OFFICIAL WOMEN'S CHALLENGE: Weekly Motivation etc Thread 5/26
So ... one month has gone by since we officially started our challenge. How has it been going? What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals? What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be?
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
*Starting this thread a day early as my birthday-girl (Hayley - age 3) is sick and running a fever and only wants her Mama! Figured I'd better do it while I had the opportunity!
__________________
Life's a Journey ... Enjoy the Ride!
My biggest challenge has been the food. I did everything the program ask of me and I gained weight. That really frustrated me and I am now trying to figure out how I am gonna approach the nutrition thing.
Mistressing pushups was sooo much easier than I though it was going to be. A month ago I couldn't even do one, and now I am doing 3 sets of 10!
My biggest challenge has also been the food. While I have been eating between 1400-1800 calories per day consistently, my diet hasn't necessarily been clean. I have eaten more protein and fiber than normal which is an improvement. I do notice when I eat clean that I feel lighter, but I typically don't do that for more than a couple of days so there are few results. I could probably eat more calories if I was eating more nutrient dense foods.
Fortunately, I have consistently completed the workouts and even had some time for a few "extra" workouts that I enjoy.
The three things I have learned so far is 1) I can get a great workout in under 30 minutes, 2) I feel so much better during the day when I get my workout in before work 3) It doesn't matter how hard/long I exercise, if my diet isn't clean I won't lose much bodyfat, even though I may get stronger.
I have also decided that while I haven't lost any weight, I am making better decisions regarding exercise and eating well. While it isn't perfect, I have been more consistent on my exercise (I used to exercise hard for a while and then not at all), and I have kept track of my foods even on the not so great days.
I am hopeful that I will eventually get there. Life is hectic and at this point my family (young kids) is my priority. Balancing work and family can sometimes be overwhelming on its own. While I would love to be a bit more obsessive about my exercise and eating, I know that it isn't my #1 priority now. However, I can make healthy choices that lead me in the right direction. In about a month, work demands for my husband will slow down (he is currently gone until late in the evening most days), so I will have a little more time, we will be home more and we will have more consistency in our eating.
J
How has it been going? fantastic in terms of exercise! I am stronger than I ever thought I could be. I have been surprised by how my body has responded to three times a week of consistent heavy lifting. I like it!
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals? dialing in my calories--still eating too many
What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be? believing that I could get this done without a trainer.
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point? scale weight is just one measure of progress, I am stronger than I ever thought I could be, muscle building is possible at any age.
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
I think I mainly learned that I was burned out on dieting and really ready to exercise. I kicked butt on the workouts but let my eating slip which I can never get away with! So the ongoing challenge will be to get my eating figured out and keep on keeping on with the workouts.
making a change - Julie said we could as long as we disclosed it.
I'm changing from TNT-A to Protein Power - there will be almost no difference in my eating. With TNT-A there is the allowed food list but no math in tracking but with PP all foods are allowed but you have to track your CHO to stay in range so you are practically limited. I want my berries back. So I'm changing back rather than saying TNT-A but really doing TNT-A + berries at breakfast.
How has it been going? It's going pretty well, thanks for asking.
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals? Food is my major challenge at this time. I either have to be 100% on track, or totally off. I find it hard to make a compromise. If I have a bad meal, it becomes a bad day, which then is a bad few days. Then I feel like crap and have to start all over again.
What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be? Getting to the gym most days of the week is easy as long as I don't take days off. I'm trying to go 5 days in a row and taking both weekend days off. I'm still working on doing a bit less cardio, at least not such long workouts, but I've also decided I enjoy them, and therefore will continue them (but not on weekends.)
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
I can be a strong woman, it's for me to choose if I want it though.
I need to eat lots of protein to control food cravings.
I have to track calories and such in Fitday or I can't do it.
My focus for February is to concentrate on the eating portion of this plan. I will do my best to track and to stick to my planned calorie range, which is 1600 on non-workout days and 1800 on workout days. I may have to up it to 1800-2000 but will give it a bit until I decide.
