Shape Shifters Team Chat - MAY 2023
Replies
-
Good morning Shape Shifters. Here is the card for today. Happy Monday everyone
Nice!Happy Monday! Ooh that weekend went too fast!
weigh in: Monday
PW 188
CW 185.3
Goals: 8,000 steps a day, record my food daily and work on weekly meal planning for the family
Wow great stepping. (Sounds funny in my head- but those are great numbers!!!)izzyred9400 wrote: »Happy Monday all 🙂
Just got back from the gym,did a Dance Fit class & then some strength training .My hubby got up for work at 6 eventhough it's a bank holiday.So I was awake at 6.30.
My steps for the end of the month.
4/28 11,782
4/29 7,710
4/30 9,984
Hope your knee feels better. Never been to Missouri.Armygirlarmyof1 wrote: »@vicky2767 , I'm in Missouri.
Mondays are weigh-in
Pw. 229.6
Cw 231.4
Knee is really sore and swollen today but I see the chiropractor this morning. Have a great day yall.
Thanks for sharingPatriceFitnessPal wrote: »I am really feeling energized by all our new members. It’s encouraging to see such I high level of support and encouragement being shared. Nice job, everyone!! 👏👏👏
I thought it might be helpful to share the timeline below with new members. My earlier introductory post set the context and described the conditions in which I’m approaching this challenge; but, the bulleted list below is specifically about the experience using MFP, and how the F2F challenge group helped me achieve my goal.
Everyone is unique but it’s common for many of us to underestimate how long it takes to reach our goal and how much persistence it takes to deal with fluctuations. I encourage you all to stick with it through the inevitable ups and downs of establishing healthy habits. Here’s one example over a period of about 3.5 years:
-Joined MFP App in December 2019 at high of 168 but didn’t track my calories and exercise well
-Improved tracking consistency by March 2020 and gradually adjusted portions and nutrition choices during the pandemic stay-at-home time
-Moved to a healthy BMI after 6 months - March to September 2020 - through healthier portions and food choices, and some walks/hikes with family as pandemic restrictions lessened a bit
-Engaged in MFP general discussion pages April 2020 through May 2021 and rowing exercise resumed when I learned single sculling with some rowing friends to replace our usual 8-person rowing sessions (closed due to social distancing)
-Continued to move very slowly from high end of a normal BMI (140 at 5’3”) toward my goal of 125 (middle of BMI range)
-Joined the MFP Challenge in June 2021 at about 135 pounds for more accountability and support
-Achieved my goal of 125 by September 2021 and maintained weight between 120-130 until November 24, 2022 when I weighed-in at 130.5
I’ve continued to creep up about another five pounds and keep fluctuating around 133-135. I need to improve my nutrition by adding more fresh vegetables and fruit while reducing my snacking. I’m still figuring out ways to sustain my healthier weight, eat better, and improve my fitness levels. Thanks for being in this together so we can support and encourage one another!
You got this !!!
My weight has gone up and down. Alot of it has to do with the sedentary lifestyle. I sit at a computer way too much. My diet fluctuates. I would like to log my food daily. I am a stress eater and this is something I am seeking to find the root cause so I can remedy it.
Hi Cindy! I’m right there with you with the sedentary job causing havoc on my body! Looking forward to encouraging each other on this journey!
Sam
Cute
Thanks for sharingSavageMrsMoose wrote: »@dcresider What a sweet photo!!! I have dogs now, but I grew up with cats. Love them all.
Hello! Happy Monday Everyone! I second @PatriceFitnessPal It's really nice to have the fresh energy of the new members. Weight loss is HARD and FRUSTRATING and definitely NOT LINEAR. I've found this group to be such a nice place of support. Welcome!!!
My name is Melissa and I'm 53, a retired attorney who splits time between Houston and Telluride, Colorado. I have a son who is a junior studying Finance at IU in Bloomington, IN and a daughter who will graduate from CU Law School in Boulder NEXT WEEK! YEA!!
I love to run and ride my Peloton, as well as hike, ski and swim. My love of exercise has never been enough to control my weight though. I must focus on my diet, which isn't easy for me, as I really think my activity drives my hunger. But I'm trying. I started this group in June 2022 at about 165 pounds and I'm about 146 now. My goal is 130. I'm 5'6" (maybe a little less with age lol)
1 -
Misty and rainy here in Chicagoland but I came home from work and went for a walk and clocked almost 5,000 steps. At least it’s not freezing! Feels good to make time for myself between work and kids sporting events
Nicejessicakrall8 wrote: »JessicaKrall8
Monday Weigh-in
PW: 305.6
CW: 304.8
Good luck. Nice that you and your wife are doing this togetherbearchested wrote: »Hi everyone. My name is Ryan, I turned 36 last month and live in the Houston area with my wife (she's also in this group, KHill875) and two young children. I've been on MFP since college, but let my weight creep up with kids and a couple cross-country moves.
