got home from work tonight, and husband says, "Ok, let's clean out the cupboards!"  We spent an hour throwing all the bad stuff!!  Our cupboards have NEVER looked like this.  I thought I could only have cupboards look like this if i were single!

Some of the food is going in the basement in tight containers, only to be looked at on free day.  but anything that had white refined bread stuff is garbage!  I cannot beleive he did this!!  This is huge for him!!!  

the Jack Rack is almost definitely a no-go.  We're going to some used stores soon as we have a day off together.  I hope all the good stuff's not gone from all the rest of the New Year bandwagon people that only use that time of year to get in shape.  bad timing on our part I guess.  I'm a little worried 'cuz I know him when he gets into a new interest.  He thinks he needs to buy every single piece of equipment b4 he will start.  He wants medicine balls, kettleballs, etc.  He saw a picture of a guy put a medicine ball between his elevated legs and do crunches.  I said, yeh, you can do the same with the stability ball we have.  But since he didn't see that 'listed or pictured' in this bible of his, he thinks I'm lying or something.  Ugh!  Anyway, this is all around a good thing.  He looked at "10-min. Workout" by the same guy who invented P90X, but thankfully came to realize it looks like a ripoff b4 he ordered it.  So instead he found more books and DVD's by Men's Health magazine that he mght get instead for the same price.

We even ate the same supper tonight!!!!!!  I'm always making he and I completely different meals, and this time I just made enough for 2 and it made things so much simpler!  Although he really has a taste for salt.  And while I was enjoying mine, he said his was so bland, that he didn't finish it :(  hopefully he can outlast his salt addiction and get used to it.

This is gonna feel so weird, 'cuz b4, if I ran out of my food b4 I could buy groceries, it was my problem and I'd deal.  But now I need to buy double.. it's just gonna take me awhile to get in this new routine and making his lunches for work different.

Congrats on your clean cupboards and your husbands interest in getting healthier. I saw an ad for that JackRack finally....made me think of you...probably a good thing he lost interest in that cuz it looks like one of those things I would do for two or three days, get discouraged and chuck it in the garage. I wish you both the best!

I have noticed it seems much more expensive to eat healthier. I have gotten to where I buy large quantity of chicken or whatever when it is on sell. Then freeze it to prepare at later date. Then bulk (costco is my friend) stir fry vegies...brown rice...mmmmm yummmy & very satisfying, my husband enjoys it. But we rely alot on the RTD & protein bars, especially when at work or away from the house, for their convenience too. But man they are expensive.

I've started buying the plain greek yogurt & frozen berries or other fruit. The Chobani yogurt has 23 grams protein & only 9 carbs in it for $5 & lasts about week.  Then I thaw some berries, add splenda & have a great snack and very fulfilling. I use it in smoothies sometimes too:-) I'm still a fan of cottage cheese also, low-fat large tubs last about a week for $6 with some sliced tomatoes is great.

Heading to the gym in a couple hours for LBW. Feeling good, more energy and get to try that new phone app...see how well it works to keep track of my workouts. I didn't realize what jefit was until after I downloaded the app, then went online to their website. I'm only going to use the app for tracking and different exercises to break up my routine. If anyone else wants to try it too & we can swap ideas???

I'm looking forward to working out alone...that is one thing I miss...plz don't get me wrong, I love and appreciate all the support I get from my family....it's just that the gym used to be MY thing, my unwind, de-stress time....and I kinda miss it at times. So due to different work schedules, today I will go alone:)

Opti you are way nicer wife than I am...I only prepare one meal...if he doesn't like it he doesn't have to eat it...not like it is going to hurt them or anything. If I'm the one cooking & preparing the meal....they eat what I cook:-)    Is that mean of me? but when I make meals, I just pull mine from what I prepare if I have to. Way too much work to prepare seperately. You are way too nice!!! ;) (Course he packs his own lunch too).

On my free days I let him pick whatever he wants and I make it for him then too. He has a huge sweet tooth which he has tuned down alot of me. He doesn't bring candy & ice cream home anymore like he used to. WOW he is making alot of sacrifices for me...how sweet! I'm lucky to have him & my boys' support. Need to plan something special for them huh? any suggestions???

D

Hope all is well with everyone, keep focused!!!  Sugar cookies almost made be break my cool this weeked lol... mom in law took them and then was going to bring them for my cheat day, and then she forgot about me :(  Told me she would bring them Monday... and I was like NO!  DON'T do that. Wife didn't understand what my deal was lol...

I read your posts and do feel for you guys.  I too have my issues, but putting ourselves first for this time is so important.  Once we get are arms around the situation, then we can expand our boundaries.  I do thank my wife for my space and allowing me to focus, because she has sacraficed I feel with my success so far.  However, I'll be doing the same as she just went back today to the gym  She's seen my progress and wants to give BFL a shot.

