Christmas Weight Loss Challenge

[Purplepiggie]

I have decided since it is 90 days til Christmas the best gift I can give myself is better health. In the past 9 months I have slowly lost 40lbs give or take usually stays a between 35-40lbs. I would like to lose another 20lbs + by Christmas. This would put me at almost the halfway point for my weight loss. I was doing paleo for a while but found myself bingeing on cheat meals and eating way to many things that I shouldn't. So now I have decided no foods are off limit I will log every bite of everything and if I choose to eat more than allotted for my activity I will have to be more active to stay within my calorie deficit for the day and see how everything goes from there. Feel free to join me on this journey. Also add me as a friend so we can challange each other.

Moderator Edit: Corrected subject

[hawkpearl40]

Thanks for your encouragment !

[HeartBiller]

Well I was so proud of myself when I beat my Thanksgiving Day Goal. My goal for Thanksgiving was 173. I weighed in at 171.6. I was so super excited... I don't know how I so quickly forgot about that excitement. I ate like a pig over the 5 days I was off. I am so beyond disappointed in myself this morning. So much hard work, which now has to be done over. So I am guessing I won't make my Christmas goal, unless I do some major dieting and exercise and not sure I still could. BUT with that said, today is a new day and I HAVE to get my mind set right again. I am going to start my constant prayers and pray for God to help me keep my mind where it needs to be and unhealthy food out of my mouth. I love sweets so much. They are truly my weakness.Obviously I had too many over the last few days

I am up for suggestions on how to re kick start my weight loss.

MY stats
USW - 210 lbs
SW - 210 lbs
Week 1 - 177.6 lbs - 11/01/16
Week 2 - 174.8 lbs - 11/08/16

Week 3 - 174.3 lbs - 11/14/16

Week 4 - 171.6 lbs - 11/22/16

Week 5 - 175.2 lbs - 11/29/16 3.6 Gain 😞
CGW - 167.5 lbs
UGW - 125 lbs

[A_Lurker]

@HeartBiller- same answer as I gave in the other thread.  3.6 pounds in 5 days means that you ate 12,600 calories above what your maintenance level was.  Back in September, while on a trip, I went up 6.6 lbs over a 4 day period.  I knew at the time that most of it was salt but it still took 4 days before I was down below where I had been.  Without going into too many details, the excess carbs in sweets affects your glycogen stores.  Glycogen loves to hold on to excess water.  This is why people who start low (or even lower) carb diets often see their weight change drastically the first few days or the first few weeks.  Just go back to what you normally eat and take water to flush it out.  The body won't flush excess water unless you're drinking a fair amount.

[jlow]

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So I'm not feeling very accomplished here...  Need to get some momentum going...

Nov. 8th SW - 176.5

Nov. 13th - 176.6 (I'm calling this the same)

Nov. 22nd - 178

Nov. 29th CW - 176.8

Dec. 24 GW - 169

Not a fan of the FB community UI either.  Someone, give me motivation!!!  lol

@jlow wrote:

Well, it's week one for my challenge.  Here are the stats:

Nov. 8th  SW - 176.5

Nov. 13th CW - 176.6  (I'm calling this the same)

Dec. 24  GW - 169

So, not feeling terribly accomplished.  That said, I observed LOTS of halloween candy eating.  So, for this week and next, I am committing to check in daily to confirm that I have resisted the candies for the next two weeks, just to break the nasty habit.  You'll be hearing lots from me...  Onward and upward people!!!

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[HeartBiller]

@A_LurkerThank you! You may or may not know this, but you are an inspiration to us in the group!

@jlowWell each day I am learning more and more that we have to take one day at a time and for me this group is a great help with the motivation and encouragement. You and I appear close in our weight, not sure what your ultimate goal is...  maybe we can work on it together. I am short (5 ft even) so for me I have not even gotten to my half way point. I have a goal to by Christmas though, AND MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, if I can get there by Christmas it will be the incentive I need to not gain through Christmas.

I think I will try to start logging in here more often. It seems to help my mindset. We all have the same goal in mind. Lose weight and be healthier. Maybe that will help you too. We CAN do this together!

[A_Lurker]

@HeartBiller- thanks.  Honestly, I just consider myself yet another person who has struggled with her weight for decades.  I've learned a lot about what didn't work, and know something about what works for me.  It doesn't necessarily mean it will work for everyone.  What I have learned for me is that not eating enough is guaranteed to stall my progress and/or make me ill.  Fad diets, or radical ways of eating also don't work for me.  I truly believe that without building a diet (or way or eating) that you can do for the rest of your life that inevitable weight gain will follow.  So, finding a way to occasionally work in the items you enjoy is something we all need to do.  If you tell me that I can never have ice cream again then I almost certainly will start craving it immediately.  Now, if every now and then I purchase a package of 3 or 4 haagen daz ice cream bars it's an indulgence, but a calorie controlled one.  I know having an open container of ice cream means I'm more likely to indulge.  Having pre-packaged amounts makes it easier to control what I take in.  So, it's about finding a way to have what you want in the best possible way.  It means I'll likely not buy a pint of cherry garcia ice cream ever again, however, I found something that's just as good.

