Let's Get Healthy in 2010!

[Medusa]

Im starting my New Year's Resolutions early this year and inviting all of you to come along for the ride.
I generally don't make resolutions but every so often I do redo a list of goals for myself. The last few months, I have felt a gentle tug toward putting more energy into getting healthy (er) in 2010.

Getting healthy isnt just about weight either. Sometimes it's about breaking bad habits or working toward a new mindset. No matter what healthy looks like to you, let's work together to support each other!


My personal goals for health in 2010:

* Lose some weight - This isnt for vanity reasons because, HELLO, I'm a FINE-ASS woman just the way I am but my knees are QUITE pissed off at me every time I have to climb stairs or walk more than 2 miles so I plan to work on trimming down enough to be more mobile.

* Cut out the sodas - I drink an unhealthy amount of sodas. I admit it, Im a Coke-a-holic. Like maybe a 6-pack a day. YIKES. I want to work toward trimming out the sodas and drinking a LOT more water.

* Movement - Im going to dust off my exercise bike and actually USE it. I also would like to start doing more outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, etc. Even walking the dog can be good exercise and getting some fresh air is good for the soul.

* Paring down - "Healthy" to me is also having a healthy house. I want to focus on getting rid of the rest of the clutter, unpacking the rest of the crap in the garage, and making order out of chaos in the office.

* Healthy boundaries - I want to continue to focus on making healthy boundaries with toxic situations and people. I did GREAT with that in 2009 and want to continue that progress into 2010.

* Conscious Living - I want to continue to live consciously in 2010. I want to continue making good choices around reusing, recycling, and leaving a better footprint. I want to put more focus on gardening, home crafting like quilting and canning (Im a closet grandma), and moving away from using excess to just what I need.

Let's talk! What are your health goals for 2010?!

[IrishGrrl]

Already??? *groan*


I really want to do some of this stuff..but I'm really ........not feeling like it..LOL

The main thing I want is to quit smoking..we'll see.

[Pixie]

Well I have already started being heathier. I figure that if you can do it now, during the holidays, that you can make it through pretty much anything.

So I want to continue

*On my vegetarian/vegan path
*No sodas
*Exercising
*Doing what's best for me
*Saving up to go back to school

[Just_G]

I, too, want to get healthier in 2010! I have a hard time sticking to "resolutions", so I refer to them as lifestyle changes! :winky:

*I bought a stair stepper that I have been using 3x a week already.:weightlifter:

*I am going to cut down on the beer consumption...though I don't drink near as often as a lot of people might think. :beerbros:

*Once the weather warms up a tad (where it doesn't burn my lungs to breath in the ice cold air), I will get back to training for a 5k.:byebye:

*I need to walk my boxer puppy more often....SHE needs it to wear out, I need it for the excercise.:dogwalking:

*I am going to start journaling and getting a lot of the stuff off of my mind and onto paper to keep my head clear.:writer:

*I will be just as, if not more of a positive thinker....it seems to make quite a difference in my life.:thumbsup:

*I would like to get a part time job and get healthier on the financial side of things too!:glasses:

My life is fantastic..I am very blessed to have what I do, (especially given the financial state of my family business and having to cut out a lot of things from my life)...I just need to fine tune some things to make it even better!:cheer:

Attitude is EVERYTHING! :clap:

[Diva]

Im starting my New Year's Resolutions early this year and inviting all of you to come along for the ride.
I generally don't make resolutions but every so often I do redo a list of goals for myself. The last few months, I have felt a gentle tug toward putting more energy into getting healthy (er) in 2010.

Getting healthy isnt just about weight either. Sometimes it's about breaking bad habits or working toward a new mindset. No matter what healthy looks like to you, let's work together to support each other!


My personal goals for health in 2010:

* Lose some weight - This isnt for vanity reasons because, HELLO, I'm a FINE-ASS woman just the way I am but my knees are QUITE pissed off at me every time I have to climb stairs or walk more than 2 miles so I plan to work on trimming down enough to be more mobile.

* Cut out the sodas - I drink an unhealthy amount of sodas. I admit it, Im a Coke-a-holic. Like maybe a 6-pack a day. YIKES. I want to work toward trimming out the sodas and drinking a LOT more water.

* Movement - Im going to dust off my exercise bike and actually USE it. I also would like to start doing more outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, etc. Even walking the dog can be good exercise and getting some fresh air is good for the soul.

* Paring down - "Healthy" to me is also having a healthy house. I want to focus on getting rid of the rest of the clutter, unpacking the rest of the crap in the garage, and making order out of chaos in the office.

* Healthy boundaries - I want to continue to focus on making healthy boundaries with toxic situations and people. I did GREAT with that in 2009 and want to continue that progress into 2010.

* Conscious Living - I want to continue to live consciously in 2010. I want to continue making good choices around reusing, recycling, and leaving a better footprint. I want to put more focus on gardening, home crafting like quilting and canning (Im a closet grandma), and moving away from using excess to just what I need.

Let's talk! What are your health goals for 2010?!




What an inspiration!!! Thank You, Medusa!!!
So I'm going to use Your points here as a guide for myself....thanks!

~Lose some weight -- I'm the heaviest I've ever been in my life. I have fooled myself into believing that this is ok. It hasn't affected my knees so much as my hips....especially my left one. And I'm really not in the mood to have that hip replacement thing. So there's only one thing to do: I'm going to move the treadmill back to the middle of the room, plug it in, and get on it!

~Sodas -- thankfully, I cut a majority of those out last year. I haven't missed them much. Of course, I have replaced that with more coffee. So I'm going to cut that down....I'm going to start with that 50% kind first....and wean myself from the caffeine. Some of my Hater Friends were quite surprised to hear that I have 6 bottles of wine left over from Thanksgiving!!! I'm working on not drinking so much wine, too! I think with losing my job, I've been doing what I could to feed my depression.....wine was my answer. No more of that! Or maybe I should say "a bit LESS of that"! And more water!

~Movement -- I'm going back to Yoga.....it was a good tool for relaxation and gaining some strength.

~Purging -- This is also something I've been working on in my home ~ cutting the clutter. It feels SO good. But I'm not very organized and sporatic at best. So I'm going to start with one room/closet and not move to the next one until I've finished a room and taken all purged goods to Goodwill or the trash.

~Healthy Boundaries -- This has been the year of doing this for myself. I got tired of being open to insensitive, insecure & unhappy people cluttering up my personal space. It has amazed me how removing toxic people from my life has opened me up to more peace.

~Conscious Living -- I have begun this process....old habits die hard, don't they? But I'm taking those reusable bags to the grocery store and feel SO good to use them instead of the plastic! (They multiply, I have found!)


Thanks again, Medusa.....I feel that putting this out there will be good inspiration for me to 'put my money where my mouth is' and really DO this stuff!!!

[Mitmo01]

I will be a non-smoker on jan 1 i dont care what i have to do, how much hair I have to pull or teeth im done and dont want to a heart attack or stroke

[Just_G]

I will be a non-smoker on jan 1 i dont care what i have to do, how much hair I have to pull or teeth im done and dont want to a heart attack or stroke

While I understand that quitting smoking is a hard thing to do; I would be more worried about the snacking:eating: and crankiness :annoyed: that goes along with quitting, rather than the pulling of hair. I would rather put on a few pounds than have those pesky bald patches for people to laugh :pointing:and point at. :winky:

[Medusa]

AWESOME posts y'all!

I quit smoking as part of a goal back in 2008. I was one year smoke-free on October 13th of this year :) It was one of the best decisions I ever made. There has been a noticeable improvement in my general health - no more pesky colds all the time and sinus infections. I have also noticed renewed skin texture and my hair is shiny again. Those are little things that are all about vanity but I can imagine my lungs are much pinker and happier too :)

[IrishGrrl]

Well..if someone would come up with a good alternative to smoking that would be great. I need something that mimics the effects of smoking..calmness,satisfaction....sorta like the after glow effect. Yep that's what I need.

Other wise...

It
Wont
Be
Pretty..:whine:

[Medusa]

Well..if someone would come up with a good alternative to smoking that would be great. I need something that mimics the effects of smoking..calmness,satisfaction....sorta like the after glow effect. Yep that's what I need.

Other wise...

It
Wont
Be
Pretty..:whine:

The only thing I found that even came close (and it was a MILE off) were coffee-flavored Nips. Those little hard candies.

Oh, and gum.

I ate 40 packages of gum the first month. (no Im not kidding).

I STILL have a bad gum habit. I buy it in bulk at Sams. :blah:

[atomiczombie]

Well..if someone would come up with a good alternative to smoking that would be great. I need something that mimics the effects of smoking..calmness,satisfaction....sorta like the after glow effect. Yep that's what I need.

Other wise...

It
Wont
Be
Pretty..:whine:

I smoked for six years... from age twelve to eighteen. I finally quit on the fourth try. Here's how I did it:

Ya know how you usually think of all the bad things that smoking does and try to motivate yourself that way? It generally doesn't work so well. I made a list of all the POSITIVE things I had to gain from not smoking. Things like: my breath will be fresher. I will have more money since I won't be spending it on cigarettes. I will feel more energetic. People won't feel as uncomfortable around me. Things like that, and more. It was a long list lol.

Then I kept the list in my pocket, wherever I went. Every time I felt the urge to smoke, I pulled out that list and read it. Focusing on the positive really helped a lot. I didn't need a patch or nicotine gum. All I needed was to change my thinking. I also consciously stopped thinking of myself as a smoker who didn't smoke. I said to myself, "I am a non-smoker now." It is amazing what a new point of view can do.

Don't focus on what you are missing, like that satisfaction a cigarette gives you. Instead, think about the satisfaction of being smoke-free. Believe me, it works. :)

[IrishGrrl]

Thanks for the advice sugar...I'll keep it in mind..I'm gonna start on the first...
:seeingstars:

[Jett]

I've had some stuff happen in the two years and consequently I've let a few things slide as far as what's good for me. Also the things I just basically haven't done right from the get-go it's probably pretty much should call myself on...

I did quit smoking though, 3 years ago this month and stayed good on that (with the admitted cigar a couple times a year).

I'll probably bbl if get a good list going.

Great inspiration... thanx...

[christie]

I jumped on the healthy bandwagon back in August...

I stopped consuming carbs (insulin resistance bordering on Type II).

I stopped consuming sugar.

I stopped consuming sodas.

To date, I have lost 61-67lbs. Four sizes.

I feel better than ever.

My fibro is ramped down significantly and I have more energy.

I just feel good.

Much luck and success to those seeking healthier living in the coming year. It really is mind over matter.

Christie

[PapaC]

2010 is a year I wanna see taking *three steps forward*, and 1 back. not TWO, not staying stagnant, but constantly aiming. aiming. aiming.

Body/Mind/Spirit must all work together.

And since I'm almost never a guy of absolutes, yeah, I'll indulge in the 'odd' (and really happily do mean: ODD) cigarette. Harder to do with friends who still smoke, but how happy am I that I don't frequently visit friends who do? lol

Now that I've been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, my focus can now be on using all tools I have at my disposal more efficiently. This is exciting for me.

healthier boundaries, a must. 'nuff said.

