Shape Shifters Team Chat - SEPTEMBER 2022
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@LaurieWrobo sorry you've having such a stressful time.Glad your mom in law is OK.Sending hugs ❤️2
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Hello everyone,
I just came back from a little walk with my partner in crime Florence in her stroller (her back legs do not work yet). Well, she is the tired one...
Hope you are all enjoying your day.5 -
I'm going to up my step count from 6,000 to 8,000 for the month of September. I'm slowly working my way up to 10,000/day.
9/4 8,565
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Daily step goal: 10,000
Sun 9/4: 10,285
Mon 9/5: 15,5312 -
This is just a quick note to let all our new Shape Shifter team members know that we took an informal poll of our members at the beginning of summer to learn what motivates us.
So, I wanted to give you all a chance to share what motivates you to continue tracking your nutrition and exercise on days when you just don’t feel like it. We want to encourage and support you in ways that work best for you.
If you get a chance, let us know what works for you!2 -
Hi Patrice, What motivates me now is that I am enrolled in a "Path to Lifestyle Change" wellness program run by Massachusetts General Hospital Diabetes Center to help people alter their lifestyles in order to delay or prevent the onset of Diabetes 2 (or improve their heath if they already have it). It can also help prevent development or worsening of heart disease, hypertension and other ailments. It mainly focuses on good nutrition, portion control, increasing activity, etc. Our regular, hour-long conference calls will occur almost every Thursday for six months, then monthly, then bimonthly, etc. (It is a two-year program.) We have to text a photo of our feet on the scale to report our weight every Thursday morning to the nutritionist/dietician who heads up our session; so that's a STRONG motivator for me! (I'm not only "eager to please" but I am also rather competitive!) I'm very excited about this program and I believe that Shape Shifters and the PLC meetings will help me attain my goals!
I should note here that we are also required to submit a food and activity diary every week and we are encouraged to use MFP to generate reports! How 'bout that? MFP approved by Massachusetts General Hospital! I think that's pretty impressive!
Have a great week!
Carole 3 -
YAY! I found it! (Amazing what scrolling down can show you!)
SEPTEMBER TIMETABLE
Starting Weights - Submit from Sun AUG 28 - Sat SEPT 3
Week 1 Weigh-in - Submit from Sun SEPT 4 - Sat SEPT 10
Walela617
WI day: Thursday
Based on above, my starting weight on Thu SEPT 1: 166.4 (Stats say "166.6" but 2nd WI said "166.4"; so I'm going with the lower weight because it seems I've dropped a lot since 9/1 already.)
I will submit my Week 1 Weigh-in on Thu SEPT 8 (following above timetable). Please correct me if the starting weight should be this week instead of last week.
Thanks so much and enjoy your day!1 -
Hey @walela617 The timetable you're referencing is mainly for brand new members. Because you've been with us for a few months, we'll go with your last weigh-in and it will remain as recorded that day. I'm looking forward to your reports with this new program you're started because I can just hear/see the motivation in your posts. Can't wait to share your joy as you learn new things, start new habits and really begin to shine in it! Good luck to you! Please share your good and bad days...it will help others going through similar challenges.
I recorded your steps, but our Sept stats begin on Sun, the 4th, so the Sept chart will start on that date.
Take care!
Jessica
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OOPS! Hi Jess! Sure! It's fine to go with my final August weigh-in as the start weight for September. I will make sure to post my September 8 weight for week one this Thursday.
166.6 -4.2 -2.59% shows as the End weight recorded for August [9/01 Weigh-In] so I understand that as a returning member this is now my Starting Weight for September.
(FINALLY, "Light dawns on Marble Head"!)
Thanks so much for clarifying and I look forward to sharing news about the program I have joined.
Thanks so much for all your time, effort and patience! (Carole)1 -
Yukie_OP , steps udpate & will keep September step challenge goal at 6k daily @jessicakrall8
9/1 8,078
9/2 4,755
9/3 6,621
9/4 6,873
9/5 3,878
Spent most of the weekend studying (alot of sitting) but I did put in some time walking while reading on the treadmill * only issue is it doesn't count as "steps" on my tracker, it's counted as exercise (seperately), so I'm okay accepting the lower step count knowing I did my best not to remain too sedentary.2 -
Hello Everyone, hope you all had a great long weekend. I didnt do much, I worked Sunday but had Saturday and Monday off. Saturday I donated Plasma, and the needle infiltrated my vein, so my arm has been swollen and hurting all weekend, I finally have full range of motion back in it today though, I had no strength in it and couldnt lift anything for a couple days, which made work quite entertaining, lol.
