60-Day Challenge Check-In Post 5/5-5/11

Comments

[MamaBird]

Yesterday was reasonably good for me... Only 1 desert, a bowl of ice cream after dinner. (I got lucky, the brownies that are usually at the lunchtime faculty meeting were replaced with fruit yesterday). In terms of the computer, I did... okay. Not great. That's clearly going to be the hard one for me.

So far today, the noodle has fought her nap, and I lost my sh*t, and ate cookies. So I've used my desert for the day before 10 am! Maybe tasty-delight (nonfat yogurt type thing) doesn't count, and will get me through the rest of the day?

[Liza]

Yesterday I only ate veggies, but not fruit. On the other hand, I ate a lot of them!

I also didn't organize or complete the tasks I committed to.

[Lisa F.]

well, journaled last night, but got into it, and didn't turn lights out til just after 11.

was p.o.ed at husband & his job, he was supposed to get next Mon. a.m. off for prof. family photos as Mother's Day & bday gift for me, but he didn't even check & yesterday it came up, it's too busy. we were too tired & short w/each other. feh.

MamaBird, sorry about noodle's nap!

[DC Ranger]

Mix of good & bad yesterday. I did complete my 2 challenge goals: I did the T-Tapp MORE workout (at 9:30 pm though - way too late!)& felt wonderful afterwards, so had lots of energy to work in my craft room.

Ignored poor hubby in the process, however, and only went to bed at 11:30. And ate most of a very large chocolate bar yesterday, plus several cookies.

Clearly if I am going to buy chocolate bars, they need to be much smaller ones!

[caramama]

I ate probably about 3 servings of fruits and veggies yesterday. But can anyone tell me what exactly constitutes a serving? Like, was the whole baked potato I had one serving? And the 4 pieces of brocolli--was that enough to be a serving?

Couldn't chart my temperature at the right time of morning, since I'd already been up with the Pumpkin for an hour. Oh well. I also still haven't found my charting paper. I am paying attention to my other signs, though. That counts for maybe half this one. Today is a new day.

[doublejen]

Prenatal nausea and fatigue set in and I almost succumbed to Dancing with the Stars and skipping my 15 minutes of reading, but somehow, once the show was over and I'd gotten ready for bed, I was able to pick up a book and read. It wasn't the coursework I'd been planning to do, but I think it still counts!

I walked home from work yesterday instead of taking the train. Today I have my running clothes, and hopefully I'll have the energy to do it at the end of the day!

[WireGryphon]

Caramama - I think a serving of veggies is usually 1/2 cup. 1 cup if it's salad.

I survived day one of the challenge without picking up the salt shaker. (Though I did have to hide it way at the back of the pantry...) Also cut way down on the negative self chatter. So yay.

Today, so far, doing just fine. I'm not fooling myself that the next 59 days will be as easy, but I'm happy to be off to a good start.

[emsgreen]

Ran last night despite (or maybe because of) the in-laws being at our house. What a glorious 25 minutes to myself.

Schedule is all goofy this week, so I didn't bring lunch into work (excuses, excuses).

[hedra]

blogged, check. And definitely feel like that's useful, though cleaning the living room might have been more appropriate use of time.

ripped out vines, check, though it wasn't quite enough to leave me sore this morning. Will work on that one...

[caramama]

WireGryphon - Thanks!

hedra - Now I don't have to check my Google Reader to see if you've updated... just check here, eh?

[Amanda]

Took my vitamins twice yesterday, as I am supposed to, and once this morning.

I read one whole chapter (it was a whopping 5 pages long) in my book before falling asleep at 10:30pm.

I just feel so exhausted from having the little guy on his new schedule that reading just knocks me out.

[Jess]

I did the WW thing yesterday; small serving of chicken, rice and salad for lunch, stir-fried veggies & tofu for dinner. (By the way, 1/2 a cup of cooked veggies is indeed a serving. That's just about a handful. And a piece of fruit is sometimes two servings (e.g. 1/2 a giant apple is one serving).)

Yesterday I didn't exercise (I ran and did yoga Sunday, I felt a day of rest was in order). I'm planning on running today...getting out for a run is rarely a problem (yay for baby joggers!), but forcing myself to get up and do yoga tomorrow morning will be a challenge.

[liphovela]

Did okay on the meditation. Realized that need to double check technique on the internets. So have done that.

No smoking. Which was fine-- except that sweet son must have sensed what a fantastic day it was to choose to be a total insane being re: diaper wearing to bed. Stressful getting him to bed. Some sniping with husband. Causal, much?

