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!!

[HeartBiller]

Well I am not even gonna pretend about my weight today. I am just sadly disappointed! I have expressed my disappointment to my precious Lord. As we are on this Daniel Fast and I can promise you we have not had 1 bite of anything we are not suppose to. We have ate only fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and 100% whole grains and only drink water. So I guess the big lose last week is suppose to make up for it, but I can't lie that I was more than disappointed. BUT I do know we all have the fluctuations, so I am going to try to stay positive and go forward. Today is day 16 of my 21 day Daniel Fast. I will complete my 21 days with praise and honor to my Lord and continue to work on my weight loss.

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

01/03/17 -  171.2 lbs - Lost 1.8 lbs 

01/10/17  - 165.4 lbs - Lost 5.8 lbs 

01/17/17  - 166-4 lbs - Gained 1 pound

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

[Glenda]

                                    HeartBiller,  Don't be discouraged yet.  You have changed your way of eating and it could just be differences in elimination or water retention.  Hang in there.  

[HeartBiller]

I love reading about everyone's journey's and how you are doing on them. I honestly think part of this is what keeps me pushing so hard. I really want to get to the point that I can chime in more often. I really think it would help in a lot of ways. It is just nice to be accountable and being among others that are in the same struggle/journey that you are.

I read all the post... I normally just vote for each one, so you know I have read it and it keeps me up on where I left off when I sign back in..lol.

Reading about all this snow makes me cringe... I can not handle snow. I can barely handle the little bit we get here in Kentucky..lol. I am in the south eastern part so we don't even get as much as some of the northern parts. I shouldn't complain about what we do get but I always complain anyhow..lol. All in all I think we have pretty descent weather all the time.. It really is never too hot in the summers and our weathers are not near as bad as others.. SO I guess it is an OK place to live. I guess it is a  good thing i'm ok with it, because my husband is a country boy and I sure don't ever see him leaving here.

Well I guess it is time to get in gear and get back to work. I hope you all have a very wonderful day!

[GershonSurge]

Stay positive! You lost a good bit of weight in the first part of the month. This may be a normal plateau. 

[Bobbinyc]

@HeartBiller  I agree with Glenda.  It's too soon to fret about it.  I found that I sometimes forget this is a biological process, not mechanical.  It isn't something we can totally control.  Our bodies have many amazing systems that all have to catch up when we make a change.  And those systems don't know if the change, like fewer calories, is because we are sick, or there is a lack of food.  Our bodies have to find their equilibrium at their own rate.  It is our job to nourish them, be active as they were designed to be, and be patient.  If it continues, you might think about salt, activity level, hormonal fluctuations that continue for years and years - just the minor daily changes that effect our weight.  Sometimes if I exercise a bit more, the weight goes up one day.  If it is hotter, muggier, the weight goes up a smidge.  One pound doesn't change your health.  And you are doing wonders for your health.  Enjoy your accomplishment.

[_Lilac_]

Plans for today: 

Mom is too sick to walk today (headcold) and I missed the pool, so I need to be creative. I'm going to walk to the library and home today. I'll do some writing while there. With that, and walking the dogs later, I will get my 10,000 steps with three sessions of 30min+ walking each. (It's about 40 min to the library).

I ate my standard breakfast. I might take a lunch or snack with me to ward off buying take-out downtown, though there are some healthy choices. Best to avoid temptation. Mom said there's a great art exhibit at the library so I'll check that out. I might go down by the river too. It's a tidal river that flows in and out of the Bay of Fundy twice a day, and since it's winter, ice chunks fill it and rise up and down with the tides. You can find videos on youtube of surfers riding the surge when the tide comes in. It's unique in that it's calm and then there's a sudden wave that sweeps over and continues to fill the river basin. My daughter thinks I have an obsession with the river, but I grew up here. It's home, ya know? There are few places in the world with this natural phenomenon. We also have a magnetic hill! There are only a few of those too. 

Ok, I have my plan. Now I just have to act. 

[Gayle1018]

@HeartBiller  YOU have gotten so much accomplished!!  so don't be discouraged but encouraged.

One day at a time.    I was up 1 this week too and not sure why, and disappointed, then someone pointed out to look back on the journey, where you've been - you are right on track... 

It's a good reminder to me to stay true even though it's doesn't make sense sometimes.  Fast in fun, Slow loss is longer term.   

need to get back to work, but you've helped me be and stay inspired!  

