The Money Mustache Community

General Discussion => Throw Down the Gauntlet => Topic started by: PJ on October 25, 2017, 03:47:00 PM

Title: No Excuses November!
Post by: PJ on October 25, 2017, 03:47:00 PM
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO Excuses November is just around the corner - what does that mean for you?

Maybe for you, that's a No Spend November. 

Or maybe it's a No Credit Cards November.  Or No Eating Out November.  Or No Alcohol November.  Or No More Smoking November.  Or No Buying Ponies for the Kids November.

Or maybe, like me, it's No Excuses for Not Sticking to the Budget.  But NEFNSTTB didn't have quite the same ring to it that No Excuses November had.

Hi, all.  I'm PJ, and I tend to come and go from the forums.  So it's nice to come back and see so many familiar faces in the Gauntlet threads, and also nice to see so many new people participating here since I was last around.

Hope you guys don't mind me starting the November thread a bit early, but as I only get paid once a month, my November starts today.  And as I'm checking the bank balance, and checking on my bills, I'm thinking about what November needs to look like.

NO EXCUSES!

Will be back later to post some detailed plans.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on October 25, 2017, 03:58:04 PM
No fast food. It isn't a particularly big part of the budget, but it is wasteful and I am fat.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Rosy on October 25, 2017, 05:48:52 PM
Worked on my November budget today so I already know:
NO unnecessary or unplanned purchases in November.
If I make it through November unscathed I'll be fine for Christmas and ready for the holidays.

I'm in:)
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Off the Wheel on October 25, 2017, 11:12:46 PM
I'll commit to NO random meals out. I will still meet a friend for lunch or take an employee for coffee (I can expense that last one!) but no buying food on my own dime because I was too lazy/ill-prepared to plan ahead!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: PJ on October 25, 2017, 11:31:02 PM
Glad to see I'll have some company in November!

Still working out the details of my November budget, but plan to post some broad strokes about it once I've got things figured out.  But thanks to ixtap (NO fast food), Rosy (NO unnecessary or unplanned purchases), and Off the Wheel (NO random meals out) for joining me in

(http://cdn.xl.thumbs.canstockphoto.com/canstock21407729.jpg)NOVEMBER
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Off the Wheel on October 25, 2017, 11:41:19 PM
I actually am updating my goal after checking my finances... I have a goal to get rid of a some consumer debt by the end of the year, and I'm not on track. New goal is to hit the milestones I set for myself. From $6750 to $0 by December 15th.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: middo on October 26, 2017, 12:02:11 AM
I'm in. No excuses for not hitting my repayment of debt schedule.  It's ambitious, but no excuses now.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: fluffmuffin on October 26, 2017, 07:52:42 AM
I'm in. December will be expensive with the holidays + travel, so I was planning to do a low-spend November anyway. It will be so much easier with a group for accountability!

Stealing two NOvember goals from Rosy and Off the Wheel and adding one of my own:
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: appleseed on October 27, 2017, 03:03:39 PM
Me, too!!! I definitely need a reboot - especially before December when our grocery budget zooms with the extra food for parties, events, cookies for teachers, etc. So nothing outside the budget November for me unless we have already made a plan (at least one weekend travel), and I will adjust from elsewhere in the budget. Thanks for starting this thread!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: 11ducks on October 28, 2017, 05:43:08 AM
No fast food. It isn't a particularly big part of the budget, but it is wasteful and I am fat.

Seconded. Also, no more binging on big plates of gnocchi after the gym. I burn 500cals then immediately eat back 800cals.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: JoshuaSpodek on October 28, 2017, 06:07:09 AM
Launching my podcast, Leadership and the Environment, that I meant to launch last month.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: runbikerun on October 28, 2017, 07:39:29 AM
No fast food. It isn't a particularly big part of the budget, but it is wasteful and I am fat.

Seconded. Also, no more binging on big plates of gnocchi after the gym. I burn 500cals then immediately eat back 800cals.

There is an alternative: do more in the gym and continue to scarf down gnocchi.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: PJ on October 28, 2017, 01:23:27 PM
No fast food. It isn't a particularly big part of the budget, but it is wasteful and I am fat.

Seconded. Also, no more binging on big plates of gnocchi after the gym. I burn 500cals then immediately eat back 800cals.

Launching my podcast, Leadership and the Environment, that I meant to launch last month.

Love these goals!  I'd been thinking purely in financial terms aka No Spend November type thing, but it's great when the same thread can also be a general accountability thread!  Make sure you post back to let us know how it goes...

(...though, mmmmmmmmm.  Gnocchi.  Hard to give up.  Have smaller portions?)
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Zamboni on October 28, 2017, 09:51:23 PM
I think I'm going to call my the "No excuses for extra crap November."

Joined the "eat all your food" challenge as well, and I'm going to work on clearing out stuff from my house. Tomorrow morning I'm going to load up and donate the stuff that's on my "to be donated" shelves as a start.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: BeautifulDay on October 28, 2017, 10:31:51 PM
Got to stick to my budget this month.  Lately we've had some out of budget spending dragging us down.  This will be a challenge with thanksgiving travel coming up.  But we need to keep the end goal in mind.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: LilMissMinimalist on October 29, 2017, 09:39:27 PM
No Double-Dipping November

The money I have in my checking account is the only money I have available to spend — no taking "just a little" out of savings until payday; no grabbing the credit cards either.

Sad to admit, but if I can make it one month without doing either of these things it will be longest stretch I've maintained.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: alleykat on October 30, 2017, 05:27:35 AM
Groceries in general.  I need to only buy what I need. I am well stock and should be able to keep to only essentials if I try. Also, no makeup or skincare unless I need to replace something.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 30, 2017, 05:44:52 AM
No more buying my favorite cheesecake and have that for dinner whenever DH plans to eat somewhere else. This cheesecake is very expensive and unhealthy. Is is only sold by 2 pieces and that is exactly 1 piece too many.

No buying of sweets if I go shopping the coming days, even though sweets might be on sale in the shops now for Halloween. Both DH and I need to watch our weight at this moment.

No more buying of comfort food at the newsstand if I need to visit the city for work.

No more buying of chocolate bars when the grocery store has discount market. This will be a very difficult one. I often buy quite a large pile when they are soo cheap.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: asauer on October 30, 2017, 10:09:34 AM
No eating out.  There's so many yummy fall recipes to make at home- no reason for me to eat out at all.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: aperture on October 30, 2017, 10:13:17 AM
No white carbs November.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: vertkurt on October 30, 2017, 01:45:10 PM
No missing Gym days November for me. It shouldn't be hard, but I do go 6 days/week so you never know.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on October 30, 2017, 02:21:14 PM
Day -2: Colleague was stalking the office on his day off, so I couldn't run home for lunch and risk missing commission. Grabbed trail mix instead of ordering at the restaurant next door. Must bring lunch next time.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: cantgrowone on October 31, 2017, 02:12:20 AM
This is just what I need. There's no excuse for me not to hit the gym. It's in my basement for crying out loud.

Also, no excuse not to eat healthy. I'm done with sugary/fatty eating habits.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Mongoose on October 31, 2017, 08:04:22 AM
Love it! My "November" started last week based on pay and got off to a lousy start. We had hopefully the last of several years of deferred maintenance come up...new tires for car. And some accountability would help in non-financial areas as well.

1. No eating out (one already scheduled date lunch with hubby allowed). This is a huge problem for us and all due to poor planning.

2. No skipping runs/cross training.

3. No clothing purchases except for winter coat for DS (Goodwill most likely) and a pair of running shoes for me.

4. No coffee (tapering back to by having 1-2 weeks of quarter caf allowed). Caffeine doesn't really agree with me. I was off it completely and feeling great but used it as a substitute for sleep after my parent had a bad spell. I want back off it for good now!

5. The hard one...no sweets. I put sugar in my coffee (see above). I crave sweets in the evening. But I want to join the no sugary/fatty eating habits crowd. It might help taper the coffee better to stop putting sugar in it.

6. I like Zamboni's "no excuses for extra crap". Triple dipping by including both not buying anything but essentials, using up stuff, and finishing my decluttering challenge!

7. Read back through and adding one: no beer/cider. I think I have a sensitivity to some ingredient and I definitely don't need the extra calories or the extra expense.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: haypug16 on October 31, 2017, 08:05:46 AM
I'm in!

NO EXCUSES!!!
1. Ride bike to work provided it's above 50 and not raining (this is my hardest one! I'll need to get up maybe 30 mins early to account for the extra time it takes to ride vs drive)
2. Stick to budget - no unplanned spending (Oct was great and I hope to carry this forward to Nov)
3. Get to my To Do list! No going home and loafing around on my phone or watching TV (Probably the "easiest" one I love making to do lists and crossing things off)
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on October 31, 2017, 09:50:42 AM

Day -2: Colleague was stalking the office on his day off, so I couldn't run home for lunch and risk missing commission. Grabbed trail mix instead of ordering at the restaurant next door. Must bring lunch next time.

Day -1: Fasting to have a screening at SO's work on the other side of town. Plus, to save gas, I am going to go with him and spend the day running errands and hanging at the library. I have yogurt, salad and snacks to keep me away from the fast food.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: kaypinkHH on October 31, 2017, 01:00:33 PM
Awesome thread!
I'm joining in:
No more being lazy- going to exercise 5x per week. (45 mins min)
No more takeout lunches, sticking to the food budget and saving our restaurant food for special occasions
No new clothes- if something wears out, I'm going to a thrift store.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Juslookin on October 31, 2017, 07:34:30 PM
1. Sticking to the food budget, I know exactly how much I have to spend each week.
2. No eating out this month.
3. No buying anything extra. Specific list already of what I have allowed to buy for November, necessities only and can not add to the list for November.

Should be able to save extra big bucks this month with this belt tightening.
I'm in!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Zamboni on October 31, 2017, 09:26:03 PM
I donated the previously mentioned stuff . . . Yay!

I also decided to return some sandals I have ordered online, so those are in my car to be mailed tomorrow.

Oh, and my other half fixed my suitcase, so that is good as new again.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: alleykat on November 01, 2017, 04:54:55 AM
Alright, i am looking forward to this month and so glad it started. 

1.  Groceries - only essentials until I get through my stock of things.  The only items I will allow that will be extra are things for recipes.

2.  No makeup or skincare purchases unless needed. 

I have so much more but 2 is good for this month.  These are two categories I need to focus on.


Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 01, 2017, 05:15:20 AM
I will be on a conference from Sunday evening to wednesday evening, in abroadistan. We will get a certain amount from our company to buy dinner for during these days. That is not a terrible lot, so I will try to stay within that amount. This will be challenging, as I will be joined by some colleagues.
I guess I will also eat at home, or bring my own snack when travelling to the airport on Sunday.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Mongoose on November 01, 2017, 06:49:10 AM
I will be on a conference from Sunday evening to wednesday evening, in abroadistan. We will get a certain amount from our company to buy dinner for during these days. That is not a terrible lot, so I will try to stay within that amount. This will be challenging, as I will be joined by some colleagues.
I guess I will also eat at home, or bring my own snack when travelling to the airport on Sunday.

Can you put a few things that don't need refrigeration in your luggage? I used to stay within our small meal allowance for trips by bringing along non-perishable breakfast and lunch (cereal, granola bar, instant coffee, dried fruit and meats, etc.). That left my whole pool of money available for dinner. I still pack meals for all our air travel so we don't have to pay airport prices.

I cut back to 1/4 caffeinated coffee mixed with decaf. I tried it without sugar but blech! I'm leaving the sugar in the coffee but cutting out the other sweets. Sugar in the coffee will go when the coffee goes. I can't afford the headaches from just quitting abruptly.

