The BDG Game

I heard a Pink interview where she talked about a dinner party game she plays called BDG's ... Brag, Desires, and Gratitudes.  Each person shares at least one of each - helps us to remember that there are so many good htings in life even when things seem tough

Who would like to share a BDG?

BRAG - I ate SO balanced and light yesterday all day that I was able to have real oil popped popcorn last night as a snack .... without going over calories or carb counts for the day!  It was AWESOME!

DESIRE - that by the time I need to buy a new wet suit, I will not have to custom order it because of my size

GRATITUDE - Even tough I am technically overweight, I am fit and healthy, I am adventurous nad I am DONE having my weight stop me from doing things I want to do!  Like scuba dive!

Just time for a quick nte before class.

@lucia: I'm glad you took Monday off. You deserve a break. ^_^

@rocconess: I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I hope your pain eases.

@nancy: I'm glad you have Maria in your life and am happy you get to go join her for her 50th. :)

If you guys check out my profile, you'll get a chance to see me and my guy on Halloween. ^_^

Brag: A friend of mine from Chemistry told be I looked like I was loosing weight. We're not that close, so I know he'd only tell me if it really was noticeable.

Desire: Concentration. With so much to focus on, it's hard to pay attention to any one thing.

Gratitude: I talked to my advisor today and it looks like I'm graduating in June. I picked up my application for graduation today. And if I raise my GPA .083 points, I'll have Latin Honors. That's not that hard for a years work...

aawwweeeee, foffles, you and your man are just too cute, I want to put you in my pocket and take you both home wiht me!

Hi Friends!

Foffles - you and your man are quite the pair - you look great together!!!  And, I have no doubt you will get the GPA up in time for graduation - you go girl!

Nancy - I can't believe all of the ownderful brags you have had the past few days.  You are doing so great with your workouts and deficits!!!

lucia - I see that your workouts continue without fail . . . what a great job!!!

And to all of you, thank you so much for your kind words and for hanging with me while I go through a rough patch.  I feel better and better with each passing day, and find strength in knowing that I have a wonderful family and friends like you to help me through.  You're the best!!!

BRAG - My husband has always told me that because he sees me every day, he can't really tell when I lose weight.  BUT the past couple of weeks he has been noticing and commenting frequently on how good I look!  Talk about exciting! 

DESIRE - To get back on track as far as losing weight goes.   I haven't lost in a little over a week, but haven't gained at all (thank goodness).  I just need to get the weight coming off again, but will probably have to wait until TTOM is over . . . it takes such a toll on me.

GRATITUDE - That I have a wonderful mother in law to spend this weekend with!  Yeah for early Christmas shopping and not being in the stores in December!

I hope that you all have  a wonderful day and I will check back in tomorrow!

BRAG - Damm!  I look good for a woman with a 27 BMI at age 40!  I was in my late 20's & 30's when breast implants were getting popular and an A cup was considered a good candidate for the procedure.  But I didn't waiver.  I'm glad.  Because they have been small all my life they look younger now.  No sagging.  Perfect shape.  YAY!  I love my boobehs!

DESIRE - I wish my husband were happier.  I've been through some hard times.  Money is tight but I can cut-back.  I have.  I've lived on far less, so I wish he could find happiness in his present moment and release the preoccupation with whats to come when the day is done and relax, live his life with me.  He said, "I want to grow old with you."  So I want that time and all those memories to be of us living, hard and easy.  But lets live in the present moment.  Its all we really have.   

GRATITUDE - I am grateful as can be that a woman in my own hometown, which happens to be a very Republican-dominant state, published in the main newspaper an article about marijuana legalization and how regulation and taxation, like alcohol, could be just the thing to save our economy.  I've been saying just this thing for 15 years and I am grateful someone else was able to say it and have it reach such a broad audience. 

Hi:):)

I am SO GLAD we are ALL on an upbeat swing for November :):)  It is GREAT reading these posts:):)  I just keep on smiling and feeling the great vibes:):)

Welcome mspw2:)  I congratulate you on your achievements and thank you for your happy comments:):)

Brag - I went to the gym this morning - burned 500 calories - I was hoping for a bit more but this was intense enough.

