Free Online Health

ok let's get this ball rolling.... no I'm not talking about me, although I do feel quite round at times!

I've decided this week is my "pre-regime" week... basically a week where I can start to make a change in the hope that when I start things "properly" on Saturday it won't be such a huge change. So far I've managed to increase the amount I walk everyday, drop my coffee intake to only 2 cups a day, increase my water intake to min. 2l a day and stop eating all the tempting food that I had previously "enjoyed" so much.

I've setup a profile on Ray's great Training Diary tool with the aim of starting it on Saturday - although I must admit I'm not completely sure about the food side of things - while it looks/sounds wonderful I'm not sure I can find the time to prepare all that food (working 2 jobs with 3 kids makes time rather limited - hence Im sitting here at 12.08 typing this up tonight) - perhaps I'll look at some other ways of acheiving a similar nutritional intake that's not quite so involved/varied (I'm more than happy to eat the same thing for dinner 3 nights in a row).

It's great to have found this forum to share my thoughts and experiences - this is something I have found difficult irl where my weight/weight loss is concerned.

I already feel more motivated and not only have I started changing my habits (as above) but even my whole outlook is starting to change. My eldest daughter asked me if we could go for a bike ride together next weekend - normally I would have come up with some lame excuse about my bike being broken or not being able to find my helmet - instead I have made her a promise that (weather permitting) we'll go for a bike ride on the weekend. I've started to enjoy "real" foods again - getting back into fruit instead of sugar-loaded snacks and overall am feeling better with myself already.

I know it's early days and there's plenty of time to fall off the wagon yet - but at least I know if/when I do I'll have you guys to help me back on board.

Anyhow - I know an important part of being healthy is getting enough sleep and I've got to get up in 6 hours so I'm out of here... will keep you all posted on how I go :)

john 

---

it looks like you have some great plans in place there john... a quote i read on here is "failing to plan is planning to fail" i have this little mantra written on my calendar so that I can try and stay organised and focused!

Perhaps when you cook you can cook enough so you have a few meals left over and freeze them.. it sure beats paying $6 for a frozen meal.. at least on the days when you are too tired cant be bothered etc you have a ready made meal!

A fantastic website for recipes and calorie counting is www.calorieking.com.au we also have our own recipe section here that is full of scrumptious dishes!

Well im out of time here too.. must hit the shower and get the kids off to school/daycare!!

have a great day

Rossy

Hi John,

I think one of the main tips I could give you is to keep posting to your journal - both the good times and bad times. If you can make it habitual then it will be easier to pick yourself up when you have a crash.

Good Luck.

---

AK

It's an old world out there and I'm glad I was part of it!

Great stuff, John!!!!

I used to be like that with my kids, but now I find myself happy to get out with them, flying kites, doing squats etc while they ride thier bikes (I can't ride thanks to dud coccyx), it is wonderful to be with them, and have them see you happy about it!  

HOW COLD WAS MELBOURNE THIS MORNING?????? I am in the outer east, and it was minus 2 under my decking this morning! 

---

Caution: Sarcastic and Cynical!!!

Thanks for all the comments guys

LadyWolf - great idea re: cooking up larger quantities and freezing them I think I'll give that a go.

Today I did *fairly* well... I say *fairly* as I must admit to being tempted by 2 tim tams this evening 

temptation 1 : john 0 

At the same time I thought I coped well throughout the day - we have an "honesty box" full of little chocolates at the office (70cents for an itsy bitsy chocolate! - at least the funds go to charity) - it was almost empty but was quickly refilled and the temptation was there with colleagues quickly accessing it to retrieve their favourite items. Previously I would have done exactly the same and thrown a few dollars into it - but today I opened up my bag and grabbed a banana in the morning and a mandarin in the afternoon...

temptation 1 : john 1

Had to go for a bit of a run this morning as by the time I got all the ice of my car (I hear you on the freezing temperatures aussiejane) and headed to the station was running late and train was pulling in... the huffing and puffing for the next 15mins on the train just reinforced my lack of physical fitness (esp. aerobic)... and helped to reinforce the motivation behind my weight loss / fitness goals.

