How I'm Going To EARN My Next Bird!

[Blancaej]

I have found a really unique way to EARN my next bird. Since Jan. 2012 I have lost 53 lbs. I still have at least another 48 to go. Since I adopted Savannah my 19 year old GW Macaw 2 months ago) I have not done well with continuing my weight loss. I've actually gained a little back. I have been so focused on her that I haven't been doing what I need to get the rest of my weight off. So I am going to use getting another bird as an incentive to lose the rest of my weight! I am estimating about $1500 to purchase a b&g (give or take) So for every pound I lose (once I get back to my weight before I adopted Savannah, which could take a couple of weeks) I will earn $32 toward my new baby. Once I've lost 48 lbs I will have earned enough to purchase a b&g! I think this is a great way to show myself that no matter what is going on in my life, I CAN lose the weight and keep it off! Plus, if I lose 5lbs a month, I can comfortably put that amount away to save for our next bird.

I would like to share my journey with all of you as I drop the pounds and get closer and closer to adopting a baby b&g macaw! I am hopeful to adopt by 2015!

 

[Featheredsamurai]

That's such a awesome idea It will sure make finally buying your baby blue & gold worth while

 

[Blancaej]

That what I am figuring, too! A nice special gift at the end of my journey.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Awesome multitasking Blanca!! Keeping tabs on weight is such a mental thing. I would have a hard time with a new bird coming too. [and not losing focas] This time you will be ready!!! Keep us updated

 

[aliray]

I am sorry but that title really had me laughing and my imagination running wild but since this is a family forum I will keep it to myself

 

[JerseyWendy]

WOW Blanca!!! That is one AWESOME way to earn your baby! I tell you something, even though I won't be saving for another bird, I will openly say here that I'm committed to losing weight with you. I lost over 50 pounds last year, but when Mike (my oldest son) joined the Army I started my emotional eating up again and have gained most of it back.

So...I'm with you on this ALL the way!

I am sorry but that title really had me laughing and my imagination running wild but since this is a family forum I will keep it to myself

Now Alison, what could you have POSSIBLY been thinking about? :54: ....hmm....that is one way to shed a few pounds.

 

[MarciaLove]

wow great idea! Good Luck!!

 

[Sasha2]

Wow what a great idea.IVe been looking for some motivation to lose the 45 lbs I need to lose.I think Im going to do this too.But I want to get another female tiel or a pineapple greencheek.

 

[crimson]

that is an awesome way to motivate yourself!

it took my husband 2 full years to loose 70 lbs. we never counted how many days, he just was determined to loose it, and he has kept it off.

just be determined to do it, and you will get your bird in no time

 

[crimson]

I remembered Customcasket wanting to loose weight as well.
He incorporated his routine to include his bird(s)
.....I hope this helps....
I copied and pasted the thread:

The birds are forcing me into healthier habits.
So, to make a long story short I packed on almost 80 pounds within a couple years. Laziness, eating habits, genetics and medication all contributed to the weight gain. I realized I couldn't keep going the way I was. I couldn't walk up 3 flights of stairs to a classroom without getting totally winded. When people see me they can't tell that I packed on the weight. It's hidden quite well. I'm tall and most of the weight went to my stomach and thighs. I tell them how much I weigh and I get a shocked look and a "NO WAY!" from them. My back issues are definitely much improved since losing some of the weight and my knees don't creak and pop as much. I don't have to be skinny, I just want to be healthy. Genetics are quite cruel on both sides of my family. Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, and some other not so fun ailments are on both sides. I don't need extra weight to move those issues along. This is my story so far of the birds "helping" me get my butt back into better shape.

I slowly changed my diet in December and lost almost 20 pounds so far just by changing my eating habits. That was so hard for me. I LOVE my junk food and chocolate. Mmmmm chocolate... Now I find myself asking "Should I be eating this? How would I feel if one of the birds tried to steal a bite of this? Would I feed them this?" and that has changed what I eat in my daily diet. I love to snack while I read, so now instead of eating junk food and reading I'll eat some sort of veggie or fruit and read my book. I still have a 60 pounds to lose to get back to the weight I'd like to be at, but realistically I would like to lose another 40 or so pounds and get back to a weight within a healthy range for my height. My doctor has been quite pleased at the weight I've lost and my blood pressure has gone down. Changing my diet wasn't enough to lose the weight I wanted to. I knew I'd need to exercise and I wasn't too happy about that idea.

