How did this go?

Not too bad. I was up to four-a-day in my fruit & veggie part of the challenge. I have since lapsed.

I did WiiFit every day . . . maybe missed 2 days, if any, during Feb. Lapsed on that too, through no fault ofmy own, since my disc futzed out on me (WiiFit disc, not spinal disc). Another disc is on order. 3 years ago

I wandered into the grief swamp mid-month, but mostly managed to pull myself out by the end. Given how hard it hit me, I did pretty well. Another cardio session on the 27th and regularly eating 4-7 servings of vegetables during the week. Weekends continue to be a challenge. May need to stash some veggie packs at Mr. Yes’s.

I am SO grateful to my fellow Boot Campers for the motivation to keep going. Y’all rock! 3 years ago

I did not eat any bacon, which was good. I usually order bacon on my burger, but I didn’t do that this month, so I think I have established a new habit.

And I did practice mindful eating. Or at least tried to.

I did not “not eat after 7 pm” because my schedule got too crazy in February.

While my walks did not reach 3-to-5 miles on the weekends, I did go for a 30 minute or so walk on three of the four weekends, so that was a good thing. 3 years ago

I didn’t start the month with full charge and had a big slip mid month. I did recover myself a bit near the last week when I started an organized diet and began doing breathing exercises. Although this, too, I did so-so; however, I intend to continue on to the March boot camp with greater focus. 3 years ago

The end of the month has passed, and while I haven’t run any marathons or lost a dozen pounds, I wasn’t aiming to. I’ve certainly improved my fitness & nutrition and feel great about consistently nailing the handfuls of weekly mini goals pertaining to this (even some of the bigger ones, such as smoothing out my sleep pattern). It’s been wonderful to see the scale start it’s downward tiptoe and feel my energy rising. There are noticeable differences and healthy changes taking root, and I have the distinct feeling that the momentum will progress even more as the weather improves.

I love the contagious motivation. On to month 3… forward, march! 3 years ago

_{photo: Amanda Kinzer, faculty, from www.odu.edu}

I’ve got a ways to go with fulfilling the individual challenges I set for myself, but overall, I improved my fitness and nutrition this month, in some aspects more than I could even imagine at the beginning of the month. Not exactly consistent…my mode is still to achieve a sort of mean by racketing up and down and all around it, but the extremes were certainly less extreme this month than they have been in the past. My calorie intake went up this month overall, but in most ways that was a good thing and mostly reflected a significant improvement in overall nutritious eating. My mental approach and my self-image became much more relaxed and healthy, and toward the end of the month I even began truly enjoying exercise again.

1. “Are my legs sore?” – 4/25

2. 8 yoga classes – 5/8

3. 30-60 min light, moderate or intense cardio every day – 12/28

last cardio 27 feb, 30 min elliptical trainer level 7, half forward, half backward

4. adjust my thinking – 17/28

5. give up bagels, Panera-type sandwiches, tortilla chips & pizza for Lent – 14/28

6. shop 10 times this month for fresh fruits and veggies – 7/10

7. check out 4 local farmer’s markets – 2/4

8. buy flowers twice in February – 2/2

9. strut it regardless – 27/28

_{my sweetheart bought me these crazy boots we found for $20…heehee, they have brass-colored buttons up the side and look vaguely military, vaguely ‘80s, and match almost nothing I own, but they are knee high and comfy and I love ‘em! and am looking forward to wearing them with short little skirts :D}

10. weight-train w/focus on legs (to exhaustion) 3-4 x week – 2/28

Um. Well, that explains a lot! no mysteries here!

11. hit all 7 heavy bags @ gym: don’t want any to get jealous – 7/7

_{let me just note once again that this was awesome good fun}

12. sleep @ 10pm on 12 weekdays; post-midnight < 5 days – 12/28

13. find 10 lost things (health: will reduce background stress) – 0/10

_{This is going to require a list and a Guinness. My only lame excuse is that I’ve not yet finished the list: red sketchbook, blender carafe, Ende book, Galvin book, mending bag, shredder, Emerilware pot lids & other 2 pots, Mom’s cut-glass pitcher, yoga CD….}

14. REWARDS ! : sauna 1 x week, windowshopping 2 x month – 6/6

15. Daily supplements: multi, D, B-complex, fish oil, cranberry – 13/28

I don’t even know if taking supplements so haphazardly accomplishes anything at all. :P

16. Improve water intake over January’s daily – 14/28

17. Fat percentage 30 or below daily – 22/28

18. A reasonable calorie intake – 22/28

19. Emerge from hiding – 21/28

20. Keep my own counsel – 24/283 years ago

which is something I really wanted to do! 3 years ago

have local support and follow through for the March goal.

