Healthy Habits Group?

hunisu · Post by **hunisu** » April 14th, 2006, 11:40 pm

A piece of Trident did it for me today. I was really craving sweets & popped a piece of gum in my mouth & poof the craving was gone. Yay!

I haven't seen much of a weight loss as of yet, only gaining. Bought a new scale too, just to make sure the old one wasn't just giving me fits.

My husband & I just totally remade our *** DELETE - SPAM *** too, tossed all the crud and stocked up on fruits & veggies. We're going to start making our own breads too, figure that way there will be less crud in there that we really don't need.

Wood_Duck · Post by **Wood_Duck** » April 17th, 2006, 7:49 pm

I didn't lose a pound for months. Finally I started writing down EVERYTHING that went into my mouth. Ah Ha! Worse than I thought. I still record everything at least 5 days a week. (I use Diet Power--Quick and easy) It tracks intake and weight loss and nutrients and calculates calories consumed and burned in exercise. It calculates how many calories you need a day to make your weightloss goal. AND if you exercise more you can eat more...

for me, it was the hard candy or the occasional sweet. It is amazing how many things go into my mouth that I don't remember. "Just" 100 cal here and 100 calories there.... and it all adds up.

Finally, it is all working out. I don't deny myself treats, I just eat small portions and record it! As long as my calories in don't out exceed my allotted total or it is extra minutes on the erg before bed.

This morning, I HAD to have Burger King. Well I ate first then put it in my log. Hmm. Was it worth 900 calories? I think not. Will I do that tomorrow? I hope not. It has been veggies and soup the rest of the day. I didn't waste time kicking myself over what I knew was a bad choice at the time, I just had to be careful the rest of the day.

Thanks for the good idea Huni, I'll try the gum. I wish I could clean everyone's junk food out of the house. We'll see.

Susan

margaret · Post by **margaret** » April 24th, 2006, 4:03 pm

Sure has gotten quiet around here. Where'd everybody go?

After floundering around quite a bit in the last few months, I've finally focused on some specific commitments to my health. I'm newly excited about these goals:

1) Row 5 to 6k, 5 or 6 days each week. This is less than I've been attempting, but the time was becoming a conflict and my consistency, fitness & speed suffered. So I'm intentionally rowing shorter pieces, but trying to be more consistent. Every other day I'll work on speed to try to regain what I've lost in the last half year, but just add a little speed at a time. On alternating days I'll row slow & easy to give my muscles a chance to rest & grow. I charted this out, and with perseverance should be able to improve my PB's after 6 months of this.

2) One long walk each week, with gradually lengthening intervals of racewalking (my best attempt at it). Again, I charted this out and with gradual increases, could work up to being able to racewalk or jog 1-2 miles in 6 months, exercising once weekly, without injury.

3) Aim to eat 1700-1900 calories daily. Without exercise, this would keep me from gaining weight. With exercise, it should allow me to lose about a pound a week, to reach my ultimate goal of 125# in half a year. Also, this is about how much I be eating all the time anyway.

All these are good habits, but it helped me get excited about them figuring out what I could achieve in 6 months time in gradual increments.

snappyrower · Post by **snappyrower** » April 24th, 2006, 10:26 pm

Those are great goals. Writing out a plan is a great idea. I did 6k today. We've had company all week and i'm in a heavy hunt for a place to live, so this is my first row in quite a while. I'm trying to take heart in the fact that I'm not gaining weight at least. Maybe once things settle down a bit more I'll be able to lose!

How's everyone else doing?

Wood_Duck · Post by **Wood_Duck** » April 25th, 2006, 9:09 am

Writing down your plans is a GREAT idea.
I haven't writen plans for this month.
So for April and May
1) no fried foods
2) erg 6x a week
3) lift 2x a week
4) eat 1600 cal (more if I erg +200)
5) take the stairs!

I think it has gotten quiet because the weather has gotten nicer and people can be outside!

Susan

margaret · Post by **margaret** » April 25th, 2006, 1:23 pm

Snappy rower, that's a great idea just to hold steady while dealing with a move. I tried to lose weight in the midst of moving but the stress was just too much and food seemed like the most innocuous of the stress relief options (of course, when rowing was not an option...

