Women 200lb+, Let's Double Down This December!!!

mmdeveau

@torihudson6 – Definitely get that slow-cooker out and make some big batches of those recipes on that website! Also, @mmccloy12 , you said you like sheet pan recipes – so does Gina (creator of the skinnytaste website). She has a bunch of delicious sheet pan or one pan recipes. I like those recipes, too. Prep and clean up is so easy!

To all of you posting side-by-side pics of your progress, you look great and your hard work is definitely reflected! @lindaporter2018 – Your face is smaller but your smile is bigger! @Terytha – you can definitely see the difference! All of your features are more distinct, especially your eyes, and your neck is smaller, too! You also have great skin! @lindamtuck2018 – great job losing 55 pounds, you look fantastic! @speyerj – Look how far you’ve come in six months!

Congratulations to all for fighting the good fight this month! I think there’s so much to overcome this month, with the parties, the treats, the holidays, and the shorter days. If anyone feels all they can do is minimize weight gain this time of year, I empathize and respect that it is still effort even if there is no measurable outcome on the scale. Personally, that’s why I like to have some non-scale goals in the mix so I don’t feel like I’m completely going backwards.

Height: 5'6"
SW (09/08/2019): 239.2 lbs
December SW (12/1): 210.0 lbs
12/8/19: 206.8
12/15/19: 205.2
December GW: 202.0 lbs
GW: 150 lbs (then reconsider)

My goals for December are:

- Cardio for 45-60 min, 5-6 times a week, 3 of the sessions Couch-to-5K workouts – 7 days, again!
- Advance in the Couch-to-5K plan to week 2 workouts – So excited to start the week 2 workouts tomorrow! I feel ready!
- Core exercises at least 3 times a week – Check.
- The Pants – Oh noes! They really did almost drop off of me as I was crossing the street on Wednesday, with no free hands to hoist them back up. So I dug out one of the less-stretched-out pairs to wear. And they’re better, but still sliding down! My butt, for better or worse, is still big enough to keep them from dropping to the ground.
- Take better care of my skin in hopes it will start to regain its shape – did well with this, but it is a lot easier when I can get ready at home. Next week I’ll be going to the gym closer to my work site for this week, and it’s always a bit harder to stick to the routine when I have to get ready at the gym.

Will be continuing with the AM workouts this week. Because it’s tied to maintaining a particular work schedule, I anticipate working out every day once again. Though the day I usually plan to skip, Friday, I usually plan an easier workout. Today will be my 16th consecutive day of cardio. I don’t feel like I need a rest and thank goodness – it’s actually a nice day here for a change and I’m going to take advantage by getting in a long walk on one of the area trails.

Whew! We’re at the half-way point of this month by the calendar, but in terms of events it feels like there’s a lot more of the month to go. Keep up the good work, everyone!

HurleyHurley

My Nov/Dec challenge log:
Challenge Starting Weight: 310.0 (11-1-2019)
Current Weight: 294.5
Challenge End Goal Weight: 300.0 290.0 - this week may have buggered my chances at my revised goal, but will keep trying!

Week 0 - 11/01/2019 - 310.0 lbs (SW)
Week 1 - 11/08/2019 - 306.0 lbs (-4.0)
Week 2 - 11/15/2019 - 301.4 lbs (-8.6)
Week 3 - 11/22/2019 - 299.8 lbs (-10.2)
Week 4 - 11/29/2019 - 298.5 lbs (-11.5) Happy Thanksgiving and Birthday
Week 5 - 12/06/2019 - 296.5 lbs (-13.5)
Week 6 - 12/13/2019 - 295.2 lbs (-14.8)
Week 7 - 12/20/2019 -
Week 8 - 12/27/2019 - Merry Christmas

This week has been a little frustrating in that I focused on my water, which instantly put me up 2 pounds (score one for not being continuously borderline dehydrated, I guess). I did an extra day at the gym, so 4 workouts this week instead of 3 for me (Since I started, I have stuck to my goal of 3 gym workouts weekly, roughly every other day with a day recoup - have pretty much been muscle sore for 2 months now, but not in a bad way. ) Today I am finally back down to my lowest weight so far, which I touched on exactly a week ago before popping up. Since my calories have remained steady, I'm chalking it up to improved hydration.

