Sporty: Motivation

A Collection of Quotes for Motivation

Jim Eason:
If you want to look young and thin, hang around old fat people.

Vince Lombardi:
It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get up.

Benjamin Franklin:
You may delay, but time will not.

Samuel Johnson:
The chains of habit are generally too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.

Marvin Phillips:
The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!

Carl Sandburg:

The time for action is now. It's never too late to do something.

-----

Ellen Degeneres:
You have to stay in shape. My grandmother, she started walking five miles a day when she was 60. She's 97 today and we don't know where the hell she is.

Author unknown:
The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places.

Mark Twain:

Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.

Unknown Author:

Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can.

Winston Churchill:

Never, never, never, never give up.

Horace:

Rule your mind or it will rule you.

David Viscott:

You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be.

Eleanor Roosevelt:

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

Ralph Marston:

Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.

George S. Patton:

You're never beaten until you admit it.

Lee Iacocca:

You've got to say, I think that if I keep working at this and want it badly enough I can have it. It's called perserverance.

Unknown Author:

You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

Jim Rohn:

Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live.

Thomas Fuller:

That which is bitter to endure may be sweet to remember.

Plato:

The first and the best victory is to conquer self.

Vincent Lombardi:

The good Lord gave you a body that can stand most anything. It's your mind you have to convince.

Sporty: Week 31 (09/13/07)

Last Week:
Whew! Made it through this week. Used all 35 bonus pts on various bday celebration foods (macaroni pie, corn roast, bussupshot, pone). It was a close call - but I've been trying the personal hunger zone thing and it has really helped with overeating. Go weight watchers. Compensated with exercise (32 ap/3200 c). Lost 2.5.



This Week:
Anyways, "psyching" myself up for this week. Nervous about the work/healthy living balance bit. Have some pressing work deadlines but telling myself that health is more important than work. Worked out a plan for alternate exercise times, etc.

1. Stay focused. Stay balanced. Stay on track.
2. Journal all foods
3. Stay within pts
4. Earn 5 bonus pts
5. Last Lap I

Hanging In There....

Life is busy.
I'm tired.
I want to exercise.
I want to cook my CORE foods.
It just takes so much energy.
Finally got up and exercised on Tuesday evening.
Felt so great to be up and moving.
Instantly brought back good feelings of my high points of exercise.
Had to slow down half way through the routine.
Got a headache. Too much too fast. Should have chosen a milder routine for my comeback.
Think Britney should have done that too.

Ginger: Work and Exercise

I'm trying to figure out when to exercise. It fell off the radar several weeks ago. Now, with my new ramped-up work schedule, I no longer have the luxury of fitting it in "whenever" it's convenient. What do you guys think -early morning or after work? I like easing into the morning but I also like having a few hours to unwind after work. Choices, choices.

Sporty: Hangin in?

Is everyone still "hanging in there"? Pretty silent lately.... press on people, press on. WE CAN DO THIS!

Ginger: WOW 3 Results

Does WOW 3 seem like forever ago? Still...take a quick minute to celebrate our progress - and Sporty's victory!

Sporty: Week 30 (09/06/07)

Ironically, I maintained for maintenance week. Accomplished all goals from last week. Ready to hit it hard for Last Lap Part I.



This week's goals:

1. Last Lap I

2. Focus on hunger comfort zone eating

3. Journal all foods

4. Commit to staying focused - don't get lax

Sporty: You've got to check this out

I saw this book 2 years ago and decided it was lame - a sissified take on Body for Life. I was wrong.

This book was written for us. I'm still reading it, but I had to put it down - to blog - to ask everyone to check it out. Body for Life for Women, is a refinement on the original Bill Phillips book but with a gender-specific focus. It talks about a plan of action for each hormonal milestone we're facing. For example we're all in milestone 2: The reproductive years. Alot of this stuff we already know, but it is presented with a fresh, research based, real-world tested, woman focused approach.

More to follow but just had to let you know. Find this book - seriously.

Sporty: Bonus pts for Last Lap I, etc

The plan -

• Diet Plan - WW points
• Bonus pts - Devotion w/ journaling

Ginger: Calling All DJs

Hola bloggers,

I'm looking for upbeat music. Specifically stuff that talks about female identity...self confidence etc. Old or new, it doesn't matter.

Here's what I have so far:

1. Video, India.Arie
2. Pretty Baby, Eric Benet
3. Doo Wop (That Thing), Lauryn Hill

What would YOU add to my playlist?

--Update

4. Unpretty, TLC
5. You Gotta Be, Des'ree

Last Lap 2007 (Part I)

(Part I): Thu Sept 6 - Wed Oct 17 (6 weeks)

Diet - 7 days/wk for max of 35 pts

• Earn 5 pts for each day you follow your diet i.e. WW core, WW points, Vegan, etc

Good Health Guidelines 5 days/wk [1 pt each] for a max of 25 pts

• 8 (8oz) cups Water
• 2 svgs Milk products/Milk substitutes/Calcium supplements
• 2 tsp Healthy Oils (olive, flax, canola, sunflower, safflower)
• 5 (1/2C) svgs Fruit/Veggies
• Multivitamin

Exercise [3pts each] for a max of 39 pts

• 5 days of cardio @ 30 min
• 3 days of strength @ 4 muscle groups
• 5 days of mind-body @ 10 min

Blog [10 pts]

• 1 weekly post to blog to check-in, give status update on your goals, etc

Online Food Log [10 pts]

• 5 days of food entries posted to online log

Bonus [up to 6 pts/week]

• 1 hr of strength/cardio/mind-body on your "off day" (6 pts) OR 1-6 days of Daily Personal Goal (1 pt each day)
  

Sporty: Who's in?

