April 12th to May 25th 2020 Challenge

[Cele21]

Hello and welcome to the 3rd challenge of 2020!

We are celebrating our scaled and non-scaled victories and progress. Following are some acronyms typically used by those who post. Some of us also track body fat or measurements, etc. please add those as you wish.

USW - Ultimate start weight

SW - starting weight for this challenge

CW - current weight 

PW - previous week's weight/weigh-in

LW - last weight/weigh-in

GW - goal weight for the challenge

MGW - mini goal weight

UGW- ultimate goal weight

To join the challenge, please just hit 'reply' and post!

If you want to respond to or 'tag' a particular person with your response, type in @ and you will get a drop down box of recent users to choose from, this will alert them that someone has responded to something they posted and we will all see who you are talking to or about. For example: @_Lilac_  hope to see you here!

[Cele21]

Well due to various reasons, I didn't go for a walk yesterday, hopefully today.

@_Lilac_  I've been toying with the idea of container gardening this year. I'm definitely planting tomatoes in a planter we already have but I want to read up on other ideas for raised beds because my knees are bad. I want to start small to see how lazy I get with it LOL.

[_Lilac_]

Well, I'm having an issue with my muscles. My muscles in my core (and all over) are cramping (like charlie horse). When I move to relieve it in one muscle group, the opposite muscle group does it. And it is fast and severe. It seems to be getting worse. I am very weak all over my body since I've been so lethargic and gained my weight back. In the last few weeks, I have been moving more and doing gardening and doing things I haven't been doing for so long, so I thought maybe that would cause my muscles to do this. (Even though it's been going on for longer). I don't want to bring it up to my doc because she'll just say, "Drink more water, exercise, stretch, lose weight." 

This condition is getting bad enough that I have a hard time putting on my shoes, showering, and anything that requires me to bend over or twist or even lift my arms over my head (shoulder muscles are also affected). I've had muscle cramps in the muscles of my chest wall so I wondered if I was having a heart attack! 

Anyone here ever experience this?

[rjolley43]

I'm going to say you might want to go see your doc.  This seems a little extreme.  I know how muscle pain is when you of exert yourself and wouldn't describe it like charlie horse.  Stiff and painful to move maybe, but not like that.

If seeing a doc is not an option then I'd say dial it back.  hold off exercising and see how you are feeling after a few days.  If you are feeling better then maybe you need to ease your way in to activities.  If you don't feel any improvement then definitely see a doctor.

[Cele21]

@_Lilac_  - I have not had anything like that but the first thing that came to my mind was dehydration and low minerals (magnesium and potassium). You have been doing more, have you been drinking more water too? If so, could you be flushing out the needed minerals? I know you usually have a really good handle on all this and I'm not a doctor but it's what came to mind.

[_Lilac_]

@Cele21 I have had problems in the past with potassium deficiency and Vitamin D deficiency. I've been a bit negligent about taking my supplements, so I'm going to make sure I take it all and be careful. I'm going to increase my water, even though I think I drink plenty. We'll see. 

[rjolley43]

I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination so I can only tell you what I would do.

Since I started walking in the mornings I have found that I drink a lot more water.  Go to the bathroom a whole lot more too.  lol

Dehydration for me typically comes in the form of severe headaches.  This usually occurs next day and i feel it all day long.  Those days I'm drinking water like it is going out of style.

You might be right.  I eat fruit couple times per day in part to give my kids a good example and in part because my wife says I have to.  what can I do when the boss says I have to?  🙂 I typically eat bananas and oranges.  Sometimes I go with pineapple.  Summertime is coming and that is watermelon and cantelope season for me...mmmmm

I just started to take a multi vitamin but I that is some thing I just started taking in the last week or so. I have no basis to say how helpful that is.

Like I said before take it easy for a few days and if it lessens then you may be on the right track.  If not I'd go see a doctor.  You may have something that may be neurological in nature....something my wife has. Its something that stemmed from surgery she had for lung cancer 10 years ago.

