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

[hadley1979]

Low Carb High Fat

[RubyH]

LCHF stands for Low Carb Hi Fat

Sent from my iPhone

[IamRBrown]

Yuck...  stuck on 190 or there about...  can drop about 1 below or 1 above, but not beat it!  On a brighter note, I hit my goal of 10K steps yesterday!  That is only the second time I've managed that one since I started wearing a fitbit in July of last year...  my short term goal is to hit 7000 or better 5 days a week and I manage that about 1/2 of the time.

Stats:

I'm in...  hope the weather will break so I can be out more & move those numbers more this go...

CSW:  190

CW:     190

CGW:  185

UGW:  160

Ruth

Ruth

[Chlz1997]

Weigh in day for me!

loss of 1.2 #

USW - 220 (Jan 1, 2016)
CSW - 217.6 (Feb 11, 2016)
W1 - 216.4 (Feb 18, 2016 {-1.2#})
GW - 209 (5% loss)
UGW 160

I'm pleased with my progress!  I was up 3# on Monday (almost back to my SW ) after a very off-plan weekend so to be able to get that back off plus some makes me extremely thrilled!   I have a desk job so anything over 4500-5000 steps a day I have actively worked for. I love the dashboard charts - so fun to see all my stats in one place!

I have received many invites for the Weekend Warrior and Workweek Hustle challenges - unfortunately I still have an iphone 4 that won't support these but looking at upgrading soon so I can join in on those fun challenges too!  Thanks for the invites!!

In addition to recording my weight, I also like to point out a NSV (non-scale victory) each week.  As sometimes, the scale just won't budge but there are other areas to be excited about.  This week, my NSV is for my calves.  While shaving this morning I noticed how much firmer they feel and I am actually starting to get a little bit of definition. woohoo!!!

Tips that help me - which all seem really basic...

1.) DRINK plenty of water - I see my best results when I get around 80 oz of water a day.

2.) TRACK your food - I absolutely love that my fitness pal syncs with fitbit so I only have to log it once and I much prefer my fitness pal because of the barcode scanning feature - makes tracking soooo easy!

Hope everyone is doing well & making progress.  I look forward to reading your posts 

[Chlz1997]

@IamRBrown congrats on your steps!  Keep working towards your goal - you can do it!!  there have been a few times where I pace around the house trying to get the last 1000 steps in before bed - find little things like walking in place while doing dishes or brushing your teeth to help.  Just keep moving forward - one step at a time 

[IamRBrown]

Lol...  I did laps in the house last night to get the last 200 in...   Dog and cat thought I was nuts
Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE Smartphone

[KimShea]

Forgot to weigh in yesterday.  This week has not been good.  I do terribly on weekends, and it was a long weekend of volleyball tournaments and traveling.  Ended last challenge on an uptick in weight too, so ready to regroup. 

Was at tourney on Valentine's so couldn't weigh.  so:

USW 235

CSW (2/13) - 177.2

CW (2/18) - 178.6 Boo.

CGW - 174

UGW - 145

[MegCH]

I'm in again! Just did the New Year to Valentine's and did very well - passed my goal of 168! Here's my info for this time:

USW: 175 (Thanksgiving 2015)

CSW: 165.5 (2-13-16)

GW: 158

UGW: 150

CW: 165.5 (2-18-16)

[Samalama217]

I am also in again.  Had my best challenge ever with the New Year's the Valentine's one.

USW: 163 (3/1/15)

CSW: 137.4 (2/17/16)

GW: 135 (I hope to lose more, but my body is really fighting me being at this weight so not expecting much)

UGW: 130

I have not weighed today as yesterday was my birthday and I ate, drank, and was merry.  I didn't want to see the number on the scale this morning. lol.  I'll be back with a proper weigh-in on Wednesday.  Good luck to all.

