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 all,

I know I need to shut up (sorry for being such a windbag.  What can I say?  You all inspire me!), but here are my "stats."  I didn't make my goal for this week (big fat sad face!), but I am not giving up.  I am still down overall. I just hope I can report a W on Sunday!  I will try not to feel too defeated, but I'm starting to get a sense of déja-vu....I hope I am not falling back into my old ways!!

USW- 144 (July 2015)
CSW- 143.8 (January 2, 2016)
GW1- 135 (January 22--made it: 135.6, down 8.3)
GW2 - 133 (February 1--made it...two days late (2/3), but I made it!)
GW3 - 131 (February 8--wah, wah, waaaah; didn't make it (2/9)! So sad!)
(New) GWC - 129 (February 14)
UGW- 115 (by Memorial Day, I hope!)
PW- 119 (2008 or 2009; I was down to 123 briefly last August)
Last weigh-in (2/3 a week ago today) - 133.0 (down 4.6 since January 18 [first post date]; down 10.8 since January 2 [CSW]).

CW (2/9) - 134 (up 1 since 2/3; down 1.2 since January 27; down 9.8 since January 2)

[HelenKr]

@swimr12265 - You are a riot!  I am enjoying your posts. 

My niece has a 30% off coupon at Kohl's that is effective tomorrow.  She's hoping to use it on a Fitbit.  I'll let you know how that works out.  My Fitbit issues are partially the product, partially me.  My wrist band broke, just split.  I was wearing it to bed, but I think that's the point for the sleeping info.  And then I lost my charger when I was travelling last week.  I ordered a new charger yesterday on Amazon for $4.  (Decided not to get a new one since this was so cheep, but still will need a wrist band.  I've heard you can get a wrist band at 5 Below.)

[saraj91]

@swimr12265 your posts are great! So fun to read. 

I don't know that I would call myself a true runner (although I do like the sound of it), maybe a true jogger lol! Seeing the 'elite' athletes line up at the 10k was a pretty impressive sight, not to mention a bit intimidating haha!

1:47 is an amazing time for a half marathon but being competitive myself I can understand the frustration you can feel for not reaching a goal, even if it is one you've set yourself & everyone says you've done great. There's still that little voice in the back of my head that's like 'you can totally do that, try again!'.

I am taking my running kit with me to Australia & am hoping to take part in the local parkrun in Melbourne with my sister-in-law, so that will be fun! Might even add a cheeky jog round Sydney but will be doing a lot of walking so I think that might count instead lol!

[saraj91]

FYI next challenge has been set up here:

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Weight-Loss/Valentines-Day-to-Easter-Challenge-2016/td-p/1177032

I will post my stats in a couple of days when this challenge has finished & we can kick start the next one! 

[Nancita]

Wow!!!  you've done great with your weightloss!  I'd love to have you as a friend because I sure could use some encouragement.

[swimr12265]

@HelenKr,

What style is yours?  The Charge doesn't have interchangeable bands.  I've been using my old standby: Super glue!

[swimr12265]

@saraj91,

Thanks.  As @OCDOC pointed out the other day, I just write what I feel--keeping it real! lolol!!  I truly don't think you need to be a certain caliber a runner (or anything, for that matter) to be authentic.  A genuine love of what you do is what is required.  Have you read the book Born to Run?  If not, try to grab a copy.  It'll make a nice read on the flight "Down Under" (and beyond...it's kinda long).  The people discussed in the book just love to run!  Although I found it very inspiring, it didn't change my feelings about running, alas.

You'll be doing "a lot of walking"?  Great (no, really)!  I can't even keep up with your "just getting started" steps as it is.  I'll be lost!  You animal!!

[swimr12265]

@Nancita,

Are you talking to me?  If so, join the club!  The more the merrier!  I'm making some wonderful pals here.  You will, too, if you hang around.  You'll get loads of encouragement!!  Just listen:  "Go Nancita!  Go Nancita!!  You got this!!!"  lol

[swimr12265]

@saraj91,

Thank you, Sara!!  I'm in.  I'll post my stats on Sunday.

[Samalama217]

Well, this has been a rough week. I'm dealing with a breakup so I've been unintentionally fasting. I've been eating maybe once a day.  And forget my step goals.  I have no desire to get off my couch other than to go to work or to go work out.  But my stats prove that breakups are the best diet! The good news is that I FINALLY broke into the 130s. I have never weighed below 141 in my adult life and I am ecstatic about it. I have surpassed my V-day goal and my ultimate goal weight is just within reach 🙂 Though I'm not sure how much of this loss is water. I hope not too much!

CSW: 144 lbs

CGW: 139
1/6/16: 143.4
1/13/16: 142.8
1/20/16: 141.8
1/27/16: 144.0
2/3/16: 141.8
2/10/16: 137.8

This morning I was at 135.6! I'm sure this is water, but I'll take it for now!  My appetite is coming back and I hope I don't eat all of this back 😕

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi Samalama,

Take very good care of yourself. Sometimes breakups are for the best and years later it makes perfect sense when you are with your wonderful long term partner. Be gentle, learn from the grief and soon you will be back stronger than ever. 

