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

[SunsetRunner]

As you can see, nothing has changed for me. At least today it's not any higher like the other day. Hubby is in hospital right now. Don't know what is wrong yet. This problem has been going on since December. The docs are taking all his tests results from every time hubby's gone in, look them over and formulate a plan of action. Hopefully they will come up with the right answer. I won't be going anywhere today with this weather. My fingertips alone hurt from going to the end of the driveway to bring in garbage and recycling bins. If I do manage to get to hospital, I'll have to bring my own lunch so as not to eat out.

CW- 269

GW- 260

[scottie0714]

@awood08 I like Easter to Memorial Day.  However, I'm good with whatever.  Thanks!

[Sine]

@Chlz1997 - you sound just like me. Have been there, done that with quite a few programs but nothing has really stuck or provided sustained weight loss. I think because my work week is structured in a pattern to go to work, that it is easier for me to stick to a program Monday to Friday so by the time the weekend hits, I'm tired from a long week and often just not hungry so i either don't eat when I should or eat the wrong foods. Like you, sugar and starchy carbs also make me feel tired and just "off" so I do try to steer clear and drinking lots of water will make a significant difference in my weight.

I've been sick with the worst cold I've had in a very long time for the past 2 weeks. My sense of taste is off which doesn't help so I don't feel like eating a lot of the things I should because they just don't taste right. I think I'm finally getting over it so hopefully will be able to reset and get back to my plan on Monday. I must say that my husband is very supportive and within reason will eat what I'm eating so I'm lucky that way and don't have to try and make multiple meals.

On a good note, even with being sick, not eating properly and eating what feels good (lots of tomato soup and crackers), I've manage to lose 1.6 pounds over the past 10 days and I'm holding steady.

[HelenKr]

@awood08 - Thanks for volunteering to start off a new challenge.  Memorial Day sounds good to me.  That's the unofficial start of summer and beach time here in Philly. 

[HelenKr]

@SunsetRunner - Sorry to hear about your husband.  I hope he's feeling better soon. 

[OCDOC]

Had to Google Memorial Day...it's like Remembrance Day in Canada (Nov 11)..a worthy day indeed! 🙂 R

[scottie0714]

Checking in for our final challenge.  I'm taking tomorrow off - so I weighed myself today.  I came in at 8 lbs short of my challenge goal.  I lost 2 lbs this week and have finally arrived in "one"derland! Thanks to everyone for keeping me motivated.  I can't wait for the next challenge! 🙂

USW - 213 (1/14/16)
CSW - 207 (2/12) - Challenge Start
203.5 - 2/19
204 - 2/26
202 - 3/5
201.2 - 3/11
200 - 3/18
198 - 3/24 - Challenge Complete
Challenge Goal: 195
GW - 190 (1st 20 lbs)
UGW - 160

[HelenKr]

@hannahbebrave - Good luck with your dieting efforts!  I'm not very organized, so don't have too much to offer.  I'm just trying portion control and more fruit/vegetables and less carbs.  I have dieted and given a number of times in the past.  One thing that is helping me is I'm being more forgiving of myself, so if I'm don't do great one day, I just try to get back on the bandwagon the next day.  I have seen a number of people here post gains because of parties, whatever, and say that's ok, it was worth it, but I'm back to healthy eating today.  That's been an inspiraiton for me.  Good Luck!

[Chlz1997]

@HelenKr I definitely agree with this:

"One thing that is helping me is I'm being more forgiving of myself, so if I'm don't do great one day, I just try to get back on the bandwagon the next day."

In the past, I have had an "all or nothing" mentality.  Whenever I would gain, I would quit because I couldn't bring myself to see it or mess up my chart (I can be kinda OCD) or accept that I had "failed"...or so I thought.  This time around, I know there will be setbacks and I am ok with that.  I post my gains and accept it and move on as I know this time - it is only temporary. I am NOT giving up, I am making progress....no matter how small  and I truly think this new mindset is making all the difference!

[Chlz1997]

@SunsetRunner sounds like you have a good plan if you go to the hospital.  Prayers that they find out what is going on with your hubby and their action plan relieves his issue.

[Sine]

@HelenKr I find it interesting that so many of us are the same in how we deal with set backs. I have been the same as you in the past - rather OCD about stuff and as soon as I would make a mistake or gain weight, I'd toss the whole thing out because I'd failed ... again. I would put it down to lack of will power or lack of self control. Now I realize that these things are a normal progression in making wholesale changes to my lifestyle.  I didn't get to this weight and lack of fitness overnight and I know that while I could go on some crash diet and lose a ton of weight in a short amount of time, that weight loss is not sustainable, I would not have made life long sustainable changes to my eating habits or fitness habits and it would not be healthy at all.

I too am learning to forgive myself when I fall and not beat myself up. Instead, just start again and as long as I'm seeing progress either on the scale or on the tape measure or how my clothes fit, then I'm okay.

It truely is inspirational to read posts from others who face the same hurdles and challenges as I.

