Off to a great start by getting up early and having a shake before my HIIT ubwo. Today I'll restock the pantry and get some healthy stuff on the ready.

I took the stats and will post them along with photos. As expected, I did gain some weight after the road trip to NC. I'm at 313.4.

Glad to see everyone joining the spring challenge ! John

Overall Notes: On Tuesday evenings in odd numbered months (like March), I teach a class at the law firm where I formerly was an employee, so my evening today has been spoken for. This evening also begins a long period of "geographic bachelorhood" for me. My sweetie is going to my daughter-in-law's house to watch the kids for the next three days. She'll return home late on Thursday evening just to sleep the night and pick up her pre-packed suitcase because on Friday morning she's heading for Alabama. My daughter-in-law and her two kids are also going. In Alabama, my daughter's due date for her baby number five (our grandchild number ten) is fast approaching, and grandma wants to be there for the grand unveiling and to help ride herd on the other four kids while my daughter recovers & strengthens. So, counting the local babysitting, she-who-must-be-obeyed will be out of town for over two weeks. There is some question about whether I will actually starve to death during that period, but I think I still have enough body fat to carry me through after that big pot of chili is used up.

Yesterday, I started the "big transplanting" of shrubs & plants from the old house to the new one. Now THAT'S a lot of work. My goal for this week is to complete the landscaping and preparing the garden (seeds ought to go in the ground in mid-March). I'd like to have the rest of the remodeling and re-organizing done on the house by the time my wife returns (nice surprise for her, huh?), but that may be a little too ambitious to hope that EVERYTHING will be done.

In the meantime, Bill Phillips has started another 18-week Challenge on Transformation.com and being on my own for a couple of weeks sounds like the perfect time for me to kick-start another transformation challenge. Let's see if I can get to my goal weight & size, and get to my goal distance for running in the next three months.

I'm a big believer in using visualizations as part of motivation. [You know, a photo of something that motivates you stuck in a prominent place.] Last year, when I decided to get off the couch and start running, I found a photo online that depicts a guy running in a Florida forest, and I've been using that as one of my motivation visualizations - it is the wallpaper on my computer, for instance. At that time, I was living in the city and my choices for running were, "concrete or asphalt?". Who knew at that time that I would be moving across the road from a State Forest with miles and miles of logging roads and hiking trails? Below is the visualization and the reality. Sometimes, visualizations can actually be prophecies. By the way, the photos also illustrate the difference between running on a logging road and on a trail. My running partner in the pics is Diesel D Dawgg - my "personal trainer."

Did I stick to the food & exercise plan yesterday?? Yes

Today’s Exercise: Stretching/Core strengthening routine; 15 min. warm-up on the elliptical machine; WBWO (Whole Body WorkOut) in the home gym
Countdown: 11 days until the ”Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve” 10K trail run in S. Ponte Vedra Beach

Today’s Food Plan: Wheat-free & Low Glycemic Index

M1 (B’fast): Sausage patties and Scrambled eggs
M2 (Lunch): Leftover spaghetti squash from last night
M3 (Midmeal): Protein shake & a piece of fruit
M4 (Dinner): Personal Chef (aka, spouse) has not yet determined / revealed this.
M5 (Dessert/Snack): Protein shake; fruit & heaping tablespoon of natural almond butter

Tom

T3W10D3
Tom, thanks for those pictures! I visited my mother in law in Melbourne a few years ago and remember jungle like conditions. You really had a tough job! I agree that visualization is powerful. You've got what it takes to manifest that vision!

Thia, great news. Congratulations.

Naomi, basketball? AWESOME!

John, welcome home

Hal, one day at a time!

Reducing my coffee intake was helpful at work. I don't need to put fires out with gasoline. Took it easy yesterday with bike commute, core exercises [following Tom's lead] and stretching. I got home late from work and had a bowl of ice cream which turned into 3 bowls. My blood chemistry was recently measured at work and there was a back slide in addition to blood pressure increase. My total cholesterol was 235 with HDL of 60. My triglycerides were in the 70's [pretty good]. My fasting glucose was in the 90's [good]. When I followed up with my doctor my blood pressure read 130/90 as opposed to 170/80 2weeks before. Obviously the total cholesterol and blood pressure are a concern. I believe that I increased my cholesterol from 185 last year to 235 this year by melting cheese on my meals. That will end. As far as blood pressure is concerned, I may have to go on some medicine. I'm following up with my doctor. Ironic that I'll be following up with my doctor about heart disease after completing a marathon. So the "piejacking" behavior is not a joke. I'm clogging my arteries. But like an addict, I still do it.

