Downsizers Team Chat - DECEMBER 2021
Replies
-
Pippin20206 wrote: »Okies time for my into:
I'm 43yr old female (about to turn 44 end of Dec). I live in South Australia with my partner and 4 British Bulldogs (I breed them). I've struggled with my weight and self esteem all my life, I went from the skinny rake who got teased for having no boobs in high school, to always feeling like the fat one in my group of friends. I've never felt beautiful or comfortable in my own skin, though looking back at photos now I weep to think how good I looked in my early 20s and I didn't know it.
I have chronic depression and have suffered from migraines since my late teens, I comfort eat and drink because it was always the easiest way to get a quick fix and feel good. At my heaviest I was 115kg (253.5 lbs), and in desperation I ended up getting a lap band. This helped me get down to 95kg (209.4lbs) but I didn't really change any of my eating habits and continued to binge on chips, chocolate and booze.
In late Oct this year, one night I had a horrible burning pain near my sternum which just wouldn't go away, I thought it might be trapped gas from the band, and because I'd had a similar incident about 6 month prior I thought I'd just have to breathe/walk it out. As time went on though it got to a completely unbearable level of pain. At 3am I woke up my partner and said "I don't know what this is, but it isn't stopping you have to take me to hospital". Several hours later doped up on pain meds they sent me home saying I probably passed a gallstone and needed to go to my doctor for an ultrasound. Well the ultrasound discovered that gallstones weren't the issue but I have fatty liver disease and basically my liver is so enlarged from the fat that it's causing me pain. My blood tests came back with normal liver functions (which is why it hadn't been picked up until now), which thankfully means that so far I haven't done any permanent damage and I should be able to 100% reverse this with a lot of hard work.
I was 93kg (205 lbs) when I had the pain attack, and started turning my diet around straight away, I never want to feel that level of pain again! Soon after I joined Downsizers and got a book dedicated to diets that reverse fatty liver disease. I'm now 87 kg (191.8 lbs) and my ultimate goal is to get to 70kg (154.3 lbs). Though you can be skinny and still have fatty liver disease so I'm hoping to get another ultrasound in about 6 months time and see some improvement.
I find healthy eating really challenging because I really don't like vegetables and I constantly crave fatty foods. However I've found being a part of this group very motivating and really appreciate all the encouragement that our group motivators give us. I don't have a weight goal for the month, just want to keep inching my way towards my final goal.
Thanks guys and here's to another good month!
I swear you are my twin ... Same birthday .... I have fatty liver... I am diabetic (type 2)....I suffer from migraines4 -
Megan_smartiepants1970 wrote: »Pippin20206 wrote: »
I swear you are my twin ... Same birthday .... I have fatty liver... I am diabetic (type 2)....I suffer from migraines
Do we need to ask our parents some difficult questions?
2 -
Good morning, Downsizers! Here is my check-in for the day:
12/5:
Calories: 1,184
Exercise: 79 minutes on elliptical
Steps: 14,350
I had a great day yesterday - looking forward to another one today! Have a great Monday everyone!5 -
Daily check-in
Calories 1058
Steps 75573 -
Let’s give some applause 👏👏👏 to:
@Pippin20206
@rwood566
@Megan_smartiepants1970
They are our biggest losers for week 5 and the grand finale.
Also, a big shoutout 📣 📣📣 to the entire Downsizers team. You worked hard this month. We are #1 for the month of November.5 -
Went diving today. I always forget how much I love to dive. The water was 58*f which is cold but with proper gear it was great. 45min swimming. I have been starving ever since 😜. What is it about water that makes the appetite grow!
You are so adventurous! When I first started swimming I was so hungry for a few weeks. I find even when I go home to the beautiful island of Newfoundland, the salt air from the ocean makes me hungry. 🤷♀️Good evening everyone.
Check in for 12/5:
Steps - 7233.
Calories - 1655 or so.
Exercise - went for a short walk after dinner to check my back. It is better but not good enough for Disneyland. We changed the date. Bummer.
I will do my intro when I get on the laptop so I can type faster.
