WaistAways Team Chat - MARCH 2023
jugar
Posts: 10,234 Member
Fat2Fit has five great teams. The group and team leaders are as follows:
Our Moderators:
Liselyn - @jugar
Megan - @Megan_smartiepants1970
Ashley - @minstrelofsarcasm
Jessica - @jessicakrall8
Our Team Captains:
Downsizers - @lindamtuck2018 and @Megan_smartiepants1970
Mission Slimpossible - @broncobuddee and @trooworld
Weight No More - @minstrelofsarcasm and @melaniedscott
WaistAways - @jugar and @ashleycarole86
Shape Shifters - @jessicakrall8 and @Pupowl
Our Team Motivators:
Downsizers - @fatfifties
Mission Slimpossibles - @katmary71
Weight No More - @rachelrjh
WaistAways - @conleywoods
Shape Shifters - @angmarie28 & @PatriceFitnessPal
HOW IT ALL WORKS: The March challenge runs for 5 weeks, from Feb 26 - April 1. F2F months always start on a Sunday and end on a Saturday, so adjust your calendars!
Everyone weighs in weekly on their chosen day right here in the team chat thread. At the end of each week, the tallies are done to determine the team and individuals with the most weight lost. The best losers are announced with full fanfare every Sunday. The team competition is all in good spirits - may the most losing win!
We also celebrate those small, steady losses. If you lose, however small an amount, you are in the green! At the end of the month, we celebrate everyone who lost at least a bit every week. You are heading steadily towards your goal even if you aren't at the top of the weight loss leaderboard. Let's have a Green March!
To make your weigh-in easy to find for your team Captains, please put it right at the top of a message, and use this format:
Weigh In Day:
PW (Previous Weight):
CW (Current Weight):
If you miss two weigh-ins in a row without asking for a break, you will be dropped from the team, so be sure to inform your team captain if you are traveling, sick, or just need some time off. If you take a break, you can be excused for a week or two, or are moved to the Support Team for as long as you need to. You still participate in the discussions, you can weigh in if you want to, but it will not count in the weekly tally.
Once you reach your goal weight, you join the Goal Zone! You continue to weigh in every week. If you have 2 weeks above your self-defined goal zone, you go back to the regular team to lose that amount before it builds up. You will have a chance to hone those maintenance skills and stick with your team!
In addition to your own team, there are weekly F2F Full Group CHALLENGES. You can do all or none - it's up to you. Participating adds a lot to your success, so we hope to see you there often! These can involve anything fitness, health, or nutrition - and they’ll get you moving, thinking, and learning about this journey. Check the Announcements section for full group challenges.
Let’s show our fellow challengers some F2F love! Introduce yourselves right away, and let the new month begin!!
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It's March 2023 and we're going for FIVE WEEKS of GREEN!
This is our home for the month, where all of our joys and challenges take place. Please (re)introduce yourselves and set some goals and daily actions for the month and the new year. Focus on the small every day choices, and you will get where you want to go!
I am Liselyn, co-captain along with @ashleycarole86 . I live in rural Québec, and I'm a retired university professor of music. It was not until I was 58 that I got really serious with both food and exercise. As of October, I hit 10 years on maintenance, always refining and making sure I don't have to do it all over again. Yes, it is possible to lose weight and get in shape during and after menopause!
I know there are people on this team who have a lot to lose, others who have lost a lot and are closing in on their goals, and some who might be working on losses that are stubbornly resisting. There is much wisdom here, and the most important lesson we learn from each other time and time again is that it is not a straight shot, there will be trials and errors, and sticking with it when it feels like you have fallen off yet again is the best thing you can do for yourself. Plateaus can be good, but going back the way you came is not!
Some helpful information/tools:
Posting your daily updates
We know from experience that posting daily (or as often as you can!) makes a huge difference to your success. Use any format you like to let everyone know how you are doing on your daily goals and habits. You can report on food, exercise, water, sleep, or whatever you are tracking and trying to stick with. While you're there, talk about how you are, ask questions, and if you can answer someone else, please do! Congratulate others, commiserate, enjoy someone's rant, or go ahead and rant yourself. It all helps make the kind of community where we are in each others' heads when the hand is reaching for that off-plan snack, or the couch is feeling way too inviting...
