Back to the Basics - January 1

[gitfiddle]

Happy New Year! http://bestsmileys.com/party/2.gif

Back to the Basics this month. :) It's all about being accountable and measurable.

Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.

You will report in each day—that's the accountability part.
For measurability, your report will list the gram count of your protein and carbohydrate intake, as determined by your PP calculations. We are purposely keeping this challenge basic and as easy as we can.

Old timers may feel free to add another component to their challenge. That could be exercise, water, supplements, etc. If you've been following PP for a while, you could consider re-calculating your protein and carbohydrate requirements.

You may also list your menu if you like. That helps us see what a variety of foods we eat and helps with our own menu. It also helps us point out any red flags that pop up.

Are you ready? Let's go!

[bpm]

Good Morning and Happy New Year to you Carol and to all your fellow followers.
overdid it a bit yesterday food and drink wise. not all bad as it gives me motivation to straighten up. I jumped on the scale for the first time since Nov .. up 3 # to 185. Disgusting :o Back to basics of PP
I seldom set goals anymore since retiring but I am going down to 178 by the end of Jan. and will reach 174 by the end of Feb. I wont change my lo tech ticker until after tomorrows weigh-in. Give me a day to rehydrate and show a truer number.:eek:

[Gaelen]

Morning, everyone - welcome to national Bloody Mary Day.
Ooops, that's the wrong challenge. ;)

Seriously, my 'basics' challenge is going to incorporate more vegetables into my days - something I've had a hard time with due to some ostomy issues. But I *can* handle things like 6-8 oz. V8 juice (that's what made me think of nat'l bloody mary day) and velvety-smooth broccoli cheese soup (based on the leftovers from a holiday dinner) and other subtle ways that involve cooked veggies which are easier for me to digest. So, here's to increasing my veggie intake!

Another challenge, especially in the northeast in winter, is to continue, as much as I can, to keep my food as locally sourced and close to the producer as possible. I'll still be relying on my standby cinnamon hazelnut mocha shake for most breakfasts, but I'm using a store-brand stevia sweetened whey protein, and fair trade coffee. I'm keeping as much fish in my diet as possible, but it's going to be wild-caught or responsibly produced, and respect seasons (for instance, shellfish is in season in the winter.) In other words, when I go for non-local foods, I'm trying to make that choice count and respect seasonal limits.

My third focus is on safely increasing my activity level. Still can't challenge or stress my abdominal muscles - but I can dance, I can walk, I can climb stairs, I can do yoga, I can body-blade. So at least one of those things is going to be part of every day for at least 15 minutes - no excuses. Just like some people can't take even a nibble of some kinds of foods, I can't let fatigue take me out even one day a week. I can manage 15 minutes - and if I can't, then I've got bigger problems.

Still basic, still supermarket low-carb, still artificial-sweetener-free, still meatless for about half my meals. Still basic Protein Power, aiming for a Phase II <15g carbs per meal.

Good new years, everyone!

[gitfiddle]

overdid it a bit yesterday food and drink wise. not all bad as it gives me motivation to straighten up. I jumped on the scale for the first time since Nov .. up 3 # to 185. Disgusting :o Back to basics of PPGood morning, Monty. :) Nothing like a rough day or three to send us back to the simple life, is there? I'll bet that three pounds will be gone in a day or two.

Morning, everyone - welcome to national Bloody Mary Day.
Ooops, that's the wrong challenge. ;):lol: It might be more accurate for some of us than you imagine, Pat. ;)


Still basic, still supermarket low-carb, still artificial-sweetener-free, still meatless for about half my meals. Still basic Protein Power, aiming for a Phase II <15g carbs per meal.
Good! Thanks for the inspiration. My take-away is that we do what we have to with what we have. I tend to get a little complicated at times.

[Tyrone Bill]

Morning and Happy New Year all!

Hi Carol, Monty and Gaelen!

My goals are always simple. I don't set goals for a certain weightloss amount. I just take it as it comes.
My goals are always short term goals. My motto is 'get through today, accomplish my goals set for today. And worry about tomorrow when it gets here.'

I keep my goals simple and daily. 1. Eat according to the WOE phase that I'm in.
2. Drink my water quota for the day, no less than 3 quarts.
3. Move according to whatever exercise is planned for the day.

I did some stretching this morning before breakfast.

Breakfast- 2 whole eggs, 4 whites, 2 Esskay's turkey bacon, 70gms blackberries, 2c green tea.
40gms protein, 8gms carbs.

Lunch- 6ozs pork, saurkraut, mashed cauliflower.
42gms protein, 6gms carbs

Supper- 6ozs pork, saurkraut, mashed cauliflower.
42gms protein, 6gms carbs.

[jilly27]

overdid it a bit yesterday food and drink wise. not all bad as it gives me motivation to straighten up. I jumped on the scale for the first time since Nov .. up 3 # to 185. Disgusting :o Back to basics of PP



Boy do I resemble that, Monty!:jawDrop: I feel absolutely horrible today and weigh more than I did 2 months ago.:(



I wont change my lo tech ticker until after tomorrows weigh-in. Give me a day to rehydrate and show a truer number.:eek:


That's my plan as well. I'll wait till my regular Sunday weigh in.

Today I will be resting up and thinking about/writing down some changes I need to make to my attitude towards low carbing and my execution of the principles. I have been considering how much and where I can reduce my use of artificial sweeteners and like Gaelen I want to shop more responsibly as well as healthily. Living in the Pacific North West there is so much fresh food, pasture raised meat and seafood available there really is no excuse for me not to.

