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!

[RASG]

Thank you so so so much!! I really appreciate your words and support.

[_Lilac_]

Week 3 Day 4:

Oh my aching feet! But I feel great. 11500 steps already today and I still have to take the dogs out. This is 3000 more than my daily goal! I met our local small red squirrels during my walk in the forest park and a chickadee expected a meal. It kept hopping around me. I met a dog with his forehead covered in burrs that will be difficult to remove later. Mushrooms (probably unsafe) grew in a lot of places. The ferns were bright green and gorgeous. I really need to take a camera with me when we go walking. Our next trip is Saturday. 

I'm amazed at how much more energy I have now. I haven't even needed an afternoon nap anymore and I used to have one every day. 

I have almost reached my challenge goal but I originally was very conservative AND I thought I was heavier than I was. I was 7 lbs lighter than I was in May...so I have to amend my goal for this challenge by 7 lbs. 

SW  347.5

CW  342.6

GW  333 (down from 340)

I hope everyone is enjoying their challenge and their motion and activities. We have 5 weeks left! Let's make the most of it.

[dancefoxtrot]

@RASG

Hi there, 

I have some ideas that may help.

Even on long shifts take bathroom breaks and take the long way there. No excuse is perfect at all they are just lies we tell ourselves. You can choose to believe that lie or not. Next time you hear part of your brain making an excuse, stop and decide what percent of it is true, really true. Now you can choose to eat healthier with the appropriate portions and move more. If you are too tired at the end of the shift do 15 minutes before work and the same at lunch and dinner. Often dancing to your favorite tunes gives you more energy not less. 

Welcome aboard our challenge. We are rooting for you. I bet you have overcome many obstacles already in your life so you can do it again with lots of support. 

Barbara G

[Bobbinyc]

@_Lilac_ I think I am having computer problems.  My screen says you walked another 11,500 steps today. And that you have lost 5 pounds in 2 weeks.  Silly computer.  Aren't you the person who said you couldn't walk, had no energy.....??

I definitely have to up my game.  You are amazing.  You are totally putting me to shame!

[Bobbinyc]

@HeartBiller Welcome to this Challenge.  Feel free to post as often as you like.  This is an amazing smart supportive and determined group.

[dancefoxtrot]

@_Lilac_

Yay for you. I'm impressed at how quickly you got over the first long walk and did it again. The forest sounds soooo beautiful. We have chickadees way out here in northern California as well. 

Best,

Barbara G

[Bobbinyc]

Hi dancefoxtrot!  How is your day going?

[dancefoxtrot]

Welcome @HeartBiller

Never too late to join in. Lots of support here for you to meet your goals. 

Barb G

[_Lilac_]

@Bobbinyc Sorry for the misunderstanding, the total steps including my walk to and from the YMCA, my aquafit class and the walk thisafternoon at the park was 11500. The park was 45 min of continuous walking, which is truly long for me at this weight. It seems so much shorter with my mother along because we talk the whole time and enjoy nature. But my typical daily average last week was 6-7k total each day. This week I've got over 8k and two days over 11k!! It is celebration time. We are going again Saturday. 

My stamina has certainly improved. This challenge has given me so much.

[A_Lurker]

@RASG - Lately I've been stuck at my desk more than normal at work.  I've started getting up a bit early and doing minimum 1000 steps around the basement before getting into the shower.  I may try increasing it to 2000-2500 though.  Tonight though I've been very lazy (issues when I got home) and will have to get up shortly and do a lot more than that.

[Bobbinyc]

@_Lilac_ Sorry, but there is no misunderstanding.  You are being amazing.  I suspect you will have a wonderful celebration.  It's so nice to hear that your stamina has improved.  We focus on weight because that is such an easy measurement, but this is really about getting healthier, stronger, and living a more vibrant life.  

[DJC_63]

So many positive posts! So many of you are doing great things already! @-_Lilac-_ I understand how hard those beginning walks are. When I started I was lucky to get 2000 steps in a day. When I did get 10k I felt like you mentioned. Feet were killing me, my back hurt, etc. you are doing wonderful!!and you have such a good attitude! I'm glad that you are feeling better and have more energy already.

