Introductions!

Mrs_Hoffer

Welcome to the February 2022 Ultimate Accountability Challenge!

Some of you have been with this challenge for months and some are brand new. This is one of the hardest challenges to stay with throughout the entire month.

FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS!! Log every BLT (Bite, Lick, Taste). Stay strong and stay true to yourself....YOU WILL SUCCEED!!

Please feel free to share as much information as you feel comfortable sharing about yourself with the rest of the group. We look forward to getting to know all of you a little better.

GOOD LUCK!

Mrs_Hoffer

Feel free to introduce yourself and then join us for the remainder of our January UAC Challenge. You can join us for the last few days of January here:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/142048-ultimate-accountability-challenge-january-2022

jmu1965

Good morning, I am happy to be in this group. I first signed up for this group in November. I just turned 57 in January. I started my weight loss journey in July 2019. I have maintained a 70-pound weight loss. I used Noom to help me lose weight. I am still on Noom and my subscription expires in March. I am new to MFP and started using it because my dietician can help me with my food choices. I am working on lowering my cholesterol and working towards losing 15 more pounds. I live in southeastern Montana, have six grandchildren (3 girls and 3 boys) and 3 sons (2 stepsons). I work full time for Farm Service Agency. I enjoy taking pictures, fitness, my grandkids, camping (in the summer) and personal growth, and learning something new every day. Looking forward to the month of February and reading everyone's introductions.

LazyBlondeChef

I am back for yet another month (#15). UAC keeps me focused even when I have too many pass days it's still on my mind to follow the three rules. I continue to be stuck at the high end of my healthy weight range and would really like to focus on losing a couple of pounds this month so I can get closer to the lower range.

experimentofone

Hi, I joined MFP this past November, so far down 27.8 lbs - only another 90-100 to go

I'm a 63 year old grandma with two titanium knees and 4 adorable little grandkids.
I love to golf, hike, bike, kayak and camp...... and restore vintage and antique trunks........ all when I'm not working for a major John Deere dealer.
I'm looking forward to this next month, meeting everyone and reaching our goals together.

enlightenme3

I started up again with MFP in September of 2021 after a year and a half hiatus. Since then, focusing on the principles of the Ultimate Accountability Challenge (exercise, tracking your calories, and meeting your calorie goals), I've lost over 25 pounds with 10 more to go. Although I haven't been perfect by a long stretch, the community and encouragement of the group helps keep you going, even when it would be so easy to give up. I'm getting excited that in my third month of belonging to UAC, I have a realistic shot at being in the winners circle!

Mrs_Hoffer

WELCOME @experimentofone !! We're glad you're here! Great job on losing 27 lbs so far! You're well on your way! And you restore vintage and antique trucks - how cool is that??? We're looking forward to getting to know you!


And WELCOME BACK to our teammates:

@jmu1965 - awesome job maintaining your 70lb loss! That's not an easy task!

@LazyBlondeChef - so glad to see you're coming back for February! Even though you feel like you're "stuck", at least you've been able to maintain! High Five to YOU!

@enlightenme3 Congrats on losing 25 so far - especially over the holidays!!

So glad you're all joining us again in February!

Arc2Arc

Hi, I'm Lorenzo. This will be my third month participating in UAC. During that time I finished losing and transitioned to maintenance, exercised vigorously, had surgery, stopped exercising completely and now am able to target a return to exercise and activity in several weeks. At each stage of that process I've found UAC to be an awesome form of support.

TerriRichardson112

Hi all. Terri here. Good to see both returning and new members with us for February 2022.

I've been with UAC since 2017. This is such a great motivational space, where you get valuable support from the kind, caring members. It has helped me finally reach my UGW (just before Covid hit the world for six) and stay there for the duration. Posting everyday helps build solid habits which will help you on your quest for better Health and Fitness.

Although my focus shifted from weight loss to fitness/health well before I went on maintenance, I'm delighted that, in October I fell below my original UGW. I have managed to maintain this over the Festive period.

Bring it on!!!

