Need to Lose 100 LBS -Robins Thread !

mnwalkingqueen

Well stay at home orders have me eating out alot like in 2019 for take out is one of the few places we can go. I have gained all the weight I lost back which was 13.5 lbs from jan to early march. Being stuck at my home constantly has taken all my motivation away. I was already working from home for last 2.5 yrs and than to take away my little opportunity to leave. I know it is keep people safe and I don’t want people sick just hate being home. I think reason eat out so much is it gives a little ability to leave. Yes I could go grocery store but I don’t want to be around crowds of people. Catch 22

KATRENAJ

Minn Queen. I eat out every day from drive thru because I am too tired to cook. Made my own breakfast today. You sound like maybe you are like me and a little depressed. My daughter finally came over yesterday and brought me some toilet paper (I didnt stock up and havent been able to order any). It was so good to see her, wanted to hug her tight.

Hang in there. a new day will come. We need to survive in order to enjoy it though. Our state is opening up and even hairdressers have to go back to work. My granddaughter called me in tears. Shes a hair dresser and there is not safe way to socially distance. I offered to pay her salary for a month or so, but she is in an apprenticeship and says she will lose her hours and have to start over again. Our governor is a real country redneck. Nothing wrong with country, I was raised there. A lot wrong with redneck. Our numbers are going up and our local hospital says they will max out by June 1 and he still opens up.

Katrena

mnwalkingqueen

@KATRENAJ- I feel so bad for your granddaughter these are hard decisions and some states are making poor choices. I learned yesterday that part of my problem is I’m annoyed with my neighborhood. I live in an area that most people would call a ghetto because it was only area I could afford a house in. It didn’t bother me much before because I was never really home except for work and sleep. being around the house more I realize my neighbors are selfish and rude. They hold huge parties day and night. Lots of visitors who come by and litter the streets. Weekend bbqs with over 10 people when their should be only 2 people.

MelodiousMermaid

Saturday Check-in

Good news: Still managing to be in a maintaining-ish range with weight.

Commitment adherence: Better than the prior week, but not quite there. Modifying to work toward where I need to be (in "long" section).
Macro adherence: Kcals high, protein average about 135 (excellent), modifying plan to get back to where I need to be.
Goals: None met, but that's OK for now.

Longer version

So here I am, just reaching the other side of the monthly divide. It was not a good month, especially in terms of my mental warfare.

I think I was on to something, though, with the higher kcal goal. Since I believe I have managed to again maintain (should see water weight drop tomorrow and Monday), I am going to adjust downward (to account for loss of extra luteal burn, which I have no idea how to estimate). My average intake was 3,178 kcal/day over the week, so I'm going to go for 2,800 or lower as the first step. It will be the only large step on this adjustment curve, and only because I know my intake needs have a major downward shift with the hormonal profile change.

To avoid large swings, I'm going to aim for being within 250 kcal of my goal each day, even if that means eating more at the end of the day. If I can maintain intake below target (but in range) for 3-4 consecutive days, I plan to adjust the goal down by 50-100 kcal, depending on whether I was closer to goal or further (for instance 50 kcal if I was <100 under goal, 100 kcal if I was 100-250 under goal). The hope is to create consistency, rein things in (binge-wise), and a slower downward trend. I'm nowhere near significant fat loss category at this point, so there is no concern about a stopping point. I will revisit this each week depending on progress. Other than landing in the general goal range, I will be treating this as an overall average goal as well. If I do not achieve the consecutive days milestone, I may still adjust week to week, but only by a maximum of 100 kcal per goal shift, in whatever direction I feel I need.

Protein intake was great for maintenance, just needs a small bump for deficit territory. As noted above, the average was about 135 g/day for last week. I'd like to see this rise to 137 g/day this week, with a minimum of 100 g per day. I'm not going to get terribly picky about other macro distribution, other than maintaining my daily EFAs (EPA/DHA) and meeting at least the minimum for fats (45g) each day.

For instrument practicing, I truly have no excuse other than abysmal motivation. I am going to alter this goal to once per week, playing for more than a minute.

I'm going to ignore the intake cap for now so that I can focus on landing in a range around goal. That seems more maintenance-geared anyway.

