Anne Tyler Lord

The Writer’s Life:#WriterlbsOff Friday Check-In #1

First Friday Report

It is the first Friday check in for the #writerlbsOff group.  How did it go for you this week?  Either Tweet a brief update, or comment below.

I have enjoyed Tweeting about our progress!  It can be hard to face that first week of committing to change.  Some of us hit the ground running and some of us took things slow.  We all have our own pace!

Start Small

We all have challenges in our lives and it is hard to make huge changes. Let’s all start out with small changes so they will last and accumulate. Soon, they will weave themselves into the tapestry of our lives, looking more beautiful each week.

If you haven’t checked it out yet, begin reading my SciFi series, Episode 1: War In Resolution Galaxy.  A new episode will be posted each Tuesday to keep us all motivated.

Creating Resolutions You Can Keep – Collection of Great Posts

There have been a lot of posts out there in the blog world about making and keeping New Year’s resolutions.  These posts have helped me think more about my resolutions and how I am going to keep them.  Here is a collection I read that are very interesting.

  • Jessica Rosen, of Girl Meets Word, has a wonderful blog post called, Forum: Reach Your Goals.  It is a summary of several articles and posts that provide advice for writers trying to meet their goals in the new year. It includes a mention of our #writerlbsOff group.
  • Become more mindful in the new year when it comes to resolutions. Go deeper into the inner experience of resilience, avoid the ravages of brittleness and examine your autobiography of  ability, worthiness and wisdom with Peanut Butter: Able, Worthy and Wise – Good Fables by Cole Bitting

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If you haven’t joined in the fun yet, you can anytime.  Go to #WriterlbsOff – New Year Resolutions for Writers for more information and sign up. Then just add #WriterlbsOff in your tweets and follow along in our conversation.

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34 responses to “The Writer’s Life:#WriterlbsOff Friday Check-In #1”

  1. CafeNirvana

    Hello,

    This is another good idea. Too embarrassed to post on twitter but it is cosier here, like a pajama party! Thanks so much, Anne!

    Update on my (non)-resolutions: Not going well at all. Fell ill with a bad cold and the works last week, appetite gone down again, very tired & demotivated so haven’t been writing either. (probably all inter-related, a vicious cycle of negativity.)

    Solutions: Joined a writing course online. Hoping this week is better for health and writing, taking it slow. Resting well, keeping warm, trying to eat better food. I won’t post the food I am craving in case I tempt those trying to lose weight. I am staying away from all articles and posts that talk about the death of publishing and struggling writer’s stories so I don’t feel worse. Reading practical and uplifting stuff.

    Plus side: I did read lots of good books while I was resting. I’ve also been plotting for my stories, including the book version of The Angel & Puca story. I guess I may be physically idle but brain is working overtime.

    Congrats to everyone who has made progress with their resolutions and good luck for the next week!

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Wow! You are making a lot of progress! You may not feel like it when you are sick. But a few of the folks in this group have been sick, injured or otherwise struggling this week, including me with a bad muscle spasm and the usual chemical exposures in the world. Now that the kids are back in school, I’m expecting the next round of cold here in about a week. No fun.

      I agree with not reading those articles that talk about the death of books and publ, just too depressing, and even though some truth to overall trend, most is written to get attention.

      Good for you for joining an online writing class. That will definitely be motivating. Glad to hear you are continuing The Angel & Puca story! I loved it!

      Rest up best you can and hope you feel physically better this week!

      1. CafeNirvana

        You are really too sweet, Anne 🙂

        I actually feel stuck, not moving forward at all, so it is good to listen to you. You should totally start a talk show like Oprah!

        Sometimes, when I see how unsupportive some people are around me of my writing, it really gets me down (in offline life). I am, like, why do I even bother. I don’t need much energy or encouragement to write poems, it comes very naturally to me. It is much harder for me to write stories. But I guess, finally what matters is that I love writing. I hope it gets easier with time, and that I reach a stage where I don’t look for validation from those who are not willing to give it.

        Have you recovered from your muscle spasms yet? Moist heat works wonders for muscle catches and spasms. Another strange thing about fibromyalgia is that exercising makes it better, sedentary lifestyles (and stress) are the biggest risk factors for FM. Just need to keep moving and enjoy what you do. Dancing helps me a lot 🙂

        Hope you feel better soon, and good healing wishes to all those who have not been well. *grouphug*

        1. Anne Tyler Lord

          Nishi,

          Thanks for the advice and reminders to help ourselves when we are physically suffering – we really need you here!

