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!!

[professorpete]

To humiliate and bully people for being "overweight" (because they don't look emaciated) is horrible.  This part of the health and life  insurance battle was fought years ago.  It should be over.  This is a major step backwards.  Putting that kind of ignorant name calling into public policy is unconscienable.  I'm so glad that so many are speaking out against that.  

[dgwheeler]

I'm late in joining but better late than never!!

I am a 39 year old, 5'7" female.  I am not currently active but plan to start walking once it warms up a bit and the snow melts!

USW- 194.6

CSW- 182.2 (Dec 29th)

GW- 170   (for Feb 14)

UGW- 135

I began #keto on December 1st.... So I'm excited to actually be losing weight!

[dgwheeler]

I weigh in every Thursday.  Here are my weeks so far...

Dec 29 - 182.2

Jan 5 - 179.6

Jan 12 - 180.2

Jan 19 - 176.8

Jan 26 - 175.6

Feb 2 - 

Feb 9 - 

Feb 14 -             (mid-week for me)

Met Goal???  

[_Lilac_]

---

"I am not currently active but plan to start walking once it warms up a bit and the snow melts!"

Can anyone guess what I'm gonna say???  I know that some people aren't used to cold and snow if it's an unusual occurance in their area. But many of us have it every year and are very used to these conditions. Where I am, we have snow on the ground constantly from November til mid-April. Our temps range from 0C to -30C  (32F to -30F). That's SIX MONTHS of winter conditions. @dgwheeler  I urge you to dig within and question yourself why you are delaying getting active. I know the cold can be uncomfortable, but with layers and if you are out walking, you soon get very warm and need to take off a layer. As someone who walks every day out in snow and on ice, I'm thinking you really just need a good old snowball pummelling of motivation to get going, rather than warmer temps!! *chuck chuck chuck* Put on the shoes/boots, mitts, two layers, a hat/ear warmers, load your pockets with tissues, and get out that door! I'll do it with you. I bet a bunch of people on here will! You will be so happy you did, even if you don't feel like you will before you go. That enthusiasm about your loss will just grow. 

We can do it! *snowflake shaped confetti consumes the room*

---

[dgwheeler]

Haha.  Yeah no.  I am not use to the cold or snow.  I'm from the south (think hot Texas weather) and recently moved to Washington state.  I just recently began even driving somewhere if it's snowy or icy out.  I'm getting better.... I just haven't adapted to the cold yet.  Also completely underestimated the cold and am still slowly trying to get cold more weather clothing/ gear.

I also was aiming for melted snow so maybe by then my toes will be done healing.  No clue what going on with them... the last few times I went out walking my nails turn black and start the falling off process.  I'm already doing the 1/2 size larger on my walking shoes like everyone said to do so this wouldn't happen.  Any ideas on the toe issue?

[em.kz]

It's that time of the week again... My Weekly Weigh-In!

USW - 161.6 (12/25/16)

CSW - 161.6 (12/25/16)

PW - 159.4 (12/30/16)

PW - 158.6 (01/06/17)

PW - 159.6 (01/13/17)

PW - 157.6 (01/20/17)

CW - 157.4 (01/27/17)

CW - (02/03/17)

CW - (02/10/17)

GW - 155 (2/14/17)

UGW #1 - 140

UGW #2 - 135

Wow! It's hard for me to believe that Valentine's Day is just two and a half weeks away! I feel like I have made a lot of improvements since the start of this challenge, not only on the scale, but in my daily habits and my attitude as well. My weigh in today definitely does not demonstrate what I was seeing throughout the beginning of the week. Earlier I had been hovering around 156.8 (It was amazing to see numbers lower than 157 for the first time in a while!), but yesterday it spiked up to 158.6 out of no where, so I'm just happy I came down from that today. I am certainly feeling the time crunch of the last 2.5 weeks of the challenge to lose the last 2.4 pounds! Today I had a particular energy rush and after classes, got to the gym and worked my butt off. It paid off as I reached 10k steps before 3pm for the first time since I've been tracking! One last note on the subject of "payoff", I am finally starting to see some result of my activity in the mirror and am feeling invigorated! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

PS. Sorry if this post was a little all over the place; my mind has been racing around today.

