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!

[alegria16]

I was traveling for work last week and will be again next week. As I figured it might be, travel was good for the waistline. I actually hit my 10k steps with all of the workshop preparation and set-up scurrying about, which has been a rare accomplishment. And I lost some poundage.

USW (6/19/16) = 204 lbs

SW (9/5/16) = 191

       (9/13/16) = 192

CW (9/27/16) = 187

GW (10/31/16) = 185

UGW = 155

Height: 5' 6"

Age: 42

[Bobbinyc]

@dancefoxtrot I'm so glad the scale is cooperating again and acknowledging how hard you are working.

Did you survive the debate without stress eating?  I managed it by pacing around almost the whole time.

[Bobbinyc]

@_Lilac_ Your determination and enthusiasm are contagious.  I'm so glad you share your journey here.  Thank you.

[Bobbinyc]

@nmroadrunner  Congrats on the smaller jeans!  Enjoy your shopping trip.

[Bobbinyc]

@SunsetRunner Yes,  you can do it.  And losing one pound is terrific!  I'm glad your mom is doing better.

[Bobbinyc]

@AndyDandyPandy  Sorry you've been down.  I found it very hard to separate emotions/stress from eating and exercise.  It took quite a bit of practice and changing my thinking, and I still slip up once in a while.  I hope life improves a bit for you, and, regardless, I hope you find a way to continue taking good care of yourself.

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63  I am so glad your results are good and that you are on top of it.  My results were good - I've brought my normally high cholesterol down a good amount.  Nothing indicates why I am struggling to lose the weight.  I'm having some other medical tests done but I'm thinking that I may just need a lot more exercise than I've been getting.  I'm going to keep working on building that up.  And drinking more water - I slid back on that.  Thanks for asking.  

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63 I just saw your post about measuring yourself.  That is such a great idea.  The scale is not a great measure of progress on daily basis because we don't know what we are losing - water, muscle, etc.

As we get stronger, we can still see a decrease in our measurements.  You are making such great progress.  

[_Lilac_]

Week 4 day 2:

Exhausted. Yesterday, I went to the pool in the morning and then for a walk with Mom. We did the same route we'd done two days before but I found it hurt my legs more and I was much more tired at the end. And today I woke up not feeling 'right', ya know? I ate a bagel and banana then walked my dog to the groomer. From there to the bank, the drug store, back to the groomer. It was not my peppy, happy gait as normal but draggy and difficult. By the time I got home I'd done 7570 steps (just from that walking!) and part of it was in the rain. I'm REALLY hungry so I'm making a good hearty lunch but I think I'll rest for the afternoon. I have to take my other dog for a walk at some point because he's bouncing off the walls but he can be satisfied by going around the block. I'm the sort of person who is always warm but today I'm in my slippers, jammies, sweater, and I have a space heater on. And still shivery.

So, there are two possibilities for why I'm tired and cold. Maybe I'm coming down with something or I've been working too hard and not eating enough. My daily deficit is usually 1000 or more. Even though I'm satisfied and not hungry, I am today. I might eat some liver for supper in case my iron is low too, though I have been eating beans. Ok, blah blah, rambling. I think in text, ever notice that? haha. 

So, even though I don't have the zippy energy I usually do, that doesn't give you guys a break!!! Move move move! The challenge is still on. We are working for something important and necessary to our lives. I'll be out on the trails with the hop in my step in no time!

[TT_is_me]

@Bogdel Sorry for the late response! The amount of snack foods always available at church is ridiculous. There are always donuts, muffins or sugary coffee drinks readily available EVERY TIME!! And let's not get into the lunch/dinner events... so much food 🙂 

As to the weight loss, I think my body is just finally catching up on losing. The two weeks prior to joining were both stagnate - no loss, very little gain. So the -4.5 was just adjusting to previous weeks. I'm aim to lose around 1% of my body weight per week (2-2.5 lbs). So, honestly, you are also hitting that same goal that I am shooting for (you are just a lot smaller 🙂 )!

One thing that I have started recently is making healthy 100 calorie packs (like grapes and carrots, cheese, veggies and hummus, etc) so I can easily grab a quick snack if I'm really hungry without having to worry about overeating. It's helped out a lot so I'm not mindlessly eating chips out of a bag (or eating half a bag) or diving into the ice cream. It's amazing what just a little bit of food prep can do to curb the crazy over eating. 