          It is very hard to keep warm in this frigid weather, and I do sit too long at the computer, which is in a colder part of the house. I will have to get out the warm heat sources more often. I also work hard to reduce stress, which isn’t always successful, but making progress. Stress does flare up Fibro. I love my kids and was so glad to homeschool them and be home with them for 8 years, but now I can see the toll it took on my health. They are in school now, and one reason is to help me recover physically. It has helped a lot. Exercising is such a trick – I was stretching last night and threw my knee out, entire leg went into spasm. Geez. But, I do keep trying every day with the stretching and gentle movement. Baby steps!

          I describe all this because I know that other members of our group suffer from Fibro, and even more have health challenges going on – surgery, recovery from surgery, illness, injuries, chronic conditions. And, as you describe, it is easy to get discouraged with the writing if you don’t have support. I know that affects several of us on occasion. And, I hope you know you can come online whenever you feel that way and all of us will boost you up.

          As I have said, I appreciate most of all the openness and authenticity of everyone in this group to share their struggles & successes along this journey. It is not easy for any of us. And the support we give each other is invaluable.

          Now lets take Nishi’s advice – lets dance more, and give more *grouphugs* I really like that!!!

  2. Candice (@cheshirescribe)

    Hi Everyone *waves*

    Sorry I didn’t get to post yesterday. I had a really hard day of work, didn’t leave until 7 p.m., then had to come home, cook, eat, and exercise, so by 9:30, I was in bed!

    I had a good start this week. I lost 3 lbs, and for those of you who are trying to post excuses for only losing 3 lbs (flu, not able to exercise as much, etc.), you don’t need excuses! 3 lbs in one week is a huge accomplishment, and the healthy way to lose weight is to try to stick around 1-3 lbs per week. If you “only” lost 3 lbs per week every week of the year, you could lose a total of 156 lbs in a year!! Now, not all of us have that much to lose, but I wanted to put it in perspective for those who think 2 or 3 lbs in a week is not a lot or isn’t enough. It definitely is!!

    This week, I stuck to the Fat Loss 4 Idiots menu religiously, eating mostly chicken and shrimp for dinners, veggies and fruits, and cheese, turkey, and roast beef. It seems to be working so far. I have also stuck to 1 hr of exercise every day – 30 mins on my exercise bike in the morning and 30 mins of walking in the evening. Let’s hope that I can stick to that schedule on the weekend! I think it’s easier for me during the week because it’s a routine. The weekends are free.

    For creativity, I was able to come up with names for almost all of my characters in the novel I’m writing, and I talked with my sister, and we came up with a really good skeleton storyline. It’s happily on its way down the yellow brick road to Emerald City…

    Overall, I think it was a good week, and it looks like it was a pretty good week for everyone! I’m so proud of all of you, and I’m happy to have this group for support, especially as someone who is not a new writer, but a writer who has just decided to take it to the next level.

    Thanks for all of your support!!

    1. Candice (@cheshirescribe)

      OH! and I also wanted to post this new recipe I found! It’s actually a Weight Watcher’s recipe, and it makes sort of a sweet and sour BBQ sauce. It’s really great to spice up chicken and shrimp!!

      1 cup ketchup
      1 can Diet Coke (12 oz.)
      3 tbsp Worcestshire sauce
      Doctored up with whatever spices you wish – I used parsley, curry, ginger, Tony Cacherie’s (a New Orleans thing – cajun spice), garlic, onion, celery, little bit of onion powder and olive oil.

      It came out great! Definitely better than eating something plain, and on my diet, ketchup, diet drinks, Worcestshire sauce, onion, garlic, and spices are free, so I can eat as much of it as I want! Why not put it together and make a sauce?

      If you try it, let me know if you like it!

    2. Anne Tyler Lord

      Candice,

      Looks like you had a stellar week! Congrats! I laugh every time you mention that book – Fat Loss 4 Idiots – or for Dummies. I see several good Flash Fiction stories that could come out of that title.

      Good going on the novel work, that will take you a long way.

      And, thanks for the recipe, that should really spice things up even more around here.

  3. Julie (Okami)

    My weight control has always been accomplished through calorie control, so at this point I’m not getting on the scale – too early anyway.

    I think I did well for the first 5 days – only 233 calories over my target. Unfortunately I have not managed to work in the exercise time, but if I can just stay away from the sweets at the office during this busy season, that in itself will have been an accomplishment.

    Anne, thanks for making this a part of you blog so that we are reminded of the goals we are trying to reach.