Some random words and phrases that will shape my 2010:

Work, independence, de-cluttering, organizing, creating routines, bus passes, swim passes, paying bills, personal responsibility, meditation, teaming up with doctors (as opposed to deferring to them), standing up for myself, claiming my voice, remaining calm, reflect, breathe crisp air, finding adventures, stretch, learn, love.

[Just_G]

I forgot to mention that no cookies/cakes/ or any kind of donut, will be allowed within a 100 foot radius of my house!:riding2: There will be signs posted...much like the "Beware of Dog", or "no trespassing" signs....mine will simply say; "No Sweets on these Premises..you will be tasered!" Then another below that will read, "I am not kidding...try me!"
:winky:

[IrishGrrl]

WHAT!?@#%

No cake??!!!

:overreaction:
:mob:

[Gemme]

Im starting my New Year's Resolutions early this year and inviting all of you to come along for the ride.
I generally don't make resolutions but every so often I do redo a list of goals for myself. The last few months, I have felt a gentle tug toward putting more energy into getting healthy (er) in 2010.

Getting healthy isnt just about weight either. Sometimes it's about breaking bad habits or working toward a new mindset. No matter what healthy looks like to you, let's work together to support each other!


My personal goals for health in 2010:

* Lose some weight - This isnt for vanity reasons because, HELLO, I'm a FINE-ASS woman just the way I am but my knees are QUITE pissed off at me every time I have to climb stairs or walk more than 2 miles so I plan to work on trimming down enough to be more mobile.

* Cut out the sodas - I drink an unhealthy amount of sodas. I admit it, Im a Coke-a-holic. Like maybe a 6-pack a day. YIKES. I want to work toward trimming out the sodas and drinking a LOT more water.

* Movement - Im going to dust off my exercise bike and actually USE it. I also would like to start doing more outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, etc. Even walking the dog can be good exercise and getting some fresh air is good for the soul.

* Paring down - "Healthy" to me is also having a healthy house. I want to focus on getting rid of the rest of the clutter, unpacking the rest of the crap in the garage, and making order out of chaos in the office.

* Healthy boundaries - I want to continue to focus on making healthy boundaries with toxic situations and people. I did GREAT with that in 2009 and want to continue that progress into 2010.

* Conscious Living - I want to continue to live consciously in 2010. I want to continue making good choices around reusing, recycling, and leaving a better footprint. I want to put more focus on gardening, home crafting like quilting and canning (Im a closet grandma), and moving away from using excess to just what I need.

Let's talk! What are your health goals for 2010?!

This is a fantastic, realistic outline. I wish you much luck.

I, too, want to get healthier in 2010! I have a hard time sticking to "resolutions", so I refer to them as lifestyle changes! :winky:

*I bought a stair stepper that I have been using 3x a week already.

*I am going to cut down on the beer consumption...though I don't drink near as often as a lot of people might think. :beerbros:

*Once the weather warms up a tad (where it doesn't burn my lungs to breath in the ice cold air), I will get back to training for a 5k.:byebye:

*I need to walk my boxer puppy more often....SHE needs it to wear out, I need it for the excercise.:dogwalking:

*I am going to start journaling and getting a lot of the stuff off of my mind and onto paper to keep my head clear.:writer:

*I will be just as, if not more of a positive thinker....it seems to make quite a difference in my life.:thumbsup:

*I would like to get a part time job and get healthier on the financial side of things too!

My life is fantastic..I am very blessed to have what I do, (especially given the financial state of my family business and having to cut out a lot of things from my life)...I just need to fine tune some things to make it even better!:cheer:

Attitude is EVERYTHING! :clap:

The funny thing for me is, I prefer it to be cold when I run outside. I actually LIKE that feeling when you can feel ice crystals forming in your lungs.

I know; I'm a weirdo. :admin:

What an inspiration!!! Thank You, Medusa!!!
So I'm going to use Your points here as a guide for myself....thanks!

~Lose some weight -- I'm the heaviest I've ever been in my life. I have fooled myself into believing that this is ok. It hasn't affected my knees so much as my hips....especially my left one. And I'm really not in the mood to have that hip replacement thing. So there's only one thing to do: I'm going to move the treadmill back to the middle of the room, plug it in, and get on it!

~Sodas -- thankfully, I cut a majority of those out last year. I haven't missed them much. Of course, I have replaced that with more coffee. So I'm going to cut that down....I'm going to start with that 50% kind first....and wean myself from the caffeine. Some of my Hater Friends were quite surprised to hear that I have 6 bottles of wine left over from Thanksgiving!!! I'm working on not drinking so much wine, too! I think with losing my job, I've been doing what I could to feed my depression.....wine was my answer. No more of that! Or maybe I should say "a bit LESS of that"! And more water!

~Movement -- I'm going back to Yoga.....it was a good tool for relaxation and gaining some strength.

~Purging -- This is also something I've been working on in my home ~ cutting the clutter. It feels SO good. But I'm not very organized and sporatic at best. So I'm going to start with one room/closet and not move to the next one until I've finished a room and taken all purged goods to Goodwill or the trash.

~Healthy Boundaries -- This has been the year of doing this for myself. I got tired of being open to insensitive, insecure & unhappy people cluttering up my personal space. It has amazed me how removing toxic people from my life has opened me up to more peace.

~Conscious Living -- I have begun this process....old habits die hard, don't they? But I'm taking those reusable bags to the grocery store and feel SO good to use them instead of the plastic! (They multiply, I have found!)


Thanks again, Medusa.....I feel that putting this out there will be good inspiration for me to 'put my money where my mouth is' and really DO this stuff!!!



Excellent ideas and goals, miss Diva.

2010 is a year I wanna see taking *three steps forward*, and 1 back. not TWO, not staying stagnant, but constantly aiming. aiming. aiming.

Body/Mind/Spirit must all work together.

And since I'm almost never a guy of absolutes, yeah, I'll indulge in the 'odd' (and really happily do mean: ODD) cigarette. Harder to do with friends who still smoke, but how happy am I that I don't frequently visit friends who do? lol

Now that I've been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, my focus can now be on using all tools I have at my disposal more efficiently. This is exciting for me.

healthier boundaries, a must. 'nuff said.

Some random words and phrases that will shape my 2010:

Work, independence, de-cluttering, organizing, creating routines, bus passes, swim passes, paying bills, personal responsibility, meditation, teaming up with doctors (as opposed to deferring to them), standing up for myself, claiming my voice, remaining calm, reflect, breathe crisp air, finding adventures, stretch, learn, love.

I love your concept of using these words and phrases to shape your year.

WHAT!?@#%

No cake??!!!

:overreaction:
:mob:

That just means there's more for us. :drool:


I'll be back later to work up something for myself. Perfect timing for this thread, Medusa.

[T D]

Love this thread, Medusa :)

Continue to lose weight, I'm down about 50lbs from where I started, with about 65 more to go.

Exercise. I'll be starting some training on pilates very soon. I would have started this week, but the trainer didn't get back to me, and well it's probably not the best week of the year to try and contact anyone. I've joined a nice local gym again and intend to use it regularly. They also have an outdoor pool which I prefer.

Eat more organic foods. I've found that organic does make my Fibro better (or less bad) and it makes me feel better overall.

De-clutter my life. My gosh where did all of this stuff come from???? Having a little spot in an antique store has created a monster in that I collect all kinds of things now. I really need to clean this up. Either put it in the store, use it, or get rid of it!

Continue to keep drama out of my life. For me drama creates stress. Stress creates anxiety. Anxiety creates a cranky TD. I'm so over this kind of thing in my life. I ejected drama for the most part about 2 years ago. However, I admit that it's a continual battle.

I'd like to try living more frugally. I feel that I spend and waste in excess. There's so much food that I waste and can cut back on, or grow myself, etc. Less utilities, less gas, more of those great efficient light bulbs, more recycling, etc.

I'm sure there's more, but why plan more than I can actually accomplish anyway :)

[Medusa]

Well, Im already off to a good start. Had a little thing happen tonight after work that made me smile:

After work, I decided to run to Target to pick up some marshmallow creme to make fudge for my family. I decided on Target because the grocery stores are CRAZY right now and Target is on the way home.

Needless to say, I grabbed a cart and walked the perimeter of the store and eventually made my way around to the food section. I looked and looked and didnt find the marshmallow creme. As I made my way to the front of the store, I took a real good look in the stuff that had made its way into my basket while I had been cruising the aisles: a sweater for Jack, a hat for me, a game, a new cleaning product I had wanted to try, a CD, a couple of spices, and a new lip gloss.

Random stuff, right?

I stopped right in the middle of my store and asked myself: What did I REALLY come in here for?
That sweater for Jack? $30
That hat for me? $12
The game? $9
The cleaning product? $5
The CD? $13
The spices that I probably would never use? $3 each
The lip gloss? $6

The total $78.

$78 for stuff that I didnt NEED.
$78 for stuff that I had NOT come into that store for.

What did I do? I grabbed my purse, slung it over my shoulder, and walked out of the store, leaving the basket with all of the stuff still in it in front of one of the registers.

I saved $78 and also accomplished a tiny goal of not bringing more useless crap into the house. Victory.
Im going to seriously start doing this every time I go to the store.
Did I come into the store specifically for that item?
Do I REALLY need it?
Will I USE it or will it end up shoved in a closet or under a bed?
Do I already have one? (or in the case of the lip gloss, do I already have 130?)

Still, I have no marshmallow creme but I DO have the $78. Its a fair trade I think :)

[Gemme]

In 2010, I will:

Mind
Formulate, put into process and maintain healthier boundaries with emotional vampires, problem causers and other toxic people.

Delve more into the process behind my emotional eating and take more steps towards fully coming to terms with it.

Rediscovery my love of reading. My old neurons need to be refired regularly.


Body
I've done much better in 2009 than in previous years in making gains toward complete physical health. It is my goal to continue this journey and make even more strides towards a healthier, happier body.

I won't deprive myself, as that leads to further self-sabotage, but I will monitor my intake of less than desirable foods and beverages more carefully.

My consumption of water has GREATLY improved and I will continue my progress with this.

I will strive harder to make sure I am receiving the nutrients I need and take a multi-vitamin daily.


Spirit
I will continue to eliminate unnecessary objects and belongings from my home and personal space.

Thanks to my housemates, we are an environmentally conscious household, and I hope to push that envelop even further. There's always more we can (or cannot, if that's the case) do to help Mother Earth.

I shall find ways to regularly tap into my creative vein and explore what is inside of me via journaling, arts and craft projects, penpalling, and adding artistic flair and touches where ever I can.

[Sachita]

Love this thread, Medusa :)

Continue to lose weight, I'm down about 50lbs from where I started, with about 65 more to go.

Exercise. I'll be starting some training on pilates very soon. I would have started this week, but the trainer didn't get back to me, and well it's probably not the best week of the year to try and contact anyone. I've joined a nice local gym again and intend to use it regularly. They also have an outdoor pool which I prefer.

