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!!

[_Lilac_]

I did a long, vigorous workout tonight in my livingroom, walked with Mom, took the dogs out in the afternoon, and have been sitting to knit a very soft, warm hat and watching the news. Ugh. I haven't eaten enough today but I've had lots of water and plain hot tea. I haven't even hit 1000 calories, so I need a snack...or three.

We are going to walk the mall again tomorrow. It's a good opportunity to chat and keep motivation going. Mom and I discuss recipes and how good we feel. She's so happy with her fitbit and being able to track everything. She's lost more since starting this than she had in 6 months of trying using her old method. 

@SunsetRunner I'm glad you found a way to get your steps tracked during spin class. I sometimes put my blaze in my sock at the ankle but I don't always get an accurate heartrate by doing that, though sometimes I do. It's all about placement. It tracks more steps than when I wear it on my wrist, because I'm not always moving my arm during activity.

Weigh in is almost here again. I hope everyone has success and feels great. Keep chugging along. I love having you all on this journey with me!

[A_Lurker]

@Bobbinyc- I'm playing catch up tonight and wasn't going to post much, however, I have to give you a big cheer for the weight drop! 

[A_Lurker]

@BLLingg- it's funny that you mentioned padding on the back side.  I was in more meetings this week than normal, including a longer one.  Even though I still have plenty of padding still I'm definitely less comfortable sitting for long periods of time.

[A_Lurker]

@_Lilac_- I stepped on the scale mid-week and I'm doing the lunch thing tomorrow so I think perhaps I'll get to 100.x tomorrow morning.  Assuming I get there tomorrow that puts me close to 150 pounds from my top weight.  Sadly it still is only a stop along the way.  We all just need to keep working towards a better life.  I believe in the end that the weight will take care of itself.

[GettingfitinSC]

Ok it's weigh-in time! When (not if) when I meet my goal of 10,000 steps today, I will have my first stretch of 7 days meeting my step goal. I'm looking forward to having all green bars on my Dashboard! I'm very close to my goal weigh for Valentine's Day. Just -0.4 lbs left. Of course, I'll just make a new goal after that. I have about 100 lbs to go and it feels like 1000. It feels really good that I've lost this much, but even better that I have much more stamina, and I've kept up a walking routine for over 1 month now. No matter what I've done in the past to lose weight, I've always given up before the first month was up. 

This time, however, I'm ready to up my goals after a month, instead of giving up or having to start over. I've already moved up from 8000 to 10,000 steps. I think I'll keep that for now, but hope to move it up to 12,000 after Valentine's Day. This week, I'm going to add in some workouts, like wall pushups, squats, etc. I'll try to do 15 min at least 3 times a week to start off and see how that works. 

Ok, here are my numbers:

USW/CSW= 235 lbs

GW= 225 lbs (MET 1/29/17!)

NGW (New Goal Weight for Valentine's)= 220

UGW= 125 lbs

PW= 228.3

CW= 224.5 (-3.8 lbs this week)

Down -10.5 lbs since Christmas!

Here's to Happy Weigh-ins for Everyone today!

[BLLingg]

Regarding your Message# 783, @A_Lurker,   LOL. 

It really is joyfully  saddening  and oh so true !

[IdahoSandy]

Sunday 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)
PW 174.7 (1/22/17)
CW 173.6 (1/29/17)
GW 169.8 (by 2/14/17)
UGW 158 (5/22/17)

We finally had our first full week of school!  However I didn't go to the gym all week. I have my running shoes on now and hitting the gym after I post this message. 

Have a a great week everyone!

[SunsetRunner]

Thank you @_Lilac_! Yes I am proud of my progress and look forward to staying on track. I love the Leslie Sansone walking videos. @dgwheeler definitely check out the walking videos. there are a lot of good ones for every fitness level. 

Great job @GettingfitinSC and @IdahoSandy!! Keep up the good work!

@A_Lurker what an awesome achievement! Congratulations!

[A_Lurker]

---

@A_Lurker wrote:

USW- 407

CSW- 360 (Feb 2016)

PW - 263.0 (1/15/17)

CW - 261.4 (-1.6 lbs)

GW- 254.4   (for Feb 14)

UGW- No idea yet 

---

Changing up my post a little this week:

  

CW: 259.8

So, from Feb 2016 that's 100.2 pounds down.  It's not quite 52 weeks, but I use that as a counter.  That means it's 1.93 lbs/week.  It's a milestone I have mixed emotions about.  It's a great accomplishment, but I feel the diet/workout burnout pulling at me.    I idled around Christmas so I don't need a refeed, but I feel like I need a break.  From what I don't know.  There's also some work stuff going on, and that is probably not helping.

Anyway, next week back to the usual format.  Have a good week everyone.  I'm not logging on as much but I do eventually catch up on how everyone is doing.

[almost_where]

@A_Lurker   big congrats!!

[almost_where]

@Bobbinyc

Sorry was away for a bit and had to scroll back to find it. Congrats on your successful weigh-in, YOU definitely earmed it.

