This is Day 12 of the 21-Day Fitness Challenge held in Feb 2012. The challenge is now over but you can do the tasks in your own time. Visit the overview page for all the challenge tasks.
Hello and welcome to Day 12 (Feb 14) of the 21-Day Fitness Challenge! :D
Day 12 – Why Did You Join 21-Day Fitness Challenge?
Today’s question is: Why did you join 21-Day Fitness Challenge?
Each of us have different reasons for joining the challenge. Some of us want to lose weight. Some of us want to be healthier. Some of us want to be stronger. Some of us want to reacquaint with our past, glorious self that represented our prime in our health and fitness.
I created and joined the 21-Day Fitness Challenge primarily because I wanted to lose the excess pounds I had put on since my fast last year. Bad eating habits, driven by my underlying emotional eating issues (which I had since addressed towards the end if last year), resulted in my gradual weight gain. I’m glad to say that they are now swiftly sliding off my body with my daily rigorous fitness sessions. (It seems like a handful of you are reporting having emotional eating issues, which are subsequently thwarting you on your fitness/weight loss goals. If so, I highly recommend you read the 6-part emotional eating series. It may well give you that added insight to overcome your eating issues.)
The reason why I’m posing this question to you today is because it’s now mid-way through the challenge. As we pass the initial euphoria of starting on a new goal, of joining a new challenge, some of us may get sidetracked by other unimportant, mundane things and forget about our fitness goals altogether. Some of us may get overwhelmed by the aches, pains and sores of our exercises, and give up on exercising as a result. Some of us may experience an unknown, growing resistance towards exercising, and abandon our fitness goals in jest.
When that happens, all it means is that we’ve lost touch with our original reasons that got us on this path to begin with. In the words of Sydney Smith, “Obstacles are the frightful things we see when we take our eyes off your goals.”. It’s then merely a matter of reconnecting with our original motivations, of refreshing them in our mind. This is the fuel that ignited our engines; this will be the fuel that will keep us going on and on with our fitness sessions even way after the challenge is over.
Why did you join 21DFC? Do you remember? How can you keep this reason close to your heart as you progress on your fitness journey?
(PS: It’s Valentine’s Day today as I’m writing this, so Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! :D Don’t forget to workout even during this special day of the year! ;) )
Share Your Plans/Progress for Today!
What is your intended fitness plan for today? What physical activities are you going to do, and how long do you want to do them for? Share with us!
Update your progress as you go along. At the end of the day, review your progress and share your learnings.
Check out other participants’ responses and join in the discussions!
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I joined this fitness challenge b’coz as it is known that if we want to make a habit we need to do that thing for 21 days without any break. than that thing will be converted in to your habit.I want to work on that.
I want to develop habit which is good for my health. My fitness will improve my health,my personality and confidence in me.
I join 21-Day Fitness to try and get back into the habit of daily exercise. Since I had an injury about two years ago, I haven’t been able to do much fitness in the time being. Now that I believe my injury is all fixed, I wanted to try and kick start myself into daily activity. I also wanted to encourage my over-weight younger brother to try and come out and exercise with me. This was a great way to do that.
My exercise for the day was a 20 minute set of intervals (one minute run/ 1 minute walk). We then stretch afterwards for 10 minutes.
As a senior citizen, I have made it a point ,to be very modest in what I can achieve. My objective is therefore very precise and simply defined. Keep fit through brisk walking. When I think about how many times I have started a number of activities to abandon them at some point ,I feel already fulfilled that I am going about this 45 minutes walking habit with consistency and determination. The real test will be when the challenge is over.Also,At one point I realised I may not be able to walk really, and was scary about being mobilised the rest of my days. If L have been able to start now and succeeded in many ways, the simplest of concern will be to continue. Although, in the course of this challenge I have lost a modest 1.5 kg.I take it to be more significant because Ha dI not participated in the challenge I would have probably added maybe one kg. Add to it the fact that other members of the family have joined, it augures well for a culture to set in the family and, so consolidationg further the famity unit which is presently seriously at threat. This reminds me of the younger days when, in my official capacity We used to sensitize the public towardsa fitness programme,’Jogging in Family’ And I still recall the words of those ladies, who would say,’At home we used to feel the chill of the winter. And there you are! Once you leave the comfort of your home your feel energetic and the cold disappears.’
“Once you leave the comfort of your home you feel energetic and the cold disappears.”
LOVE that!
Reminds me that once I make the initiative, and start moving, I can build on the momentum, and before I know it, I have been physically active for 20-30-40- minutes or an hour or so!!!!
Walk On, P.Callychurn!, Walk on! :clap:
Let’s hear it for a lifetime of mobility! :dance:
I start writing my reply here last night, but fell asleep.
Exercise and fitness aren’t really a big part of my life, so I thought this challenge would be a good opportunity to make a habit of exercising daily. Plus, I’d decided to postpone my one week fast I was going to start after my birthday on the 2nd due to commitments. So it felt like a good time to do something like this.
Day 12 went well. I finally got to do a long walk in the afternoon, and will probably go for another long walk when I finish writing here. My walk lasted close to 2.5 hours. It was the first time I’d gone for such a long walk in my Vibram 5 finger shoes too. No complaints there, except that water got in my feet from walking through some muddy grass, after all the rain we’ve had. During my walk at Shelly beach, I saw an Eastern Water Dragon (local lizard), and a dead snake that had been eaten away by ants. I was really small though. I’m guessing when alive, it would have been around 50cm. But yeah, I’d rather not see a live one!
Hey Glenn! I thought that was quite funny (?) that you fell asleep while writing at the computer (?). I always find that amusing for some reason when it happens to me/someone – It’s like the spirit wants to go on with the day but the body is shutting down! I hope you’re well rested? Don’t over-exert yourself!
Congratulations on your long walk. :clap: 2.5 hours is long! Have you been continuing your exercises with the rebounder?
Haha, I didn’t fall asleep as I was typing. I’d started writing, then rendered a preview of a video and fell asleep on the couch waiting for that. I actually fell asleep on he couch last night too.
Just taking a break from the rebounder for a few days to do the long walks instead. I see a lot of people power walking along the beach (on the pathway), and although I’m not quite as fast as them, I probably travel a lot further and climb more hills :)
DAY 12
Despite the pouring down rain, my friend and I headed off to the Dry Forest Park on the Caribbean (a 40 minute drive for us, each way) late afternoon. Here lies one of our favorite places to swim. Surely, it would be clear there, where it is always hot and sunny!
It wasn’t!
I knew I would go in and swim, regardless.
Often times, when we go that extra mile, the rewards are too numerous to mention.
Being in the water is soo therapeutic…what else was in store for us?.
In a nutshell, the ocean was calm and as clear as a fluorite crystal. We decide to grab the masks and snorkles and check out the reef. It was clear enough to see some fish with colors and shapes neither one of us had ever seen before! What a great opportunity to be at the beach with noone else there. (it was misting) So beautiful, healing, refreshing to workout there today! The air was sooo deeply fresh and clear and clean. I did some very deep breathing to take in as much of it as I could. Most probably, unless I was really focused on getting in my workout, I would not have been so intent on this swim today. It’s like I am on “automatic pilot”! :angel:
I was in the water for about 1 and 1/2 hours, and I really did alot of swimming, tuning into my muscles working and the strokes of my mermaid swimming body! :D I certainly did give my body a workout, which is certainly a gift to me. :heart: I will sleep great tonight!
The ocean water and ocean air gave us a wondrous Valentine today, and we love Mother Nature for those precious gifts! :angel:
today was 45 min of spinning
I joined the 21 DFC to institute new habits. I have never been able to sustain regular working out. Last year I did great for ½ the year with diet and exercise but fell off the horse around June 2011. I hope to loose 30 pounds this year. I was 204lbs Jan 1st. Now I am 199. My goal weight is 170. I would be thrilled to reach 180 however! This goal will never work unless I stick to a better diet which I have been doing since Jan 15th . I already see my tummy is a bit slimmer since starting the challenge.
I have been stagnated in my career for the past 2 years. I stand in my own way often because of fear. That fear has prevented me from moving forward in my job search. I also suffer from depression. Not working at something I believe in (I do have a job now but I don’t really care about) has been rough on me– I have lost focus. I know that no one can fix this situation but me.
I am hoping to see what is possible in just showing up each day to the challenge and seeing what opens up (physically, mentally)in doing a task like this every day. I believe regular exercise can really help depression according to many reports and also to friends.
Stuart, Have you heard about fear…?
False Evidence Appearing Real
And over the years, I heard different reports about zinc, St. John’s Wort, and B complex are helpful with fortifying one’s mood. And that sugar wrecks havoc with one’s brain/body chemistry, especially those who are challenged with/have a tendency toward depression.
Thank you for showing up here for this 21DFC. Exercise definitely helps our bodies and mood, with all those endorphins being released!
My hope for you is that you again find your focus, have a job that you enjoy, and that you feel better and better and better. I do believe that there are solutions for the most puzzling issues. Keep searching and keep on keepin’ on, and may you find brighter days ahead!