Car that needed tires also needs front brakes. Sigh. I really hope this is the last of our deferred maintenance expenditures. The good news is that this is a 3 paycheck month for us so we have enough to cover both. I was going to put some in savings but at least we're using it on something essential.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: frooglepoodle on November 01, 2017, 08:49:30 AM
I’m in. We have a lot of expenses this month and I need to cut the unnecessary spending.

No excuses:
1. No clothing for any member of the family.
2. No craft/DIY project supplies unless I need thread, elastic, or some other small item to complete a project.
3. No restaurants other than one planed date night (we will chose one of the lower cost restaurants).

I’m also going to make myself exercise 4 times per week.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: LilMissMinimalist on November 01, 2017, 10:05:58 AM
I've been counting the days until November 1! Excited to start this challenge.

Going to be a tough start to the month. Heading to NYC to run the marathon this weekend. Certainly not an easy city to be Mustachian in. I'll be meeting up with friends I haven't seen in a long time, and of course wanting to celebrate post-race.

My boyfriend lives in LA (I live in Chicago) and we'll be meeting up there for the weekend. He's up for a Mustachian Big Apple Challenge and we're going to attempt to do the trip on $50/each a day spending money. He skips breakfast so I went out last night and grabbed some things I can travel with for myself at the grocery store. We'll do cheap lunches and save the spending $ for evenings. On the upside, I won't be drinking much since I'm there to run a marathon so that should help. Our agenda is more social and wandering around vs. sightseeing so I don't foresee museum entries etc etc factoring in.

If we can make it through NYC the rest of the month will seem like a breeze!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 01, 2017, 10:37:25 AM
NO fast food/ NO solo eating out

Day 1: A relatively normal day. No need to use the car, and I brought lunch to work, even though popping home shouldn't be an issue. I may even get out the bike this afternoon, if the winds don't pick up too much.

Day -1: Fasting to have a screening at SO's work on the other side of town. Plus, to save gas, I am going to go with him and spend the day running errands and hanging at the library. I have yogurt, salad and snacks to keep me away from the fast food.

Day -2: Colleague was stalking the office on his day off, so I couldn't run home for lunch and risk missing commission. Grabbed trail mix instead of ordering at the restaurant next door. Must bring lunch next time.

Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 01, 2017, 12:47:21 PM
I will be on a conference from Sunday evening to wednesday evening, in abroadistan. We will get a certain amount from our company to buy dinner for during these days. That is not a terrible lot, so I will try to stay within that amount. This will be challenging, as I will be joined by some colleagues.
I guess I will also eat at home, or bring my own snack when travelling to the airport on Sunday.

Can you put a few things that don't need refrigeration in your luggage? I used to stay within our small meal allowance for trips by bringing along non-perishable breakfast and lunch (cereal, granola bar, instant coffee, dried fruit and meats, etc.). That left my whole pool of money available for dinner. I still pack meals for all our air travel so we don't have to pay airport prices.

I cut back to 1/4 caffeinated coffee mixed with decaf. I tried it without sugar but blech! I'm leaving the sugar in the coffee but cutting out the other sweets. Sugar in the coffee will go when the coffee goes. I can't afford the headaches from just quitting abruptly.

Car that needed tires also needs front brakes. Sigh. I really hope this is the last of our deferred maintenance expenditures. The good news is that this is a 3 paycheck month for us so we have enough to cover both. I was going to put some in savings but at least we're using it on something essential.

Lunch is included in the conference and breakfast is normally included in the hotel price. But I will check the breakfast, otherwise I will bring cereals and milk powder, which is my usual hiking breakfast.
I will also buy a small amount of wine in the tax free, so I don't need to buy it at the hotel if I am the mood for it. I guess I'll need to bring my own glass. Last hotel I was in didn't have any glasses in the room.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Dollar Slice on November 01, 2017, 01:18:28 PM
I'll join in for a non-finance goal. I'm about to start a month of PT and I'd like to commit to doing my PT exercises every day. It's going to be a month of extreme distractions with pretty major work upheaval, the holiday, and no less than four out-of-town visitors in the next three weeks. So I could use a thread to remind me :-)  And if anyone has any good tricks to remind myself before it's too late that would be useful. (I have a tendency to remember I didn't do them 10 minutes after I've turned the lights out and gone to bed.)

My finances are totally weird at the moment due to the medical/health stuff (tons of $$ on taxis, very low food/entertainment/alcohol) so I am just sort of letting that happen and figuring as long as I don't buy anything dumb, it'll work out OK.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 01, 2017, 01:31:34 PM
I'll join in for a non-finance goal. I'm about to start a month of PT and I'd like to commit to doing my PT exercises every day. It's going to be a month of extreme distractions with pretty major work upheaval, the holiday, and no less than four out-of-town visitors in the next three weeks. So I could use a thread to remind me :-)  And if anyone has any good tricks to remind myself before it's too late that would be useful. (I have a tendency to remember I didn't do them 10 minutes after I've turned the lights out and gone to bed.)

My finances are totally weird at the moment due to the medical/health stuff (tons of $$ on taxis, very low food/entertainment/alcohol) so I am just sort of letting that happen and figuring as long as I don't buy anything dumb, it'll work out OK.

Would it be helpful to do the PT as soon as you get up in the morning?

If it is supposed to be done on your way to bed, you need to make it part of the routine. ie put a note on your toothpaste.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ElleFiji on November 01, 2017, 01:40:36 PM
I'm in for a soft goal. Keep my November spending in line with my values, not my wants
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Dollar Slice on November 01, 2017, 01:46:19 PM
Would it be helpful to do the PT as soon as you get up in the morning?

If it is supposed to be done on your way to bed, you need to make it part of the routine. ie put a note on your toothpaste.

I haven't gotten the specific instructions yet, but I suspect time of day won't matter. I'm soooo not a morning person, so in the past I've usually procrastinated until evening, and then at night I'm too tired or I forget. I have a bunch of late nights planned this month (with visiting friends) so probably trying to get into a morning/daytime routine would be good.

I think I would do better with an alarm-type reminder instead of a note. Maybe I'll set a second alarm 20 minutes after I wake up or something.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: vertkurt on November 01, 2017, 01:52:55 PM
This is just what I need. There's no excuse for me not to hit the gym. It's in my basement for crying out loud.

Also, no excuse not to eat healthy. I'm done with sugary/fatty eating habits.

That's how mine is. Full squat rack, bar and bumpers in the garage. I just wish I could hit PRs like I used to. Now all my lifts are essentially stalled out unless I eat more than the recomp I've been doing this whole year.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: westtoeast on November 01, 2017, 02:59:07 PM
This is perfect!

With the holidays and travel, I wasn't feeling up to a rigorous "No Spend" month. But I'll commit to not spending on a few key weakness areas!

No clothing (successful since September, need to keep going)
No Uber rides (I make a lot of excuses for this one. I am carless and sometimes public transport fails me and I Uber Pool instead. I tried to quit in September and failed. Cold turkey is the only way. I'm giving myself ONE free pass for getting from work to a doctor's appointment when there just isn't enough time between for public transit)
No exercise excuses (this can tie in nicely with the No Uber goal, actually...)
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Juslookin on November 01, 2017, 04:58:59 PM
For the past few months I have set a very challenging budget and have tried to get there. We are a family of four and something always seems to come up, so although each month I have been closer and closer to my goal, I have not quite hit the slightly over zealous budget I have set.

There is a goal in mind and this extra tight budget is temporary, but I know we can do it, and damnit, this is going to be the month!

No extra spending, no eating out, food budget $10.00 under for first week shopping. Done and done for today no excuses and I don't feel the slightest bit deprived. It's my goal, I set it, and I'm going to reach it for November! Thanks PJ!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: haypug16 on November 02, 2017, 12:26:44 PM
Nov 1 - #1 Bike has a flat that DH needs to fix before I can ride . #2 No spending yesterday. #3 Got home yesterday and cleaned my kitchen and read a book I've been trying to finish for a few months!

Nov 2 - #1 Bike still not fixed boo! #2 made myself a latte and got lunch bought for me. #3 busy night, I'm watching my nieces and nephew but when I get home I'll clean another part of the house and do some more reading before I watch any more Stranger Things or Riverdale.


No Excuses
1. Ride bike to work provided it's above 50 and not raining
2. Stick to budget - no unplanned spending
3. Get to my To Do list! No going home and loafing around on my phone or watching TV
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Dollar Slice on November 02, 2017, 01:11:59 PM
I'm two for two on getting some PT exercises in, and I made an intake appointment for Wednesday (first available day) for this new post-op round of PT. I'm only doing really basic stuff now since I haven't seen the therapist yet and don't want to fuck anything up. So it should be VERY EASY (glares sternly at self) to do it every single day until I get some real exercises on Wednesday.

1. Ride bike to work provided it's above 50 and not raining

When I lived in Boston metro my "walk home from work" cut-off was more like 25 degrees, not 50. You can do it! :-)
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 02, 2017, 01:49:10 PM

NO fast food/ NO solo eating out

Day 2: Another day without needing the car, another day where I brought lunch to work. More importantly, I ate the food I brought. Seriously, the closest restroom to my office is in the restaurant next door.

Day 1: A relatively normal day. No need to use the car, and I brought lunch to work, even though popping home shouldn't be an issue. I may even get out the bike this afternoon, if the winds don't pick up too much.

Day -1: Fasting to have a screening at SO's work on the other side of town. Plus, to save gas, I am going to go with him and spend the day running errands and hanging at the library. I have yogurt, salad and snacks to keep me away from the fast food.

Day -2: Colleague was stalking the office on his day off, so I couldn't run home for lunch and risk missing commission. Grabbed trail mix instead of ordering at the restaurant next door. Must bring lunch next time.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: kaypinkHH on November 02, 2017, 01:52:43 PM
Quote
No more being lazy- going to exercise 5x per week. (45 mins min)
No more takeout lunches, sticking to the food budget and saving our restaurant food for special occasions
No new clothes- if something wears out, I'm going to a thrift store.

Day 1: Went for a 45min walk to the grocery store to buy stuff to make fried rice instead of take out. 2 Birds one stone.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: haypug16 on November 02, 2017, 01:58:00 PM
1. Ride bike to work provided it's above 50 and not raining

When I lived in Boston metro my "walk home from work" cut-off was more like 25 degrees, not 50. You can do it! :-)

Haha I know I should lower that temp I've only ridden' to work twice since I've been here (7 years in this building) so there have already been lots of excuses about that.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Mongoose on November 03, 2017, 08:16:23 AM
I've gotten my runs in and bought DD a coat. DS had outgrown his but DDs fit him (we get gender neutral outerwear for ease of handing down plus her coat was already a hand me down from somewhere). So he got her coat and she got a different one. Goodwill had zero warm coats and I was going to go retail but remembered a resale shop we hadn't visited. Win! Maybe my new favorite place. Her coat was $8.50. I did get them both vests to wear under their coats because neither coat is heavy enough on its own to keep them warm. We like to go winter hiking and warm kids are happy kids. $23.50 for both kids.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 03, 2017, 09:38:49 AM
No more buying my favorite cheesecake and have that for dinner whenever DH plans to eat somewhere else. This cheesecake is very expensive and unhealthy. Is is only sold by 2 pieces and that is exactly 1 piece too many.

No buying of sweets if I go shopping the coming days, even though sweets might be on sale in the shops now for Halloween. Both DH and I need to watch our weight at this moment.

No more buying of comfort food at the newsstand if I need to visit the city for work.

