Labour Day Challenge?

[Elansc]

It is only 15 weeks until Labour Day. I have 20.5 lbs to go to reach my goal weight (lost 76 so far) but recently decided to focus more on my % body fat -- I am about 1.5-2% away from the normal range. Anyone up for a challenge? 1-2 pounds/week from now to September 1 OR decreases in your body fat (your choice). I am going to try to lose 0.5% body fat each month (although I have no idea how realistic that is.....)

[Bfogg2105]

First time post, I would like to join your Labour Day challenge. I've lost 60 pounds on my own plan, goal is 30 more by Labour Day. I need the encouragement! How do I join?

[samtaracollier]

I don't know if we have anywhere else to create an "Official" challenge. Should we keep checking back here? I could create a spreadsheet with all the names and put in the losses/gains? Let me know.

[missesfishes]

Great idea Sam!!!! 

[Elansc]

We could check in here weekly or I could start an activity group and invite everyone who has expressed an interest....  I think I can figure out how to start a group.... famous last words 🙂

[Shelley]

With previous challenges, just keeping it simple and checking in here in this Discussion area under the topic has worked fine.  I have been in two previous challenges and people kept joining right up to the end.  If we change locations, we might have to keep directing new folks to the new location.   Just something to keep in mind.  However, there are nice things about having a group in the Group section.   I am fine with staying here or joining a group in the Activity Groups section.  Either way works for me!!

My results are mixed so far.  I keep losing and gaining and losing the same 3-4 pounds.  On the plus side I am down 2.9 from the day I joined the challenge on May 19th.  But I am 3/10ths of a pound heavier than last Friday's weight.  Basically, I ate too much over the Memorial Day weekend and gained weight and have been losing it all week.  I hope I can keep moving that direction and do better this weekend.  I joined a gym on Monday and plan to increase the variety and intensity of my exercise as well as add in weights.  It is possible the weights may make me build some needed muscle and that could impact my weight loss.  I have the Aria scale so I will be watching the body/fat ratio as well as pounds.  I really need to bring the body/fat ratio down and will be very happy if I can impact that.  

[Elansc]

Hi everyone,

   Here is my weekly check-in -- still struggling to get my 10,000 steps a day -- exhausted all week and came down with a cold last night -- so I guess I must have been fighting it all week --    not very successfully!    I am averaging about 7500/day so I will try to get that average up to 8000 for next week -- I did have 2 days over 10,000 -- I mowed the lawn those days.... perhaps I should just mow the lawn for an hour or so every evening   I would have a very nice lawn... or happy neighbours if I started mowing their lawns too....

    According to the scale, I am down 1.2 pounds this week -- that is 5.2 pound loss for May -- YIPPPEE (my goal is 1 pound/week) so I am pretty happy about that and at this rate I will be very close to my goal weight September 1!   I have decided that for the month of June I am going to do the "7 minute work out" every day!  I have always hated exercise programs (my fitbit was a compromise) and I am really good at findings excuses -- I am a very good example of someone who lost lots of weight --77 lbs so far -- without going to the gym -- but I figure I can manage 7 minutes of exercise and I have heard good things about this program -- going to take my measurements this evening and see how it goes for the month of June.....  here is a simple version for the computer (I also have the app! of course)   http://www.7-min.com/

   Hope that everyone had a good week!  Happy losing next week!

p.s. I looked into it and the group is very easy to set up but I need your email address to invite you.  if you would prefer that, just email me and I will add you to the group -- or you could just continue to post here....

[missesfishes]

My weekly check-in:

On an average day I end up with 18,000 steps, 8 miles, 2100 cals burned and 75 minutes active. Up until this week I have been losing 1.5-2 lbs per week. These past 4 days I've had to take r easy so I'm feeling like my plan to reach my goal weight by August is now being extended. 

I walk so much my nieghbours think I do it for a living. (LOL) I'm normally really good at keeping my cals in check (at or close to 1000) with my daily plan. This past Thurs and Fri I failed miserably! (yet I did not gain!)

I'm worried I've hit a plateau and I need to shock my system to get it going again.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

I am going to join a gym (this week) as soon as I get to one. I think that weight training one important element I'm missing.

I still have 25-30 lbs to lose and 3 months to do it.  

[RMN]

I am happy to stay here, I am mainly competing with myself and checking here makes me face the scale speaking of which went up three pounds this week. Too many graduations parties in a week and barbecues over the week end. Still I ended May four pounds lighter than I started it.

[keya729]

I would love to join the challenge. I've recently completed a clean eating challenge where I lost 11.2lbs! So I think pacing myself and working out like I've been will be great I could totally hit my midway goal.

[samtaracollier]

Howdy friends,

I'm weighing in on Wednesday but so far I've lost 2 lbs. I'm trying to do 10,000 steps per day and eat better but it's hard with three kids, a full time job and a husband who is away a lot. BUT, it's no excuse so I just took an hour walk at lunch. 

Totally up for trying to lose 30 lbs by Labor Day! Let's do this!!!!