Hope that helps

[Cele21]

USW - 218.0

Current starting weight - 207.2 (4/12/20)

LW - 207.4

CW - 207.6

GW - 200.00 (5/25/20)

Stretch goal weight - 198.0

Mini goal - 195.00

UGW - 150.0

So it looks like this challenge will not be the one where I make my goal either. However, I will not give up and will be ready for the next one.

One week to go! Let's see what we can do!

[Li_sa]

Hi everyone

@_Lilac_I really hope you're feeling better.

@Cele21we originally looked at raised beds - waist height planters before we dug the garden. I can't remember where I saw them.

I wish I could grow avocados. We also have indoor aerogardens that produce collard, spring mix lettuce and herbs.

Leslie Sansone is one of my favorite workouts. Even though I have a treadmill, I still look up her videos and we have a few videos. She has easy to fast paced videos. I no longer do long walks outside due to allergies so I try to mix up my indoor workouts. That is one thing I really miss - long walks outside.

I forgot to get my numbers to post my weight. My workouts were going really great and was following my eating plan except for a couple of days.....which was a set back. I'll pull them next.

It's dreary and wet out, but my garden should be happy.

[_Lilac_]

@rjolley43  Yeah, I'm thinking it's neurological, to be honest. Things are kinda going downhill for me in that department. At 40 I suddenly started having mild seizures and they are uncontrolled. I'm in line for brain surgery to see if it will fix it. We have all sorts of neurological issues in my family, ranging from MS (my first cousin), to fibromyalgia (two siblings and mother), to many other things. This might just be the next step to my issues. 

I sat on the edge of my bed this morning to put my sock on and got the abdominal muscle cramp so bad I had to flip back and lie down quickly to relieve it. I'll be consulting my doc soon.

[Li_sa]

USW– 236.4

Current Starting Weight –236.4

LW – 234.8

5/18 CW – 232.6

GW – 230    220

Mini Goal Weight – 200

UGW – 180

I corrected my GW, should be 220. I'm back to lifting weights again so I don't think I will reach my GW.

@Cele21I will also be ready for the next one!!

[dancefoxtrot]

@Cele21 

Hi  

I have a plastic chair and a short stool about 14" tall to sit on instead of kneeling.  It has been raining here over the last few days so my little starts are waiting for me to plant them.  I will plant corn, green beans and cherry tomatoes. I still have kale growing. I hear you about figuring out how lazy you might feel.  Since I won't be traveling far this summer due to Covid-19 I will be around to water. On 1/2 acre there are many plants to water, so that takes time.  I am only teaching only 2 days a week so I just need to get myself out into the garden. 

Weight has been bouncing from 152.6 down to 149,2 up and down. Drank coffee so will weigh in tomorrow.

Glad that your husband supports you eating healthy food.  Stay well.  I find that at 79 years old healthy eating and exercise really pays off.  

If the weather's snowy or wet I posted an exercise video of me for my Older Adult class on Face Book.  Dance Sonoma County is the page that it is on and scroll down. I'm wearing bright pink leggings as we stretch, dance and strengthen with light weights. 

All the best,

Barbara G

All the best. 

[dancefoxtrot]

@_Lilac_ 

I get muscle cramps mostly in my legs and feet.  I take extra magnesium when that happens as it seems to relax the muscles. I also drink extra water which of course makes me get up at night to pee. 

I try to stretch more when the cramping occurs but really I like it better to stretch before bed. I used to keep quinine water called tonic water here as the quinine seems to bring relief when cramping.  Since I'm dancing less I am cramping less. 

Sounds painful.  Do you take epsom salts baths when this occurs? 

I have a smoothie mix with vitamins and minerals that I drink to get the electro lites balanced when the cramping starts.  

Hope that this subsides soon as exercise and water are important.  You lost the 100 lbs before and I know that you can do it again.  Happy Birthday to your mom.