No more buying of chocolate bars when the grocery store has discount market. This will be a very difficult one. I often buy quite a large pile when they are so cheap.

Well, yesterday was the second of November and the first point blew already. Facepunch!
The cheesecake was on sale, so I bought 2x2. They have all bern consumed by now. Yes, I am aware of having an eating disorder. It has something to do with being home alone for three days and having the freeday to behave in an irresponsible way, for matters of eating. I also bought a bottle of wine and had 3 glasses last night.

The small positive thing is that I had leftover food from the fridge for dinner yesterday and will do the same tonight. And apart from the cheesecake and wine and a box of Christmas cookies (still closed) I didn't buy other unnecessary things.

I have a lot to work on when it comes to self control on food. BTW, my BMI is still in the normal range, because I do this relatively seldom. But still, this is not normal behaviour.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: kaypinkHH on November 03, 2017, 01:13:14 PM
Quote
No more being lazy- going to exercise 5x per week. (45 mins min)
No more takeout lunches, sticking to the food budget and saving our restaurant food for special occasions
No new clothes- if something wears out, I'm going to a thrift store.

Day 1: Went for a 45min walk to the grocery store to buy stuff to make fried rice instead of take out. 2 Birds one stone.

Day 2: Didn't exercise, went to a networking event, got free food, no shopping.

Day 3: Already blew it- bought a soup at lunch.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: cantgrowone on November 03, 2017, 01:57:12 PM
There's no excuse for me not to hit the gym. It's in my basement for crying out loud.

I woke up today at 4:30 and did not work out, but chose to watch TV. I don't have to be at work until 7.

Yes, I am aware of having an eating disorder.

I'm the same way. Monday they had delicious homemade cake. I had a piece. An hour later I had a corner piece; double the sugar. I could have had 3-4 total if I completely gave in an indulged myself. BMI is still at 25 though.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 03, 2017, 03:00:37 PM

Day 3: Already blew it- bought a soup at lunch.

Dust yourself off and NO EXCUSES for tomorrow.


NO fast food/ NO solo eating out

Day 3: Out running errands, but I neither grabbed the snack with me nor even thought about stopping for fast food. That is best, I don't have much will power when I do think about it.

Day 2: Another day without needing the car, another day where I brought lunch to work. More importantly, I ate the food I brought. Seriously, the closest restroom to my office is in the restaurant next door.

Day 1: A relatively normal day. No need to use the car, and I brought lunch to work, even though popping home shouldn't be an issue. I may even get out the bike this afternoon, if the winds don't pick up too much.

Day -1: Fasting to have a screening at SO's work on the other side of town. Plus, to save gas, I am going to go with him and spend the day running errands and hanging at the library. I have yogurt, salad and snacks to keep me away from the fast food.

Day -2: Colleague was stalking the office on his day off, so I couldn't run home for lunch and risk missing commission. Grabbed trail mix instead of ordering at the restaurant next door. Must bring lunch next time.

[/quote]
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: fluffmuffin on November 03, 2017, 07:25:32 PM
No pitfalls in days 1-3. I walked to work today and ran some bike errands afterward. Getting through the weekend should be fine, I’m staying busy with running + work Saturday afternoon + volunteering Sunday morning. The SO is making dinner Saturday, which is just as nice a treat as going out since I do almost all of the cooking :)
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: PJ on November 04, 2017, 12:29:38 AM
Well, yesterday was the second of November and the first point blew already. Facepunch!
The cheesecake was on sale, so I bought 2x2. They have all bern consumed by now. Yes, I am aware of having an eating disorder. It has something to do with being home alone for three days and having the freeday to behave in an irresponsible way, for matters of eating. I also bought a bottle of wine and had 3 glasses last night.

The small positive thing is that I had leftover food from the fridge for dinner yesterday and will do the same tonight. And apart from the cheesecake and wine and a box of Christmas cookies (still closed) I didn't buy other unnecessary things.

I have a lot to work on when it comes to self control on food. BTW, my BMI is still in the normal range, because I do this relatively seldom. But still, this is not normal behaviour.

Tell me about it. I live alone. And I have a lot of leftover Halloween can't!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 04, 2017, 11:04:01 AM
NO fast food/ NO solo eating out

Week 1 was a success. One of the big reasons I go out for fast food is to avoid going home and eating alone. Weekends are only tempting if I have to drive all over for work. Otherwise, my husband is around and I find it easier to cook for two. Maybe because he does dishes? When I cook for myself, I feel bad leaving the dishes for him, even if it is his chore.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Rosy on November 05, 2017, 03:53:26 PM
Worked on my November budget today so I already know:
NO unnecessary or unplanned purchases in November.
If I make it through November unscathed I'll be fine for Christmas and ready for the holidays.

I'm in:)

So far - so good. There is a lot going on right now, all of it affecting the budget,
but I already have a set budget for
garden expenses,
holiday expenses,
gifts and toys for tots and other donations,
a holiday outfit and a couple new t-shirts.

We will have company from Germany this month - also planned and budgeted for.

I also planned the purchase of a painting for my study - which is turning out to be way over budget, so I am holding off on that for now - may need to wait until next year and call it a birthday present to myself:) It is a particular art piece and I'd like it on canvas, perhaps even a framed canvas.
Debating whether I should purchase a cheap print and transfer it to canvas with modge-podge, but with everything going on right now, company coming, gardening and outdoor projects and preparations for the holidays, not to mention de-cluttering projects - I honestly don't think I have the time and certainly not the inclination at present.


The trick will be to stay within the budget parameters set for each area of my budget. I will make some Christmas gifts and have already scored with my gift purchases, so that part should be fine.
The clothing - I just need to be firm in my resolve and stick to my budget - which is entirely possible, considering that I still have a couple of gc's as well. Found some sparkly flip flops (with a heel) for the holidays, love that - now all I need is a pedicure -
 after I'm done with all that gardening.
That will be part of a fun ladies day out when my company arrives. 
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Off the Wheel on November 05, 2017, 05:15:33 PM
Alright, check in on the goals of no (un-planned) meals out and being debt free by December 15!

Nov 1 - No meals out!
Nov 2 - No meals out!
Nov 3 - No (unplanned) meals out - had coffee with a girlfriend and pizza night.
Nov 4 - meal out with girlfriend (planned) - coffee afterward (unplanned).
Nov 5 - meal out with my parents, but planned (and they paid!)

And on the debt front, down to just over $4000. Very doable.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Dollar Slice on November 05, 2017, 06:00:11 PM
So far so good: 5/5 on doing my PT exercises every day. I've gotten into a routine of doing it right after I take a shower. I have to let my hair dry for a couple of minutes before I get dressed, so it's a good time for it.

This week is when it starts to get difficult with my schedule becoming very busy, but hopefully tying it to my morning shower will keep me going.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Juslookin on November 05, 2017, 06:54:28 PM
1. Sticking to the food budget, I know exactly how much I have to spend each week.
2. No eating out this month.
3. No buying anything extra. Specific list already of what I have allowed to buy for November, necessities only and can not add to the list for November.

1.Food shopping is done weekly at my house and my November budget started October 28th because of the way paychecks fall. This week came in $.67 under budget. 2/2 so far
2. Absolutely no eating out so far, weekends are the hardest and DH wanted to cave, but I had menus planned and food ready to go.
3. Nothing extra bought, although I did contemplate a pair of boots, plane tickets and a pitcher. Hey, whatever, contemplating doesn't cost me a dime.

No excuses needed, done, done and done. Yippee!!!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: kaypinkHH on November 06, 2017, 06:26:28 AM

No more being lazy- going to exercise 5x per week. (45 mins min)
No more takeout lunches, sticking to the food budget and saving our restaurant food for special occasions
No new clothes- if something wears out, I'm going to a thrift store.

Day 1: Went for a 45min walk to the grocery store to buy stuff to make fried rice instead of take out. 2 Birds one stone.

Day 2: Didn't exercise, went to a networking event, got free food, no shopping.

Day 3: Already blew it- bought a soup at lunch.

Day 4-5: Went on a road trip, did some restaurant spending. I'm going to restart today: I packed a lunch. Also, not enough exercise so far, so I'll also get on that today! Still no shopping :).
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: haypug16 on November 06, 2017, 07:42:35 AM
Nov 1 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check

Nov 2 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check

Nov 3 - #Bike still has a flat!!! It's been great weather and I'm really disappointed that my DH decided to use my bike and then get a flat and not fix it, but also trying not to nag him about fixing since he is super busy always and overwhelmed. #2 only purchase was for groceries. #3 Did a little loafing but also used the purchased groceries to make Barley soup for a potluck party (and took the leftovers home for lunches this week)

Nov 4 - #1 yup still flat #2 went to a 40th birthday party and purchased a GC and card ~$30 well within the gift budget for the month #3 Worked (Sat) to earn some extra money so productive day

Nov 5 - #1 let's not talk about this ;) #2 Today was DH and I's first wedding anniversary so we did go out to dinner which was planed and under $100 so I call that a success. I also got a pair of jeans from Savers for $7.99 very pleased about this. #3 spent the day with DH and had a great day nothing was on the to do list aside from anniversary stuff.

Nov 6 - #1 I think it may be faster to just figure out how to fix the flat myself. #2 no money to be spend today (made my own Latte at home, brought lunch (bbarley soup) and will have anniversary dinner leftovers)
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 06, 2017, 08:41:44 AM
You should learn to change the flat! What if you get a flat while out riding?

Week 1 went well. Grocery spend was high, but that included a lot of stocking up, as some of SOs favorites were on sale. The plan today is to return home for lunch, but there are snacks in the car if that doesn't happen.

Although it wasn't on my original list, I have also been getting daily exercise. I thought I had skipped yesterday, but passing out at 8pm and sore shoulders this morning suggest that I worked hard enough out sailing.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: haypug16 on November 06, 2017, 09:15:17 AM
You should learn to change the flat! What if you get a flat while out riding?

good point. I ride along the bus route and would most likely just walk the bike to the next bus stop and hop on. Perhaps I'll have the DH wait until I am around to fix the flat so I can learn how to do it. This will of course delay the fixing however. Our schedules are totally different.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 06, 2017, 09:27:02 AM
YouTube is your friend! I thought this was the no excuses thread?
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: haypug16 on November 06, 2017, 09:50:04 AM
lol true! I have scheduled an appointment with DH to learn how to fix tomorrow night. :)
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Mongoose on November 06, 2017, 01:30:20 PM
We're doing great on this challenge...with the exception of sugar...my arch nemesis. Coffee is fine at 1/4 caffeine. Will drop to decaf starting this weekend. Sugar needs to be the next focus...we purchased and ate a cheesecake in a ridiculously short amount of time.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: frooglepoodle on November 06, 2017, 03:17:48 PM
Doing well on no restaurant or clothing spending. I've hiked twice so far this month but haven't done an actual workout or gone to yoga. Room for improvement there!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: haypug16 on November 07, 2017, 11:53:00 AM
Nov 1 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check

Nov 2 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check

Nov 3 - #1 Failed #2 Check. #3 Check

Nov 4 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check

Nov 5 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check

Nov 6 - #1 Failed #2 Purchased an Anniversary card and Twix! Failed with the Twix, I went into Walgreens after Yoga to grab the card and was starving so I grabbed the Twix by the check out. Not too bad considering it's only like $1 or something but still want to avoid those spontaneous purchases. #3 Worked on my French! Did Yoga! that's a good day in my book.

Nov 7 - #1 Have an appt. this evening to fix my flat (with DH) #2 haven't spent any money today :) #3 Have been productive at work. Plan to hang with friends, then fix a flat ;) and maybe fold some laundry, and practice some more French.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 07, 2017, 12:26:54 PM
No fast food/ solo eating out.
No excuses for less than 30 minutes of exercise (new to week 2).