[dancefoxtrot]

@Bobbinyc

Hello my friend,

I wish that I had paced more as the odious Trump was rude and interrupted more than 70 times. He talked right over Hillary and the moderator, Mr. Holt. During the 2nd half he grew more tangential, rambling from topic to topic mid sentence. It reminded me of Sarah Palin. How could the polls be so close when he is sooo unqualified, refuses to learn important info. needed and lies through his teach. He seems to have mental health issues that are untreated since he behaves like a 3 yr old at times. 

I was proud of how well prepared and articulate she is.  Wow a woman president who can hold her own in a dignified manner.  2 more of these debates to avoid stress eating. 

Stress eating, hmmm, I don't remember if I ate extra.. or yes hummus and Mary's whole grain & seed crackers. Guess I did a bit but I didn't go crazy at all. 

Been good so far today. Off to dance class in 15 mins.  Garden to water....

Stay strong.  

Barbara G

[dancefoxtrot]

@_Lilac_

Hi again,

A whistle and a cell phone and a stun gun or mace if it is legal where you live. I think that the authorities should have a description of him. Good for your mom for high tailing it to safety. 

Your story gave me shivers.

Rest up as you may be fighting off something.  Also, bagel is high carb, which shoots up insulin production and then you can have a slump in blood sugar which can cause chills, weakness and tiredness. 

Protein and low carb is better than a carb only meal like bagel. 

Best,

Barbara G

[Bogdel]

@TT_is_me, is this your first challenge, or you've been on others before? 

I joined the Fit Bit community in January, and that has literally changed my life. In addition to logging my food and walking several times a week, I have been reading a lot of nutritional books that helped me change my eating habits. One such books is called "Eat to Live", by Joel Furhman. I bought it both in the audio format and the hard copy. I listen to the book as I walk my dog (or maybe the dog walks me, LOL), as well as at night, when I go to bed. I think I went through it about a dozen times and I am still listening to it. 

As far as wight loss, the secret for me was to remove all forms of starch, sugars, and fat from my diet and replace them with raw and cooked vegetables. I found out that raw vegetables keep me full longer, eliminate craving, and are loaded with micro-nutrients. They really detoxified my body so that I no longer crave for things that are bad for me.

I usually make a big batch of salad that lasts me for a few days. My salads usually include lettuce, spinach, carrots, celery, green onion, parsley, and a bit of kale. I put it all in an air tight container in the fridge, and help myself three times a day. Sometimes, when I eat the salad, I add a few strips of meet, or tuna, or nuts, or fruit, or a hard boiled egg, avocado, etc. That makes it taste differently each time, and I don't ever get tired of salad. I also make a big pot of stew that also lasts me for almost a week. For protein, I still have meat, although I know that the best protein is the one found in greens, beans, nuts, and seeds. 

If you have any other secrets that have helped you, I would be very interested to learn about them, as well. 

Best wishes to you and to all our friends on this site. 

[Bobbinyc]

@_Lilac_ I agree with @dancefoxtrot on two things - you could be coming down with something.  Also, your body may just need a break.  People I know who do intense training often take a day off to let the muscles rest and repair.  Maybe, since you have been pushing yourself so hard, you need that too.  Either way, listen to your body.  You'll be your high energy self in no time.

The other thing - I am so glad your mom got away from that man.  I do believe the police should still be informed.  He sounds like a threat and it would be awful if anyone got hurt.

And, regarding your "move move move!" command - Yes, Ma'am.

[Bobbinyc]

@dancefoxtrot  Hi friend.  I'm glad you are dancing tonight.  Thinking of you out there doing such wonderfully elegant dances warms my heart.  And yes, he was disgustingly rude, arrogant, didn't answer most of the questions,   made up nonsense to cover his ignorance, and once again seemed to miss the difference between big business and running a country.  "you're fired" doesn't exactly work in negotiations.  How on earth can someone justify never paying federal taxes, declaring bankruptsy and never paying thousands of workers, with "I'm smart".  The lack of conscience and sense of citizenship is appalling. Are the lack of filtering, social inappropriateness, and lack of sustained attention signs of early dementia?

Ok, off topic!  And good for you for managing the stress eating.