I thought for November I would eliminate caffeine from my system -- and slowly through October I stopped the Diet Coke and this past weekend the morning coffee.  I am now wondering if perhaps I should at least keep the 1 cup of morning coffee.  I am going to give my body one more week and see what happens.  I feel well - I just do not seem to have the extra umph to maintain the high intensity numbers on the treadmill.  Maybe it just takes a bit more time for the body to adjust to being on its on... so to speak:):)

Desire - the weather is STILL in the 90's in the afternoon - so no afternoon walk yet.  I am hoping to see some cooler temps soon - usually November is when it starts to drop - AND you can tell the difference between 90's and 80's:):)

Gratitude - that we are all doing so well:):)  Yeah!!! 

Wishng us all a WONDERFUL and HAPPY day:):)

Hi lucia.  You can call me mspw... this is my newer profile.  I had to create it because there was a prob with my email notifications.  Tech support could not rectify it so I started all over again.  Though I admit I've not been in here much.  I usually slum-around in the After Hours chat. 

BRAG - I'm a great cook!  I'm glad I have this ability so I can share it with ppl I love.  My in-laws paid for a 4-night vacation in a mountain cabin for the hub & I.  We've been together 3.5 years and not had a vacation together yet!  Money has been tight so they bought this for us.  I'm making dinner for them Friday to show my appreciation.  I'm so glad I'm good at it so they don't have to be polite and act like its good.

DESIRE - I'd like for my kitchen to be clean without actually having to clean it.  My nails just grew out to a nice length and washing dishes is the killer of my nails.  But I will do them because this is my desire.  Its only about 20 mins to clean the whole kitchen.  I think I'll survive it.

GRATITUDE - I'm grateful for my husband's family.  Mine are gone.  So he and his family are all I have.  Its been rough, gaining their approval, but I think I have, finally.  Either that, or they realized after a couple of years I wasn't going away so they'd better make the best of it.  But then they do get to eat my potato salad, which may be what actually won them over!  Anyway, its so nice to have a family where people get together frequently and actually enjoy one-anothers' company.  Nobody winds up in tears, or peeling outta the driveway burning rubber, or yells obscenities when they've had too much to drink.  Nobody tries to embarrass anyone with childhood stories intended to make you feel bad in front of everyone.  Nobody steals money from your purse.  Nobody insults the cook.  Nobody leaves 15 minutes after eating Thanksgiving dinner that took 18 hours and hundreds of dollars to prepare.   (yes, all of this used to happen with my family regularly.)  We can all actually sit around and discuss politics and nobody gets upset!  After the grandparents leave, we can even use curse-words and be adults.  Nobody has to sit at the kids' table.  There are no kids in the immediate family. 

Y'all!  I think I'm gonna cry reading all of this positive wonderful stuff!

My prediction:  All of us on BDG are going to end the year STRONG nad on track with our goals. 

With this much positive energy floating around nad surrounding us, how could we NOT?

mspw - I knew I recognized ur name, but when I went to your profile it didn't look familiar - so I see ... tech difficulties huh?  Well its so good to have you back with us again, pelase keep ocming!  Your comments brought many smiles nad even a couple tears to my eyes .... and I completely agree with your solution to the country's economic mess - legalize, regulate, tax ..... we'd seriously have our national budget in the BLACK.  Adn help a lot of people by creating new jobs as growers nad producers, and lets not forget all the people who could medically benefit form the legalization.  OK don't get me started - maybe this is a conversation to be had offline!  BTW - you are blessedto have a wonderful family by marriage .... .families come is all forms - my closest family are hte people I've chosen to surround me

Lucia - are you monitoring the allocation of fat/protein/carbs in your diet on the Analysis page of this site?  Maybe you need soem tweaking there to increase stamina?  Maybe just maybe, you are doing GREAT ... Ok you are.  it's not a maybe.  Just keep at hte consistency and it will all pay off.  I am concerned - who's crazy idea was it to stop withy CAFFEINE????  The sweet nectar of hte Gods!!!!  LOL  I am a caffeine addict.  coffee mostly.  I actually have a Keurig coffee maker not only at home, but also on my desk at work!  lol  And you know what else?  I AM SO JEALOUS IT IS SO WARM THERE!!!!!

roccconess - I bet that man o yours can wrap his arms around you even tighter since you are losing so much weight!  Yeah!  Your mother in law is a true gem.  I am so happy you have her.