I'll pop in later and put some more details in my journal, I need to lay down now.:o

Jilly

[Rhyme'n Reason]

Hi, all--

Carol, thanks for the note pointing me in the direction of this thread. This is what I need.

I don't have amounts for today--we went out for lunch and I splurged a bit on the salad bar and some sweet potato fries. I did order my hamburger w/o bun.

My progress for the day is in planning--I have a plan in mind now, and since I am allowed to walk, I should be able to start cooking. I'm planning to make chili and cheesecake muffins tomorrow. I will be going to the store tomorrow (using a power chair), so I can get the right kind of food in the house. It feels good to be back.

[gitfiddle]

Carol, thanks for the note pointing me in the direction of this thread. This is what I need.
Thanks for being here, Ruth. The timing of your post did seem perfect! ;)

[Ammy]

I think the only thing I did right today was a brief workout. My family celebrated Christmas again complete with a big meal. I think all the eating is over now except for the pancake breakfast in the morning but I'm now a big fan of pancakes so no problem saying no.
I'm ready to be back to the basics. I'm so tired of being uncomfortable and a simple back to basics plan is exactly what I need.

[gitfiddle]

Well, Shadow will be happy with you then, Amy! :nod: Will they have bacon or sausage at the breakfast? Good luck!

[Gaelen]

New year's eve night was the endless appetizer party, and although I chose meatballs, chicken wing dip, deviled eggs, clam dip I still felt over-salted and bloated yesterday.

New year's day was easier - a cinnamon hazelnut mocha protein shake, a low-carb wrap of hummus, cheese and chopped tomatoes for a snack, and homemade cream of broccoli soup with calamari poached in chipotle butter for dinner.

Exercise has been sort of mandatory - we've gotten new snow each day this week, which means shoveling out an exercise yard for the dogs and the 100 foot path from my back door to the nearest sidewalk so that we can go for walks.

Not much into cooking today - so I think I'll start some soup in the crockpot later. I just watched Nigella Feasts, which is making me want to add the ingredients for her blueberry-mango-pomegranate salad to my supermarket list. Putting off trekking out to the store in the latest batch of new snow - but I'm out of whey protein, so it's supermarket after farmer's market.

Busy day ahead today; good Saturdays, everyone!

[Lisa H]

Good Morning and Happy New Year to everyone!

I am ready for my first challenge now that I am back on PP. My goals are simple and basic (just like me!). I am ready for accountability, ready to start the job hunt after being laid off from work 1 week before Christmas, ready to get back on track and let 2010 be the best year ever! I also look forward to getting to know all of my new PP friends.

My meal plan for today:

B: 2 scrambled eggs, 1/2 cut chopped veggies (mushrooms and peppers), 3 slices Canadian bacon (YUM), and coffee with half and half.

L: Tuna with with chopped celery and mayo, side dish of marinated artichokes.

D: Low carb meatloaf with side salad.

Haven't figured out any snacks just yet because sometimes I am not that hungry. I know that we are supposed to account for our protein and carb intake also in this challenge, but I need to figure that one out. Oh, I also plan to increase my water intake and make sure that I take my vitamins, and weigh in only once a week (Saturday's).

I notice that there are lots of great recipes that I can't wait to try. I'm excited to be back.

My workout for today will consist of a programed interval treadmill workout since it is too cold to go outside and walk.

I hope that everyone has a great Saturday!:D

[Ottawa]

I'm in. and I like the carbs/protein thing as well as daily reporting.

[bpm]

Hi all and welcome Lisa :)
By LisaI know that we are supposed to account for our protein and carb intake also in this challenge, but I need to figure that one out.
I joined in Sept and didn'thave a clue how to figure that out until someone on this forum mentioned fitday- after much frustration :mad: got it to work by customizing the damn thing. Smooth sailing since.
Yesterday was a regroup day as I had picked up 3# over the holidays.:frown:
ECC= 16 Protein= 109
Today's plan ECC= 25 Protein= 125
My breakfast shakes gradually picked up carbs (mostly fruit) so back to the under 10 ecc bit.
I listed todays exercise in M&S (gotta please Dear Shadow :rolleyes:

[Lisa H]

Hi Monty,

Thanks for the welcome! Fit Day is a great program to use, and it helped me so much the first time I used the program. I plan to use it again. I am looking forward to the journey! I need to learn to be flexible with my meal planning, because my hubby and I spent the day at mall and I had to change my original meal plan. I stayed within PP guidelines though, and had the best Cajun chicken salad that I have ever had at a restaurant. It's so great to work with restaurant workers who are sensitive to your needs and modify dishes to fit your requirements.

[Karole]

Hi all, I have my counts for the day: Protein 84 Ecc 39 calories 1650. I took my supplements and I exercised so today it was a go.

[gitfiddle]

Hey! You guys got up earlier than I did. I just saw these posts. Good going! :)

[Belfrybat]

OK -- I'm in. Durn! :mad: Stepped on the scale and was up 8 lbs. from mid- December. So much for the "my metabolism has changed and I can eat what I want" syndrome. Actually I know I can't eat what I want, but have been pretending I can especially these past couple of weeks.

Back to basics for me means keeping below 75 ECC and above 75 protein daily. Don't think I'll add anything else in as I'm doing the AARP decluttering challenge, and that's enough extras.

Look forward to reading and posting daily again, except I'm starting two days late (story of my life!). ;)

[gitfiddle]

Look forward to reading and posting daily again, except I'm starting two days late (story of my life!). ;)We'll take you any way we can get you, BC! ;) (My metabolism "won't" change either.) I'm glad you want to join us.