Congrats with the slimming and dropping those pounds!!! :clap: :D
I mentioned this a few days ago, but I mainly joined 21DFC because even before joining the challenge, I felt that I really need to make a serious change to my lifestyle. I haven’t exercised in years (but I’m not obese), and 21DFC really popped up at the perfect time for me :)
More Pilates for me today (10 minutes). It kicked my butt again, but it’s fun :D :shy:
See you guys on Day 13 :clap: :hug:
I joined the challenge for 3 reasons; thie first was to lose 10 lbs before I go into hospital on 19th March. The reason for 10 lbs; well, even though I’m not to worried about my weight, I was fed up of being treated as if i was obese. (On the BMI scale, i am on the verge of obesity; however, having played hockey for 35 years, I do have more core muscle than most, which of course is heavier than fat. The BMI scale does not take heavier muscle into consideration).
2nd reason is that i do have a bit of a ‘stomach’, which I want to flatten.
3rd reason is that afetr my op, I want to ebe able to easily slide in to the discipline that this challenge is building in me.
I still have so much i want to do in my life that I want to live, in fitness and health, for at least another 40 years. Now, I realise that is not all in my control but there are many factors that i can do somethign about. excess fat, high chloresterol, weak heart, poor lung capacity etc.
All these things I’m doing can only help my body be as fit as I can make it. So, thanks Celes, for the 21 DFC.
Today, i spent 45 minutes at the gym after work; 20 mins rowing, 20 mins cycling and 10 mins mild weights. A fantastic warm shower at the end. I do love a good shower. It is a great end to a great day. :)
Thanks Mark, for being a part of 21DFC. :D I appreciate your participation – and you’re doing so amazingly well, might I add! Keep up the great work. We have about 1 week left, so let’s make the best out of it! :D
Happy Valentines Day everyone!!
I joined the 21 DFC as I was about to embark upon my own 3-week exercise regime at the same time. I found the 21 DHL in January helped bring about some goodness (such as losing 3kg) and I wanted to take it to the new level and get into a fit state on top of being slimmer. After all, being fit really ups your zing levels!!
Today I probably walked just over my minimum 4km (had to hurry home due to Valentines Day!) but after 3 days where I’ve not followed such a healthy regime (expected as I have had cake-making in the diary for last Sunday for months, and unexpected due to fighting off a cold) I feel I’m ready to take on the last week and make it count for as much as possible!
:dance:
Day 12: :rolleyes:
Today I didn’t exercise. No excuses! Just bad time management on my part ..but….I was abnormally busy today, because usually my schedule is practically empty. I did do some housework & chores though .. ok these sound like excuses so I’m stopping!
What to do in compensation? With God’s will, tomorrow I’ll exercise like there is no tomorrow. (not sure if that makes sense :mrgreen: )
Today’s answer: I joined this challenge because..
1) It’s a PE challenge and I enjoyed the last one I did a lot, so I wanted to do this one too;
2) Going to start a new chapter in my life soon, and I wanted to start with the right fitness attitude;
3) If exercise becomes a personal daily habit, then so many (if not all) things in my life will benefit from it.
These are all the reasons I can find with my conscious thinking, there are probably more on the subconscious level but I can’t tap into them ATM :)
good luck tomorrow Nadia!
Hey Nadia, just want to let you know that I enjoy your participation in the previous challenge (21DJC) a lot, and I was/am really glad you decided to join 21DFC too. It’s great having you here in our community. You have such a positive aura around you and you bring such incredible, amazing energy to the team. :D
:shy: Happy Valentine Day, everyone ^^ ( I’m a single but it seems like I’m also quite hyper about this day :lol: )
I joined the challenge because I want to improve myself. I always feel like being fitter and stronger but I never take actions before. So by doing this challenge, I’m going to form a habit of exercises as well as enjoy physical activities. Luckily, I don’t have any problems with weights. Actually, I’m quite thin already ^_^ However, I feel that It’s not enough and I can become stronger. Moreover, being fitter and healthier is not only about the appearance and physical body but also helps to improve my mental health and clarity. That’s what I think. :love:
My progress today is like normal with early wake up and exercise. To be honest, there are some resistances appearing these few days. I’ve become a bit lazy to do extra activities beside my normal exercises. So I’m really happy about today’s topic ^^ The question is like a wake up call for me. I’m gonna do aerobics for 30 mins later to push myself up @.@
P/s: I’m so happy that I can update today :)) I was using my laptop to update day 11 and you can’t imagine how hyper I got after posting the comment without any problems :dance: I was literally praying that my laptop wasn’t going to die suddenly after my super attempt to start it.’ But It still died after 2 mins =.=” Finally, sorry for saying all ramdom things :p
Oh my goddess, when I post the comment, the screen shows Internet connection problem
My face becomes T.T . But thanks god, my comment is posted when I come back to the page. Seriously, I’m gonna have a heart attack with all the posting and losing comments due to my laptop or internet =.=”
Hey Linh! How about copying, pasting, and saving your comment(s) in a text file first before you post the next time? Just in case something goes wrong. I wouldn’t want the efforts you spent to type up the comments to go down to drain!
Linh-
Same here regarding what you said about the internet problem and losing posts, till I started to copy and paste like Celes mentions. Peace of mind… :angel:
Congrats on being here and formulating new habits that will take you to new places!
Now that you’ve had the wake-up call, all the benefits of forming new habits makes it all totally worth it, doesn’t it? :dance:
During 21DHL challenge… I was lacking behind in fitness area.. the most important thing which I learned during that challenge was the practical exposure of how a attitude can be changed and a new routine can be easily adapted if practised consistently for 21 days.. So for me the biggest motive and the expectation from this challenged is to maintain fitness related activities in consistent manner..
Today walking / running for 1 hour in evening. Stamina is improving consistently.
well done on your hour’s work out today Ahmed! that’s a considerable amount of time! :)
Why did I join this challenge? To get back in the HABIT of daily fitness activity. To accomplish this, I came here to get help and support with breaking my lazy cycle(s).
I’ve been trying to renew this fitness habit for months, but my enthusiasm for it goes up and down — I get going on it for a while, but then it becomes interspersed with periods of laziness. Intellectually knowing how great regular activity is hadn’t yet led to my full commitment. So I came here looking for external motivation to tide me over until it’s a habit again.
They say it takes 3 weeks of daily commitment before something becomes a habit. Wise Celes knows this and I’m sure that’s why she made this challenge exactly 21 DAYS! I had fun in a previous PE challenge and I trust Celes enought to absolutely know in advance that this one would help me too.
…….
Today I went to pick up my new custom orthotics, and I have high hopes they will help my body alignment and balance so I can entirely eliminate my hip/sciatica issue. That will be kissing my last excuse goodbye — which can only be a good thing, right?
…….
Now I’m headed out for today’s activity — my regular aquafit class. I don’t like swimming, I don’t like getting wet all over, I don’t like the chlorine, but I absolutely love this class. It’s such a great workout — aerobics, resistance training (the water provides great natural resistance), and all the while gentle on the body no matter how hard I push my workout there!
Hi Kate
Hope you enjoyed your aquafit session!
Well done for eliminating another potential excuse! (I need to break that same one myself and sort out an orthotics consultation with the podiatrist!)
Hopefully you’ll find exercising a lot more comfortable now :)
Go Kate!
i totally relate to the getting excited for a while then tapering off
as for aqua fit…they offer it at my gym and I will tell you what: that class is hard!
looks easy when you look in pool and see ppl. with the yellow water thingies …but those are hard to push and pull thru the water
Thats awesome Kate,
I like how you’ve worked and kept us informed on how you’ve countered all those excuses that stood up as obstacles….so excuses begone it is right? :clap: “wowzers” (if you can allow me to use your phrase which brings in bustling vibrancy and heartfelt…ummm…well heartfelt wowzers :D )
Kate, with your high level of enthusiasm and growing commitment, that durn laziness just doesn’t have a chance of surviving! ;)
The aquafit classes sound great, as does the solution for the hip/sciatica issue. You are covering all the bases! :D
With all the motivation you have given to others here, myself included, I am sure that motivation will accompany you in your journey! :angel:
Go Mow!
;)
Hey Kate, how did your aquafit class go? I hope you had fun! :D
3 weeks of daily commitment, indeed! For sure, if we manage to make it through -consistently- in these 3 weeks, exercising every day/almost every day without fail, then we probably would have overcome at least 50% of the obstacles that’s stopping us from being physically active on a daily basis (for life). For it’s not specifically about the act of getting the exercises done, but about addressing *and* overcome those mental obstacles that arise mid-way which enable us to successfully cultivate this as a life-long habit. The first 2-3 days of a challenge is usually “no-problem” due to initial euphoria and rush, but for everyone to still be here, reporting their progress on Day 12 no less, suggests the soon-inevitable formation of this habit. I can definitely vouch for this myself!
See what I mean? Each of us is getting so much support and encouraging feedback here, it’s almost impossible not to keep at it. Thanks, zingfairy, Stuart, Aslo, Bette, and Celes for all the encouragement! (Yes, the aquafit class was super-duper!)
