topic Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February in Beauty

ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

just bee — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 11:28:08 GMT

The ComPact is a commitment to simplify, pare down, streamline. It began as a way to gain some control over our collections of beauty products. Why were we amassing so much, yet not using what we were buying? Why were we always searching for the next new product? Why couldn't we just find what worked for us and stick with it?

The ComPact, however, is not restricted to beauty items. If you have a collection you want to address, do it here. Choose an area you want to work on, and track your progress on the ComPact thread. Members will offer tips and encouragement.

Choose one of our many mantras (“One by one until they’re done!” “We are SPAHHHRRRTAN!!!” “Not until you really have to.” “Buy less, choose well, make it last.” “Resist the propaganda.” "If it's high, I don't buy!" “When in doubt, do without!” “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” "Only the store, online no more!" “Shoplighters of the World Unite!”) or create a new one and share it. Target items each month to toss, donate, or use, and post your “chopping block” -- or “hit list.” Post temptations, post victories.

They say it takes 30 days for something to become a habit: Let's see if taking the ComPact one month at a time works for you.

Join us.

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

just bee — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 11:37:17 GMT

Hey, all you HEPcats and HEPdogs! We had discussed making the Healthy Eating thread a monthly jam session, so I just went ahead and did a little improvisation.

This is an invite to our crazy crib where you can come and break it down! I say we go 18 karat on this and really swing. If healthy eating’s not your bag, no problem. But if it is, I dig.

It’s cool, I’m booted, let’s jump!

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

just bee — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 11:42:33 GMT

I had a list of contenders for February but, at the last minute, fill in the blank popped into my head.

You get to fill in the _____.

What's in yours?

(Begins with F...)

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

just bee — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 11:58:01 GMT

I'll start.

Finally February.

I feel like it's taken me 60 years to finally figure things out. It's taken a pretty long time to finally make some progress ComPacting.

It's taken a lot of time and energy and expense to discover what I like, what I don't like, what's important and what isn't.

All the somedays? I can finally let go of most of them.

It's not just that it's too late for them, it's that I just don't want them anymore.

A weight has been lifted.

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

aprilskies — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 12:07:48 GMT

Hello, Everyone. Hello February.

I think I want my February to be “Free.” Free of advertisements, free of must buys, free of to do’s, free of don’t do’s, free of clutter, free of anxiety, free of worry, etc. etc. You get the picture.

No beauty purchases in January. At least that were not needed. I will continue that in February.

Hep - well I started doing good this week. Did I still have too much at times, sure, but I also controlled it other times as well. I am focusing on reducing sweets for now. I realized I can only do one thing at a time. I also started exercising and have been most of the week. I am feeling less bloated and no heartburn for at least 2 days. That has been a joy. I also threw out or gave away a lot foods that caused me heartburn.

While I am curious if I lost anything, I am not stepping on a scale. I find it demotivating. Sometimes you think you are doing great and then see you gained two. It’s not about the scale anyway. I just want to fit back into my clothes and feeling stronger and I will let that settle on whatever weight my body feels it needs to be at. I am making more of a lifestyle change and giving myself time to do it. After all, I didnt gain all this overnight.

@rnmom, how are you doing with HEP?

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

aprilskies — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 12:20:14 GMT

@just bee wrote:
I'll start.

Finally February.

I feel like it's taken me 60 years to finally figure things out. It's taken a pretty long time to finally make some progress ComPacting.

It's taken a lot of time and energy and expense to discover what I like, what I don't like, what's important and what isn't.

All the somedays? I can finally let go of most of them.

It's not just that it's too late for them, it's that I just don't want them anymore.

A weight has been lifted.

@just bee, looks like we were posting at the same time. Yes, yes, and yes to everything you said. I couldn’t of said it better. And after going through a few things lately and still not feeling right, I want to just bee (pun intended). I obviously did not want all of things that were marked “someday,” so why keep carrying them around and I dont want the next 10 years burdened by the “somedays.”

The weight is what I am trying to lift. That is my February.

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

just bee — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 12:20:26 GMT

@aprilskies wrote:
Hello, Everyone. Hello February.

I think I want my February to be “Free.” Free of advertisements, free of must buys, free of to do’s, free of don’t do’s, free of clutter, free of anxiety, free of worry, etc. etc. You get the picture.

No beauty purchases in January. At least that were not needed. I will continue that in February.

