Giving myself 8 weeks April 20 to June 15/25

dvmmcw7442

Why 8 weeks? It feels like a good chunk of time to develop some consistency but not too long to want to quit.

Want to join me in setting some goals/habits and seeing them through until June 15? Pick anything you want to concentrate on for 8 weeks.

My goals are

1. Consistently achieve daily macro numbers- 165g P; 124g C; and 55g F
2. Strength training- 4 day split and one HIIT a week
3. Walk- as much as possible. I am working on this as I broke my leg and am in a cast for hopefully only a few more days
4. 8 X 8 ounce glasses water daily
5. No booze- this will be tough as I enjoy a couple of glasses of wine a week
6. Weigh in on Sundays and take measurements- 169.8 lbs, chest 35”, waist 37.5”, hip 41”

I need some structure as I have been flailing around the last couple of years- jumping around with coaches and diet and workouts. After 40 years of “dieting” I know what I have to do. I created this challenge to myself (and anyone else that wants to join me) so I will see this through. Writing it down here in front of a bunch of strangers gives me motivation to see it through.

I sincerely hope you will join me.

dvmmcw7442

Day 1 always goes well 😊Now to continue building momentum.

1. Macros need some work but was close. Need to up protein at breakfast as I got caught back loading it today. Traded some fat for carbs as I wanted more steak.
2. Lower body strength training. Had to sub some exercises with the cast.
3. Got around 5000 steps in. Tough with this cast. Can’t wait to be able to walk outside again.
4. Water ✅
5. No booze

Upper body tomorrow. Plan on having some chicken at breakfast and berries with Greek yogurt. Should get me off to a better start.

StephanieAbreu8378

Good job. Keep it up. You got this

secotton13

ME! I need to join an accountability group. I start off alright, but then life takes over and the discipline dies, and the pounds keep adding up. Need to start off with some small wins.

1. Track food, stay around 1500 calories a day.
2. Be mindful of what I'm eating. I love all the bad carbs when life gets stressful. Need to not even buy them.
3. No pop.
4. Walk 3 miles / day.
5. Start doing some strength training.

dvmmcw7442

Hi @secotton13 - that is exactly my reason for doing this. I can never stay committed so I hope this could help us both.

Melanie

tfrench1288

I will join in. I give up too easily. I need to stay focused and not beat myself up over a slip.

My goal is not to only lose weight but to create a healthy life style that I can maintain.

1. Stay within my calories and macro's
2. Walk the dog 30 or more minutes every day.
3. Do resistance or weight lifting at least 3 times a week.
4. Remember food is fuel; not a crutch. Make healthy choices.
5. Make 55(years old) Fabulous, Fit and Just the beginning of a Healthy Life.

dvmmcw7442

Hello @tfrench1288

Welcome- I hope this thread will keep us all committed. I too hope that 8 weeks will give me momentum to keep it up.

55 is fabulous- 58 is even better 😉

Melanie

dvmmcw7442

Getting closer to my macro numbers. Hit protein today- started with a 50gram breakfast which kept me from feeling hungry until 1 pm.
Didn’t get to my workout until 5 pm as work was very busy- upper body back and biceps. My push ups really suck. Haven’t got back to them for awhile and it showed today.
Close to 7500 steps today- still in this darned cast. I am feeling it as I haven’t walked that much in awhile. All in the house- can’t wait to get back outside.
Water ✅
No booze ✅Didn’t even think about having any wine tonight.
I feel good. Not really hungry all day. Going to start with that high protein breakfast again tomorrow. Felt like it set me up nicely for the rest of the day.

RaniaN2798

Hi there, great work!! keep going!

I'm in week 3 of my calorie deficit, 11k step goals and strength training.

Lost a bit of weight and feel amazing.

You can do this!!!!!

💝

dvmmcw7442

Macros good today although I find sometimes being accurate is challenging. I have increased fats and reduced carbs to stay at 1650 calories as I find fat satiates me more than carbs. Was also really low carb for so long that 100g seems like a lot right now. I’ll see how it goes- can always adjust.