[dregina]

Managed to squeeze a one mile run in, and I'm counting it, because the only reason I cut it short involved logistical issues with the pets/partner/house. Oh, logistics....

Sat in contemplative prayer and have a better attitude today for it. Thanks, God!

[Kandice]

Eating half for lunch and dinner: So far so good. I ate half of what I normally would have for a serving of lunch and dinner. Though I really wanted more!

Work 45min a day on business: I left the dishes, laundry, and the mess downstairs to work on this for 1 hour. My gosh,...it felt good to work on it even though it was hard to stare at the mess as I went upstairs into the office.

[Katie B.]

Journaled, check. Dental care - once in the morning, forgot at bedtime. Today's a new day, right?

[pnuts mama]

ugh, day two and i'm already not doing so great.

was able to keep myself even tempered yesterday and even when started to get snippy with my husband in the early evening (trying to get out the door) was able to pull back and we both apologized and moved on. wtf is that stupidity "love means never having to say you're sorry?" love means know when you're being an asshole, and say you're sorry to the people who mean the most to you. period. sigh.

totally blew eating well- we ate at mcd's on the run. did drink milk. whatever. been doing way better today.

did not get my writing done that was due yesterday and guess what? found out this morning from my adviser that since neither of my working chapter drafts are finished (semester is over now) university policy is required to put me on academic probation. i'm so embarrassed and upset and honestly, i don't know how to even process this yet. i know most of this is my own fault- i feel the responsibility to take on way too much both personally and professionally and then am overwhelmed and angry when i can't get it done. and there are literally zero options for help for me and the stress is wearing me down. so, another hour's worth of pity party for me and then back to work i guess. sorry to vent.

caramama- could you buy one of those ovulation predictor kits? i was lucky to just follow my cycle w/o temping, and i know i'd never be able to chart successfully due to time getting up, etc.

[Charisse]

Ate a giant artichoke for leaves (and Mouse ate one for the first time--another meal we can have all together, yay!)...not so hot on reducing the seeds.

Devoured the rest of Lavinia during evening TV--it was short and good (the only reason I can contemplate the book a week thing is because Mouse's school finally agreed to outright prevent naps and now she is reliably in bed at a decent hour, knock wood!).

[paola]

Today is the end of day two for me and everything is going well. The physical challenge was so daunting, but although yesterday I thought continuously about eating something unhealthy, I just thought, but didn't do it. Replaced biscuits, sweets etc with dried fruit, but moderate amounts. Finally was able to enjoy my 20gr of chocolate in front of the tv. Today went even better as I didn't even think about eating crap, and now its 7.15 and dinner time, so made it toady too.

Doing something fun during my 'baby break'- no problems. Read yesterday and sewed today, even if I only had an hour to myself today. Doing 'something that makes my life easier' was a bit harder today as dd didn't sleep long and as a result, was waaaayyyy stressed out when we got back from our little walk and had to prepare a million things at the same time.

[JB]

Ate one veggie and fruit, er, in the form of banana bread. Hey, it's a start! I have Big Plans for getting it in today.

I haven't contacted any neglected friends yet, but I have a weekly schedule drawn up for it.

@pnutsmama, don't feel too bad about the probation. I failed one of my MA exams -- twice in a row! -- and had to study all over again for a fresh field. One of the most humiliating experiences of my life at the time, and now barely a blip. You'll do fine, sail through, succeed, be great. Go pnutsmama, go!

[Mommy-O]

Doing good with the vitamins and water and did BWO+ on Sunday.

Made a therapy appt for next Friday so now I have to get my thoughts together for that ever daunting first appointment. This is where the journaling comes in.

[chaser]

last night ate only one serving at dinner, and felt a notable ... emptiness? Not hunger, but not satiated either. Decided this was not a problem. Observed the feeling. Had the planned late-night snack, no more.

Was supposed to be out running already today but hubby is late home. On my way.

[Ann]

Did okay on the "working during work time" thing yesterday... I'm on my lunch break now, and I'm doing pretty well with it today, too. Not perfect, but...

Will pick up a yoga mat today, so I can T-Tapp! I don't know when I'll actually do it, though -- I have plans tonight, tomorrow I'm at the office and then on baby duty until 9pm. Thursday might be my best chance to start out...

[rowan+keaton+mama]

Got out for two walks yesterday, and already got a long trail walk in today. Between pushing the jogger and carrying the 16 lb bundle I was sweating pretty good- and instead of feeling tired after, I felt energized which has given me even more motivation! Although in most things I start out gung ho and then totally fizzle- but here's hoping...
I put off journaling all day, and was totally dreading doing the self inspection but I finally bit the bullet and stated at around 10:15. I started very small but it felt good to have the pen down to paper.
And just as a side- I was totally useless when I was pregnant so I REALLY admire all of you pregnant mamas out there giving this a go!!