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Julie,

      Are you sure it is 233? Maybe it is 234. I’m just kidding you. That is some close tracking of calories. I have never done that.

      I can only imagine the amount of chocolate and treats in an accounting office during the long hours of tax season – good luck!

  4. Tony Noland

    Made a decent start, will get more into the rhythm of things this weekend.

    Not a great week, all in all.

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Thanks for update Tony, change comes slower to some of us, me included. I’m sure we will kick into gear when the time is right on the changes we want. Life pulls us in many directions.

      I hope next week is better for you! If not, that’s o.k. too.

  5. PJ Kaiser

    You guys are so inspiring! I love doing this as a group! Those of you who follow me on twitter will know i had some setbacks this week – a bout of the flu last weekend and a toe injury on wednesday evening. I lost 3 lbs – partly due to the flu and partly due to healthy evening meals. I have *cooked* (gasp!) something like four out of the last five nights and they are good, healthy meals. Part of this whole effort is getting the kids (including my extraordinarily picky son) to expand their diet as well. I made it to the gym on tuesday and had a nice workout. I was due to go yesterday but didn’t due to the toe injury. So, i’m trying to take advantage of the semi-downtime and get things done around the house so that i can make it to the gym at least twice next week.

    In terms of balance, I am doing better – at least so far – of chiseling out a small portion of me time and focusing most of my time on making sure that the house is in order.

    One step at a time! 🙂 Congrats to everybody for a successful week 1!

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Wow! You have had the most dramatic week. And, don’t forget, you did all that cooking with a bum dishwasher, too.

      You have managed to get so much done with illness, injury, household mishaps,and #FridayFlash writing. I’d say it would have been a successful week just making it through all that without any goals done.

      I’m working on the home cooking and getting my picky daughter to eat more things. I have been pureeing a lot of veggies;))

      Get well, and get healed. Take it easy this weekend!

  6. C.L. Dyck

    This week for me has been about starting to keep an eye on eating habits again–something I did for awhile, then fell off that wagon. I’m currently working on getting my calories balanced out to a number conducive to loss, not gain, but also making sure they’re real food calories, not nutritionless junk ones. This has worked well for me in the past. The other thing I personally have to watch out for is not eating too little on busy days. That’s a recipe for fried brain! :~)

    Exercise-wise, not what I really wanted this week. We’re getting back into the regular schedule post-holidays with the kids (homeschooling), and that tends to render my personal projects a write-off for at least two weeks. I’m trying to make sure I do at least 20 min a day, 45 is better. Starting up with some simple weights as well. I have a small frame (under the flab, I mean) and I find that it’s vital to work at maintaining some muscle mass in order to actually burn off what I eat.

    I do know I’m starting from a better place this time than I did two years ago. But really annoyed with myself for not sticking with it at the time. Having sloughed off, I now realize what an accomplishment it was.

    I’d like to see 1-2 lbs loss per week overall (fat loss balanced by muscle gain) till I reach a good point of health. The dreaded menopause (sorry boys! Avert your eyes!) comes early in my family, and although I’m only 32, I probably only have about 5 years before my body turns squirrelly on me, and keeping fit becomes that much more work.

    This was a year where I’ve learned to be happy/content to see my own face in the mirror for maybe the first time ever. I’ve radically restructured my relationships and decided to focus my time on friendships of maximum acceptance and minimum co-dependency. I’ve found some delightful close friends who challenge me to be a better person daily, and don’t blame me days when I’m not. It’s radical and truly precious to be able to laugh off the Massive Fail moments and find the good in them.

    As Frost said, “and that has made all the difference.” :~)

    ~Cat
    @lifeledlearning

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Cat,

      Wonderful post. How wonderful to have found great friends who accept you for who you are!

      Sounds like you are joining several of us in the hunt to gather real food instead of empty junk.

      I’m guessing this time will be really different for you since you describe so much more self acceptance than in the past – good for you!

      Menopause before age 40, geez, that has got to be a little scary to look forward to, but you have the right attitude!

  7. Anne Tyler Lord

    I’d better get my update in here. I got busy on Twitter and reading #FridayFlash.

    My main goal was reducing carbs/sugar this week. I don’t eat a lot, but it creeps into the diet without noticing, especially when pasta appears for a quick meal. I have gotten rid of the high sugar stuff – sweets, candy, sugar. And, almost all of the white refined food products, except a little pasta. I figure if you need a quick fast-food, pasta isn’t the worst thing. I just need to get to the store and get the whole grain.