For exercise, I got out three times, but one fell short of the time mark by about half a minute, as my overall pace has gotten faster. As I'm working toward normalcy, I will give myself credit for any day I get out for at least one mile. That way I'm more likely to win the fight with myself over going out at all.

I'm also going to give myself credit for exercise if I get to/above 6,000 steps, as I have had to do several walk-in-place sessions to get my 5k step goal. I think I'll start to increase my step goal by 100 per week until I reach 10,000. I think it's realistic for me to get to that -- the fitness is there (as I can do it walking, and did more regularly at the gym before all this business started), just need to win the fight to get out. I think the one mile thing is a good way to start rebuilding the habit that I allowed to go by the wayside.

My targets/commitments/goals:
NOTE: On hold/altered during step-shifting.

Current macro targets:

Minimums:
Protein: 143 grams
Carbs: 25 grams
Fat: 45 grams

Fat to include EFAs: 1,800 EPA and 1,200 DHA all days.

Commitments:

1) Intake: >1,075 kcal/day
2) Exercise: >=30 minutes, 6 days/week
3) Rest day(s): >=1/week (<1,100 kcal deficit)
4) Be accountable: logging intake and checking in on accountability threads.

Goals:

1) [ON HOLD] Strength training: 2+ days/week
2) [ON HOLD] Indoor rowing (**with good form**): 1,000 meters 3 days/week
3) Musical instrument practice: >=10 min, 3 days/week
4) Intake <= 2,800 kcal per day unless exercise brings it above.

My Stats:

5'1" Female
Restarting weight: 252
MFP restart weight: 242.7
Original goal: 140 lbs
Current goal: 21.5% body fat (currently estimated at 140 lbs). Aiming to be at this point by 2020/12/05.

2020 Progress
2020/01/04: 194.7
2020/01/11: 192.0
2020/01/18: 189.4
2020/01/25: 185.4
2020/02/01: 184.1
2020/02/08: 184.3
2020/02/15: 181.9
2020/02/22: 182.1
2020/02/29: 184.7
2020/03/07: 182.1
2020/03/14: 183.9
2020/03/22: 189.8
2020/04/05: 196.4
2020/04/11: 195.6
2020/04/18: 194.1
2020/04/25: 194.9

2019 Progress

2019/09/14: 240.7
2019/09/21: 238.8
2019/09/28: 234.6
2019/10/05: 230.8
2019/10/12: 231.0
2019/10/19: 226.9
2019/10/26: 223.8
2019/11/01: 219.6
2019/11/09: 215.6
2019/11/16: 212.7
2019/11/23: 209.2
2019/11/30: 203.9
2019/12/07: 201.3
2019/12/17: 199.7
2019/12/21: 196.7
2019/12/28: 197.3 (Planned maintenance break)

Strength training progress

***Lifting currently on hold due to COVID-19.***

Squats:
75 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Overhead Press:
55 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Deadlift:
75 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Bench Press:
55 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Barbell Rows:
75 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

@mnwalkingqueen : I can imagine how unhappy that situation is, as I've driven through those types of neighborhoods when I used to live in Bloomington/Eden Prairie. Housing can get obnoxious up there.

@KATRENAJ : Hello and welcome. I generally only check in once per week, and can tend to be an Eeyore, but do read posts and sympathize/empathize. Moving is not fun at all. I'm still unpacking boxes after more than a year (not much help from family and most of the time it's so overwhelming I end up short-circuiting).

sweeetypie1

Still hanging in there - weight hasn't changed - but I got a fitbit this past week and I am walking more. I know I need to exercise - that will help me lose weight. I need to stop making excuses. But my spirits are good. Thankful my family is healthy, even if we are stuck in the house together. Been cooking a lot more because everyone is home for dinner - and I kind of enjoy that. Wishing everyone a good week - let's remember why we started this journey in the first place - whatever your reason. Mine is to lose weight because I want to be more healthy - get off some medicines and perhaps live a little longer

Take care my friends.

mnwalkingqueen

@MelodiousMermaid- I live borderline Mpls and Brooklyn Center most time like my area but with all people home it is different. I am impressed with your motivation with all that is going on.
@sweeetypie1- Glad some great positives are happening for you and your family.

MelodiousMermaid

Saturday Check-in

Good news: Still managing to be in a maintaining-ish range with weight.

