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

[almost_where]

@DJC_63  Thanks for your kind words there, it means a lot. Wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday and I hope you enjoy your trip to the gym. Sometime today if available, head out to a public park / bench / step, someplace that you havn't been to before, electronic device free and just try to decompress, think about nothing, just observe whats around ya. When I went walking in manhattan a few weeks back, I just sat on a bench at the edge of central park and just watched cars go by/people passing for like an hour. By zoning out and not thinking about things that were troubleing/concerning me, in a weird way I think it helped me deal with them.

[Cele21]

@DJC_63 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Great idea to do something just for you. Hope you have a good day.

[Chlz1997]

@DJC_63 Happy Birthday Donna!  Hope you get your gym time and a bit of peace/relaxation today!  

[nmroadrunner]

Hi all,
Hubby and I are sure enjoying the cool mountain air and the evening thunder showers. The dog and I are getting in lots of long walks Sometimes I can even get hubby away from his radios to go along with us. He's a ham radio operator and loves the reception up here. Too bad our cell and wifi are lousy then I'd be a really happy camper. Time for weigh in:
USW. 199
CSW. 181.8
CW. 177.4
GW. 176.8
UGW. <150

Yippee! It looks as though the goal for this challenge is within sight. Hope everyone has a wonderful week. Will check in next Monday if the wifi gods are smiling. Keep on stepping!

[dbalge]

Last week, stayed about the same all week until the weekend when I saw my weight drop some. Here are my stats:

Last week 216

USW= 295

SW=231

CW=213

GW=205

UGW = 177

[RubyH]

Happy Birthday @DJC_63, and make the most of it, it is your special day. Best wishes ❤️ .

[A_Lurker]

@DJC_63 - Happy Birthday!

(have fun at the gym)

[SunsetRunner]

USW - 275

Ultimate Goal - 199

Week 1 - July 28 - 270

Week 2 - Aug 2 - 266.8

Week 3 - Aug 09 - 268.1

Week 4 - Aug 16

Week 5 - Aug 23

Week 6 - Aug 30

Labor Day Wiegh In -

Challenge Goal - 260

seem to be heading in the wrong direction....keeping eyes on the prize thou.

[audi3160]

Hello, it has been a few weeks since I logged in. Just a quick update. I went on vacation 2 wks ago and lost 5 lbs. Vacation is now over and I returned to wk. Its been 1 wk. How in the crap have I gained the 5 lbs I lost. My hubby try to encourage me by saying its water weight. Water weight or not its totally frustrating. Well back to square one.

[debb21]

strider, happy, happy birthday!!!

[Bogdel]

@mommo77, Maybe we should rotate clothes between ourselves until we all reach our perfect weight (kidding!). If 1X is too big for you, can you wear XL? I agree. Don't buy a lot of clothes while you are going through the different stages. I did that and now.... I need to buy new ones again.

When I started this journey, back in January, I used to wear size 14 (or XL). In April I moved down to size 12 (L) in dresses and size 10 in pants. This weekend I went to Macy's and tried a dress in size 10. I didn't think it would fit, but guess what? It fit perfectly. Today I bought a pair of leggings in size M. What a journey: from XL to M !!! it's rewarding, too. The only thing I do not like is to see all those beautiful (and expensive) dresses grow big on me. Thankfully, I think I could tailor some of them. 

[Bogdel]

Sorry, Everyone! I haven't been very active here since I came back from Europe, except for reading some of the posts. It took me a while to get over the jet-lag. As far as the weight, I lost some (slowly), but I wasn't as focused as I used to be. I did eat healthy and walked several times a week, but I did not stay within the caloric deficit that the Fit-Bit app has calculated for me. Like some of you, there were times when the scale went up and down. However, I want to loose some more, and I plan to be more intentional on that. So:

- Starting weight: 155 lbs (on 7/17/2016, when I joined the group)..

- CW: 150 lbs (8-12-2016: )

- Current Goal:145 lbs (by Sept.1).  

- Ultimate goal: 145 lbs.

So, I lost 5 lbs in about 4 weeks. Not much, but I am getting closer to my goal: I have 5 pounds more to go on this challenge. Lord, Help!

Let's keep it up, friends! By the grace of God, we can do it.

Have a great weekend. 

Ellie

[saraj91]

Hi All, 

Not been checking in as much as I would previously where I am not at a computer as often. Will try & be more active on the boards again! You're such a lovely lot 

My weight has dropped a couple of pounds again, I seem to be pinging back & forth between 135 & 133 a lot lately, hopefully I can keep those 2 pounds off now! I joined a really friendly running club last night so hoping that extra bit of motivation to exercise, especially over the winter months, will help keep the weight level or get the last few pounds off as I start my teacher training course in September (I get the feeling some comfort food will be consumed lol).

Hope you all have great weeks!

USW 23/3/15: 186

CSW 4/7: 133

PW 18/7: 135

CW 9/8: 133

UGW 5/9/16: 130

[khreed]

@saraj91 What an inspiration you are! You've really accomplished a lot. Congratulations.

[rachel_g22]

@almost_where, congratulations! that's such an exciting acheivement. I'm so happy for you!

@Bobbinyc, thanks! I'm  glad to know there will be a group like this functioning throughout the rest of the year. And agreed on the plan. I recently bought one of those passion planners - I had one for a while and loved it - so I'm hoping to use it as the next semester starts up to keep me organized, both in terms of getting assignments done on schedule but also to keep my time organized and make sure I'm leaving myself enough time each week to exercise, train for this half marathon, and make healthy food. 🙂

[Bobbinyc]

The scale moved!!  Finally!  I went from bed/chair ridden, rarely drinking water and eating not so great, to walking fast almost daily, strength training, being vegetarian, eating more greens than a bunny, and drinking about 7 glasses of water daily.  And no more sweets at all.  And it still took 3 months to lose 1 pound.  At that rate I'll be, oh, 'bout 102 when I get to a healthy weight.  But I don't care, because the scale finally moved.

Just did a happy  dance and checked the scale again.  

Actually, this has been a great exercise in not letting a scale have too much power, and giving power to my goals instead.

Weird thing is, I was in a cabin in the woods for several days.  It stormed a lot so I rarely walked and the only food around was either fast food or pizza and the few healthy things I brought.  I expected to gain.  The mysteries of the human body...

[Bobbinyc]

@Cele21 It's a process, not a straight line.  It takes awhile to learn new habits, new ways of thinking, new ways of handling stress.  And the scale sometimes has more ups and downs than a trampoline.  It is hard to keep the focus on health and well being and not give the number on the scale too much power.  Believe me, I know.  And I know it is tough to face and not berate ourselves or feel ashamed.    I'm glad you did face it and whether you post your weight or not, if coming in here helps, then do it.  

[Bobbinyc]

It was great being in a cabin with no wi-fi.  I actually read several great books.  But it is so wonderful to be back in this group again.

[almost_where]

@Bobbinyc Congrats on getting the scale to move. It sure does work in weird ways. Sounds like you had a good time in the woods. Welcome back to the group, we missed ya.

[debb21]

ellie: bodgel

Losing 1 to 2 lbs a week is a good way to lose weight.  I lost 50 lbs about a year ago and averaged 1.5 lbs a week, never losing more than 2 lbs a week.  I am now trying to lose 5 more just because!!!!

Keep up the good work!