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!

[dancefoxtrot]

@SunsetRunner

Do you know that you can go to log, then activity, and choose the date and enter your miles that you walked. I have had to do that a few times when I have forgotten my Fitbit. 

Glad you love the fall weather. 

Barb G

[debb21]

@bobbyinc

I was told to help with balance, try to focus on a "spot" and don't think about trying to balance.  It could be anything, picture, water bottle, back of someone,... It works for me, but my problem is I can't focus for long!!!  There are some exercises for core that aren't about balance: planks, wall sits, lunges.  If you googled it, you could find a lot more.  I have equilibrium issues, so I am looking for exercises to help with that.  I can't lay flat without a pillow.

[RASG]

Hi there!! It's been long time without writing but I have read all you have posted. Thanks for all the stories you shared and the kind words for myself. Although I haven't lost that much weight let me tell you that I ' ve started to exercise again. I went to the gym twice this week and go out for a walk once. I tryied to stick to a healthy plan and most of the days I got it. And I feel good. I have lost only 2 pounds so CW is 142. Eventhough my goal is still 130 for Halloween. But I am not crazy about it. I am just enjoying feeling good. Thank you all for your support!

[Bobbinyc]

@debb21 Thanks Deb.  I did learn "spotting" as a youngster when I took ballet classes.  That's how ballerinas do all those turns.  But sometimes I forget, so thanks for the reminder.  I can last longest when I pick a spot and really quiet my mind, focusing on my breath.  Amazing, the things meditation is helping me with.

Do you know the cause of your equilibrium problems?  

[SunsetRunner]

Walk entered! Thanks for the info.

[debb21]

@Bobbinyc  I think it's in my ears.  Since losing weight, it hasn't been bad, but I did some core classes, and laying down flat for 10 minutes made me dizzy.  I was bummed because I liked the classes!!!

[_Lilac_]

Week 4 Day 6:

My feet! Anyone have a spare set? After my 14k steps yesterday, I did a bunch of walking today from downtown to a plus-sized clothing store (where I got an amazing deal on jeans!!), to the mall, through the mall and into Walmart. While in Walmart I was looking for stationary. I got turned around in pet supplies and wanted to cut down an aisle but when I entered it I discovered a tunnel of junk food! I stopped. I scanned the shelves and thought, "There's nothing like a little temptation to prove how strong you are." and I kept walking. I glared at the root beer, I noted the doritos with a superior smirk, and if anyone was around me they'd have thought me insane because I invoked my sweet voiced guardian to keep me strong. I quietly repeated, "Pixie pixie pixie pixie pixie," down the entire aisle. And when I reached the end, I grinned. I made it! The only thing I bought in Walmart was boneless, skinless chicken breasts.I limped to the bus and limped home. I've had my feet up and cry, "Ouch ouch ouch" when I walk to the bathroom. I think I should take a rest day tomorrow. 

How has everyone's week 4 been? 

[Bogdel]

@Bobbinyc, Please, do not apologize for writing that information. I so appreciate you for taking the time to do so. There was nothing overwhelming in what you wrote and you were not ranting at all. We are all here for the same reason: to get healthy. Loosing weight is only the effect of a healthy life-style. Your book references were so good. I already looked at them and I am prepared to send one of them to my friend's family. I also saw some cook books for cancer survivors, and told my friends about them.  They are very interested.  

I don't use plastic bottles either. Most of my storage containers are glass, with a couple of exceptions, which I plan to replace. As for the plastic cover in the microwave, I just stopped using it after our previous exchange of ideas. I found a glass cover available on the Internet but, besides being expensive, the reviews said that it is very thin and fragile. So, for now, I'll just warm up my food in glassware, without the cover. I did not reach the point of giving up the microwave yet, but I may, when I get to that point.

Like you, I only read well researched and documented books that help me learn how my body works on the cellular level and how to best take care of it. Replacing sweets, starches, and fats with greens, beans, nuts, and seeds has helped me immensely so far (I am getting close to my ideal weight and my blood sugar is back within the normal range). I eat some lean animal protein occasionally, but in small portions (approx. 2 oz). I may give up meat too at some point, but I am trying to adjust to one change before I move on to the next.