Who's in for Last Lap 2007?

Any feedback on or tweaking of the guidelines?

How Much Are You Willing To Lose?

And we're off! Let's raise the bar in September!!

8.8lbs
(net loss Aug 12- Aug 30, 2007)

Posh: Life and a Progress Report

Was totally unprepared for the events of this week. Started off with a Family Fun Day and a Sabbath Pot luck that guzzled quite a few of my WW bonus points for the week. Was hanging on by a thread…. Had 6 points left for the week and was in a must exercise to earn points space. Then my 11 year old returned home and life picked up pace. Classes started back and with them lecture preparations. Pace of life suddenly picked up. Thing is, I knew it was coming but didn’t put much thought into it…just figured since I was doing so well, no extra plan was needed. Yeah, well…lost control of the week around Monday evening.

Despite that surprise ending, this challenge taught me a few things. I learned that following good healthy guidelines (plus not eating crazily) and my 5 weeks of exercise were a great way for maintaining. Also, I learned that the diet & exercise combo can really bring good results.

Gonna take this week to refocus and make some plans for the next challenge…Plans will include:

1. Planning out a supper plan that works for my CORE diet, as well as for my 11 year old
2. Planning out a lunch/snack plan for Wednesdays when I’ll be at work for a few long hours.
3. Planning out a very, very quick preparation lunch for Mondays and Thursdays when I’ll be returning home a little after lunchtime and will be very, very, very hungry.

Progress Report:

Not sure what conclusion these results will lead to, but here they are:

I'm looking forward to the next challenge. I've got 9.2 lbs to lose to meet goal for 2007! I can do this. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....! Or better yet-- Philippians 4:13!

How much are you willing to lose update:
Aug 12: 209
Aug 30: 208.2

Ginger: Traineo Update [August]

Still 155 lbs. Actually, I'm back up to 155.

Onward!

Ginger: Happiness + Fulfillment

God wants you to move through this day with a quiet heart, and inward assurance that He is in control, a peaceful certainty that your life is in His hands, a deep trust in His plan and purposes, and a thankful disposition toward all that He allows. He wants you to put your faith in Him, not in a timetable. He wants you to wait on Him and wait for Him. In His perfect way He will put everything together...see to every detail...arrange every circumstance...and order every step to bring to pass what He has for you.

Roy Lessin, co-founder of DaySpring Cards

Sporty: Week 29 (08/30/07)

Last Week:
Completed all goals/ Removed 1 lb/4 lbs to go/ Food log.


This week:
1. Focus on staying within hunger zone
2. Exercise - cardio (5), strength (2-3), mind/body (5)
3. Stay within weekly points
4. Journal all foods
5. Committ to staying on program

***
Update for "How much are you willing to lose"
Initial: 248
Start: 220
Current: 212
Removed since start: 8lbs / 24lbs to go

Sporty: Muscle & Fitness Hers

Check out this magazine when you get a chance.

Good workout and nutrition advice.

Sporty: The Kite Runner by Khaleed Hosseini

Modern day "dark ages" with Hitler like enthusiasm, vengeance and insanity is the backdrop for The Kite Runner.

This book, like A Thousand Splendid Suns, is set in war-torn Afghanistan and shows the destruction that occurs when religion is used as a weapon and as a tool to justify human depravity and evil.



Beyond the setting though, is a story that really moved me..."I became what I am today at the age of twelve" is the first line in this coming of age story about Amir and Hassan, childhood friends .... there were literally times I had to close the book because I needed to brace myself for what was coming next. The Kite Runner is about friendship, sacrifice, guilt and forgiveness but it is also about defining moments and how we allow them to shape our lives.

The Kite Runner is one of those books that people will continue to talk about and even use as Republican propaganda to justify the war. Regardless of the reason, it is another "must read".

*Update*
Kite Runner movie to be released November 2, 2007.

Sporty: Week 28/Month 7 (08/23/07)

Thanks Ginger for encouraging us to include diet in the WOW challenge. It has really helped motivate me to try to stay within my weekly points. Strange how having to check something off when others can see sometimes makes a difference. In this case it's helping me release the pause button and avert the rewind button - as was my pattern.

Last week:

• Weight: Lost 2 lbs. Made it to WOW 3 weight goal of losing 9 lbs
• Last week's goals: Completed
• Food log: Last week's log

This Week:

• Weight target: Lose 5 lbs (208) in the next 4 weeks to hit 40 lbs milestone.
• Goals: Practice hunger comfort zone eating, WOW challenge, Earn 30 activity points, Eat home food Mon-Fri except work meetings, Stay within weekly points, committ to staying on track.
• Exercise Plan: Plan

Sporty: A Thousand Splendid Suns

I just finished bawling my eyes out.......A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini is a heartwrenching novel about survival, hope, love and lost. The story, as told by two women, is set in Afghanistan during the last 30 years, has opened my eyes to a world I do not know. I was filled with emotions of guilt and gratefulness for the freedoms I am fated with ... feelings of kinship, hatred, horror, helplessness .... a desire to do.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is gutwrenching, tragic, revealing and relevant... with similiar themes to those in Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance...a must read.

Posh: I started Core Diet this week...

I'm starving and all I can think about is food.

Sporty: Let's put some $$$ on this

For some increased motivation let's put some money into "How much are willing to lose" challenge.

Here's what I'm thinking:

1. If you make your goal - you keep your money.

2. If you do not make your goal - you pay one dollar ($1) for every pound short of your goal. For example, if your goal is 32 lbs, and you get to 30 lbs, you'll pay $2 (2lbs x $1). The money will them be split among everyone who got to goal for an end of year treat.

