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!!

[dancefoxtrot]

@BLLingg

Equality isn't about enjoying to have to door opened for us in my opinion.  It is being paid equality pay for equal work, it is about safety from genital grabbing men, it is about access to power and privilege if we want to go to the top as upper management, in a profession or as a president. 

Equality is about equal opportunity for all genders, races and religions. 

Best,

Barbara G

[Annabel398]

I wrote a long post about tomorrow's march, but it's really off-topic, and I prize the mostly peacable nature of our interactions here, so I deleted it. But I will recommend the movie Hidden Figures as food for thought on equality and opportunity (not to mention cracking good entertainment) (and oh yeah, a love song to the power of science and mathematics).

... and hey, speaking of mathematics, I am SO loving www.trendweight.com as a way to weigh every day and yet not get discouraged at the inevitable plateaus! The use of "moving averages" as a way to smooth out the frustrating ups-and-downs and let the actual trend show through is just... brilliant! I also love that they estimate the date at which I will reach my UGW, based on how I've done so far. I know I've said this a couple of times in this thread already, but it really is worth checking out (cost: free, btw).

[dancefoxtrot]

@DJC_63

Hi and welcome back.  I'm walking in a local walk just 25 minutes away.  Sad to hear of your depression. Try to focus on 5 things that you are grateful for and remember them often. Low thyroid can cause depression and tiredness, constipation and other issues.  Walk alot.  Sorry about your mother's tantrums.  Often you need a bigger cleaning deposit with cats or dogs but good wishes on finding a place. Do you have a separate life from your mother? Try not to take her behavior personally.  Anger and frustration tends to go with memory loss.  She is probably scared and feels lost under the anger. That said it is not comfortable to have it directed at you.

Just know we are wishing you the best,

Barbara G

[dancefoxtrot]

Good choice to reverse your high A1c readings.  My sister is trying to lower her BG now that she got a prediabetic reading recently.  She has reduced carbs and cals intake and at least dropped 9 or10 lbs within 6 - 7 weeks so hopefully her AM readings will drop.

It is so important to take the warning early or the organs will be destroyed if the BG isn't in control. 

Best,

Barbara G

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63  I'm so glad you posted again!  

Please do not feel bad about not going to Washington.  You have your hands full and this just isn't the time for it.  I'm sure there are rallies where you live and, frankly, if you don't go nothing bad happens.  You have so much you are dealing with.  There will be other times in other ways where you will make your contribution.  Now it is good for you to be taking good care of you - medically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. Even if that means turning off the news for a day and relaxing, doing something pleasant.   You will be with me in spirit and I greatly appreciate that.  Thank you for sharing what the cardiologist said.  You know I think of you and worry.

I have thyroid problems and when it is really off I can get palpitations.  

@dancefoxtrot's words to you about your mom seem very wise to me.  Memory problems are so scary and they often go with some mood problems or at least lowered ability to cope with moods.  

I hope your year is interesting in a wonderful way.  You have a good heart and you deserve a break.

I also hope you keep posting here. 

[_Lilac_]

@dancefoxtrot The two pounds yesterday got me to 40.5 lbs lost. So as of today it was 42.5 lbs. Can't wait for 50!! 

I've got 6500 steps so far today. I need to get my act together. It's 6:30 pm so I might strap on my boots and take the dogs out. We had a couple of inches of snow over the last two days so it's just enough to cover the ice and make it slippery. But they need to go out and I need to go. It's not the best workout for me, since they stop at every pole, bush, tree, but it'll do. 

[_Lilac_]

@Glenda Many of mine are at night. But some happen in the day too. Even if they are only at night, I still get very tired and a bit confused the next day. Today I am low energy and tired. The meds I take are NOT inexpensive. I checked one time and it was over $600/mo if I didn't have medical insurance. My co-pay is only $8. Phew. 

[professorpete]

This is the best forum I've ever seen.  The women here have such spirit and determination and wisdom.  

@sierradreamin17  You said it well when you spoke of what it takes to take care of our health and how that is in keeping with fighting for our rights.

@dancefoxtrot Articulate as always, you seem to live by your values and combine a huge focus on giving to others with doing the right thing for the broader community at large.  Yes, it is not about opening doors or what one woman can negotiate for herself. But about making sure that everyone, including poor women and that woman's daughter, can also negotiate for themselves without being fired, as often happens.  It is about everyone, all those who are poor, in need of medical help,  it is about older women and medicare. 

@Bobbinyc  Thank you for picking up the "soap box".  Your historical perspective makes demonstrating even more meaningful and important.  You also reach out to so many with kindness and wisdom and you live your values too.  I'm sure you have other things to do tomorrow.  You seem to have an endless concern for others.  I appreciate how you speak your mind and it's always with so much heart.

@_Lilac_  You are one powerhouse.  I picture you as a little fireball - energy and fierceness.  I can just see you hearing about the rally and then making a few calls so it triples in size.  And knitting while walking and watching tv?  I love your excitement about going, and that you were finding ways to contribute even when you thought you couldn't march.

I will be marching in Washington tomorrow.  I'll be marching for my mother and my aunts who fought for equality for all people (and who never saw anyone burn a bra - that was started by the media).  I'll be marching for my wife who had to choose between losing her job and being with our children after they were born and who fought so other women could get maternity leave.  If she were still alive, she would be the first one out there.  I'll march for an aunt who was raped, became pregnant and died getting an abortion before it was legal.  I'll march for a cousin who had an emergency c-section because the baby was dying and she could have died too.  I don't want that proceedure to become illegal.

