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.

[Ava_]

@em.kz - I say go with option #1 🙂   Well done!  Enjoy your weekend.

[Bobbinyc]

@_Lilac_  I've missed being here and seeing everyone's posts.  I've tried an attitude adjustment with my scale, I've tried other scales, I've tried getting on my scale with weights (it knew), I've tried being mean to the scale and being nice, begging and pleading.  There's no getting around it, my body needs the adjustment.  Since I was on a strong anti-biotic last year, everything is different.  My previously curly hair is straight, I am lactose intolerant after a life of dairy, I have horrible Gerd...etc.  I'm seeing all kinds of specialists now.  So far, no change.  So, we'll see.  I'm doing what I can to be as healthy as possible.  And even if the weight doesn't come off, on some level I know I am healthier.

It  helps to focus on what is right, what I can do.  I spent so much time not being able to walk, that now every step feels like pure gratitude.  I mean, think of how lucky we are that we can count our steps!

[DJC_63]

@_Lilac_ Do you think it's possible that you have so much pain because you're doing too much exercise? I weigh less than you, and I do lower steps than you, and I still have days (like today) where my hips hurt, my legs ache, my feet hurt and my knee hurts. My back hurts every day. I think my joints can only take a certain amount of activity, factoring in my weight and my age. Maybe you've already discussed this somewhere, but I just thought I'd throw it out there.

Anyhow, I hope that the MRI shows something helpful.

[DJC_63]

So glad to see you back, @Bobbinyc  I miss your posts. I feel for you on the weight not budging. I've not lost any for awhile, either. I going to try cutting out just about all of my goodies and see if that makes a difference. If that doesn't work then it has to be my medications. 

I have a suspicion that you don't have many sweets or goodies, though, so that won't help you.

[_Lilac_]

@DJC_63  I hurt when I was heavier, I lost weight and then suddenly it all blew up into more pain than before. However, I know that I hurt my knee from walking on those mall floors every day. And it's hard to just stop and rest because you know that's what is helping you lose weight, which will ultimately help all this joint pain...it's such a vicious cycle. Yes, the more activity at my 'almost-300 lbs' has definitely contributed to the issue.

Now, the last few days I've had complete rest...spent almost all time on my butt except for a quick stroll up the street and back with the dogs yesterday. My knee is soooo much better. I'm going to do the same today then back to the pool every day this week, being very careful. I'm having to find alternative (don't you just have to use that word nowadays and snicker?) ways to exercise the dogs. I'm not going to push myself too hard. The weight loss is too important to become sedentary again though so I must stay active in some sense. The pool will have to do it for now.

[ThatGreen]

@_Lilac_I'm happy you're taking it slow with your knee and you're lucky to have a pool available.

As for your dogs, you can try to hit google and find mental exercises for dogs. If they get some brain games, they can often tire themselves out so they don't require as much physical exercise. If they're well behaved around other dogs, there might be a dog park near you where they can run off some energy.

I can certainly relate to the mental struggle that comes with being forced to slow down due to pain. Since this challenge started, I've forced myself to "chill" every now and then so I don't do too much too fast and hit the infamous wall.

Turns out my feet (pretty much only the soles) are still hurting after this week, which has been the slowest week in a long time. I have three days this week where I mostly sat on my behind and didn't hit my calories burned goal and yesterday I forced myself to get up and go for a 40 minute late night walk to hit my goal.

My "step goal" (I don't see steps as a goal, even though it's nice when the app goes green and celebrates) is 5000 and my feet are not up to that at all. I'm stupidly jealous of the people that do 10k or more on a regular basis. I've hit 10k maybe 3-4 times during this challenge and those were days I went hiking for 1+ hour. Those days my feet are burning and the two reusable ice packs I have in my freezer is the best thing ever. On one occation I just stepped into the icy cold swamp next to the hiking trail to get some relief.

Doctors have yet to come up with a solution that offers relief but I feel like I can't just sit around for the rest of my life in any case.

This turned into a rant/vent thing, so sorry about that, but I get legitimately pissed off when my head and body goes "I'm ready, let's go!" and the soles of my feet just goes "nope, we're in pain". Ugh, get with the program, stupid feet!