Non-scale bonus:
I'm a solid 3X size US and have been for years. I noted this past week or so that my clothes are fitting looser around the middle, becoming a little baggy. I ordered some 2X workout pants and received them, held them up, and thought, "Well, those look small, but someday." I tried them on, though, and they fit without feeling too snug. They're definitely not loose, but hey, they fit. So, bonus.

My weight is steadily dropping at a reasonable rate ...not super fast, but reasonable, given I think I am putting on some muscle mass with the workouts. I am definitely getting stronger, I can feel that, and my clothes seem to fit looser than the number on the scale would indicate, which is encouraging.

I am feeling pretty good on this journey. I'm not far in, just started Nov. 1st, but I have stuck with it very well thus far and am striving to keep up my enthusiasm and commitment, so thank you guys, you're my support system and I love reading about everyone's journeys, the ideas, the motivation, the commiseration.

Accomplishments:

• Have logged everything since Nov. 1st.
• Have kept to my goal of 3 gym workouts weekly and even did a bonus extra this week.
• Have stuck pretty much within my calorie goal.
  My goal is to keep my intake between 1500 and 1800 calories per day. My current average is 1634/day, so solidly within my goal range, with a high of 2332, and only 4 days over 2000. I had a couple 1200ish days, but that low was not intentional, it was the result of work / fasting due to time constraints, but most of the time I'm in my range.

I'm striving to make exercise a habit and a part of my life. I have never in my life been one to have focused exercise, nor have I ever even remotely been athletic. I grew up on a farm, I know how to lock down and physically work, but exercise for the point of exercise without a goal to accomplish, meh. How can I help my brain's perception out and give myself purpose? I've decided to make it my second job. My job is to get in three solid workouts and I assign myself accomplishments for each workout (whether that be time, heart rate, strength goals, or number of circuits). I schedule the workouts, they are now part of my work week, and it's working for me so far. I've found it's helped me to become a little bit less of a martyr at work, leveling my weight loss journey up to equal importance in my priorities with work and family life.

I'm a math/science girl by nature and by career. I've always been a complete numbers geek (favorite activity as 5 year old? Organizing my dad's giant can of change by type, year, and tarnish and wear levels...oh, and mint marks) and tracking/logging/mapping out data and observing trends keeps me engaged and focused.

To show you what a complete (happy and proud) data geek I am, here's a part of the spreadsheet I fill out daily, for grins. You do what you can, ya know?. Filling out this chart makes me happy, satisfies my completionist streak, keeps the focus in front of me every single day, and motivates me to keep going. There are also charts within the spreadsheet mapping body measurements, InBody recordings of muscle/fat levels from the gym, etc. Whatever works, right? Look at the pretty colors.... Mmmmmm.

Tarzan37

My sister came to visit from out of state last week and we ate out quite a bit. Then I came down with yet another cold. So, I am up 1.6lbs for the month. My goal for the remainder of the month will be to get that 1.6lbs back off before the new year.

For the new year, I want to add some type of regular exercise to my routine. I feel like signing up for a paid class may be the only way to ensure I actually do this. Wondering if anyone has done pilates? There is a studio within walking distance of my house that has great reviews.

bluffgirl67

@torihudson6 Just a tiny bump on the path. You've been working hard and one small slip isn't going to undone all that. Remember how you rocked that holiday dress and keep focusing on things like that. Once you get some meal prep going that will help also. It is much easier to stay on track while at home if you have some healthy options and portions to grab quickly.

@lindamtuck2018 Beautiful!! I think you even look younger than before. You are an inspiration.

@Candyn617 You are doing great this month. Hopefully things will calm down for you soon. I totally agree with your thoughts about the group. I don't think I would be near as committed without this wonderful group to keep me going.

@pamiede You look amazing! Seeing how far you've come in a year gives so much encouragement for times when I want to slack off.