Potted Bio - 2022

Terri: Female; 76 next birthday; living in Northern Ireland; married 55 years; ex Maths teacher; volunteer group leader for U3A (University of the Third Age, life-long learning charity)
SW: 227 (Mar 2014)
CW: 137.2 (Jan 2022)
GW: < 140

Daily Habits Update - January 2022 (Things I aspire to, but don't always achieve)

1. Log ALL CI/CO (Daily)
2. Stay under goal (Daily)
3. Balance macros/micros (Daily)
4. Hydrate adequately (Daily)
5. Choose healthy options (Daily)
6. Steps > 7500 (Daily)
7. Stretch before/after workouts
8. 15+ minutes Cardio > 5 days a week
9. 15+ mins Strength > 5 days a week
10. 15+ mins Flexibility > 5 days a week
11. Active hours > 6
12. Practice self-care (Daily)
13. Stay up to date with accounts (monthly)
14. Mindfulness Practice/meditation ((Daily - morning/evening)
15. 1 > 15 mins Declutter sessions (Daily)
16. Be creative
17. Purchase essential items only
18. Read > 1 book from 'to read' pile
19. Complete > 2 ongoing craft projects (monthly)
20. Learn something new (daily)
21. Actively Build Better Habits

https://www.random.org/colors/hex

THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES OR SHORTCUTS to achieving permanent change.
REMINDERS: One or two thoughts which might give heart to some of you.

• Daily weight fluctuations are normal, and can be as much as 2 lbs a day for no apparent reason.
• A general downward trend is what we are looking for.
• Eating out can cause apparent weight gain because of high sodium levels, but usually goes quickly. Drinking extra water helps with this.
• The human body does not react instantly to what we do to it. Sometimes it can take several days to see results.
• Plateaus are a normal part of the process. The body is consolidating and adapting to your new way of eating/exercising.
• The closer you get to your goal weight, the more difficult it becomes to lose weight, as your body becomes more efficient at using what you feed it.
• When you exercise you build muscle, which takes up less space than fat, so use measurements as well as weight to assess your progress.
• Getting/Staying fit and healthy requires a lifestyle change for most people.

Stick with the process. It DOES work! But it does take time, effort, and most of all, patience!

Mrs_Hoffer

Welcome back @Arc2Arc Lorenzo! I'm so glad that you've stayed with us! Even though your surgery has prevented you from doing much exercise these last several weeks, you determined early on that you weren't going to 'drop out' and that you would continue to check in, and do the best that you could, in spite of what you were dealing with!! THAT is a true Champion in my book EVERY.single.day.


And @TerriRichardson112 , YOU are such an inspiration and encouragement to the group! I appreciate YOU, your insight, patience, consistency, and wisdom! I'm so glad you're here!

seilidhe

Hi all,

I'm Beth, but will (and have for years) answer to my screen name just as easily and sometimes even more so. I'm 63 yo, live in southern Arizona (all my life), and I'm mom to adult twingles (34yo son lives up in Phoenix, my 31 yo twin daughters are more local - one is a teacher who lives and works on the other side of the city and the 2nd is SMI, currently unemployed as they try to get her stabilized, for lack of a better word, and lives with me). I'm also "gamma" to two dogs and a cat. I ride my bike, I "run," and I enjoy walking, listening to music, dancing, I love to read, and I'm a bit of a geek. I'm employed full-time in Superior Court, and I sing with a community chorus. I've been a member of UAC for several months now, maybe since July? I'm not the best at meeting the daily goals, especially the calories. In fact, I put on a bunch of weight between Halloween and now and I'm having difficulties losing it again. Le sigh. I stay because I like the people here and also because having to check in daily forces me to face my "sins" and remind me daily that I know what to do and I just need to do it.

Welcome newcomers, the people in this group are great and I hope you all enjoy your time here.

makattack220

Hi group! I'm new to UAC and really looking forward to an active accountability group. Reading the posts from long-time members and returners is inspiring! Clearly this is an awesome group! I am a long-time MFP user but only recently started using the community platform and am so happy I did. I'll try to keep my intro short: I lost 15lbs Feb to July 2021 (food logging, daily moderate exercise), gained back 10lbs July to Oct 2021 (did not handle the loss of a loved one well and a month later severe ankle sprain; truly was struggling emotionally and physically), and pulled myself together in Nov 2021. Since Nov 2021, I've exercised 30+ min daily (daily walks with some added strength training 3-5x week), tracked all calories, focused on getting enough water and sleep, and have focused on my mindset and habits more than ever before. I'm now 15lbs down from SW (which was also all-time high) with 37lbs to UGW. I've lost 20lbs and 35lbs in the past, but didn't make sustainable habit changes in the process either time. My goal now is to get to my UGW in a steady, sustainable way. I'm focused on changing my mindset and being kind with myself whereas before I'd always try to shame and deprive myself into weight loss. Looking forward to participating in the group! I see there's an invitation to join the last few days of the January UAC so I think I'll head there next

