Christmas 2016 to Valentine's Day 2017 Challenge

[Bobbinyc]

Welcome all Challengers!  What an amazing group we have!

Let's all continue together to take off the excess pounds and keep getting healthier.

This challenge will begin on Christmas and finish on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14. 

All you need to join this challenge is to post your stats regarding your weight, and check in weekly or as often as you'd like. We are a great support group and enjoy keeping up with each other and being there for our ups and downs.  Generally we have found that the more we check in and offer support, tips, info,  and ideas to others, the more we get for ourselves.

We list our weight, as well as any other goals we might have related to being healthy (such as increase water, more active minutes, etc).  Developing good health habits is primary.

A little rundown of terminology for anyone who is new.

USW- Ultimate Starting Weight

CSW- Current Starting Weight (for this challenge)

GW- Goal Weight   (for Feb 14)

UGW- Ultimate Goal Weight   (what your healthy target weight is)

PW- Previous Weight

CW- Current Weight

MFP- My Fitness Pal

List as much info as you like.  Some people include age, gender, height....whatever seems relevant to you.

We keep it as serious or light as we feel, but we always keep it focused on being as healthy as possible, while we support each other kindly.  We can do this together!!

[verocantin]

I also just made myself a fitness rogram for everyday, do you think it will help me lose the weight?

Here it is:

10 leg ups

10 push ups

10 squats 

10 jump squats

10 sumo squats 

adding one every day

also does chocolate and diet pop count as junk food?

[Bobbinyc]

@verocantin To know if something is "junk" instead of food, look at ingredients.  If it has sugar, chemicals, fake sugar, food coloring, preservatives, trans fats or anything you can't pronounce easily, it is junk.  If it comes in a package, read carefully.  Whole foods, like what we ate until 2-3 generations ago, aren't designed for shelf life but for our life.  Think of how people used to eat - it was all fresh, no chemicals added.  Chocolate in itself is an anti-oxidant.  However, chocolate bars usually have lots of sugar.  Supposedly it's ok if it is 80% dark, with little sugar.  The more milk added, the more sugar added usually.  The purer stuff takes getting used to.

The exercises you outline will certainly help with strength and that is great.  What about something cardio/aerobic?  Good for the heart, lungs and weight loss. You seem pretty athletic, so it should be easy to include that.  Again, though, you sound strong and healthy.  Eat well, stay active, keep junk to a minimum, and you will probably do well.  Don't let a number on a scale have too much power.  

[_Lilac_]

I arrived at the pool this morning to find no water aerobics class!! The pool was set up for lane swimming. I can only go in the one against the wall to avoid the visual stimuli of sun ripples and waves, etc. Someone was there, but it was one of the old gals from the class, who thought there was going to be a class. Lifeguard confirmed there wasn't. No one else stayed to exercise. They lounged in the therapy pool or just left. So I took the opportunity and worked HARD. Jogging, jumping jacks, crunches, toe touches, leg kicks, etc etc etc. After 35 min, someone wanted my lane to do laps, and since that's what it's supposed to be for, I gave it up. I feel good that I was dedicated enough that I stayed and worked out by myself. I found my heart rate to be faster and I was huffing and puffing harder than when the instructor is there. Good workout!

It's very cold this morning so I'm sipping hot tea to get rid of this chill I now have from walking home after the pool. Mom is taking me for groceries later. The dogs will need their walks. By the end of the day I'm projecting 11,000-12,000 steps. 

Last week the lady who chats with me during aquafit showed me a patch she had on her wrist. It was a 'burn' caused by her fitbit chargeHR. She said it was a burn. Not sure if it was just a patch of irritated skin or if she got a substance under it and it couldn't breathe, or whatever. Two days ago I began to get a spot that has now turned into two spots, dry, red, peeling skin under the exact place my blaze HR lights flash. I am constantly moving it because it begins to get sore at times. My ankles are too big to attach the band there. I might take it out of the band altogether and put it in my bra. It works for the treadmill, it should work at all times. I just don't want to lose it. What would I do without it??? 

[Bobbinyc]

@_Lilac_  Great job on the workout!

I know a number of people who have been burned by their fitbits.  If you look in the forums here, you will see it.  Try contacting their support.  Apparently our bodies are not designed to have that tiny charge that is emitted and many people react to it.  You could always try either a different tracker, like the flex.  Or a different brand tracker.  I think it is very possible to solve this.

[Tybokitty]

Not sure who suggested attaching your Fitbit to your ankle with string or elastic but I just wanted to say THANK YOU!!! I did that this morning while putting xmas stuff up. What a difference that made. Wish they made one you could attach to your ankle. I would do that for work since I'm always carry paperwork around. Thanks again for that suggestion.   