Hep - well I started doing good this week. Did I still have too much at times, sure, but I also controlled it other times as well. I am focusing on reducing sweets for now. I realized I can only do one thing at a time. I also started exercising and have been most of the week. I am feeling less bloated and no heartburn for at least 2 days. That has been a joy. I also threw out or gave away a lot foods that caused me heartburn.

While I am curious if I lost anything, I am not stepping on a scale. I find it demotivating. Sometimes you think you are doing great and then see you gained two. It’s not about the scale anyway. I just want to fit back into my clothes and feeling stronger and I will let that settle on whatever weight my body feels it needs to be at. I am making more of a lifestyle change and giving myself time to do it. After all, I didnt gain all this overnight.

@rnmom, how are you doing with HEP?

@aprilskies

Wow, this could replace SPAAAARRRTAN!

A month free of must-do, have-to and worry sounds like just what the doctor ordered. So how does it feel?

Didn't buy any unnecessary beauty products, changed a few things in your diet and... you feel better, right?

I almost went with Feel Good February. But I'm not quite there yet.

I had a dream about a scale last night. We lost ours in the fire and haven't replaced it. I have no idea what I weigh.

But you're right -- it all comes down to how you feel and how you feel inside your clothes.

Sounds like this will be a good month for you!

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

just bee — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 12:27:08 GMT

@aprilskies wrote:

@just bee wrote:
I'll start.

Finally February.

I feel like it's taken me 60 years to finally figure things out. It's taken a pretty long time to finally make some progress ComPacting.

It's taken a lot of time and energy and expense to discover what I like, what I don't like, what's important and what isn't.

All the somedays? I can finally let go of most of them.

It's not just that it's too late for them, it's that I just don't want them anymore.

A weight has been lifted.

@just bee, looks like we were posting at the same time. Yes, yes, and yes to everything you said. I couldn’t of said it better. And after going through a few things lately and still not feeling right, I want to just bee (pun intended). I obviously did not want all of things that were marked “someday,” so why keep carrying them around and I dont want the next 10 years burdened by the “somedays.”

The weight is what I am trying to lift. That is my February.

@aprilskies

It IS a burden! It's a huge sack of have-tos on your back. On your mind.

Between living in the past and focusing on the future, there is little time to just be(e) aware of the present.

Just concentrate on February. March can wait.

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

rnmom — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 12:37:12 GMT

@aprilskies -I feel like I'm doing pretty darn good with HEP actually. Thanks for asking. The girls at work had a taco bar yesterday with cupcakes for dessert and I stuck with my leftover goulash and orange and didn't have any treats.

I tried a bunch of times last year to just "cut back" and I didn't drop an ounce. I need to count calories and figure out exactly how much I am eating in order to actually drop any weight. I think if I don't I'm really just not aware of how much I'm consuming. It adds up quicker than I was realizing.

I've dropped about 7 pounds and think I can actually start to tell the tiniest bit of a difference in my clothes. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but it gives me motivation to keep going.

I have noticed that my knee hasn't been hurting as much as it used to either. It usually hurts all the time, some weeks worse than others. It hardly is bothering me at all right now. I can't help but wonder if it is related to all the junk and sugar I had been eating. Probably not, but it does seem like a coincidence.

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

rnmom — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 12:38:34 GMT

I think I am going to stick with Fit February.

Staying on this diet and exercising a couple of times a week is still going to be my main focus. It has to be for a little bit still. I still have way to far to go to start slacking now.

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

aprilskies — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 12:42:58 GMT

@just bee wrote:
@aprilskies wrote:

@just bee wrote:
I'll start.

Finally February.

I feel like it's taken me 60 years to finally figure things out. It's taken a pretty long time to finally make some progress ComPacting.

It's taken a lot of time and energy and expense to discover what I like, what I don't like, what's important and what isn't.

All the somedays? I can finally let go of most of them.

It's not just that it's too late for them, it's that I just don't want them anymore.

A weight has been lifted.

@just bee, looks like we were posting at the same time. Yes, yes, and yes to everything you said. I couldn’t of said it better. And after going through a few things lately and still not feeling right, I want to just bee (pun intended). I obviously did not want all of things that were marked “someday,” so why keep carrying them around and I dont want the next 10 years burdened by the “somedays.”

The weight is what I am trying to lift. That is my February.
@aprilskies

It IS a burden! It's a huge sack of have-tos on your back. On your mind.

Between living in the past and focusing on the future, there is little time to just be(e) aware of the present.

Just concentrate on February. March can wait.