Chrys, as this thread started with your post, I hope you’re feeling the good vibes too!
I recently overcame an illness. I’m much more aware of my body. I want to take care of my body; eating more nutritious foods; incorporating exercise in my daily living. Daily walks, some jogging and yoga.
Thanks for this forum. Keep up the good work! :p
Hi Chrys,
Congrats on overcoming that illness. Interesting that it made you much more aware of your body. This speaks to me because I’ve been there too in recent years with a 2-year illness battle. It wasn’t good at the time, but looking back at it, I am able to see that illness & recovery as a kind of gift:
– it made me so very grateful to get back to good health and to truly appreciate what it means to be healthy
– it made me honor my body so much more — both for its powers to heal and for how amazing it is when it IS healthy
– and the above 2 things have made me devoted to feeding my body right, loving it full time, and appreciating every little thing I can do with it — just like you said above!
And yay for us :clap: because now we’re here to help ourselves help our bodies get fitter and even healthier, right?!! :dance:
That’s great, Kate, I’m so glad that you emerged from that battle with the positive attitude about it. :angel: Gifts come in all varieties, don’t they…
.
I was just thinking today about the body’s powers to heal itself! The body is/has such an intelligence…what a wonderful thing are the incredible complexities of the body, all working together, running smoothly.
Thanks for being here and taking such good care of yourself. I’m certain that the fitness habit and you will soon become one. It just “FITS” into the honoring of your amazing body, doesn’t it? Daily physical activity certainly is a way to love the body full time, isn’t it? The body embraces alignment and balance. :hug:
And may you continue with bouquets of AH-HA! moments, :idea:, and seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary… :heart:
Today 30′ yoga in the morning.
in the afternoon I did errands walking in total about 8km according to “my tracks”, a new app I downloaded today for my new smartphone, based on gps, so theorically much more reliable than “pedometro” I was using on my ipod
I joined the challenge because I knew it made me more responsible and committed to daily exercise, when I have to report every day. Moreover I like the fact I am reading reports from people who don’t exercise regularly, which gaves me a different perspective from what you can read in dedicated fitness community
Well I’ve been off line as I have been traveling, but have walked Sunday, Monday & Tuesday ranging between 2 to 4 hours of walking which was done today, then followed up by the gym found in the hotel for 45 minutes topped off with walking up the 9 flights of stairs to my room, boy am I feeling it now, exhausted but feeling energized from the inside, this will be easy now as I will walk every day going to all the places I want to see & with the gym in the hotel all there at my fingertips, & n work to get in the way, yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When you mix with like minded ppl U tend to get a lot more involved & do a lot more than by yourself!!!!!!
WHY DID I JOIN 21DFC :?: :?: :?:
I wanted to join 21DFC to boost along what I have already worked long and hard to set into motion, that being eating healthy, which includes a healthy weight loss program that I have already been very successful with dropping over two hundred pounds (!!! :rolleyes: I know, seems like science fiction, but the disease of obesity has varying degrees of severity) over the past years (still am dropping weight till I reach a goal weight, hopefully THIS year!!! :D ). To move from the sofa and TV, eating compulsively, and living vicariously, to just MOVING, and gradually being more and more physically active and building up the momentum of disciplined, healthy eating, you can just IMAGINE how ecstatic I am to be here with you all today!!! :dance: Obesity is a disease of isolation and to be out here in the world, even if that world includes cyberspace, well… it is an AWESOME feeling :!: :heart:
I wanted to join 21DFC to learn more about my mind-body-soul connection. I have been a student of something all my life, and I am always up for discovering more about myself and the vast potential we all have. Especially when we set our mind to something with honorable intention, and develop intuition, connecting with our Soul/ Spirit all along the way, moment by moment, day by day. :angel:
I wanted to join 21DFC to interact with and share with others who are interested in/engaging in living a healthy lifestyle which includes healthy eating and being physically active/ fit.. I wanted to participate in the challenge to share with, learn from, connect with, each other. :heart: To be part of the group energy of this fitness mindset and encourage each other. :clap: :hug:
And lastly, to challenge myself to stretch what before were limitations or limiting beliefs and commit myself to being accountable to myself and with others and posting daily progress and updates on how I am doing.
It is inspiring to be here amongst you all, experiencing all of the above and more that words fail to reach :!:
Here are some affirmations I have come up with during this 21DFC:
I LIVE a healthy lifestyle that invigorates me and I feel happy.
I LISTEN to my Inner Voice That Knows what to do.
I LIVE my passion that enlivens me.
Everything in my life is in DIVINE ORDER.
Closing thought:
What is the best day :?:
TODAY
Happy wonderful day. TODAY,
:heart: Bette
Beautiful reply! Touching and very well said. I’m glad that you’re so full of energy and committed to become a better you :D And you did a great job so for, losing all that wait. Never give up on your goals of becoming healthier and feeling better as a person altogether. Good luck, Bette! :hug:
Thank you so much, Lina! :hug:
Becoming healthier and feeling better are great lifetime goals, for sure!
Let’s keep up the energy and commitment, shall we?!!!
Good fortune for you and your goals as well!
:heart: Bette
Ever watched a good movie lately or read a book and felt like how it builds up to a point at which you think that it can’t get better and just then an even awesomer climax is followed up with?
Though many-a-times, with a good book (especially a novel) or a movie, you often forget about it sooner or later as you get wound into other non-relevant things…..
Well you must be wondering where I’m getting with my far fetched comparisons, i mean to say, just like a good book/movie you post grows better and better with every line and the end, my god, that’s a heck of a affirming list of affirmations……but unlike with a movie/novel, your post is definitely something not just I, but anyone else for whom fitness and self-growth are married in a life long learning process, would want to keep on coming back to in the future as it brightens up your face every time you read it, have read it and affirmed by determination for goal-seeking a couple of times already….therefore: Save to MS WORD — done
Create shortcut on Desktop — done
P.S Happy learning, today, you reminded the life student in me too to work harder to strive to reach to the top of my class………
ASLO, you brighten my face with this post, as well as how you express yourself. I am very grateful you are here TODAY, and well, that you just ARE! :angel:
Yes, it is heartening for me to know that we are in a LIFELONG learning process together, sharing the goals of fitness and self-growth. :D
May you always and forever be affirmed by determination and the inspiration of your soul and those kindred spirits with whom you share goals and dreams and thoughts and feelings along the way! :angel: :heart:
Bette
May you always and forever be affirmed by determination and the inspiration of your soul and those kindred spirits with whom you share goals and dreams and thoughts and feelings along the way!
Thank you so much for those kind words Bette :hug: , wishing the same goes for you :angel:
OMG, Bette, I’m SO impressed with your weight loss. Wowzers! :!: :!: CONGRATULATIONS :!: :!: on your accomplishment AND on the fact that you’re still going strong toward meeting your goals for weight and eating habits and lifestyle and ALL of it. You’re an example for us all, for sure!
Excellent affirmations, too! Best of all, I like “What is the best day? TODAY!”
Thank you so much, Kate. It’s wonderful sharing with you and hearing your updates and insights about how your fitness goals are being realized as you continue traveling down the road of your healthy lifestyle. I really appreciate your supportive encouragement and your overall enthusiasm :angel:
And yes, the best day IS today, isn’t it! :heart:
Bette
this is so inspiring!
i am borrowing your affirmations for myself!
thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Stuart, I appreciate your comment.
It is quite a journey, this thing called LIFE, isn’t it!
And I’m with you…
Affirmations are wonderful little capsules of positive energy to help us along our way.
WOAH, over 200 pounds??? That is AMAZING, Bette! Bette, you *must* share with us how you did that! What would you say were the biggest things that enabled you to lose the weight? (i.e. what kind of mental shifts, realizations, new habits, and so on?) I’m sure there are many readers out there who can benefit from your valuable advice, being someone who’s “been there done that / doing that”!
Thank you, Celes. Yes, it IS amazing to be living in a body that is no longer hundreds of pounds overweight!!! Just to say that is startling to me, but that is my history, and I am alive to tell it! It’s been a long journey, full of realizations, to get to this point of being health and fitness-minded, and committed to that kind of lifestyle on a daily basis. Without writing a book here, (perhaps this is the start of one? ;), I attempt to share the biggest things that enabled me to drop those pounds. I hope that this is not too long-winded…unraveling such a tale as this is not an easy task!… I didn’t think it would be this long! I write this in hopes that sharing such information will be useful or encouraging to someone out there.
As a compulsive overeater/food addict, it was not just about bingeing or eating food compulsively, it was about the mental obsession and craving that accompanies the disease . That is a demon that clutches/overrules one’s choices, snuffs out one’s passions, and overtakes one’s overall life.
How to get out of that reality/hell? Eliminate the trigger/binge foods that cause the cravings, (sugar and all its forms is the #1 offender for me) so I can come out of the fog of the addiction. Find a balanced, food plan that is the framework for healthy eating on a daily basis. The food plan is a very individual thing, based on individual needs…it’s about choosing eating a healthy food plan for life. One that works with one’s lifestyle and is something one can stick to day in and day out. Gone is the diet mentality for me. What works for me is small meals for B, L, and D, and planned snacks in between. Less is more. Quality counts.
