LifeisFun's First check-ins

Counting carbs/calories is a drag. Obsessive scale stepping is a recipe for despair. If you want to count something, "days on habit" is a much better metric. Checking off days on a calendar would do just fine, but if you do it here you get accountability and support. Here's how. Start a new topic in this forum called (say) "Your Name Daily Check In." Then every N day post a "reply" to that topic as to whether you stayed on habit. A simple "<font color="green">SUCCESS</font>" or "<font color="red">FAILURE</font>" (or your preferred euphemism if that's too harsh) is sufficient, but obviously you're welcome to write more if you want. On S-days just register that you're taking an S-day. You don't have to do this forever, just until you're confident you've built the habit. Feel free to check in weekly or monthly or sporadically instead of daily. Feel free also to track other habits besides No-s (I'm keeping this forum under No-s because that's what the vast majority are using it for). See also my <a href="/habitcal/">HabitCal</a> tool for another more formal (and perhaps complementary) way to track habits.

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lifeisfun
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LifeisFun's First check-ins

Post by lifeisfun » Wed Feb 25, 2015 6:16 pm

Finally! I finally hit the wall and knew that something had to change in my life. It took a few years (and a few pounds, around 40 to be exact) to get to this point. Lots of starts and stops, and maybe this is another start then stop, but it feels different this time around.

Today is my third day of exercising and modifying my crazy, binge filled S.A.D (standard American diet). I began last week actually with a short fast. On Ash Wednesday I fasted from breakfast, had a MRP shake and then a small dinner. On Thursday I fasted from breakfast, delayed lunch and ate smaller portions. Friday and Saturday I did the same, then went back to three meals on Sunday. I did this not for weight loss, but to allow myself to truly feel what it means to be hungry. To feel the stomach growls and move through the blood sugar drops (I'm otherwise healthy, so this was not an issue for me). I have had no awareness of legitimate hunger signals, so this was an experiement to help myself become more aware and alert to my body signals. I have to say that it worked for me!

So, on Monday I started the day with exercise. Ate a protein rich breakfast (eggs, spinach, cheese, coconut oil), healthy lunch (salad, minimal dressing, salmon salad and a couple of rye crisp breads, then dinner was Italian sausage openfaced sandwiches (sausage, onions, tomatoes, mozzarella) with a salad. Tuesady - exercise, same breakfast with addition of leftover italian sausage (because my daughter wanted it this time), lunch (ham, cottage cheese, apple) and dinner (PB crisp bread).

Wednesday - today, so far success! Exercise, breakfast shake, lunch (salad, italian sausage with peppers, onions, coconut oil, a bit of mozzarella) and lots of water.

It's been a week of hot green tea and water to drink (some milk here and there), but no sweet tea or diet drinks. I find that when I get an urge for something, a cup of hot tea hits the spot.

Well, that's enough for now! I'll check in again tomorrow.
Last edited by lifeisfun on Thu Mar 19, 2015 12:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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lpearlmom
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Post by lpearlmom » Thu Feb 26, 2015 5:25 am

Welcome & good luck! I look forward to hearing about your progress!
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

lifeisfun
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Post by lifeisfun » Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:16 pm

I'm normally on the PC early, so I'll update dinner last night and then check in again tomorrow morning.

Dinner - success! I really, really wanted a second serving of the awesome pork roast, but I stuck with the one plate. I also sat next to a daughter munching on golden popcorn last night, but the urge to reach in the bowl was not too overwhelming.

2/26 - NS - success, exercise - 40 min upper body and abs

I am always amazed at how quickly a body can heal itself. After three days of exercise I can already feel a change in my strength and cardio recovery. Our bodies are absolutely amazing!

Looking forward to an awesome day!
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Lovedby2
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Post by Lovedby2 » Fri Feb 27, 2015 3:26 am

HI lifeisfun! Welcome and good luck withyour journey.
Always learning.

lifeisfun
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Post by lifeisfun » Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:29 pm

Thank you for the welcomes!

Here are my stats:

2/23 - N success - exercise
2/24 - N success - exercise
2/25 - N Success - exercise
2/26 - N Success - exercise
2/27 - exercise so far

Kind of scared about the weekend. Don't want to slide back down to the bottom since I'm so far up the slope right now.

Exercise is going well. Starting to see some preliminary results - more strength and more stamina.
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lifeisfun
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Post by lifeisfun » Sat Feb 28, 2015 4:17 pm

2/23 - N success - exercise
2/24 - N success - exercise
2/25 - N Success - exercise
2/26 - N Success - exercise
2/27 - N Success - exercise
2/28 - exercise

Loving the honeymoon phase! Hoping to keep the energy high as I move thorugh this phase so that I don't bottom out when it get tough.

