Easter to Memorial Day Challenge 2016

[awood08]

Welcome to the next challenge!!!

Our challenge starts Easter March 27th through Memorial Day May 30th. (USA holiday)

To be part of the challenge you start by posting your initial weight stats and what you would like to achieve by the end of the challenge. You can then check in as often as you'd like with a weight update, to share a story from your week or start a conversation about a topic you'd like some advice on.

Welcome to all our new members, old timers, and anyone who is just following our challenge! Let's continue to work hard, meet our goals, and most important, give each other the encouragement and positive thoughts to keep all our spirits up!

Thanks to @saraj91 for the last challenge! Hope to see you again in here 🙂

 
A little rundown of terminology for anyone who is new: 

USW- Ultimate Starting Weight

CSW- Current Starting Weight

GW- Goal Weight

UGW- Ultimate Goal Weight

PW- Previous Weight

CW- Current Weight

MFP- My Fitness Pal

Here is a link for our group! Thanks @Brujita

https://www.fitbit.com/group/22KZ7F

[Bogdel]

LOL! I know the feeling, @OCDOC. I've experienced the same thing a couple of times before, as well as last night. My morning weight went up 1 pound today. Hope to shed it off soon... 😉 

Another thing I noticed: whenever I have a fruit smoothie or eat starchy food (bread or cereal), my blood sugar goes up, and so does my craving for food. When I stick to greens, beans, and seeds, my blood sugar is normal (under 100), and I feel no hunger. The fiber from my veggies (usually mixed salad) and the protein from the beans (or some kind of meat) keep me full longer. We really are learning how to live a healthier life-style. 

Blessings and strength!

[Elansc]

Hi everyone!!

Oh Bogel and OCDOC I hear you!!!   When will I learn (but it is good to know I am not alone).  It has been a few weeks since I logged it -- crazy busy at work and it shows on the scale (too many late night carbs -- and salty ones at that!).  Unfortunately, I have creeped back up over 180 again (sigh!!) but it is May 1st -- new month and spring is here -- and I am using that to get back on track!  I have been reaching my 10,000 steps goal -- I think it is time to turn it up to 11,000/day and I am so happy that spring has finally arrived (first tulip in my backyard yesterday!) so let's see if I can get this back on track

This week I am going to keep my calorie intake below 1700, my steps at 11,000, and finally, I am still trying to drink more water…. I bought some vitamin waters to take for my lunch -- having the most trouble remembering to drink more water at work (gosh if I didn't have to work I would be a skinny, fit, well hydrated gal!). 

CSW for this challenge 177.8 on March 27th

1st weigh in April 3rd 178

2nd weigh in (April 10th) 176.7

Then long absence and

CW (May 1st) 180.2

GW for this challenge  was 169 but 175 might be a better goal right now….

UGW 165

Now I need to catch up on all the posts -- busy group!

[DJC_63]

@Chlz1997  Your goal weight is the same as my revised goal weight. How is yours coming along?  I just revised mine and Fitbit estimates I should reach it by Oct. 2016!  That's a LONG time away.

---

@Chlz1997 wrote:
Quick post - my computer screen is't dispaying the forums correctly so posting from my phone...
I hit my 10# milestone! Not quite what I was shooting for this week but still pleased. 😋 #KeepMovingForward

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[DJC_63]

Today is my update day. I've been more active the past 2 weeks and so of course I've gained. That makes sense, doesn't it? So frustrating. I'm starting to think I may get thinner but never actually lose weight.  Whatever! As long as I'm healthy and like the way I look, I'll be okay.  I've revised my goal weights because the short-term one didn't seem reasonable and the long-term one wasn't low enough.  Fitbit estimates it will take me until October to get to 160.  Kind of disheartening but it is what it is. I take some medications for pain and insomnia that are known to cause weight gain. I'm wondering if they're what's making it so hard to lose. Unfortunately I can't quit taking them, I've tried.

As of 5/1:

USW - 207.5 (1/14/15)

CSW - 202 (1/1/16)

PW-  193.5 (4/3/16)

PW - 194.6 (4/18/16)

CW - 194.6

GW - 188.00

UGW - 160.00

[almost_where]

@Bogdel Thanks for your kind words. Big Congrats to you on theh 30lb badge! All the best

[Bogdel]

Welcome back @Elansc! Glad to hear that you have started working on it again. Thankfully, you did not gain much back. You will catch up soon. Keep it up!

[Bogdel]

@DJC_63, I can understand your frustration. You work so hard!

I don't know what your eating habits are, but what helped me was to eliminate most starchy, sugary, and fat foods (except for oats, every once in a while). I make sure that two thirds of my daily meals are veggies (soup or/and salad, which provide us with "good calories" and keep us from getting hungry), and only one third is meat and carbs. I also try to stick to the in-take/burn-out daily deficit that Fit-Bit recommends. Of course, we are all different, and what works for me may not work for you. I just thought I'd share this, in case it may help you or anyone else. 

Nevertheless, you have already made huge progress, and are moving in the right direction. Keep it up, friend!

[Bogdel]

Thanks, @almost_where! Same to you! 🙂

[RunnersHi]

Well, I maintained this week. I still feel like I'm getting more fit, though. I ran 4 miles this morning--the first time I've been able to do that comfortably in years. I also measured--and I've lost 2 more inches of my hips so far this month. Seeing that progress made me feel much better about a lack of movement on the scale.