My attitude with food is now filled with awareness and respect, and I honor my body with my attitude of gratitude for whole, fresh, healthy foods, (especially fresh veggies) that nourish and energize my body, keeping my body balanced and on an even keel. I drink alot of good, clear water – about 3 quarts per day – that is my main beverage (occasionally herb tea, decaf coffee). I avoid caffeine, salt, flour products, sugar, processed “foods,” alcohol, drugs, prescription or otherwise, and negative thinking/negative people.
My goal is to live in a warm climate, close enough to the ocean for frequent swims, and where the growing season is all year-round, with a sustainable garden with veggies and herbs and fruit trees, living as close to the earth as possible. Fresh air, sunshine, and rain, rich soil, fresh, whole foods, and enjoying living mostly out-of-doors, communing harmoniously with Mother Nature. That is my idea of living a quality life brimming with vitality and fitness! :D
The greatest thing about avoiding consuming anything that triggers out-of-control cravings is that once those substances are eliminated, I am then free from the cravings AND the torturous life-sucking mental obsession! This is SO simple, and yet continually throughout my life, I fought surrendering the foods I THOUGHT I wanted to eat. What I discovered was, it was the addiction body that wanted the binge foods, the addiction body that wanted the immediate gratification, regardless of the horrendous consequences, NOT the real me who truly desires to have a sane, purposeful, happy, healthy life. My body went in an addictive mode when I consumed sugar, and trying to moderate sugar consumption was not possible.
It was a really important day when I finally admitted to myself that the addiction owned me, and I surrendered binge foods and overeating and became open to finding what worked for me. I have sought/received all kinds of help in this lifelong physically challenged journey of mine, and that includes help from That Which is greater than my personality. Having a spiritual life, a soul connection that includes daily meditation, and listening to my Inner Knowing is key. Despite/because of a lifetime of obstacles, I have always been a seeker, looking beyond this material world to help guide my footsteps in the right direction. I believe there is a Guiding Force that instills deep within me, the right questions that contain the answers that will reveal the path leading to my highest good. I believe there is a purpose to my life and I have a Destiny to fulfill. Tuning into my Highest Self aligns me with The Divine. :angel:
What I realized/realize that is helpful, is that it is impossible to fill the bottomless pit that characterizes addiction and cravings.. That hole only gets bigger and deeper and darker over time, so trying to satisfy a craving is sheer folly for me. There is no satisfying a craving. The craving only gets bigger. What is phenomenal is that even though I have had periods where I have been disciplined, if I picked up sugar, the addiction had grown even when I was abstaining from sugar, meaning that right after the first compulsive bite, my bingeing capacity had gotten bigger, and disciplined weight loss came back quickly and with a vengeance!! And it was hugely difficult to stop that bingeing madness and get back on the path of abstaining from the binge foods, (withdrawal was always very difficult) and start eating healthy once again. These are things I have discovered over a lifelong struggle, very terrifying to realize, but it is also terrifying NOT to realize all these facts and suffer under the oppressive heel of sugar/food addiction.
Amazing Grace, I cannnot find a better word, lifted me from the helplessness of hopeless despair, and into the light so I might live free from self-sabotage and the repetitive destructive cycle of addiction. And so then, my weight-loss journey becomes a story that includes spiritual experience. :angel:
It is challenging to write about all these things, attempting to get as close as I can to conveying what were the turning points of being obese with the disease of food addiction growing in my body and mind and what I have come to realize as a result of living that kind of life/death. I value keeping my memory green so I remember just what is real and what is fantasy. What I can handle, and what I can not. What is truth and what is fiction, the stories, the lies I told myself that kept the addiction alive, and to keep eating the junk that I really thought I wanted to eat!
I have learned that there are consequences to everything, and there is no such thing as “eating the cake and having it too.” That I really rather be communicating and socializing with and helping others, and fulfilling my life purpose rather than being isolated in a destructive, bone-crushing, life-robbing cycle of being lost in a relentless disease that I didn’t know was called a disease. And when I did know, I was trying to ignore the consequences, so difficult it was to put down the sugar/binge foods. It was time to pull out the root of this monstrous weed, and address the causes for the emotional eating that led to the reckless progressive disease of food addiction.
Living through all the above and having the awareness of what were trigger foods for me, what worked in my life and what did not, has all fortified me with the knowledge of what is the disease of food addiction and what is living a healthy life free from food obsession.
I have learned, little by little, what it means to truly take care of myself. :heart: That opens up a whole world of experience for me, meeting new people, realizing goals, being in the process of living my passion, enjoying every moment, savoring life far more than I ever could with food I binged on that I could barely taste.
Most recently, being a participant in the 21DFC, I have been having all kinds of epiphanies about being physically active and exercising, and what it means to be fit. I am in touch with my body, for the first time since I studied and trained to be a massage therapist and craniosacral therapist back in the ’90’s, and I am experiencing transformation on many levels. I used to think exercise was drudgery and I would avoid it, but now I enjoy and look forward to it, and I see that it is liberating me from the long-term consequences of having lived an obese, sedentary life.
I do recall being active/athletic when I was a child and teenager, which was a long time ago. I recall and now visualize standing tall, loving to take long walks, hiking on mountain trails, riding my bike with joy unending, and dancing till I felt free as a bird. The last time I did any of those beloved activities was about 15 years ago! I have used a cane for about 7 years, and have been leaning over somewhat since I need knee replacement. Not standing tall is very uncomfortable for me….so I look forward to having that change. In the meantime, I do exercises to strengthen my leg muscles.
I have paid a heavy price for the consequences of food addiction and being sedentary. No longer shall I miss opportunities like traveling or being with others because I am embarrassed to be seen or too exhausted or because I would rather just stay home, sit in front of the TV, and binge. So many times I have stayed behind just to have it be me and the food. I would binge in secrecy, creating a heavier body I could not hide. No longer am I shy, withdrawn, or ashamed. I tell it like it is, and share my feelings. Addiction is a progressive disease, but so too is recovery progressive!
All things considered, I have had a life full of many wonderful things, fulfilling careers, enriching experiences…I have been extremely fortunate. I will be careful to not squander any more time though, nor will I be complacent, for there is still alot of quality living to do and much more to be accomplished!
The good news is I have survived many situations, that I am thriving, amd have developed compassion and patience. I am being transformed into a new body. I have excellent health. I am learning to embrace being active on a daily basis. Sharing my experience, strength, and hope with others is a rich way to live. I feel connected with my true self and with my body in a way that is enlivening, and invigorating, and I feel how my being energetic increases my energy. :dance:
Nothing is lost except more pounds that continue to drop away from my body. As I continue my fitness program, I feel stronger, have more endurance, feel clearer, and have more focus. I feel less overwhelmed, and more ready to take charge and get things done. I feel more confident and at peace. I am less serious, and more ready to have fun and laughter. I’m passionate about health and fitness, although I recognize the wisdom in the motto: ” Moderation in all things.” I’m in this program of health and fitness for the long haul, all the rest of my days…so I am interested in a sustaining energy, a calm that rides the big waves, an energetic Bette that is in it to win it! I live more and more in the NOW and have a heart full of gratitude for my newly emerging self.
:heart:
Ohhhhhh!!!! I feel like killing myself for skipping this piece before for reading later as i didn’t have much time…..maaannnn!!!!!this as so much to learn from….thank you for letting me know from the Day 13 post that i’m missing on replying on something….btw sorry for that as i don’t have the habit of bookmarking pages i’ve posted/replied on, my bad! i’d take care of that as of now on…..
so i now have quite a number of pages under the word doc. ‘Bette’s replies/posts’…..great learning experience…keep up the good job Bette
:heart: :hug: :heart:
Thank you, ASLO, I appreciate that! :hug: As it turns out, I stayed up all thru the night to write that story…it may just get overlooked unless I tell someone to look here to see it (if there is the interest to do so…?)
So you found it interesting? Wonder why? Because it was a learning experience? I love feedback, actually. I find it verrry interesting to hear how others respond to such a story/information.
Any other comments you may have of your perspective of what I wrote would be greatly appreciated. If not, not to worry…it’s all good!
It is long…I never thot it would go on like that, but that is what it took to convey the story.
Muchas gracias :heart:
Ask a friend to read it……you know for those really interested in seeking growth or freeing themselves off any traits/habits they dislike, a real source of inspiration is someone else’s story/experience….you learn from their mistakes and they teach you how to turn away before you make your own….from quite some time, i’ve been googling inspirational stories (esp about women) on different fronts of life (self-growth, business, music……) found not much material but more importantly i couldn’t find much on fitness {diet} fronts….when you desire something so bad, the universe mends its ways to get you what you want (the power of attraction)…and lo behold, here stands a life changing story in front of me….what i’d want to use it for is to read through it and take info/note/advice/inspiration when i’m feeling a lil’ creaky as the cogs of life turn around esp when it’d come to my fitness…….
btw, i’ve mentioned this before but i love how you connect life events and spirituality…..