Lower body and abs today. Lunges are hard to do with the cast- I need to balance with a chair. Squats and RDLs felt really good and was near the weight I was using before this break. I hate doing ab work but the 4 exercises on the program weren’t too bad.

Sitting around 7000 steps

No booze ✅

Water ✅

I had a lot of energy today. Got a lot done. Work, family meals, workout, tuning up on my French, reading on how to get unstuck.

I have been reading a book about getting unstuck. To stop with the stories that I use to continue to do things that I know are keeping me stuck where I am. I happened to google “why am I stuck” and the book came up. Call it divine intervention but it has really helped me with this and with my relationships.

.

dvmmcw7442

Macros right on even though we ate out. Set myself up early in the day as I knew we would be going out.

Rest day. These are often harder for me as I spent so many years thinking I had to go hard everyday. It led me to burn out and weight gain from the stress I was putting on my body, which included a physically demanding day. Took 30 years but I finally get it.

10,000 steps 💥 Boot on another week then will transition to a brace.

No booze✅ My daughter and son in law had peach whiskey sours at dinner. I had no inkling, not even for wine. Knew I would feel groggy and would open the doors to overeat. Came home and didn’t look to graze on sweets.

A little low on water. Difficult on travel days as I am not good at holding my water 🚽

Feeling good. Waking up before my alarm feeling rested which is definitely new to me.

dvmmcw7442

Went over on carbs today- had spaghetti for lunch which I haven't had in ages- so majority went there. Fat grams were low so it was a trade off.

Upper body- chest, shoulders, and tris. My favourite groups to do

5000 steps with boot. Less today but still ok as leg not healed yet. Not able to use TM unfortunately

No booze✅

Water✅

I am looking forward to weighing in and taking measurements on Sunday. It's been a good week so far 😊

dvmmcw7442

Did well with my macros up until I ate a few fries and 2 chocolate eggs. Definitely not a binge but not in my macros either. Ok with that- better than before.

Rest day- needed it. Tired and headache today.

>7000 steps 👍🏼

No booze ✅

Water ✅

Not feeling great today. Lots going on and my head just wouldn’t stop hurting. I do love Friday’s though- feel like I have 2 days ahead of me with time to just catch up. I am going to try doing a HIIT workout tomorrow. Picked some exercises Infigured I could do with the cast. Pretty limited getting the heart rate up enough without being able to use the bike, TM, or do things like burpees.

Lynn__W

I'm a week late but this challenge is exactly what I need. Busy day today but will be back with more later.

Focus this week:

1. Keep my food journal current and acurate from 6pm on!
2. When tired and starting to cruise the kitchen, stop and go to bed!
3. 12 water / day
4. on days I don't work, walk or paddle etc for minimum of 60 minutes.
5. Do 6 sets of weights or weights and some stretching.

Walela617

Hi everyone, Happy Weekend!

Thanks so much for starting this 8-week challenge and allowing me to join, @dvmmcw7442! Like Lynn, I am also starting a week late. I have another challenge where I weigh in on Thursdays, but I think it's a great idea to also weigh in on Sundays - the beginning of the week and mid-way between Thursday weigh-ins. My annual physical is 8 weeks from May 1st (June 26th); so this challenge is ideal timing for me! (I really need the accountability and also the camaraderie!)

I will post my 1st weigh-in and scale app stats tomorrow morning, April 27th and also key measurements: Bust, Waist, Hips and "Menopot" (what I call my belly) and each Sunday through the end of the challenge.

I plan to do my best to keep a consistent food diary, to stay within my calorie limit of 1,425 per day, to do at least 30 minutes' "intentional fitness activity" at least 5 times per week, to totally refrain from any alcoholic beverage consumption, to drink at least 64 ounces of water daily and to get at least six hours' sleep per night (which is very good for me). WHEW! (I know I can do it though.)

Some background:

Name: Carole

Age: 66 (67 on 8/18 this year, hopefully!)

Height: 5'3" (160 cm)

Highest Weight: 217.0 on 2/29/2008; got down to 140 in about two years, but now about 160 - I think. (I'll know tomorrow.)

