Participant Updates
Replies
-
July 4th, 2013
This is a great challenge - everybody is helping each other out!
I read a suggestion from @moneil25:
"Does anyone else have any tips or tricks that helps them to stay on track and motivated? Your tips might be a great help to someone else."
Here is what has helped me out as I take small steps to health
Quotes / Slogans / Beliefs
"Eat enough to fuel your workouts" - This!
"This is a lifestyle not a diet" - I tell myself this every day.
"Slow and steady wins the race" - I read success stories all the time and they are about permanent, sustainable changes made by individuals who had realistic expectations.
"Muscle is denser than fat - a lb of muscle will take up less space than a lb of fat"
"Don't get caught in one exercise - mix it up: walking / weights / HIIT / running / Insanity / swimming etc. etc. etc."
Measure your progress in as many ways as possible
in no particular order..
Inches - lost or gained
Pictures
Physical challenges - how many pushups in 30 minutes, how fast to run a mile
Resting Pulse Rate
Learn to use a Heart Rate Monitor properly
Get a fitbit, Nike Fuelband, etc. etc. etc.
Learn different ways to measure bodyfat
Go to doctor and check Blood Pressure, Cholesterol etc.
Find a pair of pants that you can't get into now and try them on every day.
The scale - don't freak out if you have big weight fluctuations, it is what it is.
Good scale tip - If you measure every day - take a 10 day running average of your weight, make a new item to track in MFP, and watch "real progress"
Staying on track
I plan my days. If I know that I am going to a barbeque, I make sure that I plan accordingly and exercise enough so that I can enjoy it.
Do the research and find out how many calories you really need to eat and stick to the plan. I used to literally try to eat 1200 calories a day to lose weight. It would work for three days, then I would yo-yo and gain it all back. Plus, I never had any energy to workout! Now I am slowly losing weight eating 1900-2100 calorie days per day non lifting days. I am 5'7", 191 lbs, 30% bf, and trying to get to 15% bodyfat.
Here are some things I have learned on MFP which have helped me:
-- I read and I learn gradually - long way to go!
http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819925-the-basics-don-t-complicate-it
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1016017-help-with-tdee-bmr-bmi
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1035594-explain-why-weights-please
And Finally ----
I personally feel that if I did not lose any inches, lose any weight, did not get stronger.. I would still eat with this new lifestyle and exercise like I do just for the way it makes me feel!
And... it is "your" journey, not anyone else's - you know what is best for you!0 -
0
-
Guys I'm so excited to report I kep within my calorie goal today! Normally holidays is a excuse to pig out but this a first and I am so proud of me!! Yay!! :flowerforyou:0
-
Savedbygrace2 congratulations for keeping in control. We all know how easy it is to make excuses, or maybe without even realizing what we are doing, we over eat because there is an abundance of food . You have just shown your strength and commitment0
-
Did everyone survive 4th of July? Nashville fireworks show was awesome this year, despite the rain we had here.0
-
nice to hear that so many are doing great. we all have our ups and downs. nice to know that someone is always on hear to listen to the highs and lows. my fasting day was great, finally found something that is easy for me. keep up the great work and commitment.
:drinker: 0 -
Great to be part of this community.
Turnaround: Thanks for the resume; very well put.0 -
@savedbygrace2Guys I'm so excited to report I kep within my calorie goal today! Normally holidays is a excuse to pig out but this a first and I am so proud of me!! Yay!! :flowerforyou:
Awesome! - This is real power - Congratulations!
@juliste
Thanks - This is a great supportive challenge!0 -
I survived July 4th!!! My next challenge is to survive a trip home (5 hour drive by car) alone with my kids to see my family real quick before I go back to work Monday. So, after I check in tonight, I will check in for Sat and Sun on my return Sunday night.
I've already purchased bottled water because the water back home is not good drinking water. I have Clif's Builder Bars, unsalted peanuts and grapes for back up. I know which two meals we will eat out with family, and have already decided what I will have. The only meals I have not planned are meal times I will likely be on the road, and I think that is when I'll call on the protein bars, peanuts and grapes, but I'm going to look up grilled chicken sandwiches and salads at places I'll have at my disposal along my route so I'll know what to order if we decide to stop for lunch. I'm going to keep a paper log with me, and I'm going to stick to my plan!!!
I figure loading and unloading luggage into and out of the van will knock out about 10 minutes of exercise each day, but I plan to try to get a minimum of 20 minutes, hoping more like 30 before I leave in the morning........and I will do 20-30 minimum when I get home Sunday. I'm also going to challenge myself to fit in a walk around the park whlle the kids are playing back home to offset the 10 total hours of sitting in the van for the trip.............I might even throw in some jumping jacks, lunges and/or dance moves too!!!
My plan is to input it all into my diary on my return Sunday night and post both days to the group! I plan to survive this trip and still be a member of this group come Monday morning when I report to work!
Wish me luck!!!!0 -
Guys I'm so excited to report I kep within my calorie goal today! Normally holidays is a excuse to pig out but this a first and I am so proud of me!! Yay!! :flowerforyou:
Amen to being proud of not over eating on a holiday. I did very good too, most the food was healthy.0 -
another nice day for me today, making saturday my weigh in day.
194 lb, yay I started at 196 so I am happy about that. great to see people on here chatting. keep up the great work, the reward is ours!0 -
We all made it through the fourth, lets see if we can make it through the weekend!0
-
I had a couple of parties on the 4th. Was worried about going over calories and ended up under-eating a little. I really need to write an essay or two, so I can be more relaxed about these things!