What do you all think? Ready to put your money where your mouth is?

P.S. That's right Posh I'm talking to you.....I'm also planning for you to wear your underwear on your head in Curepe at high noon. LOL!

Sporty: Week 27 (8/16/07)

Back on track with diet and exercise intensity! Stayed within points and burned 3400+ calories. Lost 5 lbs. Looking forward to staying on track!!!!

Last Week:
Achieved all 6 goals.


This Week:
1. WOW challenge
2. Burn 3500 calories
3. Stay within weekly points
4. Eat "home food" Mon-Fri except for work meetings
5. Recommitt to staying on track

Sporty: Posting our Food Logs?

I think Ginger or Posh suggested that it would be helpful to post our food logs. I think the logic was to help us stay accountable and to share ideas. Anyone interested?

Here's mine: Sporty's Food Log

Also what plan did everyone select for the diet part of phase 3? I decided to go with WW points.

Good luck with phase 3 everyone - we can do this!

Ginger: The Bottom Line [Aug 9-15]

(-1) EAT: "5" a day. NO -4 days.
(+1) STOP: Eat meals + snacks before 8pm. NO-5 days.
(-1) LIFT: 2 strength training workouts. YES-2 workouts.
(-2) MOVE: 2 cardio workouts. YES-4 workouts.
(NC) DRINK: 32 oz water a day. NO-4 days.
(NC) SLEEP. Get to bed by 10 pm. NO-0 days.

Spices says...Here is something interesting

Here is one way of loosing weight that worked for my friend and her family. They gave up flour (cakes, pasta, bread, cookies etc) for a year and gluten base product (oats, veggie meats). My friend lost 20lbs that way. She is off the diet now and has not regained the weight. While she was on the diet she used a lot of potatoes, and Gluten No products and rice products( pasta, crackers).

Sporty: Daily Points Target Quiz

For those doing WW points, here is the quiz to determine your daily points target:

1. Are you:
Female - Score 2
Male - Score 8
Nursing Mom - Score 12

2. How old are you?
17-26 - Score 4
27-37 - Score 3
38-47 - Score 2
48-58 - Score 1
Over 58 - Score 0

3. What do you weigh?
Enter the first 2 digits of your weight in pounds.
For example if you weigh 209, enter 20. If you weigh less than 100 lbs, enter the first digit of your weight in pounds, i.e., for 98 enter 9.

4. How tall are you?
Under 5'1" - Score 0
5'1" to 5'10" - Score 1
Over 5'10" - Score 2

5. Do you spend most of your day:
Sitting down - Score 0
(e.g. as a receptionist, bus driver, cab driver)
Occasionally sitting, but mainly standing - Score 2
(e.g. sales person, housewife, cook, teacher)
Walking most of the time - Score 4
(e.g. waiter, mailman)
Doing physically hard work most of the time - Score 6
(e.g. nurse, gardener, construction worker)

The total is your daily points target =

• Retake this quiz as your weight goes down, on your birthday or if you change the way you spend your day.
• If your total is less than 18, your daily points target is 18; if your total is more than 44, your daily points target is 44.
• Daily points must be used within the same day and cannot be "banked".
• Each week, in addition to your daily points you have the option to use 35 weekly bonus points. These must be used within the week and cannot be "banked".
  

How much are you willing to lose?

Calling all Threefatsandaskinny.com members! We’ve been talking about diet, about losing instead of maintaining, of ramping things up, taking it to the next level! Well, now it’s time to put our words into actions! How much are you willing to lose by Dec 31^st, 2007? Are you willing to pledge some pounds and commit to working towards it? Make your pledge by submitting the following information in the comments section:

Starting Weight
The weight when you actively started trying to lose weight this year.

Current Weight
Your current weight.

Pounds Pledged
Number of pounds you are pledging to lose by Dec 31^st, 2007!

There will be 2 gadgets added to the website to keep track of the groups’ weight loss successes and goals.

1. Total Weight Loss- tracks the total amount of lbs lost by participating group members.
2. 2007 Weight Loss Countdown- counts down the lbs of the weight pledged by the group until we reach goal!

*Trackers will be updated monthly, so group members would need to post their weight loss by the last Thursday of each month.

For those who really want to throw themselves into this, you can create your own personalized tracking button for your individual weight loss by going to http://www.traineo.com/. Individual buttons can be added to the bottom of our web page.

Spice: Good things are happening

This was a good week. It was one of those idle moments where I was rubbing my upper arm. I noticed there were spots that where once soft that were now hard. I found three muscles in my upper arm that were becoming defined as well as those in my calves. Up until now I have just been going through the motions. This was a nice surprise. I’m pretty happy. I'll be ecstatic when I see these kinds of changes in my tummy.

Ginger: Curry Leftovers

So...what do you guys think is the statute of limitations on curry leftovers?

The meal that I just reheated (in a valiant-slash-lazy attempt to eat "in") was almost six days old. Saturday's lunch...

Let's hope for the best!

---Update---
No dramatic reaction to the leftovers. Go refrigeration!

Ginger: Let's Eat!

Sporty, Ginger + Posh - are you ready to up the ante on eating for the last phase of WOW? Based on your last couple posts, I think next week might be a good time to kick the food thing into gear. Here's my proposal: 1 pt for every day that we follow our eating plan: points, core, vegan etc. These would be regular points (not bonus).

Whaddya think?

