Exercise and Weight Loss Challenges
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Congratulations, Pam! Have to celebrate maintenance. As we all know it is the hardest thing because we are not dieting, we are living and temptation lurks everywhere. WELL DONE!!!! 14.5 months, going for a lifetime!
Exercise seems to be a plateau breaker.
Logging every day.
Intermittent fasting.
Fiber seems to be another for me.
It is all so simple and so hard.
Any other ideas? Anyone ready to commit to this and report to us? (Pam, I know you are doing it already).
I am down another half pound today. For all my moaning, I am not hungry. (Fiber will do that!) And the weight is shifting. I looked at my reports, and although there are some targets missed on some days, on average they are met over 3 or 4 days. So I think I am OK. I have figured out dinner today. High in mono fats, but if I don't eat the chicken skin and don't have the peanut garnish, I can stay within my goals. Whew! This is tough day by day. I am hoping I will get a handle on this shortly and not have to whine and moan and detail every step with you guys.
Never thought of butter spray on popcorn, Gayle! Thank you! Popcorn is one of my favourite foods. My go-to when I am feeling "blue" foods and without butter or coconut oil it just did not appeal. With your suggestion, it is back on the table. thanks!
Yogurt making. A talent started 30 years ago but recently, I started making my own when I unearthed my Excalibur dehydrator from 30 years ago from the basement. Excalibur is still in the business but they have changed to a stack of small trays for dehydrating. Not good for yogurt. A friend unearthed a Salton, again 30 years old, and since it is smaller, I have been using that one. The dehydrator is in the front hall ready to be donated but sentiment is holding me back. Mailing it to you would probably be exorbitantly expensive.
Excalibur is really just a box with a light bulb and a fan. A cardboard box with a light bulb should get the right temperature (there used to be plans on the internet) and if you wanted a fan, the dollar store had a plastic battery operated one that I used for something else.
I did check out yogurt makers at Home Sense and they had them online but had to be ordered by the store in my area. None in stock and they treat it as a baby food maker?
That all being said, my mum made yogurt using her oven. An oven at 115 degrees or if yours won't go that low, on lowest you can and a bowl sitting on the range to absorb some heat might work too. You can also use a heating pad. Mum's methods were less reliable than a yogurt maker, or a box with a light bulb.
Yogurt making recipe: Scald your milk (do not boil). I use one liter of milk at a time. Cool it to baby bottle temperature. Front of the wrist test stuff. Not too hot, not too cool. Add plain yogurt to the milk and whisk in well - I use 3-4 tablespoons but they say 1 tbsp will do the whole batch. I want to be sure. I buy Greek plain yogurt as my starter. Must be plain. You can also start the next batch from your former batch for 2-3 times. It does get weaker so I buy a new starter each time.
Pour into glass containers. Pyrex bowl or I used jam jars for individual servings. Cover with a cloth. Put them in a place where it will not be jiggled. Jiggling or moving stops the process and it won't restart, or so it seems. (Mum also used the top of the fridge but I think new fridges do not give off the heat the old ones did.) Keep warm not hot (115 degrees is the magic number) overnight. I often go close to 24 hours to remove all the lactose (that is what makes it sour). The longer, the sourer but homemade is sweeter than store bought. Should be yogged when you take them out; you can peek, just do not move them until they are done. Put them in the fridge. They will firm up more as they cool.
Add what you want to individual servings (or not) and enjoy!
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I'm also looking for hints on yogurt making.
It was all the rage in the 70s. I recently got an Instant Pot because it has a yogurt making setting. But I haven't given it a try yet.1 -
Pam, 14.5 months on maitenance is really inspiring! In terms of the Instant Pot, my mom was afraid of pressure cookers, guess a friend of hers had had one explode, so I'm afraid of them too. My loss! Marney, thanks so much for the yogurt tips! What do you add to yours? Think I am going to buy the Euro Cuisine YM80 Yogurt Maker which is only 20.00 and comes with 7 lidded glass jars. They want you to buy starter but I like your idea of using plain yogurt.0
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Starter certainly works but so does plain yogurt. Starter is simply more expensive and harder to find but it is assured to work.
I like my yogurt plain actually but as long as you finish your yogurt first, you can add whatever you like to the finished product. It kills the culture to add things to it which is why fruit bottom etc do not claim probiotics or anything. I do add blueberries to it often and these days (I have to moan once more
) I am adding oat bran, pysllium or ground flax seed.
