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!!

[RachelShrinks]

USW (12/2016): 195

CSW (2/14/2017): 180.8

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

Current weight: 178.4 (-1.8) [not on track! 😞 ]

GW (4/18/2017): -13.5 (167.3) (That sounds like even more now)

UGW (?): 145-150ish

Weekly Exercise Goal: (2 HIIT sessions) Got in 1, but it was an active week anyway.

Looks like maybe I shot too high on my goal, but we'll see. I have seven more weeks, right?

My foot continues to be a problem and sadly, I'm not back to running yet. I have a doctor's appt on Wednesday, so I'll talk to him about it then, as well as about my weight loss, meds, blah blah blah :P. Still, I managed 100,000+ steps last week, which is back to my usual, so that makes me happy. Gonna get trounced in the Weekend Warrior challenge today, though, since I'm single-parenting it and it is COLD outside and the kids have a ton of homework, so I figure they can have a pajama day and I can rest and ice my foot before the crazy of the workweek descends again. As my wife would say, "adulting is HARD!"

Cheers, all, and I hope everyone has a lovely day!

[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 - (03/05) 254.5 Target
  Sunday4 - (03/12) 253.0 Target
  Sunday5 - (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 ma

-1 lb

With the temp hitting in the 60s and being able to go for a walk in a T-shirt made the cabin fever vanish this past week.

[Ava_]

Everyone has been doing very well!  I do love this group!

I have been away for a long weekend, so I haven't been logging food because I wanted to give myself a break, but I have been making healthy choices and doing LOADS of walking (mainly up and down hills) so I have easily met my steps target.  Most of all, I have had fun and relaxed which is all good for the soul.

I weighed before I left (which was last Thursday) and am posting it below, but from next week I am going to weigh in each Tuesday, as it makes sense as this challenge ends on a Tuesday.  I know for sure that I have gained weight over the long weekend (so easy to gain and so hard to lose) but aim to be back on track a.s.a.p.

USW - 154 (12/30/16)

CSW - 138 (02/14/17)

PW - 138.4 (02/19)

CW - 136.5 (02/22)

GW - 130 (04/18)

UGW - 125 (summer?)

[A_Lurker]

I use an unflavoured, unsweetened protein powder.  I add cocoa powder, hemp hearts, oat flour and fruit.  Usually I'll add a touch of stevia, but even on the days I forget to add it the taste isn't too bad.

[A_Lurker]

@Tybokitty- I have the following scale:  https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Touch-Total-Body-Scale/dp/B004NXUAXW/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=148815...

(I actually have it in black, and as a plus the black is cheaper)

I'm not sure if it's my scale, but the hydration doesn't work on mine.  I'm not overly concerned about that.  What's important is that I can step on and off it and get the same result.  It weighs about 3 pounds lighter than our calibrated floor scale at work, but in the end it's consistency from one day to the next that matters.

[DJC_63]

@_Lilac_  I'm glad I don't live where you live! We used to get snow like you, but the past 2 winters have been mild. I love it even though I know it's a sign of climate change/global warming. I'm a beach kinda woman.

[BLLingg]

Just dancing to the Music I'm familiar with is working Great, @_Lilac_  (Message 136)!  I probably should be walking to Marches since those have been a part of my Life since Conception!  But I count my Steps and Music or Marches interfere with the counting.  (Yes, I CAN walk & chew Gum at the same time!)

Yesterday I had just over 20K Steps and was at / near the top in 3 different Challenges.  (Weekend Warrior, Goal Day, & Daily Showdown) Since I can put in over 3K Steps if I dance for 1/2 Hour, I did another 1/2 Hour, 3,441 Steps, just before Bed and I earned my Classics Badge (25K)!!!  I can't believe it!  I walked & danced my way to just over 10 miles!    I don't know how I did on the Challenges yet since everyone hasn't synced yet.

[BLLingg]

@Amy_Noelle, it's those small goals that are MONSTERS!!!  It's all relative.  So many of us keep hopin' and prayin' that we'll get below that dern xx0 and see xy9.9.  So never fear.  You'll fit in with us just fine!!! 

[BLLingg]

AWESOME, @RachelShrinks! CONGRATULATIONS!!  Ya done did GREAT!!!

I still have 4.5 Pounds to lose before I can say that!  I sure wish I were taller than 5.2!!! 

[BLLingg]

CONGRATULATIONS, @SunsetRunner!!!  A Normal BMI.  That's something I haven't even goaled for yet!!!  I don't know if I'll ever be able to say that!!

[BLLingg]

Another good Week!  But man, am I ever exhausted!!  And I'm going to have problems Today.  First, I left Home with my FitBit One still on the Recliner where I sat it while getting dressed.  Didn't discover it until I got to Work and went to Sync.  Had to run Home to get it.  Secondly, the Pocket on these new Pants appears to be placed wrong or something.  My Steps weren't being logged at all!  I put my Keys into the Pocket to see if that helped.  It did.  But I'm still losing Steps.  Guess these Pants are going to the Senior Center's 2nd Hand Store right away!!!  Finally, this is one of my "Short" Days at Work.  And I have a TON of stuff to get done before I can pull out.  So my Walking Time is going to be reduced. I shouldn't be in here at all.  But I can't not read everyone's postings.  I need the encouragement!!!