Posh: Chiselling Away

I started off this post planning to say that I'm still chiselling away... a few pounds and inches falling here and there. Was gonna say that if I keep it up, we'll see what emerges...Was in search of a picture to go with the chiselling theme and I came across a series of pictures of a sculpter's tools. And it suddenly hit me that Michelangelo didn't create his David with just one tool. To get his block of marble to look like muscles (ever checked out the David's abs?) he had to use a variety of tools, each one important, to get the results. I'm currently using one tool (exercise) to do my chiselling. I need to pick up the other one I've been hiding behind the tool shed (DIET) and start using it. I've been saying the past few weeks that I want to start doing Core again. Havent' made that push to actually do it... As much as I don't want to, I'm willing to ramp things up....

Ginger: The Bottom Line [Aug 2-Aug 8]

(-1) EAT: "5" a day. NO -5 days.
(+1) STOP: Eat meals + snacks before 8pm. NO-4 days.
(+1) LIFT: 2 strength training workouts. YES-3 workouts.
(+2) MOVE: 2 cardio workouts. YES-6 workouts.
(NC) DRINK: 32 oz water a day. NO-4 days.
(NC) SLEEP. Get to bed by 10 pm. NO-0 days.

I'm struggling with the sleep goal. Been watching lots of late-night TV. Very happy with with this week's workouts...optimistic about bringing the "stop" and "drink" up a bit. I ignored my water bottle this week and the difference was clear. I'm more likely to get drink enough water when I keep it washed, filled, carry it around etc. In fact, let me go do that right now!

Sporty: Week 26 (8/9/07)

Still going...still aware...trying to get the gain under control...5 lb alarm activated...switching to on mode...gained 1 lb this week. Next WILL be better.

Last week:


Achieved 4 of 6 goals. Gym 3+ times, journalled, shopped, wowed.
Did not achieve staying within points - 6 days over, 1 day under. Did not track calories burned.

This week:
1. Decide to make the effort
2. Stay within weekly points
3. Home food Mon-Fri
4. Burn 2500 cal
5. Journal foods
6. WOW

Ginger: 60 Minutes

Yesterday, I did an hour of cardio. I spent the first 30 minutes on the treadmill before hopping on the elliptical machine. I can't say that it was "fun" but it felt good to raise the bar.

Come to think of it -before I discovered the Body for Life plan -Mimi and I used to do cardio twice a week for sixty minutes. It was our default. No bargaining or negotiating. How quickly we (I) forget!

Anyway, I really needed those bonus points. I'm glad that we built in an option that's challenging and I'm even happier that it's out of the way -at least for this week!

Spice: Going away for a week

I will be going to Barbados for a 8 days. If I finish this week successfully, I will be able -between bonus and free days -be free of exercise for the week. However I don't want to. The week covers two challenge weeks so I'll try to do my strength/cardio before and after the trip. I figure I could always get a 30-minute walk in so I'll keep up my cardio that way. I also will memorize or write instructions for 10 minutes of the Taebo abs tape so I could do it most days that I'm there to keep up with my personal goal. I'll blog before and after I come back. Take my vitamins with me and do some shopping there to keep up the diet requirements. Thus when I come back I should still be on stream with the challenge. Any you may have I welcome.

Posh: Secrets....

Thought this story was cool. Click here to check it out!

By Dan Buettner	Photographs by David McLain
Residents of Okinawa, Sardinia, and Loma Linda, California, live longer, healthier lives than just about anyone else on Earth. What do they know that the rest of us don't?

Sporty: Response to Maintaining Vs. Losing

Ginger, I'm really glad you decided to spotlight this question. I think the key difference between maintaining and losing weight is the level of EFFORT. For me effort has been making the decision to make the effort to lose weight and then creating a plan to support the effort.

What does that look like for me?

1. Mindset - prioritize weight loss plan

2. Diet - have a specific eating plan

3. Exercise - have a specific exercise plan

4. Accountability - monitor implementation of the plan

5. Support - seek and give support

6. Goal - pick a goal weight and realistic date to achieve it

At the end of day though, all weight loss plans come down to science and attitude. Regardless of the plan I choose, I have to burn more calories than I consume. To do so I have to make weight loss a priority and have a plan that is specific.

Hope this helps.

Ginger: Maintaining vs. Losing Mood

Sporty's comment about switching from a "maintaining" mood to a "losing" mood really hit home for me. I'm having the same issue.

I'm glad that I stopped gaining weight but -after many months- I haven't lost weight either. I thought I'd throw it out there for discussion:

What behaviors do YOU associate with a "losing" mood?

--Update
I've just accepted a "20 lbs in 4 months" challenge from my dad so I'm particularly invested in answers to the above question. Ha ha. I'm gritting my teeth and waiting for your comments.

Sporty: Phase 1 prizes

What are you guys doing for your phase 1 prize?

Sporty: Week 25 (08/02/07)

Glad this week is over. Continued to struggle to stay within points. Did it for 3 or 7 days. Got to ramp up cardio been doing really, really, low intensity. Saw drop in cardio endurance. Happy with progress on good health guidelines and strength exercises. Noticed that my core is getting stronger. Still working on shifting my brain from maintenance mood to losing mood. Gained 3 lbs.

Last week:

1. Stay within daily pts 5/7 - No. 3 days.
2. Earn Maximum WOW pts. - No. Earned 3 0f 6 bonus pts.
3. Plan foods the night before - No
4. Journal all foods - Yes

Next Week:

1. Stay within daily pts 5 of 7 days.
2. 3 cardio sessions at gym
3. Journal all foods
4. Grocery shop
5. Burn 2500 calories
6. Complete WOW challenge
   

Ginger: The Bottom Line [Jul 26-Aug1]

(-1) EAT: "5" a day. NO -6 days.
(-2) STOP: Eat meals + snacks before 8pm. NO-3 days.
(-1) LIFT: 2 strength training workouts. YES-2 workouts.
(-1) MOVE: 2 cardio workouts. YES-4 workouts.
(-1) DRINK: 32 oz water a day. NO-4 days.
(-1) SLEEP. Get to bed by 10 pm. NO-0 days.

