New Years to Valentine's Day 2016 Challenge

[awood08]

Welcome to the New Year Everyone! This will start January 1, 2016 officially 🙂

If you have seen the posts before this is a challenge that everyone is invited to join to set your own personal weight loss goal for the next 6 weeks. This is all about having a great support system and most importantly feeling great and happy and healthy about yourself. Don't worry if you have bad weeks because we all go through it.

To join the challenge all you need to do is post your weight stats & check in as often as you'd like with an update or just to share a story from your week. This group has some huge inspiration in it and people that give wonderful advice.

Looking forward to catching up with all our friends from the other challenges and anyone who is new!

Thanks @saraj91 for starting up the last challenge!

 
A little rundown of terminology for anyone who is new 🙂

USW- Ultimate Starting Weight

CSW- Current Starting Weight

GW- Goal Weight

UGW- Ultimate Goal Weight

PW- Previous Weight

CW- Current Weight

MFP- My Fitness Pal

[swimr12265]

Hey Samalama217,

I don't know that I'd ever say that it is easy, but I think my set point must be around 132-135 because that is the weight I have basically been at most of my life.  I did some pretty heavy eating between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year and got up to almost 144, which is the heaviest I have ever been in my life (outside of pregnancy).  I am constantly in a swimsuit, and all my life people have complimented me about my body, so I guess I feel added pressure to look a certain way--as if I don't beat myself up enough on my own.  Once I hit 130 (I was 132.6 this morning), it is almost impossible, and I usually just give up for several weeks at a time and then start trying again.  This is the first time I have even stayed committed for over a month, so I am hoping against hope that it will be different "this time."  I have to say that it feels different...but I haven't quite hit 130 yet.  I am a serious athlete.  Have you ever read about wrestlers?  They can lose ENORMOUS amounts of weight in really short periods of time.  There are ways to do it, and I am aware of some of those ways.  Some of them are quite extreme. I am playing around with the fasting (I take NO supplements, though), but I am trying to create a liftime program for myself now, so I am actually losing weight more slowly than I have in the past.  As I mentioned before, if I cannot take the weight off by adjusting my diet, I will work out A LOT, way more than is probably healthy.  I have occasionally been accused of having the eating disorder that deals with working out (Anorexia Athletica), but I know that I am borderline at worst.  Frankly, I love to work out, and I work out everyday, sometimes two or three times a day.  During the summer, I am working out almost constantly. I try to park the car and ride my bike places; I swim 5 or 6 times a week; I run 3-5 times a week; I take some yoga classes.  I may even take a "group X" class.  Since I don't work in the summer, I do what I love.  The working out is WAAAAAY more effective than sticking to a diet for me.  I hate diets, and I have never had any luck with a traditional one.  If I change my eating habits at all, it is always extreme.  That doesn't work for some people, but it is the only thing that works for me.  I am just trying to be more conservative about it "this time" because I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to see how 115 feels and looks on me.  We can (and probably will) talk more.  Just keep at it, girlie.  You'll get there.

[swimr12265]

@kmme,

Oh, I imagine we could swap some good ones! I can't tell you the things I hear from people:  "You're already skinny (I'm not); why do you want to lose more?"; "All  you're going to do is lose muscle weight" (I've got quite a lot of muscle; even though I don't buy this claim because I'm constantly working out, I can spare some muscle...lol), and on and on.  My philosophy is "to each his or her own."  If the people who accuse me of this, that, and the other have goals of their own and want to look a certain way, why do they begrudge me the same thing?  I find that odd.  Anyway, I am a big fan of Frank Sinatra:  "I'll do it my way."  You do it your way, too (I figure you already are).  Thanks for your congratulatory remarks (keep 'em coming; they motivate me more than you know!)

[swimr12265]

@awood08,

Good luck!! Run like the wind, Bullseye!

