Shape Shifters Team Chat - MARCH 2023
Replies
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I’m paying attention to the watch conversation, too, and appreciate your insights @jessicakrall8, @CasandraW, @LaurieWrobo.
Also, I had forgotten about your dental hygienist experience @CasandraW. Now I remember the great tips you had about lemons and other topics related to dental care —- Thanks so much on the professional mouth guard recommendation!
We all deserve the best care possible, and it’s so important to have a health advocate. Good for you and the rest of your daughters’ circle of support! ❤️🩹1 -
Here is todays card. Happy Tuesday everyone
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JenHul
Monday weigh in day
PW: 176.2
CW: 175.4
Steps
Mar 13= 10,746
Mar 14= 7947
Mar 15= 7571
Mar 16= 16,200
Mar 17= 9240
Mar 18= 9506
Mar 19= 4992
I did really well with my water intake this last week, still need to be more consistent with logging, and exercise, however I'm happy with my results! Have a great Day Shape Shifters
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@PatriceFitnessPal love the dog mural! There is a small town here in Colorado where the mayor is actually a dog named Parker. Maybe we need more of that!
@CasandraW I'm so sorry about your daughter's mental health difficulties. I can't even imagine how difficult that would be. Hugs. Unfortunately, I can imagine the tooth issues and you have my sympathies. NO FUN AT ALL.
@jessicakrall8 I bought an Applewatch in 2019 and a Garmin last year. Each one has its one advantages. My garmin is more accurate for distances, gives me more feedback on my heartrate zones, candence, elevation adjusted speed, etc., but the Applewatch is compatible with Peloton and I use their bike and apps frequently. Apple picks a monthly challenge for you based on your past use so they get progressively harder and I can get a little compulsive about them, but I joined a Apple group challenge through MyFitnessPal a year ago and met some nice people! I can't quite remember how I found it.
@Pupowl - I agree with the card. A thank you is always a good idea. Thank you for taking the time to post these daily thoughts. I look forward to them!
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@Armygirlarmyof1 I'm very curious about your Dexscan experience! I thought about doing it, but have been kind of scared the results.2
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@JenHul - Great job! You had some big step days, too. Keep up the good work!
@SavageMrsMoose - I like the sense of humor in that small town. I hope Parker has more tail wagging than barking! 🐾
I had a Dexascan that my doctor prescribed after age 55. My doctor told me the scan showed I had osteopenia, which means I have lower bone density, but I can take steps to improve it. She told me to add weight bearing exercises to my workouts, which is something the personal trainer focuses on with me. However, I only meet with him at the YMCA twice a week for 30 minutes so I might need to add more. Maybe I should try to build in a plank exercise each day or something. I also started taking a calcium supplement at her recommendation. I like the caramel calcium chew because it satisfies my sweet tooth, too. I have one in the morning with my coffee and another one after dinner.
I’m not doing as well as I should to increase my Vitamin D intake but I now buy more milk. I thought my daily whole milk Greek yogurt would help but it doesn’t include any Vitamin D. I assumed it was fortified milk, I guess. I like the protein that the yogurt gives me so I think I’ll check my macronutrient balance at my usual snack time and select either yogurt or a glass of milk with my fruit, depending on what I need.
Thanks for the reminder to pay more attention to my bone density @Armygirlarmyof1 and @SavageMrsMoose! I’m hoping to get another scan this year to compare results. I’m not sure if my medical insurance will cover the cost this year but I’ll check into when I can do it again and consider paying the cost myself— I think it’s about $200 near where I live.
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SavageMrsMoose wrote: »
@jessicakrall8 I bought an Applewatch in 2019 and a Garmin last year. Each one has its one advantages. My garmin is more accurate for distances, gives me more feedback on my heartrate zones, candence, elevation adjusted speed, etc., but the Applewatch is compatible with Peloton and I use their bike and apps frequently. Apple picks a monthly challenge for you based on your past use so they get progressively harder and I can get a little compulsive about them, but I joined a Apple group challenge through MyFitnessPal a year ago and met some nice people! I can't quite remember how I found it.