The zeal of week one has clearly waned. Ha ha. Actually, this was kind of a tough week. I'm just grateful that the diet + exercise didn't fall off altogether!

Spice:Still going

Diet requirements were better this week but I struggled more with the exercise. My personal goal of doing 10 minutes of Taebo abs is going well except I keep doing the parts that are easiest for me. Lower abs are most challenging and the most necessary for me. I started targeted that area today. I thought I would die but I plan to focus on that area at least twice a week.

Posh: This Week

Milks and Fats still a challenge to fit into my diet. Been consistently using bonus points each of the last two weeks for a cardio. Psyching myself up for increased cardio time next week.

Sporty: Lingering questions...

I've been struggling/wrestling with the validity/inspiredness of today's Bible.

Stuff like who got to decide what should/shouldn't be included, how did "church politics" influence Bible translations, etc.

As the "rule book", yardstick, tool we use to help decide how to prayer, speak in tongues, meditate/not mediate, right/wrong... I've been "thinking" about this for the past 6 months or so. I'm still working on it .... I was led to this site on the timeline of how we got the English Bible and the pre-reformations history of the Bible which were interesting.

Why do you believe in the Bible? How have you reconciled it's current validility/inspiredness?

Ginger: Your Testimony

I posted these questions earlier as a comment...thought it'd be interesting to hear about each other's actual experiences. Here they are again:

Has God ever spoken to you?
How did it happen?
What did the experience teach you about communicating with God?

Ginger: Bonus Points

Do they expire every week, every phase, or never?

Ginger: Sports Bra Woes

In ascending order of shopping-related frustration:

Jeans
Go to Gap. Go directly to Gap. Do not pass the "skinny" shelf or collect anything marked "ultra" low-rise.

Bra
Functional bras cost a small fortune but at least they're out there. Forget you Victoria's Secret. I get hopeful every time you launch a splashy new ad campaign or your sales associates reassure me that you're coming out with larger sizes. You always let me down. You leave me no choice but to frequent the pricey department store on the other side of the mall (and of course "Olga's" when I'm in Brooklyn. Seriously, there's nothing like on-site tailoring to take bra shopping up a notch).

Swimsuit
Right now I have no pressing need for a swimsuit. Come December I'll be in the fitting room tugging and pulling (and trying to pretend that I'm not grossed out by the "do not remove" sanitary sticker in the crotch).

(drumroll)

Sports Bra
WHAT GIVES? WHO MAKES GOOD SPORTS BRAS???

Sporty: Week 24/Month 6 07/26/07

Time certainly does fly! 6 months of trying to build healthy habits. Many lessons learned and re-learned! Key lessons: Have a specific goal, Break big goals into mini-goals so I don't get overwhelmed, Plan your day the night before, Track/Journal, Never forget God, Remember that it is 80% diet, 10% exercise and 100% attitude, Give and ask for support. Goals for the next 3 months: Lose 10% of my body wt (21 lb),Exercise 5x/wk, Journal foods daily, Stay within pts and Develop a strategy to deal with emotional eating.

Here are my 6 month stats:


Last week:
Last week went well for a first week back. Had 5 days on 2 days off. Lost 6lbs due to initial water loss.


Next week:
1. Stay within daily pts 5/7.
2. Earn Maximum WOW pts
3. Plan foods the night before
4. Journal all foods

Posh: Books Pertaining to our Discussions

The discussion on Contemplative/Centered Prayer reminded me of a book that I had gotten at the ABC bookstore several years ago. Went to my archive of books and dug it up: Deceived by the New Age: The Story of a New Age Priest by Will Baron. Definitely a good read and a red flag warning to pray in earnest and stick with the Bible. He shares several of his experiences from his involvement and ministry with the New Age beliefs, Occultism and Hinduism. He also shares how he found out the truth about God. I'd be very interested in hearing reactions from anyone who reads his book.

Below, I post an excerpt from the beginning of a chapter in his book on Christian Meditation. In the comments section, I also have included a few excerpts from the beginning of his book.

Other good books to read: A trip into the Supernatural by Roger Morneau and Beware of Angels, also by Roger Morneau— Heartfelt reminders of Ephesians 6:10-18

Can meditation be Christian?
Several months ago I gave a talk to the staff of a Christian media center that produced television and radio programs. After my presentation, I was shocked to hear a staff member inform me that not too long before, a visiting executive from a seminary had given them a lecture on the virtues of meditation. He then coerced his audience into sitting in silence with their eyes closed so they could listen to the “voice of the Holy Spirit.”

Another seminary teacher promotes meditation with the motto: “If you spend an hour praying to God, doesn’t it make sense to spend another hour in meditation listening for his reply?” A well-known miracle healer also enthusiastically promotes meditation. He describes meditation as an act of listening to the inner voice of God.

These theologians and preachers advocate a type of meditation in which one deliberately sits in introspective silence, attempting to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Before I explain why I consider this so-called Christian meditation to be dangerous, let’s take a look at the nature of introspective meditation.

At a New Age seminar given by a Christian lecturer, I heard the statement that New Agers enter into an “altered state” of consciousness when they meditate. The idea that meditation is an “altered state” has been expressed by others involved in ministering to Eastern cults. I believe this view is accurate, but must clarify the point that “altered state” does not necessarily mean “mystical state.”

Sometimes people can indeed have mystical experiences during meditation, and they will have been in a tangible, altered state of consciousness. However, from my own experiences and from a knowledge of the experiences of other New Agers, these mystical experiences are not the norm. In fact, I know of New Agers who have meditated for years and have never had a “mystical” experience. It is my assessment that meditation is typically a state of special relaxation and not a radically altered state of consciousness.

