Memorial Day Challenge

[Bobbinyc]

Welcome to the next Challenge!

This one will start on April 18 and continue to Memorial Day (May 29th) 2017.   That gives us 6 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.

[_Lilac_]

I'm so exhausted. It's 2pm here and I've been to walk mall laps with Mom, went to buy a fridge, arrived home to a message from my cousin asking me to go out for lunch, did that, went to the pharmacy and walked home, lugged a broken bed frame outside, rearranged a few things, put in laundry (basement), took the dogs for a walk in the neighbourhood....and now I've overdone it. Sweating, limping, so thirsty and kinda just wanna sob and lie down in bed or in my huge recliner. I can rest for a bit BUT I have to clean out a chest freezer that smells horribly of rotten oranges (my son put something in there when he moved and I didn't discover it in time) so I can give it to my sister. I need to clean out my old fridge, move it. I can't imagine what's accumulated behind and under it in 12 years. Yes, I'm that kinda lazy. The new one arrives tomorrow so it MUST be done today. 8180 steps so far and much more to do today. Think I'll go relax though. Mom said to call her and ask for help with the fridge if I needed it. I might just do that. So tired. Ok, enough whining.

Hey, good news!! I have over 8000 steps and it's only 2pm! Woot! I'll make goal for sure. I had Japanese for lunch and skipped the rice, had a little in three California rolls, just chicken and onion/cabbage for the meal though. Sodium is my enemy, filling up my water bottle now! 

Have a great Wednesday, everyone. Will check in later!

[RachelShrinks]

---

@_Lilac_ wrote:

@RachelShrinks I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. Been there, done that. They'd given my husband some new trial meds that were boosting his immune system to kill off the lung cancer. Have they discussed that option at all? He was in the end stages and it had spread throughout his body when we found out he was ill, so nothing was going to 'cure' him, but they were getting some great results with this new immuno-therapy and it prolonged his life by a year longer than they expected. 

Being the support person is extremely difficult. I applaud you for attempting to take care of yourself at the same time. And kids! Super-human. I'll lend you some strength to get through it, okay? If you ever need an outlet, send me a msg. 

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@_Lilac_: My wife has bile duct cancer with lung metastases, and the immunotherapies they currently have don't work for it. She was in a drug trial the first Christmas after she was diagnosed, but the drug a) didn't work and b) screwed up her clotting factors so badly she nearly bled to death. Good times!

When she was diagnosed, she had a 20-pound tumor taking over her entire left lobe of her liver, so she got the lobe and tumor removed and they gave her about a 40% chance of surviving the surgery. Which she did. And then a ten-month life expectancy from diagnosis (January of 2015—she's still here)... They don't even bother with prognosis with her anymore—she doesn't fit the normal parameters of the disease.

The scan showed "some growth," mostly in the form of new nodules, and some possible spreading to lymph nodes and her pleural spaces. Still, the drug is probably helping it from becoming too out of control, so they're keeping her on it and investigating whether we can try something else. She is still working, though no longer the usual 80 hour weeks (she's a doctor), but she's seeing patients and taking call. She's headed to a research conference this weekend... She is, as they say, living with—not currently dying from—terminal cancer. I guess we'll take that for as long as we can.

Thank you and @Ava_ and @Esya for the prayers and thoughts. I'm not Super-human, I just don't have a choice in the matter. The weird thing about kids is that they have to eat and go to school and have birthday parties and do homework... Darn troublesome, they are :). And with my hypothyroid and fibromyalgia, if I don't lose this weight and improve my health, they won't have a parent to keep up with them. And I want to be strong and ready when the bad stuff starts happening, because God knows, I'll have a horrible time getting healthy if I wait until it DOES.