[almost_where]

Christmas Weight = 267

Sunday-1 - 270 -  (01/01)
Sunday-2 - 269 -  (01/08) (Weigh in was on 1/10 due to no scale avail)
Sunday-3 - 264 -  (01/15)
Sunday-4 - 262 -  (01/22)
Sunday-5 - 268 - (01/29)
Sunday-6 - (02/05)
Sunday-7 - (02/12)
Valentine's Day Goal 255

+6 lbs

Well I had a lot of "cheat" this week and picked up a few passengers ( Ms Little Debby, Ms Hostess & Ms Pizza) on a late late car trip back from nyc just before the weigh in. Time to get back to busines on Monday.

[GettingfitinSC]

@A_Lurker Congratulations! That's awesome! Don't give up now. You are an inspiration to a lot of people on here and I'm sure others who know you as well. Have you considered speaking to a group who wants to start on their weight loss journey and giving tips and advice? Or even writing something to contribute to a magazine? I'm not sure where to start, but something like that might give you a 'boost' to keep going.

[GettingfitinSC]

It is not easy getting 10,000 steps on weekends. I didn't think I was going to make it, but I turned on the Leslie Sansone 1 mile Happy Walk. It got me to 5000, so I continued with the 1 mile Express Walk. I was still only at 7000, so I turned on the 2 mile Fat Burn Walk. I really proved something to myself. I made it to 10,000 steps and walked about 3.5 miles in 52 min. That's a first for me. I've gotten that many Active Minutes before (more sometimes) but no more than 30 min at a time. I stopped before the end of the 2 mile, but realized I could have continued if my toddler hadn't needed my attention. My legs feel like jelly, but I feel great!

[GettingfitinSC]

@almost_where A big jump like that should jump back off pretty quickly. I've done that midweek but by weigh in day it's back down. It's good that you know what caused it and can work to drop it off again. 🙂

[A_Lurker]

@almost_where- you beat me to the 100 lbs down, but it's never been a race.  I'm not sure I specifically gave you a congrats (I've been skimming a lot late at night).  So congrats yourself!  The bounce back is very definitely mostly water.  A few days and it will start to drop away.

@GettingfitinSC- I don't plan to give up, but I've always had an all or nothing mentality.  I know I can slow the exercise down and eat less and likely get pretty much the same result.  Mentally I'm just having a problem doing that.  I'll figure something out.  I have a stressful couple of days coming up at work.  I should have gone in to work today but couldn't motivate myself to do it.  I'll have to deal with that as well.

[_Lilac_]

@A_Lurker  You have increased your step count drastically with a 20,000 target each day. You are tired!!! I'm exhausted for you! I don't doubt you need a bit of a break. Maybe it's just too much to sustain. You are going through stress and uncertainty. Do something good for yourself, something fun. Get away from it all. Come visit me! haha.

You shouldn't check in here less. You might need more support and friendship. Your struggles are the struggles of everyone here, whether we've hit them yet or not. We need you, as a mentor and an example of strength. I depend on your wisdom.

If you are tired, rest.  I was told that a bunch of times this week!

[A_Lurker]

@_Lilac_- I know, I'm bad at taking my own advice.  If I'm ever going to visit you though it will NOT be at this time of year.  I think I need to do what I said I was going to do in the new year - focus on quality of exercise, not quantity.  Sometimes I'm doing steps just to hit a number.  I'm mostly recovered from my pulled/twisted whatever, so I should get back to that.  You're right, I suspect I need some rest.

[_Lilac_]

What a big day today! Mom and I were at the mall by 8:30am and did our 4 laps. We increased our pace so it was a really good workout. When I got home the dogs were bugging and bugging so I took them for their individual walks. My next door neighbour was out on his walk and we met up with him. He said it was very noticable that I'd lost weight. (Yay) He and his wife had started Weight Watchers a few months before I got my fitbit. They've also lost a lot. I hit 10,000 steps by noon. We had a great nap this afternoon and I awoke STARVING. I couldn't understand why, thinking it was because I hadn't eaten enough yesterday. Then I realized I'd gone to nap without having lunch! I took another walk to the pharmacy tonight. I passed all the junk food, witnessed people picking up big chip bags, ice cream, loading their carts with soda, and avoided all of it. My favourite giant chocolate bar was on sale half price but I sneered at it. Victory! I bought smoke detector batteries and dishsoap. Exciting, huh? 

I have almost 15,000 steps for the day. I still have a meal to eat but since it's late I'll make it a light one. I might go to the pool in the morning for water aerobics. I didn't go at all last week, getting all my exercise in other ways. I'm now finding the workout isn't strenuous enough anymore. I guess I've moved up in the world? haha. I'll have to re-think my membership, since it's a hefty sum for someone on disability benefits. I never use the gym at the YMCA, just the pool. I hate the gym and avoid it at all costs. I might hang onto it for a bit, as it offers me some variety. 

I'm feeling encouraged today. My stretchy sweatpants are feeling loose. I'll weigh in the morning. Mom also felt her clothes are getting big. Success all around. 

I hope everyone had progress this week and is feeling great. 

[_Lilac_]

@A_Lurker  Ya, this is a tough time of year to visit. That ice storm is still affecting parts of the province, power is out still AND people are dying from running generators and BBQ's indoors!! We just had the red screen emergency alert come across our tvs and I thought, "What the heck is going on down south NOW?" but it was a warning about the carbon monoxide dangers. Remember that bad storm a few years ago when people in Quebec were doing the same thing? We have 4 first nations areas and many of them are without power. The premier is helping out.

Maybe you can visit in the spring or summer, when the weather will be more cooperative.