Commitment adherence: Better than the prior week, but not quite there. Modifying to work toward where I need to be (in "long" section).
Macro adherence: Kcals high, protein average about 135 (excellent), modifying plan to get back to where I need to be.
Goals: None met, but that's OK for now.

Longer version

Average kcal intake last week: 2,501/day (2,800 goal met, 2,700 goal met, 2,600 goal may be met today) All days landed within 250 kcal of the respective goal.

Average protein intake: 120.8/day (137 goal with 100/day threshold) All days met the threshold, but overall I fell short of what I was aiming for.

EFA goal met, minimum or better fat intake per day (45g) met.

Instrument playing goal was once over the week. I did not meet this.

Exercise: 7 outings, 5 days. Aiming for 6-7 days/week, so this was just missed.

Current step goal: 5,100, all days met (current completion streak is at 116 days).

I'm going to continue to alter the goal downward as mentioned before: so long as I'm meeting the goal within 250 kcal, I will alter downward after three days under goal, by 50 if I'm 100 or less from goal, and by 100 if I'm 100-250 under. I'm on track to adjust by 50 tomorrow if I keep on pace today. I think I need to adjust my protein low threshold to 120, as I think I am probably nearing the point where I'll cross into a true deficit. My weight has dropped, but from what I can tell, it's digestion/related weight at this point. I'm not really looking forward to the adjustment, but will try to figure out ways to get the flavors I've become accustomed to over these last few months to make the transition smoother.

As much as I'm still struggling, I'm still managing to "tick the boxes" for the most part. Yesterday ended up being just shy of a crash day, so I hit the brakes and let it be, because I do not want to go there if I can avoid it. Frustrating, as most of my crash episodes are "late month" and this is still early month. I don't know what is holding me back from practicing, even just for 10 minutes once per week. I just can't bring myself to do it. Hopefully I'll meet that stepping-goal sometime and begin to make progress toward that true goal.

I think, as long as I continue to meet or increase my activity comparatively to the prior week, I need to give myself credit for progress. I did this over the last week. Pending weather (and no crash-y warnings from my body), I hope to get out with the dog every day. I'll be increasing my step goal to 5,200 today. I look forward to hopefully hearing from my gym in the coming weeks that the restrictions will have eased to the point where I can get back to normal strength training.

My targets/commitments/goals:
NOTE: On hold/altered during step-shifting.

Current macro targets:

Minimums:
Protein: 143 grams
Carbs: 25 grams
Fat: 45 grams

Fat to include EFAs: 1,800 EPA and 1,200 DHA all days.

Commitments:

1) Intake: >1,075 kcal/day
2) Exercise: >=30 minutes, 6 days/week
3) Rest day(s): >=1/week (<1,100 kcal deficit)
4) Be accountable: logging intake and checking in on accountability threads.

Goals:

1) [ON HOLD] Strength training: 2+ days/week
2) [ON HOLD] Indoor rowing (**with good form**): 1,000 meters 3 days/week
3) Musical instrument practice: >=10 min, 3 days/week
4) Intake <= 2,800 kcal per day unless exercise brings it above.

My Stats:

5'1" Female
Restarting weight: 252
MFP restart weight: 242.7
Original goal: 140 lbs
Current goal: 21.5% body fat (currently estimated at 140 lbs). Aiming to be at this point by 2020/12/05.

2020 Progress
2020/01/04: 194.7
2020/01/11: 192.0
2020/01/18: 189.4
2020/01/25: 185.4
2020/02/01: 184.1
2020/02/08: 184.3
2020/02/15: 181.9
2020/02/22: 182.1
2020/02/29: 184.7
2020/03/07: 182.1
2020/03/14: 183.9
2020/03/22: 189.8
2020/04/05: 196.4
2020/04/11: 195.6
2020/04/18: 194.1
2020/04/25: 194.9
2020/05/02: 192.6 / 193.9 (28-day average)

2019 Progress

2019/09/14: 240.7
2019/09/21: 238.8
2019/09/28: 234.6
2019/10/05: 230.8
2019/10/12: 231.0
2019/10/19: 226.9
2019/10/26: 223.8
2019/11/01: 219.6
2019/11/09: 215.6
2019/11/16: 212.7
2019/11/23: 209.2
2019/11/30: 203.9
2019/12/07: 201.3
2019/12/17: 199.7
2019/12/21: 196.7
2019/12/28: 197.3 (Planned maintenance break)

