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

[Bobbinyc]

Thanks for starting us off so beautifully on the next challenge.

I have weighed 186 for, oh, about 4 months now.  I mean, no more than 1/2 pound fluctuation at all.  

So, I am (again) determined to lose at least 1 pound this challenge.  Surely the scale can give me that?! (I'm begging here)

That said, I do want to let everyone in our challenges know how very grateful I am for all of you.

It is rare to see such kindness, openness, support, concern, wisdom, advice, humor, and maybe a tiny bit of nagging on occasion.  You have shared your struggles, weight related and otherwise, and you have shared your wisdom.  People in here have overcome a lot and shown incredible courage, persistence, determination, and smarts.  This is so inspirational as there are so many amazing role models here.  

I love that we focus on health and not just the quick fix.  Or, in my case, the elusive fix. 

To follow the example of our fearless dancing leader:

I am grateful that I am walking around again. Truly, every step is filled with gratitude.  I hope I never take any physical ability for granted again.

I am grateful for, right now, being healthy.  

I am grateful for the two family members I still have.  Though we live far apart, we are there for each other. 

I am grateful that even though I don't have much, I have food and a warm home.

I am grateful that in this moment, there is peace in my part of the world.

I am grateful that I have a few wonderful friends, who are giving and kind and put a lot of energy into making this world better for all.

I am grateful for the parents I had, who taught me, despite the horrors they went through, to never be bitter, to let go of anger,  to always  have empathy for others, always do the kindest thing, and to always always fight for other people's rights, even if they wouldn't do that for you.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving day, filled with things that help you feel grateful.  

And let's continue to work toward our goals together.

Warmest wishes for each of you,

Bobbi

[_Lilac_]

I'm in (of course). I lost only 2lbs during the last challenge so I'm tweaking some things to have more success this time. I had hoped for 10 lbs and I'll go for the same this challenge.

USW=355

Challenge SW=329

Challenge GW=319

It's not my Thanksgiving holiday but I can list the things I'm thankful for today:

1. My supportive family. So many people don't have the support of the ones around them and it causes the struggle to be so much harder. Oh, especially my dogs....they LOVE it that I can take them for longer walks. And they support me by eating food from my plate to prevent me from having portions that are too large. 

2. The weather. Last week was abnormally warm for the middle of November. It was so pleasant for walking. So far this week we've had rain and snow (but only enough to be flurries). I don't mind snow. It's a lot better than rain. And I like walking in the cold since I sweat doing movement even at -25C/F. You just have to be dressed appropriately. 

3. 10,000 steps. I'm grateful every time I reach that number, as it means I've put effort into my day. 

4. Decent good health and it's getting better. I can walk. I can do my hour of water aerobics. I have energy to go shopping and do errands, do things that for so long I hadn't been able to do. 

5. YOU GUYS!! What fun would this be without all the people here? I can't imagine how boring it would be if I didn't have you! I depend on the group for support, insight, fun, motivation, etc. 

Ok, tomorrow let's kick butt!

[Bobbinyc]

I'm going to try this one day at a time.  

Goals for today:

1 hour at gym (strength, balance, agility)   Done 

8,000 steps     Done

6 glasses water   only 5

track food     Done

[debb21]

USW: 190

CW: 138.8

GW: 133

I am thnakful for: my family

                           10 year breast cancer survivor

                            being able to exercise 

                            being the healthiest and best shape I have been in a long time.

I am still learning how to eat well all the time.  I am a grazer and I love my salty carbs.  Everything in moderation!!!

[almost_where]

Turkey Day Weight - 275 - (11/25) - CW

Sunday 1 - - - (11/27) 

Sunday 2 - - - (12/04)

Sunday 3 - - - (12/11) 

Sunday 4 - - - (12/18) 

Christmas Goal = 266 lbs.

New Years Eve Goal - 263 (-100lb Badge)

Other goals for the challenge.

- No alcohol till Christmas

- 1 cigar per week max

- Never eat below 2000 calories per day

- Lift 2x per week / min

- Have Fun

- Get up out of this chair the SECOND i hit the post button for this message.

Good luck everyone.

[nmroadrunner]

Happy Black Friday Everyone!

I, for one, hate the shopping crowds, so am staying home contemplating the turkey carcass that is residing in our refrigerator and trying to decide what its future will be. The last challenge was, indeed, a challenge for me. I weighed in at anywhere between a low of 170 and a high of 173 and, today, I start this challenge at 174! You'd think that by now I'd understand that the idea of a challenge is to have the weight go down. Oh, well, onward and downward!

USW  199

CSW  174

GW  <170

UGW<150

Keep on Stepping!

[A_Lurker]

I'll be in (but won't post until Sunday).  I'm taking a short break from counting calories (well, still doing some of it mentally) and am staying off the scale until Sunday (although when I peaked the other day I'm still going down).

[_Lilac_]

What has happened to my day?? I didn't go to the pool because my daughter and I had plans and then those fell through. Then we took the dogs for a walk but they were misbehaving so we brought them home after rounding only one block. Then my head went wonky and forced me to nap. I've got only 2770 steps but I need to get more. I considered going to the gym but how boring is that!!??? So, I guess I'm going to go to a movie. Yeah, you don't usually get many steps at the movies, but you do when you get the bus only partway there and walk the rest of the way! I'll be dropping off in a cruddy neighbourhood so wish me luck. Haha. It will be motivation to walk FAST. Got to be creative to get in the activities. 

