Valentines Day to April 18th

[BLLingg]

@Bobbinyc, I hope it's ok for me to plagerize your Christmas to Valentine's Day Topic Starter but it was absolutely perfect!!!

Welcome all Challengers!  What an amazing group we have!

Let's all continue together to take off the excess pounds and keep getting healthier.

This challenge will begin on Valentine's Day and finish on (American) Tax Day - 18 April 2017.   (Really!  It's the 18th this Year, not the 15th!)

All you need to join this challenge is to post your stats regarding your weight, and check in weekly or as often as you'd like. We are a great support group and enjoy keeping up with each other and being there for our ups and downs.  Generally we have found that the more we check in and offer support, tips, info,  and ideas to others, the more we get for ourselves.

We list our weight, as well as any other goals we might have related to being healthy (such as increase water, more active minutes, etc).  Developing good health habits is primary.

A little rundown of terminology for anyone who is new.

USW- Ultimate Starting Weight

CSW- Current Starting Weight (for this challenge)

GW- Goal Weight   (for Feb 14)

UGW- Ultimate Goal Weight   (what your healthy target weight is)

PW- Previous Weight

CW- Current Weight

MFP- My Fitness Pal

List as much info as you like.  Some people include age, gender, height....whatever seems relevant to you.

We keep it as serious or light as we feel, but we always keep it focused on being as healthy as possible, while we support each other kindly.  We can do this together!!

[A_Lurker]

Wow, I've been mostly offline this week and I had pages of posts to read through.  I have lots to say, but have lots of other reading to catch up on, so just some general thoughts.

@Bobbinyc- I have a big old pile of stuff in my family room that I haven't tackled yet.  I basically moved my storage room across the hall into a smaller space in order to set up all the fitness stuff in the larger room.  I unpacked the 'really need' stuff right away and there is definitely not enough room for all that's left but I'm having problems even starting to get into it.  Part of it is because some of the items are my mother's things.  I know she's not moving back but I'm just not sure what to do with it.  I have some empty shelves still, but I have to decide what takes priority on keeping.

@dancefoxtrot- spot reducing fat is pretty much impossible.  There's a big industry trying to convince people that if they do a certain exercise routine or buy certain pills that it will magically melt away from a specific area.  You can probably tighten and/or build muscles, which helps the overall appearance, but in the end it's just about losing the weight.

@_Lilac_- sorry to hear that your knee is hurting you still.  It can be frustrating to slow down to heal, but it is important to do so.

So, kind of a non-scale victory this week.  I still feel that I need to work on my endurance.  I can do lots of steps but either not all at once or working up a huge sweat.  I had a business trip this week which involved at least 1000 steps just from the parking lot, then a climb up a number of stairs, then back down (outside to the plant next door) and then a walk through the plant.  I managed to do it without feeling like I was going to die by the time I got back to my vehicle.  It was good too since I had a 4.5 hour drive home (5 hours+ with the border and a couple of stops) and still managed to make my steps for the day.

[GettingfitinSC]

I think I have a 3 foot tall workout coach living with me. I told my son it was time to go to bed earlier, and he pointed to the treadmill and said, "You need go walk first." In case I didn't get his message, he added, "I watch cartoons, you go walk." He was more concerned with cartoons than my health, but it was helpful nonetheless. I jumped on the treadmill to get my last 2000 steps, and he got to finish the cartoon he was watching. 🙂

Push forward everyone! Even if you're tired, you can get those last few steps to meet your goal. 🙂

[_Lilac_]

My sister came to stay over last night, sort of as a 'girls night'...though it was kinda drab as we are 46-48 yrs old and not prone to 'wildness'. Haha. She worked on fixing up her dreadlocks, we crocheted, watched several episodes of 'the voice' that she had missed, forgot to put the purple highlights over my greys, and played a little World of Warcraft. Haha..ok, so we might be weird. 

My knee was so much better yesterday morning that I did do two laps of the mall with Mom, as I'd previously stated. That walk must have triggered my leg to remember what it's supposed to be doing because when I got up this morning it felt a lot better. It's still weak and wants to buckle sometimes but it tolerated two small walks today and I don't feel like I need pain meds. 

