Wellness Wednesday 1/7

ball.and.chain

What are your overall health/wellness goals and challenges for this year?  Do you have a plan of action for approaching them?

Have you done anything positive for your health this week?  If not, pick a small, manageable to-do item you can achieve by Saturday.

QOTW: What motivates you to be healthy?

redrockmama

I am doing the 30 day crunch challenge. Well attempting to anyways. Last month I did the plank challenge and was pretty consistent. This month I didn't start until the 5th and didn't do it yesterday, so one day done so far. I tried to talk J into doing it with me, but she didn't seem interested. 

Goals for the year are to just be more healthy and active. I'm only about 5 lbs over my pre pregnancy weight, but I spend way too much time holding a sleeping baby or sitting at my desk. I would like to get stronger/feel more healthy again. 

QOTW: So that I can live the life I want to, be able to be a fun and active mom to my kid(s). It makes me sad to see my mom not be able to do much with M because she didn't take care of herself. Really, I just want to be able to do what I want to physically as long as possible. 

2MamazInSeattle

I'm doing the online dub-dub that is, WW or weight watchers. I was doing really well and got a bit derailed by xmas followed by NY followed by AF. Alas, I'm back on the wagon and doing pretty well all things considered.

My positive item for the week is to WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING I EAT, **EVEN WHEN I'M NAUGHTY.** I tend to want to ignore my slip ups and rather, writing them down with the other food I eat reinforces that sh*t happens, you own it and are honest about it, and you do better next time. I suppose this applies to more than food, no?

Second to that is to get back to yoga 2x/week plus at least 2 walks around the lake (3miles) a week. Not looking for miracles in this dept., but something.

QOTW: What motivates me? Not hurting. I am the old lady around here, and as I've aged I've definitely had more creaks and pains - esp. my stupid sciatica right hip. Less weight wins, fo'sho, and I want to feel good for little S and J, who likes to be pretty active.

KH826

I am also glad to see this thread come back! I would like to lose 30 lbs in the next 90ish days. I know that sounds aggressive, but I think it is doable for me if I buckle down. I would really like to start TTC#2 back at my goal weight. I gained A LOT while TTC Will and then during pregnancy. I have lost 51 lbs total since the day that I delivered, but I still have another 30 lbs to go to be back to where I was before we started this whole baby journey. I want to be healthy for myself (because I just feel better and I am more confident and sure of myself -- plus, life is just easier when you aren't heavy. As someone who has been obese, thin and everything in between, I can honestly say that. For me anyway, life is easier and more comfortable when you aren't heavy). I also want to be a good role model with healthy eating for my kids. My kids are likely going to have to work to be thin/fit, or at least be conscious of it. Both of my parents have struggled with weight their whole lives, and so have I. The difference is that when I was growing up, my parents didn't care. My mother would go on the occassional fad diet, but mostly she wasjust heavy and let me be a heavy kid and allowed me to eat like total crap. I want better for mykiddos. I want them to be comfortable in their own skin and to not have to obsess over food. SO, step one is for me to be at a healthy weight and to lead by example with good food choices. Ready, go!

This week, I have successfully gotten back on the wagon in terms of my routine and my healthy low-cal breakfasts and lunches that I pack and bring to work with me. Step 1!

Step 2 for this week is to start drinking more water, and dial back on the coffee and other fun hot beverages a bit. This will be harder! Must focus!

I think I already answered the QOTW about what motivates me... but I am honestly also motivated by the clothes in my closet that don't fit. When I hit my goal weight before I splurged and bought a lot of nice clothes for myself. I have a closet full of size 6 stuff from Banana Republic, Anne Taylor, etc. that I really love. I really want to be able to wear it again. By the time I am done have babies it will likely all be out of style, but I don't care! Even if I wear my favorite dress pants ONE TIME before I get pregnant again, that will feel like a victory!  

bfonz619

My plan is just to continue the regimen I have been doing, and now that I am pregnant incorporating more yoga and advanced stretching into my routine.

No more junk food!  I am finding that all that sounds good to me right now are things I wouldn't normally reach for and it is becoming increasingly frustrating.  I've learned that anytime I indulge in those things I always end up feeling sick afterwards.  Going into this week, my plan is to get back on track with meal planning and food prep and to indulge any junk food cravings by making a healthy alternative of whatever it is at home.

