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

[DJC_63]

I know that about you @Bobbinyc. :-). I did see a cardiologist once back then, they did an echo and a holter test. I remember my numbers were in the very top of the normal range. He suggested I stop taking a certain medication so I did. That was the end of it. I called them this week and asked for my records. Waiting on an email from them to sign for authorization. I also looked up the best cardiologists in my area, the city magazine does an annual survey. I have a name and I'm hoping it won't be a long wait to get in. I won't ignore it, since I now have heart disease and cancer on both sides of my family. I need my heart in good shape so I can keep exercising!

[DJC_63]

I have to make a general post that some of you regulars will understand. I got in a huge fight with my mother tonight. She actually said that "no one" stepped up to help her with her lawn since she's been sick. It was like I was invisible. I learned how to use a tractor AND a weed wacker to keep her lawn in shape while she was in and out of the hospital, giving up my workouts to do everything. Not only does she not want me to do it anymore, she's paying someone else to do it. I've bit my tongue on that, as it is rather insulting. But then to say no one stepped up, like I didn't do anything?? I was furious. So what did I do? I made a protein smoothie and went to the gym. I am proud of myself.

[khreed]

This is a clear indication that she is not well. I can certainly understand your reaction, and I LOVE your response. In the end, be grateful she hired someone to do it. One less thing on your plate and more gym time. Thinking of you.

[Chlz1997]

Weigh in day! not as stoked for todays #'s BUT still glad it was a loss!  I had a difficult night Tuesday - while I resisted the urge to eat out at a fast food joint with the hubby & son, I couldn't really "satisfy" my hunger....nothing sounded good and I didn't have my veggies prepped.  I didn't do horrible - but ate more than I should have. I also got results back on Tuesday from our annual health screening & it indicates my thyroid levels are out of whack.  My doctor actually called me when he seen the numbers and I go in this afternoon for more bloodwork.  Suppose this could help explain my tiredness and slower progress with weightloss....

Ultimate Starting Weight - 220 (Jan 2016)

CSW - July 4 - 209.2

Week 1 - July 28 - 210.8

Week 2 - Aug 4 - 209.6

Week 3 - Aug 11 - 206.8

Week 4 - Aug 18 - 206.2

Week 5 - Aug 25 (my b-day!)

Week 6 - Sept 1

FINAL - Sept 5 - LABOR DAY

Challenge Goal - 199.8

I did receive a couple of compliments from co-workers this week who are noticing a slimmer face and I am noticing a difference in how my clothes are fitting. They actually fit like they are supposed to now --- when I was at 220# - I was "squeezing" myself into the size 14 jeans and xl (1x) to the point I was in agony but I was too stubborn to buy larger clothes. So glad to not feel like that now and looking forward to when I can move down a size!!!

My replacement fitbit finally arrived and I got it charged up yesterday and back at it today! #KeepMovingForward!

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63  I am so glad you are taking care of your heart, I could give you a big hug!    I really believe that the more stressed we are, the more we have to attend to our health, even if it is difficult to do.

I hope the appts. and procedures all turn out well.

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63  I think khreed said it perfectly - this all indicates that your mom is not well. It is always tough to find the balance between taking care of ourselves and giving to those we love.  If we are lucky, the conflict is minimal.  For you, now, it isn't that easy.  You have to do what you think is right for you, so that you feel like a "good enough" daughter.  That is so you feel good about your role with her and feel good about being giving and kind enough. You also have to balance that with being good to yourself, protecting yourself from too much hurt, and taking care of your own life.  It's hard to find where the boundary should be.
 Yes, it is hurtful and infuriating, and look how you handled it!  I am so so impressed.

" I was furious. So what did I do? I made a protein smoothie and went to the gym. I am proud of myself."

I love that.  I think I am going to  make a little sign of that for myself, as a reminder, not just about managing my choices, but also about managing the 'negative' feelings.  If I start to react to someone or something with either anger, sadness, hurt, etc, I have a choice.  I can turn it around  and channel it into something positive for me.  

You are a very strong powerful woman.

[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 - 267.1

Week 5 - Aug 23

Week 6 - Aug 30

Labor Day Wiegh In -

Challenge Goal - 260

stay strong don't give up....

[DJC_63]

And I made an appointment with a cardiologist today. I couldn't get in until Oct., but I'm pleased that I followed through and made the appointment. I come from a family that mostly ignores health problems as long as possible, so it's an accomplishment for me.  It does help to have someone to be somewhat accountable to. I'm not planning to tell my family anything until after I see what the Dr. says, so this group is my "people".  Thank you!

