July - making it happen

[muppet]

A new month again. I love how we get so many opportunities to start fresh. Each new day, new week, new month, is a new beginning. At least I look at it that way.
So that is how I will begin this journal. It's summer -- it's hot-- I'm off work for the summer -- I have to make it happen. Nothing crazy, nothing extreme.... but no more spinning my wheels.
I'm going to go and buy a ball tomorrow. I'm going to get up early, and get in my bike ride before it gets too hot. I'm going to watch and do the DVD that comes with the ball.
I'm going to end July lighter and stronger than I am right now. That's it -- that's my goal.
Carol

[forme]

Excellent goals! Sounds like you got a great plan. I like my stability ball...when I use it. LOL. Best wishes!

[muppet]

I've consumed just under 1500 calories today. That is where I want to be. I went on an hour long bike ride this morning, and I did get that stability ball, and did the workout that came with it. I'm looking forward to doing different exercises on it tomorrow. I know it's great for ab and core work, but I'm pleasantly surprised at how it can work all the parts of your body, and supposedly always engaging your core.
It's all good!

[Missy]

Glad to hear you're enjoying the stability ball, I've never used one before either.

[muppet]

I'm doing good -- riding my bike, and adding some other strengthening exercises with the ball, and keeping my calories down. The one thing I'm doing wrong is weighing myself too much. I know better. I was a little down when I saw I was up a couple of pounds from yesterday. But that's ridiculous. Just like when you step on the scale and it says one thing, you step off, then step right back on and it varies 2 pounds. It's not an exact measurement, and not really a very good way to measure fitness, since our actual body weight does fluctuate all the time. And most scales aren't that accurate. I have what is supposed to be a good one -- a weight watchers one-- but it's obviously not 100% accurate. I don't think that matters that much though. It will show me when I've lost 5 pounds, or 10 pounds -- and I'll be able to tell the difference. I am not going to stress or celebrate a couple of pounds, one way or the other, too much. And I'm NOT going to weigh myself for another week.

[FrugalSue]

I do better attitude-wise when I don't weigh myself too often, either. I've been tracking what I eat and doing really well most days with getting good nutrition while minimizing the calories. I try to weigh myself only every few weeks. Most of the time when I do that, I'm either staying the course or having a slight weight loss. I'm happy with either of those results, because I haven't been able exercise much lately.

[muppet]

I stayed off the scale this morning. I hate it, because I'm feeling so good, and can tell I've been working harder, but then when you step on the scale it is such a let down.
It shouldn't be. I know I need to listen to my body and go by how I feel, but I can't ignore the numbers either. I just need to really limit how often I weigh in.
I haven't workout out yet today, and I'm not sure what I'll do. I might just wait till this evening and get on my stepper. It's so hot out, and getting nothing but worse for the weekend. It's probably a good idea to take a day or two off from the bike anyway. I was getting a little tired of doing it, and I think it will do my body good to do something else.

[muppet]

I'm not one to give myself 'cheat days', probably because I don't do well enough on other days to feel like I deserve a reward.. but today would have to fall into the 'cheat' category. I've had both pizza and ice cream, and wasn't exactly conservative with my portions. And I have to admit, I don't feel the greatest either. I don't know if I'm feeling nauseous because of the actual food, or just because of thinking about the amount of calories and fat I've consumer. Either way -- ewww!
But all in all, I do think I've been doing better with my eating and the choices I'm making.
I'm going to clean out my bedroom and bathroom tomorrow (I've keep putting it off, but it really needs to get done!) And when I do, I'm going to clean out a cupboard under the sink for a good place to keep my scale. I want easy access, but I don't want it sitting out all the time. It's too tempting to weigh myself when I shouldn't be. Out of sight, out of mind... except when it really is time for a weigh in. I do think most of us weigh ourselves too much. 2 or 3 pounds in a week is exciting, or depressing, depending on which way the scale moves. But it could also ( and probably does) mean nothing. That's why I think once a week is too often. Women too, seem to be especially prone to weight fluctuations due to our cycles.
I post over at the weighins site too. And I really like it there now. But I do see some people getting all excited about losing or gaining a pound or two every day, because they weigh themselves every day. I don't see what good that does. Or when someone loses .3 of a pound -- please.
I guess I just don't like to see people take the scale too seriously -- or too literally. I think you'd get a better idea of what you actually weigh, if you averaged your weight over the period of a month . Or do it the easy way and only weigh in once a month.
Well, I hope you all are doing better than I am today! You certainly couldn't be doing any worse. Next time I post, I plan to have much better things to report.

[muppet]

It's been a busy busy week. I don't feel like it's summer vacation at all! And we have some added stress -- nothing bad, but maybe an opportunity for my husband that would involve a move. We're just thinking about it now. It would upset my kids, but we have to do what we think is best for everyone. There are so many factors to consider -- we just have to sort it all out and come to the best conclusion.
Eating has not been good, but I don't think I'm too over on calories. I'm still really enjoying the ball. I like it so well for crunches. It feels good to stretch out on it too. I haven't been on my bike for a few days. There are so many bugs right now-- and they are thick even during the day in the shady areas. It's really quite gross.
I did get my scale put away. I'm not getting it out until August. I need to get to the store to stock up on my staples.
I sure wish this board had a little more action. I don't need tons of people, but it's so quiet!
I post over at weigh ins occasionally, and it's fine, but doesn't have the feel that this board has. You have to go to each persons page to read their journals, and it takes a lot of time if you're trying to keep up with several people.

[muppet]

It's looking more and more like a move is in store for us. Just waiting for a few more details, and then see if the company he's working for now has anything better to offer -- but I don't think that will happen. This move will take us to our in-laws. I've always said I'm glad my mother in law lives far away from me, but now my father in law's health is declining -- dementia, as well as many other physical problems. It's hard on my mother in law as well, being his care giver and we just feel like this might be the best place for us. I'm just sick about how upset my kids are going to be. Maybe they will surprise me and take the news well, but I'm not counting on that.
I know they will be fine in the long run, but this is going to hurt them, and it's tough for me to do that.
It's the best time though, for them. 1 going to college, 1 starting high school, and 1 starting middle school. Fresh starts for them all, in some ways anyway.
Anyway, I just want all the details so we can make a decision. I don't like keeping this from my kids, but there's no reason to worry them if we end up staying put.
If we end up moving before school starts, that will be the end of my diet. Might be a good thing -- Then I can just re-start in my new town with new habits. I do usually end up losing whenever we've moved. Sometimes we've just been too busy to eat!
But whatever happens, I'm not going to completely blow it and use this as an excuse to throw caution to the wind. I'm going to stay aware --and follow through with what I know I should be doing.
I will have to say good bye to my beloved bike trail. But there is a nice YMCA in this town. I might have to look into joining that. The gyms around here are just sky high for memberships. I dont' think the Y will be as bad. We used to belong to one for years, when the kids were little. But we haven't lived in a town with them for several years.