New week .. new start! Things unraveled a bit for me at the end of the week .. I am not calling it a fail but I did have a few meals out which I think makes it harder to stay on track. It's not just that I can't control what goes into my food -- I also don't always make the best choices. It didn't affect the scale -- but I stayed steady and didn't make any downward progress.

I have plans in July and I really need to buckle down and stay focused for the next month. No new goals -- I just plan to really firm up my existing goals so they become second nature and a part of my routine.

Hope everyone has a great week! I am off tomorrow and meeting a friend for coffee .. a very calm start to what is likely to be a hectic week.

Hi, Funky, thanks for starting us off. yesterday I was about double over my carb target, so oh well on that. I will regroup today. On Wednesday I see the weight management doctor, so we will see what he recommends.

Had plans to go for a bike ride today with DH’s new bike, but I could not get my bike tires inflated, so IDK what is going on. We got his tires inflated and adjusted his seat and kickstand. It’s just a regular bike, not an ebike. We got his bike at an auction where the shop was closing. The ebikes still went for about $900, and the Pilates instructor said many of them are listed for resale on Facebook Marketplace, still in the box for more money, so that is frustraing. SInce my bike hasn’t been ridden I should probably also get it checked out at the bike shop. So that didn’t work out. Had I known, I would have gone to Pilates Reformer class. I also need a new bike rack since my old rack will not work on this model of Outback. It’s going to rain every day this week, so no bike rides. Too bad since DH is off tomorrow, too. But if he enjoys riding, we can look at ebikes in the future.

The pork came out excellent. Nice smoke ring and bark.

Your pork butt looks great -- picture perfect, GS!

Let us know what you learn from the weight management, Dr ... and have a great week despite the rain!

My mom fell last week and is still in the hospital. She will be moving to rehab this week. Five years ago she fell and broke her hip, and I totally fell off the healthy lifestyle bandwagon. I had been doing WW at the time, and I just started going down hill with all the habits I had in place and gained back all the weight I had lost. So, I am trying VERY hard to take care of myself better this time around and not let the stress and upheaval of my schedule derail me.

So, in that regard last week was a success. I started that 800 gram challenge which helps me make good decisions with food without feeling restrictive. I took the steps instead of the elevator at the hospital and every couple hours I went outside and walked for 10 -15 minutes. I will try to prioritize sleep too. It makes such a difference to me.

If anyone is interested -this is the food challenge. 800 grams is a lot of fruits and vegetables! I'm still tweaking my foods, but it has helped me make better choices these last few days.

@gsciencechick - hope your appt goes well and is helpful!

@Funkyart - good luck with your work project!

So sorry about your mom Legomom! I hope she heals up easily and fully.

I'm trying to incorporate balance exercises. Especially as I age I am not good at balancing. But I can do 20 seconds on each leg after a few attempts when I stand one legged. I just have to do it everyday.

I hope you can keep your schedule Legomom. It is never easy to do so but it is worth the fight. Today is exercise day for me and I know that if I do my exercises I can sleep much better that night. At least if I do them that doesn't add to my stress.

Begin rant

I know what to do to counter it but I find typing here very frustrating and am disappointed in the lack of care for us as there are so many glitches if you attempt to be a normal typist and also correct your errors. Very very frustrating and self imposed stressful. Of course I know that I need to open an email and type onto it and then copy and paste. Sometimes I get lazy though to my own detriment.. like today.

End rant.

All this to say that frustration plus laziness wins and I often don't write to everyone. But I appreciate all of your input and am supportive and interested in your journey and it eases my life to know that we are all working hard on ourselves. I know I'm not the only one who struggles and that helps. I am thinking of all of you and wishing you the best in your respective journeys.

Funky I just wanted to say how very happy I am that your vision has been somewhat corrected by your new glasses. When I read that I was jumping for joy for you. And I can do that because I do jumping jacks so I know how to jump :-).

