Thanksgiving to Christmas 2016

[dancefoxtrot]

Our Challenge this time has 31 days so we can set realistic goals for 4 weeks of weight loss or maintenance. Come and share your stories, successes, struggles and what you are learning on your journey to a healthier life.

OSW= 153 Feb 2015

CSW= 149.3 Today

GW =  145 12/25

UGW= 135 and maintain it

OSW= Original starting weight when began with Fitbit

CSW= Current starting weight

GW= Goal weight for this challenge ending on 12/25

UGW=Ultimate goal weight.

Okay we going together toward healthier bodies and minds. Sadly holidays have been commercialized to focus on consumption including lots of sugar, empty carbs and calories.  We can make much healthier choices since we are not mindless puppets of the greedy manufacturers. 

Let's give ourselves and others the gift of healthier food and attitudes.

All the very best on this Thanksgiving Day.

Anyone want to share a few things that they are thankful for to inspire us?

I'm thankful for my home to keep me sheltered from the storms.

I'm grateful for my work teaching exercise and health to older adults and it

helps me, too.

I'm grateful for still being able to dance.

I'm thankful for my son and his kids just 1 hour away.

I'm grateful for my sister and brother across the country that I can call.

I'm grateful for my garden with some organic veggies and fruit.

I'm thankful for the good nutrition that my late momma taught me to eat.

I'm thankful for my Fitbit friends that are so kind and supportive.

We are doing this one day at a time and we can reach our healthy goals!

Hugs to all our fierce challengers,

Barbara G

[debb21]

@Renaudturner Congratulations!!! I am a 10 year BC survivor.  Keep working hard!!!

[DJC_63]

@alegria16  You made m feel so much better about the dating thing. It's been over a decade for me and I've been thinking about trying online dating again. I'd love to know how it goes for you.

[DJC_63]

@Bobbinyc, @HeartBiller and @Glenda...  thank you for the push, ladies.  Called my Dr. And they said to go to the ER.  I'm going tonight (Wed).  It's scary because my Dad had 2 heart attacks and didn't realize it. They told him the next one would be major and he had a quadruple bypass the next week.  I know if he were still alive he'd tell me to "do what you need to do".  I'm just afraid.

i will keep you guys posted.

[_Lilac_]

@DJC_63  My thoughts are with you today. They don't mess around with potential heart issues so you'll be seen right away.  Get back to us soon.

I had no more than 4 hours sleep. My brain wouldn't STOP last night. So I turned off my alarm to go to the pool and intended to sleep in. But because my body is used to getting up at that time, here I am. UP. My thoughts went from 'I can just stay in bed and try to sleep' of 'too tired to move, sleep later' but that would put me at risk of being in a chair all day or bed all day and that is NOT allowed. If I go to the pool, even though I'm really tired, and then come home to nap, at least I got in my exercise right?? I'm going to nap no matter what...I might as well go get my heart pumping first and then have a really good nap with no guilt attached! I'm dressed. My bag is packed. Deep breath...put your shoes on. 

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63  I am so glad you were brave and called your doc.  Of course this is scarey.  If you look at the list of people in this group, so many of us have/had scary things to deal with.  Sometimes we have to act like warriors and charge forward, no matter how we feel.

You have been very brave this past year, facing all kinds of things.

You can do this.  Nothing bad happens tonight.  You are going to get some information; that's it.

The whole point of losing weight is to be healthy and strong and vital and live as full a life as possible (aside from looking gorgeous )  Checking out your heart is part of that.

You might be seen by a resident on call.  They will do some basic tests to see what is going on.  Go with questions, a list of all your symptoms that may or may not seem related to you, all your medications. Otherwise you will forget when you are there.  Have them write down any instructions for follow-up.  And you can ask who they would go to or send their spouse to for follow-up.  

Mostly, remember we are all with you tonight.  I know I'll be thinking of you.  Take a few deep breaths.  You are not your father and there is no reason to assume anything terrible.

I'm really sorry about your dad.  I know that was a big loss for you.

[Glenda]

DJC63, What is this "night" business. I found an urgent care place (emergency room) for my cat bite and it didn't cost any more than a regular doctor. Why are you waiting. It isn't safe. Maybe my area has lots more of that sort of thing than yours?

[Glenda]

DJC63, What is this "night" business. I found an urgent care place (emergency room) for my cat bite and it didn't cost any more than a regular doctor. Why are you waiting. It isn't safe. Maybe my area has lots more of that sort of thing than yours?