[A_Lurker]

---

@_Lilac_ wrote:

So, there are two possibilities for why I'm tired and cold. Maybe I'm coming down with something or I've been working too hard and not eating enough. My daily deficit is usually 1000 or more. Even though I'm satisfied and not hungry, I am today. I might eat some liver for supper in case my iron is low too, though I have been eating beans. Ok, blah blah, rambling. I think in text, ever notice that? haha. 

---

@_Lilac_ - just make sure your deficit of 1000 or more isn't too steep.  For most, quick initial loss can backfire.  Women do tend to have more issues with low iron than men do, so get a blood test if you're not sure, especially if you've had issues in the past.  Years ago I didn't realise that I had extremely low levels.  It was a downward cycle - as it got lower I did less meal prep, didn't eat as well, got worse.  I had many tests, and they actually found another issue while doing them, but they never did determine why.  I asked my GP to check them with the last set of blood tests I had, and all good.

I enjoy reading your posts just want to check - are you taking a rest day occasionally?  Not necessarily a day you do nothing, but a day you consciously do a little less.  I actually try and take a complete rest day once a month (although I'm really bad at doing it).

[Bobbinyc]

@Bogdel  I've also read that book and try to follow it.  I watch his PBS shows and have read his other books too.  Additionally, I have watched the PBS shows with Dr. Hyman.  I rarely believe anyone on TV, but everything I have read indicates they are on the right track.  Last winter I was laid up from a cancer scare and some minor surgery (foot).  While laid up I read a number of health books, including a great one by a neurologist/researcher about preventing cancer.  That author, Fuhrman and Hyman referred to published medical research, so I tend believe what they say and they all said similar things.  I now follow the advice as much as possible.  

I love your salad ideas.  One of the other things I do is make big batches of soup.  I make a vegetable white bean soup with herbs (Italian recipe) and a lentil soup with spices and freeze containers of them so I don't have to cook as often.

I also get veggies mostly from a local farm co-op so everything is picked within 24 hours and organic.

I make green smoothies, eat lots of nuts and seeds, and have food with probiotics.  Raw veggies work for me too.  I rarely have meat.

I do some  other things to be healthier and have a healthier home, but they aren't about weight loss.

Thanks so much for sharing the information and your tips.  

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi @Bobbinyc

You know I hadn't thought about the beginnings of dementia. Well I'm happy to see that the young lady he called Ms Piggy and Ms Housekeeper managed to become a US citizen. She has struggled through the eating disorder that began after his nasty remarks when she was only 19 yrs old. He is justifying his remarks about her today by saying that she had gained weight after winning Miss Universe.  We wonder why we have issues with image and weight when people feel ok about berating women's bodies. How ignorant can he be!

It is 8:15 and I need to make my salad and not eat mindlessly so the scale will be kind in the morning. 

Stay active everyone, 

Barbara G

[_Lilac_]

@dancefoxtrot @A_Lurker @Bobbinyc Well, I think I was right about coming down with something. I was up so late with stomach issues last night. I'm still a little wobbly but ok. I have more errands to run today so I can't just hang around the house. I have not necessarily been taking a 'rest day' but there would be a day I'd do slightly less or feel tired. I think I do need one. I might choose today since my errands don't require a huge amount of walking. I can take a bus. 

Iron hasn't been a problem for me. I have more troubles keeping good potassium levels. If it gets low my energy drains til I'm a jellyfish on the sand and the tide is nowhere to be found. I try to keep bananas around (though they aren't my fav fruit) and keep my eye on labels for good potassium sources. I'm on medications for my epilepsy that have side effects of 'moderate weight gain' (aka in big people 'substantial weight gain') so I'm fighting those, but they can also drain me of nutrients. If it's not one thing, it's another, ya know? It's a struggle! But I'm winning, so that's what matters.

[Bobbinyc]

@_Lilac_  I'm sorry to hear you aren't feeling well.  I hope you are on the mend soon.

I did a beginner's yoga/meditation yesterday morning (finally found a good teacher) and then a beginner's pilates fusion class (good teacher there too) in the evening, as well as lots of walking.  It's your fault!  You said "move move move".  

Aside from being the weakest and least competent person in each class, it was fun and felt good to move in different ways.

Feel better soon.