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

[_Lilac_]

@Glenda  Because I injured my foot/feet Saturday night like an idiot, I didn't want to put too much of an incline for a few days. My heart rate was at a good clip during the walk, which is what I want/need. My fitbit said my average was 140! I'd like to have an accurate count of steps during my walks on the treadmill because I know I get more than 1950 in 24 minutes if a 10 min walk to the Y gives me 1400 and a 35 min walk around the mall gives me 4000, Ya know? I think it's mostly about the fitbit placement, as A_Lurker has suggested.  

Calorie burn isn't an issue right now, just moving enough is.

We had our snowstorm. My driveway is clear thanks to my neighbour. The city plows keep shoving more in the end as they pass. I'll go over to the Y for aquafit class this morning (if it's open) and do some more treadmill today. I think my daughter wants to go to a movie later too. 

[HeartBiller]

I hadn't thought of the bra for the fitbit while on the treadmill.. I had noticed it isn't really what I think is accurate step counts... But i just try to only hold on with one hand.. lol, So I will try this and see how it works out.. I would much rather walk outside, but with colder weather the treadmill is good to have in a pinch. It may just be me, but I think I can walk a lot further in less time when I am walking outside and I do't think I walk that much faster outside but maybe I do and just don't realize it. It take me almost 25 minutes to walk a mile on the treadmill and I can walk a mile outside in 17 1/2, so that is discouraging at times.. BUT hey its all exercise and I need it..lol.

On a more positive note, I have had a bit of a chaotic, crazy, whining past week or so... BUT today I am excited to say I hit a mild stone for myself. I hit the 40 pound loss mark today, so that has improved my mood a lot.

Now for my weekly official weigh in

MY stats
USW - 210 lbs
SW - 210 lbs
10/25/16 - 178.4 lbs
11/01/16 - 177.6 lbs - 0.8 lbs
11/08/16 - 174.8 lbs - 2.8 lbs
11/14/16 - 174.3 lbs - 0.5 lbs
11/22/16 - 171.6 lbs - 2.7 lbs
11/29/16 - 175.2 lbs 3.6 Gain 😞
12/06/16 - 171.4 Lost the 3.6 I had gained plus lost 2 more ounces .. . - 3.8 lbs

12/13/16 - 170.0 lbs - 1.4 lbs
Total Lost so far this challenge - 8.4 pounds Exactly 40 lbs down from my ultimate start!!!
Goal Weight by Christmas - 167.5
UGW - 125 lbs

[Bobbinyc]

I also hold on when on a treadmill.  Does anyone know if we can get a relatively accurate step count by tying onto our shoelaces tight enough so it doesn't bounce?  

@HeartBiller  I know I go much further when walking outside.  I try to listen to a book or a podcast when on the treadmill but I still find being outside much more interesting.  Also, someone pointed out to me that the treadmill does some of the work for you because of it's movement, whereas outside you have to do it all.  Most of us live where we get lots of weather, so I'm grateful for access to machines.

[Bobbinyc]

@HeartBiller  And I forgot to say, congratulations on the weight loss.  Great job!  

[HeartBiller]

@BobbinycThanks so much! I really don't know how it would work on a shoe. I know it wouldn't get the heart rate that way, but maybe it would count steps...lol. I honestly feel like I work harder on the treadmill than I do walking outside,, It seems like its harder on the treadmill for some reason.. Who knows...lol

[dancefoxtrot]

@A_Lurker Thanks for the article comparing RICE and MEAT treatment.  Sounds like the combo works well and since I have to get up and move a bit to prepare food, etc. with a twisted ankle or knee it works well for me.  

@_Lilac_ Hope that you are healing well.

I tie my fitbit around my ankle when I I'm dancing and my hands are still.  I've notice even pushing a shopping cart with 2 hands the steps aren't all registered.  My charge hr seems to need the arm to swing to register the steps if it is on my wrist. 

