Motivational Monday

I NEED to get motivated this Monday. My poor MFP ticker. Now I'm sure most people aren't updating their weight at MFP every single day. But my Aria scale connects wirelessly, so my daily weigh-in results in daily changes. I rejoiced when I was finally able to shift the scale (Weigh-In #12) and my MFP ticker.  My MFP ticker is back to 23 pounds lost ... that's where I was stuck for all of September.

It was a bad weekend. Friday was actually a great day, but Saturday was very busy. I went to three of the kids games (one soccer, two basketball) and even though I did end up having some time in the evening, I didn't get much exercise in. Yesterday ... nada. I can't remember the last time I actually took a complete "rest" day. I almost always get in at least a 20 min session on the elliptical, just to get my Fitbit activity graph into perspective.  Yesterday was filled with family and food ... and a nap! I was so sleepy. I laid down and was out cold for two hours! My total burn from Fitbit usually tops 3000 ... yesterday, I didn't even hit 1800. The 3000 DID show up, in my calorie intake. Oops!

So hopefully this bump up can be quickly corrected ... but do you ever get discouraged looking forward? It's just a three day "normal" week coming up. The kids are out Thurs/Fri for Fall Break and we're probably going on a little family vacation. Vacations are not good for the eating/exercise. I don't know that I'd even be able to weigh in (I don't think I'd take my scale with me) which would be a first in months. 

I'm not quite out of the "overweight" category, but I have been feeling better about myself with the amount I've lost thus far. I actually wanted to get a new family picture yesterday, because I felt pretty (it was a little too crazy though, we didn't get a picture in). I can't let myself stop though ... must keep going! I had my rest day yesterday, so it's time to get back at it.  Even if I have a challenging week ahead. Gotta keep plugging away!

Does knowing you have challenges coming up make you more motivated to do good while you can? Or does it discourage you and make you want to give up?

Linking up with Motivational Monday  ... check it out to find other bloggers and their motivation. Share yours!

Wendy @ Daily Dose of Del Signore

Veronica @ V Watts' Thoughts Morgan @ Fat to Fit Confessions Tiff @ The Fit Train Katie @ The Carb Monster Alisha @ Coily Locks

Try (Motivational Monday)

I'm so glad I had some noticeable results right off the bat when I first started counting calories and actively setting goals to lose some weight. It was motivation to keep going. Then for a bit there last month, the scale seemed to stall. Yes, there were some Chocolate Mint Brownies that could perhaps take some of the blame. I had some eating days that were not great, I had some exercise days that were not great ... but I was trying every day. The progress has been slow, but I think I am still heading in the right direction. I am conscious of the choices I'm making and I am NOT giving up. Every. Single. Day.

I did have a slight shift in the scale this past week (Weigh-In #12) and that does help reinvigorate me. Ok ... I'll admit over the weekend Saturday was BaD, with a capital B and a capital D. We stopped for donuts after the boy's basketball game. I have no self-control. If donuts are in the house, I will eat donuts. And these donuts are big donuts (Dunford Bakers). They even have the "nutritional" information online ... so I know just how many, many calories I just consumed. Then hubby suggested going to a movie. I know we don't HAVE to get popcorn, but I seriously feel like something is missing if we don't. At least we didn't get a refill! So Saturday ... Saturday wasn't great. But I wasn't really considering it a mistake or a slip. I wasn't consciously calling it a cheat day. I did just decide to celebrate Saturday. We hadn't done donuts or gone to a movie in quite a while.

I managed to keep Friday on track, and Sunday actually wasn't bad, so I didn't blow the whole weekend. I'm always ready to get back to the routine Monday morning. I know some people loathe Mondays. I am not one of them. Mondays-Thursdays are SO much easier than the weekend.

It is a busy week coming up ... basketball almost every day. An orthodontist appointment (#2 is SO excited to get his braces off), I'm helping out with a field trip, PT Conferences. Hubby has two derbies. It's TOM too. It might be hard to get to goal many days, but I'll do my best.

Exercise Goals for October ...

I started Ripped in 30 last week. I got (not quite) two days in. I'm actually not planning on doing it 5 days a week like I did 30DS. I have MY weight workout that I like, so I'm going to stick with in on Mondays. Then I'll do Ripped Wed/Fri (that's that plan anyway). I want to get in my 100minElliptical at least five days a week. I want to get in my mile jog at least three days a week, with a longer treadmill time at least once. I haven't been good at getting back on the bike ... I'd like to get in at least two bike sessions per week (I NEED to catch up on my reading!).

Eating Goals for October ...

Ah eating. Exercise is easy, it's the eating.  My "goal" is to stay under 2000, and I so rarely do that. I think I'll make a "Streaks Calendar" to track the days I'm successful, and see if that motivates me to keep calories under control.  Also a goal to eat at least one fruit or veggie a day ... I know some of you gasp to think THAT is a goal, but it is so hard for me to do!  I'm so picky (Eating Issues) that my options are quite limited, but I know I need to do better.

Have you set goals for October?

Do you like or loathe Mondays?

Linking up with Motivational Monday  ... check it out to find other bloggers and their motivation. Share yours!

Wendy @ Daily Dose of Del Signore Veronica @ V Watts' Thoughts Morgan @ Fat to Fit Confessions Tiff @ The Fit Train Katie @ The Carb Monster Alisha @ Coily Locks

I enjoy Link Ups and I've started my own. Spotlight Saturday. If you have a post where you recommend an article, book, DVD, video, or another blog post ... come link up (older posts are fine, give them a second chance in the spotlight).  The link up is still open and I'll post each Saturday. It keeps me motivated to get through my magazines and to browse other blogs to find something to share. 

Motivational Monday - Control

When I first lost weight several years ago, it felt great. Feeling fit and looking good was a wonderful change. But even more than that, there was a new confidence, feeling in control. Up to that point, I didn't really think I had what it takes in me to be able to lose weight.  Since then, as the weight has crept back on ... I still knew I had the ability, I just needed to take control. I was a little frustrated that my exercise didn't seem to be enough - I needed to watch the eating as well. Until I did that, I could not complain. Once I committed to counting calories, it has been gratifying to see the changes. I don't know that the eating will ever be easy, or become second nature as exercise has ... but it's nice to feel in control again.

Motivational Monday - Direction

... this coming week will be a bit of a challenge, lots going on, busy busy!. Maybe more maintenance. The scale went up slightly over the weekend. Nothing huge, not really surprising, but up nonetheless. My MFP tracker DOES shift and show the change... no longer showing my 15 pound loss. I hate when it goes backward, but it's a good reminder that it is a constant battle. You can not stop.

Today is my anniversary (which I'm thinking will include going out to dinner), getting together with some friends in from out of town (which will affect exercise/eating) and a holiday (here in Utah anyway), where I'll likely get NO exercise in. It's a bit ironic how good days with family and friends very often mean bad eating/exercise days. But even with all this, I'm not discouraged or down. I feel I have made a change. I've changed direction. Just being aware of what I'm eating. Taking the time to log it. Watching the numbers, even if they aren't exactly where I want them to be. It's slow going, and I'm not going to get to my goal weight quickly, but at least I'm on my way. I really love this quote ... it's my motivation this Monday.