I've been getting a blog together to keep my online journal of my progress, so excited!

I almost forgot, D, that program JEFIT  is the one I use, it's AWESOME!!!!

Flatliner, I got to use that app for the first time monday night...I'm still getting used to it but I think it will be a great substitute for the old pen and paper! I especially like the timer on it for when I'm not wearing my watch.

Boy the temptations at work this week are everywhere I turn around. People bringing in homemade candy, cookie, cakes, popcorn etc geeezzzzzzzzzz I can't wait for the holidays to be over so all the sugar and fat will go with it! I'm trying to wait and have Christmas day by my free day of course, hopefully I can hold strong

Be Strong...mind body soul!!!

My step daughter is flying in from Ca for the weekend. She has brittle bone disease...3'2" 75lbs, wheelchair bound...she's 24 today, Happy Bday Taisha!! Out of all the kids so far (her and the 2 boys) she is making me grow old loooonnnnnggggg before my time! She gets herself into some pretty ummm let's just say...some pretty bad situations:( The lifestyle path she has chosen is not the most respectable and stable. But she will not listen to anyone. She is "free, white & 21" like that gives her the lisence to trash her life! My husband & I tried to help her get back on the right track, moved her in with us, got her enrolled in college, try to get some stability into her life...but she got herself into a situation that would have been lifethreatening for her if it wasn't.............anyway that was 2 years ago...she stresses me out so bad....she's a partier, drinking smoking, drugs etc all the time & I won't allow it in my home...so I am so stressed about her coming I don't know what to do. I don't want to upset my husband but I won't have that stuff in my house...no smoking in the house, no drugs anywhere NEAR my house, and occasional  social drink....she never respects my wishes. Her other grandma is out of town or she could just stay there. So my dear friends and support system please wish me luck & keep me strong...I want to just get through the holidays!

dmrn--ooh, good luck with taisha!  And yes, I'm 'whipped'.  I've always been a 'pleaser'.  But making seperate meals for my husband was usually pretty easy, 'cuz he only liked convenience food like ramen, chicken nuggets thrown in the oven, or a can of Chef Boyardee.  It was much easier than cooking my own meals.  I used to eat what HE was having, just 'cuz it was so easy.  Now I can grab one of my frozen portioned meals from the freezer, so easy.

Lots of stress with work this week.  And my routine is so thrown off, I'm letting it get to me.. Eating each day has been 80/20 in the not so healthy dept.  Tomorrow I'm making my xmas treats.  This weekend I'm passing it around and then it will be gone.  Next week is pot luck all week at work.

I feel some wheezing coming on and I'm behind in sleep.  gah, tomorrow I have off from work and I will be drinking plenty of water.

It's been good to get everyones posts, I'm traveling for the holidays and one day I had major sugar swings and ate too much at breakfast two days in a row....good food ...just way too much!  Worked out with my son doing floor exercises for lower body, his baseball team started winter workouts but he's missing them right now, so it was great to be able to support each other in fitness.  I felt like what's the point this am because of the scale.....but I really don't want to give up.  Happy Holidays everyone!

Obc

have a great holiday everyone!

my husband has been soda free for 5 days now, and he wants to see how long he can keep this up.  he doesn't even plan on drinking any soda during the holidays at relative's houses!  My  mom even made this brandy slush, I don't know how he's gonna resist.  

Happy Holidays everyone!!!!

This week has been rough..yesterday I left the house at 550 am for work...clocked out of work at 1015 that night!!! then 50min commute geeezzz no I didn't make it to the gym that day! That day kicked my butt!

Today we spent shopping, shopping, shopping!

Tomorrow to the in-laws for a fabulous day with food, family, fun..then Christmas day and nice cozy day at home with our kids and my mom. I will cook nice christmas dinner and we will stay in all day.

I am being easy on myself with this weekend, then hit it hard core next week. I will be smart with what I eat, but I am not going to resist something fabulous that I only do once each year.

I love my family, I love my life, I am thankful for the fantastic support I get from each and every one of you.

I am proud of all of you for your courage and determination. I will be connected with you always. My BFL family, I thank you!

Merry Christmas!

Enjoy!

Diane

Ohh Opti...you ARE eating so much better than you were with your hubby, I'm glad to hear he's off the soda too. That is great!!!

Thank you for being my support!

D

How was everyone's holiday? Hope it was a joyous Christmas.

How did you handle all the food? All the sugar?? Carbs???

Opti I wish I would have cleaned my cupboards out..it would have been so much easier (at least I can say it would have been easier). We had a wonderful day, but way too much food for me! I took advantage of my free day (actually it started friday 23rd with just a couple of bites, more on saturday, then with my "free" day I gorged!) & ate way too much of everything!! I feel like I have wasted days of hard work. Plus I feel crappy today, I'm dragging, no energy...just blahhh. All those carbs and sugars I need to flush them all out of my system. This has actually been a good learning experience for me. My body, my mind...all function so much better when I put good quality fuel in it. Good protein & good carbs, no sugar or refined white flours etc.