In general, my Christmas/eating out plan usually is as follows:  Have plenty of meat, lots of veggies, salads, and skip the starches.  I don't normally eat low carb, but dropping the potatoe, rice, stuffing, whatever from the meal, automatically lowers the calories.  Pass on the bread (and butter) and then if it's on the menu, take a small amount of the sweets.  It's not perfect, but it does in a pinch.  I say not perfect, since meals you don't prepare can have added oils and sugars that you're not aware of.  However, on the fly, it allows you to eat out in most situations.

@jlow- motivation comes from within.  We all have to be ready to make the changes in order to become our new selves.  This isn't a single day, or a single week change.  It is about making consistent choices that will move us in the right direction.  If you make more good choices than bad choices you will get where you need to be.

[Tybokitty]

Well I didn't do to bad over Thanksgiving.

CSW 11/08/16 - 169
          11/15/16 - 170
CW 11/29/16 - 168
GW by Xmas - 160

I'm happy with losing 2 lbs. Have to take this stuff seriously now. Had blood work done and LDL and Triglycerides was bad. Never had either one of those that high. At least blood pressure always stays normal. I don't want to be on statins so those two numbers are motivation to get moving and eat healthier.

Sent from my iPhone

[BLLingg]

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@Helix96 wrote:
I'm not good at posting progress apparently. I am down 7 pounds! Yes doing cartwheels already.

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Hey, Cartwheels outta be really good Calorie Burners!  Keep 'em up!

[BLLingg]

To my SHOCK, I have discovered that I am actually capable of having Candy every Day and still lose weight.  However, there's a Method to my Madness.

I have 1 Cup of Prune Juice everything Night.  Leaves a horrid taste in my Mouth.  So I have 2 Mini York Mint Candies after the Prune Juice.  There are 10 in a Serving.  But all I need is 2.  OK.  Every so often, I have 3.  But I have discovered that those 2 itsy bitsy Chocolate Mints are keeping my craving under control!  And when I'm in the Store looking at the Divinity & Fudge, I just "remind" myself that I already have Candy at Home.

I also have a Package of the Mini 3 Muskateers - 3 Pieces to a Serving.  But 1 of them is just not as satisfying as the York Minis.  No idea why.  Usually, 3 Muskateers is one of my Favorites.

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@HeartBiller wrote:

Well I was so proud of myself when I beat my Thanksgiving Day Goal. My goal for Thanksgiving was 173. I weighed in at 171.6. I was so super excited... I don't know how I so quickly forgot about that excitement. I ate like a pig over the 5 days I was off. I am so beyond disappointed in myself this morning. So much hard work, which now has to be done over. So I am guessing I won't make my Christmas goal, unless I do some major dieting and exercise and not sure I still could. BUT with that said, today is a new day and I HAVE to get my mind set right again. I am going to start my constant prayers and pray for God to help me keep my mind where it needs to be and unhealthy food out of my mouth. I love sweets so much. They are truly my weakness.Obviously I had too many over the last few days

I am up for suggestions on how to re kick start my weight loss.

MY stats
USW - 210 lbs
SW - 210 lbs
Week 1 - 177.6 lbs - 11/01/16
Week 2 - 174.8 lbs - 11/08/16

Week 3 - 174.3 lbs - 11/14/16

Week 4 - 171.6 lbs - 11/22/16

Week 5 - 175.2 lbs - 11/29/16 3.6 Gain 😞
CGW - 167.5 lbs
UGW - 125 lbs

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[Annabel398]

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@jlow wrote:
So I'm not feeling very accomplished here...  Need to get some momentum going...
Nov. 8th SW - 176.5
Nov. 13th - 176.6 (I'm calling this the same)
Nov. 22nd - 178
Nov. 29th CW - 176.8
Dec. 24 GW - 169

Not a fan of the FB community UI either. Someone, give me motivation!!!  lol

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@jlow You kiddin' me? Hey, you're doing fine!! You lost 1.2lb this week--THANKSGIVING WEEK--that's great work! Make it this week's goal to match that loss. Walk an extra 500 steps, do a little 10-15 minute Fitstar workout, clean the garage, whatever! You can do this!

[jlow]

Thankyou.  I hadn't looked at it that way.  But, since I'm in Canada, I don't have the Thanksgiving reasonning.  😉  Thanks again.  🙂

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@Annabel398 wrote:

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@jlow wrote:
So I'm not feeling very accomplished here...  Need to get some momentum going...
Nov. 8th SW - 176.5
Nov. 13th - 176.6 (I'm calling this the same)
Nov. 22nd - 178
Nov. 29th CW - 176.8
Dec. 24 GW - 169

Not a fan of the FB community UI either. Someone, give me motivation!!!  lol

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@jlow You kiddin' me? Hey, you're doing fine!! You lost 1.2lb this week--THANKSGIVING WEEK--that's great work! Make it this week's goal to match that loss. Walk an extra 500 steps, do a little 10-15 minute Fitstar workout, clean the garage, whatever! You can do this!

