Holiday Challenge! Maintain or lose but do not gain!

[Shelley]

I read that the average person puts on 6 pounds over the holidays and doesn't ever lose them.  Let's not let that happen to us!  This challenge will run through December 31st!  Here is the challenge:

Pick a goal for how you plan to eat through this challenge.  It is your choice but some examples might be giving up all processed foods, eating mindfully, eating plant based diet, etc.

Choose an exercise regime you will commit to do daily.

Stay accountable to the group by reporting in daily or if you can't do that just report as often as you can.

Who is with me??  Let's do this!  Here is my commitment to the challenge:

I am eating 90% plant based diet with no processed foods and limiting salt.

I will walk enough to get 10K steps a day 

[SunsetRunner]

I had a goal of 100 pounds by Christmas.  I'm 1 1/2 pounds away.  I'm looking forward to a treat of Kernels popcorn on Christmas eve and weather permitting I plan to meet my 12,000 steps and 45 flights of stairs  every day.  Love the Fitbit  🙂

[Lambchoplewis]

I am on day2 with my fitbit. Wow, I am amazed at how much I had to do to rech 15000 steps. I found out my usual exercise and moving around is about 10,000 but I had to walk on treadmill for 30 extra minutes in afternoon to get to goal. Having problems with steps as I need to find a building I can go into and walk steps.

Tracking food etc. for holidays I have to say NO to all sweets, snacks cheese etc as once I start, I can't stop. Good thing there will be turkey and salad available to eat. I have 15 lbs to go!!!

[HelenaFitbit]

Welcome to the Fitbit Family @Lambchoplewis !! When I need to make some steps without going back and forth in my living room I usually go to a mall that is nearby. I walk in from home, around and back home. Since I used to have a spending problem, I've learned to go there without my wallet, to avoid temptation! 

As to the restrictions you've set, I recommend a portioned pre-planned snack instead of denying them in full. Usually the holidays get a bit crazy and they are going to be all around you, best to work around them in a controlled manner ( getting the proud feeling of being on top of a craving) rather than feeling sad that you are leaving something you want behind (and possibly avoiding a binge on the denied cravings). 

Happy Holidays and good luck! 

[Jodi6682]

I'm in! My goals are below:

1. I will not gain. I will either maintain or continue to lose weight as I have been before I hit this plateau.

2. I commit to running 2.5 miles+ 3 times a week or more when able.

3. Less carbs (specifically bread) and switch to eggs for breakfast instead.

[WandaC]

Ok 16 more days left of the holidays! Stay strong, keep looking at your goal and be positive!

[lakegirl25]

I'm in.  

1.  Pick a goal for how you plan to eat through this challenge: To not overeat, and not eat sweets at work.

2.  Choose an exercise regime you will commit to do daily.  To maintain over 10K steps on non-running days

Thanks for the support!!!

[Julie1221]

I am the definition of a yo-yo dieter, but not again! I have been loyal to my fitbit ways for about a month now and I'm down 5 pounds (on the -1 lb per week plan), so I'm not track! The holidays terrify me though. My family expresses their love, and guages your love for them, based on how much of their food you eat. If you hold back they take it as an insult. Therefore I am DREADING holiday meals this year. But I'm up 35 lbs from my wedding this time last year and I refuse to go any higher.

Here are my goals so far: 

Food Goal: I've been doing well sticking to 2 protien meal replacements (ex: Protien bar/shake) and 2 fruit/veggie snacks during the day and cooking myself a decent sized healthy dinner each night. I think sticking to my daily eating plan will be incredibly helpful to me during the holidays as it keeps me full but still gives me a little more wiggle room for my evening meal. I think this will allow me to still feel like I'm actively partaking in all of my holiday festivities, but also have a safe zone I'm comfortable with that will (hopefully) not offend everyone.

Exercise Goal: My goal is to get at least 30 minutes of high activity 5-6 times per week. I have a treadmil at home and access to a full gym through work. My schedule gets crazy travelling for the holidays, but I should be able to do it. 

Step Goal: My goal is to continually reach my 10,000 step goal each day. 

I really think having a sounding board for this holiday season will be a good thing for me. Thanks for giving me a place to put my goals out there and find some accountability. Here goes nothin'!

[Susan1954]

Hi  I'm new to the community and very happy to find this topic. I am on day 2 as a fitbit user lol and dearly want to lose 3lbs before Christmas Day and then not gain anything over the next four days of family celebrations.

The suggestion that we plan and be specific about food intake and exercise is great (obvious really but easy to not do this) I've got a journal and going to plan meals and exercise for each day.

good luck to all

[Linzanity]

This is my first visit to the forum and I am excited about your challenge so I am in.  Committing to do the C25K program from start to finish -  3 times a week -  to up my step count to over 10 000 steps  3 times a week.  And today I did it !  And to think twice about portion sizes over the holidays.   How was your day Shelley? Did you get those10 000 steps today? 

[Carole_G]

I'm in. I also have heard people gain an average 6lbs a day. I don't want ot be one of those statistics! So here is my plan.

1. I will give up sugary drinks, drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day.

2. I will get in 10,000 steps a day.

# 2 is harder for me because I travel for work. It is hard to get my walks in. If anyone has any suggestions, I would be interested in hearing them!

Carole_G

[Snezzer]

I just found this site and I am joining the challenge ! One question : how can the calorie burn count be so high on Fitbit ? I use my finess plan to cou

[Snezzer]

Count my calories and exercise and the values are way off in exercise vs calories burned ?

[Carole_G]

Today I am staying well with my water. The only other non-water drink I had was the Vanilla Latte from Starbucks. I do need at least one coffee in the day. The rest of the day will be water. As for my steps...not so good. I am in Indiana this week for work. It is quite frigid outside or I would go for a walk. When I get back to the hotel tonight, maybe I can walk on the treadmill.

[bellereeve]

Checking in--got my average walking pace up to 10,600 for the week! The previous week it was 9,920 so definitely an improvement!

My weight really hasn't changed that much--I'm going down, but it's very gradual. I think that's mainly because I'm not drinking enough water. I drink 40-50 oz of green tea a day but I really need to kick up the water, especially during the day! I drink maybe 20 oz.

Good luck everyone!! Only a couple weeks left!!

[bellereeve]

Not sure if you drive, but I force myself to park on the other side of the parking lot and walk in the building. It adds up for me, now that I've started doing that it helps me hit the 10,000. 🙂

[Snezzer]

I agree with you

[Snezzer]

I am new also and I am with you in wanting to lose before Christmas !

[LettyFit]

Hi there!  Great challenge!  I am in!  I plan to continue to lose 2 lbs per week by maintaining healthy diet plus 10K steps per day with goal to increase to 12 K per day by January 31, 2015.  Thanks for the challenge and the community support!  We can do this!  

[atlantajazz]

It will be rough, but I'm going to try!

[Zen_Ness]

Hi

I'm in..

first day using my new Fitbit exciting 🙂

Already done 14000 steps

I def need to focus on drinking more water!

I'm not completely doing the calorie thing but i am trying to be semi aware,

I'm eliminating sugar from my diet and focusing on whole foods without being totally pedantic, rough paleo diet, only being doing this for about a week and a half and feel better already.