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!!

[Glenda]

                                    Bogdel,  You made a comment about the Women's March but then didn't want anyone else to also comment on it?    Maybe you could lead us and not comment on political activities?

[Bogdel]

@Glenda, I am surprised to hear that Texas does not allow over-the-counter birth control or sex education.I just looked on line and this is what I found: 

1. While abstinence is the best birth control for unmarried women, there are solution for birth control for under age, low income, sexually active girls, including condos and pills. I assume that most of them have access to the Internet. Since their life is at stake, they should take responsibility and look on line. Here is one website that provides that information: https://janesdueprocess.org/need-birth-control/

2. If birth control is unavailable over-the-counter, in Texas, they are available on line. I just checked on amazon.com, and I saw lots of options. Here is the link: 

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=birth+control+pi...

[Bogdel]

@GershonSurge, I agree. 

[_Lilac_]

@GershonSurge I think some people come to the forums every couple of days and start from where they left off without reading ahead, so they might not know that we've already discussed stopping the political conversation. Hopefully, it will be under control soon.

[Bogdel]

@Glenda, The only reason I commented on it was to answer some questions about the women's march and to also show that everyone is not on the same page on this topic. Once I did that, I recommend that we do not transform this forum into a political debate. There are plenty of websites designated for that purpose. However, if someone continues to promote their political views here, with all due respect,  I will reserve the right to reply and assert my own view (we are all equal, aren't we?). There are many women like me who do not approve the actions or share the views of these protesters. 

So, again, let's stop this right now and get back to what we have in common: desire for a healthy body and a healthy life-style. 

[Bogdel]

@_Lilac_, I am guilty as charged. I just came back from my vacation and I only read the comments made on the most recent page. I can't promise to read ALL previous posts - although I always enjoy reading yours 🙂 - but I will read as many as possible, and focus on those that are relevant to our common objective. 

[IdahoSandy]

Weekly weigh in!

CHRISTMAS TO VALENTINES
USW 208 lbs (5/22/16)
CSW 181.9 (1/1/17)
PW 177.7 (1/8/17)
PW 177.5 (1/15/17)
CW 174.7 (1/22/17)
GW 169.8 (by 2/14/17)
UGW 158 (5/22/17)

I hope I get my -35 pound badge this week!  Cheers everyone!

[Bogdel]

@sierradreamin17, I'd like to second @A_Lurker, and tell you how blessed I am. I was able to lower my Blood Glucose (BG) as well, just by removing everything that is white (anything with sugar, flower, rise, and patatos), and replacing it with raw and cooked vegetables. Occasionally, I did have some milk with my tea or coffee, and I used lean meet, but only as a condiment, not an aliment. You may also share this link with your husband;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pjkC71exKU

I found it very inspiring, and although I did not go to the same extreme, I adoped the principels of this story to my own needs. My BG is normal now. 

[Bogdel]

@em.kz. Congrats on your fitbit and weight loss! This is just the beginning. I got mine last year, this time, and lost 38 lbs. Well, I gained some of them back over the holidays, but now I know what I need to do to loose them and will never go back to where I was. 

Keep it up, @em.kz. Best wishes to you!

[A_Lurker]

Just so there is no confusion, I eat a wide variety of foods.  I credit my overall weight loss with the dropped blood glucose and A1C levels.  Although my overall diet might be considered cleaner than it was, my issues as a whole were quantities of food, not quality of food.   

[Cele21]

USW- 215.0

CSW- 213.4

LW- 213.2

CW- 212.0

GW- 199.4

UGW- 150

So my goal for this challenge was rather ambitious but I'm leaving it to see how close I can come.

I'm down this week (an unexpected pleasure) and my mood is getting better. Was able to spend some time out in the sun (unseasonable 45 degrees here yesterday) running errands and I think that little bit of exposure helped my seratonin level. Here's to more sunny days! I don't even care if it's cold, just as long as the sun comes out.

[DJC_63]

@A_Lurker  Wow! You're doing great! I wish that I could do as well as you. I know what you mean about injuries/pain stretching out longer than it should. I sometimes overdo activity (usually cleaning is my big one), then my back will hurt to the point I can't even bend over, but I still can't make myself do nothing at all until it feels better. I was laying on the floor tonight trying to do some stretching to make my back feel better, and I had a hard time finding a way to get back up.  When you are working toward a goal doing nothing feels like wasting time.

Anyhow, take care of yourself AND keep up the good work! 

[DJC_63]

Lilac I couldn't have said this better myself. I've been reading through the posts where people say they don't want to talk about politics and thinking, "but what if the stress brought on by all of this makes one depressed to the point where they don't have the energy to do anything?" or what if we indulge in comfort food because we're upset? It is relevant in those circumstances and I don't feel like it's any different than when people talk about religion here. I can understand not having long posts about the issues if it upsets people, but saying briefly that you're getting a bunch of steps in because you're marching, or that you ate a bunch of chocolate because you were upset is perfectly acceptable, imo.  Personally I like reading the posts of the women here who are so involved. If I see a post that I'm bothered by or just not interested in, I skip it and go to another. No big deal.

That said, I am more angry than anything else these past few days so I have more energy than usual. If only I had more time, too.

---

@_Lilac_ wrote:

@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. 

---

[DJC_63]

@Bobbinyc @dancefoxtrot Thanks ladies for your kind messages. Since last week I find I'm less depressed and more angry, so I used my energy last week to exercise more. My back isn't very happy about some cleaning that I did yesterday, though. Anything that requires lots of bending over wrecks my back.

