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]

Two things I've learned so far from my own weight loss/health journey:

Although they say that food matters more than activity, for me at least, the more active I am the more I lose.  I get a tiny bit of leeway with the food as long as I am basically eating very healthy.  But I can only lose weight if I am active.  I don't know if it is age, having been sedentary, or what.  But that's how it is working for me.

Also, cutting out sugar, refined carbs, all junk, has led to me being less hungry and not having cravings. I didn't expect to be less hungry.  When I was eating sugary stuff, I got hungry, with stomach growling, all the time.  Of course, genius that I am, I then ate more sugary stuff.  Not a good plan.  Now that I am off it, I can manage the eating in a normal, healthy way.  (most days)

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63 and @khreed  I am so glad you are both taking care of the pain you are experiencing.  One thing that has worked for me sometimes with doctors appts. is to ask to be put on a waiting list and called if there is a cancellation.  I also found that in most places they keep some appointments open for more urgent visits, which can mean people who push for a sooner appointment.  If you are in pain, or it might be serious, it may be worth trying to get in faster.  I hope you both get some relief soon.

[_Lilac_]

@Bobbinyc  Food and activity. Well, I might have said this before but my mother swears the food is all that matters for her. She restricts and loses. I cannot lose weight with just managing my food alone. It must be my body chemistry, my body type, how I burn it, whatever. It won't work for me. And I feel like absolute crap and weak and it cannot be good for me, no matter what anyone says. BUT, if I eat well, healthy food in suggested servings, cutting out processed stuff and high sugar stuff, and if I exercise everyday (even if it's a big day of errands or shopping) then I lose. And the exercise keeps me strong instead of weak, my mood is great, my motivation stays high because I'm feeling good and I think back to when I sat in a darkened room in a recliner just watching tv, when taking the dogs for a walk around the block left me aching and in pain that I would feel for a day. That's no life! 

What you said about having leeway with food is certainly right for me. I find I have a bit of a swing of forgiveness in calorie obsessing. What I mean is, instead of being strictly stuck to 1700 calories, if I regularly exercise everyday I can fluctuate that number even up to 2000 or so and it won't be a big deal...but the movement is the key in that. Thanks for your post. It let me spew my own thoughts and remind me to get my butt moving today. Keep inspiring me!!

[Ardalady]

USW - 223.5lb

SW - 223.5lb

Week One: 223lb

CW - 217

GW - 210

UGW - 150

A half lb off this week. I had expected a little bit more but I did go off track a few times. I achieved my 10k steps twice this week so i shall aim for at least 5 days this week. 

It is lovely to have others on the same journey and I am inspired by you all. Keep up the good work

[SusiequeTX]

What a great way to keep motivated with all the Holidays approaching

I'm definitely in! 

USW  248

STW  232

GW   220

Here's wishing everyone the best of luck! 

[alegria16]

I'm up a pound, but whatever on that. It's been a week of extreme overtime and little movement. Next week I get to go to Lawrence, KS for work. I like the downtown area there and hope to get some time in the evening to stroll (and check out the used book shop). Work travel is always good for the waistline -- lots of running around and not enough time or food to eat.

USW (6/19/16) = 204 lbs

SW (9/5/16) = 191

CW (9/13/) = 192

GW (10/31/16) = 185

UGW = 155

Height: 5' 6"

Age: 42

[kmme]

@Bobbinyc

 You are so right , maybe everyone's bodies are different but for me i have to work out as well if i wanna shift those pounds , yes i believe diet is important , but i have to have the added physical activity.

Also i dread being skinny-fat , i need to see the toned definition in my body. I fear i have turned into a perfectionist:)

[kmme]

@alegria16

 A pound is nothing , I gain and lose water weight like nobody's business. The main thing is to not give up.

Our stats are very close btw:)  I'm 5'6 and 44 yrs old started at 197 lbs . Feel free to add me if you'd like a new friend.

[Bobbinyc]

@_Lilac_ Thanks for what you posted about being active.  It helps to know we are having the same experience.  You reminded me of how I have felt during periods of being very active throughout the day - energy to burn, fewer aches and pains.  Since it is getting hot and humid here again, I am going to look at those Sansome tapes.  I don't think I can do an hour at once but I can break it up throughout the day.  

So, thank you for the motivation.

[Luzgonzalez99]

@_Lilac_ You're welcome!  What I like about the videos is that you can taylor to your pace.  She does 12 min miles, so if you can only do say 12 minutes at one given time, that's totally fine.  Heck anything is better than nothing, but definitely go at the pace that works for you. I am really tender footed, so there are times I have to rely on just stretching a little for exercise, which sometimes can feel like a workout by itself depending on how stiff I am that day.  It's the little things that count, that's for sure.  Good luck with trying it!

