Saturday, March 10, 2012

2 things that might help...


This is a FAT Quarter.  All the sewing and quilting readers will
know what this is.  But, I thought I would use this illustration for
those who might be reading and not know.


AND???? ...you are saying...
What the heck-i-tations do these pictures have to do with
ANYthing??

Well... these are two things that have helped me, tremendously,
to stay on track with my weightloss and desire to be more healthy.


The First thing  that has helped me, was to use a... Fat Quarter.
So, how does a Fat Quarter help me on my weightloss/health journey?
Here's how it works.
One of my good friends and I keep track of our individual weightloss
each week.  We weigh in first thing Saturday mornings.  It's not
to know each others weight...but, we do compare losses and gains
(down to the 10th on the scale).  Based upon what we did the previous
 week we will owe a fat quarter, or we will win a fat quarter.  
 Example:

If, I am down 1 pound from the week before - yet, my friend is down
 1.4 lbs, from her previous week...then, I OWE her a fat quarter.
OR,
I could be up 1 pound from the previous week, but if she is up more
than a pound, she would OWE me a fat quarter.  We aren't competing
with our actual weight.  Instead, we compete with our progress or lack
of it. We are, in a way, competing with ourselves...

The Second thing -that helped me,
 A month or so ago, I was having a hard time making a commitment to 
 6 days a week on the treadmill.  I was dragging the old tush on the
treddz for a few days each week.  But, I could NOT get motivated to do
the 6 days straight.  Oh...you betcha ...I had some really good excuses!
After talking with another friend on the phone one day and complaining
about my lack of treadmill motivation...I made a deal to pay her
...  $2 for any week that I didn't get on for 6 days straight.
 I didn't commit to how long...just getting on the treadmill - even 5 minutes
...would thwart my having to pay the $2.  IT WORKED!!
yep...this is me! 
I'm sooo grateful for those good friends that are willing to hold
the carrot out there.

Maybe YOU have some creative ideas for a "carrot" that motivates you?
  It doesn't have to be expensive or big. 
 But, something that I've found (for me), is that it really doesn't work
 unless someone ELSE is holding that "carrot".  If, it's me that rewards
myself...or "charges" myself..., well, it's just not enough motivation.

What are YOUR thoughts about being accountable to someone else?
VS.
being accountable to just yourself?

=====================================================

My "Starbuck" version of  ...Cafe Mocha



(I know...there's no whipped cream or marshmellows.  But, it's still good.)

Premier Protein Drink (chocolate) 11oz (at Costco)
Wal-mart's instant Arabica coffee

1 1/4 cup of hot water
1 tablespoon of instant coffee
4 oz (approx) of protein drink
 (50 calories, 10gr protein...and many other vitamins)
This drink last me about half the morning...
You could add less coffee or decaffeinated.  And, if,
you like a more chocolat-eee taste...add more protein drink.

================================================
 ~~ Ruby's Report ~~

Treadmill - 6 days, with one day of 3 miles...more days with at least 2.5 miles
                  Still working on going farther and at an incline.


Food - I didn't do as well with  veggies/fruits as I would've liked.  But, I'm going
            to work harder this coming week.  I didn't write down...will recommit to
            this for next week.

Weight(loss?) - down 2 pounds....this was a HUGE boulder to get over.  I
            hope that I don't have to go over it again.  I broke a number on the scale that
            I haven't seen for quite a few years.  I NEED to hold ON!



==================================

We'd LUV to hear how YOU did with your goals for
this last week.  Or maybe, you'd share some new ones
that you have for this coming week? 
Remember...
"...even a half step forward, is better than standing still"

12 comments:

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

Those are some great ideas! I basically told myself that I would walk every single day and that I have no excuse not to. I haven't gone every single day (I have a baby, so sometimes it's a little too cold for her), but I go every single day that's nice. So far I'm down a pants size, and next weekend I am going shopping for some new (smaller sized) clothes! That will be my reward, especially since it's starting to get warm finally.

Jennie P. said...

That is such a cool idea about the fat quarters. Talk about incentive!!

Anonymous said...

some great ideas there,i wish you well on your journey.xx

Needled Mom said...

That is great incentive!!

KatieQ said...

I think it's great that you have a friend to help you keep to your regiment. Congratulations on shedding some pounds. I was not as successful this week as I hoped. I only exercised twice, but I did manage to get in a 3.5 mile walk. No pounds shed, but no gain.
My goal for next week is to get back on track and exercise 4 times and get back to drinking 64 ounces of water every day.

Char said...

I think it's great to have a friend, because I can't do it alone. I haven't even been able to get started. It's really depressing. My DH suggested I go bike riding with my DD while she's home on spring break. I don't even have the energy to ride to the corner.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I think a friend to help with the incentive is a wonderful Idea. If I can't walk outside, I do my laps around the inside of this huge house - my grandsons joined me today - one pushing a truck and the other his little lawnmower - we were a scene for sure.

regan said...

I need to commit to writing everything down again. I didn't keep my journal last week, and even though I did lose again, I know I will be slowing it all down if I don't keep track. That's a must for me, cuz I will snack away, if I don't think it's going to 'count'!

Thanks for the great incentives....the fat quarters would work for me!.....I just wish I had a friend who was willing to do this with me. I know it would make it just a smidge easier..... and every smidge helps!

Maybe I'll turn it into "for every pound of fat I lose, I get to buy a fat quarter!" Hmmmmmm! That just might work! Yay!

Anonymous said...

I'm seeing a number I haven't seen in about a year, and that makes me happy. Now to drop it down to one I haven't seen in five years!

I've tried both ways, and for me, it works better to be accountable to myself. I completely understand how the other can be successful, too, though.

Pattilou said...

GOOD for YOU!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I exercised this week. I hauled 3 hand crank sewing machines and 4 treadles to my guilds quilt show (packing/loading/unloading/unpacking) then did the same thing in reverse late this afternoon. Cast iron machines weigh a ton! Not to mention all the other things I had to take.

Miss Hillbilly said...

You've got some good motivational ideas there!