I make these points because Christians often believe that meditation is fine as long as it is not done in a mystical state. As most New Age meditation is nonmystical, this argument has no validity.

If meditation is not a mystical state, why is it inappropriate for Christians?

The danger of introspective meditation lies in the fact that the meditator is ready and receptive for an angelic entity to implant thoughts, ideas and impressions into his mind. From my personal experience, I believe that Satanic angels are able to telepathically implant thoughts into a meditator’s mind without the necessity of any mystical state. The meditator simply experiences inspirational thoughts or images materializing in his conscience, which he regards as originating form his “higher self,” supposedly a part of this mind that holds communion with God.

I believe it is impossible for anyone to know for sure that a certain impression received during meditation comes from God and not from some other source. Meditation provides and excellent opportunity for Satan to exercise his manipulating deception. Why else would New Agers be promoting it so heavily?

My mall and beach ministry focused on encouraging individuals to begin the practice of Christian meditation. My goal when infiltrating Hope Chapel was to start a Christian meditation group in that church. I took comfort in the knowledge that once people started to meditate, they would hear the inner voice of God inside of their own minds, and this would lead them into the arena of other New Age ideas...

Ginger: Shokolaat

Dark chocolate. My new "they say it's good for you" indulgence of choice.

Ginger: Friends and Fat

Interesting graphic from a recent study on social networks and obesity. A few findings taken from the abstract:

A person's chances of becoming obese increased by 57% if he or she had a friend who became obese in a given interval.

Among pairs of adult siblings, if one sibling became obese, the chance that the other would become obese increased by 40%.

If one spouse became obese, the likelihood that the other spouse would become obese increased by 37%.

Ginger: Bottom Line [7/19-7/26]

(+7) EAT: "5" a day. YES -7 days.
(+2) STOP: Eat meals + snacks before 8pm. NO-5 days.
(+2) LIFT: 2 strength training workouts. YES-3 workouts.
(+3) MOVE: 2 cardio workouts. YES-5 workouts.
(+1) DRINK: 32 oz water a day. NO-5 days.
(+1) SLEEP. Get to bed by 10 pm. NO-1 day.

Upped the ante on all targets (compared to last "bottom line" update). Go WOW. Still struggling with the bedtime target. At least I made it on one night :-)

Sporty: Garden Vegetable Soup

Need to get in your vegetable servings? Try this quick soup lovingly called zero point soup.

Garden Vegetable Soup (4 svgs)

2/3 c sliced carrot, 1/2 c diced onion, 2 garlic cloves ,3 c fat free vegetable broth, 1 1/2 c diced green cabbage 1/2 c green beans, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp oregano, 1/4 tsp salt,1/2 c diced zucchini

• In a large saucepan sprayed with cooking spray, saute 2/3 c. onion and 2 minced garlic cloves until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add 3 c. ff broth, 1 1/2 c. diced cabbage, 1/2 c. green beans, 1 TBSP tomato paste, 1/2 tsp basil, 1/4 tsp oregano and 1/4 tsp salt. Bring to a boil.
• Lower heat and simmer, covered, about 15 minutes or until beans are tender.
• Stir in 1/2 c. diced zucchini and heat 3-4 minutes.

Pair this with your favorite salad and you could wipe out your veggie goal in one meal!!!

This is a core food. It is also zero points per serving. Substituting other non-starchy veggies should create the same concept.

No time to cook try Progresso's garden vegetable soup for 1 pt per serving.

Spice: First week went well

Well the first week of the challenge went pretty well. Had a few hiccups with some of the food requirements but otherwise it was good.

I must say I'm liking this 5 days a week exercise program a lot better. For some reason it is less stressful. I unofficially was doing the exercise requirements for the last challenge and consequently I felt tired and my muscles ached quite often. In the process I think I strained a few things and I felt it took a while to recover. But now I think my muscles get a bit more rest and can keep up better.

My personal goal is to do 10 minutes of Taebo Ab Boot camp. When I made this decision I did not consider that I would have to do it6 days a week! (In light of above I find this funny.) So now my ab muscles are always aching. However if this is the sacrifice that needs to be made for a better toned abdomen so be it. Despite the aches it really is not that bad. I find the 10 minute slots are easy to finish. The DVD is 30 minutes long and thus I divide it into 3 mini workouts-beginning, middle and end. Each day I select one to do. By the time I'm ready to cry bloody murder its over. And if my aches are any indication I think its working.

Sporty: Lectio Divina

To continue the discussion... what are your thoughts on Lectio Divina (pronounced "Lec-tsee-oh Di-vee-nah")? Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a method of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote communion with God and to provide special spiritual insights. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray from God's Word.

Posh: Response to Centered Prayer

After reading Sporty's post on centered prayer, I read up on it. Doesn't seem to match up with Jesus's teachings and examples of what prayer should be like.

Some websites with comments that I found:

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/cp.htm

http://cana.userworld.com/cana_ContemplativePrayer1.html

Posh: Roaming Through Romans

My personal goal for this challenge has been to add depth to my devotional experience. I wanted my devotions to have some direction and be more than watching the "10 minute clock". So I decided to use Romans as my study material and I resurrected my prayer journal. My Prayer journal's more of a "spiritual" diary/journal. Instead of "Dear Diary" it's "Dear God" and I write out some of my prayers... and I use it as a processing forum for whatever I just read. And so far so good... Instead of checking the clock to see if it's 10 minutes yet, I look up at the clock when I'm finished and find that I'm usually over the 10 minutes! Skipping devotions on a day (like today) when I did my stretching routine was not an option. And I've been finding myself doing devotions sometimes twice each day...when I wake up and before I go to bed. Romans, though, is one of those books that seems to beg discussion. So I thought that ever so often I'd post here to get some feed back.