:heart:
ASLO, I find your comments are very uplifting and stimulate further thinking on many topics that we all deal with as an individual, and as a society. Actually, society IS an addict, the way it advertises and promotes things to consume that puff up bodies like blow-fish! Here in Puerto Rico, it’s all about the sugar and flour and fat, and lots of it! All too familiar fast food chains pepper the cities, and diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure all accompany the obesity. Food here, as in cultures all over the globe, have their traditional meals, and those foods, prepared in the traditional way are lodged in their brains, and many just are not interested in considering making the necessary dietary changes that would dramatically change their health/life! Unless, that is, they or someone close is facing life-threatening numbers with their Dr’s report, or they just feel lousy and feeling “icky” is adversely affecting their life.
about “..those really interested in freeing themselves of any habits they
dislike”….I find that people, in general, are verry interested in freeing themselves of a detrimental habit, like eating sweets, and yet they are tempted by the sensation of the taste, the perk, and whatever the emotional aspect of it is as well (i.e. “comfort food”..when really it is the FEELING someone is trying to experience, not so much about the food as one might think.) It is about the consequences too…if someone is willing to pay the price of indulgence, then it might have to take more serious effects in order for someone to actually DO something differently.
ASLO, I love the way that helpful things that you are truly desiring to come into your life ARE making their way to your eager and willing self! :heart: :angel:
And as for my connecting life events and spirituality….I do believe that we are spiritual beings having a human experience instead of human beings having a spiritual experience. Maybe Kate knows where that saying came from, but it hits the nail on the head for me.
Comfort Food, that’s the word i was looking for, bulls eye Bette….
Thank you for continuing to share these bits and pieces with us… :hug:
Wonderful, amazing, inspiring story, Bette! Thanks for taking the night to write it and then post it here. A fantastic sharing you’ve done! It’s too bad it really is “buried” here in the PE forums. If you don’t have a blog, p l e a s e consider starting one with this post so the rest of the world has access to it!
You have managed to incorporate almost every imaginable healthful way to live into your life. I’m so glad for you that with 21DFC you’re finding ways to embrace daily activity to add into the already-incredible mix. And to mix it all up into a great life-enhancing ‘brew’ that combines the mental, spiritual, and physical…. well there will be NO stopping you now, girl! :dance:
Call me impressed!!! :!: :!: :clap:
P.S. I just want to add that I, too, have eliminated my battles with diet after diet by eliminating from my life the sugars and other white stuff, like white flour, etc. I can bear witness to what Bette says, here, folks — eliminate sugar and food cravings stop. They entirely, completely stop. It makes food a friend in one’s life once again, something that gives us nutrition and excellent health and lots of yummy joyful eating rather than something we have to constantly work to control.
Oh my gosh, Kate, SO glad to hear your feedback about that story, and your P.S. comments as well. I was just about to ask if you would come here and have a read and hear what you have to say, and you’re here! :D Just when I needed you! It’s like you heard me calling! :D Thank you SO much for your input! I do appreciate it. :heart:
Maybe Celes will have a suggestion about how I might better share this story here on PE. It does seem “buried” here to me too. I tried to get a comment to her soon after Day 15 was posted, but I wasn’t quick enough maybe …Perhaps I’ll be quicker with Day 16 to give a heads up about the note I sent today. We shall see.
In the meantime, or sooner than later, share with me some ways I might go about starting a blog, and how I find out how to set it up and put it out there, so I know how to go about it. How would the world find me (my blog)? I have pretty much zero computer skills, I am techno-challenged, etc., so I am pretty much amazed that I am even here navigating on PE doing this. But when I feel a sense of purpose about something, I AM motivated and willing to learn new things.
I do love interaction, though, and I am motivated to share and help however I can “out there” in the world! There seem to be fairly healthy, not so overweight people here on 21DFC, but having food issues can compromise most ANYone’s health, weight , mood, habits, etc. And as you know, there are TONS (pardon the pun) of people out there who are tremendously challenged with food/weight/life issues, or know someone who is, and I have had a whole lot of experience and exposure to countless others’ stories/dilemmas. So I may be of some real help, especially to those who feel so hopeless with their extremely high body weight.
And yes, Kate, as you know, not having sugar and flour in one’s system makes for all the difference in the world. Night and Day!! HOW can something so tasty/sweet be so horribly wrong for the body? That is a see/feel for yourself difference that anyone can experience, if they are willing/want to eliminate the substances that create the phenomenon of craving. My consequences grew so wildly out of control, that it was no longer worth it to flirt with disaster.
Here’s to yummy, joyful, nutritious eating, and glowing, vibrant fitness! :D :heart:
:hug:
How can something so tasty and sweet be so wrong for the body????
For me its been an year plus, since i stopped taking sugar in the form of chocolates, sweets, cakes….(so goes on an endless list sans tea/coffee/juice and the normal sweetening in daily food)…and i know how the battle is….its agony when you see your kids & husband enjoying, no literally hogging, down those delicacies….why does wanting to be different feel like being in a battlefield? oh……
ASLO, you’re thoughts and feelings emerge from your writings to me and really get me thinking!… :idea:
Just would like to say here that there is so much written about the pitfalls of eating sugar/sugar products, but one that opened up much very useful information about sugar is William Dufty’s “Sugar Blues.” Really tells the facts. Also, “Sweet and Dangerous” is another good one.
ASLO, what differences in the way you feel, etc., have happened since you put down sugar a year plus ago? I am interested to know how that has been for you, the process, the evolution of it alll…and how did you come to that decision to let that sugar,etc. GO…in the midst of a family who indulges…???
About wanting to be different. Alot of my life, in the early years, I wanted to be the same, not “stick out” which had alot to do with not wanting to have attention called to me (since I was embarrassed to be a bigger size than others). It took a long process and many years before I was ok to be noticed and acknowledged and wanting to be included, instead of trying to convince myself and others that it was okay that I was on the sidelines of life.
Now I am at peace about who I am, history and all, that to be “different” whatever that means, is all good. I did not always “want” to be different. Now I just see it as we all are individual and unique beings. So it isn’t about wanting to be different for me,….it’s about the recognition that I AM different, and I have come to honor that difference. It comes down to how I am FEELING about myself, and the details of how I am living my life.
As for hogging down sweets, I always did that privately, couldn’t enjoy the indulgence with eyes upon me judging, so I learned to eat those things alone.
But as to my feeling like I am being in a battlefield, I, as a spiritual warrior, AM in a battlefield. There are all kinds of obstacles and twists and turns and things and people who try to derail me, sabotage me, drain energy from me….I need to be alert to what I am exposed to, make intelligent choices how I spend my time, and who with, and take good care to not get myself in a situation where I am overcome by negative force.
That is the good thing about conscious eating, mindful living in the present moment, and living with a conscious connection to Spirit. Since negative energy just loves an argument, and feeds on energy that resists it, when I “resist ye not” with the negative, it gets bored and goes away. Or at least, it doesn’t take root in my happy soul! I have learned to not take on other people’s “stuff” ! ! ! And not to fall in to the drainholes!
Thank you for that Bette…well what I feel after leaving behind all that I’ve left is a mix-bag, though i may at times feel like hell i regret my choice, but this is relatively rare, maybe once a month or in two months….more-so-ever though i feel prouda of my self….i left behind my greatest weak point and if i could get rid of that, sure as hell, i can go buy the world……it gives me a non-conceited sense of confidence…..
Taking the Battlefield as positive, uh, thats a new one, but definitely something better than taking it as attack against oneself…gud un Bette
Hey Bette! You can use the shoutbox on the right as a quick way to get alert (if you want to).
I do make it a point to check back comments of the past days every once in a while – also the thing is there was the computer breakdown issue (which I told you in Day 15’s comment) that led me to prioritize other tasks first. Sorry if you thought I had forgotten about our discussion here!
I understand the frustration of writing comments and not sure if others are checking back. I’ve been calling out the participants to check back their comments for past posts because some have posed questions to them, but I don’t think everyone is doing that. For the most part, I think those who do want to check back will do so (they can also check the ‘notify me for replies’ checkbox at the bottom), and for the others who don’t – well, it’s their loss !?
By now, the regulars should know to check back I think. The shoutbox is definitely the way to go if you want to get quick alerts. Of course, replying to the latest comments with your message (what you’ve been doing) is another way to go.
Bette, about blogging. First, I doubt you have zero computer skills because here you are, participating in forum discussions, using an online group to help you meet your fitness goals, etc. Techno-challenged? Well you’re one smart cookie, and I believe you can do anything you want because you say, “…when I feel a sense of purpose about something, I AM motivated and willing to learn new things.”
You could be blogging in about 5 minutes. Check out “Posterous Spaces” — https://posterous.com/faq. Posterous is the easiest-ever blogging platform I’ve found after trying several others. I settled on Posterous for my 2 main blogs and have let my other ones go inactive. With Posterous, you could post your weight-loss story right away by copying it, pasting into an email, and sending it to the address posterous gives you. Read up about it at that link.