). Now I'm relosing the last few pounds. The good part is that even thought the last few months haven't been so successful, overall the last few years are. Also, if I wouldn't have lost that weight last fall, I'd probably be even heavier now.

Wood duck, Congratulations on your marathon! Way to go! you're probably right about spring enticing people outside. It has been raining everywhere in California for several weeks, but we do get a few hours and days here and there.

I'm on my 4th day of healthier habits, and feel much better about myself for taking care of myself

. Though I wish my rowing times hadn't dropped so much!

Bob S. · Post by **Bob S.** » April 25th, 2006, 5:23 pm

margaret wrote:It has been raining everywhere in California for several weeks, but we do get a few hours and days here and there.

Well, there is just a wee bit of difference between Ft. Bragg and Big Pine (in the Owens Valley). We did actually get a rain (and hail and thunder) storm yesterday but the relative humidity is already back down below 35%.

Bob S.

In answer to the inevitable question: No, it doesn't have a damn thing to do with anybody's 2k time.

voodoogirl · Post by **voodoogirl** » April 30th, 2006, 7:21 pm

Hi Everybody,

I've been off the forum for a while and not rowing as much as I need to, but am happy to have found this tonight! I switched my winter and summer clothes out today, and clothes that fit great last summer look like I'm trying to squeeze into something a few sizes too small this year....boy, is that discouraging. And somehow it feels like it's all happened in the past six months (so it probably has). I started having a lot of knee issues about then, and got less active--but after physical therapy for two months, I'm now supposed to be doing a lot more. I've never really had to be careful before about what I ate, but clearly age is catching up to me and I need to start paying attention. (I'm turning 45 in May)

Reading everyone's posts was very encouraging. My plan is to:

1. Eat healthier (has anyone heard of the Schwarzbein diet? worth taking a look at) which means trying to cut out sugar, especially, but also eating protein and vegetables at each meal.
2. getting to the gym at least 2x a week to lift weights and get on the elliptical trainer (especially important to lift for my knee)
3. row at least 4x a week. Right now I do 30 minutes which usually amounts to 5900m or so, which seems rather pitiful. I hope to get better and better at it, and increase my time to 45min.
4. I have an active dog, so every day she needs a good walk, but at least 3x a week she needs a BIG walk.
5. My physical therapist says there's no reason I can't run on my now-rehabbed knee--I'd like to run a 5K within a year, which means on these BIG dog walks I need to start running a bit.

It's daunting, and most days it feels easier to say I'm too busy and skip the exercise--but the knee scare (hey, I want to walk when I'm old!) and the clothes not fitting have really been motivating, and I hope they remain so. I've kept out a skirt that I loved wearing last year that looks just terrible now to see how I'm doing--I realize just weighing myself might not be accurate, I need to monitor how my clothes feel.

Thanks for starting this! I plan to check back daily for motivation from everyone.

Good luck to all of us....

snappyrower · Post by **snappyrower** » May 2nd, 2006, 10:18 pm

So, what's up ya'll? Quiet around here! Did a little over 6k tonight. Am trying to keep the eating healthy-ish, but did have a McDonalds sausage egg mcmuffin this morning. Given my family health history I need to learn to steer clear! Anyway, tried to make up for it this afternoon with a Subway veggie delite sub. Baby steps or something like that, right?

voodoogirl · Post by **voodoogirl** » May 2nd, 2006, 10:42 pm

Well I'm glad to see someone posting! I was getting a bit worried....

Baby steps, absolutely. Good for you. I think it's important to keep ourselves going with motivating self-talk instead of berating ourselves for not being perfect. My problem is always setting goals too high or strict, then giving up when I can't attain them.

Look forward, not back...

Karen · Post by **Karen** » May 2nd, 2006, 11:39 pm

voodoogirl wrote:.
I think it's important to keep ourselves going with motivating self-talk instead of berating ourselves for not being perfect. My problem is always setting goals too high or strict, then giving up when I can't attain them.

