Labour Day to Halloween 2015 Challenge

[Mermaid3011]

Hi everybody! This is a group with awesome people and we all have the same goals! We may have different ways to get there, so please keep the thread friendly so we can all enjoy the journey!

We are starting on Labour Day - September 4 and will be ending this challenge on Halloween October 31. 

I know you will all give your best - just remember: keep your goals achievable and HAVE FUN!!!

Looking forward to seeing you all succeed!

Birgit

[CatLondon]

CSW 171 

CW 166

HGW 164

UGW 154

Thanks for setting up this challenge. It has really helped me to focus and I'm actually losing weight! I've only been making small changes, but have managed to keep those changes going over a few weeks rather than a few days and it really does make a difference. There is chocolate sitting in my kitchen cupboard that I haven't even touched - which is really amazing for me! I've been drinking a lot less and trying to do my steps by integrating it into my daily life, walking part way home instead of taking public transport the whole way for example, and have cut down on snacks especially the sugary ones and tried to replace them with fruit. It doesn't feel like I'm on a diet, just being healthier. 

[awood08]

@CatLondon it sounds like you are on the right track. I'll be honest, I eat what I want for the most part. But I always choose the healthy option now 🙂

 I partake in things here and there, like a small handful of chips, 1 chocolate fudge brownie out of the mini bites pack, etc. I even had (yikes) 2 slices of cheese pizza without the crust tonight as a treat for me hitting my goal weight. I'll be paying for it tomorrow and have to work my butt off but in reality enjoying and rewarding yourself occasionally is never bad.

[dancefoxtrot]

catlondon

healthier sounds lovely to me. glad that you are seeing results. 

Barb g

[dancefoxtrot]

Sarah 

Congrats on weight loss and HIIT runs.  Warm up and then stretch. Stretching is super for gaining flexibility. Try 20 seconds or more for each position, just sink into it as you exhale.  On line there are stretches for sciatic pain relief.  There are deep muscle in the bottom, like the piriformis that can be involved that may be stretched out. Google "piriformis syndrome" and voila lots of stretches for you.

Barb

[dancefoxtrot]

Jenna 

I lol at your thighs waving not high fiving. That is a relief. 

Glad you are making such good progress.

Barb

[dancefoxtrot]

Yeah SaraJ

Looks like you may hit your goal early and may beat it too by 10/31. 

Isn't it cool to be lightening up. In Feb. I was 153 and now made it to 133.8 so landed in the healthy weight area. Now to stay in this zone consistently for life. 

Barb

[dancefoxtrot]

Wait Bobbinyc

health scare and tests? Are you okay now or did you learn of some disorder or disease? 

Please let me know as you are my special east coast buddy and I'm worried about you. 

I'm hoping that it was only a scare and the test proved that you are a healthy person. 

So nice to read of your impending ballet class. Get ready for a bit of soreness the next day. 

I love dancing so much and I'm giving myself the gift of having it in my life. 

I perform Oct. 8 again this time a Waltz that is more complex and one that is with a student that I have been teaching for a couple months now. We practice most days and I'm so proud of him. I'll post the video if some one takes one. 

Take care of yourself,

Barbara G

[nyx425]

Start weight: 260 in June 2015
Current weight: 212.2 (10/8/15)
Goal by 10/31/15: 200
Ultimate goal: 140 by April 2016

I think I can really hit this goal. I love how the weight is coming off at the moment 🙂

[JacquelineP]

Checking in for this week:

USW: 221

CSW: 203  (challenge starting weight)

FCW: 202 (first challenge weigh-in)

CCW: 202 (second challenge weigh-in)

CCW: 201.5 (third challenge weigh-in)

Halloween GW: 195

UGW: 150-160

Moving slowly but in the right direction.  

[viny2242]

Good evening everyone seen my doctor Monday he said I was doing great with the walking and losing weight but I told him I can't get rid of the stomach bulge because of my back injury.

He said just set on the edge of a chair back strait feet on the floor and lean back as far as possible without falling over count to 25 then relax do as many repetitions as possible this will strengthen the upper stomach muscles. 

Then set on edge of chair back strait and lift your feet off the floor 6 or 8 inches in front of you count to 25 relax and do as many reps as possible this strengthens the lower stomach muscles.

Have been doing this for 4 days now and can feel it working.

[mcfloozy]

@viny2242 That sounds good. Easy enough, in the sense that you don't need to buy and store equipment. Keep us posted on whether you feel stronger.