[Abacaxi Mamao]

Washed my face yesterday and wrote in my journal today!

But I only journal over coffee at Starbucks (usually on way to work from therapy) and I'm supposed to not eat dairy or soy (I don't digest them too well), but I can't drink black coffee, so I had soy milk in my coffee. As a treat/reward for writing in my journal. And bought a cookie at Starbucks.

It's really not good, this need to eat things that are bad for me (soy milk and one 400+ calorie cookie--they started printing calorie counts on the display labels!) in order to journal. I need to find a healthier way to do it. I don't want to do it before I go to bed or when I get up in the morning or while I'm eating dinner or at work. Doesn't leave a whole lot of other options. Maybe I can convince myself to drink tea and remain cookie-less at Starbucks?

[Mommy-O]

Just did my 2nd TTapp for the week. At this rate I have no excuse for not meeting my goal.

@Ann, you don't need a yoga mat to TTapp.

I lie my 5 mo on the floor below me so that I can make faces and blow on him whenever I bend over. Sometimes it keeps him happy, sometimes not. Sometimes I have to keep pausing the DVD to move him from floor to exersaucer to activity gym to get in my 15 min.

Just realized that sounds funny. No, I don't use my son as a yoga mat.

@Abacaxi Mamao, I like your idea of journaling after therapy with a treat. It sounds like a good way to debrief with yourself before getting on with your day. I think I will do the same before going home after therapy. Sorry about the age mix up the other day.

[Melba]

Took my vitamins this morning and just got back in from working in the garden this afternoon. Planted up some patio pots for my sister's b-day gift and one for my mom for m-day. Also ripped up dead weeds from last season that were *still* there. See why I needed a challenge to do this?

[MizU]

I stroller-walked with my 18-month-old N yesterday and today, about an hour each time. And, got in a serving of veggies (spinach) and fruit today, have more planned for dinner.

Typing one-handed while N nurses. He wants to read You Can Drive A Fire Engine.

Good look all! It's inspiriing reading the successful starts and the challenges.

[onehappycow]

I started today and did get a (small) walk in. Haven't blogged yet, but did study some. No blogging just yet, possibly tomorrow.

caramama - I did those pee stick things and they worked once on the second try, and once on the first. Love them and will use them again. So much easier than temping, especially with irregular hours... Good luck!

[ada]

Just finished day 2 of the 4-day T-Tapp bootcamp. I'm half way there already!!!

Looked for a meditation book at bookstore, but didn't find what I was looking for. I did do a quick Google search and found FREE classes in my area. Joy, joy, joy. Now just to get to one....

[Lisa]

@caramama and others:

You might want to look into the Persona handheld-computer ovulation predictor kit - sold in the UK as birth control, but can of course be used the other way 'round, too. (DH: "Now wait, red is go and green is stop? I'm so confused. So what's yellow again?" Me: "Go pee on a stick.")

We were lucky enough, it turned out, to not run into any real fertility issues, so I can't vouch for its efficacy vs. other methods, or in presence of medical issues other than "advanced maternal age." But it worked extremely well for us.

info is here:

http://www.persona.org.uk/
http://www.g-h-o.co.uk/persona.htm

order stick refills (thru Garden Pharmacy) here:
http://www.g-h-o.co.uk/id24.htm

[Lisa C.]

Um, I have done nothing, yet. I'm still coughing and I can't T-Tapp when I'm coughing.

[enu]

Okay, I haven't made it into the pool yet, but I have identified a book to read - well, actually, a long standing request just came in. Yes, I am actually going to give myself credit for reading a mystery by one of my favorite authors (The latest Elizabeth George) but my lack of book reading since I got sick (none) is so dire I thinki it is warranted. I hope to pick the book up from the library after work. And at least make a start on it tonight.

I could tr5y to get into the pool right after I see the baby off to junior prom on Friday.... wish me luck on that one.

[Chaosgirl]

This is a great time to participate in this challenge because life just dealt us a crappy hand of cards.

Our house was broken in to on the weekend and I lost all almost all my jewelry, including heirlooms etc., in addition to electronics and so on. This horrible event is eating away at my mental reserves... regret at being so cavalier about keeping those items in the house and anxiety at feeling violated. (They even took my ##%@&^% sex toys - ok, probably too much information but to give you a sense of the level of violation here).