@SavageMrsMoose I am motivated by challenges and love ones where they can be customized and include others...I also love earning badges, so I'm leaning toward the Garmin...I want to make sure it can be connected by MFP and used with my iPhone...any issues with connectivity or synchronization that you've noticed? I wish I had a Peloton, but that will be a few years down the road just because of budgeting and working on paying off my kitchen remodel. I went to the Garmin site and found lots of information too and it looks a little more affordable than the Apple watch, although I'm usually an Apple gal (phone, iPad, etc). Thanks for your input. Which Garmin model did you have...I am leaning towards the Vivomove 3 with the pink band an gold trim. It's lovely and has all of the features I'm looking for I think...not 100% yet though...thoughts?
Jessica0 -
I've never had a Fitbit, but I've been using Garmin watches for quite a few years now (started with a Forerunner 920XT, then a Fenix 3HR, Fenix 6X Pro and currently a Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar). Those were/are top of the line Garmin watches, and I justified the cost as being necessary for my pursuit of my health. But there are cheaper Garmin watches that are also quite good, like the VivoActive.jessicakrall8 wrote: »Wanted to ask yall's opinion on something... now that Fitbit is getting rid of all of their challenges, I doubt I will upgrade to a 5th one, although the time they made the announcement, I was starting to consider it. Now I'm wondering if I should look into a Garmin or an Apple watch. Has anyone recently switched from Fitbit (last couple of years) to one of those other brands? I would love to hear your positive/negative experiences, in order to help me make up my mind about them.
My main reason for using a watch is to track my steps and I LOVE the challenges...read that as LOVE, LOVE, L - O - V - E them! lol I'm going to do a little research, but would love some help if you have some thoughts to share.
Thanks!
Jess
Garmin has hundreds of challenges/badges for all sorts of activities, including walking, running, cycling, swimming, yoga, pilates, strength, and more. And of course, it tracks your steps, sleep, and other metrics.
In addition to the regular challenges, there are always new monthly challenges each month (I'm pretty hooked on trying to complete most of these challenges). There is always a monthly 300,000 step challenge, but just this month, Garmin also added a whole new set of challenges which they're calling "expeditions". The 16 "hike" expeditions range from "Great Wall" (~28k steps) all the way to "Appalachian Trail" (4.9 million steps), and these challenges have no time constraint, so you complete them on your own timeline.
I too L-O-V-E the challenges and find them very motivating. Here's a sample of a few of the badges:P.S. I'm open to connecting with other Garmin users on Garmin Connect, for mutual support and challenges. BTW, Garmin Connect will automatically sync your activities to MyFitnessPal, so you only have to log food and not your exercise.
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Daily step goal: 10,000
Sun 3/19: 12,999
Mon 3/20: 13,8133 -
Here is the card for today. Happy Wednesday everyone
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Step check in
3/17 15,359
3/18 17,254
3/19 14,758
3/20 14,952
3/21 11,6753 -
@SavageMrsMoose , there are 2 reasons why at 53 I'm getting a dexa scan done. The 1st is that I was given lupron on Active duty and a side effect of that medication unfortunately is osteoporosis. The 2nd reason is because of my parathyroid m, which is supportive of our thyroid gland but processes calcium and vitamin d. I've had multiple done and it's not more than maybe 15 minutes for the test. They can do it with or without contract and will do your nondominant side, which for me is my left side since I'm right handed.
Doing things like weight bearing exercises and drinking milk and eating cheese does help with bone loss. I'm also prescribed calcium and vitamin d to help supplement.
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Wednesday Weigh In:
PW: 159.8
CW: 160.4
Late dinner at bowling banquet for my husband's Varsity team celebration at bowling alley which in turn made me feel like crap this morning b/c it was late and have feelings of bloat - I should learn my lesson - I'm unable to eat after 6PM and should have had eaten at home 😪
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Steps:
3/19 2,999
3/20 6,070
3/21 6,036
Fought a migraine for 3 days over the weekend so steps were low4 -
LOVE today's card @pupowl but I'm a little scared when given more patience...it usually means someone will come along and grind on that last good nerve! LOL Brings to mind my ex-husband...HA!
@frankwbrown Thank you SO much for the Garmin info...I thought of you as soon as I decided to switch from Fitbit to another brand...as much as I like the looks of the Apple products, they're way overpriced. I'm gonna go with Garmin and as soon as I get registered, I'll send you my username although I doubt I can compete in your league...but I'm getting stronger and better with my walking every day. Check out how my walking stats have changed over the past month! I'm looking at several of them, but not in a hurry so I'm researching each of them pretty thoroughly...love all the choices, but it's a little overwhelming currently!
