Fearless October 2020 Challenge
baconslave
Posts: 7,021 Member
Ahhh...it's that time again. Fall. Temps turns cooler. Leaves change color. At least in the Northern Hemisphere, anyway. But, regardless, all those holiday foods start creeping in on us. Pumpkin this and that. Parades of Halloween candy-crack...And shortly after that Thanksgiving (for some). More and more holiday parties smack us in the face with all those goodies. Before you know it, it's the New Year, and you're wondering "What the heck happened!!!" You're sporting extra weight. You feel guilty and unhealthy. And disappointed in yourself.
And now you're justifiably afraid. You're welcome.
In honor of this being the scary month, you can tackle fear or a scary pattern that often derails you or inhibits your progress.
It doesn't have to be scary! This month's theme is Fearless October. This will be month 1 of a "prepping for the holidays" basics crash course: This is my 6th holiday season as a low-carber. And I have lost weight during this period in the past. It CAN be done.
The keys to success in this WOE, or any eating plan for that matter, is three-fold:
Well, isn't that trite and overly simplistic? I'll admit it is simple, but not easy.
Don't freak though. To let those 3 keys work for you, you need to be prepared. PLAN PLAN PLAN. I can't stress this enough. Plan ahead; log ahead. When you have a firm plan and procedure in place, you create good habits. And good habits work for you by keeping up momentum even when things get busy, chaotic, or just plain scary. You've already paved the road for yourself! All you have to do is stay on the smooth way and enjoy the scenery.
So in this challenge, and in the months ahead, we'll be working to set up and reinforce those good habits before you get in the thick of it. We'll be setting up those easy paths and building up that momentum by practicing a habit pattern to predispose us to sail through the holidays. Here will be you can keep track of the goals you reach. We can encourage one another, get advice about any trouble spots, share low-carb-legal recipes of our holiday favorites. Identify scenarios or patterns that absolutely scare you to death, and tackle the hades out of them.
We're going to compete with ourselves. We'll set up good habits in areas like: water, electrolytes, staying under carb goal, logging daily, staying close to cal goal, hitting our exercise goal, and for resisting a temptation or working on our "fear."
You all may want to add a goal like: "Pre-logged Day" or "Planned Ahead" or "Resisted Off-Plan Halloween Treat" or "Packed On-Plan Lunch". I do not recommend nixing the logging calories or carbs; however, if you are one who becomes stressed by calorie counting, that's ok. But I recommend at least keeping track of your daily carb intake. Portion and carb creep are real. And it helps to occasionally reset our ability to "eye" our carb-count. Now would be a good time to recalibrate your carb-sense. I want every single one of you guys to coast through the holidays, enjoying them to the fullest. Preparation and consistency are key.
On the First of the month, or now if you just can't wait, sign in to let us know your personal goals.
We'll accept challengers at any time of the month. Remember, you are competing against yourself, and starting on getting the basics down (or refreshing them like I am), before the hectic holiday season is fully upon us, is our goal.
Let's go get it!
And now you're justifiably afraid. You're welcome.
In honor of this being the scary month, you can tackle fear or a scary pattern that often derails you or inhibits your progress.
It doesn't have to be scary! This month's theme is Fearless October. This will be month 1 of a "prepping for the holidays" basics crash course: This is my 6th holiday season as a low-carber. And I have lost weight during this period in the past. It CAN be done.
The keys to success in this WOE, or any eating plan for that matter, is three-fold:
- Consistency
- Persistence
- Time
Well, isn't that trite and overly simplistic? I'll admit it is simple, but not easy.
Don't freak though. To let those 3 keys work for you, you need to be prepared. PLAN PLAN PLAN. I can't stress this enough. Plan ahead; log ahead. When you have a firm plan and procedure in place, you create good habits. And good habits work for you by keeping up momentum even when things get busy, chaotic, or just plain scary. You've already paved the road for yourself! All you have to do is stay on the smooth way and enjoy the scenery.
So in this challenge, and in the months ahead, we'll be working to set up and reinforce those good habits before you get in the thick of it. We'll be setting up those easy paths and building up that momentum by practicing a habit pattern to predispose us to sail through the holidays. Here will be you can keep track of the goals you reach. We can encourage one another, get advice about any trouble spots, share low-carb-legal recipes of our holiday favorites. Identify scenarios or patterns that absolutely scare you to death, and tackle the hades out of them.
We're going to compete with ourselves. We'll set up good habits in areas like: water, electrolytes, staying under carb goal, logging daily, staying close to cal goal, hitting our exercise goal, and for resisting a temptation or working on our "fear."
You all may want to add a goal like: "Pre-logged Day" or "Planned Ahead" or "Resisted Off-Plan Halloween Treat" or "Packed On-Plan Lunch". I do not recommend nixing the logging calories or carbs; however, if you are one who becomes stressed by calorie counting, that's ok. But I recommend at least keeping track of your daily carb intake. Portion and carb creep are real. And it helps to occasionally reset our ability to "eye" our carb-count. Now would be a good time to recalibrate your carb-sense. I want every single one of you guys to coast through the holidays, enjoying them to the fullest. Preparation and consistency are key.