I'll march because I have a daughter and I want her to be safe, and treated respectfully and always spoken to with respect, and not like a sex object.   I'll march because I have a son and expect him to always fight for the rights of everyone, and know that the way our new president speaks of women is totaly unacceptable.

And I'll march because we are focusing on health.  And when we are oppressed our health suffers.  When we speak out with courage, we get stronger.

[sierradreamin17]

@A_Lurker

Thanks for sharing your insights.  I'm impressed that your A1c is normal.  I'll talk to my husband and hopefully he is ready to make changes.  Your post helped me too.  I was just going sugar free for 1 week to test it out.  I think I am going to be a little bit flexible, but continue.

[sierradreamin17]

Since a few people posted that they don't understand the march, this is from one of the pages:

On January 21, 2017 we will unite  to march in solidarity with marchers in Washington, DC for the Women’s March on Washington.( no longer called that, but who cares?) We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families -- recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.

The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us--women, immigrants of all statuses, those with diverse religious faiths particularly Muslim, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Native and Indigenous people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, the economically impoverished and survivors of sexual assault. We are confronted with the question of how to move forward in the face of national and international concern and fear.

In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore. The  March on Washington will send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.

We support the advocacy and resistance movements that reflect our multiple and intersecting identities. We call on all defenders of human rights to join us. This march is the first step towards unifying our communities, grounded in new relationships, to create change from the grassroots level up. We will not rest until women have parity and equity at all levels of leadership in society. We work peacefully while recognizing there is no true peace without justice and equity for all. HEAR OUR VOICE.

[_Lilac_]

As per my post about what other activity I'd do today, I got up and did my marching/stepping at a good clip for 27 min. I was sweating! Usually it records that as 'aerobic workout' but today for some reason it recognized it as 'elliptical' so I'll change it. I hit 10,200 and then my dogs were going bonkers so I took them on our walk. Like I said before, walking the dogs isn't a fantastic workout for me because they stop every little chance they get. But I'd already got 80+ active minutes today so it didn't matter. I'll watch a hockey game, knit and drink more water! Looking forward to some down time. 

[SunsetRunner]

Hi again everyone!

USW: 224.5 lbs (7/6/16)

CSW: 177.0 (12/23/16)

CW: 176.5 (12/30/16) -0.5

CW: 173.5 (01/06/17) -3.0

CW: 171.0 (01/13/17) -2.5

CW: 169.5 (01/20/17) -1.5 lbs

CW: (01/27/17):

CW: (02/03/17):

CW: (02/10/17):

GW: 167 (02/14/17):

UGW: 155

Another good week. A 1.5 lb loss is good. I was able to work out M-F and keep on track with meals and no snacking. As the hours will be picking up at work over the next few months, keeping on track will become more challenging. Wish me luck and thank you all in advance for your support! 

[juli1321]

My weight shot up this morning. Kind of a depressing day in multiple ways. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. I am planning to participate in the local march tomorrow here. We are supposed to have heavy thunderstorms though. I am hoping they will hold out until after.

[GettingfitinSC]

Ok, I've been skimming and skipping a lot lately because this is just turning into a political debate. I hear it everywhere I go; this is supposed to be about encouraging one another and weight loss. Instead I'm starting to avoid it. I have opinions too, and I could join in the discussion, but this isn't the place for it. I do appreciate that the comments have been kind and haven't turned ugly. But this is where I have started turning when I have a gain or loss or struggle with motivation, not to discuss politics. Hope everyone has a great day!

[nmroadrunner]

@GettingfitinSC I wholeheartedly agree. Let's get our focus back.

Keep on Stepping!

[em.kz]

Hello Challenge Community! I am more than happy to announce that since the start of my Fitbit journey I have now lost 5 pounds!!! I know this isn't my official weigh-in day, and I expect that this will fluxuate back up a bit in days to come. However, that doesn't change the fact that at the present moment, I am 5 pounds lighter than when I started! Keep at it, guys!

[_Lilac_]

@em.kz  *high five* Yay way to go!

[_Lilac_]

@nmroadrunner and @GettingfitinSC  I agree that the politics doesn't need to enter these forums, however, in some ways it is relevant. I originally brought up the topic to @Bobbinyc specifically because I knew she'd worked on the campaign for one of the candidates and it was a very stressful time for her, especially during the vote. Due to the stress, she struggled. Others also commented that they'd binged a bit and hadn't got enough activity. As we all know, stress and strong emotions can cause problems with our plans. The politics don't need to enter the picture, but the support for each other at this time is very important. We can also benefit from a sense of personal empowerment, gaining motivation. I got 8300 steps walking to our local gathering, saw an old friend I hadn't seen for 30 yrs, and successfully avoided the temptation of McD's food when I stopped for a coffee to keep warm. Yay me! I'm tired, and although I got my 10,000 steps, I still have more to do, because I'm not going to let my concern about what's going on in the world take over my life and ruin my activity plans today. I still need a 30 min aerobic workout. My thoughts are with those who have participated today because I want them to be safe, empowered and stick to their plans so they can reach their personal goals. 

[GershonSurge]

My short opinion is I'd rather not see politics on the Fitbit Forums except in a special section.

[A_Lurker]

@_Lilac_ - I've seen my weight loss go like that before.  Almost like your body is hanging on then suddenly gives up.  Okay, it's water that causes the ups and downs.  Enjoy them when it's the downs and don't let it bug you if you have an up.