[DJC_63]

I'm late in posting an update, as Sunday was my weigh in day, but here I am.  Last week I only got to the gym once, so I expected some weight gain. At least it was only 2 pounds, and it's gone already! I've been to the gym 4 times this week so far, and I had to take a sneak peek today. I'm finally below the 200 mark for the first time in YEARS!!  I am so excited!! These past few years are the only time that I've weighed this much, and the idea of getting back to what I consider my "normal size" is great. My confidence has gone up so much in the past 6 months since I've been diligent about watching calories and exercising more.  I've been doing challenges since Jan. 1st and those have helped a lot. I didn't think I'd like doing them but they've become addictive. Is anyone else here doing challenges?

My stats:

USW - 207.5 (1/14/15)

CSW - 202 (1/1/16)

PW - 201.5 (1/31/16)

CW - 199.5

GW - 196.00

UGW - 170.00

[DJC_63]

@KimShea  That's great!! I totally understand the frustration of the scale not moving, or moving up then down then back up.  That's been me for quite awhile. This week I've been working out more than usual so I wanted to peek at my weight today.  Even though it was only a 1/2 pound under 200, it's the first time I've been below that number in years, so I'm thrilled!! I guess it is slow going but it can still happen.  I'll keep my fingers crossed for both of us!

[IamRBrown]

@DJC_63 - WAY TO GO!!!  You are doing wonderful!  These challenges have really helped me stay focused too & I am down a total of 12 lbs as of this morning.  I broke the 200 barrier late last year & it was a wonderful feeling - congratulations to you!

Ruth

[IamRBrown]

Check in day for me...  I had my initial consultation at the gym yesterday to discuss nutrition & such - still haven't started working out since they haven't worked with me on the equipment yet.  I think I'm going to enjoy it once I do get started, tho.  I did impress the coach with my nutrition plan - he was used to folks not having any idea of metabolism rates & caloric deficits.... & I was already doing all that.  I thought it was hilarious to watch his face when he would mention something & I would explain what I was doing!  I explained the spreadsheet I developed to track my calorie intake vs burn & he was impressed enough to make me laugh.  I developed that spreadsheet because I know my fitbit is giving me credit with calorie burn that I am not really doing.  I use the LG Health app on my phone to track actual distance/calorie burn & use that in the daily calculation - it keeps me in the deficit zone better that way. 

He told me I'm on the right path & like I already knew, just need to tone/develop more muscle to start moving a little more.  Here are my stats for this week:

USW- Ultimate Starting Weight (2015) = 204

CSW- Current Starting Weight (Jan 1 2016) = 194

GW- Goal Weight (by Feb 14, 2016) = 185

UGW- Ultimate Goal Weight (by Christmas 2016) = 160

PW- Previous Weight (last check in) = 190

CW- Current Weight (as of this morning) = 188

Down another pound!  If I can just lose one pound per week (and keep it off), I will be at my current UGW by Christmas!

Ruth

[OCDOC]

Week 5 check-in:

USW 246

CSW 240

LstWk 228

Today 225

CGW 226

UGW 210

GOOAAAAAAALLLL!!  (Screamed like that soccer announcer guy).

Good things:

1) My 40 jeans are baggy++; my new 38 waist jeans fit perfectly

2) 'You've lost some weight' is now mentioned frequently

3) Being 'overweight' instead of 'obese' on the BMI tables feels good 

I'm not 'resetting' a Feb 14 goal; I will be happy to stay at 225 (or better hopefully) until the next challenge.

I credit this discussion group/challenge as a MAJOR reason I didn't give up after 2 weeks...love it 🙂  Rob K

[Chlz1997]

@DJC_63Congratulations to making it to "ONE-derland"!!!  I'm working on seeing you there soon 🙂

@IamRBrown WAY TO GO!!  it definitely sounds like you've got a solid plan! 

@OCDOC I totally screamed that in my head lol  Congrats on making your goal and I am soooo looking forward to the next round of challenges!