I certainly want credit for all my steps but I don't want to eat more calories that is for sure. Last night I munched out on granola with pumpkin seeds as I watched the annoying news of Russian influence in the US election and Trump's denial of the CIA research. What an idiot he is!  Okay I guess that was emotional eating and I should have steamed up some veggies instead so back on track today. Nothing eaten so far since I slept in. Time to begin to move and make breakfast after weighing myself to see what lb. damage I've caused.

Stay warm during our artic freeze weather that is moving East.

Best,

Barbara  

[dancefoxtrot]

@_Lilac_@Glenda  It is CBD that works to stop seizures in some people and strains of marijuana with low levels of THC are now grown.  I bet utube would have Sanjay Gupta, MD's report on the help children with unremitting seizures are receiving. THC is the main ingredient that get people high but CBD has more of a calming effect.  Worth researching.  I saw a video of a Parkinson patient unable to control his arm become tremor free in minutes after a sublingual drop of CBD. It was amazing!

Hopefully good accurate research will be done to sort fact from fiction. 

Barbara  

[dancefoxtrot]

@Bobbinyc

Hi there my East Coast sis,

I'm so glad to hear that you are running and on an incline to boot. You are really helping your body and I bet building muscle.  Crazy how stuck your weight is though. It is incredibly steady and consistent and not doing the trampoline bounce any more it seems. 

Don't know what to think about it other than getting that it can be darn frustrating for you. It is definitely a puzzle. 

Good thing that you are eating well and strengthening your body so you can measure improvements in those areas. 

So now I have to push myself out of this recliner and weigh myself and make a healthy breakfast since I'm moving slowly this AM.

We can keep getting healthier one day at a time.

Best,

Barbara G

[dancefoxtrot]

@HeartBiller

Wow Congrats on the 40 lb Badge. That is a significant milestone. Really happy for you.

Barbara G

[dancefoxtrot]

@Bobbinyc

I have threaded my fitbit under my shoe laces and also just tied it around my ankle.  I loop a string in the wristband slots and tie it to the clasp when I remember to at dance class.  It counts all the steps but no heart beat I imagine. When we are working so hard we should get all the credit earned from stepping, me thinks. 

The Artic cold is coming your way I hear. Stay warm and cozy my friend. 

Best, 

Barbara G

[HeartBiller]

@dancefoxtrotThank you so much! I sure am excited about it.. BUT now already looking toward the 50.. lol. I guess I better try to hit this Christmas one first...lol. Excitement gets to us sometimes when we are doing good.. BUT then all these Christmas goodies everywhere are like the Devil.

[dancefoxtrot]

Well I'm not real pleased with myself since on Sat I got down to 146.4 and this morning I'm back up to 148.8 for pete's sake. Well I began at 149.3 so it is a small loss of 1/2 a lb but 146.4 would have been much better.  Really annoying but only person that I can be mad at is myself so let's drop that attitude and look forward. It is 12:30 and I'm definitely finally going to have breakfast of multigrain hot cereal, blue berries and some hemp seeds mixed in.  Salad for lunch I'm planning. 

I'm going on a 10 day cruise from Jan 7 to 17 to some ports in Mexico. First cruise ever so I hope that it is wonderful. I haven't worn a bathing suit in years so there is clear motivation to lose belly fat. I should have remembered that last night eating granola late at night. 

Enough said. 

Best to all,

Barbara G

[dancefoxtrot]

@HeartBiller

Satan incarnate I say when I think of empty carbs and sugar.  I would stay the heck away from the sweet and carb platters.  Can you walk down a different route at work to avoid that poison. 

Enjoy your new milestone and don't rush past it.  Looks like you can make your Christmas goal now. 

Barb G

[HeartBiller]

@dancefoxtrotI am sure hoping and praying to make the Christmas goal, But as I learned with Thanksgiving, the goal can be met one day and gone the next... Sad but true.. I have to just get my mind set that I want this goal more than the sweets.. So far I am doing descent at resisting...lol. Prayers to continue to do well.