    I have implemented my stretching routine, to reduce stiffness and pain. Minor, I mean really minor, weight lifting at home has been started, carefully. I have fibromyalgia and the slow pace I have to take is excruciating (pun intended).

    I launched the #writerlbsOff scifi series and look forward to what will come next, since I don’t know yet. And, many ideas for future Mafia stories have been flowing. I have been able to write everyday, even on my two very tired days this week.

    Most of all, I am so happy that we are doing this together. This is one of the most supportive, fun groups of people! And, I really appreciate how open, authentic and accepting everyone is!

    We all have a different journey and a different pace. My biggest hope is that through it all, we will each realize, even more, how perfect we really are, as is, and accept whatever changes or regressions come our way. I need it as much as anyone.

    It doesn’t matter where you are or who you are, I think this is one of the hardest lessons to learn in our lifetime – radical self-acceptance. It actually can co-exist with transformation goals!

    Good Luck everyone! We are all off to a great start!

  8. Marisa Birns

    Okay. I’m sitting over with Laura. Haven’t gained, but haven’t lost though have not eaten the carbs I usually do.

    I think it’s because I haven’t really added any exercise yet. The cold and snow have stopped me in my tracks. Though I could do something in the living room.

    But am determined to start walking again and to eat meals at set times. Not the haphazard way I’ve been doing.

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      I think you and Laura have been doing fine this week. I move slow with changes, too. I have burned myself many times in the past, although I dream of those times when change did happen fast, especially body changes.

      Getting our carbs down is a very major accomplishment. I don’t think any of us need convincing that they are addictive.

      And, this cold affects us whether we are inside or outside. Just think how much easier it will be in the spring. Our bodies need rest, too, especially after travel and busy holidays.

    2. betsy cañas garmon

      We’ve coined a term at our house: CWE – “Carbs Worth Eating”. If we start to eat a carb and it is even halfway unacceptable, we give ourselves permission to stop.

      Thus, my children will walk away from a brownie if it is “too sweet” or “too processed”. They’ll choose yummy whole-grain bread but walk from those muffins where you can taste the preservatives. We all feel better when our carb intake is on the low end, so we rate the carbs and make sure the ones that we do choose are fabulous.

      Three of my sons {16,19 & 23}started off the year with no white flour/sugar/or dairy for two weeks. Their choice. They were standing in the kitchen today talking about “putting cheese in perspective” and finding “carbs worth eating”.

      Marisa – I think that reducing carbs is extra challenging because so often that is where the sensation of feeling full comes from. If you aren’t gaining, you are moving forward!! {treading water is hard work!}

      1. Anne Tyler Lord

        That is a wonderful mantra you have in your family – CWE – Carbs worth eating. That’s something we will use too. Being that conscious of what we are eating is so rewarding – tasting it deeply and making the decision to put it down if it is not fulfilling.

        That is such a wonderful example of conscious eating. What a great practice to do in your family. So many times we eat/kids eat quickly just to taste or fill themselves up without thinking.

        Thanks for sharing that, it is very inspiring!

      2. mazzz_in_Leeds

        Carbs make you feel full immediately after the meal, but it’s protein and fat that keep you fuller for longer!

        Cutting carbs isn’t magic, but it’s a great and easy way to cut calories (which is what it’s all about)

        1. betsy cañas garmon

          Anne – “conscious eating”. I love that. I had to learn to do that on so many levels. During my first pregnancy, I had SEVERE morning sickness that I found I could control by not letting myself get hungry. In that season I learned that I was so tuned out of the experience of food {& my body} that I didn’t even know when I was hungry! It was an epiphany. I managed to hold on to the knowledge that my body will tell me what it needs if I will listen. {No easy feat since I came from a family of origin that both loved with & controlled food.}

          It is of high value to me to let my children “self-monitor” portions and to teach them to tune in and pay attention to the experience of eating. I was expected to “clean my plate” and was put on my first diet at 12 years old. {Weight Watchers wouldn’t take me at 11…}

          Needless to say, I still struggle with “tuning out”. I often eat out of frustration or to soothe myself. The fasting is such an amazing experience. It puts the act of eating back in perspective {and has the added benefit of detoxing.}

          Mazzz_in_Leeds,

          “Carbs make you feel full immediately after the meal, but it’s protein and fat that keep you fuller for longer!”

          So true!! It is so valuable to differentiate between the short-term sensation of full and “true full”. {I believe that the skill translates into other areas as the recognition of contentment & satisfaction.}

          1. Anne Tyler Lord

            Thanks for sharing your experiences, you have gone through an interesting journey of self-awareness and food. Then, you are one of the lucky ones.