[HeartBiller]

@GlendaThanks.. I am trying to think positive and move on to this week. I play games with myself when I get numbers in my head that I want to be.. and I know in time I will get there, but it will take time.. I keep telling myself that it took me 45 years to get all this on, so I can't complain when it seems to take a little while to get it off. I am very happy to be losing weight in general. You know I have "tried" to lose weight so many times over the years and had "some" success, but always gained it back and then more.. BUT you know this time is totally different. I know this may sound strange to you but I honestly feel God wouldn't allow me to keep it off due to different circumstances in my life... But this time I honestly feel like God and myself both know that things are different this time in my life and he is allowing me to do this and do it the right way. SO I know that eventually I will get to where God whats me to be and I am sure I will be happy with it. If any of that makes sense..lol. Sometimes I am just a rambler..lol. not always making sense.

[Bobbinyc]

@Chocobo9 When I first started working out I got horrible cravings.  I would eat protein when I finished exercising but that didn't seem to help.  I was told that more intense exercise lowers our blood sugar, and even if we eat, our bodies have already tried to deal with the lower blood sugar.  The hormones that are produced to even it out just take a bit.  It's like riding waves.  I was also told that if we don't give in to the sugar cravings, it becomes easier for our bodies to self-regulate.  It's like they have to get with the new plan and catch up.  I had given in to the sugar cravings and that only got worse.  Actually, part of why I am doing the One  Week Sugar Free challenge on this forum (feel free to join) is because I am increasing my exercise level and want to minimize the cravings if they  start again.  It really does get easier.  Our bodies are so amazing in figuring out what to do when we help them.

[HeartBiller]

@GershonSurgeI was very shocked by last weeks loss, so I guess that is good for this week too..lol. I guess its good to be able to laugh. I am disappointed, but it won't get me down..lol. I will move on and make a come back..lol.

@BobbinycI "try" not to fret..lol. But I think it's and automatic reaction, when you feel like you have worked so hard. However.. All of you here are why it is easier to handle.I LOVE IT HERE!

I did start a new thing the first of the year.. (some say I shouldn't) BUT..lol. I started weighing every day. I log it everyday. I started this on the first day of this year. I guess I want to see where the fluctuation's come in at and all. I bought this scale that has weight, % of water, % muscle and % of fat. So I have been tracking all of this since the first day of the year. I weigh a few pounds less on that scale, but of course I weigh in the mornings first this with barley any clothes on. So I do not count that weigh on here. I started this journey weighing at my office fully clothed and with shoes.... Because that is how I have to weigh at my doctor and I wanted to be able to know what I would weigh when I went to the doctor...lol. YES I am a tad crazy and an over thinker.. ANYHOW, back to my weighing daily.. I have went up a few ounces everyday this past week. So I guess for me to keep this journal of weights will help me somewhere along the line to know where the trends are if that makes sense.. lol.

@Gayle1018I am so proud when I look back on where I have come from. I am proud to be where I am.. I will admit last weeks huge loss helps me deal with this week's better.. I guess since I am still on track to my goal..lol. I will keep moving forward and hopefully see a success next week. I am always inspired by you all here. That is why I so love this group!

[jamk]

That is good you did that. I worked in a pharmacy for 27 years and I had people that could not barely see.a lot of them are our elderly, one lady told me she takes the back roads and when it comes to a crossing she just guns it can you imagine that!! One man said he prays no cars are coming I told them how would you feel if you killed someone? There answer was they have to get out so my answer so your telling me that is more important then a  life?? I thought it was my respnsibility to call their Doctors and let them know what was told to me.

have a good day !!!

[UKJulieJ]

                                   CSW   215 (29/12/16)

                                    CW     204 (17/1)

                                    GW     192

                                    UGW   147

  Sorry I forgot to do a weekly weigh in, will do from now on. Good luck everyone.

[_Lilac_]

@Glenda  As per our topic earlier....something interesting happened. I decided to take the bus to the library and I'll walk home. But I had to jog a bit to reach the stop because I was scared I was going to miss it. I rounded the corner at a little jog and a young woman was walking along. I stopped on the street at the bus stop (because the sidewalk was full of ice) and as she passed she asked, "Are you okay?", probably because I was just standing there at the street edge after jogging. I told her I was waiting for the bus but thanks for checking on me. She looked up to see the bus stop sign.  So, I'm quite confident that if I have a seizure while out walking, need to stop, need help, etc. that I will find a good samaritan around me who will take notice. I suppose it's not typical to see a woman my size jogging down the street and NOT be super out of breath or chased by a dog or something. haha.