I think the biggest challenge is having temptations like this around the house - I try to avoid them, but often they're still there... Guess I need to look for some replacements so that when the tempatation kicks in I can still have *something* - but something that's suitable

 

---

When i feel that i really really need something chocolatey i head for the Weight watchers chocolate puddings.. you can make them in 2 small ramekins or bowls and hey presto you have 2 desserts to eat over 2 nights! Served with 1 scoop of icecream its still low in calories (under 200)

Another tasty dessert is waffles.. you can toast a waffle drizzle with a ts of maple syrup and a scoop of icecream is 150 calories!

Even yoghurt and fruit salad are tasty and sweet!

I love your little thing you have going with temptation versus you.. that is something i could sure utilise!

At least you know you CAN run.. just build it up slowly and you will get there!!

I hope your having a good day!

Rossy

Well things have been rather busy of late hence I haven't posted...

all is going well so far - I've been (succesfully) sticking to the exercise regime (thanks Ray ) and eating well...

I cooked up a big pot (double quantity) of the Chicken and vegetable soup which although it hasn't proven particularly popular with the other members of the household, has been great for me (even better with a bit of freshly cracked black pepper)... and the sultana and bran muffins - what a hit!... I went to grab one the next day and to my amazement they were all gone the kids liked them so much as well! (hence I've just finished cooking up another batch)

I haven't been following the recipes for lunch as I simply haven't had the time to prepare anything else - but have been sticking to lean cuisine's and weight watchers meals to try and keep things at a sensible level.

No more temptations since my last post (+1 John ) and I've been walking more than I thought I would as well as drinking copious amounts of water (3 litres yesterday!)

So far so good.... not sure I'm ready to jump on the scales just yet but I'm feeling great!

anyhow... time to get the kids off to bed and start work again...

John 

---

Hi John,

Just been squizzing over your journal, ive been awol too (but my excuse is exams).  Good on you for resisting the chocolate.  I would say don't jump on the scales if you can handle not knowing and just enjoy feeling great knowing you are making healthier alternatives for you and your family.

Jen

---

SW: 96.1
CW: 81
GW: 61

Task this week: To get drink more water and try new healthy foods ... !!!

bit of a set back this week (hence no postings for a while)

I was diagnosed with thrombophlebitis in my right calf - as a result exercise has been shot out the window and as I'm cooking less (need to stay off the leg fora bit) diet has gone by the wayside a bit too.

However not all is bad... this has been enough of a scare to make me stop smoking (yes I'm still having cravings and headspins but need to stay focused).

Once things are back to normal then I'll get back on track - although I'm trying not to let things slip enough for me to gain any weight - need to ensure that I at least maintain my current weight.

I'm keen to join in on the July challenge so hopefully I'll be back on my feet (in full) over the next week or so :)

John 

---

w00t... just checked on the scales (just in case) and before I got "struck down" I managed to lose 2kg!

---

Hang in there John. These things happen for a reason - sometimes it is just a little warning sign from our body. Do not lose your resolve, but be sensible and do what the doctor ordered. If that is the push you need to give up smoking - great. I have never been a smoker but watched my father die from the effects of smoking. To stop will make a world of difference to your health and you are tackling the weight as well so you are on the right path.

Stay well. 

 

---

Mel

SW 68.2
CW 66.2
GW 52
Goal 1 5kg
Goal 2 10%
Goal 3 10kg
Goal 4 20%
Goal 5 Goal Weight!!

Well I've been AWOL for what seems like (in fact it *has been*) ages... life has been chaotic and my weight hasn't really changed a great deal...

I'm down to 88kg now - but it's still 13kg away from my 75kg target (yes I'm vertically challenged)

Have just invested in an exercise bike today and hopefully that will help provide the much needed cario work I'm lacking (esp. good through the bad weather in winter I figure)

Anyhow it's good to be "back" and let's hope I can get the rest of this weight off!

For what it's worth I'm still drinking coffee - but a lot less and with minimal sugar (using artificial sweetener more often now).

cheers

John

 

---

well the exercise is going well - just need to make sure I can keep it up

feeling a bit sore after things - but it has been ages since I've done much other than sit in front of a computer all day - so there's no real surprises there!

anyhow - timefor tonight's exercise regime... 

---