July 4, 2017 challenge

[Bobbinyc]

Welcome to the next Challenge!

This one will start today, May 30 and go to July 4th.  That gives us 5 weeks to work toward our next set of goals as we try to lose weight or maintain in a healthy way.  

Everyone is welcome to join this terrific group. You can post once weekly or every day - whatever you like - to share your journey, give and get support, offer advice, get some tips.  We have celebrated each other's successes, and empathized with the setbacks.  I personally found, the more I respond to others, the easier it is for me to focus on my own journey in a positive way.  We have seen great progress in previous challenges, in weight loss, health, learning, and non-scale success, because we are in it together and focusing on being healthier and living better lives.

Some of the terms used to report our weight:

USW - ultimate starting weight - the heaviest weight when you began to lose

SW - starting weight for this challenge

CW - current weight for the day you report in

GW - goal weight for this challenge, for Halloween

UGW - ultimate goal weight that you intend to reach eventually

Some people also include their height, their age, their BMI.  

All  you need to do to join, is start posting, usually with some of the weight information.

I do find this to be an amazing group of smart, wise, kind, and determined people.  I look forward to this next challenge, and sharing this journey and all we learn with each of you.

Bobbi

[Bobbinyc]

@dbalge Congratulations!  What an accomplishment.

[OrionNebula]

Congratulations @dbalge! 

This week has been very busy and I discovered that my scale may have been lying to me all this time. I went hiking last weekend - one 3.5 mile hike and one 4.5 mile hike. There were lots of steep inclines and I was feeling it in my calves for several days. Well, on Sunday morning before going on the hike, I was 310. Monday morning, it said I was 316. I thought perhaps I was retaining fluid. However, on Tuesday I bumped the scale into a slightly different spot and it gave me a very different weight! I tried moving it around and discovered that in a fairly small area, the scale would give me a value anywhere from 308 to 320, depending on where it was placed. So I have no idea what I actually weigh right now, but the scale is telling me 316 still.

I've also been missing my step goal most days. I started a new summer job, and it has mostly been sitting or standing around for training, paperwork, etc. and I haven't had time to make up the steps in the evening. I have been eating well, though, and staying well below the number of calories I burn, with the exception of yesterday (lots of pizza). I guess I need to shop for a scale.

[almost_where]

@annypi

Chasing that rabbit (projected goal date) is a total mind game in my opinion. When I started my journey over a year ago, the rabbit actually moved closer and I was projected to reach it ahead of schedule. Fast forward to now, 3 months past my original projection date I am still chasing it.  Mind you I was 2 lbs away from my 123lb loss goal 2 weeks ago but now I'm 7lbs away due to a recent slump I hit ( loss of motivation, food binging, etc.) These roadblocks, slumps, setbacks are all normal and part of the journey and imo should be treated as learning tools. These tools and lessons are absolutely vital to grasp because if you don't conquer them things can always slip away. 

These are  couple lessons and tools that I have learned this current mission that I was missing on previous missions that caused me to abort prior ones.

1) Logging everything - Whether I am running on all cylinders and everything is going great or I am in a slump I still log everything. When I binged and ate 8,000+ calories in a day a few days ago every chip, donut, apple, french fry was logged no exceptions. It enables me to do the math and most of the time (salt/water weight aside) there is no discrepancy between what I think Im going to weigh vs what I actually weigh in at. Its kinda like a lifeline in that no matter how dark things get I'm always logging. It has pulled me back several times from slumps and gotten me back on track.  Way too much guesswork and unknowns on prior missions when I never logged.  In addition to food, I also track weighlifting workouts in the "Jumping June 2017 challenge". Its one thing to miss working out a day at the gym but its very humbling when you keep track of it and post pubilcly that you havn't done anything and vice versa it feels great to post if you have done the workout. Also weekly weigh-ins are like the gold standard to me and I never miss those.  Even when I gain 9lbs in a week (I've done it) i'm still posting.

2) Checking in and being checked on with close fitbit friends - Super helpful. Most important tool on my current mission.

3) Reminding yourself that you CAN and WILL catch it.

[_Lilac_]

@OrionNebula  The scale issue could be the floor. If it's cushion flooring or 'soft/flexible', it can throw off the scale. Also, I find that mine will give me a wacky number if there's dust or something under the corner pads on the underside. If I see a strange number I make sure there's nothing under it, like a bit of dog hair. How it gets in my bathroom and under the scale I have no clue, but there it is. I use the very same spot to place it each time I weigh. 

Keep working on it. Whether it's 308 or 320...as long as the number goes down eventually, we are in business. Good work on the hikes!