[Glenda]

                                    Alegria16 and DJC63,    I asked my daughter if she had any advice for you from all her online dating experience that ended in her wedding.  She wrote a long note for me to pass along to you but her   ......BEST ONLINE DATING ADVICE:  Sign up for free emails from Evan Marc Katz whose website is www.evanmarckatz.com................Her note also said...............

          Evan Marc Katz is a dating coach.  He gives tons of great information abot effective dating, including effective online dating.  He gives a guy's perspective, which is also helpful.  But mostly sice he's been a dating coach for over a decade he is realy good at knowing the kind of advice 40-something-women need to hear, including things your friends will not tell you.  In addition to eails and his website he does free podcasts which you should sign up for as well.  He is very encouraging.  He is great at talking about what is effectiver vs what is ot when trying to find the right guy wspecially on line.  He does point out that you don't have to be a skinnty twig to find someone to love.  No one should give up because of age, weight or anythibg like that.  Staying out of tge dating pool makes it harder to find someone than being in it & less than perfect.  He does point out that looking good does open up more choices.  Match.com probably doesn't actually match people.  Or matching isn't very helpful or scientific.  Glenda

[_Lilac_]

Re: online dating....

I`ve used online dating and been successful. My husband who just died in June was someone I met on one of the free sites. My biggest advice is...'know who you are and what you want'. There are different reasons people join up and want to meet people. Casual sexual relations, dating (with or without monogamy), a closer relationship, friendship, long-term/marriage. Everyone wants something different and you will quickly find those who are interested in 'only one thing'. 

For those of us with body issues and self-esteem issues, sometimes we fall into the trap of being involved with someone who pays us attention, whether it's the kind we want or not. Yes, we need to feel that we are attractive to someone, but be true to yourself and listen to your gut. If you want long-term but their interests lie elsewhere, there is nothing you will do or say to change that fact, no matter what romantic movies tell us. 

I'd emailed back and forth with my guy for a while then we met to buy him a webcam so we could talk face to face anytime from home. He was so nice and he didn't overtly flirt or make me uncomfortable. He was also a heavy guy and we had so many interests in common. Within a day of meeting him I took my profile off the site. Honestly. And a few years later his best friend told me that he'd been so excited he met someone like me on there and he'd also removed his profile immediately. He'd previously met one woman who told him she wasn't attracted to him so that was that. 

This is just how modern dating is now. Everyone is online, not as involved in community things so it's not easy to meet people, they are working a lot. Online dating is convenient since you can be choosy. It's like shopping on amazon or something. It's too bad they don't come with reviews from previous dates...hahaha. "Three stars. Pros: He was polite, clean, likes cats. Cons: Chews his ice, laughs like a goose, talks with his hands while driving."

To stay on topic of the weight management board...I am a BIG girl. So I had put BBW in my profile. It's there, it's for all to see, and if dude doesn't want a big girl, he doesn't have to show interest. There are guys who like big women and guys have just as many body issues as we do. AND...if you are being food conscious, make it clear before any dinner or lunch dates that you are working at improving your health. I can just imagine being taken to a chicken wing festival pre-weigh in day! 

Good luck with it. Be true to yourself. Browse. Have fun.

[A_Lurker]

@DJC_63- best thoughts with you on the ER visit.  Next time though, please don't wait.  I've heard it said that heart attacks in women can present very differently than in men.  This can mean that women don't seek help as quickly.  Like others have said, our thoughts are with you and I hope things go well.

@_Lilac_- I suspect you went to the pool (from what we know of you).  I'm sitting here just a little under 1000 steps from where I want to be so I'm going to do a couple of circuits of the house before I call it a night.

[_Lilac_]

@A_Lurker  Yes, I went to the pool. Then I sat around a lot, listening to holiday music and playing games and being servant to the dogs. I did get up and march for a bit. Mom called wanting to walk at the mall tomorrow so we are getting up early for that. The stores don't open til 10-ish but the building is open for the walking club. 

I saw an ad in the Canadian Tire flyer for a treadmill (70% off). It's got great reviews but the weight capacity is 300lbs. Should I take the risk and get it since I'm at 324lb now? Ugh. I've been doing reading about different machines and I'm leaning toward this one. I can't use ellipticals. Recumbent bikes are good but it's hard to find them on sale with weigh capacity over 250lbs. And this treadmill will allow me to plug in my tablet. I can netflix or play games or surf while I walk just like at the gym but more flexible. It's hard to make a decision. I think it would be more likely I'd get on it than get all dressed up and walk to the Y to use theirs, especially when there's bad weather. Hmmm...what to do ...what to do. 

