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

[Bobbinyc]

@klan7044  I think sometimes even people who love us sabotage us without realizing it.  I don't know if it's feeling threatened, or competitive, or jealous of your ability to go after your goals.  The only thing that ever worked for me was saying a short sweet no thanks, I don't eat that now. Or ask for support and explain what that means.  It's hard enough without someone putting it in front of you.  

[Bobbinyc]

@almost_where  I love all of your helpful suggestions, as well as your outlook.  Thanks for sharing.

And congrats on the #60!! Fantastic!

[Bobbinyc]

@Chlz1997  Yes, it IS your time.  You will definitely get there!

[klan7044]

Thanks I don't think it is intentional. He isn't the healthiest eater out
there and I think that it is a challenge for us since he has stated he
doesn't want to change his habits. We don't make separate meals and he
loves things Mac n cheese, pizza and pasta and for me those a trigger foods
as well I can't ever seem to get enough of them and I eat way too much.
Usually we mix it up with meat and/or vegetables to help me eat healthier
by not making it the only thing to eat.

[dancefoxtrot]

@Bobbinyc

Hi Bobbi,

 How thrilling that you were in Philly for the convention. Definitely lots of touching moments there. 

Yes I'm dancing again but only with my teacher so far. I'm thinking of trying a group class on Tues. where I dance with students. If it is uncomfortable I will just dance my part alone. 

My chest is on the mend and it is now 3 weeks from the accident so I think within another 3 weeks I will, I hope, to be move my rib cage without any discomfort. The decrease in pain is so encouraging. 

I'm glad that you are not discouraged and continue to increase your muscle tone and strength. Eating healthy food is absolutely important otherwise our cells do not have the nutrients to repair and replace themselves. We also need probiotics and dark greens for our good gut bacteria. Our immune system can not function effectively without them. But you clearly know this so I'll get off the soapbox. 

Yesterday I visited my son and his lady friend and helped him prune and water in his garden. We made excellent dinner from his garden.

Happy to learn that you are healthier and not discouraged in spite of that scale. Muscle tissue mitochrondria burn 8x more blood glucose than any other cells. Even walking, doing housework, causes more burning to muscle use.

Okay off to my own chore of watering my garden and off my duff right now. Need to walk my talk right now.

Best in health to all wonderful challengers,

Barbara G 

[Bobbinyc]

@klan7044  I've noticed that some people can learn about which food is healthy and how damaging some other foods are, and then just decide to never eat the bad stuff again.  I've seen people give up refined carbs, sugar and fast food by just making the decision and sticking to it.

That isn't me.

I had to do it gradually, making small changes.  I gradually added on one vegetable, and then when I got used to that, I added on another.  Or a salad.  I gradually made the meat portion smaller and the veggie part bigger.  It helped for me to read a lot about health and the dangers of eating poorly.  I also took cooking classes and watched some cooking shows and health show on PBS.  But it still took a long time.  I wish I could have done it cold turkey, but that isn't how I work.

If just going healthy all at once isn't for you guys, do it gradually.  It really does work.  I made one small change each week.  Sometimes it meant cooking a large batch of soup to freeze and have on hand until I got used to cooking more.  Sometimes I just added drinking more water.  I didn't take anything away without substituting something else.  But each week I made a commitment to do that thing from then on. Sometimes it took awhile to figure it out or make it easier but it was a commitment.  It's not that I didn't have setbacks, but since I had a plan in place I could get back on track more easily. That might be the easiest way for you.  If he won't make a change, maybe he needs you to lead and see how you do with it.

My family made changes only after seeing me looking more energetic, stronger, and well, look better.

Regardless, you need to find ways to keep going forward.  It is tough, but you have probably done tougher things.  Just don't wait for a health scare.

[Bobbinyc]

@dancefoxtrot  I'm so glad you are on the mend and dancing a bit.  Your time with your son and his garden sound just wonderful.  I get vegetables from a local organic farm co-op every week, and I think it does as much for my soul as my body.  I'm fine with not getting every single item I want when I want it, regardless of how it has to be grown or where it is imported from.  I just love seeing what comes through each week.  We had no leafy greens this week because of the weather - the farmers took a big hit with the crop dying.  But we got some things I would never have bought on my own so I am pushed to try new things.  It feeds my spirit to be more in touch with the natural order of things.  You and your son get to experience that regularly and together - how special.

You can get on your soapbox with me any time.  You are supportive, you give great advice and you share a wealth of information.  Thank you.

Question about probiotics:  I was on a powerful antibiotic when I had that procedure done, and my body just doesn't feel the same since.  I started looking into probiotics, which I should have done right away, but got a bit confused about the brands, types, etc.  Do you have any good resources on that? Thanks.

