At my office, when birthday cakes are present, I just politely decline. If someone asks why, I just respond that I don’t eat “stuff” like that. End of story. By now they know.
My BIL rarely eats desserts EVER. He bakes them for folks to enjoy, his W (my sis) and his S enjoy desserts, but he chooses not to partake. Everyone respects his choice, and we have all given up trying to encourage him to have even a taste.
One can save a ton of calories by avoiding sweetened ice tea, sweetened drinks, and desserts.
Hi Everyone,
Noticed this thread a few days ago, and have really been enjoying all the chatter, but didn’t have any time to join in the conversations. Finally, I have some time 
So, I’m an almost 50 year old (next month) that has been very active my entire life. Grew up playing various organized sports… soccer, basketball, swimming, track and field, volleyball, softball…just about any sport I wanted to try. I also have 3 older brothers so they alway needed a 4th for 2 on 2 games 
Soccer was always my first loved and I played it very competitively all through high school and college. After college I played on fun coed adult soccer teams where I met my husband. He got me into running and triathlons. I immediately fell in love with triathlons and have been doing them for the past 20 years.
I started out with Sprint distances and then worked my way up to full Ironman distances. I have done 10 Ironmans over the past 15 years( 3 Lake Placids, 1 Coure D’Alene, 1 Florida, and 5 Maryland) and over a dozen half Ironmans. I also really enjoy trail running and have completed 5 ultramarathons.
In my younger years I was a hard core competitor, but 10 years ago I developed Exercise Induced Compartment Syndrome in both of my calves and had to have surgery on both. That was a big wake up call for me. The surgeon said if I continued to train at such high levels that it would probably come back despite the surgery. So after 3-4 months of recovery, I went back to exercising at much slower paces and intensity. The following year I was able to get back to the long distance racing (symptom free) which is what I really love to do.
I now consider myself a participant in all of my races and I am happy that I’m able to make it to the finish line with a smile on my face. I have met so many amazing people with such interesting stories in all of my races. And now I get to chat with you on this forum
Oh and I have an awful sweet tooth, so reading this thread is really motivating me to change that. It will definitely be much harder than any race I’ve ever done
Welcome! You’ve had a great athletic career and I’m glad you can still do what you love, even if you have to go easier. I used to do triathlon back in the 80s and my son is a top amateur (focuses on half Ironman). I have a lot of appreciation for the sport.
I did much better with my eating today and yesterday. No candy or sweets of significance (had a couple of mints) and no alcohol. Lighter meals and no evening snacks. I am craving something to eat right now but I’m going to hold out!
Oh, I need this discussion and am inspired already. January tends to be the doldrums for me, though I want to exercise, the cold and dark as well as ice on sidewalks becomes inhibiting. For two years, I did Anytime Fitness personal training, and learned a great deal about free weights, TRX use and other equipment. While I was strong, there was no associated weight loss. But I love feeling strong! Due to cost, I had to drop the training, but maintain the gym membership. Getting in the door is a project, though am very happy to be there and working out. My greater consistent exercise success over the years has been walking, at any pace with a companion, but fast as possible when solo. Anytime it is over 30 degrees with no ice on the roads, I am happy to bike. But that means waiting till March in this climate.
I work towards the Dash diet, vegetable based, though cheese with the vegetables is my weakness as well as sweets.
A friend and I are trying to walk one evening a week in the dark after work. We went tonight with her husband, and put in a good few miles on mostly non icy sidewalks.
My job is physically and otherwise exhausting, and hard on the foot suffering from plantar fasciitis. Fatigue is an issue, however I find the exhaustion to be rather interesting, as once I get off the couch I can summon the energy to get things done or exercise. But getting off that couch some evenings is very hard, especially with the foot pain.
Anyhow, inspiration is what I need and am happy to read other stories on the path.
My “enemy” re desserts is my H. We don’t have desserts at home because I don’t make/buy them. When we eat out he gets annoyed when I say I don’t want dessert. I know it’s because he does want dessert, and it would help him justify it if I had some too. So, he’ll end up ordering 1 dessert and 2 forks/spoons. Usually I take 1 bite, but sometimes I refuse even that and, as I said, he gets pretty annoyed.
Without specifically telling H, I’ve been making a more concerted effort to cut down on added sugar. We don’t eat much processed food; my cooking mantra is “quick, easy and healthy.” Oh, and as I mentioned up thread, I’ve been “sneaking in” more meatless dishes.