Romans 10:9 says that if you confess Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead that you're saved. Thought to myself that it seems pretty simple. Then the questions started coming.... Theme so far of the book has been saved by grace and not by works. It's grace that saves us. Not what we do. How does this fit in, though, with the concept that if your "tree" isn't producing "fruit" you get chopped down or something? I mean, why isn't obedience included in the being saved text? Is it assumed that if one truely believes obedience will follow?

And why does Chapeter 9 make God seem so random? Like he picks and chooses who to show mercy on?

Sporty: Centering Prayer

I just finished reading a chapter in Battlefield of the Mind that asks the question - When is your mind normal? Joyce describes normal as a state of peaceful readiness to be able to hear the "still small voice" of the Holy Spirit. So a "normal" Christian mind is free from "clutter" and is ready to recieve insight/messages.

This got me thinking about a prayer style I heard about in that Bible class I took a couple months ago called Centering Prayer or Contemplative Prayer. Here's a link.

What do you think about this type of prayer?

Do you see a role for Christian meditation?

Do you think that there is a legitimate gift of tongues today?

Sporty: Healthy tastes good!

I totally forgot how delicious healthy food can taste. Since I've been living in the world of pizza, chinese and mcdees I forgot how a simple dinner could be so tasty!!!

**Tonight's dinner**
Baked potato topped with salsa
Griller sauteed in 1 tsp of olive oil
Corn on the cob with butter spray
Spring mix salad with cherry tomatoes, red onion and low fat dressing
WW strawberry banana smoothie blended with ice

Delicious and filling (without that clogged fast food feeling)!

Here's to bringing healthy back!

** [All foods core except dressing] or [10pts] + [1 oil, 4 veggies, 1 milk]**

Sporty: Paint a Picture of the Future

The concept of "Begin with the End in Mind" has always made sense to me. Application of this concept is another story. Here's an article I got in my email today.

Paint a Picture of the Future
When you're trying to lose weight, it's common to experience plateaus or setbacks. If you hit a snag, you can give yourself a motivation boost by reminding yourself why you wanted to lose weight in the first place — or even come up with new reasons! This week, we want you to strengthen and clarify your reasons for making healthy lifestyle changes by painting a picture of your future.
It works like this: Visualize what you want your life to look like three months, six months, or one year from now. Take out a sheet of paper and sketch your vision — whether in images or in words. Make your "picture" as detailed and specific as possible. Focus not only on what you look like but on where are you are and who and what are surrounding you. The sky's the limit.
When you're done, take a look at what you came up with. Which parts of your current life are in the picture, and which aren't? Did you include anything that surprised you? Did the exercise bring something new to your consciousness?
Save this picture and refer back to it when you need motivation or a reminder of what matters to you. Use it as a vision of what your life will become through your efforts.
If you can dream it, you can do it!

Sporty: The Ultimate Food & Activity Log

Over the past couple of months I've been searching for a food/exercise journal that would cover all the things I want to track but I just couldn't find one. So I decided to "create" my own. Just picked up the bound copies from Kinkos. YAY!!!!!!!

p.s. I'm happy to to share. LOL!

Sporty: Week 23 (07/19/07)

I am actually glad this challenge has begun. I've been dodging my personal trainer, forgotten how to get to the gym and I live on take out. How quickly old habits resurface. All is not lost but I have to "catch it now" (Gained 3 lbs this week).
For this challenge my weight loss goal is 9lbs (i.e. total of 35lbs).
Let the WOW games begin! WE CAN DO THIS!!


Goals for this week:
1. Earn maximum WOW points
2. Journal all foods
3. Stay within points

Posh: WOW3 Challenge

So the challenge I've been counting down towards (and secretly wanting to postpone) is here! Half of me is slightly stoked and ready to jump back in to the healthy exercise and eating...I haven't done anything in the two week break! I've kind of missed that oxygen high from working out.
The other half of me is in a state of mild panic...Didn't have breakfast today, no lunch plan except a potato pie, I don't have any healthy oils/fats at home, will I survive my work out later today since I haven't exercised in two weeks???

Anyway, thought I'd go ahead and post and I do feel a bit smug about being the first to enter in points on the new chart...=)

Sporty: Good Health Guidelines Ideas

Ways to "get in" your good health guidelines

2 Servings of Milk products

• 8 floz or 1/3 c powdered milk
• 1 c soy milk
• cappacino w/ milk
• 1 1/2 oz cheese
• 1 c pudding made w/milk
• 1 c yogurt
• hot chocolate made w/ milk
• low fat ice cream
• protein shakes w/ milk
• add milk to sauces

2 tsp of healthy oils

• take in capsule form e.g. flax oil capsules
• add flax oil to protein shakes, cereals
• add olive oil to lf dresssing
• use olive oil to vinegar/lemon juice to make salad dressing
• use olive oil to sautee vegetables
• use olive oil to "fry" eggs, meats
• "take it to the head" just drink 2 tsp of flax oil

Water

• Drink 2 cups when you wake = 2
• Drink 1 cups with meals = 3
• Drink 1 cup before bed = 1
• ***Total = 6
• Try flavored waters

Fruits/Veggies

• Add 1 c veggies to eggs
• Eat salads
• Eat vegetable soups
• Drink 100% vegetable/fruit juices
• Add to protein shakes
• Add to yogurts
• Add to cereals
• Add to pasta sauces

Multivitamin

• Pick a meal to take it with e.g. always take at breakfast or dinner
• Keep some in your purse in a ziploc for "emergencies"

WOW3 Challenge: Let's do this!!