I dusted off the exercise bike that was in the basement and started using that along with other exercises. The birds are almost always included in my exercises. They're great motivation when I'm doing my squats. I have Carlisle on one hand and Kayak on the other. I can't let my arms drop or else the birds fall off. My brother witnessed this a few nights ago for the first time and just shook his head and walked away saying something about "Why am I not surprised you included the dumb birds when you exercise?!" He hates the birds and the birds hate him. The birds keep me company while I ride my stationary bike. Somebody sits on my shoulder and screams in my ear while the other sits on the handlebars giving me dirty looks because they're not the one on my shoulder. It's nice to have company while exercising. I listen to my music and hang out with the birds. They don't care that I'm exercising, they just care that they're getting attention and are with me.

Well, that's my adventure so far. The habit change was quite a bit difficult but once I got into the swing of things it got much easier. When I changed my eating habits it rubbed off on my father a bit. I'm glad it did. He's at a very high risk for developing diabetes and already has really bad arthritis that has recently been calmed somewhat with Humira. He's lost 10 pounds since changing his diet. We eat a lot more veggies and fruits and less snacks and processed... crap. Crap is a good word to describe what we were eating. Tonight for dinner we had salads and a bit of leftover BBQ chicken from the other night. 6 months ago if I would've suggested a salad for dinner he would've laughed at me and told me "I'm not a damn rabbit!" and eaten whatever. I always had the fruits and veggies in the house for the birds but I never ate them myself with any regularity. Now I eat pretty much what the birds do (aside from their pellet ) and couldn't be happier.

 

[Blancaej]

Terri - Thanks! I am glad others understand what taking on a new bird can do to your life. It's a good thing, but it's hard to focus on anything else. Thanks for the support!

Aliray - Ok, now you got me laughing!

Wendy - I would love to have a buddy to do this with! So, when do we want to make our official start date? I have to admit, today wasn't a good day. I ate left overs from eating out yesterday coming home from our trip. LOL! Does tomorrow work for you! If so, let's get started! If you need more time, that's ok, I will give you a couple of days but no more! I got a birdie baby to work for. LOL! It's always easier to do this with the support of friends.

I know how hard it is to keep the weight off. When both my husband and I met 10 years ago we each lost 80lbs a piece! After getting married and having a couple of kids, we both gained most of it back, too! We finally started working on our weight again in 2012 and he lost 60lbs and like I had said 53. I know I'm up a few lbs. I got to weight my self tomorrow.

Marcia - Thanks!

Sasha - You can join Wendy and I. It's always easier to do these things with others. The support helps so much!

Crimson - Thank you so much for the support and encouragement. Great job by your hubby! Like I was telling Wendy above. I've lost weight and gained it back before. I'm not doing that again. I will keep this 50 lbs off and get the next 48 off and keep it off this time. No more weight out of control for me! Thanks for sharing that great thread, too. Very motivating! I like how he added the birds into his routine. I hope to take Savannah on walks with me.

 

[goalerjones]

I am sorry but that title really had me laughing and my imagination running wild but since this is a family forum I will keep it to myself

I see what you did there...reminds me of Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack, " hey baby how'd you like to earn $14 the hard way"

 

[Blancaej]

Since I am committed to sharing my journey with everyone here, I am going to share my weight this morning with you. My lowest weight since I started in Jan of 2012 was 208 lbs. I am now up to 219 lbs. Ouch!!

So I have some work to do! Before I can count any of my weight loss toward my new baby, I need to get back to 208lbs! I did just come back from vacation so some of the weight should drop off quickly in the next few days.

Today I am going to start my journey. If any one wants to join me, just hop on this thread and join in the fun!