Some of you have mentioned getting red marks on your wrist like a burn from the Fitbit. I take mine off at nite. I know how I sleep so not worried about tracking that. I got a few spots like that so that was when I removed it at night and put on first thing in morning when I got up. Haven't had that problem since. 

Hope everyone had a great New Year!!!!!

[debb21]

I bought the fitbit zip 2 years ago because I wasn't sure I would use.  It is always with me.  It is small and I keep it in my pocket, clipped to my bra, or clipped on my shoe.  It keeps track of time, miles, steps, calories burned. It uses a watch battery.  Amazon sells wrist bands and different colored cases, but I don't have any of that.

[SW99]

USW = 187

CSW = 175

GW for 14th feb = 170

UGW = size 12!

I'm small (149cm) and 17 years old! 

I need to make sure I stick to my calorie goal for the day to lose 1lb a week, because I either go over or under. There's never an inbetween! 

[_Lilac_]

I took the fitbit blaze out of the band and put it in my bra but it didn't record a whole lot of steps when I went shopping around a walmart and then stopped at a pharmacy. I came home with only 1100 steps?? So, back in its band it went. I took the dogs for an extra long walk tonight and hit my 10,000. I'm not taking them together again unless I'm wanting to punish myself for some reason. They act up when they are together but are so much better alone. I'll definitely take the fitbit off while I sleep and let my skin breathe. I hadn't worn it for so long at night, but I started to recently. That's probably the difference. 

I think I'll put on a hockey game in the background, play games on my tablet this evening and just veg. I still haven't had my supper so I'd better find something for that too. I haven't hit 1000 calories yet but burned 3800. This is work! haha.

I recently spoke to a friend who told me she just isn't ready to put the effort and work into getting healthier and lose weight. I told her that it sometimes takes a trigger to get you on the path. For me, it was the death of my husband this summer. I couldn't let someone take care of me if I grew ill. Not at 355lbs! I had to have something that took my mind off my troubles, something I could do for myself since I'd been 24/7 caregiver for so long. I had to live for myself. And living is moving and being happy...can't be happy at 355lbs and not able to walk up the street! It's that trigger that starts it, then progress keeps you going. My mom told me today how much better I am. I have stamina, more cheery, a drive to do things. She told me she saw someone from afar and asked, "Is that _Lilac_?" (not my real name haha) and then she said, "No, _Lilac_ is much smaller now." That made me feel good. My shirts are fitting differently now. My pants want to fall off. There's nothing better than that!! I hope my friend can find the trigger. I hope everyone here can and then show progress to keep you going. I'm going to keep going! We can all do it.

[LucyLovely]

@_Lilac_ I love reading your posts! You are so inspirational!

I went on a great walk yesterday, It was a beautiful New Years Day at the beach, in Connecticut! Almost 45 degrees I think!

Today wasn't a very active day, we went to the movies and brought the dog to the dog park instead of a long walk. It was great exercise for him, running with the other dogs, for me not so much!

Actually can't wait to get back to work tomorrow, after being off for 10 days. I always eat better and drink more water when I am working.

[Gettingthere17]

Hope I'm not to late to start.

Starting weight  219.5 lbs

Goal weight  150 lbs 

UGW   130

UGH.  Need motivation and support.

So a year and half ago I got really serious, worked out with a great trainer at gym, used a "body bugg" (24 hour fitness like fitbit)--and in 6 months had lost 12 lbs and really changed in shape. Then I got a knee injury which has developed into other more diverse multiple muscle/joint issues.  Basically I am limited in how much I can do due to pain/mobility issues.  While waiting for more tests/treatments I have just been told do what I can and let pain be my guide.   Those pounds I lost came back and then some!  I'm looking forward to using the fit bit to accuarately see how much energy expend vs my calorin intake.  I am very frustrated looking at how much I gained back and feeling like it is an almost impossible uphill battle to loose weight until I can really be able to exercise intensely.  So please -- I need motivation and suggestions and support.

I'll try to post weekly.   Looking forward to being part of community.

[BLLingg]

Had to convert your centimeters to our inches, @SW99, to see if you are shorter than me.  You are!  You're 4.9 inches, I'm 5.2 inches.  I'm not used to being taller than someone! 

I have a real struggle with my Calorie Goals also.  I have the FitBit set Goal to lose 1# per Week.  But I want to stay close to the Calories Burned at my BMR (Basel Metabolic Rate).   (This is the amount of Calories I would burn if I stayed in Bed all Day and did NOTHING.)  And they're not the same.  They each go up and down, depending upon my Weight that Day.

• Today, my BMR Calories Burned are at 1,327.2 while my FitBit Goal is 1,689.
• Yesterday, my BMR Calories Burned were 1,332.6 while my FitBit Goal was 2,183.  However, yesterday, I consumed only 1,300 Calories.  332.6 under my BMR.  NOT GOOD!!! 
  