Strength training progress

***Lifting currently on hold due to COVID-19.***

Squats:
75 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Overhead Press:
55 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Deadlift:
75 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Bench Press:
55 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Barbell Rows:
75 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

mnwalkingqueen

Well weeded flower bed for 4 hrs today. I gained 10lbs since March 27th. It is cause eating out allowed me to leave my house it was my weakness and I caved. Hang in there everyone

skinnyjeanzbound

Hi everyone!!
It's been quite awhile since I've logged any food or checked in here. Life has been crazy with the Covid 19 shutdown. I've been teaching from home since March 16th, and although it's not terrible, I miss my students. One really negative consequence is that I spend way too much time sitting. The first couple of weeks weren't too bad because my husband was still working, so I was getting much needed home repair projects and cleaning done. But he's been furloughed the past 3 weeks, and our house is so tiny, I've been spending most of my work day in the office. On top of that, the weather was cold and rainy for most of that time. Fortunately, it's been beautiful the past few days, so I've been able to get outside and do some yard work.

The really good news is that the hubs is headed back to work tomorrow, so I can get back to working on the house. We are still planning to sell, but we put the listing on hold due to all of the craziness and uncertainty. My new plan is to list at the end of May or beginning of June, so only a few weeks to finish painting and cleaning.

Even though I've been more sedentary, I still walk Gunner a couple of times each day, and not going out for meals/drinks has helped offset the lack of exercise. Regardless, I think I'm up about 5 pounds; I will weigh myself tomorrow for an official new starting point to begin logging and exercising more regularly.

Hope everyone is doing well and staying safe and healthy. Missed you all!

Karen

ereilly311

Hi Everyone!

It’s been FOREVER since I’ve been in here and been a while since I’ve consistently used MFP also. Trying to get refocused now. With being home with the whole social distance thing, I have no excuses of not having enough time and all that.

I hope to get active in the forums again, and this was one of my fave threads from day one. Hope to chat with you all soon!

Erin

skinnyjeanzbound

Hey Erin--Welcome back! I'm in the same exact boat.

AFM-- So I did a weigh in yesterday, and as expected, I've put on several pounds. I'm going to start tracking here, and rather than a weekly update, I will only update when my weight drops. That was what I did when I first started on MFP, and it was a very good strategy for me.

Yesterday and today was all about getting back into logging all of my meals. I'm just shooting for my previous goal of 1500 net calories/day. I will look at my goals and make adjustments once I get back onto the swing of it.

Name: Karen
Age: 50
HW: 247
LW: 183
CW: 204.2 (5/4/2020)

Current Weight:
5/5/20 = 202.4

ereilly311

Hi Karen - glad to see a familiar face in here! Hope you’ve been well!

I pretty much started over but am really trying to stick with it. I know I won’t be perfect, but I’m ok with it. I usually weigh in on Mondays, so I will post my update from Monday (5/4/20).

Name: Erin
HW: 340
CW: 319.6
GW: 180ish

sweeetypie1

Lost 2.3 pounds this week - back to where I was in January (sigh)


1/24 - 250.2
2/17 - 253/2
2/21 - 250.4
3/? - 253.5
5/8 - 250.2

Soraiya26

Hi I just joined and just found this group. I have 100 pounds to lose. So glad that I can find support here and support others as well. Honestly I don't know where to start.

MelodiousMermaid

Saturday Check-in

Good news: On track with step-down program.

Commitment adherence: Pretty decent for step-down program.
Goals: On hold, but I might be bringing them back after another week.

Longer version

Average kcal intake last week: 2,321/day (2,600 goal met, 2,500 goal met, 2,400 goal met) All days landed within 250 kcal of the respective goal.

Average protein intake: 132.4/day (137 goal with 120/day threshold) 6/7 days met the threshold, overall I fell short of what I was aiming for, but not by as much as last week.

EFA goal met, minimum or better fat intake per day (45g) met.

Instrument playing goal was once over the week. I finally did meet this, though marginally.

