Inches & Weight Loss 12-week challenge

stariera

I'm starting this from a previous post I did and generated some interests: First Weigh In and Measurements taken June 13 The Following measurements are what will be taken:
Neck
Bra Line
Natural Waist
Naval Line
Lower Abs
Hips
Left Thigh
Right Thigh
Left Calf
Right Calf
Left Upper Arm
Right Upper Arm
Left Forearm
Right Forearm

Our Goal is not only to keep track of the weight which is lost but the actual inches as we are all trying to tone up as we lose weight. Any who wish to join can message me and add me as friend just please put it in message why you are adding me. We will weigh/measure in each Monday and I will post the weight/inches lost of each participant on each Tuesday.

Slinkybaz

I'll see if I can get a tape measure today and then I shall post my start weight and measurements to you. Great idea - bring it on!

KeriA

Great, "see" you Monday

Collinsky

I'll do my measurements Monday, then!!

stenochick

I'll join you and post.

Slinkybaz

Ok, and so it starts. Weight today is 190lbs.

Measurements are saved into a Microsoft Office Live account. If you can PM me your email address I will share it with you. I tried to copy it onto here but it went all skewy!

sugarbeans

I don't have all of the measurements but this is what I have so far.
CW: 186lbs
GW:175lbs
Starting measurements Goal measurements

Waist 37.0 on 06/13/11 Waist 32.0
Hips 46.25 on 06/13/11 Hips 41.5
Left Arm 15.0 on 06/13/11 Left arm 12.75
Right Arm 15.5 on 06/13/11 Right arm 36.5
Left Thigh 28.6 on 06/13/11 Left thigh 25.5
Right Thigh 28.7 on 06/13/11 Right thigh 25.5
Left Calf 17.5 on 06/13/11 Left Calf 14.2
Right Calf 17.6 on 06/13/11 Right calf 14.2

KeriA

I just realized you have an updated list of measurements from the 1st page.

stariera

Ok girls I'll be tacking the info into my chart and next Tuesday I'll share everyone's loss for the week. Weight in pounds and overall inches loss. We have one person who joined who had a death in the family and I told her she can join us when she sees she is able to. Francine you have my condolences hun.

stariera

Each week I will list the participants in the order of which they loss %wise for that week. At the end I'll do an overall loss for the entire challenge and post the order of how we finish. So far it looks like we have about 8-10 participants waiting to make sure before I announce the list in case I recieve more mail during the night tonight for those behind my time zone.

stariera

So you all know my biggest reason for starting this journey... and this challenge was so that would lose the unhealthy fat I had gained. Prior to my car accident I was into some heavy training for work purposes. I was once a dive rescue diver. I was in the peak of shape when I went from being able to exercise daily or at least 5 days a week to not being able to exercise at all. MFP has helped me tremendously in understanding exactly how I reached the point I have. My body prior to that accident was used to burning probably 1500-2000 calories a day in training alone... not including the cleaning and horseback riding and anything else I was doing for enjoyment like taking my son for bike rides or in line skating along the beach with him for "fun". I was always outside, always active. I knew at my peak when I was maybe 10% body fat I weighed 145. For a woman I was solid muscle, I wore a size 3-5 because of my frame. At that point they considered my ideal weight 130 ish. Me at 130ish well I looked anorexic. I actually forced myself to gain weight because I didn't like seeing my ribs or hip bones. As I gaind weight I exercised to shape my muscles. I by no means looked like a body builder. I wish Ia pics of me then LOL but I was very camera shy and about best I ever had was me in my wet suit :laugh: I want to lose weight but I want to do it in a healthy manner. I've had to learn an entirely new way of exercising due to my injuries from car accident. I encourage each person participating in this challenge if you have a particular thing that is causing you trouble in your effort share it...Some of us others may be able to share information. I for one can share what I know about exercises that are less stressful on back and neck injuries. Exercises that have helped me to build my core muscles back up and have allowed me to become as active as I am. Hugs all just wanted to share as I hope to encourage the rest of you to share.

sugarbeans

Thank you for sharing your story, and your optimism is amazing!! I find you and your accomplishments very inspirational

KeriA

I never had a weight problem and lost all my pregnancy weight with my first child. Then, some hard pregnancies, living where I wasn't happy, age and being too busy combined to slowing my metabolism and a slow gain over many years. I tried to start to get more exercise despite, fulltime work, fulltime parenting and a long commute but exercise alone didn't work. I started exercising even more intensely when I was laid off but again I only lost about 9 pounds and some of it came back. Then I saw the article from someone who had used MFP and started here. I have very slowly lost 27 pounds since late last August. I found that my long plateau was not really so bad because I found by keeping the weight off I still slimmed and solidified my progress. I learned how to maintain I guess. I have started to slowly lose again. I have been in school trying to keep job skills fresh and it has had its impact at the end of each quarter but I am done with going fulltime. I will not apply to any job that requires such a long commute again. I too want to not just focus on weight loss but I need to continue to lose. I want to be healthier and stronger. I am not sure if what I am doing for exercise will show in inches lost but I can tell I am slimming up. I am continuing to fit in smaller sizes. However I have a big way to go so I need to do it in a way that is sustainable over a long time for me. Maybe by taking more measurements I will see where I am slimming. I am intensifying my exercise and making some changes in my eating to hopefully lose the next 25 more steadily. So a challenge is what I am looking for right now. Thanks for sharing Stariera.
Keri

stariera

As I am having issues with my computer, my oldest son got sick last evening and I am still recieving messages from people I will post a list of the participants in the morning.

