No-Gain November Week 4 Check-In (11/23-11/30)
baconslave
Posts: 7,021 Member
Welcome to the Week 4 Check-In thread for the November Challenge.
Here's a our little challenge blurb:
Here's a our little challenge blurb:
There's a statistic going around that something like 25% of people will gain weight between Halloween and New Year's. It's Holiday season. We're busy with work, school, get-togethers, and shopping. It's easy to just say to heck with it and cave. And wake up on New Year's Day and looking in the mirror, unhappy with what extra weight we've gained. It happens to the best of us.
Last year was my first LCHF holiday. I checked the weight chart, and I lost 13lb (almost 6kg) between Oct 31st and my birthday (New Year's Day.) It's possible to not only NOT gain but to LOSE weight during the holiday season.
Planning ahead and keeping an eye on the basics are two of the most important focal points if we want to keep on the up and up in the face of all the junk and goodies rampant this type of year.
Some people choose to handle this time of year completely on-plan, supplementing low-carb recipes for all our bad-ol' favorites.
What I did last year was pick 1 or 2 events that were most important. For me it was Christmas Eve and New Year's Day (my birthday). I enjoyed those celebrations. Once the day was over, the indulgence was OVER. I brought home no leftovers to continue the nonsense. I picked specific things I was going to have, not ALL THE FOODS. I told myself that at bedtime, the day was over and when I woke in the morning, it was back to the routine. The rest of the days during that period, I planned ahead to stay on-plan. For those other events I didn't select, I either ate before-hand, or brought on-plan dishes to them. I lost 13lb between Halloween and New Year's.
You can pick either strategy, but this challenge, monitoring our plan Basics, are what makes the difference.
Consistency + Persistence + Time = Success
Any low-carb plan is welcome. Just post your monthly goals and beginning weight, or if you are just planning to maintain through the month, and check-in daily or weekly with how well you did.
The Basics:
Staying under carbs
Staying under calories
Logging and measuring
Getting in exercise/movement if that's one of your goals
Keeping an eye on electrolyte levels
Getting enough water
Planning ahead
This thread will be stickied to the top of the Group, with links inside to the weekly threads. So if the weekly thread gets buried in our busy little group, you'll be able to easily find in in the sticky.
Share recipes, problems, thoughts.
No-Gain November is possible.
Let's do this.
To give you and idea of possible check-in entries here's mine for yesterday:
Monthly Goals:
To lose those rotten, stinkin, stubborn, no-good, malicious last 2lb to goal weight.
By hitting the basics daily. I have one calorie UP-day, Saturday, where I'd like to log but I don't care how many calories I eat, as long as I keep my carbs under 50g. I only have adult beverages that day. Sometimes my carbs sneak over. I make sure I'm pristine all other days of the week, however. This arrangement works fine for me, for now. But if I don't continue to lose at least a fraction of a lb a week, then obviously I'll have to tighten the reigns on that.
Start weight: 153.4 (weight is up due to salty nuts, bacon, and sausage balls)
Goal weight: 150 and to stay there.
Sunday, 11/1:
Water: 80/80oz
Electrolytes Good:
Logged Food:
Exercise as Planned?: Cleaned house like a fiend for 3 hours
At or Under Carb Level: 13/30g net
At or Under Calorie Limit: Yes!
Planned Day Ahead: Yes!
0
Replies
-
So...the final week of the No-Gain November challenge is upon us. The last day of the month is a Monday, so I've just wrapped it into this week.
U.S. folks have their big holiday feast day this week.
Make sure you have a plan. Either plan to stay on-plan, with LC recipes at the ready, or plan to be off-plan. But if you're going off-plan and indulging, have a plan for dragging yourself away and getting back to business.
No guilt, but no excuses.
I recommend not bringing plan-offending leftovers to your home. Or if you're the host, to foist those leftovers off on your guests. Or you could just use white-knuckled resolve.
Whichever you choose, enjoy your holiday week.
Off to update the last week's thread and the sticky thread.