• Sunday, the 1st, my BMR Calories Burned were 1,324.4 while my FitBit Goal was 1,811.  I consumed 1,752 Calories.  Acceptable, but I wasn't happy with so much.  But it was important to me to have a (Semi) Traditional Southern New Year's Day Meal so I chose to go with the higher Calories.  That was on top of some VERY BAD Food Choices early in the Day!!!  (A Traditional Southern New Year's Day Meal is Blackeyed Peas, Pork, Greens, and Cornbread.  The "Semi" comes in because I didn't have the Pork.)

I was way too low Yesterday after Supper - only 900 Calories.  Luckily, I caught it and added some extra Cals at the last Minute.  Not enough but more than it would have been.  It IS hard!  The important thing is that when you screw up, you don't let it get you down.  (At least not for long!)  You just get back on that Horse and keep going!!!

And I hope & pray that you learn how to do it one heck of a lot sooner than I did!!!  I was on Diet Pills when I was 15.  I had the support of my Family and that's important.  But Tools like our FitBits and the WebSite with Friends like we have here, the Challenges, the Groups, the Stats, etc didn't exist back when I was your age.  I really wish they had! 

Good Luck, @SW99!  We're here with you and we're here for you!!!  Keep us in the know!!! 

[dwest05]

Ok, I weighed this morning and I'm down a little.  194 lbs on my way to 187, I think, for the challenge.  I cannot figure out how to find my post with the CSW, etc.  Can anyone help  me with that?  

Also, I tried the Yosemite Vernal Falls challenge yesterday.  That was kinda fun and motivating, but we had a very rainy day here and I didn't get to the gym. (Also lunch with friends, where I sat for almost 2 hrs. )  I will try another challenge like this on my Fitbit Alta.  I hope everyone has a good day.  Remember to embrace good health by mindful eating.  We CAN do this!  

[HeartBiller]

@BobbinycThanks for you words of wisdom. I do struggle with getting down on myself when I mess up. You would think that doing that alone would make me do better...lol, but it doesn't.

I am bouncing back. I will never say it is easy, but I feel like for the first time in my life (all overweight), that this time I am seeing a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel... I can tell it is still far away, but I can see the flicker. I agree with you that the more I post here the better I seem to do, BUT right now I seem to find it a struggle to post... OK, I will let you know, I am not the brightest person when it comes to technology, so I am struggling with posting from my phone, which would be the most convenient for me... But I am working on getting something better to use. I normally post from my office first thing in the morning before clocking in.. BUT as we all know life gets so crazy we can't always make that happen.

Well I didn't do well through the holidays.. We had to many dinners, get together's, etc. And this even lasted through New Years Eve.. lol. BUT starting Sunday, I am back on track... LOL (Hopefully)

My daughters church (where we visit regularly) started the Daniel Fast yesterday (A spiritual fast for the Lord)(all natural foods- fruits, veggies, natural whole grain) basically the things we should be eating anyhow... Water is the only beverage allowed.. so anyhow, my husband and I are going to do the fast with them. So I am looking forward to the next 20 days and hope that it not only draws us closer to the lord, but helps us lose weight and be healthier.

I feel like if I blogged (which I don't know how...lol) that it would help me... So maybe I will try posting here more and then if it gets to be too much someone here will tell me...lol.

MY stats
USW - 210.0 lbs April 25th 2016
SW   - 173.0 lbs 12/30/16

CW  -  171.2 lbs 01/03/17 - Lost 1.8 lbs

GW   - 163.0 lbs - Feb 14th 2017
UGW - 125.0 lbs

[HeartBiller]

Well I am not back to my before holiday's weight, but I am headed there.. One day at a time! I will do this.. ONE DAY AT A TIME...

[Gayle1018]

Happy New Year and New beginnings!   2017 is off to a good start, (even though I forgot to recharge my fitbit and didn't get anything recorded for Saturday & Sunday )

Yesterday was good, actually got all my steps in+, water and behaved on calories... Very excited to have the VAlentine's day Goal!!   - Will weigh in this weekend..

Have a great week! Look forward to seeing everyone's posts.

[Brujita]

Checking in!

I decided that would weigh myself every Tuesday as Valentines falls on a Tuesday.

USW- 171.6

UGW-   135

MFP- brujitabrujita 

CSW- 171.6 (12/28)

GW-   165 (for Feb 14) 

CW- 170.4  (-1.2 1/03)

I had a pretty good week. I hit my step goals for the week even though i didnt hit my daily last monday and tuesday. I also got 5/5 for exercise so I hit my weekly goal with that one. I like the weekly recap we get from fitbit. Its nice to see it at a glance.