[_Lilac_]

Today:

 Mom picked me up (along with my daughter) to do 3 walking rounds of the mall because it was threatening to rain. We hit up the city market and I bought 2 lbs of rhubarb. I love the stuff!! 

This weekend has a big old Ribfest in my town. Unfortunately, a friend's band was playing there this afternoon so I wanted to go support them. And it began to rain. And rain. And rain. We sought refuge under a big tent with tables and chairs. When it let up a bit, we went to get some food. Not a green thing in sight!!! Nothing. The only veg around was corn and that's more of a carby grain than a vegetable. The band was playing wonderful upbeat and fun music. There was a girl about 8 yrs old dancing and dancing in the rain, doing twirls, etc. She had a great time. I told my daughter that within 10 years that sense of freedom will be gone and she'll be too embarrassed to get up in front of everyone to dance in the rain. It's a shame. I wish I could have shaken off my inhibitions and got up there to dance with her. I just sat and ate a piece of BBQ chicken and raw rhubarb. 

I've had 7700 steps but not enough water yet and I still need my last meal, which will consist of almost all vegetables, since I had none earlier. The scale decided to be friendly this week after it got mad at me last week and gave me the old stink eye. Working on meeting goal but for some reason those goals I set just sit a tiny bit out of reach. Oh well, I'm getting closer each time. 

Alright, off to get in my greens...have a great weekend everyone.

[OrionNebula]

@_Lilac_ It definitely does seem to be an issue with the floor. The flooring in the apartment is pretty uneven, but I do get a consistent reading in each spot - it's just a question of which is correct. I've cleaned off the pads underneath and moved it to the original spot for now. 

I'm thinking of getting a fancier scale. I don't think I want to drop $130 on an Aria, but there are less expensive scales that do body fat percentage. My slow weight loss and weight gain this week may be due to an increase in leg muscle. I compared against my weight and measurements from December. I'm down less than 10 pounds, but I've lost 1/2 an inch from each calf, 2 inches from my hips, and 1.5 inches from my bust. That's a lot for so little weight loss, so I must be getting stronger legs from all the walking! It would be nice to see the changes in body fat to confirm if slow weight loss or small gains are related to increased muscle mass or not.

[DJC_63]

@Bobbinyc  Great info about what to do for plantar fasciitis, Ty! I would never have guessed that you could tear a tendon by leaning over to photograph things for a long period. I'm a photographer and can lose all track of time when I find a good spot. I will remember what you experienced, though!

[DJC_63]

@annypi  I suggest not paying attention to that little change in date. I've been watching my goal date recalculate for almost 2 years now! I only pay attention to what my scale says and how I look/clothes fit. The long term goal will either happen or it won't, but I know if I give up my efforts I will definitely never get to that goal.

[almost_where]

Memorial Day Starting Weight - 243 

  Sunday1 -251- (06/04) 243 Target

  Sunday2 -242- (06/11) 242 Target 
  Sunday3 -247- (06/18) 241 Target 
  Sunday4 -244- (06/25) 240 Target 

  Sunday5 -000- (07/02) 239 Target 

July 4th Goal Weight - 239

- 3 lbs

[Bobbinyc]

@almost_where  You got back on track, and then some!  Congrats!

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63  Apparently, the way I was bending, I was stretching my feet (toes on ground, heels up, squatting).  My feet weren't used to being in that position and I hadn't warmed then up.  Hey, it was a total surprise to me.  Thing is, it hurt a lot and I ignored it and kept walking and squatting and photographing.  Not a good plan.  I don't think I could even get up from a squat now!  

What kind of photography do you like to do?

Bobbi

[Cele21]

USW- 215.0 (2/4/14)

1stCSW- 211.4 (2/14/17) First Challenge Starting Weight

LCSW - 210.8 (4/18/17) Last Challenge Starting Weight

CSW - 212.0 (5/31/17)

LW- 2008.0

CW- 208.0

GW- 207.0 (July 4th)

UGW- 150

No loss but no gain even with several questionable food choices this week. I'm good with it 🙂

[Gayle1018]

Morning!!  - didn't count food this weekend, kinda had a good time- went camping-- mega hamburger/bacon/cheese burger--

BUT did do lots of steps--was thrilled to get 30K for the second time  in one day.  (hopefully walked off camp food) .  

Camping again this weekend- so we are planning a little lower calorie meals this trip.

Day by day...  decided I'd check the weigh in on the 4th - (everything still fits so hoping staying the same- and maybe a loss?--)   Loving summer weather and outings  - have a good week all.