I also use a pressure cooker for things. It was the previous generations microwave and there is nothing like cheap cuts of meat done in a pressure cooker. Yum. Two rules, Don't fill more than half way, especially with beans or lentils. Look through the "pipe" on the lid to be sure that light can be seen through it before you put the lid on. If you do both of these, easy as pie. And the modern version has about 3 different safeguards so they don't explode.
But my SIL wants nothing to do with them so I do understand!0 -
gmabethof3 wrote: »July 8 - 188.4
July 15 - 188.4
July 30 - 188.0
Aug 5 - 186.4
Aug 12 - 186.4
Aug 19 - 188.0
Frustrated again this week. My body seems to like me weighing 188.0. I ate right this week, just didn't exercises as much. I could blame the heat from keeping me from walking outside, I could exercise in the house, but for some reason I just can not bring myself to do it. I have all kinds of dvr exercise tapes. My goal this week is to use them.
Mary, Looks like you and I need to make ourselves watch our dvr tapes, we did take the first step and bought them, now we need to use them
........ I was able to kick my sweet tooth habit, with some Luna bars, Special K 100 cal snacks, and fiber one snacks, they help me a lot, now I find myself turning sweets away. If I can do it, anyone can do it.
Everyone have a safe and great week.gmabethof3 wrote: »July 8 - 188.4
July 15 - 188.4
July 30 - 188.0
Aug 5 - 186.4
Aug 12 - 186.4
Aug 19 - 188.0
Frustrated again this week. My body seems to like me weighing 188.0. I ate right this week, just didn't exercises as much. I could blame the heat from keeping me from walking outside, I could exercise in the house, but for some reason I just can not bring myself to do it. I have all kinds of dvr exercise tapes. My goal this week is to use them.
Mary, Looks like you and I need to make ourselves watch our dvr tapes, we did take the first step and bought them, now we need to use them ........ I was able to kick my sweet tooth habit, with some Luna bars, Special K 100 cal snacks, and fiber one snacks, they help me a lot, now I find myself turning sweets away. If I can do it, anyone can do it.
Everyone have a safe and great week.
Beth,I have my DVR working again and have started using my workout tapes.I'll know the outcome Fri. I went to a wedding yesterday and had a piece of cake,a few mixed nuts and some m&m 's.Not the best choices.I realize exercising will be the thing that will jump start me again.0 -
Well ..... lactose skim milk yogurt is pretty awful. So maybe 1% next time.
We have Mary and Beth for exercise to jump start. Mary, you have already started, good job. I look forward to your results on Friday! Cheering you on!0 -
dasher602014 wrote: »Ok Ladies.
We have all lost weight from the start. But we have all stalled. It has gotten harder obviously. At least we are not gaining.
Ideas to break the stall?
Marney, I am trying, In my new neighborhood, there are a few woman who walk about a mile a night, I have started to walk with them. I am also watching what I am eating, and I am forcing myself not to eat after 7:30 (not always working) Yes, we have all stalled, I am blaming on this hot weather LOL (got to blame something)..Hopefully we will all get out of this rut and back on track.
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July 8-188.4
July 15-188.0
July 22-188.0
July 30-188.0
Aug 5-186.4
Aug 12-186.4
Aug 19-188.0
Aug 26-188.0
Sept 2-190.0
I did everything right this week, but I have been holding a lot of water. Dr. has me back on my water pills, and drinking nothing but water so hope that this goes away soon. I'm uncomfortable, my ankles are so swelled and my fingers are like little sausages...UGH! I am watching my sodium intake really carefully, hoping it won't take long for all of this to go away.
Does our new challenge start next week? Hope so, I failed this challenge.
Our humidity has gone away till next Tuesday, I even had to wear a light jacket this morning when sitting out on my patio. Like this weather, its just right.
Well, I hope everyone has had a great week. Those who celebrate Labor Day, don't over do it. I'm even staying away from a cookout because of all the temping foods loaded with sodium. Be Good Everyone, and be safe. Beth 0 -
Beth, it is really hard when it is water weight. Hold the line on salt, as you are doing, and hold our hope that there will be a whoosh coming shortly.