Calling all WOWers...games are about to begin! Each person chooses their own individual grand prize to present to themselves when success is accomplished.=)

PHASE I

Good Health Guidelines 5 days/wk [2 pts each]
6 (8oz) cups Water; 2 svgs Milk; 2 tsp Oil; 5 (1/2C) svgs Fruit/Veggies; Mult ivitamin

Exercise: [3pts each]
5 days of cardio @ 20 min; 3 days of strength @ 4 muscle groups; 5 days of mind-body @ 10 min

Blog: [10 pts]

1 weekly post to blog

Food Log: [10 pts]
5 days of food journal entries

Bonus: [up to 6 pts/week]
1 hr of strength/card/mind-body on your "off day" (6 pts) OR 1-6 days of Daily Personal Goal (1 pt each day)


PHASE II

Same as above. AND...
INCREASE CARDIO minimum: 30 min/session

PHASE III

Same as above. AND...
INCREASE WATER minimum: 8 glasses/day

Sporty: Week 22 (07/12/07)

Holding steady.....




Goals to be continued:
1. Journal foods
2. Stay within pts
3. Exercise 5x/wk

Posh: Cool Gadgets

Scroll down nearer to the bottom of the page on the right to see some cool gadgets I found. Yeah, I just discovered the world of gadgets and widgets! I plan to feature some ever so often... don't plan on making any specific one a permanant fixture, unless there's a "community" interest in it...=) If you guys find some, feel free to add 'em.

Ginger: Dead Presidents

Hey winners -look for your checks in the mail!

Spice: Hello everyone!

Hi , I am Spice, sister of Posh. If I had known she was making all these sarcastic remarks on this blog I would have joined a lot sooner. (lol) Despite any disparaging remarks I am quite proud of Posh and the rest of you because you stuck with the program for 8 weeks and I know there were many times when you would have liked to have thrown in the towel. Congratulations everyone!

I am joining the WOW3 challenge to be supportive and in the process improve my own health. It would be nice to loose 10lbs. However despite past efforts I have never made it intentionally. I lost about 7lbs due to diet change (not deliberate). By participating in the challenge I commit to improving my health and the development of muscle.


I wish us the best success in meeting our goals in the WOW3 Challenge.

Posh: 8 weeks of WOW

8 weeks later I've lost 2.8 lbs. But despondancy will not rule, 'cause I've lost inches and body fat too! Here are the charts:

Posh: C'est Finis!

It's all over! Magnifique!

Sporty: Congratulations

Congratulations fellow WOWers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sporty: Week 21 (07/05/07)

Made it to the end of the WOW challenge - Yay! Despite ongoing diet struggles, thanks to WOW I had extra incentive to keep exercising. Right now I'm beginning to get the "hamster on a wheel" feeling. I've just been "spinning my wheels" as it relates to diet and have had little weight loss movement in the past 8 weeks. Started WOW at 220 ended WOW at 219.5. (Of course I lost and regained 5 lbs during this time.)
Positives - kept exercising, started to focus on mind training, I weigh .5lbs less.
Negatives - minimal weight loss, got "loose" with my diet



What now?
I just keep trying. As they say at WW you can't fail if you don't quit. So that's the plan - don't quit and remember that this journey is filled with peaks and valleys. I also acknowledge and accept what I've been reading-
Weight loss is 80% diet, 20% exercise and 100% mindset/attitude.

Goals for this week:
1. Follow WW points plan
2. Journal foods daily
3. Burn 2800 calories through exercise (cardio, strength, mind/body).

Ginger: The Bottom Line [June 28-July 11]

(+3) EAT: "5 a day" + vegan. NO -0 "5 a day" + 3 vegan.
(+2) STOP: Eat meals + snacks before 8pm. NO -3.
(+1) LIFT: 2 strength training workouts. NO -1.
(+1) MOVE: 2 cardio workouts. YES -2.
(NC) DRINK: 32 oz water a day. NO -4.
(-1) SLEEP. Get to bed by 10 pm. NO -0.

Things are looking up. I didn't get to 5-7 days on the "stop" target but it's moving in the right direction. The numbers in parentheses show positive/negative change compared to last week.

Ginger: The Bottom Line [June 21-27]

LIFT: 2 strength training workouts. NO -0.
MOVE: 2 cardio workouts. NO -1.
EAT: "5 a day" + vegan. NO -0 "5 a day" + 0 vegan.
DRINK: 32 oz water a day. NO -4.
STOP: Eat meals + snacks before 8pm. NO -1.
SLEEP: Get to bed by 10pm. NO -1.

Last week I was clearly tracking for the sake of tracking...not putting any real effort into actually meeting the targets. This week should look (slightly) better.

Ginger: Early Eating

I'm on a mission to actually reach my targets - one at a time. I started with the "stop eating by 8:00 pm" target because it's the simplest -though not easiest- one to implement. It also has a quick and visible payoff. I figure since I'm an "instant gratification" type, I might as well make it work for me.

Yesterday, after an extended nap and dinner, I jumped in the car...trying to get in a dessert before 8pm. It was pretty funny. As I drove around, and the time ticked away, I weighed the options:

Ice cream cone from McDonald's?
Not vegan, better skip it...

A svg. of Peanut Butter Palooka from Garden Fresh?
Mmmmm -but it'd take too long to get there...

A pint of Soy Delicious from Country Sun?
A pint of anything in the freezer = bad news...

I eventually settled on a cookie from Whole Foods since it could be eaten in the car within the five minutes I had left. Clearly...

I'm shooting for 5-7 days a week.