Legomom, so sorry to hear of your mom's fall. I hope that you can find some balance to keep with your healthy routines while traveling/caring for your mom. I know it will be a challenge but eating well, sleeping well and staying active when you can will help with the stress! Even if you can't maintain the perfect routine, some focus is better than none!

Thanks, Yeonassky -- my vision will never be good but I am not getting headaches and nausea just sitting at the computer or walking around my house! It is definitely a big improvement and I appreciate your support! ❤️

I am sorry that it is such a struggle for you to post here -- I have seem some small quirks/issues but I've never had an issue posting. I very much doubt I'd have your patience if I did .. but I am so glad you push through and share your experiences and support here!

So I am considering a new piece of exercise equipment -- I met a friend from HS for coffee this morning (and it may have been that long since I've seen her!). We were talking about exercise and our struggles getting back into routines. She recommended I check out a rowing machine -- I've never used one but I think it may be a great solution for me. Since my center of balance would be so low, I shouldn't have the same kinds of struggles with vertigo and depth perception. I am actually kind of excited by the prospect. I am going to find a local gym with one and give it a try-- but I am already shopping them!

Crazy thought ... what do you guys thing about adding a piece of exercise equipment in my office? My treadmill is wayyyy too big (it's a runner's treadmill) .. but I think a rowing machine could fit and be out of the camera view. My thinking is that it will be easy to take short breaks ... but I don't think I've ever known anyone to have exercise equipment in their office.

Too bad you couldn't borrow one from the library. ;-).

To test it out was the rest of my sentence.

I thought if I kept things short it would work better but it doesn't want me to post a new posting. So I will just say yes I have known people who keep equipment in their office. Particularly those sit down step stair .

I have never posted here but wanted to share my recent small weight loss. I have never been truly overweight, as I’m 5’9” and always could eat pretty much whatever I wanted when younger. Well, we all know that eventually catches up with us. I used to run quite a bit until my knees said ’no more’, so now am walking and doing Pilates twice a week at least, plus some other exercise at home.

Back in the spring I had a horrible sinus infection followed by several weeks of the cough from hexx. The cough totally took away my appetite. I ate only small amounts. I managed to lose about 8-9 pounds and am basically where I have wanted to be for a couple of years. i can fit in my cute size 6 white jeans! I love to eat and have to prepare things DH likes too but even his appetite is less these days. We tend to eat a much smaller evening meal most of the time too which has helped. Also my Pilates instructor has revamped one of the classes, upping the difficulty for her more advanced students, so it is great having that challenge. She also gives us exercises to do at home for the week, another bonus.

Funky, i think you will enjoy the rowing machine. It is one of the gym machines I really used to seek out because it doesn’t always seem like work. It can actually be relaxing to me.

Legomom, I’m sorry about your mom’s fall. Good luck to you on keeping up your progress. We were in vacation for a week and I didn’t gain any significant lbs! Maybe a half lb from the drinks.

@Funkyart - the rowing machine is a great idea for your challenges. We've had a concept 2 rower for a long time - maybe 7-8 years, I honestly can't remember. It's wonderful exercise. If you've never used one, you might want to watch some YouTube videos, because it's actually not that intuitive to use it correctly. I like to follow this guy - here is a beginner video from him. It really is great exercise - I hope it works for you! I think you could certainly hide it below your camera in your office. Good thinking!

I am really liking the idea of a rowing machine -- so thanks for the feedback and encouragement. My friend said the same, Outside.. that she found it relaxing and easy to get into a groove. Thanks for the video too, Legomom.

I do want to try one but I've already started researching/checking out used.

Congrats on the weightloss, Outside .. but sorry you were so sick! I imagine it feels great to be at the weight you feel is right for you! I know it feels great for me when I can wear the clothes I haven't been able to get into.

Continued wishes for your mom to heal well, Legomom!