1. Planned meals and workouts
M1: Cherrios, Coffee, Water
M2: Veggie Barley Beef Stirfry + Water/Tea
M3: Smoothie, Water, Tea
M4: Turkey Sandwich, Water, Tea
M5: Oatmeal, Water, Tea, Smoothie
M6: Stirfry, Water
Workout: Run 4 miles; Ballet; Bike Commute; Core workout & stretching

2. Daily Gratitudes: Less scattered during morning meditation. I could visualize where I want to be

3. Actions to move us forward: acknowledge that I'm a binge eater of junk and avoid that first bite. De-stress myself appropriately by reaching out to others.

5. Finding the lessons in our life situations: Appreciating the bittersweet nature of life

6. Lifting another person up: Enter workouts in Plus 3 Network; Payroll and eScript for local charities

7. Progress over Perfection: I binged last night. Otherwise I was on plan nutritionally. No more ice cream purchases for the foreseeable future.

Hill for Bill & Clarissa: Looking forward to going back to the Sierras this August! The peak behind us is 13000 ft Mt Brewer

Have a great day,

Roger

Happy Tuesday Team!

I've just finished a healthy breakfast and am getting ready to start my HIIT on the elliptical. I'm tired again today. I think it's the combination of tough workouts and tough emotions. I'm planning on going to a 12 step class at noon. I think taking a step forward will help calm me.

It's day 58 of my first 2012 challenge. I kept my commitments yesterday. I exercised, I logged my food and exercise, and I posted to T.com. I made a couple of bad eating choices yesterday, but for the most part I'm back on the straight and narrow path. Looking to build on yesterday's success by eliminating refined carbs today.

I'm excited to see everyone getting off to a great start on the Spring Challenge! Bill has said that posting pictures is key to starting right and the Steppers are off on the right foot!

Thia, congratulations on the new job!

Roger, you'll get those numbers down! Awesome pictures Dude!

Take care everyone.

Hal

Will have my before photos for the spring forward challenge hopefully up by tonight I'm on week 10 also and step 10 sorta depressed I got sick Sunday night and missed my workout on Monday and didn't eat like usual feeling glum hoprfully after my workout today and eating better I will feel better

Hey everyone! I've started the day off right with a good attitude, proper nutrition, and well, no exercise yet, but I got some new videos in the mail to supplement my running training. I'm really excited to have some new and different to keep me energized and moving forward, while still taking time to run because I do like that a lot too. Anyway, I'm off on a trip to Madison with my kiddos. I was kind-of dreading it last night, but today I'm thinking that I'll just make the most of it- you know- jam to music in the car and really listen to what they're saying even if they are interrupting Hannah's session. They are kids; they are happy, alive, full of energy and spirit, and who am I to take that away from them? Yes, they need to be disciplined to a point, but I don't have to be a dictator-mom. So anyway, today the plan is to stick to the plan since I actually have one! Looks like I might be going for a late-night run, though. I forgot hubby has a presentation later tonight. Oh, and I didn't get a chance to have him take my before photos last night 'cause my group ran late (it was awesome, though), and he was in bed before I got home. I used to do it myself and just use the timer, but that camera fell and broke and the other one doesn't sit upright by itself. So... hopefully get it done tonight! K... off to enjoy the day! Have a good one everyone!

Happy Tuesday! Today is my slow day this week with only one appointment, my physical therapy. I got my photos taken last night, weight measured yesterday AM and on Thursday I will do a fitness profile at the gym. It will measures lots of fitness indicators and then give me an overall fitness score. Once I get it I will make some additional goals for increasing my strength and reducing my body fat %.

Today I am grateful for the energy in this group, my family, the blue sky, technology and finger paintings.