[lusry]

Congrats to everyone this week! I'm checking in on Friday again as tomorrow is the big parade that goes by my house and I'm sure I'll be all over the place. This week I haven't been great in regards to diet, but that's what happens during Mardi Gras! The king cake in my fridge has been calling my name, and I'll admit that I haven't been able to resist...but I have limited it to one slice a day. I'm done my daily burn exercise every day, and going to parades at night for the past 2 nights (and tonight...and tomorrow) has helped. I know that waving my arms in the air and jumping around doesn't really count as exercise...but it's movement and beads get heavy! I didnt' meet my 10k step goal Monday or Tuesday, but I've been making up for it. Luckily will all of this indulgence this week I've only gone up 1.5lbs. I knew there would be some weight gain since I'm not sticking to my only drinking alcohol two nights a week but I'm glad it's not more than it is! After Saturday I'll be back to my normal diet with no soda or alcohol only twice a week (if that!). So maybe in the last week of this challenge I can finally get past 175!

Here are my stats for the week:

USW: April 2015 - 185lbs

CSW: 1/21/16 - 178.3lbs

PW: 1/29/16 - 175.1 lbs

CW: 2/5/2016 - 176.6

GW: 2/14/16 - 174lbs

UGW: 120-125lbs

[swimr12265]

I do several every week @DJC_63.  Wanna join some of them?

[swimr12265]

Yay Rob!  You are going to walk onto the links a real "Dapper Dan," aren't you?  It's just one good post after another in this group, isn't it?  What a great bunch of people!  We rock!!!  So proud of everyone.  Today's the day for @awood08's 5K.  Go! Go! Go! @awood08!!

[swimr12265]

@lusry, I notice you're still under your CSW.  That is a victory in itself.  Enjoy the fun times!  You're being a lot more reserved than I would be in a similar situation.  I'm afraid that king cake would have been "decrowned" before he made it to the fridge were he in my home!  I disagree about the waving arms and jumping around...it's just as much exercise as any other movement.  If it is sustained, it is also a fine way to dump calories.  Did you read those earlier posts of @dancefoxtrot?  Plenty of people (including me) have found ourselves jumping or jogging in place and waving our arms in order to meet a step goal.  It is all registered on the tracker, so party on, and have a blast!! 

[lusry]

@swimr12265 Thanks for the words of encouragement. I think part of the reason I haven't eaten more of the king cake is because we have people coming over for the parade tomorrow and I was trying to save some for them! Luckily, I got the large one from a friend who makes them (it's completely homemade!) instead of the small so there would be enough for everyone. I'm all about the walking in place or in circles around my living room to get my steps in. I don't feel like the jumping up and down should count as my steps though (even though fitbit does) since I'm not moving my feet around. When we got home around 11:50 last night I looked and saw I only needed 300 more steps to meet my goal, so I walked around the house to quickly get it in before midnight and the steps reset! My husband knew exactly what was going on without me having to say a thing! I work from home so it's hard to me to get some steps in that other people that have office jobs get (parking at the end of the lot, taking the stairs, take the long way to the bathroom, etc) so there are times that I just walk in figure eights (I have a skinny New Orleans shotgun style house and I seem to get more steps doing this than regular circles) in the first 2 rooms of my house while watching a tv show. If I'm not working at home and I'm traveling I walk up and down each little space that is open in the hotel room. This coming week I should be more active though. My husband will be out of town which means it's my job to walk our dog everywhere instead of me sloughing it off on to him! So, walks in the morning, mid-day or late afternoon (this is the long one where we go to the park), and then one at night. One thing I've found that keeps me motivated is doing the workweek hustle and weekend warrior challenges. I've been doing them for a couple of months now with a few different groups of people and it's been great! This week i'm in 2 and you can really see how different everyone is. I'm 2nd in one of them and 2nd to last in the other! 

[DJC_63]

@swimr12265,
I suspect the difference between your steps for a day/week are MUCH higher than mine, so there would be no contest if I were in a challenge with you. I'd be so far toward the bottom. Due to a weird life and schedule, I was VERY sedentary for a few years, so I'm having to get my body ramped up slowly. If I try to do too much too soon I have a hard time walking (knee problems and back problems).
But thanks for offering re: the challenges!

