New Year's 2013 Challenge Thread - Closed Group

40GoneBy40/Alice
Challenge Start Weight: 177
Challenge Goal Weight: 165

10/24: 177
10/31: 176
11/7: 175
11/14: 175
11/21: 173
11/28: 173
12/5: 173
12/12:
12/19:
12/26:
1/1:

Way to go everyone! Don't give up the fight...we are all winners as long as we keep moving!!

Thanks for the official update Denise!

Almost 19lb lost between us this week....that's fantastic!

Looking forward to hearing this week's challenge

Good morning and good job everyone! I'm looking forward to the challenge!

High-Protein Diet for Weight Loss


Some people turn to higher-protein diets to lose weight. That's because some researchers suggest that higher-protein diets help people better control their appetites and calorie intake.

Diets with 30% protein are now being considered "reasonable" and the term "high protein diet" is now reserved for diets with over 50% protein.

Diets higher in protein and moderate in carbs -- along with regular exercise -- are often thought by experts to reduce blood fats. It also helps maintain lean tissue while burning fat for fuel. And this happens without dieters being sidetracked with constant hunger.

Researchers don't understand exactly how protein works to reduce appetite. They think that it may be because a protein causes the brain to receive lower levels of appetite-stimulating hormones. Fewer insulin spikes lead to less fluctuation of sugar levels -- and therefore fewer cravings. It may also be due to eating fewer carbs or the specific protein's effect on hunger hormones and brain chemistry.

What the Studies Show

More research is needed before experts can make sweeping recommendations that people boost the protein in their diets, according to the American Dietetic Association.

But some new research hints that protein may be able to satisfy hunger better than either fats or carbohydrates.

For example, in a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people were put on a diet in which:

Fat was reduced to 20% of calories
Protein was increased to 30% of calories
Carbs made up 50% of diet
People on that diet reported that they:

Were more satisfied
Less hungry
Lost weight
Another study in the Journal of Nutrition combined a high-protein diet with exercise. People in that study had:

Enhanced weight loss
Improved blood fat levels
How Much Protein Do You Need?

You need protein at all stages of life. It's the major component of all cells, including muscle and bone. It's needed for:

Growth
Development
Immunity to fight off infections and protect the body
The Institute of Health's Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) recommendations allow for a wide range of protein intake. The range is anywhere from 10% to 35% of total calories for normal, healthy adults.

For example, on an 1,800-calorie diet, you could safely eat anywhere from 45 grams (10% of calories) to 218 grams (35% of calories) of protein per day.

But the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is:

Men: 56 grams a day
Women: 46 grams a day
Most Americans have no problem getting this much, but would struggle to take in enough protein to make up 35% of their calories.

Is it possible to eat too much protein? There are no dangers associated with higher intakes of protein -- unless you have kidney or liver disease.

Interesting challenges Crystal

I already shooting for 125g of protein per day, and try to keep under 100g carbs, but for this week I'm going to switch to 145gms protein and 65gm carbs.

I can't do the not eating after 7pm thing at the moment as I'm super busy with working and studying for professional exams, but will definitely try and limlit myself to not eating after 8pm.

I'm now going to plan all my meals for the week and make the shopping list :laugh:

I met the challenge yesterday 12/7 - 150g carbs, 55g fat, 118g protein.

I made the challenge yesterday - 121g carbs and 144g protein. Going out to sushi for dinner made it possible though - it's harder to keep my protein up at home. Also I've discovered that my home scale is off so I'm not sure how accurate the weights I'm posting are.

Today 145g carbs, 134g protein.

Sorry I missed the weigh in Denise!!!

Crystal thanks for the info on high protein intake i plan to reduce my carbs and increase my protein intake through the new year to try and reach the 170's. I have been having a really tough time so I'm focused now moving forward. My Hubby is using MFP and he is already down 10lbs uggghhh. Such a slap in the face well in this case a slap in the right direction he actually think he's going to catch up to me before I lose weight. Not going to happen!!!

So I accept the challenge to lower Carb and increase protein and be done with eating by 7pm

You know what makes me angry about MEN? ((Well besides the obvious)) lol.... they ALWAYS kick *kitten* in the weight loss
department and seem to make it seem way easier than it is. I'm so happy for him though!!! So Yay! Slap him anyhow... for all of us. lol

I just slapped him he said what was that for I said because Crystal said so LOL he said who is that I said my weight loss partner in crime and she don't think u need to be bragging about ur weight loss!!

I've eaten early both nights and upped my protein its working well.

Also I purchased a forever bracelet from Kay's and for every 5lbs I lose I will be buying me a charm to wear on it!!!

Challenge Start Weight: 224.2
Challenge Goal Weight: 212

10/24: 224.2
10/31: 222.0 (2.2lbs lost)
11/7: 224.0 (2.0lbs gain, overall loss 0.2lbs)
11/14: 223.2 (0.8lb loss, overall loss 1.0lb)
11/21: 223.2 (maintained, overall loss 1.0lb)
11/28: 219.2 (4.0lbs lost, overall loss 5.0lb)
12/5: 217.8 (1.4lbs lost, overall loss 6.4lbs)
12/12: 221.2 (3.4lb gain, overall loss 3.4lbs)
12/19:
12/26:
1/1:

Well I've given myself a good talking to, and have started the day with a fresh mindset, and a promise to myself not to eat cakes, mince pies or any other Xmas goodies

InPieces3/Crystal
Challenge Start Weight: 231.2
Challenge Goal Weight: 215

10/24: 231.2
10/31: 229.0 (2.2 lb loss)
11/07: 226.7 (2.3 lb loss)
11/14: 228 (1.3 lb gain)
11/21: 231 (3.3 lb gain)
11/28: 228 (3 lb loss)
12/05: 224 (4 lb loss) 7.2 lbs loss total over-all
12/12: 224 (stayed the same)
12/19:
12/26:
01/01:


I have a lot going on right now. I'm THANKFUL I haven't gained. I'm not eating hardly at all... but that is because I'm really stressed out. I just want to sleep all the time.
I haven't talked about it but at my new job Monday morning I had a man come in and demand the lowest price. I told him If he wasn't a senior citizen or a triple A member, there was nothing I could possibly give him. (per the motel rules) Well he got irate and grabbed my shirt. I couldn't get free and when I tried he was grabbing for something in his pocket. By THAT time the manager came out and demanded he let go.... he let go but told me I was going to pay. I didn't waste NO time in quitting. I'm not going to PAY for anything... what if he would have pulled a gun out on me? What if that was what he was trying to do? Omg... you have NO idea how upset and shaken I am over this. I've been very quiet on here the past few days.... I'm so upset over everything that happened there, but more upset that I should have KNOWN better. It was in a BAD neighborhood to begin with. Drugs/prostitutes etc.... but I needed a job. My parents are happy I'm okay and of course are glad I quit that job.. of course stating I could have been killed and damnit next time look for a job in a BETTER neighborhood. I'm sorry, I was desperate for a job.

Anyhow... then I'm dealing with my hateful daughter. My ears are ringing, my chest has been tightening for the past week and I feel like I'm going to have a nervous breakdown. To top it off... no doctors in the area want to take me... not sure why? I'm just dealing with everything the best I can. SO... moral of the story is I stayed the same and I'm grateful. Hope you all have done better than I have this week. If you did... keep kicking butt!

177.2 (-1.4)

Right direction.