Core strength is a slow process. Stay with it, and you'll find you can do a little more over time.

Good luck.

McF.

[Bobbinyc]

Thanks to all for your concern.  I am fine.  Just think people should know - apparently when you get a sudden headache when exercising it is possible it is an aneurism.  I knew this but ignored it.  I was doing weights at a gym and asked someone for an aspirin, they said absolutely not and that I need to talk to my doctor (I thought I was fine, but tend to underreact), my doctor who also tends to under-react, was very concerned and insisted I get an MRI immediately.  It was complicated by an allergic reaction to new earrings, and all the ensuing issues with the health field.  Tomorrow I am back to strength training and walking.  And gave away the earrings.

A dear friend was in an accident and badly injured, but now the prognosis looks good.

Thanks again to all for your concern.

Please, remember to always take excellent care of your health.  It really does mean so much.

[Bobbinyc]

@dancefoxtrot Barb, you are so thoughtful and caring.  Your posts make me smile warmly.  I was thinking of you this evening, doing your Waltz.  I hope it was filmed - would love to see it.  

Thank you very much for your concern.  

And congrats on your new weight!  I can't believe how you accomplish so much.  It wasn't that long ago that you were in battle with the scale to get to 140.  Now look at you!  I hope you know you are a great inspiration and role model, as well as teacher to so many on here.  

Again, thank you so very much for your friendship.

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi Bobbinyc,

What a huge scare you had, my friend. Man that is good to know and remember about a sudden headache when working out could be an aneurysm. Very serious and some folks bleed out and die or sustain brain damage if it is a slower leak that isn't attend to. Glad you had the MRI and not the darned aneurysm. Phew!  Very sorry to hear of your friend's serious accident and injury. Great that she is healing.

Glad you are back to exercising again and missed a possible bullet. 

Thanks for thinking of me as I did the 2 waltzes tonight and didn't let the nerves scatter my brain. I just danced in the general dancing and went in the back studio and practice by myself. If I move when the adrenalin creates butterflies and not focus on my fears, like what if I forget... etc. I can stay grounded and dance fairly well. Tango routines next.

Happy autumn,

Barbara G

[SarahM]

Hi Everyone,

I am SO GLAD IT IS FRIDAY!!!!!  I cant wait until work is done for the week.  Thanks for the stretching ideads @dancefoxtrot.  I have done some "gooling" and have a plan for stretching 2 times per day.  Already seems to be helping.  

Next week, on the 15th is my 49th Birthday.  My family are all coming over tomorrow for a celebration.  Should be tons of fun.  We are all going to paint halloween pumpkins.  My grandaughter is 3 so she will have a grand time of it, I am sure!  I am cooking a nice roast dinner and my daughters and I are making a spice cake.  It will be a high calorie day, but I only plan on turning 49 5 or 6 times tops.  I am actually feeling really good about how well I have been sticking to my plans for nutrition and exercise, so I think I will feel good about my cake tomorrow.  

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

Sarah

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi Bobbinyc

What a lovely note to come home to and read. Takes one to know one we used to say back in NYC when I was a kid. I truly am relieved that you are not sick or injured.

Here is the video of the dance director and I dancing.

[Bobbinyc]

@dancefoxtrot  I'm so glad the Waltz went well.  Any video?  And I would love to see the Tango.  Those nerves can trip us up if we let them, and it's difficult to control them.  But, you are the lioness - intent, focused, energetic, purposeful, calm, completely present in the moment.  

Thank you for your support and concern.  I guess as we age, we dodge bullets more and more often.  Or at least we are more aware of them.  It certainly can heighten our appreciation of our health, our time, the choices we make.

When is your next dance?  I hope it goes very well, and that you enjoy it thoroughly.

Bobbi

[Bobbinyc]

@viny2242  Those exercises sound great.  I don't know about getting rid of the stomach bulge, but they will certainly make you stronger.  Your persistence is paying off.

[Bobbinyc]

@dancefoxtrot     Oh my gosh!, Barbara, I just saw the Waltz video.  You are stunning!  So graceful and elegant!  That is just so beautiful.

I just knew you were from NY.  Queens?  

And thank you, as always, for your kind warmth.

[Bobbinyc]

@SarahM  Happy almost birthday!  I hope you enjoy it and the coming year brings lots of fun and great health.  Absolutely do those stretches.  I've read that when we stretch gently, holding the position for 20 seconds as Barb G said, it releases a chemical that actually makes our arteries more flexible and therefore much healthier.  Stretching also prevents a lot of injuries.