Also, Im taking alot of consideration into making some big changes in my life. For 7 years now I have worked 2 jobs, main job being a school nurse, which I dont have to worry about child care because my kids just come to my office before and after school, and if my daughter is ever admitted into the hospital (shes been hospitalized 4 times due to asthma) they have been wonderful to just let me off, Holidays and weekends off, But the pay isnt great, We have Christmas and summer break, all of which are unpaid, and I just can not afford to not work a 2nd job. My second job is a CNA in a Memory care unit, which is harder work, but better pay. I am thinking about quitting my school job and going full time at the other one. Im already paid $1 an hour more there, Ill have work all year round. I'll get paid for holidays whether I work them or not, and if I do work them, its double time and a half, but only if I am full time. I spoke with my manager, They want me full time and they are willing to work with me and work my schedule around my kids school. Im going to talk to them tomorrow, and if they are willing to pay me more, I might actually do it. I would need a $3 raise to make the same I make with 2 jobs, but I would settle for a $2 raise because they offer OT plus call in pay, plus incentive pay, and shift differential pay, which really adds up. If I switch, I lose a really awesome job that is way easier on my body than my part time job, but it is a lot of sitting and desk work which I do not like. Switching, I would go from 1 day off a week, to 3 or 4 depending on my schedule I take on, which that itself makes it almost worth it to switch. Also I fit in better with the people at the other job, I am just not clicky enough for the school.
I have been thinking for days, and can not decide what to do though, so I will wait for tomorrow and see what management has to offer me, then decide3 -
Hello September! hopefully the high heat starts to temper down a bit (here in CA).
Quick Intro: Full-time working mom, focusing on living a healthier lifestyle & improving my professional career/skillset.
This month's goals:- Keep the progress/momentum I've had these past few weeks
- Step count 6k daily
- Study, Study, Study - take & pass exam (professional/work related)
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YAY! I found it! (Amazing what scrolling down can show you!)
SEPTEMBER TIMETABLE
Starting Weights - Submit from Sun AUG 28 - Sat SEPT 3
Week 1 Weigh-in - Submit from Sun SEPT 4 - Sat SEPT 10
Walela617
WI day: Thursday
Based on above, my starting weight on Thu SEPT 1: 166.4 (Stats say "166.6" but 2nd WI said "166.4"; so I'm going with the lower weight because it seems I've dropped a lot since 9/1 already.)
I will submit my Week 1 Weigh-in on Thu SEPT 8 (following above timetable). Please correct me if the starting weight should be this week instead of last week.
Thanks so much and enjoy your day!
@Walela617
We have your starting weight as 166.6, taken from your last weigh in for August. So when you report in, just give us PW: 166.6; CW: whatever it is. You're doing great so far! So excited for your progress! I love your amazing attitude and enthusiasm!
Jessica0 -
Yukie_OP , steps udpate & will keep September step challenge goal at 6k daily @jessicakrall8
9/1 8,078
9/2 4,755
9/3 6,621
9/4 6,873
9/5 3,878
Spent most of the weekend studying (alot of sitting) but I did put in some time walking while reading on the treadmill * only issue is it doesn't count as "steps" on my tracker, it's counted as exercise (seperately), so I'm okay accepting the lower step count knowing I did my best not to remain too sedentary.
@Yukie_OP When you go on the treadmill, put your watch in your pocket and it WILL count your steps, just as if you were swinging your arm. I do the same thing when I go into a store and push a cart, putting my watch in my pocket...your hip movements allow it to track.
Either way, great job!!
Jessica1 -
Hi, @angmarie28
Wow, that's a LOT to think about! What always helps me with difficult and life-altering decisions, is the good ol' "PLUS/MINUS" columns. It sounds simplistic, I know, but if you make two lists (change jobs and stay as is) and then make two columns for each list marked "PLUS" and "MINUS", it might help make things clearer so you can make the best decision for you and your family. In my case, once I lay it out like that, there are usually more pluses in one decision and more minuses in the other. In your case, it's more complicated because of your daughter's asthma (would the other job be as flexible?) and I'm not sure about your own physical and emotional condition and stamina. "Memory care" sounds like a really challenging and demanding role.
I hope your arm is feeling much better now? I gave plasma - once. It was over three hours. I was shivering so much (due to being cold, though they gave me a heated blanket) they even taped both my arms down! They set up Netflix so I watched a whole movie and part of another one before it was done. I also drank a lot of water before and I was really desperate to use the restroom by the time it was over, LOL! (They really, really are desperate for plasma but I'm not in a hurry to do that again!) I hope they develop a method by which it can be done a lot quicker, then I would try to donate plasma more often.
