July 4th to Labor Day Challenge 2016

[dancefoxtrot]

Welcome one and all to our next challenge for better health and weight loss or maintenence.

We gather here to support each other, cheering and empathizing with the process of life style

change to improve our health and quality of life.

Set reasonable goals so you can feel success.

USW= heaviest weight when you began to lose

SW=starting weight

CW=current weight

GW=goal weight for Labor Day

UGW = Ultimate goal weight - long term healthy weight goal

Some people include their BMI = Body Mass Index, and some add their height as well. 

You can stop by once a week and post your progress or every day to get and give ideas and support. 

Most people track their food intake as well as steps to make sure you burn at least 500 to 750 more calories than you consume. Remember eat healthy food and portions in a way that you can maintain.

We can do this together. We have seen great progress over the last 7 challenges. 

Welcome.

Barbara G

[MeeshkaMouska]

Late Check In - I weighed myself on Friday 07/15!

SWC: 253.3 lbs

CW=250.6 lbs

GW=220 lbs

Need more exercise!

[A_Lurker]

@DJC_63 - I became the full time caregiver for my (now) 88 year old mother about 2-1/2 years ago.  I don't have siblings, so I didn't really have a choice.  If your brother is more financially secure please reach out for assistance.  I get minimal assistance from an agency called CCAC here in Canada, which includes morning visits and leaving a lunch in the fridge for her.  I do all the rest, and it can be quite a drain emotionally.  In my case I brought her to live with me, but that still creates a lot more work.  In your case remind yourself that doing her chores is still burning calories even if you're not hitting the gym. 

I also struggle with evening meals, and evenings in general.  Her original state was caused by an accident which caused a rapid weight loss.  Before she was 113, which would have been slightly overweight for her size (although the doctor liked her at that weight) to 89 pounds which is underweight for her height.  Her weight is back up to just over 100 pounds, but this is with 3 meal replacement drinks added to what she eats. So, as I'm looking for lower calorie meals I need to make sure she eats as high as calorie meal as she can take.  Also, she no longer participates in any social activities outside the home so I feel I need to entertain her when I'm home for the evening.  It's like leaving a full time day job and coming home to a full time evening job.  Last year I was, for the first time in my life, medicated for depression.  I ended up not continuing with the medication (I'll even admit that my apathy was part of my symptoms) but know that I probably should still be.  Objectively I'm marginally better than I was, but still have bad days.

So trust me, I understand your struggles.  Having said all that, I did manage to get myself motivated in February (I'll admit she was in respite care at the time) and am back on the weight loss trail.  Down 57.2 lbs since that time, so, I'm telling you that you can do it.  It's probably going to be harder than you think, but really, you can do it.

[Bobbinyc]

@RubyH  Congrats on all your hard work paying off.  I'm also hoping that you stick around.  Maintenance is hard (can't wait to find out some day) and you deserve support and advice, whatever you need.

[Bobbinyc]

Thanks, all, for your support with my scale frustration.  I checked, the scale is not broken.  I made a doctor appt. to see what is going on.  

Mostly, I really appreciate the support and suggestions from this group.  It keeps us all grounded in reality, and motivated to make that reality better.

Thank you.

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63  I'm so sorry for what you are going through.  Just one thought - look at the support you are getting here.  Look at how many people have responded to you with genuine caring.

That says a lot about you.  This is what you bring out in people.  So take a good look in the mirror, no criticism allowed, and see the kind, caring, generous soul that we all sense in you.  What could matter more?

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63  One more thought:

I don't know  your mom's age but, your state has excellent programs of assistance for "older" adults.  Some of these are offices that have lists of resources, some provide resources directly.  Also, if your mom gets any treatments at a hospital, they will have social workers that can/must help.  You can ask about caregivers who can come in to give you a break or just help, nursing care if that is appropriate, whatever service would ease the workload a bit.  Also you can check on programs like Meals on Wheels.  Some say you have to be a certain age, but some provide assistance for a medical crisis.  That might also include transportation to and from doctor appointments.  

Also, different religious groups have organizations that provide services, and they don't care what religion you are - Jewish Family Services, Catholic Charities.

It will take some time to make the calls, but....hopefully worth it.

If your brother is around, he can give you some relief.  Use it - take a nap, go for a walk, meditate, have a good cry, talk to a friend, listen to music, work out, whatever you need.  And he can hire someone to come in weekly, daily, whatever, to help.  Or, he could help too.

You have a lot of people supporting you and encouraging you to take care of yourself.  And we will all be nagging you a lot if you don't so you might as well.   

Sending good wishes and hugs.

[Bobbinyc]

@khreed That course sounds wonderful! Have a great time.  But mostly, congrats on the 10 pounds!  That is amazing.  You fought through so many struggles and are winning!  Being away is always tough in terms of food.  But you can also do a lot of walking and maybe use a hotel gym.  Enjoy.

[SunsetRunner]

Yesterday I went out of the house in shorts. I haven't shown my knees in public in ...8? 10? years.

[OCDOC]

I read every single post on this thread..the level of compassion and support is astounding.