On the First of the month, or now if you just can't wait, sign in to let us know your personal goals.
We'll accept challengers at any time of the month. Remember, you are competing against yourself, and starting on getting the basics down (or refreshing them like I am), before the hectic holiday season is fully upon us, is our goal.
Let's go get it!7
Replies
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My goals are .... pre log my food ....drink 120 oz. water daily (I love my water) ...check in MFP Daily ...stay under my carb intake which is 42g ...and workout 6 days a week ... I change my workouts monthly so I will be doing zumba, yoga and walking outside
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I hear you about the holiday awareness planning. In my past keto life I did lose alot of weight during "the season" It can be done, pals!! I relied heavily on small but fun non-food rewards for every three pounds lost. I remember keeping a list of things and pre-ordering them so they would be there tangibly to work for.
That really helped me....hmm maybe I should start that up again...
For my Fearless October this year, I'm going to raise my steps to one mile a day. More if it happens would be a thrill, and will be noted.
Still not ready to formally address food plan at this time, but my daily goal with food always is keto as a lifestyle.
Good, bad, or ugly...I do log food, electrolytes, and fluids faithfully.
For now. I'm just grateful to be getting my body moving again!
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October challenge for me...
Food:
Keep the calories in check, log everything, keep protein at 125g a day or higher and keep carbs at or below 125g net (pre ride days) and at or below 75 net (pre workout days). No secret snacking on the Halloween treats!
Exercise:
I think I have the cardio down with riding 5 days a week for the last 3 months, so I will switch it up this month. Continue to ride but keep it to a M/W/F schedule. On T/TH do bodyweight/DB workouts to strengthen/maintain muscle mass gained from previous gym work (since I WILL NOT go back to the gym as long as this mess is around). Stay active on weekends - no couch potato weekends - walks, yard work, cleaning, etc.3 -
October goals and how i plan to get there:
Pre log food each day-better planning and food prep
Minimum 5000 steps each day-now have working FitBit, music/headphones, walking dvd
Using my hand weights 3X week-working with trainer plus moving all my weights to one room
Also working on my technology apprehension-installed music app on my phone and working on setting up my new (larger!) tablet to use for workouts as well.
I am 177 lbs today and not happy with that. Not making loss a goal yet until I get my good habits back. Next Month for sure 4 -
I’ve tried the no logging and just listening to my hunger queues and often just overlook them. So I’ll take @baconslave ’s advice and continue to track calories, attempting to hit a deficit most days.
I will also focus on my snacking on those off plan goodies we love so much. I find I’ve gotten lax this summer and need to reel it back in. Boredom often leads me down this path. Good luck all!6 -
Last year during October and November I gained almost 20 lbs from the stress of NaNoWriMo. This year I’m 2 weeks back into keto and 2 days into strength training with the X3bar.
October goals are to:
1. Continue keto for 31 days at 25 net carbs.
2. Listen to hunger cues and stop when I’m full
3. Continue the X3bar 12 week program. I should be halfway through week 5 by the end of the month5 -
Food plan, 1400ish cal/day (1200-1600)
Exercise plan, morning cardio (Rev it Up Abs routines), lunch Spartan Trials at Level 3 (Darebee program), after work stretching, and evening glutes (alternate band/weight work)
I have a bit of an obsession with nice round spanktacular booty, so basically going with a 30 day overload in the glutes...I will track what I can do for bands and ankle weights and I will attempt to increase every single day even if it's only one more rep in each move!5 -
My October goals:
1.Lift heavy at least 2 days per week
2.Walk at least 30 minutes 3 days per week
3.Less than 100 grams of carbs per day and only good carbs (ie: sweet potatoes, fruits and veggies, some whole grains)
4.Only drink wine 1 weekend night per week!!
I've got to reign this in before I'm back over 200 lbs. again. This time last year, I was 162, lifting weights and looking pretty good. This morning I was 195. Gross
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Ok. So still slowly working on the Quarantine 15.
I lost 3.4lb last month.
SW: 178.8
GW: 167 (Hoping for by Christmas. Also my reg weight in the Before Times.)
Ultimate GW: 160 (which I can get to but NEVER stay at but, hey, hopes and dreams
)
Other goals:- Progressing on lifitng. Thanks to Sjogren's and chronic fatigue, progress is very slow. Still working on that.
- NO BOOZE NO BOOZE NO BOOZE... The buzz is nice but I always feel like trash a few hours later no matter how much water, electrolytes, or whatever I try. Not nice enough to be worth it, and that's 500 cals a week that is keeping me from my goal.
- No lazy logging!
I'm just hoping to shed fluff. When I get back from my trip this weekend (camping) then I'll also take measurements to have a look see. Around this weight I tend to experience "stalling scale syndrome" where I'm dropping inches but not seeing numbers move scale-wise for awhile. Weighing in every 2 weeks. I JUST WANNA FIT ALL MY JEANS!2 -
10/1 Goals met ... just got back from almost 4 mile walk ...feel great 5
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10/1 2 of 3 goals met
Pre-logged my day and hit 5351 steps, pretty happy with that.
