Mother's Day Challenge. Lose 20 by Mother's Day! Who is with me?

[Shelley]

Being involved in a challenge helps keep me motivated and it seems like it works for others too.  It also helps to have a goal and a deadline to get there.  Let's all get healthier for ourselves and for our families.  Let's do this for our kids, or our grandkids, or for our own mothers as well as for ourselves.  Come join me and let's do this!

[amyb68]

Hi All!  I'm new to this (fitbit and this forum).  I just got mine on Wed. (was a Christmas gift that was on back order).  I saw this discussion and thought this would be great!  I have about 20 lbs to lose and would love to do it by Mothers Day!  I'm 45 and a photographer living in Chicago, so being active in this awful cold snap we are having is difficult (the windchill factor was quite a bit below zero this morning 🙂 ).  I've started working out at home but am having trouble finding the time to do it everyday.  I know this is not a good excuse so I am hoping being on these forums will make me more accountable. Also, I'm going to Mexico in April and would like to be 10lbs down by then.  I'm still learing about my fitbit, but it is definitely making me more aware of my activity for sure!  Looking forward to being part of this journey!

[MellowCrunch]

Good morning everyone. I've been reading through past post and see there is a lot of talk about diet. I thought I'd make a comment on grains for those of us who eat a less restricted diet. I don't follow any particular diet but believe in eating 'real food'. I avoid processed foods as best I can and make as much from scratch as possible. When it comes to grains there are some that are better than others; brown rice over white, obviously. Quinoa is a good one as well as pearl barley. Cook both of these the same as rice (pearl barly will take a little longer and perhaps a bit more water). These are great grains because they have a better glycemic index. 

Also, with all grains, they become much more nutritous if you soak them for 6-8 hours ahead of time. This will also cut down on cooking time and water needed. I try to do this when I can plan ahead well enough. Also, look to buy bread that is 'sprouted'. It digest more like a vegetable than a carb. It's usually in the frozen section. Hope someone finds this info helpful! Have a great and calorie burning day!

[Jo1948]

I was glad to read your post about grains.  I came across an article that recommended "sprouted wheat" for easier digestion. I love all forms of bread but lately they have made me feel weighed down and bloated feeling.   I found some sprouted wheat flour at a local farm store and made a sprouted wheat bread in my bread machine.  It turned out to be very tasty with a great wheat texture.  The best part was that I could have a slice toasted in the morning and not feel like I had swallowed a brick.  
Praises for the article wherever it was and thanks for sharing in your post.


Sent from Samsung tablet

[Rosa2813]

Hello everyone, I would love to join this group...reading all the positive atitidues makes me feel stronger as a person to try this out, I am looking to loose 20/30 myself closer to 30 I would be happier 🙂 good luck to all.

[grace-pa]

Count me in on the mother's day challange...I have struggled on and off for years with an extra 30-35 #'s according to the ideal weight charts, and have been able to get to about 20 # loss by various attempts (WW, Adkins, so beach...) but I can't stick with these programs over the long haul and inevitably, the weight creeps back up to where I previously was and then some.  SO, now have yet another attempt at something that I hope will work that I can stick to and not fail in the long term! My sister and I have planned a girls getaway without kids or men for May, so this is perfect. My initial goal will be 20 #, but if it goes well, will shoot for more. Glad to find this group, I look forward to the challange! 

[ginpin]

I want to join too. I have been attempting this on my own since January and need to try something different. I work 9 hrs a day and drive 2 hours each work day so sitting is all too easy. Started fast walking 4 miles each work lunch hour. Did it twice last week. Weigh in this week is in 2 hours. I am also attempting to stay in my weight watchers points plus limit but missed the mark a couple times this week. Love, love some of the hungry girl reciepes, gives you lots of food for fewer calories. Will post weight loss or gain after my weigh in.  I may need o also log my food here so as to be more accountable. Have a new granchild coming this June and my other child is getting married in September, This will be a great year and want to enjoy it as healthful and fantastic feeling as possible. Here is to accountability!