Goal Weight: 140.0 lbs. or less (to get BMI below 25.0)

Goal for this challenge: Lose at least 11 lbs.

Living and working (full-time) in Boston Metropolitan area (Somerville & Cambridge, Massachusetts) Live with one female cat, age 3 and I have one son, age 41, married almost 5 years and living in Cambridge. (No grandchildren.)

I promise not to "bail" (drop out) on this group! I'm in it all the way through 'til the end!

I will read everyone's posts every day and will post at least once per day (though not a "book" like this one)!

Have a great weekend!

💗Carole

Walela617

Below are some tulips to wish you "HAPPY SPRING!" and also a picture of my cat, "MJ-chou"! (Also called "Myung".)💞

Walela617

Walela617

dvmmcw7442

Hello @Lynn__W and @Walela617

So glad you both decided to join! I was getting lonely!

Sounds like we have similar goals over the 8 weeks. Tomorrow will officially be one week down for me. It's been a good week. Went a little astray yesterday but otherwise got done what I wanted. I am actually looking forward to see if there have been any small changes. I will weigh and measure.

Thank you for the pictures Carole. Both are beautiful.
I am 58 years old. Two adult kids, 2 grandkids, one husband of 32 years. I am a livestock veterinarian in Alberta, Canada. I too have what I like to refer to as my Buddha belly. I mainly want to lean down. I have always enjoyed working out and being active. I have needed to get consistent with cutting the crap out of my diet. Alcohol too.

My day:

Macros✅

HIIT workout. I am in a boot cast- I broke my leg 7 weeks ago. Had to be creative to get my heart rate up but think I got a good workout in. Hope to be out of the cast in another week. Then to get the strength and mobility back

>12,000 steps today! Saturday is laundry and clean up day so I'm walking around most of the day. Hoping to maintain some strength my leg.

No booze ✅

Water✅

Thanks for joining!

Melanie

Walton2206

I’m here, I need this!! I’ve just returned to MFP today having walked away from WW. Calorie counting works for me so I need to get back to it. The thing with WW is it has such a great community that check in with each other all the time, that’s what I need here so I would love to be part of this. So, my goal is to log all food and drink correctly and consistently AND restart couch to 5K.

Walela617

Hello everyone,

@dvmmcw7442:Thanks so much for sharing, Melanie!🌷 You're so tough, keeping up your activity while recuperating from a broken leg! That's pretty impressive. It's so wonderful that you're a livestock veterinarian! That's amazing! Thanks also for telling us about your husband, kids and grandkids! >12,000 steps with a boot is no small feat either! 🏆

So I weighed in and it was better than I thought. This is my first weigh-in for this challenge. Last week I weighed 161.4; so I'm happy to see it's on its way down again. Here are my initial stats, according to my Renpho scale app:

I don't like that my app thinks I'm 71 years old, LOL! (Gotta fix that, hopefully before I turn 67!)

My initial measurements are:

B: 40.5"/W: 38"/H: 39.5"/M: 45"!

See? I wasn't kidding about my "Menopot" (belly)! It's like I'm built backwards! I'd really like to have my belly measure less than my hips! (I've always had very little to "sit on"!😉)

At the end of our challenge, I will post before/after stats and measurements for comparison in order to show progress.

I will post calories and intentional activity minutes at the end of each day. Most of my steps I'll get in on weekdays. I'll post the number of steps too, as well as any other planned activity I did that day (exercise videos, resistance/ strength training, live classes, etc.)

Wishing everyone a great day!

💞 Carole

dvmmcw7442

I usual post at night but as I did my weekly weigh in and measurements wanted to get them down:

166.4 lbs ⬇️3.4 pounds. This is nice but I recognize this trend. I always lose a lot the first week I clean things up. I know I will not lose that much the rest of these 8 weeks but that's where I need to stay consistent.

Chest 35" no change

Waist 36" ⬇️ 1.5" This would mostly be less bloating and water retention

Hip 41" no change.