Today's my two month mfp anniversary. Lost five pounds this month, bringing my total to 17 pounds lost.0 -
I had a couple of parties on the 4th. Was worried about going over calories and ended up under-eating a little. I really need to write an essay or two, so I can be more relaxed about these things!
Today's my two month mfp anniversary. Lost five pounds this month, bringing my total to 17 pounds lost.
Alright! That's awesome!
Yes, definitely consider writing some essays. They come in handy for holidays and emergency miscellaney (miscellanea?).0 -
another nice day for me today, making saturday my weigh in day.
194 lb, yay I started at 196 so I am happy about that. great to see people on here chatting. keep up the great work, the reward is ours!
Margie, I'm so happy for you! You deserve it after all the hard work you put in last month.0 -
I figure loading and unloading luggage into and out of the van will knock out about 10 minutes of exercise each day, but I plan to try to get a minimum of 20 minutes, hoping more like 30 before I leave in the morning........and I will do 20-30 minimum when I get home Sunday. I'm also going to challenge myself to fit in a walk around the park whlle the kids are playing back home to offset the 10 total hours of sitting in the van for the trip.............I might even throw in some jumping jacks, lunges and/or dance moves too!!!
Wish me luck!!!!
KL,
Good luck!
Loading and unloading luggage is exactly what I mean by "almost anything counts as exercise." Going to the gym is excellent, but you can get a good workout lifting suitcases for 20 mintues too.0 -
Measure your progress in as many ways as possible
in no particular order..
Inches - lost or gained
Pictures
Physical challenges - how many pushups in 30 minutes, how fast to run a mile
Resting Pulse Rate
Learn to use a Heart Rate Monitor properly
Get a fitbit, Nike Fuelband, etc. etc. etc.
Learn different ways to measure bodyfat
Go to doctor and check Blood Pressure, Cholesterol etc.
Find a pair of pants that you can't get into now and try them on every day.
The scale - don't freak out if you have big weight fluctuations, it is what it is.
Good scale tip - If you measure every day - take a 10 day running average of your weight, make a new item to track in MFP, and watch "real progress"
I love this! I hate seeing people quit because of the scale. It's just one (very general) way of measuring progress. My husband is my main method of measurement. If my husband notices I'm smaller, then I'm doing great.0 -
This challenge is working out pretty good for me. On my own I always skip a day,(or weeks), and this way I can't hide a bad day. So far I'm following the Eat to Live nutritarian way of eating by Dr. Furhman, and I have lost 7lbs and my energy level has gone nuts, and all the bloating went away. Have started trying to run, and have been doing yoga, or whatever you'd call what I am doing thats supposed to be yoga.
"or whatever you'd call what I am doing thats supposed to be yoga."
Lol.
I'm glad the challenge is working for you, and congratulations on losing the 7 pounds so far (or more, at this point).0 -
I'm super excited I lost my first 5lbs since I started my weight loss plan last Wed.! Also loss inches in almost all measurements!! :flowerforyou:
Yay!! Super happy for you! 0 -
I have to admit, I over ate in junk food yesterday, that's all I was craving! However if it wasn't for this group, I would have definitely over indulge and blew my calories way out of the water. But today is a new day and I have regain focus and keep my goal in mind! :flowerforyou:0
-
I have to admit, I over ate in junk food yesterday, that's all I was craving! However if it wasn't for this group, I would have definitely over indulge and blew my calories way out of the water. But today is a new day and I have regain focus and keep my goal in mind! :flowerforyou:
I've had those days too. It's not good to eat 1800 calories worth of junk, but that's better than eating 4,000 calories worth of junk, which is what I'd do too if not for the fact that I'd have to report it to you guys.0 -
we don't all make the right choices but we are learning to stay under our calories and that is a step in the right direction, well done for doing just that! :flowerforyou:0
-
thanks caradae, you know it!!! remember July is MINE! lol how are you going?0
-
Great Challenge. I really like reading everyone's updates - this is a really "upbeat" challenge!0
-
Thank you, Turnaround! I like how you have "upbeat" in quotes. Haha.
Margie, I'm doing great! I got a full-time job, which means, in addition to not losing my place (yay!), I'm away from the fridge 40 hours a week, which makes dieting so much easier.0 -
Just checking in to say I'm still here. Lol. Sunday is the start to my reformatted diet and exercise plan. Been stuck for too long and need to get it progressing again.0
-
Hi, phillys. Good luck with the new plan. 0
-
Next week is going to be an interesting because I will be on a 7 day business trip! Airport food, going out to restaurants with co-workers from all over the country, etc. etc. etc.
But a challenge would not be a challenge if it was easy to do .. .would it now?
I really like how this challenge is like the NCAA basketball tournament - You lose one day.. you are out of the tournament!
--- I want to be posting a week from now "Yes, Yes, Yes" because I have kept my focus and stayed in the challenge.
--- I resolve not to be "Challenge Roadkill" LOL0 -
I am back from my trip home, including two gas station stops with the kids each way.......and meals out with family.......and I did it! I came in under calories on both days! I actually stood inside a Dairy Queen on the way home tonight, and let the kids order their dinner........and just ordered Diet Coke. I ate a builder bar and waited until we got home and made salad, AFTER I did 30 minutes on my bike. I would never have made it if not for the challenge!!! Thank you for keeping me on track for the first time EVER in 30 years of making this trip with my kids!!!0
-
I had such a triumph toniht, made a boniffee pie, I did not lick, taste, or smell, was amazed at my self control0
