I just joined MTM a week ago and I have found Scott’s words to be very motivating. One of the things that stuck with me was to practice Free Will instead of relying on Will Power.
I have been exercising on my treadmill since the beginning of the year, about 40 minutes 3 or 4 times a week so I am using the 100 days of Exercise Challenge as additional motivation.
Since the beginning of the year I have lost 8 pounds. My motto is slow and steady wins the race. I have lost weight more quickly in the past with ‘diets’ but it came back. This time I am not dieting. I have been slowly changing my eating habits towards healthier eating. I have given up my diet coke and am cutting down on processed foods and increasing my fruits and vegetables. But I have not given up my chocolate.
This time I know I will reach my goals because I know now that this isn’t just a temporary thing. I am making changes that I will live with for the rest of my life.
So my 100 days begins now. If I counted right it will end on May 21. Then I will start another 100 days.
Eileen from Vermont
P.S. The weather has been helping me with my exercise by giving me snow to shovel. I may be doing some more tomorrow.
My goal is 80 pounds. At the current rate I should achieve some time next early next year. I turn 50 in 2009 and I want to be in better shape than I was when I turned 40.
Eileen..... sounds like your on your way! Your goal is definately do-able…
I was 50 when I weighed in at 210 lbs (late 2005). Since I’m 5’7”, let’s just say that I was a little short for my weight!
I lost approximately 1.5 lbs to 2 lbs a week.....and was down to 155 by May....
Today, over two years later, I’m at 147 lbs.....and about to do a 70.3 race (half ironman). I have to say that I’m in the best shape of my life (although it was easier to get to this fitness when i was 20!)
What an awesome plan - and really, don’t you love it when weather throws you a challenge like that
I wish I had snow to shovel (winter’s really out of whack up here).
I have finished week 1 of my official 100 days challenge. I am also on week 3 of Start Moving, Stay Moving which is nice because it coincides with the seminars.
I walked on the treadmill 5 of the 7 days from 40 to 60 minutes. For me, walking at night works best, I have a TV downstairs where the treadmill is so tonight I will be walking while watching Biggest Loser.
I lost one more pound this week. I seem to alternate between 1 pound and 2 pounds a week so it averages out to one and a half pounds per week. So that means at the end of a year I will have lost 78 pounds - almost my goal.
As I said, slow and steady is my motto. Now that I have gotten the cardio going I am going to add in resistence training a few times a week.
The best part of this whole program is that I am in control. No one is telling me what I can eat and what I can’t. I choose what exercising to do and when. And when I need a little push or something to motivate me I just get out my iPod and listed to Scott.
What a smart lady you are!!! You are right, slow and steady wins the race and you are smart about your goals for weight loss. 1-2 pounds a week is healthy and shows for long term weight loss. I like how you aren’t depriving yourself (mmm chocolate), you have to live a lifestyle-do something you can see yourself doing for a lifetime. I mean really, who can avoid carbs forever?!?!?!? Great job on completing week one. Great job.
The best part of this whole program is that I am in control. No one is telling me what I can eat and what I can’t. I choose what exercising to do and when.
Words of Wisdom......
We truly are in control
We make the decisions that effect our lives everyday
and the best part....
we reap the benefits of good decisions every time!
It is such a nice sunny day and a balmy 25 degrees that I went out to take a walk. I had this week’s MTM show on my iPod and started out with my hood up, my coat zipped up and my gloves on. I ended up walking 50 minutes and ended with my hood off, my coat unzipped and gloves off. I cannot wait until it will be nice enough to walk outside everyday.
I have been keeping busy inside during this winter by painting- walls not canvases. I’ve done my dining room and just finished painting my living room. Now I have to put everything back in place. Next I tackle my bathroom.
I haven’t done so well with my food so far this week but my weight is holding steady. My biggest problem is lack of planning, especially lunches. I usually end up not bringing my lunch to work so end up going out and getting something to eat. I am making better choices than I did in the past but still not the best. I am starting to pay attention to how my body feels after some meals and find that I don’t feel so great after making choices like french fries or burgers.