0 -
Weeks 1 - 3 goals were all attained:
(pre-plan my meals, workout plans, journal)
The only one I am not able to get a fix on is my weekly calories. I tried focusing, mindful eating, keeping busy and still went over my weekly calories. All keto; but still over my TDEE. So this final week, I have fine tuned my macros and increased my calories.
My goal this week is to stay within this new calorie goal. I will report on a daily basis as this will keep me accountable.0 -
Thanks @Baconslave for running November! It's been fun and I'm impressed with all the drumsticks collected!!
The last week of the month is always my push to make my 4 pounds for the month. I'm not too worried about Thursday, as we are going out to a restaurant for dinner (no leftovers to worry about) I'm ordering the prime rib, no stuffing to worry about!! (giggle) Everyone will get to order what they want.
Weekend Summary
SW 11.1.15 151
CW 148 -- Need that one pound this week to make 4. I didn't think I'd get to 5, but I always shoot high.
GW 146.
Water: OK
Logged Food: No, but I backlog it on Monday.
Exercise as Planned?: Lots of walking
At or Under Carb Level: Very good!!
At or Under Calorie Limit: Yes
Planned Day Ahead: All set for today. Smoked salmon and cream cheese. Dinner is steak tonight.
I avoided the alcohol this weekend and stayed LCHF on all my choices.
Twice I was tempted in situations where I would have indulged before, but I stayed the course. Yea, me.0 -
Goal re-cap:
1. Under 30 total carbs daily
2. Run 3+ times a week, with at least two interval runs
3. Pre-planned meals with restaurant food only twice a week
4. Restrict my shopping to 1X week large shopping trip and 2 small trips through the week
1. Totally accomplished so far, though I cannot vouch for Thursday
2. I am running tomorrow, Thursday (woohoo, Turkey Trot!!!), most likely Friday and Sunday as well. Covered.
3. Been staying away from restaurants since I am trying to save my pennies up for the holidays. Yesterday I had breakfast at a diner (mmm, eggs and bacon) and bulletproof coffee at the coffee both at our farmer's market. I may have breakfast or a drink of Thursday after the Turkey Trot.
4. Pretty much covered. Over the weekend I had a small trip to Costco for the ham, and a small trip to the farmer's market for the veggies. I am pretty stocked on everything else and am hoping for leftovers I can stretch for two weeks.
I am planning to do a 2-3 day fat fast in about a week to drop some of the Thanksgiving weight.0 -
Keto diet was not great this week. Held my own, but no losses. That's okay. I survived a 3 day house guest visit with just a few slip ups. Not bad really.
Went out dancing one night, but really no other extra motion added during the week, other than regular routine. So again, not great but not that bad.
Atiitude is great as of a few hours ago when I got a job that I really wanted and think I will really like and be good at! Wowza. Big relief there (thank you kharmic bank for this awesome gift!) And just because reality has to challenge me, my possible relationship is a no go. Alas. Still, the job makes that easier to deal with! So, at the start of week 4, attitude is in tact!
Getting through the first holiday month with minimal damage so far!0 -
@elize7, Congratulations on the new job! We have been interviewing candidates and it's a tough market out there. Hoot, just in time for the holidays and 2016!0
-
I ended last week (my third week of keto) up 1.6 lbs. I know I need to be patient but being in the middle of my sion the DietBet makes that harder. Plus the first two weeks of rapid loss were addicting.
I did have two days last week where I was really hungry and ate at maintenence and I had some wine at a wedding on Saturday. Hopefully the scale and measurements will cooperate again soon, especially if I can stick to the WOE at our friend's Thanksgiving feast. I do think I'll take the advice of many here and minimize artificial sweeteners to help me avoid carb creep. 0 -
Grr, my phone never lets me edit but that's supposed to say "six month DietBet."0
-
Week 4:
SW: 159.2 (11/02/15)
CW: 157 (11/24/15)
GW: 155 (by 1/01/16)
November Goals:
Review basics and get back to following more carefully
10,000 steps per day (work days); 5,000 steps per day (weekend)
Keep at around 40 net carbs per day
Log Food Daily
Additional exercise at least 3 times a week (yoga, weight lifting, biking)
11/23: Great day food wise and exercise. I walked 4 miles total yesterday.0 -
slimzandra wrote: »@elize7, Congratulations on the new job! We have been interviewing candidates and it's a tough market out there. Hoot, just in time for the holidays and 2016!
