Halloween to Thanksgiving (U.S.) Challenge 2016

[Bobbinyc]

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Halloween to Thanksgiving Challenge!!!

This challenge will begin on Halloween October 31st and finish on Thanksgiving (U.S.) November 24th. This is a little less than 4 weeks!  It helps us be realistic about weight loss goals and practice good habits before the next set of  holidays.

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 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 Nov. 24)

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!!

[DJC_63]

I took a class on meditation long ago. Basically you get comfortable, close your eyes, and focus on your breath, in and out. Some people focus their eyes on something like a candle. I've also read some books by Buddhists that had some good info about meditating, just focus on the breath and when thoughts pop in, as they will, acknowledge them and let them go.  Maybe that will help you guys some.  

I don't feel completely isolated just due to social media. I've made some new friends since last Tuesday, gotten to be better friends with some existing like-minded friends, and I've been talking to my cousin in FL a lot, as she feels the same as me. I've been reading more and laughing at a lot of the Obama-Biden memes and other cartoons.

I'm with you on the "more activity" idea. I am planning to go to the gym as much as I can this week. It felt really good when I got there on Thursday.  I hope as time goes on we'll adjust and feel a little better. I feel so bad for you having to have your neighbor scrutinize what you're doing online. I'd go crazy if I didn't have my own computer.  If it's possible for you, maybe you could get one through HSN or QVC. They have flexible payments that make it easier to afford one. I've been thinking of getting a new one so I've been checking them out.  If I didn't have a computer I'd have went completely insane years ago due to the isolation.

Feel free to direct message me anytime you need to talk to a like-minded person. I know we can do it on here but I haven't figured it out yet.

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@hannahbebrave wrote:

@DJC_63  I am also very isolated.  We have to do as many things on Bobbinyc's list as we can. We have to get support where ever we can get it.  And we have to be as active as we can be.  I'm going to learn how to meditate.  That will be some trick cause I can't sit still.  But I'll try.

I go to a neighbor's house to use the computer.  We have been good neighbors for years.  I have never told them my politics or other ideas, just good neighbors.  Today they checked to make sure I'm not doing any "lefty liberal things" their computer.  I reassured them I am just trying to lose weight.  I was afraid to tell them I started reading the New York Times and The Washington Post.  Our local coverage is all hate mongering and very biased.  It's very strange to sneak a look at a good newspaper and hide it from a neighbor of 10 years.  And I bring them pie in exchange for using the computer!  But I no longer eat the pie!!

---

[DJC_63]

@Bobbinyc  You are such a sweetheart. I have to get to sleep now, but I will try to keep in mind all of your suggestions. So many good ones! I promise that I will take care of myself. You're right - putting ourselves at the bottom of the "to do list" isn't an option. I really want to use my anger to motivate myself to do good things, including upping my exercise game.  I will write more when I'm not falling asleep.  As you can see by the big spoiler thing that I don't know how to get rid of, I don't even know how to type right now. 

Spoiler

[EmeraldBC]

CW 206.5

SW 207

GW 155

Well, there's good news, but not much at all.  I've lost 1/2 pound since the challenge began. I'd like it to be more, especially since the flucuation could be a fluke.  Still, I haven't gained, so at least it appears the trend is reversing.  I'd been gaining for about five years, and my Fitbit log shows that the gaining stopped pretty much around the time when I got my first Fitbit.  

More good news is that I've stumbed into the Mayo Clinic's online program, and it seems to be something I can work with.  Let's see how this goes!  Same time next week, then.

[Gayle1018]

Monday check in -- last Friday and Saturday way over on calories/ too many pitch ins!  yum.

But Sunday thanks to a Daily showdown and goal day- made a concentrated effort to walk (very pretty day!) so walked to Church and back, with dog walk and yard work -- GREAT day Sunday.  

ended up with .2 loss- (thank God--)

[HeartBiller]

@RubyH Thanks for the words of wisdom. Reading your post was great! We do need to spend more time on positive thoughts and ourselves. I hate all the negative. However it is everywhere you turn, especially how negative we are towards ourselves.

