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!!

[GettingfitinSC]

This has been a great week with getting my steps in. So far the scale doesn't show it really (1/2 pound loss since Sunday), but I wore a pair of jeans today that I haven't worn in about 2 weeks, and they are a good bit looser. They had gotten uncomfortable tight over the last few months, and it was to the point of unbuttoning them almost every time I sat down. I didn't have to unbutton them at all today. 🙂 

Also, since I met my step goal most days this week, (every day except the weekend) I just upped my step goal to 10,000 from 8,000 and my activity minutes from 20 to 40 minutes. 

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was able to jog two laps at a time at the gym at my school (jog 2, walk 1.) Of course my jog is a taller person's normal walk (I'm only 5 foot even) but still for me, that was a huge thing. When I started walking this past August (pre-FitBit) I couldn't even jog 1 lap, much less 2 laps, and and I barely lasted 10 minutes without getting out of breath. I gave up after about a week of walking. I've been with FitBit for 3 weeks now, and I'm increasing my steps and stamina regularly. It has really helped with having reasonable goals, data tracking, and a Community for support. 

Thanks everyone! Hope you all have a great night! 

[GettingfitinSC]

@SunsetRunner I have problems with snacking at work also, or not eating my lunch from home and choosing higher calorie food that always looks better than what I brought. I have started this week going ahead and logging the food I pack for lunch while I'm still at home after I eat breakfast. I just log breakfast and lunch at the same time. Knowing I would have to delete that and enter higher calorie food (that costs more too) has helped me stick to my home lunch this week. I plan on doing the same next week. It's not easy eating a sandwich and fruit when others are eating yummy looking pizza or Chick Fil A sandwiches though! 🙂 

[_Lilac_]

HAS anyone had troubles syncing their fitbit tonight? It's refusing to work. 

[_Lilac_]

Finally got it to sync at almost 2am my time. I panicked for a while thinking something was wrong with my device. Phew. 

It's -28C/-18F  so I might wait a bit to take the dogs for their walks.  I have housework to do, lots of moving around to keep active. My daughter has been very ill. Her stomach flu has been going on for days and she lost 8lbs this week! It's all fluid deprivation. I've got her on tea and gatorade and I might pick up some ensure for her later. 

Updates later..

[Bobbinyc]

@GettingfitinSC  Wow! Great job in becoming more fit.  That is one of the most important things you can do.  Isn't it wonderful when the jeans fit better?  I find the clothing changes so much more exciting than the scale moving. 

[Bobbinyc]

Since my scale still refuses to move, I'm going to just do what I can to improve my health.  I am challenging myself to eat no added sugar/processed carbs at all for one week.  This includes no pasta, white bread, pizza crust, no chocolate (yikes!) - zero.  If a food has natural sugar in it, like fruit and some yogurt, it's fine.  If any form of sugar at all is listed in the incredients, including all chemical sugars, it will not pass these lips.  I was going to try one month, so it would be Jan. 14 to Feb 14 when this challenge ends, but, well, I know myself and my weaknesses too well.  One week at a time.

Anyone care to join me?

[A_Lurker]

@Bobbinyc- I won't join you, but I will wish you the best of luck. 

[bookseller]

@Bobbinyc, I've given up sugar and white flour since Dec. 27th, and feel awesome. After months of the scale not budging, I've lost 1.5-2lbs week so far (though I've also doubled-down on veggies and my steps). No matter what, I'll bet you'll feel fantastic (once you get over the initial withdrawls) in a month! Good luck, you can do it!

[Glenda]

                                    Bobbin and A-Lurker,  You surprise me.  I can't imagine that anyone eats pasta, I can't even remember the last time I ate bread.   I think it is just old habits.  And flour???  You must cook?  When I was a kid and we were very poor and my dad did a lot of the cooking, we had hamburger & macaroni and tomato sauce in a pot a lot beause it was easy and tasty.  I was fat too.  But I cooked french toast for my self for breakfast, BREAD, and syrup.    Now I would use spagetti squash, cabbage,  buttered rice cakes with my oatmeal or beans.  You can buy a small pizza that has only 600 calories for the whole thing.  The other day I thought that instead of having 2 or 3 doughnuts while out of the house at the grocery I might as well have a 600 calorie pizza.  If you are going to do something terrible (pasta & bread) you might as well make it good and have doughnuts or the pizza?

[A_Lurker]

@Glenda- I don't believe in demonizing any one specific food.  As for pasta, I purchased a pasta maker attachment (well two) for my mixer.  I make it fresh and freeze leftovers.  3oz of fresh pasta is ~250 cals and there's nothing wrong with having it.  I toss it with a homemade sauce recently with onions, grape tomatoes, mushrooms, sausage, garlic, etc (all roasted).  It's about portions.  There were days when I would have sat down to a portion of 6-8oz.  That's more of an issue for most, than specific foods that they eat.