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[VonzGoh]

Great job everyone...i am hoping to lose 5kg by 31 Dec 🙂

[SunsetRunner]

@Annabel398is there anyway to see an activity list of what posts I have made or commented on(like this one) without seaching through? Sorry, I have been trying to look for this but am not seeing it! I don't expect you to type it all out, if you just say yes or no I can figure it out if I just have the time to sit down!

Thanks for responding and have a great day!

[BLLingg]

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@VonzGoh wrote:

Great job everyone...i am hoping to lose 5kg by 31 Dec 🙂

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Had to convert from 5 kg to 11 lbs so I could perceive your Goal.  At least you didn't give us .79 stones!

Now that I can perceive your Goal, GOOD LUCK and BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS!!!

[A_Lurker]

@SunsetRunner- you can usually find this on your profile page.  When I'm in the forums I click on my own picture to go to it.  A quick link to yours:  https://community.fitbit.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/7254471

[SunsetRunner]

@A_Lurkerthanks so much! I clicked on everything but the picture!

[HeartBiller]

@A_LurkerWell after guzzling water for 3 days, (more than 100 ounces each day) (150 one day...lol) I am 2 pounds down today.... I am not gonna beat myself up about it anymore.. Just gonna keep guzzling water and TRYING to eat healthy foods...I hope by Tuesday (my official weigh day) to be back to what I was Tuesday before last.  I REALLY want to meet my Christmas goal. My Christmas goal really means a lot to me.. It will be my half way point to my ultimate goal.

There are days I think about switching over to the LCHF diet. It seems people lose much faster on it. BUT then I keep telling myself.. You need a change of life you can live with the rest of your life and you are losing so be patient... lol. Yes I talk to my self constantly. .lol.

I hope everyone is having a blessed day and enjoying this wonderful Christmas Season.

[A_Lurker]

@HeartBiller- here's the thing about time-based goals.  They are good to keep us on track, however, you are not suddenly going to stop losing weight because you didn't meet an arbitrarily set goal.  I understand why it is important, however, perhaps you need to let go of that to some extent.

There is nothing inherently wrong with switching to a different diet to lose weight.  I know personally I can't stick at LCHF diet (been there, done that, didn't work).  Some people will argue their choices of diets to the nth degree.  There are pluses and minuses to all the choices we make.  Consider someone like myself who decides to switch to that diet.  If I could stick to it I could possible lose a lot of weight faster than I have been doing.  I can get into the technical stuff about glycogen stores (one of these days I'll have to find a decent link).  When you start any kind of low carb diet you drop a lot of weight quickly as you deplete your glycogen stores.  Every gram of glycogen requires 3-4 grams of water in intramuscular storage.  So when you deplete your glycogen you rapidly lose a lot of water weight with them.  This is the sudden whoosh people see when changing from say a low-fat, low-protein, high-carb diet to a low carb, high protein, high fat diet.  This can be huge amounts depending on your starting weight and your diet.  Also, when we restrict calories in general we likely deplete glycogen to start with - often why dieters see an initial fast loss that tapers off.  When we restrict food intake in general we likely lower our glycogen stores.

The catch is, that if you're doing LCHF and you have a day of carbs, that water is stored as your glycogen levels are refueled.  And remember carbs are sugar, starch, fruits, vegetables.  This will result in sudden weight gain.  In these sudden losses and gains you lose track of if you're actually making progress.  Now, if you think you can do LCHF until you reach your goal weight, more power to you.  If you choose to do so then you need a strategy for coming off it unless you feel you want to eat that way forever.

[Helix96]

I agree with the comment on time based goals. They are good for motivation for most people. I've never done any challenge other than with myself until now. My restricted foods does make this challenge easy to not over eat during the holidays since most traditional foods I simply can't have due to allergies/sensitivities. 
As for diets I don't believe in diets, the crash kind. I do however believe in life changed diets. Eating cleaner avoiding processed foods etc... At any rate fund what works for yourself and stick you it 🙂 best of luck everyone!!!


Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

[SunsetRunner]

You are so right about the LCHF eating.  I have been on it for 6 weeks. I didn't lose much weight the first two weeks though (just a pound), which puzzled me a lot, considering that I had followed it to the letter. I just got home Wed. from a month's stay with my mother who was very ill.  During that time, I was able to stay on the LCHF for about 90% of the time, but then there were those nights when I would find myself exhausted and doing some stress eating before bed. It was just enough to refuel those glycogen stores and the next day, I would show an increase in weight. You're also right  when you say it's difficult to track your progress that way.  I ended up losing 5 pounds by the time I got back, but I think that was mostly because of how much work I did over that time.  My personal positive for that particular diet is that I feel so much better eating low carb. I don't get the drops in energy and the I seldom am hungry. On the down side, I have found it took a lot of prep initially.  I do agree though there are pluses and minuses to all the choices we make.

I really like reading your posts, and am glad to be back.