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

[SunsetRunner]

@HeartBilleryou are so right. I did the low carb thing 4 years ago and lost almost 70 pounds in just over 6 months. In the last 4 years I have gained it all back plus 10. This time trying to be very aware of what I am eating but not being "hard core" because I know I personally can't maintain and then just go overboard.

Exercise, balance and awareness (at least at this stage in life!) seem to be the most effective long term lifestyle change for me!!!

[HeartBiller]

@SunsetRunnerThat is exactly why I have to keep telling my self this...lol. It is always why I love this group so much. Not that we have to or are going to agree with everyone all the time.. BUT sometimes someone says just what I needed to hear.

I lost 65 pounds about 20 years ago on diet pills. But after going off of them.. I gained it all plus alot more. That is why I so want to not DIET.. BUT do a life style change. I want to be able to live with it the rest of my life.

This group is so awesome for support and encouragement!

[Glenda]

HeartBiller, My daughters birthday was in December so I changed it to October. Every year on October 17 we had a birthday celebration party and I took all the kids to an amusement park etc. in good weather. I bought gifts then. In December I baked her a cake . She had great birthday celebrations as a kid. After she married she thought as an adult she could have a Dec. birthday and did for about 3 years, until her husband said it was too hard (impossible ) to do a good job on the birthday in December and they changed it to June. ho ho ho. My other daughter has an equally bad birthday. Valerie was born on Valentines Day. Terrible.

[Glenda]

HeartBiller, There is so much disagreement on the "right way" to lose weight or even just what is health to eat. The most recent study I read said that contrary to the last few decades of people saying every kind of fat was bad & carbs, they found that it might be best just to avoid grains and sugar. Saturated fat looked ok too. Skip the doughnuts ......my downfall. Glenda

[TT_is_me]

SW: 258.5 on Oct 31

Week 1:  257.8   -.7 lbs 

Week 2:  258.5   +.7 lbs 

Week 3:  252.5    -6 lbs

Week 4:  255.5   +3 lbs

Week 5:  254       -1.5 lbs (Dec 6)

Week 6:  (Dec 12)

Week 7:  (Dec 19)

Week 8:  (Dec 25)

GW: 250

UGW: 160

Slowly but surely tackling that Thanksgiving gain. I changed my GW (again) to 250. It is just so much more realistic than the 246 that I hoped for. Social events are still going to be rough for me over the next coming weeks seeing that they are filled with work parties, friend gatherings, and family get togethers. After talking with some friends, I think I am better prepared though on how to handle the events. Hope everyone is staying strong and kicking butt during this time!

[TT_is_me]

Week 1:  257.8   -.7 lbs 

Week 2:  258.5   +.7 lbs 

Week 3:  252.5    -6 lbs

Week 4:  255.5   +3 lbs

Week 5:  254       -1.5 lbs (Dec 6)

Week 6:  (Dec 12)

Week 7:  (Dec 19)

Week 8:  (Dec 25)

GW: 250

UGW: 160

Slowly but surely tackling that Thanksgiving gain. I changed my GW (again) to 250. It is just so much more realistic than the 246 that I hoped for. Social events are still going to be rough for me over the next coming weeks seeing that they are filled with work parties, friend gatherings, and family get togethers. After talking with some friends, I think I am better prepared though on how to handle the events. Hope everyone is staying strong and kicking butt during this time!

[HeartBiller]

@GlendaMy Mom told him he could change birthdays with her. Hers is in June...lol. So he has a party in June, BUT not presents or anything.. Just family and friends over and cake and swimming.. He was good with that. BUT next year I am really thinking of making it a lot earlier. It is hard on everyone.

[HeartBiller]

@TT_is_meThese holidays are rough... I didn't do well over Thanksgiving at all.. Now I am just taking one day at a time and praying for strength to resist temptation at all these gatherings coming up... I may have to guzzle a couple bottles of water straight down right before I walk in one so I will be too full to eat any of the amazing sweets ........lol. I love the sweets. They are so my downfall. I haven't done too awful on them in the past few months, BUT when my husband plans these bonfires... which he loves to have... The kids think we need Smores so I think I need roasted marshmallows.. On a good note I don't like Smore's so that is a little bit less I am eating...lol. BUT I LOVE the roasted marshmallows.

We will make it. One Day at al time... One pound at a time

[jlow]

---

Happy Tuesday All.  Here are my stats.  Right direction...  I have some more work to do though!  😉

Hoping some of you may friend me 'fitbit@lowtek.ca' ; perhaps we can do some step challenges?

jl

Nov. 8th SW - 186.5

Nov. 13th - 186.6 (I'm calling this the same)
Nov. 22nd - 188
Nov. 29th CW - 186.8

CW Dec. 6th - 185.2
Dec. 24 GW - 179

---

[Tybokitty]

Hi Everyone. Here are my stats for the week.