Personally I'd rather have a homemade meal of 600 calories (or higher) with pasta than that supermarket pizza you're going to buy.  I'm not much of a bread person myself, but even when I was heavier it was unusual for me to have bread or toast.  I've never had french toast (homemade or purchased) more than perhaps once or twice.  I've made spaghetti squash and honestly I'd rather take a smaller portion of pasta.  You couldn't pay me enough to eat rice cakes.    With few exceptions, gaining weight is taking in more calories than you need, losing weight is taking in less than you eat.  Everyone will have a preference for what foods they want to eat, but it's more about how much you eat, not what specific foods you eat.

(I saw few exceptions as medications, thyroid conditions, etc. can cause some weirdness with people as well.)

[Bobbinyc]

@A_Lurker Thanks for the good luck wishes.  I spent many years being a sugar addict.(I'm talking major amounts all day every day)  I've had some health problems and they seem to be related to inflammation - I seem to be paying the price for all the sugar for so many years.  It's something I can still easily go to, and I don't eat normal amounts.  If I have some, I keep going when under stress.  For quite awhile I have recently been able to do moderate amounts, but, after my melanoma surgery this year, I think I really have to look at what I'm doing more seriously.  I have no idea if I will ever be able to eat moderate amounts when I have normal life stress.  I wish I could eat small amounts, just enjoy it and move on.  But when stressed, I go right back to over-doing it.

Since I also have not lost any weight at all since the surgery,  I just need to try something.  It would be great if this helped, with weight and with health.

[Bobbinyc]

@bookseller  Good for you!  I hope I can do it and having those results would be great.  When I first cut out sugar, I also felt better.  Any suggestions for the withdrawal?  I have way too much stress and know it will be tough.  Thanks for the support.

[Glenda]

                                    A_Lurker,  I agree with everything you said.  A pizza is a rare splurge for me.  I don't usually have one at home.   The problem with bread and pasta is that it often is a routine daily  or frequent food.   I found some big  Ole brand  tortillas  about 8" in diameter with only 50 calories that are good for an ocasional sandwich.   I'm positive you are a great cook.   I think it would be hard to be a good cook or chef  and hold down the calorie count while wanting what you cook to be delicious or being a chef and not tasting things all day.     It is hard to even cook for one other person let alone a family at even the average level of ability.   I'll bet your pasta, and the sauce is great.  I do like having calorie counts on the bottles though. 

[professorpete]

@Bobbinyc  Sounds to me like you focus on health a whole lot, so this is probably a good way to go.  The latest research is about how destructive sugar is, worse than saturated fats, as bad as chemicals.  They have proven that sugar and processed foods play a huge role in heart disease, stroke, cancer, dementia, etc.  It also has a huge impact on hormones, as sugar (including processed, simple carbs) lead to surges in insulin.  The research shows it is no longer calories in calories out, but much more about the kinds of calories and their impact on us.  

You have given up sugar before.  You have helped others through their stress to focus on their health.  Now it is your turn and you can do this.  Stress comes and goes and you still need to manage your health.  You had said awhile ago that for you sugar (I remember the French patisserie that opened near you and how funny you were about that.  You passed that test)  was your weakness.  We also know how very strong you are.

I hope your stress eases.  I hope you "take care of yourself no matter what.  You are stronger than the stress" (your words).  

Maybe you should post here every day and let us know how you do.  Or post when you need some encouragement.  It's our turn to take care of you.

[A_Lurker]

@Bobbinyc- I get where you're coming from.  If you feel you can't control sugar intake, then it's probably a good idea to cut it back.  For most of my life I've generally just had problems with eating too much food.  It doesn't need to be sweet, salty, fatty, or even healthy - just food.  I'm still not perfect, but I'm getting better.  I suspect no matter how much weight I lose I will still always have to pay attention to what I'm taking in.  I've tried many ways of eating and none of them work for me long term.  So, it will be some form of calorie counting for me, likely no matter what weight I finally settle on.  However, other people find something that works for them, that's great too.  We're all individuals with different tastes, preferences, controls.

I was writing a private message to someone earlier and I thought I'd share some of the basic thoughts.  I've worn my Charge HR since December of 2015.  I started losing weight in Feb of 2016, added in calorie counting in March of that year, and am closing in on 100 pounds lost.  I still have to make a serious effort not to simply do nothing.  I took a rest day earlier this week and actually had to make an effort to hit 5000 steps.  Yet, without a huge effort I can do 15,000 (I've actually done 25,000 a few times - that takes effort).  I'm not naive enough to think I'll get to a certain point and it will be second nature.  After close to 50 years of poor eating and exercising it's not suprising that my second nature is to sit on the couch and eat too much of something.  Most days I choose to do the opposite.