[Bogdel]

Hi, Sheri, and welcome to the challenge. I bought my fitbit at the beginning of the year and joined this group in the previous (Valentine) challenge. I am 62 and 5'5. I was 183 on January 5, and reached 171 lbs by Valentine Day. I tried to eat healthy (mainly raw vegies, salads, bean or vegie soup, and nuts), and to stay away from starch and fats. I ate meat too, but in moderation. I use nuts in my salads and oatmeal. I tried to walk daily for 20-30 minutes. I didn't always make it (bad weather or simply tired), but I think I walked about 4-5 times a week on average. I also log my food and pay attention to the feedback I get from FitBit in the Dashboard. It's fun and challenging. I think you will love it, too!

My new goal now is to reach 160 lbs by Easter. Like you, I hope I can make it, because it has been a very long time since I weighed that "little" (it seamed much at the time! - smiling). My ultimate goal is to reach 150 lbs, and then decide if I want to stay there, or lose some more. 

Best wishes to you!

[Bogdel]

Hi, Kerry! You can do it! Keep in mind that it took a long time to gain that weight, and it will take time to lose it. Set small goals at a time. This group is very good about timing the goals. If you can loose 10 lbs at a time, celebrate (without indulging!!!) and then set the new 10 lbs goal, you will see the difference both in the way you feel and look, and will be encouraged to keep going. We are all here to cheer each other up, and to encourage each other when needed. The main thing is to try to walk at least 30-30 minute every day, to eat healthy(think green!), and to watch your calorie intake. Keep it up, friend!

Best wishes to you!

Ellie

[Bogdel]

Hi, Lusry! Welcome to Colorado! I live in Colorado, too! What kind of house are you looking for? I live in a townhouse community in SE Denver, and I see some houses for sale in my area, as I walk. Buying a house is a big step. I hope you will find what you are looking for, soon. Let me know if I can help with anything!

Best wishes to you!

Ellie

[Bogdel]

Hi. @Elle0904! I am impressed and inspired by your plan, discipline and determination. I will look up some of your resources and try them. The weather started to warm up here, in Colorado, so I can take my walks daily (no more excuses!). In the last challenge I tried to walk about 20-30 minutes a day (weather permitting), and to major on raw food, low carbs, no fat, very little meat. I lost about 12 lbs. I am trying to lose another 10 lbs by Easter, Lord willing. 

Best wishes to you!

Ellie

[ProudMama]

Starting weight 180lbs, just joined Fitbit 2/16/16 , I would like to set my goal as 12 pounds by Easter. Looking for encouragment partners and friendly competition 😄

[Elle0904]

Thanks @Bogdel!!

I've been really good for the last two weeks about doing meeting my goals.  I have gotten anywhere between 10-14K steps each day this week.  I will not go to sleep until I reach that 10K steps goal; even if it means walking in circles in my house!

The meal prepping I did during the weekend worked out AWESOME!  I am meal planning tomorrow for next week and will prepare it during the weekend.  I still have some chicken left over, and tonight I am making zucchini boats (dinner and lunch tomorrow).

I signed up for Zumba class tonight ($5.00)...something fun to get my extra steps tonight (currently at 5,392-- desk job!).  I also found a 45 minute beginner weight training class for $7.50/class!  So I will be doing that every Tuesday night.  I need to learn to weight train (proper form) so that I can start heavy lifting. 

I haven't been this motivated ever!  This weight needs to come off!

[kmme]

 I am so pumped and excited for this challenge , and welcome to everyone new and "old" . I don't post a lot but i do read everything posted and just wanted to say good luck to all. 

Official weigh in day for me is Wednesday so no weight yet ( i am trying to be a little less obsessed with the scales these days )  Today i had a great day , minor back surgery last week , so first day i really have worked out in 2 weeks , feeling good:)

Keep up the great progress everyone

[CalicoJane]

Just finished walking  Somedays it just HARD  but got my 10,000 plus done~ Not bad for 60 years and a shot knee.  Thanks Fitbit and myfittnessplan for keeping me on track! 

[kmme]

 Ok everyone ,how do you get your profile pic to show up?  Wow i'm finally comfortable enough to add a picture for me that's a huge step. I used to hate getting my picture taken

Thanks in advance 🙂

[kmme]

 Oh got it , thanks

[Thyroid_issues]

I'm doing the Weekend Warrior Challenge this weekend - wanna join me?