How has it been going? Really good, I'm still thrilled about this program after 13 workouts (I'm not officially in the challenge, and am a bit behind)
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals? I really hate tracking food. During the week, I tend to eat pretty consistently, so I tracked a few days in Fitday, and that confirmed my intake, about 1800-2000 calories. I'm still working on increasing my proteins.
What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be? Sticking with the exercise program, 3 days a week, without fail. I haven't been able to do that in the past. And I only delayed one workout so far, by a day, because I had sore joints and an achy back. And now I'm back on track.
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
1- I can follow a regular program
2- I can lift a lot more than I thought I ever could... all I had to do is try, apparently!
3- Protein decreases my appetite... who would have thought?
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals?
none really....I think I got it easy: eat, lift, eat, sleep, repeat.
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What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be?
I thought pushups would be easy, since I already could bang out 20 reps. But I made sure I was doing them slowly and controlled, keeping constant tension on the pectoral muscles. At the beginning it was tough, but I improved.
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What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
1. I can 'lunge'
2. I am stronger than some men at my gym
3. If I don't like an exercise it's probably the exercise that I will benefit from. NB --> Persist!
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*Starting this thread a day early as my birthday-girl (Hayley - age 3) is sick and running a fever and only wants her Mama! Figured I'd better do it while I had the opportunity!
Sorry to hear about your baby. At times like that mommies feel even worse than their kids.
How has it been going? Pretty well. I would like to have done more cardio, but the foot gods weren't letting that happen. I got all my weight workouts in!
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals? This stupid foot injury. My boyfriend and his totally different view of what healthy foods are. For example, as I type this, he is sitting down to an entire frozen pizza because "It's better than some of the other things I could eat." Whatever. The smell is so fricken tempting.
What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be? My menu planning. I stary from it a little bit here and there, but it gets easier and easier every day.
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
1. My thought process has certainly changed a lot. When I thought I broke my foot, I was sitting in the dr's office with a calendar trying to figure out if being out for 8-12 weeks would severely hamper my training. At another point in my life, if it was broken, I would've viewed it as an excuse to lay around eating junk for a few weeks!
2. I'm trying to deal with my boyfriend the best I can. It's a daily internal struggle for myself. I am changing and implementing so many healthy choices in my life and he is happy being 50 lbs overweight and easily winded if it means he can enjoy crappy food. I've learned that I can't change him, and it's starting to affect our relationship.
3. Beer really makes me bloated. I love beer so much. I knew I was going to do a lot of drinking this weekend for various functions, so I took my progress pics Friday morning. When I woke up Sat morning, my tummy looked nothing like my progress pics. I really need to re-think my love of beer.
"You only ever grow as a human being if you're outside your comfort zone." ~Percy Cerutty, athletic icon
"Hard training, easy combat; easy training, hard combat" ~Marshal Suvorov, Russian General
"Jogging is very beneficial. It's good for your legs and your feet. It's also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed." ~Charles Schulz, Peanuts
How has it been going? it's been great! i feel so "in control" right now - healthy, strong and ready to take on the world! i started the tnt diet two weeks ago and really like it. i hardly miss the carbs and i like listening to my body versus tracking calories. this month i am really focusing on increasing my veggie consumption - shooting for about eight servings a day.
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals? strained a muscle this week which sidelined me for two workouts, but i'm back on schedule tomorrow. adjusting to a new way of eating has also had its ups and downs, but i think i've got that handled. this forum has been so great - i have spent hours reading all of the posts (here and elsewhere on jp), following all of lisa's excellent links and soaking up the support and motivation that is so palpable here. i don't think i could have done it without all of you!!
What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be? having always used dumbbells or machines (when i'd done anything at all!!), i was terrified to make the leap to barbells and the squat rack. i was also super self-conscious about following a program that is so radically different than anything that anyone else is doing in the gym. although i can't say that i have totally gotten over the mortification of doing prone jackknives (badly) in front of other gym members, i find that i am much more "okay" than i ever though i'd be.