Welcome to the newest thread participants! So many great stories to hear.
The evening cravings are real! We don’t eat dinner until late - often between 7 and 8 but I still find myself wanting a little sweet before bed. Key word here needs to be “little”! The last 4 nights I’ve settling for a hot drink (in the winter I really enjoy a mini-mug of warm milk) and just a small sweet - a chocolate or a small cookie or bite sized piece of something. It is satisfying me (the last 4 days at least!) - and I’m hoping this is a step in the right direction of not only less sugar but less evening calories.
H is down for the count with something. Hoping to get him to the doctor today.
I’m heading out to meet my walking group in 30 minutes. They know I have a sick person in the house but were OK with me meeting up with them. Fingers crossed I don’t get it!
Welcome @“great lakes mom” Glad to have you. I know weather can be a huge obstacle. I’m a wimp about cold rain, ice and even wind. I admire those of you who are good about getting outside in much more extreme weather than I usually face.
3.1 treadmill miles this morning since I had to be at work early for a breakfast meeting and It was chilly and maybe raining outside. Boring but I did it! Also ate reasonably at the breakfast, for a change.
@“great lakes mom”
My foot was giving me trouble awhile back. I thought it might be the beginnings of plantar fasciitis.
I recall rolling the affected foot on a frozen golf ball.
Of course, typical for me, once the pain goes away I forget all about it. Whether the golf ball helped or whether it was coincidence, I do not know.
What kind of shoe are you wearing at work? In my previous job, I was always on my feet, and found Birkenstock professional clogs the most comfortable, especially after adding compression socks.
I know! Dial back the sexiness, Midwest67!
Haha!
I have been in PT since July for PF, though now it is just monthly check ins. The foot, thankfully just one, is much improved and I do my exercises daily including rolling on a tennis ball. Sadly that has been more my focus than fitness in recent months. A few weeks ago I started acupuncture, but was interrupted by an emergency trip out of state. I used to wear Birkinstock clogs, and wear Birkies in the house. But I need tie shoe support at work so wear Hokkas, and alternate with something containing an orthotic. PF is an odd duck. The PT said the tissue was a mess, inflamed and muscle fibers were not sliding past each other. But again, it is better. What I think I need most as treatment is weight loss, perhaps combined with retirement…so again, back to this thread.
I’m glad you are wearing Hokas. They really helped my husband’s PF. I know it can be hard to solve!
I finished day one of week three of Couch to 5K. Three minutes running, straight. Not a lot, I know, but at least I’m improving! I’m also down three pounds in a week. I know most of that’s water, ha.
It’s been in the low 30’s here, but I have been walking. It’s not nearly as bad doing it as it is getting myself out there to do it!
I’m outside as long as the roads aren’t too icy. Or a downpour. Other than that, I’m outside. Cold, hot, drizzle, snow. Once you get out there it’s fine. I’ve been out in a steady warm rain. But 30 and rain, nope. I have lots of appropriate clothes.
Any suggestions for wide toe box sneakers and walking shoes? I got the shoe version of the Targee II hiking boots I’ve worn for years (on idad’s recommendation) for vacation last year and destroyed four toenails. One still hasn’t grown back.
I tried water aerobics this fall and liked the class, but I had severe muscle cramping with water under 88 degrees (thanks Sprycel). Lots of orthopedic issues have really shut me down.
@CountingDown ouch! - four toenails! What kind of activity will you be doing in the shoes that you are looking for? Are you hiking?
I would look at Topo or Altra. They both have wonderful wide toe boxes.
We have a dog that needs 2-3 walks per day otherwise she gets stir crazy. Rain, sleet, snow, heat, cold or windy. Walked through 2 feet of snow on numerous occasions. 35-45, windy and rain is the worst. Neighbors sometimes think we are crazy. But always gets some 15-20 minute walks in.
For regular exercise, my wife and I spend 20-30 minutes each morning on treadmill (walking) and Nordic track ski machine in our basement. Watch tv and talk about whatever. Ski machine is 25+ years old and still works same as it did when we bought it. Treadmill was paid for with gym membership fees for a year or so. Commute time is about 60 seconds per day.
On weekends, we try for 45-60 minutes on the treadmill (separately) per day (sometimes its just one day). I have a hard time walking on a treadmill. Tend to want to run. Often just go with steep incline.
Cut the grass, rake leaves and clear snow as exercise as well.
@CountingDown - I need a wide toe box too and I really like my Brooks for walking and my Merrell Moabs for hiking.