STEP IT UP September 2024 Challenge

baconslave
baconslave Posts: 7,018 Member
It's been a long and busy summer.
Maybe you've been on it the whole time! Great job! :+1:
Or maybe you've been hit or miss?
Or slacked off toward the end?
Whatever it is, that's in the past! Time to look ahead!

This month let's focus on how to Step Up your efforts to achieve your health and fitness goals. Whether or not that sounds exciting to you, you can agree it's something to do, and time will pass anyway. Might as well accomplish something. :joy:

So it's time to reevaluate where we are headed and buckle down to renew your fight for your goals for another month, whether they be weightloss or increased fitness or just better health overall. So. Let's Step Up the drive to hit those goals this month.

We got this! :triumph:

Replies

  • stormywxs288
    stormywxs288 Posts: 812 Member
    I've embarked on a Carnivore diet for the past 8 weeks, originally planning to stick with it for 30 days. After reaching that milestone, I decided to extend it to 90 days. I'm excited about the September Set It Up Challenge as it aligns perfectly with my 90-day goal, bringing me within 3 days of completion. Additionally, I have set the following goals for September:

    Weight Goal – 155.0
    Body Fat - 25%
    Visceral Fat Rating - 15

    Results after 8 weeks (56 Days):
    Tanita Scale Ratings
    - Weight: 185.4 to 160.8 (-24.6 pounds) Ideal weight: 155
    - Body Fat: 32.6 to 27.3 (-5.3%) Ideal BF < 25.0
    - Visceral Fat Rating: 19 to 16 (-3) Ideal VF: <13
    - Blood Pressure: 138/88 to 123/80 Ideal: < 120/80
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,327 Member
    My goal this week is to above all, learn to maintain my weight loss. I am hoping to keep my weight generally between 163 and 167 pounds. My secondary goals are to continue eating ketovore and continue with my exercise program.
  • tishsmith101
    tishsmith101 Posts: 1,671 Member
    Sept literally is step it up for me.

    -Walked Sat, Sun, Mon
    -10 mile bike ride yesterday
    -Strength on my own today since trainer was closed yesterday. Squats, overhead press and biceps curls.
  • Adventurista
    Adventurista Posts: 1,769 Member
    Mine starts with the eating. Having mis-fires... :D
  • candok1260
    candok1260 Posts: 530 Member
    My goal for the month is to lose 4 lbs and get my glucose down from 180.
  • Adventurista
    Adventurista Posts: 1,769 Member
    On it. Bagged up some nuts for snackage and making up a fresh jar of blackened ranch (ranch + extra peppery cayenne/cajun type spices).
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,327 Member
    Maintenance is going well. I was 164 pounds this morning, so in the 163-167 maintenance range I am striving for.
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 7,018 Member
    My goal this week is to above all, learn to maintain my weight loss. I am hoping to keep my weight generally between 163 and 167 pounds. My secondary goals are to continue eating ketovore and continue with my exercise program.

    Great goal. This maintenance one is tricky but you'll find your balance. :+1:

    I maintained my loss for years. Until I lost my mojo. :sweat_smile: Lots of curve balls for me. May the pitcher of Life leave you alone at least. 🤞
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 7,018 Member
    Oh Lordy I'm here. Finally.

    Camping, appointments, errands.

    My goal this month is to lose something. And to resume my strength goals. More concrete weight goal next month but right now I need to focus on corralling my inner punk who has been out of control. Re-cement habits that serve me in place of habits that do not. I need to prioritize myself, because I can't be a good every-thing-everyone-demands-of-me without it.
  • Adventurista
    Adventurista Posts: 1,769 Member
    That's great - good approach forward!

    I am having trouble reigning in the extras, so that is my focus... consistency with meals/snacks and not in-between.
    e5gxjldlc8yg.jpg
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 7,018 Member
    well had a better weekend than some, but not the best. Working on it.

    Logging this morning and planning my workout.
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,274 Member
    Just restarted on MFP today. I am a T2 diabetic and low carb is essential for me. I haven't done well in the last couple years and I am tired of shooting insulin all the time. I need to get back control of my body. I already logged my food for the day and plan on taking a walk this afternoon to jumpstart my exercise. I have a stationary bike I can use in between walks, too.

    Can I lose 20 pounds by Christmas? That's a partial goal for me. But it all starts today.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,327 Member
    Just restarted on MFP today. I am a T2 diabetic and low carb is essential for me. I haven't done well in the last couple years and I am tired of shooting insulin all the time. I need to get back control of my body. I already logged my food for the day and plan on taking a walk this afternoon to jumpstart my exercise. I have a stationary bike I can use in between walks, too.

    Can I lose 20 pounds by Christmas? That's a partial goal for me. But it all starts today.

    Good job seeking to take control. As for your question, is it possible? I would give a qualified, "yes", as I don't know how much you have to lose, so I am assuming a fair amount. This is especially true if you significantly cut your carbs, as you will drop water weight initially as you burn off the stored glycogen which is stored at 3 grams of water for every 1 gram of glycogen.