[Elansc]

I can't believe that the scale didn't move at all this week -- still -1.5 of 20.  Well my body fat went down 1.5% but no weight loss.  I know, from past experience, that I just have to hang in there but it is still annoying.  And I only met my step goal of 10000 once  but managed to get above 7500 a few times.   I am finding that it is difficult to do much -- even inside--  with the -30 temps (that is with the wind chill but still unbearable -- that is -22 for anyone who uses the fahrenheit scale).  My son has a urinary tract infection so the last few days I have been cuddling with him -- watching Disney movies (over and over again)   So there are all my excuses.  I will keep up with everything and hope that this week the "plateau" breaks.

Sodium count a bit better this week (3 of 7 days were under) -- clearly I need to keep watching that -- finding that my goal to eat more beans has a bad side so I appreciated the posts about other grains.  I do try to eat quinoa but it just is not something I "crave" so unless I come across it in the cupboard I don't think to make it -- I moved it to the bottom (eye level) shelf .  I also put together a few freezer crock pot meals and I am going to do a few more this afternoon.  The grocery cashier was quite curious about why I was buying so much food (I live in a small town and EVERYONE knows I am losing weight)

Hope that everyone has a good week! 

[Elansc]

Hi!  I am 63 pounds (lost) into a -100 pound journey and about a month into this journey, I realized that I needed to learn to like salad....   I eat more salad now than ever -- my newest favour is a "sweet Kale" mixture that I buy from Costco -- at 140 calories/cup it is filling and nutritious (kale is one of those power house foods).  I put very little dressing on but it did take a bit to gradually put less and less on....

I also cut WAY back on wheat (and all the processed food with wheat) after I read the book "the wheat belly" -- in the book, the author makes the point that wheat is addictive -- not sure if there is a shread of truth to that BUT once I replaced my wheat crackers/cookies/pasta with other options (quinoa chocolate cookies and corn and quinoa pasta are my favourites) I find that I dont need to finish the box   In fact, I have had a box of quinoa cookies in my cupboard since before Christmas and I have only had 5-6 (luckily they are individually wrapped so I can safely ignore them).

I also drink more water -- it really works for me -- and obsessively count my food intake with myfitnesspal -- evenings are worse for me and just knowing that I have eaten my calorie limit helps to stop the nighttime snacking.

[Elansc]

Thanks for the soaking tip !!    I had never heard that!  I just started Fuhrman's book Super Immunity and trying to change my diet to be more healthy!

[amyb68]

@formerlyfit....can you post the recipes for both the butternut squash soup and the zucchini soup?  I love zucchini and would love to make this!  Thanks!!  🙂

[formerlyfit]

Hello all.  

I did not come up with these recipes, I just found them online.    Creamy Zucchini Garlic Soup is right here.

http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2013/09/16/creamy-zucchini-soup/

I did not add any salt.    I brought extra into the office for a co-worker and she said it needed more salt.  But I don't think so.  

Here is the curried butternut squash recipe.. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/curried-butternut-squash-soup-recipe.html  For me, the curry level is a bit too much.  I only use 1 TB and that is more than enough.  

I am looking for a good hamburger soup but have not found one that I like.  I need to ensure that there is nothing I am allergic to or have an intolerance for.  

[SunsetRunner]

@Shelley
I'm in high hopes at the moment, as I hopefully have a way to partly reverse the damage to my muscles if I work for it. I hope to have a future with less pain and more happiness and I see the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak...
I live in a fairly small town far away from any alternative medicine, but I have found normal doctors can't really do anything for me. I have a couple of physiotherapists in the family though, so I'm gonna ask them for some tips, especially on stretching and improving muscle strength the next time I see them.
I see what you mean about getting scared if the pain though as that's what happened to me as well.
Oh, I wish I had a bath tub. We don't have enough hot water for the long showers I crave sometimes I'm in pain, but most days I make due with an old soda bottle filled with hot water. Magic in a bottle!
I'm not sure about the thyroid thing, but I know I have irritable stomach something, and I have learned by trial and error that I can have gluten, but not a lot at a time and I go with the whole grain stuff. I stopped eating bread all together but I have some whole grain pasta every now and then or a whole grain tortilla.
As a kid, I was told I was allergic to many foods like flour, milk, eggs, etc., but I never reacted to any of them. I have unlimited amounts of eggs, but I think my recent cut in dairy has helped a tiny bit. Now I only have maybe 2dl in my frozen mocha coffee protein shake a few times a week.