[DJC_63]

@Bobbinyc  I know you asked Barbara about the probiotics, and she likely knows more than me about them, but I can say that I think they help a lot. I started taking them in 2007 after some of my own health problems (nothing like cancer to make you think about what you're putting in your body).  I have stopped off and on through the years and I notice that I feel much better when I'm taking them. Recently I've started spending more money to buy ones with more live cultures, as I've read that they're better. GNC has theirs grouped according to what kind of health issue you want to address, ie: daily digestive maintenance, slight digestive issues, moderate issues, or digestive illness such as Crones or Celiac disease. That helped me understand the differences. 

I've had digestive issues my whole life, I assume inherited because my mother and brother have a lot as well.  When I take probiotics regularly I almost never have any problems.  Hope this helps some!

[DJC_63]

So here's my weekly check-in.  I seem to be stuck. It's obvious to me that just getting lots of steps is not going to help me lose weight. Since my mother has been ill I've only been getting to the gym once a week and that's usually just for 30 - 40 minutes.  It's been too hot to get in many walks in at home. Unfortunately the activity that I do get to do have been hard on my back so most days my back hurts and spasms easily,  plus I'm just tired. This Thursday my Mom went for an appointment with her oncologist and when they took her pulse, etc. they sent her to the E.R. and they admitted her to the hospital for the third time in a month. Her heart was back to fibrillating and her blood pressure was too low. Once again I'm feeling overwhelmed and very depressed. In addition to all of the physical work (we live in a very old place in the country that needs a lot of care) there's the indoor cleaning, getting her prescriptions, groceries, taking care of our 4 cats, keeping up with her constantly changing meds and making sure she takes them, and watching her to make sure she's okay.  She seems to believe that she shouldn't do ANYTHING. She might do a few dishes or scoop the cat litter and that's it. I don't have the equipment to know what her heart is doing so I don't feel I can say that she should/could do more. And we haven't even started the chemotherapy yet.  

i'm beginning to think that I'm too nice to the point of stupidity.  For example, my sister was taking my Mom to her appointment on Thursday, and it's about an hour's drive. I had lots to do but I thought I should go put gas in my Mom's car so that they didn't need to do it. I didn't want to do that, but I felt I should. My sister returned the car tonight after driving it all weekend and told me I'd need to put gas in it.  Am I wrong in thinking that it would have been nice for her to do it before returning it? Do I need to stop doing things like that?

To be completely honest, my Mom has not been that nice to me before all of this, and sometimes still isn't. She knows that I have absolutely no money until next week, not even for food. She won't give me any. I know this because it's happened before.  So should I really be doing everything that I'm doing?  Sorry, I know that you're not psychologists but sometimes it helps to get objective opinions. For anyone who reads all of this, thank you. Sometimes the best people to vent to are "strangers".  Also if anyone has suggestions for how to keep eating well when you're stressed, have little time for food prep, and are craving something, anything, enjoyable, please share. 

as of 7/31:

USW - 207.5 (1/14/15)

CSW - 202 (1/1/16)

PW - 193.0

CW - 192.2

GW - 185.00

UGW - 160.00

[mommo77]

I agreed, Bobby.  My son will offer me something, then apologize for doing it, lol.  He'll say I'm so proud of you mom, I don't mean to tempt you or make it hard.  I know that, he was just raised to be polite and have good manners, lol. 

SW:  212

CW:  172 (25 since I got Fitbit, 40 since I started)

GW:  150

Ultimate goal:  135

[alegria16]

I forgot to check in last week. But things are still moving, which makes me happy. Losing has never been this smooth, so I'm thrilled and praying that it keeps going. Four pounds until my Labor Day goal! I started alternating tabata with resistance training last week. I really like it.

USW 6/19/16) = 204 lbs

SW (6/27/16) = 200

Week 1 (7/4/16) = 198

Week 2 (7/11/16) = 196

Week 3 (7/18/16) = 195

Week 4 (7/25/16) = 196

Week 5 (8/1/16) = 192

GW (9/5/16) = 188

UGW = 155

[Chlz1997]

@DJC_63 I wish I had a solution for you as far as the stress eating but I can offer you advice from my past experience.  Being a caregiver is rough and even tougher when you feel unappreciated. I think a family meeting with your mother, siblings and yourself is needed so some ground rules/boundaries can be established.  Otherwise, alot of assumptions and taking people for granted is unfortunately easy to do.  When my dad was ill a couple of years ago, my brother became his main care taker because he lived with him....it wasn't until my brother asked for help in getting dad to his appointments etc that I realized just how much my brother was taking on and how stressful it was.  My father wasn't the kindest man either so I can understand your frustrations.  My dad ended up passing and even though it was emotionally exhausting - I am still glad my brother spoke up and included me.  Prayers that your mom's health improves and you are able to work out a plan with your siblings.  Also, not sure where you are from - but the American Cancer Society has a toll free number you can call day or night to let you know of available resources in your area (1-800-227-2345).  They have resources for caregivers as well as the cancer patient and also provide transportation assistance.

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63 Thank you so much for the suggestion re: GNC probiotics.  I am annoyed with myself because I knew about probiotics and should have been taking them all along.  I will definitely look into those.

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond, despite what you are going through.

