Simply planning....

6/8/2016

I do like a plan.

Do you?

Join us in a 30 day challenge to lose some unwanted pounds. Or choose another health/well being-related goal and figure out how you will measure progress.

I have recorded (not here!) my weight, figured out my BMI (easy-peasy here), measured my waist (yikes! do you think Ikea tape measures are accurate?)

I have decided on what I think is a realistic target (losing 5lbs) and decided on my start day (Monday) and will shop for the food for my first two fast days (Monday and Wednesday). I like the look of the suggested meals in the book I plan to use (see yesterday's post)

I will also take another look at the favourite pair of trousers which no longer fasten, and maybe plan an occasion to wear them and what to wear with them - the fun part..

Here is a an exercise video from Scottish Ballet which I will get back to using this month maybe two or three times a week, starting tonight! (I find it much easier to exercise at night than in the morning.)

I used this video for a 30 day challenge last year. See how that went here and do notice how supportive and useful the comments were - people like you make this work for me - thank you all!

What's your plan?

Tell us in 'comments'. There's plenty room!

20 Comments

Madeleine Lawrence

6/8/2016 03:50:27 pm

Hi Freda,

I laughed out loud at your suggestion that the tape measure may be faulty! I have certainly had moments of disbelief when trying on Summer pants again after the Winter and thinking, could they have shrunk?!

My health related goal is to stop having caffeine in the afternoons. I am having too much, and what I really need in the afternoon is a ten minute meditate/lie down to relax me before the next round of teaching (piano). But I always go for another pot of tea instead.

I think I will get rid of the Earl Grey (as that's what I have in the afternoon) and maybe make a little chart of days for the fridge. I think if I can pull it off a reward is in order when I reach 30 days - I am like a junkie with my pots of tea!! So will have to think of a lovely reward...

Madeleine.x

PS Freda, I am always reading if not commenting. It has been a very full on year for me (in both good and challenging ways) and I so appreciate visiting your blog for a little bit of beauty in my day (your photos :-))

Freda

7/8/2016 08:02:24 am

I've also thought the scales must need a new battery! I will also make a chart to give myself stars - that childhood conditioning again...

Lynn

7/8/2016 01:03:31 am

Hi Freda,

I too have been reading every day for the last 18 months but never commented. To Madeleine may I suggest Rooibos tea. Tastes just like the real thing but has no caffeine. There is even an Earl Grey one that I drink all the time.

Also anyone interested in yoga could look at the website doyouyoga.com. Free to register with access to hundreds of short yoga sessions at all levels giving you lots of choice and variety. There is even a 30 day yoga challenge! The complete beginner classes are very good.

I am also trying to lose weight and find the Paleo diet very effective but have indulged a little lately so will be following closely to keep me motivated to be a little stricter with myself!

Madeleine Lawrence

7/8/2016 01:33:31 am

Hello Lynn,

thank you for the suggestion of rooibos tea, I used it for just this purpose years ago and had completely forgotten about it!

Madeleine

Lucille link

7/8/2016 01:53:58 am

I like the Earl Grey Rooibos, sadly discontinued at Sainsburys but available online. I have been watching Adriene's Yoga on Youtube. Loads of free classes. She has a certain charm. One day I might actually join in!

Freda to Lucille (see what I mean about the muddly reply format?

7/8/2016 08:08:08 am

Why not do one, or even a bit of one, on Monday. It's starting that's the hard bit but once you start who knows?

Freda

7/8/2016 08:05:47 am

Hello Lynn - lovely to see you here and thank you for that link. Stay with us and let us know how you get on!

Lotta link

7/8/2016 02:54:20 am

The Scottish Ballet video looks good Freda. I've just found the same youtube videos Lucille mentioned. There's a whole channel including gentle yoga, yoga for beginners, weight loss yoga and even a 30 day programme...
https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene
If you have neck/spine issues be careful with the head rolls or avoid them completely, and also I'm not sure about bouncing/pulsing in postures, but other than that it looks great. There's even a 'yoga for when you're angry' video!
Isn't the planning fun! Today I'm setting the scene... making a welcoming space in the living room for yoga practice, finding clothes that I can move/breathe in, removing the dust and spiders from my rolled up yoga mat... and reminding myself not to throw myself into it too hard, too fast. Enthusiasm outweighs ability at present!