[A_Lurker]

@_Lilac_- I feel for you.  I'm home from work with only a little over 4000 steps.  It was inventory at the plant and I was stuck doing data entry.  Next year I want to count, would be a little more active.  I've been aiming for 15000+ a day at the moment... that's a lot to make up tonight.

[LilMissAngi]

I was just looking for a challenge to join! Thank you for doing this.

I am thankful for my family. Without them I would be a mess!

OSW= 245

CSW= 241

GW= 230

UGW= 145

Every 10 pounds I lose I give myself a $100 shopping trip. So excited!

[A_Lurker]

Today was a crappy food day, and I didn't bother counting.  Since it was provided by work for all involved with the inventory it was a combination of baked goods and pizza.  I was going to grab a protein bar in the morning, but had a couple of 1/2 muffins instead. 

So I ended up doing a spa/workout evening.  I did 45 mins on the treadmill, then went outside and spent some time in the hot tub.  Came in all loosened up (and hoping the soak will keep my knee from being too sore tomorrow) and did almost another 40 mins between the rower and the elliptical.  At this point I gave up and sat in the sauna for a bit, then finished with a shower. I love my new stuff!    I am now over the minimum 15,000 steps I've been aiming for lately.

I went upstairs and put together a huge salad with turkey pepperettes and cheese and I'm just working on finishing that up now while I read a few posts.  The salad probably clocks in at somewhere between 700-800 calories including the meat, cheese and dressing (the high ticket items) but it will be filling enough that I won't likely look for a snack before bed.  I may even call it an early evening as I have a few things to do tomorrow that will take time and need to be complete before 3 pm if I'm going to make a run to the dump (closes at 4pm).  If not, then my next option might be Wed night after work.  I've agreed to do a couple of days from 6 am - 2:30, which would allow me to take a trip there during the week.  We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

[mommo77]

Good Saturday morning, Challengers!  I love  Thanksgiving but I'm glad it's over, I feel like a kid who passed a tough exam they weren't sure they studied enough for.  The tree is up, my living room looks like a Christmas store threw up in it, I even have a few presents tucked under there somewhere.  Go me.

I've been too ambitious with my last couple of challenges so I'm aiming for a reality check here. That elusive 150 is still my goal, but I don't foresee it happening until the very end of the challenge.  What a Christmas gift to give myself!

USW:  212

Starting this challenge:  151.8

Goal this challenge:  150

UG:  135

Trip to the doctor this week was a bit of a bust.  I had to point out to him that I'd lost weight since I was there 6 months ago, he was unimpressed.  I think I'm gonna fire him.  There are lots of doctors around who maybe won't make me feel like I'm a nuisance or an inconvenience.  I mean, I may be, but I'm paying them so they should at least pretend I'm not, right? 

Wonderful weekend, everyone!

[Bobbinyc]

@A_Lurker Your spa/workout evening sounds perfect.  Your new toys are amazing.  What a nice way to both reward yourself for all the work you've done and make it easier to continue on your journey.  That's so  smart.  And fun.

[Bobbinyc]

@LilMissAngi Welcome to our amazing group.  Post as often as you like and share your struggles, your success, your tips,  - whatever would be helpful.  I have found this group incredibly supportive and wise.

[A_Lurker]

@Bobbinyc- thanks, I actually feel great this morning.  I didn't end up going to sleep until close to midnight last night, but ended up sleeping until 9am.  I woke up around 6am and made sure I hadn't set any alarms.  I'm still not 100% doing anything yet, but there is still plenty of time to accomplish something.  I peeked at the scale this morning and I'm down from last week.  I'll do an official weight tomorrow morning.  So I think I've hit a natural stride I'm going to do for a little while.

[Bobbinyc]

Goals for today:

8,000       Done

20 floors    Done

30 minutes cardio   Done

6 glasses water   only 5

track food    done

[_Lilac_]

@mommo77 I've been digging around for my scattered decorations and bought some new ones. I'm going to try to do 'natural' this year. I've got a bunch of pine cones and stuff. I won't have a whole tree full of it but every year I'll pick up more. Normally, I don't decorate til the middle of December but felt like doing it earlier this time. I have a friend coming to visit who doesn't celebrate the holiday, so out of respect for her I'll wait til after she goes. Might give me a chance to find more interesting things. I'm trying not to necessarily buy retail and perhaps create items instead. 

About doctors...mine won't get a scale that weighs more than 300lbs. She refuses because she believes it will encourage her big patients to lose weight, enough to use her scale. What a bunch of crock. For anyone with a big weight issue, that's just discouraging. She is impressed and encouraging when I lose weight, so that's a plus. 

Today I'm challenged with getting movement. I calculate I have to do 2000 steps per hour every hour for the next five hours. That isn't too impossible while marching in my livingroom while watching an old season of Walking Dead. 

I haven't eaten yet today and it's 2pm. I had coffee and I just keep getting distracted and forgot to eat. I'll make something now. So ya, my entire schedule has been thrown off today. I'll get back on track.

Have a good weekend all!

[dancefoxtrot]

@mommo77

Fire that fool of a doctor!! I have had much better luck with women doctors and love mine.  No sense to go to someone who treats you inconsiderately at all. 

Your new goal is very reasonable and I'm setting a small goal as well. 

Barbara G

[dancefoxtrot]

@LilMissAngi

Welcome to our group of supportive challengers!  

Eat healthy food and kick the junk to the curb. Love your body of 37 trillion cells working hard to be strong and healthy. Tracking your food carbs and calories is really helpful. 

Best,

Barbara G