Eat more organic foods. I've found that organic does make my Fibro better (or less bad) and it makes me feel better overall.

De-clutter my life. My gosh where did all of this stuff come from???? Having a little spot in an antique store has created a monster in that I collect all kinds of things now. I really need to clean this up. Either put it in the store, use it, or get rid of it!

Continue to keep drama out of my life. For me drama creates stress. Stress creates anxiety. Anxiety creates a cranky TD. I'm so over this kind of thing in my life. I ejected drama for the most part about 2 years ago. However, I admit that it's a continual battle.

I'd like to try living more frugally. I feel that I spend and waste in excess. There's so much food that I waste and can cut back on, or grow myself, etc. Less utilities, less gas, more of those great efficient light bulbs, more recycling, etc.

I'm sure there's more, but why plan more than I can actually accomplish anyway :)



This is me. I started losing weight last year and making changes but I found my emotions always throwing me into a tail spin. I'll have a few great months and then BAM, I lose my motivation and desire. Desire, I have learn is the key fuel to create almost any change. Desire is often stifled by depression, loneliness and old past shit we never completely healed.

I started doing Debbie Ford's "21 Day Conscious Cleansing " and it's shed some light on some things I know I must hurdle or all of my attempts, as in the past will be useless.

In season I try to grow most of my food. I will buy organic first depending on quality and availability. When you grow beautiful organic food its really hard to pay 1.50 for a fucked up looking cuke that was probably picked too soon and sat there too long.

I've been slowly getting rid of shit I've carried around for years. It's been hard because I get attached to things and this is a process I am learning. I don't need this big house and all this land. I really want to down size and live more simple and frugal as well. I learned that my attachment to money and the importance I place on it is just unhealthy. Living more simple and to continue to live more independently- growing my food, preserving, etc. gives me true freedom. Money really can't give that to me but what it can give me is stress.

I have the same problem with food. I'm sure something from my past. I hate the waste. I've been more conscious and prepare things I know I can make a few meals or worse case it's healthy enough to mix in with dog food or one of my other animals can eat.

I share shopping with my sister. she goes one week i go the next and when my son goes to work or run an errand I have him pick me up things. I've saved at least 40.00 a month in gas, maybe more just by doing things different.

TD do you juice or smoothies? This makes a huge difference for me. If I get lots of fruits and veggies into my system I have less cravings. Increasing this will also help MANY illnesses- the list is way way long but Fibro is on it.

I haven't dated at all. 2009 was exciting and yet filled with intense heartbreak. I spent quite a few years healing from a bad break up and 2009 was the year I thought I could fall in love. I did and got my heartbroken and although I'm not the same person i was in round one, I'm smarter, it still hurt and made me withdraw. This year I am working on myself and opening myself up more to the idea. I'm not looking but I'm praying and opening my heart, for the first time in a long time to find a partner, lover and friend. Someone that is also ready to slow down, enjoy life, grow a garden, walk in the woods, hold hands and sit on the front porch. I have a feeling this person will enter my life this year or maybe my desire is setting in. lol

I have so many animals and decided to adopt out a few dogs I had rescued and planned on adopting but kept one too long. I finally adopted him to a wonderful family but I'm having a really hard time with this. More so then normal. I've rescued and adopted out dozens of animals but this really affected me. I have more to go, to make my life easier but I'm a little freaked by this.

I'm looking for the right roommate that love farm living to share the house and garden. I'd like to spend some serious time in Costa Rica by the ocean. If I get the right roommate I can afford to do this and hopefully she/hy can start living their best life too.

It's going to be quite a year but its off to a great start. I'm simply opening myself up to receive and trust in God to bring me the peace and balance I long for.

I would love to have a pool. I love water and swimming. This is the hardest thing for me in winter and living in a house without a pool.

[canmarielan]

Ms. Dusa,

Thanks for this thread....I've just now gotten around to checkin out the site fully and found this.

I think it's obvious by my recent activity here what one of my goals for this year is. I'll list that one and the rest:

I will be under the 300 lb mark by New Year's Eve. I need more energy. I'm 25, it's time to do what's right to make my life healthier and happier.

I will focus more on my spirituality. Currently label myself as agnostic. I want to delve further and decide what exactly I believe, and what I can do to use that to improve my life.

I will be more active in acquiring knowledge about relevant political issues, instead of just allowing other's opinions to sway my own.

I will work harder to maintain my friendships nation-wide, remembering that my friends have carried me through the roughest points in my life.

[Linus]

I love all this. One of my biggest problems this past year was the fact that I teach online and have become even more attached to my computer (as I told my boss, my chair is being welded to mah butt!). Sedentary lifestyle is a challenge for me and it is something that has to change. To that end...

** I'm with y'all about chucking sugar out the door. Explicitly in my sight is HFCS (high fructose corn sugar). This hidden gem is in nearly everything and I have suspicions has a far more addictive quality than regular sugar.

** get rid of my dependence on soda (even diet soda). A few years ago I managed to kick it and lost 5 lbs -- and this was **DIET** soda I had stopped drinking.

** more water. Because of T, it's even more important than before and being sedentary doesn't help either. For those who have iTouch/iPhones, there is an app called "Water". This helps keep track of how much water you drink in a day and how much you need by body weight. It's been an eye-opener for me.

** remove any and all processed foods from my diet. If it's not from a tree or the ground, then it ain't going in me. This means removing flour, sugar, etc.

** more exercise. I've started this (although this week was a bit of a washout because of the early start and long end of day). Thankfully, I don't teach this particular class that often. To this end I have a few things to help:



Iron Gym (hangs in the door -- every time I enter or exit I do or try to do 10 pull-ups)
Blue Rubber Fitness Band (use this for curls, flyes, raises, etc and I can do it when my colleague is teaching)
Yoga iTouch App (10 min x 3 times a week)
Kettle Ball exercises (30 min x 3 times a week)
Do the X number of exercises 3 times a week (as part of Kettle Ball workout)



100 pushups app (3 times a week to try to eventually be able to do 100 pushups)
200 situps app (as above)
200 squats app (as above)

** go through my books, sell what I can or give it away. Keep only what I truly need.

** go through clothes, sell, give away or toss.

** go through old documents and such and toss anything over 7 years (age that most tax Ministries or Departments require you to keep stuff)

** sell Dell system (after February) as it's not needed. Return Dell laptop to corporation (not used/needed)

** enter at least 3 blog entries into my personal blog a week and 2 a week in the cigar blog (yes, I won't give that up since it's limited to 1-2 a week)

** do a weekly ToDo that includes many of the above to help me keep track

I think this is a good start for now. I may add more but for now this will do. Go Team BFP!

[Medusa]

Hey all! I am loving everyone's "Get Healthy" lists!

I was about to post that I have sucked lately at cutting back on the sodas but when I really think about it, I have done better than Im giving myself credit for. For instance, yesterday I had half a can of coke in the morning and half a can last night. That was IT all day long. I had some sparkling apple cider with Jack when I got home from work and my nightly cup of hot tea.

I am definitely not drinking enough water so cutting back on the Cokes needs to equal more water for me.

Today, I drank half a Coke before leaving for work and am now swilling away on a Diet Mountain Dew. These are wonderful but chock full of caffeine so I wont have any more soda today once Im done with it.

Water Water! I need more water! I am going to take the suggestion about the iPhone app from Linus and try to track my water :)

Best of luck to all of us. Little changes along the way can mean BIG results later.

XO

[IrishGrrl]

Am I the only one here who KNOWS I need to do this stuff ..but am totally feeling whiney, and annoyed at giving up my beautiful smokes, cake, and soda??

*whine*

[Medusa]

Am I the only one here who KNOWS I need to do this stuff ..but am totally feeling whiney, and annoyed at giving up my beautiful smokes, cake, and soda??

*whine*

Nope. Im having a totally grouchy day because I ate a turkey wrap for lunch and didnt have chips or anything sweet with it. I want my fuggin' SUGAR.

And Im totally annoyed that there is a biggo gallon of Rocky Road in the freezer that I will want to kill when I get home because my hormones are in overdrive. :hanging:

[Just_G]

Oh I almost cried like a baby when putting cupcakes down the garbage disposal after a friend's birthday party at my house. Threw away the cookies, peanut brittle, and have no sweets at ALL in the house.

The one thing I refuse to give up is the occasional beer with my friends. Like tonight, I know I will be awful and have a couple, but I will be with Cheech....how can I NOT drink beer while shooting the shit with him? It might be awkward. :winky:

Granted, I am pretty damn good right now, and know that I need to work harder to work off the beers that I might drink once a week. I have no problem with the sweets...I can't have them after 7 pm or I don't sleep...:nyahnyah:

Whining is okay, just remember, you will feel great in the end for doing what you had to do that caused the whining!

[always2late]

Hey all! I am loving everyone's "Get Healthy" lists!

I was about to post that I have sucked lately at cutting back on the sodas but when I really think about it, I have done better than Im giving myself credit for. For instance, yesterday I had half a can of coke in the morning and half a can last night. That was IT all day long. I had some sparkling apple cider with Jack when I got home from work and my nightly cup of hot tea.

I am definitely not drinking enough water so cutting back on the Cokes needs to equal more water for me.

Today, I drank half a Coke before leaving for work and am now swilling away on a Diet Mountain Dew. These are wonderful but chock full of caffeine so I wont have any more soda today once Im done with it.

Water Water! I need more water! I am going to take the suggestion about the iPhone app from Linus and try to track my water :)

Best of luck to all of us. Little changes along the way can mean BIG results later.

XO

I was a TOTAL soda addict since my teens (I even kept a couple of 2-liter bottles of diet Pepsi in my room). And although I don't really drink soda anymore....I had a hard time with the whole water thing. I'll drink water if nothing else is around...but it was never my first choice

AND THEN!! Just when I had given up hope that I would EVER get my daily water requirements in....I discovered Totally Light Tea2Go in those handy little water bottle sized packets. It is WONDERFUL!! I get the sugar free green tea with honey and I love it! 0 calories, 0g of carbs, sugar, fat, sodium, etc...AND 100% vitamin C. It also doesn't contain aspartame (which also makes me happy).

I am now a water drinker! I can have my iced tea indulgence and get my daily water in (I've even started drinking "plain" water between the tea..gasp!).

Hope this has been helpful :)

Ooops had to come back and edit....I was so busy waxing rhapsodic about my tea that I forgot my list!! lol

My goals for 2010:

Lose the extra pounds - I don't care how I look and I like me...but I am starting the feel the extra weight as I am getting older, and I don't like how it feels

Get rid of the clutter - for example..the magazines that I keep for the ONE recipe in them that I keep telling myself I will someday make...but which have been sitting on the bookcase for, oh, about two years now.

Deleting the negative - its time to get rid of the negative influences in my life...family, friends, acquaintances, exes....whoever brings negativity and useless drama into my life. Sounds harsh, but at this point its just a matter of emotional and mental survival.

Green up - start recycling more, choosing better products and companies which actually support the environment, making the house more energy efficient, etc...

Think that's it for now :)

[IrishGrrl]

Nope. Im having a totally grouchy day because I ate a turkey wrap for lunch and didnt have chips or anything sweet with it. I want my fuggin' SUGAR.