Hope everyone is having a lovely day...it's in the 60s here in Virginia today and the sun is shining...slept in a bit because my allergies have exploded...so I got up, walked, sneezed, worked around the house, sneezed...you get the picture...lots of sneezing/dripping today...then took myself out for a wonderful brunch at a local Bistro that's always crowded on the weekends...was wonderful having an omelet and taking my time! RELAXING! I'm SO enjoying this week off...of course, Betty was sitting at the window giving me the "where do you think you're going Momma" looks!
She's happy that I'm back now...a few hours laters. I dropped off some kitten food for the rescue that helped me find Miss Betty...they're such wonderful people! That was my good deed for the week! My neighbor washed a load of clothes for me, so I'm buying her a few groceries to say thanks...hired her teen to wash and detail my car...another gift to myself...my new washer arrives in a few weeks, then I'll work on replacing the dryer and that should be it for appliances for a few years...
Tomorrow and Friday it hits 70s here...cannot wait to walk outside, if my allergies are more calm by then...getting ready to take a Benedryl and probably fall asleep reading. Oh yeah, went to the Book Exchange and sold some books...bought a few by a couple of new authors and still have a credit on file and another box to take by there from this winter's reading...whatever they don't buy, I just donate...cleans out my stash and encourages me to keep reading...
Enjoy your day!
Jessica2 -
@jessicakrall8
I have the Forerunner 245. I just got it in October when I hired a running coach- she recommended it. She plans workouts for me and the paces are uploaded into my watch which is really nice, so I know when to speed up and slow down, except for days like today when I'm just not feeling it... I can choose not to do the scheduled workout and it will also recommend other workouts.
It seems to be compatible with MyFitnessPal with few issues, just doesn't keep track of the distance on my Peloton rides. The applewatch is easier to read as an actual clock and the text messages are easier to read.
I've never really tried the challenges, but maybe I should!
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Duh...shouldn't try posting when medicated with Benedryl...sorry...oops, deleted!
Jessica1 -
@SavageMrsMoose Phantom is wonderful. We saw it in New York recently as well. My husband wanted to take me since it was one of our first trips together oh so long ago.
@Pupowl how are you doing after the visiting? I remember that sometimes you struggle to get back to your routine
@jessicakrall8 I’m glad to hear you vacation is going well. Too bad about the allergies though. I’lol be right there with you when spring makes it way over here.2 -
@Pupowl - I like the cards and appreciate you posting them each day!
I was a little surprised about the negative jab at the post office because I didn’t expect a daily affirmation type card to include a ‘put down’ but I understand it’s just an attempt to add some humor. Maybe I’m just feeling protective of our Shape Shifters member, who works at the post office — I’ll make the choice to be patient and take a more light-hearted approach! 😉
I can relate to your feelings @jessicakrall8 — I try to practice patience but it can be difficult when it feels unbalanced. I don’t want to be the only one in a relationship being patient.
I’m sorry to hear about your need to replace your washing machine. When ours broke, there was a long wait due to supply chain issues so we had to order a different color than our dryer (and previous washer). I was willing to wait and use the laundromat in the meantime but my husband overruled me. His nickname is ‘fuse-y’ among one group of friends because “he has a short fuse” (see previous paragraph 🤣). So, I didn’t make a fuss about it BUT —
The new washer is bigger so it sticks out further and we had to remove the counter top I use as a surface for folding the clothes. I’ve learned to live with it and raised the counter so the washer can fit without giving up the space for folding. Still, I might actually look forward to the day our dryer breaks down! I guess that brings me full circle back to today’s theme — Remember to be patient, Patrice!
I’m so thankful to have a washer and dryer in the house. Many people have to plan their laundry task more intentionally. My son needs to get quarters and the landlord charges $9.00 to wash and dry one load ($4.50 each). So, I’ll stop complaining about the mis-matched colors of our set! 🙄
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@PatriceFitnessPal
I personally didn't understand the post office 'joke'. Do they imply that you have to wait forever there to get things done? Maybe that's a country thing, because that is never my experience in the Netherlands. The cards from that specific set are my least favourite from the 3 sets I got.
@CasandraW
Thank you for asking. I am not doing well at all, lol! At least not with food. It seems to take me a week or so before I manage to get my stuff together again, which is a bit too long for my liking. I think maybe for the next visit I will just stick to my own things, even though it means we don't eat together. I hope you are doing well! 2 -
Here is the card for today. Happy Thursday everyone
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@pupowl Really love today's card. We are all a "work in progress" and I think we can all relate to that!