In other news, I'm down 6.4 out of the 20 pounds. 😄

[rubbyrose3]

Hello mind if i join this challenge ,I am only new join on the 22\1\14 like a good challenge Helen

[formerlyfit]

I think the more the merrier!! It is great to know there are people who want to get fit as I do.

[gbbloom]

I'd like to be in on this one too, especially since I have a baby coming in mid-May, and I promised my wife I'd get smaller while she got bigger. Well, I unfortunaely got bigger (and she's gained a total of 3lbs in 6 months). Looking forward to any recommendations to getting smaller by Mother's Day (which, if we're lucky and the baby comes early, will be her first!!)

My Steps goal is 11K; Calories is 4K (rarely hit this one, but consistently over 3K). Food plan has cut 500 calories per day. Default on everything else. Recommendations?

[Shelley]

Besides exercise, anyone trying to lose weight or to address health conditions, I highly recommend reading Dr. Joel Fuhrman's book Eat to Live.  Or go to his website dr.fuhrman.com.  If you look around and click on links you can get a gist of his approach and the rational, the success stories, etc.

The basics are to include daily:

A large green salad

At least 1/2 cup of beans/legumes (can be in soup, salad or added to other dishes or alone)

At least three fresh fruits

At least 1 oz of raw nuts or seeds (for weight loss limit to 1 oz)

At least one large (double size) serving of cooked green vegetables

Avoid:

Red meat and all barbecued, processed, and cured meats

Fried foods

Full-fat dairy and trans fats

Soft drinks, sugar, and artificial sweeteners

white rice and white flour products

Here is how I do this.  I have a smoothie every morning with banana, blueberries, some chia seeds or hemp seeds (they add protein and omega 3 fats) and some baby kale or other greens.  For lunch I have a big green salad and I add some walnuts and avacados for healthy fats and it keeps me from getting hungry.  For supper I have beans and greens in some form.  Also other cooked veggies.  I rarely eat animal protein.  I limit use of oils and butter.  I try to get full on healthy fats and fiber.  

[mary_1997]

I would love to join this challenge. I have more than 20 to loose but that would be a great start and just in time for summer. I am going to start drinking more water and trying to get 10,000 steps in every day. I just started wearing my fitbit again this week so hope I can stick with it this time.

[kmr2014]

Getting discouraged.  My cals have been ~1200 per day-- not hungry, just paying really close attention to what I eat and making healthier choices most of the time (very low carbs too).  Weight isn't budging.  Need to get my steps up-- averaging 7,000-- hard to get out walking in super cold, and hard to get myself to the Y too when all I want to do is curl up.  I know exercise is the key-- but it's surprising to me that the low calories isn't making any difference at all.  Part of me says "why bother?  Just go have that burger and fries" but I know I don't want to go down that road.  Just finished my small romaine & grilled chicken salad-- with oregano, pepper, and nonfat greek yogurt-- that's all-- it was really tasty.  Had some homemade mushroom barely soup too-- all that for less than 300 calories!

How are you dealing with the FitBit not recording other exercise very well?  For example, I was on the elliptical for half an hour-- the fitbit showed hardly any increase in steps from my normal walking, even though I was doing intervals.  I tried inputting my activity separately-- it took the number of minutes and intensity, but I was unable to input the calories burned-- which was way more than what fitbit said I did in that same time period.

[gbbloom]

You know what I do to get my steps up? This might sound silly, but I ended up with a TON of steps on my first Saturday because of this. Took my tablet, with the Kindle app, and just wandered around the living room, and through the house, just reading. Not so deeply that I can't see what's going on... but I had 1,000 steps by 9:00am thanks to just walking and reading. Didn't even notice it - figured I'd hit only a couple of hundred. You have to get up to that 10K mark. Come on, you can do it!!

For the other exercises, I use the dashboard and just log them. It figures out the calories.

[redheart]

So far so good on my eating plan.  I am a slow loser so I know I won't see much progress but am feeling better.  Hope others are too.  thanks for all the food tips.