Just wanted to pop in and say hi to everybody and that I hope everything is going well with your challenge goals. I'm also trying to pop into logs but don't always have enough computer time available to do so and didn't want to miss anybody.
Still plugging along. I am not going to weigh myself until the next set of pictures are due.
BTW, I posted this in someone's log, but for those of you that need to drink water with some flavor and don't want added sweetner (like in Crystal Light), try True Lemon. I just saw that have an orange flavor, too!
As an added bonus, their website has free samples!
I'm not weighing until next check-in either. Today was my first day back at the gym after being sick for two weeks, so I started over on my lifting program.
I'm doing well enough on the weight loss, but I have to admit that I'm not loving OPT. I think I'm just not into it enough now that I'm back in school. I have more trouble hitting the macros and I'm considering ditching it. I know from last semester that I can do better with slightly lower protein levels (30%+ vs 40%). I knew that I'd likely have problems with it, and once you start modifying it, it's not OPT... so I'm seriously thinking about going back to something of my own design. As I wasn't doing badly with my plan before I think it will suit me better. I was going to try and stick it out longer, but after planning meals for the next few days... I'm just not into the meal plan.
So I think starting tomorrow I'm going to go back to Power Training 3x a week, with slightly lighter weights, and will do two hours of cardio sometime during the rest of the week. I'll go back to the food levels that I was at in December and see how that does until the end of the month. I'll probably adjust the calories down in Feb or Mar, but we'll see.
I'm still here. Weight not going as quickly as I'd like (when has it ever?!?) but I'm not quitting. Doing Oly lifts weekly with a trainer and that's lots of fun... still doing karate, etc etc...
My biggest "issue" coming up is that we are going on a 2-week vacation from Feb 1-12, and I don't want to totally blow my diet. BUT I also don't want to be so obsessive or restrictive that I don't have fun and just relax a bit... sigh... I'm not sure what I'm doing to do (or plan to do)... hmmmmm...
Where are you going for your vacation? I did really well one year (even coming back a couple of pounds lighter) on a cruise. I was eating primarily vegetarian at the time and they had some really nice options. I stuck to (I think) a couple of deserts during the week, but there was lots of exercise ashore (tons of walking).
The other thing I've done, while away on the freighter, was to aim for low carb on at least a couple of meals. It keeps the hunger down, and generally cut the calories. Although junk food was limited (but present) and the only dessert was ice cream with chocolate sauce at lunch on Sunday. Don't ask me why, but Sunday lunch was the 'fancy meal' - usually steak and chips with the ice cream as dessert. I usually ate both, but again, lots of activity when ashore.
I'm still here. Weight not going as quickly as I'd like (when has it ever?!?) but I'm not quitting. Doing Oly lifts weekly with a trainer and that's lots of fun... still doing karate, etc etc...
My biggest "issue" coming up is that we are going on a 2-week vacation from Feb 1-12, and I don't want to totally blow my diet. BUT I also don't want to be so obsessive or restrictive that I don't have fun and just relax a bit... sigh... I'm not sure what I'm doing to do (or plan to do)... hmmmmm...
Bytsi, are you going to post your M1 pics from vacation, or are you going to need me to post the M1 thread extra early for you (not a problem). Just let me know!
It'll be half cruise and half Disney... I do plan to do higher protein, and lots of NEAT (and workout both on the cruise and at Disney)... Buffets are my usual downfall - I KNOW what I SHOULD do (consider it like a menu, take one plate of what I'd order if it was a menu, and don't do little bites of this and that) -- but in the moment, I often FAIL.
I would've planned it as a break week, but since December became a 5-week break, I'm hardly due for one!
Jane - thanks - I will try to post on the 30th before we leave if I can get the pics done - so yes, that'd be WONDERFUL if you can put a thread up by then... I'll let you know if I need it and I don't see it! Thanks!
Anne, I hear you on going back to what suits you. That's where I am with the whole clean eating thing, and trying to drink protein shakes after workouts and still keep the calories down. I do so much better just counting calories and not worrying so much about the timing and macros of meals.
buffet tip (though you probably know it already) -
survey the entire buffet line before you start - decide what you will base your plate around and which of the dishes you want to just sample a taste of - and then start to build your plate -
OK, gang....where's the enthusiasm?? We are almost halfway through the first month and I'm not seeing any. How's everyone doing???
I need to have a word with my office about this site being blocked! I've not been able to read or post as much as I'd like, but I have really enjoyed following the logs that I've had a chance to read.
I'm trucking along, nursing my IT band but sticking with my workouts as best I can. I'm not weighing in until month end, so I'm not sure about progress but I think I had a muscle sighting last night!