After that, of course, it’s a matter of getting people reading your blog. That’s another whole ball of wax. You can just gradually build up readership by sending the link to your site to people, posting it on your FB page and twitter feed (if you have those), and so on. Doesn’t matter if even only a few people read, at first, because it WILL gradually build. One tip I’ve learned? The TITLE of a blog post makes a huge difference in drawing readers. Think of a phrase that would make people curious to click over and read it.
Good luck! When you get your blog address, post it for us all here, ok?
:heart: Thank you, Kate, for all the supportive energy/comments/ info/suggestions, etc., :angel:
I am listening carefully, and I continue to be “all ears” when it comes to what you say.
I’ll check out that site. sounds good….stay tuned! :D
(Drats, I wrote a reply halfway and it got lost because I rebooted my computer and forgot about my half-typed comment here. It’s okay, here goes again! :twisted: )
“What I realized/realize that is helpful, is that it is impossible to fill the bottomless pit that characterizes addiction and cravings.”
Word, Bette. This is exactly the point I tried to drive home with the emotional eating series, specifically part-4.The void an emotional eater tries to fill with food is a void that has already been there since before eating/food ever became an issue. Food only came in to fill the void, due to some erroneous belief made at some point (for example, when someone tried to use food as a gesture of love/appreciation, hence creating the belief that food = love). The emotional eater then eats, as a way of feeling happier, but that void/trigger/feeling of emptiness always resurges – which then leads to eating, all over again. The result is a void that never gets filled at all, but an increasing body mass due to the trucks of food the individual keeps downing, in the (desperate) attempt to address the void.
I’m so proud of you that you came to all those realizations yourself, and how you have turned everything around based on your own strength and consciousness. You’re a living inspiration for others (including me) on the journey of healthy eating, losing weight, and fitness. I think your story also shows strongly that losing weight is an effect of addressing inner issues/demons, and that if we focus on the internal issues, and address them, the weight loss will happen by itself (vs. working towards it as an end).
Bette, out of curiosity (you don’t need to share if you don’t want to!), what was your heaviest weight back in the past? How much did you lose after that, and how long did it take you to lose that? I thought the information will be useful for those who are in similar predicaments, and provide a source of light/hope that the excess weight they are holding now can be shed off if they want to.
Thanks Celes for your kind words. I always feel your presence here amongst us as we all check in and continue our individual challenges. Congrats on all the positive changes in your whole being as you have made the most out of every day of this challenge with your all!
Yes, it’s true some participants do not check back for comments or questions..I am going to try different ways to get their attention…or like you say…have to let it go.
And I continue to learn that people are different, and just because I am so zoned into what others have to say, and so interested in what they are so motivated to write about, it doesn’t mean that others are! Although it is a bit of a puzzle that there would not be interest about a subject that we are all here for (fitness).
Which leads me to believe that others just aren’t seeing the post or have no comments to post after reading it. It’s all good, right?
What follows is not just an answer to the questions about weight you have suggested might be helpful to others out there, but a story relating to those questions goes along with it. Leave it to me to always have a story…. :rolleyes:
********
THE STORY OF THE NUMBER ON THE SCALE
In early January of 2009, I FINALLY bought a scale after avoiding owning one (or it owning me), and not weighing myself for about 15 years. I knew my weight was off the charts and beyond any previous weight, because I could BARELY fit under the steering wheel and into my Jeep Cherokee. And that’s if I could stand the grueling pressure on my feet when I walked a short distance to the car. It was rare I left the apartment (where I was staying temporarily after my move from my house of 23 years), where I sat all day long, doing creative writing, reading, with the television on in the background. I avoided scales and numbers, (and people) as part of the denial of my weight gain, and also because when I was a teenager, my father had weighed me every morning to monitor what I weighed as I was dieting. (!!! it was AWFUL!!!)
I am saying these things, because they factor in to why I have been so super-sensitive/shaken/judgmental of the number of my weight. Alot of my life, especially in the childhood and teenage years, I felt like a NUMBER, a SIZE, first, THEN I was a person second. I was “me”, second to that number on the scale. Does that make any sense? It was like, if people would know the NUMBER of my weight, then I was doomed, because I would be judged on the basis of THE NUMBER, and who I really was would never get a chance! So I came to judge and be harsh with myself, avoiding and denying. I took on all the negative, and lost myself in the bags and boxes of sweets and other carbs, numbing and losing myself to the oblivion caused by the sugar fog I was in.
So when it came to ordering a scale, I had to decide how many pounds capacity it would have. I struggled with that, KNOWING that I was well over 300 pounds and probably over 350. So, no need to get a scale over 400 pound capacity, but better get one that went up to 400 pounds. 400 pounds. That was hard for me to
admit. So I ordered and anxiously awaited its arrival, getting myself ready to get on the scale once it arrived. I was willing to face the music and use the scale as a tool.
Not to sound overdramatic, but it was really difficult (soo disappointing, sobering, and shocking to stand on a scale with a 400 lb capacity and still not be able to weigh in. No, there must be something wrong with this scale! ( I kept staring at it saying, “I do NOT weigh more than 400 lbs!!!”) My friend checked his weight. The scale worked. I was over 400 lbs. But just how much over?
I had been on a food plan for a couple weeks, initial weight loss is the most dramatic during those first weeks, surely my weight would register on this scale any day now…I weighed every few days for three MONTHS on that scale before I ever saw my weight register. Estimated highest weight, 465. Could have been higher, could have been lower. My weight was about 400 lbs by April 2009, and by April 2010, I was in the 280’s. I recall my weight being in low 270’s in August of 2010. It was in the upper 280’s in 2011, and actually gained up into the 330’s (by late July, 2011) until I was willing to put down some extras, like nuts, and chips that I had been allowing to seep into my food plan, and look at and walk through some more tough times/feelings. My latest weight was 266. Last time I was this low a weight was in early 1990’s. In August of 1993, the number was 220. In February of 1991, my weight was just under 200 lbs for just a very brief time, but I do remember the number on the scale going under 200 for the first time since 1963. I fight for every pound I drop, and hope to reach my goal weight (whatever that number is), or very close to it, THIS YEAR. My pattern has been to stick to a food plan for 9 months – 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 years, at which time I have slacked off the discipline.
I am aware of the pattern of never having reached my goal weight, and I am determined and so focused to keep going until I DO reach my goal weight, and then maintain my goal weight! Being here, participating in this 21DFC, and building new habits and being willing to openly share, and listen to feedback and responses and comments is all part of my reaching out and being open to support. :heart: :hug: I take responsibility for doing what I must to reach my goals, AND I welcome the insight and encouragement I receive from others. :D
Many people say that it is more difficult to maintain one’s weight than it is to reduce one’s weight. Certainly, obesity, reducing body weight, and maintaining body weight are all complex issues that take time and energy to sort out/master. Many wonder WHY can’t someone just be disciplined and stick with it, and take off the weight and keep it off!!!
There is no single answer for this excepting that each person’s weight-loss journey has is its own story, because everybody is so different. And all the underlying reasons for the food issues must be individually addressed, for if the root of the problem is not pulled out, the issues will continue to surface.
Note: Each of the countless time I embarked upon a program, diet, plan, whatever, I always had the mindset that I would reach my goal. It has taken a lonnng time to get to the bottom, had to do alot of digging! Hopefully others can come to terms with what is needed, and go forward in a steady line, instead of back and forth over a lifetime as I have.
One thing for sure however long it takes: I learned that life and living is NOW, not “When I get to my goal weight”!! A person is complete and whole, NOW, regardless of the NUMBER on the scale.
Today, the best day, I realize that I am a human being, NOT an object, or a NUMBER on the scale. It has been a lonnng journey, and it has taken me a lonnng time to get here. I use the scale as a tool, as a motivation, but staying on my food plan is what determines what the scale will say, that and the amount of physical activity/fitness I have.
Why is the NUMBER on the scale such a sensitive topic for many people :?: I often wonder about people’s stories with weight and food and fitness, and how they got there to that attitude about their relationship with food and weight.
Anyone :?:
Saying a NUMBER that I weigh always made me feel like a freak or something after all the shrieks and harsh comments I would receive in school when our weight was somehow revealed. I felt different from, way different, and ashamed. That left an impression that fades, but it is difficult to completely forget the feeling of hopelessness when set so apart from everyone else.
I disclose this info about my story of “Dropping the Weights” and what it has been like to have food/weight issues, and what I have been doing to reduce body weight in hopes that it is somehow helpful to others out there. Over my lifetime, I have learned sooo much about this and many other subjects, and I continue to be eager to learn and experience many more things!
I have come a very lonnng way from staying at home and isolating from the world. I stay awake in this moment, remembering where I came from, grateful to be fully aware and making conscious decisions, moment to moment, and looking forward to great things to come! :heart:
All the best….cause the best is NOW, TODAY, and THIS MOMENT, and the best is yet to come!
Peace
:angel:
Thanks again for sharing your journey back to health, and your battles with the scale, the numbers. People can be so cruel, and especially in high school, so carrying a lot of weight in school must have been very difficult. I’m sure you’re only scratching the surface of that emotional story here.