Sam

[Elansc]

Ironically every one of my plateaus were "broken" when I upped my calorie intake for a few days.... Not too much, just within my deficit goal. The first few times it was by mistake and now I just do it on purpose when I hit a plateau for a couple weeks. I also find that I don't lose if I am too far off my calorie deficit - I need to eat most my fitbit calories back -- my body seems to be happy losing a pound a week and I am patiently but slowly melting away (77 lbs in 18 months) Building muscle is of course going to help too -- I just haven't got into that.... Yet!

[Elansc]

Here is my weekly check in! The scale isn't moving but I did meet a few goals. Over 8000 steps 5 of the past 7 days and managed the 7 minute workout every day - one week down and feeling a bit stiff 🙂 I also upped my water intake to at least 10 cups/day (that is 80 ounces or 2273 ml). It is surprisingly easy with the lovely hot weather! I found a pitcher that hold 10 cups so I fill it up in the morning and keep drinking.....

I have about 20 lbs to go to get to the top of my BMI range and it is getting annoyingly more difficult to stay on track! Mostly because others are bugging me about how much I have lost so far (77.2 lbs) and I am in my original goal size -- size 12. Put the two together and I sometimes wonder if it is time to start maintaining..... One of the problems might be that I don't have a new pair of goal pants in a smaller size -- that really helped to keep me on track with the last 20 lbs. Might be time to buy a size 8!!!

Hope everyone had a good week!

Ps today is my fitbit one year anniversary. Wow one year and 3,155,022 steps (as of right now!) and 43.1 lbs lighter pounds since June 8 2013 -- Averages to 8644/day and 0.8/week. Slow but steady! Going to celebrate with a long walk! That has changed too! Last year I would have celebrated with a piece of chocolate cake! 😉

[missesfishes]

Great job Elanc!! Keep going. Happy Fitbit Anniversary. 

I'm impressed with your determination and focus! 

Keep it up!! Buy the size 8 ;-]

[Danni74]

Hello all! I know this challenge is a couple weeks old but I love the idea if the labour day challenge for a couple reasons. Labour day will mark my one year journey of weight loss, I started weight watchers and have since lost 39 pounds. Second, it's very close to my 40th birthday! Ugh..been dreading it but determined to be fit, hence the journey! Look forward to hearing from everyone!
The last few weeks for me have been good, down 5 pounds after a long plateau. Feels good to lose again. I got my fitbit last Thursday and I am totally loving it! 🙂

[missesfishes]

Welcome Danni74!

Sounds like you're off to a fantastic start. Congrats on the Fitbit..You may find it addictive! LOL..

[RMN]

my weekly check in -- the 3 pounds from the Memorial day week end extravaganza are gone and I managed to stay above 10000 steps/day all week. Let's see what this week will bring.

[Shelley]

Hi everyone!  Congrats to all who have stuck with our challenge!!  It is great to read everyone's results.  Since starting the challenge, I have lost 6 pounds and have 12.7 left to meet the goal weight of 140 for Sept 1st.  I will still need to lose another 10-15 after that but my shorter term goal is just to get out of the "overweight" category of BMI which is at 140.  This last week I made some changes in my diet.  I was in a plateou for May and only lost one pound the whole month.  I have Hashimoto's, an autoimmune disorder where my body attacks my thyroid gland and the last two times I have had my blood tested, the results were not good.  As you all probably know, if your thyroid is off it can make it hard to lose weight.  But also every cell in the body uses thyroid so it not only effects weight, but other things like blood sugar and bone density.  I discovered an "Autoimmune Paleo Diet" that is meant for people with autoimmune disorders and I discovered a Facebook Group of people who have Hashimoto's who have been following this diet and bringing their lab tests into normal ranges with no more evidence of the antibodies which means their body is no longer attacking their thyroid.  I had been following Dr. Fuhrman's plan since last September and had lost over 40 pounds doing that.  But, the weight loss had slowed and my labs weren't good as far as the Hashimoto's.  So the real reason for switching is to see if I can improve my blood tests.  But shockingly, I have lost 4 pounds this week since I started it.  Needless to say I am pleased about that.  We will have to see how it goes from here on out.  My plan is to follow this "Autoimmune Paleo" diet as long as it is working.  I also get blood tests again at the end of the month and will be hoping for better results.  

[samtaracollier]

Good Morning Challenge Team,

I've lost 2 lbs and I'm sitting at 158 pounds this morning. I've lost 4 lbs so far and my BMI is sitting at 25.5 so I'm .5 away from the OK territory. I'm losing pregnancy weight so I have 30 more lbs to go to be back at pre-pregnancy weight. Slow and steady is the way to go so I'm alright with it! My little one is 17 months old now so there is no excuse! 

It's great to read through everyone's comments like PP said. Super excited to see how this goes!! 

[ladylacewing]

I'm up for it! I've lost 154 and have 60 to go to reach my goal. Any extra nudge in the right direction couldn't hurt! 🙂 Just activated my fitbit today and I'm super excited. I really want to get the last bit off!

[patmckee]

My wight loss was 1 pound last week. I haven't been walking as much as I was because I've been job hunting. If I could wear my fitbit on my fingers it would be spinning. I'm going to an interview in a few minutes. I've taken my change of clothes and will hit the trails for a walk. I've been real good with my 1100 calorie daily, but to get better results I need to walk. I have done wieght exercise at home.

Good luck everyone with this challenge!