Quote:
Originally Posted by LisaS
buffet tip (though you probably know it already) -
survey the entire buffet line before you start - decide what you will base your plate around and which of the dishes you want to just sample a taste of - and then start to build your plate -
This is a good tip. I always think I should try a little of everything, which usually leads to a plate with enough food to fill a little league team. Not good.
OK, gang....where's the enthusiasm?? We are almost halfway through the first month and I'm not seeing any. How's everyone doing???
Hmm, not sure where it went! J/k. I'm doing alright workout-wise. I've kept up with it but haven't been doing anything spectacular either. I did fix my squat form though, which was a big plus! So even though I'm dropping weight back quite a bit on these, I should progress better from here out. Band-assisted chin-ups are going alright, though I should do them more often than I currently am.
Food is just ok. Not bad, but not spot on either. I really need to start tracking again for a little while. But I do hate that. It doesn't help that I've already almost blown my food budget for the month, so cheap might beat out healthy for the rest of the month when it comes to groceries. I just need to add some protein to some ww pasta and there ya go, it doesn't need to be thrilling, just fairly healthy and most of all, cheap!
Anyway, the enthusiasm is there, it's just being able to actually get it done that's the problem, lol.
It'll be half cruise and half Disney... I do plan to do higher protein, and lots of NEAT (and workout both on the cruise and at Disney)... Buffets are my usual downfall - I KNOW what I SHOULD do (consider it like a menu, take one plate of what I'd order if it was a menu, and don't do little bites of this and that) -- but in the moment, I often FAIL.
Bytsi, my husband and I and another couple did that in 2005 for my 30th birthday. It was a lot of fun and there's enough activities and walking around Disney to keep up your NEAT. Good luck with the buffets. Hubby ate almost literally all the time and did not gain one ounce. I was glad I came back only 2 pounds more than when I left.
I guess I'm quietly enthusiastic. I'm in week 2 of OPT Remix and really like it. I had some initial hunger and headaches the first couple of days but nothing since. Although I miss my daily fruit, I really like this diet. And I lost about 3 lbs the first week.
I am here and raring to go! Minus the ankle issues and now that the box of Reese's puff are completely gone - I am good to go! Nothing serious, but I was grabbing a handful here and there.
I am working around no running or jumping and so far - it is going well.
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
I'm still here, doing ok, weighed myself and I am a pound down. Not exactly huge, but if I lose 1 pound a week continuosly I will be a happy face. Started NROLW and am feeling a little DOMS, especially in my adductors. food has been so so but I have been tracking it and am trying Leighs spot reduce diet, spot what goes into my mouth and reduce it..
For Bytsi regarding the buffet, trying doing two laps around the buffet without a plate, decide what you want and then pick up a plate. Who cares what people think. I read that tip from Mindless Eating, when a study group was done on how 'naturally thin' people attack a buffet as to the 'normal' folks who dive straight in.
Ok, I am back down to where I was before the holidays - which was my official weigh in for the Challenge. I wasn't giving myself any leg room and decided to weigh in with that weight, rather than what I actually was and it helped me get on the focus. Game on!
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
I'm here, I just got all obsessed on Facebook and since I try to limit my computer time (snort!) the boards suffered. Plus I need to set up a log and I'm procrastinating.
Unfortunately, what I thought was water weight is still hanging around so I'm 3 pounds more than I put in the original stats.
On the plus side, I am on my way to bodyweight deads and squats and I'm loving how NROL4W is feeling this time, now that my form and posture have improved.
Hey, everyone I friended on facebook! Glad I didn't creep anyone out!
So, how competitive are you? How badly do you REALLY want this? It's a new year and now is the time to lay all your goals out on the table and attack them. Think you can't do it? Then, you probably won't. Believe in yourself, really make every day count and you WILL do it. Just remember every single day how badly you want it, and you will get there. Don't let anything stand in the way of that picture in your mind.
Just like the quote in my signature.....tell me I can't do something.....not going to happen here!
ETA: There's your motivation for the day...now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.
So, how competitive are you? How badly do you REALLY want this? It's a new year and now is the time to lay all your goals out on the table and attack them. Think you can't do it? Then, you probably won't. Believe in yourself, really make every day count and you WILL do it. Just remember every single day how badly you want it, and you will get there. Don't let anything stand in the way of that picture in your mind.
Just like the quote in my signature.....tell me I can't do something.....not going to happen here!
ETA: There's your motivation for the day...now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.
This is my motivation right now (the bolded part) regarding the asshole trainers/gym owners that I keep finding. I am determined to find someone that will train me like a strong capable athlete, not a barbie with 5lb weights and inner/outer thigh machines!
I've not been able to read or post as much as I'd like, but I have really enjoyed following the logs that I've had a chance to read. 
Linear Mode