I've been getting my steps in on the elliptical. I'll watch netflix on my tablet, currently watching The OA and its about a hour long. hitting my goals has obviously been helpful as im down -1.2lbs, slowly but surely. I have to have realistic expectations. This challenge is only 6 weeks long so a lb a week is realistic as long as I hit my goals daily. I'm slowly getting back to my healthy habits. We dont drink soda/juice in the house. Everyone including the kids drink water. Coffee though is an entirely different thing but i've limited my intake to mornings and tea in the evenings. I don't log my food anymore but I want to get back into that habit. For this challenge I'm going to try to stick to meal planning dinner.

Someone mentioned that MyFitnessPal (MFP) is for android, but its also available on iphone. Thats what I use when I track my food, it even lets you scan the barcode when you are logging. its pretty neat tool. Also you can use the website if you dont want the app. I have it linked to my fitbit as well. Keep up the good work everyone!

@_Lilac_ I totally get what your saying about walking two dogs. I have to take mine separately too.  My bigger dog is 75lbs and the younger one is 45lbs. The two of them together is a mess sometimes. Especially if we see other dogs they just want to rush foreward to greet others. so often I take them one at a time. I also got this nifty tool for christmas that attachs to my bike (another xmas present) so I can ride with the dogs. It's called a WalkyDog and my dogs have come around to it. Sadly I live in the midwest so its only as the weather permits. So i've only gotten to use it a handful of times. 

[Cele21]

@dwest05- The only way I know of to find my previous post is to go back to previous pages until I find the date I posted then scan through until I find it. Someone who is more tech savvy may have a better way.

I too had a problem with a dry, itchy, 'burning' red patch under my flex after wearing it constantly (except when bathing) for almost 2 years. After reading up on it and following the suggestions about cleaning it, etc., I still had problems. I tried taking it off as often as I wasn't moving (nothing for it to track). It got just as bad as soon as I put it back on. I thought I would have to go to a different brand when I came across a post that talked about the same issue. They said that the fitbit bands contain neoprene and that they had success with switching to a silicone band. I went on Amazon and found a batch of 10 silicone bands with watch type closure (tongue in hole) in 10 different colors for $18 US (shipping brought it to about $23). Since using these bands, my wrist cleared up nicely. I can switch out the bands to match my outfits. The only (minor) downside is it doesn't seem to sync as well through the silicone so I have to take it off and put it close to the dongle to register. Amazon has many different choices in designs and size isn't a problem with the watch closure (also in my opinion a more secure option than the original).

This is only my experience and I don't know about the HR or the Charge. I love my fitbit and would hate to switch but the bands have always been an issue.

[SunsetRunner]

Happy New Year to everyone! I'm hoping to have a better year. I've been told that one of my meds doesn't help with the weight loss. In fact it does the opposite. But I need them for pain. I've had blood work done and I see the doc at the end of the month. She wants to put me on a new medication for weight loss. She thinks with a proper diet and some type of exercise (walk) I'll lose some weight.

Now hubby is diabetic and has a heart condition. How bad the heart is we don't know. He's going for angio on Monday. Hopefully they don't find anything other than the fact that he needs to get rid of his high cholesterol. I will put my details on here as soon as I get them.

[professorpete]

@HeartBiller It's wonderful that your daughter's church is helping people get healthier.  The Daniel Plan was created by two doctors who are often on PBS - Amen and Hyman.  Both have created many programs for PBS, many different diets and are huge commercial success.  And yet they don't seem too gimmicky to me.  The story of Daniel is about a Jewish man (Daniel), being brought to a feast in the King's Court.  He kept to his principles of being kosher, despite the King and the enormous abundance.  So, it is a beautiful parable about principles above excess, above social pressure, above temptation.  Isn't that what getting healthy is about?  We have to avoid excess, not give in to family or friends saying "oh  just a little, this one time" or "why can't you eat like the rest of us?", and we have to not let ourselves be tempted, as we keep to what we truly believe in and choose for our lives.  How wonderful that a church is following this example.

[nightswimming]

Today is my first day back at home, back at work, eating normally.

Also the first day back weighing on my own scales, the weight on mum's seems about right but the fat % is a bit higher than mine so I wasn't sure how things stood until this morning. I know the fat measurement is only an estimate but my scales seem to have been pretty consistent for the last 9 months so I will assume the figures are correct for my purposes.

So, since my lowest weight on 12/21 118.7 (25.6 fat) I have put on 3.7lb. Somehow though only 0.9lb of that is fat, something of a miracle given the amount of chocolate and puddings I have enjoyed!

Six weeks to go until 2/14, as long as I can stay away from all the leftover choccies in work I should be able to meet my goal.

USW: 174

SW: 120.3 (12/26)

CW: 122.4 (01/03)

GW: 118

UGW: 112