Labor Day to Halloween Challenge 2016

[Bobbinyc]

Welcome to the next Challenge!

This one will start on Labor Day and continue to Halloween, 2016.  That gives us 8 weeks to work toward our next set of goals as we try to lose weight or maintain in a healthy way.

Everyone is welcome to join this terrific group. You can post once weekly or every day - whatever you like - to share your journey, give and get support, offer advice, get some tips.  We have celebrated each other's successes, and empathized with the setbacks.  I personally found, the more I respond to others, the easier it is for me to focus on my own journey in a positive way.  We have seen great progress in previous challenges, because we are in it together and focusing on being healthier and living better lives.

Some of the terms used to report our weight:

USW - ultimate starting weight - the heaviest weight when you began to lose

SW - starting weight for this challenge

CW - current weight for the day you report in

GW - goal weight for this challenge, for Halloween

UGW - ultimate goal weight that you intend to reach eventually

Some people also include their height, their age, their BMI.  

All  you need to do to join, is start posting, usually with some of the weight information.

I'm very excited about continuing with this wonderful group of people and meeting some new folks too.

Thanks to dancefoxtrot for starting the last challenge.

See you here on Labor Day!

[Bobbinyc]

@_Lilac_ That really does sound great.  Whenever I'm in a natural place, aside from being relaxed and energized, I tend to walk and walk and love it.

[_Lilac_]

@Bobbinyc It's all your fault!!! I hobbled in the house after our walk and checked my fitbit. 11700 steps!!! I'll be laid up the rest of the day because of you! Oh well, it was worth it to dedicate the walk to you and your struggles. We did a beautiful trek through the park, collected an acorn, checked out a rocky stream and witnessed a pretty maple turning red. The asters are out in full bloom. I saw a hill in front of us and halfway up I thought, "Oh my goodness, can I make it without stopping or huffing and puffing too much that my mom thinks I'll pass out." But I did it!!! I was aching and wishing we were done though, about 3/4 of the way to the end...but I thought about our mini-goal and the finish line and getting to it to smack the snot out of the monster in retaliation. I hope your day today is glorious in comparison to what you went through on the weekend.

All: My daughter's new Fitbit Charge 2 has arrived and sitting in its box on the table. I've got an itch to open it and check it out. She won't be here til Thursday night. UGH, the temptation is worse than if a cake was sitting in front of me. She might let me open the box...I'll have to ask nicely.

Everybody move!!! We are all here for a purpose...to stay/get healthy! 

[SunsetRunner]

I gave my xbox to my son. Now I have a Wii that I no longer use. I might keep it for the grandkids but I don't really think they use that anymore. I am enjoying the cooler weather. Especially at night for easier sleeping. 

As for days when it will get much too cold for me to walk, or on rainy days, I like to walk with Leslie Sasone on you tube. I'm also getting hubby to make me a step that is not too high. (another slat can be added when I get used to it). I can do my stepping during commercials or with music. 

Here are my stats:

Goal Weight - 252

Week 1 - Sept.6 – 260.2

Week 2 - Sept. 13 – 260

Week 3 – Sept. 20 – 259.4

Week 4 – Sept. 27 –

Week 8 – Oct. 04 -

Week 9 – Oct. 11-

Week 10- Oct. 18-

[Bogdel]

Second Week Results:

USW -  183.5 (1/8/16)

SW -  150 (9/5/16)

Week 1 -  148.5 (9/12/16) -1.5 lbs

Week 2 - 147.8 (9/19/16) - 0.7 lbs, Total loss for this challenge: 2.2 lbs.

GW - 140

UGW - 140 

When I was heavier, I used to loose more/week. Now, in order to loose, I need to make new changes to my lifestyle (walk more and eat less). Last week I walked for the first part and I saw the results. However, I did not walk much on the second part of the week. The scale tells the truth: no walk, no weight loss. 

[Bogdel]

Second Week Results:

USW -  183.5 (1/8/16)

SW -  150 (9/5/16)

Week 1 -  148.5 (9/12/16) -1.5 lbs

Week 2 - 147.8 (9/19/16) - 0.7 lbs, Total loss for this challenge: 2.2 lbs.

GW - 140

UGW - 140 

When I was heavier, I used to loose more/week. Now, in order to loose, I need to make new changes to my lifestyle (walk more and eat less). Last week I walked for the first part and I saw the results. However, I did not walk much on the second part of the week. The scale tells the truth: no walk, no weight loss. 

[Bobbinyc]

@_Lilac_  I'm laughing and feeling guilty at the same time!  Put some ice on those poor feet.

 You said "mini" goals.  MINI!  You are amazing, determined, full of spirit and sweet. Well, not the blaming me part, but the rest of it   It really does sound like a glorious walk.  You must be so proud of yourself.  Just don't over do it and injure yourself. 

So far today I did some stretching, meditating, walking, and made a protein green drink to snack on.  Back on track.  When I go for a walk later, I'll imagine a rocky stream with maples turning and asters in bloom.  Sounds beautiful.

[Bobbinyc]

@SunsetRunner How are you feeling?  

You made it below the 60s!! Yayy!!  But mostly it sounds like you are getting stronger.  I love your determination.

[_Lilac_]

@SunsetRunner I just discovered Leslie Sasone a few days ago. I've been doing the one mile walk but haven't ventured any further than that. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and give it a shot. I hate sweating (maybe that's part of the reason I was never involved in sports or moved substantially) and I worry that I won't be able to finish a two mile. Do you have any suggestions for specific videos to do? 

[geb37322]

Congratulations ...that is more than directionally correct

[geb37322]

Good going! !!

