April Fools Day to Mother's Day Challenge!

[_Lilac_]

Welcome to the newest challenge! 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, please add those as you wish.

USW - Ultimate start weight

SW - starting weight for the challenge

CW - current weight 

PW - previous week's weight

GW - goal weight for the challenge

UGW- ultimate goal weight

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

Good wishes and the best of luck to all. Work hard, keep your mind focused on your goals, and we will all succeed together!

[lynnmv]

yesterdays WI was good,was down 1.9

then of course yesterday a neighbor brought over an amazing dessert and I had 2 servings, grrrr

oh well, it was delicious and i enjoyed every bite! I worked in the yard all day Sat, got lots of steps in hauling bags of mulch!

usw- 211 (this time)

sw- 188.7

CW- 184.5

gw - no goal set for the challenge just want to stay focused and see what i can get to by Mothers day

ugw- 175 ??

[Cele21]

CSW - 212.2 (4/1/18)

LW-  213.8

CW- 216.3

GW- 205.0 (5/13/18)

UGW- 150

This past weekend was ok. Had a small trade show with lots of lifting, loading and unloading of the van, etc. The was profitable but not as good as it could have been. It was only a week after the big con so people had limited funds and the weather was cold and rainy so many people stayed home. Quite a few people come from further north (Wisconsin to Canada) that did not want to brave the snow and blizzard conditions. My back and knee were not happy with me and we survived on junk food and soda.

Time to re-take control of my choices, start cooking again and up my (currently non-existent) water intake.

One bright spot - I won the raffle and received a framed piece of original artwork from an artist friend. It's gorgeous! 

[bethanysmum2002]

That was a massive rebound week after a week of doing nothing. Really did not expect a 1.6kg (3.5pound) loss just by going back to walking and correct eating.

Finally got the results of my MRI, there is no major damage although there is some stress of the tendons and ligaments. On discussing this with the doctor (my usual doctor was on holidays) he had a look at my knee and noticed straight away the constant clicking and also the fact that my knee cap seems to sit diagonally on my knee instead of straight up and down.

I explained that 30 years ago I had an accident and broke my left ankle. This resulted in me developing a big turnout of both of my feet. My left one is more severe than my right (almost a 45 degree angle) and my mother was told the only way to fix it was to rebrake both of my ankles at the same time and she didn't want to put me through that.

I showed him by walking across the room. I then told him though, that when I walk for my exercise, I do actually walk parallel (normally) because I try to power walk and even jog on some occasions.

He said that this could be what is causing the pain because me making my feet face parallel is an unnatural position for me as my bones have adjusted over the years and I am making my kneecap move out of place while I walk this way. And when I started jogging is probably why the pain changed from just behind my knee to my whole knee.

He also advised no jogging or running for me ... even if I drop another 25kgs (55pounds) my bones just aren't able to let me do that. And now, because my bones have been set this way for so long, the only way to fix it now would be to rebrake both of my LEGS and reset everything. Ummm, no thanks!!!

So now when I walk, I am going to try to increase my intensity again but make sure I keep my walking style natural. Fingers crossed.

USW - 103kg (227pounds) (1st Jan 2018)

SW - 92.2kg (203.2pounds) - 1/4/18 (starting weight for the Challenge)

CW - 90.3kg (199pounds) - 15/4/18 (FINALLY UNDER 200 POUNDS!!)

PW - 91.9kg (202.6pounds) - 8/4/18

GW – 89.5kg (197.3pounds)

UGW- 67kg (147pounds)

[Bogdel]

Hello, Everyone!

Here are my stats for week 2:

USW - 183.5  - Jan. 2016

PW - 146.6    - March, 2019

SW - 145.6    - April 02, 2018

Week 1 - 148     - 4/09

Week 2- 146.8   - 4/15

Week 3 -            - 4/22

Week 4 -            - 4/29

Week 5 -            - 5/6

Week 6 -            - 5/13

GW - 138

UGW -138

I didn't exercise much this last week, except for a couple of walks that I took in the neighborhood or while shopping. However, I had a big, nutritious salad smoothie three evenings in a row, and to my amazement, the scale went down like magic. The salad was delicious - I put everything I could think of in it (except meat, eggs, and dairy, of course!). It was also very filling, but without the calories.