[Bobbinyc]

@dgwheeler About the toes, what did the doctor say?  How far were you walking?  I know when people do the Breast Cancer 3 Day walk, that is often a problem because it is such extreme walking (a marathon a day for 3 days) and they aren't used to it.  Unless you are doing something extreme or your shoes were so tight they hurt, I can't imagine what is causing it.  Do you have any health/circulation problems?  If you have a good doctor or podiatrist, it might be worth finding out.  If it is problem with your feet, the podiatrist can help, maybe recommend a different kind of shoe or insert.  If it's medical, the sooner you know the better.

[dgwheeler]

@Bobbinycmy toe issue... my husband and I normally like to do 5 miles per evening.  We normally do 14-16 min/mile pace.  The toe thing happened the first time after we didn't walk for a while (he was deployed for 6 months) then when he came home we started back up.  The next day both my big toes nails were black and sore.  Within a few days you could see where my nails were detaching from my toes.  I didn't walk for a while after that.  Then when we started walking again  a few months later we did 2 miles and the same thing but not as bad.  Then the next day we did about 3 to 3-1/2 miles and they've been black every since with the nails detaching.  They are healing but I won't walk again until they heal.

I've asked different people who walk a lot and they said wear 1/2 size larger shoe.  I already am doing that.  Someone said try a different style.  I thought about asking my doctor about it after the second time but we moved and I finally have an appt in late February to get established at the new clinic.  No medical issues that I know of.  They've tested me.for a few things but never really thought about my feet.

[GettingfitinSC]

   As always, after a great weigh-in like I had today, where I'm down 3 lbs since Sunday, there were some challenges. First, my class had a field trip, and for lunch, we went to CiCi's Pizza Buffet. I planned ahead, checked how many calories were in a slice and determined how many slices I would eat, along with a salad. The number was half what I would nomally eat at a pizza buffet. It was sheer determination to stop eating, with less than the planned number actually, while most other adults kept returning for more. I also drank water instead of soda, but that's pretty much all I drink now except for the occasional glass of milk. After a light supper, I'm still 200 under calories according to FitBit. 🙂

    I'm a little concerned that the unhealthy lunch will make my weight shoot back up, even though I'm under calories, but we'll see. Another challenge was not getting a morning walk in, which set me behind for the whole day. I was tired this evening and incredibly tempted to let my steps slide for today. Again, sheer determination, and remembering a comment that "the day isn't over yet" from a few weeks ago, got me to get up and turn on a walking video. So, I got my 10,000 steps! Hope everyone had a successful day today!

[Bobbinyc]

@GettingfitinSC  Great job getting in those steps!  "Tomorrow is another day" can be taken as "oh well, I'll just do it tomorrow", or "bad day and I'll figure out why, learn from it, and do better tomorrow".  For me it's about making no excuses, not procrastinating, and also not beating myself up when I get off track for any reason.  Nice work.

[_Lilac_]

I did a 33 min Leslie Sansone 'walk' video last night but for some reason my fitbit recorded it as a 14 minute 'sport'. I don't think it caught my heartrate but it did track the steps. @dgwheeler since you have trouble with your toes while walking outside, perhaps doing these videos might help your activity level. On youtube, there's a 15 min/1 mile and a 33 min/2 mile, as well as others. I do them in my sock feet in my livingroom. This might relieve the pressure on your toes and allow you to get your sweat on without leaving the warmth of your house! 

I went walking at the mall with Mom this morning and we will go again tomorrow. I still have to take my dogs out and then do another 30-40 min workout later. My headcold seems to be very mild and comes and goes. Thank goodness! I was up three times to go to the bathroom in the night so I think a nap is in order this afternoon. When I'm up that often, I know I'm losing. Yay. I am anxious to make my goal. I love being happily surprised!

[SunsetRunner]

Hi everyone! Another week has flown by: 

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

CW: 169.0 (01/27/17) -0.5

CW: (02/03/17):

CW: (02/10/17):

GW: 167 (02/14/17):

UGW: 155

A half pound down this week isn't bad. Always want more but am happy with this. It was kind of a weird week but I was still able to exercise every morning. I'm at a total of 55.5 pounds down and I'm very happy with that! We're going out to dinner tonight so I'll be adjusting my calories throughout the day to plan. It's always hard estimating calories when dining out. 

Have a good week everyone! 