Yeah, the weather is beautiful! Warm enough for shorts on the golf course, but chilly at night. The stars last night were beautiful, so close and so many. My brother from 60 miles away called excitedly at 10pm to says the Northern Lights were showing. I saw them when I was about 14. Southern Ontario does not see them very often. I tried to get to a north facing place but it took until an hour later to get to my neighbour's dock. I wanted permission before I barged through with a flashlight! The lights weren't there but .... I have permission to just go over next time. So maybe tonight. There was also a huge beautiful clear rainbow in the sky earlier when I was driving home from golf even though they had been no rain on the course. So beautiful day, all in all.
I did well this week. I am at 166! Even with a whole bag of popcorn last night.
Enjoy the long weekend people!0 -
uly 1: 173.5
July 15: 170.5 (-3)
July 22: 171.5 (+1)
July 29: 169 (-2.5)
August 5: 169
August 19: 170.5 (+1.5)
August 26: 169.5 (-1)
Sept 2: 166 (-3.5)
Total: -7.5 this challenge
Shows what 1 week of high fiber can do! I guess for all my gripping, I will be continuing with this high fiber, low fat and low, but not very low, carb diet.
Did not achieve my goal of getting back to my lowest which was 163, but on my way. So I guess I failed this challenge too, Beth. But I don't think you should think that way anymore than I should.0 -
Fri. May 20-204.0
Fri. May27-199.5
Fri. June 3-201.5
Fri. June 10-205
Fri.June 17-205.5
Fri.June 24-201.5
Fri. July 1-200.0
Fri.July 8-199.0
Fri.July 15-199.5
Fri.July 22-203.0
Fri. July 29-201.0
Fri.Aug 5-203.5
Fri.Aug 12-204.0
Aug19-203.5
Aug 26-204.5
Sept.2-201.5
I haven't got to exercise much this week,a bad sinus cold.I'm glad I have a 3 lb.loss though.feeling better today so have no excuse not to exercise.My goal this week is to get below 200.
Marney,awesome on the weight loss!!
Beth,I really have to watch the salt intake too.There are so much foods that have salt in them,especially processed foods.
New week ,new choices to make.Everyone have a fantastic week !!
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Fantastic weight loss, Mary. 3 lbs in a week is hard to do. I hope it did not all come from not feeling well. That is not the way to lose weight. Good low to end with.
Cheering you on to onderland! Let us know when you break that barrier and we can party together!
My SIL sent me "The Obesity Code" Interesting read so far.0 -
Correction: I am reading "The Obesity Paradox"0
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dasher602014 wrote: »Fantastic weight loss, Mary. 3 lbs in a week is hard to do. I hope it did not all come from not feeling well. That is not the way to lose weight. Good low to end with.
Cheering you on to onderland! Let us know when you break that barrier and we can party together!
My SIL sent me "The Obesity Code" Interesting read so far.
Having a sinus cold didn't stop me from eating but it did put a stop to my exercise.I did exercise this morning though because I would love to get into onederland.One day at a time.
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Marney and Mary, great losses, you look to be out of that rut we are all in, keep up the great work Ladies.
Marney, those Northern Lights would be beautiful, I have never seen them, but would love to someday...0 -
Welcome Natelie!
Man this week went fast!
I was feeling i was late to weigh in for last week and realized it was friday already!
No progress this month but at least no gain.
Bounced up to 185 at one point but today 182.6
Still up from my newest low of 180 way back in march.
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Well done Lil!
Not far from your newest low!0 -
7/09/16: 185.7
7/16/16: 187.5
8/07/16: 188.1
8/14/16: 186.9
8/21/16: 188.5
8/27/16: 187.6
9/04/16: 191.1
End of one challenge and the start of another. I am motivated to do well during this challenge because the next challenge (starts November 4th) includes the holidays. I've been stressed out and have done the related stress eating. I've managed to gain 5.4 pounds during this last challenge. Today I actually got my Silver Sneakers card and will begin to actually utilize it starting this week. I see that I get ebooks, classes, access to mulitple rec centers. I'm going to need all the help I can get.0 -
Guys! Congrates on the great progress you've made during this last challenge! You continue to inspire me.0
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Sept 9 - 190.0
Good Morning Ladies. I stayed the same as last week, but since this is a new challenge, I'm hoping to drop at least a little every week. Still holding the water, but still trying to eat right, exercising and YEA!! the humidity is breaking.