Sister #1 (me) and sister #2 took the dogs for a walk and when we returned #3 sister drove up. She told me that from down the street she didn't know which of us was which. I guess I've lost a lot or #2 has gained. Probably a bit of both. But it makes me feel good that I resembled #2, who has always been the 'small' one. I was always the 'big' one..our entire lives. I guess we've all switched up our size order. I wanna be the small one for once!

Non-scale success...#2 and I were thinking about ordering some food last night but then I opened the fridge and we scavenged all the healthy stuff I have instead. Salads, artisan bread, turkey I cooked this week, etc etc. Today was a tad carb-heavy but at supper time I had a huge handful of raw green beans and put half my potatoes back uneaten. 

@A_Lurker It's good that you are back home and can get into your routine. I know you are used to travelling and accommodate for it. I think I'd have trouble with it but maybe not. I don't always give myself enough credit. I hope you are going to return to us here more often.

Alright, almost bedtime. Have a good night everyone. Take care of yourselves!

[DJC_63]

I forgot to post last week, so I'm posting early tonight.  It's still a small loss but it's the best I've had in awhile. I'm paying attention to my hourly step goals along with the daily goal.  I'm also listening to my body when I'm in pain and taking days off when I need to. Better to do that than spend several days doing nothing because I'm in too much pain.  I am getting stronger, too, things that used to be difficult to do are getting easier. Yay! I hope you're all having a good weekend.

USW - 207.5
SW - 196.3 (2/13/17)
PW - 197.3
PW - 196.9
PW - 196.7
PW - 196.4
CW - 195.7
GW - 189.9

[DJC_63]

Wait until your in your 50's, it gets even harder. In my 40's it was still easy. When your knees start to hurt, tho, it gets a little harder to get down on the floor.  I still do it, tho, can't beat it for stretching out to stay flexible.

[DJC_63]

@dancefoxtrot, congrats!! You are really eating low-cal.  No wonder you're doing so well.

[Bobbinyc]

@GettingfitinSC That 3 ft. coach you have there sounds adorable.  He is quite the negotiator!

[DJC_63]

@SunsetRunner  Congratulations!!  That is quite an accomplishment.  I've only managed to lose 10 lbs in a year so looking at your chart makes me very envious.  It sounds like you've got a solid plan for maintaining your goal weight.  Yay you!!

[dgwheeler]

Missed posting this past Thursday when I did weigh in.

PW: 170.2

CW: 169.6

CW: 168

GW: 165

UGW: 135

Participated in a 5k on St Patricks Day.  I just walked it but I haven't walked in a while (in case anyone remember I've had the toe issue with losing my nails) so I was nervous.  I haven't bought new shoes yet but so far my toes do not appear to have suffered. 

My time is way down.  Previously we were walking 5 miles at about a 14-15 min mile (once walked 5 miles in under 50 mins but only the once).... so walking the 3 miles in 55 mins was a shocker.  Its warming up a bit here so I need to go get new shoes so we can start walking in the evenings again.

[almost_where]

USW - 363 (3/9/16)

Valentine's Day Weight 259

  Sunday1 - 257 (02/19) 257.5 Target
  Sunday2 - 256  (02/26) 256.0 Target
  Sunday3 - 253  (03/05) 254.5 Target
  Sunday4 - 253  (03/12) 253.0 Target
  Sunday5 - 251  (03/19) 251.5 Target
  Sunday6 - (03/26) 250.0 Target
  Sunday7 - (04/02) 248.5 Target
  Sunday8 - (04/09) 247.0 Target
Easter Day Goal - 246

- 2 lbs

Was glad to see a loss this week after changing my caloric intake slightly for the first time on my weight loss journey. The same calorie taken in a year ago is not the same calorie in today.  I havn't looked at exact numbers but I would say I made between a 5-10% drop in calories in.  I used to hear the term "zero calorie" and thought nothing of it, now I totally get it and try to avoid these as much as possible. My sleep has been totally off these past couple weeks. Off as in up all night some nights and sleeping during a good portion of the day. I attribute some of this to cabin fever / cold weather / storms but in the end it really comes down to me making bad decisions regarding sleep. Really going to try to get back on a somewhat normal pattern. If I don't, the lack of sleep causes weird appetite swings which makes running in caloric deficit mode more challenging.  Spring is coming soon people hang in there and all the best on your mission.