Tomorrow (Sunday) I am going to sit down and decide what I am going to eat for the rest of the week and then do any preparation that I can so I don’t have any excuses.
Thank you to everyone who had commented and encouraged me. Also, to everyone in the forum who is sharing their journeys.
I know how you feel about “balmy 25 degree weather”....I can hardly imagine what I will do when it hits 60 again!!!! Hope you had a good weekend and “planned” for the week with the eating thing. Smart living means smart planning.
Today it got way up to 30 degrees so I took another walk outside. Sunshine is very rare in the winter around here that it was nice to have it two days in a row. Of course, we are supposed to get more snow on Tuesday.
I made a pot of vegetarian chili today. It is basically tomatoes, black beans, onions, peppers and then whatever vegetables I have in the house. Today it was carrots, green beans and brocolli. That will be my lunch for the week. Breakfast will be an egg sandwich. I found some high fiber english muffins (8 grams each). I cook one egg, add a little cheese and a 20 calorie piece of ham. Supper will be chicken or turkey with vegetables and some rice or potato. I am using Scott’s suggestion of reducing my food choices.
For exercise this week, looks like it is back to the treadmill. But I am finding that I miss it if I don’t do it one day. I mark an ‘M’ on my calendar for everyday I ‘move’. For my first two weeks I have only 3 days without an ‘M’. Thursday’s are my planned rest day and then there was last Monday when I was totally exhausted and skipped my treadmill and went to bed early.
You are doing marvelous! I won’t tell you what the temp is in Tennessee today, but it’s supposed to snow tonight, so I’ll enjoy the short respite from the cold.
What brand of English muffins were those? I’m a fiber fan and love English muffins, which normally doesn’t go together, so I am very curious.
What brand of English muffins were those? I’m a fiber fan and love English muffins, which normally doesn’t go together, so I am very curious.
They are Thomas’ Multigrain Light. One English muffin has 100 calories, 1 g fat, 8 g fiber. Bwteen the fiber and the protein, one egg sandwich will last me the whole morning without getting hungry.
You are off to a Great start! I love the lifestyle change mindset that you are using. That change in approach to my life has been the single most important part of keeping me moving forward when obstacles come my way. It is a pleasure to have you here on the forum. I am looking forward to rooting for you!
Thanks Lisa, it has taken me a long time to get to this mindset. Many diets, many losses and gains. In MTM jargon, it finally clicked. That’s why this time I know it is going to work, not matter how long it takes to get to my goal, the journey will make me healthier and stronger.
Eileen, welcome to the forum. I also love your avatar; I’ve been a tortoise around here for quite some time. Be aware that at some point as you add muscle, your weight loss probably will slow down but you will continue to get smaller.
Have you tried the Kashi high protein cereal? That’s another way to get more protein at breakfast. I usually put half a banana on it and 1/4 scoop of a protein supplement. I like the taste and it’s easy and includes fiber.
You’re click is awesome! It’s wonderful to feel the vibe from your posts. Your energy is calming and positive
Thanks Bree, for the kind words. The forum is really helping me. Writing the words down for anyone to read holds me accountable to myself. As today’s Daily Boost was about, it makes me take personal responsibility.
Plus, the feedback I get from you and others is great.
Thanks.
FYI, I did 45 minutes of treadmill and made good food choices today.
Monday - 45 minutes treadmill
Tuesday - 50 minutes treadmill
Wednesday - so far, 30 minutes shovelling snow this morning. Will be down on the treadmill later
16 days into the 100 days and I have ‘moved’ 13 of those days.
I’m a little depresssed right now with the snow and the cold (high of 13 tomorrow). I am ready for spring! Unfortunately, in Vermont, that is still a couple months away. But, it will get here eventually, with a few sneak peaks before it gets here for real. I guess I have to be patient like with getting fit and trim.