Anyway, almost midnight. Hitting the hay. Have a good night all. 

[DJC_63]

@_Lilac_, @Bobbinyc, @HeartBiller I was good and went to the ER. They weren't busy so it didn't take any time to be seen. They did the EKG and didn't see any problems.  I have something called "prolonged Q T syndrome" but no one seems that worried about it.  They asked lots of questions about my symptoms and took some blood, hooked up an IV, etc.  they said they were going to do a stress test due to my symptoms and family history, and the nurse said they would probably admit me.  But then they got the bloodwork results back and said everything looked good. So they felt it was safe for me to do the stress test as an outpatient, and follow up with a cardiologist office visit.

obviously I'm very happy that they didn't find anything big!  Yay!!  I said "thank you" to my Dad for watching over me. And a big thank you to each of you for being so kind. It truly means a lot to me.

[Glenda]

Lilac, Maybe Yahoo the maker of the treadmill you are interested in for a phone number or email address and ask them how exact the weight suggestion is? Also after you know that, maybe you could advertise that you want to buy a certain kind of machine and a low price you are willing to pay, like $150. A workman I knew did that and got a treadmill for half the price he said he would pay from someone who had one they were not using. Personally I'm not experienced with Craig's list but maybe you could get some help. Glenda

[_Lilac_]

@Glenda  I know the weight capacity of the one I was thinking of getting. I'm not in a huge city so using the online selling guides are good, but limited. For example, someone has the same brand of treadmill for sale on kijiji in my city for MORE than the store cost for a new one because it's 70% off in the store right now. And I've looked up the weight capacities on the other ones and they are all lower.

It's tough to shop for this stuff.

[Glenda]

                                    Lilac,  I know you know the weight limit they say, but if you talk to them on the phone they might tell you that 324 is fine unless you RUN   on the machine.  If you are only going to walk it might make lots of difference.   It is kinda like the expiration date on food I think, not exact.

[Bobbinyc]

@DJC_63  Thank you for posting what happened at the ER.  I awoke at 4am and checked for a post from you.  Please don't procrastinate any medical stuff again.  We all get scared, but it is critical to take care of things immediately.  Do you have an appt. with a cardiologist yet? 

I hope you feel proud of yourself for getting this part done.  Now do the next part.

(yeah, I'm gonna bug you)

[_Lilac_]

@Bobbinyc @DJC_63 Sometimes anxiety and exhaustion and stress can feel like heart troubles and this time of year is some of the worst for that. Money, work, holidays, etc. Take care of yourself, DJC and find time to relax and rest and do FUN stuff.

[_Lilac_]

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!!!  I bought the treadmill!  I should put a big red bow on it. 

Now, to find a place to put it. In order to get in the habit of using it, I'm going to put it right smack in my livingroom. Who cares. I never have visitors and I'm the only one who lives here (well, my daughter is living here part time while in university). I'll move a recliner to my bedroom. So, as I'm watching tv or tapping on my tablet I'll WALK. I'm excited. 

I have two spare rooms that I can convert to an office/gym area later. My son is coming home for Christmas after moving to Toronto in Septemer. I'll have him help me rearrange everything. 

This is my time. My house, my money, my health. It is so odd to do the switch from 'wife' and 'mother' to just 'me'. Ya know? I've always taken care of someone else as priority. 

I am determined!!

[Bobbinyc]

@_Lilac_  Congrats!  That's the best present you could get yourself!  What a wonderful reward for all the hard work you have done - an easier way to keep it going in winter.  (and now I don't have to worry about you zipping along on black ice)

I know what you mean about it being your time now.  I've also had a life of taking care of others - single parent, took care of my mother for years, took care of an aunt, etc. And as soon as that stopped, I had health issues and was laid up for months.  So, now it is my turn.  I actually had to put a note to myself saying that to see first thing in the morning so I don't forget.  It's odd and freeing at the same time.  You are doing a great job of it and inspiring me.

[Bobbinyc]

I am so determined to have that scale give me at least one pound this challenge.  Just one!!

So, this morning I again walked very fast for two miles, did more cardio at the gym, and came home to do an exercise tape.  And it isn't even noon.