See? I was long in my note also (smiling). Did I rant or overwhelm you? 

Thank you, my friend. Your contribution to this forum is so helpful!  

I hope you have a great weekend!

Ellie

[Bogdel]

@dancefoxtrot:Thanks, Barbara. I read all your posts with great interest. Your contribution to the group is outstanding. Using Pyrex covers in the microwave is probably a good idea. I need to check on that. For now, I just leave my glassware uncovered. I heard before that plastic is not good in the microwave, but I kind of ignored it. I guess this is the time for new changes. Have a great weekend!

Thanks again!

Ellie

[DJC_63]

Congrats @_Lilac_!  Not only did you walk a huge amount of steps but you didn't give in to temptation! I am impressed.  If I walked that many steps my feet would be hurting, too! 

My week was so-so.  The first few days I didn't get much sleep and therefore didn't do much exercise. I hate when I know that I didn't get enough exercise.  Somehow I pinched my sciatic nerve on Thursday so my back and right leg are extra painful.  I haven't let it stop me but I'm not able to do as much as I would like and I have to be careful when I bend over.  I'm hoping it gets better on it's own, but if not I have an appointment with my pain management doc on Tuesday.

[DJC_63]

My weekly update.  Didn't lose anything but I didn't get that much exercise this week, either.  Between lack of sleep and now a pinched sciatic nerve I haven't been able to do my regular work outs.  😞  Hope everyone else's week was good.

 As of 10/1:

USW - 207.5 (1/14/15)

CSW - 189.5 (average)

PW - 188.9 (weekly avg)

PW - 190.8

PW - 187.9

CW - 188.2

GW - 185.00

UGW - 160.00

[bluenose1962]

USW - 190 - 25/1/16

PW - 148 - 8/6/16

SW - 12/9/16 - 180.0

CW - 18/9/16 - 172.7, 25/9/16 - 168.3, 2/10/16 - 169.2

GW - 160 (revised 25/9/16) 158

UGW - 145 (20/12/16)

Biggest thing to report is that Aria scales are unreliable when the battery levels run low.

5k treadmill runs, Monday & Tuesday, the latter sub 27 mins, Pump class Thursday and PT session yesterday, so got a fair bit in, with no result, except that I question last weeks weigh-in.

Not too worried though, as pschologically, the results although immeasurable are evident.

I have a Pump class booked for this afternoon, plan to do some running & rowing so I am hoping to start next week off well, with a PT session on both Wednesday & Saturday, with some free training inbetween.

I still think that I will reach challenge weight, but it wont be easy, as I will be doing 2 x PT sessions on weights per week, so need to factor muscle gain into it.

Does anyone know the safe level of guar gum, as I have cut down on coconut milk beacuse of it's content ?

Decided that the goal for the year is to run the 5k Parkrun on New Years Eve, with a sub 25 min run before then.

I am hoping that with diet, exercise etc. the scales will take care of themselves.

Have a good week everyone !

[almost_where]

Labor Day - 290

Week 1 - 290

Week 2 - 287

Week 3 - 286

Week 4 - 284 - CW

Halloween Goal -275

-2 lbs

[mommo77]

USW:  212

SW:  166

CW:  160.4

GW:  150

UGW:  135

Happy Sunday everyone!  I'm so glad to finally feel the cooler temperatures, my walk in the part yesterday was amazing.  I'd love to go today, but I need to take a rest day.  I so enjoyed reading everyone's posts.  It means alot to have such a supportive community, something I don't find very often on other "support" sites.

We are rockin' this, people!!

[A_Lurker]

---

@A_Lurker wrote:

USW: 407.0

CSW: 288.6 (Labour Day)

PW: 291.8 (9/18/16)

CW: 282.2 (-9.6) <-- this is (-3.8 for the past 2 weeks)

GW: 275.8

LT: 2.3 lbs/week for 34 weeks

---

 So last Sunday I joined a website to track my lifting (I figured forking out $ to do so would add extra motivation), put in my planned workouts for the next 12 weeks and started.  I had a migraine on Thursday (a workout day) but managed to make up for it on Friday.  It tracks how much you lift each session and so over three workouts I lifted 12,232 pounds.  Of course, the fall down is that you get zero credit for bodyweight exercises, but no problems.  In my opinion I'm lifting way lighter than I used to, so it will be interesting to see how that changes.  Oh, since someone asked in another thread - 15 reps of 65lbs = 975 lbs (so that's how they add up).