[Bobbinyc]

@A_Lurker You have done such an amazing job.  You are one of my role models here in this amazing group.  I had cut out sugar for quite awhile and thought I was done, and could just have a bit once in a while and that worked.  My auto default, when stressed (and when aren't we?) is to regress to sugar.  I hate the idea of never having it again. I know it generally isn't healthy, but I also know that I act like an addict with it.  My blood sugar goes all over and I can eat a healthy meal and still crave it.

I do have thyroid problems, auto-immune stuff.  My body is just becoming increasingly reactive.  And there's nothing like laying in bed recovering from cancer surgery and reading about cancer prevention and all so much research points to the processed foods, chemicals and sugar.

Also, when I consume lots of sweets, I really do get more tired and become much less active.

I think I'm still talking myself into quitting.  

I hope I can do as good a job as you in figuring out what my body needs.  Apparently eating so healthy and then adding lots of chocolate  isn't a good plan!

[SunsetRunner]

@GettingfitinSC I agree. I like logging both breakfast and lunch --  and sometimes dinner --- calories first thing the morning. It does help keep me on track. It is hard to stay focused when co-workers are bringing in your favorite food for lunch, but the end result is worth it! 😊

[almost_where]

@Bobbinyc

I've been on this fitbit journey now since March,2016 and if there is one thing I know for sure is my sugar binges will NEVER go away. I will continue to have them for the rest of my natural life. One thing I have learned on this mission (90+ lbs) is that I can reduce the frequency of the binges doing small deletions of sugar in my regular diet ( no sugar in coffee, eating yogurt with 12g sugar in it vs 18g, 1 tbsp of brown sugar on oatmeal instead of 2, eating regular cheerios instead of honey nut, etc. For me, the most important part for me is focusin on the RESET procedure after them. I drove a car down to Florida over new years and had a 10,000 calorie binge eating just about every  piece of crap one could think of.

RESET procedure

1)Forgive yourself for doing it

2)Log everything and I mean everything. (Took me forever to log 10,000 calories)

3)I make a post in one of my activity groups to get it off my chest.

4)Understand that after a binge, the high levels of sugar will create more intense cravings for junk the following days so prepare for it. Usually I try to taper down after a binge.

5)Try to get back to normal healthy foods asap.

In the past, I would really get hung up on a binge and perfect the skill of beating myself up over it. Then I would go on multi month binges eating sweets every day and things would just compound.

[Bobbinyc]

@almost_where  Thank you so much for your supportive, helpful post.

I love your technique of the small deletions.  That is how I went off sugar the first time around years ago.

I had also decided then that my junk food of choice was just something I couldn't handle and I never had it again.  Funny, with all the different forms of sugar I have had, I never once went back to that one thing.  I somehow associate it with just poison for me.  But I sure have made the rounds with other things.

So, as you suggest, I'm going to cut back slowly for the next couple of days or so, in ways you suggest, and just make sure I get there.

I have worked very hard for a long time on NEVER criticizing myself, never beating myself up.  Been there done that and am very aware of how much worse it makes things.  I try hard to think of everything as a chance to learn and improve.  For me the idea is to choose to learn, find ways to make myself strong and more resilient.  (ok, maybe sometimes I forget that...but I try)

I try to think of my home as a criticism free zone.  Life is hard enough.

ok, I'm avoiding your suggestion to log it all.  But, since you are wise and successful, I'm going for it.  If you can log all those calories, so can I.  Reality, here I come!

So maybe the ultimate goal is not to think in terms of stopping forever, but  to have fewer binges, smaller binges, bounce back faster.  I think I also need to write out  exactly what has been triggering me, what I could do instead next time to delay it a bit and have at least some control.  I am hoping to strengthen my control "muscle" without getting into a will power thing.  I had gotten very good at that, using mindful meditation, learning to talk myself through it......but the stress has gotten me off track.  Time to get back on track.  I hope you are back on track too.  Please don't beat yourself up - you have way too much going for you to do that; you don't deserve it.

Thanks so much for your helpful response.  I always get a lot from your posts.  

[BLLingg]

@em.kz, I have 2 Food Scales.  One at Work and one at Home. Neither was very expensive.

The one at Work measures Ounces.  The one at Home can measure either Ounces or Grams. 

I prefer the one at Home.  Grams are much smaller increments than Ounces so you can see a difference right away when adding or removing tiny bits of Food.  With the Work Scale, I tend to go back and forth until I get the correct Quantity of Food.  (Too much added, too much removed, too much added, ad infinitum!)

It also makes it a lot easier since most Packaging has the Weights in Grams.