Lost 3 pounds this week with exercise, 3 meals a day (but not managing portions beyond the one plate), no sweets and no snacks. Not snacking and sweeting contributed to that 3 pound lose!

Just happy to be on the road instead of sitting on the curb!
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lifeisfun
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Post by lifeisfun » Mon Mar 02, 2015 2:44 am

2/23 - N success - exercise
2/24 - N success - exercise
2/25 - N Success - exercise
2/26 - N Success - exercise
2/27 - N Success - exercise
2/28 - S exercise
3/01 - S

S days were not a total freefall, so I'm very happy with this weekend. It was enjoyable!

Ready to start again tomorrow with exercise and NoS to keep up the journey towards a healthier me.
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gingerpie
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Post by gingerpie » Mon Mar 02, 2015 11:28 am

Congratulations on a great week. Looks like you found your groove.

lifeisfun
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Post by lifeisfun » Mon Mar 09, 2015 6:01 pm

Haven't checked in, but today is my 15th day. Learning and growing everyday.

3/9 today
3/8. S
3/7. S
3/6 NS
3/5. NS
3/4 NS
3/3. NS
3/2. NS
3/1 S
2/28 S
2/27 NS
2/26 NS
2/25 NS
2/24 NS
2/23 NS
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lifeisfun
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Post by lifeisfun » Mon Mar 09, 2015 6:02 pm

Forgot to add that I'm still consistently exercising as well.
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ironchef
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Post by ironchef » Tue Mar 10, 2015 1:28 am

Welcome, and congratulations on a strong start.
Enjoy riding that wave of enthusiasm at the start, and you will build a good strong habit. Nice work on the exercise too - our bodies are indeed amazing and resilient.

If stuff does get tricky down the road, your habits will be in place and ready to support you :)

lifeisfun
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Post by lifeisfun » Thu Mar 19, 2015 2:34 am

Not sure how to count a streak, but today was my 18th N day, but 24th day in total. Exercising consistently and down about 6 pounds.

Almost had a moment this week when devouring the pantry was a real possibility, but I perservered and stayed the course. That was my first really hard challenge since beginning this change, and I'm so happy to have fought through it to the other side. Make that two moments!

3/18 N
3/17 N
3/16 N

3/15 S
3/14 S

3/13 N
3/12 N
3/11 N
3/10 N
3/9 N

3/8. S
3/7. S

3/6 N
3/5. N
3/4 N
3/3. N
3/2. N

3/1 S
2/28 S

2/27 N
2/26 N
2/25 N
2/24 N
2/23 N
Last edited by lifeisfun on Thu Mar 19, 2015 12:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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lpearlmom
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Post by lpearlmom » Thu Mar 19, 2015 5:36 am

Great job! Weekends count so you qualify for the 21 day club--yay!
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

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lpearlmom
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Location: Arizona

Post by lpearlmom » Thu Mar 19, 2015 6:02 am

Great job! Weekends count so you qualify for the 21 day club--yay!
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

Imogen Morley
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Post by Imogen Morley » Thu Mar 19, 2015 6:59 am

Impressive results! I'd love to have your willpower.

lifeisfun
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Post by lifeisfun » Thu Mar 19, 2015 12:32 pm

Thanks! It has taken several years to get to this point, and I have some specific goals that I am determined to achieve. I'm actually surprising myself with my determination. I didn't know I had it in me. I guess my stubbornness is good for something!
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lin47
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Post by lin47 » Thu Mar 19, 2015 12:40 pm

Wow---your progress is amazing! You're an inspiration. If I can get a 21-day streak under my belt, I'll be so happy. You're doing great!

lifeisfun
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Post by lifeisfun » Thu Mar 26, 2015 3:03 pm

Hit a bump (or a crater). You can see my calendar here.

It was bound to happen eventually, but I'm not giving up.[/url]
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lin47
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Post by lin47 » Thu Mar 26, 2015 3:22 pm

Where's the "crater"? Is it those two red days? Puh-leese! Do you know in March that I've had seven red days? Yes, seven! If I had all the greens on my calendar that you have on yours, I'd be doing a happy dance. You're doing great!

lifeisfun
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Post by lifeisfun » Thu Mar 26, 2015 3:35 pm

My goofy little perfectionist is rearing it's head for some reason. :oops:
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gingerpie
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Post by gingerpie » Fri Mar 27, 2015 12:52 am

It happens to the best of us. :?

ironchef
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Location: Australia

Post by ironchef » Fri Mar 27, 2015 12:58 am

You're doing so well lifeisfun!

Don't let the reds get in your way - just mark them and move on as vmsurbat would say. Everyone - including the really successful long termers - has red days, or even periods with lots of red days. And the lovely thing about No S is that success is only ever one meal away.

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