And Im totally annoyed that there is a biggo gallon of Rocky Road in the freezer that I will want to kill when I get home because my hormones are in overdrive. :hanging:

Thank you!!

I've delayed starting the diet, and quiting smoking thing becouse I've felt so..mad about it. Not mad that I'm fat..not mad that I smoke. I've felt mad that I NEED to do this stuff..and I dont WANT TO!

I've decided not to start until I really feel like I WANT to..otherwise? It will never work, and in turn I"m going to feel like a total failure.

I want to WANT this..I really do. I just dont right now.

xoxo

[Gemme]

For those who want/need more water, there ARE options other than the sedimentary kind of stuff we remember from childhood. Now, we have filters for the faucet and fridge (Brita) as well as bottled water (although keeping landfills and recycling in mind, that's not the 'best' option) and flavored packs of yummy goodness!!! Oh, yes, oh, yes!

I love the generics just as much as Crystal Light too. There are Kool Aid packets as well as punch flavored, grape, white grape (my personal fave!), juice combinations, ginseng infused packets, white/green tea packets, and a plethora of other flavors. I highly recommend this. They come in sugar free too for those concerned with sugar levels and are typically 0-10 calories per 16 ounces. A note to remember if you'll be using them at work and like and/or are required to be 'professional' in appearance....reds and purples STAIN...fingers, tongues, lips, etc. That is all.

Also, you may be getting more water than you think you are. Keep in mind water comes from our food too. So, if you only drank 8 ounces of water but also had juice and a bunch of grapes and some ripe oranges or....you get the picture. Water is in nearly everything we eat. I like the idea of the app Linus was talking about, though I don't have the phone.

[cara]

I :stillheart: water, thank Goodness. Every once in awhile, I attempt to drink some of those sugar-free water flavorings, but more often than not, they mess with my stomach and give me wicked cramping.

Do any of you track your food/calories on www.thedailyplate.com? It's pretty cool and I find it so much easier to keep track of every teensy little calorie. I need to get back to eating better and exercising more. Every day I try to do a little better. Like PapaC says: Three steps forward and a few steps back.

Cheers!

cara

[Linus]

I :stillheart: water, thank Goodness. Every once in awhile, I attempt to drink some of those sugar-free water flavorings, but more often than not, they mess with my stomach and give me wicked cramping.

Do any of you track your food/calories on www.thedailyplate.com? (http://www.thedailyplate.com?) It's pretty cool and I find it so much easier to keep track of every teensy little calorie. I need to get back to eating better and exercising more. Every day I try to do a little better. Like PapaC says: Three steps forward and a few steps back.

Cheers!

cara

I've actually used it before and even have the app for it. I think I'd need to get back into that habit again to track everything so I can see when I do good and when I need to redouble my efforts. Changing a bad habit into a better lifestyle does take a bit of work.

[Gemme]

I :stillheart: water, thank Goodness. Every once in awhile, I attempt to drink some of those sugar-free water flavorings, but more often than not, they mess with my stomach and give me wicked cramping.

Do any of you track your food/calories on www.thedailyplate.com? It's pretty cool and I find it so much easier to keep track of every teensy little calorie. I need to get back to eating better and exercising more. Every day I try to do a little better. Like PapaC says: Three steps forward and a few steps back.

Cheers!

cara

I went. I liked. I signed up. I knew it was going to be icky for today, but...other than the sugar and carbs being out of control (which I expected)....the rest was actually GOOD. I'm kinda, sorta proud of myself today! :cheesy:

For the sake of transparency, since my profile there is private, my fat came in at 49% of the rda, protein was 114%ish (I can't remember exactly), fiber was 97%, cholesterol was 82%, calories was about 119% rda, and I'm missing one. I just can't remember what else it monitors. My brain hasn't clocked in for the whole day today. *rueful smile*

The things I have to work on the most aren't a big surprise for me. My carbs were 160%-something of my rda and the sugar came in at 461%. Nope, that's not a typo and no....I'm not diabetic. But yes, it does run in my family. It was my last few servings of Circus Peanuts that did it. I just could NOT throw them away. So, I finished them off and will do better tomorrow and the next day and the next....

I did workout today, however, so that's over 500 calories DESTROYED!

*maniacal laugh*

We take the good wherever we can find it.

[cara]

Nice job, Gemme! :) One other thing I like about dailyplate is that you can add in your fitness, no matter how small, and it will take those calories from your daily total. It takes all the guess work out of it. :)

[Gemme]

Nice job, Gemme! :) One other thing I like about dailyplate is that you can add in your fitness, no matter how small, and it will take those calories from your daily total. It takes all the guess work out of it. :)

I definitely like it being easier than I am. :backdoorsex:

:cheesy:

Hey...serious question! Does sex count? I forgot to look and this is my last entry for the evening. Hmmm......:thinking:

[Diva]

Today is my first day to go caffeine free.

:flowers:

We'll see how THAT goes! ;)

[Linus]

I definitely like it being easier than I am. :backdoorsex:

:cheesy:

Hey...serious question! Does sex count? I forgot to look and this is my last entry for the evening. Hmmm......:thinking:

Yes. Both the act leading to it (foreplay) and the actual act (intercourse) do burn calories. For an idea as to how much see here: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc

[purepisces]

I :stillheart: water, thank Goodness. Every once in awhile, I attempt to drink some of those sugar-free water flavorings, but more often than not, they mess with my stomach and give me wicked cramping.

Do any of you track your food/calories on www.thedailyplate.com? It's pretty cool and I find it so much easier to keep track of every teensy little calorie. I need to get back to eating better and exercising more. Every day I try to do a little better. Like PapaC says: Three steps forward and a few steps back.

Cheers!

cara


Thanks for this link cara. I just signed up and I love it. I took the "eat more fruits and veggies" dare.

I quit eating all meat except for fish in December and I hope to remove fish from my diet in the coming months. I’ve flirted with vegetarianism off and on for years, but 2010 is the year it becomes a permanent lifestyle for me! I’ve been trying to do it right this time and not just live off of bread, potatoes and sweets. So, I’m learning to use fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Even though it’s been only a few weeks, I can see a difference in my energy level and my skin. I love it!

Eating this way definitely takes a lot more time and preparation. To make sure I don’t have a lot of produce going bad, I’m making trips to the store several times a week now. And I have to actually prepare a meal instead of just picking up fast food on my way home from a long day. The pull of “quick and easy” is the hardest urge for me to fight at the moment.

I like the “You Are What You Eat” books by Gillian McKeith. You can also see the show by the same name on BBC America.

I need to get back to the gym; it’s been too long. It seemed like I was always too tired after work before. But, hopefully, this increased energy will help me get back on track! It’s great to have a group to support the positive changes we are all making.

[Gemme]

Yes. Both the act leading to it (foreplay) and the actual act (intercourse) do burn calories. For an idea as to how much see here: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc


I know that it all burns calories. Just sitting, breathing does that. I was actually referring to the site Cara mentioned and whether sex is listed as one of the fitness options. I'm sorry; I should have been more clear. :)

Edited to note: I checked and sex comes in many forms at thedailyplate. :)

[cara]

I know that it all burns calories. Just sitting, breathing does that. I was actually referring to the site Cara mentioned and whether sex is listed as one of the fitness options. I'm sorry; I should have been more clear. :)

Edited to note: I checked and sex comes in many forms at thedailyplate. :)

Gemme-Sorry for the late reply. It does, indeed! :)

[cara]

I like the “You Are What You Eat” books by Gillian McKeith. You can also see the show by the same name on BBC America.

I :stillheart: that show!!! So sad I don't have cable any longer so I can't watch it. :( Didn't realize she had books. I must check those out when I next have some spare cashola. :2driedel:

:stillheart:

[Logicaly]

So I am a little late coming to this thread, however I was having a very similar discussion with my girl right before the new year and I need to stop talking about it and just actually do it. That being said, here is what I would like to see me accomplish for myself this year....

Soda - Much like everyone else, I drink it, and a lot. All the sugar and caffeine, not good for me in the least bit. So by the end of the year I would like to have cut all soda from my drinking habits completely.

Water - As my girl will agree, and often remind me, I do not drink enough water, I try, its just, there is no flavor. I know all about the crystal light packets, and what I need to do, is stop being afraid to try new flavors, and just do it, to help increase my water intake.

Exercise/Weight - I need more of it. I have a job where I sit at my desk all day, and loathe getting up, because I won't lie, im lazy. I want to get myself on a schedule of working out, at least 5 out of the 7 days a week. I want to lose some weight as well, while I am not that over weight, I am slightly over weight. I need to lose about 30 to 40 lbs approximately and would like to accomplish this. Along with this, I want to tone up as well and start getting alot more muscle definition.

Money - At the age of 27, and for the first time in my life, I am at a point in my career where I can actually afford to spend a little, and oh do I spend. I want to manage my money better then I currently do. I need to learn to start saving, but still balance it with my feeling like I am rewarding myself for my hard work. I need to find and accomplish that fine balance. I also need to incorporate saving methods in to my day to day life, through the use of coupons, energy saving, etc.

Education - I want to continue it, in all the things that make me passionate. No more half assing it. I have this habit of starting to learn something, and then letting it dwindle out, but not this time. I need to stay focused and force myself to buckle down and actually learn the things I am wanting to learn because I know I will be a better person in the long run because of it.

Clearing Out the Riff Raff - I am a pack rat, I like to keep things that I shouldn't, and while I have been good so far with clearing things out, I need to continue with it. I need to sell off things that I have no use for, and will most likely never use.

Confidence/Negativity - I need to work on this. I have a really bad habit of putting myself down, not being confident with myself, and being overall negative about alot of things. I need to stop being negative, try and be more positive, and also try to be more confident about myself.

Follow Through - I need to follow through, in all aspects of my life, whether it be by creating to do lists to keep myself on track or something. I set alot of goals, alot of things I want to do, and I never follow through and complete them and leave them hanging, this needs to change.

See The Sun - There is a life outside of these walls and I need to experience it, ideally I would like to get out for a few hours at least one day every weekend, and enjoy nature in some way, shape or form.

So there we have it, my goals for the year, what I want to see myself accomplish, and hopefully by the end of the year I can look back on this post and say yes, I accomplished all these goals.

[Gemme]

Gemme-Sorry for the late reply. It does, indeed! :)

No worries! I was musing out loud. :)

So I am a little late coming to this thread, however I was having a very similar discussion with my girl right before the new year and I need to stop talking about it and just actually do it. That being said, here is what I would like to see me accomplish for myself this year....

Soda - Much like everyone else, I drink it, and a lot. All the sugar and caffeine, not good for me in the least bit. So by the end of the year I would like to have cut all soda from my drinking habits completely.

Water - As my girl will agree, and often remind me, I do not drink enough water, I try, its just, there is no flavor. I know all about the crystal light packets, and what I need to do, is stop being afraid to try new flavors, and just do it, to help increase my water intake.