These words are so true. I have finally learned this lesson in my life, and things are going much better. I attend WW meetings, and it is sad to see so many folks who feel bad about themselves.

The warm weather has come to town, and I am in the process of re-structuring my activities. Last fall my dh dug a big hole for a shed, and left a huge pile of dirt for me to take care of. Finally the foundation is laid, and I have succeeded in dispersing the pile to fill all the spots of the yard that have been lacking. I felt very strong to be able to tackle that on my own!

My new goals are as follows:

Cardio Machines: 20-30 minutes 5x a week
Strength train: 30-45 min 3x a week

I have had to reduce the time spend on structured workout to allow for the time I have been spending doing other outdoor activities, such as yardwork and walking.

Thanks for listening.

margaret · Post by **margaret** » May 3rd, 2006, 1:35 am

I'm trying to find reasonable goals: big goals are great on occasion, but for now I need ones that are flexible enough to meet my current demands. I like my new rowing goal of 6km, 5-6 days a week, but even then I need to be flexible so I don't give up altogether when I can't do that, that a child's pace walk all morning long is still moving and better than nothing and I shouldn't berate myself over it.

Thanks for the encouragement. Every little bit counts. By cutting back on rowing, I've enjoyed it more and finally gotten back to occasional strength training. And by being opportunistic, I've managed a few long walk/jogs along a beach trail, which I enjoy most of all. I'll try to channel my inspiration from you into better eating habits.

jcmatthews · Post by **jcmatthews** » May 5th, 2006, 12:24 pm

Thanks for all of the inspiration from all of you. I finally managed to make myself get on the erg before work today, and ended up doing 8000m.

My goal is to erg 3 days a week and run 4 days a week-- I've signed up for a marathon (running) this November. I tend to ignore small goals, so I've found that I do better if I just go for it! It's been several years since my last marathon, but if I really work hard I think I'll be able to qualify to go back to Boston next April.

I also finally saw the number on the scales drop below 160 a few days ago-- a major triumph. I'm trying to be a good example for my patients.

Karen, I realy identify with trying to fit structured exercise in with lots of outdoor jobs demanding attention. I moved into a house last fall with an acre of land, so my usual over-achieving response is to try to landscape the whole thing in one season. What really complicates the job is that the ground seems to be 90% rocks. I'm convinced that the dirt generates rocks spontaneously overnight.

efg · Post by **efg** » May 5th, 2006, 7:17 pm

I've been away from things for awhile, but I am getting back to a rowing routine. I am trying to lose about 5 pounds before my mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law visit, since they seem to think it's OK to comment on my physical appearance....

Anyway, my goals are:

-To exercise 5-6 times a week
-To get my kids to be more active
-To limit sweets and desserts
-To wake up earlier and exercise in the morning, before I get too busy
-To get my husband to exercise more

The last one will probably be the toughest. Basically, the only way I will have any success is if I join the health club near his office. He gets a membership as one of his benefits, but he hasn't used it once! I just don't understand why he doesn't go after work a few days a week, especially since the rush hour traffic is so unpleasant. The only way to get him in there will be to join also, and meet him there to play squash. Sheesh!

Well, those are enough goals - it's making me tired just thinking about them!

Emilia

efg · Post by **efg** » May 11th, 2006, 2:20 am

Well, I've been exercising, but not early in the morning yet. The kids are an ongoing project- we walked to the library today. Doing OK with desserts/sweets except for a chocolate croissant today. But yesterday we had a guest over for dinner, and dessert was fresh berries. Getting my husband to exercise may have to wait 'til next month. He has business travel soon and then his mother and grandmother will be here.

We were food shopping yesterday, and the kids got to attend a free class on making healthy snacks. The class was being led by someone from Kagome juices (veggie-fruit juice blends), but only the smoothies they made contained the juices. They also made fresh salsa, quesadillas with whole wheat tortillas and vegetables (broccoli, shredded carrots, etc.), ants on a log. They had a great tiime, so I'm hoping they'll want junk food less.

Anyone else have an update?

Emilia

Concept2 Forum

Healthy Habits Group?

Way to go!

better late than never...

hello

Update on goals