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63  The only ways I have ever gotten stress eating under control were to:

1. Have no unhealthy food near me at all.  Keep healthy easy to grab food around.  Some of the healthy stuff has to be portable.  Since you go to your mom's alot, maybe keep some healthy snacks there.  I used to keep little bags of nuts and raisins in my handbag to get me through a day.  

2. Do relaxation and meditation, listen to quiet music, anything that can calm you for a few moments.  I had a rule that before grabbing food I had to do something to calm myself.  In decent weather, I had to walk, even if I only had time to do one block.  Those things took just enough minutes to help get back in control over the impulse and remember my goals.

3.  As dancefoxtrot suggested, think of your bad "food" as poison.  For someone like me, worried about cancer, it really is poison.  Picture the poison symbol.  I even pictured little bugs crawling over anything sweet (yep, it kinda ruins the pastry cravings).  I also picture my cells turning to cancer, something I saw in a book about our bodies and processed junk.

4. I made a rule.  A law.  Bobbi's Law #1.  "You matter and you may not do anything at all to harm yourself".  Period.  Then I broke it down to things I could commit to - sugar is not allowed, etc.  I only did that when I felt ready to commit.

5.  The more stress you have, the more you have to take care of yourself.

I think many people on here are thinking of you, praying for you, sending you their best thoughts for ease in this time.  Remember, you are a survivor.  Now make it just a tiny bit easier.

[A_Lurker]

@DJC_63 - Venting is good, I have a friend here that I vent to on some of the same things.  It doesn't always help, but sometimes it does.  As I said before, I'm in kind of the same situation with my 88 yr-old mother, although my situation is permanent.  Although in my case I'm financially well off, so that is one thing I don't need to worry about.  However, I hear you on a mother not being very nice.  She's never been particularly nuturing, and yet she expects that everything be done for her.  The new thing I've discovered is that she lies to get people to do things.  We get a free service from a government agency in the mornings.  They wake her up, get her washed and dressed and make breakfast (lunch too on a plate in the fridge).  Even when I'm off work (like today) I still have them come in.  Friends have warned me that if they think you don't really need the services they can cut them off.

Anyway, when I go out to work in the mornings during the week I put the paper on the front step (from the bottom of the driveway).  On the weekends I bring it in.  I slept in this morning and the home care worker was giving my mother breakfast and she asked if she had brought the paper in.  I think it was between the two driveways so she wasn't sure it was ours.  She said she would get it in a minute.  For my mother this isn't always quite good enough so she then tells her that she would go get it herself, but the last time she went out for it she fell.  This was a lie, as (a) she's never had to go get it past the front door, and (b) no way with her physical condition that she could fall and I wouldn't know.  After the woman left I questioned her about it and the fall became a trip, just down on one knee.  Again, I think this was just a way to save face, because I don't believe she's ever had to go down and get it.  Now, her memory is so poor she could be remembering something from years ago, even at a different house.  Or she's imposing her fear of falling into the story.

Hmmm... I'm not sure that helped you. 

Anyway, I know you don't have a lot of time, but ask where she'll be getting her chemo if there are any volunteer services.  I know here that decades ago when my mother had radiation treatment for cancer that there were volunteers who picked her up and drove her to her appointments.  It was wonderfull as I was working in a different city (an hour away from her home and 90 minutes away from where her treatments were).  I'd have had to take at least a half day off every time she needed to go, and I just couldn't do that.  Now that I think about it, her doctor's office may have been the ones who gave me the information.

Good luck, and know that you probably are being too nice.  However, that's a hard thing to not do when it's family.

[nmroadrunner]

Hi all,
Hubby and I are now sitting in the cool mountains of far north central NM. What a relief to be out the heat in Albuquerque!

I finally earned my 20 pound badge and indulged in happy dance. I feel pretty good about being able to meet my goal for this challenge.

USW. 199
CSW. 181.8
CW. 178.6
GW. 176.8
UGW. <150

Keep on stepping! 😄

[Bobbinyc]

@nmroadrunner Great work!  You did an amazing job.  Enjoy the cool mountains.  

[klan7044]

USW 199lbs
GW 181.4lbs
UGW 140lbs
PW (last week) 184
SW (for this challenge) 191.4lbs
CW 181.6

Looks like I need to revaluate my goal. Any more I lose than this is awesome. More than I thought I would lose 🙂 seeming to bounce back from the rough few days of eating. Keeping up my 10k steps and working my workouts back in that I got out of the habit of. It is hard to do it all haha but I do love blogilates so I hope to keep it going. 🙂

[SunsetRunner]

checking for the begin of week Aug 2

USW - 275

SW  -  270

CW  - 266.8 - up a few oz's but that ok it happens

GW  - 257

UGW - 199 (so i can say" I weigh 100something"...LOL)

[dancefoxtrot]

@nmroadrunner

Congrats on the 20# loss. Isn't it nice to be close to your goal already. Enjoy the cool. The heat wave has lessened here too north of SF, CA so it is good walking weather.

Barb