Healthy renewal - new fitness goal

We are doing a weight loss challenge at work for 8 weeks to get motivated to get healthier. I have agreed to participate. Since slowly working my back out of illness, it is time to get serious again so this came at a good time, especially after the converstation that just had with the PCP. He is pleased have not gained but have stayed at the same weight for some time now. Need to make some changes.

The Plan:
-Company is gone and the weights are back out. Plan is 2x a week. For a several weeks and progress to three times a week from there.
-Walking, increase the distance each week.
-Mix in other cardiovascular workouts in between.
-Find healthier food alternatives to switch out and monitor portions as this is what gets me the most.

I heard some people are going to take supplements so they can win the pool but I want to do this a permanent way not just to win. Hopefully these changes will become permanent. Have come so far already, there is nothing to keep me back but me.

Hope all is going well with your fitness and health goals. Take care meanwhile and good luck!

Just knowing that am trying to make a point to eat better and the right portion sizes is making me hungrier in the process and craving the weirdest things, things I haven't eaten in years. Where is that coming from? Hopefully this will ease up over time if can stick with it and not give in. Arghhhhh. Not feeling very positive this morning; perhaps can turn thoughts around throughout the day. I did pack all my meals for work today and am ready for it physically. I will just keep telling myself it will get better, right?!

Weigh in today. We'll see how that goes. Not feeling optimistic, it was a hard week making all the adjustments and getting in to the swing of things. Hopefully this week will go better.

Goal today: weights and walking

So over the last month have lost 11.6 lbs in total towards goal. Slow going but steady progress. I haven't done near as much as had planned but that just means there is room for improvement

I have mostly been doing walking and cardio, and not the weights, which will make a big difference if I can bring myself to add this in too. That is the goal starting this week to add this in now that have a steady routine of the other. I used to to enjoy them, I don't know why I am so hesitant. It is just time for change and to stop being resistant to resistance.

The just lovely news is that I hurt my back at work. I now have restrictions for the next two weeks: not lifting more than 10lbs, not bending or twisting at the waist, and no reaching higher than my shoulders. SO much for getting the yard work finished up this weekend, let alone doing the weights which will have to be postponed. He said my walking would still be good (can't bike either) and the worst thing would be to become couch potato as tempting as it may be with the pain. I can understand this but with those restrictions there isn't much left to do.

I am so bummed out and tired. It is keeping my from sleeping at night. The only consolation is that the weather is super nice now and great to be out in for the walks, nice to see the green growth, blooms, and spring come to life with the birds and critters out. I saw the nesting eagle pair last night. The really are a sight to behold, so majestic.

Goal: walk this evening and every day this next week.

So walking, walking and more walking. I am going to look into the local pool to see if this might be a possibility budget-wise in the meantime until allowed to return to normal activities.

I am loving this weather though. It is a blast too to see the dogs out in it as well exploring on our walks. We saw deer, grouse, turkeys, and coyote this week. Thank heavens they listen and come instantly on command. It worked out well to get the rescue trained over the winter. It makes for more enjoyable walks now for all.

Goal for today and most of this week: can you guess?

I had an appointment with the osteopath yesterday. He is recommending several more sessions and that I stay on restrictions for at least two more weeks: no lifting more than 10 lbs, no reaching over my head, no bending at the waist (where else would I bend? ), no twisting, and no jarring activities . I have an appointment with the employee health group on Monday. Curiously, I got a letter in the mail yesterday that they have only approved two visits and my second one was yesterday then. So we will see what they say on Monday.

I am so frustrated meanwhile, such a slow healing process. Meanwhile I am gaining the weight back with this minimal activity, only walking. Either I am going to have to step it up, cut even more calories, or really look into trying to afford the membership to swim.

Goal today: no surprises there, more walking.

I hope your fitness goals are going really well. It is that time of year when New Years resolutions can start to slide, can easily renew them for health and wellness. Hang in there and go for it!

I would be very interested to hear where you are now? I am looking for a job and so stressed about buying clothes as well. Thanks for sharing.

This is inspiring to read.

Good luck with finding a job and also in finding what works best for you for interviewing clothes. Have you started looking yet or is there a time period in mind to start? Will be sending good wishes your way meanwhile!

From the original goal, I met it getting into the interview clothes I already had. There were a lot of budget friendly options out there just in case if I had not met my goal, but I had to try as I had some time before I started looking but also started looking for clothes to buy just in case.

Interviews were stressful but informational, and found a job. Since then has been a struggle over the last several months losing some and plateauing too at the same weight; however, most recently I have been gaining.

I have noticed with my back injury that my stress level has increased and my portions are getting out of control again. I have started reaching for more comfort foods too, unhealthy snacks at work, and all that combined is too many calories for the amount of limited activity I am doing.

New goals include needing to work on my will power, taking more healthy things with me so I do not go to vending machines or cafeteria for meals at work, and planning more meals as well as not having unhealthy things in the house either.

I really hope all goes well with hunt for clothes and with interviewing, and that you land the job that you want.

Good luck with everyone's goals.

I have FINALLY been cleared to return to normal duties. I am still seeing the doc but it is much better. Going to ease back into things but said I after our next appointment on Tuesday of this week that I can continue the walking, and best of all, is that I can ease into biking again. Then by next week I can resume some light weight training. I am so thrilled especially about the biking, I cannot begin tell you how excited I am. I was beginning to think summer was going to pass me by without ever getting hitting the roads.

It will be time then to renew fitness and health goals, and have some things to consider, to be continued....

Meanwhile goal today: biking

Hope your fitness and health goals are going well; sending cheers to y'all and good wishes to do what works for you to meet your goals.

I have been slowly easing back into things so as not to hurt my back further. So far, so good. Some of the weight is coming off again with exercising more, healthier food choices, and realistic portion sizes. I have found I am not as hungry now with exercising, which is making a difference too as I felt ravenous all the time before. Eating all the time is not a good combination with being sedentary.

So I will have a different kind of exercise this week; my nephew is coming and chasing a toddler will take a whole new level of energy for me and cardio to keep up with him. I had to put the weights away so they could get to the guest room. Perhaps a break will be good. The key will be putting them back.

I hope this finds you well and all being good with your health and fitness goals.
One moment at a time.

Thank you for your honesty Fresia. I think we all feel that way from time to time (at least I do).

It's funny but I think nutrition and fitness is definitely related to what your talking about. Whenever I work out a little or get out of the house and eat right. My confidence goes way up. Things like interviewing are much more bearable.

I hope the job thing works out!
-John