[SunsetRunner]

I'm back again! Still wearing my fitbit daily. Geese, haven't made a post since February.  I've been on the go a lot.  I was looking at my last post where I had lost 2 pounds and was at 166.  I have now lost 5 more.  I am at 161.  It has taken me soooooo long. Things seems to slow down a whole lot at 70, but, I am still motivated and ready to keep working at loosing the last 30. It's getting hot here in Phoenix and won't be long till walking will be very difficult.  I will have to switch to my elliptical, even though it doesn't seem to do the trick at burning calories like walking.. Although i am not diabetic, my blood sugar was beginning to show high for my yearly checkups.  I bought a kit to check my fasting level every morning, and now it is maintaining at a very good place.  Of course, I have cut out all wheat and grains, most starches and of course all sugar.  The sugar was the most difficult with lots of starts and stops, but am now on track and hoping to lose faster. Was also sick for a few weeks with a wretched cold/cough. Was able to get past it with an antibiotic and am feeling so much better. Went to Victoria, BC with a friend while visiting my son in Seattle. Got in lots of steps there! So much fun!  Hope to beat the heat this summer and still be able to keep walking.  Guess there a lot of beautiful sunrises, and hope to see many of them in the weeks ahead. Hello again Fit Bit Community!!!!!

CW   161

GW   130

[Esya]

@RachelShrinks

I understand you have no choice in the matter and that is not why I said you are super-human, but the way you handle it and keep things going (for your kids) is what makes you very strong in my eyes. Your attitude is something I am sure your kids will be proud of.

[SunsetRunner]

Hang in there @RachelShrinks. Praying! 

[Bogdel]

Oops!!! My scale moved back up... It's probably because I lost too much too quick the last couple of weeks. Will see what happens by the end of the week... 

[HeartBiller]

Well I can sure tell that my lack of walking has sure cost me. This past week has been a struggle for me. I have been tied to my desk all last week and this week. Work has made SOOO many changes and I won't say they are all for the better, but I still have a job and a lot do not. So I won't complain too much! Seems like life has been so busy lately and I have to find my inner balance again to MAKE time for walking or some sort of exercise. I sure see the difference when I don't. So I know what I need to do, I just have to make myself do it. I know I will, just hope it is sooner rather than later..lol.

So yesterday on the way to work, someone hit my husband in the rear end. SO now we are faced with trying to figure out what to do about his car. (we only had liability insurance) (waiting on the other persons insurance) We can not even get a police report for 10 days so they just leave you hanging in limbo for 10 days... YAY us! Anyhow Praise the Lord he was not hurt and that is all that really matters.

Today I have an eye Dr. appointment. I am praying she will give me new glasses.. I feel like I can not see with or without mine so it is making everything a struggle especially work. I work on a computer all day and I am really struggling with it. She says I have the worst case of dry eyes she has ever seen in her career...  Anyhow, I am hoping the new drops are helping enough she lets me change glasses..lol. I know it was a ramble, but it is what was on my mind at the moment..lol.

I have read most all the other post and I am sending up prayers for those in need and cheering on those like me that didn't do well this week and congratulating those that did do well.. I hope everyone has a wonderfully blessed day!

MY stats
USW - 210.0 lbs -  April 25th 2016
Current  - 04/18/2017 - 158.8

04/25/17 -  156.8 - Lost 2 pounds .. YAY!

05/04/17 -  158.8 - Gained 2 pounds - BOO!!

05/09/17 -

05/16/17 -

05/23/17 -

05/29/17 -

Challenge Goal Weight for this challenge - 149.9

[_Lilac_]

I think I need a vacation from life. I'm mentally exhausted. I keep saying I'm going to have a rest day and then I just can't stop thinking and going and moving and doing things that I feel an urgency to do, yet why do they need to be done NOW??  I am going to cut back on coffee. Today I've had more than usual and I'm scattered and feeling on edge and very stressed. 

My dogs have been 100% of the day underfoot or whining or fighting or following me to pee, etc etc. I am currently locked away in my bedroom. One is at my door crying and the other is wandering the house. Pacing. I took them for a walk but we met three dogs, three neighbours and the large dog almost dragged me off my feet trying to get at them all. It scared me. I had to cut the walk short.

My new fridge arrived, which was stressful for me because I'd been up early to clean it out and then waited hours and hours, on edge. Ya...vacation. Where can I go tomorrow to have a few hours to myself?