[RubyH]

Happy Easter All

Final Check in for this chalenge

CSW Feb 13, 147.7

W1    Feb 20, 145.1

W2    Feb 28, 144.2

W3    Mar 5,   141.8

GW                 140

W4    Mar 11,  139.6

W5    Mar 19,  137.8

W6    Mar 25,   136.7

UGW                125.7

Weight lost this challenge 11 lbs and only 11 more lbs to lose!

congratulations in your persistance everyone, remember the little baby learning to crawl, to stand to walk, he falls on his butt many, many times but keeps on keeping on until he achieves hos goal, we are no  different in any of our goals, it takes dedication and persistance and it always ends successfully unless you decide that a fall is a failure and you allow it to be so. Keep on keeping on and you will do it. Heart congratulations to all of you for giving it your best shot and keep up the good work. Let your inner awesome shine !

[Elansc]

Congrats scottie0714 for arriving in one'derland!!!

[bluenose1962]

Count me in on that one

I guess that I will have around 10lbs to lose by then so it should all be good

I guess that the challenge after that will be to stay +\- from week to week

The last 9 weeks have been harder than I imagined - must be a tattoo out there somewhere - no gain, no pain !!

Sent from my iPhone

[professorpete]

Glancing at this forum occasionally, along with a couple others, has convinced me to get a fitbit.  You all have a great spirit and are inspiring.  I hope to  join the next challenge.  I can't believe I've been putting this off for almost a year - I remember first time I looked at a discussion it was the Mother's Day to July 4 Challenge.  I'd better stop procrastinating and get moving.  

Hannabebrave - I have been working hard on how I eat and you got some great advice here.  Only thing I can add is to have some very healthy snacks around.  The easier it is to grab, the more likely you are to eat it instead of eating junk.  My go to is apple slices with almond butter.  I also make big batches of chili and freeze some and keep some in the fridge for a meal.  I make a lot of soups, hearty kind, that make a good meal or snack.  They are vegetable soups but I might add some protein to them or eat it on the side.  I also make a huge salad with whatever I have and also just add some beans or chicken or salmon to it. I'm not good at meal planning for the week - I work late at times, and have too many family obligations.  So I just stock up on a variety of basics that I can throw together easily.  Keep a list of a few main meals, a few snacks and keep that on hand.

I did get my whole family to start eating healthier.  It seemed odd to me to be eating better and just watch the people I love eat pizza or sugary stuff.  So, I cook healthy and they almost always join in.  I'm not into letting kids eat poorly because everyone else does.  I just don't allow that anymore.  I also can't cook two meals and can't resist the temptation of bad carbs. They understand and have come around.

I hope this helps.  I can share recipes if that would make it easier for you.

Petey

[Chlz1997]

@professorpete this group is AMAZING!  very supportive, great advice and I look forward to reading everyone's posts.  Stop procrastinating and get that fitbit   we would love to have you join us on the next challenge! 

I have never been good at utilizing my freezer - how long can you store soup and how do you store it?  Do you use Ziplock containers or freeze it in freezer bags or use glass containers?  Then do you just leave it set out to thaw? I like this idea and it sure would help with keeping sodium levels down since most pre-packaged foods typically have way to much!

[IzzieSellars]

Hello! So today was my final weigh in of the challenge and overall I've lost 7lbs so I've got my target weight! Feels so good to finally have reached it 🙂 As it's the holidays, I will relax slightly on what I eat, but I need some advice on how to maintain my current weight. I really don't want to lose more than other pound or two but don't want to gain either. If I carry on my current lifestyle I'll continue to lose but eating more just seems weird after months of hard work to get to this weight.

I thought getting to this weight would sort out some of the problems I saw in myself, and while I see no visual difference I am fitter and I know I'm healthier. However, I'm scared that I'll continue to want to lose weight to attempt to see a difference but I know that too much more and it'll be unhealthy.

Thanks for all the support along the way and I hope you all achieve your goals too!

[HelenKr]

@IzzieSellars - You look beautiful, but please don't lose more weight. Take a look at an online BMI calculator, you don't want to go below a healthy weight.

I hope someone else can advise on healthy eating to maintain an already healthy weight.  I haven't gotten there.

[IzzieSellars]

My bmi says I'm now healthy which makes a change from overweight!

[lusry]

This is my final check-in. I didn't hit my goal weight...and I even went up a bit from last week, but considering its my TOM, and I've been trying to get settled in my new house I'm ok with it. I also didn't go above my starting weight for the challenge. Like someone earlier said, just because you fail, doesn't mean you should give up. I've gotten back into doing my Daily Burn this week, and I've done the Bowflex Max Trainer every day this week since Monday. Monday I did 7 min, Tuesday I did 10 min, Wednesday I did 12 min, and yesterday I did 13 min. I'm hoping to do 15 min today and then maintain that time, but without stops and going up a level. My body fat % has gone down and as soon as my TOM is over I'll measure to see if I've lost any inches.

USW: April 2015 - 185lbs

CSW: 2/12/16 - 177.8lbs

PW: 2/21/16 - 177.1lbs

PW: 2/26/16 - 175.8lbs

PW: 3/4/2016 - 173.7lbs

CW: 3/18/2016 - 175.9lbs

CW: 3/25/2016 - 176.6lbs - end of challenge

GW: 3/27/16 - 170lbs

UGW: 120-125lbs