I am motivated by how incredible I feel when I take care of myself - mind, body and soul.  When I am eating things I normally wouldn't or not ensuring that I am staying active, I notice a huge change in not only my appearance, but also my mood and energy level.  I become irritable and over all just feel off balance.

ball.and.chain

I want to lose my baby weight and my TTC weight.  All told that's about 65 lbs to get back to where I was in 2011 when I started TTC.  I've lost more than that before so I know I can do it, but I've had a harder time staying motivated this time.  Because it worked well for me last time, my intention is to start WW again.  I'd also like to find a way to get more active -- I was jogging several times a week before I got pregnant -- but it's a little challenging to fit that in to life with a 6m old.  I felt great at my goal weight -- I agree with @KH826 that having been heavy and not heavy, it feels physically better not to be heavy!  It's just so much easier to move one's body without issues when you aren't obese.

ANYhoo -- we're on vacation next week, so I plan to start WW after that.  I've started it up a few times since B was born and have fallen off the wagon every time after losing and gaining the same 5 lbs.  So this time it needs to stick!  I'm going to wait until I get my eating reined in a bit before I start figuring out the activity part of the equation.

In the meantime, my goal for this week was to start guided meditations, and I did that Monday and Tuesday and intend to do it today.  I tend to feel more...centered when I'm doing it.

QOTW: I posted this question because I've had a lot of motivational issues this time around.  I know what SHOULD motivate me -- being around and healthy for my son, modeling good habits for my son, feeling good, blah blah -- but it hasn't really been working.  Just having trouble clicking this time.

ATXmommas

My goal over the next few months is to develop a routine running schedule again. Before Thanksgiving, I had started running more and had worked my way back up to 6 miles, but I haven't run (or done any other physical activity) in at least 2 months. Back when I was running a bit more regularly, I let Z sign me up for a 10k that is THIS Sunday. Yeah, not happening. It's really hard to motivate myself when it's cold out (even more than when it is hot out), but I would like to commit to running a couple miles this weekend. I miss running and know that I'll likely need/want to stop again during early pregnancy, but I would like to feel healthy and in shape before TTC #2.

QOTD: Overarching motivator is that obesity, heart disease, and obesity are common in my family. I see the problems older family members face and I want a better quality of life as I age. I don't eat perfectly, but I follow a vegan diet that is primarily plant-based. My motivation for sticking to a vegan diet is part health, part concern for animal cruelty, and part environmental. Plus, I happen to really enjoy the way I eat. I do have a harder time motivating myself to be active, especially with a LO. My motivation right now is knowing how good it makes me feel and knowing I have a shrinking window to develop a routine before (hopefully) I get pregnant again.

ball.and.chain

stringy813 said:

B&C - get a jogging stroller - by spring he'll be big enough and then you can take him! This was our mothers' day gift to each other last year.  The lack of sleep kept us from using it as much as we wanted to but we still can!

That is the plan!

Actually, I've been meaning to ask about this and you might have some insight (also: @karlamo and @mamosey? @ATXMommas?  Any other running moms?).  My SIL gave us her Baby Jogger CityMini.  She jogged with it when she had her daughter but the official line from BJ is that the CM is NOT a jogging stroller.  However lots of people on the interwebz say they have jogged with it and it's fine if you are a) going short distances, b) on hard/flat/smooth surfaces, esp. if c) you are short.  I never run more than 5k and when I start out I'll be doing a run/walk combo on pavement.  I'm 5'3".  So I'm thinking of trying it out (in the spring when he is older and it is warmer).  Is this nuts?  What exactly sets the jogging stroller apart from better regular strollers -- stability?  comfort?  maneuverability?

Otherwise I'll start trolling CL for used joggers...

KH826

@ball.and.chain - I have a whole host of motivational ideas... some have worked for me, others less so. Honestly, as someone who has been on a diet for most of my adult life (and even before that -- I remember dieting in 7th grade!), what works one time doesn't always work the next. For me, the only time that I successfully lost all of the weight that I wanted to, and kept it off, something just "clicked" and my life has been different ever since. I don't crave the same things, my habits are totally different, my "cheats"/indulgences are totally different... I feel like I am just not the same person who used to order two meals at McDonalds and eat them in my car then throw away the bag (evidence!) so no one knew. Yep, that used to be me. I feel like I don't even know that person anymore. Which I am thankful for. Anyway, I guess my point is that there is some kind of "x factor" for me that I cannot define or describe that needs to be present for weight loss to really work for me. I have to be in a place mentally and emotionally where I can do it. Will power has never been my issue. I think caring enough about myself was my issue for a really long time (Woah, I have never articulated that before!)...

With all of that said, these are some "tricks" I have used with varying degrees of success before:

*Pick a motivational outfit (an old favorite or something new), and hang it up somewhere that you will see it every day, and set a date that you would like to wear it by.