My current activities include weightlifting and cycling. I finally hired an online weightlifting coach last fall and have made great progress. I also just got into road cycling this year in preparation for RAGBRAI, which is an annual bike ride across my home state of Iowa.
I'm also a fan of barefoot or minimalist shoes. I used to have extremely flat feet. My feet were sore from almost any activity, regardless of the duration, and I thought it was normal growing up. After having my knee collapse twice in less than a year in my early thirties (once while holding my daughter) I finally went through with a surgery to help correct my feet. That was one of the best decisions I've made, as I no longer have knee or foot pain. While my feet were healing I had super supportive shoes (like vionics) but after some research and my feet could handle it I started buying minimalist shoes, or at least shoes with a very wide toe box. They take some getting used to, but my feet and ankles are much stronger than they used to be.Hi Everyone, I'm new and posted an intro in the April thread but a brief recap for anyone who is also new.- 45F
- Western Canada
- I'm somewhat of a serial starter on MFP, but each time I come back I learn something that helps me
- My main food/health goals are to track food each day, break up with sweet stuff and avoid eating after 730p. Without these goals I'd have my hand in a box of Cheezit all day, everyday. Fun Fact, Cheezits came to Canada in Jan 2020 and probably account for my last 10lb gained.
@dcresider I have 2 tabbies like yours, they are siblings but don't snuggle each other like yours do! so cute
@bearchested I watched some YT vids of Ragbrai - that looks really fun!
This evening I was super tired and unmotivated to exercise. Made every excuse but finally told myself to just do 30 mins on my bike. I knew that if I'd start, the 30 would turn into 45 which it did.
Nice to meet this lovely group.
Thanks for sharing1 -
@pedal__power I commend you for your dedication to exercise! I sit for 8-9 hours and then I go home and sit at my kids sporting events. This week is a change where I’m carving out time for myself though. I even brought gym shoes to work today and went for a walk at lunch. Food portions are my focus right now but I’m slowly adding exercise and hopefully some weights into it. I tried a HITT workout the other day and last 2 minutes 🤣4
-
SavageMrsMoose wrote: »@bearchested - I love that you are from Iowa! My dad was born there, his whole family is still there, and my parents met at University of Iowa over 60 years ago. I've had several cousins that have done that ride and say its really fun! Enjoy!
Steps
4/30 16,284
5/1 23,684
The charity, Stepping Strong, for whom I ran the Boston Marathon for in 2022, is having a step challenge this month. Extra motivation!
Have a quiet day today. I'm going back to Houston in a couple days in part to fly with my parents to Denver for my daughter's graduation. They are a little overwhelmed by the travel on their own at this point. My scale in Houston is pretty close, so I'll keep my weigh in day the same. Hopefully travel will go smoothly.
Happy Tuesday!
That's awesome. My family is still in Iowa, near where I grew up in Grinnell. My wife and I met in college at the University of Northern Iowa, but I did attend law school at Iowa before moving to Houston.3 -
Itadakimasu7 wrote: »I'm super addicted to sugar. I know it's an addiction because about every four hours it cues me to go eat something sweet. I miss it and dream about it and it's like a best friend that brings the dopamine fairy. I'm really tired of being hooked to this monkey. Any tips for quitting? It's in darn near everything. I don't think any weight loss is going to work for me until I get this under control.
I also tend to prefer sweet things. I went cold turkey at the beginning of last year and swore off all treats and desserts. I lost weight and loosened up my ban around my birthday in April, and then never could enforce the ban again.
I think a full ban is too much, but I did learn some lessons and implemented other things. I noticed that the less sugar I ate, the less I craved it, though the first couple weeks were tough. I also focused on the textures I prefer, like crunchy, and would eat crunch fruit or vegetables, or sugar free gum with a coating (like Orbit White). Also, I track my nutrients in MFP and try to reduce my sugar consumption each week. Limiting sweets throughout the week and then having dessert once or twice a week has helped too. Good luck, it's certainly not easy!