Nov 7: Feel like crap, so the no eating out will be a breeze, but the new added goal of walking 30 minutes is being broken into two 15 minute stints.

Nov 6: Took snacks to avoid eating out, walked at the zoo for nearly two hours.

Nov 5: SO doesn't like fast food, so weekends are easy. Sailing will have to count for exercise.

Week 1: SUCCESS!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: haypug16 on November 08, 2017, 02:13:59 PM
Nov 1 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 2 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 3 - #1 Failed #2 Check. #3 Check
Nov 4 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 5 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 6 - #1 Failed #2 Small Fail #3 Check
Nov 7 - #1 Failed (put did fix flat last night) #2 Purchased ticket to SKiExpo $15 was planned but still not necessary #3 Got the laundry folded at least ;)

Nov 8 - #1 Was freezing today so didn't ride, will be 47 tomorrow so I will probably just try to bundle up and ride. #2 no purchases #3 Got all my work to do list done, at home I will do yoga, practice french, and clean for 30 mins
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Dollar Slice on November 08, 2017, 02:22:40 PM
8/8 days of PT exercises so far. I had my first appointment with the physical therapist today and she said I've been doing everything right and was happy to hear I'd started things early. My joint movement is unfortunately still abysmal at this point even after several weeks of these exercises at home :-/
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 08, 2017, 03:53:16 PM

No fast food/ solo eating out.
No excuses for less than 30 minutes of exercise (new to week 2).

Nov 8: I had lunch before I went out, then walked around the park after dropping off books at the library.

Nov 7: Feel like crap, so the no eating out will be a breeze, but the new added goal of walking 30 minutes is being broken into two 15 minute stints.

Nov 6: Took snacks to avoid eating out, walked at the zoo for nearly two hours.

Nov 5: SO doesn't like fast food, so weekends are easy. Sailing will have to count for exercise.

Week 1: SUCCESS!
[/quote]
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: PJ on November 08, 2017, 09:45:17 PM
Checking in, and happy to see so many people plugging away at their "No Excuses November" goals!

My goals are all about sticking to the budget, with no extraneous spending. I'm about 2 weeks into my month, and have been really good. Have been bringing food from home, not picking up coffee. Going to the store and buying only the necessary things on my list. Used a gift card to get gas.  Went to visit a friend and only took wine from my stash, instead of stopping to buy snacks.  And when I got some expenses reimbursed, I put the cheque directly to my credit card.

Today though, I had to drive someone around all day, and was running too late to make food to take. So I ate out for lunch, and didn't even choose the cheapest option. Oh well!  Going to get right back on the horse!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: middo on November 09, 2017, 04:43:57 AM
I think we just blew our November goal of debt reduction.  Our youngest just got an interview for her dream university course, about 5000 kms away.  Two flights there and back and accommodation for two nights will break the budget, but a once in a lifetime opportunity for her.  Roll on no excuses December...
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: kaypinkHH on November 09, 2017, 05:22:25 AM
No more being lazy- going to exercise 5x per week. (45 mins min)
No more takeout lunches, sticking to the food budget and saving our restaurant food for special occasions
No new clothes- if something wears out, I'm going to a thrift store.

Day 1: Went for a 45min walk to the grocery store to buy stuff to make fried rice instead of take out. 2 Birds one stone.

Day 2: Didn't exercise, went to a networking event, got free food, no shopping.

Day 3: Already blew it- bought a soup at lunch.

Day 4-5: Went on a road trip, did some restaurant spending. I'm going to restart today: I packed a lunch. Also, not enough exercise so far, so I'll also get on that today! Still no shopping :).

Day 6-8: No takeout lunches/snacks! Went to cycle classes on the 7th and 8th, still no shopping (not just on clothes, but on anything other than groceries!) 
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Mongoose on November 09, 2017, 07:47:13 AM
1. No eating out (one already scheduled date lunch with hubby allowed). This is a huge problem for us and all due to poor planning.
2. No skipping runs/cross training.
3. No clothing purchases except for winter coat for DS (Goodwill most likely) and a pair of running shoes for me.
4. No coffee (tapering back to by having 1-2 weeks of quarter caf allowed). Caffeine doesn't really agree with me. I was off it completely and feeling great but used it as a substitute for sleep after my parent had a bad spell. I want back off it for good now!
5. The hard one...no sweets. I put sugar in my coffee (see above). I crave sweets in the evening. But I want to join the no sugary/fatty eating habits crowd. It might help taper the coffee better to stop putting sugar in it.
6. I like Zamboni's "no excuses for extra crap". Triple dipping by including both not buying anything but essentials, using up stuff, and finishing my decluttering challenge!
7. Read back through and adding one: no beer/cider. I think I have a sensitivity to some ingredient and I definitely don't need the extra calories or the extra expense.
If one ignores the fact that Mongoose clearly has a sugar problem, this is going great. All but #5 accomplished so far. With sugar, I cave like a chocolate bar on the surface of the sun.

We do have a small glitch to deal with today. I made dinners for the week last Sunday and everyone has been extra hungry. Gone...nothing for tonight. Not even enough for lunch today. I can't seem to predict the kids appetites. ("Easy" stuff like sandwiches and canned soup are not possible due to food allergies.)  Anyone else have this problem?
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: fluffmuffin on November 09, 2017, 07:56:35 AM
No problems in days 4-9. I've spent more money so far this month than I would have liked to, but it's been necessary and everything has come out of sinking funds. This challenge will be great at helping me tighten up to top the sinking funds back up, though! I'm actually going to add another parameter for myself: keep the grocery spend under $250.

This Saturday might get a little tricky, since some friends will be in from out of town, but I'm going to do my best to figure out how to free-food hack our day. Paying for a couple of beers is inevitable, since they're coming to check out a new brewery we've been raving about, but there's no reason why those beers should expand into snacks from the food truck.

And Mongoose: YES. I've been struggling to nail down batch cooking since I moved in with my SO. He just eats so damned much! I made a whole box of pasta on Tuesday night, which should have been enough for four servings (dinner for both of us, two lunches for me): it made it through dinner and one lunch.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 09, 2017, 08:26:42 AM
Mongoose, sounds like you will be needing new kids' clothes soon , as well. I had this problem when SO moved in. He was eating the leftovers as a snack, ruining my plans to turn them into a new dinner.

Today will be tough, as I slept poorly. But I have a plan to help a zombie drive thru run.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Juslookin on November 10, 2017, 10:50:47 AM


We do have a small glitch to deal with today. I made dinners for the week last Sunday and everyone has been extra hungry. Gone...nothing for tonight. Not even enough for lunch today. I can't seem to predict the kids appetites. ("Easy" stuff like sandwiches and canned soup are not possible due to food allergies.)  Anyone else have this problem?

Yes.  I have a college age son and 17 y/o daughter.  Food would be gone in a flash.  I also make dinners on Sunday.  I label them for dinner and than either make them something else (or have them do it) that is exponentially easier to grab and go than my dinners.  Items such as egg, cheese and sausage burritos, home made egg rolls, pepperoni rolls, bean and rice burritos etc. 
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Juslookin on November 10, 2017, 10:59:05 AM
1. Sticking to the food budget, I know exactly how much I have to spend each week.
2. No eating out this month.
3. No buying anything extra. Specific list already of what I have allowed to buy for November, necessities only and can not add to the list for November.

Food shopping done for next week and all meals planned.  I am on track for my food budget, but it's going to be close.  We had some great sales on frozen turkeys and I bought one for turkey day and three for the freezer.  Its worth it overall, but I really, really want to stay on budget.  That has lowered my per week money for food, but I think that I have pulled it off for the week again.  I am getting pretty creative with what is in the freezer and cabinets, but that's OK.  It just takes a little more effort.  No excuses.

Eating out has been good, haven't eaten anything out.  I had a coupon for a free bowl of soup and bread from a local place take out place and I actually stopped and got the freebies for DD and didn't buy anything else.  They kept asking me, "Anything else", LOL, nope, just the free stuff.  The coupon specifically said, no purchase necessary.

On the buying "anything extra" I am struggling a little.  Haven't bought anything, but have a wedding to attend soon and feel like I have nothing to wear.  I have my allowance left, haven't used it, could use it, but was hoping to save it for this month, just as a giant savings challenge to myself.  Surely I can go an entire month and not buy anything extra.  No excuses.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: haypug16 on November 10, 2017, 11:13:47 AM
Nov 1 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 2 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 3 - #1 Failed #2 Check. #3 Check
Nov 4 - #1 NA No Work #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 5 - #1 NA No Work #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 6 - #1 Failed #2 Small Fail #3 Check
Nov 7 - #1 Failed  #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 8 - #1 Too Cold #2 Check #3 Check

Nov 9 - #1 It is so cold and dark here! Not the best month to decide I'm going to start riding to work #2 Only planned spending (monthly donation and doggy waste bags #3 Cleaned up the kitchen (seems to always be the most needed place) trimmed 1 paw of my cats nails. Saving some dollars. Tonight we will try to do another paw. She really hates this but I think is less stressed than when we take her to the vet to do it.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 10, 2017, 11:42:38 AM

No fast food/ solo eating out.
No excuses for less than 30 minutes of exercise (new to week 2).

Nov 10: Free breakfast, dinner and dancing scheduled for this evening, so I just have to make it through lunch. I parked more than half a mile away from breakfast, so I got a little walking in along the beach before and after. Dancing tonight will make up for the rest.

Nov 9: Plan: go grocery shopping right after breakfast to avoid excuses. Actuality: forgot to have breakfast before heading out. I was well within the weekly spend, but we don't really need taquitos. The funny thing is, I also bought tortillas, so the taquitos will sit in the freezer for awhile. I walked every aisle in Costco and counted that as exercise.

Nov 8: I had lunch before I went out, then walked around the park after dropping off books at the library.

Nov 7: Feel like crap, so the no eating out will be a breeze, but the new added goal of walking 30 minutes is being broken into two 15 minute stints.

Nov 6: Took snacks to avoid eating out, walked at the zoo for nearly two hours.

Nov 5: SO doesn't like fast food, so weekends are easy. Sailing will have to count for exercise.

Week 1: SUCCESS!
[/quote]
[/quote]
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 11, 2017, 09:33:10 AM

No fast food/ solo eating out.
No excuses for less than 30 minutes of exercise

Week 2: SUCCESS! Even adding in the exercise! Today I have a free lunch for volunteering,  then a hike at the zoo, and home to use up some veggies from the fridge.

Week 1: SUCCESS!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Dollar Slice on November 11, 2017, 10:18:59 AM
I need encouragement this weekend. It's freezing, I woke up sick, and my foot is really sore. I had my first "real" PT yesterday and then did a lot of standing/stairs/etc. and didn't get home until after midnight. I was getting sharp throbbing pains while lying in bed last night at 2AM. (Oh yeah, and I didn't sleep well because of aforementioned sharp throbbing pain...)

Help...
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 11, 2017, 10:44:15 AM
I need encouragement this weekend. It's freezing, I woke up sick, and my foot is really sore. I had my first "real" PT yesterday and then did a lot of standing/stairs/etc. and didn't get home until after midnight. I was getting sharp throbbing pains while lying in bed last night at 2AM. (Oh yeah, and I didn't sleep well because of aforementioned sharp throbbing pain...)

Help...

Very gentle hugs.

