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

[sgbaumann]

Fell off the wagon a bit this week (both the hot dog special in my cafeteria yesterday and a few glasses of wine last night!) so only lost 1/2 pound.  But a half is that much closer to the finish line!

USW: 190

CSW: 189 (2/16/16)

CW: 179.5 (3/10/16)

GW: 150

UGW: 140

[SQUEAKY]

Hi everyone,

Weight loss has been a little slow going for me.  😞

Start 2/21/2016 145 lbs.

3/11/2016 143 lbs.  15 days to reach goal!!!   Ohhhh nooo!!!

Goal weight 137.

[scottie0714]

@Chlz1997 No worries!  It looks like you didn't go over too much.  You will lose that small gain this upcoming week!  Good Luck!

[DJC_63]

I could use some wisdom to soothe my anxiety, if anyone reads this. I've been sick to the stomach for over a week now. I thought it was some kind of bug, and I felt a little better on Wed. (the whole week had been warm and I was stuck inside sick), so I went to the gym. I'd only had 4 hours of sleep the night before so I didnt have lots of energy, but I did 35 minutes on the elliptical and some ab exercises, etc. It was my first workout in almost a week, and with other things I got over 10K for the day, which is a lot for me.

I didn't eat much that day, since eating is what triggers the stomach problems (regardless of what I eat).  I woke up in the middle of the night and was deathly sick, plus my legs were cramping. Yesterday I was still sick and majorly sleep-deprived so I didn't get any exercise.  I made a Dr. appt for Monday because I have no idea what the problem is. I don't often get sick. I have lost several pounds which I'm happy about, but it bothers me that I don't feel well enough to exercise. I'm afraid that I'm going to lose everything I've accomplished the past few months. How do you guys handle down time when you can't exercise?

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[OCDOC]

Week 4 check-in

USW 246

CSW 223

LstWk 216

Today 215.4

CGW 215

UGW 200?

Almost there 🙂

@DJC_63  I wouldn't worry about long term momentum loss when sick. Get better, then carry on!  Rob K

[Samalama217]

That really stinks, @awood08!  But you know what they say...that weight loss is 80% nutrition.  Just focus on eating right and just do what you can as far as exercise.  I'm sure you will be okay.  Good luck with the toes!  I used to have that problem as well.  They did some laser thing on one of my toes years ago and I never had problems again.  Just know that once your toes heal, you probably won't have to worry about ingrown toenails every again! 

[Samalama217]

Wow, @RubyH!  Fantastic job!  I guess counting your macronutrients really works, huh?! 

[Samalama217]

A couple of days late with my update here...

It seems as though I am back on track!  The hunger monster is gone for the time being and I am actually feeling full and satisfied lately.  No crazy snacking binges.  I've also been able to hit my step goal several days this past week.  Here's hoping the trend continues!  I'm not feeling confident that I'll reach my GW by the end of the month, but that's okay.  I'm just hoping I can get back to my starting weight or a little below.

Starting weight (2-10-16): 137.8 lbs
2-17-16: 137.4 lbs
2-25-16: 138 lbs

3-2-16: 139.4 lbs (this is a weight gain challenge, right? 😛 )

3-9-16: 138.4 lbs
Goal weight by Easter: 135 lbs

[DJC_63]

Incidentally, I'm down to 194 now so I'm going to be optimistic and change my goal weight.  It was 196.  Here's my check-in a few days early:

USW - 207.5 (1/14/15)

CSW - 202 (1/1/16)

PW -   198.0 (2/28/16)

PW - 195.8 (3/6/16)

CW -   194.0 (3/11/16)

GW - 190.00

UGW - 170.00

[DJC_63]

I understand your fears, @awood08, but you're in such a good place.  I would panic if they told me no elliptical, walking, running, etc. but after the initial panic subsides you remember all of the other things that you can do.  I think pilates is great and I don't think you need to be on your feet at all for a good pilates workout.

It sounds like you're very motivated to keep fit so I'm sure that you'll find lots of ways to get some exercise in. Is the procedure painful? I hope that your toes won't hurt too much afterwards or that they'll give you some pain meds.

[bluenose1962]

I look forward to these posts, as they are another small reminder that pops up now and again that help to keep fairly on track.

I am sort of looking forward to comparing the weeks weight with the last weigh in, but decided to take a different approach this time.

About 18 months ago, I used the Flex, to lose 35lbs in 4 months to get down to 155lbs, but I felt that this was too extreme, with the steps becoming obsessive (reaching 30k per day).

I started a new job, in the New Year (2015) and with the 120 miles a day round trip, and being a lone parent, the discipline soon went.

Starting out again this year, I have lost 21lbs in just under 7 weeks, but I am now using the Surge, as I use my underlying OCD to feed off the additional information.

Due to less spare time, I have decided to use some of my time in the gym rather than spend hours of aimless walking.

I have decided that the money I am investing in a Personal Trainer is money that I would have otherwise spent in the pub, so I am hoping that this time the results will not appear as drastic and result in a better general health, as well as a less severe appearance from the rapid weight loss.