Exercise: 6 outings, 6 days. Aiming for 6-7 days/week, so met this.

Current step goal: 5,200, all days met (current completion streak is at 123 days).

According to weight trends, I am now slightly into deficit territory (to the tune of an estimated 0.1 pounds per week). With this milestone, and with my ability to now make it through the day at reasonably controlled calories (there have been several days now where I've needed to eat a lot in the evening to meet the minimum part of the landing range), I think I'm ready to try a new step-down strategy to what I am going to try for at least a month.

The plan is to go with goals with 100 kcal landing ranges (within 50 on either side), transitioning to a pattern to support weightlifting once I get back to the gym, which could *maybe* happen as early as the end of the week. Today and tomorrow I'll be aiming for the ballpark of 1,850 kcal, Monday will be 2,200, Tuesday will be 1,850 again. Pending this goes well with adherence, Wednesday and Thursday will be a step-down to 1,450, and Friday will be 2,200. The 1,450/2,200 pattern will be where I will land for a month, and depending on how I feel at the end of that month, I may allow a 100 kcal drop at that point, but 1,300 will be my stopping point.

The 2,200 days will be strength training days. I'm not sure if there will be two or three a week yet, and may keep that flexible, as I've got knee niggles going on to where I'm being super careful to avoid a major injury. But I am committing to doing at least two days at this level of intake per week regardless of how things are going with training.

The lower kcal days will be the non-strength training days, regardless of whether I do any cardio work or not. I'm not doing anything wild and crazy (like a Zumba or bootcamp class or whatever), so it should be very doable. Especially when compared to the tight programming I was on before everything crashed and burned a couple of months ago with life events and COVID restrictions.

My estimated weight loss based on these new targets versus where I'm at right now should land me around 1 pound of fat burned per week. It's slower than I'd like, but if it's more successful in the long-run, it'll be worth it. I may add extra walking in, and possibly rowing if I can get this nerve issue figured out, to increase the deficit and fat burning, but I need to keep a consistent structure for intake.

Ticking the boxes has been a successful method, so far, for getting a baseline of self care and such. The structure has been good in that I have daily stuff and weekly stuff, and though I don't enjoy it, and multiple things approach very negative feelings, I know the lists have been logically created and are allowing me to have at least the outward appearance of approaching normalcy for some aspects of life, regardless of how things are really going. Most people don't understand, so by doing this I should generally avoid hospitalization, and also avoid some of the negative/judgmental stuff with others.

I'm going to stick with the activity structure I've got, where a mile counts as a day done, and I'm increasing my step goal by 100 each week. I'm not near my weekly average yet, so it truly only affects my super-sedentary days (which will unfortunately include today and tomorrow as I am trying to specifically give my knee more rest to avoid major injury).

My targets/commitments/goals:
NOTE: On hold/altered during step-shifting.

Current macro targets:

Minimums:
Protein: 143 grams
Carbs: 25 grams
Fat: 45 grams

Fat to include EFAs: 1,800 EPA and 1,200 DHA all days.

Commitments:

1) Intake: >1,075 kcal/day
2) Exercise: >=30 minutes, 6 days/week
3) Rest day(s): >=1/week (<1,100 kcal deficit)
4) Be accountable: logging intake and checking in on accountability threads.

Goals:

1) [ON HOLD] Strength training: 2+ days/week
2) [ON HOLD] Indoor rowing (**with good form**): 1,000 meters 3 days/week
3) Musical instrument practice: >=10 min, 3 days/week
4) Intake <= 2,800 kcal per day unless exercise brings it above.

My Stats:

5'1" Female
Restarting weight: 252
MFP restart weight: 242.7
Original goal: 140 lbs
Current goal: 21.5% body fat (currently estimated at 140 lbs). Aiming to be at this point by 2020/12/05.