Mrs_Hoffer

@seilidhe Beth, I'm so glad to see you joining us in February. I know you've been under a lot of stress lately. Prayers for your DD, our mama's hearts hurt when our children hurt - not matter how old they are!!

@makattack220 Love your username! WELCOME! I think you'll LOVE this group! Like you, I too have lost and gained (repeat ad infinitum)...... but with the help of this group and wisdom and insight of many of the "seasoned, veteran losers" here, I've been able to lose 50 lbs this time and KEEP.IT.OFF.... even through the holidays. Correction: I did gain 5 lbs in December while in more of a "maintenance mode" due to being under the weather most of the month, but was able to take that off quickly in January when I got serious again. But you're right - it's all about mindset and habits. We look forward to getting to know you better in February!

makattack220

thanks @Mrs_Hoffer ! Hearing your success story and browsing through the Jan UAC posts has been very inspirational. I'm really glad I decided to start right away and not wait for Feb to start!

ideas2

Hi, I am Susan. I am back for my fourth month with UAC. I retired from seeing clients last October and now only administer my counseling center a few hours a month, so now I have time to make regaining my health my top priority. I have lost 75 pounds once( 2000/2001) and 85 pounds another time (2007/2008), but eventually gained it back until my high of last August. I have now lost 39 pounds (including 10 pound in the last month, which surprised me) since actively tracking with MyFitnessPal. Shortly after beginning to lose weight I had lab results that said I was pre-diabetic, just short of diabetic and I so have focused my research and efforts on trying to reverse my insulin resistance. I also am working on improving my gut microbiome after recently learning I had very low biodiversity of my microbiome and also carry a colony of the nasty bacteria c. difficil. (My father had c. dificil at the time of his death in 2011, perhaps that is when I got it, and I would like to see if I can get those baddies kicked out after seeing the way he suffered when his immune system became compromised.) I read a lot, and I like to swim, but currently with the weather and the pandemia, my primary exercise is walking in my basement while listening to health and diet related podcasts or YouTube videos, so I often have bits of information I like to share.

Mrs_Hoffer

@ideas2 Susan! I'm so glad that you're joining us for February! Congrats on the 39 lbs thus far (and 10 in January!!) GO you!!!!

mshawski

Hello, I'm Maryann. 38, married, 6 year old son, and two fat cats that are on a vet mandated diet. The orange one is very mad about this, and is therefore often the reason I'm sleep deprived. My exercise is split between running and functional strength at the gym in a small group training format. I've been with UAC for... 14 months in February? Admittedly I've lost focus the past month or so, but hope to dial back in for February (I say 'hope' and not 'plan' as to not jinx myself. LOL.) I originally lost 65lbs slowly over 2 years, but gained 13lbs back in the latter third of 2021 because it was a wild ride for a few months there. While I didn't add to the gain in January, I definitely wasn't as focused as I needed to be. So I'm down a net of 52. I'm looking to retake those 13lbs and get rid of 20 more after that by the end of 2022.

While I didn't reach all of my January goals there were a few positives:

• I finally prioritized reading a few times (sadly, I still can't manage to stop before 2am. Work in progress).
• All the squats and deadlifts have been paying off, as my friends at the gym have commented on the fact that I actually have a booty now. Woohoo!
• I've landed at most of an answer from various doctors about why I hurt 24/7 and I can hopefully take steps from here to deal with that going forward.

February goals, outside of the standard UAC goals:

• Go Gluten Free for the entire month to see if it eases some of the symptoms I'm having (doctor's recommendation)
• Work life balance. Repeat after me, Maryann: WORK. LIFE. BALANCE.
• Make sure I get all 3 runs in a week. I've let work and house guests derail my running a little too much in January. Signing up for a St. Patty's Day 5k to ensure I stick to it.
• Add in some yoga. I was doing well with this for a while there, but the whole failing at work life balance derailed it in January. (Anyone out there with Fibromyalgia or Degenerative Disc Disease with any recommendations for yoga/stretching/Pilates routines that have helped you - send it my way!)
• Be a better UAC community member and go back to being more engaged in responding, instead of the "post and run" thing. It was all I could maintain there for a while, but I'm going to be better about it this month.