I haven't weighed this week yet. I will weigh tomorrow, however I am not having the best gut feeling about it... BUT... I will stay positive and hope for the best and either way I cant change it, so I will make the best of it.

With the cold weather coming, it is getting harder to get outside and moving... I am sure it isn't half as cold here as it is where some of you are, but its cold enough for me....lol. I HATE cold weather.

Today starts a new week for me, I am going to try to get motivation back to work out/walk more. I haven't been getting my steps in 😞 I work at a desk job, so I sit most of the day and trying to make my 10,000 steps sometimes is like a real chore to me. I have to start doing better. We have a treadmill and a weight gym ( not sure what to call it) in our living room, just somehow isn't getting used as much as it should be.

I guess I am going to get my behind in gear and get busy for the week. Hope everyone has a wonderful day. I will post my weekly update tomorrow, after the dreaded weigh in...lol. Praying for at least a loss, any loss, just Lord please no gain.... lol.

[alegria16]

Checking in. Two pounds gain this week. I've been more active and have been more on-track with the eating. Sleep has been all messed up between time change and increased migraines. I need a weekend to recover from the weekend of being down with a migraine! LOL

USW (6/19/16) = 204 lbs

SW (11/7/16) = 188

CW (11/14/16) = 190

GW (11/24/16) = 185 (revised)

UGW = 155

Height: 5' 6"

Age: 43

[Bobbinyc · Accepted solution]

Weekly check in:

SW      186

Nov 1   186

Nov 7   186

Nov 14  186

Is there an award for consistency??

[Bobbinyc · Accepted solution]

I spent part of yesterday walking fast and enjoying the beautiful fall colors and clear air.

Everything seems to get into perspective when I do that.  And the moon last night was

just beautiful - full, bright, orangey, looked very close to earth and big.

I then cleaned out part of my basement.  I know I went up and down those steps at least

30 times, often carrying heavy things.  None of it registered on my Fitbit!  grrr.  (As if that would have made my scale show a weight loss)

Most important to me:  just a few months ago I couldn't walk at all and became extremely weak.  For me, every step is filled with gratitude.  And to have gotten strong enough and balanced enough to carry things up those steep old  steps, is equally awesome.  

[HeartBiller]

@BobbinycAlways better than a gain....

[Bobbinyc]

@HeartBiller  So true.  🙂

[DJC_63]

@Bobbinyc  So true about being grateful for the little things! It's good to remember back when we couldn't do much of anything. it always makes me grateful for my body now.

[HeartBiller]

Well I didn't gain, so I always count that as a plus! However if I am going to meet this challenge I made to myself and you all... I have to get my rear in gear! I know its not a lot to lose in a week, but I struggle to lose, so I am going to do my best this week to get in gear and spend more time on exercise. I don't feel I am doing too awful with my eating, but I have not been exercising much lately. Prayers that I can get my motivation in gear! I really want to make this goal. I missed my goal on the last challenge and it was depressing that I couldn't make myself do it.

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

TW WK 3 - 174.3lbs - 11/14/16
GW - 173.0 lbs
UGW - 125 lbs

[nmroadrunner]

Hi Everyone!

It's a beautiful crisp, cool morning here in NM. It really feels as though Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

All of last week's appointments went well. Hubby's eye is healing very well and he is even able to see to read articles on the computer and he was able to read the restaurant menu yesterday. We are awaiting the results of his lab work but his physical was unremarkable. I had my yearly Sleep Center appointment and am getting a new headgear about which I've heard nothing but good things.

Thursday, I have my yearly rheumatology appointment and then no more appointments for a couple of weeks--yippee!

Progress in this challenge is very slow but that may be due to adding 30 minutes of exercise three to four times a week to my 30 minute daily walk and rebuilding muscle.

USW  199

CSW   178.8

CW     172.4

GW     170

UGW <150

Wishing you all a wonderful week.  Keep on Stepping!  

[Gayle1018]

should have read all this before I went to our Holiday luncheon at work.   - so if I walk 10 miles to day might be ok --- (hoping to get 4-5 in -working slows down distances and steps)...

need to continue to look for support especially with Holidays coming up.... 

