Valentines Day to Easter Challenge 2016

[saraj91]

Welcome to the next challenge! 

This one will run from Valentines day to Easter, so from February 14th to March 27th. Everyone and anyone can join this challenge in which we all set our own weight loss goals, this gives us 7 weeks in total to work towards them! 

This group of lovely people provides encouraging support and words of advice as we all share our experiences, good and bad. It has proved beyond helpful to myself and many others as we become healthier and achieve amazing things.

To be part of the challenge you start by posting your initial weight stats and what you would like to achieve by the end of the challenge. You can then check in as often as you'd like with a weight update, to share a story from your week or start a conversation about a topic you'd like some advice on.

 
So excited for us to keep working towards our goals with the fantastic friends from the last challenges and a big 'Hello!' to all the challenge newbies! 

Thank you @awood08 for kicking off the last challenge! 

 
A little rundown of terminology for anyone who is new: 

USW- Ultimate Starting Weight

CSW- Current Starting Weight

GW- Goal Weight

UGW- Ultimate Goal Weight

PW- Previous Weight

CW- Current Weight

MFP- My Fitness Pal

[Thyroid_issues]

Lol great to hear - someone after my own heart. Went out for a walk last night before I'd go to bed as I hadn't reached 10,000 - my work colleges think I'm nuts.My dogs in heaven

[DJC_63]

I just wanted to get my numbers in for this next challenge. The weather has been bad here this week, ice and snow. We have 2 big pine trees at the bottom of the driveway and they got so weighed down with ice on the branches that a car couldn't get under them. So Tuesday I did A LOT of outdoor work getting the tree branches up so we could drive under them, and then shoveling very heavy, wet snow off of our long driveway. It got me double my step goal for that day, but ever since my knee has been hurting more than it has in over a year.  I keep feeling it popping in and out of place. I know that a knee replacement is in my future, but my Doc said to put it off as long as I could. I'm hoping that I didn't mess it up shoveling that heavy snow.

So just for the record, here's my starting stats:

USW - 207.5 (1/14/15)

CSW - 199.6

GW - 190.00

UGW - 170.00

[OCDOC]

Week 1 check-in (Friday is the day for me..)

USW 246

LstWk/CSW 223

Today 221

CGW 215

UGW 200?

Work weekend coming up...hope I can keep the steps and food discipline going when away!

Rob K

[hadley1979]

Woohoo, I lost 4lb this week (10lb total loss) so have set a new goal.

USW 138
SW 132
CW 128
UGW 120

[saraj91]

Congrats @hadley1979 & @OCDOC keep up the amazing work!! 

@DJC_63 I hope your knee starts to feel better soon!

[hadley1979]

Thank you x

[ms1960]

Down 2 lbs this week.  Puts me in the 170's for the first time in 8 years.  This challenge is keeping me moving.  Thanks to everyone!

USW: 205

CW: 179

GW: 150

UGW; 140

[IamRBrown]

@Thyroid_issues,  feel free to add me.  I don't usually do very good getting steps in on weekends and could use the motivation!  The weather is supposed to turn rainy here starting tonight & that will make it even more challenging for me...  I love challenges, tho.

Ruth

[IamRBrown]

Yippee!  Not losing any weight, but I got my 10K goal steps again yesterday... 2 days in a row!  I had to make 4 laps around my yard to finish and my Chihuahua thought that was a blast - scared the herd of deer that graze on my place in the evenings too death & wore me out, but I got it done!  The weather here was perfect for walking last night & I just did laps around my hilly 5.25 acres until I got the number of steps I needed to finish off.

I'm going to have to build up to the gym thing...  the treadmill is giving me shin splints when I turn it up far enough to hit my target heart rate... the elliptical makes my knees hurt after about 3 to 4 minutes (I have a small fluid pocket on each) and I haven't been brave enough to try the resistance equipment yet for strength building...  but getting there.  I get about 30 minutes of workout each time I go - just stop when it gets past uncomfortable into the painful side.

I love challenges and have been trying to set up a daily "meet your step goal" challenge during the week.  I used to get invites to workweek hustles, but I guess I wasn't enough of a challenge & those quit coming in.  I've set up a couple, but didn't think to pre-plan one this week.

Ruth

[sgbaumann]

Wow, doing the Dr. Oz Day-Off Diet (mostly) and starting to see results already!  I think getting back on the wagon last weekend is making a HUGE difference as well (none vs. 3-4 glasses of wine per night!)

USW: 190

CW: 186

GW: 150

UGW: 140

[Elle0904]

@Thyroid_issues Add me to the weekend challenge!  Thanks! 🙂

[scottie0714]

Hi everyone!  I just finished my weekly weigh in.......and I'm down 3.5lbs!!! I'm so excited to share this news with you, as I've been losing 1-1.5 week.  I changed my workout up a little this week and I think that gave me better results.  So, here are my latest stats.

USW- 213

CSW- 212

GW- 180

UGW- 170

PW- 207

CW- 203.5

Thanks guys for adding me to the challenges and your support - it really helps me!