For those who are interested, I've been following Dr. Joel Fuhrman's Nutritarian diet for the last two+ years, which is high in nutrients and low in calories. It has totally detoxed my body, so I no longer crave anything, eat as much as I want, and lose weight in the process. in addition, I was able to reverse my pre-diabetes, lower my LDL, and reduce the arterial plaque.

You can find his books on amazon, based on your needs and interests. The books that cover everything are Eat to Live, and Eat for Health. Other, more specialized books include, End of Diabetes, End of Heart Disease, Fasting and Eating for Health: A Medical Doctor's Program for Conquering Disease, The Fast Food Genocide, etc. I read and applied most of them, and when it comes to nutrition, there is no one I trust more.

I hope some of you will find this info helpful.

Have a great week, everyone!

[Bogdel]

@bethanysmum2002, Congratulations for breaking the 200 lb barrier! Good for you! Keep it up! Looks like you are doing all the right things. I enjoy reading your logs.

Ellie

[bethanysmum2002]

@Bogdel - thank you so much. I did a little mid week weigh in this morning and I actually saw 89.9kgs (198 pounds) on the scale. This one is a big milestone for me. I haven't been in the 80's since 2008 and it is one I am desperately hoping to get to.

[_Lilac_]

Yay, yay, yay...I love it when people hit big milestones. I can just feel the grin from here!

Confetti, blaring trumpets, rainbows and glitter!!

[_Lilac_]

Will check in later. Going for family breakfast at a relative's. No loss this week, again. 

[_Lilac_]

Check in time.

I was doing a transcription job today and it was an interview between a woman who works for a fitness app and a man who'd downloaded the app but never used it. She wanted to know what features he liked/didn't like. Anyway, they got onto the topic of motivation and how to instill in people the mindset of needing to prioritize their health in their lives. After many minutes of frustration on both their parts, because no matter what they did or said to other people, if the person wasn't ready, then they just weren't ready. I was sitting at the keys, desperately wanting to reach out and smack these two very active and healthy lifestyle people, because they seriously didn't know what they were talking about, not when it comes to unfit or obese people. I'm tempted to track down this lady and give her the real low down about the mind of an obese person who has a lot of changes to make. I might just do that at some point. 

Anyway, I went for breakfast at my cousin's house. She has MS and is deteriorating quite quickly. Just 6 months ago, she was able to drive herself to my mother's house and we'd have a nice family breakfast or we'd go to a Japanese place for lunch. She just needed a cane. Now, she's unable to leave her house, she uses a walker, sold her car and is basically couch-bound. We are the same age. 

As for my day today, I had a very reasonable breakfast. A big salad for lunch, even had some ice cream, and some home made stew for supper. I did a 45 min aerobic workout in my living room and still have over 600 calories to eat, at least. But you know, it won't make any difference. I feel stuck. 

I just think about those two chatting earlier about people just having to get the right mindset to put their health as a priority and I get a little miffed. I've been at this for 1.5 years and I lost 70 lbs pretty quick and then just got stuck. I do the right stuff and this plateau is beating me down. I can track it all, I can follow the numbers, I can keep up the motivation, I can get determined not to let it eat at me, but sometimes, I swear, the only way to get rid of a few pounds is to chop off a limb!! 

But I can't let those two chatters think us obese people don't have it in us to keep it going. They have no clue about how the body just stops responding. You can't just cut calories forever. You can't just kill yourself and your joints with exercise. 

Ok, I'm going into full rant. I'll end there. It's hump day. Let's hope the next few days will be great for all of us in this struggle. Carry on, everyone.

[Bogdel]

@_Lilac_, I've been watching you for a long time and you have come a long way. I can understand the frustration you are having with the plateau that you have reached lately. I was on a plateau for over a year now. The only thing that helped me to finally break it was a three day water fast (a few weeks ago). Since I was already on a plant based lifestyle, it was very easy. Most people have a head ache on the first couple of days. 

I don't know what your eating lifestyle is now and if your health allows you to water fast, but sometimes, when we reach a stage like this, we need to do something different to get our metabolism to speed up a bit. Some people do the opposite. They eat something that they typically don't on a healthy diet, just to fool the body. Then, they get back on the healthy diet and exercise, and drink a lot of water. 

I hope you find your own way to break off of this plateau. 

By the way, being back on the challenge with you, here, has also helped me. So, thank you for doing this. 