Weighing in
Please try to weigh in on time! When you post, put your weigh in at the TOP of a message, so it is clear and easy to find. If you cannot post your weight for whatever reason, please request a week off, or if you need a longer break, you can request to move to the "Support Team" where you can still participate but your weigh-ins will not be part of the weekly tally. This is where members who are ill, on vacation, or just needing a break can hang out for as long as needed.
The F2F Habit Tracker
If you want a simple place to track your most important habits, give this a try. You can see how your teammates are doing too
The link and how-to info are under "Announcements" on the main F2F page. Or right here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LlCvAo3HzSLv9Eo3b4-upDXw3GPvmKDKDhz6k70e4uA/edit?usp=sharing
So everyone, tell us a bit about you, your goals, what steps you are going to work on. It's fun to know your name and where you live (if you're willing to share that), what brought you here, how your weight loss journey has been, and where you are headed now. Let the introductions roll!2 -
Hi Waistaway friends. My name is Ashley, and I'm co-captain of this lovely team. I am compiler of steps and exercise minutes for those that want to report, and I produce reports to show how we're
doing as a team.
I began my journey on MFP in Jan 2021 and started with this group shortly after. I started at 293 with the goal of losing 125 pounds to hit my healthy BMI, which I accomplished in early 2023.
Life sorta hit a stress wall for me in mid-September, and I'm still adapting. I have a very demanding career and it became more so at that time. I have a commute that has me out of the house over 11 hours each day and now that we're back in office 4 days a week, I'm feeling the crunch.
All that to say, it's time to adapt. A green March is exactly what the doctor ordered. I need to make my time for my exercise, make smarter food choices, and get done what I know needs getting done. I would like to get back to my maintenance range. I feel better there.
Can't wait to watch us all kick butt in March!8 -
Hi everyone, I'm Christina!
I (re-)started March 1 of last year, at 200 lbs. So I'm starting this March in the 170s.
I love dancing, chair acrobatics, pole fitness, and I'm currently working on getting into my splits all three ways.
In order to have a green March, I'm going to try to check in here every day, log my food every day, and remember to drink my water. I've chosen a very small deficit, so I'm afraid losses might get lost in everyday "noise" but I'm going to give it my best shot.
I'm looking forward to geting to know you all better!8 -
Hi! I’m a new member Carla!
I’ve been on MFP for years and years and years, had lost all my weight doing keto and kept it off pretty well until I had my first bought of cancer, gained some back but was okay with being an extra 10 lbs overweight. Had a reoccurrence in 2021 which included chemo and now medication which has a side effect of weight gain. I’ve been lucky that I only gained about 15lbs during chemo (could only eat flavorless simple carbs) but now I can’t get it off!! Since then I’ve been diagnosed with fatty liver and I have a couple of leaky heart valves. I suspect they are all from chemo TBH!
So here I am, eating the Mediterranean way of life to heal my body. I did initially lose some weight but now it’s creeping back up. So back to logging and moving more.
Exercises include lots of walking or dancing at my desk with 80’s music. LUCKILY I still work from home and I bought a standing desk and have been know to work and dance for up to 2 hours during the work day!! I also do some snowshoeing around our property (we have 2 acres in the county! In the spring we are going to hit it hard with hiking. My dog needs to lose his winter weight too!!
I live with my husband and dog(Jack) and cat(Lucy) which you will get to know because I talk about them lots!! We have a small homestead with chickens and ducks (anyone need eggs??) and right now we have three ducks sitting on a bunch of eggs!! All the kids are grown, married and we have lots of grandkids!!
I am so looking forward to getting to know you all and having friends that are on the same journey!
We succeed with having likeminded people around us!!
Now to learn how this group works 🤣
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Hello!
I can't believe it's about to be March! My name is Lauren and I live in NC. I have been struggling with weight my whole life, doing the yo-yo thing. Recently, my husband has been trying to lose weight as well, so hopefully that will help both of us!