Are you still in pain? What is your self care plan for today? Does it include napping? PT or other gentle movement that helps with the pain?
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Dollar Slice on November 11, 2017, 10:58:41 AM
Are you still in pain? What is your self care plan for today? Does it include napping? PT or other gentle movement that helps with the pain?

Unfortunately the PT I have to do is going to make the pain worse. Just the way it is. Icing helps, but it's very cold in my apartment and putting ice on my bare foot just seems terribly unpleasant right now :-)  The sharp pains are not happening any more, at least. They tend to come at the end of the day.

And also unfortunately I have a lot of plans to go out and do things today on my sore foot. I have a friend visiting from Madrid and we've been planning this for weeks. I have Rx pain meds but would rather not take them. Maybe I will try a hot shower and turn on the space heater to see if I can get myself warm enough to ice.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 11, 2017, 11:03:51 AM
You need one of those knee scooters!

Hopefully your friend provides a wonderful distraction. Then my gratuitous advice is to take the pain meds before you go to bed tonight. A good night's sleep is important for heeling, as well as mood.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Dollar Slice on November 11, 2017, 02:16:54 PM
You need one of those knee scooters!

Hopefully your friend provides a wonderful distraction. Then my gratuitous advice is to take the pain meds before you go to bed tonight. A good night's sleep is important for heeling, as well as mood.

Knee scooters are less useful when you have to go down, and then up, three flights of subway stairs to get where you're going :-)  The doc told me walking on it as much as I can tolerate is good at this point, anyway. I'm trying to get the joint to bend normally again, so repeatedly using it is good, long-term. Just hard in the short-term.

So, I did all my PT exercises except the ice and elevation, which I am just too cold to do right now. I will try to do it before bed, which is a better time anyway (I tend to get more pain/swelling at the end of the day). And my friend asked if we could modify our plans to meet a couple of hours later and cut out one planned activity, so I'm going to try to take a nap before we meet since I can now leave at 6:30 instead of 4. I secretly wanted to ask him the same exact thing, so that worked out well. :-) Took some cold meds and ibuprofen.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: PJ on November 11, 2017, 06:35:52 PM
I need encouragement this weekend. It's freezing, I woke up sick, and my foot is really sore. I had my first "real" PT yesterday and then did a lot of standing/stairs/etc. and didn't get home until after midnight. I was getting sharp throbbing pains while lying in bed last night at 2AM. (Oh yeah, and I didn't sleep well because of aforementioned sharp throbbing pain...)

Help...

Aww, sorry to hear, Dollar Slice!  I agree with ixtap, on days like today it boils down to self care. Take care of yourself, and live to fight another day!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Dollar Slice on November 11, 2017, 09:56:42 PM
I need encouragement this weekend. It's freezing, I woke up sick, and my foot is really sore. I had my first "real" PT yesterday and then did a lot of standing/stairs/etc. and didn't get home until after midnight. I was getting sharp throbbing pains while lying in bed last night at 2AM. (Oh yeah, and I didn't sleep well because of aforementioned sharp throbbing pain...)

Help...

Aww, sorry to hear, Dollar Slice!  I agree with ixtap, on days like today it boils down to self care. Take care of yourself, and live to fight another day!

Well, I survived :-)  Just got home and I'm icing my foot (feeling much warmer because I walked to the grocery store before coming home to make sure I had things for lunch this week). My foot isn't really even hurting right now! And we had such a great time, it was all worth it. Tonight, I'll elevate my foot for 10 min just to say I did it, then cold meds and a sleeping pill to make sure I get some rest.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ACyclist on November 12, 2017, 08:37:24 AM
1. No eating out (one already scheduled date lunch with hubby allowed). This is a huge problem for us and all due to poor planning.
2. No skipping runs/cross training.
3. No clothing purchases except for winter coat for DS (Goodwill most likely) and a pair of running shoes for me.
4. No coffee (tapering back to by having 1-2 weeks of quarter caf allowed). Caffeine doesn't really agree with me. I was off it completely and feeling great but used it as a substitute for sleep after my parent had a bad spell. I want back off it for good now!
5. The hard one...no sweets. I put sugar in my coffee (see above). I crave sweets in the evening. But I want to join the no sugary/fatty eating habits crowd. It might help taper the coffee better to stop putting sugar in it.
6. I like Zamboni's "no excuses for extra crap". Triple dipping by including both not buying anything but essentials, using up stuff, and finishing my decluttering challenge!
7. Read back through and adding one: no beer/cider. I think I have a sensitivity to some ingredient and I definitely don't need the extra calories or the extra expense.

1.  Failed.  Had taqueria after our bike ride yesterday.  Despite having a dinner planned for home and overspending at the grocery.  I got done with my ride, and I was bonked out and starving.  I ate my face off.  $21 for two people.
2.  Training going well.  I take days off, but we all should.  so this one is a win for me
3.  Haven't got any clothing this month, but we have a bike shop shopping list started. 
4.  This one I won't even try.  Going without coffee is on par with getting out of the pool and finding, no towel, no clothes, and no shoes.  :)
5.  I have cut back, but I do put it in my coffee and use sweetened bars and sports drinks for exercise and recovery. How about if I say no cookies or cake? 
6.  I might be able to avoid extra crap.  I do have that bike shopping list, but it's all maintenance territory stuff.
7.  We don't drink alcohol, so this one is easy for us. 
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 12, 2017, 08:46:37 AM

No fast food/ solo eating out.
No excuses for less than 30 minutes of exercise

Nov 12: I think I have mentioned that my office is next door to a restaurant. The restaurant bathroom is my closest option, as a matter of fact. Planning is the key to avoiding temptation when you can hear the fajitas sizzling while you work. Green bean casserole with chicken for lunch today, with a BBQ with friends for dinner.

Week 2: SUCCESS!

Week 1: SUCCESS!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ACyclist on November 12, 2017, 11:15:48 AM
I stopped buying my Green and Blacks chocolate bar.  It's $4 a bar on most days.  Maybe,  will get one once a quarter.  Not every week.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: bruscar5 on November 12, 2017, 11:04:34 PM
Definitely no fast food for me. No dining out. I've just started getting good at cooking, but I've been too lazy to stick with it. I'm making a recipe list and I'm going to cook six days a week, no excuses.

Week 1 - Failed.
Week 2 - Accidental success (Before I resolved to cook each day, I just ended up having time.)
Week 3 - So far, so good.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: fluffmuffin on November 13, 2017, 06:19:44 AM
The good new from days 10-12: No new clothes (or even feeling tempted anymore, which is great!), and groceries are on track to come in under $250 even with Thanksgiving. I've been biking/walking to work as much as possible and I can see the savings in my budget line for gas.

The bad: As predicted, this weekend was...not ideal. I spent $16 on beers out with the friends, which was predicted and planned for. We had a lovely afternoon, and it was great to catch up and show them one of our favorite spots in town. But then we were starving and didn't have an easy option waiting at home, so we ended up grabbing dinner out. It only ended up being $25 for an appetizer and two dinners (happy hour special $3 apps + SO's favorite thing on their menu is an appetizer, so we ordered one to split and then he had two orders as an entree = cheapest date imaginable), which isn't exactly a budget-destroyer, but ugh. It was really more the principle of the thing.

Oh well, just going to have to work extra-hard for the rest of the month to catch up. Hopefully the gas savings will cancel out the $25 on food.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: haypug16 on November 13, 2017, 09:14:57 AM
Nov 1 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 2 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 3 - #1 Failed #2 Check. #3 Check
Nov 4 - #1 NA No Work #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 5 - #1 NA No Work #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 6 - #1 Failed #2 Small Fail #3 Check
Nov 7 - #1 Failed  #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 8 - #1 Too Cold #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 9 - #1 Too Cold #2 Check #3 Check

Nov 10 - #1 Too Cold #2 Purchased Latte at Starbucks! I have been making them at home all month but was running late to work so grabbed one on the way in #3 Worked on my French in Duolingo, got 100xp in one day :)

Nov 11 - #1 NA no Work #2 Went out bowling spend $10 within my Entertainment budget for the month #3 Got the dining room cleaned up (preparing for a dinner party for the 18th)

Nov 12 - #1 NA no work #2 Went out to dinner after the Ski Expo with Friends $50 puts me just over my monthly meals out budget and I have 2 more trivia nights planned so I may need to figure out how I can go out for Trivia and not order any food or at least try to keep it to $10-20 bucks a night, and just cut out spending in a different category, hmmm #3 Got a bunch more cleaning and French lessons done

Aside from the biking (turns out there was a second hole in the tire and needs to be patched again) I've been doing well with #2 and #3
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: PJ on November 13, 2017, 10:08:18 AM
I guess I shouldn't really title a thread "No Excuses November" if I'm not prepared to stick to my guns!

I had committed to no unnecessary spending, but that kinda went out the window yesterday. First, my phone died. I managed that one ok, got a new phone at $0 (yes, on a contract but I don't mind that too much - my services are bundled and I'm not planning to change my provider anytime soon). But I did buy a case for the new phone.

I also went to Shoppers Drug Mart over the weekend - three times! Collected some bonus points for the Optimum Program on Saturday (hoping for a Spend Your Points event soon, and wanted to hit the next level). Went twice on Sunday,  when they were giving movie passes with a minimum spend. 

Bought a lot of grocery type stuff that was on sale, and some of what I bought will also go into Christmas presents (including one set of the movie passes) but bottom line is that I was sucked in by the promotion.  Luckily, it was all covered by extra money I got last week, so doesn't affect my budget overall. 

Still, I need to do better...

NO EXCUSES!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Mongoose on November 14, 2017, 07:24:35 AM
Going well still. Coat and shoes purchased. I completely resisted the urge to buy warm fuzzy things just because they are warm and fuzzy. We have enough. Coffee is down so close to decaf as to be useless. I'll probably pull the plug completely tomorrow. Sugar....well....sugar is a problem. We just won't talk about sugar...

And we have another looming food crisis today. Kids ate all of the normally enough for two meals batch. I need a portable dinner made by noon...ugh!

Kid2 is sick. Actually everyone is sick but kid2 is go to the doctor and get prescriptions sick. $100 (well, almost exactly). Pharmacist kept asking "this one is $45. Are you sure that is ok?" Yes, kid needs it. Maybe because I am sick too and had thrown on random clothes?
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: horsepoor on November 14, 2017, 07:35:25 AM
If I can jump in here mid-month...

With the time change, it's getting dark by 6pm.  It's very tempting to just flop on the couch or in front of the computer and veg out and drink too much wine until bedtime.

So for the rest of the month, I must do something active each night after dark.  I've dug out my head lamp and walked my dog eight miles over the past two nights.

Unless I'm at the indoor arena training my horse, each weeknight I must:
*Walk the dog or -
*Hit the gym (no excuses for weather)
*Yoga in the basement

AND

*Spend at least 30 minutes studying my online dressage training materials and journaling
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: kaypinkHH on November 14, 2017, 07:47:38 AM
No more being lazy- going to exercise 5x per week. (45 mins min)
No more takeout lunches, sticking to the food budget and saving our restaurant food for special occasions
No new clothes- if something wears out, I'm going to a thrift store.

Day 1: Went for a 45min walk to the grocery store to buy stuff to make fried rice instead of take out. 2 Birds one stone.

Day 2: Didn't exercise, went to a networking event, got free food, no shopping.

Day 3: Already blew it- bought a soup at lunch.

Day 4-5: Went on a road trip, did some restaurant spending. I'm going to restart today: I packed a lunch. Also, not enough exercise so far, so I'll also get on that today! Still no shopping :).

Day 6-8: No takeout lunches/snacks! Went to cycle classes on the 7th and 8th, still no shopping (not just on clothes, but on anything other than groceries!)