That’s too bad when will you go now. I am just curious, do you have to show proof of vaccinations to get in Disney. My daughter is going in Feb and I keep forgetting to ask her. I look forward to reading your introduction as you have a very inspiring journey.dsgoingtodoit wrote: »Hi all - Sorry ...I am still getting the hang of things...didn't realize we check in on here daily... I'll try to do that going forward. My WI day is Monday - so I'll see you all then.
You don’t have to check in daily. It can help you stay connected to the team but it is a personal choice. I find it helps me push to stick with my goals.
Evening Check in
✅Steps: 6500
✅Tracked
I won’t say the day has been easy, but I am so happy that I am sticking to my little goals. I went caroling to the city fire station with my Cub Scout pack today and picked up steps as a side benefit!
Great day! Meeting those little goals adds up to success in the long run. I was laughing with my son last night about when he was in beavers (part of scouting in Canada). We went to a fire station for a tour. They asked what does a smoke detector do. My son piped up and said it tells Mom that supper is done. I guess I burnt supper a lot back then. 😂Good morning, Downsizers! Here is my check-in for the day:
12/5:
Calories: 1,184
Exercise: 79 minutes on elliptical
Steps: 14,350
I had a great day yesterday - looking forward to another one today! Have a great Monday everyone!
I love your dedication to exercise. Is the elliptical your favourite form of exercise?Pippin20206 wrote: »Daily check-in
Calories 1058
Steps 7557
Awesome step day!2 -
✅ Steps
✅ Closed rings
✅ Calories
I didn’t do as long swim and pool workout as I usually do. I spent a lot of time stretching after my workout. I gave myself a check for calories but I can’t be sure if it is totally accurate. My son brought some yummy desserts from a local bakery and there was no calorie information on them. I did track though. Today I am going to do mini walks for my exercise. I have one done and I will do a few more in between my chores around the apartment today.
Happy Monday!
@Megan_smartiepants1970
Steps 10,7673 -
1
-
Question
What time of day do you exercise and why?
Please don’t forget to do an introduction.
1 -
lindamtuck2018 wrote: »Question
What time of day do you exercise and why?
Please don’t forget to do an introduction.
@lindamtuck2018 I try to get my exercise out of the way first thing in the morning because then I don't have to worry about fitting it into my schedule if things get busy later in the day. I mainly do the elliptical because I have one in my home so it's easy - and I do enjoy it. I used to run quite a bit and I might go back to that once I've lost a little more weight. The pounding on the pavement is rough on my body - LOL!2 -
Good morning folks!
Weekly Weigh in day: Monday
Previous weight: 262
Current weight: 261.2
I am inspired to read all of your posts and will try to contribute more as we go through this week.
Today I'm focused on my pre-planned menu/diary, getting in 40 minutes of exercise, homeschooling, getting other to his dr. appt, yard work with the fellas, pet sitting is my current business...so have to stay on top of that (joyfully, but it is work), Advent Bible study...by golly - I will make that a priority, and housework.
Side note - but applicable... I too was diagnosed with NAFLD, without bloodwork markers. I do view food as fuel now...and try to remember that when I want to overindulge. Yesterday, I allowed (within calories) a candy...which lead to allowing another...(within calories)....and yet, another.... (checking that food diary every time). One part of the brain beats myself up for indulging...the other says "high five"...you did so...but you kept yourself accountable...AND TOOK CARE OF YOURSELF. I choose to focus on the "high five" voice in my head...but I have to KEEP choosing it. I must remember to value myself...long term...not just go for the "quick hit of joy" that can come from eating something delicious but truly deadly to me in the long run. Kind of like the "frog in the boiling water" parable. Have a good day!2 -
Pippin20206 wrote: »Megan_smartiepants1970 wrote: »Pippin20206 wrote: »
I swear you are my twin ... Same birthday .... I have fatty liver... I am diabetic (type 2)....I suffer from migraines
Do we need to ask our parents some difficult questions?
Well that would be hard on my side since my adoptive parents are no longer with me2 -
lindamtuck2018 wrote: »Question
What time of day do you exercise and why?
Please don’t forget to do an introduction.
Early in the morning because my daughter starts her homeschool at 8 or so .... This week we are not able to walk with Aspen so I am taking the day off today since I am still not feeling well and I am hoping to do a Leslie Sansone DVD the rest of the week ...2 -
Steps:
12/3 12,871
12/4 13,222
@Megan_smartiepants1970 Could you please take me off the step challenge for December?