Anyway, I truly admire that you’re so able to focus on the positive, on your success, on what you’ve accomplished so far and are still accomlishing daily.
I can tell in everything you’ve written here in the forums that everything you’re doing for yourself is giving you a sense of pride and self-worth and, maybe most importantly, an inspirational attitude that will certainly help others if/when they get to read your story.
Keep walking on the amazing path you’re on today, Bette. :clap:
Yes, there are many stories within the story, Kate, that’s for sure! Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. It means so much to me. :hug:
And about positives…as you know, “What you think on expands,” so positives and affirmations here I come! They have always been a big part of my life, and now they have become an even greater, even MORE important part of my life!!! :heart: :D
Hi Bette,
I think some participants don’t check back because they’re using the comments section with a different purpose – to report their daily progress vs. engage/interact with the other participants. Which is perfectly fine, really. I think whatever rocks one’s boat. ;) It is a little annoying though when you post a reply, with a question, and you don’t get a response – so I know how you feel.
On your story – I can’t believe your father weighed you every morning while you were young – it probably created a whole slew of frightful beliefs surrounding weight and scales, so I can totally understand how you came to resist them later on!
What you went through (and are still going through today) is amazing. Your story is incredible, Bette. And you should be very proud of yourself. In particular, the courage to order a scale when you could have continued to run away from the problem. And the decision to improve your diet/health/weight thereafter. Both are very brave moves that take someone of great strength and tenacity to make. And that’s you, Bette.
I’m very honored to be able to know you through 21DFC. Have I already expressed gratitude for being able to connect with you guys (you, Kate, ASLO, etc etc – all the other 21DFCers) through this challenge? I think I have, but I can’t say it enough. This challenge truly has a special place in my heart.
Much gratitude is flowing through my veins, Celes, much much gratitude… :heart: Yes, my story is quite something, and its being in process right now ( that is, where I am right now) is a reason in and of itself, to celebrate. I celebrate the transformation that is growing within me and I am glad that you and others here are in my life to celebrate it with me! :dance: :heart: :hug:
Putting the numbers (weights) in the story did bring up alot for me, Celes, but I think you are right, saying “before and after” weights, and time frames is very interesting and can be helpful when others are seeking inspiration, information, etc. Of course, it is a very tender, sensitive spot for me (I’ve been quite secluded and private)…..but it’s important to let go of the reckless behavior that got me there, the shame connected with that behavior and situation, and letting go of judging the # (and myself!) or projecting that others will judge me…
This 21DFC IS just an awesome challenge…one that will continue on for many of us, I am sure. It’s a beautiful thing, thank you….. :heart: :D :angel:
This is touching. I can’t find a better word for the sensation it left me. I feel like you’re someone close who has achieved so much, I’m proud! :D Because each person I get in contact to, it’s great to know they’re seeking to flourish and become better. It’s amazing how positive you are and how much ambition you’ve had to overcome the hardships you have encountered. Never give up! You were born a fighter as it seems ;) I am fighting against my emotional eating behavior, too, and I know how difficult it can be when you’ve been eating lots just for the sake of doing it*finding comfort over an extended period of time. You have my respect for what you have achieved :)
I hear you loud and clear, Lina! And glad you are here on this challenge. I hope we all continue to keep in touch! :heart:
Thank you for your kind words and your encouragement. :hug: Very heartwarming for me.
Yes, emotional eating can and often does carve a deep groove, and learning new ways of finding comfort is key. Food is for our bodies’ benefit, not its detriment! Food is my medicine now…I can choose healing foods that build my body with strength and stamina and also choose to be physically active….a winning combination! :clap: :D
Happy Valentines to Celes and all the other 21DFC participants…. :heart: :heart: :heart:
your presence and motivation makes you part of my loveeeeed family…….
The reason I started this challenge was the routine, overly cliched reason….to be fitter, healthier and generally happier….because the life equation is that, right? Healthy = Happy
But then, something else got to me too….this collective effort to take up a challenge, the forum structure, the different backgrounds, different experiences and different cultures all coming in to create this beautiful picture of Personal Excellence….its amazing and this is the only place where I’ve seen such forums being so effective for carrying out challenges and actually getting a lot from the experience…this is all thanks to the brainchild of our torch-bearer “Celes” who has gotten together personal excellence seeking birds, in this big, mean yet lovely world separately and on our own….to join and form a lovely flock who now strive to attain, whatever positive goals their mind can set for them, just because of one reason….the ability to grow together while helping out each other….that’s a lovely thing you are doing for the global society Celes and that’s what has been tugging me to this challenges and pushing me to complete them wholeheartedly in the past, currently and definitely in the future :clap:
Awrite for today I got a 35 minute brisk walk and the routine 15 minutes of cycling….when i started this off, i simply wouldn’t have believed that by the twelfth day, if someone told me “congrats you are getting underway 35 mins of an excellent walk” i simply would have rolled my eyes and said “who me, quit mocking me”, at the time even 10 mins were like a hours long marathon, but now, 35 mins and time seems to have gotten wings and the euphoric ability to fly…..
Hey by the way, could anyone please suggest to me how i can make cycling as enjoyable as taking the walk?
Love, happiness and fitness to all :D :D :D
Not only has time gotten wings regarding your physical activity, you, ASLO, ALSO have WINGS, and the euphoric ability to FLY with your thoughts and feelings and creative writing! :angel: :heart: May I just reflect THAT back to you…?!! :D :heart: :D Love your poetic self!!! :heart:
And I so am with you with your thoughts and feelings about our collective group effort that includes such a diversity, and its own unique focus and energy, and about our torch-bearer Celes who lights the Personal Excellence path. :angel:
Thank you for this beautiful post, for being here, and for committed to personal excellence!
:hug:
Bette
Thank you Bette, appreciation means a lot to the soul, you know, the food for the soul bit?
True that, i get a tad bit poetic when writing up (typing here though :p) but i still many a times wish that i can fully express my stream of thoughts in a long bit of text (like many of yours and so many other passengers of this bus to the real life, that apparently only levies minimal charges like showing a lot of self-love and some ISP bills :p )…..you know if i could do that then so much of what i mean to say would be passed on……anyways, am sure that takes quite some bit of practice……
:hug:
About that cycling question, Aslo… you’ve started with podcasts for walks and it has helped. Hope you’re trying that with cycling too! Listening to something really interesting seems to make the time fly by AND add enjoyment, no?
I haven’t tried that out with cycling, two reasons:
:arrow: By cycling, I don’t mean cycling outdoors, I mean on the stationary gym cycle, and whenever i do so, i switch on the TV, heard sometimes before that that works like/better than listening to music/podcasts….but to be frank it doesn’t…..
:arrow: and two, you know, with podcasts sometimes i fear that taking in too much of them would maybe cause all my ecstasy and euphoria for listening to them during walking/meditation, to dampen as i would think i not properly now, then later….
but all the same, would try it out, and maybe would also consider tuning in to my fave radio station……
thank you for getting back with your reply :hug:
:D
Hey ASLO! I might be biased here, but I’m not sure if TV is all that great as a fitness driver – it feels more like a numbing / conscious lowering agent if anything. Of course that depends on what channels you’re tuning in and what programs you’re watching, but for the most part, if you’re just switching it on as a secondary companion to your fitness, the average channel and average program is hardly awareness raising. (Not sure if you’ve read my article before on 10 Reasons To Stop Watching TV?) I definitely think that some targeted activity, such as listening to podcast you want, or music that you want, is a lot more helpful than TV in this regard.
On ‘dampening’ the ‘euphoria’ for listening to walk/meditation… I don’t think you should be worried about that? It’s a matter of constantly listening to fresh material, material that’s relevant to your life, educational, value-adding, etc. If it stops being ‘interesting’ or ‘exciting’, it merely means that this particular podcast is no longer value-adding – then you just have to look for podcasts on new topics that you’re seeking to be educated on, on topics which are relevant to you at the moment. ‘Excitement’ value of something is an effect, not a cause.
Sorry for the sudden outburst of suggestions! At the end of the day, do whatever makes you happy. If you want to watch TV, do that! If you want to listen podcasts, do that. Don’t feel compelled to do something just because someone else suggested so. It’s about aligning with your desires.
Sooo sorry for the late reply, somehow my browser wasn’t just opening this page… :(
And Celes, you dont need to sorry me for that…..i mean thats what we are here for right? to be guided through the path by you….i’d appreciate (even want more of) such like suggestion from you not just for this challenge but any of our future endeavors….
Yup I meant the same thing TVs definitely not it, so i shut that damned box off and plugged in my earphones, opened the podcast directory….and there is the silver lining of what i desired…..25 mins of cycling achieved….thanks to your effort to start this all up…especially for people like me…who now can achieve an hour of exercise, oiling those rusting joints, coming from an era where even ten mins seemed a chore….hoping to climb even more…..
:hug:
I joined 21DFC because I wanted to increase my stamina and also to drop 3kg of weight.
