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]

@dancefoxtrot  Barbara, Hi!  How are you?  How is the healing from the accident going?  You were missed

[DJC_63]

@Bobbinyc You were and are exactly where I'm at! Isn't it bizarre to stay at one weight (give or take a pound fluctuation here and there), and then suddenly drop a few pounds? That's what happened to me, and it's sticking. I know what you mean about not having much of an appetite when its really hot and humid. I'm the same. But I'm so excited about finally getting into the 180's that I'll be **ahem**ed if I ruin it as soon as the weather changes.

[DJC_63]

@Cele21  Congrats on the fast food elimination! That is impressive!

[DJC_63]

@dancefoxtrot and @SunsetRunner  Good idea to check out IBS.  I was diagnosed with that back in the 80's.  (IBS-D)  At the time I was 22 and they said to avoid:  greasy food, stress, alcohol, smoking, and I think one other thing that I can't remember.  I joked that I'd have to live in a box and never go out to avoid those things at that age!  They did give me some type of sedative to take before I ate a meal which did help. At least I was able to go out to eat with people again.  

When I got older and finally stopped all of the above things AND started taking probiotics, I noticed a big change.  I rarely have problems with it now.  It's worth checking into!  Good luck!

[DJC_63]

Here's my check-in a few days late.  I use weekly averages but my weight is now down to 187.2, so I might make my goal for this challenge!  I think that will be the first time.  I'm really trying to cut back carbs, especially at night, and I'm back to getting regular work-outs again (Thank God!) It seems to be working.  I'm so happy!!

as of 8/21:

USW - 207.5 (1/14/15)

CSW - 202 (1/1/16)

PW - 192.2 (7/31/16)

PW - 190.6 (8/14/16)

CW - 189.7 (8/20/16)

GW - 185.00

UGW - 160.00

[rachel_g22]

Start: 152
Last week: 149.2
This week: 150.6
Difference: 1.4
Goal: 144

[alegria16]

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

Week 6 (8/8/16) = 192

Week 7 (8/15/16) = 192

Week 8 (8/22/16) = 191

GW (9/5/16) = 188

UGW = 155

I was a bad pumpkin over the weekend. LOL I ate healthy food, but I waaaaay over ate, didn't care that I was overeating, and didn't do a bit of exercise other than play with the dogs I was puppysitting. Back on track this week, though!

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63 I really like your attitude.  I think I'll copy it.

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63 I really like your attitude.  I think I'll copy it. 

[SunsetRunner]

@DJC_63 It's an endoscopy I believe. They will be looking at my esophagus and my stomach. Also doing a colonoscopy. I'm having trouble swallowing my food and I've been having a very sharp pain on the upper abdomen. She also wants to look and make sure I'm not bleeding anywhere. I'm anemic so they want to check it all out. I'm also told to mention this to my cardiologist because she said the upper abdomen pain could be cause by my heart. I see him in a couple of weeks. I have heart failure, Fibro and Arthritis, so I need to be patient and not stress about it too much. I also go for some Xrays on my knees to see how bad they are. 

[Bobbinyc]

@SunsetRunner  I'm really glad you are doing such a great job taking care of yourself and following up.  I have had some health scares too, most of us have, and all we can do is go to doctors, get the info, get the tests, and take really good care of ourselves.  I usually have to do relaxation exercises and watch old silly movies to stay calmer, and they end up helping with the discomfort.  Laughter really is great medicine.  Just try to get the appts. as soon as you can, and just keep taking care of yourself, and have some fun in between.

[Chlz1997]

up a bit today but not surprised....doing my best to make good choices with all the b-day celebrations going on this week.  Celebrated my moms b-day Monday with lunch at Bob Evans (had half cobb salad w/ chicken but really enjoyed a piece of the banana bread ), my friend took me out to Applebees on Tuesday to celebrate my b-day (which is today - woohoo! --- had soup & salad & dessert shooter) and meeting a friend at Chipotle for lunch today.  My son's first football game is tonight so it's going to be a crazy busy evening!

Here are my stats:

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 - 207.2

Week 6 - Sept 1

FINAL - Sept 5 - LABOR DAY

Challenge Goal - 199.8

Making progress - still doing WW and tracking everything - no matter how off plan a meal may be - if I don't track it - I am only cheating myself!  New mindset this time around --- it does not have to be ALL or nothing and its ok if my chart trend is all over the place as long as I #KeepMovingForward!!

Oh and I did end up getting prescribed a low dose thyroid med.  Started taking it Wed morning.  Dr says I should notice a difference in about a week. He was impressed with my 13# loss so far this year and told me to keep it up -  made me feel good

Have a fabulous day ya'll!!

[Cherylwith5]

USW 231  12/29/2015

CSW 217   7/4/2016

CW 218.4  7/19/2016

CW 215.8  7/27/2016

CW 216.4  8/10/2016

CW 216.2  8/17/2016

CW 215.8  8/24/2016

CW            8/31/2016

GW 210     9/5/2016

UGW 135

[Bobbinyc]

@Chlz1997  Have a wonderful birthday!!  I'm glad you took care of the thyroid problem.  It may take awhile to get the right dosage. When I started, I felt great a week later, and then gradually started to feel bad again.  Doc told me it was because I was on a low dose and it had to go up.  You can only tell so much by the blood test - keep letting your doc know when you feel tired, or weight loss slows down.  That's often the best indicator.  

I love how we are getting so much better at taking care of ourselves.

[klan7044]

I haven't posted in awhile. I hit my goal and my weight spiked up 8lbs
which has now corrected in the past week and I am at my lowest weight to
date 175.8lbs. Figured I would at least share that because I am sure others
may go through a similar thing. 🙂

--
Kari M. Landis

[khreed]

@klan7044 Thanks for sharing. Sometimes I think we need to be reminded that setbacks can be overcome.

[DJC_63]

Wow, you've got a lot going on, @SunsetRunner. I'll pray for the best outcomes for you. It's good that you're trying to stay calm and take things one day at a time. I've learned that some stress or fear is normal, but too much just makes things worse. What will be will be no matter how much we stress.

[klan7044]

Yeah and I know the scale is only one measure of progress. I know
personally I didn't gain or eat enough to gain 8lbs overnight. It can be
discouraging and inaccurate of your progress and sometimes you just have to
wait it out.

[Bobbinyc]

I'm taking a little trip, starting with a few days in Manhattan, and then a Bed and Breakfast in a rural area.  I have barely begun to make progress, if taking off 3 pounds after 4 months counts as progress.  I hate the idea of gaining it back. I usually count on walking a lot, but it will be too hot and humid.  I would appreciate any suggestions, including snacks I could take with me.  

I really don't like worrying about the scale so much, but I am.

[mommo77]

I'm with you Bobby on the worrying thing and the scale.  It's like a moody friend that sometimes plays nice and other times is mean and hateful.  Today, she's being nice, lol.  Enjoy your trip and try not to worry too much about the scale.  Maybe pack some nuts (I like the 100 calorie packs for portion control) for protein, maybe some good energy/protein bars that you like.  Maybe you'll be able to walk more than  you think. Enjoy!

SW:  212

CW:  168

GW:  150

UGW: 135

Have a great weekend, everyone!