THANK GOODNESS! 3 years ago

Well, not a bad month – but not great! Due to my health issues, I missed a lot of bike time… I did, however, manage 15 minutes or more on 14 days – so half done at least!

Up and down with water intake, will continue to focus on this.

Succeeded in moving more often at work – in general actually – so that’s good!

Fruit and veg isn’t too bad – I was surprised that I actually ate more than I thought I did… during Feb found out that I can’t really have a lot of fruit – so will have to amend for March!

All in all, Feb not bad – BRING ON MARCH!! 3 years ago

Bike – no… SLACKER!

Move – yes

Water – 3 glasses

Fruit and veg – 1 fruit, 3 veg 3 years ago

Having this goal really made me conscious of the amount of fruits and veggies I was eating. I did better as the month went on. That was probably my biggest success. Not so great in my opinion with the creativity, pampering, and interpersonal goals, and I could have done better with the exercise and gluten goals, but maybe I did better than if I weren’t keeping track. 3 years ago

This afternoon I was able to run! I’m very, very happy. I’d been really missing it. An experimental jog up and down the hall didn’t seem to hurt, so out I went, and managed an entire week 1 run. I was so happy to be running again that I didn’t mind too much having to start over at the beginning, and at least I don’t seem to have lost quite all of what little fitness I’d gained. My calves protested vociferously – they’ve always been troublesome, and I’ve let my stretching routine slip while I haven’t been running so I guess I’ll pay for that the next few runs – but other than that it wasn’t too hard at all. By the end my tailbone was a little bit tender, but it’s already feeling better again, and I’m sure it’ll be better still by my next run.

Oh, man, I’m so happy :D What a fabulous way to end the month! Thank you, everyone, for your company, support, honesty and cheers this month – it’s made a real difference to feel like part of a team who are all working on similar goals. And HUGE cheers for everybody’s progress! See y’all over at the March bootcamp! 3 years ago

i follow rest of d days…till today..
my body is back to routine of exercise… that means it started enjoying it…

so today i m making this goal as DONE.. as i will not be able to login for 4 days…

all d best wishes for next month’s bootcamp.. 3 years ago

I am finishing Feb. with a workout and a walk…
although I did not set the world on fire with this month’s goal…I did not give up…and I feel good about that.

I feel I did an okay of job balancing everything going on in my life this month and just holding on through a few challenging times.

I worked out when I could, walked, and did eat somewhat well. I did not lose any weight, but I did not gain any either~ I still feel strong!

It was a hard month, but I see my growth…and I know March will be better!!!!

:)~

Congrats to everyone!!!!

hg 3 years ago

1. Continue to work out with a trainer one day a week and go to Yoga at least one day a week.Goal accomplished!
2. Go to the gym or yoga studio at least 2 other times each week in February.I have built up my visits to the gym and am feeling really proud of myself!
3. Track my food and exercise on Startyourdiet.com. I need to especially focus on the 3 pm-10 pm part of my day.The food thing continues to be a challenge. I tracked about 3-4 days each week, which I suppose is better than never.
4. Meet with K. to deal with the psychological issues around weight and weightloss.I did go to one group session, but I don’t think it’s quite what I want right now.
5. Focus on filling foods—vegetables and fruit.Spotty at best.
6. Try new healthy recipes—at least 2 per week.I did try a couple of new recipes.
7. Lose 5 lbs.Yeah, didn’t happen. I’m trying not to beat myself up about it, though. I’m focusing on the good habits (the gym!) that I’ve cultivated. I will start up fresh tomorrow!
8. Attend Weight Watchers meetings and weigh-ins each week.Not so much…
9. Stretch every day for 10 minutes.Have stretched about 3-5 times each week.
10. Look in the mirror every day and find at least 3 nice things to say to myself.I didn’t make this an official-type thing, but I have been trying to speak more nicely to myself.3 years ago