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
1 - i love working out hard and the "glow" that stays with me all day
2 - scale weight is only one measure of progress and success
3 - it is okay for me to break away from the crowd and make a life for myself that i know will keep me healthy and strong
If I mentally block out the part about having to post pics of my scantily-clothed body for the entire internet to see, pretty good overall.
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals?
Not knowing everything. I'm reading as fast as I can, though. One day, I will know everything and take over the world. Beware.
What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be?
Working out with all of the kids underfoot. (Just pour a good dose of vodka in their milk and, voila, they're all soon passed out like the lushes they are. I then work out in peace.)
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
1. The smell of iron turns me on.
2. My rear delts have gone missing. (If anyone sees them, please send them home right away.)
3. There is life after Dr. Pepper. It's not a quality life but it'll have to do.
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals? Being sick/tired for the better part of the last month. I don't remember ever having something that has held on like this crud has held on.
What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be?
not really sure.
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
1. I don't make a very good patient, especially when something has been as long and drawn out as this has been.
2. How you feel about your healthcare professional makes a big difference. Mine is getting changed this week.
3. I really hate not being able to excercise. There's a part of me that wants to, but there's the other part of me that's scared I'm going to get sick again because I've still got symptoms going on.
__________________ It all starts with the mind, but the thoughts, the intention aren't enough. Action needs to come next. Dream it, believe it, plan it, execute it, celebrate it. - Wendy
How has it been going?
Mediocre. I had to take nearly 2 weeks off because of the flu and could barely get out of bed, but now that I'm back to working out, I am feeling great.
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals?
The aforementioned flu, also making time to work out with a busy work and school schedule.
What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be?
Heavier weights! The ones that scared me in the beginning are now my friends.
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point? 1) I like weight lifting. The shock!
2) I do better when I *don't* track calories.
3) I am mentally better at weight training than I thought. I'm getting better at the "YOU CAN DO IT!" self-talk!
How's it been going? Great! I am feeling strong and happy!
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals?
A brief pitstop of being stick mid-month, but I really credit working steady out since July and paying attention to my nutrition in helping me get over it fairly quickly.
What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be?
Well, I wouldn't call it EASY, since I have been working on them since July, but I can't believe I can do push-ups!
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
1. I am focused
2. I am strong
3. I can do this
How's it been going? Great, except for the week that I was sick!
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals?
Being sick!!
What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be?
I was able to jump right back into my program after I felt better. In the past, it's been a struggle when I went "off the plan" for whatever reason. There was always the thought of "Well I screwed up, what's the point!" Not this time!
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
1. I am motivated and focused!
2. I CAN eat clean and still have really yummy food!
3. I WILL MEET MY GOALS!
And one more thing........it doesn't matter how much or how hard I work out - if my diet sucks, I'm NOT going to make progress!!!
Its going pretty well. I am happy with my progress.
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals?
Working 32 hours the last two weeks at my second job.
What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be?
Last year I started break-in of NROL before H&R Block got going and I was doing pretty well and then when I got busy I just let everything go and ate a ton of garbage and gained back whatever I had managed to lose. This year I decided that wasn't going to happen, and it has been easier than I thought once I got organized. If I plan my food out the night before, I just go to the kitchen in the morning with a list of what to pack and then I am not tempted to eat everything that's sitting out or pick up fast food.
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
1. I didn't realize that if I eat enough protein I can be full on fewer calories for my rest days. It almost seems like magic to me.
2. I had forgotten how wonderful it is to feel this good about myself again. It is worth it!
3. I can work around all the obstacles.
2. I'm trying to deal with my boyfriend the best I can. It's a daily internal struggle for myself. I am changing and implementing so many healthy choices in my life and he is happy being 50 lbs overweight and easily winded if it means he can enjoy crappy food. I've learned that I can't change him, and it's starting to affect our relationship.
I can so relate except it is my husband not my boyfriend. We have been together for 22 years. He continues to eat crap after having to go on Lipitor. We were together nonstop for the last 45 days on vacation. He still doesn't understand why I need to eat 6 small meals and he only needs to eat 2 full of garbage. I have stopped explaining, I just do it.