[_Lilac_]

@Bogdel Thanks for your support. It helps. 

Today, I went walking with my mom at the mall but had to stop after two laps due to a sore foot/ankle I developed after my workout last night. I was dropped off at the gastro doc and then walked home from there. I have 7500 steps so far and 630 calories eaten. Fitbit says I can have 3100 calories today based on my activities. Yeah, right. Gastro doc says he's testing me for Celiac. What next??

I know that breaking a plateau can sometimes mean a drastic change, to get it jump started. I just don't want that drastic change to be a liquid diet...and I can't even think about eating a whole lasagne or some other silly thing. But, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, sometimes. I'll figure something out.

Ok, back to work. Have a great day, everyone. Keep in touch!

[Bogdel]

@_Lilac_, I am sure you will figure something out. You are a smart girl, and very determined (smiling). I respect you for that. 

Last night I finally went to the Rec Center, after almost two weeks of minimal physical activity. To my delight, the scale this morning showed 144.6 lbs. My previous weight goal was 145 lbs, but once I've reached it, I decided to go a little lower (138 lbs), since I can still see a little motorcycle tire around my waist. It will be interesting to see what that is going to look/feel like when I get there.

In addition to this group, I started to participate in the Eat Well group. It's pretty interesting (and engaging!), and I am learning a lot from other people. Some favor the Keto diet, because they feel that is helping them with their sports performance (too much saturated fat for me!). Others favor Whole Food Plant Base (WFPB) diet. Yet, others, are still trying to find their way. I've been following Dr. Fuhrman's Nutritarian lifestyle for the last couple of years, which has helped me beat the pre-diabetes and lower my LDL. I am still eating some meat and fish occasionally, but I focus on plant based meals most of the time (both raw, in my salads, and cooked, in my soups or side dishes). Yesterday, someone shared a great link on WFPB diet, promoted by Dr. T. Colin Campbell (the author of China Study, and Whole). Although I assume that most of us are beyong this, I thought it is a great link that I may share here with everyone, just in case:

https://nutritionstudies.org/whole-food-plant-based-diet-guide/

Oh, @_Lilac_, here is another something that helped me with the weight loss lately, in case you may want to try. I fixed myself a salad in a jar for dinner (of course, you can eat it as is, if you prefer). Here's what I do:

I usually make myself two large glass bowls of salad with all kinds of veggies (lattuce, spinach, celery, green onion, parsely, carrots, kale), and keep it in the refrigerator (it lasts me and my husband almost a week). So, instead of eating the raw salad (which I certainly could do!), I put a handful of my premade salad in the blender and add to it 1/2 avocado, 1 tomato, a piece of cucumber, a handful of dried crandberries, 2-3 tbs of organic cooked beans (usually canned), and some nuts or seeds. I also use a clove of garlic and about 1" of ginger, for flavor (and health!). By the time I add all these to my already made salad, my Ninja glass is full to the rim. I also add some almond milk, to help it blend and liquify. I drink the whole thing (it's a huge portion, but it is low in calories and VERY nutritious!). It is also very filling, and it tases good (to me!). Of course, everyone can season it as he/she likes. Each morning I did this, my scale went down a bit more. 

I never reduce the portion size (never starve myself!). I just eat a LOT of plant based meals, which are high in nutrients and low in carbs. Not only did this help me lose weight, but also healed and reversed certain disease (heart, diabetes, cholesterol, etc.). My doctor was very impressed with my progress. 

Now, I am starting a kidney cleanse. It appears like my kidneys have been damaged from my years of previously un-detected pre-diabetes. I don't know if the kidney cleanse will help reverse the damage, but it certainly doesn't hurt to flush out some of the toxins that have been accumulated there during the 64 years that they've been working 24/7. I got a kindey cleansing kit, with instructions, from Global Healing Center, in California. Here's the link for those who may be interested: https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/. 

So, that's my sharing for today. Best wishes, everyone! We are in this together. Let's lift each other up and encourage one another. Also, if any of you has some hepful, healthful tips, I hope you feel free to share them. 

Ellie. 

[Bogdel]

Hello, EVERYONE! 

I received an invitation to watch a free docu-series on Food Revolution. Each episode is only going to be free for 21 hours (starting April 28). After that, it needs to be purchased. I honestly don't know what to expect, but I signed in. I thought some of you (or your friends) may be interested. So, I am posting the link for those of you who are interested, here.