Side Note - I have now switched over to grams when using my food scale and wish I did so earlier.

[BLLingg]

@GettingfitinSC, I am so very proud to have you as my Friend!  Your Message# 492 (Pg 25) is so inspiring and so encouraging!  Thank you for sharing it.  We are almost two Peas in a Pod!!  You have come a long way!!!  It's fun having you in the Challenges!!!

[BLLingg]

I stopped off at WalMart on my way to work this Morning, @HeartBiller.  Bought 2 pairs of Slacks.  1 Pair of my usual Elastic Waist in a size smaller and 1 Pair of Zipper Slim Cut Jeans 2 sizes larger.  I wanted some Slacks that fit snug 'cause I'm walking in the Portland Shamrock 4 Mile Stride today and the T-Shirt is really snug against my Tummy.  I was also hoping I could wear "normal" Jeans.  But they're too small.  So I'm going to have to wear the Elastic Waist Slacks which do fit.

However, like you, I'm not returning  those Jeans!!!  I'm going to keep them as inspiration for me to continue walking, to continue tracking what I eat while learning to eat better, and to continue losing Weight!  It's going to take more than 4# for me, but that's ok.  I'm trying to develop a new Lifestyle, not win a Race then quit and go back to my prior Lifestyle once I've reached the Goal!!!

[BLLingg]

Yeah, @TravellingSunny, but just think.  If you only weighed once a Week (or less), ya might not have seen that 143.6!  Now, though, you know that you CAN do it!!!  So don't despair about being on the Roller Coaster.  I don't think any of us can't say, "Been there, done that!"  Just keep up the Good Work and Good Results MUST follow.  Maybe not on your Time Schedule.  But in Time they will!

[BLLingg]

If you think it's hard in your 50s, @DJC_63, you can imagine how hard it is when you're 67 like me! 

And I am discovering one HUGE reason y'all want to get into shape BEFORE you hit my age.  You know how your Upper Arms begin to sag as you age?  Well, when you get to my age, (possibly sooner, I don't know since I haven't lost significant weight in ages & ages!) and the fat that's in those sags disappears, the sag doesn't diminish.  Instead, it begins to wrinkle.  At least that's what's happening to me.  I have big loose wrinkles in my Upper Arms, my Thighs, my Tummy, and now they're starting to develop in my Lower Arms!    There's some indication that the same thing will happen in my Calves!!  Ironically, unlike the rest of me, my Face & Neck are actually improving!  I have a Neck now and you can even see my Collar Bone!

I don't know what I'm going to do when it gets hot this Summer!  Already, I won't wear sleeveless Tops.  Soon, I won't be able to wear Short Sleeve Tops or Shorts. 

I have to get get my rear in gear and work on getting my skin restored via Hydration, Nutrition and Lotions!!!  Or I have to stop caring about how I look.

[_Lilac_]

@BLLingg  Go to the stationary store. They have those big clips to hold paper together in large numbers...One clip to the back of each upper arm, to the nape of the neck, maybe even the back of the legs, should pull that pesky skin tight! Bwahahaha. 

I don't know...when I lose I'm going to have a lot of flapping skin around. After middle age it just doesn't go away. So, what are we stuck with? Skin removal surgery? Wearing clothes to cover it up? Wearing it as a badge of honor, proving we lost a lot of fat? It's a real good question. I want to be able to wear tank tops and shorts in the summer. I think I'll just be doing it. Maybe I'll have a tshirt made with "I lost so much weight my skin doesn't fit anymore"

[RachelShrinks]

Oh my goodness, so much to catch up on! I love you all and you are fantastic and I will try to take time tomorrow to respond to stuff. Right now I have time to weigh-in and that's about it. The eldest's birthday is today (eight years old!), so all is chaos, you know? Hoping not to ruin myself with birthday cake.

Another good week this week!