I am going to try my hardest for a green March. I have not had a completely green month since joining, so I know it will be a challenge, but may be just the goal that I need. I have my new habit tracker set up in my room, which has been super helpful! I also plan to come on here most days, if not everday. I may not post everyday, but reading everyone's posts is helpful!
@MoonlitMuse I missed earlier where you were needing to do sessions to take national certification. I would be willing to do that if you still need someone.
@carlsoda that is great you have a lot of land and animals! Where do you live? I hope your cancer goes back into remission and you have no future issues.2 -
@carlsoda Wow! You have been through all the things, and it is fabulous that you are here with such an upbeat attitude. AND you snowshoe! That is absolutely my fave thing all winter - we'll have to post some photos to make everyone else super jealous.
You'll find that things work pretty simply here. Just come to this thread, post often, and enjoy the companionship. You don't need to answer everyone's posts or feel obliged to help solve everyone's problems - but any time you have a question, need to rant, have a suggestion for someone else - share away! We're a friendly bunch. Your goals sound completely do-able, and we are all about reasonable goals, non-extreme forms of diet and exercise, and being a little voice in the head for everyone else on the team. I hope you enjoy a long stay here!4 -
The March Week 1 Group Challenge is open and ready to begin tomorrow, Sunday Feb 26th. Join us for a 7-Day Happiness Challenge.
Here's your link:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10884840/march-week-1-group-challenge-7-day-happiness-challenge/p1?new=1
Hope to see you there!
Jessica
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@carlsoda, We can soooo be friends! I have chickens and ducks!
I also have turkeys, goats, an emu, and then just the normal dogs and cats ... and a ferret.
@jessicakrall8, When my whole life felt like it was falling apart, I found something similar to this. I have, literally, patterned my life around it. Still going strong since 2014! I LOVE THIS!
@jugar, I SOOO needed this Go Green Challenge. I'M IN!
@CupcakeCrusoe, pole fitness sounds interesting. I'd probably need to find this "core" hidden in here somewhere. It sounds like you need a solid one for that.
@lauren_989, I am also guilty of letting the work week get in the way of checking in here daily. I need to get better with that. Not to mention, I get lost on what's going on by only checking in once per week. I have to go back and read 7 pages of posts to get caught up.
@ashleycarole86, OMG! When I read your post, I realized that my weeks sound like yours, and I never considered how things get all too "routine." I leave my house at 4am and get home somewhere between 4-6pm. That's a lot of hours away. Then, I get home and do the things, try to pry out some gym time, make some half-attempts at a healthy lifestyle, and then to bed. I, too, need a reset!
March is going to be my month. The stars seem to be in line with the way that these challenges fell. I have my Savage Race on March 25th. I can't wait! My first (and only one) was in 2012, so here we are 11 years later - and doing it again.
https://savagerace.com/event/georgia-spring-2023/4 -
I'm loving the Green March energy! I really think we can do this - but it will take five full weeks of commitment. I have been thinking about some of the tools and techniques we can use to keep from getting pulled off track, and to keep the energy flowing. Here are a couple - please add more as they occur to you!
- END your meals. What marks the end of an eating time? How do you stop? Decide in advance at what point the meal is over, then go brush your teeth, or do the dishes, or get outside - whatever helps you not keep on going!
- TRANSFORM/ADAPT on the fly. If you planned a terrific day, but then ate a demented snack or went wild at a work lunch, then be sure to CHANGE THE PLAN! Cancel a meal. Transform it to a plate of raw veggies or salad (no heavy dressing!). Drink a ton of water. If your day still puts you over the top for your total intake, be sure to adjust the next 2-3 days. Adjust only enough that you can manage without feeling deprived. Average out your week! But don't eat as planned if you don't eat as planned, if you catch my drift.
- GIVE to your tomorrow self. That person is someone else, and you really love them. Give them the gift of actions today that will make them healthier and happier tomorrow. By the end of the month, it will add up!
- GET UP AND MOVE. Or sit there and move. Isometric exercises while commuting. Stand on one leg while waiting in line or brushing teeth. Squats while on the phone. Whatever - just fit more moving in.