My weight is slowly going back down, little by little. I tend to do more muscle-building workouts in winter (vs. cardio), so some of the weight gain may be from that. Here's where I am as of today:

USW:  207.5

SW 1/1/17 - 190.3

1/7/17 -195.4

1/14/17 - 193.2

1/22/17 - 192.8

GW - 189.0

UGW - 160.00

[ToniaLynne]

Im in!! I started after xmas when i got a fit bit for the first time....so its all new to me...getting the hang of it now tho...

USW--178 lbs

CSW--174.5 lbs

GW--140 lbs

Takes me a couple weeks to get into the rythm of exercising every day but im there now!!! 

Miramichi, NB CANADA!!!!

[DJC_63]

@Bobbinyc, @dancefoxtrot  and several others of you who wrote such inspiring messages...  Bless you and THANK YOU for clearly outlining what the marches were about since several people didn't seem to have any idea.  As I said, I couldn't do those (even if I could have went my back would not allow me to do a day of standing and walking).  But believe me, everything that has happened in politics this year has galvanized me. I am seriously looking into law school in response to what has happened. I have worked in law firms in the IT department for most of my career, and while I don't desire to be a "typical" lawyer, I see the advantages of having a legal education. I'm also quite sure that I have the skills to do well. The time to do it might be a problem, but I have to at least try.

I have to agree with what @_Lilac_ wrote. For some of us politics have a direct effect on our mood, our activity level, and what kinds of food we eat. That directly affects our health. I can understand that some may not want to talk at length about each of our viewpoints and party affiliations, but I think saying that the things that are happening are affecting us negatively or positively (like getting lots of steps in a march) is fine. It is no different than people who like to mention their religious beliefs.

I hope that those of you who don't agree with the marches and/or who don't want equal rights, etc., realize how fortunate you are to be married and have 2 incomes, or maybe even just 1 income that allows you to have a nice life. I would have loved to have that advantage in my life. I moved out on my own when I was 20, mostly because my mother was physically and verbally abusive. I have always been my only source of financial support, and it has not been easy. I came from a blue-collar, rural background where there was very little opportunity to find any job, let alone a good one. I put myself through college, which took me 12 years because I could only go part-time while I worked full-time. I was the first person in my family to get a degree. I have grabbed any opportunity I could to get better work experience, and I've sacrificed a lot. I have never been able to save more than 1,000.00, and that only happened once. I could only dream about a month-long vacation! For these reasons I am very invested in what politicians do that might affect my life. 

I just had to say this, now I'll go back to talking about my motivations, frustrations, goals, achievements, etc. in regards to health and weight.

[BLLingg]

Y'all should have seen me, getting my Steps in Yesterday!  I agree, @_Lilac_, that stop and go is frustrating!  But I was in 2 Weekend Warrior Challenges and wound up in the ER before I had 5K Steps! 

My Equilibrium is acting up.  Ain't Dehydration!  They were concerned that it's related to my Cranial Aneurysm.  Hence the ER.  But the CT Scan found nothing.  So my Aneurysm Neurologist (Surgical) is content and I'm being sent to a new Neurologist (not Surgical.)  They think it's probably something to do with my Inner Ear. 

Anyway, bottom Line is that I was in the Challenges, hadn't made my 10K yet, and didn't believe I could.  UNTIL I read the Comments in one of my Challenges that were so encouraging that I began walking in the ER!  First the Waiting Room.  Then the ER Privacy Room.  Then, once I had the ER Doctor's permission, in the ER.  Circuits around the Nurses' Station.  Stopping & going.  Dodging Doctors & Nurses, new Patients, EMS Personnel, etc!  At first, I'm sure they all thought I was there due to some kind of an Insanity Issue.  But as the Hours went by, I began to get inquiries and positive Feedback from some of them!  Several asked me how many Laps I had done.  I said I counted Steps, not Laps.  It was hysterical!!!  Couldn't walk steadily, had to rest every 600 or so Steps.  And I was walking like a Drunken Sailor.  But I DID it!!!  I got my 10K in BEFORE they released me!!

AND in the Privacy Room next to me, there was a Woman doing modified Jumping Jacks.  When I told her, "When there's a Will, there's a Way," she replied, "I should just be following you!"  That was all we said, but we sure smiled a lot when I passed the Room she was in!!!  (She wasn't the Patient.)

[BLLingg]

@GettingfitinSCand everyone else, please accept my apology for asking such a fiery Question then getting up on my Soap Box and turning this once Healthy and Encouraging Discussion into a Political Nightmare! 

It's getting really hard for me to even want to come in here now!  I now skip every Message that begins with that Subject!

[BLLingg]

Question, @A_Lurker:  My Scales (Surpahs) give me Weight, Fat %, Water %, Muscle %, and Bone #s.  Even when my Water % goes up, my Weight will go down and my Fat % is going down.  What would be causing that?????  (My Water % is almost at the Highest "Normal" Level - 47.9%)

I have a History of Massive Blood Clots in Ankle, Calf, & Lung.  Could that be affecting it?  The Doctor says the Blood Clots are gone now.  But my Right Leg is larger than my Left at Ankle, Calf, and Knee.

[Glenda]

                                    Muscle building question:  Do you all think it is easier to build a habit or routine doing a  relatively long exercise session 3 times a week or exercise muscles everyday for 15 minutes.