USW (12/2016): 195

CSW (2/14/2017): 180.8

PW (2/19/2017): 180.2 (-0.6)

PW (2/26/2017): 178.4 (-1.8)

PW (3/6/2017): 178.1 (-0.3)

PW (3/12/2017): 174.8 (-3.3)

Current weight: 172.6 (-2.2) [On track—I love it!]

GW (4/18/2017): -13.5 (167.3) (5.3 pounds in 4 weeks)

UGW (?): 145-150ish

Weekly Exercise Goal: (2 HIIT sessions) Only one, but it was KILLER!

Have been having a crisis, eating-wise, but I've worked really hard the last few days to eat all the way up to my deficit (I'm not so good at that sometimes) to prevent random pigouts that set me back. And I'm very proud of myself for yesterday. It was a very kid-heavy but not active day (lots of homework, research projects to help with, cooking and such...) and I did not make my calorie burn goal or my active minutes, but I DID NOT PIG OUT and I stayed right at my calorie in goal. So yay me.

@TravellingSunny wanted to see my Daniel's cake, so... here it is!

[IdahoSandy]

Hello all.  Well the month of March is not going well for me. I've been working late and eating meals at weird times. Now that my work schedule is back to normal I can focus on my work outs and food journaling. 

I dont know if I'll make my April 18 goal, but I will shoot for my one year goal of 50 lbs by May 22. Have a good week everyone!  

Valentines to April 18
USW 208 (5/22/16)
SW 169.8 (2/14/17)
PW 171.8 (2/21/17)
PW 171.3 (2/25/17)
PW 168.6 (2/28/17)
PW 173.2 (3/7/17)
PW 173.5 (3/14/17)
CW 170.7 (3/21/17)

GW 159.8 (4/18/17)
UGW 158 (5/22/17)

[_Lilac_]

Walked 3 laps of the mall, took the dogs out for a good walk, ended up with 8700 steps but I'm not going to do more since I'm resting my knee. It's almost all better. 

I've had an issue with food today. I had breakfast only after I returned from walking. I'd taken my meds on an empty stomach and so the dizziness I thought was from that. Napped in the afternoon and forgot to have lunch. By 6:40 I was dizzy and nauseous and felt I might pass out and that's when I realized I'd forgotten to eat and it was so late. I just wasn't hungry at all and forgot. So I had food and I feel better. I still have room for another meal so I'll have some yogurt and granola later.  I must be more diligent about it. I'm not tracking my food as often now but maybe I should, to remind myself to eat at regular times. I don't want to get into trouble with low potassium and be rushed to the hospital again.

My plan for tomorrow is to get out of the house. I will go walking if Mom calls. I'll have her drop me at the library afterward instead of at home, and I'll get some writing done. I haven't worked on my story in a while and I need to. I had an idea for a new one so I might take notes for that. I have so many unfinished pieces. I'll walk home from there, which will be 30-40 min. 

For anyone who has invited me to challenges this past week or so, I haven't joined just because my knee has been injured. I haven't been ignoring you! After this week I expect to be back at it full swing. Funny thing is...I haven't gained an ounce after being practically immobile. My weight has been abnormally stable, staying low rather than bouncing up and down. I'm looking forward to my next drop. It will be the lowest weight I've been in many many many years. I hit 305 about 4 years ago then bounced up again. The last time I was under 305 was probably 1999. I'm at 306 right now...soooo close.

Aww I can feel everyone's good vibes coming my way, hoping I get it soon! Stay diligent everyone. Drink your water, get your steps. Don't avoid cucumber!

[Bobbinyc]

@almost_where  I've had some sleep problems and I learned the hard way that when I am tired, no matter how hard I try to push past it, I have cravings, weird appetite fluctuations, poor decision making, less impulse control, and I just don't care as much.  As soon as I can get ever 6 good hours straight, I feel like a new person with much more control. 

[dancefoxtrot]

@_Lilac_

Oh my goodness that is a fabulous idea for a T shirt. We are shinking but our skin is not.   I'm rooting for your 304 reading on your scale this week since your knee is healing and you can move more.

Happy writing and moving,

Barbara G