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.

[DJC_63]

@Gayle1018  I'm so sorry to hear about your sister-in-law. The same thing happened to my Dad when he had cancer, the chemo just wiped out his immune system. They told him if he didn't do it that he wouldn't live until Christmas (this was in July), but doing the chemo ended up shortening his life even more. Sometimes the "cure" isn't really worth it.

I hope that you & your family have strength and guidance to get through such a difficult time. Maybe exercise will even help.

Glad to see you back, regardless.

[DJC_63]

I'm late again posting my stats - I should just change my date to Tuesday.  I've been exercising more, the weather has been nice so it's easy to just walk up the road rather than the 30 minute drive to the gym. Last week I won 2 workweek challenges that I was in! I don't think I've ever won one of those. Alas, my body is getting a little upset with all of the extra walking. My right foot kept cramping on me today and just generally hurting. I don't want to deal with plantar fasciitis again because I'm finally losing some weight! So I made myself not walk or do the elliptical tonight. That was hard. I just did some weights at the gym and I'm hoping that my foot will feel better tomorrow.  I still have problems with my neck, I don't need anything else. I could actually make my goal this time if I can keep up my exercise.

Here's this week's update:

USW - 207.5

PW - 196.0 

PW - 197.5

PW - 195.9

CW - 194.7

GW - 193.0

[DJC_63]

@IdahoSandy  You are doing great! Congrats

[DJC_63]

@TT_is_me  That is an amazing accomplishment! I can't even imagine. You look wonderful.  Keep up the great momentum, it's inspiring.

[DJC_63]

@RachelShrinks  I'm so sorry for everything you're going through, I really am amazed with all that you are dealing with. Not getting enough sleep is awful. I never realized what a difference it made until I was able to start getting enough, and I could feel how much better I felt. Is there any possibility for you to get some part time help? I don't know if it could help with the sleep but it might be something to look into.

[em.kz]

This isn't my weekly weigh in, that will still be happening on Friday. However, today is the last day of my Freshman Year at college and I am very pleased to be able to officially say that I lost the Freshman 15! I'm hoping my weigh-in on Friday will be a little better than this one because last night my friends and I went out to eat and had "Breakfast for Dinner". I knew it wouldn't be a great choice calorie-wise and I know I'll have to work to get those off, but I wouldn't change it. As an end-of-year celebration that happens once before we all go our separate ways, I would have regretted missing it!

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 - 145.0 (5/12/17)

FW#1 - 145.2 -- GW #1 - 146.6 (5/17/17) MADE IT!

CW - (5/19/17)

CW - (5/26/17)

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

UGW #1 - 140

UGW #2 - 135

[Gayle1018]

Great day sticking to goals yesterday 

Life is full of challenges,  joys and disappointments.  Just keep on trying to for what you hold near and dear..   

Actually got up  and took 2 mile walk before work.  My pup is feeling much better now so is happy to go walking with me again..  Gonna hit a fitness trail on lunch and then take our usual evening walk, so hoping to get goal steps in again.  So far good on food, but need to start getting water in - so far coffee is winning-and still not awake 

back to work - good to see everyone updates!  take care, Blessings. 

[_Lilac_]

Eventful day today! I arranged to have my kitchen floor done, I went to a real salon to get my hair done (I usually go to the drop-in hairdressers inside Walmart), and since I have only 6000 steps I've decided to go to the evening water aerobics class since I missed the morning one. My visitor brought a couple of pounds of baggage so I'm hoping she doesn't stay long. Who needs that?? 

And...I noticed a big difference when I sat down in the salon chair. They wrap that thing around and fasten in the back. Normally I can't stand to see my round, swollen face pinched off like that but today, I didn't appear like a big top circus tent with a little ball on top! I am beginning to see changes in myself and without the use of a camera. I felt good and accomplished today.

Ok, off to pack my bag for the pool. Have a great evening and notice the little changes that make this hard work worth it!

[SunsetRunner]

@TT_is_me. Congratulations!  You look awesome! You have had a huge accomplishment and should be super proud of yourself! 

[SunsetRunner]

@em.kz. Congratulations on finishing your first year at college! Enjoy the memory of your breakfast for dinner with your friends. You definitely would have regretted missing it. 

[_Lilac_]

No one wrote yesterday. I think around here that's a crime. Well, a misdemeanor anyway. 

The bulk of my exercise yesterday was shopping with my sister #1. I'm completely struggling with pain in that bad knee and also a pulled sciatic nerve on that same side. I'm finding it difficult now to walk the dogs and get around. This worries me soooo much because I've worked so hard to lose weight and be healthy and get active. I NEED to stay active. I did get to the pool 3 times this week and with dog walks, I've hit my goals or come very close each day. But I'm getting worse. 

Heading out to shops again today with sister #2. Then I'm going to rest. Tomorrow is Goal Challenge day so I'll rest today and do my goal for sure tomorrow. 