Click here to watch this inspiring video now. Remember to mark it in your calendar. 

I'd be interested to exchange thoughts about it with each other here. 

Regards!

[_Lilac_]

I walked down to my writers group this morning and walked back. 8300 steps. I'll take the dogs out later and get my 10,000+. I am taking a break from working to sketch out some mini paintings I'm doing. Why is it that everything I love to do requires me to be sitting on my behind?

[bethanysmum2002]

Well another happy weigh in, I am now in the 80's - this was a big milestone on my list to hit as I have been below 90kgs in about 10 years .

USW - 103kg (227pounds) (1st Jan 2018)

SW - 92.2kg (203.2pounds) - 1/4/18 (starting weight for the Challenge)

CW - 89.7kg (197.8pounds) - 22/4/18

PW - 90.3kg (199pounds) - 15/4/18

GW – 89.5kg (197.3pounds)

UGW- 67kg (147pounds)

For the last week I have really back off the exercise, not because I want to but I really want to make sure me knee recovers. When I did go for a walk last week, I increased the intensity but kept the foot in it's natural position but still got a twinge of pain about 5 minutes after I finished so thought it still needed a bit of time.

To try and make sure the scales keep moving down without the exercise, I have really watched my calorie intake and even tried intermittent fasting. I only do about 16/8 sometimes only 15/7 but I thought I would give it a try after reading some posts in the forums, doing some google searches and watching a report about it last week on one of our breakfast TV shows.

It's not something I want to do all of the time but with the reduced exercise and the fact that for the last 9 days I have been FLAT OUT busy sewing dance costumes for my daughters for this coming weekends dance competition, I thought it couldn't help to try.

And at the moment, it seems to be working. I am hoping to finish my last costume tonight or tomorrow at the latest and get back out for my walks. Then I can look at my eating plan and just see what works. I have 2.3kgs (5.07 pounds) until I hit my next really big, meaningful goal. If I can get to 87.4kgs (192.7pounds) it will be my lowest weight since my youngest daughter was 14 months old back in January 2008. She can't actually remember ever seeing me this small in her whole life. That's a bit sad really.

[Bogdel]

@bethanysmum2002, I am so, so happy for you! I admire your determination. Keep it up, friend! Yes, you are Brave, and you will conquer this! Blessings and Strength!

[Cele21]

@bethanysmum2002 - Congratulations on the milestone! You got this!

CSW - 212.2 (4/1/18)

LW-  216.3

CW- 210.8

GW- 205.0 (5/13/18)

UGW- 150

So last week's weight was due to stress, fast food, soda and not taking my blood pressure and water retention meds regularly. I cleaned up my act a bit and the weight came back down. This week I am eliminating soda completely, upping my water and I went grocery shopping and have a plan in place for dinner all this week. Hoping to see a bit more improvement at my next hop onto the scale.

[Bogdel]

Hello, Everyone! 

Here is my update for week 3:

USW - 183.5  - Jan. 2016

PW - 146.6    - March, 2018

SW - 145.6    - April 02, 2018

Week 1 - 148     - 4/09

Week 2- 146.8   - 4/15

Week 3 - 144.6  - 4/22

Week 4 -            - 4/29

Week 5 -            - 5/6

Week 6 -            - 5/13

GW - 138

UGW -138

Based on my previous challenges, I could say that I have reached my UGW. But now, I feel that I could go lower. So, three more weeks to go. WOW! I really hope I can get to 138 lbs by Mother's Day. Then, all I need to do is stay healthy and maintain my ideal weight. Lord, help me!

I enjoy reading everyone's posts, I celebrate your success every week, and cheer you you all on. 

We are all at different points on our journey, but with the determination that I see in this group, we can all get there! 

Let's keep it up, friends!

[annewestchester]

Curious how your weight loss is going. I am looking to do something similar but like to snack too much. I run and go to the gym everyday so it is hard for me to cut back on food too much without feeling a loss of energy.

[annewestchester]

okay - I will try the challenge as well.  My weight has increased 10 pounds to over 150 and need to be back to normal at 140 (but would like to be back down to 135 to feel better).  Would love to get guidance on how to curb my endless snacking and sugar cravings