Today's exercise: HIIT on elliptical (done) and some abs tonight
Todays food:
M1 RL shake and coffee
M2 one boiled egg, apple, tea
M3 nutrition bar
M4 RL shake made w/coffee (tastes like a cafe mocha!)
M5 grilled steak & veggies

Hope everyone is having a wonderful and inspired day!

Today is the first day I am back to my regular schedule at work. So it starts with spring breakers blooming and then the tourists looking for fun in the sun.

I did my LBWO this morning and will pack my meals for work in a few minutes. Tomorrow will be a 5/25 Cardio after work.

Thia: I'm jealous. I don't have a massage chair at work. Congrats on the job and good luck with the gym.

I hope everyone has a great day. Lori

Hope everyone is rockin' this TUESDAY. It's DAY 2 for all of us in the SPRING FORWARD challenge! Make excellent choices through out the day. And if one of your tires gets punched flat, REINFLATE it! Don't punch out the other tires.


Meals today:
M1 - RightLight
M2 - RightLight
M3 - Nutrition shake
M4 - RightLight
M5 - Lean steak, green beans, potato, salad
M6 - Nutrition shake





.

Thank you Jon. Good Video.. inspiring.

Thia..WOW awesome news about the job!

May Ann..template for meals? that is a very good idea. Your husband helps with the shopping? My husband is so much better at shopping than me..but he does not read labels and then I can't eat most of the things he brings home. I found out this week that for $15 our local mom and pop grocery will deliver. I can make a list and they will bring it to my door... Something to consider. I can shop with out "seeing" things I do not want to buy.

Naomi. I love that you posted your goals

Hal..proud of your commitment.

Roger, High glycemic carbs and sugar raise my blood pressure. They make me retain water. When I stick to lower glycemic carbs, my blood pressure stays down. I hate the meds..It is what motivates me to keep the ice cream out of my house.

Tom, you amaze me with your gardening skills and your remodeling plans. I have that same drive around my house. My second son is that way too. Your visualization pictures are very cool. So much so that I am pondering what I can use for my own.

John, cool that you are restocking. I bought food yesterday. I made turkey meatloaf in muffin tins, so I can have portions to store in the fridge. I also bought fresh chicken and sliced it into strips, cooked them with some seasoning and stored them in containers. No excuses that way. I always have something quick to add to salads.

lana, Lori, Terra,jenn,..It is encouraging to see so many starting this challenge together.

My eyes are so bloodshot. I look like a vampire..red rims,Redblood vessels showing in the white of my eyes. I horrify myself by looking in the mirror. I woke up at 10 am today. Still sick. I hope to work tomorrow. I only work two days a week. It is 57* out now. Up from 32 this morning. I was going try do a HIIT session today in the basement...Instead since it is unseasonably warm, I am going to walk outside on a trail in the sun. We rarely have sun here being south east of Lake Michigan. We get a lot of Lake effect clouds and snow.

Hi everyone. Hope your day is going well. Day 2 has gone way better than Day 1. I planned my meals the night before so that I didn't have to flounder around about what to eat(and end up with a migraine.) Getting ready to do one of the workouts listed on here for the first time. I don't have to work tomorrow, so I am going to the beach to walk. Want to get to the point where I am running the whole time...but baby steps first!

Got three miles in on a 60* day..brisk wind.SUNNY!!! After the first mile, I found the restroom was closed at the park ...still... I made it around two more times..praying I would not sneeze.

fuel:
water:
2 turkey meatballs, coffee
two turkey meatballs, broccoli
I probably will have something else later, I do not have much of an appetite

Got my Heart pumping this morning . Got in a 25 min HIIT air bike ride . And my eating is right on . The spring forward challenge is of to a very good start . My energy is up and I'm feeling so good . Phillip

To live your life without expectation, without

the need for specific results, that is freedom.

Neale Donald Walsch

________________________________________

Evening Team. Hope everyone had a great day. I got my 5/25 lower body in.....will be cardio tomorrow next week I'll switch over to Bill's 5/25 schedule and print it out that he posted on Transformation Facebook. Its great!

On my way for a hot bath, hot cup of tea, some meditation and reading then nighty night!

Here is my plan for day 3!

