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!

[Cele21]

USW = 215

SW =211.8

LW = 215.0 (Last weigh-in weight)

CW = 212.6

GW = 205.0

UGW = 140

I know I don't post often, but I read everyone's posts. You are all so inspiring and upbeat. Thanks for being here and sharing yourselves with all of us. You touch lives that you may not even be aware of.

[TT_is_me]

USW - 315

SW -   274

Week 1 -  269.5  -4.5 lbs

Week 2 - 267.2  -2.3 lbs ( -6.8 total)

Week 3  - 266.5 -0.7 lbs (-7.5 total)

Week 4 - 263  -3.5 lbs (-11 total)

Week 5 - 262 -1 lbs (-12 total)

GW -  260

UGW - 160

Like @AndyDandyPandy, I'm starting to love the gym. The treadmill recently hasn't been kind to me. I messed up my hip jogging on it. I tend to not walk/jog the straightest line so the treadmill makes it a little harder. Learned my lesson and I will just walk slower on it till I get better. However, the classes at the gym (yoga, zumba, weight lifting) are a life saver to me! I can't tell you the last time I walked for an hour and didn't look at the clock. I never look at the clock during the classes. They are too fun. Winter is coming (so eloquently said by the Starks) and I needed to figure out how I was going to keep up my steps during that time. The gym is a great place for that. So Andy, please don't come burn mine 🙂

[HeartBiller]

Well I have not done good on this challenge. I have not done good at all. I am actually 2 ounces heavier now than I was on 09/22/16 when I goined this discussion. I am glad it is only 2 ounces, but all the same, I wished it was going down instead of up. I seem to have lost my momentum. I desperatly need to get back on track. I still have time. I could reach my Halloween goal if I got my butt in gear.

[hannahbebrave]

You all have the best tips and encouragement for starting.  

 I honestly kept checking to see if 10,000 steps was a typo and it was sposed to be 1,000!  I am obviously way way underestimating what I need to do. I got teased just walking three blocks in town.  I thought that was a whole lot. I am surrounded by slugs and you guys are like Olympians to me.  

ok, so now my goal is 10,000 steps.  And exercise too?  Is it to get to 10,000 steps and do something aerobic too?  Or strengthening?  It's like I am entering a foreign country and have a lot to learn.

I am really curious now. How many hours do you all spend exercising every day?  

[_Lilac_]

@hannahbebrave 10000 steps is your entire movement for a day. It is not just walking 10000 steps. It's going to the bathroom and doing laundry and walking around the store while shopping, etc. I walk a few blocks to the pool, do my water aerobics and walk home. That gives me 5500 steps (including the class)! It adds up really fast. Do not focus on the number now. Just do something that is comfortable for a few minutes. Then a few hours later do something else for a few minutes. And a few hours later do something else. It is all about moving, not any particular activity. Dance, vaccuum, mow, walk to the mailbox. When you get your fitbit you will notice how much you get in without going out for hours and hours of running. Within a few days you will have more energy to increase the pace and your heart will pump and you will feel great (instead of like you are dying). Strengthening is something you can add later. The bigger the muscles, the more calories you burn. Guys like to bulk up to lose weight because they burn faster, but women don't bulk up as much and getting a gym membership can be $$$. I don't mean to dwell on that issue but you did say you were saving up for a fitbit, so the wallet IS an issue. For me too. There are many references online for what you should do. And you can google something like (as an example) 'How do I go from couch to ___" and fill in the blank. I know you are feeling overwhelmed but you must have motivation in you if you are sitting here reading this challenge and wanting to make your life healthier. Little stuff makes a big difference. Go get 'em!! 

[khreed]

@HeartBiller I'm not doing well either. I've been up and I've been down. Today I am at the exact weight that I was when I started the challenge on Labor Day. It is discouraging, but I'm not as "down" as I have been in the past. Last week I spent three days with the doctor. There is a good possibility that I had a small Pulmonary Embolism when I was on vacation in Canada in July. Tests show a minimal amount of damage to my lung.. I've had test after test. The good news is, I know how healthy I am overall. I have a genetic predisposition for blood clots (Factor V Leiden), and I guess hours of immobility in the car that particular day put me over. Now I have to take a VERY EXPENSIVE blood thinner, Xarelta. I struggled with getting on it at all because all drugs have side effects and I worried about possible weight gain. I trust this doctor so I guess I'm going to accept his recommendation. The one thing I've feared, even more than cancer, is stroke. So this will insure that I won't do that. I do appreciate this community. @HeartBiller, we will get through this together.