Here are my stats. Hoping to break through this plateau this week. I'm planning to cut out all snacks and just focus on three moderate meals a day. Started the no snacking plan today, and I met my goals much easier than I had been with snacking. Hoping I can make this a habit soon:).

USW- 216 (12/5/15)

CSW- 176 (3/27/16)

PW-170 (4/24/16), 171 (4/17/16), 174 (4/9/16)

CW-170 (5/1/16)

GW- 164

UGW- Somewhere between 140-150 (not sure yet)

[Bogdel]

Hello, Everyone! It's been fun to read some of your reports over the weekend. I usually post my report on Monday. That's when my scale tells me the truth. Here is my report for week 5:

USW- Ultimate Starting Weight - 183.5 (1/7/16)

CSW- Current Starting Weight - 159.5 (3/26/16)

PW- Previous Weight - 153.6 (4/25/16)

CW- Current Weight - 151.8 (5/2/16). 

GW- Goal Weight - 149.5 (by 5/12/16). 

UGW- Ultimate Goal Weight: 135-145 lbs, not sure (I will assess that when I reach 145 lbs).

Total loss for this challenge is 7.7 lbs.

Last week it's been cold and snowing a lot in Colorado. So, apart from going out for shopping or moving around the house, I didn't walk much. However, I made sure that I maintained the in-take/burn-out calorie deficit that Fit-bit recommended, and looks like the scale keeps moving down. I hope to reach my current goal (149.5 lbs) by the beginning of next week, because after that I will be out of the country for a couple of months, and will probably enter the maintenance mode. 

Keep it up, everyone! God bless you!

[rockiesmom21]

I am a little late to the party, but I am jumping in! 

USW - 158 (Dec 2015)

CSW - 141.3 (Easter 2016)

GW - 130

UGW - 130

CW - 139.9

Worked really hard December through February, then got off track with exercise but have pretty much maitained since then.  Getting back on track this week to lose the last 10!

Kelli in Alabama

[bluenose1962]

PW - 190 25/1/16

CW - 163 27/3/16 160.5 02/4/16 158 10/4/16 156.5 17/4/16 154.8 30/4/161 02/05/16 154.5

This challenge GW - 150

UGW - 145 (subject to revision based on BMI)

Well today saw the Fitbit 35lb badge but pleased and mixed feelings about it.

Need to shift the residual fat, from years of drinking, but wish we could be selective where it goes.

Looking forward to the rest of the week, with hernia consultant on Wednesday, so I hope to get a bit of direction on how things go, and when an operation can happen.

Not as disappointed as I was last week, as I have done some running without any side effects.

I have decided to revise the goal, and try to get toned, rather than weight loss, at all costs.

In a sinister sort of way, I have really enjoyed this weight loss over the last 14 weeks.

Almost total green tea - Happy days !!

[dianenyc]

You are too funny, OCDOC.

[dianenyc]

Hey, ca-north.  I think it was HelenKr who once said that this is all about changing habits.  She was so right (just look at her current icon).  In that light I find it helpful to set action goals and gauge my success by the actions I take -- not the results.  The results catch up.

If you exercise more, you're going to be hungrier.  At least to start.  You might try setting a goal of not eating after dinner or after 8 pm along with your exercise.  Maybe plan meals and snacks (if you snack -- I tend not to) or change up your grocery list.  Make it a goal to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day and log it or make it a goal to log your food for a week.  This last one really helps -- you'll find yourself adjusting what and how much you eat and -- joy of joys -- working in the odd dessert and glass of wine with friends without packing on the pounds.

Just make a start and take it easy.  Gentle, kind and relaxed.  That's the way to go.

Oh, and keep coming here, this is a really great group of folks -- gentle, kind and relaxed.  And getting thinner and fitter all the time.

Welcome aboard.

DianeNYC

[dianenyc]

Hey HelenKr,

Never even thought about the battery.  I'll try changing it before I weigh in on Saturday.  

I got a lovely haircut, thanks for asking -- very happy with it.

Have a great night.

DianeNYC

[dianenyc]

Hey ffcarpy,  water retention is a thought & I too am interested in other scale possibilities.  Good idea to ask.

DianeNYC

[ca-north]

Thx dianenyc!

I am in same place as soooo many others. I know what I SHOULD do, but can't find the oophf to do it.

All good tips and they have all worked for me in the past. So a great remind to focus on them again.

I had a super long day, traveling for work. I am no sitting in a restaurant having a late meal. I amnaged to turn down French fries and had baked cod... so am feeling good about that. Did have the glass of wine though 😞

And, I HAVE. NOT logged. So, clearly I need your reminders and encouragement! Thx so much!!

CA

[RubyH]

Congrats @Bogdel, you are and inspiration to all of us and your supportiveness and encouragement is a gentle reminder to all of us to also be more like that. We all need that bit of encouragement in our lives and thanks to @HelenKr also, ditto. Have a great day everyone.

[Bogdel]

@bluenose1962, I am amazed at your progress! Congratulations on your 35 lbs. badge! Hope your doctor visit goes well. Let us know about the surgery. Will be praying for you.  

[Bogdel]

@dianenyc, Looks like you reached your goal for this challenge! Congratulations! As far as the weight fluctuation, I experience that, too. I attribute it to either water or food - it depends. So, are you going to change your GW for this challenge? 😉