Today, my time was full, woke up at 5am, get ready with breakfast and some house chores. Left home at 7am, back home at 6.30pm then straight away headed to a functional event until 10:30pm. Just reached home, and I just can do 10 minutes of stretching, no heavy exercise for now as I need to sleep earlier for tomorrow’s early wake up again… :(
It’s ok Jaleen, sometimes the wind blows in the opposite direction of our ships’ wishes…. ummm :rolleyes: hope you know what I mean! Good call on turning in early since that is the best thing to do in preparation for a better tomorrow :)
My goals were and are to lose six pounds, to feel and be healthier and to prove to myself that I could accept a challenge and carry it through. I have not eaten any differently so losing the pounds is not going so well. But I am walking! I have been out almost every day, walking farther than I have in several years. Yay! Tomorrow I’m going to a three-day conference so exercise will be a challenge, a challenge I fully intend to meet!
well done Susan! i am sure there will be places you can go for a short walk indoor or out! way to go…you can have it all…work conference and the challenge
I joined 21DFC for the goal of achieving an attractive and slimmer body by the end of the challenge! :)
Today’s exercises I did were- Skipping, Chair dips and the plank. Total time taken was almost 19 minutes.
20 minutes of knee strenghtening exercises, 30 minutes stability ball workout (Firm DVD), 10 minutes of stretching and 10 minutes of meditation.
I joined 21DFC to get stronger. I had plateaued in my workouts and I was looking to change things up by using a stability ball. Then came along 21DFC and the rest is history.
I have found that my arms and shoulders are stronger (I have really weak shoulders). My back is hurting from all of the core work but its a good hurt. :p My arms and stomach are more defined and I’m back to losing weight again. Plus, I feel better.
Feeling better–isn’t that a great indication of progress!
Hey Tina, can I say I’m very impressed by your commitment to your fitness and your consistency in your exercises? Keep up your awesome work! :D
Ah, Tina, how ’bout you “had” weak shoulders!!! ;) Sounds like you are really having wonderful workouts, and definitely getting stronger. :D And the stretching and meditation sound very balancing to me. Don’t know much about stability ball workouts, YET! Perhaps it is something that might work for me too…or some version of it. For now i have very little flexibility with my knees. What kind of knee-strengthening exercises do you do?
I am glad to hear that you are reaping the rewards of working towards your goals, and feeling better too! Way to go, Tina! :clap:
Happy :heart: Day :!:
Bette
Hello! Happy Valentines Day every one!!
Wow, I love todays question, it really helps you remember how it is worth sticking to this challenge up until the last day.
Something I do also is ask myself what would happen if I chose to give up. And usually I am not looking forward to health issues or a sedentary lifestyle so, the minimal action makes a difference.
I joined the 21 DFC because some days prior to the announcement of the challenge, I was searching for a way to jump start me into living a more active life, also because I would love to have a toned body like the one of atletes, be very flexible and super healthy.
That would just raise my appreciation of life(and it is raising), and make sure I’m at my best to handle other challenges life trows my way.
Several reasons leaded me towards joining the 21DFC.
I’ve wished for long to become healthier (both in physical and spiritual terms) plus my birthday was at the very beginning of February (1st of February) so I decided to begin this new year of my life with a change in better. And this is how I joined 21DFC :D
I’ve just returned home from school, checking my emails now and after I’ll do my 30 minutes workout. :)
Happy Valentine’s, everyone :angel:
:heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, EVERYONE!!!! :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart:
I just posted my Day 11, so I did my Valentine’s greetings there…oh well….so in case you do not go there….I was just saying, on Day 11, that we are certainly demonstrating loving ourselves in a great way by participating in this 21DFC, aren’t we ! ?! :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart:
:heart: Thank you, Celes, for creating this space for us to grow in our personal excellence! :angel: :hug: :heart: :angel: :hug: :heart: :hug: :angel: :hug: :angel: :heart: :hug: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :angel
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!! :hug: :hug: :heart: :hug: :heart: :hug:
I’ll be back later to update Day 12! :dance: : :D heart:
You’re so right, Bette! Participating in 21DFC is definitely a clear sign of loving ourselves. We love ourselves enough to want to be healthier, fitter, and stronger. YAY to our inner selves driving us forward! :D
Find this to be such a cute post, just seeing all the hugs simultaneously move work in a synchronized manner……Happy Valentines day to you too Bette
Good thought, Bette. Loving ourselves today! :heart: What a great Valentine’s gift-to-Selves! :love: :heart: :hug:
First of all, happy Valentine’s day everyone! :heart: :hug:
I joined 21DFC because I wanted to erm…get fitter and get a gold for NAPFA. :)
Day 12 – I had an hour of PE today. We did training for NAPFA. For me, I did an 800m run, push ups and 2 rounds of shuttle run. Yay for training for NAPFA directly. :D
But, I managed to get a sore heel because I ran with my school shoes (the soles are really hard). I’m gonna bring my running shoes next week. :D
All the best for your NAPFA Amanda! :D I’m very sure you’re going to get Gold with no problem. When is the NAPFA test? How were your scores for last year?
Truthfully I don’t think I can get gold because of standing broad jump. I got a D for that. If I got a C I’ll have gotten gold…but silver instead. :p
I don’t know the exact date yet, but it’s sometime in April.
I joined to get that new habit but sadly this has not been happening. I decided it would be best if start from the beginning and do at my own pace, as I will be starting again I will sharing my progress in my 2012 thread in the forums.
Kirsten, please stay with us here! It doesn’t matter if you’re not feeling success yet. We still have 2 whole weeks — that’s 2/3 of the whole challenge time. You could start with today, report back today, and take it from there. Believe me, there are lots of us here who feel what you’re feeling, that sense of discouragement some days and the feeling that this dang habit is never going to form. But hey, there’s this whole group of supporters out here for you. Please don’t leave us!
OK, today, just go for a short walk. That’s something! Or a short swim, short run, go bowling, whatever it takes to be able to say “I did something active today, and today is the first day of forming my new activity habit.”
FWIW, I joined for exactly the same reason, I too am not yet feeling the habit kick in. But I still have high hopes because we’re only 1/3 of the way through. They say it takes 3 weeks to form a habit, and you have 2 of those available to you right here with us. Please stay!
yes as Kate said dont leave! there are no judgements here. i have many times thought of stopping or not wanting to go work out . do a little something. anything. stay here with us so on day 21 you can say you completed it. remember completing does not mean you did it perfectly.or even that you exercised every day….it does mean you stay with us and hopefully log in each day and see what happens. we have 2/3 to go! dont worry if things here do not look the way you expected…
Happy Valentine celes :heart: , i joined 21 DFC challenge because, i use to do exercise from last year but not regularly so i took challenge to make it a daily habit & get active & energetic.so i think i m near to my destiny. :hug:
That’s awesome to hear, mrs. :D Happy Valentine’s Day to you too! :heart:
1.5 hours at the gym today. :D 50 min on the recumbent bike, 20 min on the leg curler, 10 min on the stationary bike. Plus another 30 min walking to the gym. On the work front, wrote today’s post for 21DFC, caught up my emails/etc, connected with my friends. Off for my lunch now.
The whole multi-tasking at the gym deal is working extremely well for me. Honestly I don’t see anything getting in the way of having daily workouts from now on (except weekends since my gym membership is only for weekdays).
Same plans tomorrow – gym in the morning. And kickboxing in the evening. This will be my first class since I missed last week’s class.
By the way, I want to add that this challenge has truly been instrumental in helping me cultivate a daily habit to exercise. In the past I wouldn’t have thought it’s possible, but seeing how seamlessly my sessions have now been integrated into my life now, I’m truly ecstatic. Goes to show that when you’re committed enough to your goals, you will find a way to make them happen. Thanks everyone for being a part of 21DFC. :D
A BIG HIGH FIVE from this personal excellence seeker, Celes :!: :D :hug: :heart:
Amazed, :heart: grateful, :D inspired, :angel: motivated, :clap: focused, :idea: enthusiastic, :dance: more enlivened, :dance: more energy, :dance: ……..and the list goes on and on! :D :D :D :heart: :heart: :heart:
Like you said, Celes, what I am learning more about is commitments and about making them happen. This is a HUGE difference in my life. Compare that to listing goals and feeling overwhelmed and abandoning the goals!
It is sooo interesting to me to hear how this process of goal setting and working toward/attaining goals is for others…what actually “clicks” into place that keeps one on the beam with the eye on the goal. I know motivation and desire and keeping on keeping on has aLOT to do with it until momentum is gathered and the goal becomes nearer until it is happily reached! Or, like in this 21DFC, the habit is in place, and it is integrated into one’s life.
I am thrilled to have eating healthily and being physically more active and FIT, on a daily basis. :dance: :heart:
It’s all just awesome to be a part of! :angel:
So, you are welcome, Celes!, thank YOU SOOO MUCH for SOOO MUCH!!! :hug:
HAPPY :heart: DAY,
from a happy heart! :heart: body, :dance: soul :!: :angel:
Bette
To know and acquaint myself with those things that I feel I know but which I don’t kmow regarding fitness by ïnterracting witj ôthers
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