stariera

This is a list of our participants:
Slinkybaz
KeriA
Collinsky
stenochick
sugarbeans
francinecowart
beachbum13
ashlinmarie
jjclem07
bevsdietfor2011
GaveUp

If any others are interested and not on this list please send me a message.

bevsdietfor2011

I am wanting to do it. Do you just want me to start on next Monday? I would love to be friends if we are not already.

stariera

Either way. No pressure here if you want to send me your current measurements or just wait till next monday that is fine.

stariera

Updated list of participants
Slinkybaz
KeriA
Collinsky
stenochick
sugarbeans
francinecowart
beachbum13
ashlinmarie
jjclem07
bevsdietfor2011

sugarbeans

7 yrs ago I was raped by my ex-boyfriend it was horrific, and he had posted it all on a blog of his on the computer. I went for councelling right after I had made a written statement to the police, my therapist informed me that the best way to move on was to forget about the incident as best as I can. This in turn screwed things up, because according to the police I was causing public mischeif and could be charged due to the fact my verbal statement doesn't match my written statement that I wrote 2 months prior. They had the information off of his blog but that wasn't good enough. About 8 months later i moved to a different city with a boyfriend we were meeting people and one of the friends that we be friended came over to drop off some books for my boyfriend at the time. I ended up being assaulted again, this time the cops interogated the crap out of me(which I expected) but they went on saying that it was something mutual and then I decided to feel guilty about it and cried rape although the perp did have defence wounds I fought the best I could. So since these two incidents I figured the best way to keep this from happening again(besides self defence classes) was to eat myself till no one would find me attractive enough to want to do it. I know that control is why they do it but I didn't understand at the time. I couldn't love myself or understand why someone would want to be with me due to this. I just felt dirty, I went from 130-270lbs in 5 years. I am now fluctuating between 186-194lbs and would love to be 135-140lbs. I am on this journey for myself and only myself, I love the support but I feel that this weight loss journey will defeat those demons and the guilt that followed along with it. I am hard on myself but over the last 2 years I have realized it wasn't my fault and that I am worth a lot. I do have ups and downs but that comes with the territory, I used to look at myself as a victim but figured out that is only letting the bad guys win. I am a survivor and will get to my goal weight whether it takes me 2 months or 5 yrs I can do it.

Thanks for the support=)
(sorry for the typos)

Collinsky

Sugarbeans, wow... I'm so sorry that you went through that, and it's especially brutal that the very people who are supposed to be there to protect and defend were so awful about it. I can't imagine going through the assaults, and then having the police treat you so badly. (((hugs))) You are such a strong woman, and you're an inspiration. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

sugarbeans

It hasn't been an easy recovery, I will admit to that and I still have bad days, bad dreams but I just decided that I can either live my life to the fullest and not let them win, OR I can live the way I was and die from unhappiness and from an unhealthy lifestyle. Luckily I now have a great man you loves and understands me and I am not afraid to stand on my two feet and speak my mind. I am here for me and only me. My boyfriend, family and friends are assets that help support my new life and I am ready to come out of this fat shell.

Thanks for the support and I really look forward to this challenge

Kylah

KeriA

Kylah,
You deserve to be healthy, beautiful and safe. I am glad you have the support you need now.
Keri

KeriA

Because of this challenge and others posting progress including inches lost I went to reports and looked at my progress on inches so far. I also recorded my starting inches on MFP which I hadn't done before. Interesting.

stariera

Hugs Sugarbeans I am so sorry that you were so mistreated by those men as well as the officers handling the cases. I've worked in or around law enforcement now for close to 20 years. I hear about that kind of thing and it makes me furious. Every citizen should feel safe and feel like they are being heard. I've always strived to do the best job I could to protect and defend those who couldn't defend themselves. You deserve to feel safe. You deserve to be able to be the most beautiful you you can be. No one has the right or justification to hurt another. I hear stories like yours way too often and I feel like ripping into officers like that for not handling the situation the correct way.

stariera

Because of this challenge and others posting progress including inches lost I went to reports and looked at my progress on inches so far. I also recorded my starting inches on MFP which I hadn't done before. Interesting.