Exercise/Weight - I need more of it. I have a job where I sit at my desk all day, and loathe getting up, because I won't lie, im lazy. I want to get myself on a schedule of working out, at least 5 out of the 7 days a week. I want to lose some weight as well, while I am not that over weight, I am slightly over weight. I need to lose about 30 to 40 lbs approximately and would like to accomplish this. Along with this, I want to tone up as well and start getting alot more muscle definition.

Money - At the age of 27, and for the first time in my life, I am at a point in my career where I can actually afford to spend a little, and oh do I spend. I want to manage my money better then I currently do. I need to learn to start saving, but still balance it with my feeling like I am rewarding myself for my hard work. I need to find and accomplish that fine balance. I also need to incorporate saving methods in to my day to day life, through the use of coupons, energy saving, etc.

Education - I want to continue it, in all the things that make me passionate. No more half assing it. I have this habit of starting to learn something, and then letting it dwindle out, but not this time. I need to stay focused and force myself to buckle down and actually learn the things I am wanting to learn because I know I will be a better person in the long run because of it.

Clearing Out the Riff Raff - I am a pack rat, I like to keep things that I shouldn't, and while I have been good so far with clearing things out, I need to continue with it. I need to sell off things that I have no use for, and will most likely never use.

Confidence/Negativity - I need to work on this. I have a really bad habit of putting myself down, not being confident with myself, and being overall negative about alot of things. I need to stop being negative, try and be more positive, and also try to be more confident about myself.

Follow Through - I need to follow through, in all aspects of my life, whether it be by creating to do lists to keep myself on track or something. I set alot of goals, alot of things I want to do, and I never follow through and complete them and leave them hanging, this needs to change.

See The Sun - There is a life outside of these walls and I need to experience it, ideally I would like to get out for a few hours at least one day every weekend, and enjoy nature in some way, shape or form.

So there we have it, my goals for the year, what I want to see myself accomplish, and hopefully by the end of the year I can look back on this post and say yes, I accomplished all these goals.

It looks like you've put a good deal of thought into this. I know that when I think things through, I tend to follow through better. Good luck.

[Linus]

Well, I get to report in a bit today. So, I've been mostly good about my nutrition and am getting better. I've been monitoring my meals and had a checkup today. Blood pressure was awesome and had dropped from where it had been climbing over the summer. I've lost about 10lbs in the last 2.5 weeks. I started the Power 90 workout this week (today). This the precursor to the P90X set of DVDs (which are on their way to me as well). I could only do 20 mins of a 35 min workout (stretch, workout and cooldown). I'm pleased I got through most of it and know I have to continue working at it. The nice thing is that I can bring my DVDs with me (only 2-3) along with a resistance band or two when I travel and do these when I wake up first thing.

To help me further, I've started posting my "before" pictures as incentive (see my gallery for my album called Fighting Mah Flab). I have a bit of weight to go (started the year at 240 and want to lose at least 40 -- for now; I'll set a new goal once the 40lbs are dropped). I weighed in at 231 today. :cheesy:

[purepisces]

This www.thedailyplate.com site has been really eye opening for me. I have been really out of touch with what I’m eating! I can see why they say keeping a food journal is helpful. Being accountable for what I’m eating makes me stop and consider if I’m really hungry or if I’m bored/stressed/sad, etc. Even so, I’m far from perfect in the choices I make, but I’m definitely making better choices.

The thing that has been the most surprising to me is how much sugar is in fruit. Today I had an apple, blueberries and blackberries for breakfast and I’m already at 50% of my recommended sugar intake for the day!

I am still enjoying feeling more energetic since cutting meat out of my diet. I would say that I am eating fish, maybe, 4 times a week. My goal is to gradually keep reducing that until I’m completely vegetarian.

[amiyesiam]

Well in 2008 we both quit smoking
and at the beginning of 2009 we cut out most fast food. Some times we still get it but it is really rare. We decided we could cook at home what it was that we wanted to eat out. It has worked pretty well.
we haven't really discussed 2010 other than we both feel we need to move more and keep trying to eat more and more healthy.

I think that because we work well together and support each other that we are able to get things done in a safe and supportive enviorment.

and god only knows if you have ever tried to grow and change without support at home ya know how important this is

[Sachita]

I stopped smoking and for some reason started again. A few days ago I decided "thats it" I'm just doing it and I'm never going back.

I've been dizzy. Is this normal?

No patches sorry. No doctors.

maybe i have a little bug too. This smoking thing is hard. I've also cut way back on sugar and find this as hard as smoking.

[amiyesiam]

QUOTE=Sachita;36786]I stopped smoking and for some reason started again. A few days ago I decided "thats it" I'm just doing it and I'm never going back.

I've been dizzy. Is this normal?

No patches sorry. No doctors.

maybe i have a little bug too. This smoking thing is hard. I've also cut way back on sugar and find this as hard as smoking.[/QUOTE]


I don't know about the dizzy?

but I do agree sugar would be much much harder.[

[Jess]

Setting a quit date for smoking. I have quit a couple different times and always went back. This is the single most important part of my getting healthier. I have pretty serious resp issues and it will never get better unless I address this addiction with a firm "bud nipping". Past week or so has been very hard on me, the friggen weather didn't help.

Congrats to folks who have quit. It is a terribly hard thing to put behind. I hear so many stories of folks who get cranky as hell, for me I become very melancholic. Always on the verge of tears. Then a lil crankiness kicks in also.

I figure Christie will help me through the sadness, and forgive me the cranky episodes.. I know she always has my back.

[Diva]

I'm happy to report that I have now gone a month without caffeine. I didn't go cold turkey cuz the headaches are a total bitch.....but I have to say I feel SO much better not having that mid~morning crash when that stuff wears off!

Yea! :D

[Medusa]

I'm happy to report that I have now gone a month without caffeine. I didn't go cold turkey cuz the headaches are a total bitch.....but I have to say I feel SO much better not having that mid~morning crash when that stuff wears off!

Yea! :D


This is AWESOME!

I am doing the same thing right now! Trying to cut out all caffeine and trying to keep from killing someone in the process.

I have gone from 6 - 8 full sugar Cokes a day down to none. Im drinking water, lots of unsweet tea, and my new favorite "cherry limeade" flavored drink mix. It's the Wal-Mart brand of Crysal Lite and it's AWESOME!

[Nina]

to read how and what people want to do, and are Doing to live healthy(er) lives...what we can do to show, and grow, our own self-love...we can often love others and yet we struggle to love ourselves...to rid ourselves of behaviors which cause us harm...each step we take should be applauded and valued...

thank you for sharing what you do...

[Odarlin]

Great idea!
Health goals.

Increase:
flexibility:bdsmslave:
energy:toypony:
serenity:violin:
Solution: (Sayin' it outloud.) kinda
Yoga- 30 minutes a day.
Even if it keels me.:fastdraq:

I will start tonight.:pirate-steer:

[Gentle Tiger]

I don't have anything to post at the moment for personal goals. I just wanted to stop by and provide support. Stick with your goals. There's a reason why you made them. Remember the reasons for wanting to make the change(s).

YOU are important and so are your goals!

[Diva]

This is AWESOME!

I am doing the same thing right now! Trying to cut out all caffeine and trying to keep from killing someone in the process.

I have gone from 6 - 8 full sugar Cokes a day down to none. Im drinking water, lots of unsweet tea, and my new favorite "cherry limeade" flavored drink mix. It's the Wal-Mart brand of Crysal Lite and it's AWESOME!



I'm also drinking much more water....I have a big ol' Brita 'box' in my frig as we speak and I have to fill it every day-day & a 1/2!! I ALso love the Wal~Mart brand of CL.....my fave is the Raspberry Ice....YUM!

(You know tea has hella caffiene, right?)

[Medusa]

I'm also drinking much more water....I have a big ol' Brita 'box' in my frig as we speak and I have to fill it every day-day & a 1/2!! I ALso love the Wal~Mart brand of CL.....my fave is the Raspberry Ice....YUM!

(You know tea has hella caffiene, right?)



Oh yeah on the tea! I have been doing mostly herbal teas and leaving out the sugar or honey. I discovered a nice rose garden tea that is all herbs with a few rose petals. Its DIVINE and makes me feel all classy'n'shit when I drink it :)

I bought a box of the Wal-Mart brand Raspberry Ice and am going to dive into it tomorrow. So far I have to say that the cherry limeade is pretty good, the regular cherry is fair, the pink lemonade is good, the orange drink is ok but it tastes like Tang or something. Favorite is Fruit Punch! It tastes like the real deal....even JACK likes it!

[Miss Scarlett]

I'm happy to report that I have now gone a month without caffeine. I didn't go cold turkey cuz the headaches are a total bitch.....but I have to say I feel SO much better not having that mid~morning crash when that stuff wears off!

Yea! :D

Bless your heart...no caffeine. They passed a law here in NC banning me from ever going caffeine free...LOL

[Miss Scarlett]

I am increasing my activities - exercise is such an ugly word!

In addition to my walking at least 5 times per week, I amusing the gym at my apartment complex and doing yoga for flexability.

To Shelia's delight (?) I am resuming belly dancing...:bellydancer:

[canmarielan]

Oh yeah on the tea! I have been doing mostly herbal teas and leaving out the sugar or honey. I discovered a nice rose garden tea that is all herbs with a few rose petals. Its DIVINE and makes me feel all classy'n'shit when I drink it :)

I bought a box of the Wal-Mart brand Raspberry Ice and am going to dive into it tomorrow. So far I have to say that the cherry limeade is pretty good, the regular cherry is fair, the pink lemonade is good, the orange drink is ok but it tastes like Tang or something. Favorite is Fruit Punch! It tastes like the real deal....even JACK likes it!

Me too!! Fruit punch is my favoritest!!!!


Congrats oh Licious One on your dedication!!! Caffiene is SOOOO hard to stay away from.


I'm so proud to see all of the changes we are making for healthier lives :)

[Odarlin]

I want to report that I have been very good! Cookie good.
I have a new muscle and I have been randomly shimmying with greater frequency.

[Thinker]

I didn't want to jump in here until I was sure I would stick with my program.

I am!!

I'm about 3/4 of the way through a 30-day challenge on the Wii EA Sports Active (the one with the little trainer person). That has made all the difference for me because it is interactive, it tracks your reps, and you basically follow a leader.

I'm also starting to use the custom workout feature and build my own little workouts out of activities I like best. It's fun and gives me additional ways to burn calories for the day.

In addition to that, I'm doing Yoga 5 or 6 times a week; and I've created a workout to increase mass in my chest.

I'm getting better with the food stuff, but that's really the lady's forte so I just follow her lead. To my credit though, I'm not having Milk Duds *everyday*.......maybe just 3 or 4 times a week. Trust me, that is a HUGE accomplishment for me!

Looking forward to participating more...

[AtLast]

Due to RA along with poly osteoarthritis, my new exercise routines have to be aquatic. Good thing there is a great community pool across the street and I have been able to adapt water exercise equipment even in my spa at home.
Dance lessons and regular dancing are good too, as long as I stretch before. LOL... for me, the impact exercise days are over and any kind of weight lifting/sculpting use has to be underwater. Daily 3-5 mile dog walks help too (even in the damn rain!)... and keep the pooch happy! I just adapt and try and figure out what I can do safely. Hell, I will be 59 in a couple of weeks and have the damn joints of a 90 year old! But, I am going to keep moving!!

