Determined December Challenge 2019
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Bah! I forgot to wish Happy Hanukkah! But this silly site won't let me go back and edit.
Merry Everything!
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Checking in one last time before the holiday takes over. Around this time last month I had been trying to stick to my plan and when Thanksgiving came I decided to just say screw it and I ate all weekend pretty much. Felt awful but it was the rock bottom I needed to turn that around. I am so proud of my progress the past few weeks! I'm really satisfied with what I am eating, weight keeps going down, strength is going up and I see some more muscle definition. I can't believe the month is almost over and I am feeling this strong and ready to continue another.
But when I am feeling this good I get suspicious
Tomorrow I am planning to eat pie for dessert. I have issues with self control when I consume sugar so I am not sure if it is going to derail me or not, but I have to try. I'll be back checking in on the 26th to let y'all know how I did.
Happy Holidays to all and hope that you are back to report how well you did too!3 -
Checking in for 12/23
1. Lose 5 lbs before 12/31/19 [doing good]
2. Stay under carb goal (< 35) and under calorie goal (<1,500) every day [successful today, being nervous for Xmas eve and Xmas day]
3. Exercise every day at least 30 minutes, walking on treadmill or outside if weather permits [only had time for 30 minutes on the treadmill for 1.8 miles]
4. Plan ahead every day which is challenging with so many potluck opportunities and I love to socialize. [I was able to keep out of the fudge and Christmas cookies knowing that I have planned to eat some on Christmas]
Happy Holidays to everyone and have a Merry Christmas.
Whatever happens over the next couple days know that we can get back on schedule, we've done it before.
Vicki1 -
Day 24 is now done for us here. Got in a workout this morning, calories good, carbs were low. 😺
1) Carbs < 30g - ✅
2) 1000 < Calories < 1500 - ✅
3) Log Everything! - ✅
4) Hit our activity goal every day - ✅
5) At least 5 workouts/week - ◼️◼️◼️◻️◻️
The next 36-48 hours or so will be difficult for us. For various bad-brain reasons, this time of year is especially hard & our main coping mechanisms in the past have all been self-destructive... booze, food, & other more 'direct' methods of harm. 😾
Going to do our best to avoid all of that & stick to the plan. Dunno how we'll do, but whatever happens we'll still be here.
We hope the next few days go well for everybody, whether you celebrate or not. 😺0 -
Yesterday was great for NEAT and water intake but then I had drinks and pizza so hopefully all the activity and exercise balanced that out. Today I plan to skip the potatoes and cheesecake and stick with meat and salad, plus a nice fast. Happy holidays everyone!2
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Merry Christmas everyone!
Yesterday was a good day for me except I missed exercise b/c we were on the road to get to family Christmas. Today I have already had 3 cookies but I have planned for getting back to those goals after the holidays.
Hoping everyone is having a great day!
Vicki, from northern Wisconsin.2 -
Day 25 is done for us. Not a great day, but we got thru it. 😼 We missed our carb goal by like 500% lol... someone just had to have pizza for breakfast again. 😾
MFP says we just squeaked under the calorie goal but with all the carbs I feel like we overate so I marked an X. 😾 We did log everything tho.
And we tried to make it up with some extra activity today too - did our regular morning workout, then also went for a walk & did some more NEAT and stuff.
1) Carbs < 30g - ❌
2) 1000 < Calories < 1500 - ❌
3) Log Everything! - ✅
4) Hit our activity goal every day - ✅
5) At least 5 workouts/week - ◼️◼️◼️◼️◻️
Tomorrow we gotta see the family for the holiday meal & stuff. We'll be trying extra hard to stay on track for that. 😼
Hope everyone else is having a good day today! Its the home stretch now, last 7 days of December! 😸1 -
Mostly staying on track.
But well the 24th and today Christmas day. Well I went way over the carbs. For some reason much worse on the 24th. Hit 91. Today 68. And I caved someone gave me the small package of Ferrero Rocher Fine Hazelnut Chocolates, and I savored each one. So right there 230 caloried and 16 net carbs. Truly the only real big time carby item I have had in over 4 months. So I said ok, enjoy and get back to regular programming.