---

@Bobbinyc wrote:

@DJC_63  I am so glad you are taking care of your heart, I could give you a big hug!    I really believe that the more stressed we are, the more we have to attend to our health, even if it is difficult to do.

I hope the appts. and procedures all turn out well.

---

[DJC_63]

@Chlz1997  The thyroid can definitely explain slow weight loss, since it often causes weight gain. I'm glad that you're going to get it looked at.  My step-sister found out she had diabetes and once they put her on medicine she was able to lose a lot of weight quickly.  I still need to go get checked for that. I'm a little afraid to do it.

I understand how it feels NOT to squeeze into your clothes anymore, too. Such a nice feeling, isn't it?  And it will just keep going for you! Because I said so.  🙂

[DJC_63]

Thank you so much, @khreed.  Now that I've gotten over being hurt and angry about it, I am relieved that she hired someone. I've just mentally turned off the thoughts that tell me I need to take care of it.  That means I've went to the gym for 3 nights straight now.  🙂  I think she wants to hire someone so that she can feel in control of it. If she's paying for it (my Mom doesn't like to spend money), then she feels she can tell them exactly what to do and therefore she'll be in control.  I understand that, since she probably feels that she has no control over her health.  I just walk past the tractor and the weeds and think "not my problem anymore."   🙂

[DJC_63]

@Bobbinyc   Thank you so much for your kind words. You are right - there is a balance where you can look at yourself and say "I'm doing what I should", but not ignoring your own life.  I have a tendency to do more than I need to, in most situations, so I eventually need to pull back and decide what's absolutely necessary (like making sure she takes her meds) and what I should let go off (in this case, all things lawn-care related).

It is hard to get past the emotional reactions, but once I did I could see some of the benefits of her desire to hire someone.  The more time I have for me the better off I'll be.  

You guys here are so wonderful, btw!

[khreed]

@DJC_63 I think with your newly-found wisdom you have recognized how this could end up being a positive thing for both of you. I agree with your observation that it gives your mom control over her life at some level.

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63 wrote: 

this group is my "people".  Thank you!

And thank you!  You give a lot, in a sweet and wise way.

I am so glad you made the appt.  Oct. is not far off.  You can also ask them to contact you if there is a 

cancellation.  

And that gives you time to get any other medical appts. made 😉

When we have a family tradition of doing things a particular way, it can be tough to step back and evaluate whether or not it makes sense for us.  I am so glad you are creating a different tradition of taking care of health.  

And you went to the gym 3 times! I'm impressed.  And I am going to follow your lead.

Thank you.

[Bobbinyc]

@Chlz1997  Definitely get your thyroid checked.  I'm getting mine checked too, because I couldn't get the scale to move for such a long time.  I have been on thyroid medication for years. The medicine is easy to take, no side effects.  The blood test to determine if you have a problem and how bad it is is not the most accurate test. Make sure your doctor works with you in figuring out the problem and fixing it.  Keep us posted.

[Bobbinyc]

@khreed I love the wisdom you share.  How are you doing?

[khreed]

@Bobbinyc I'm doing pretty well. I recently moved off of my plateau and seem to be losing again, albeit slowly. I'll take it.

[DJC_63]

I'm so excited, I broke the plateau I've been at and weighed in at 187 this morning! That's the lowest I've weighed since I started weighing regularly 2 years ago. I know it might go back up but I hope it doesn't. I've been waiting so long to get to this! It's interesting how that one thing can make your day.
Also, just last night I found all of these Happy a Birthday wishes that I didn't see last week. I was so touched. This really is a great group of people. I hope everyone is having a good Friday!

[almost_where]

@DJC_63 Congrats on breaking the plateau with your weigh-in. Keep up the good work.

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63, Congrats on the weight loss.

That's 3 of us, at least, that have just pushed through plateaus.

I'm at 187 now, but I suspect that some of it for me is weather related - it is very hot and humid here.  

It just is nice to finally see the scale moving.

[SunsetRunner]

Hi Everyone!

I'm back from vacation. There are no more vacations till next year for us. I didn't have my fitbit on to give my wrist a break. It's back on now and ready to start anew.

Went to the doctor yesterday for test results. Seems my Hemaglobin is down again. It was at 117 and went down to 114. It should be over 120. I see a surgeon tomorrow to see if I need a scope but my doc says she wants me to have one. She's concerned about the hemaglobin. Only time will tell I guess.