Thanks.3 -
@lindamtuck2018 and @Megan_smartiepants1970, Please remove me from the December challenge. Thank you!3
-
888Angie888 wrote: »Steps:
12/3 12,871
12/4 13,222
@Megan_smartiepants1970 Could you please take me off the step challenge for December?
Thanks.
Sure .... I am sorry to see you go ... I hope you will return soon ....hugs0 -
LazyKat_changingherworld wrote: »@lindamtuck2018 and @Megan_smartiepants1970, Please remove me from the December challenge. Thank you!
I am sorry you are leaving our group ... I hope to see you back in the future... take care ....hugs1 -
Megan_smartiepants1970 wrote: »Pippin20206 wrote: »Megan_smartiepants1970 wrote: »Pippin20206 wrote: »
I swear you are my twin ... Same birthday .... I have fatty liver... I am diabetic (type 2)....I suffer from migraines
Do we need to ask our parents some difficult questions?
Well that would be hard on my side since my adoptive parents are no longer with me
So sorry
2 -
Pippin20206 wrote: »Megan_smartiepants1970 wrote: »Pippin20206 wrote: »Megan_smartiepants1970 wrote: »Pippin20206 wrote: »
I swear you are my twin ... Same birthday .... I have fatty liver... I am diabetic (type 2)....I suffer from migraines
Do we need to ask our parents some difficult questions?
Well that would be hard on my side since my adoptive parents are no longer with me
So sorry
Thank you ...2 -
Hi, I am a 58 year old, 5’7” kidney/pancreas transplant recipient. I was misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes when I was 26. Really was type 1 but told that only children were type 1. From 1989 to 2009, i developed nerve damage in my hands, eyes, stomach, intestines, legs and feet. I had 11 prp surgeries 2 detached retina surgeries and a cataract surgery in one eye. The other eye had 13 prp surgeries, 2 detached surgeries and then the optic nerve died and the eye shrank and mummified before it was was removed. Prior to the cataract surgery, I was in braille living skills training and trying to find a talking glucose meter. My kidneys failed in 2005 and spent 3 years while gaining 75 pounds on a 1400 calorie diet. In 2009 had the organ transplants. Saw a tv show on how being vegetarian could delay or control diabetes so determined to eat healthier for 21 days. Started walking and resistance training. In 2010 had surgery to remove adhesions that strangled my small intestine. Surgery removed scar tissue, 15 inches of small intestine, left ovary, appendix and repaired leaking pancreas that was causing scar tissue. Restarted dieting and exercising and had lost 93+ pounds . Met my boyfriend in 2012. We became engaged in 2013. Never did get married. Gained weight back when we cancelled the wedding. We stayed together. When covid lockdowns started I decided to lessen my risk factors and started weighing, logging food and walking and resistance training. Last December, my boyfriend died of complications from covid. The habits that I had developed from mfp helped me cope with the loss. In may, mfp featured me in one of their victory blogs which triggered feelings of being an imposter. Still didn’t gain back weight. This march, I ripped off the skin on right big toe. Had skin grafts every week from April until August. Developed infection in the bone and spent a week in the hospital followed by 6 weeks of iv antibiotics and oral antibiotics, plus 1 sitting boot and 3 plaster casts. Comfort ate this Thanksgiving but am almost back to 138. Thanks to Linda for helping me realize that I needed to cry instead of eat my feelings. Will start PT this Thursday for a weakened right leg and foot drop. Am back to more restricted eating and walking to help with anxiety and increase fitness.9
-
My Introduction December 2021
My name is Lisa, 47, 5'2", HW 257, CW 252.5
GW 160, so that I can do "High Adventure" Scout Trips summer 2023
UGW 130, within BMI healthy weight. Right now that is hard for me to imagine.
December SW 252.5 (12/3/2021)
December Goals: Track all food, 6000 steps, 30 min daily activity/exercise, -5lbs
I live in Springfield IL. I am married and have two boys, 11yo and 13 yo. I have homeschooled my boys from the beginning. In addition to that, I am a freelance copyeditor, academic researcher in history and theology, and instructor in Latin, French, and writing. I love to crochet and knit, we have three cats and a dog. I am also active in Scouting. I am currently the Cubmaster for the pack and assistant Scoutmaster for a Troop.