[_Lilac_]

@ThatGreen  The dogs are putting on a little softness in the belly region, even with our daily walks, etc. so I've reduced their kibble amount slightly, and since my daughter is moving back in with me it's now her job to go outside to play with them daily. Playing fetch, dancing, tug, etc til they are worn out. I can play fetch with them too but I won't be able to take them on their extended walks until my knee improves. It almost seems miraculous, but the pulled sciatic nerve pain has reduced too...so overall I'm feeling peachy. I did some marching in place while watching tv earlier and at the first twinge I stopped but it took probably 15 min for that to happen. I'm being super careful. 

My little dog loves a dog park but I can't trust the other not to get panicky with the chaos. The dog parks are also too far to get to without a vehicle. My yard is fully fenced though so I can run them out there.

Ok, time to rest again a bit. Hope everyone has a great Sunday!!

[almost_where]

 Easter Day Weight - 249

  Sunday1 - 247 - (4/23) 248 Target

  Sunday2 - 245 - (4/30) 247 Target 
  Sunday3 - 245 -  (5/07) 246 Target 
  Sunday4 - 244 - (5/14) 245 Target 
  Sunday5 - 244 - (5/21) 244 Target 
  Sunday6 - 243 - (5/28) 243 Target  

Memorial Day Goal - 242

-1 lbs

Well I shorted myself a week in setting my Target. I think a lb per week is where im currently at. Have a good Memorial Day everyone.

[GettingfitinSC]

USW= 235; BMI= 46 (Christmas 2016)

CSW= 212.2; BMI= 41 (April 18, 2017)

PW=209.9 (May 9)

CW= 212.0

GW= 205

UGW= 125

Total lost since April 18 = -0.2 lbs 

Total lost since Christmas 2016 = -23 lbs

38/F/5'0"

Well, I haven't checked in for a few weeks. I got pretty discouraged at the way my weight kept jumping up and down. During this Challenge, my weight has gone all over the place- as low as 208 and as high as 216. Lots of things contributed: I think at first, there was just a real plateau because I had been doing pretty well. Then, I quit getting all my steps, wasn't as careful with food because of so many end of school year parties and gifts, didn't have as much time to exercise as I usually did, got discouraged because of arguments at home... basically all the same excuses that have caused me to be fat to begin with. At least I'm ending the challenge without a gain- that's a good thing. I'm starting back over today again- being very strict with counting calories and watching processed carbs. I'm also going to lower my step count to 10,000, because I've had a really hard time hitting 13,500 and those little blue bars that say I didn't make it are very discouraging. I want to see green bars again! I'll work my way back up again during the next challenge. 

[_Lilac_]

Today is the day, right?? End of the challenge? Ok, so my official weigh-in this morning was 292.2 lb/132.5 kilos. My challenge start weight was 298.2 so I've lost only 6 pounds in 6 weeks. I know that's acceptable, but it feels slow. I've done a lot of activity, I'm a big person, I don't eat crazy...I should be losing more. Sigh. I know I've had ups and downs with injury, wisdom teeth being taken out, pain control, etc etc. I just need stability I think. But when does life give stability??

Has someone started the next challenge yet? I'm raring to join. I'll be out all morning since I'm going to water aerobics and then I desperately need to get groceries. I really miss having my mom in town since we used to go get groceries so often. She's returning on the weekend though. 

Alright, I hope everyone had a good challenge and they will stick with us for the next one. Keep moving!

[_Lilac_]

@GettingfitinSC I love the green bars of success at 10,000 and the longer green bar above the line is sooo encouraging, so when you do get 13,000 it looks awesome! Having a string of long green ones feels great too, so I'd prod you to keep the goal at 10,000 even if you get used to the 13,500 daily. You will feel so proud of yourself.

[Gayle1018]

Great weekend!!!  I'm really enjoying a 4 day weekend and can't wait til next year when I can retire when I want.  Been working on my honey do list. And the outside is looking great  been painting, yard work and groomed the dog. I was very sore but thrilled with the accomplishments. 

Todayl inside stuff. Shampoo carpets etc. and if I get my projects done maybe go kayaking. 

So good to be back!  11 days meeting step,water and calories goals. That's a first. 

Didn't make my Memorial Day challenge but am less than when we started. 