[lusry]

Hi @Bogdel! We are moving to Colorado Springs. Right now since we don't know the area we are just renting. I finally found a place this week. It was such a relief. Apparently the rental market is crazy competitive. 

[swimr12265]

@nuue,

Hang in there.  I know you've heard it all before, so I won't belabor the point.  Clearly, I don't know what happened in your relationship, and I don't know either of you.  You are still interested in bettering yourself; that much is clear, so this, too, shall pass.  I can only speak for myself (although I happen to know that at least one other person in our community is going through the same thing you are right now) and say, yes, it hurts when a relationship that you have invested so much in disintegrates (I have been with the same person for over 20 looooong years!), but trust in the people who love you unconditionally.  My siblings are my anchors.  When I sometimes succumb (or partially succumb--I am a fighter!!) to self-pity, there are usually one or two of them who is always available to offer words of wisdom and love.  I don't often talk about my problems, so they often don't know that I am feeling down or how much just talking to them helps me stay afloat. I also value myself way too much to let too much get me down for long.  Sometimes "things" just don't work out.  C'est la vie.  You always have you.  Take care...and Godspeed!!

[swimr12265]

@sgbaumann,

Nope...and I won't..not about my weight, anyway.  I will likely see a doctor to discuss my energy level because I am almost sure that I am anemic.  I want to get a complete physical and do a stress test, as well.  Yes, 115 might be too light...and it might not.  Only time will tell.  I have a very strong inner compass and have been tuned into what is healthy for me for a very long time.  As I said, I am an athlete; I have lost and gained 5-8 pounds in a matter of days.  My system is very different from others whom I've spoken with (and I talk to A LOT of people and do constant research about weight and health issues since these things are very important to me).  What is MOST important to me right now is my swimming and achieving certain goals I have set for myself in the pool.  I am convinced that I will swim better with less bulk (thus, I am not so concerned about losing a bit of--albeit not too much--muscle mass.  I do NOT want to lose strength; this, I want to increase, so I am also pursuing a strengh training regimen).  I have maintained 125 and not felt too light or looked too skinny (I have always looked fit and tone...perhaps I will post a picture at some point, and you can judge for yourself...lol).  What I want to work on is consistently feeling energetic and not getting overly tired when I swim.  However, these things can only be accomplished with more sleep (unfortunately, I only average about 5-5-1/2 hours a night, which I KNOW is self-defeating) and a healthier diet.  I need to eat consistently well and resist the urge to eat foods I know are not good for me, which I do not do often enough.  I have spoken of demons before, and they still pester me.  When I finally beat them (and I will!), I am confident I will achieve my goals.  This group is actually helping me stay committed (though I am still struggling)--or at least helping me not lose sight of the fact that I NEED to stay committed.  Thanks for your concern.

[swimr12265]

@saraj91,

You are such a bright spot to me!  I hope I meet you in person one of these days; I think we would have a blast together!  Yes, I am planning some "revenge stepping," as you call it, even now.  We are getting some unseasonably warm weather this weekend, and the urge to move has overcome me!  After a hard workout in the pool, I nevertheless want to take a bike ride today (I haven't been on my bike since August; how fun this will be!!) and go for a run!!  I cannot let a 70 degree day in Illinois--in February, no less!!--go without some great working out!! I am going to grade a stack of papers (taking care of my work responsibilities first, like a dedicated Prof), and then I'm hitting the road, Jack!! Keep your eyes on the challenge, Sara, for this might just be Swimr's time in the sun...lol!!

[swimr12265]

Hey @RubyH,

What is LCHF?  Anything that might help me reach my goal is certainly worth considering.  Keep at it, and best of luck to you!  

Okay, you don't have to answer the question (for like the 5th time, I see!).  If I had read the posts after yours instead of run my big mouth (as per usual), I would have seen your answer, and answer, and answer. lol. Thanks again!

[swimr12265]

Hey @Chlz1997,

I keep forgetting about your iPhone issue, so I should probably stop inviting you to the challenges...lol!  Be sure to keep us posted about when you upgrade because it will be fun to have you join the challenges.  I am having loads of fun trying to catch up with @saraj91 and a couple other people (I'm going to try to overtake them this week since we are finally getting some nice weather in Illinois!).  Thanks for the info about what you are doing to lose weight, also.  One thing I have never done with any success or consistency is track what I eat in a literal sense (I know exactly what I consume every day, though); maybe this would help me.  I will definitely keep it in mind.  Keep up the great work!

[sgbaumann]

You know your own body, so go for it!  You need that sleep though, my friend!  I applaud your swimming goals, I have tried taking swim lessons and it just has not clicked with me!  You go girl!

[swimr12265]

@Samalama217,

Happy belated birthday!!  I am a big proponent of treating oneself on that MOST special of days (as you probably recall.  Unfortunatley, I tend to think every other day is a special day; I really need to stop--lol)!!  I am happy to hear that you did so.  Now that you've had your fun, get ready for some challenges, girlfriend!!  So happy to "see" you again!!