Plus took an hour walk late afternoon.
I continue to log everything, weigh everything. Even the low carb/keto cookies I made I weighed all the ingredients first.
Christmas Eve, had friends over and we had a huge CRAB LEG feast. I literally ate the crab legs and the garlic lemon butter sauce. And some celery. Others had garlic bread, and or baked potatoes.
And Tiramisu I made for dessert. Two versions one with ladyfingers one Low carb without. Was very good.
Staying right on top of exercising daily. for at least 45 minutes per day.
Weight is up a bit, so need to get back on track on the 26th, believe it is mostly retention, lots more sodium than normal.
Weigh in once a week, on Saturdays
On the 23rd I showed I weighed 228 so down 3 lbs in December. Test will be the Saturday the 28th, and Monday the 30th againb.
I hope everyone had a joyous Holiday, however you celebrate. And remember to show kindness to all you meet. As we never know what burdens others carry.
Onward and downward we shall go.2 -
Doing so so these last few days. The 23rd my husband took me to one of my favorite restaurants so I went well over carbs. Yesterday wasn’t bad and today I stayed under my top end by a smidge. Activity has been mainly hauling babies around. One of the twins had a bad cold these past three days. I also did a good bit of housecleaning yesterday. I have not tried a new recipe yet. I’ve actually not cooked much in days other than our traditional Christmas omelets.2
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Plague is still the word of the day. I'm still feeling better that some of the worst hit but I don't feel great. Between caregiving for sicklies and catering to the silliness of Dad, Sis, and the in-laws, there's been no working out. Not that I've felt like it. I'm hoping I can work something in today. We'll see how it goes. I am on-plan today at least.2
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@baconslave sorry you are still sick
Seeing all of you check in despite not everything going to plan but still logging and doing your best is inspiring. I totally pigged out yesterday, but I had one of the most enjoyable holidays I’ve had in a long time. I usually get super depressed this time of year but lately I feel serene. And I got a workout in! Not because I had to but because I wanted to. So that’s 2 big wins for me.
Also grateful to have stayed the same weight and be back to my normal routine today! Turkey salad for lunch and shrimp and broccoli for dinner, haha.5 -
Check in for December 25.
1. Lose 5 lbs before 12/31/19 [If I can finish strong I'll be able to record 10 lb loss]
2. Stay under carb goal (< 35) and under calorie goal (<1,500) every day [bad, bad day. I waited until after midnight on 12/24 to eat a cookie then after eating Xmas dinner and driving over 3 hours home, I ate Xmas cookies for supper. And that's all I ate was cookies, get it out of my system and out of the house. I was 138 net carbs and over on calories too]
3. Exercise every day at least 30 minutes, walking on treadmill or outside if weather permits [went for a 2 mile walk outside with my brother in law before dinner]
4. Plan ahead every day which is challenging with so many potluck opportunities and I love to socialize. [I planned ahead but the plan failed, haha. I plan to get back to it the rest of this week knowing it may be very difficult after having so many carbs today. I guess we'll see]
The last few days of December are going to set the tone for the New Year for me anyway so I'm more determined than ever to stay on track.
Vicki3 -
@anglyn1 I made the https://joyfilledeats.com/white-lazy-lasagna/ for Xmas eve and it was really really good. I didn't allow the spinach to thaw all the way so there was some extra runniness in the corner that I spooned out. I am going to make the recipe again this weekend and take it to a church potluck.