5 -
@Itadakimasu7 I can so relate to your post and your battle with sugar. It took me quite awhile to even realize that I was honestly addicted to it! I have been on Mounjaro for weight loss, and that has been a god-send for eliminating the cravings, but I can’t stay on it forever lol. So I have started to incorporate more fresh fruit into my diet: frozen grapes, oranges, etc. I also carry sugarless gum with me and TicTacs. I know the TicTacs are sugar, but they take a looooong time to melt, which seems to help. It’s a struggle, for sure.3
-
If anyone is interested in supporting your teammates, we could really use your help...just sent me a message jakrall888@gmail.com and let's chat!
1 -
@Itadakimasu7 I had/have a huge sugar addiction. I found going cold turkey for 2 weeks helped reset my cravings. I’ve had to do this a couple times when I go back to old habits. I also quit all artificial sweeteners a couple years ago. They definitely increased my cravings. I totally agree, it’s an addiction. I felt I couldn’t stop and the more I had had the more I needed. I couldn’t cut back, I had to cut it off to reset. Don’t know if that helps, but that’s my experience. I also buy frozen fruit like mangoes and cherries, when I want something sweet at night.3
-
Daily step goal: 10,000
Sun 4/30: 12,134
Mon 5/1: 10,4434 -
@WA_Teacher
Hello! You can still squeeze in if you want. We just need your starting weight from last week and what day you would like to weigh in for the group. Also if you have a highest weight, feel free to share. I hope you will enjoy the group and please introduce yourself so we can get to know you a little!4 -
@Itadakimasu7 I had/have a huge sugar addiction. I found going cold turkey for 2 weeks helped reset my cravings. I’ve had to do this a couple times when I go back to old habits. I also quit all artificial sweeteners a couple years ago. They definitely increased my cravings. I totally agree, it’s an addiction. I felt I couldn’t stop and the more I had had the more I needed. I couldn’t cut back, I had to cut it off to reset. Don’t know if that helps, but that’s my experience. I also buy frozen fruit like mangoes and cherries, when I want something sweet at night.
i'm currently in the process of trying to break up with sweet so maybe we can support each other. i've created a bit of a plan for myself to ween off. definitely agree that artificial sweeteners are out, no keto muffins, diet pop or stevia anything. did that for a few weeks while not limiting anything else.
i'm at the stage now where i allow myself sweet stuff before noon. i find that i'm really used to having something sweet for breakfast - peanut butter/honey or syrup/brown sugar in my oatmeal. but after 12pm no more. i'll do this for a few weeks and hope my cravings subside. then i think i'll do only sweetness from whole fruits - no strong stuff like honey. i don't think i'll ever avoid it completely but just trying to get rid of the crazy cravings.5 -
@Itadakimasu7 I agree with everyone saying to try to replace it with (dried) fruit. Also finding something small that is sweet enough but doesn't trigger overeating. For me this is dark chocolate. I never eat more than one or two small pieces, but it still does the trick.
@Sbus12 It can be really hard to find workouts that are actually beginner friendly. At least I thought so when I started. A youtube channel I really like is https://www.youtube.com/@ImprovedHealth . A lot of her workouts are for seniors/beginners and they vary in length and type. I am sure there is something on her channel that you can finish!4 -
Good morning Shape Shifters. Here is the card for today. Happy Wednesday everyone
7 -
Popping in to say Hi!
While I have not been active these first few days of May, I did meal prep! I made 2 lbs of chicken, 1 lb of ground turkey, rice, egg whites, and spinach. So I've the majority of my foods ready to go!
My Spring II session of school is wrapping up so that will reduce my stress and free up some of my time.4 -
Wednesday Weigh In
PW 159.2
CW 160.43 -
Steps
4/30 5,072
5/1 5,236
5/2 4,4534 -
@dcresider I have had a very bad habit of recording my weight post workout, that I think I've finally broken. Even though I still weigh before and after, I record my "first in the morning before coffee or anything" weight, as my official weight on MFP. Here's why....
My weight is always at least pound less, usually about 2 pounds, sometimes more, after a workout, particularly a run. I LIKE that number better, obviously! However, I've found myself restricting fluids during workouts to improve my number and its not healthy. Also, it makes the weight fluctuations even greater than they are already, which can be frustrating enough without adding the sweat loss factor.
I still often weigh myself post workout to see how much fluid I've lost and also, because I like number, but I don't record it, except as a note in one of my running programs.5 -
@bearchested I've probably driven through Grinnell, at least almost, on the drive between Des Moines and Iowa City. My dad grew up in Guthrie Center. It's near Des Moines, but very small.