CSW 11/08/16 - 169
         11/15/16 - 170
         11/29/16 - 168
CW   12/06/16 - 167
GW by Xmas   - 160

Slow and steady as she goes 😊. I put it on slow so I guess it will be coming off slow. I will be happy to lose whatever it shows by Christmas. May not be the goal weight I want, but at least it won't be the weight I started at. And to everyone else out there, every pound you lose is a pound gone so you are still winning the battle. It's great to reach our goal but if we don't we still win. We weigh less than what we did when starting this challenge and that is the main thing. I had my share of pig outs last week but those happen at times. You pick yourself up and move on. I'm proud of all of you for the effort and staying strong to reach your goal. You ALL have worked hard at it. Give yourselves a pat on the back. You all deserve it.

"I'm not where I need to be, but thank God I'm not where I use to be " Joyce Meyer.

Sent from my iPhone

[Gayle1018]

@Tybokitty@HeartBiller  Appreicate your posts!   I'm struggling right now trying to get motivated and etc..  Too many goodies, very  Cold, snow - so harde to get out and walk... plus now I have major dential junk to do in next 10-30 days--OUCH and  stress/depressed!!   

**Got keep looking for the sunny side! not the sweet side.  Thanks again for the encouraging posts,  once day @ a time. 

[HeartBiller]

@Gayle1018I know it is particularly hard this time of the year. But on a good note, since finding this group we have so many more friends to talk to about our good, bad, or indifferent days! You got this! One day at a time.

[SunsetRunner]

@Gayle1018sorry to hear about the dental stuff - that is rough.

[wannabelf]

SW this challenge 151.6 (that Might have been a bit bloated though.Seemed high that day)

Week 1- Nov 14- 149.4

Week 2-Nov 21- 148.6

Week 3- Nov 28- 148.4

Week 4 Dec  5- 147.8

Goal for challenge 144.

Oh goodness I do not know if I'll meet my goal. I didn't do this time of year since my start here with a fitbit  was last Christmas day. This is a Very hard time of year to Lose for sure! I'm trying to be happy with my small losses instead of none though! I do know that the biggest thing is to never ever give up! A give up means gaining but trying hard will at least keep trying and Going! Yes.I already learned that that means an overall loss over time. So my half pound I'm determined to keep Off and then keep on. Yes Again! Cheers to you All! You are not giving up either! How we think is a big part of it all. It's no shame to Enjoy the season even if some "bad" eating comes into play. All it takes is a salad dinner the next day to even it out,right? And Keep On Walking!!!  he/he Best to you all.....

[wannabelf]

SW this challenge 151.6 (that Might have been a bit bloated though.Seemed high that day)

Week 1- Nov 14- 149.4

Week 2-Nov 21- 148.6

Week 3- Nov 28- 148.4

Week 4 Dec  5- 147.8

Goal for challenge 144.

Oh goodness I do not know if I'll meet my goal. I didn't do this time of year since my start here with a fitbit  was last Christmas day. This is a Very hard time of year to Lose for sure! I'm trying to be happy with my small losses instead of none though! I do know that the biggest thing is to never ever give up! A give up means gaining but trying hard will at least keep trying and Going! Yes.I already learned that that means an overall loss over time. So my half pound I'm determined to keep Off and then keep on. Yes Again! Cheers to you All! You are not giving up either! How we think is a big part of it all. It's no shame to Enjoy the season even if some "bad" eating comes into play. All it takes is a salad dinner the next day to even it out,right? And Keep On Walking!!!  he/he Best to you all.....

[BLLingg]

Wait a minute, @Glenda!  Ain't nothin' wrong with December Birthdays!    I celebrate my 66th in 13 Days!!!

[BLLingg]

ADVICE NEEDED!!!  PLEASE and THANK YOU!!!

It's not my Monday check in Time but my Stats for the 5th were:

14 Nov (CW = 191.8)

21 Nov (G 191;  Reached 190.2)

28 Nov (G 190;  Reached 188.2)

05 Dec (G189;  At 189 Today)

12 Dec (G188)

19 Dec (G187)

Christmas (G 185)

On the 6th, I was 189.2;  on the 7th, 187.4; on the 8th, 186;  Today, I'm at 185.4.  I'm trying to figure out if I should change my Target Goal (not here, but in my Profile) now before I hit 185 or afterwards, once the expected Trampoline Bounces stop.

The loss seems appropriate for my Intake vs Burned now that I've upped my Activity.  (As long as you ignore the increase on the 5th & 6th!)  My Steps are up 11% from a Month ago and 88% from 3 Months ago.  Per the Scales, my Body Fat is decreasing.  My Carbs, Fat, and Protein are finally getting within FitBit's Recommended Ranges.  (Previously, Fat was always high!)  So I may manage to avoid my usual Trampoline effect completely as I did with 190#.  (I HOPE! I HOPE!!)

Any recommendations on whether to change my Profile's Target Goal now, before I hit it or wait until I hit it and any bouncing stops, are gratefully sought and will be just as gratefully appreciated!!!  A lot of y'all have more experience with Smart Weight Loss (i.e. increasing Activity instead of just "Dieting") than do I !!!!!!!