[PatLang]

Super excited today.  I've made it into the 120's.  I haven't seen that number since before my son was born and he will be 17 soon.  Less than a week to go to lose another 1.5 lbs to meet my goal.  Not sure if I'll make it but either way, I am happy with the results.

USW: 152 (9/16/15)

CSW: 135.5 (1/1/16)

CW: 132 (1/16/16)

CW: 129.5 (2/6/16)

GW: 128 (2/14/16)

UGW: 125 (3/1/16)

[swimr12265]

@PatLang,

Yay!!  So happy for you!  I hope I'll be able to say the same thing soon.  Continued good luck toward meeting your ultimate goal.

[SunsetRunner]

I've been bad at reporting my stats but it just seemed useless. I've been going up and down like a yoyo. It really discourages someone like me from doing more thinking it's useless. But I'll keep at it. It did go down a tad and will go down further. I'm limited in what I can drink and also limited in my exercise. I can do the exercises but have to go at it slowly. Cannot over exert myself because I won't be able to breathe if I go too fast or do too much plus it's cardiologist's orders.  

Saw my doc the other day and all is A-OK other than being borderline diabetic. Cholesterol is good. Liver #'s are slightly elevated (whatever that means), must be the reason they always ask how much I drink. I drink maybe once or twice a year if that. Haven't had a drink since camping last summer. Going for Stomach ultrasound and bloodwork.

P.S. Why doesn't my profile pic show on the boards?

USW- 272 lbs

CSW- 267 lbs

GW-   257 lbs

UGW- 150 lbs

PW- 266

CW- 267.2

[swimr12265]

@DJC_63

Your suspicion may not be accurate, although I hear you, and I understand your reticence.  I have joined challenges with @saraj91 and @Samalama217 and @OCDOC ("the animal," as I secretly refer to him), and am constantly struggling to even come within sight of their shadows!  They leave me in the dust all the time!  I guess I am competitive enough to be challenged by this.  Unfortunately, I have but 24 hours in a day (**ahem** it!) and a busy work schedule, to boot.  My "free time" (if you can call it that) is spent in the pool, where I cannot wear my tracker (alas!  I would log some serious time and never get beat again if I could log my time in the pool!), but I do manage to walk in the park with a friend as often as I can (usually once a week) and try to run once or twice a week myself--which is super hard in the winter.  I will not run if it is below freezing outside, and I live in Illinois, where it is almost always below freezing outside in the winter (and sometimes even in the summer...lol).  I also despise running on a treadmill.  These things limit my ability to accumulate steps, and I struggle every day to meet my goal of 10,000.  I understand your limitations, as well.  You have to do what works best for you.  Maybe you can find a group of similarly situated people and create challenges with them?  The challenges can be very motivational.  Even if I am scraping the bottom of the barrel week after week, I hate to lose, so I am constantly trying to modify what I will do in "the next one!" to do better.  Some people find it disheartening to always finish at the bottom, and I can very much understand that (because it sucks), but it inspires me.  Sooooo @saraj91 and @Samalama217 and @OCDOC, you better watch your backs because I'm going to be breathing down them soon.  This Swimr may be down, but she's not out!  I'm coming!!

[swimr12265]

Hey @awood08 and the rest of the group,

I just saw that a 12-week challenge was started February 3 (a Wednesday???  That's odd.  I'm weird like this, though.  I always start a "diet thing" or a "weightloss thing" on a Monday).  I don't know about you, but even if I meet my goal for this challenge, I will still have another 15 pounds to go.  Will we start another one (Valentine's Day to Memorial Day?  Maybe that's too long since Memorial Day is May 30.  Ooh, how about Valentine's Day to Easter?  Easter is March 27!  We could do two of them--follow the Valentine's Day to Easter one with an Easter to Memorial Day one for those of us who need more time), or is that the one to join?  I don't know if it would be good to be in a challenge with tons of (new) people.  I love this group...you all are awesome!  Just looking for some direction since I am rather new to these challenges.  What do you say?

Um, @awood08, will you stop keeping us (me!) in suspense about the 5K, woman!?!  How'd it go???  I bet you rocked it!!