What are your little actions that add up? I'll be your Sarge and remind you from time to time You know that I am:
You are ALL welcome to return the favour!5 -
Sunday weigh-ins - first in line, you lot! Ready, set, go -
@YinxFed
@ells_bellz
@adrimango
@BlueSkyNomad
@nightfeeding1
Thanks!3 -
How is it March already?!
I'm Adrianne, in North Carolina, USA. I'll be 46 at the end if this month and have really struggled to get back into a healthy self-care routine since the pandemic. My father died Dec 2021 from heart and kidney failure due to not taking care of himself including seeing doctors, managing his weight, poor diet, and getting exercise. My mom has also been overweight her whole life and suffers from numerous health issues including heart/circulation issues. So, I have always been conscious of my health but am not where I want to be.
Personally the last several months have been very stressful and demanding. I leave March 31 for Australia and would like to feel better about my body and be able to wear most of my spring/summer clothes. I won't hit my goal by then (9lbs away now) but I can develop good routines and habits this month to support my health and how I look.
My goals are to log everything and get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week.5 -
Hi everyone and welcome to our wonderful new members. I’m Michele from Pennsylvania USA. I’m 58, a teacher, married with two grown kids (mostly) and a beautiful granddaughter. I have been with this amazing group of humans a long time now. (4 years I think) I have battled my weight for decades. I’ve gained and lost over the years. Nothing radical for me. Sensible changes I can live with. My age has definitely slowed my ability to take off weight. The last year has been a bit u settled for me moving north from North Carolina and living in a rental with my daughter’s family this last year. They have their new house so now it’s time for me to sell mine in Greensboro and find my forever home.
I’ve hit Lifetime membership status with Weight Watchers long ago. But Waistaways here beats WW any day. Such a great supportive group. ❤️ I’m up for an all green March. Like @lauren_989 , I haven’t done it in a while but maybe this is just what I need to get moving again.
March goals:
7K steps or more
80 ounces of water
Log 5 of 7 days (one would be an improvement right now)
Take BP regularly
Do one thing for my future self every day.
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@ashleycarole86 Steps
Sunday 8,276
Monday 6,650
Tuesday 8,803
Wednesday 9,086
Thursday 10,940
Friday 9,744
Saturday 7,0754 -
CW: 159.0
PW: 157.6
Sorry to start us off with a gain, team. I'm going for green the rest of March, though!
Last week I had more deliberate exercise than I had in years! 2 trips to the gym, a BurpeeGirl workout (there are no burpees, it's low impact, no idea why that's the name) and a 3.5 mile hike. I think the gain is from meals out (salt), hormones, and my body holding on to water from the exercise. I can feel my legs getting stronger!6 -
Here we are on day 1 of our Go Green March!
My go green is expanding to keep all of my macros in check as well. Green is green!
@jugar - I agree with the protein increase for heavier lifting being geared more toward men. I only increased the protein by (say) 20g. (An extra shake post workout). I've also added 1 pouch of Benefiber to my morning coffee - because - fiber (and age)(and gut). I'm fooling around with more plant-based proteins too. I eat a fair amount of veggies, but do not do legumes.
BTW, since our week here starts on Sunday, can I change my weigh in day to Sunday? It helps if I have everything starting on the same day.
I skipped a week of the gym last week because of the tummy troubles. I should get a good walk in today if I don't get anything else.
My day is planned for my regular trip to the cemetery to deliver flowers. Since I have to be there anyway, and there are 8 graves to deliver, I will park at the top, walk to each grave, and walk back. Not exactly efficient for time, but it's great for those steps! It's a county cemetery, and not exactly small. I'll wait about an hour for the fitbit to charge and see how far that is. Maybe get a C25K session in there.
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No problem! So today it is. Should I just carry your weigh-in from yesterday over? Or have you miraculously lost 0.1 lb?Here we are on day 1 of our Go Green March!
My go green is expanding to keep all of my macros in check as well. Green is green!
BTW, since our week here starts on Sunday, can I change my weigh in day to Sunday? It helps if I have everything starting on the same day.
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Happy March even if we're here a bit early according to the calendar. I just finished the February tallies, and I am 100% certain that we can do better this month! It will be energizing, fun, and we'll do our best
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No problem! So today it is. Should I just carry your weigh-in from yesterday over? Or have you miraculously lost 0.1 lb?