2020 Progress
2020/01/04: 194.7
2020/01/11: 192.0
2020/01/18: 189.4
2020/01/25: 185.4
2020/02/01: 184.1
2020/02/08: 184.3
2020/02/15: 181.9
2020/02/22: 182.1
2020/02/29: 184.7
2020/03/07: 182.1
2020/03/14: 183.9
2020/03/22: 189.8
2020/04/05: 196.4
2020/04/11: 195.6
2020/04/18: 194.1
2020/04/25: 194.9
2020/05/02: 192.6 / 193.9 (28-day average)
2020/05/09: 193.4 / 193.3

2019 Progress

2019/09/14: 240.7
2019/09/21: 238.8
2019/09/28: 234.6
2019/10/05: 230.8
2019/10/12: 231.0
2019/10/19: 226.9
2019/10/26: 223.8
2019/11/01: 219.6
2019/11/09: 215.6
2019/11/16: 212.7
2019/11/23: 209.2
2019/11/30: 203.9
2019/12/07: 201.3
2019/12/17: 199.7
2019/12/21: 196.7
2019/12/28: 197.3 (Planned maintenance break)

Strength training progress

***Lifting currently on hold due to COVID-19.***

Squats:
75 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Overhead Press:
55 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Deadlift:
75 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Bench Press:
55 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Barbell Rows:
75 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)


Welcome to the new people, and hi to the not-new people.

sweeetypie1

@Soraiya26 welcome! This is what helps me - start by planning out your food for the day. In the Food Diary log everything you PLAN to eat. Mix and move around till you get the right portions and calories for the day. Then stick to that plan. There are so many diets out there, but the simple fact is if you eat less calories than you burn you will lose weight. Eat healthy calories, but the food you like. That will help you stay on course. For me, I like butter and bread, so I will have toast with my egg for breakfast. But I buy the lower calorie bread so it doesn't use up all the calories for my meal and I tried to cut in half what I normally have, so instead of 2 eggs and 2 toast, I'll just have 1 egg and 1 toast.

Don't drink your calories. Only water. If that's too bland, get some Crystal Light (if you can have it).

Try new foods - some people (my sister is like this) will eat exactly the same meals every day. I can't do that, I need some variety.

Try the lower calorie foods (not lower fat - because those have sugar) - like light mayo - I can't tell the difference. I also love Jimmy dean's breakfast sandwiches - the De'Lite ones. Can you tell, I'm a breakfast person!

Every now and then I take a day off from logging my calories - but only one day. That doesn't mean I go crazy with eating, but I will have a bite of something I probably wouldn't normally - and all I need is that one bite and I'm good. Some people can't do this because it makes them "fall off the wagon" - so if you are like that, then don't. Log every day.

If I know I have a big meal coming (like we're going somewhere or eating out or having a special meal) I will stretch breakfast to about 11am (I normally eat at 7or8) and make it a breakfast/lunch thing - but only use the calories for one meal - that way I have extra calories for dinner)

Exercise - which I hate, so for me it's a challenge - but I got a fitbit and I am trying to walk more. It's a start (for me)

Drink more water -again, a challenge for me but I'm trying.

Get rid of the food in your house than makes you fail, if you can. I've just had to learn to not eat the stuff I buy for my family (I try not to buy my favorites, its easier to resist), but if you can, just keep the junk out of your house.

I hope my tips help - they work for me and maybe some of them will work for you.

We're all here to support each other so get started. Find what works for you (and share it with us) - and if you do slip up every now and then, well then, we all do. Just get back to it with step 1 - plan out your day.

Take care and talk to you later, Diane

sweeetypie1

@MelodiousMermaid - looking good. My son is a weight lifter, and it's killing him not being able to go to the gym to workout - he's been trying new things (boxing) but it's not the same for him. Soon, soon - they'll open the gyms back up.

MelodiousMermaid

Saturday Check-in

Good news: Working on ticking boxes even in a bad situation.

Commitment adherence: Rocky this last week.
Goals: On hold

Longer version

Average kcal intake last week: 2,886/day Not adhering to step down currently. Between late cycle issues and life upheaval, it's just not something I can take at the moment.

Average protein intake: 138.2/day (137 goal with 120/day threshold) 6/7 days met the threshold.

EFA goal met, minimum or better fat intake per day (45g) met.

Instrument playing goal was once over the week. I finally did meet this, though marginally.

Exercise: 2 outings, 2 days.

Current step goal: 5,300, all days met (current completion streak is at 130 days).

I've really struggled this week. Late cycle issues, a trip out of town, and an upheaval at home which brought me to the point of having a breakdown and subsequently packing my stuff and leaving... it has been really rough.