Thanks again for the recipe!2 -
Since yesterday was a splurge today I am buckling down- while I love being off with my husband, being off schedule is the worst! NEAT remains high but I’m down on water today. Will start working on that now. I have cheesecake in the house I’m attempting to also avoid. Fasted for 16 hours after snacking late last evening. Going to focus on fasting moving forward to only eat twice a day and cut snacks at night.3
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Checking in for Dec 26th. 😺
Today was our family's big get-together dinner thing. There was ham, potato caserole, corn, & i forget what else... and our sister's a great baker & made a big cheesecake for desert... and our mother had candies and chocolates & stuff out too. 🙀
But we stayed on plan. Just had some ham & skipped everything else. 😸
1) Carbs < 30g - ✅
2) 1000 < Calories < 1500 - ✅
3) Log Everything! - ✅
4) Hit our activity goal every day - ✅
5) At least 5 workouts/week - ◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️
Hope everyone's having a good day! 😸2 -
Day 26
I am determined:
Staying under carbs-unknown
Staying under calories-Unknown
Logging and measuring-NO
Getting in exercise/movement-1/3
Increasing water intake-still short
Planning ahead meals-Not so much
I haven’t been logging lately so I’m not sure if I’m meeting my goals. I have eaten small portions of potatoes the last couple days so I’m probably over my carb goal but how do I know if I don’t log. I survived Christmas dinner at my moms. She was an emotional vampire yesterday. Making people feel bad for the health choices they make for themselves. Oh well. I’m just gonna take a break from her. She’s not understanding enough to have a civilized conversation about food and health choices with. I made my own xmas cookies. GF SF Snickerdoodles and ginger snaps and pistachio shortbread cookies all with alternative flours and alternative sweeteners. YUM 😋3 -
Week 4 - this week has been a mess...I actually kind of expected the holidays to throw a wrench in things...but what actually happened was lucifer's waterfall throwing a wrench into the holidays...so stomach unhappy and cramping, so not fun, starting on Tuesday evening...my food intake has been crazy low...Wed looks impressive, but it's not, it's mostly 2 bottles of Ballatore because my stomach is less argumentative about liquid than anything even remotely solid...yesterday it had a whole fit about peanut butter...and dinner was some mashed potatoes which it also had a cow about...feeling like this I haven't been doing any of my scheduled workouts, though I did get quite a few rounds on the elliptical that I didn't log at all before it hit...but that's ok, they still count...nothing since Tuesday when I did a full hour and was feeling amazing, right up until the cramps hit...ugh...it's not super uncommon for me to miss some workouts this time of month, but this is a really bad one even by my standards...hopefully it will all be over soon...tonight we are going bowling...which I am super not feeling up to, but the teen boy is excited, and his girlfriend is coming so there's no just staying in bed with tea and a heat pad...<sigh>...on the bright side - I didn't dive into the holiday food at all this year...and my measurements were ok when I did them last weekend, though I just did the tape measure and not calipers yet...I'll get back to working out in a few more days when all of this runs it's course...and, at least it's just that monthly time, not anything really dangerous or long-term...a few more days of hell and then I'll be back to some semblance of normality.
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Sorry you are having a rough go of it this month @tcunbeliever .
The Plague has hit me full force. Holy BLURGH!
Cold, chills, aches, headache, sore throat, Niagara nose, fatigue.
I had to cancel the kids' playdate today. Boo.
That's all I can manage right now. I managed a decent workout yesterday, but it all went downhill from there. I don't think there'll be one today. I'm just huddling under a blanket in the recliner and making sure my other snotty, hackers are doing ok enough.2 -
Hang in there!0
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Oh goodness baconslave, that plague has been brutal in your household. Hope you and the family are feeling better real soon.1
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check in for December 26.
Not as bad as I thought for craving carbs. The scale was up a bit but that is to be expected since I ate nothing but cookies for Christmas night supper.
1. Lose 5 lbs before 12/31/19 [If I can finish strong I'll be able to record 10 lb loss]
2. Stay under carb goal (< 35) and under calorie goal (<1,500) every day [carbs 24 and calories 1,135]
3. Exercise every day at least 30 minutes, walking on treadmill or outside if weather permits [2.1 mile walk on treadmill]
4. Plan ahead every day which is challenging with so many potluck opportunities and I love to socialize. [good planning for after Christmas, all the cookies are gone in the house and I have left over low carb lazy white lasagna]
We just have a handful of days left, hope everyone is doing well.2 -
Dec 27 check-in. Exhausted today, dunno why. 😾 Maybe cos all the big stuff is finally over. We got our activity in and just barely managed to get a workout done.
1) Carbs < 30g - ✅
2) 1000 < Calories < 1500 - ✅
3) Log Everything! - ✅
4) Hit our activity goal every day - ✅
5) At least 5 workouts/week - ◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️+◼️
We hope everyone has a good weekend! 😺2 -
Sorry I haven't been around sooner. My health condition currently imitates roadkill. This is a terrible cold/flu/thing.