It may take me a few days to overcome and get back on track but I am eager to do it. I want to be full of energy & feel stronger!

Working today, got up at 0500, left for work @ 0600 should get off work (if no crisis) at 1930 tonight, 45 min drive home...not home straight to the gym. I am so looking forward to a good workout. I skipped two days at the gym last week. I really 'fell off the wagon' bad! My guys (husband and boys) went to gym this morning, so it will be just me...but that is ok..get me back on track.

I hope everyone enjoyed themselves & I hope you were all kinder to yourself than I was lol

Now it's time for me to kick myself in the butt and get back on the right path...

Let me know how your holidays have gone.

D.

My holidays were wonderful!  Over time, taking care of ourselves gives us a more positive outlook even when things still aren't going to be perfect, but I think that positive aura rubs of on others and we just appreciate the good things more than we ever have before.

I had ONE brandy slush and stopped there. my mom had all this soda stocked up, and barely anyone touched it.  My husband stayed soda and liquor free.

I too kinda started snacking on the 23rd, then a little more on the 24th, and more on the 25th, 'cuz I knew that was my last day.

I baked way too much candy, but left it all at others' houses.

This week it's potluck all week at work.  I'm bringing my own veggies to eat along the side.  It was my turn to bring the main meal yesterday, so I made a hearty healthy spaghetti meat sauce and Barilla Plus multigrain pasta.  Everyone devoured it, so that was great!  no one brought a dessert yerterday, so that was even better!  less temptation!

dmrn--so sorry your step-daughter continues to pull that stuff.  I don't know what to say.  Ever confront her with a letter clearly stating how what she does hurts everyone?  I say letter, 'cuz you can think out what to say and organize it, without having a verbal confrontation and then arguing starts, and points never get across or finished.  Not a nasty agressive letter, but not passive either.  No swearing or bashing.  (If it were me, I'd say, nope sorry, you cannot fly out here next week and use those same tickets.  We know you lied to avoid coming here this week, even so much as to try to get a refund from the van guys when WE paid for it.  You're not going to use us as a place to 'crash' while you just hang out with your friends the whole time.  we bought those plane tickets and made arrangements to spend time as family over these holidays.  And not for you to use us.")

I don't know if those details are correct, I was just spewing words out.  And I don't think plane tickets are refundable unless you bought refundable ones ($) or bought insurance, but there are so many rules regarding insurance.

Hi Everyone,

My holidays were great.  I am off all week so I 'm getting some stuff done around the house.  My daughters and I are washing clothes and cleaning up to surprise my wife when she gets home today.

DMRN glad to hear that you are still working hard in spite of the challenges in your life.  Keep setting the example, others will follow - in their own time.  OPTI - glad to hear about the cupboards and hubby wanting to get healthy.  Soda is a weird thing - when you drink it all the time you get used t the taste.  Take a few months off and try to drink one - you'll wonder how you ever drank the stuff in the first place.  I haven't had one in years and don't miss it one bit.

I have not worked out since 12/16/11.  I went to our office party and either got the flu of had food poisoning.  Was so sick the entire weekend, finally went to the ER Sunday night.  Got some fluids and nausea medicine and began to feel much better.  I missed half a week of work.

I went jogging twice since then but no HIIT, just trying to build myself back up.  I did the UBW this morning and that felt good - not as strong as I was, but felt good.  So, beginning today I am picking up where I left off.  Just a minor speed bump.  I'm in this for life, nit just twelve weeks.  The twelve week mark is a nice short term target to aim for.  I did lose 4 pounds, but wouldn't recommend it to anyone.  I have lost 25 pounds since January 1, 2011 - mostly by giving up sweets and making better food choices.

Chubby:  Don't worry too much about the sweets.  I have the same problem, I love sweets.  You did it, it's over, now move on.  Read your goals again and re-commit.  Every time I slip, it just motivates me to do better next time.

I am looking forward to completing this challenge with all of you.

Opti glad to hear your holidays went so well & I agree with the positive aura being contagious, most definately! So proud of your hubby for being off the soda for so long. That is great! Thanks for the letter advice, we may possibly try that approach this time. I do the same spaghetti thing at home and my guys just devour it! I have even slipped in ground turkey meatballs and they didn't even know ;-) ssshhhhh

Zoobey sorry to hear about the flu thing...It is hard to get the strength back after that, but it sounds like you are on the right track. This is not just a 12 wk challenge for me either, but a life long committment, but the 12 week increments are nice to keep the motivation going.

Hit the gym hard last night after work...then it hit back even harder!! WOW I was wimpy wimpy wimpy! HIIT tonight after work, hopefully I will be able to conquer it. Wish me luck, stay strong!