May I join the challenge? I started back at MFP on Wed. 8/6 after two years away and gaining back all I lost previously plus sum - reading the posts really helps me - it's so encouraging to know I'm not alone in this struggle! I thought if I joined the August challenge it would keep me on track and keep me focused on what I want to accomplish. (overall 50 lbs. to lose) If I'm allowed to join, I'll post my challenges. Here's hoping :flowerforyou:

Thanks for the Welcome Back sign!

So my challenges are:

Record my food intake every day

Do some type of exercise at least five days per week

Repeat to myself each time I'm tempted to 'slide back ' : " It's my choice, what do I actually want to do - indulge now or choose to make the healthy choice this time? "

And I definitely will check in on Wednesday - it's my first weigh in since I came back and I'm hoping it's a good one - But if it isn't, I'm hoping that I remember with the help of these posts that it will eventually show on the scale and in the meantime, it's healthier choices.

I haven't been logging my steps and miles. Frankly, I don't really feel I need to anymore. I have only a few times not hit my 10,000 steps goal in the months since I started counting and average more like 15,000 a day. Sometimes up to 20,000. I don't want to become compulsive with my spreadsheets, etc. (although I do love them) I naturally enjoy the walking so much that I don't see me doing less. (well, maybe when winter comes, but I will still do as much as I can at the gym).

I did challenge myself to do some other exercises rather than just walking and stationary bike and keep up with the resistance bands. I tried upper body weight machines so far, and I prefer the resistance bands (I'm not feeling the love yet, but they are better than the weights). I tried lower body weight machines and LOVE them. (I was bummed because one of the machines was broken last night). So I'm trying the alternate day thing with one day off probably.

I have tried the elliptical a couple of times and HATE it. The bouncing motion makes me dizzy. But, I have a couple of times broken into a slow jog while walking for a short distance. I don't want to be a jogger, but sometimes, I just want to speed it up a little. With my gym closing down for 3 days next week, my daughter and I are going to dig out the golf clubs and go to the driving range. Not a lot of calorie burn, but probably pretty good for the waistline and the upper body in general. We both love to play, but we never seem to have the time at the same time to get together and go out. We both always liked to play 9-holes of a short course real early when we both had Mondays to do it. I'm not big on wasting 4 hours for 18 holes on a full course unless it is a scramble with friends and beer.

The month is half over and I have only lost 1.5 pounds. Don't think I will see the 8-pound loss I was again hoping for. 6.5 pounds in two weeks. Naw, probably won't happen; but, it's all good.

Have a great second-half of August. Hope your weather is as beautiful as ours has been (August and it was only 46 degrees when I came to work this a.m. What great sleeping weather and great electric bill saving weather! Currently 78 at 3 p.m. with only 44% humidity!) The summer of 2014 will go down as one of my favorite weather wise.

Charlie

August is a little more than half over. I'm going to continue working out with weight twice a week at the gym and I started doing Saturdays by myself at home.

Still exercise 3 times a week at PT, logging in over 2 miles on those days. Keep up with my water exercising as often as the weather allows.

I'm a little concerned over my weight. I stay a little under my calorie goal and I was hoping with the exercise to see the numbers 'lean' to the left. But many times the number on the scale is upwards. Somewhat disappointing, though I realize all I can do is to keep trying.

Happy Trails,

Claudine

Yep Claudine, we are twins! :drinker:

Vespertide: Sounds like the changes you are making are causing great health benefits for you. I'm hoping I can cut some meds, too.

Claudine: I don't think I know how tall you are, but I was trying to do some calculating. If I were exercising 3 days a week (moderate exercise) and was only 14 pounds from my goal weight, it would take me over 5 weeks to lose 1 pound. (Even at my heavy exercise, it will take me 4 weeks.) Now that means everything has to be perfect. No retaining water. No screw-ups. Exact measurements, etc. It has to be so frustrating at that level. Heck, I should be losing faster than I am and it is frustrating for me now. I am confident that you can do this though. After all, you really have only been back on your "foot" for a couple of weeks.