- Joined up at the local gym and started going three times a week. I’ve been running on the treadmill for 20-25 mins and doing 20 mins of weights each session.
- I’ve been trying to cook more varied meals to make the most of all the abundant fresh produce at this time of year.
- Weight still at the higher end of where I’d like to be. In March I need to address portion control and watch my eating on the weekends. 3 years ago

Although I feel I could have done better.
That’s okay. I’m not going to be too hard on myself.
My awareness has increased and in March I can focus further.

One step at a time ….. 3 years ago

Love this goal. It’s been very motivating. I can’t believe I set foot in the gym this month, and LIKED it! Thank you all for getting me there. I actually love the classes. This is progress for me. And I’ve moved up a level in Flamenco class.

((((Everyone))))

So, my goal for Sunday is to eat as healthy as possible (2000 calories), work hard, and meet with a friend who is going to be facilitating the new coaching program I’m going to be participating in. 3 years ago

February has been good…

exercised every day
joined a gym – attendance 3 x week
5 km walk/jog 2 x week
3 hours plus most days outside work

Nutrition has been easy with so much healthy fruit and vegetables in the garden…. on to MARCH.!!! 3 years ago

I have made progress with this goal. I did have a period of time where I went backwards, but now I’m back on track with it! Yesterday I improved my 5k run/walk time by 5 minutes! Looking forward to March now! 3 years ago

Eating hasn’t been as super-clean as I’d like this week. For some reason I’ve been drawn to elaborate meals rather than my usual plain’n’simple, though I have been trying to include plenty of veg. Like the moussaka I was craving earlier in the week, which I made with extra onions and courgette (that’s zucchini to you :-p ) as well as the aubergine. Or last night I had venison and honey roast parsnips, with baby potatoes, buttered carrots and green peas. Labour-intensive, but delicious. I’ve got back in the daily-smoothie habit the last few days, too. Hmm, maybe not so bad after all.

Activity level has been generally good – less time sitting in front of the computer and more actually doing stuff. Wet weather put paid to the gardening plans, but I did get the bike out and discovered I can cycle just fine now without hurting my tailbone. I did five miles yesterday (in two halves about an hour apart, to the grocery store and back) and about seven today, also in two parts. Not huge distances, but plenty of long gentle hills, and one short steep one near my house which I walked up yesterday but conquered in the saddle today though it nearly killed me (Grace, you’d have been proud of me! :o) ) Enough to give me nicely achy thighs. And a whole new pain in the behind – I need a comfier saddle! :-p

Seriously, though, I really enjoyed cycling today. I know I said it was gonna be just about transport, but I can see myself doing it sometimes for the sheer joy of it. I startled a little old lady today by going “wheeeeeee!” out loud while freewheeling down a hill. Anything that feels that exuberant has to be good. Having said that, I’m still looking forward to getting back to running. Gonna try again tomorrow.

Have a fantastic last-day-of-February, everyone! :o) 3 years ago

I admit that since my injury I’ve gotten off track with boot camp. I lost my motivation for a while there. I’ve also been a bit sick, and just lost my focus overall. I’m frustrated that I was doing so well with my program, with careful intention to avoid injury, and yet I still got hurt. I guess that just happens sometimes. Anyway, I feel the need for a couple of structure-less days before March boot camp, so I’m just going to mark this goal done here (with mixed success). I’ll reduce the total number of days to 26 and re-work my percentages with that in mind.

1. Follow Marathon training plan (3/4): Could not follow last week due to injury.
2. Proper stretching every day (25/26): Missed yesterday, first miss all month.
3. Proper hydration every day (26/26): DONE.
4. Yoga twice per week (6/8): Could not do in my last week.
5. Learn about gear: post weekly under marathon goal (4/4): Done.
6. Print out long run experimentation article by 2/21 and post about it under marathon goal after each 10+ mile run (2/3): Could not do in the last week because of injury.
7. Learn about nutrition: post weekly under marathon goal (4/4): Done.
8. Meditate daily (16/26): Really off track on this goal. I can’t sit with the knees and I’ve been sick, etc.
9. Cook twice per week (3/8): Total fail. :(
10. Three vegan days per week (12/12): Fully vegan February 23, 24, 25.