Bless you, I believe most nurses are like "angels in disguise"! Thank you so much for being there for so many!
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@LaurieWrobo OMG, how scary, so glad she is ok.2
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@Walela617 I have done the 2nd job for years, I regularly work 2 jobs and memory care I work weekends and 40-60 hours a week in the summer, so I know I can do it, only thing thats been holding me back is my kids and child care, but if the other job is willing to work with me, I think id like to have more than one day off a week.
and holy cow, 3 hours to give plasma??? That is insane. my first appointment was like 2 hours because of all the screening and questions and paperwork, ect, but now from the moment I walk in to the time I leave, it is 45-60 minutes total. After I am hooked up to the machine, it takes 30 minutes to finish, I have been going twice a week since May. I drink tons of water starting the day before and I pee when I get there so I am not doing the potty dance with a needle in my arm, haha. My right arm is finicky though and I only use it when my left arm needs a break, and this is why, haha. I also take calcium and that helps me not feel so crappy because the anticoagulant they put in you clings to calciun cells and depleats your calcium.1 -
Dear @angmarie28,
WOW! Thanks for letting me know! I should totally look into it again then. I donated in Summer, 2021 - maybe they DID come up with a quicker way? At the time, I wondered, "Why are they giving us a Netflix screen?", and it was because it took so long! I will definitely make inquiries. (Not only that, when I donated, BOTH arms were hooked up at once - one taking stuff out and one putting stuff back. (Whole blood out/red cells back?) That's why they had to tape both arms down. (I'm not very technical but I'm very trusting; so I didn't ask too many questions.) I had been receiving about two-three calls per week since then asking me to come back. I had to block the numbers. Maybe I will try again, if they only need one arm and if it takes an hour from screening to end!
Yikes! I don't think I could keep up with all those hours, PLUS kids and child care responsbilities. You must be TOUGH! I hope you do get to have two days off per week.
Cheers and thanks! (Carole)
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WAIT a minute, @angmarie28! It was platelets, NOT plasma (DUH!)
Nevahmind!
I might try donating plasma instead then...I usually donate blood when there is a Mass General bloodmobile stationed near my office (I work for Mass General Brigham).
From the Red Cross Site:
How long does it take to donate platelets?
From start to finish, it takes about three hours to donate platelets. It will take approximately 30 minutes to complete the health history questionnaire and for the machine to be personally set-up for you. From there you can expect to be donating for about two hours followed by enjoying a snack in the refreshment area.
This is because it takes time to separate and collect the platelets from the other blood components. During the process, platelets are removed from your blood and other fluids are returned to you.
During your donation you can relax, watch a movie, listen to music…in a few hours you’ll have donated enough platelets to help as many as three patients.
Many donors say platelet donation is their ‘me time’ to unwind from the daily stresses of life while helping save lives.
Source: https://redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/types-of-blood-donations/platelet-donation.html#:~:text=From%20start%20to%20finish%2C%20it,you%20through%20the%20other%20arm.1 -
@Walela617 OMG, I was like there is no way I would do that, haha. I get one poke in the arm and that needle takes out the blood, the machine separates the plasma out, then puts the red blood cells back in through the same needle. im far to fidgety to sit still for 3 hours unable to move either arm, haha.1
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9/1-7,231
9/2-8,388
9/3-5,027
9/4-10,187
9/5-9,1741 -
Happy September Shape Shifters!
Here's my introduction:
I joined this group in August 2022 an enjoying the community motivation and accountability that it brings.
I have a much easier time with getting in daily physical activity. I'm naturally drawn to it. My favourite types of activity include cycling, hockey, walking my dog and circuit training with weights.
I work a desk job, 100% from home. Next week I'm starting one day at the office and looking forward to it! I'll walk to work and plan to take the stairs up 6 floors instead of the elevator!
I get big time fatigue cravings and mostly get into trouble mindlessly snacking at the end of the day when I'm emotionally and physically tired. I haven't figured out how to curb/slow this yet.
Goals for September:
1. Get better sleep. Plan to go to bed earlier
2. Keep logging my food everyday
3. Work on being more mindful at the end of the day when I'm tired
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@Armygirlarmyof1 Welcome to the team! I've been here for one month and have benefited from a lot of great support and encouragement here.