Funky. I think the rowing machine is a great idea! Be sure to get one with enough weight to provide good resistance. DH bought one off FBMP, and in order to really get my HR up, I have to YANK it, because it is a little light for me. (Yes, the tension knob IS turned up...)

legomom, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom.

yeonassky, I totally agree that the site can be difficult.... I usually truncate my responses because of it!!

I have had an amzing week! We went to the Smokies for vacation. We camped 2 nights, then gave up and went to town and got a hotel, LOL.

I hiked over 25 miles for the week! Our 13 mile hike had about 3000 ft of elevation gain. My 11 mile hike was more moderate. I hiked while DH fished.....

Yesterday, I joined our new-in-town Club Pilates. I do the Intro session tomorrow, and then they open on Thursday! I am really excited!

I FEEL strong and fairly fit for the first time in a long time. I am not sure if this is physical, or mental. i have been reading some things on the connection between hormones and microbiome and self-talk, and it is fascinating!!

I will update tomorrow on the club!

Have a great week, everyone!

Springroz, sorry to be off topic, but did you by chance hike some of the Mt LeConte trails? Those were our favorites and we used to spend the night at the cabins with friends. Always a blast. Glad you enjoyed the Smokies. So many trails, so little time.

Following weeks of vacationing, being lazy, etc etc…I have had a stomach bug for the last few days and have probably lost a couple of those vacay pounds. And now I am off to ”craft camp” for 4 days where the food offerings are all healthy so hoping to use that to help me get back on my better-eating life. Then when I get home I’ll have to get back to my better-exercising life!

Craft camp for anyone wondering: https://www.snowfarm.org

This will be my third time going, first time actually staying in the dorms.

Have a wonderful trip, Sue .. I bet those 4 days away from home will be a great "kickstart" to getting back to healthy food! Enjoy!

I am having a rough week. Gluten contamination over the weekend left me sick for about a day and lethargic for two. Then yesterday mid-day I started noticing a sore throat and I realized by evening that I'm sick with something. I slept in this morning instead of getting up to exercise and I'm hoping I can tough it out through my intense quarterly planning week (working from home - no danger of infecting anyone) where I am in meetings for hours-on-end and dreading having to talk with a sore throat. Needless to say my exercise is derailed this week. Not sure what food will look like, but I opted to just do the "normal fasting" of a 5:2 day yesterday instead of a full 36 hour fast like I planned since nutrients seemed important for healing. Trying to focus on drinking plenty of water and not overdoing it.

@pricklypearcactus - I hope you feel better soon. I do think it's so important to listen to our bodies about food and especially rest.

Thank you @legomom23!

I refuse to "like" your post, Prickly-- so sorry you are feeling ill and also the gluten contamination! I wonder if the contamination weakens your immune system? I don't really understand gluten intolerance but it seems a possibility?

Yes, do keep good nutrients on your plan for healing-- and I hope you feel better very soon!

outsideplaying....we have been up every trail that goes to Mt. LeConte, but never up to Mt. LeConte!!! LOL. It is in the eventual plans, if we can get a parking place.

Prickly feel better soon!

Sue That sounds like so much fun!! Have a great trip!

Hugs pricklypearcactus I hope you get better fast!

@legomom23 - So sorry that you mom has had a fall. Wishing her a quick recovery.

@pricklypearcactus - Hope that you are feeling back to yourself soon.

I am in a rut, having a difficult time motivating myself but I am not giving up. So far I am maintaining my weight, so that is good. Need to get motivated to lose 2 pounds before I head off with friends on a trip next month. My 2 pound short term goal is not a lot but when I get to this point in my weight loss, it gets slow. We have a lot of food related social events this week, all the more difficult. Going into this with a "I will eat as healthy as possible" attitude.

Don't discount the work that got you so close to your goal ... or to have maintained, Jill! I do get the challenge to stay motivated but you are doing great! In the words of our wise MtnRd, "you are successfully maintaining!"

Enjoy your events this week ... and keep the positive attitude! Nothing derails me faster than when I am negative and critical of myself.