Maybe I'll crochet a hat tonight. It's a form of therapy. Hot tea, crochet in hand, maybe a distracting tv show or a movie I've seen a hundred times. 

Sorry to whine. My problems are not really problems. My mind makes them worse at seizure/hormone time. Everyone tells me to rest and take a break. I tell myself that too but it just doesn't seem to happen. 

Alright. Off to find a crochet project. Oh, my food was good today, not enough water with my coffee but I have a quart/litre bottle in hand now, only 5300 steps so far but I'm aching all over like I've done weights and ran ten miles. I think the pool is on the agenda for tomorrow morning. That will help.

[DJC_63]

@SunsetRunner Welcome back! I know how frustrating slow process is, but its better than none.

I understand about the heat in Phoenix. I flew there for a job interview back in 2011. At 8:00 am it was already SO hot and I was trying to look professional. I don't know how you guys do it.  I know the humidity is much lower than the East Coast but hot is still hot. 

If you keep at the elliptical it should get you more calories burnt than a walk. It does for me, anyhow.

--------------------------------------------------

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

I'm back again! Still wearing my fitbit daily. Geese, haven't made a post since February.  I've been on the go a lot.  I was looking at my last post where I had lost 2 pounds and was at 166.  I have now lost 5 more.  I am at 161.  It has taken me soooooo long. Things seems to slow down a whole lot at 70, but, I am still motivated and ready to keep working at loosing the last 30. It's getting hot here in Phoenix and won't be long till walking will be very difficult.  I will have to switch to my elliptical, even though it doesn't seem to do the trick at burning calories like walking.. Although i am not diabetic, my blood sugar was beginning to show high for my yearly checkups.  I bought a kit to check my fasting level every morning, and now it is maintaining at a very good place.  Of course, I have cut out all wheat and grains, most starches and of course all sugar.  The sugar was the most difficult with lots of starts and stops, but am now on track and hoping to lose faster. Was also sick for a few weeks with a wretched cold/cough. Was able to get past it with an antibiotic and am feeling so much better. Went to Victoria, BC with a friend while visiting my son in Seattle. Got in lots of steps there! So much fun!  Hope to beat the heat this summer and still be able to keep walking.  Guess there a lot of beautiful sunrises, and hope to see many of them in the weeks ahead. Hello again Fit Bit Community!!!!!

CW   161

GW   130

---

[DJC_63]

@_Lilac_  We all have bad days. I know how you feel about feeling the need to do something physical. I used to be able to spend almost every day hardly moving - being on my computer, reading, watching TV or movies. Now it's very hard for me to get 1 day like that. I feel guilty and restless. It's good in a way but also sucks sometimes. There are things that I need to do on the computer, or studying, and I don't want to do them because I don't like sitting still. I wish I had something more helpful to say about this but I don't. Except to say that if it comes to you feeling physically sick or just physically exhausted, you do need to listen to your body. When it needs rest it tells you!

Crocheting is relaxing, isn't it? I used to be able to do it without even looking at it that often. I'm starting to get back into doing it again. I just found a stash of my yarn last week!

I hope you feel better tomorrow.

[BLLingg]

Re Page 13, #253,  @ThatGreen, back in August, I purchased some good Shoes for my Walking.  They were a size 8 WW.  They're called Delite, in "Barefoot Freedom" by Drew.  I got them because of the "Barefoot."  I like them so much that I got 2 more pairs of the same but in different Colors (Black & Brown/Beige).  Since getting them, I've walked over 1.8K Miles.  Most of them with the Black, all with no socks. 

Last Saturday, I went to a Shoe Store to see what size Shoe I should be getting now since my Feet have been doing a little sliding in those 8 WW.  The Clerk who measured my Feet said that I should be wearing a 7-1/2 or 8 B!

Today, I am walking in a different style but it's an 8 B!!  Yesterday, I walked 10.85 Miles in a size 7-1/2 B Barefoot Freedom!!!  I don't think the Length has really changed.  But my Feet were so wide that I was having to get a longer Shoe than I needed.  The Width, however, has DEFINITELY gone down!!! 