I am a tad jealous that you are going on a cruise for my birthday...lol. That has always been a dream vacation for me, but my husband is not going on water..lol. I couldn't imagine going with out him, so I don't guess I will be going. I hope you have a wonderful time. Both of our daughters have been and say they are just wonderful. Guess I have to take their word for it.

[Bobbinyc]

@dancefoxtrot  I have to plan my newspaper reading and news watching.  I need a very healthy snack next to  me so my emotional eating is ok.  I don't think I've ever crunched on so many carrots!  Trump also said he doesn't want an Intelligence briefing daily.  The only President to ever think that wasn't valuable, and in this day and age when that is so critical.  The level of disrespect for any form of intelligence (small i) and for the office of President is just mind-boggling.  I suppose it is  a relief he has already broken most of his campaign promises.  Point is....you still need to take care of you.  Take breaks from the news if you can.  I find reading it a bit easier on some days, not others.  Reading the editorials in the Times sometimes helps.  I sometimes also walk while watching news.  Well, more like an angry, frightened pace.  But it's better than grabbing mindlessly.  

[Bobbinyc]

@dancefoxtrot  A cruise!  How wonderful.  I've never been on one.  I'm sure it will be just fantastic.  I've heard that the "down" side of cruises is endless amounts of food.  Just be ready.  There are also loads of opportunities for physical activity.  What a nice present you are giving yourself.

[_Lilac_]

My daughter and I have dreams of taking a cruise someday, perhaps one of those European river cruises. I'm a history buff so that would kinda be up my alley. I always thought a Meditteranean cruise would be great too, but with the state of the world right now, I'm not so sure how safe any of it would be. And besides, I have to lose more weight to fit on a flight to Europe. Some day!

[Bobbinyc]

@_Lilac_  I have no doubt you will get to that cruise in amazingly little time.  

[HeartBiller]

Well it is a new day and we are one day closer to Christmas. I sure hope most of you out there are more prepared for it than I am. I used to be so organized and prepared for everything and now a days... It just doesn't seem to happen for me. I have procrastinated and put it off to the end again...

Hope everyone is having a wonderfully blessed day!

[_Lilac_]

My day:

Well, I got up for the pool but it was snowing again. The roads were messy and unappealing. I called Mom to see if she wanted to go walking so she picked me up and we went to the mall to walk the hallways. The walking club coat room was FULL of coats. I guess everyone had the same idea. It's all seniors. I think I was the youngest person there. 

After going downtown for lunch at an Indian restaurant, I'm suffering salt over-indulgence and trying to drink a bunch of water. I even have a dehydration headache. I've had tea and water today. I guess it's not enough. I've done 8600 steps and need more but for some reason I feel extremely tired and low-energy. I have dishes to do, laundry, the steps and I just keep thinking about going to bed. It's only 6pm! 

My daughter is working on papers she has to hand in tomorrow and an open-book exam. We have holiday music playing, pine tree candles burning, the tree is lit, the window lights are on, the dogs are snuggled up and ...well, maybe that's why I don't want to do anything. It's too comfy!!

I have plans tomorrow to go to the pool, meet an old work friend in the afternoon, then.....ok, this is something you don't know about me....STAR WARS movie in the evening. I'm a mega-fan of Star Wars and it's the release of the new movie. When my husband was diagnosed with cancer (October 2014) he was told he'd survive 2-6 months. Honestly, the very first thing he told the doctor was, "That won't work for me. The new Star Wars movie is out next year." That was the last one (Nov 2015) and he certainly survived to see it. He knew he wouldn't make it to this one. It's going to be a bitter-sweet event. I'm going alone, which is good by me. People usually show up in costume for the first showing and I'll see people I know. 

So, I have a busy day tomorrow. I want to make sure I get in my steps so I'll definitely go to the pool. 

Have a great night everyone!