    My experience when I got a pre-diabetic A1C result is that I went Keto (30 grams of carbs a day or less) immediately. I dropped weight really fast those first two weeks, then settled to a more reasonable 2-3 pounds a week. In a matter or months my A1C went from 6.3 to 5.2.
  • tishsmith101
    tishsmith101 Posts: 1,671 Member
    Got in an average of 3-4 miles walking each day the past week on vacation. Today went back to my local gym after 4 months. 30 min on the treadmill and 37 on the elliptical. Food has been good so far this month. Will weigh in tomorrow.

    Starting to feel more like myself and really hoping the seasonal depression continues to stay away.
  • stormywxs288
    stormywxs288 Posts: 812 Member
    I have completed the sixth week of my Carnivore experiment, and I have reached my goal body fat. I'm also in close range of my weight and visceral fat goals. I have committed to 90 days of Carnivore, which is 63 days so far.

    Goals for Step it Up September:
    Weight– 155.0
    Body Fat - 25%
    Visceral Fat Rating - 15

    Results after 9 weeks (63 Days):
    Tanita Scale Ratings
    - Weight: 185.4 to 159.4 (-25.0 pounds) goal weight: 155
    - Body Fat: 32.6 to 25.0 (-7.6%) goal BF < 25.0
    - Visceral Fat Rating: 19 to 16 (-3) goal VF: <13
    - Blood Pressure: 138/88 to 121/75 Ideal: < 120/80
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,327 Member
    This week has been pretty good overall. There was a potluck at our church on Sunday, so I ate freely for that meal. I had a small snack of meat late in the day so I would not be hungry in the morning, and that worked well. According to my ketone breath meter, while I didn't drop completely out of ketosis, I was back into the point that would be considered early Ketosis until Wednesday. Then I was back in ketosis again. Thursday, we had an employee appreciation meal of Chinese food. We could select from various combos from a local restaurant. I picked one with wings. I ate just the wing, and brought the rest home for my family to enjoy. Even with the light coating on the wings, I stayed in Ketosis nicely. The only real negative this week was missing my Wednesday workout. I was kept up due to some late season hot temperature since I have taken the window air conditioner units out, and 5 hours of sleep was just not enough to bring myself to workout.
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,274 Member
    rileysowner, thank you! I want to lose 30 pounds total. I once lost 50 here but gained back 30 so that's my goal again. I have never done keto. As good as it sounds, I choose to lower my carb intake but not quite so low (although I applaud your plan). I tried to keep my daily carbs below 90 gms. before and was successful. I definitely feel better and have more energy when my carb intake is lower. I go back to my Endo in a couple weeks and have to get my bloodwork done before then. My A1c was 6.7....it may be the same ATM, but I plan on getting it down lower next time.
  • tishsmith101
    tishsmith101 Posts: 1,671 Member
    Hubby does not want to go to the gym today so suggesting a hike after grocery shopping. After being sick Wed, I'm still not back too 100% energy or desire to eat. Forcing myself to get in my protein though. At this point if my stomach hurts, it's probably just empty and I need to get mentally past that fear of getting sick again.
  • taylok23
    taylok23 Posts: 828 Member
    Late to the game after a busy few months at work and my waistline is showing it. While I exercise daily, I can’t outrun some of the garbage that slips in. While I’m mostly low carb, the sweets and other carby splurges are too frequent. So I need to buckle down and lose this fluff.
  • missymuffet
    missymuffet Posts: 106 Member
    Hey 👋 I love the enthusiasm you guys have for moving ahead and it’s just what I need. More movement and less carbage!!
    Thanks for the boost this morning, I really needed it. 🌺
  • tishsmith101
    tishsmith101 Posts: 1,671 Member
    Saturday we did a short hike, Sunday was a spin class and bowling. Today I had strength training. Hoping to sleep well tonight!
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,274 Member
    Except for the fact that both the Phillies and Eagles lost last night, I am doing well and am on my 8th day. Have lost the expected water weight and am headed downward. Last week, I walked 3 days, 3 miles each time. It was tiring, but it felt good. Keeping the carbs down and my BS numbers show it. Keep on everyone!
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,327 Member
    Except for the fact that both the Phillies and Eagles lost last night, I am doing well and am on my 8th day. Have lost the expected water weight and am headed downward. Last week, I walked 3 days, 3 miles each time. It was tiring, but it felt good. Keeping the carbs down and my BS numbers show it. Keep on everyone!

    Thanks for the update. Good job. Keep it up.
  • tishsmith101
    tishsmith101 Posts: 1,671 Member
    Another spin class today, feeling pretty good about this month.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,327 Member
    Another spin class today, feeling pretty good about this month.

    Excellent.
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 7,018 Member
    Sorry, guys. Got walloped by Helene. 10 trees down, son's vehicle damaged, RV and my car destroyed, 2 fences down. But healthy family. My town however got majorly flooded.

    Finally have power, internet, and cell back. Still waiting on water.
    Working on the October challenge right now.