Cheers

[Luzgonzalez99]

@dancefoxtrot Thank you too for your posts as well!  I find them helpful and supportive 🙂

Cheers

[_Lilac_]

Week 2 Day 2:

I took my dogs for a walk earlier today and instead of sticking to our block, I took them down an extra block then over an extra and then returned home. I yelled at a dude who was texting and driving, who almost side-swiped a cyclist. He slowed quickly. I was hoping he wasn't going to confront me. Not sure if my dogs would go protective, but I didn't really want to find out. I'm about to make lunch and then I'll have to find another activity or two for later. 

I've made plans with my mother to go walking in a natural park nearby on Thursday. It's a forest with crushed gravel pathways. There is a lake, etc. I'm looking forward to it. 

My goal this week was to do ONE thing on this list: walk along the river, walk to a grocery store, walk in the natural park. And I'm going to have achieved ALL three this week. Awesome! 

Has anyone else made active and fun goals that they've met? I'd like to get some ideas for next week. 

@Luzgonzalez99 Thank you thank you thank you for the suggestion of the Leslie Sansone videos!!! I did the 1 mile (15 min) video this afternoon and it's GREAT. So similar to the exact video I mentioned by Richard Simmons 80's blast off. At first I thought the pace would be too much but it really wasn't and it was short enough that my feet didn't hurt. I've shared it with two people who will also enjoy/benefit from it. 

Have a successful day everyone!

[Luzgonzalez99]

@alegria16 I agree - whatever to that!  It's not how often you fall, but how often you get back up!  Good luck to you in KS!

[Luzgonzalez99]

@_Lilac_ Oh that's GREAT news!  I was really hoping it was doable!  I am such a huge fan of Lesle Sansone.  If I am too tired I just do one mile and I do it lightly on those days I feel fatigued, but I find it gives me just the right amount of umph to keep going.  Kudos to you!  I plan to do some at lunch time today, so I'm inspired reading your post!

Nice job on the extra steps with the dogs too!  Those things make a huge difference!  I have a dog too and she is not a fan of long walks (if you can imagine that), but I try to make her do it anyway.  I believe it helps both of us.  Have a great rest of your day!

[Luzgonzalez99]

So I went down .2 which is in the right direction, but not quite the goal for the week.  I can't say the plan isn't working since I had some bumps along the way, and to keep it real I get less than expected results when I perform less than expected.  Again, not feeling bad, just being real about the week.  I will continue to exercise and say yes to cleaner eating this week, so that next week might be better for me.  Thanks to you ALL for the motivation!

USW: 210

SW: 193.4

CW: 193.4 (9/6)

CW: 193.2 (9/13)

GW: 185

UGW: 150

[dancefoxtrot]

@kmme Welcome back. I slid up back up too and I'm on the way back down now. 

Barbara G

[dancefoxtrot]

@Bobbinyc

Good I'm so glad to hear that it is ok to comment on loss here.  Also glad that you are an HR Charge sister now. I like that we can check HR to know if we are in the fat burning or cardio range since we need some of both. 

I'm like you and others here in that I have to move to burn enough to loose without starving myself. It is hard to accept that I really can't eat much in general even with exercise and movement. It is just what is so now so lots of veggies and salads for me.  I made 10,285 steps yesterday so that is encouraging. 

147.3 this morning so 1 less oz.and off I went to the MD for annual well person exam.  Can u imagine my amazement that the doctor's scale said 146.3 a lb. less just 45 minutes later. Birthday suit at home, light clothing at doctor's office. and 1 lb less. Hmm, that would make it 1.5 to 2 lbs. One of our scales is off and I hope it is mine. I will continue to use the same scale. 

I loved what you shared about going off sugar and finding that you are less hungry and have fewer cravings. That is what the nutrition oriented MDs including Mark Hyman and Joel Fuhrman promise so it is sooo wonderful to hear confirmation. How nice that we get rewarded for healthier behavior. 

Well out to water more and then off to my private dance lesson. I need lots more steps today. 

Let's all keep moving warriors for health,

Barbara G

[bluenose1962]

I'm in, again for this one. (and the next)

The last challenge became a non-event after the hernia surgery, but focused again (not before time)

Loads of goals, not just weight motivated, and I was tempted to reset my Fitbit account, but decided to take responsibilty for the effort that has to be put back in and live with the reminder.

Back on the Aria, treadmill, kettle bells, spin classes, plank, burpees, cooper challenges and green tea

USW - 190 - 25/1/16

PW - 148 - 8/6/16

SW - 14/9/16 - 180.0

GW - 160

UGW - 145 (20/12/16)

Looking forward to sharing in loads of successes and positives along the way with everyone

[_Lilac_]

@bluenose1962 Are you in NS? I'm from NB. Glad to have you in the challenge and any injury or surgery is going to mess up the rhythm. But you are back, that is what matters! You are determined. It gives us all encouragement. 

[geb37322]

After awhile I'm happy with any loss ... I think of it as directionally
correct