All that to say....I fell down on the mental bit yesterday and on the weekend. But I did go for a walk even though I skipped yoga class. Today I climb back on the horse, draw my sword, and wage war against myself.

[paola]

go for it chaosgirl!!

[virgo]

So far, I realize how tough it is to cut back on the bad carbs. When I was pregnant and diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I had very little choice but to eat well right away. Now I remember how it took at least a week before I stopped craving sweet stuff, breads etc. I just have to be patient, and really give my body and mind time to adjust, and try not to give in!

As for living in the moment...Once in a while I actually remember I made this a goal, and I take the deep breath and focus for a while on the present. Then, I kind of forget again...Could be that the little 4 month old had me up all night make my head not right???!! And screw up my grammar.

[hedra]

@chaosgirl, I'm sorry. Very very sucky. Congratulations on pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, though. Rah!

For me, today not as good a start. Nasty sore throat and laryngitis (AGAIN), plus spent the morning prepping for the cleaning lady (aftereffects of clearing out one area of the house and moving things to a staging-for-pruning area, the kids found the stuff being staged and dove in to find 'new' stuff, which then created the 'too many things to put away' problem... sigh. BUT, they all made clear choices about what to keep out and what to put away, so I knew what I was pruning this morning.)

Therefore no blogging. And no exercise yesterday (feeling cruddy). Ah, well. Tomorrow! (Likely not today.)

[Amy]

So, I have every intention of participating in this challenge... but just can't find the time to write down what I am going to do! Hopefully, I'll get the chance later today.

[Amy]

Well, #3 is now happily playing on porch, so I shall steal a minute to get this all down:

Physical--Walk (for exercise, not stroll) at least 3 times a week, aim for 4.

Spiritual--Do something everyday that reminds me I am a good mother (I'm struggling with this right now b/c I feel that my mother is going out of her way to demonstrate to me that I am not a good mother... and I don't think she's doing this on purpose, but she and I don't see eye to eye on what constitutes helpful advice and what is just downright critical).

So, no exercise yet this week (am going to do that as soon as I finish typing this). As for the spiritual, on Monday I cooked a healthy meal with ground flax seed in it (that's part of my journey, to explore healthy food with my family); and yesterday I played Go Fish with #2 (now I realize that playing cards with a 6 yr old doesn't garner me the mother of the year award, but giving her some extra attention is also part of my journey b/c she's suffering from some serious middle child syndrome).

So, that catches me up...

[JB]

Again, veggies but no fruit. What's with that? I am heading over to the coffee shop right after this for an apple or an orange or something. It should be stupidly easy to get a fruit serving.

And I have time this morning to write to the first friend on my list. I'll let y'all know when I check in tomorrow!

[caramama]

1. I would say I had 3 servings of fruits and veggies yesterday.

2. Didn't get to temp, didn't find charting paper, but am paying attention to other body signals.

Thanks for the suggestions, but ovulation predictor kits never worked for me, even though I was sure I was ovulating. Plus, the charting of the cervical mucus and temps makes me feel more in touch with my body, and thus the spiritual aspect of getting ready to TTC and hopefully pregnancy. My only real issues are finding the paper (misplaced with other pre-pregnancy things during our last move) and the consistent temp. But I have always found my other body signs pretty reliable. Not that that was enough to get pregnant last time, but it helped me feel comfortable going to the fertility specialist.

pnuts mama - I'm sorry about the probation. Try not to take it too hard. It has got to feel sucky, but do the best you can moving on.

Chaosgirl - So sorry about your breakin! That happened to my husband's sister, and it is so hard.

Final note - I had a awful night last night trying to get the baby to sleep (hubby out of town). If anyone wants to, feel free to remind me that my 14 month old won't be traumatized for life by my yelling at her when I lost it. More than once. In the 3.5 hours it took to get her to sleep. And hubby won't be back till thursday.

[Jess]

pnuts mama: I'm sorry about the probabtion; I'm in a PhD program, too, so I know from school/baby stress. You'll get through it, but it sucks, I know!

chaosgirl: I'm sorry this happened to you... take a girl's jewelry, that's one thing...but the sex toys!? That's just wrong :-O

I actually got up at 5:15 this morning and did yoga for an hour! Yay!!!! Getting back into yoga has been really tough for me-- and I'm actually trained as a yoga teacher and practiced for 9 years pre-baby. Don't know why it's such a challenge, but it felt so good to get back on the mat this morning! This is maybe the 4th time in 13 months that I've done yoga... let's see if I can keep it up.