@mmdeveau You are kicking it with the exercise!! I'm working on getting to where I can add in either more time or a little resistance on the elliptical. All you do each week is such a motivation to me. You're going to have pin the waist up on your pants. It's a great problem to have though and maybe one day soon I can share in that joy.

@HurleyHurley Great job on upping your water intake and adding another day of exercise in. Big congrats for getting to drop a size in your workout wear!! I know you may be wanting to lose at a faster pace but slow and steady has it's benefits. Love how you chart and that it keeps you motivated. Using tools and tips that work for you personally is what will keep you going when things get stressful and icky.

@Tarzan37 Sorry you've not been feeling well. I'm sure you can get the weight gain off. Be consistent and follow your plan.

nebslp

@HurleyHurley I may be drooling a bit after looking at your charts (where's the LOVE button!). I use the Happy Scale app to keep track of some of your first chart's data regarding weight. I made and use monthly, weekly, and daily charts to keep me focused on what I need to do. I have making your second chart, although not quite as detailed, as one of my priorities on my December chart. I've made a %age chart as well. Love numbers and it's great that they are so helpful to you in keeping focused and seeing well earned progress.

GroverBlue78

Ugh....I have got to get focused. So far this week has been pure indulgence; parties, work lunches, PMS. And no exercise.
Changing habits is hard, I just need to focus on the healthy habits and try not to fall back into the old ones. I can do it! 👏👍

nebslp

@GroverBlue78 “changing habits is hard”, very true. I saw a post today that reminded me that we create our lives by the habits we keep. So if I want to change my life (and I really do! I have a bunch of weight I want/need to lose) I have to start doing what so many people here have done and that is to log my food ALL the time - good and the bad. What healthy habit are you going to focus on? Good luck! We can do this!

Today was 7 consecutive days of working out. I can’t believe I did it! Tomorrow I start logging. My daughter in law brought over a huge platter of cookies and candy today. SO 😋 yummmmy! I sampled way too many of them. Note to myself: Step away from the plate of goodies!

Have a good week !

BrownSugar174

MY MOTIVATION AND REMINDER: this morning I was reminded that I’ve gotta keep going! I check my blood pressure in the evening and morning to determine where I am. In the evening my blood pressure is between 110-120/65-70 which is wonderful. It is that way because my blood pressure medication (which I take in the morning) is time released and still in my system. In the morning (after I empty my bladder) my blood pressure is 140-135/90-85 because there is no blood pressure medication in my system.

God knows I’m so grateful for allowing me to persevere to this point...look better in my clothes but that’s not the most important goal. The day, if God allows me to see it, that I’m no longer required to take this medication! OH HAPPY DAYS!!!

gelatinouscube

Congrats all on keeping with it even on the days we're totally not

26/11: 108kg - > 106kg
2/12: 106kg - > 104kg
9/12: 101.7kg
16/12: 100.3kg

As a newbie to this all I'm a little worried now that the losses are going to get smaller and that my adversely affect my determination... my brain believes that it's likely and totally normal and fine, but at the same time believes the opposite.

I've been logging everything every day, and staying between 1200-1400 almost every day, so my December goal is working out. So far, so good *touch wood*

HurleyHurley

nebslp wrote: »

@HurleyHurley I may be drooling a bit after looking at your charts (where's the LOVE button!). I use the Happy Scale app to keep track of some of your first chart's data regarding weight. I made and use monthly, weekly, and daily charts to keep me focused on what I need to do. I have making your second chart, although not quite as detailed, as one of my priorities on my December chart. I've made a %age chart as well. Love numbers and it's great that they are so helpful to you in keeping focused and seeing well earned progress.

Yes, I make the charts because it makes me happy...reveling in the process to celebrate the journey, kind of like rolling in treasure. I use MFP for logging and the Polar app tracks my activity tracker, but I've not found a "one size fits me" app for everything - plus what would be the fun in that? I couldn't alter it, change the colors, play with the graph axes, futz with the timing on the trend lines, columns, numbers, yay!

It's an excel spread sheet. If anyone wants a copy to play with on their own, I'm happy to share, just PM me. I'ts easy enough to alter and is set up to autopopulate, for the most part. There are functions in there summing up and setting averages, etc. Cheers to the numbers geeks out there.