Freda

7/8/2016 08:11:03 am

I love your 'setting the scene' idea. (Lucille you could do this bit?) I will lay an especially nice table for my fast day meals, and try to have plenty going on to keep my mind off food. The forecast is good so hopefully I can get stuck into some gardening.

Mary

7/8/2016 03:57:58 am

Will follow a basic clean eating plan. Was on one earlier in the year and lost a fair amount of weight. Just need to get back to it in all seriousness. Thanks to you and all the commenters on some available yoga sites. I have not been able to do much physical exercise since ankle/tendon surgery and complications following it (still in a tall CAM boot), but will see if I can find some workouts that take that limitation into account.

Freda

7/8/2016 08:13:47 am

Do you have a physiotherapist - they are terrific! I had to look up 'clean eating' (funny name) and of course it makes perfect sense. Good luck with that - you already know you CAN do it. Yay!

Elaine link

7/8/2016 06:12:11 am

My downfall is bread, and my sweet tooth. Today I am wearing one particular pair of trousers for the first time this year. And the waist band is, well, shall we say, uncomfortable. I think half a stone would solve the problem. My fast days will be Monday and Friday I think, it will be interesting to see how we get on in a month's time.

Freda

7/8/2016 08:15:23 am

It will be fascinating! Let's be comfortable in our clothes - a good goal I would say.

Cristiana

7/8/2016 06:34:08 am

Oh, I do like the planning part! I'm planning to join a proper yoga class in October for the first time in my life, and replace those few minutes that I workout at home doing some barre workout (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3GKHaHYmc0. ).
I did once follow the doyouyoga beginner 30days challenge on you tube and totally recommend it.

Freda

7/8/2016 08:17:34 am

Thank you for those great links Cristiana - Oh to be sleek! I'll settle for 'a little bit sleeker' for now.then, who knows?

cath

7/8/2016 07:26:47 am

I have started working - within the limitations of my health problems - at strenghtening my muscles.

By watching and trying (a part of) 'a little goes a long way' whose instructor on You Tube Lucille and Lotta also mention I learned I will have to be very careful what to do and what not.
I will check out the site Lynn mentions later.

This also made me decide I won't set measurable' goals.

I have made a kind of 'grid' to reflect on process-goals like:
- Enjoyed myself: range 1to5, done today: yes/no, time invested: range 5 to 20 min, difficulty: range 1to5, aggravating complaints: yes/no, fatigue after: range 1to5, experience progress: yes/no, beneficial side effects: yes/no

I hope to work with the same video 5 times before chosing a new one. I will be happy if I manage practicing 5 days out of 7 a week and as I like your idea of planning an occasion (to wear that particular pair of trousers), Freda, I will have a think about how and when to celebrate myself.

Freda

7/8/2016 08:21:38 am

Does your medical practice have a physiotherapist? Could be a great help! Are you ready with gold stars and smiley face stickers for your chart - great idea! And there will certainly be posts on celebrating!

Damsonlily

8/8/2016 06:01:28 am

No actual plan, just reverting to "clean eating habits" like others who are commenting. I have several food intolerances and sometimes the lure of gluten/dairy free goodies calls very strongly! Bad, very bad. So, it's out with the refined carbs and enter more veg, etc. Still working on the walking problem....

Freda

8/8/2016 07:05:34 am

You can't go wrong with real food. You need just one person who wants to walk regularly...have you asked everyone? It might be the most unlikely person...

Damsonlily

8/8/2016 08:31:18 am

Good idea, I need to do that. I just think walking has so many benefits, not to mention just enjoying the view!

Simply planning....

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