USW: 407.0

CSW: 288.6 (Labour Day)

PW: 282.2 (9/25/16)

CW: 280.0 (-2.2)

GW: 275.8

LT: 2.3 lbs/week for 35 weeks

So, technically a milestone this week of sorts.  My original start weight this time was at a medical appointment about a month before I weighed in work.  I was adding 2lbs for my work weigh ins as I had checked that already at home (it was only doing whole pounds and I just logged those until I went to daily weighing).  When I went back I asked about the early Feb weigh in and it was 162.2kg (356.8lbs), I was fully dressed (+2) and was middle of the day, so I just called it 360.  Wow, that's a long way to go to say that I hit 80 lbs down this week.  I saw 278.8 yesterday, but bounced up a little this morning.  My usual routine says I'll probably be up a little tomorrow, but by the end of next week I should be solidly under that 80 pounds lost level.

Anyway, off to start the chores for the day...

[Bobbinyc]

@Bogdel Thank you for your kind words.  And for all of the great info that you post.  

I am by nature not good at living with rules, so I don't stick to this perfectly.  I am having some people for a holiday dinner tonight and am making a traditional meat dish, as well as some bean salads.  I'll probably have some meat.  

I'm glad you aren't microwaving the plastic.  I think that's the most important part.

My microwave broke and I haven't replaced it because I mostly used it to make tea for myself, and when I was lazy.

I'll probably replace it at some point, as I haven't found anything definitive on them. Oh, best tip for cleaning the inside of a microwave, put the sponge you use for dishes inside, full of water, and blast it.  It steams the inside of the microwave, and it then wipes down more easily.  And it cleans your sponge (or whatever you use).

I did find that once I stopped eating sweets and refined carbs (99% of the time), I lost my taste for them.  I love that.  I actually crave veggies now. Aren't  our bodies are amazing?!

I also do one change at a time.  It sometimes takes me a bit to get used to it, make it my norm.  

I hope your day is a good one.

[A_Lurker]

@DJC_63 - don't discount rest and recovery.  It's important to keep yourself well along the way.

[A_Lurker]

@bluenose1962 - I don't have an Aria but when I start getting unbelievable numbers I usually change the batteries (once I confirm I haven't moved the scale from it's usual spot, or that there isn't a reason for it).  It's actually amazing that the surface it sits on can make such a big difference.  I was trying to weigh my weight lifting bar the other day and grabbed the scale - taking it to the room I use.  Although it has a carpet, I figured the number didn't matter as long as it was consistent.  Big mistake, although I was suddenly a hundred pounds lighter.    I took the scale back, pulled the weights off the bar and took it back.  After two attempts just to weigh myself I saw the Lo on the scale and changed the batteries.  Back to normal numbers.

[Bobbinyc]

@almost_where You are like a weight loss machine.

[SunsetRunner]

I was up by 6 this morning and despite the rain I accomplished so much, both inside and out. My car wasn't too dirty, so I put it in the drive way and let the rain pour on it, then pulled it in and dried it.  Good calorie burn plus a nice shine on my car. I also got my entire back yard fertilized and pool backwashed... all before 11 a.m.

I ate Chinese food last night and today I am 2.5 pounds up.  Discouraging, even though I know that with lots of water and a low sodium day it will be back to where it was tomorrow.

Lots going on right now in my family, and I've been doing some emotional eating.  Wish I had the will power to fight off all the cravings. So far in this challenge, other than last night's sodium intake, I have not gained weight, so that's good. However, some eating behaviors seem so involuntary, don't they? I do them before I even think about it and then feel so bad afterwards. I have benefitted a lot by reading the successes and struggles and the responses and issues others have in the Fitbit Community discussion groups.

I'm trying to stay positive and stay in the present, so despite the water weight, I'm grateful that today I am full of energy and going strong.

Weigh-in is tomorrow.... better drink more water.    I can do it!