@just bee, exactly, you have to meet yourself where you are at at the moment. Otherwise it feels daunting.

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

just bee — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 12:52:42 GMT

@rnmom wrote:
@aprilskies -I feel like I'm doing pretty darn good with HEP actually. Thanks for asking. The girls at work had a taco bar yesterday with cupcakes for dessert and I stuck with my leftover goulash and orange and didn't have any treats.

I tried a bunch of times last year to just "cut back" and I didn't drop an ounce. I need to count calories and figure out exactly how much I am eating in order to actually drop any weight. I think if I don't I'm really just not aware of how much I'm consuming. It adds up quicker than I was realizing.

I've dropped about 7 pounds and think I can actually start to tell the tiniest bit of a difference in my clothes. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but it gives me motivation to keep going.

I have noticed that my knee hasn't been hurting as much as it used to either. It usually hurts all the time, some weeks worse than others. It hardly is bothering me at all right now. I can't help but wonder if it is related to all the junk and sugar I had been eating. Probably not, but it does seem like a coincidence.

@rnmom

That's HUGE!

A couple daily decisions can make all the difference. There's always plenty of junk at work and people use it to relieve stress. The funny thing is, it doesn't!

It's amazing that you're already feeling the difference. Let us know when you start feeling like you have more energy all of a sudden.

You are definitely an inspiration. You have so much responsibility in your life but once you put your mind to something, you commit and make progress. I'm so glad you're part of the ComPact.

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

just bee — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 12:57:31 GMT

@aprilskies wrote:
@just bee wrote:
@aprilskies wrote:

@just bee wrote:
I'll start.

Finally February.

I feel like it's taken me 60 years to finally figure things out. It's taken a pretty long time to finally make some progress ComPacting.

It's taken a lot of time and energy and expense to discover what I like, what I don't like, what's important and what isn't.

All the somedays? I can finally let go of most of them.

It's not just that it's too late for them, it's that I just don't want them anymore.

A weight has been lifted.

@just bee, looks like we were posting at the same time. Yes, yes, and yes to everything you said. I couldn’t of said it better. And after going through a few things lately and still not feeling right, I want to just bee (pun intended). I obviously did not want all of things that were marked “someday,” so why keep carrying them around and I dont want the next 10 years burdened by the “somedays.”

The weight is what I am trying to lift. That is my February.
@aprilskies

It IS a burden! It's a huge sack of have-tos on your back. On your mind.

Between living in the past and focusing on the future, there is little time to just be(e) aware of the present.

Just concentrate on February. March can wait.

@just bee, exactly, you have to meet yourself where you are at at the moment. Otherwise it feels daunting.

@aprilskies

I'm keeping my eye on you and @rnmom this month. It sounds like you two have a new Pact and it's working!

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

aprilskies — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 13:00:14 GMT

@rnmom wrote:
@aprilskies -I feel like I'm doing pretty darn good with HEP actually. Thanks for asking. The girls at work had a taco bar yesterday with cupcakes for dessert and I stuck with my leftover goulash and orange and didn't have any treats.

I tried a bunch of times last year to just "cut back" and I didn't drop an ounce. I need to count calories and figure out exactly how much I am eating in order to actually drop any weight. I think if I don't I'm really just not aware of how much I'm consuming. It adds up quicker than I was realizing.

I've dropped about 7 pounds and think I can actually start to tell the tiniest bit of a difference in my clothes. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but it gives me motivation to keep going.

I have noticed that my knee hasn't been hurting as much as it used to either. It usually hurts all the time, some weeks worse than others. It hardly is bothering me at all right now. I can't help but wonder if it is related to all the junk and sugar I had been eating. Probably not, but it does seem like a coincidence.

@rnmom, you are doing great and 7 lbs is awesome 👏. Keep it up. Yes, at work, I am doing way better. I dont take any goodies folks put out and at lunch I am making healthier choices. I am having the saltier snacks but will cut those back soon too. Boy do those calories add up fast. I was counting them for the first couple of days but I don’t do well with keeping count. But, I do try and think about the amount of food on my plate and stopping when I am feeling full. This is a work in progress but I feel I am getting there. I want to train myself to eat only when hungry and stop when I am full. I am just glad I started this past week and will go into February a bit stronger.

I absolutely think sugar is related to joint issues. Maybe not in everyone’s case, but I don’t think it is a coincidence. I feel much better when my sugar is limited. I even feel the difference in my feet as I do have feet issues.