I have been heavy for most of my life, though I too was not actually overweight when younger. But I thought I was and had been told that I was. I gained, I lost. After I met my husband, I got slowly heavier, then was close to 200 when I got pregnant with my older son. I gained 25 which I never lost, then another 25 for the next son, and I have been bouncing between 235 and 255 since then. The creep to 257 was a wake-up call. I need to do this. Two and a half years ago I was in a car accident. For the six months before that, I had made great progress again, but physical recovery from the accident has limited what I can do. I am finally in the care of a good chiropractor and I am regaining strength and mobility and freedom from pain caused by a fractured rib/sternum. Y'all, I am happy to be alive, and I want to live the next half+ of my life not struggling with carrying around all this weight. I have some mindset issues to work through, I know, but this journey has to move forward one step and one day at a time.
I am so glad to be on this team, and I look forward to cheering everybody on. Let's do this together!!4 -
lindamtuck2018 wrote: »Question
What time of day do you exercise and why?
Please don’t forget to do an introduction.
Hi my name is Tammy. I am 51 yo. I have 3 grown kids who I taught at home through graduation. I am stressing over my eldest son as he was a state trooper but he fell during training and broke his ankle. He was still on workman's comp when his training time ended and they fired him because his training jacket was not complete. I know it sounds like a lawsuit but he needs a job first and foremost. He is the father of my only grandchild and it is so hard not to want to help to my detriment. So with that I am trying not to eat my face off. I have a history of eating my stress and emotions. Starving then binge is my pattern in life. Maintaining my log and exercising are my control measures. My highest weight was 281 on Sept 12, 2012. That was my wakeup call. I hate the pictures of my eldest son's graduation. I looked like I was miserable. Life made me out of breath. I was sitting too long and much on the sidelines watching life roll by. I had always been athletic and active so no one noticed how much I had grown. But I could no longer do what I enjoyed so I had enough and began to change things. Believe it or not I was eating 1200 calories at this point in my life. I could not understand that my body had adjusted to this and it was NORMAL. I was losing my hair and gaining the whole time. I discovered another group on MFP that helped me heal my metabolism which took 3 years alone. That was the first 40# lost. Then dad was diagnosed with cancer and I gained 30#. After his passing I got focused and I lost that 30# and added another 35# to the loss. For a current total of 65#. I have continued to eat more and lift weights for 4 years. I had also begun to pay more mind to the food allergies I was diagnosed with as a teen. I am yeast free, gluten free, dairy free and I can't have honey. I have had a major set back this year with getting sick with covid and being hospitalized for 2 weeks. The past 2 months has been a difficult recovery but I have persevered. The next hurdle is a large mass growing near my liver, stomach, large intestines and esophagus. The size of this mass is grapefruit sized. I have named it Norm. Norm will be removed December 15th. I will not be quite as active as I want for a few months but I will be checking in here and doing what I can.
Now as far as my exercise I like to get that done in the evening. I am a night owl and it allows me to be able to fall asleep earlier than I normally would. Now working out with my trainer it has to be done during the day. Working out at the gym also requires earlier times. At home workouts happen between 8 and 10 pm. I used to do my daughters choreography as late as 2 am. Yes I love to dance and I did my daughter's choreography until she got old enough to do her own. Now she is in circus classes which she does silks, sling, and lyra. Yes we have a major training room with a bar, mirrors and aerial apparatus. If I could I would also have a weight area but alas I do not. I enjoy aerial yoga, weightlifting, hiking, scuba diving, kayaking, and elliptical. Now if you have made it this far I apologize for the book, but how else are you to get to know me?6 -
good evening everyone. hope you all had a decent monday.
check in for 12/6:
steps - 4433
calories - 1766
exercise - none. still getting back back on line. it's getting there. rescheduled our trip to disneyland to january.
@lindamtuck2018 for disneyland, as of now we don't have to show proof, but we have to wear masks on the rides and indoors. with the new virus showing up that may change. your daughter will need to check the website before going. we are going to take our cards with us just in case.