@LaurieWrobo Wow, what a scary and stressful trip! Take care, hope you can find some time to relax through this difficult time.
@Walela617 Can't wait to hear about your new wellness program! You sound very excited about it and it's inspiring to feel it from your posts!
@angmarie28 Sounds like you are weighing the pros and cons. Like Walela617, I usually find it helpful to write out a list of them and talk them over with both family and close friends.
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I forgot to put on my apple watch until late in the day (1:30 pm). I still got a presentable amount of steps in. I got up in the morning and began prepping things for a Labor Day gathering (shopping, cleaning, cooking....)
Steps
9/5 - 7,8711 -
I’m enjoying the introductions and appreciate your insights on what motivates you @Walela617!
@angmarie28 - You’ll make the decision that is right for you and your family. I hope you get the compensation you’re seeking through your meeting with the manager tomorrow. It sounds as though you could really benefit from a break, whether you leave your school nurse job or not. Best wishes for an outcome that brings more balance — and sleep!2 -
I appreciate the reminder to donate blood. I always donated regularly until I was restricted because I lived in Germany during the ‘mad cow’ outbreak. I am clear now that enough time has passed since living abroad but I need to rebuild the habit. Thanks for the nudge @angmarie28 and @Walela617!2
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Hello Shape Shifters!
I am a little slow this month, but figured I would post a short intro anyway. There are a lot of people in the group, and I always enjoy reading about everyone, so here goes.
My name is Laura and I live with my cat Tinus in a tiny town in the Netherlands. I enjoy going for walks in the nearby national park, I read a lot of fantasy books, I like taking pictures of anything nature (my instagram is floraunalaura if you are curious) and I also enjoy singing, jigsaw puzzles and gaming. My energy is very limited due to some health issues so I can't really work out on a schedule. I have always tried to have goal, walk x times a week or something, and I never really manage anyway. So to take that pressure off, I will only be focussing on my calories in for September. Losing weight is 80% food which means I will still be able to do well. I also step a lot throughout the day; it is a lot easier for me to do little walks spread out and I still get a decent calorie burn every day because of my high step count. If I do manage to go out for a walk; awesome! But I am not going to set goals and then feel bad because I can't do it. I sometimes 'forget' I am not healthy, or think I should be able to it anyway, because other people do it too. That's sadly not how it works, so for now it is time to let it goooo.
Good luck to everyone this month. Let's make some positive changes. 4 -
Steps (hi, Jess, please add me again to the challenge with 14.000 steps, thank you!)
Sep 4: 17.764
Sep 5: 17.657
Sep 6: 16.506
Good morning shape Shifters. The past few days have been really hot again, so I have mostly been lazy. Read a lot, stepped some, napped some. We haven't had rain in probably a month; it was really bad. Grass is yellow everywhere and when you walk on it, it is crunchy as if you are stepping on snow. I also ran out of rainwater so I had to water my plants with tapwater twice; I hate doing that! Since it seems like the summers are only getting dryer, I think I will get a second 750L water tank soon. The one I have always fills up really easily since it collects water from a flat roof so filling up a second one will be a piece of cake. We finally had rain last night and 1,5 hours of thunder around 2:00. So sleep wasn't great, but I am really happy this hot weather seems to be done. Happy Wednesday everyone 4 -
@PatriceFitnessPal
I have seen the kitty several times, and thankfully she looked better again. I am still not sure what his plans are since he seems to change his mind very easily. It is possible he will still give her up to the shelter. I know in some cases they ask for a clean bill of health thing from a vet before taking in a surrender, so maybe he needs to sort that out first. I honestly don't want to ask him or engage because he pisses me off so much. I will still keep an eye on the cat though.
I am glad the book has been helpful! Dementia is such a hard illness to deal with as a loved one.
My reading list feels like a never ending rabbit hole. A lot of the books on there are part 1 of a series. So if I enjoy the fist book, there is another pile hidden underneath I have to tackle as well. I could read only the first books of them all to start with, but that makes no sense to me. So knocking out those 66 books is going to take a while. I do read very fast. When I am in the mood, I average around 5 books a week (if they aren't crazy long).3 -
@PatriceFitnessPal , what motivates me is my retirement 11 year old black lab mix. He gets me up no matter how I feel. He's my best friend.3
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Current Maintenance Weigh In:
156.8
Still higher than I want to be, but I'm bloated from vacation, stress & migraine- which is finally gone today after having it for 3.5 days 😔
So I should be able to get my water in since I'm not feeling nauseous anymore3
This discussion has been closed.