Momof5ive1921

Monday check in time

SW: 270
12/2: 267
12/9: 264
12/16: 258

I have stopped doing IF and went back to eating smarter instead. I found the fasting aggravated my migraines which never ended well for me. The meds I have to take for them makes me so hungry (probably because one of them is an anti-nausea med).

I figured I had lost 97 lbs doing it this way - I can do it again!!

I leave for Texas in 16 days and I would like to be under 250 when I leave - time to buckle down and extra time on the treadmill during these next two weeks and I will be good to go!!

sharpdust

Catching up on all the posts and you guys are doing AMAZING! The before and after pics are so inspiring, keep them coming.

I have fallen off completely. I can't even make sure to post or read posts on here. I didn't weigh myself Friday because I was scared of what would show up (and I still haven't gotten a new scale). I feel like I'm falling into a depressive state, not sure if its the weather, lack of sunlight or just holiday blues. I don't want to be a downer but I am having a rough time. I feel so unhappy with my body and I am not currently doing anything about it. I think that's what gets me most frustrated, that my actions are not improving my situation but rather making it worse. Ok, enough of my crying.

I am starting over this week. Not worrying about the goals I made this month because they are not going to happen. Going back to simply logging my food daily and that will be my one main goal for this month. If I can be at my starting December weight at the end of this month, then I will be happy.

I really just want to get back to the mindset I had a few weeks ago. I felt like I was capable of shedding the weight but now I am feeling really negative and like nothing I do will matter. Of course that's wrong, but I'm sure many of you can relate.

speyerj

Oh @sharpdust , I am so sorry you hit a rough patch. As one who has lost and regained a few times over, I applaud you for just being here and recommitting to logging. Gather your courage and step on that scale - no matter how bad you may think it is - it's better to know where you stand. I was in such deep denial with my last weight gain that I didn't weigh myself until I was 60 pounds heavier than when I fell off the wagon. Took me 6 months just to get back to where I began. I'm glad you aren't letting that happen to you.

speyerj

@mmdeveau - I hope Santa brings you some new pants for Christmas! I can't stop laughing at the image of you trying to run across the street with while desperately trying to hold up your pants with your arms full! It's time for some new clothes, sister! You've lost nearly 35 pounds!

mmccloy12

@sharpdust I totally understand, but you can back to it! It's ok to fall off sometimes...it's a struggle to do this everyday and sometimes you need to waller lol. You ARE capable of shedding the weight. It's a hard time of year and every other day I am thinking the same things you are. All we can do is get back to it. The holidays are almost over (thank goodness!) and I feel confident you will find that person and mindset you had a few weeks ago! Just hang in there, you're worth it and you can do this!

mmccloy12

So many posts! It's hard to keep up...hope to focus later and reply to a lot of your posts!

shellebelle813

SW: 250 lbs
CW: 235 lbs
GW: 200 lbs

I love how everyone is so supportive of each other!! It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside!!

So I just wanted to post my progress, only because I never thought I would do this. I have been chubby my entire life and I became so comfortable in my own skin that I just never thought I would want to change who I am. That all changed when the number on the scale read 250. I was like "Ummm I could play for the Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Line at this rate" LOL . So I decided to make a change only because I hated that number. So here's what I did:

1. Cut out Fast Food - I would hit up Dunkin, Starbucks, Burger King, every morning for a breakfast sandwich because DAMN do I love a breakfast sandwich. MMMMMMmmmmmmm.
2. I replaced all of my fast food meals (breakfast and lunch) with Slim Fast shakes and healthy snacks in between. I eat every 2 hours. As for Dinner I have what ever I want as long as it keeps me under 1200 calories a day.
3. THAT"S IT!!! I do this all week long and then on the weekends I have my fun. I just make sure I stay under 1200 calories but I have whatever I want. And I am not miserable like I thought I would be, in fact I am happier!!