When do i like to exercise? i like it first thing in the morning, since it is usually hot here around 11am. if i don't do it early, then after dinner. it doesn't matter if i am walking or hitting the gym.1 -
Ok, time for my introduction:
My name is Roger, 57 y/o, married with an adult daughter, 32, who still lives with us. We live in San Diego.
I was thin(ish) as a kid. I wrestled at 185 lbs, but i wasn't fat or muscular. I am 6'3 or 4, depending on my back pain. I started getting fat while i was in the Navy. got a g/f, now wife, and so i had to get a car. That, along with 18 to 30 hour work days got me to stop exercising. I started getting injured and had to stop my sports, mainly softball on the ship's varsity team. After 12 1/2 years i was kicked out for being overweight. I continued to gain weight as i worked, mainly since i worked graveyard shift and had to keep an eye on my daughter during the day while my wife worked. no time to exercise, barely enough time to sleep. In 2003 i discovered i had testicular cancer. They removed one from me and i made them give me one back, it is fake. I received 25 radiation treatments while working graveyards, getting sick every day. I kept getting fatter after that. In 2012 I had an incident where my b/p collapsed and i went unconcous. my wife found me unresponsive with my eyes open and saved my life. after that i started going to a gym and lost 60 lbs, 520-460, before being chased out by the fat shamers who were making fun of me. i gained 100 pounds back before hitting rock bottom.
In march 2019 my Dr. called and told me he wouldn't renew my prescriptions anymore since i hadn't been to see him in 2 years. I had to tell him that i couldn't see him. i was to big to fit into our car or truck, a cab, uber, mini-van or suv. i had been housebound for 1 1/2 years, unable to walk 150 feet, unable to stand for more than 2 minutes, unable to bathe myself. i needed my daughter's help to bathe every 3 or 4 days since it hurt so much each time i did it. my Dr. referred me to Home Based Primary Care, which i had never heard of. It is a department of the V.A.. When they agreed to take me in, i weighed 566 pounds. With a lot of help from a nutritionist and behavior therapist i got my head screwed on straight and i found a starting point to lose. i lost 30 pounds my first 6 months because i was still learning what to do. Since October 2019 i have been losing 10-12 pounds a month until November, which i lost only 9. i am now 250 pounds, which is the lowest i have been since the early 90s, while in the navy.
For my weight loss program i just count calories in. I don't care about calories out since they vary greatly depending on which site. i just treat them as bonus calories i can't touch. i like to stay about 1700 but have been snacking more lately. I like to walk a lot, up to 7 miles, but mainly 5-6. lately i have been somewhat lazy because it was very cold early but then heated up really quickly. i have to get my flat rear out there anyway. i now walk 1-2 times a week and hit the gym 1-2 times. since my back is hurting i am not doing any hard core stuff. my walks are slow and short so i can build up my back again.
sorry for the novel. i think this one is my longest intro yet.7 -
JimBoden3
Weigh-in Day: Monday (Dec 6, 2021)
PW: 214.4
CW: 216.8
SW: 240
First things first ... my apologies for being late. It was a crazy day at work yesterday, I got my COVID booster shot around 1 pm and we continued the Christmas decorating last night to get ready for the neighborhood party we're hosting on the 11th. We finished decorating tree number 2 of 3 (the last one is Santa's tree with the kids ornaments in the basement - it's up and lit but no ornaments yet). The house is starting to look great and getting me in the holiday spirit but I've been victimized by sodium intake again as I "lost" nearly 2 lbs between yesterday and this morning so while I'm not happy about my weigh-in day results from Monday, it looks like most of it is temporary.
Second - my intro/bio ... My name is Jim (52), married 25 years, father of 4 (one graduated and engaged now!, 2 in college and a sophomore in HS). I've been up since 2 am so I'm generally a workaholic and often sleep-deprived, but when I have down time, it's usually because we're traveling. We've taken all 4 kids to every state capital and I want to say just under 40 US National Parks at this point. We're planning a trip to Italy (just Susan and I) for a 1 year late 25th anniversary but I guess it depends on whether Italy will have us - who knows these days right?