My post is a bit mundane..checking in....

My daughters fed me a huge traditional dinner a week ago for my birthday, so it took extra effort and time to push down the bloat. But it was a good week; counting my blessings always seems to help.

USW Jan 1 '16 246

CSW 200.4 (bloated)

LastChk-in 196.0

Today 193.0

CGW 189

Continued-improving health, happiness, and success to all!  Rob

[Bogdel]

Coming Back! To my friends, whom I met in the previous challenges, Greetings! I'm back. 

After over two months of travel to Europe, I gained about 3 pounds. Now, I'm back home, and back to the challenge of weight loss and healthy life-style. Those of you who are new to this challenge, I am looking forward to meeting you and to encouraging one another.

Here are my stats:

USW= 183.5 on Jan.7, 2016

SW=155 lbs

CW=155 lbs

GW= 145 lbs -goal weight for Labor Day

UGW = 145 or lower (subject to revision at the time I reach 145 pounds). 

My hight is 5'5"

BMI at the start of this challenge is 25.1

[Bogdel]

Hi @bluenose1962! I just came back to the US and joined this challenge. As I try to catch up with everyone's post, I learned about your surgery and am glad it went well. 

About the problem you had with your Fit-Bit: the plastic cover on my Fit-Bit HR cracked while I was in Europe. I believe that the charger connector is the cause (as the plastic glass is not strong enough for it; I hope they find a way to improve it in the future). I called the Customer service and they immediately sent me a replacement, free of charge. Like you, in addition to enjoying my achievements with the Fit-Bit, I am totally pleased with Fit-Bit's Customer Service. 

Hope you continue to have a safe recovery and keep a healthy life-style. 

Regards!

[CynC]

@SunsetRunner, YES! Good for you! Now that I am close to goal, I treated myself to 4 new pairs of shorts at Ann Taylor Loft. AND I wore a pair in public today, which was brave of me. Best part? I got a wolf whistle. I know that as a feminist, I should have been offended. But part of me thought, "Huh! REALLY?!" He was a young guy.
: )

[scottie0714]

Hi - posting my stats for the past week. I'm down 1 lb. Even though I had bday cake, I tried to balance everything I ate with exercise and water. Im looking forward to making more progress this upcoming week.

USW - 213 (1/14/16)
SW -191.1 (7/3)
PW - 191 (7/10)
CW - 190.0 (7/17)
GW - 181 (Labor Day)
UGW - 175ish

[Bogdel]

Hello, my @almost_where! Yes, I am back and just joined this challenge. Good to see some of my friends still working at it. I gained 3 lbs while in Europe (I was praying to maintain what I lost, and 3 lbs gain is pretty close to it). With a couple of exceptions, I was pretty good at maintaining a healthy diet, and I was walking daily the first part of my time there. However, the last 3-4 weeks I did not do much walking, and that's where the 3 lbs came in. Well, I also indulged once in some pastries at a family reunion, but I was pretty good the most of the time. 

Any way, it's good to be back and pick up from where I left it. Plan and pray to loose 10 lbs in this challenge. 

Best wishes to you, my friend! 🙂

[Bogdel]

@scottie0714, Congrats and Happy Belated Birthday! Keep it up, Friend! One day at a time, we will all get to our ideal weight and healthy life style.

Blessings and strengths!

[Cele21]

USW= 215

SW= 214.8

LW= 214.0 (Last weigh-in weight)

CW= 212.6

GW= 207.0

UGW = 140.0

Another loss - how unexpected! There has been a lot going on the last few weeks and I felt my eating was out of control and my movement was underwhelming but I guess something is working!

[Bobbinyc]

@Cele21 Great!  Once our bodies start moving in a certain direction, we have a tiny bit of leeway.  But only a tiny bit.  

[nmroadrunner]

Hi Everyone,

Hope you are staying cool this summer. We're having a hot summer here in NM. It is mostly desert so that's not a real news flash. I made it to 10,000 steps  or over three days this past week. As I started out barely making 3,000 steps back in April when I started with Fitbit, I'm pretty happy!

USW  199

CSW  181.8

CW     179.8

GW     176.8

UGW   <150

Yay!  Another pound down! 

[Bobbinyc]

@nmroadrunner  Very impressive.  How you can do so much walking in that heat is beyond me.  But it is exciting to see that 10,000 isn't it?

[awood08]

Hope you all are doing great! It's been a while since I checked in. Still nursing this ankle injury (if I don't see some major improvement in the next day or two I'm going in for a check) swelling has gone down but not as much as I'd like to see considering it's been two weeks. So far life without Fitbit has been surprisingly okay. I miss checking my stats and my Charge HR features but I am keeping steady with logging food (as consistent as I can be) and keeping up some level of activity at home since I'm waiting on my ankle to get back to 100%. We finally got our house pending sale, just waiting on final inspection and closing dates and we put in an offer on the other home we want so fingers crossed that goes through smoothly. 

Have a wonderful week! 🙂 

USW 235

CSW 163

CW   162

UGW 150's