Hope everyone has a great new challenge. Eat clean, get that exercise in, and everyone have a great week. Beth 0 -
Fri. May 20-204.0
Fri. May27-199.5
Fri. June 3-201.5
Fri. June 10-205
Fri.June 17-205.5
Fri.June 24-201.5
Fri. July 1-200.0
Fri.July 8-199.0
Fri.July 15-199.5
Fri.July 22-203.0
Fri. July 29-201.0
Fri.Aug 5-203.5
Fri.Aug 12-204.0
Aug19-203.5
Aug 26-204.5
Sept.2-201.
Sept 9-199.5
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Yeah to @gmabethof3 and @merrygrannie! Staying the same is a win in my column. And @marrygrannie, you broke through the 200 barrier! It is such a hard dance into onderland, isnt it! Here's to you getting another distance away from it this week. And @gmabethof3 , the decade hurdle. You go ladies! Gayle, you are at that decade hurdle too. Keep up the work.
I am at that half decade hurdle. I stayed the same at 166.
So,
Sept 2: 166 (-3.5)
Sept 9: 166 (-0)
I am struggling with low fat and moderate carbs. It is hard to find that sweet spot. But I am keeping up the struggle.0 -
9/04/16: 191.1
9/11/16: 190.9
Marney, thanks for you! Yes, the decade hurtle. My goal is to get back to the 170's before year's end. Man, I am out of my mind, I just bought around 25.00 worth of diet cookbooks (5 used) on Amazon. If only buying exercise equipment and diet cookbooks actually made the difference, lol. At least I am hip to my insanity. Keep up the great work Beth and Mary & Marney & Lill and Charlie & Pam! Forgive me if I've forgotten anyone--feel like I'm a stranger to this place. OK, one step at a time.0 -
Late report for sept 9
Earlier This week Got down to one pound over my lowest low of 180.8
9/9/16 was ~ two pounds over = 182.2
Gayle I agree,
Being hip to our insanity is huge !
I know im insane to not get aerobic 1/2 hr every day
And know that particular insanity is caused by having several long term deadlines at once
so tell myself every day i dont have time for 1/2 elliptical.
But cant seem to get sane about that one yet.
But at least i am aware of it!
Otherwise life is sane
I think ive found way of coping that works with my late onset ADD (if there is such a thing)
After years of trying to focus on one thing for whole day in order to get it done
which did not work, and made me feel guilty for neglecting other projects that day,
I realized my big projects are composed of little steps.
So for past week i've to finish a little step for each project every day
And it is working!
No guilt
And its cool the way little steps accumulate.
Im off to do a variety of little steps
( but alas, none of them aerobic)
Lill
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LOL Lil.
I went for a walk this morning, ladies! And then played 18 holes of golf. But the walk was important because it was deliberate exercise on hills.1 -
dasher602014 wrote: »LOL Lil.
I went for a walk this morning, ladies! And then played 18 holes of golf. But the walk was important because it was deliberate exercise on hills.
Great exercise!!0 -
Thanks Mary!
Well, Friday check in. It bounced around a great deal this week, up to 169.5 earlier. So I fought it down again and ....
Sept 2: 166 (-3.5)
Sept 9: 166 (-0)
Sept 16: 166 (-0)
Next week should be a breeze because it is my colonoscopy week! Sigh.
Yesterday, I rode the stationary bike for 30 minutes and walked 9 holes of golf. Today, I am riding 18 holes of golf but I think I will try the road walk again today. I like the cooler weather and we are between the summer chores of pulling weeds off our shoreline and our fall chore of raking up a ton of leaves so I am enjoying the break. Got to get those bulbs planted though! Between water weeds and leaves, I have a great deal of compost for those bulbs!
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Gayle, for the new members that we are trying to get in. We could make the group public, have them search and join and then make it private again. Just a thought.0
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Did you guys know that doing a push up relieves stress? Because ..... it is total body experience so as far a your muscles know you are fighting or flighting and your body is therefore less stressed. Huh. Who knew? (Pushups against the wall count too ..... I could hear you!)1
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Sept.2-201.0
Sept 9-199.5
Sept 16-200.0
Small gain.Really didn't try as hard as I should have.The exercise kept me from having a bigger gain.I really need to get my desire for food under control.0
