January 1st to February 14th 2021 Challenge

[Cele21]

Hello and welcome to the 1st challenge of 2021!

Besides celebrating our scaled and non-scaled victories and progress with our physical selves, I want to try something new for 2021, I want to add an extra challenge (suggested by my hubby). Choose something you can do every day for yourself to add a bit of brightness and joy to your life. Like to read but haven't lately? Pick a book and spend 10 to 15 minutes with it. Like to craft, color, paint, sing, dance, bake, cook, spend time in prayer? Well, you get the idea. Do it for YOU, every day. Let us know what you're doing and how doing it more is affecting you.

Anyone is welcome to join in at any time, just hit reply on the most recent post and let us know a bit about yourself.

Following are some acronyms typically used by those who post. Some of us also track body fat or measurements, etc. please add those as you wish.

USW - Ultimate start weight

SW - starting weight for this challenge

CW - current weight 

PW - previous week's weight/weigh-in

LW - last weight/weigh-in

GW - goal weight for the challenge

MGW - mini goal weight

UGW- ultimate goal weight

To join the challenge, please just hit 'reply' and post!

If you want to respond to or 'tag' a particular person with your response, type in @ and you will get a drop down box of recent users to choose from, this will alert them that someone has responded to something they posted and we will all see who you are talking to or about. For example: @_Lilac_  hope to see you here!

[Glenda]

I posted in the wrong place.  I'v gained and am up to 118.0 today.  I hope to be115 or 112 by Valentines Day

[mugrug]

Just looking to lose 5 lbs.  Seems like too much to ask actually but in the interest of setting goals, let's give it a try. 

I'm trying to be more active so if I can at least do a bit of a walk every day even if it's around the yard a few times then I'll be happy with that.  Trying to reestablish good habits. 

[DuskVigil]

@Cele21 thank you very much for continuing this challenge.

USW - Ultimate start weight - 273 (Apr 1, 2015 when I got my first fitbit)

SW - starting weight for this challenge -  247.5

CW - current weight - 247.5

PW - previous week's weight/weigh-in - N/A

LW - last weight/weigh-in - 247.5

GW - goal weight for the challenge - 240

MGW - mini goal weight - 200 (by the end of 2021)

UGW- ultimate goal weight - 150

I'm 69 years old, office assistant working from home, retiring in June 2021. On December 20th, my husband had his right leg amputated below the knee and I am helping him with recovery at home. LOTS of walking, bending, lifting etc - which has forced me be more active. The extra weight I have carried all my adult life is really making life more difficult now.

[SalemPoe]

My SW is 287.2 (CW too), PW was 290.4.  GW is 270.

[Cele21]

Welcome aboard everyone! Looking forward to sharing the next piece of your journey with you!

Current starting weight - 194.0 (1/3/21)

LW - 190.6

CW - 194.0 (1/3/21)

GW - 188.0 (1/14/21) 

Stretch goal weight - 186.0

Mini goal - 195.0 - Hit 9/16/20

New Mini goal - 185.0

UGW - 150.0

About me: I just turned 60 in December and live in a suburb of Chicago a few miles from O'Hare airport. I work full time and live with my husband and adult son. My daughter lives about 200 miles away with her boyfriend. I have been overweight since my mid to late twenties and have yo-yo'd around with the same 10 pounds for over five years. I have a bad knee which is an on-going issue and plan to find a new doctor for it this year. The past few weeks I also developed what I believe is tendonitis in my heel (opposite leg of course). The pain from both tends to interfere with the movement I would like to achieve.

In August of 2020 something finally clicked and I dropped about 13 pounds by Christmas. Between Christmas and New Years I threw caution to the wind and splurged on everything - soda, chips, cookies, fast food (my achillles heel), I didn't move any more than I needed to so plenty of time on the couch binge watching movies. I gained back 5 pounds over two weeks.

Today I start again. My word for the year is 'Focus' so we will see what I can accomplish. 

@DuskVigil  - My dad was an amputee above the knee due to diabetes so I know how physical it is for you to assist him. Hope his healing goes well.

[Zyggypyggy]

What a great idea my goal for this year is to focus more on self- care.

