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]

@FlorrielMajor congrats to you for hitting your goal early!

I am going to try to get my self in the swing of using my crock pot more often.

[HeartBiller]

@_Lilac_I'm glad your pain is gone. Them mystery's can be a pain in the behind.

I love getting on here and reading all the adventures and daily inspiring posts. I really think this group keeps me focused.

Today is GoRed Day. I work in a Cardiology clinic, so today we all had to wear red and are having a group picture taken. So, I didn't own anything red...(not sure why..lol) but anyhow, I decided yesterday to go look for something. Well I found some good sales so I ended up with a whole new outfit. and I want to say I could not have been more happy that I walked out of the store with a size 12 jeans and a medium sweater. I know it has been at least 20 years since I have even seen a glimpse of these sizes for myself. I can't lie, it absolutely made my day. I have never been able to shop in the "regular" sizes. My whole adult life, minus the brief time I was on diet pills, I have always had to shop in the plus sizes. TMI alert: For some reason, the makers of plus size clothes must think all plus size people have big boobs and are tall. Well they do not and they are not...lol. It has always been a struggle to find a top that did not have darts where your boobs are suppose to be, to make you look crazy when you don't have enough to fill it out..lol. OK TMI over... Anyhow, I got a nice RED sweater and a pair of black jeans, and I am super super happy about them... Sorry had to share my excitement. I told my husband that things like this gives you the drive to want to keep going and make your ultimate goal.

I made my 10,000 steps yesterday for the first time in a few weeks. I really want to get my focus back and get back on track. It is a little hard to get them all in when you seat at a desk all day.. BUT I will persevere and move forward.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day! I hope to get a pound or two (maybe 3) off for my Tuesday weigh in. I am going to get back to my 45 pound mark! (Determined)

[HeartBiller]

@dgwheelerYou are doing amazing! Congrats

[HeartBiller]

@Gayle1018You have done so great. Congrats! I am like you, I just love this group!

[dgwheeler]

@HeartBiller congrats on getting into a size 12!!

But on your TMI part... that is so true!  I love to shop at Cato's and I generally wear the 1x shirts.  Luckily the size XL there fits about the same so I would wear that one instead.  The issue is once you hit 1x and larger, yes!  The shoulders are broader and the boob area so much bigger!  I do not have broad shoulders nor big boobs.  I have a big belly.  Maternity clothes fit the best to be honest haha but I refuse to wea rthem since I'm not pregnant and get tired of people asking.

[_Lilac_]

Regarding the crock pot/slow cooker. I'm never thrilled with the TASTE of the food I put in it. There seems to be a pervasive flavor that affects everything I make. I've used two different ones and I get the same result. Soooo, I need to figure out what I can make that will be tasty. I cook just for me and tend to avoid leftovers, unless it's AMAZING. I look forward to some suggestions!

[_Lilac_]

I was down 1lb this morning, putting me at 1.4lbs to Valentine's goal. My calorie burn and calorie deficit should be showing more loss than this, so I dunno what's up. So many things run through my mind...am I eating enough? Am I eating too much and not tracking it properly? Am I drinking enough water? Am I drinking too much coffee? Eating too much salt? Even though I get lots of steps, is it enough? I am doing workouts but are they intense enough? Am I working out too much? Am I overthinking it all?? hahaha. I think I am.

I'm losing (though slowly). I'm feeling good. I'm feeling my clothes expanding around me. I have to do some sewing to take in almost every pair of pants I own. 

I was in Walmart earlier and I was hungry. I'd gone walking without eating breakfast. So, my eyes kept roving to the junk around me, and it's all junk! I don't buy or eat it but I usually have the ability to ignore it. Today, it's all I saw. I purchased yogurt and onions. 

When knowing I'm going walking with Mom, I need to get up earlier and eat. Otherwise I don't get breakfast until after I return at 10:00 am and I'm walking empty. It's almost 6pm now and I had my 'lunch' at 4pm. I'm at 900 calories consumed with an expected 4k calories burned for the day. This might be my problem. I need to rein in my schedule. 

Ok, I have a plan.

I'm finding that by watching the news more, getting involved in local events, spending time with my sister, walking with Mom, going out, I'm not getting my housework done. I'm putting off stuff that needs to get done. So, I think I'm going to spend my evening catching up on the things I've avoided in my stress. I disputed a diagnosis of 'anxiety' issues a few years ago but I've come to recognize it in myself, a feeling of chaos (ie life) overwhelms me and I hide from it. Part of this journey in improving my health, besides losing this excess weight, is taking care of my mental health and how I deal with pressures. 

I force myself away from the junk at Walmart and I force myself to do my dishes and laundry. And the next time, it's not so hard...I just do it without thinking. Life huh?

Okay, time to get off my butt and journey to the washing machine. Then I'll do a workout and dishes. Have a great night.

[em.kz]

Almost to the final 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 - 156.6 (02/03/17)

CW - (02/10/17)

FW - (2/14/17)

GW - 155 (2/14/17)

UGW #1 - 140

UGW #2 - 135

This last week has gone pretty well! I did a good job controling myself when faced with the "peer pressure" when all my friends got ice cream in the dining hall. I'm not entirely sure how this final week and a half will go. With 1.6 lbs left, I'm going to be cutting it close to make my goal of 155. I think if I want to see that number on the scale I am going to need a bit of a drop within the next week... we'll see how it goes!

[almost_where]

@HeartBiller

Big congrats on the size 12 jeans and medium sweater nsvs!!!

[almost_where]

@em.kz

You have a nice consistant drop going so hats off to ya.