Yesterday I had my first sweet in 4 days. I didnt even want it because I was going to wait until the super bowl to indulge but I was visiting relatives and it was coffee and dessert type of night. I just feel pressure in those situations but will start to manage those as well. Anyway, I didnt overdo it but the funny part is I didnt even enjoy it. It almost tasted too sweet. So, that was good. I went home and exercised a bit. I wanted to combat the bad with the good.

Keep up the great work. I have a little catching up to do.

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

just bee — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 13:00:59 GMT

I want to keep track of our filled in blanks. So far we have:

Fit

Free

Finally

Keep 'em coming!

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

just bee — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 13:11:49 GMT

@aprilskies wrote:
Yesterday I had my first sweet in 4 days. I didnt even want it because I was going to wait until the super bowl to indulge but I was visiting relatives and it was coffee and dessert type of night. I just feel pressure in those situations but will start to manage those as well. Anyway, I didnt overdo it but the funny part is I didnt even enjoy it. It almost tasted too sweet. So, that was good. I went home and exercised a bit. I wanted to combat the bad with the good.

Keep up the great work. I have a little catching up to do.

@aprilskies

YES!!!

That's the first thing you'll notice. Things are suddenly too sweet or too salty. What I notice when I eat something processed is this:

It tastes waxy.

I actually smell and taste something waxy. It's like I'm eating a candle.

I first noticed this when I walked past a new pizza place that opened here. You think I would have smelled oregano, garlic or dough baking in the oven.

No. I just smelled wax.

I noticed the same thing when I walked past a certain sandwich shop chain. All I smell is wax.

Even my Stella D'oro cookies that I recently rediscovered. One variety in particular: The Margherite.

I won't buy them anymore. It's like eating a crayon.

Trust your senses.

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

aprilskies — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 13:16:16 GMT

@just bee wrote:
@aprilskies wrote:
Hello, Everyone. Hello February.

I think I want my February to be “Free.” Free of advertisements, free of must buys, free of to do’s, free of don’t do’s, free of clutter, free of anxiety, free of worry, etc. etc. You get the picture.

No beauty purchases in January. At least that were not needed. I will continue that in February.

Hep - well I started doing good this week. Did I still have too much at times, sure, but I also controlled it other times as well. I am focusing on reducing sweets for now. I realized I can only do one thing at a time. I also started exercising and have been most of the week. I am feeling less bloated and no heartburn for at least 2 days. That has been a joy. I also threw out or gave away a lot foods that caused me heartburn.

While I am curious if I lost anything, I am not stepping on a scale. I find it demotivating. Sometimes you think you are doing great and then see you gained two. It’s not about the scale anyway. I just want to fit back into my clothes and feeling stronger and I will let that settle on whatever weight my body feels it needs to be at. I am making more of a lifestyle change and giving myself time to do it. After all, I didnt gain all this overnight.

@rnmom, how are you doing with HEP?
@aprilskies

Wow, this could replace SPAAAARRRTAN!

A month free of must-do, have-to and worry sounds like just what the doctor ordered. So how does it feel?

Didn't buy any unnecessary beauty products, changed a few things in your diet and... you feel better, right?

I almost went with Feel Good February. But I'm not quite there yet.

I had a dream about a scale last night. We lost ours in the fire and haven't replaced it. I have no idea what I weigh.

But you're right -- it all comes down to how you feel and how you feel inside your clothes.

Sounds like this will be a good month for you!

@just bee, you know what feels good, is keeping the promise and commitment to myself. Making the right choices and not caving in at every turn feels so empowering to me. Health is my first commitment, then once that is conquered, I will move to the next. Let’s see where we end up at the end of 2020.

And @rnmom is right. Even in the few days I have been at HEP, I am seeing small differences and it is motivating me to keep moving forward.

Yes, I want to feel good inside my clothes. I want my body to naturally go where it needs to be because I dont want to struggle to keep myself at a certain weight that I arbitrarily picked or was in the past. Of course I have that number in my head, but am trying to let it go. My first goal is 5 Ibs.

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

just bee — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 13:25:39 GMT

@aprilskies wrote:

@just bee, you know what feels good, is keeping the promise and commitment to myself. Making the right choices and not caving in at every turn feels so empowering to me. Health is my first commitment, then once that is conquered, I will move to the next. Let’s see where we end up at the end of 2020.

And @rnmom is right. Even in the few days I have been at HEP, I am seeing small differences and it is motivating me to keep moving forward.