Ending weighr 155 

looking forward to to the next challenge.   Blessings to all. 

[IdahoSandy]

I started off going in the right direction then I got busy with life. Lost almost three pounds during this challenge:

MEMORIAL DAY CHALLENGE
USW 208 lbs (5/22/16)
SW 169.9 (4/18)
PW 171 (4/24)
PW 167.6 (5/2)
PW 166.7 (5/10)
PW 165.8 (5/16)
PW 167.8 (5/22)
CW 167.2 (5/29)

Plan: mfp food tracker and exercise 5 days per week

 I lost 41 pounds in a year. I was hoping for 50, but I'll take 41 pounds over 40-  I'm a teacher and I am almost on summer break. More time for outdoor activities like biking and hiking. Happy Memorial Day everyone! :united_states:

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi all you intrepid challengers,

144.2 on April 18th

143.8 on Mem Day

a tiny loss but down to the last 8 lbs and not as active as before.  Lowered daily step goal to 7500 to give my knee a chance to heal it's bursa.  On break from teaching exercise so I will have more healing time.

Congrats to all your progress even slow loss is loss. 

All the best.

Should we aim for July 4th this time? 

Best,

Barbara G

[_Lilac_]

July 4th sounds fine to me. I'm looking forward to it!

[Cele21]

USW- 215.0 (2/4/14)

LCSW- 211.4 (2/14/17) Last Challenge Starting Weight

CSW - 210.8 (4/18/17)

LW- 212.4

CW- 212.0

GW- 205.0 (Memorial Day)

UGW- 150

None of my plans worked out this week. Weather and commitments kept me from getting outside much. Work was heavy so lots of desk time. Food was ok but not as strict as I had planned. Ending higher than the last challenge starting weight.

But I'm still not giving up and will participate in the next challenge. Hoping to clear the mental haze/roadblocks and move forward for health, fitness, and quality of life.

[SunsetRunner]

Hi everyone! Here's my last Friday weight for this challenge: 

USW: 224.5 lbs (7/6/16)

CSW:  151.0 (04/18/17)  (Starting weight for this challenge)

CW: 151.0 (04/21/17)

CW: 148.0 (04/28/17) -3.0

CW: 149.0 (05/05/17) +1.0

CW: 149.5 (05/12/17) +0.5

CW: 149.5 (05/19/17) no change

CW:  148.0 (05/26/17) -1.5

Goal Range:   148.0 - 152.0

I dropped a little last week but I'm not surprised.  It was a very stressful week.  We found out that our new baby granddaughter has Down's Syndrome and as of today she is still in the hospital on oxygen and a feeding tube. I went to the hospital after work every night so dinners were few and far between -- not much appetite anyway.  We're praying she stabilizes and can go home soon to meet her big brother!

I met my main goals for this challenge which were to stay within my goal range and add strength training at least 3x a week to my workouts.  I have been switching off each day between strength/cardio and that has been working well. 

Happy Memorial Day to all!

[_Lilac_]

What a day!!

I went to water aerobics and then did grocery shopping. When I got home my daughter reminded me to call the vet for my dog to be seen because he's been shaking his head and an ear was drooping. I got an appointment for the afternoon so I walked him up there and back. After all that, I logged a 13,350 step day but with doing a few things around the house, dogs in and out, etc...I'm almost at 15,000. I'm tired but not too sore, which is really surprising me after all the trouble I've been having. I've had only 1300 calories today so I suppose I should have a snack later because I've probably burned 3200+ today. I haven't specifically checked. I'm going to spend the rest of the evening in my recliner, watching tv and maybe crochet yet another hat. I have a huge collection now. Haha. Yarn therapy.

Edit:  I looked and it says I've burned 4300 calories today, so I guess I do need a snack (or a meal??) later.

[Bobbinyc]

@SunsetRunner  I'm so sorry to hear the new baby is on oxygen.  I know how scary that is!  I hope she is able to go home soon.

[Bobbinyc]

Life has handed so many of us more challenges than just our weight recently.  Let's hope the next challenge brings a bit more calm and ease so we can catch our breath and re-focus on our health and weight.  

This is still the best forum, the most dynamic, supportive, determined, and wise group of people.

I hope to see everyone in the next challenge.