2 -
Zaxa2021 Weigh in
Weigh In Day: Wednesday
PW (Previous Weight): 153
CW (Current Weight): 152.2
I'm happy it's a loss. It's a decent start but I feel like I can do better. My goals this week are:
-Stop the mindless bites of food (especially when feeding my boys. No, I don't need to finish their food if they don't eat it).
-Gym 4 times between now and next weigh in
-More water (I'm doing better, but still pretty inconsistent)9 -
@looneycatblue
Hello Teresa! You pinged me in a group I am not a part of, so I figured I would reply in the Shape Shifter team chat. The same goes for you if you want to hop in. It is a little late, but it is not a problem! We just need your starting weight from last week and what day you would like to weigh in for the group. Also if you have a highest weight, feel free to share. I hope you will enjoy the group and please introduce yourself so we can get to know you a little! If you have any questions, there is a FAQ on the first page of this thread. Don't forget to join the group so you can post.1 -
Hey yall. Quick update. I had any appointment in St. Louis at the VA to see my eye specialist. Great appointment. Really happy about it.
Since everyone else has introduced themselves to our new team members, I'll go next. Lol.
I'm a 53 year old 100 % disabled Army veteran 3 grown kids and 5 grandkids. I joined in December 2019 after having congestive heart failure. It was mild and very slight damage. So getting control of my eating was a must. Chf is hereditary in my case as well as the severe high blood pressure.
A lot of my poor eating choices came from trauma due to 2 deployments as well as a sexual assault during 1 of the deployments. Along with it came antidepressants and meds to help me sleep. Along the way I learned that Seroquel will cause serious weight gain and diabetes, which runs in my family. So, it took some work and getting with the right mental health team to get off the Seroquel to get headed to the right place.
I have a condition that caused a lot of damage to my eyes. I no longer drive and rely on a transportation company, my family and friends to get me places. I also have a severe degenerative form of osteoarthritis. I've had 1 keee replacement already. I also have parathyroid disease which has caused osteoporosis/penia.
Yes, I'm a hot mess and I sound like a massive train wreck and I'm the 1st to admit it. I do get out 2 days a week and work in a Christian based Thrift store in my area. And I've been there forever, and I love it. I think I'm part of the wall paper there now honestly.10 -
@Armygirlarmyof1 -- Sounds like you've been through a lot, too much ((hugs)) I hope from here on out things get easier.4
-
Cyncia1028
Posting my steps...
Sunday April 30th = 4,453
Monday May 1st = 3,943
Tuesday May 2nd = 2,709
4 -
@Armygirlarmyof1 You are a survivor! You’ve been through so much and you keep pushing on. Thankfully you have a good team to help you with your health! Peace of mind goes a long way. Thanks for sharing!3
-
If it wasn’t for my lunchtime walk, I wouldn’t really have any steps. As soon as work ended, I bounced around and my husband and I tag teamed the kids activities and dinner. NSV #1- I made a healthy dinner on a super busy day.
NSV #2– I left my computer at lunch again and used that time for a walk. Sunshine was so refreshing
NSV#3– I’m not beating myself up for not meeting my step goal today. Accepting that there is no perfection in this and take each day at a time.5 -
@Sbus12 great nsv’s, and good reminder that there is success lurking everywhere. thanks for sharing.
i had a fairly good day of eating but then we decided to get chipotle for dinner. i saw that they have new menu items, so got one of their new lifestyle bowls which did fit within my calories for the day. and then i went for a 5k run! my nsv is that we also went to costco aka my happy place and we only got staples, zero snacks.6 -
Good morning Shape Shifters. Here is the daily card. Happy Thursday everyone
6 -
I am really dreading summer already. Sleeping is a bit of a challenge. I wake up around 4:30 because that is when the birds start singing. So that is when I put in earplugs. Then I usually make it until 5:45 and that is when Tinus wakes me up and I can't sleep anymore after. So if I want to get my 8+ hours of sleep, I have to go to bed at like 19:00, read some and turn the light off at 19:45. It makes me feel like a toddler.
I don't know how long I can keep this up. Usually in the summer I end up with daily naps because the day is too long and I am just exhausted and it's too hot to do anything. But I think a long sleep is better than 2 short ones, so I guess we will see how it goes.
6 -
@Cyncia85
I have added you to the step challenge. What goal are you trying to hit every day?
Thank you, let's put my goal at 10,000 steps.
This week will be low because I am in my last week of the Spring II semester. I am working full time and going to school full time. And I've had doctor appts during 2 of my lunch breaks.4
This discussion has been closed.