Best,

Barbara G

[rjolley43]

CW - 392.2 lbs
PW - 394 lbs
GW - 372 lbs

Alright so now that I'm another week closer I'm going to have to say 372 isn't going to happen. I feel like I'm tapering off. Don't get me wrong I happy that I'm still losing weight. Its just not at the same rate as when I started.

I have to remind myself its the long term trend to look at an not just the momentary gains (or loses in this case) that matter. I was over 416 lbs at the end of March. I think I may have been in excess of 420 lbs shortly before that. Now I'm 392.2 lbs.

Today I'm taking a break from my daily walking due to my shorts rubbing the inside of my thigh yesterday. That hurts. I cut my walk short as I had it happen to me before and that time I completed my walk and caused a lot of pain and made my leg to bleed. I didn't want that to happen again. Took 3 days to mend before I could walk again without it hurting. It feels better this morning so I may go for a walk with my kids at lunch time.

In the words of the immortal Joe Dirt "Keep on keepin on".

[GrandmaTerri]

USW-251

SW-231as of today 223.6 Down 7.8

CW-228 

PW-231

LW-228

GW-220-today 223.6 I don't know if I will hit 3.6 this week, but I am happy with the progress 🙂 

Mini goal Weight-1.5# per week

UGW-160

[_Lilac_]

Everyone is so quiet! We are almost done with this challenge. I hope to see everyone in the next one.

So, news is that my area has officially moved into the 'yellow' in the Covid alert system so the gyms and pools are allowed to open as long as social distancing is continued. I've been waiting for official word from my YMCA about when they'll open. Hopefully soon. 

Other than that, I'm doing more activity in the garden, going out, taking a few walks. I'm improving with stamina and lost 5 lbs. I still ache all the time from carrying this weight around, but that's to be expected for now. 

I am stocking up on potassium rich foods to try to combat these muscle problems. Hope it works. 

Let's go! Only two days left.

[Cele21]

Hi everyone! Today is the final day of the challenge and once again I have ended higher than I started.

USW - 218.0

Current starting weight - 207.2 (4/12/20)

LW - 207.6

CW - 210.2

GW - 200.00 (5/25/20)

Stretch goal weight - 198.0

Mini goal - 195.00

UGW - 150.0

I appear to be retaining water even though I only missed my meds one day. It's either the weather (rainy and humid) or the salt content of what I'm eating. I guess I'm also eating too much. Starting today I'm back to tracking everything I eat to see what's up. I have been moving more as my husband and I have been taking walks. I made or beat my step goal four of the last five days.

I will be starting the next challenge which will be a short one - May 25th to July 4th 2020 Challenge.

Hope to see you all there!

[Li_sa]

Hello Everyone,

I gained from my LW, which i know exactly what I did.  I was on a really good start, but I had a couple of stressful days, and being a stress eater.....

Does anyone know of someone doing a step challenge that I can also join?

USW236.4

SW234.8

LW232.6

CW233

Goal 220

UGW180

I'm ready for the next challenge.

Let's get at it!!

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi Folks,

Well a tiny loss so moved up and down but ended down.

This staying nearer to my frig and food is a bit of a challenge.

I have been walking 3 miles most days.

SW 151.6

CW 150.0

So this morning I was 150 so if I can not eat more tonight I might be 149.8 In the morning.

Went out to Bodega Bay and saw 3 Black Oyster  Catchers with long red bill andred  eyes and Western Grebes this afternoon. Love my birds. 

Well see you in the next one.

Barbara G

[rjolley43]

USW - 416.2 lbs (3/28/2020)
SW - 402.7 lbs
CW - 389 lbs
PW - 392.2 lbs
GW - 372 lbs

I'd be lying if I didn't feel disappointed that I didn't reach my goal, but I will say I'm happy where I go to. I'll be able to gauge what my goal will be the next time I join a challenge.

Thank you for letting me participate.

I wish everyone the best of luck and stay safe.

Keep on keepin on!

😀