Watch out for Turkey's their stuff sneeks up on you with other goodies....

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi all, 

@HeartBiller  You are losing weight since 1/2 lb counts. Let's give ourselves credit for every little ounce. 

@Bobbinyc That is an amazing evening walk that you described.  F

Why didn't your Fitbit give u credit for lugging stuff upstairs? It measures stairs normally. 

Glad that you are moving so much and so well now. Gratefulness is definitely a good experience. 

I have sore calves from hiking on Sat and Sun. Just 4 miles each day but Sat. was up and down hills and they are still sore today. 

I was sure that I would lose but on Mon I went up to 148.5 and today for pete's sake that rotten scale said I weigh 149.6. I have been active and can only think it from high cortisol levels due to the election process and results. 

It is raining and drizzling today so getting out to walk is not likely but maybe an hour dance class this afternoon. 411 steps so far today and it is after 1:24 in the afternoon. Perhaps a walk with an umbrella would be in order. 

Best to all,

Barb G

[A_Lurker]

Sigh... I want a half a cookie or half a muffin... 275 for the muffin, and 190 for the cookie.  Tomorrow I've got to plan this better.  We didn't have lunch until 2pm... and I'm hungry and way too low in calories....

ETA:  Well, I went for the muffin.  Probably didn't help that there was 1/2 of one of my favourite Cranberry Orange Muffins.  I should probably have gone to my desk for a protein bar (pretty much the same calories).

So, this is one of these days I will go home with 1300 calories left to eat.  I find customer visit days challenging.  Also, we're running long, and it's a beautiful day out.  I'm kind of thinking I'm not going to get out of here much before dark with the recent time change.  Sigh again...

ETA: It's 6:30 and I still haven't left to go home.... and I still need to eat!  I have not taken the other half muffin though, but this is not 'I could eat' hunger.  It's chew off my arm hunger.

(and you can tell that I'm really paying attention, right)  

[HeartBiller]

Well I had about an hour of time with out my grandson last night, so we did get out side and walk, We walked near our home and it was some good hills, so we did a lot of up and down. It was nice. It was refreshing compared to the treadmill. We have church tonight so if I was guessing I would say if I get to walk today it will be the treadmill. BUT I have to get my determination back to make myself do this everyday. I want to get back on track and keep losing... I haven't gained in a few weeks so I am very happy about that. I won't lie though, I am very nervous about the up coming holiday (FOOD). I love food and it loves me..... When we meet we just stick together...lol. I want to be past that. I want to be able to resist this year. This will be our first big holidays since we started our lifestyle change so I guess that's why I am so nervous about it.

@dancefoxtrot I am happy I lost the 1/2 a pound.. Just don't want to miss a goal on another challenge...lol. This only makes the second challenge I have done. I didn't make my goal on the first one. BUT I CAN DO THIS!!! lol. Thanks for the encouragement!

[Gayle1018]

@HeartBiller  during the holidays I'm striving to maintain without a gain -- Poetic aye. 

we had our holiday party at work yesterday, BUT did manage to not totally over due or give up on the day. Was able to get 6 miles walking in --- so it helps to stay positive - didn't weigh in- as I'm only counting 2 offical weigh ins a month,  (found I get too competive and then stressed/depressed if I do every week or every day)..

Think I'll make my Thanksgiving goal  <1lb to go   

[Bobbinyc]

@dancefoxtrot  Your scale is just plain unkind.  Only things I can think of: are you drinking enough water? and maybe your muscles retained some water - I had read that they do that when they are pushed to grow and then it works itself out.  Maybe your scale isn't working.  I don't know.  But then, I'm not one to talk.  I haven't lost an ounce in months no matter what.  

My fitbit usually works wonderfully, but apparently can't work in a basement.  Oh well.  

That is wonderful that you hiked two days in a row.  Weather here has been amazing.  I'm hoping to get in some hiking this weekend.

[Bobbinyc]

hey @_Lilac_  I miss your daily posts.  I hope all is well.