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!

[awood08]

@lusry 

YAY!!! Congrats on the pregnancy and good to see you around again! Prayers and good thoughts for a smooth pregnancy and healthy happy delivery & baby! 

[Bobbinyc]

@SunsetRunner Welcome to this Challenge.  I'm glad your mom is ok.  

[Bobbinyc]

@awood08  Those pictures look great!  I'm so glad you are getting your house fixed up.  It's been a long time coming.

I just took my first vacation in a very long time - 5 days at an inn in upstate NY.  They agreed to serve healthy breakfasts for me  - each one started with a dessert with whipped cream!  For breakfast!  And then eggs made with cream.  I can't imagine what they normally serve.  There was a guest refrigerator, so I filled a shelf with fruit, veggies, yogurt, nuts, etc.  I also hiked a lot - the area is beautiful. I am so grateful to be walking again!  In all, I managed to not gain a pound - a first for me!

I'm glad you are around again.

[Bobbinyc]

@lusry Congratulations on being pregnant!!  How wonderful!  This is no time to worry about the scale, unless your doc is concerned.  Eat healthy foods and your body will get the nourishment it needs for both of you.  I hope you are feeling well and enjoying it - such a precious time!

[Bobbinyc]

@dancefoxtrot  I'm so glad the scale is going in the right direction!  You've got this.  I am being selfish but I have two requests of you: post a video of you dancing again(I loved seeing you - you are elegant), and no more MIA (I missed your wisdom and, well, nudges.)

[awood08]

@Bobbinyc Thanks I'm excited too, we started out with a very older mobile home with only two bedrooms and have worked our way to a newer 3 bedroom home with TONS more space. It's a good feeling doing more for our kids.

You definitely deserve that vacation. I'm so happy you had a relaxing getaway and most importantly, got to do the hiking! That must have felt amazing to get back out there after having so many obstacles! 

[kat4888]

USW -345.6 (1/15/16)

SW - 298.2 (9/9/16)

GW - 288

UGW- 140

[Bogdel]

@hannahbebrave,

Thank you for writing this post and for your perseverance. Yes, it starts in our mind. I started this process back in January and I lost 30 pounds by the end of April. Then I went overseas for two and a half months. Based on my previous experience, the time overseas was when I gained weight. The bread is delicious there, and most of the cooking requires bread. So, I had to prepare myself mentally to eliminate bread and all starch from my diet while in Europe. My husband once said something that stuck with me: "sometimes we have to 'demonize' certain foods in order to remove them from our diet". That's what I did. Although I did not loose additional weight overseas, I was able to stick with my fruit and veggies as my main meal, with only occasional meet.  

A few days ago, my husband and I went to IKEA buffet. As I stayed in line, I was looking at some very attractive pieces of cake (i.e. strawberries cheese cake, chocolate cream cake, etc.). Strawberry cheese cake used to be one of my favorites, and as I looked at it, It was very appealing. Then, I imagined a piece of that cake in my mouth. The result: I was repulsed by it and wanted to spit it out. Yes, demonizing certain foods in our mind will set us free from the things that are bad for us. 

Keep it up, @hannahbebrave! Stay as healthy and active as possible. 

[Luzgonzalez99]

@lusry Congrats!  I definitely encourage you to keep moving since being active helps with the pregnancy.  I know there are some baby bump exercise videos, so maybe you can try something geared more toward moms. I think I even saw a fitbit group for pregnant moms.  Good luck to you!!

[Luzgonzalez99]

@Okiku Happy you can join us!  Good luck!

[Luzgonzalez99]

@BTransform  YES and thank you!!

[Luzgonzalez99]

@CalgaryCoachDad You got this!

[Bogdel]

Hi, @DJC_63! I have problems sleeping at night, too. For me, just getting some Melatonin (3mg) over the counter, and listen to an audio-book (low volume, on my i-pod)) has been very helpful. Since I am focusing on my health at this time, I am listening to The End of Diabetes: The Eat to Live Plan to Prevent and Reverse Diabetes Audible – Unabridged, by Joel Fuhrman (Author, Narrator), Chris Sorensen (Narrator), HarperAudio (Publisher). Excellent book for general health (high blood sugar, weight loss, cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc.). I listen to it as I walk, too. You can find it on audible.com. 

By the way, Melatonin is non-addictive, natural, has no side-effects, and it can be found in 5 mg, if you need more. You may want to check with your doctor, and see what he thinks. 

[Bogdel]

Good to see you, @awood08! Welcome back! 

[Bogdel]

So sorry about of your brother, @SunsetRunner! My profound condolences!

[Nora58]

@awood08 Congrats on the new place! The pictures show how much work you are putting into making it your own. Great job, enjoy it and make great memories.

[mommo77]

USW:  212

SW:  166

CW: 163.2

GW:  150

UGW:  135

Have a great weekend, everyone!

[lusry]

Thanks for the congrats @awood08, @Bobbinyc, and @Luzgonzalez99! We are very excited, this is our first baby. This group is so motivational even for those people who aren't trying to lose weight. I have been traveling to NYC every week since beginning of June (minus this past week) and I think that has helped me to stay active. I was home this week (since Monday was a holiday) and my step counts were horrible. It was a struggle to walk my dog at the end of the day. Once I get back into my routine next week I'm hoping it will be better. Also, I'm very surprised that I haven't gained weight while traveling - which is usually the case. My doctor is not concerned that I haven't gained weight she said that we are not malnourished as a culture here in the US and as long as I am not losing weight everything is good. I think it also helps that I was overweight to begin with. I'm not sure how much I'll post but I love getting the daily digest emails and keeping up with how everyone else is doing! 🙂

[SunsetRunner]

Thank you @Bobbinyc for your concern. My scope isn't until the first week in Dec. 

[_Lilac_]

Day 6 of challenge: Went to my niece's baby shower today. Cupcakes and cookies and sweet iced coffee etc etc on the table. But there were also deviled eggs and a veggie plate so I picked a bit at that. NO JUNK touched these lips!! I took the dogs for a walk first thing this morning. My daughter came home for the weekend from university and she's trying to be healthy too so no take-out allowed. I sat down and looked at my bulging ankles and wondered what the heck I'd eaten with so much salt. I did a label check on the refried beans I'd put with egg and sour cream and cilantro in a wrap this morning. 620mg of salt!!! No more for me.

How do the challenges work? Do we do a weekly weigh in on the 7th day or do we just make the big announcement at the end? I'm almost scared to step on the scale tomorrow.

I need to move more today. I was just doing research about making an ice rink in my backyard in the winter. I used to LOVE ice skating when I was young. We get so much snow here it would be impossible to maintain an ice surface. I don't want to do it at a public rink with people watching and I can just imagine what they think when a huge woman is out there wobbling around. I'm so scared of falling because I'd break something. Exercise needs to be fun. I once read that exercise must be thought of as a celebration of what your body can do, not a chore that you must avoid. I tell myself that every day now, especially when I have those lazy moments and just want to sit and avoid life. 

Sorry for the long post of rambling. I'm just trying to work myself up to taking the dogs out again or doing something active. They deserve it and need it as much as I do. I'll have my meal then go. Maybe a longer walk than usual will be just what we need. 

I hope this week has been successful for everyone!