Yes, I want to feel good inside my clothes. I want my body to naturally go where it needs to be because I dont want to struggle to keep myself at a certain weight that I arbitrarily picked or was in the past. Of course I have that number in my head, but am trying to let it go. My first goal is 5 Ibs.

@aprilskies

By George, I think she's got it!

In keeping with my movie theme this morning, allow me to quote 1776.

It's Abigail Adams to her husband, John.

Have you forgotten what you used to say to me? I haven't. Commitment, Abby, commitment. There are only two creatures of value on the face of this earth - those with a commitment and those who require the commitment of others. Do you remember, John?

You have discovered something that requires your commitment. And it's worth your commitment.

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

aprilskies — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 13:27:07 GMT

@just bee wrote:
@aprilskies wrote:
Yesterday I had my first sweet in 4 days. I didnt even want it because I was going to wait until the super bowl to indulge but I was visiting relatives and it was coffee and dessert type of night. I just feel pressure in those situations but will start to manage those as well. Anyway, I didnt overdo it but the funny part is I didnt even enjoy it. It almost tasted too sweet. So, that was good. I went home and exercised a bit. I wanted to combat the bad with the good.

Keep up the great work. I have a little catching up to do.
@aprilskies

YES!!!

That's the first thing you'll notice. Things are suddenly too sweet or too salty. What I notice when I eat something processed is this:

It tastes waxy.

I actually smell and taste something waxy. It's like I'm eating a candle.

I first noticed this when I walked past a new pizza place that opened here. You think I would have smelled oregano, garlic or dough baking in the oven.

No. I just smelled wax.

I noticed the same thing when I walked past a certain sandwich shop chain. All I smell is wax.

Even my Stella D'oro cookies that I recently rediscovered. One variety in particular: The Margherite.

I won't buy them anymore. It's like eating a crayon.

Trust your senses.

@just bee, yes isnt that something how tastes do change. I was having chips for a few days at work instead of sweets and it dawned on me that they just tasted to salty. I finished them but....it might be easier than I think not to get them at lunch next time.

Yes, processed foods do start to feel just that, processed. But I will tell you the one Stella D’oro cookie I really like is called Angelina, Angelica, it is Angel something. But it almost tastes like a cookie I make. I just limit buying them to when they are sale so it saves me from devouring packages of them. Great with coffees and teas, or just by themselves.

Re: ComPact 2020 – Fill in the _____ February

just bee — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 13:36:45 GMT

@aprilskies wrote:

@just bee wrote:
@aprilskies wrote:
Yesterday I had my first sweet in 4 days. I didnt even want it because I was going to wait until the super bowl to indulge but I was visiting relatives and it was coffee and dessert type of night. I just feel pressure in those situations but will start to manage those as well. Anyway, I didnt overdo it but the funny part is I didnt even enjoy it. It almost tasted too sweet. So, that was good. I went home and exercised a bit. I wanted to combat the bad with the good.

Keep up the great work. I have a little catching up to do.
@aprilskies

YES!!!

That's the first thing you'll notice. Things are suddenly too sweet or too salty. What I notice when I eat something processed is this:

It tastes waxy.

I actually smell and taste something waxy. It's like I'm eating a candle.

I first noticed this when I walked past a new pizza place that opened here. You think I would have smelled oregano, garlic or dough baking in the oven.

No. I just smelled wax.

I noticed the same thing when I walked past a certain sandwich shop chain. All I smell is wax.

Even my Stella D'oro cookies that I recently rediscovered. One variety in particular: The Margherite.

I won't buy them anymore. It's like eating a crayon.

Trust your senses.

@just bee, yes isnt that something how tastes do change. I was having chips for a few days at work instead of sweets and it dawned on me that they just tasted to salty. I finished them but....it might be easier than I think not to get them at lunch next time.

Yes, processed foods do start to feel just that, processed. But I will tell you the one Stella D’oro cookie I really like is called Angelina, Angelica, it is Angel something. But it almost tastes like a cookie I make. I just limit buying them to when they are sale so it saves me from devouring packages of them. Great with coffees and teas, or just by themselves.

@aprilskies

Is it Anginetti?

I only have access to three varieties -- well, now just two since I can't eat the Margherites anymore: Breakfast Treats and Lady Stella assortment.

BH and I are having this discussion with chips. Too salty, too greasy, too expensive.

One thing to think about is reducing the amount of fried foods we eat. Take some time away from them and see what happens when you go back.