All around a pretty good start.

dvmmcw7442

Welcome @Walton2206 Hope we can help each other out!
I used to run a lot then got a new knee so am now a walker 😊 Keep us posted on how your couch to 5k is progressing- I can run vicariously through you 🏃🏻‍♀️

Melanie

Walela617

Hi Melanie, @dvmmcw7442! GREAT stats, CONGRATULATIONS! That's a big weight loss and a significant loss of inches, too - in just one week! (I always show more progress after the first week of getting back on track as well.) Hopefully, we can keep losing a pound or more each week going forward!

Our weights are pretty close. May I ask how tall you are? I'm only 5'3"; so every pound up or down now is noticeable and I need to lose about 20 more to get my BMI within the generally accepted "normal" range of 25 or below. (I know I'll feel so much better when I'm lighter!)

I'm looking forward to tomorrow. It's supposed to be sunny and lower 70's in Boston; so I will probably be able to walk to and from work (~2.2 miles, each way).

Enjoy the rest of your day!

💗 Carole

dvmmcw7442

Hi Carole @Walela617 -

I am 5’6”. I am looking to lose about 20 and see how I feel there. I haven’t dipped below 150 for years so I am being cautious about setting a weight goal. I really want to reduce my visceral fat because that is what concerns me the most. I was hoping to get a scale like yours but with a knee replacement they say they don’t work with metal in your body.

From my stats I appear to be brick shaped 😂

I can’t wait to get outside to walk again. Tough with this boot cast- we live on gravel and the bears just woke up so I’d like to have some agility just in case. I take the dogs with me and they do give me some comfort! A 2.2 miles walk both ways is a lot of ground covered 🙂 Hope you are able to get it in tomorrow.

Have a lovely Sunday!

Melanie

Walela617

Walela617

Hi Melanie, @dvmmcw7442

I haven't been below 150 in quite some time either. I'm looking forward to putting that "decade"of pounds away for GOOD!

Luckily, there are no bears around where I live - I'm more worried about "human critters" here in the city!

I'd love to be 5'6"! It's a great height and you get to weigh more!😁

Have a great evening,

💗 Carole

Walela617

Hi everyone, I'm changing my calorie limit from 1,425 to 1,450, since I think it will be easier to maintain and because I plan to step up my activity (literally) to balance it out. I should still be able to lose at least once pound per week.

4/25: 1,382

4/26: 1,442

4/27: 1,446

🌷

dvmmcw7442

Yesterday wasn't great for my macros. It was a circus here with calving and foaling issues then people stopping to visit. Tried to guesstimate my dinner which was snacks I had put out. The biggest thing I did right was not drink while everyone else was. Then I didn't binge and go searching for crap once everyone left. I just kept thinking how alcohol would make me feel yucky, especially this morning. Feels good knowing I could sit with a group of people that were drinking and not have some myself.

Took a rest day from workouts

Did manage a little over 10,000 steps

No booze✅

Water✅

Let us know how that calorie number is feeling for you Carole @Walela617

It's election day in our country today. Hoping for a change.

Melanie

Walela617

Hi everyone,

You did GREAT, Melanie! (@dvmmcw7442) Way to stay STRONG!💪 You deserved a rest day but stlll got your steps in anyway! Plus, you were able to socialize without drinking, even though others were! (I've been alcohol-free since 4/22.)

My sister gave me a keychain similar to the Pooh poster, but with an added line, "and loved more than you know."

About the calories, it's been tough to stay under 1,425, but I'm hoping my activity will make up for whenever I go over. Today looked like this:

I need to do better with sleeping and will try to go to bed by 10:30 tonight.

My macros were like this:

Have a nice night,

💗 Carole

dvmmcw7442

Good job on the steps Carole @Walela617 !

My macros aren't much different- I am at 30% carbs and fats and 40% protein but my calories are at 1650.

We ate out tonight and I had a taco salad but then ate half of my husband's fries 😬 I was really hungry today and also feeling exhausted. Just wanted to eat. So I did and was only over by about 250 calories- not bad.
I took another rest day- like I said was really tired today.

7300 steps

No booze✅

Short on water.

Going to bed early so I can have a better day tomorrow

Melanie