How has it been going? It's been going pretty well.
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals? The usual, keeping my eating under control and keeping my calories down. I lost half a pound, though, and for the first time in a loooong time I lived through a whole month without a weight/fat gain!!
What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be? I am so proud that I stuck to the same routine for one month without trying every other new thing I came across! Consistency!
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
1) I can be consistent!
2) uh....
3) uh...can't think of anything else at the moment!
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Karen
Life is short. Break the rules. Forgive quickly. Kiss slowly. Love truly, laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.
You're not 4 years old. You can tell yourself NO!" Dr. Phil
How's it been going? Really well- I love working out and feeling strong
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals?
I am travelling a lot more for work and I feel like it makes eating healthy so much harder. I can only squeeze so many healthy things in my laptop bag.
What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be?
I was worried that just a few exercises a few times a week wouldnt be enough- and it really is. My bum is feeling the lunges and squats!
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
1. I am determined to get stronger
2. I love the high from working out
3. I think I want to do a fitness/figure competition and get my body in amazing shape
Eh. I have been so short on time, first with being sick and spending the time I normally spend here on the couch, and now with my Hayley sick ... it could be going better, but it is what it is, right? My eating needs to be better although I am proud to have lost some fat despite not working out the past two weeks.
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals?
Getting sick!
What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be?
Tracking my food hasn't been the OCD issue it has in the past. I tracked for a while to be sure that I'm where I should be, and now I don't think I need to anymore. Planning my food out is still important for me I think to keep me from snacking on whatever.
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
1. I don't feel well when I eat sugar.
2. I do better when I workout first thing in the morning.
3. Time off of exercise due to illness is not the end of the world!
__________________
Life's a Journey ... Enjoy the Ride!
Quote:
Originally Posted by SwimBikeRun 2. I'm trying to deal with my boyfriend the best I can. It's a daily internal struggle for myself. I am changing and implementing so many healthy choices in my life and he is happy being 50 lbs overweight and easily winded if it means he can enjoy crappy food. I've learned that I can't change him, and it's starting to affect our relationship.
I can so relate except it is my husband not my boyfriend. We have been together for 22 years. He continues to eat crap after having to go on Lipitor. We were together nonstop for the last 45 days on vacation. He still doesn't understand why I need to eat 6 small meals and he only needs to eat 2 full of garbage. I have stopped explaining, I just do it.
I am struggling with this one too. When I met my husband he was big and strong a had an amazing body he was 5'11" and ripped at 220lbs. And now although still 5'11" he is easily 30-35lbs heavier and had no issue with it. I am trying really hard to not let it get to me, or to put pressure on him with my new lifestyle choices but it is so hard. I try and put myself in his position on what it must have been like when I went over board with my weight gain while pregnant but so far it's not working.
I am struggling with this one too. When I met my husband he was big and strong a had an amazing body he was 5'11" and ripped at 220lbs. And now although still 5'11" he is easily 30-35lbs heavier and had no issue with it. I am trying really hard to not let it get to me, or to put pressure on him with my new lifestyle choices but it is so hard. I try and put myself in his position on what it must have been like when I went over board with my weight gain while pregnant but so far it's not working.
I guess in some weird way it is comforting to know that others are struggling with this same issue. I don't know what to do because I don't like that he's 50 lbs overweight. I know when I was 50 lbs overweight, my ex hated it. Now I'm on the other end and it sucks! I kep telling myself that he'll change. He sees all these muscular guys that I know, and he isn't jealous at all! Aaack!
"You only ever grow as a human being if you're outside your comfort zone." ~Percy Cerutty, athletic icon
"Hard training, easy combat; easy training, hard combat" ~Marshal Suvorov, Russian General
"Jogging is very beneficial. It's good for your legs and your feet. It's also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed." ~Charles Schulz, Peanuts
How has it been going?
Pretty well, but it could be better. I'm still working with how to get everything in and as close to the program as I can.
What challenges have made it difficult for you to move forward toward your goals?
Not having all the equipment due to not going to the gym. (But, I am planning to purchase a squat rack because I can't do more than the 80# I am currently stuck at any other way.)