[Charisse]

Last nights leaves: heaps of rainbow chard. Yum.

Next book on tap, suggested by my english professor friend: Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold (well I asked her for fun, not literary deathlessness). Might start tomorrow.

@caramama, Pumpkin will be fine fine fine!! I've done it several times and I don't think Mouse even remembers--and she sure doesn't seem to fear it happening again.

@Jess, good for you! It totally is hard. I thought I'd be back to regular Primary Series practice by, you know, 3 months...well, Mouse is 4 *years* now and while I do practice and am probably physically capable of that series at this point, I haven't done it. I'm lucky if I get in an hour 2x/week. I had a great conversation with one of my favorite teachers a couple weeks ago where I said "My practice is a heap of rags...and it makes me happier than ever". Keep it up and let it hold you. :)

[lucybelle]

It took me until this morning to actually decide on my goals, although I have been more mindful of trying establish some better habits since the start of the week, including these:

Physical - drink 2 glasses of water every time Muggins goes down to sleep (2 naps and bedtime). I drank more water on Monday, and did this exactly yesterday, so I consider myself to be on track!

Spiritual - starting small... As an achievable means of better self-care (because I AM worth it...) I will put cream on my hands once every day. This is surprisingly hard with all the wet-hands-jobs that go with having a 9 month-old baby and preparing a house for sale. But once a day should be doable. When the dry, red, stinging hands are nice and soft, it will be a great reminder that there are loads of other ways I can take better care that don't take a ton of time or effort.

[hedra]

@pnuts mama, how did I miss the probation thing? My school didn't have a probation thing as a standard, it had to be initiated by the advisor. I was told flat out that she didn't think I COULD finish, and that she would not extend my deadline. Period. I got pissed off and finished really fast. THhhhbt. Hope you get the same mojo. (granted, mine was a master's, but it was still 152 pages of writing and maps).

@caramama, I'll tell you that if you'll tell me that hauling my screaming flailing 3 1/2 year old out of a store AND having a huge fight with the 6 year old at the same time will not scar them for life. (I found it was another of the 'expected at the wrong level of function, forgot to factor in reality to the expectations, then got upset when reality and my expectations clashed, dangit set myself up again!' things. Sigh.

[caramama]

@hedra - I did the same thing with dinner expectations last night! Why did I think it would be "fun" for the Pumpkin and I to go out to dinner together (just the two of us) and try her on Indian food? It was not a good idea at all. I ended up having to feed her other food when we got home. I only ate a few bites all night! I was nuts. I'm sure the kids will be fine. It will be us who are scarred for life!

[Melissa]

I joined the challenge late - after missing the first one -AND I think this is my first-ever post! So .... thanks for this, Moxie and Moxites. I really really really need it. Anyway, I have had a hard time settling on just two things, which is a symptom of the chaos I'm dealing with right now. I feel like 'everything' in my life is a bit broken or off, and I want to get in there and fix it all at once, which is obviously not possible. So for me, part of stepping up to the challenge is zeroing in on two top areas to work on right now.

This is what I've come up with:

1) Exercise or yoga three times a week. I quit smoking three months ago, after 20 years of cigarettes, and I now have at least 12 extra pounds to show for it, maybe more. I'm also squeezing in a 1b here: Take my damn vitamins!

2) Personal, off-the-computer writing and/or reading every day for as long as possible. I have several projects I'm trying to work on (poetry, fiction ideas, studying for the GRE English subject test in preparation for entering a PhD program in 2009), but all this internet surfing expands to fill whatever available time I have. It has to stop!!! So really, No. 2 of the challenge is making the decision to close the computer, turn off the TV and the iPod and all that ... and buckle down toward establishing some sort of daily work routine. It doesn't help that my paid work is all done on the computer and involves constant, ongoing Web research. What I realize I need to do is set up solid walls between that and my own personal projects ... otherwise it all just devolves into mindless reading of blogs, magazines, newspapers, curiosities, etc.

OK, nothing to, um, report since I'm just starting today.

[Moxie]

Have worn retainer three nights in a row. Yay!

Have written both nights. The first night I just made a to-do list, but at least it was personal. Last night I made a whiny screed. But at least it was personal.

[Jess]

Thanks for your comment, Charrisse :-)

[Natalie]

On Monday I got some piano time, and last night I started to get reacquainted with my lovely guitar. Ahhhhhh. I'm not going to beat myself up over all the months I've let my guitar languish in the corner, but it sure is nice to play again - and a good reminder of why I love playing.

The exercise thing is a little harder to start.