So here's an Example of what I eat on the regular:

9 am Breakfast: Slim Fast Shake - Mocha Cappuccino
11 am Snack: 1 small honey crisp apple w/ a Jiffy peanut butter to go cup
1 pm Lunch: Slim Fast Shake - Mocha Cappuccino
3 pm Snack: 1 bag of SkinnyPop popcorn
5 pm Dinner: Chicken Parm w/ a side of broccoli (1 breast)

EVERYONE KEEP GOING!!! You guys can do it, I know you can. Trust me, if I can do it, you can do it. Smile and be kind to yourself.

torih941

Happy Monday everyone! Just finished a workout at the gym and I’m feeling great and proud of myself. I had to use things in the weight area, which always intimidated me, I feel like everyone is judging me, but I sucked it up and went over. And as expected, no one paid me any attention. Tonight is my last final for school before break and I’m ready for this stress to be gone. I’ve decided to treat myself and celebrate with my favorite meal, Chipotle. I keep reminding myself that it’s okay to still have things I enjoy and that I don’t have to eliminate them forever. Anyway, just wanted to say hope everyone is doing well

@sharpdust, it happens to all of us. Sometimes life just hits us hard and it’s easy to fall back into what we know and what we’re comfortable with. You can do it, you have an entire support group here. Just reset and start small, sometimes I overwhelm myself because I’m trying to do everything at once and then I just give up. You’ve still made amazing progress just by coming back here and logging again. You got this!

sharpdust

@FGS1974 "to anyone out there who's struggling or not seeing an end in sight it is definitely possible so stay positive. It's not easy but stick with it and you will see results. " I needed this, thank you! Great job getting close to that healthy BMI!

@lindamtuck2018 I'm having trouble with binging myself. Hope you enjoyed celebrating your granddaughters birthday and great progress in those pics! Keep it up

@torihudson6 I have not been able to combat my cravings lately either (but not due to TOM). I will do what you have planned as well, and some pre-measured snacks ready so it makes it harder to overeat. Thanks for your kind words, sometimes we need someone else to say it.

@Terytha "What's hard, I realized, is that I never saw myself as huge. Even though I was, I couldn't see it. So after all this work, what I see in the mirror is basically what I saw 66 pounds ago." I find it so interesting how we view ourselves. I tend to do the opposite as you. I see myself as larger, even when I was 60lbs lighter I saw myself as the same, like I didn't lose weight. I can imagine your frustration as you feel like you should see someone different in the mirror. You know you lost 66lbs, give yourself some praise and credit for being able to do that! Also your pictures do a great job of showing just how far you've come along

@mmccloy12 Look at you, way to make it to the gym! You are an inspiration

@mmdeveau I like your drinking a glass of water to curb cravings, I'm going to have to be more mindful and do that when I feel weak. 16 consecutive days of cardio!!! You are rocking

@cory17 "I need to be accountable and match action to thinking and words"."stop the negative script in my head" Looks like we are in a similar mental place, we can do it!

@Aerohead21 Yes! Amazing what a little exercise can do to make you feel great!

@lindaporter2018 you look so beautiful! Definitely starts in the face. I am sorry to hear about your sister. It doesn't matter how long has passed, it can still hurt like hell. The holidays are hard for me as well, my mother passed away May 24, 2005 from cancer when I was 17 years old. We never stop missing those who have gone We'll be here to help you through the next 6 months.

@speyerj wonderful progress pics! And thank you for your kind words. That's the power of a community. Reading and replying to posts has been very therapeutic for me this morning. I am the first person to tell someone to believe in themselves and to credit their accomplishments, but find it hard to do that for myself. I will get on that scale tomorrow and will go from there.

@pamiede Wow, what a difference! You are such an inspiration, you made up your mind that you were not going to be that size and you made it happen.

@HurleyHurley As a fellow science/math nerd, I am loving your data! Great visual for your loss. You have been on top of it and so inspirational as well.

@Tarzan37 I've also thought of signing up for classes but am kind of scared/intimidated. If you do pilates, let me know how that goes.

Feeling better than earlier today. Thanks everyone

lindamtuck2018

@sharpdust this time of year is hard for those winter blues. The fact you are committed to logging for the rest of the month is a big step. Some times focusing on one goal is the best way to recommit to your weight loss journey. You can do this!