Determined December Challenge 2019

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baconslave
baconslave Posts: 6,954 Member
There's a statistic always going around that something like 25% of people will gain weight between Halloween and New Year's. It's Holiday season. We're busy with work, school, get-togethers, and shopping. It's easy to just say to heck with it and cave. And wake up on New Year's Day and looking in the mirror, unhappy with what extra weight we've gained. It happens to the best of us.

There's lots of treats around. But many of us can manage to hit our goals and not gain. Some of us will even lose a few pounds, or gain insight into our own patterns when faced with pressure.

Planning ahead and keeping an eye on the basics are two of the most important focal points if we want to keep on the up and up in the face of all the junk and goodies rampant this type of year.

This month you can focus on the low-carb basics to lose weight or maintain. Or choose a fitness goal. Whatever. And keeping tabs on your goal reinforces good habits that will serve you through through weightloss or Maintenance Land.

We're shooting for Determined December. Some people choose to handle this time of year completely on-plan, supplementing low-carb recipes for all our bad-ol' favorites.

This may not be realistic for some. After all, there are many temptations in our faces this month. And a lot of celebrations. What I have done in the past was pick 1 or 2 events that were most important, enjoy them that day, and the next day was immediately back on track. No guilt, but no excuses. Every other time, I planned ahead. Eat before going to a carby event or bring plan-approved goodies. Sometimes I just plain fast until the event so I can enjoy in moderation. I actually lost weight in December of 2014, before I hit my goal weight. It can be done.

You can pick either strategy, but in this challenge monitoring your personal plan Basics or goals are what makes the difference.

Consistency + Persistence + Time = Success

I really can't parrot that cliché formula enough. Because it's true.


Any low-carb plan is welcome. Just post your monthly goals and/or beginning weight, or if you are just planning to maintain through the month, or have NSVs to achieve, check-in daily or weekly with how well you did.

An example of what I call your plan "Basics":
  • Staying under carbs
  • Staying under calories
  • Logging and measuring
  • Getting in exercise/movement if that's one of your goals
  • Keeping an eye on electrolyte levels
  • Getting enough water
  • Planning ahead

In fact you can c&p that checklist and list the ones you met, or not.
Or you can just chat about your day, or which goals you met, or what challenges you faced that day that you overcome. Get advice, share recipes, give support, and yadda yadda yadda. (Blast from the past to the younger crowd. :smirk: )
Determined December is possible!
We are DETERMINED to maintain, and maybe even lose, this year.
We are DETERMINED to not let December run rough-shod over us, right?
We CAN do this.



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Replies

  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 6,954 Member
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    Feel free to go ahead and post your goals if you've a mind to. To make sure you get notifications when this thread is updated to remind you to come update your efforts, click the Star near the thread title. You're supposed to get notified when you post in a thread, but that doesn't always work properly here in Groups.


  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
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    I am determined to lose 3 lbs this December.
    I am determined to workout 6 days a week.
    I am determined to log 6 days a week.
    I've done the math.
    I've got the plan (P90X3 + some BBL).
    I'm determined to be compliant!
    r3e2w6rpm0m8.png
  • weatherking2019
    weatherking2019 Posts: 943 Member
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    I'm IN!! Thx for this @baconslave !!

    1. FOCUS ON MAINTAINING (or lose a pound or two)
    2. PLAN ACTIVE HOLIDAY FUN (Going to AZ for winter break/Hiking is on my list)
    3. SCHEDULE WORKOUTS (just booked 12 OTF classes)
    4. GET EXCITED ABOUT LOOKING GOOD AT HOLIDAY PARTIES (because!!)

    I'm 47, 5'2" and currently 108, 19.4%
    Totally DETERMINED to maintain this!😎
    My diet will be MORE VEGGIES. I'm going to focus on less carbs and moderate meat consumption. That seems to work for me. Easy digestion and more energy than straight keto.
  • vkrenz
    vkrenz Posts: 183 Member
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    I'm excited to join this group and determined to do my best over the holiday season.