@legomom23, I am sorry to hear about your mom.

@pricklypearcactus, sorry to hear you are sick. Ugh, maybe do a C test even though levels are low it is still out there.

@Funkyart, a rowing machine is great. I also recommend the Concept II, but they are quite long but not wide. I know there are other brands such as those that have the water and simulate real rowing, but most people I know use the Concept II. You should be able to find used on places like FBM.

Update from the weight management clinic:

He is overall happy with my progress, especially the A1c drop. Suggestions included maybe paying attention a little more to calories since I might just be eating something like 100-200 extra calories per day which is causing me to stall in weight loss. Also, Mounjaro/tirzeptide will be available for a weight loss medication sometime probably later this year, and there may likely be discount coupons to help with cost. Will also likely be given a new name like Ozempic/Wegovy.. Even if I took it short term during the discount period, it would probably give me benefits. But I should keep on keeping on and even though progress is slow, it is still progress, and I am improving muscle mass/body comp, strength, A1c, etc. I don’t need to see him for another 6 months or unless the Mounjaro becomes available sooner.

It is still raining here! The only outdoor workout I had was on Monday when there was a brief letup in the rain in the afternoon. Otherwise, it has rained from light to hard with few breaks. I’ve had to do Zumba inside and I did weights/pilates at home yesterday. I have the small group reformer class tomorrow.

I'm starting to get back on my exercise routine. Rode my Peloton bike twice so far this week. That's 2 times more than the last few weeks, so that's good.

Whenever I finish the workout, I wonder why I find it so hard to make myself do it. I do somewhat enjoy it (as much as I can ever enjoy working out) and feel good when I'm done. Then tomorrow comes and I have every excuse to not do it again. Such a weird cycle I create for myself!

I've been interested in those cool rowers with the water. But they are expensive and if I suggest another expensive exercise machine with a subscription required, DH will not be happy.

We have my Peloton bike that only I use. And we have a Tonal that I insisted we get. Turns out I don't use it very often. DH uses it almost every day and loves it. Our son just moved home from college and is going to start using it as well. At least i don't have to feel guilty about insisting we get it! I do want to get back to using it. I do need to do weight training as well as cardio.

We're going to Cape Cod for a week in the middle of July. I need to lose a few lbs before that trip. Like I mentioned last time, I'm not really over weight by all the metrics, but am about 5-10 lbs heavier than I feel comfortable.

Thanks for letting me join in here and for motivating me.

Thank you all for the well wishes. She is doing ok for what she has going on. It's eye opening and yet another reminder to age as well as we can. Hospitals and rehabs are not great places to spend a lot of time. She was dr avoidant and anti meds for most of her life, but that just left her with some health issues she just didn't treat - like a way underactive thyroid and high BP. I think those probably played into her current situation.

Luckily, the care this time around has been spread between the hospital and my siblings, so we've got a good schedule going. I have been able to exercise and sleep.

Part of my new sleep routine is reading a real book before bed, instead of looking at my phone. Right now I am reading this. It's really interesting in that it has actual assessments and plans for improvements. I honestly think I am in decent shape, but the assessments said otherwise:) I feel like I'm agile, but not in these ways I guess. So, lots of mobility issues to work on.

I also really like my new 800 gram challenge. I do better with number goals it seems, so instead of just saying eat more fruits and veggies, this is a concrete goal in addition to the 30 different plan products. I relied a lot on nuts and seeds for that, so this is indeed a challenge for me. I have been eating a lot more fruit, which I didn't really eat because of spikes on my CGM. I will have to see how that works when I wear one again, but for now I'm going with it. I do think the fruit reduces other cravings and not great for me foods. I just make sure to eat it with other fiber and fat to hopefully slow down the effect.

@gsciencechick -good work on your A1C - sounds like you are headed in a great direction.

@jill302 - maintaining is often harder than losing. Good work!