I wish I had my original measurements. The only thing I can go by is the size I was in at that time and the pictures I have. I am seriously thinking about posting my starting pics to compare to where I am now.

Slinkybaz

Sugarbeans - You have been through so much. I have so much admiration for you for making it out to the other side and sounding like you have a positive life outlook and are really looking forward. Good on you - I'm sure we all look forward to rising to this challenge together and helping each other along this journey. Thank you for sharing with us.

Slinky

jjclem07

To Sugarbeans: Fought your way through a very difficult time: show strength and courage. I have every faith that you will find the end of your journey as a strong confident women that HE put you on this earth to be. Everyone deserves happiness and love and you are no different. We are here to help.

I started this journey many times over. Each time I get better and better at it, but then again I keep getting sicker and unhealthier. I want to have a baby and in my current state that is not gonna happen. I was pregnant once when I was 23 and I carried Holden till the 30th week. I had a placenta abruption. He was a super quick delivery and it tore a lot of nerves and veins in his little head. 8 days later he passed. I waited 11 years to get pregnant again and at the age 34 I finally did, I only made 1 month before I miscarried. Now I am 36...I have PCOS (fertility issues is it main cause in some like me) and type 2 diabetes (Brought on by the PCOS, another main issue it causes in some). I just can't do this to myself anymore...I have to get healthy. I want a baby!! I could try meds to help get me pregnant, but due to type 2 and PCOS I may not remain pregnant for long... much like I did 2 years ago, so per doctor I have got to get it together mind, body and spirit. That is what I have decided to do! I have a little Alex or Adele out there waiting for me.

Hello all and welcome to the challenge I look forward to it!!

Jen

stariera

I started this journey many times over. Each time I get better and better at it, but then again I keep getting sicker and unhealthier. I want to have a baby and in my current state that is not gonna happen. I was pregnant once when I was 23 and I carried Holden till the 30th week. I had a placenta abruption. He was a super quick delivery and it tore a lot of nerves and veins in his little head. 8 days later he passed. I waited 11 years to get pregnant again and at the age 34 I finally did, I only made 1 month before I miscarried. Now I am 36...I have PCOS (fertility issues is it main cause in some like me) and type 2 diabetes (Brought on by the PCOS, another main issue it causes in some). I just can't do this to myself anymore...I have to get healthy. I want a baby!! I could try meds to help get me pregnant, but due to type 2 and PCOS I may not remain pregnant for long... much like I did 2 years ago, so per doctor I have got to get it together mind, body and spirit. That is what I have decided to do! I have a little Alex or Adele out there waiting for me.

Hello all and welcome to the challenge I look forward to it!!

Jen

Hugs hun... hopefully as you lose weight it'll help your diabetes to get under control. My mother is on this journey with me though I can't seem to convince her to log in here. So far she has lost 15 lbs which I am really proud of her and as long as she stays on track with the diet she finds her blood sugar levels are staying really good. Sorry for the loss of your babies.

I'm so glad to see everyone sharing their stories.
Stella

stariera

On a completely different note I did find my old food diary from when I was at my highest weight thought my mother had tossed it out. I can't believe when I first started this I had a 45 inch waist... and my bra line was 41... and my hips well they were 52... I didn't have the measurements on my thighs or lower abs but I bet they somewhere up there too... I am about 5'6" and was wearing a size 20... I thought it was only a size 18 but we dug out all of my old clothes so I could make room for the new and found a suit I used to wear to work regularly... but is now way too big. It used to be so snug. I think the best feeling I had was recently my daughter who is 8 told me she was having a blast with all the things we're doing now since I don't get tired and play for hours with them. Seeing that huge smile on her face as well as my boys everytime we get out and get active motivates me to push myself every day.

Collinsky

(((Jen))) I'm so sorry for your losses - I had one miscarriage at 8 weeks, and there's nothing like the heartbreak. I'll be rooting for you on your journey!!!!!

ashlinmarie

@sugarbeans: Your story definitely brought tears to my eyes as I went through something similar my freshman year of college, only with someone I didn't know. We met and hung out and were becoming good friends. I was playing video games at his house one night and he started kissing me. I kept telling him no and that I wasn't like that but he kept pushing me until I gave in. I thought because I gave in that I couldn't say anything about it and that it had become "consensual". It wasn't until the start of my sophomore year of college that we had a speaker and I realized that No, it was not okay what he did to me and that I had been raped. I became increasingly depressed and started eating more, even though I had the support of a wonderful man. I started sabotaging my entire life, my body, and my relationship. What was worse is that my winter semester, the guy who did it had a class right around the hall from where I waited for my class. I was sitting there one day and he walked past me to the coffee machine, looked at me, and smiled...like nothing had ever happened. That broke me every single time it happened. Its been 3 years and I still haven't fully come to terms with it, but at least I know its not my fault. I only wished I could have done something sooner to give him what he deserved. Hang in there sweetie, we deserve better than them and can be strong. *hugs*