    I am 54, 5'8", and am 280 lbs. I have gotten rid of 30 lbs so far but have many, many to go.

    1. Lose 5 lbs b/t today and 12/31/19
    2. Stay under carb goal (> 35) and under calorie goal (>1,500) every day
    3. Exercise every day at least 30 minutes, walking on treadmill or outside if weather permits
    4. Plan ahead every day which is challenging with so many potluck opportunities and I love to socialize.

    I love that strategy- Consistency+Persistence+Time=Success. I plan to print that saying and post it at my desk at work, refrigerator, stove, and car.

    Thank you for starting this group.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
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    I'm determined to work out 5 days a week in December.
    I'm determined to eat SLOW carb throughout the month.
    I'm determined to lose *some* weight.
    I'm determined to get restful restorative sleep.
  • al4374
    al4374 Posts: 44 Member
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    Thanks @baconslave for starting a challenge thread again! Excited about the motivation that accountability provides :)

    I am determined to log 6 out of 7 days of the week.

    I’m still figuring out my ideal carb level for breastfeeding. I though 100g was ok but I think I may need more like 150. Hoping to get all the way back down to keto levels again one day but not yet it seems...
  • Violet_Flux
    Violet_Flux Posts: 481 Member
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    Hey @baconslave thanks for setting up the challenge! We got lucky & checked in here in time to join in. :smile:

    Our goals for december aren't that big, but that whole conistency+persistence+time thing is smart stuff. We're not bothering with a scale, just knowing if we can follow that formula things'll work. Goals are:
    1) Stay under the carb goal
    2) eat enuf calories, but not too much
    3) log everything
    4) hit our activity goal every day
    5) workout at least 5x a week

    We kinda just started this on monday, tbh, so we're getting like abit of a headstart on december. :smiley:

    We probably wont remember to check in here like very day, cos amnesia & stuff but we'll try.
  • herblovinmom
    herblovinmom Posts: 354 Member
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    Hi, this is my first group challenge, super excited to see how I mentally and physically respond to my goals without a goal specialist (I came from Noom)
    I am determined:
    Staying under carbs-50g total
    Staying under calories-1500 per day
    Logging and measuring-Daily
    Getting in exercise/movement-3x/week
    Increasing water intake
    Planning ahead meals-for late nights and holiday events
    I would like to lose weight (at least 4 pounds) And I would like to lose another inch off my hips and an inch off my waist.
    Starting challenge weight is 199
    Starting waist measurement is 38
    Starting hip measurements is 46

    Not sure if these are attainable goals. But I’m gonna go for it 👍

    I’ll pop in every Monday to share results, weekly updates, nsv’s, etc.
  • TheDevastator
    TheDevastator Posts: 1,626 Member
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    I'm determined to get VR setup this December and exercise with it. Beat Saber is a blast, so is Creed Boxing.
  • mrsjar5311
    mrsjar5311 Posts: 514 Member
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    I'm in!

    I have just 4 goals.

    150g of carbs or less daily
    500 calorie deficit daily (20:4 IF)
    1 hour of exercise daily
    2 litres of water daily
  • kjs1228
    kjs1228 Posts: 1,462 Member
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    I'm in! My goals are:

    1. 5 days of exercise a week
    2. 20-4 IF schedule
    3. Increase sleep
    4. 8 glasses of water a day
    5. Low.carb
    6. Have fun

    Karen
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 6,954 Member
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    So great to see people joining in!
    I'm a bit MIA as I have family covering me up this weekend. I'll bbl.
  • maureenkhilde
    maureenkhilde Posts: 850 Member
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    I am in. This will dovetail right in with my other challenge I do monthly.