[DJC_63]

I've cut back on snacks and cut out lunch, so I'm seeing some VERY slow progress downward. I'm getting a little impatient but not giving up!  I use a weekly average so it's actually a little better today than what I recorded.

July 4th challenge:

USW - 207.5

SW - 196.3

PW - 195.7

PW - 196.1

PW - 195.7 (6/18)

CW - 195.6

[DJC_63]

@Bobbinyc  Now that you've described it, I can see why that would tear tight tendons. Still, I wouldn't have thought of it before. It reminds me of when my doctors told me that sitting at a desk all day and bending then straightening up were really bad for my back. I had no idea that such simple things could cause so much pain and damage.

I photograph just about anything, I've been like that since I was a kid. I probably take the most photos of nature - sunsets, sunrises, flowers, clouds... anything that catches my eye. I would love to do fashion or portrait photography but I don't have a good enough camera/lightboxes/backgrounds, etc. My sister and brother both have that equipment. My sister specializes in dogs, and my brother has just started doing portraits. He has worked in the film/TV industry as a grip for many years so he knows lighting well.

You like photographing birds and flowers, right?

[DJC_63]

@OrionNebula  I hate to burst anyone's bubbles, but I did some research on scales that measure body fat percentage and what I read is that none of them work reliably. What I read said they tracked them over a long period of time and found their accuracy was not very good. 

I do think that if your measurements are getting smaller, then you are gaining muscle. That is how it's worked for me. A pound of muscle is more compact than a pound of fat, so measuring is a great way to keep track of it. I do it once a month. If things go up in size I know I need to do more weight work.

It sounds like you're doing great!

[DJC_63]

@dbalge  Congratulations!! It's nice to know that someone else has been working on the weight loss since 2015.  ;^D  It's going much better for you than me, though.  Great work!! It's inspiring.

[DJC_63]

@almost_where  Thanks for the tips! I will remember them. I've learned the lesson about logging food already, the hard way.  I'm still trying to lose some of the weight that I gained this winter when I quit logging for a few months. I've been doing what you mentioned, logging every little thing I ate even when I know I'm going to be over my limit that day. It does give me a better picture of why I'm not losing when I think I should be.

[_Lilac_]

It's 6:40am and I've been in bed only 4.5 hours but the sleep has been interrupted by 5 seizures already and I'm tired. I'm supposed to go walking with Mom this morning. The only reason I'm sitting here typing is that I have to go to the bathroom and my daughter is in there getting ready for work. I have to wait. 

Yesterday was full of activity. Took the dogs around the block early in the morning, walked 5500 steps at the park, walked home from the kitchen renovation place, and after lunch I went back there to give a deposit and returned home. Oh, and in the evening I took the dogs for another neighbourhood spin and by the ball park a foul ball missed my head by a foot!!! And then the batter hit another one, and another one...all three balls flew over the tall wooden fence and into the street. I got one for my dog and he chewed it up thoroughly when we got home. The total for the day was over 14,000 steps. I couldn't seem to sleep though and then my night was so disturbed. I don't want to cancel on Mom but I might ask her to do a shorter route today so I can come home and nap. 

So far so good with the plantar fasciitis and trying to do stretches and being very careful. 

Ok, I guess that's it for a report. Bathroom is free for me and I'm back to bed for a bit.

[annypi]

So this morning I got a little frustrated, more with myself than with the scale or with anything else. I was frustrated bc I went to dinner last night with my boyfriend for his birthday and although it wasn't my entree that was bad, Steak and Salad, it was the appetizer that I know was excessive. I made sure I only had one glass of wine BUT.... I also split his desert with him. 

I have been trying to be better about what I order and trying to not get carried away with reunions, or visiting friends, or whatever celebration it happens to be this week but I know i need to buckle down. I saw a ton of friends on Saturday that I hadn't seen since we graduated in 2016 so I was upset that I hadn't had more progress. I wanted them to see a change, I wanted a change myself.

Hence this morning I decided to take a picture... that is right.. I took a BEFORE picture. I dont really think I have had too much progress on the challenge because although I am logging and working out during the week I don't stick to the plan on the weekends so I end up spending the week trying to lose what I gained on the weekend and I end up in this awful cycle. So now I have a picture.. and I will take a picture every week .. or every two weeks, (I haven't decided on how often) in the same clothes to see if there is progress. I feel like seeing it should help me to stay motivated so that I know that on the weekend i need to still track and stick to the plan. 

4th of July is so close and I know I still have a long way to go and I want to see the change.