Keeping up appearances.......

Dolphin1

:hello: Morning all!

jvr - I agree with joeyjimbles, keep the cigarette target but see if there is another way of approaching it. In the past, we have all had targets that were more difficult to do than others and we have kept them on our lists for months in the hope that we can crack them. I think this particular target is too important to give up on ever and that's speaking as an ex-smoker. I gave up almost 20 years ago and it was the best thing I have ever done for my health (and my pocket too).

Update for yesterday...

1) To have 20 NCDs - Rubbish eaten so still on 6 NCDs for August.
2) To walk an average of 10,000 steps per day over each week (so 70,000 total for each week) - Just over 9,000 steps.
3) To put my light out by 11pm every night including weekends - Light out at 11.10pm again.
4) To lose 10lbs over the course of the month - Next weigh-in due Monday.

jvr

Hello everyone, hope the dog is well Happy!


1. Cut down to 10 cigarettes a day - I'm not sure how many but def a few less as packets are lasting longer.

2. Walk the dogs every day after work - OH day off yesterday so he did it so today I need to do a long one as he is back at work
3. Keep cycling to work every day - Done feel that last hill is getting very slightly easier even if still feel like death at the top
4. Stick to 1700 calories on non cycling days and 2000 on cycling days - think I have been underestimating some foods - measured out my breakfast and lunch exactly today so hopefully that will help. Going to try to stick to 1700 every day and then allow myself the odd day of going over if go out for glass of wine or something
5. Two weight training days a week - Still not done 1

Joey/Dolphin - thanks for your advice I think your right. I certainly use it to break up my day so starting tomorrow I am going to cut out the very first one before I leave for work and the one straight after I eat lunch and dinner (try delay these to stop the connection with having one after I eat anything) Will start making sure I actually count today so I can see where I stand even if number is high

joeyjimbles

That sounds great JVR. Like any habit, we often do them mindlessly - like my habit of putting the kettle on then going off and doing something only to come back minutes/hours later and have to do it again. I doubt that it was a significant drain on the national grid but I know I did it several times over a week and it was a daft waste so now I only go and make the coffee when I'm ready to drink it and make sure that any job I wander off to do is in immediate vicinity. Hasn't made any noticeable difference to the electricity bill but at least I can feel justified nagging the boys for leaving lights/tvs/games consoles etc on.

triple_choc_chip

jvr wrote: »

1. Cut down to 10 cigarettes a day - I'm not sure how many but def a few less as packets are lasting longer.

Joey/Dolphin - thanks for your advice I think your right. I certainly use it to break up my day so starting tomorrow I am going to cut out the very first one before I leave for work and the one straight after I eat lunch and dinner (try delay these to stop the connection with having one after I eat anything) Will start making sure I actually count today so I can see where I stand even if number is high

Hi all, de-lurking to say I love reading about your targets and have been inspired to start a couple of my own.
I thought I would offer another way of working this target, jvr; How about putting 10 in a packet and recording what time of day you need to raid the remaining supply. Then try to extend that time later and later until the original 10 lasts all day? It may be more positive to be noting times rather than number of cigs?
TCC

Dolphin1

:hello: Morning all!

jvr - I definitely think counting the number of cigarettes that you have would be a good start. It's difficult to set a realistic target if you don't know what you are dealing with.

Welcome triple choc chip, that is a fantastic suggestion for jvr to try. If you feel like posting your targets and joining in, please feel free (I'm sure HappyNow won't mind me saying that despite it being her diary ).

1) To have 20 NCDs - None eaten so now on 7 NCDs for August :j.
2) To walk an average of 10,000 steps per day over each week (so 70,000 total for each week) - Just over 10,000 steps :j.
3) To put my light out by 11pm every night including weekends - Light out at 11.00pm :j (but been awake on and off since 4.30am with a bad back :mad:).
4) To lose 10lbs over the course of the month - Next weigh-in due Monday.

Honey_Bear

:wave: Everyone. Very busy, not sure I'm Keeping Up at all at the moment.

OH is away at the Edinburgh Festival this week, so it's a great opportunity to do stuff that he interferes with when he's here, as in, 'What are you doing? Where are you taking that? Why are you giving that away? How does this work? Can I have some? 'No, wait, I want that ... ' Don't give away all of that .... ' What he doesn't see going he won't grieve for.

Back as soon as poss.

jvr

1. Cut down to 10 cigarettes a day - About 13 yesterday

2. Walk the dogs every day after work - Great walk with my dogs and my mum came so took my sisters dog out too (who is staying with us) So glad finally letting my little jack Russell of lead a bit! he has always been a nightmare running off and chasing other dogs and scaring me to death. Finally realized that his obsession with his toy overrides this... he doesn't really respond to treats so took his toy out and threw it a bit and he ran loads
3. Keep cycling to work every day - Done feel that last hill is getting very slightly easier even if still feel like death at the top (still the same)
4. Stick to 1700 calories on non cycling days and 2000 on cycling days - 1700 all healthy food and finally saw change on scales have lost about 3lb
5. Two weight training days a week - haven't done one but went to a yoga class near my work on lunch break and loved it so going to try do that two days a week and one on a weekend at my own gym


Ah smoking! thanks for all the advice I think recorded what makes me reach for one is probably important to discover triggers and sometimes going to get something else even glass of water instead to see if I really want one or its just about having a break from what im doing. Me and OH would really like to think about trying for kids next year and so this has to get sorted out before we can think about that


I have also booked my theory test!! this may sound tiny but years ago I took lots of lessons but just wouldn't book theory test it has become huge mental block for me. Possible opportunity at work to slip into different role which I would love but would need to drive so I have booked it! feels huge

joeyjimbles

Congratulations JVR - 13 is so much better and you'll start to feel better as a result, might even give you extra puff (sorry!) to get up that hill - and it gives you a benchmark to work to, and to go down from. When I became pregnant was the trigger for OH to give up though he had tried before, it was the countdown that fired him up. Such a good aim to get your body healthier - plus saving the money too.

Dolphin1

:hello: Honey Bear, nice to hear from you! Isn't it lovely having a declutter? It sounds like your OH could be a bit of a hoarder. 'See' you again soon!

jvr, excellent job yesterday, you really went for it with all of your targets and well done on the 3lbs off. 13 cigarettes isn't too bad and certainly makes your target of 10 a day achievable. Good luck with the theory test, very glad they weren't around when I learnt to drive.

joeyjimbles, your house must be looking pretty empty by now after the massive clear out you have just had.

joeyjimbles

Hi Dolphin - you would think so, wouldn't you, but this was accumulated 'stuff' that no-one wanted anymore eg. old toys, shoes that didn't fit. Things that go in cupboards and under beds, or even make drawers too full but nothing that actually frees up space all by itself. Our house is quite big so there's a lot of space in the first place. Anyway, I've still a few days to get rid of the remaining oddments (mostly for the tip/recycling) and then I can start cleaning and re-painting.l