Lastly - the question of the week is "What time of day do you exercise and why?" The answer (unsurprisingly) is in the morning because I'm always up early however the more appropriate question in my case should be 'How often do you exercise?' as the answer is more like once in a blue moon. I had double hernia surgery this summer and while I'm fully healed, I've really fallen out of the exercise habit and I'm not better for it. I work a lot of hours but know I could make the time if I just prioritized it. I need to get my head in the game and just do it. Alright - I just convinced myself writing this so I'm going to hit the weights right now (I'm afraid the rower and jump rope will make too much noise for 4 am and Susan will not be happy if I wake her this early!). Thanks for the inspiration!6 -
Happy Tuesday, Downsizers! Here's my daily check-in:
12/6:
Calories: 1,152
Exercise: 86 minutes elliptical
Steps: 16,787
I am slowly reading through everyone's posts - this is such an amazing group of very strong people - I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you!3 -
dsgoingtodoit wrote: »Good morning folks!
Weekly Weigh in day: Monday
Previous weight: 262
Current weight: 261.2
I am inspired to read all of your posts and will try to contribute more as we go through this week.
Today I'm focused on my pre-planned menu/diary, getting in 40 minutes of exercise, homeschooling, getting other to his dr. appt, yard work with the fellas, pet sitting is my current business...so have to stay on top of that (joyfully, but it is work), Advent Bible study...by golly - I will make that a priority, and housework.
Side note - but applicable... I too was diagnosed with NAFLD, without bloodwork markers. I do view food as fuel now...and try to remember that when I want to overindulge. Yesterday, I allowed (within calories) a candy...which lead to allowing another...(within calories)....and yet, another.... (checking that food diary every time). One part of the brain beats myself up for indulging...the other says "high five"...you did so...but you kept yourself accountable...AND TOOK CARE OF YOURSELF. I choose to focus on the "high five" voice in my head...but I have to KEEP choosing it. I must remember to value myself...long term...not just go for the "quick hit of joy" that can come from eating something delicious but truly deadly to me in the long run. Kind of like the "frog in the boiling water" parable. Have a good day!
Nice loss! You sound like a very busy lady. I love your side note. I think I still haven’t wrapped my head around viewing food as fuel. I know I should but I got to give myself that little push to get over the hump. Thanks for the great post.1 -
good evening everyone. hope you all had a decent monday.
check in for 12/6:
steps - 4433
calories - 1766
exercise - none. still getting back back on line. it's getting there. rescheduled our trip to disneyland to january.
@lindamtuck2018 for disneyland, as of now we don't have to show proof, but we have to wear masks on the rides and indoors. with the new virus showing up that may change. your daughter will need to check the website before going. we are going to take our cards with us just in case.
When do i like to exercise? i like it first thing in the morning, since it is usually hot here around 11am. if i don't do it early, then after dinner. it doesn't matter if i am walking or hitting the gym.
Look at the positive, you have a fun trip to look forward to in January. I find that month to be the longest of the year. I think for us in Canada it is starting to get expensive to travel with all the Covid test we have to do. Right now to get to Scotland I have to take 4 tests which cost money.
On another note, did you get your diamond painting framed? I did see some magnetic frames on Amazon. I think it was $34 for 2 frames. One of the reasons my night eating has slowed down is I do my picture instead. Thanks to you and my friend for reminding me about diamond art.Happy Tuesday, Downsizers! Here's my daily check-in:
12/6:
Calories: 1,152
Exercise: 86 minutes elliptical
Steps: 16,787
I am slowly reading through everyone's posts - this is such an amazing group of very strong people - I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you!
Another great day! You are right, we have a fantastic team!1 -
Thanks for all the introductions. I love reading everyone’s story and maybe I am a bit nosy. 🧐
The general consensus seems to be morning exercise. I am the same as I find it harder to make myself go if I leave it too late. As it is, I already have to give myself a pep talk to go out in the cold and walk to the pool house.1 -
❌ Steps
✅ Closed rings
❌ Calories (over by 17)
I did 2 mini walks yesterday. I am going to ride the exercise bike today. The calories are going to be tough this week as I am used to eating some of my exercise calories. I got a 1/4 of what I usually do. I am going to stick exactly to my diary today.
I have an appointment today with a social worker. She is going to do cbt for pain management and help me deal with the anxiety issues as a result of my limitations due to my back. Only 2 more days to my back injection. I am praying that all this works.
@Megan_smartiepants1970
Steps 6,1325
This discussion has been closed.