Day 9: No take out food, no shopping, but no exercise

Day 10: Caved and bought mat clothes (I feel like this is a need more than a want at this point.) BUT I bought them all second hand off kijiji and got ~$1000 worth of clothes for ~$130. No take out, but no exercise.

Day 11: Went out to eat with friends (allowed in above goals), went on a road trip, no exercise. No shopping.

Day 12: Grabbed a canteen snack when it wasn't needed, and went out to lunch with family, and no exercise. No shopping.

Day 13: Didn't bring enough food for ride home, had an impromptu date lunch with Mr.HH, no exercise, no shopping.

Day 14: So far...will have to buy lunch since my packed lunch mysteriously disappeared from the fridge (Currently living with inlaws and I think they threw it out). Didn't have time to pull something together this morning.  I know this forum is no excuses but "someone threw out my delicious lunch" should at least be a partial excuse....it also makes me sad because #foodwaste. 
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Mongoose on November 14, 2017, 10:36:27 AM
I feel like garbage (cold/flu) but NO EXCUSES! Dinner for tonight made. Lunches for the week made. Extra breakfasts made. Now I am going to go collapse.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Dollar Slice on November 14, 2017, 10:46:48 AM
13/13 on my PT exercises, but today might be a failure. It's my press deadline at work, my boss took the day off for a family emergency, and I've been running a fever on and off since Sunday. So far I did 1 of my 12 exercises. Maybe I can manage half of them and call it a good-enough win?
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 14, 2017, 11:40:30 AM


No fast food/ solo eating out.
No excuses for less than 30 minutes of exercise

Nov 14: Back is still bad, but I had to leave home, so some walking is happening. However, I really don't feel like I can walk back home for lunch unless I can stay there the rest of the day and I couldn't carry anything with me this morning...

Nov 13: I hurt my back and didn't leave home. So, not eating out was easy, but 30 minutes of exercise was very simple and gentle stretching.

Nov 12: I think I have mentioned that my office is next door to a restaurant. The restaurant bathroom is my closest option, as a matter of fact. Planning is the key to avoiding temptation when you can hear the fajitas sizzling while you work. Green bean casserole with chicken for lunch today, with a BBQ with friends for dinner.

Week 2: SUCCESS!

Week 1: SUCCESS!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: PJ on November 14, 2017, 08:27:59 PM
Day 14: So far...will have to buy lunch since my packed lunch mysteriously disappeared from the fridge (Currently living with inlaws and I think they threw it out). Didn't have time to pull something together this morning.  I know this forum is no excuses but "someone threw out my delicious lunch" should at least be a partial excuse....it also makes me sad because #foodwaste.

Agreed.  #foodwaste = :-(

That being said, I throw out way too much of my produce.  Two reasons.  First, when I go shopping, I get all excited about eating right, and optimistic about cooking and eating all my meals at home.  Then I have multiple evening meetings in one week, and hardly cook at all, and stuff goes to waste.  The second reason is because church members like to feed me, so I often end up bringing food home on Sunday (and sometimes mid-week too!)  It's not unexpected, but it's unpredictable as to what kind of food it will be.  Sometimes salad, or sandwiches, or macaroni or rice and peas, sometimes fruit, sometimes all cake and cookies!  And if I've shopped as well, then I may have too much of one type of food and I can't always get to it fast enough.

But the last couple of weeks, I've been trying to be really diligent about prioritizing eating the stuff that must be eaten first, regardless of whether it's what I really *feel* like.  Have also needed to put aside my perception of what a normal meal is on occasion.  So, for example, tonight I was cooking a rice and red lentil dish.  It had onions in it, but no other veg.  I was looking for something else to add, but there wasn't much else in the way of other fresh veg in the house.  But there was half a cucumber in the crisper, really needing to be eaten.  So I had cucumber slices as an appetizer, just to finish it before it went totally bad.  (I also added oatmeal to the rice mix, but that's another story, which you can read more about in the Eat All The Food In Your House thread if you want - believe it or not, it was good!)
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: horsepoor on November 15, 2017, 07:17:56 AM
Last night:

Arena was a soppy mess so I couldn't ride, but used the time to do some groundwork training instead
Made two batches of cookies for a work meeting I'm hosting today
Did 40 minute yoga routine.  I haven't done yoga in ages and definitely have some tight spots. 
Re-listened to two videos from my online training course and read an educational article

Tonight I shall walk the dog if it's not raining, and if it is, hit the gym.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 15, 2017, 07:24:26 AM
Day 14: So far...will have to buy lunch since my packed lunch mysteriously disappeared from the fridge (Currently living with inlaws and I think they threw it out). Didn't have time to pull something together this morning.  I know this forum is no excuses but "someone threw out my delicious lunch" should at least be a partial excuse....it also makes me sad because #foodwaste.

Agreed.  #foodwaste = :-(

That being said, I throw out way too much of my produce.  Two reasons.  First, when I go shopping, I get all excited about eating right, and optimistic about cooking and eating all my meals at home.  Then I have multiple evening meetings in one week, and hardly cook at all, and stuff goes to waste.  The second reason is because church members like to feed me, so I often end up bringing food home on Sunday (and sometimes mid-week too!)  It's not unexpected, but it's unpredictable as to what kind of food it will be.  Sometimes salad, or sandwiches, or macaroni or rice and peas, sometimes fruit, sometimes all cake and cookies!  And if I've shopped as well, then I may have too much of one type of food and I can't always get to it fast enough.

<...>

In the past I would also buy way to many vegetables, just because I always get inspired by seeing good veggies. But now I have changed to only buy veggies for the next 3-4 days. I also try to count how many days we eat from them. E.g. a box a salad leaves is something we often eat 2 or 3 times from. I also try to buy at least one vegetable which doesn't perish very fast, like a cauliflower, so that it can lay in the fridge for close to a week. Often the veggies last much longer than I expected, since we sometimes eat portions of leftovers. I am now just shopping less often.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 15, 2017, 06:00:41 PM

No fast food/ solo eating out.
No excuses for less than 30 minutes of exercise

Nov 15: It's my birthday. I used a gift card to go to the movies, went out for fast food afterwards. Back is still bad enough that I am not making any concerted effort to walk. In otherwords, all the excuses.

Nov 14: Back is still bad, but I had to leave home, so some walking is happening. However, I really don't feel like I can walk back home for lunch unless I can stay there the rest of the day and I couldn't carry anything with me this morning...

Nov 13: I hurt my back and didn't leave home. So, not eating out was easy, but 30 minutes of exercise was very simple and gentle stretching.

Nov 12: I think I have mentioned that my office is next door to a restaurant. The restaurant bathroom is my closest option, as a matter of fact. Planning is the key to avoiding temptation when you can hear the fajitas sizzling while you work. Green bean casserole with chicken for lunch today, with a BBQ with friends for dinner.

Week 2: SUCCESS!

Week 1: SUCCESS!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: kaypinkHH on November 16, 2017, 01:05:27 PM
I like the way Ixtap is summarizing it by week!

No more being lazy- going to exercise 5x per week. (45 mins min)
No more takeout lunches, sticking to the food budget and saving our restaurant food for special occasions
No new clothes- if something wears out, I'm going to a thrift store.

Nov 15: Exercise!! No take out lunch! No Shopping!

Nov 8-14: Exercise 2x, 1 Takeout lunch purchased, 1 canteen snack purchased (other restaurant food, but was all with family/friends). Bought a bunch of Mat Clothes on Kijiji, still no "new clothes"

Nov 1-7: Exercise 2x, 1 Takeout lunch purchased+Roadtrip food. No new clothes!
 
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: haypug16 on November 17, 2017, 08:16:05 AM
Nov 1 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 2 - #1 Failed #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 3 - #1 Failed #2 Check. #3 Check
Nov 4 - #1 NA No Work #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 5 - #1 NA No Work #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 6 - #1 Failed #2 Small Fail #3 Check
Nov 7 - #1 Failed  #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 8 - #1 Too Cold #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 9 - #1 Too Cold #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 10 - #1 Too Cold #2 Small Fail #3 Check
Nov 11 - #1 NA no Work #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 12 - #1 NA no work #2 Failed #3 Check

Nov 13 - #1 Too Cold #2 Failed (purchased Decor for the Thanksgiving potluck I'm having Sat) #3 Being very productive at home (cleaning and learning French)
Nov 14 - #1 Too Cold #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 15 - #1 Too Cold #2 Check #3 Check
Nov 16 - #1 Failed (kind of nice out today but still have a flat) #2 Failed (went out to Trivia and spend $20 on meals out when my budget was already over for this category, still under my total spending budget for the month though #3 Check

Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: fluffmuffin on November 17, 2017, 01:16:25 PM
Days 13-17: Fine, no issues--maybe a liiiitle over where I'd like to be on the food budget, but we're well stocked so it should be easy to rein in to meet the sub-$250 goal. This weekend should be okay as well. We're doing Friendsgiving on Saturday, which will be a nice low-cost way to get in the food + socialization time.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 17, 2017, 03:08:17 PM


No fast food/ solo eating out.
No excuses for less than 30 minutes of exercise

Week 3: Uh three lunches out in four days is a lot of excuses. I would blame the muscle relaxants, but that is just another excuse.

Week 2: SUCCESS!

Week 1: SUCCESS!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: horsepoor on November 17, 2017, 08:18:58 PM
Made it successfully through a tough work week!  After work activities:

Monday - rode horse, walked dog, dressage study
Tuesday - exercised horse, did yoga, baked cookies, dressage study
Wednesday - went to gym, dressage study
Thursday - walked dog, yoga, dressage study
Friday - rode horse at indoor arena, about to do my dressage study

Side benefit:  less time to drink wine at night!

Next week should be easier with a quiet office Thanksgiving week and Thursday off.

To do this weekend: 
Run with dog 1x
Gym 1x
Exercise/ride horse 2x
Preserve last of the tomatoes
Mulch the garden beds
Prep cook for next week
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: PJ on November 17, 2017, 11:40:14 PM

No fast food/ solo eating out.
No excuses for less than 30 minutes of exercise

Nov 15: It's my birthday. I used a gift card to go to the movies, went out for fast food afterwards. Back is still bad enough that I am not making any concerted effort to walk. In otherwords, all the excuses.

... snip

LOL!

No fast food/ solo eating out.
No excuses for less than 30 minutes of exercise

Week 3: Uh three lunches out in four days is a lot of excuses. I would blame the muscle relaxants, but that is just another excuse.

Week 2: SUCCESS!

Week 1: SUCCESS!

OK, well, at least you've identified the problem? 

Make you feel any better to know that I bought a bunch of new clothes for myself when I went into the thrift store looking for possible Christmas gifts?  Gifts were permissable, and planned, but the clothes were not.  And though a number of them do fill gaps in my wardrobe, I definitely bought more than I needed, and some that are more iffy than they should be (i.e. will look better if I lose a little weight, rather than great for right now.) 

Back on the wagon?
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 17, 2017, 11:45:12 PM


Back on the wagon?

Yes, let's do that!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: PJ on November 18, 2017, 12:14:07 AM


Back on the wagon?

Yes, let's do that!

It's a deal!  ;-)
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 18, 2017, 11:05:35 AM


No fast food/ solo eating out.
No excuses for less than 30 minutes of exercise

Week 3: Lots of excuses, but back on track for Saturday in the office :)

Week 2: SUCCESS!

Week 1: SUCCESS!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: akzidenz on November 18, 2017, 07:52:51 PM
I just found this thread but I'm so happy it's here! My No Excuses November goal is to keep my savings rate up. I started the year strong (note February is my bonus month, so it's unfortunately the only time I can hit 70%+)…but I fell into a summer slump.