I'm safe though. I'm with a friend who really gets what I'm dealing with mentally/ emotionally, and I've gotten back to getting boxes ticked over the last day and half.

I'll be attempting to return home tomorrow. It was a leaving of my choice, as I knew I was beyond the point of being able to live there/be there. I'm not really better, per se, but I'm through the initial point of crisis breakdown and know I need to try, as things will only pile up while I'm gone, leading to being even more overwhelmed and making it just that much harder to avoid another breakdown.

My targets/commitments/goals:
NOTE: On hold/altered during step-shifting.

Current macro targets:

Minimums:
Protein: 143 grams
Carbs: 25 grams
Fat: 45 grams

Fat to include EFAs: 1,800 EPA and 1,200 DHA all days.

Commitments:

1) Intake: >1,075 kcal/day
2) Exercise: >=30 minutes, 6 days/week
3) Rest day(s): >=1/week (<1,100 kcal deficit)
4) Be accountable: logging intake and checking in on accountability threads.

Goals:

1) [ON HOLD] Strength training: 2+ days/week
2) [ON HOLD] Indoor rowing (**with good form**): 1,000 meters 3 days/week
3) Musical instrument practice: >=10 min, 3 days/week
4) Intake <= 2,800 kcal per day unless exercise brings it above.

My Stats:

5'1" Female
Restarting weight: 252
MFP restart weight: 242.7
Original goal: 140 lbs
Current goal: 21.5% body fat (currently estimated at 140 lbs). Aiming to be at this point by 2020/12/05.

2020 Progress
2020/01/04: 194.7
2020/01/11: 192.0
2020/01/18: 189.4
2020/01/25: 185.4
2020/02/01: 184.1
2020/02/08: 184.3
2020/02/15: 181.9
2020/02/22: 182.1
2020/02/29: 184.7
2020/03/07: 182.1
2020/03/14: 183.9
2020/03/22: 189.8
2020/04/05: 196.4
2020/04/11: 195.6
2020/04/18: 194.1
2020/04/25: 194.9
2020/05/02: 192.6 / 193.9 (28-day average)
2020/05/09: 193.4 / 193.3
2020/05/13: 191.0 / 193.0

2019 Progress

2019/09/14: 240.7
2019/09/21: 238.8
2019/09/28: 234.6
2019/10/05: 230.8
2019/10/12: 231.0
2019/10/19: 226.9
2019/10/26: 223.8
2019/11/01: 219.6
2019/11/09: 215.6
2019/11/16: 212.7
2019/11/23: 209.2
2019/11/30: 203.9
2019/12/07: 201.3
2019/12/17: 199.7
2019/12/21: 196.7
2019/12/28: 197.3 (Planned maintenance break)

Strength training progress

***Lifting currently on hold due to COVID-19.***

Squats:
75 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Overhead Press:
55 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Deadlift:
75 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Bench Press:
55 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Barbell Rows:
75 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

skinnyjeanzbound

@Soraiya26 -- Welcome! @sweeetypie1 gave you some great advice, and I concur. At first, you just want to log and get a sense of how many calories you are currently eating. Than you see where you can cut back. I 100% agree with not drinking calories; other than my morning coffee with sugar-free creamer, I drink water or unsweetened green tea. If I'm going to splurge on a Starbucks or cocktails, I go for lower calorie options. Logging meals will also give you a sense of your macros--sometimes if I'm hungry at the end of the day, I'll check my macros, and usually it's because my protein intake was too low throughout the day. Then I make my evening snack something that's all or mostly protein.

@sweeetypie1 -- congrats on the loss. I'm currently trying to get back to my January weight, so I feel you.

AFM-- I've been less good than I would like, but still better than I was prior to getting back to logging. Even so, just reigning it in a bit has helped me drop the first few pounds. I was really hoping the weather would allow for lots of outside exercise and activity, but we've had the wettest May on record here in Chicago, with more rain in the forecast over the next couple of weeks. Yuck,

The rainy weather has kept me inside getting more projects done. I painted my office and rearranged a few pieces of furniture to better stage the house. I have a bit of trim and the back door that still need a coat of paint, and one more bedroom needs cleaning and de-cluttering, but we are almost there! Planning to call my realtor this afternoon, so we can get the photographer scheduled. Hoping to list the house in the next couple of weeks.