[A_Lurker]

@BLLingg - I use the goals as guidelines.  Sometimes I hit them, sometimes I surpass them, and sometimes I don't meet them.  This challenge I may not meet as I started in a maintenance week and life intervened a bit.  I will be lighter than when I started the challenge and to me that's what counts.  I like to look at each month in my weight loss journey for progress.  Am I lighter than I was last month, am I doing more steps, am I more fit.  Any are a great goal, all makes for a fantastic month.

In the end it's up to you.  I'd just leave the goal where it is and continue working on your weight loss.  If you surpass it that's great.  If you reset it and don't meet it will that affect you emotionally?  I only ask that because some people at times tend to beat themselves up for not meeting an arbitrary goal.  I started last December with getting a Charge HR and telling myself that I was going to pay more attention to my weight.  I only really stepped on a scale at a medical appointment in February (otherwise it would have been March before I had a start weight).  I thought my start weight in a challenge at work was high, but when I went back to the clinic found out I had been higher (they weighed in kg and I hadn't bothered to note it).  The simplest answer to how my weight loss is going... I'm lighter than I was this time last year.  Next year I will be lighter still, the year after I should get to a maintenance point.

[Glenda]

                                      Heartbiller,  I read a study that said most people eat more on the weekends so don't beat yourself up about it.  Maybe even give yourself permission to eat whatever you want one day a week and let that be on the weekend.  I do.  Diet much more strictly one day during the week to lose weight.  That way your metabolism doesn't slow.   Your Friday or Saturday morning weight is probably more "real".    Glenda

[BLLingg]

Thank you, @A_Lurker! 

In response to your inquiry, "If you reset it and don't meet it will that affect you emotionally?"  It will I'm sure.  For the better, not the worse!  The 185# is just a "Micro Goal."  My Ultimate Target Goal is 150#.

Using NHLBI's BMI Chart https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmi_tbl.pdf and WebSite https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm, at 5'2", I'll no longer be Obese when I reach 163.7.  At 150, I'll still be Overweight but that Goal has been a part of my Life for such a LONG LONG Time that I'll Dance all the way from here to Timbucktoo when I reach it!!!.  (That was the Goal my Great Aunt set for me when I was in the 9th Grade.)

However, if I set my Profile's Goal at 150# right off the Bat, I'll get depressed and give up long before I reach it.  (Experiential knowledge!)  It's too much, too far, too impossible.  After all, it's the Goal I've failed to reach for some Fifty Years!!!  Whereas if I set "Micro Goals" (aka Interim Goals), I don't perceive them as impossible.  Just hard!  Then, once I get close enough, that 150 will look a heck of a lot more feasible than it does now!

I guess I misasked my Question.  I've received 4 Weight Loss Badges so far.  With 2 of them, however, I earned them Twice because of that dern Trampoline Effect.  I was actually "depressed" when I undeserved it the first time when my Weight bounced back up.  (Not because I bounced but because I received something I didn't deserve!)  I deleted it.  Didn't work.  I just don't want that to happen again.  I'm "assuming" that a Reaching your Goal Badge would be the same way if I don't change it before I hit it.  But I don't know?!?!?!

FYI - I'm going to have to decide soon, I think.  I'm down another .2# Today!

For me, I don't think the Weight Number itself is a "big" Factor.  Having been fat all of my Life (except after Growth Spurts), it's more a Mental War I'm fighting.  In spite of what the Numbers say, I can't see it when I look at myself in the Mirror.  Nor when "everyone" comments on how much Weight I've lost.  I think that what is helping me the more with my Self Perception is when I put on a Tunic (used to hit me Mid-Thigh) that has transformed into a Dress (goes down to my Knees)!  Every time it happens, it's like a Battle Won, demonstrating to me that I really am getting skinnier!  Even measuring myself once a Month doesn't have as much impact as does seeing the change in my Clothes.  (And yet I'm a Bean Counter!  Go Figure!!!)

[_Lilac_]

@BLLingg  I started here at 355lb. I set my goal at 300lb and worked with those numbers. When I got to 330lb I thought it was going pretty smoothly and I'd get to 300 fairly quickly, so I dropped the goal down to 275lb. I've stuck with the 1000 calorie deficit to lose 2lb per week. I'm not really paying attention to that goal number much as I'm going to have to drop it every so often. And I'll always drop it before I reach it, because it will start to tweek the numbers for calories in and out. So by the time I reach 300lbs I'll again drop my goal down to 250lb. 

I'm NOT a mathemetician but A_Lurker or someone else may have a good grasp on how the caloric intake and burn differ for someone at a 175lb weight than for someone at 325lb. The site has it all calculated, so I'll just drop my numbers as I go to get more accurate readings. 

[Glenda]

I read that most people eat about 10 things over and over. It might help anyone struggling with weight to change their 10 things by at least one. I just read a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition by S. Kim & Dr R.J. de Souza at St. Michael's Hospital. If you add 3/4 cup a day of beans peas, lentils, or chickpeas you will lose 1/2 pound in 6 weeks with no particular effort to reduce other food, and keep it off. Beans etc make people feel fuller and reduces LDL cholesterol. People usually regain weight lost because of hunger. The beans increase fullness 31% and may result in less food intake. Besides it is a Canadian crop and helps the country as well as having many health benefits. [😊]