Fighting a life long eating eating disorder and obesity (then I became an exercise addict until the arthritis!) has been yucca! But, I have found OA to be what works for me after years of idiotic yo-yo diets, binging and purgiing self-loathing. I have kept 70 lbs off for over 5 years now due to this program and my numbers from physical blood work make me smile! Oh, and my body-image is much more realistic and content!

Whatever all of you are doing to live a healier life, I commend and support you! Not so easy at all!!!

[Thinker]

Wondering if anyone else here is using the Wii for exercise???

I just finished the 30-day challenge that is on the DVD EA Sports Active, Personal Trainer. The sequel DVD More Workouts has a 6-week challenge, and I start that tomorrow.

This Wii stuff is the best thing I've tried since I quit organized sports a gazillion years ago!! And it's FUN!!

[Medusa]

Wondering if anyone else here is using the Wii for exercise???

I just finished the 30-day challenge that is on the DVD EA Sports Active, Personal Trainer. The sequel DVD More Workouts has a 6-week challenge, and I start that tomorrow.

This Wii stuff is the best thing I've tried since I quit organized sports a gazillion years ago!! And it's FUN!!


Ok, that's IT. I am getting a friggin' Wii!

I have gone in and out of Best Buy more times than I can count to look at them and have even gone to order one online a few times and I have, up until now, talked myself out of it by doing the whole "it's not something I NEED" thing.

Well, let me just share a bit of an experience that I had yesterday.

I generally think about my health often. In the last 2 years, I have stopped smoking, stopped drinking full-sugar sodas and have cut WAY back on Diet Sodas. I have also increased my water intake and my intake of fresh veggies and fiber. So, Im doing great right?

Well, yesterday something happened that made me want to rethink the whole "Im thinking more about health" thing.

I played hookey from work yesterday so that Jack and I could enjoy a beautiful 73-degree sunny day. We went outside with the intention of doing some yard work. After I cut about 10 feet of azaleas, I looked at Jack and said "We should go to the lake".

Half an hour later, we were at the lake and Jack was dragging fishing equipment down to the banks.

The banks of this particular lake are solid shale and the corps of engineers has done a great job of stair-stepping it so that it's fairly easy to walk. There are still a large amount of loose rocks and uneven terrain. We had to hike down a large hill covered with shale to get to the actual banks of the water.
As we were hiking, I could feel the looseness in the ankle that I broke 2 years ago (and subsequently walked around on broken for almost 3 months) and how my balance felt wobbly and unsteady. I could feel my knees crying out for mercy. I could feel my hips wanting to let go of my legs.
When we got down to the banks, Jack hopped from rock to rock easily while looking for a primo fishing spot. Me? I lumbered ungracefully, wobbling from ledge to ledge knowing that I couldnt bounce on unsteady ankles that way withouth ending up in the icy water. I watched Jack's agility, her balance, her effortless movement and I thought to myself, "Wow, I used to be able to move like that."

When we were done fishing, we gathered our stuff and started the hike back up the hill to the truck.

After only 10 or 12 paces, my chest tightened up and I started gasping deeply for breath. I felt my heart working wildly to move all of my weight up the hill. I felt my body going into overdrive jjust doing the simple task of walking up a hill. It was scary. At one point, I tried to stop gasping for breath because I didn't want everyone at the lake hearing me. When I tried to stop gasping, I couldnt. It was like my body was on autopilot and I had no control.
That lack of control was scary.

I am not a person who is used to my body betraying my piloting. I am also not a person who is embarrassed about my size or the way I look. I generally love myself and think Im looking rather fine most days.

Yesterday was a wake-up call.

I can *feel* fine/pretty/sexy all I want but it generally isnt sexy to be gasping desperately the way I was yesterday. It probably wouldnt be sexy laying on the ground having a heart attack either. It probably would be even less sexy dropping dead from a stroke.
And honestly, the thought of laying on the ground looking up at my partner's face being full of fear is enough to motivate me.
I owe her better than that.
I owe myself better than that.

My love for my (fat) self isnt changing. I still will be fat positive, I will still say that health "isnt all about the numbers". I will still insist that fat can be sexy.

What I wont do anymore is put my mobility in danger for a fucking twinkie.

There are deep layers of emotional shit tied to my own eating habits. Im not afraid to say it. Im not ashamed of it. It just is what it is.

My goal is to get on the bike tonight and ride for 20 minutes.

I'll do that and go from there.

[Jess]

Changing habits is insanely difficult. I too feel that my wife deserves me at my best. I have started on the Chantix again and will keep trying this quitting shit til I beat it!
I feel you Medusa. I am also sick and tired of sick and tired. The damned elliptical just mocks me. Spring is such a relief for me, in that I love being outside playing in dirt. Winters nearly kill me. I do have to resume a rigorous allergy med regime this time of year, but at least I feel motivated toward movement!

Good luck Lady!

[Thinker]

Ok, that's IT. I am getting a friggin' Wii!

I have gone in and out of Best Buy more times than I can count to look at them and have even gone to order one online a few times and I have, up until now, talked myself out of it by doing the whole "it's not something I NEED" thing.



You will LOVE it! Apparently, we have had this thing and I didn't even know. I recommend starting with the one called Personal Trainer. It's so do-able, and they think of just about everything to get you through it.

As for the "need" thing... Well, I could argue that I do need ours. I can guarantee that I would not be sticking with working out if it weren't for the Wii. When you do their challenges, there is an accountability factor; and I have way too much pride to slack or blow it off...........even with only a machine watching!!!

As for the rest of your post...

I support you and will be around to cheer you on (for what it's worth). And you *are* gorgeous!!

I'm *definitely* getting it right in 2010, and this time it's stickin'!!!

[Medusa]

Changing habits is insanely difficult. I too feel that my wife deserves me at my best. I have started on the Chantix again and will keep trying this quitting shit til I beat it!
I feel you Medusa. I am also sick and tired of sick and tired. The damned elliptical just mocks me. Spring is such a relief for me, in that I love being outside playing in dirt. Winters nearly kill me. I do have to resume a rigorous allergy med regime this time of year, but at least I feel motivated toward movement!

Good luck Lady!


Jess, I didnt do Chantix but have heard of people having great success with it :)

I have been a non-smoker for 2 years this October (I recently tried to resume smoking on a trip to see some girlfriends but it just wasnt the same). I would be lying if I said I didnt think about smoking occasionally while driving down the road or after just having eaten a biggo meal. (I used to LOVE to smoke on a full stomach to help "tamp down" my food LOL)
I looked at Jack just yesterday while we were fishing and said, " I used to LOVE to smoke while I was fishing. I sure do miss it."

It's worth it! You can do it! Just think of Christie and your own health every time you go to light up. Think of 10 more minutes with her. 10 more minutes with yourself for every cigarette you put down.

Luck!

[Medusa]

You will LOVE it! Apparently, we have had this thing and I didn't even know. I recommend starting with the one called Personal Trainer. It's so do-able, and they think of just about everything to get you through it.

As for the "need" thing... Well, I could argue that I do need ours. I can guarantee that I would not be sticking with working out if it weren't for the Wii. When you do their challenges, there is an accountability factor; and I have way too much pride to slack or blow it off...........even with only a machine watching!!!

As for the rest of your post...

I support you and will be around to cheer you on (for what it's worth). And you *are* gorgeous!!

I'm *definitely* getting it right in 2010, and this time it's stickin'!!!


Here Wii Come! *snort*

I keep checking out the games online. I see lots of sports games; tennis, track, etc. and will definitely check out the one you have!

I see that Jillian even has one?! Have to check that one out as well :)

[Thinker]

Here Wii Come! *snort*

I keep checking out the games online. I see lots of sports games; tennis, track, etc. and will definitely check out the one you have!

I see that Jillian even has one?! Have to check that one out as well :)

The Personal Trainer and its sequel, More Workouts, also have sports stuff on there as part of your workouts.

For example, in doing the 30-day challenge you might do the following in one workout:

Walk/jog for a few minutes
Bicep curls with resistance band
Shoulder press with band
Side lunges
Tennis skills - forehand, backhand, volley (you shoot for targets and it keeps track for you)
Incline skating (kicked my ass)
Dance w/ arm movements (fun!)
Box/Punching at targets

The whole while there is a clock keeping track of time PLUS a calories-burned counter!!

They give a good mix of activities (exercises as well as sports stuff) so it keeps you moving (less boring to me).

Anyway... Obviously, I dig it.

Can't wait 'til y'all get it!!!

ETA: If you don't want to do the workouts they put together, you can go in and create your own by choosing from ALL the exercises on that particular DVD. You can pick all your favs and make it as long or as short as you like. I created one that was just baseball batting to work my obliques. Fun stuff!!

[greyingbutch]

Hello!
I put out an nutritional email newsletter; this newsletter contains summaries of research papers published in medical/nutritional journals that are presented at a web site for health professionals only and
in addition, papers, blogs and articles on chiropractic, applied kinesiology and nutrition.

You can either read it at my blog http://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/dr-vittoria-repettos-newsletter-32/ or subscribe to the newsletter; see below for how to subscribe.


Newsletter #32

Table of Contents:

1) Dr. Repetto’s Blog - http://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/

a) Newsletter #32- http://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/dr-vittoria-repettos-newsletter-32/

b) The Musculoskeletal Aspects of Asthma - http://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/the-musculoskeletal-aspects-of-asthma/

c) Podcast Interview - http://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/02/22/podcast-ancient-medicine-today-applied-kinesiology-with-dr-vittoria-repetto/

2) Green Vegetables Protect Smokers From Genetic Changes Associated With Lung Cancer

3) Green Tea May Help Cut Risk for Lung Cancer

4) Association of vitamin B-6 status with inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammatory conditions: the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study

5) Whole Diet May Ward Off Depression and Anxiety

6) Overweight Elderly Have Similar Mortality to Normal-Weight Elderly

7) Blueberry Juice May Boost Memory in Older Adults

8) Same Weight Loss, Better BP With Low-Carb Diet vs Drug/Diet Combo

9) Low Vitamin D Tied to Asthma Severity in Adults - Small study

10) The Effect of Backpacks on the Lumbar Spine in Children

11) Soft Drink Consumption Linked to Pancreatic Cancer

12) Mediterranean Diet Reduces Cerebrovascular Disease

13) Daily Calcium Plus Vitamin D Supplements May Reduce Fracture Risk

14) Increased Cancer Risk Seen With Higher Blood Glucose Levels




If you would like to receive this mailing, please send an email to me at DrVittoriaRepett@aol.com with the word “Subscribe” in the subject heading

The rate of frequency of the mailing is 6-8 weeks; on subscribing, I will be sending you the last newsletter.

Please add my address to your address books so that the newsletter is not delivered to your spam blocker as the mailings are sent out via BCC mailing.