Name: Karen
Age: 50
HW: 247
LW: 183
CW: 204.2 (5/4/2020)

Current Weight:
5/5/20 = 202.4
5/18/20 = 201.2

MelodiousMermaid

Saturday Check-in

Good news: Cyclical changes are now allowing me to start crawling back out of the hole.

Commitment adherence: Not really a thing last week.
Goals: On hold

Longer version

Average kcal intake last week: 2,559/day While non-adherent, it is better than the prior week.

Average protein intake: 117.5/day (137 goal with 120/day threshold) 5/7 days met the threshold, one was very much under.

EFA goal met, minimum or better fat intake per day (45g) met.

Instrument playing goal was once over the week. I did meet this.

Exercise: 2 outings, 2 days.

Current step goal: 5,400, all days met (current completion streak is at 137 days).

I returned home. It isn't good or pretty, and there's a mountain of stuff to deal with, but I returned.

It's so hard to get my head into things right now, both intake-wise, and with life in general. Circumstances had me stuck at home, and I only got out a bit yesterday, and not for a mile.

I honestly got to the point where I haven't been completing all of my "ticking boxes" even on a daily basis. I'm in the mental muck terribly and just can't seem to bring myself out of it.

If nothing else, I will attempt to make my daily boxes every day this week. Anything further than that will be icing on the proverbial cake.

As a side note relating to food: I have now tried a zero net carb bread from Aldi's. It isn't great for toasting, but definitely gets by for a sandwich. Lots of fiber and good protein stats with a lower kcal count. If I get the ability/energy, I might try to make a homemade version with perhaps some sort of spice blend (thinking savory) to see how it does as a fix for fresh bread.

My targets/commitments/goals:
NOTE: On hold/altered during step-shifting.

Current macro targets:

Minimums:
Protein: 143 grams
Carbs: 25 grams
Fat: 45 grams

Fat to include EFAs: 1,800 EPA and 1,200 DHA all days.

Commitments:

1) Intake: >1,075 kcal/day
2) Exercise: >=30 minutes, 6 days/week
3) Rest day(s): >=1/week (<1,100 kcal deficit)
4) Be accountable: logging intake and checking in on accountability threads.

Goals:

1) [ON HOLD] Strength training: 2+ days/week
2) [ON HOLD] Indoor rowing (**with good form**): 1,000 meters 3 days/week
3) Musical instrument practice: >=10 min, 3 days/week
4) Intake <= 2,800 kcal per day unless exercise brings it above.

My Stats:

5'1" Female
Restarting weight: 252
MFP restart weight: 242.7
Original goal: 140 lbs
Current goal: 21.5% body fat (currently estimated at 140 lbs). Aiming to be at this point by 2020/12/05.

2020 Progress
2020/01/04: 194.7
2020/01/11: 192.0
2020/01/18: 189.4
2020/01/25: 185.4
2020/02/01: 184.1
2020/02/08: 184.3
2020/02/15: 181.9
2020/02/22: 182.1
2020/02/29: 184.7
2020/03/07: 182.1
2020/03/14: 183.9
2020/03/22: 189.8
2020/04/05: 196.4
2020/04/11: 195.6
2020/04/18: 194.1
2020/04/25: 194.9
2020/05/02: 192.6 / 193.9 (28-day average)
2020/05/09: 193.4 / 193.3
2020/05/13: 191.0 / 193.0
2020/05/20: 194.1 / 193.1

2019 Progress

2019/09/14: 240.7
2019/09/21: 238.8
2019/09/28: 234.6
2019/10/05: 230.8
2019/10/12: 231.0
2019/10/19: 226.9
2019/10/26: 223.8
2019/11/01: 219.6
2019/11/09: 215.6
2019/11/16: 212.7
2019/11/23: 209.2
2019/11/30: 203.9
2019/12/07: 201.3
2019/12/17: 199.7
2019/12/21: 196.7
2019/12/28: 197.3 (Planned maintenance break)

Strength training progress

***Lifting currently on hold due to COVID-19.***

Squats:
75 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Overhead Press:
55 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Deadlift:
75 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Bench Press:
55 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)

Barbell Rows:
75 lb 5x5 (2020/03/16)