@PatriceFitnessPal I didn't want one of the "electronic" washers because to me, it's just another thing to go wrong and once the chip in it went wrong, everything would...the one thing I wanted were a model that was large and that had great reviews. I went with a Maytag (always been a Kenmore gal, but with Sears now gone for the most part, they're very hard to find, even though I think the brand was sold to Home Depot if I remember correctly). The one I bought was on sale and I bought it on St. Paddy's day, so Rakuten had 10% cash back so I got another $80 back, along with free shipping. Only had to pay $30 for installation and they'll haul away the old one, so I'm happy with that. I'm keeping my eye out for a good deal on a dryer, but my old Kenmore is still working so not in any hurry. Hope I can find a similar deal...(on sale, free shipping and cash back). I'm a bargain hunter, so it keeps me entertained too! LOL My neighbor and I take care of each other, so I'll get her a gift card for her sweetness and only wash a load or two each week on slow days when she's not washing. Also, she works from home, so that helps. Will keep you posted on the dryer hunt!
I'm up early this morning because my colleague called me yesterday evening and there's something she needs my help with first thing this morning, but it all hinges on an answer from our head office and today is the start of their weekend, so anything we're going to get done (without screaming HELP CRITICAL), has to be done before 10am my time/5pm Israel time). Nothing planned for today...quiet day playing with Betty, paying a few bills, working on the budget, reading a good book...might do some cooking...nothing too crazy.
Hope everyone has a great day! It's gonna be warm here today, so I might head out to the park to walk later once it warms up! Might even try to drag my neighbor with me and check off another square on my bingo board...that would be fun!
Jessica2 -
Here’s my weekly weigh-in report.
Name: PatriceFitnessPal
Weigh-in Day: Thursday
PW: 134.8
CW: 134.6
SW: 168
LTD: 33.4
My goal is to sustain my weight within the 120-130 pound range. I’ve been attending more social events this year and it’s been difficult to stay within my daily calorie target. I think I’ll need to make some changes to my diet but I’m not sure what I’m going to do.4 -
Cw 221.8
Pw. 220.4
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Good morning everyone!
@Pupowl I'm definitely a work in progress. I totally understand about needing a routine. I'm the same way.
We've had three days of heavy snow- yesterday a bunch of roads were closed - so I've only been outside to walk the dogs - but this morning it's partly cloudy! It's still too cold to run outside -currently 9 degrees- but I need to go to the store. Also, we are taking our dog to the vet to check his thyroid levels and discuss end of life plans. Something I've been dreading since they told me Buddy only had a couple months- 2 months ago today. He still seems comfortable and enjoying life, although he sleeps quite a bit.
I'm going to Houston with my daughter this weekend. I'm tired of traveling, but at the same time I'm tired of the snow. I haven't been skiing much since my husband still isn't ready, although he is getting better. He had two hip replacements over the summer.
My daughter's engagement ring band broke when it was re-sized, we had it repaired, and she's picking it up and I'm just company. We will visit some friends and my parents, who are in a hotel while the water damage is being repaired. While there are many advantages to living in a remote, resort town, it is a pain to get anything done and we always find ourselves traveling. We don't even have a hospital here- the closest is small and 2 counties away- which was a real concern during Covid.
Steps
3/20 6726
3/21 6671
3/22 15,511 - finally got on the treadmill
Hope everyone has a great day!
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Well, I got my bone density results back and no changes from the last 1, so I continue taking my supplements. And I've got a call into the endocrinologist. I want some answers now!!3
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Angmarie28
Wednesdays
Previous weight-172.6
Current weight-172.8
It's gotta start moving down soon. I have been working out 3 to 4 days a week, but definitely need to work on my diet a bit more.3 -
Here is todays card. Happy Friday everyone
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@jessicakrall8 Hi Jessica. Is it possible for me to take a pass on my weigh-in today? I’ve been packing everything for the house move and have packed my scales away, so they are currently at the bottom of a box!
Everything will be unpacked by the 29th March so I’ll be able to weigh in next week. I hope this is ok, and I’m sorry for any inconvenience caused. Thank you 😊3 -
@kodakslim I will mark you as excused, not a problem at all. Good luck with your move.2
This discussion has been closed.