(https://i.imgur.com/9Mk69NQ.png)

September and October were huge improvements! My goal is 55%+ for November, no excuses.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 20, 2017, 11:46:39 AM



No fast food/ solo eating out.
No excuses for less than 30 minutes of exercise

Nov 20: Exercise is easy, the office doesn't get any sun this time of year. Even though it is a warm day, it is still 66 inside. Must go out and circulate frozen blood. Then come back and eat lentil stew :)

Week 3: Lots of excuses, but finished strong.

Week 2: SUCCESS!

Week 1: SUCCESS!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Dollar Slice on November 20, 2017, 01:31:36 PM
13/13 on my PT exercises, but today might be a failure. It's my press deadline at work, my boss took the day off for a family emergency, and I've been running a fever on and off since Sunday. So far I did 1 of my 12 exercises. Maybe I can manage half of them and call it a good-enough win?

I ended up managing to do at least half of my PT exercises every single day (focusing on the more important ones). Even though I have bronchitis and I had four out-of-town visitors in the last two weeks and it is a critical time at work and I haven't been able to take a sick day. This has been really tough. But it's no excuses November so I guess I am doing my PT exercises until I drop dead :-P  I am going to PT in an hour and I might go to urgent care afterward to make sure I'm not getting pneumonia :-/
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: horsepoor on November 20, 2017, 04:20:47 PM
To do this weekend:
Run with dog 1x DONE
Gym 1x FAIL
Exercise/ride horse 2xDONE
Preserve last of the tomatoesGetting There
Mulch the garden bedsFAIL
Prep cook for next weekMeh

To make up for my fails, I did clean up and repair the little storage locker next to the chicken coop.  That's been on my "should do" list for a long time.  My ankle did not appreciate Saturday morning's run, but I can at least do yoga and try for some other non-impact exercises tonight and tomorrow.

Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: fluffmuffin on November 20, 2017, 05:01:40 PM
I just found this thread but I'm so happy it's here! My No Excuses November goal is to keep my savings rate up. I started the year strong (note February is my bonus month, so it's unfortunately the only time I can hit 70%+)…but I fell into a summer slump.

(https://i.imgur.com/9Mk69NQ.png)

September and October were huge improvements! My goal is 55%+ for November, no excuses.

I really like the idea of graphing your savings rate! Might steal that idea...I love visual stuff like that.

The weekend went fine challenge-wise. But today at work I got all the way to the checkout on Etsy of this adorable holiday dog collar for our little bud...before I thought about how embarrassed I’d feel to have to come onto this thread and admit I’d impulse-bought a totally unnecessary seasonal dog accessory. Hooray, the challenge is working!

(I’m totally gonna buy it on December 1 though.)
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 21, 2017, 06:41:50 PM

No fast food/ solo eating out.
No excuses for less than 30 minutes of exercise

Nov 21: On track and back is at 90% :). Only one more day on my own, then a four day weekend of sailing, jambalaya, and finishing off this quarter's minimum spend at the yacht club.

Nov 20: Exercise is easy, the office doesn't get any sun this time of year. Even though it is a warm day, it is still 66 inside. Must go out and circulate frozen blood. Then come back and eat lentil stew :)

Week 3: Lots of excuses, but finished strong.

Week 2: SUCCESS!

Week 1: SUCCESS!
[/quote]
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: akzidenz on November 22, 2017, 11:26:45 AM
ixtap, I'm inspired. I had a pretty good exercise routine in the summer (running 2x or 3x a week after work) but I've let it slip. I'll try to recommit in the winter months!

fluffmuffin, the graph really works for me because I feel an emotional connection to images much more than numbers—and now that I'm pulling my savings rate up from a summer slump, seeing the graph go up is very rewarding!

I think frivolous purchases (like a dog collar) can turn out fine if you wait…either you forget you want it, or you cautiously rearrange your budget to make it reasonable.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: kaypinkHH on November 23, 2017, 09:05:02 AM
No more being lazy- going to exercise 5x per week. (45 mins min)
No more takeout lunches, sticking to the food budget and saving our restaurant food for special occasions
No new clothes- if something wears out, I'm going to a thrift store.

Nov 15-21: 1. Exercise 4.5x (WOOOO!), 2. 1 take out lunch (Mondays are my downfall) 3. Did have to go buy new undergarmets...Making this goal with an ever expanding pregnancy body was a dumb idea...but almost through the month and only a few absolutely needed new clothes purchased isn't too bad.

Nov 8-14: Exercise 2x, 1 Takeout lunch purchased, 1 canteen snack purchased (other restaurant food, but was all with family/friends). Bought a bunch of Mat Clothes on Kijiji, still no "new clothes"

Nov 1-7: Exercise 2x, 1 Takeout lunch purchased+Roadtrip food. No new clothes!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 23, 2017, 09:14:04 AM


No fast food/ solo eating out.
No excuses for less than 30 minutes of exercise

Nov 23: Despite it being 8am, I am pretty confident about today, what with our schedule packed solid with relaxing and  sailing and cooking, and probably a gentle walk if we get to our destination before sunset.

Nov 22: it was a good day. Getting the walking back up now that I am healed.

Nov 21: On track and back is at 90% :). Only one more day on my own, then a four day weekend of sailing, jambalaya, and finishing off this quarter's minimum spend at the yacht club.

Nov 20: Exercise is easy, the office doesn't get any sun this time of year. Even though it is a warm day, it is still 66 inside. Must go out and circulate frozen blood. Then come back and eat lentil stew :)

Week 3: Lots of excuses, but finished strong.

Week 2: SUCCESS!

Week 1: SUCCESS!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: horsepoor on November 24, 2017, 07:33:09 AM
To do this weekend:
Run with dog 1x DONE
Gym 1x FAIL
Exercise/ride horse 2xDONE
Preserve last of the tomatoesGetting There
Mulch the garden bedsFAIL
Prep cook for next weekMeh

To make up for my fails, I did clean up and repair the little storage locker next to the chicken coop.  That's been on my "should do" list for a long time.  My ankle did not appreciate Saturday morning's run, but I can at least do yoga and try for some other non-impact exercises tonight and tomorrow.

Argh.  Fell off the wagon for the most part this week.  Ankle ended up really sore after last Saturday's run, and I used it as an excuse to veg out on the couch too much this week.  I have been keeping up with my dressage study, so that's something.  Gym for me tonight!

This weekend:

Can turkey stock
Yard cleanup
Chicken coop cleanout
Ride horse 2x
Walk dog/see if ankle can handle a short jog
Prep cook/meal plan
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 25, 2017, 01:29:52 PM

Any interest in doing this again next month?

No fast food/ solo eating out.
No excuses for less than 30 minutes of exercise

Week 4: SUCCESS!

Week 3: Lots of excuses, but finished strong.

Week 2: SUCCESS!

Week 1: SUCCESS!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: mrbasepauly on November 25, 2017, 04:53:12 PM
Only a week left, but I'm jumping in on this as well (very cool idea!).
No excuses: getting work done!! no drinking!! no mochas during the week!!

1. Work hard, be efficient, but throw down the gauntlet!
2. No drinking (1 day in, 180 days or so to go)
3. No mochas before work (weekend mocha ok)

Thanks for the inspiration!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Dollar Slice on November 25, 2017, 09:23:06 PM
Still haven't missed a day of PT exercises! Rough week: my physical therapist gave me a new exercise on Monday that made my legs hurt like hell for three days, and my bronchitis didn't start getting better until Thursday, after I decided I was going to bed and not coming out until I was feeling better. I stayed in bed (except for food/bathroom breaks) for 22 hours.

I have an appointment with my surgeon on Tuesday, so I'll find out if I need to sign up for No Excuses December...
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 26, 2017, 07:31:14 AM
No more buying my favorite cheesecake and have that for dinner whenever DH plans to eat somewhere else. This cheesecake is very expensive and unhealthy. Is is only sold by 2 pieces and that is exactly 1 piece too many.

No buying of sweets if I go shopping the coming days, even though sweets might be on sale in the shops now for Halloween. Both DH and I need to watch our weight at this moment.

No more buying of comfort food at the newsstand if I need to visit the city for work.

No more buying of chocolate bars when the grocery store has discount market. This will be a very difficult one. I often buy quite a large pile when they are so cheap.

Well, yesterday was the second of November and the first point blew already. Facepunch!
The cheesecake was on sale, so I bought 2x2. They have all bern consumed by now. Yes, I am aware of having an eating disorder. It has something to do with being home alone for three days and having the freeday to behave in an irresponsible way, for matters of eating. I also bought a bottle of wine and had 3 glasses last night.

The small positive thing is that I had leftover food from the fridge for dinner yesterday and will do the same tonight. And apart from the cheesecake and wine and a box of Christmas cookies (still closed) I didn't buy other unnecessary things.

I have a lot to work on when it comes to self control on food. BTW, my BMI is still in the normal range, because I do this relatively seldom. But still, this is not normal behaviour.

Approaching the end of November. Time to look at the current status.

1) Last week I was home alone for 2 nights and did not buy any cheesecake.

2) Did not buy sweets on sale, but on the night I was home alone I did buy a small size bag of sweets that were not on sale. Ate those before eating a leftover dinner portion from the freezer. At least the shop has introduced small sweet bags which really cannot contain as much as I usually would buy.

3) I did not visit the city and have therefore not been tempted to buy sweets at any news stands. Just that once at the grocery shop, as described above.

4) I haven't seen the chocolate bars last time the shop had sale. This particular problem is solved. Our drawer at home where we usually keep these snacks is very empty, apart from two closed packs of oatmeal cookies that are not attractive enough to open.

Challenges for me for the rest of November (and for December):
5) Don`t buy meat and fish. Empty the stuffed freezer first.
6) Drive to the communal garbage collection of bring away the broken office chair that stands in our hall way.
7) Notice when fuel prices are cheap and fill up both cars.
8) Do daily exercises for my back as I want it to give me less trouble.

Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: horsepoor on November 26, 2017, 10:10:24 PM

Gym for me tonight!

This weekend:

Can turkey stock
Yard cleanup
Chicken coop cleanout
Ride horse 2x
Walk dog/see if ankle can handle a short jog
Prep cook/meal plan

Woohoo, I completed all of this.  I also got my basement home office area cleaned up as I'll probably be teleworking more frequently starting next week.

On the downside, I lifted weights Friday night, then walked 3 miles with a very short little jog in part of it, and now my ankle is thrashed.  Relegated to the gym elliptical machine for the next week.  Dog not happy.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: fluffmuffin on November 27, 2017, 06:52:43 AM
Nearing the end of November update on my challenge items. I don't have any reason to spend money for the next three days, so this should probably be it!

I only succeeded at 1/4 goals, which was honestly the easiest one. But this has still been a useful exercise! Even if I didn't meet the other 3/4 items, my overall spending on was still lower than normal, which is exactly what I was hoping for. Hopefully nothing goes off the rails in the next three days :)
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: PJ on November 28, 2017, 10:45:24 AM
13/13 on my PT exercises, but today might be a failure. It's my press deadline at work, my boss took the day off for a family emergency, and I've been running a fever on and off since Sunday. So far I did 1 of my 12 exercises. Maybe I can manage half of them and call it a good-enough win?