Will do strength training today.
Food planning is a work in progress, I have today planned but need to do a whole bunch of food prep this weekend to be ready for next week.
Feeling a change in my brain to WANT to make this work.4 -
10/1:
Food was good, calories were reasonable, protein - 172g, carbs 113g net (pre-ride day so good).
Exercise - did a quick body weight workout in the morning, was a slug the rest of the day (work issues kept me at the desk most of the day). Only got 2k steps for the day (gotta work on that for the non-ride days).3 -
10/2 all goals are met ...walked 90 minutes ...3.52 miles4
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10/1
Calorie goal - just shy of 200 cals over my ideal deficit however I clocked nearly 21k steps so still a deficit.
Snacking- I did eat some popcorn with the saboteur after a relatively light dinner but not a terrible day food wise.5 -
Not the best effort for today; but, not the worst either. I'd call it a C grade.
3/4 mile of steps. I can live with that.
Food not on plan, and not good; but it's been worse.
Still trying to grab on to that brass ring of fierce motivation. Looking for a snowball effect...it could happen any time now as long as I don't throw in the towel.
I'm finding near total isolation numbs my daily expectations in all areas. I want to just wake up each day and do all the things....instead it's just dribs and drabs and tiny little pockets of zest that last about a minute.
So, here's to those minutes!! They keep me going.
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I've failed miserably so far, but today is a new day!4
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10/3 goals met but I am taking the entire weekend off of walking and working out all together ...my foot with the screw in it is giving me problems ...I have sketcher shoes and I went out and bought the gel inserts ...didn't help so I am going to try my sketcher's hiking boots with the gel inserts on Monday ...if that doesn't help then I did to find a better walking shoe that has better support ...2
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I got to get my fat *kitten* moving or I'm going to die of a heart attack or stroke. Exercise is probably the most important thing I could be doing and only takes about 30-45 minutes for a great workout. Just do it!3
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I did a watp 2 mile belly blasting workout. At 1 1/2 miles I just walked slowly though. I did do some 50 lb. farmer's walks. Time for some Beat Saber and VR Boxing.4
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A little late to the party, but I’m in! After 6 months of blah, stress, and poor food choices, it’s time to re-focus.
1. Return to the foods that work for me (I.e. no nuts!)
2. Challenge myself by training for a Thanksgiving day virtual half marathon. First day of the 8 week training starts tomorrow!
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10/2 prelogged and did some weights but only got 1943 steps
10/3 no permitting or strength (anniversary party) but had 6730 steps
Will make up the difference today.1 -
Fell a little short of the mark yesterday, but it's still an increase over goal from last month . Progress...not perfection. Also, i added in more motion while walking which I feel in various muscles today.That's Good!
I will get there.
I notice I'm paying more attention to logging, and choices, and how exercise helps with total numbers....in other words, I feel I'm getting a little more invested overall.
Progressing nicely.3 -
10/2-10/3
Calorie goal- more like a maintenance weekend plus some poor decisions. At least I had plenty of movement both days.
Snacking - Friday I did have snacks after dinner and Saturday I did not. I’ll be working on doing better as the week goes on- the weekends have not been planned well.2 -
10/1-10/4 goals met... I just did a 15 minute walk today because I was antsy lol... will be back out there tomorrow walking my 90 minute walk or more ..we shall see 2
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Pretty good day today helped by beautiful sunny fall weather!
1. Food on goal today and, most importantly, nuts avoided.
2. Starting training for my half marathon. 3 miles ran this morning (slow, but got it done!) and another 4.5 miles walked running errands, etc.3 -
10/4
Calorie goal and snacking: 👿 I didn’t log anything because it was a football day of grazing on snacks for most of the afternoon followed by a carby dinner that made me feel sick. I now need a detox couple of weeks to get back on track. If there was a silver lining, I got lots of movement in and had a fun day so I’ll give myself a break and move on.4 -
10/5 Goals met and I am about to go walking ...I am hoping to walk 5 miles today ... I keep coming up short~ 3
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10/2 - 10/4:
Calories good for the weekend, protein good on Friday and Sunday, a little low on Saturday, nets carbs were good for the weekend.
Exercise - rode 21 miles on Friday, got the Halloween decorations down from the attic and put up the most of the outside stuff on Saturday, finished the lights and hanging spiders, etc on Sunday.
A good weekend - no couch potato this weekend!2 -
10/4 Goals not met but still ate well and went bowling last night. Need to make up a 3000 step deficit today.
It's cold in my house so I'm up out of my chair moving more to t=stay warm
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Good day today!
1. Food on point. Although boring, it’s best if I just stick with the same menu.
2. 4 mile training run today plus an additional 7 miles walking as had work ( I work as a library aide and, unfortunately, those books don’t shelve themselves!).3