            I agree with the protein staying power, absolutely crucial for me – I keep nuts& hard-boiled eggs (only like the whites) around for snacks.

  9. mazzz_in_Leeds

    Nice work, peeps!

    Healthy eating went fine for me this week (well, 80% healthy. 20% I left for gin & diet tonics). I wasn’t really watching the calories so weightloss is at 2 lbs – but I never count the weight lost in the first two weeks of a diet as it’s mostly water anyway 🙁

    Exercise-wise not as good as I hoped: my bedroom is FREEZING due to the freeze the UK has just been through and it is so hard to getout of bed. Have only been to the gym twice, but I have been walking two miles a day (in the snow!) to get to work and back so it’s not all bad.

    I had the gym to myself today, almost, and rediscovered my love of weight training! Had a really heavy workout and will be in EXTREME pain tomorrow but it’s worth it! Having a bit of a carb-up today to replace the muscle glycogen I consumed in the workout.

    I took the day off work today so I will be having some wine later, but I will spend an hour on the treadmill tomorrow to make up for some of that 🙂

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      You are in the high achievement category. I am about to place you, Cynthia and a few others on notice that you are endangering us to Neganator Goo.

      “Exercise-wise not as good…” Geez, you did a lot this week! And, I see no ketosis will grow under your skin – good for you.

      Laura and I are still dreaming about your lovely dinners this week.

      I think wine should be allowed on Fridays, that is a new rule for our group #FridayWine for #FridayFlash

  10. betsy cañas garmon

    I’m doing great on the fast not so great on the activity part… The de-tox the past few days left me feeling slightly yucky, so all I did was stretch a little. Didn’t feel up to moving much.

    I have made art everyday and have no idea how much I weigh. {Which is good because I tend to obsess over that number… but my favorite jeans are no long doing that weird foldy-over thing. :-P}

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Betsy,

      You have definitely won the extreme diet award. Fasting is hard work. No wonder you don’t feel like exercising. We don’t want you passing out. But we would come get you if you needed us to.

      And, the weight can wait. The jeans are the important thing, aren’t they?

      1. betsy cañas garmon

        Now that you mention it, there is a pair of jeans that represent health & ‘feeling light’. I think I’ll hang them where I can see them.

  11. Laura Eno

    I’m here *says in very small voice*
    OMG. Nanook has shamed me into trying harder next week. Louise did great as well.
    I didn’t GAIN any weight this week, which I have for the last several months from medication.

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Don’t discount that accomplishment – that is HUGE!

      Scream it from the rooftops! But, not in my neighborhood!

  12. Louise Dragon

    Hello . . . just checking in. I lost 3# on week one. All I did to lose this weight was to stop eating JUNK! By junk I mean no chips, and no sweets. My knees already feel the difference!
    I also have my cooking blog up and running . . . check it out and feel free to offer suggestions, request recipes, etc. I need to gradually start working in exercise this coming week. Going to post my #fridayflash. Good Luck everyone!

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Hi Louise,

      Gee, all this weight lose. Wow! Good going!

      That is wonderful to see you got an entire website up and running. Your creativity goal is exploding.

      So nice to see your knees are improving already, even in this horrible weather.

  13. Cynthia Schuerr

    Hi Anne,
    Since I will only be on the internet for just a few more minutes today. I thought I would post my progress here rather than on twitter where I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the tweets.
    First, let me say, that I am so thankful to you for starting #writerlbsOff. Silly, that we need something to inspire us to do what is so good for us. That fact should be inspiration enough.
    Second, I am proud to say that I have walked 30 minutes everyday in 2010. How can I stop now? Experts say it takes three weeks to form a habit. Well, I will let you know if it works, after three weeks. LOL! As for right now, I am really enjoying my walks, even in the frigid temps.
    Third, I have lost 8 lbs this week. Of course, I have been eating more veggies and fruits and less simple carbs and sugars. But, so far, so good, I am actually enjoying my meals.
    Anyway, I don’t think I would have accomplished this without that little push from you.
    Thank you so much,
    Cynthia (aka – Nanook of the North)

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Nanook,

      You have had an amazing week! The weight loss is quite a big amount for one week! You must be eating magic veggies! Actually I think it might be those arctic walks. Just look how much energy they are burning up. You couldn’t get me out in these temps! I admire your fortitude and commitment in the great white north! Good for you! Next week we are supposed to warm up into the 20s! I hope you can handle that kind of heat!

      Isn’t it great to do this together as a group? I’m so glad we have such a great group!

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