*Set milestone dates for yourself that have rewards attached to them (ex: I will be down 10 lbs by Valentine's Day, and when I get there successfully I will buy myself the new purse that I have been wanting) -- warning: the reward can't be food! At least not for me!

*Find a song (or better yet a play list) that clicks with you and makes you feel empowered and reminds you how you feel when you are your best self. Then play it. All the time. I have a few theme songs. Most are too embarrassing to type. But for me, finding a song that makes me feel super fantastic and singing it at the top of my lungs in my car tends to release all sort of chemicals in my brain that make me feel happy and good about myself. When I need a boost, that is my go to. Usually I slip on dieting/healthy eating/taking care of myself when I don't keep it top of mind that feeling good is important, and I feel my best when I am being healthy.

doodah1013

I can't wait to run!!!!!!! I think my organs would fall out if I tried right now. I have about 30 pounds to lose to get to my pre-TTC weight... First I must stop eating all the carbs and drinking all the soda! Right now with pumping I am thirsty and hungry all the time. I have to learn to eat in moderation.

My motivation is to get back to running. I need to lose some weight so it isn't hard on my joints. I want to run the Columbus Half Marathon in October... And get healthier all around!

Thanks for restarting this thread!

Karlamo

@ball.and.chain‌, I agree with stringy, that it probably wouldn't be dangerous to use a regular stroller; it just might not be comfortable for him. The joggers have shock absorbers for a smooth ride. We have a Bob revolution that we got off CL for $250. I think brand new is almost $500. We love it. Pushing him also gives me more of a workout than just running on my own. After running with him then on my own I'm faster. Like Flo Jo. Or at least in my head I am

CageyMack

I have 20 pounds to lose and am so tired I want to cry.  I've been sick (either actively or recovering) for the last 8 -10 weeks.  I'm not even exaggerating.  It is terrible.  I know I need to exercise more, but all I want to do is be lethargic.  

To do by Saturday: start my push-ups app. 

Danni_Girl

Jo and I have joined Weight Watchers again. I gained about 35 lbs during the 24 weeks I carried Baby Girl. When she was born I lost about 15 lbs within a week, but I really want to drop the 20 remaining before we start trying again, although I doubt I will get down that fast.

We both have Fitbits now too. So it's helping keeping us moving. Plus two of our friends have them and we all compete against one another, so that's good motivation to keep moving and getting out 10,000 steps a day.

However, I'm not looking forward to heading back to work Monday. It really sucks being 20 lbs heavier, not pregnant, and without the baby. I went and exchanged my combat pants so that I don't have to wear my maternity uniform, since my normal pants are a weeee bit tight. I don't want people thinking I'm pregnant when I'm not, although I still look it. Ugh!

Oh, and since I'm military, I need to get my none pregnant body back into shape asap.. So I need to lose the weight and keep moving lots.

QOTW: I want to be healthy for myself and my family. So the next time we get pregnant, I'm going to keep doing WW. Not to lose weight, but to keep my weight gain under control.
I was 220lbs about 10 years ago, lost about 55lbs over the years by doing WW off and on, plus I joined the military.. I got pregnant at 165lbs and it just seemed like the weight piled on, no matter how good I thought I was being. That's why I'm going to keep tracking so I know I'm being good! lol

ATXmommas

@ball.and.chain‌ - I don't know anything about then CM. We have the BOB Ironman, which I have learned to love, but it has a fixed front wheel as opposed to the Revolution that took some getting used to. The Ironman works really well for running, but it's s bit hard to steer when walking. The Revolution is quite popular around these parts.

ATXmommas

@carls10‌ - I find it really difficult to workout with a LO, particularly during the week. Ash is going to sleep by 7, so if I went to workout after work, I likely wouldn't get a chance to see him before he went to sleep. I hate the thought of that. And, I already get up at 5:45. I'm not willing to sacrifice more sleep. If I were you, I would take advantage of the 1-2pm hour at home! I don't think it would be too disruptive. How old is Olivia again?

Jazibel

I've lost 9 lbs since November 30th but I feel like its lose a little gain a little, nothing like the weight loss I've experience before (when I've tried to lose).  Sigh  My goal is to lose at least 70lbs maybe more. I'm also very opposed to TTC if I haven't lost significantly...  

That said I just had my first AF.  Seriously I've only had 2 since October 2011.   Weird....  Anyway I'm hoping that my hormones evening out means I can lose weight faster.  

I also joined a Crossfit gym, but it was via a Living Social deal and I am having the darnedest time getting them to schedule my first session.    My goal for this weekend to is to go between now and Monday.