We can log today's weight. I'm actually up 3 pounds since yesterday - 131.2. Still can't figure out what is up with this gut of mine. I ate baby carrots and tomato soup for dinner, a grilled cheese on puff bread (not real bread) for lunch, and coffee for breakfast. I had a handful of cashews on the fly between errands and grandbabies. Not nutritionally sound, but ... I was at a calorie deficit with sodium, fat, and carbs a little above my macro count but not catastrophic. I cut sugar quite few years ago, so I drink everything unsweetened. I don't even buy sugar.
I'm weighing daily to try and figure out what is going on. I hate that we no longer have a barcode scanner for food on MFP free app. I figured out how to turn it on with the fitbit today, and they are linked. so.. step 1.
I have Celiac anyway. Most of my carbs come from fruits and veggies. I follow a (somewhat) keto/paleo diet because of it.
Puff Bread: 4 large eggs, separated
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 ounces low-fat cream cheese
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My name is Loraine, I live in Springfield, Missouri but am originally from London, England.
Many years of up and down, I am an emotional eater so when things happen in my life that make me unhappy, like everything to do with the move from Las Vegas to Springfield, it shows on my body. It’s been a year since we’ve been here, things have settled down and I’m now back in a groove.
I’ve had a great start to the year. I want to keep the momentum going and lose another 4lb by March 29th when we go to Cancun for a short break.
For some reason, actually committing to March Green is giving me anxiety. It’s probably a bit of self doubt that another 4.5 weeks continually losing is beyond my capability. So I will do my best without actually confirming ‘I’m in’.
Welcome all new members, this is a great group!
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@LoraineGB Hi vacation goal buddy! What's your plan for this week? My goal is a min of 150 minutes of cardio this week and to keep up with logging. I keep getting overwhelmed with it - figuring how to log meals out and portions and just give up. It's not helping me get to my goal weight for sure!2
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We've got some fun travel coming up in the group! @adrimango with Australia, @LoraineGB with Cancun.. am I missing anyone else?
Brad and I have some travel coming up too, a lot of which falls into the March period... mostly for work, but some for personal:
Week of Mar 13 - Brad travels to Lloyd for work
Week of Mar 20 - Brad travels to B.C. for work, I travel to Lloyd for work, then I fly to meet Brad in B.C. for the weekend
Easter weekend - Travel back to Ontario to visit Brad's mom who hasn't been feeling well lately
I definitely had an easier time managing my lifestyle during COVID because none of this stuff was going on and everything was easy to control.
So, I'm learning again, that's all. Loved all your great ideas @jugar for things to think about to have a great March
Here are some of my own:- Log even if it's ugly. When you're dialed in, you're more likely to make good decisions. If I don't have the data behind what I'm doing, I might look the other way. If I put it in, I often notice it's not as bad as I thought it was anyway, and that motivates me to get back on track.
- Log, then eat. No surprises.
- I completely agree with what @jugar said about sometimes just having to suck up that the choices you made earlier that day/week may mean some harder choices later on. Not to restrict and get into a binge cycle, but to be reasonable in consideration that if you had some extra, you maybe don't need as much now.
- Exercise because of how it makes you feel. It will inspire you to eat better. Plus, if I have exercise in the plans I'm less likely to have a drink because those two aren't as fun together.
- Track as precisely as you can, weighing to the gram, if possible.... but if you can't, estimates are better than nothing.
- Make this group an important part of your day, and stay focused.
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Got some exercise catch-up to do. You'll see a very distinct difference between Costa Rica vacation Ashley crushing all the steps and back to work Ashley! Gotta get my routine sorted out so I can be back on the bike more because I really miss it!
Sun Feb 12 - 10026 steps
Mon Feb 13 - 8859 steps
Tues Feb 14 - 22293 steps
Wed Feb 15 - 9387 steps
Thurs Feb 16 - 10672 steps
Fri Feb 17 - 14743 steps
Sat Feb 18 - 23702 steps + 46 minutes jogging
Sun Feb 19 - 5579 steps
Mon Feb 20 - 7990 steps + 36 minutes Peloton
Tues Feb 21 - 8777 steps
Wed Feb 22 - 9749 steps
Thurs Feb 23 - 8023 steps
Fri Feb 24 - 13069 steps
Sat Feb 25 - 7124 steps6 -
Here are the February Week 3 results (Feb 12-18)
Keep those results for Week 4 rolling in and I'll get that and Feb month end posted as soon as I have it all!