Glad your appetite is coming back. Eat healthy to nourish your body during this stressful time. 

Best, 

Barb G

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi all,

I regained 9 lbs that I had lost, 5+ lbs in 1 week and am very puzzled about it.  In part I think it was that I had a house guest for 8 days who liked to eat out and often. We ate healthfully but she gets hungry sooner than I do so I guess I burned less in between meals. I ate only vegetarian food but the portions are huge in restaurants. Now it is time to take it off.!!!  I was 142 this morning and I'm aiming to get back to 134 over time. So frankly I blew the maintenance phase just recently.  I have to eat very very little other than lots of non starchy veggies. 

I have been dancing less due to a knee injury. Just finally got an appt. with my orthopedic doc on 2/22. 

Still I can lose so let's see what I can accomplish by Valentine's Day then off to the Easter challenge.

Sounds like lots of you are doing great and are meeting and beating your goals and that is wonderful. Keep up the good progress.

Best,

Barb G

[HelenKr]

@swimr12265 - I have a flex.  It is beyone superglue - in two pieces.  😞

[swimr12265]

@Samalama217,

Sorry about the sadness of the breakup...but happy about your goal. Yay!! I deal with sadness the same way; it really takes my appetite away.  I hope the sadness goes away but that you maintain the weight loss (the siver lining?).  Happier times are ahead, I'm sure.  Take care.

[saraj91]

@swimr12265 thanks for the book recommendation, I haven't read that & have been looking for something to add to my kindle for the flight. Will be sure to check it out, it sounds great!

Haha!! Yes I imagine there will be a lot of walking, we've both got some super comfy trainers & an appetite for sight seeing so I won't be doing a lot of relaxing by the pool this holiday. Maybe a beach day here & there (can't go to Sydney & not spend a day on Bondi beach!). I hope to hook into the hotel & my sister-in-laws wifi so I can join & keep up with the workweek hustles! . That's my competitive side sneaking out there! Haha!! 

[IamRBrown]

@HelenKr... I've lost a fitbit, had the cats steal one & the one I have doesn't fit the case well - I use the zip.  I now wear it on my bra (between the breasts) so it can't fall out & go missing or fall off & me not notice...

for your broken flex, have someone drill holes in the ends of the band that are left & braid a stretchy band to knot in it so you can wear it... or tie strings thru to make a "necklace" to wear.   shoo... improvision is my middle name and  I can always find a way to make it work until I can replace it unless the device mechanicals are dead!

Ruth

[awood08]

I never thought I'd see that number drop. I have been fluctuating between 171-173 for the past two weeks. I started intermittent fasting and replaced my BodyStep class with weights and ab/core workouts and that seemed to do the trick. I'm hoping to hit my UGW in the next challenge and then from there, just play it by ear and take it day to day. Hope to see everyone in the next challenge (and I hope I don't gain anything by Sunday! hahaha )

USW      6/16/15 235

CSW     1/31/16 178
PW        2/4/16   172

CW        2/12/16 169!!
CGW      2/14/16 170
UGW        160

[HelenKr]

@dancefoxtrot Barb, It is entirely unfair to gain 5 lbs in a week while being vegetarian!  I foresee a big drop for you next week.

Helen

[KimShea]

awood, you made me do some checking into the Intermittant Fasting.  I'm finding it an interesting idea.  I tried yesterday to fast between 8pm until 10am, as I'd been up this week and was getting frustrated.  I actually saw a drop in the scale this morning.  Not sure it's because of the IF attempt, but hey?! 

Trying again today.  I don't feel this is unhealthy, as I don't typically eat after dinner much anyway, and I feel I'm just postponing breakfast for about an hour or two and then having it at 10.  I'm really interested to see if this makes any difference for me.  I'm finding it more difficult than I suspected though.  I usually have a Chai from Starbucks in the morning.  Yesterday and today I went ahead and got it on my way to work, but am not allowing myself to have it till 10.  I keep reaching for the cup! LOL!  Set the alarm on my Charge to remind me when to stop and when to start again.

[awood08]

I had an okay time the first day, yesterday was better, today I was starving this morning! lol

I usually do the fast from 8pm to 12noon the next day. Eat 2 meals and a snack in those hours from 12-8 but this morning I decided to change it up a bit. I stopped eating at 7 last night and I had some orange juice and a small breakfast at 9 this morning. I'm going to eat lunch and an early and stop at 5. I'm trying to adjust my hours to my work schedule, that way I'm fasting during the day, working out, then eating at night. From what I've read it's successful because of you working out in the "fasted state".

Not sure if you saw but they say if you have to eat or drink while in the fasted state, as long as it's 50 calories or under it won't throw off the fasted state. 🙂