[DJC_63]

Tonight I went to the gym and realized that I'd forgotten my phone, which meant no music. I never workout without it and I was tired tonight.but I went in anyhow and was there for over an hour. I'm amazed that I did the elliptical at all. It was hot and I didn't have anything to distract me but I kept setting little goals so I ended up doing 23 minutes. I was happy with that considering how tired I was. (For some reason I can't seem to get more than 5 1/2 hours of sleep each night this week.)

[_Lilac_]

It's raining and miserable like those dreary awful days. 11C (52F) and cold. I just got up after going to bed a little too late. My first thought was, "Oh you can skip today. You've gone to the pool 4 days in a row. That's a record for you. Success!" but then my brain switched. I then thought, "One of your happiness goals this week was to do 4-5 days this week. How proud will you be when you go all 5!" and "Don't let that monster bait you!" and "You will have two days this weekend that you are going to struggle to make your 7-8k step goal each day...don't make it three in a row." 

So I am preparing for a damp crappy walk to the Y. I'll come home and change into comfy clothes and cuddle with the dogs. That and a hot cup of tea will be my reward. See you later! Keep those good voices talking to you in your head!!!

[jadedkisses]

I agree, so many amazing motivational posts! @_Lilac__Lilac_  you have been a true inspiration at your sheer tenacity. Keep it up!!!! @RASG I know exactly how you feel. I am a single parent with a 7 year old and I work 10+ hrs a day at a desk job.  I try and get in extra steps where ever I can.  On my lunch break instead of sitting the whole hour, I take 15-20 mins to eat and then walk the rest of the time or run errands that I usually would put off until after work.  I have found that if I don't take just a little time for myself in the evening I go a little stir crazy!  Best of luck to everyone!

[khreed]

@_Lilac_ I can so identify with your position today. I rode my bike four days in the past four days. Today I'm so discouraged because I have really plateaued, going on 3 weeks with a pound up, a pound down. I'm really trying to get through this period so I don't get too discouraged. A week ago, I basically "took a break" out of frustration -- but I'm not going to give up.

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63 I've been wondering how you are.  The lack of sleep is so hard to deal with.  I go through that frequently, and when I'm that tired my ability to be focused on my health diminishes.  You are doing a great job - going to the gym anyway.  I can't do the elliptical at all.  It tires me more than anything.  So, you have just inspired me.  I'm going to try to add at least one minute on it each week.  

I still have something you said in my head:  you were totally stressed out from family stuff and you said,"so what did I do?  I went to the gym".  I actually wrote it out and have it near my desk so I can see it whenever I need to.  A nice reminder that there is always a choice.  Thank you.

[Bobbinyc]

@khreed  When I went 4 months without losing an ounce, I knew I would either give up completely or change my thinking.  Since having a serious health scare it was a bit easier to decide to just focus on doing all I could to be healthier.  I decided that if I got so discouraged that I ate junk - my own tendency- that I would just toss the scale.  I know it is hard at my age, with my history of eating sugar, with my health history, to just turn it all around.  The body needs time to adapt.  But nourishing it well and keeping it as active as possible makes a huge difference in health at some point.  I still haven't lost much but I know my energy is up, and that means a lot.

It is really hard to get through the 'slumps'.  Please don't stay away from here tho.  You are missed.

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63  Did you ever get your blood work back?  I hope you are ok.

[_Lilac_]

@DJC_63  @Bobbinyc I love that quote too...about stress and using it as a motivation for going to the gym. So many people would feel stressed and curl up in bed or dig into a tub of ice cream or something. At the gym you can just go inside yourself and think about nothing except taking care of yourself. You can hop around to cheery music in a class or just punish the stress with sweat.

The elliptical is killer. I tried it once when a trainer was showing me the different machines and equipment. I had a horrible pain over my knee after just a few steps on it. I don't know if I'm particularly weak in those muscles or it's just not for me. I felt like I wasn't using the big muscles for calorie burning at all and it felt very unnatural a movement. If you can do it though, phew I'm impressed.

I think I will also put that quote up to see often. 

Ok, my daughter is starting a leslie sansone walking video. Guess I'll join!!