If at anytime you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please hit reply, write “Unsubscribe” in the subject of the email, and send and I will remove you from the mailing list immediately.

Thanks! Whatever you decide, I’d like to wish you, health, happiness and prosperity.

http://www.drvittoriarepetto.com

[Medusa]

Ok Y'ALL!

I broke down last night and ordered the Wii, the Wii fit, and 10 games. (ARE they called games? Or cartridges? Or disks? Or????)


I got 2 fishing games and a hunting game for Jack , a Cardio Workout, the Jillian Michaels Biggest Loser thing, a Golds Gym workout thing, 3 other workout things, some kind of sports thing, a yoga thing, and some other workout thing...oh, and a Vegas gaming one. :)

I cant WAIT to break out my Wii fit later tonight! We broke into the fishing game already and it is FUN! I can see why people are so crazy about these machines!

[Gemme]

Ok Y'ALL!

I broke down last night and ordered the Wii, the Wii fit, and 10 games. (ARE they called games? Or cartridges? Or disks? Or????)


I got 2 fishing games and a hunting game for Jack , a Cardio Workout, the Jillian Michaels Biggest Loser thing, a Golds Gym workout thing, 3 other workout things, some kind of sports thing, a yoga thing, and some other workout thing...oh, and a Vegas gaming one. :)

I cant WAIT to break out my Wii fit later tonight! We broke into the fishing game already and it is FUN! I can see why people are so crazy about these machines!

:blink:

Don't. Move.

I'll be right over.

[StoneFinn]

Just wanting to share a bit for everyone looking for a healthy drink that is not "just" water-- but hydrates just as well as water does. Everyone who hasn't tried Green tea, might want to give it a go.

I am going to list a few of the benefits that have been proven, and then give some links as well.

This list if from HealthMad (http://healthmad.com/alternative/10-great-benefits-of-drinking-green-tea/)


It is used to treat multiple sclerosis.
It is used for treatment and prevention of cancer.
It is used to stop Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
It is used to raise the metabolism and increase fat oxidation.
It reduces the risk of heart diseases and heart attacks by reducing the risk of trombosis.
It reduces the risk of esophageal cancer.
Drinking green tea inhibits the growth of certain cancer cells, reduces the level of cholesterol in blood, improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.
It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular diseases
It is used to treat impaired immune function. .
Some researches show that, drinking green tea regularly may help prevent tooth decay by killing the bacteria which causes the dental plaque.


Diabetes:
Green tea has been used traditionally to control blood sugar in the body. Animal studies suggest that green tea may help prevent the development of type 1 diabetes and slow the progression once it has developed. People with type 1 diabetes produce little or no insulin, a hormone that converts glucose (sugar), starches, and other foods into energy needed for daily life. Green tea may help regulate glucose in the body.

A few small clinical studies have found that daily supplementation of the diet with green tea extract powder lowered the hemoglobin A1c level in individuals with borderline diabetes.

And the lists go on, including benefits for people with IBD or Crohn's disease.

I am NOT saying that green tea is a "cure-all", but putting the information out there, as well as the same question that I asked myself:

If I am given a choice of drinking something that is just as proven to be as GOOD for me or something that is proven to be VERY bad for me-- what am I going to choose?

Green tea has minimal caffeine: about 20-40mg of caffeine per 6-8oz cup.
compare that to these (both where you expect caffeine and where you don't):

2oz espresso-- 45-100mg
Brewed coffee 8oz -- 80-150mg
Black Tea-- 45mg
White tea-- 15mg
1oz Dark chocolate-- 20mg
Ben & Jerry's Coffee Fudge Frozen Yogurt (8 oz) -- 85 mg

and to quote from HERE (http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/stories/2006/04/27/1829125.htm): If you ate an entire 200 g block of chocolate, you'd consume about 550 mg of combined methylxathines (caffeine and other stimulants). A 30 g bar has between 20 to 60 mg caffeine


So now.. for some of the links:

University of Maryland Medical Center on Green Tea (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/green-tea-000255.htm)

Green Tea and Diabetes (http://www.buzzle.com/articles/green-teas-protection-against-diabetes.html)

A Site with 11 Benefits plus good further source sites (http://health.learninginfo.org/green-tea.htm)

An AWESOME page with clinical study results for many of the benefits of Green Tea, including and surpassing the ones above. (http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=146#healthbenefits)


... and for myself, I made my own decision. Plus-- I find it tastes better than just about any other alternative out there-- without sugar, nasty artificial sweeteners, chemicals, or anything else!

If I want to sweeten it, I use something like stevia (made from dried leaves, and I grow stevia plants in my own garden) or agave nectar :D

Cheers all!

[greyingbutch]

I put out a newsletter which contains summaries of research papers published in Medical/Nutritional journals and presented at a web site for health professionals only in addition papers, blogs and articles on chiropractic, applied kinesiology and nutrition.

You can read it on my blog:
Newsletter #35

Table of Contents:

1) Dr. Repetto’s Blog - http://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/

a) Newsletter #35-

b) Cranial Sacral Therapy in Applied Kinesiology http://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/cranial-sacral-therapy-in-applied-kinesiology/

c) It’s not a Food Allergy; maybe it’s a Food Intolerance http://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/05/15/it’s-not-a-food-allergy-maybe-it’s-a-food-intolerance/

d)The Art and Science of Muscle Testing in Applied Kinesiology http://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/the-art-and-science-of-muscle-testing-in-applied-kinesiology/

e) Research Shows Reproductive Problems in Animals Eating GM Foods http://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/05/22/research-shows-reproductive-problems-in-animals-eating-gm-foods/

2) Dietary Pattern Associated With Reduced Alzheimer's Disease Risk

3) Statins Do Not Protect Against and May Increase Risk for Colorectal Adenomas

4) Folate and Vitamin B6 Lower Cardiovascular Risk

5) Added Sugars in Diet Linked to Higher Triglycerides, Lower HDL-C in NHANES Data

6) Accelerated postmenopausal cognitive decline is restricted to women with normal BMI: Longitudinal evidence from the Betula project

7) Thinner Girls May Be at Higher Risk for Breast Cancer

8) Dietary Calcium and Magnesium Intake and Mortality: A Prospective Study of Men


************************************************** ************************************************
Dr. Vittoria Repetto
Since 1987, helping people feel better - naturally
Doctor of Chiropractic / Applied Kinesiologist

Treatments are one hour. You're not a number on an assembly line!
Please check out the Patient Testimonials at the "Our Practice" page at my web site. www.drvittoriarepetto.com

285 West Broadway (off Canal Street)
212 - 431 - 3724

Please check out My Blog: http://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/ for my monthly nutritional research newsletter and my thoughts on different health issues & problems, and news articles of interest.

My Linkedin page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/drvittoriarepetto

[Emmy]

Love the thread!

For the last year or so, I've been trying to pay more attention to my health. I've made progress and certainly regressed at bit at times too. Recently, after slipping some, I've begun to exercise pretty much daily again (even if it's only for 30 minutes or so.)

I've been sort of shocked, throughout the process, at just how happy exercise can make me! I mean, I have always been chubby, always clumsy too, and never any good at sports. But even for me, the anti-jock, there's just an undeniable delight that seems to pervade my whole being after exercise (after getting over the initial week or so hump of pure misery). There's a confluence of mental and physical joy! The effects are especially profound at times of stress. This is a well-known phenomenon, I know -the runner's high, that kind of thing- but I somehow thought it wouldn't apply to me. It's just been neat and a bit surprising to find that that the fun of physicality isn't only for the super sporty types. :)

[greyingbutch]

http://drvittoriarepetto.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/water-and-your-health/

It's summer again....more chances to dehydrate and cause changes in your muscles, discs and your general health

[Chancie]

Some of you know that I had a very bad health scare about two weeks ago.

I couldn't eat for about five days, and then I was on a clear liquid diet, and now

I can eat very small no to low fat meals.

Like Medusa, I love my beautiful sexy body, but

I will turn 50 on my next birthday and

I want to enjoy the next 50 years with my Pete.

[Gentle Tiger]

raisin bran muffin, apple, apple cider vinigar with hot water and regular water. That's better than the usual donuts and diet coke to start the day I think. I'm trying to make some changes for my health sake.

That is all:glasses:

[Gemme]

raisin bran muffin, apple, apple cider vinigar with hot water and regular water. That's better than the usual donuts and diet coke to start the day I think. I'm trying to make some changes for my health sake.

That is all:glasses:

Apple cider vinegar is good for you. It helps to change the glycemic index of foods, making them less sugary and harsh on your system. :thumbups:

More power to you, though, because I'd be hungry in an hour. :blink:

I was doing well and then I hit a rough patch and then I had a lot of OT at work and then I was just plain lazy and now, I'm literally (with the exception on my online time, which has significantly decreased) too busy to work out. I have eaten more salads and fruits and veggies lately though, so I'll take my victories where I can.

[Gentle Tiger]

I made it through another day without soda. It was close though! I am trying to let soda go. I was drinking a lot of it! Pepsi is my drug or rather was my drug. I haven't had one in 2 weeks.

[Emmy]

I've just started a fitness 'bootcamp' class at my school gym. Though the physical pain involved is bearable (even sorta fun, in a twisted sort of way), the psychological component is kinda rough. Several of my classmates could no doubt themselves be fitness instructors/ swimsuit models -one of the perils of living in southern California, I guess- and I just feel so very bad at this whole business.

The relay part of the class, where each crab walk, do these crouchy-jumpy things, walking pushups, etc. up and down a short track, is the worst; the fit people in the class, long finished, chat and take water breaks, all the while looking reasonably composed, while I stream sweat and make pathetic noises, hauling myself along. Ach. Like a flashback to middle school. Well, when I wasn't hiding out somewhere or pretending to have cramps...

But, it's all for the good, I think. Being conspicuously bad at something -and learning not to care- can be good for the character, I think. And the exercise really does feel pretty good. :)

[Gemme]

I've just started a fitness 'bootcamp' class at my school gym. Though the physical pain involved is bearable (even sorta fun, in a twisted sort of way), the psychological component is kinda rough. Several of my classmates could no doubt themselves be fitness instructors/ swimsuit models -one of the perils of living in southern California, I guess- and I just feel so very bad at this whole business.

The relay part of the class, where each crab walk, do these crouchy-jumpy things, walking pushups, etc. up and down a short track, is the worst; the fit people in the class, long finished, chat and take water breaks, all the while looking reasonably composed, while I stream sweat and make pathetic noises, hauling myself along. Ach. Like a flashback to middle school. Well, when I wasn't hiding out somewhere or pretending to have cramps...

But, it's all for the good, I think. Being conspicuously bad at something -and learning not to care- can be good for the character, I think. And the exercise really does feel pretty good. :)

Congrats on taking the class! You'll get faster as you go along. :)

[lipstixgal]

I just started working out and boy after being out of the gym for quite some time its killing me. Need to go more often though its tough just to get there. I need the motivation boost to start kicking in!!

Going to try and make the yoga class tomorrow morning!!:blink:

[Linus]

Hey all..