    Staying under carb goal of 55 per day, I normally bank a few for weekend
    Logging every day, Measuring all foods
    Exercising 6 days a week, 45 minutes minimum.
    Weigh in once a week, on Saturdays
    Stay away from real deal Holiday sweets, convert to alternate flours and alternate sugars.
    Be in control, reap the rewards.
    Starting weight 11/30/2019 231
    Lose 3 lbs in December 2019
  • taylok23
    taylok23 Posts: 819 Member
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    I’ve become lax with my carbs over the last few months so this comes at a good time. I’m downright over logging everything so I’ll commit to ad libitum for the month and listen to my hunger cues (maybe it will stick this time!) while keeping carbs in check.
    I will also add more water to my day rather than reaching for diet soda.
    Lastly, I’ll focus on getting more NEAT into my days. I get regular exercise but could stand to be more active during the day, especially at work or if I’m off.
  • Violet_Flux
    Violet_Flux Posts: 481 Member
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    The first day of December is finished for us, so doing our first check-in of the month.

    1) Stay under our carb goal: Done!
    2) Eat enough calories, but not too much: Done!
    3) Log everything: Done!
    4) Hit our activity goal every day: Done!
    5) Workout at least 5x / week: 1 down, 4 to go.

    We hope everyone else's month is off to a good start too! :smiley:
  • Luciicul
    Luciicul Posts: 415 Member
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    My Determined December plan is split into two portions:

    A) The next roughly 2.5 weeks (prior to me spending time with my extended family).
    Goal: Lose 1kg /2.2 lbs
    Plan: Just to keep doing everything I am already doing: I am in a great habit of eating, exercising, sleeping, and fasting well, and am consistently losing weight as a result.

    B ) The two weeks over the Christmas period (which I will spend with extended family).
    Goal: End the month weight-neutral, at no more than 71.4 kgs (157.4 lbs). (I.e. I might gain a little over Xmas, but have this balanced by the weight loss in the preceding weeks). This would keep me in the "healthy" BMI range - something I worked hard this year to reach after previously being category 3 obese.

    Plan:
    • Stick to liberal LCHF wholefood diet, with the only exception being a small serve of Christmas pudding on Xmas day. Work with family members to schedule a meal plan to ensure suitable meals. Fill up with a large healthy lunch (when I have most control over my food), and eat a small serve of dinner with family. Always have a plan B in case something unexpected is served - a fall back meal I can quickly pull out (boiled eggs, leftovers, etc).
    • Fast at least 4 days during the fortnight. Remember "when in doubt; fast" rather than caving into eating whatever is served.
    • Moderate drinking: no more than 2 glasses of red wine on any given day.
    • 30 mins exercise daily, even if it is just going for a walk around the block. Do early morning yoga in the lounge room before anyone else is up.
    • Get up at 6am as usual, allowing for two sleep-ins per week max. If others are consistently staying up too late, just go to bed early anyway.
    • Walk away from stressful conversations, use a mindfulness app & gratitude journal to manage stress.
  • herblovinmom
    herblovinmom Posts: 354 Member
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    DAY 1
    I am determined:
    Staying under carbs-50g total- YES
    Staying under calories-1500 per day- YES
    Logging and measuring-Daily- YES
    Getting in exercise/movement-3x/week- 0/3
    Increasing water intake - NO:(
    Planning ahead meals-for late nights and holiday events- YES

    I would like to lose weight (at least 4 pounds) And I would like to lose another inch off my hips and an inch off my waist.
    Starting challenge weight is 199
    Starting waist measurement is 38
    Starting hip measurements is 46
  • al4374
    al4374 Posts: 44 Member
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    Would u believe I forgot yesterday was the 1st? My only goal this month is to log all my food which I did. So ✅ for Day 1
  • weatherking2019
    weatherking2019 Posts: 943 Member
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    My intention was:
    I'm 47, 5'2" and currently 108, 19.4%
    Totally DETERMINED to maintain this!😎

    But reality is 111, 20.4% on 12/2.
    Indulged a bit over the holidays- Back to watch what I am feeding myself and burning the calories!
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 6,954 Member
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    al4374 wrote: »
    Would u believe I forgot yesterday was the 1st? My only goal this month is to log all my food which I did. So ✅ for Day 1

    It's all too easy to do. Especially for me on Turkey Day Weekend. My hubby is off work today too and nothing normal will happen today as a result. *sigh*