BRAG - where o where to begin?  Wit hthe shirt I put on for hte first time in months that is getting way too big?  the 1300 cal deficit in 2 days?  That I am feelign a little sassy today?  Taht I have packed all my food for work today?  That I am making soy meat tacos for friends tonight?  That I will have another 700 calorie deficit today????  :)

DESIRE - For all ofus to continue with this momentum through the rest of hte year.  This is traditionally a time in the year when people GAIN weight and get unhealthy ...... I think we are all goign to prove that we can have fun and enjoy the holidays hwile staying on track and sticking with our health plans.  We rock ladies!

GRATITUDE - for all of you, my BDG Soul Mates!  You are always there for me ... I appreciate nad love you all!

Have a glorious day!

lucia, on the caffeine cutback... have you tried green teas, oolong or Brazilian matte?  They all have about 25% the caffeine if a cuppa joe and they are good for you.  My hub & I have had to stop coffee.  We can have it on occasion but I don't believe in decaf.  Its just wrong, and chemically processed.  Also, Celestial Seasonings does a thing called Roastaroma that is caffeine-free but tastes really good, sorta like coffee. 

Thanks nancy!  Great to see you. 

@Nancy: Lol, thanks. I told him he looked good, but everyone seems to think he was a giant leprecaun. >.< And I'm so happy you have so many brags! You're doing so well. ^_^

@rocconess: Thanks for the compliment and encouragement. I really appriciate it. :D And it's wonderful news that your husband is taking notice of your weight loss. And it's awesome that you and your MIL get along so well. :)

@mspw: Looking good and an excellent cook? Sounds like you're doing pretty well for yourself. ^^ I hope your husband finds more enjoyment in the simple things and your kitchen is so easy to clean, it practically cleans itself. And it's wonderful you have found such a wonderful family in your husband's family. My mom just has a sister left, and I know the fact that she has my dad's bigish family to count as family too is a great comfort to her. 

@lucia: Good luck working on eliminating caffine! That's something I've tried multiple times to work on, but it seems like it's caffine or sleeping through class for me. I hope you have great success! And I hope your weather becomes more cooperative. It's been really chilly here.

Brag: I got the outline for my major 10+ page report done. Now, to fill everything in...

Desire: The holidays to take their time getting here. I'm a little low on money right now and have no clue what to get anyone. I've really got to start thinking abot what to do for my sister for Thanksgiving and Christmas since she won't be home...

Gratitude: In 2 weeks, things will calm down alot... I'll have more time with my guy, more hours at work... just have to make it through these projects and finals.

Hello to my wonderful friends!

Welcome mspw!

I really love coming here and reading all of your posts each day!  You guys are such a great bunch and I love the positive energy.  I leave here feeling so much better than when I arrived!  Thanks ladies!

BRAG - One of my coworkers stopped me this morning to say, "Man Jennifer, you are just disappearing on us aren't you?!".  Talk about a great way to start the day! 

DESIRE - To get through the next 2 days still maintaining my weight and get back to it on Saturday! 

GRATITUDE - For my friend who brought me yummy breakfast this morning.  What a nice surprise and treat!

Hope that you all have a great day!  I am off to the doctor this afternoon for a 2 hour VNG test.  Hoping for some answers to these dizzy spells!!!

rocconess - good luck with the testing this afternoon ... hoping something can be determined and that it is NOT serious!

Good morning:)  Thursday!!!  ANOTHER weekend is almost here - WOW!!!

Brag - I am happy to say I burned 600 calories this morning - with the intensity at a much higher pace:)  I am thinking my body just needed more time to adjust.

Desire - I will not be going back to the gym until Monday so I am going to hope I will concentrate on staying focused on my nutrition AND if the weather is somewhat cooler I may even get afternoon walks in:)

Gratitude - that I am OK with 3 days away from the gym, knowing this is not a downward spiral ...or the beginning of one:):)  I am flexible in my routine so that other things CAN take priority.  I am also thinking that Monday I should be able to burn calories easily:):)

As I have gotten older, my body has shown a decided unhappiness with my caffeine consumption and to stop - especially the headaches when i did not get enough caffeine - I decided to eliminate as much as I could from my consumption.  I guess since I am eating a LOT more healthy foods it really makes a difference when additives are in the mix... AND it is not like I can NEVER have caffeine .. I just do not want to consume it on a steady basis.