I think once I'm in L.A. I might find one of those bootcamps to do. Right now I run every other day and have made it to "week 5" of my iPhone app C25K (Couch to 5K). It's a 9 week program and I want to do it even while at the Reunion.

I've never been big on running but with my new shoes it's made a big difference as far as my enjoyment of running.

[PearlsNLace]

I went to a yoga class today. And left, 1/3 of the way through it, feeling so fat, so slow, so akward, so stiff. I left, literally, crying to my car. UGH.
VERY FRUSTRATING.

I went home and worked with a belly dancing tape, in the privacy of my home, no mirrors, just watching the video, and learning how my body FEELS, not condeming how it looks. It was an exhausting workout, and I felt empowered and hopefull.

I may stick to using the pool and treadmill at the gym for a while. If anyone has USED, and enjoyed, a video that is DESIGNED for big bodies, Id like to know about it.

Pearls

[Rockinonahigh]

Perls..See if u can get a Richard Simmons tape or cd,I got sweating to the oldies disco time at the good will store for $1.50,he is he only one I know who has a tape like u are wanting..really cool too.

[PearlsNLace]

Thanks Rockin, I was really hoping for a YOGA tape for big bodies., and after reading your post, I reread mine, and realized I didnt make that clear. I do actually have a couple of richards simmons tapes, and they are fun. Thank you :) The belly dancing actually happens to be GREAT for large bodies, and thats working for me. But I like the concept of yoga very much, and want to be able to explore it with this body now, not as some hypothetical point in time when I might be smaller. Maybe Ill find a yogi who will teach me and Ill make the dang video myself.

GRRR.

Rolly Polly Pearls

[Sachita]

I'm inventing "The Dog Diet". you start thinking about feeding your dog healthy and natural to extend their life, right? As I'm reading and researching i'm thinking "damn, if I ate like this- lean meats, no sugar, low carb, lots of veggies, brush me daily, walk me and rub my belly, i'll look and feel great too!

I'm always giving people advice on feeding and caring for their dogs. "don't feed your dogs anything you can't eat" foods not fit for human consumption.

so my dogs and I eat natural, lean and take lots of walks.

[Gemme]

I usually shy away from those who are supposed to help keep us healthy, such as doctors, dentists and the like. Before I leave this weekend, I will have gone to a doctor AND a dentist. In the same week. Multiple times for the dentist.

I should get a freakin' gold star or something. :blink:

[Medusa]

Im 30-days clean from Diet Coke. :)

[Jesse]

Try this link:

http://www.bigyogaonline.com/

Thanks Rockin, I was really hoping for a YOGA tape for big bodies., and after reading your post, I reread mine, and realized I didnt make that clear. I do actually have a couple of richards simmons tapes, and they are fun. Thank you :) The belly dancing actually happens to be GREAT for large bodies, and thats working for me. But I like the concept of yoga very much, and want to be able to explore it with this body now, not as some hypothetical point in time when I might be smaller. Maybe Ill find a yogi who will teach me and Ill make the dang video myself.

GRRR.

Rolly Polly Pearls

[Jesse]

Looks like a lot of us are kicking the diet soda/soda routine.

I have drank soda for many years since being an adult, but wasn't allowed to drink it as a child. About 13 years ago I switched to diet soda, and I swear that is when I began to put on weight. I drank 5-6 daily.

I have finally decided that is not okay for me. So I went 4 days with none at all, but had terrible headaches, likely from the withdrawals of all of the "good" stuff in them. Now I drink only one a day and that is after my morning coffee. The rest of the time I drink unsweetened decaf tea or filtered water. My goal is to wean myself off of that one a day.

[oblivia]

Hey Pearls...

Your story sounds similar to how mine began (yoga and bellydance drew me in, totally).

Yoga is SUPER intimidating because all you tend to see at yoga classes and on Yoga DVDs and such are these super skinny bendy pretzel people! But, Yoga is totally do-able and accessible at any size.

I only recently went to my first in-person class a few months ago, though I'd been practicing yoga quite regularly for several years prior (and getting pretty darn flexible and strong doing it!) and even then, even with years of my own personal practice under my belt, being the only fat girl in the room was really intimidating and made me feel very self conscious...

Until....

I realized that even though I easily weighed an extra 50-80lbs more than any other girl in that room, my poses were confident, flexible and strong because despite all the media that is really badly misfocused, yoga is VERY accessible at ANY size or fitness level and trust me - size/shape has little to do with how flexible you are or *can be* over time.

Progress in yoga comes slowly in some poses and quicker in others but it comes steadily and surely for everyone. It's the one 'exercise' I can do where I physically feel and see results very quickly, if not in the way my body 'appears' right away, than in my posture, self-confidence, physical well being, etc.

Anyway, your post really struck a chord with me because had my first experience with yoga been a class, I would have gone home in tears and never tried it again. I got lucky that I tried it on my own first.

That said... I can recommend a few great resources if you want to give yoga a try without being so intimidated, in your own living room:

I actually began with an old AM/PM Yoga for beginners set with Rodney Yee and Patricia Walden. This was a dual VHS set (LOL) that had an AM tape and a PM tape. I'd do the AM one (about 20 mins) after stumbling out of bed, still in my jammies, in my living room in the dark with just the glow of the TV for light. And I'd do the PM one (about 15 mins I believe) just before bed. That was how I first began to get to know yoga. These were very simple and gentle and got me 'started'.

I moved on to other DVDs like This DVD (Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss) is one I found after trying several others and really liked because this dvd features four different instructors doing the poses simultaneousely, each with slightly different body shapes showing you four different ways you can do/modify the pose.

And more.

But I got bored with the repetitiveness.

Once I got used to the DVDs, I had heard about some free yoga classes on podcasts. I wasn't sure I could follow along just listening without a visual cue on the TV, so I tried my usual DVDs a few times while facing away from the TV and found it wasn't so hard.... so I downloaded some podcasts and started doing those.

This one I discovered first:
Hillary's Yoga Podcast (http://hillarysyogapractice.wordpress.com/)

And through her, I discovered Elsie's Yoga Kula (podcast) (http://elsieyogakula.wordpress.com/)

And after having done them all multiple times (the one hour classes), I started browsing around and found Faith Hunter's All The Way Live Yoga podcast (http://faithhunteryoga.wordpress.com/)

These three instructors offer their classes free on their websites and all are featured free on iTunes, too! :) In all three, they say in the podcast description what 'level' the class is. beginner is level 1 but the podcasts are slightly more advanced if you haven't had much experience with yoga poses to start with.

As of today, my favourites now are Elsie and Faith's podcasts. My coworker and I try to do yoga during our lunch break at work a minimum of three days a week, with one of those being a class we go to, together. I'm still a little intimidated in the classes but found the in person teaching/adjusting has just grown my practice.

Anyway, I've gone on for way too long. Basically, if you're drawn to yoga I recommend trying a simple DVD to start out with and get to know how yoga feels in your body when you start simply and gently. Get some bricks and a strap for help modifying poses where you're less flexible. I got a kit that had a mat, two bricks, and a strap when I was brand new that cost me like $30 at a kiosk in a mall (Zensation brand) and that mat still is one of the best I've ever owned. In hindsight what I found is that the biggest 'barrier' to doing yoga in a bigger body is that our parts get in the way in different ways. The reality is that even super skinny people have to modify poses because they simply aren't that flexible. It's more about finding a good DVD, instructor, or podcast that helps to teach you different ways to modify a pose at different levels so that you get a stretch but aren't hurting yourself. And some poses are simply impractical for bigger bodies, but over time you can learn other poses that you can do in place of those that still work the same muscles or stretch you in similar ways.

as to Bellydance, I have really enjoyed bellydance workout DVDs too and found they really helped me in the beginning, also! :) I've tried and owned most of the easy to find ones - and up here in Canada, there's a new fitness trend called Bellyfit (http://www.bellyfit.ca/) that is a fun workout that is very friendly to a variety of body shapes that blends dancing moves inspired by bellydance, some tribal dance, bhangra, and incorporates some toning and flexibility stuff inspired by yoga and pilates. They have a DVD that ships to the states too that you can order online. Could be fun for something else that's a bit different! :)

I went to a yoga class today. And left, 1/3 of the way through it, feeling so fat, so slow, so akward, so stiff. I left, literally, crying to my car. UGH.
VERY FRUSTRATING.

I went home and worked with a belly dancing tape, in the privacy of my home, no mirrors, just watching the video, and learning how my body FEELS, not condeming how it looks. It was an exhausting workout, and I felt empowered and hopefull.

I may stick to using the pool and treadmill at the gym for a while. If anyone has USED, and enjoyed, a video that is DESIGNED for big bodies, Id like to know about it.

Pearls

[leatherfaery]

This is a great thread.I recently started looking at my health and my lifestyle. I have been dealing with high blood pressure. After feeling bad enough and gradually understanding that I needed to make changes I have started slowly. I started by gradually stopping soda, all soda. I stopped drinking fruit juices because they are too sweet. I had lost some weight and was excited but when I went to the doctor my bad cholesterol had increased. I figured out because I had stopped eating meat I had been eating more cheese and eggs. I have had to cut them out and look at more vegan cuisine.

I recently joined a gym with the goal of "getting up and out the door into the gym". Everything done at the gym was a bonus. That is still how I am working the gym routine. I have lost about 25 pounds so far and I have loved that feeling of working my muscles once again. It is also a great way for me to work on letting go of stress. My goal is to get off the bp meds.

ohhhh and I am drinking a lot more water!

[Rockinonahigh]

Its been nearly a week since I made water my main drink of choice,ive had a sip of soda when I really needed one..the last sip tasted like bug spray beleave it or not...and its in a bottle in the fridge.Yuck,im done.Corse im also dealing with some drawbacks from not drinkiong soda as well as totaly quiting the ciggy habit,ya know the awful stuff that happends when u quit things like this with chemicals that r killing ur guts.Ive had the sweats bad,some neasua.bad taste in my mouth..the bug spray thingy plus just being aintsey and not sleeping at night.Today its a little better and hopefuly it will be gone soon.
When I was going to the store this morning I saw some ppl joging along the road,I thought ..oh my I shure would like to be able to run again..maybe it can happen at some point.

[Ryobi]

Its been nearly a week since I made water my main drink of choice,ive had a sip of soda when I really needed one..the last sip tasted like bug spray beleave it or not...and its in a bottle in the fridge.Yuck,im done.Corse im also dealing with some drawbacks from not drinkiong soda as well as totaly quiting the ciggy habit,ya know the awful stuff that happends when u quit things like this with chemicals that r killing ur guts.Ive had the sweats bad,some neasua.bad taste in my mouth..the bug spray thingy plus just being aintsey and not sleeping at night.Today its a little better and hopefuly it will be gone soon.
When I was going to the store this morning I saw some ppl joging along the road,I thought ..oh my I shure would like to be able to run again..maybe it can happen at some point.

This is great, Rockin!
I'm actually happy soda tastes like bug spray to you. 1)what a great reason not to drink it. 2) you're actually tasting the chemicals in the soda, you know now for sure there is bad stuff in there.

Stick with it! Winning small battles will help you win the war!