What have you overcome that was easier than you thought it would be?
Cutting back on sugary foods. Apparently it's a lot easier for me to do it gradually than go cold turkey.
What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
--I am stronger than I thought I was (and I keep learning this).
--I can stick to a food plan if I try hard enough and want it badly enough.
--It's not as painful as I was afraid it would be to post pics on the internet. It might be close, though .
How have things been going? Pretty well! For me to stick with one program this long is quite an accomplishment.
What challenges have made it difficult to move towards my goal:
Well, my diet. I tend to graze on foods I shouldn't. I have a huge
sweet tooth and it has always been my greatest challenge to keep
under control.
What have I overcome?
My fear of the Olympic barbell. Up until now, I've never touched it.
What 3 things have I learned about myself:
I've learned I don't have to kill myself with cardio everyday.
I've learned to not be so obsessed with the scale.
I've learned to be more focused at the gym.
I'm in the same boat regarding my hubby ... he was a cheerleader in college (at UConn) and in fantastic shape. When we met he was ripped, bulging biceps, broad shoulders and back, washboard abs, and dimples on the sides of his butt.
Now he eats potato chips and cookies every single day. Minimal veggies (although he'll eat them at dinner to set an example for the girls). Lots of soda, sugary drinks, and beer. He looks it too although his weight hasn't changed a whole lot. But no more bulging biceps. No more washboard abs.
But I don't hassle him about it. I go about setting a good example ... cuz nagging is only going to piss him off. I mean if the situation were reversed it would piss me off if he were nagging me!! I'm ready with info if he asks ... and I tell the kids all the time that eating veggies will keep you strong and healthy and eating too many cookies and other junk will make you sick.
I love him for who he is inside ... not his appearance ... but I would love it if he were as into health and fitness as me ... ... someday maybe! I can keep praying and hoping!!
__________________
Life's a Journey ... Enjoy the Ride!
-it's going well. I feel so strong and healthy right now
-biggest obstacle is my negative body image and retraining myself that it's okay to eat this much and gain some poundage
-easiest to overcome is making it challenging. I was worried at first that I would slack and let it be easy, but that hasn't been an issue. I've been consistently at 5-6 days a week between lifting and intervals. That's right what I wanted.
-Things I've learned are 1.) I don't necessarily have to be 115 lbs to look good 2.) short workouts can kick your but 3.) I have to allow myself to be beautiful--negative body image is a monster I fight every day.
3.) I have to allow myself to be beautiful--negative body image is a monster I fight every day.
mel
mel!!! I saw your pics. You are hotter than donut grease! Just believe us, we don't lie, we just turn green with envy that your before pics are what we want for after pics
How’s it been going?
So far, so good. It is helpful to me, knowing that so many of us are going through the program at the same time. I realize others are doing different programs, the point is that we are all sticking to it. What challenges have made it difficult to for you to move forward toward your goals?
My love of food, to put it simply, has hampered my success, but I am working on that and I plan on seeing better results in the future. What have you overcome that you that was easier, than you thought it would be?
Finding the equipment I need at the gym and overcoming my reluctance to just go and get it. I would also have to include in here, overcoming my fears of doing this workout in front of other people. What 3 things have you learned about yourself at this point?
1. I am stronger than I knew.
2. I am more persistent than I knew.
3. I like feeling strong and persistent.
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
What challenges have made it difficult to for you to move forward toward your goals?
My love of food, to put it simply, has hampered my success, but I am working on that and I plan on seeing better results in the future.
You will. It takes time to establish new habits. But once you are there it's such a joy to realize you are doing the right thing for your body and being a great example to your loved ones.
OFFICIAL WOMEN'S CHALLENGE: Weekly Motivation etc Thread 5/26
i started the tnt diet two weeks ago and really like it. i hardly miss the carbs and i like listening to my body versus tracking calories. this month i am really focusing on increasing my veggie consumption - shooting for about eight servings a day.
... someday maybe! I can keep praying and hoping!! 
Linear Mode