[A_Lurker]

I'm an on again / off again user of my treadmill.  I neither love or hate it.  However, you did recommend that someone who mentioned saving for a tracker, a purchase that they probably can't afford. 

[A_Lurker]

@hannahbebrave - I spend perhaps 20 to 30 minutes in the morning doing steps before I have a shower, but that's new.  I get a fair number of steps at work, and then I'll make up anything I need to when I get home.  Start off by simply trying to do more steps that you did yesterday, even if it's only a few more.  Build those numbers up slowly.  As I said, I didn't start doing the number of steps that I do now.  It took many months to get here.

[Bogdel]

@_Lilac_,

You are such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and accomplishments with us. Way to go!!!

[Bogdel]

Week 5:

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.

Week 3 - 146.6 (9/26/16) - 1.2 lbs lost this week. Total loss for the challenge: 3.4 lbs

Week 4 - 146.6 (10/04/16) - 0 lbs lost

Week 5 - 145.6 (10/11/16) - 1 lb lost

Week 6 - 146.6 (10/18/16 - 1 lbs gained

GW - 140

UGW - 140 

My weight went up and down the last few weeks. Totally my fault: I gave myself permission to have pizza with my husband three times during this challenge ("every two weeks is OK" - he said). Bad idea! I am going to stick to my own food. I need to reach my ultimate goal, and then keep it there for the rest of my life. 6.6 lb more to go. I have to get there! I am going to get there!

Keep it up, and keep it healthy, everyone. I enjoy reading your posts. Very inspiring. Have a victorious week this week. 

[Cele21]

@hannahbebrave - Putting my two cents into the conversation. Everyone is different! Don't stress over what you are doing compared to others, celebrate what you are doing compared to who you were yesterday.

There is a lot of information on the internet. I would suggest looking at articles/websites for beginners and make sure they are good sites, ones ending with .edu or .gov are usually trustworthy along with sites recommended by people who have used them.

Everyone in this community is extremely helpful and knowledgable but even then, tailor the advice for yourself.

My advice is always this: Start where you are. Track yourself for a few days to a week to see where you currently are. Try to increase from there slowly. Like @Lilac said, if you can walk to the first fire hydrant today, try to make it to the second tommorrow, or at least a few steps past the first one and increase from there. Sitting burns more than laying down, standing more than sitting, walking more than standing. Don't fear the failures, learn from them, put them behind you and start again. Ups AND downs will happen but don't give up on yourself. Don't pile on too much - keep it simple until you are ready, then add more. Walking is easy, free and healthy, don't worry right now about weights or running or extra exercises - they will come with time.

You will be a shining example to your community by being the 'weirdo who walks'. There are always others who are too afraid to be different, to be first. They will see you and you just might start something.

Good luck on your journey and keep us posted.

[SunsetRunner]

I am joining the Strugglers' Club.  I didn't post my weight on week 5 because I had gone back to my starting weight.  This week I remain there. I am sure it is stress related and am trying to give myself a big kick in the butt to get moving more. I still eat clean and eat small portions, but am not getting in the daily exercise/steps to keep the scale moving downward. Like many of you, I am caring for an older parent who, for the most part, is in good health.  She is 92 and still is able to live by herself. I have someone who makes sure she is doing well daily, but she does not know that. The difficulty I have is that she is beginning to decline cognitively.  We have always been very close, but now things are changing and I find our conversations very arguementative and extremely stressful. I live in AZ and she in TN, and I am the only living relative she has. I travel to see her at least every 5 to 6 weeks and it is beginning to get me down.

My reason for telling you this information is to thank you.  Reading your posts about the many struggles you have, health or family wise,  provides a lot of support for me and helps me on the days I am having my own little pity party.  Many times they motivate me back into the reality that my situation is not the worst there is. I really believe the stress of my situation right now is hindering my weight loss.  I will just continue to post and not be embarrassed that I didn't lose anything.  One good thing, ....I haven't gained, right? Below is my weight post for the week even though my weight loss looks a little different than most. Congrats to all all of you who are doing well and to those that continue to hang in there. 

Starting Weight 164       Goal Weight 154

Week 1:  163

Week 2:   no post

Week 3:   162

Week 4:   163

Week 5:    no post

Week 6:   164 

[khreed]

@SunsetRunner Can I join your club? we are going to support each other no matter what. At least I just came from the gym -- that's something I guess. Hang in there.