AND foffles - you are so CORRECT!!   I am now in a time at my life that when I am tired I REALLY can have the luxury of a nap or a long sleep.  When my family visits then it is a different story ... I really do need to be awake a lot more:):) However - for now - all is quiet and I am going ot see what life without caffeine is like:)

Thank you mspw for your suggestions:):)  Right now I am fortunate that I have stocked up on Celestial Peach and Sugar Cookie flavors - they are pleasantly sweet - for me:)

AND rocconess - I am thinking positive thoughts that it is something SIMPLE and EASY to resolve in your health situation.

AND to ALL of you --- how COOL is that !! -- ALL those WONDERFUL compliments!!!  YEAH!!!!  a very nice reinforcement of all our efforts:)  This holiday season has us focused on the CORRECT way to enjoy life and adjust our eating and exercising so that we ENJOY these holidays:):)

Wishing us ALL a wonderful and happy day:):)

Brag - I got the bills paid first-thing this morning.  I didn't hem & haw about it first and ruminate unpleasantly about doing it and waste 3 times the time & energy NOT doing it, and just did it.  I was finished in 30 minutes. 

Desire - I want more money - an it harm none.  Simple.  We barely have enough to get through the month and that doesn't count the mortgage $1200).  So yea.  I desire MORE MONEY!

Gratitude - Tough today.  TTOM.  My computer is working well.  We replaced the fan on the video card a couple of weeks ago and, until then, it was scary, noisy and we were afraid it would overheat the motherboard.  It was also processing much slower.  But now its quiet and works perfectly.  So I'm grateful for that.  I use it so much!

Hi Ladies

I've been sort of cranky the last 24 hours or so, and I need htis thread today to try to get my head back on straight.

lucia my dear - you are so consistent nad have such a great attitude all the time - how do you do it?  With all the other sacrifices I make to lose weight nad live a healthy life, I cannot even imagine eliminating caffeine *she says with the taste of coffee still in her mouth and a giant Coke Zero sitting next to her*  You have a magnificent outlook on life nad I am so grateful that you joined htis thread with me nad are helping to keep it going strong.  We couldn't do this without you

mspw - hang in there girl, sounds like times have been tough.  I am proud of you for digging in deep to find that gratitude today.  Having a working computer can be such a blessing and I am glad the issue was a simple fan replacement.  :)  And don't forget you are a HOT 40 year old with fabulous boobehs! woo hoooooooo

BRAG - I didn't choke my husband last night.  :)

DESIRE - to never want to choke my adoring husband again  :)

GRATITUDE - that I can have feelings of wanting to choke him for not taking out hte garbage nad not washing the chili pot, but that I do not act on these irrational feelings ... and I eventually come around to realize how very much I love him.  Even with all his failts.  And there are a lot..... teeheeheeeeeeee  I am sure he says the same thing about me.

So yeah, trying to put hte smile back on my face where it belongs and to absorb the positive energy from all of you wonderful friends .....

Have a GREAT rest of hte day and send lots of happiness vibes my way please!

Hi:):)

Brag  -  Nancy - thank you for your compliments.  I am GLAD that is how you see me:):) 

Desire - It has taken quite a few years to actually develop this outlook - it is sooo easy to see the negative and I had decided many years ago that I did not want to live my life like that.

I remember watching Pollyanna many years ago and one of the sentences in that film was ...when you look for the evil in man, you will surely find it.  AND then it went on to how we should always try to find good in all situations.  I know... it is a cheesy film BUT sometimes these types of films have a sentence or two or a theme that sticks out and that was what I got out of it - at the time.  (By the way, THIS is NOT my favorite film:):) - I prefer the Terminator action syle films:):)

AND writing the BDG here every day is like saying it aloud and reinforcing the things - especially the little things we sometimes take for granted - that make our life better.  I have been more relaxed since joining this thread and it has impacted my life positively and helped me so much continue to find my balance in life.

Granted I STILL have "problems":

with this weight -- it is not budging BUT I am happy to say I am not gaining either:):)

and times when I just want to scream in frustration at something or someone BUT don't... AND I am happy to say I can usually go for a walk or play on the computer or do something until I am calm again and can think it logically - more or less - and figure out a solution.

SO... You were angry at Cam for things he did not do and made your job harder -- I am taking it for granted you ended up taking out the garbage and cleaning the chili pot -- I do not blame you one bit -- it IS frustrating  - I am sure you have asked or suggested that he do both AND probably more things which he never got around to doing

BUT  YOU DID realize what was important --- how very much you love him and how empty your life would be without him ..... AND THAT is what I am talking about.   YOU REALIZE what is IMPORTANT TO YOU!!!

you have a FABULOUS TRAINER and YOU HAVE MADE strides in your healthy lifestyle -- do not look upon them as sacrifices - instead think of them as opportunities and accomplishments AND IF it is going to take longer ..... so what?   YOU have the rest of your life anyway AND this is a step FORWARD!!! (This is the arguement I use with myself as I see my body getting a bit more compact but the ounces NOT coming off!!)