[BLLingg]

@Ava& @_Lilac_, Life's Problems are relative!  Just because you're not having to deal (at present) with the BIG problems some of the others are doesn't diminish yours! Your frustrations & stress are very real.  Go ahead and whine!  Moan & Groan!!  Vent as needed!!!  Talking about them helps!

[HeartBiller]

Well it is Friday once again. I so look forward to getting a break from work...However you all know weekends are a struggle for me as well. SO I won't go into all that. I have been working harder on eating healthier this week since my walking has suffer so badly in the last few weeks. I have to get my mind back on track. I honestly can not even say really why it has suffered so much. I guess I just haven't forced myself to make time like I had been doing. I hope I can soon get my self back into the swing of it.

[_Lilac_]

I feel better today! I slept better than I have in a long while and got up to have breakfast and SIT at the computer to play games for a bit. I had plain hot tea (no coffee). When I got antsy I went into my back porch and moved things around so I can access my laundry line for the summer, loaded up bags of things to throw out, removed a broken mini fridge, an old desk, an old tv, etc etc...the junk is outside now! I have a running list of all the things to throw out, and my sister has started weaving on a huge loom so I have donations of fabric for her. After a while I began to get the shakes so I reheated leftovers for lunch and sat to rest a bit. 

Father-in-law called and dropped in for a visit. It's 5pm but I'm done 'working' on house stuff today. I have to take it easy. I will spend my evening crocheting flowers and watching a ball game and just relaxing. To ease my mind about all the stuff I have to do, I've written a list, instead of letting my brain run over the items continuously, which causes the extra stress. I can write it down and forget about it, til I'm ready to do it. 

I want a really good supper. Time to go check the freezer for my protein. 

Friday! The weekend is here and I just KNOW @HeartBiller is going to concentrate on herself more!

[em.kz]

Cinco de Mayo Weigh-In!

USW - 161.6 (12/25/16)

SW - 149.2 (4/18/17)

CW - 149.4 (4/21/17)

CW - 147.2 (4/28/17)

CW - 145.8 (5/5/17)

CW - (5/12/17)

FW#1 -  -- GW #1 - 146.6 (5/17/17) 

CW - (5/19/17)

CW - (5/26/17)

FW#2 -  -- GW #2 - 145.0 (Memorial Day)

UGW #1 - 140

UGW #2 - 135

I've been feeling pretty good this week! In fact, today's weigh-in was higher than the rest of them! If I'm lucky, keep working hard, and continue how I have been, I'll be at 140 in no time.

[SunsetRunner]

Awesome job @BLLingg!  It is always so motivating when the clothes size drops when you aren't expecting it! I'm sure you'll look great on your trip! 

[_Lilac_]

My oven died. Not sure what's wrong but I probably won't get a serviceman til next week. 

I successfully didn't meet my 10,000 step goal today. I did work around the house and took the dogs for a walk in the neighbourhood, but I didn't push myself or exhaust myself. I'll consider it a rest day. Plans are to take donated cages to the SPCA tomorrow, walk with Mom, and to not stress about every little detail. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend. It's going to be raining here. Oh well, the grass will grow.

[_Lilac_]

I think fitbit analytics was up partying last night because I get up this morning to find out that I can eat 6350 calories today! Woohoo. Haha. Seriously, I need to screenshot this.

[A_Lurker]

@_Lilac_- I had that issue once before.  Not really sure what caused it, but it sorted itself out during the day.  Did yours finally come back to normal levels?

[Ava_]

@em.kz well done!  You are really heading the right way.

@_Lilac_ haha,the funny thing is, I probably ate about that on Saturday (shameful, I know).  I had a depressing binge and went from savoury to sweet to savoury (all snacks, nothing healthy) and then topped it off with a big meal in the evening and then went to bed feeling bloated, full and disgusted with myself.  I don't dare step on the scales until Tuesday and between now and then, I will try and reverse the damage.  So I can only blame myself when there is (once again) no weight loss.  I knew it was coming, I was getting so bored and annoyed with the lack of progress, whilst doing all 'the right things' and just ended up sabotaging myself.  Hopefully now that I have that out of my system, I will behave 😉