I fear that I will not reach the Easter target, but must admit that in an almost sinister way am almost enjoying this challenge.

Once I get down to the UGW, I worry that exercise may become the next addiction.

Happy days !

[HelenKr]

@DJC 63 - Hang in there! Hopefully you will get some answers at the dr on Monday. I've been struggling with a sore foot and not getting a lot of exercise either. Just got a new Fitbit and have 12k steps today. My foot hurts though. Hoping I can just power through it. Take care and good luck.

[RubyH]

Yes, @Samalama217, I have to be very OCDC with my macros at this stage with less than a stone to lose now, and I have had to back up a little on my exercise as I dont like my HR ranges but will get it checked out. 

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@Samalama217 wrote:

Wow, @RubyH!  Fantastic job!  I guess counting your macronutrients really works, huh?! 

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[DJC_63]

Oh, foot pain can be horrible. One summer I had plantar fasciitis AND my knee got really bad. I felt like a 90 year old hobbling around. Have you had trouble with your foot before?

Once I get this nausea/stomach problem thing sorted out I have to make an appointment with my ortho Dr. My knee has been hurting a lot recently so I guess I'd better not wait too long to see what's going on there.  And then a have to have a biopsy procedure but they sound pretty sure that the mass is just fibrous tissue so I'm not worrying about that too much. Just so many little things taking away from my exercise days! 

But thanks so much for the comment, @HelenKr. I hope that your foot feels better.

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@HelenKr wrote:
@DJC 63 - Hang in there! Hopefully you will get some answers at the dr on Monday. I've been struggling with a sore foot and not getting a lot of exercise either. Just got a new Fitbit and have 12k steps today. My foot hurts though. Hoping I can just power through it. Take care and good luck.

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[hadley1979]

Hi all, so sorry to here that so many of you are having health issues, sending virtual hugs your way. I am thinking of you x

There are lots of also doing fab I see. Well done guys, you are doing an amazing job c

My current stats

Usw 145lb
sw 138lb
Cw 121lb
Gw 120lb

[Bobbinyc]

@awood08  Hi again.  It's been awhile as I've been sidetracked with foot surgery, unrelated to the plantar facia problem I had last year.  That's a lot of time not walking and getting cabin fever.  So, I want to respond to your toe problem.

You can totally manage this.  I have no doubt, don't doubt yourself.  I have seen how you have hung in there through set backs and come out stronger.  This is never about the number on the scale.  It is about health, taking charge of your life and well-being, and being strong.  You did a great thing taking care of your feet, just as you have done an amazing job taking care of your nutrition and muscles etc.  This is just one set-back.  Life has many.  So what.  We get a little side tracked and then move forward again.  You have strong skills that enable you to take good care of yourself and nothing - NOTHING- can take that away.  Even if the scale goes up while you are off your feet - so what.  You will be back on track stronger than ever and the scale will go down.  Mostly, you are always getting stronger in all kinds of ways, much more meaningful than a number on a scale.  

When I can finally get around again I am going to be taking great care of myself and it will eventually start to show - with the scale, with energy, with strength and with health.  So, complain all you need to because sometimes life is hard, but then get back to knowing you got this.

[ffcarpy]

Four business lunches and some late night negotiations.  Even though I tried to order healthy, it was a tough week (I bet those scallops were sauteed in real butter!).  Because I didn't really understand the GW part when I first posted,  I am going to set it at 209 with 15 days left - so here is to pushing hard for these last 2 weeks!

USW- 227 (When I went to the doctors and stepped on the scale)

CSW- 224 (2/1/2015) (When I decided to do something about the extra pounds)

XSW - 217 (2/14/2015)

GW- 198 (before I realized what this really meant)

GW for 3/27 = 209

UGW- 190 (186 is on the high end of BMI scale for 6' male)

CW- 213

[HelenKr]

@DJC_63 Oh my, things do add up.  Hopefully everything will be resolved without too much trouble.  Feel better!

[Elansc]

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@DJC_63 wrote:

Oh, foot pain can be horrible. One summer I had plantar fasciitis

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Oh that brings back bad memories!  I couldn't believe how much that hurt!!!  And how helpful it is to stretch your feet!!  Who knew?!

Hope that all is well DJC_63!  

[Elansc]

Weigh in was this morning and I am down another 1.5 pounds -- in the 170's!!!

I met my 10K step goal every day (and every day since February 1st!!!) 

Still trying to eat between 1700-1800 calories -- Managed to do that 5 of 7 days….  Two days in a row I was at 1865 - both days I wasn't logging throughout the day (sigh!  I will never learn)  This week I am going to try to up how much water I drink throughout the day…

Weight on Feb 15th 184.2
Weight on Feb 21st 181.8
Weight on Feb 28th 181

Weight on Mar 3rd 180

Weight on Mar 13th 178.5
GW 177 (by Easter)
UGW 165 (by June 30)

Hope that everyone has a healthy week!!  All this talk about plantar fasciitis is reminding me to go and do a bit of foot stretching!!