I feel so overwhelmed with pain lately. I hate taking anything for it. Losing weight and being active and being healthy is what is supposed to cure pain problems. Sigh. Sister #1 even mentioned the "F" word to me (fibromyalgia) and I just don't wanna hear it. It's in my family. Two siblings have a diagnosis. I'm doing what I can to live the natural way of dealing with that, in case I have it. It's crossed my mind for sure. I have neurological issues already...why not throw another thing in?? Sorry I'm whiny...

On a positive note, the weather is warm. I bought some seeds. Spinach and swiss chard and oniony things to plant on my deck. Can't plant til June (we can still get frost up til then) but I can start them in the house maybe. And ya...umm...not much else. Oh, I fixed my oven. Ordered a part online and installed it myself with lots of sweat and grumbling. Now I can make my banana muffins. 

Alright. Gonna go relax a bit while I can. Have a good day all. Remember, it's official Goal Day tomorrow!

[Gayle1018]

I saw that, was shocked, - but didn't write either.. so guilty!.

  My week is going pretty well, managed to get my goal steps in for 5 days in a row woo-hoo! and well as food /water.

To day will be harder,  RAINING - again, and with work hard to get my goal steps in.  Mood is improving, and my pup is doing great..  

Hope everyone has a good weekend and a successful Goal 2017 day! =hoping to go kayaking - but rain???!!!

good to see you posting Lilac!  someone had to start us today..

[Nora58]

@_Lilac_Nothing much going on in the walking dept with this planter fasciitis ruling the world. Some days I can push through it and do 5 miles or more and other days I think how bad it's going to be when I get home and I end up just doing short walks with Nora and my tai chi and hand weight or core work on the mat. Something that I can stop for a minute and stick my foot in a bowl of ice to stop the burn and get on with it. If I count steps I will lose my motivation because every time I do get my steps I am hurting my foot more since I've been told not to walk for a while so it can heal. I try to focus on counting calories and learning new routines for inside that will be great in the winter. I found a boatload on TV for free with ballet, yoga, zumba etc. I am going to do ballet and stretching this evening when Nora is done with me for the day. Ballet looked good when I checked it out , toe work not heel work. lol  I'll let you know how it goes.

[em.kz]

Weekly 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 - 145.0 (5/12/17)

FW#1 - 145.2 -- GW #1 - 146.6 (5/17/17) MADE IT!

CW - 142.6 (5/19/17)

CW - (5/26/17)

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

UGW #1 - 140

UGW #2 - 135

When I stepped on the scale this morning I was in awe and to be completely honest, I did a little happy dance! Unfortunately, I don't expect that to be the number I see tomorrow. Although I am utterly exhausted today, I didn't get many steps, nor did I track my calories. Today was the wake for my grandpa, so I was standing almost all day and talking with people, but I wasn't really moving.

[Esya]

@em.kz

Tomorrow is a new day. You can pick your journey right up again where you left it. Those days where you simply are not in the situation to stick to it happen to anyone and as long as they don't happen too often it is ok. And the wake of your grandpa is way more important than not sticking to it for 1 day.

[em.kz]

I agree completely, unfortunately today is the funeral so I'll have to wait one more day before getting back into it. 

[Esya]

@em.kz

The tomorrow phrase was not meant that literally. I wish you and your family the best for today and that the service will be beautiful. (I am sorry, English is not my first language, so I cannot completely convey my meaning, but I think you get it.)

[_Lilac_]

Today is Goal Day, right? I keep thinking today is Sunday but it's Saturday...just one of my head things going on today. 

I took the boys for a 2 mile walk this morning. Now I'm resting. The sky has darkened a bit so I think it's getting ready to rain. Only 9C (48F) so it's great for walking at a decent pace. We have a frost warning for tonight. I repaired my oven by myself the other day (yippee I didn't have to call anyone! Thank you, youtube for instructions how to fix it) so I made banana bread muffins. I bought de-caf coffee so I made a pot and won't have to worry about it affecting me poorly. I plan to rest a bit before my next activities, since my knee is sore. Oh, I got a call from my doctor with an appointment for Wednesday because she got the results of the x-ray. 

I hope everyone is having a great weekend and they joined the challenges for today. Meet your goals! Drink your water. Have fun and laugh a lot!

[Nora58]

@DJC_63Oh yeah planter fasciitis is ruining my walking and running on days I just can't get it under control at all. Today My sister sent me a text that my oldest older brother who is 70 and in pretty good shape other that his heart valve and past heart attack was at one hospital where he was taken be ambo (they live on Cape Hatteras Island where we grew up) and they couldn't get the chest pain under control so he was being shipped to Va Beach where she lives.  His Dr for his heart is there so now they don't think this chest pain is from the bad valve so they are going to do scans and other test, but in the mean time they can't get rid of the pain because it's the only indicator of how he is doing. Well I put Nora's harness on her and my wrap on my foot and hit the trail before the stress of being so far away got a hold of me and I went for food. got in 6 miles and killed my foot but mentally I had to do it. I know like you do that rest, ice, toe pulls rollers or tennis balls are what I should have done but I am doing that for the rest of the day.

[dancefoxtrot]

@Nora58  Sorry to hear about your brother. With an angiogram the Cardiologist can see what is going on in his heart so soon you will know.  Probably fixable.  

Best to you,

Barbara g