2015 -- Lose 20 pounds by Mother's Day -- 2015!

[SweetLou]

Hi!  I just saw a thread from 2014 where a group of mom's and non-mom's set a goal to lose 20 pounds by Mother's Day.  Anyone want to start one for 2015 with me?  I have about 35 pounds to lose total, but 20 by May sounds like a good goal to me. 

I am going to try to get my 10,0000 steps in and I am joining a gym this weekend to add strength training and cardio. 

[dancefoxtrot]

Weight loss is like that. Scale gets stuck for days and then it moves lower again. Makes no sense to me but it seems to work like that. Are you doing any cardio to strength your heart as that burns a lot of cals. Does the rowing machine do that? 

I think that if you keep it up the loss will continue. Weigh at same time each day.

Best,

Barbara G

[Ineedaname]

Thanks for the encouragement!  I'll be watching what I eat even more while being off my feet - definitely don't want to gain weight!

[dancefoxtrot]

Ineed,

And you will have time to log in & let us know how your foot is healing.  will you be on crutches? When I had my knee cartlege trimmed 9 years ago that was quite the feat got some steps on. Going down stairs I use the bannister and 1 crutch and carried the other. 

Heal well.

yours in health,

Barbara

[dancefoxtrot]

Calling all MD challengers. How are you all doing as we get closer to MD? Are you facing challenges? 

I'm very active and the muscles must be building as the weight is bouncing around up & down tenths of a pound. Making my 10k and more all but one day last week. I did forget the fitbit for the am after a shower. But I added the normal amt. of steps for the 2 classes and it was fine in my mind. I do feel stronger from all the dance classes that I have added recently. Perhaps I need to be more patient and understand that plateaus happen and I'm on one. It is about 5 weeks now and I'm still down 5.3 lbs so that is at least 1 lb. a week. I am working on building patience with myself as well as dancers in the classes I'm taking. Something there are guys in an advanced class that aren't able to dance well. I need to come from compassion and not expectations that they will learn the material more easily. The studio let's them be in the class so my impatience isn't helpful. In fact it raises cortisol levels in me which raise blood sugar levels, then insulin which is the fat storage hormone. There is good reason to be patient. It helps me lose weight. Of course it is kind to be patient with others so this is a message to self.

Wishes you health and endurance in reaching your goals,

Barbara

[Carolhg]

Have only lost 5 pounds. Still doing my 10K a day and also learning patience.

[Bobbinyc]

Hi.  New to Fitbit and would love to join this challenge.  I really need the support/incentive/accountability, etc.  Since I have 12 weeks (less??) I would be thrilled with 12 pounds, but....Especially since I have way more than that to lose.  I was sedentary for a year following a foot injury, and getting back into moving at all is tough.  I really lost a lot of muscle! (despite gaining a lot of weight!)

So, what do I do to join in?

[RaisedOnCoffee]

Half way there! I hit the 10lb mark today. Just 10 to go between now and Mother's day!

[g-girl]

Hi I'm new to fitbit . How do we do the challenge, do we tell our weight everyday or each week?

[Elansc]

Hi everyone! Been a few weeks since I posted. I have been diligently getting in my 10,000 steps -- even broke 20,000 steps not once but twice in the last week - also lifting weights twice a week for about 6 weeks now and eating at a 500 calorie deficit AND the scale is going UP not down 😩 and no change on my measurements in the last month. I know patience, patience!!!! I will keep it up but I have to say I am a bit discouraged (should maybe just throw out the scale 😀) These last 15-20 pounds will only take me to the high end of my BMI scale and my body fat is still at the high end (~35%) so there is clearly more to lose. As I sip on my dandelion root tea, I can only hope it is 5-10 pounds of water weight (a girl can dream!).

[Carolhg]

I know how you feel. I have been walking my 10k a day and this past week even more. I have only lost 5 pounds. I also have the 500 calorie deficit diet. Nothing to do but to keep on keeping on.