[Glenda]

                                     LilacYou have a wonderful attitude and sense of humor too.  I sent a note to my step-mother asking her about her condition / history just out of curiosity.   Maybe it did dissappear by now.  At least attitudes toward it are much more knowledgeable and intelligent than when she was young.   

[Brujita]

USW- 171.6

UGW-   135

MFP- brujitabrujita 

CSW: 171.6 (12/28)

PW: 170.4  (-1.2 1/03)

PW: 169.4 (-1 1/10)

CW: 167 (-2.4 1/17)

..

GW-   165 (for Feb 14)  

I can't believe its already another week. it feels like I just posted. I've had an okay week. well when you look at my stats, a good week. Some personal things came up last week and while all i wanted to do was hide in bed all day (which i managed on Saturdays) i'm a mom and still have to push on. So I made sure to get a hour or so on the elliptical daily. Either with a podcast or netflix. It made me feel better, even if temporarily. one of my favorite quotes "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea" I truly believe it.

I weighed myself friday, 166.6 which seemed a lot of loss from tuesdays official weight of 169.4. which put me at my first 5lbs lost since restaring this journaey. However Monday was 167.7 and then for todays official weight 167. so it evened out but a good reminder as to why i only weigh myself once a week because now im only at 4.6 lost. This weekend I did indulge in a mcdouble, it was after my daughters soccer thing and we hadn't eaten out in a while. It was so salty (maybe why monday was 167.7) and a nice reminder that the changes im making impact all areas. Since we eat at home  now i forgot how much added stuff is in fastfood. for a while last year we were eating out 3x/week or more. sometimes twice a day. It was one of the habits I wanted to change as it impacted a few areas health, money and mindfulness. I still indulge at home, last night was cookie dough after being on the elliptical.

Still havent been great about logging my foods. But its something I can work on. Im thinking food isnt too big of problem currently as i'm still shedding the weight. My ankles dont feel so bad, im making sure to throw in some stretching in as I stated previously. Im thinking I will hit my goal before the month is done. I had calculated maybe .5-1lb a week. Obviously if I hit this challanges goal I will change it accordingly. 

Its great to see all of you keeping up with your goals. Those who feel a set back- Be patient with yourself. 

[Annabel398]

12/25 | (start) 134.2

1/1      ███▌-0.7

1/8     ██████████ -1.9 (goal -1.4)

1/15    ██████████▌-1.6 (goal -2.1)

1/22   ██████████████ -2.8

1/29   █████████████████▌-3.5

2/5     █████████████████████ -4.2

2/12    ████████████████████████▌-4.9

2/14    █████████████████████████▌ goal: 129.1 (-5.1)

Yeah, I knew that would happen... my weight loss tends to go very much in fits and starts. I really like www.trendweight.com (which was recommended upthread)... it smooths out the ups and downs and gives you a truer picture, which really helps when you feel like you're losing and gaining the same 2-3 pounds over and over!

Did a great spin class on Monday--Rihanna v Beyoncé--which left my legs feeling like overcooked noodles. Loving the spin!

It's supposed to rain all week, making it a real challenge to get my steps in (no treadmill or elliptical chez Annabel). But I'm determined to do it, especially as my StepBet challenge enters its third week.

How's everyone else doing? 

[Brujita]

@HeartBiller we have similiar stats. How tall are you? I also can understand the frustration with playing with the numbers in your head. I remind myself to be patient with myself, to be kind.  Im not following any kind of specific diet. I give you props for sticking to one. I dont think I could. 

[em.kz]

I have a question regarding food and calorie counting: I have been tracking my caloric intake on and off for the past few days, but I have been finding that I am ususally under what Fitbit says I should be eating. My problem is that I'm not always hungry for more. If I'm full or I don't feel very hungry, I've been trying not to eat as to not instill bad habits; however, this leaves me under on caloric intake. Should I make myself eat more to be "in the zone" or just eat what I need (I'm not starving myself by any means!) and accept that I'm under in that category?

[_Lilac_]

@em.kz Fitbit tells me I need more calories than I would typically eat. I'm always 'under'. I think the number is high, but I'm no expert. I eat what makes me comfortable while making healthy choices. Why expand my stomach with more food when that's what I'm trying to prevent!! haha. 

[HeartBiller]

@Brujita I am 5 ft even.. So not to much height on my side.. It sure makes every pound count.. Lol.