[Florriel]

Hi everyone,

Well another week has gone by and the weight is still the same as last week. TBH it has been a bit up and down this week. Had a couple of days when I was stuck in the office working on the PC and did not manage to get my steps up as high as I would have liked but I did attend all my classes and even had a golf lesson one morning!! It was freezing but it was only at the driving range so not too bad and we did get coffee afterwards thrown in. I am planning for my retirement in a few years when hubby and I plan on spending the winters in the Florida sunshine 🙂

My hubby has now joined my son and I with our fitbits so hopefully I will be able to get him out with me to exercise - as I type this I am waiting for him to finish some work emails so we can walk down into the village for some groceries.

Have to say with my son away at University it has been fun competing with him and his girlfriend on Work Week Hustles and other set challenges, especially as I have been winning them all 🙂 One for the oldies!

This week I have also upgraded my flex to a charge 2 so will look to get some more data to help me lose the weight and get fitter. Even with not losing as much as I would have liked by now I can feel the difference in my fitness levels so that is a good thing. Hopefully when I go for my diabetes check up next month I will see a difference there too as I do not want to have to start taking meds to control my sugar levels.

with only a couple of weeks until this particular challenge ends I have just 2lbs to lose to reach my Valentines target so heres to some raised heart rates and fat burning in the upcoming week.

Have a good weekend everyone, your comments and stories really help to keep me motivated x

[_Lilac_]

@SunsetRunner  Yay for 55.5 lbs!!!! What a great number!!! 

@A_Lurker  How does 99.9 feel? haha. 

My newest goal is to hit one of those triple numbers. I'm almost at 44.4. Ohh. That sounds good too. 

SG81, you've done a great job. I'm sure you are so proud of yourself.

[Brujita]

My schedule isnt as busy as it sounds currently.  My oldest is currently not swimming so that frees up a lot of our family time. Normally thats a 3x/week practice followed by a swim meet 1-2x/month. As for my youngest- its winter so soccer is currently limited. indoor soccer on sundays and a training practice every few weeks. When the girls are at school I'm home with the little girl I watch. Shes 2. I am actually able to do plenty in home with her. I clean and I can exercise if I time it right. the elliptical is in the basement so it has to be done when shes napping but the weight bench is in my room so that can be done if i turn on some cartoons for her. But honestly i save the elliptical for the end of the day before bed to push in on any steps i may have missed. Though I prefer to get it all out of the way in the AM. Im a huge procrastinator so thats my biggest wall right now. Once spring/warmer weather comes around I can start going for walks and to the park with the little girl. 

This week has only seen steps in the highs of 3k, i've been sleeping a lot. fighting off this head cold. I dont recall feeling this miserable in quite some time. which has coincided with my cycle which is normally a non-issue but this one is accompanied by lower back pain. I've been doing the bare minimum all week, well as much as ones a parent. I'm finally starting to come around and feeling a lot better. we shall see what the scale says come tuesday but im not too concerned.

[Brujita]

if you dont mind me asking- where in WA state? we moved from there back in jan 2014 and i miss it tremendously. We lived on the western side of WA. I'm originally from San Diego and also moved to WA unprepared for the cold- jeans and converse  We now live in IL and know better. They call it CHIbiria because its so cold out here. this winter has been pretty mild though. I would check out goodwill or thrift stores for cold gear. people start to get rid of that kind of stuff around this time of year. especially if your losing weight its no use in buying something full price if you intend to get rid of it soonish. 

[dgwheeler]

@_Lilac_ I've never seen walking videos.  I'll have to check that out... Thanks.

[dgwheeler]

@Brujita We are in Selah.  Not sure what part of Washington that is.  I think it looks sort of central but someone told me no it was something else 😕  Everyone has said this winter had been worse than normal.  Same thing happened to us when we moved to CO in 2000, worst winter in years 😕  I haven't been in snow since 2002, so its taking some getting use to!

We'll be here next winter also then hopefully we'll move to a warm weather state.  I'll check out the goodwill there are like 2 or 3 pretty close to where we live.

[_Lilac_]

@dgwheeler  According to google maps, it looks pretty central to me! haha. 

[SunsetRunner]

After following a lot of your's advice, I am able to easily meet my step goals on spin class days. I thread my Blaze through the shoe strings of my bike shoes. I was getting less than 2000 steps per class, now I'm getting over 5000. That sure makes a difference. I have also been exceeding the 10000 steps per day every day. I hope it shows on the scale this week. I've been doing pretty well but all the stuff that is going on in our country is making want to eat and have a few stiff drinks! I haven't had any alcohol in almost a month - it makes a huge difference in weight loss.