[HeartBiller]

@khreed I completely understand your concerns. I work for a cardiologist so I am very familiar with the Xarelto. Have they tried some of the programs to help get assistance in paying for it? Also they do sample it, so some times that is a way to cut the cost some if they will give the samples to you. I had a stroke a little over 10 years ago. It was sort of a freak thing. I was what the Drs considered to young for a stroke but long story short, I have recovered 99% for the most part and truely thank God for that.

I have struggles with the same 3 to 4 pounds. I lose them and then gain them back and then start all...

[khreed]

@HeartBiller I had to pay $254 for the first prescription, but I checked and if I order through Express Scripts online for a 90-day supply it will be $300 for a three-months supply. I looked at the site, and I think we make too much money to qualify for any of their discounts. I'll have to do some checking. So far, the drug doesn't seem to have any negative side effects, other than price. We'll see how it goes. Do you take Xarelto and do you feel it helped with your recovery? I DEFINITELY don't want to have a stroke -- and this doctor really does believe I had a small PE. I'm trusting but questioning.

[_Lilac_]

I just got a surprising  phone call. It was from a surgeon's office and the receptionist said my family doctor (one I had 4-5 years ago) had referred me for bariatric surgery and she wanted to know if I was still interested. GAH. Now, I immediately said, "No." Then I paused in surprise. I slowly said, "No, I'm not." (maybe a little too hesitantly). And in those microseconds I thought about what I've been doing the last few months, how good I've been feeling, how much progress I've made. I've thought about the struggles people go through just to get that surgery, the struggles AFTER they have it, and I just don't want to do that. I CAN DO THIS. I am doing this. I want to do it. I need that self-motivation and self-esteem that comes from succeeding, even though it's slow and it's up and down and it's kinda all-encompassing. I have to fix this and I will. So, for the third time, and definitively, I told the receptionist, "No, I'm not interested." 

And I'm not! 

[HeartBiller]

@khreed That sis still a little pricey, but I know we got to do what we got to do. I can check with a rep and see if there are other programs to help when you don't qualify for the financial assistance program. A lot of it also depends on your Dr and how they work with the reps.

I am not on any of the stronger blood thinners. I take 2 baby aspirin a day. I have everything else under control as far as my blood pressure and cholesterol. I don't always do so good with keeping my stress under control..lol. I was on Blood pressure medicine until recently. After I lost 30 pounds, I was getting too dizzy and my heart rate went to the 40's and they took me off the blood pressure medicine and said with the weight loss that was controlling my blood pressure and as long as I continue to monitor it, then I wont have to take any if it continues to stay down. So that was a huge plus to this weight loss journey so far. They wont let me come off the cholesterol medicine even though mine is good, because they say it is for future stroke prevention. So I am good with that. I sure don't want to go through that again.

[Bobbinyc]

@khreed the cost of medication is just infuriating.  I just saw a TV special on pharmaceutical companies creating gigantic increases in the cost of life saving medications in the last year.  People all over are struggling horribly with this.  My medication, which I know is cheap to produce, was tripled this year.  Keep checking on  different places to get it from - hopefully you'll come across something.  And maybe your doc can get you some samples.  I also found that the drug insurance company I use has become one of the worst, so I am looking into switching.  I have been self-insured most of my life with no problem - I should know how to manage this. But in the past year I find this horribly complicated and way too expensive.

And, congrats on getting to the gym.  No matter what is going on, we have to do our best to take good care of ourselves.  So thank you for that inspiration.  I'm going today.

[Bobbinyc]

@_Lilac_  At the risk of repeating myself - you are amazing.  Thank you for sharing that experience about the bariatric surgery.  I love that you shared your thoughts, your victory.  I've known people who have that surgery and they eat terribly, don't pay enough attention to their health.  The emphasis was on the no. of pounds.  And they got that, for the most part.  What they didn't get was your experience of health, strength, being in control of your body and health, choosing your goals and going through what you need to do to achieve them.  You are creating a new way of thinking about your self and your life.  There is no easy substitute for that.

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi all,

Well I seem to have gain back a couple darn lbs as 148.5 popped up when I got on the scale. I think it was too much sitting and having trail mix and a couple chocolates at Hillary's campaign office while stickering a mail flyer. 

Today I'll be active cleaning and having a dance lesson tonight..

Kinda lost my strong motivation. I'll eat before campaigning next time. 

Best to every one,

Barbara G 

About drug prices there are websites with coupons for meds also.