I ended up managing to do at least half of my PT exercises every single day (focusing on the more important ones). Even though I have bronchitis and I had four out-of-town visitors in the last two weeks and it is a critical time at work and I haven't been able to take a sick day. This has been really tough. But it's no excuses November so I guess I am doing my PT exercises until I drop dead :-P  I am going to PT in an hour and I might go to urgent care afterward to make sure I'm not getting pneumonia :-/

Took a little break from the forums, but have enjoyed coming back and reading everyone's updates.  Sounds like only Dollar Slice met 100% of their goal - being willing to die rather than fail is very inspirational, DS!  (See above)

And what about me?  Time for a brief assessment:

I did do some more thrift store clothing shopping after my last post, tried to be a bit more discerning and had a discount code to reduce the price even further.  The question of whether I really "needed" all that is a serious one to consider.  For sure I needed to assess my wardrobe with a critical eye, as I'm finding it harder to find stuff that totally fits and works for me.  After all the shopping, I've weeded some things out, but need to do more.  In the final analysis, I certainly bought more than I needed to, but most of what I got will be used and useful, and much of it will replace things that need to be discarded.

I did much better with other spending though.  It's hard not to do any shopping in the lead up to Christmas, if yours is a family that gives gifts.  But where I found myself really able to stick to the challenge was in drastically minimizing the dribble spending.  The coffee here, quick lunch on the road there.  I made my coffee at home even more (such a huge change from a couple years ago, when I'd hit the Tim Horton's drive-thru at least once a day, and often 2 or 3 times!)  I took my lunch, or dinner, or snacks with me more.  I didn't pop by the convenience store for junk food on the way home.  And so on.

So on the whole, I'd say that November was a moderate success.  And I think I saw a "Deliberate December" thread, so you can probably find me there next month!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: ixtap on November 28, 2017, 10:55:39 AM
Did y'all see the Deliberate December thread?

This challenge really helped keep me accountable for a plan I was making anyway (no solo eating out). Even yesterday I found myself struggling to forego the fast food when I had an unexpected errand over lunch time, so it is not quite an automatic habit just yet.

I pushed the exercise too hard and ended up aggravating a back issue, but was strong enough to recover relatively quickly.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Dollar Slice on November 28, 2017, 11:15:12 AM
13/13 on my PT exercises, but today might be a failure. It's my press deadline at work, my boss took the day off for a family emergency, and I've been running a fever on and off since Sunday. So far I did 1 of my 12 exercises. Maybe I can manage half of them and call it a good-enough win?

I ended up managing to do at least half of my PT exercises every single day (focusing on the more important ones). Even though I have bronchitis and I had four out-of-town visitors in the last two weeks and it is a critical time at work and I haven't been able to take a sick day. This has been really tough. But it's no excuses November so I guess I am doing my PT exercises until I drop dead :-P  I am going to PT in an hour and I might go to urgent care afterward to make sure I'm not getting pneumonia :-/

Took a little break from the forums, but have enjoyed coming back and reading everyone's updates.  Sounds like only Dollar Slice met 100% of their goal - being willing to die rather than fail is very inspirational, DS!  (See above)

Haha. I came closer than I really would have liked, honestly, I did have to go to urgent care and I was very ill for a while. And there was one time I had to do my PT exercises in a hotel room with a friend in the middle of the afternoon because I was too exhausted/ill to do it in the morning and I was otherwise busy from noon to 12:30AM. The good(?) news is that since I was too sick to attend the family Thanksgiving, I had extra time for my exercises. I did extra reps and tried some more advanced versions of the exercises over the holiday weekend. Result: the ROM in my joint has gone from 15 degrees to 45 degrees in four weeks! The surgeon was very pleased when I saw him today (he seemed almost surprised at the amount of improvement) and prescribed another month of PT since it's been helping so much. Normal movement in the joint is 70-90 degrees, so I still have a ways to go. But I think even if I don't get all the way there, it will be a big help to me. I have to decide what I would consider "success," because I told myself that if this one was a success, I would have the operation on the other foot which has the same exact problem... but I have a while to decide still.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: PJ on November 28, 2017, 11:21:16 AM
13/13 on my PT exercises, but today might be a failure. It's my press deadline at work, my boss took the day off for a family emergency, and I've been running a fever on and off since Sunday. So far I did 1 of my 12 exercises. Maybe I can manage half of them and call it a good-enough win?

I ended up managing to do at least half of my PT exercises every single day (focusing on the more important ones). Even though I have bronchitis and I had four out-of-town visitors in the last two weeks and it is a critical time at work and I haven't been able to take a sick day. This has been really tough. But it's no excuses November so I guess I am doing my PT exercises until I drop dead :-P  I am going to PT in an hour and I might go to urgent care afterward to make sure I'm not getting pneumonia :-/

Took a little break from the forums, but have enjoyed coming back and reading everyone's updates.  Sounds like only Dollar Slice met 100% of their goal - being willing to die rather than fail is very inspirational, DS!  (See above)

Haha. I came closer than I really would have liked, honestly, I did have to go to urgent care and I was very ill for a while. And there was one time I had to do my PT exercises in a hotel room with a friend in the middle of the afternoon because I was too exhausted/ill to do it in the morning and I was otherwise busy from noon to 12:30AM. The good(?) news is that since I was too sick to attend the family Thanksgiving, I had extra time for my exercises. I did extra reps and tried some more advanced versions of the exercises over the holiday weekend. Result: the ROM in my joint has gone from 15 degrees to 45 degrees in four weeks! The surgeon was very pleased when I saw him today (he seemed almost surprised at the amount of improvement) and prescribed another month of PT since it's been helping so much. Normal movement in the joint is 70-90 degrees, so I still have a ways to go. But I think even if I don't get all the way there, it will be a big help to me. I have to decide what I would consider "success," because I told myself that if this one was a success, I would have the operation on the other foot which has the same exact problem... but I have a while to decide still.

Reading that update, I don't know whether to laugh or to cry, to be honest! 

I'm just hoping you're feeling much better, all way around, and that December is not nearly as traumatic!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Dollar Slice on November 28, 2017, 12:23:05 PM
I'm just hoping you're feeling much better, all way around, and that December is not nearly as traumatic!

Yes, I'm 98% over the illness, and things are easing up with my schedule. No friends visiting this month, no crazy weeks where I'm out till midnight every night. And I managed to schedule every PT appointment at 5:30PM so I can just stop on my way home from work, which cuts out one subway ride per appointment. Saves me almost 4 hours of commute time and ~50 flights of stairs on that post-op foot in December.

Everything's coming up Slicey!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: PJ on November 28, 2017, 12:40:29 PM
I'm just hoping you're feeling much better, all way around, and that December is not nearly as traumatic!

Yes, I'm 98% over the illness, and things are easing up with my schedule. No friends visiting this month, no crazy weeks where I'm out till midnight every night. And I managed to schedule every PT appointment at 5:30PM so I can just stop on my way home from work, which cuts out one subway ride per appointment. Saves me almost 4 hours of commute time and ~50 flights of stairs on that post-op foot in December.

Everything's coming up Slicey!

Glad to hear it.  If you don't take care of you, no one else is going to!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: kaypinkHH on November 29, 2017, 10:49:07 AM
Wait what...it is the end of November already??

READY FOR ALL MY EXCUSES...
Lesson learned: made unreasonable goals. Growing a human/living with other people made meeting these goals tough.

Overall though,
1. No more being lazy- going to exercise 5x per week. (45 mins min)
Didn't quite get to 5x per week, but the classes I did were more intense than going for a walk. Feel ntb about this one!

2. No more takeout lunches, sticking to the food budget and saving our restaurant food for special occasions
Wow..that was like 3 goals in one. 4 take out lunches, and approximately $150 of unneeded restaurant spending (rest was with other people aka special occasions). Need to be less lazy.

3. No new clothes- if something wears out, I'm going to a thrift store.
I only spent $50 on new clothes- NEEDED. (and $135 on kijijji finds)..when the total retail value of purchased items from kijiji of new to me clothes was probably $2000. #almostwinning

I'm going to pass on deliberate December myself, but look forward to joining a future similar challenge when I have bit more control over my life (aka my own kitchen).
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Dollar Slice on November 29, 2017, 09:37:46 PM
Everything's coming up Slicey!

Rarely is hubris punished so quickly! I posted that yesterday, and this morning I woke up with bad pain and stiffness in my knee, for no apparent reason (I did not injure it, and it's not even on the same leg where I had the surgery). I have a PT appointment tomorrow so I can ask her what to do about it or what she thinks could cause it. Possibly a long-term consequence of the foot problem I've been living with for years, but kind of weird for it to start so suddenly. Tonight I am sticking to just the PT exercises where I am sitting or laying down, to make sure I don't hurt it further.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: JoshuaSpodek on November 30, 2017, 10:50:26 PM
Launching my podcast, Leadership and the Environment, that I meant to launch last month.

I said I would launch my podcast this month and late in the evening of November 30th, I launched Leadership and the Environment (http://joshuaspodek.com/podcast).

(http://joshuaspodek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/LatE_cover_text_blue-1-300x300.png)

Thank you to this thread, whose public accountability motivated me to work like crazy the past few days to finish this month. I think I got a sophisticated, professional looking page up with four episodes of world-class guests.


Plus my personal statement Episode 000 (http://joshuaspodek.com/guests/joshua-spodek), which describes the story and goals of the podcast, and a few videos for more background.

Many more guests coming soon, two episodes per week.

It’s not up in iTunes yet, but please spread the word if you like it.

Most of all, please visit the page to commit to a personal challenge (http://joshuaspodek.com/sign-up) to take a leadership role acting on the environment.

There are lots of little details to fix and Apple won't validate the rss feed (https://leadershipandtheenvironment.libsyn.com/rss) even though other validators do, so it's not on iTunes yet, but check it out: http://joshuaspodek.com/podcast.

I'd love your thoughts (plus help with iTunes for any experienced podcasters).
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 01, 2017, 01:12:14 AM
November has passed. Summing up the total status:

1) Failed - in the beginning of November, but passed in the second half of November. Let's continue this way.
2) Failed - Buying sweets: still not cured. I will need to focus. Out government will soon make sugar products even more expensive, so maybe this will motivate me.
3) Passed - Not buying candies at a news stand where they are expensive. But that was perhaps because I haven't been in a tempting situation.
4) Passed - Have not bought chocolate bars on sale. I haven't seen them on sale either.
5) Passed - I haven't bought meat or fish in the past week. Freezer is getting slightly emptier.
6) Passed - Broken office chair is gone.
7) Ongoing - Haven't seen cheap fuel, but haven't filled up with expensive fuel either. Need to find cheap fuel before the next Friday when we go on a long drive. Sunday afternoon will probably be cheapest.
8) Passed - Doing daily exercises for my back.

I am joining the Deliberate December thread, as I like the concept of having short monthly goals.
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: akzidenz on December 02, 2017, 01:51:11 PM
My goal was a 55% savings rate. I didn't make it, sadly—just a 51%.

I'm a bit embarrassed to say that the reason I'm a 51% and not a 55% is that a pair of shoes I've wanted to buy (for one or two years now!) went on sale. It's absolutely a luxury, not a necessity. It's nice to have it now but I feel a bit conflicted about whether I need it…I might end up returning it.

It's nice to have the MMM forums—I know that most of my friends would say "but you've wanted it for so long!" and "you can afford it!". But it's more about principles—I made a goal and didn't make it, and I want to train myself to not see luxuries as ordinary/necessary things in my life.

One good thing, though: I ate out only 7 times (visited 1 bar, 6 restaurants). No coffee expenses either! I normally eat out 4x/week, or even more…

On to Deliberate December!
Title: Re: No Excuses November!
Post by: middo on December 02, 2017, 03:27:40 PM
I failed my goal. Unexpected expenses and lower income meant I couldn't pay down the debt I wanted. Next month hopefully.