One question: What are your beverages? I don't log mine (which I probably should) if I drink 0 calories stuff. However, there are some circles who believe that if things have artificial sweeteners and taste sweet, you release the same amount of insulin that you would if it had real sugar (the why people gain weight on diet coke, theory). I don't see artificial sweeteners in your menu really, but I'm not seeing beverages except for water, wine and juice. Any diet drinks, maybe?

I think, too, that maybe, with the exercise, you will see body changes and the number will not be so important.

I have done the 3 new exercises that were part of my goal this month. I hope the driving range counts (it isn't new, but I hadn't held a golf club in probably 5 years). Had fun doing that (I'm sore though). Will do it occasionally along with the lower body machines. I have also done the elliptical, upper body machines and a little jogging of which none are for me.

Hi all of my dear MFP friends.

It is still HOT, but I am hopeful to still get out this evening. If it gets darker first, maybe Larry will go???

I decided to repost my goals for August:
1. I will NOT eat when I am stressed!! I must learn to deal with stress -
I have not been doing the late night eating/binging thing! :bigsmile:

2. Stay within my calorie allowance 8/20 = 14 days
3. Continue building on steps 10,000 a day Because of the SM I certainly have not succeeded, but I am working at it.

4. Go for loss of 1.5 lb / week = 243 lb 8/21 = 246.2 lb

We will see how the rest of the month goes.

All we can do is keep going onward and downward.
Let's have a great end to August!!

Smiles,

I had fallen off the wagon many times also when I quit smoking. I was just never ready but I finally did it a few years ago. The food thing is just another habit. It's hard to control at times but you are doing well, just keep at it. That's what I tell myself. Sure I get discouraged but every day, I hope that will be the day where I see results, either on the scale or the way my clothes fit.

Charlie,

You must be retaining water. There is no way, you've gained weight in a few days with all the activity your body is used to. You must have really swung that club. You must have some power in your wrist and arms.

I'm concerned over you feeling lightheaded, can't you get in to see the doctor a few days sooner. Or call them and tell them your symptoms, maybe they'll have some suggestions for you.

I'm only around 5'2"-5'3" (depends what convenient store I leave from. HaHa!) Actually, I very rarely drink diet soda, sometimes a Sprite 0 but it's been months since I've had any. When I do drink diet beverages, I get bloated and retain more water. Carbonated beverages leach calcium from the bones. My osteoporosis is supposedly gone but I don't want it coming back nor do I care for (diet) soda. Prefer wine, and I've been staying away from that lately. (Not much longer though :-))

BTW, I, too, very much dislike the Elliptical machine, the other day was the longest I've stayed on it. The other one I dislike at my PT place is the stairmaster. If you don't pedal fast enough, the pedals sink! So to stay up, I really have to go fast. It's exhausting!

Like you said, I just started getting back into the whole exercise thing. I'm taking it slow and will stick with it. Hopefully, in a few months, I will have positive results to show for it.

If nothing else, it keeps me out of the kitchen :-)

Thank you for all your help, and when you can, Please keep encouraging me cause I'm gonna need it.

Happy Trails,

Claudine

Charlie,

I hope you are doing better today. i am sure it must be frustrating retaining the water, I am sure once you get back to exercising again that will get better. But, for now, you need to take care of yourself! Hoping to hear that you are feeling better soon and back to your old self.


Smiles, hang in there, it is a tough journey with lots of ups and downs, literally.

- JB

Thanks JB! I weighed 155 July 1st and weight 152.8 today, so a good 2 lbs less, and let's hold it and not gain it back like I usually do! :blushing:

Rebamae--we went to Colorado this past Spring and it was one of my most favorite trips. I just love the mountains. Enjoy!

I have started the SEPTEMBER GOALS AND CHALLENGES.

I wanted to get it started before I left this week-end.