MEALS
M1 Powershake
M2 eggs and oranges
M3 turkey breast with pineapple pieces
M4 apple and nutbutter
M5 fish, potatoes, steamed veggies
M6 shake
WORKOUT
5/25 cardio HIIT

GRATITUDES
My health
Friends
Family

TODAY'S INSPIRATION

I am having kidney pain today. I did a lot of spring cleaning for my exercise. I stuck to my diet today. I feel on track but I hope to be feeling better tomorrow. Got my pictures on my profile page yesterday.

G'night everybody!

So, today I decided that even though I didn't start the challenge on Monday, that I am going to start the challenge a day late instead of next Monday. My reasoning: as I thought about it, I will feel more connected to the group if I am on the same steps and connection to the group makes a HUGE difference in my ability to stay on track. So, today is Day 2! I'll get the pics posted probably in the morning.

Today's Nutrition (or lack thereof!)
M1 - ezekiel 4:9 w/ almond milk
M2 - multigrain bagel w/ reduced fat cream cheese, nonfat latte.
M3 - 2 cookies, an apple
M4 - omelette
M5 - protein shake

Exercise: rest

Gratitude: For sunshine in March (never happens in Seattle!)

Here's to a new day tomorrow!

shannon

Good Evening Everyone,
Thought I would touch base tonight! I have to be gone by 8:15 tomorrow and I want to get my UBWO (love using the initials) done or I won't do it! I am doing a food handling course from 8:30 until 4:30 I have been handling food for almost 62 years and have survived so far. Guess I will find out how lucky I have been!
Had a lazy day around the house but I did CLEAN THE FREEZER!! Yahoo!! Well, my husband and I did, he is 6'2" so his arms can come in handy. There was starting to be more ice than food! A friend dropped in for coffee and a cosmic cookie, she 's getting hooked!
Everyone seems to be doing so well! Boop, hope you are feeling better. I do love to hear about people out in the warm weather doing warm weather stuff. can you tell that I have had it with winter!! Suppose to be melting the rest of week
To you all, I really enjoy reading about what is happenin'!
I felt like writing some random thoughts in my blog this morning if anyone is interested. Me, blogging, who would have thought!!! What fun!

Fuel
M1 oatmeal, granola
M2 cosmic cookie
M3 EFL chili, coming home for lunch
M4 cottage cheese, fruit
M5 baked haddock, brown rice, veggies
M6 yogurt, granola

Goals
1. exercise,
2. get through the course, there's a test
3. rehearsal

Inch by inch!!
Nancy
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Last day of work for 12 days and I needed the break. Almost finished packing and will have everything set by the door within the hour. We'll spend a day in Toronto and then off to Punta Cana.

M1 Banana/Mango/PB shake with a bit of yogurt and ground ice - Sounds odd but tastes great
M2 Bran muffin, 4 squares dark chocolate
M3 Chocolate Shake
M4 Client dropped of a donut after I helped her out and ... waited around 'til I ate it. Hopefully won't happen again.
M5 Thai Coconut soup with extra Curry and some shrimp
M6 An Apple and an Oh Yeah bar (15P 9C)
- 50 minute UBWO

Hang in everyone and I'll post if they have wireless.

Hello team,

The challenge has begun the seeds of victory have been planted and now all we have to do is water them and watch em sprout. Each healthy meal and each intense training session gets us closer to our destination. May we continue to advance in the right direction.

train safe all and fuel for power

Hi Fellow Transformers!

It's nice to be back reading through all your posts and seeing alot of friendly and familiar faces when I first started Transformation Jan of 2011. I miss the positive energy and vibe of such a warm and welcoming community. Thanks so much for sharing and the daily inspiration. So today, I am grateful to be participating in this challenge with all of you!

Completed my Cardio 5/25 - it's been over a month since I worked out right before we left for a family reunion and vacation to the Philippines. Prior to that I maybe worked out 4 times in January...I was definitely on a downward slope. I felt so GOOD after my run on the treadmill today. WIN!

Eating was on track - WIN!
M1: EFL Eggcellent tacos
M2: Siiced lowfat cheese & small apple
M3: Righlight Shake
M4: Cottage Cheese & cutie
M5: Ground Turkey tacos
M6: Protein shake
32 oz water

Will up my water intake to 64 oz tomorrow...

Have a good night!

Cheers,
Mare