USW - 263

SW - 261.4

CW - 261.4 

GW - 253

UGW- 175

[Amaranthae]

USW - Ultimate start weight - 268  (Sept 21, 2015 when I got my first fitbit)

SW - starting weight for this challenge -  220.6

CW - current weight - 220.6

PW - previous week's weight/weigh-in - N/A

LW - last weight/weigh-in - 220.6

GW - goal weight for the challenge - 213

MGW - mini goal weight - 200 (by the end of June 2021)

UGW- ultimate goal weight - 150

[DuskVigil]

Hey we both started in 2015 and we still have weight kept off 🙂

[Amaranthae]

You've done amazingly.  Well done you xx

[Glenda]

@Amaranthae @DuskVigil   Good job ladies keeping some weight off.  I was surprised to learn that some exercises that you would think might be a good choice for someone, might not work, like a rowing machine might be bad for backs.  But with knee or heel problems would a stationary bike give the most benefit and least pain?  Some exercise is critical for good health but studies show it doesn't really help with losing weight.  So a good plan is to try to find some new favorite foods that are not so calorie dense as some current favorites.  Best wishes for 2021

[SalemPoe]

Glenda,

I am losing some weight before double knee replacement and I use a recumbent bike or a small elliptical type set of pedals under my desk.  I burn a ton of calories and it keeps my knees more limber without pain - unless I overdo it.

SalemPoe

[Cele21]

I forgot to state my extra 'just for me' for the challenge. I bought a jigsaw puzzle of the Disney Villains (some of my favorite characters) in September. After the Christmas decorations are down and the house is more normal, I will be setting up a table and spending some time working on it. Hubby and I also have the goal of less phone screen time this month.

[Glenda]

My goodness!!  Can they do 2 knees at once.  Will you be in a wheelchair?   Is it better to get it over with all at once?  I will worry for you.  

[SalemPoe]

They can, but I may wait 8 weeks for the second one.  They do a tandem surgery with one surgeon on each knee.  My house really isn't set up for a wheelchair.  That's a big drawback.  Plus, I bet the insurance would have to pre-approve that.  If I do one at a time, physical therapy will be easier too.  You are very kind, thank you!

[MaryMac123]

@SalemPoe - The plan for knee replacement surgery is to walk as soon as possible after surgery. There’s no need for a wheelchair! The faster you get out of bed and start walking, the better. Following through on physical therapy is essential for full functioning. These surgeries are even done in outpatient surgery centers!

[SalemPoe]

They have me doing PT now to help strengthen my legs before the surgeries.  I am glad they will have me moving right away.  I hate lying around!  I hope I can do an outpatient center, but my surgeon will make that call when we schedule next month.  I don't want any more downtime than necessary.  Thanks, Mary!

[Cele21]

Current starting weight - 194.0 (1/3/21)

LW - 194.0

CW - 192.6

GW - 188.0 (1/14/21) 

Stretch goal weight - 186.0

Mini goal - 195.0 - Hit 9/16/20

New Mini goal - 185.0

UGW - 150.0

So after my two weeks of no restraint over the holidays, getting back into good habits is tough! I did not hit my self imposed goals at all though some areas were close. Going to narrow my focus to just improving one thing this upcoming week and that is going to bed at a decent time. Lack of sleep has not made me a very pleasant person and the only reason is I stayed up too late playing my new video game. I have to rein this in now in order to improve in other areas. When I'm tired I don't feel well, get cranky and eat way too much junk. Holiday decor is coming down this weekend so I will be able to start working on my jigsaw puzzle.

[Glenda]

@Cele21  Cele,  No one will agree with what I'm about to suggest but if you would add 60 calories worth of protein powder (in 4 ounces of cold water) and 30 calories worth of fiber pills you could still eat junk food and maybe not overeat.  the protein and fiber would fill you up and satisfy you better.  I drink a little protein when I just want hot oatmeal for breakfast. 

[DuskVigil]

USW - Ultimate start weight - 273 (Apr 1, 2015 when I got my first fitbit)

SW - starting weight for this challenge - 247.5

CW - current weight - 247.5

PW - previous week's weight/weigh-in - N/A

LW - last weight/weigh-in - 247.5

GW - goal weight for the challenge - 240

MGW - mini goal weight - 200 (by the end of 2021)

UGW- ultimate goal weight - 150

Last week it was lose a pound, gain it back - so I made zero progress. Just copy and paste, rinse and repeat 🙂
After two weeks of being off work to take care of my husband - who is making slow but steady progress - I was glad to be back at working again. But as my husband is able to do more for himself, my built-in exercise is starting to slack off and I need to remind myself to move more often.
I did manage to do some meal planning and grocery shopping for this week which should help replace all the take out meals we had last week.
Here's to a new week - Happy Monday all 🙂