AND YOU have GREAT friends and support persons which - for you - is such an important part of your life

AND you have a JOB at a company that you wanted to stay with

AND you have GREAT IDEAS, make EXCELLENT SUGGESTIONS and DO wonderful things .  I FIND YOU INSPIRING AND AN AWESOME PERSON.  Having these difficult times just shows you are human BUT HOW you COPE with them shows YOUR WONDERFUL SPIRIT AND CHARACTER. 

Gratitude - that YOU have impacted my life so positively

I am wishing you AN EXCELLENT rest of the day and weekend!!!  AND am sending the HAPPIEST vibes I can think of:):) 

Nancy - Wishing you the very best:):)

AND

foffles, rocconess and mspw - I want you to know that I appreciate all YOUR posts also.  There is unity in force and you ALL contribute to the GOOD VIBES I get from this thread when I am having a tough time and continue my happiness when I am smiling:):)

Let's face it ...without you this thread would be a journal ... and not fun at all:):)

Brag - that WE have such a GREAT thread:):)

Desire - that this holiday season brings that happiness and balance we strive for so we enter 2010 with YEAH!!!!!

Gratitude - for ALL OF YOU who make this so wonderfully possible. 

THANK YOU:)

how do i add this group to my group list

ibeckforme

hi!  I don't know if you can add us as a group, cause wer'e jsut a little ol' thread ... BUT .... since you've posted here now, and I hope you continue to or at least stalk us a bit to see if you want to! - if you click on the Community drop down, then click on My Posts, you will be able ot find us again quickly!

Please join!  the more the merrier!

Lucia - NO FAIR MAKING ME CRY AT MY DESK AT WORK!

Thank you though ..... i needed that pep talk!

YAY for all of us!  We rock!

Just read about this group in the blog about saying thanks to our bodies!  A new concept, but one that sounds like a great idea....get rid of some of the negetives by being thankful for 'just being me!'  So, thought I would check it out....it's so neat to read all the good stuff posted here...it's so positive...would love to be a part of it.  Hope it's okay to just jump on in.............

BRAG - I've been at my goal for 2 1/2 months! 

DESIRE - to make it thru the holidays and maintain my goal weight...done this before and this time of year is when I lose my will-power & start the slow move back up the scale.

GRATITUDE - So thankful for a husband who loves and puts up with me and constantly reminds me that the weight loss looks good!

Hi:):)  Friday!!!  the beginning of a weekend!!!  YEAH!!! 

AND today has been SO HOT!!!! and HUMID!!!!  This morning Mom had an appointment so no gym session for me.  Afterwards, while she and Dad were taking their morning naps I decided to do my morning errands.

I had a cup of coffee AND a dunkin donut at 9:30.  I really needed the extra push ... I was seriously considering getting into the back seat of the car and taking a nap - only I did not want to have the car running with the air conditioner.  So... I will not say the coffee and donut perked me right up BUT it DID help get me through the rest of the morning errands.... AND I have decided to have that ONE cup of coffee in the morning from now on and that will be the total of my caffeine intake.  I am pretty sure this will not bring the headaches if I do not have anymore caffeine for the rest of the day -- this is what I had been doing these past few weeks when I had stopped the diet coke.

Brag - I did not have another donut -- not that I really wanted one BUT I thought it would be a good brag:):)  I COULD have had another one but chose not to:):)

Desire - for the temps to STAY under the 90's.  I am sure later on I will wish for the lower 80's but right now 86 - 89 sounds good to me:)

Gratitude - THANK YOU sinkpea for your post AND I hope to hear from you again:):)  THAT is SO COOL to KNOW that YOU Have maintained your goal weight AND to KNOW that YOU have made it through the holidays AND maintained your weight.:):)  THANK YOU for saying that:):)  We are all striving to enter 2010 with healthy success during these holidays:):)

ibeckforme - I welcome you and look forward to hearing your positive posts:):)

AND Nancy I HOPE today is a HAPPY day for you

AND I wish EVERYONE a wonderful day:):)  Hugs and happiness:):)