[dancefoxtrot]

Elansc

What an absolute frustration. Just know that you are building muscle and getting healthier. Do you weigh at the same time? Is your thyroid not a bit slow. Check on the signs of hypothyroidism like  from the Mayo Clinic website:

• Fatigue
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Unexplained weight gain
• Puffy face
• Hoarseness
• Muscle weakness
• Elevated blood cholesterol level
• Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
• Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
• Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
• Thinning hair
• Slowed heart rate
• Depression
• All these symptoms develop very slowly for most people over many years. 
• My sister finally started on levothyrocine 25 mcg and her energy is back.

Other than a medical cause keep it up and your health will improve. 

We are rooting for you.

Barbara G

[dancefoxtrot]

Carol hg Yup keep on keeping on. We will get there to a healthier body and weight.

Best,

Barbara 

[dancefoxtrot]

Fabulous Raised,

Glad to read of your success.

Barbara 

[dancefoxtrot]

Bobbi in NYC.

You are in. We are having MD on May 10 this year, so that is exactly 9 weeks from today. At a deficit of about 500 cal. to burning them we will lose about 9 lbs if all goes well. Remember that muscle weighs and so the weight won't fall off in an exact manner possibly. Be encouraged, we are in this together. Do you have a place to walk or dance when it is slushy or icy outside?  A gym?

We can do this healthy change day by day and step by step. I walk in circles while on the phone and put on music and dance when it is dark or cold outside. 

I go to Zumba classes and ballroom classes and teach 6 older adult exercise classes a week.. At 73 I feel youthful when my muscles are strong. Welcome to getting strong again.

Log your food,which is the hardest part for me. It makes me much more mindful of when and what I'm reaching for when I have to account for it in the food log. Even too many raw almonds are fattening. If I forget and leave them out I graze. 1/4 cup =160 cals. and that is okay if I don't repeat it 3 times a day. 

All our calories can come from vegetable, fruit & lean protein and a little from whole grains. I was eating large portions and grazing in spite of it being healthy food. It adds up.  Non starchy veggies are my friends as I can fill up on greens, cruciferous veggies and beans or lentils and feel full for hours. Salads can be the main dish if we don't pour on fattening dressings. A little bit can go a long way if we want it to.

Just suggestions that you may need or not

I'm originally from W 68th St near West End, the West Side Story film neighborhood. . 

Welcome and stay in touch with your journey.

Barbara G

[Elansc]

Informative list dancefoxtrot but that is not my problem..... Those pounds are just hanging on and I am going to need to work them off -- sigh! I guess it is silly to think this would be easy!

[Bobbinyc]

Thanks Barbara. I appreciate the welcome. You are inspiring.

[Jophiel]

Elansc.......I am so with you on this journey.

I am same as you...lost 5lbs only in 6 weeks, but I haven't given up.

I feel better, my skin feels tighter, my heart is happy, not struggling to breath and feeling stronger.

So.....I'm continuing on this path with great anticipation and the ultimate reward of eventual weight loss when my body is ready to do so. It will happen 🙂

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi g-girl,

 Welcome. You are in. Just join in and set your fitbit up with the amt you instend to lose a week. 1 lb a week is reasonable. Enter your weight and height and the Fitbit calculator will figure out how many calories to eat if you burn 500 cals extra a day you will lose. Take 10k steps a day unless you are really not in shape then build up to it by add a few more steps daily. Walk, dance, run and enjoy your activity.

Come here and share when you want. We are a positive group. Nice weeks to Mother's Day so challenge yourself to lose nine lbs by then. Eat healthy foods, lots of veggies, lean protein. Kick the junk food to the curb!

You can do this

Barbara  

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi Jop

Same for me the weight is not flying off BUT all those healthy feelings are even more important. Bodies are different and I love your attitude. Healthy and strong is wonderful. 

Congrats on moving toward health,

Barbara G

[stickingtoit]

I will join your challenge!!