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@LoraineGB Hi vacation goal buddy! What's your plan for this week? My goal is a min of 150 minutes of cardio this week and to keep up with logging. I keep getting overwhelmed with it - figuring how to log meals out and portions and just give up. It's not helping me get to my goal weight for sure!
My plan this week is pretty much the same as last week, I have meal planned but kept our dinners as ‘light’ meals as I’ve over done it this weekend and want to get some balance back. I shop to our meal plan so there are no snacks in the house right now. Mr B often brings snacks home at the weekend, I’ve asked him to refrain until we go to Mexico, I have a hard time resisting 🤷🏼♀️
On the next page @ashleycarole86 has given some good tips for tracking. I do most of them. I do my base tracking at night for the next day. I will update with the portion sizes and weights if needed. Even the ugly. This keeps me tidy. If I eat out and I haven’t pre tracked, I might take a photo of my food to try and figure it out later. I do not track water, I drink a minimum of 4 0.5L bottle of water so I know I’m getting 2L each day and it really isn’t on my priority list right now.
My goal for exercise is three sessions in the gym and something outdoors on Tuesday when the weather is supposed to good. I am over Winter and waiting for Spring!
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Hello! My name is Kelly, wife, mother of 4, Kindergarten teacher.
I joined shortly after baby number 4. I pretty much gain and lose the same 5ish pounds. I am really getting tired of that. I need to make changes...for more then a few days. I am currently on the high end of my weight and I am not happy.
My Why:
Heart health
Keep up with my busy lifestyle
Feel confident
My How:
1. Log everything
2. Eat real food
3. Eats meals, not snacks
4. Intentionally move my body daily7 -
Steps
Sun 6,705
30 min elliptical
Mon 15,636
Barre 30 min elliptical 30 min
Tues 11,8q3
Wed 9,101
Thurs 14,130
Fri 12,720
Sat 10,233
30 min Barre 15 min elliptical6 -
Team Results
By Percentage
By Pounds
Individual Results
By Percentage
By Pounds
Team Winners
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Team Results
By Percentage
By Pounds
Individual Results
By Percentage
By Pounds
Team Winners
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Sunday: 8,947 + 60 min cardio dance class
Monday: 3,013
Tuesday: 9,233 + 30 min jog @ 4.5mph + 20 min weights
Wednesday: 2,350
Thursday: 2,539
Friday: 2,655
Saturday: 6,684 + 30 min jog @ 4.5
Didn't get to the gym as normal on Thursday, I had a work dinner. And another one this Thursday. Work is very stressful right now. And when other's get stressed and worked up, it makes me even more stressed.
This weekend was kinda lazy. I hit a super low depression yesterday, didn't get out of bed until 11:30am (only because my husband dragged me up) and the only reason I went to the gym was because my husband literally pushed me there. I hoped it would help my sadness, but it was still there. Today is slightly better and I still hit my steps and went to the gym. Luckily, I am not as hungry when these days hit, it was easy to be below my calorie goal. I wished I had one more day off tomorrow, but oh well.7 -
@lauren_989 Amazing you made it to the gym in the high point of your funk, no matter what it took. Sorry it didn't give you the boost you were hoping for. Work stress is rough to contend with and it's terrible when its effects won't let go of you even when you're not there!
Well today was the day to get back on the Peloton and do a retest of my FTP. It was a bit of a face the music moment.. I knew my fitness had dropped considerably since peaking in June but sadly I'm sorta back to square 1 where I started on the bike.
On the plus side, there's lots of room to improve, and fitness isn't linear!
Feels like the weekend has been go go go (Dentist, taxes, visit with friends, concert, walking the dog, shoveling, laundry, on call work duties) so I'm treating myself to a hot tub and magazine reading to unwind.
Make this week great in some way.. even if it's small!6
This discussion has been closed.