Hooray for February! Go team!

ashleycarole86

Hi all, my name is Ashley, I'm 35 years old, living in Alberta, Canada. Married to my lovely husband and fellow MFP'er - we track together and have both lost a considerable amount of weight over the last year.
No kids at home but we do have a little Maltese and two cats.
I was an athlete as a child but grew up in a home where I ate all the time and for every reason. I definitely love food, have had problems with bingeing, and ate for every emotion, but life was getting hard at nearly 300 pounds and with the COVID time on my hands I realized I had to turn things around.
I am just under 15 pounds away from hitting my original goal weight (normal BMI) and then I'll likely keep losing down to mid-range.
The benefits are huge and I couldn't have done it without the consistent support and checking in as part of this community.

WhatMeRunning

Hello all, my name is Chris. I'm married in Kansas, USA, with 5 kids, the 3 youngest living at home (9, 12 and 21) all with severe autism (yes, all three, in one family).

I just turned 50 and have spent the last 15 years in a cycle of ups and downs, weight-wise and health-wise. My overall progress has been good, definitely a net positive, and I reached 50 in remarkably good shape, especially considering that when I started this 15 years ago there were legitimate reasons to wonder if I would make it to 50 or much further beyond that. My blood labs last year were the best ever, and my weight was down near all time lows.

That said, I am on a "going backwards" trend for the last 3 months. I have been battling a chronic case of plantar fasciitis since late summer, underwent surgery in November to treat damage from an auto-immune condition, had COVID run through the house and am now recovering from shingles.

In all of that downtime I have added on quite a few pounds and the changes in my activity level have affected me in too many ways to count.

What I am trying to do is not lose focus of my long term goals to live healthier. Even when it's hard, or even seemingly impossible on so many days these last few months, I can only get back on track sooner by not losing sight of that track.

I would say I have no goals for February, but that's just not true. I still have the 3 UAC goals. I hope to get as many 3 Yes days as possible. Even if that's only 1...or even 0, I will know if I at least gave an effort. And it will be evident by my regular posting as well.

Wishing all of you a glorious February! Spring is coming soon for all of my fellow northern hemisphere folks, are you ready? I know I am!

melissan84

Hi all,
My name is Melissa. I joined MFP 10 years ago to lose weight because I hated how I looked in pictures. I started at 171 lbs 10 years ago and managed to get to 130 lbs with the help of insanity and asylum (beach body- Shaun t). I got sick and stopped then I joined nursing school and stress made me gain little by little. And of course I’m now in school again but this time to become nurse practitioner and I cannot afford to gain more weight. How am I supposed to educate my patients when I weigh so much. Thank goodness I don’t have any health problems. And I don’t want any, so it’s my motivation to lose weight.

I’m now a nurse and daily we are tempted with free cookies, doughnuts, and cakes. I started this journey after my cruise on Jan 18 with goal of getting back to 140-150 lbs. My starting weight this time is 249 lbs. As of Saturday I weighed 243.4 lbs. Im doing insanity again but of course very modified. Because I cannot jump like I use to. Im tracking my calories and trying to stay away from break room at work. So far I have gladly say that even though it has been temptation since I started this journey I have looked away and gave my part away. I’m so proud of myself.

I can’t wait to get to meet you all and share this journey with you. I need accountability and motivation. So this why I joined this group. Please feel free to friend me as well. Let’s go team.

My goals for this month includes:
-Trying to stay away from all those baked goods and chips.
-stay within my calorie intake of 1500
-Drink more water
-follow my modified insanity calendar (I work 12 hour shifts so on the days I work, I will not be working out) usually it’s 2 days a week. I walk 8-9k sometimes more throughout the day regardless as a nurse)
-CW 243.4
-GW for February 235
-ultimate GW 140

enlightenme3

@melissan84 - you chose a great group to join! I recently joined myself a couple of months ago and love how encouraging and supportive this group is. So many caring individuals!