[DJC_63]

@HeartBiller, congratulations! That had to be a great feeling. You should be very proud. It's stories like yours that give me hope, because I know what it's like when you sit at a desk all day. You are right, when you achieve something that gives you so much motivation to keep doing it. I've been going in the reverse direction and you reminded me how good it feels when you accomplish your goals.  Thanks!

[BLLingg]

@Gayle1018, regarding your Message# 851, I'm always happy when someone else acknowledges that they're Human!!!  I can't handle PERFECT people! 

[BLLingg]

VERY relieved to hear that your pain (Message# 849) was just a one Day Hiccup (Message# 856), @_Lilac_!!! 

[BLLingg]

Re Message# 862, @HeartBiller, I know how it feels!  I've had to buy new Britches and Shirts since I was getting razzed at Work for having Pants that were practically falling off and Tops that were Knee Length instead of Mid Hip !!! 

Last week, I went through my Pants Pile and washed a load of them at Home then took them to the Laundromat to Dry.  3 "small" Garbage Bags worth!  From there, they went straight to the 2nd Hand Store run by our local Senior Center!!!  Tops will be next.

[em.kz]

@almost_where Thank you! I'm doing my best to keep them going like that.

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi all,

I have been busy with work and not dropping by here.  My scale died even with new batteries it is defunct.  Thinking about getting the Aria scale.  Does anyone have one and does it work well? I think it measures fat and muscle and I don't know how. 

Please let me know what you think.

Just read some posts and it looks like you all are doing well. 

My nose wound is healing and I'm back to dancing and teaching. Knee still sore some days more than others.  Got my 2nd shot in knee yesterday.

Best,

Barbara G

[GershonSurge]

I have an Aria scale that died after 16 months. Fortunately, Fitbit replaced it without charge. I wasn't expecting that. If you get one, order directly from Fitbit so it can be returned in the first 45 days. It uses an old internet protocol that may not be available from your provider. Maybe someone will give the details.

The Aria displays body fat percentage when you step on it. You can get lean mass, lean percentage, fat mass and fat percentage in the application. Take these numbers with a grain of salt. They are good enough to measure trends, but shouldn't be considered especially accurate.

I like that the Aria logs the data to Fitbit. 

The scale should rest on a hard surface. Try to avoid moving it. Especially, don't hold it vertical or it takes a few weighings to recalibrate. I find it works best if I weigh myself only once at each weighing even if the weight seems off. 

Overall, I'm happy with the Aria.

[nightswimming]

@dancefoxtrot I find the Aria to be fantastic. The best thing for me is that the numbers go straight to your account, no need to even look at the screen which is great for me as I am very short-sighted!

It gives you an estimate of your fat %, and then you can see a graph of fat and "lean" which is everything that is not fat. Link your account to trendweight.com for clearer graphs. It does not do water or muscle %.

Do not expect the fat % to be truly accurate, the technology used is an estimate at best. It works by sending a tiny electrical current up one leg and down the other, then uses the resistance encountered to estimate your body fat taking into account your age, height, weight, and gender. It does give you an idea of where you are and allows you to see that things are going in the right direction.

I find it important to step on the scale the same way every day, the same foot first and in the same position as near as possible. Find a place with a firm, flat floor where the scale can stay as it should not be moved. This helps to keep the readings consistent.

In short, as you need a new scale anyway, go for it!

[SunsetRunner]

Hi everyone! Another week closer to finishing this challenge: 

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: 168.0 (02/03/17) -1.0

CW: (02/10/17):

GW: 167 (02/14/17):

UGW: 155

Only 10 days and 1 pound left to go for this challenge!  It was a good week and was able to exercise M-F and hit my step goal each of those days. I slack on weekends just because... 🙂 Today I'm just really tired and my husband has a nasty cold that I'm trying not to catch. I finished all my errands this morning, put in 2.5 hours of work time, and now I'm thinking a nap is in my very near future! 

Have a good week! 

[_Lilac_]

Mom called me unexpectedly this morning to go walking so I jumped up and got dressed. I was having a very weird dream about staying in a hotel in NYC with my small dog and Trump's goons were in the next room watching me through secret cameras and set off the alarm to clear the place because they thought I was a militant agitator (I am watching way too much news). Mom arrived within 20 min. and we did our 4 laps of the mall. It was -21C/-6F when I got home and the dogs were begging to go out so I took them up the block. As we turned the corner they began to limp with cold feet, so I took them home. I've had to repeat this again this afternoon when they refused to believe me that it wasn't now balmy like Miami or something. Up the block, limp limp, turn around to go home. I did a workout in the livingroom, allowing me to meet my 11,000 step goal and 4k calories burned, however, for some reason my fitbit isn't syncing. I think it must be Trump's goons' equipment causing interference with the signal. I finished knitting a hat, I started a colourful headband and now I'm going to either work on a purse or do another hat but in a different style. 

I brought out my slowcooker/crockpot and threw in a pork roast with a can of diced tomatoes, tons of curry seasoning, celery, green pepper and onions. I'll shred the meat. My daughter LOVES curry. 

I got my laundry done (yay I'm lounging in my fav jammies), dishes done, paid my bills, vacuumed, what a day! 

I want to get some writing done but it requires uninterupted time, and the dogs don't give me that. If I'm knitting I can simply put it down and come back to it, but writing requires brain recalibration. 

My eating is ok, I had an extra slice of bread today I don't usually have, and I haven't had enough veggies yet, but I still have to have dinner. I have a good salad mix and I might boil up some carrots and rutabaga and squash. Mmmm...gotta love orange veggies! Oh no, that reminds me of the news again...out, out, get outta my head. 

Have a great night everyone. Weigh in day for some of us. Much success and happiness!