Keep up the great work!1 -
Hey @baconslave, we hope you & the rest of the family are feeling better soon! 💜
Day 28 is done for us! 😺 Hit all our goals today, and made it a perfect 7 for 7 on workouts this week! 😸
1) Carbs < 30g - ✅
2) 1000 < Calories < 1500 - ✅
3) Log Everything! - ✅
4) Hit our activity goal every day - ✅
5) At least 5 workouts/week - ◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️+◼️◼️
We hope everyone's having a good weekend! 😸
Hard to believe its only 3 days left in the year. 🙀0 -
Check in for December 27.
Good day, on target for carbs and calories and exercise.
I got a fitbit for Christmas and I'm having a lot of fun figuring it out. I haven't been able to get to 10,000 steps yet but I'm trying to. It's difficult because I have a sedentary job all day.
I'm not sure that it's tracking the steps accurately when I'm on the treadmill.
Vicki1 -
Violet_Flux wrote: »Hey @baconslave, we hope you & the rest of the family are feeling better soon! 💜
Thanks!
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I’ve had a couple of good fasts the last two days with little snacking. Water intake has been good with lots of activity and exercise. Today is a rest day so I need to watch that I don’t overeat. I meant to get on the scale this morning and forgot so I’ll check tomorrow to see how I did last week on balancing the splurges with the plan. I can’t believe this year is nearly over! While I maintained for most of the year I have some pounds I’d like to shed moving forward. Here’s to looking forward to the new year!1
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@vkrenz how fun! I am thinking of getting my husband a fitbit.
Sunday is my official weigh-in and I gained 2 pounds since last week.
1) Was supposed to stick to planned foods but I binged twice
2) Tracked every bite every day
3) Completed 23.75 out of 25 hours of exercise
4) Didn't try any new meals this week but had a lot of variety
5) My leggings are continuing to fit better, later this week I will try on some jeans
*bonus goal, I am holding myself accountable instead of my usual avoidance tactics
I got some "healthy" junk food in my stocking and I ate all of it. The next day I did fine but I was not feeling well so the day after that I ate a roll of bread and 2 bags of trail mix. So much sugar and salt! I gained 5 pounds overnight. I know I didn't eat enough to gain fat this week but I'm still regretful. I was doing so well before Christmas.
Other than feeling bloated still, I am right back to where I was, eating-wise and mentally. I tracked what I ate, didn't avoid the scale, got a great workout in yesterday and I am not punishing myself. Honestly in the past this slip up would have caused me to go off my plan, but since I am so DETERMINED, I don't want to keep practicing self-destructive behaviors. And I think the plan I am on this time is more enjoyable and sustainable long-term.2 -
We forgot to check in last night. It was a "very bad brain day" yesterday. However, we did stick to our goals.
Dec 29th:
1) Carbs < 30g - ✅
2) 1000 < Calories < 1500 - ✅
3) Log Everything! - ✅
4) Hit our activity goal every day - ✅
5) At least 5 workouts/week - ◼️◻️◻️ (last three days of the month)
@chickencereal good job staying determined & keeping to your plan.
@vkrenz if your fitbit works like ours, it goes by hand/arm movement. So if your arms are moving with a normal walking rythm that should pick up steps. OTOH if your hands are resting on a bar or similar, then the fitbit would likely not detect the steps. FWIW ours sometimes picks up 'steps' when we are on the indoor bicycle, as we tend to move our arms as if walking rather than holding the handlebars.1 -
Hi all, I am so excited to wind down December and start a new year.
With this new fitbit of mine, while I was on the treadmill today I made a point of swinging my arms by my sides instead of holding onto the bar. I think it picked up more steps.
I had a good/not so good weekend with meeting goals. Saturday was great and the scale responded well then Sunday was our wedding anniversary so we went out to eat at a really good restaurant and they brought us a dessert on the house. Of course, I had to help eat it
So over carbs for Sunday but surprisingly not on calories.
Again, I say I'm looking forward to the new year and no holidays for awhile.2