FINAL RESULTS:
In spite of my somewhat disappointing results, I still succeeded in beating my January Boot Camp score of 78 percent! :)
My final percentage was 83 percent complete. I fully completed 4 goals with some others very close.
Many of my “failed” goals were only stalled by my injury, so I can’t really call them failures.

Two days of doing whatever I want, and then bring on March! 3 years ago

to see that I didn’t regain any of my lost weight, even though I haven’t exercised in over a week. So the bottom line for February is that I lost 7 pounds and established some healthier eating and exercise habits. Yay! 3 years ago

I thought I would share with you this new form of exercise.

Today, I’m off to Flamenco class and getting together with friends. Focus for the day, healthy eating. I’ve eaten a lot junk food and animal protein these last few days. I kept forgetting my wallet at work, and grazed on samples basically. It wasn’t such a bad thing as I saved a lot of money!

Do a fun thing a week
Must plan something fun today maybe.

Enroll pets in insurance program
Check out the link Wren sent to me.

Continue with Flamenco classes
New classes begin today. I’ve graduated from Fundamentals to Level I.

Consolidate student loans
I will spend some time on this today. 3 years ago

Bike – no :-(

Move – yes

Water – 5 glasses

Fruit and veg – 1 fruit, 4 veg 3 years ago

Bike – no, but did go for a walk… and raised my heart rate in other ways… :-)

Move – yes

Water – 5 glasses

Fruit and veg – 1 fruit, 3 veg 3 years ago

I finally started to feel as if I was coming to the other side of this terrible infection that’s been keeping me down for the past 10 days.

I felt so good that I went to the gym with Mr. Wren and power walked for 30 minutes. And I started tracking my food intake and staying within limits again. What a relief to be able to do these things!

Then I woke up at 2:00 am, and the ear pain, stuffiness and itching were back. Grakkk! Guess I will just stay in bed again today. 3 years ago

I just wanted to put something out there. Someone just joined the March goal who knows I participate in this and knows I don’t want any contact with him. I’d love to join the March goal, but like I’d told him, I don’t want any contact with him, and I really am not up for getting messages in my inbox from him. I’m conflicted because I love this goal and getting everyone elses’ messages and it helps me a ton and I love to contribute to it. Why he joined the March goal is a confusing one to me. What do you guys think I should do? 3 years ago

11. hit all 7 heavy bags @ gym: don’t want any to get jealous – 7/7

I feel so yang right now.

Gosh that was fun. And you know, getting in a martial arts state of mind, even if it’s just to stretch and beat up a little on some inanimate objects (a little...I am so way out of shape…) does wonders for my body image. I noticed this the first time around, have always been aware of it, but it was awesomely cool to experience it again with so little effort. Suddenly I focus on the muscles I need instead of the fat that I’ve got, and I look great! (except when I’m falling over because I think I can still do things that require some modicum of balance)

My wrists hurt a little bit right after which worried me a bit, but by the time I walked out of the locker room the pain had turned into a pleasant warm tingliness and then it went away. I showed my mate my knuckles when I got home as if that would prove something, which it didn’t, because I didn’t punch the bags very hard. I wonder if there are wrist braces…

...my martial arts teacher used to make us do planks on our fists…I wonder if I still can….? Should probably be a bit cautious; all I need is another injury & have NO insurance right now. Proceeding with caution… cautious yang ;D

I didn’t know I had that much chi left in my body! wow! no wonder I’ve been on edge. All that chi I wasn’t using. ; )

1. “Are my legs sore? ...why not??” – 5/26

yes! finally!! wall squats one day and slow-kick form work are what did it. I was actually sore WHILE I was working out…does that count for, like, twice? :P

7. check out 4 local farmer’s markets – 2/4

Well…I tried to check the second one out, but it wasn’t there. :/ I know I was in the right place at the right time…the notice had said that it was planned to reopen today; huh. The farmer’s market must have had other plans. All the farmers decided to take their produce to the movies or something. It’s okay because I only had $7 in nickels and quarters anyway.

3 years ago