercise three times a week.  I am modifying that a bit to fit my schedule.  I have started a palates class on Sunday.  I walk 3-5 days a week.  Right now it is for 30 minutes.  Next week I will be walking an hour 3-5 days and I will continue that for the summer.  I will try to fit in another kick boxing or palates class during the week.  Exercise is definitely my struggle.  I know it is extremely important for me, so I am trying to find a routine that I can stick with. 

I am, however, feeling so much better.  I can tell I have lost weight and I just feel healthier.

It sounds like you are doing great.  It is so nice to check in and see how everyone is doing.  It is very motivating.  Thanks for starting this program.

Christine

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to add a quick couple thoughts. hopefully you are all taking a multi-vitamin everyday so your body gets its proper nutrients. Another thing is you want to have protien for breakfast I was watching a show with health experts and they said if you have a healthy breakfast with good protien your body will burn up to 65% more calories during the day, that’s alot of extra calories(I drink an EAS Myoplex Lite shake for breakfast everyday). Lastly I take Flaxseed Oil not the pills the actual liquid that you can get at health food stores and it is an amazing supplement it contains all your vital Omega-3 and other Omega nutrients and also helps your body burn fat more efficiently.It doesnt taste the greatest but you only take 1 tablespoon a day. I hope everyone is doing well .

Miles

Hope everyone is doing well on the 21 day challenge! I have to say that this has been a great motivator for me. I have lost 8 pounds. I have stopped eating sugar totally, except for one “treat” I allow myself each night. I’m drinking my water. When it stops raining (seems like it’s raining every day here!) I’ve gotten out for a walk. My husband and I even did a 3 mile walk last weekend on a new fitness trail that opened near our home. It’s been great and your posts are really inspiring me. Keep up the good work!

Jeanne you are doing great!  Congratulations on losing 8lbs.  I don’t know about you, but I feel so much better.  I feel thinner, more energetic, and just a lot better about myself.  This is a great program.  Congratulations again and keep up the good work.

Miles - 16 June 2009 05:33 PM

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to add a quick couple thoughts. hopefully you are all taking a multi-vitamin everyday so your body gets its proper nutrients. Another thing is you want to have protein for breakfast I was watching a show with health experts and they said if you have a healthy breakfast with good protein your body will burn up to 65% more calories during the day, that’s a lot of extra calories(I drink an EAS Myoplex Lite shake for breakfast everyday). Lastly I take Flaxseed Oil not the pills the actual liquid that you can get at health food stores and it is an amazing supplement it contains all your vital Omega-3 and other Omega nutrients and also helps your body burn fat more efficiently.It doesn’t taste the greatest but you only take 1 tablespoon a day. I hope everyone is doing well .

Miles

Good points, Miles. I have learned to grind flaxseed in my coffee grinder and add it to yogurt or a smoothie. I actually like the taste. It does add texture though that some people might not like, but I’ve grown to enjoy chewing my yogurt. It slows me down so I enjoy it for longer.!

Donna

Jeanne Grunert - 17 June 2009 06:28 AM

Hope everyone is doing well on the 21 day challenge! I have to say that this has been a great motivator for me. I have lost 8 pounds. I have stopped eating sugar totally, except for one “treat” I allow myself each night. I’m drinking my water. When it stops raining (seems like it’s raining every day here!) I’ve gotten out for a walk. My husband and I even did a 3 mile walk last weekend on a new fitness trail that opened near our home. It’s been great and your posts are really inspiring me. Keep up the good work!

Hi Jeanne,

That’s great! Eight pounds already, too. You must be excited. Miles and I were talking about weighing and not weighing. Sometimes when I weigh in and have lost my brain tells me it’s okay to eat something to celebrate…and if the scale disappoints me, my brain says, that’s not fair. You might as well eat whatever you want!

So, this Monday is the day I’m supposed to weigh in. My eating has improved, I’ve been drinking my water and exercising regularly. I’ve decided to weigh this time, but for next month’s 21 Day Challenge, I’m not sure.

Donna