[dancefoxtrot]

@_Lilac_@Bobbinyc

Love the dialog back and forth. Talk about going for it Lilac - you sure did.  So hope you feel better today. I love that you put that monster in its place. 

I only made 4600 steps today but tomorrow I'll made 10 k with 4 classes . I weighed 145.5 lbs this AM so the scale is being friendly.  Only 10 more lbs to goal weight which I hope to maintain this time. So let's see what the scale says in the morning. 

Off to sleep. Send you all very good wishes, 

Barbara G

[Bobbinyc]

@dancefoxtrot So glad that scale finally got the message.  4 classes in one day - wow!  You do seem to have enormous energy.  I not only admire how much you do (I'm thinking home repairs and gardening here), but what that means.  You are using different muscles all the time, balancing out your body.  And the things you do probably create great balance, agility, flexibility.  Very impressive and inspiring.

[_Lilac_]

Week 3 Day 3:

Well, I'm suffering a bit today after my huge walk yesterday, after my water aerobics class. It was probably too much for one day for me. My ankles and right shin are yelling at me each time I take a step. I was too enthusiastic.  I did my pool workout today (three days in a row YAY) and then the dogs needed their walk, so now I've got my feet up and want to keep off them if I can for a bit. If Mom wants to walk tomorrow I'll have to ask her to do a shorter path or delay a day so I can recover. I've still got over 7k steps in today so I've hit my daily goal of 7-8k.

I think back to the time just a few months ago when I had to walk 1.5km (just under a mile) to deliver something. Halfway up my block I thought, "Why is this hurting so much?" My back ached, my hips were on fire, my feet felt flattened and broken. I kept going but I just wanted to give up. Just over halfway there I had to rest and a crosswalk guard nearby snickered at me. 'Here's this really fat lady who can't even walk down the street', I could imagine him thinking. I got to my destination but had to take a taxi home. I remember how humiliating it was. It made me sad, mad, and helpless. Now, I walked and walked and walked yesterday, up a few hills and had conversation at the same time. 

I keep reminding myself of the quote, "Exercise is a celebration of what your body can do, not a chore to avoid." How true that is! Even though I ache today I celebrate what I did yesterday. I'm amazed at my progress and take great pleasure that I am doing something to improve my life, my mental and physical health.

I hope everyone here does something this week that gives them a sense of accomplishment and joy, recognizing how awesome they are in what they are doing for themselves.

[TT_is_me]

_lilac_ I love that quote! That's awesome. Good job on taking it slower today. It's good to know just what your body can and can't take.

[SunsetRunner]

@_Lilac_ I'm not an expert by far. I too hate sweating but that's par for the course if you want to lose the weight. I have trouble doing a full mile so I do part of it in the morning and the other part later on in the day. When I get used to it, then I'll be switching to the two mile. She also has one that you can do with an elastic of some sort. But the best advice I can give is to do it until you're no longer comfortable doing it, and then pick it up later in the day. 

[dancefoxtrot]

@Bobbinyc

Thanks so much for your kind and supportive words. The feeling is mutual as you have faced serious health challenges and are back at the task of getting healthier with a passion. 

Finished 2 classes so far and resting up for the next 2 classes. Made it to 8476 so far. I'm exhausted as after watching the murder of 2 more citizens and the protests I just couldn't fall asleep. That was on top of seeing the bombing of the Red Cross convoy in Syria. It makes me feel so sad and disgusted that people behave so poorly. So resting now. 

Maybe I can drift off for an hour.

Best to all challengers,

Barbara G

[Bobbinyc]

@dancefoxtrot  And thank you for your support and wisdom.  Four classes in one day - wow.  I clearly need to continue pushing myself.  The news gets to me too.  It all seems crazier every day.  I also have a hard time with the lack of social/political action these days.  Makes me feel old as I think back to the 60s - civil rights, war, feminism - no matter what people thought there seemed to be, well, more thinking. We seem to have so many of those same issues again.   I'm involved in a presidential campaign just to feel like I am doing something besides being stressed.  

I hope you sleep better tonight.  I know when I am stressed and not sleeping, it is tougher for me to eat well, be active, manage the stress.  

Let's hope at least the next few weeks are peaceful.

Bobbi

[RASG]

Wow! I would like to have half of will strenght you have to exercise. I
always find a perfect excuse... Seriously I need to exercise. I work for so
long shifts that when I go home I don"y want anything else than take a
shower, eat and go to bed. Need motivation!!!!

[Bobbinyc]

@RASG I know the feeling!  I felt like that for years- worked too many hours, too much family responsibility, etc. Always rushed and tired.  I wish I could go back to that time; I'd do it very differently.  For one thing, I'd make a bit of time for myself.  Your health has to be a top priority.  You can get away with ignoring your health for awhile, but at some point you pay the price.  

I started out with a few minutes at a time.  When I woke up, I did a little bit of stretching and just getting the blood flowing.  When I had a break at work, even five minutes, I walked at a good pace.  When I got home, I moved around (usually dancing to some music) while dinner cooked.  At bedtime I stretched again.  Gradually I found I looked forward to that time, and would add a few minutes here and there.  Before long it increased my energy.

I don't think I could have done it any other way.  I still have days when I do a few minutes here and there.  It adds up.

[HeartBiller]

Well I have missed the Labor Day Start... but would like to follow along. I have been in a weight lose journey, I would say all my life, but got serious about it on 04/25/16. I have had the FitBit since then but havent been on here to check into any of the disscussions. I would like to do this to have someone who can relate to where I am and what I am trying to accomplis. Someone that I can chat with to support each other.

USW - 210 lbs

SW - 210 lbs

CW - 179.8 lbs

GW - 174.0 lbs

UGW - 125 lbs