Oh well.  At least I'm ahead of my Goal.  I may make it down to 150 before I leave for Scotland after all!!!

28 July 2010 - PW - 280.8  (My highest known.)
06 June 2016 - USW (in FitBit) - 216

14 Feb - CSW 173.0
20 Feb - GW 171.4 - PW 171.0
27 Feb - GW 169.6 - CW 168.2
06 Mar - GW 167.8
13 Mar - GW 166.0
20 Mar - GW 164.2
27 Mar - GW 162.4
03 Apr - GW 160.6
10 April - GW 158.8
17 Apr - GW 157.0
18 Apr - GW 156.7

13 May - 1st UGW - (but still not a "Healthy" BMI) - 150

[Amy_Noelle]

Thank you so much! I've heard that once you are I guess "average size" it's harder to lose weight....is that true? Today I have my high school state playoff game maybe I can lose a pound or two today 😆

[Linda17]

in general, it gets harder to lose weight as you lose more. You burn less
calories walking at a smaller weight, etc.

[Bobbinyc]

I'm behind in reading the posts; will try to catch up.  

Weigh in:

USW 186  (for almost 1 year)

CSW 184

CW 184

It seems I'm really really good at maintenance.  About 40 pounds too high, true, but I sure can keep it steady.  My body apparently hasn't gotten the message that it's supposed to lose weight.  At this rate, by the time I reach a normal range I'll be, oh, about 97 year old!  I'm trying really hard not to get too frustrated and hit the pastry shop again.

On the other hand, several friends and neighbors have gotten this awful virus that seems to last for over a month and leads to bronchitis.  I have been fighting it off, and so far feel good.  I am convinced that it's because I have been eating so well and having my killer smoothies every day.   I'll take good health over weight loss any day.  Hmm, can't I have both?? 

[Cele21]

USW- 215.0 (2/4/14)

CSW- 211.4 (2/14/17)

LW- 211.6

CW- 211.8

GW- 202.4 (4/18/17)

UGW- 150

Have crept up .6 lbs in three weeks, not good! But I'm finally over my cold and should be able to get back to the gym this week.

You all are doing so good! Keep it up!

[Florriel]

USW 191

CSW 179

April 161

UGW 154

CW 178

Our current leisure centre in the village has now closed for an 19 month refit. Although the gym equipment has been moved to a small industrial unit nearby the room allocated for classes is very small and to be honest not really fit for purpose. We tried our usual body conditioning class there late last week and it was soooo hot and we had hardly any room to move. Some of my other classes have been cancelled so this means myself and my fitness buddy ( who does not drive) now have to take my car and drive to the next town to use their gym - thankfully our membership covers all council run leisure centres in the county.

So today found me at a new Zumba class in the next town. They are a fun crowd so should be fine going forward. I have managed to sort my new class schedule so I still have something going on every day during the week and I have softball at the weekends.

Had a lovely complement from hubby this week who said I was looking "sporty" and he could really see a difference in my shape so even if the pounds are not coming off as quick as I would like at least my body is getting toned.

I had a blood test done on Friday by the diabetes nurse to see if my numbers have improved over the last 3 months. I think they should show a difference but I will be nervous for the next couple of weeks until the results come back.

I was pleased to see the weight lose this week - it is great seeing numbers on the scales that I have not seen for some time and it was even better buying a smaller size in trousers this last week. I am wearing my new jeans as I type and the fit great!

Keep up the good work everyone and I look forward to ready this weeks posts 🙂

[BLLingg]

Don't get discourage, @Florriel if your A1c doesn't go down as fast as you're hoping it will.  I'm only Pre-Diabetic so that might be different if you are Diabetic.  I'm only dropping at most 1/10 of a Point when my Doctor checks it.  About every 3 Months.  And once it even went up several 10ths (not sure if the UK's numbers are the same, but it was 6.1) to the point where she asked me if I wanted to go on Meds! 

CONGRATULATIONS on your New Jeans!  AND on your Hubby's NOTICING the loss!

[Florriel]

@BLLingg Yes it was the threat of meds that spurred me onto to start taking things seriously! I am however hopeful that I have done enough to keep me med free for now as I know I certainly FEEL a whole lot healthier than I did 3 months ago 😉

[A_Lurker]

@Florriel- I'm trying to remember the point where I went from 'too high' back to 'acceptable' with my A1Cs.  I think it was about 10% down from where I'd started (maybe a bit more).  If nothing else, you'll get your numbers and you can go forward from that point.

[Florriel]

@A_Lurker when I was diagnosed almost 2 years ago I think my A1C's were 48. I had them down to 41 which is apparently normal but then by Oct they had "rocketed" ( nurses word) to 61. She said anything over 53 should result in meds. TBH I had not noticed how rubbish I was feeling in Oct until I started paying attention and then felt so much better. It certainly put a new twist on what happens if I were to cheat on my diet.

My whole family have been really supportive and joined me on my low carb diet so it makes cooking dinner easier, or at least it will when the new kitchen install is complete lol.