Yes, indeed. Congrats!0 -
Monday Summary 11.23.
SW 11.1.15 151
CW 147.5
GW 146.
Water: OK. Lots of tea.
Logged Food: Yes.
Exercise as Planned?: No. I have a yoga class at 2pm today.
At or Under Carb Level: Very good!!
At or Under Calorie Limit: Yes
Planned Day Ahead: All set for today.0 -
Still floating, but it seems to getting a tiny bit better day by day.
I hit a new low of 151. 1lb from goal. ONE POUND. Now TOM is probably going to come and set me back a few lb.
What am I doing right now? ADF. Alternate Day Fasting. I've been wanting to try it for awhile. I can't do normal IF where you just fast until lunch. I want to kill people. It isn't pretty. And I would binge eat at supper and until bed. But if I have 2 cups of fatty coffee I can make it until about 3pm, have a fat-bomb-ish snack, and have a normal sized supper, hitting about 1000 or 1100 cals. The next day, I eat maintenance cals. I've been doing this since Saturday. Saturday my appetite was just dead because of the infection. Yesterday I managed another DD (or Down Day in ADF lingo.) So I'm doing 4:3. Four days maintenance, 3 days (MWF) at 1100 cals or less. It seems to be working so far.
The pro is that I'm becoming reacquainted with real hunger. And it's empowering to feel that hunger, which is more "oh, I'm hungry" as opposed to "EAT ALL THE FOODS NOW OR I WILL RAMPAGE" on the SAD, and to know I can calmly say "I hear you, but it's not the time." I have control. Something I didn't have for years and years and years. I watched my kids eat double cheeseburgers at the mall while I sipped water yesterday. I weren't even mad. It was easy. I had a snack I love waiting for me at 3pm.
Anyway...today is an UD (up day) and I have lots of yummy foods to eat. Thanksgiving is going to be an up day too. I planned well.
Mon, 11/23:
Water: 120/80oz
Electrolytes Good:
Logged Food:
Exercise as Planned?: 30 min walk, UTI be DAMNED. And weather be damned. Boy howdy, it was cold. 37F. Brrrrr!
At or Under Carb Level: 30/50g
At or Under Calorie Limit: Yessiree.
Planned Day Ahead: Yes!
7/7
November Drumsticks of Meatiness Collected!
MMMMMMMMMMMEAT! Primal growling in progress.
0 -
November challenge - Checking in for week 4!
Original goals for the month:
SW - 170
GW - 165 (can I lose 5 lbs over my birthday and Thanksgiving?)
1. Log daily
2. Stay under 40 carbs per day
3. Drink at least 80 oz of water per day
4. Get 10,000 steps per day (lets see if I can do better than last month)
So, with 2 weeks of travel behind me so far this month, including my birthday weekend and Thanksgiving looming on Thursday, I am amazed to say I'm at 169.5. My goal of 165, is probably not going to happen, BUT the "No gain, November" will probably work for me! I don't think I have ever made it through November without a gain, given that is usually the time of my downfall that continues through the New Year.
I have logged everyday - good, bad or otherwise. I have not stayed under my carb level every day, so expecting the keto flu to make an appearance after Thanksgiving. I have done really well with my steps and water goals. So, 3 out of 4 goals achieved so far, just need to see where my weight falls out next Monday!
Happy Thanksgiving (in case I don't get on here to post again before Thursday!).
0 -
Tuesday Summary 11.24.
SW 11.1.15 151
CW 148.5 (not sure why that pound came back. Weekly weigh in counts anyway)
GW 146.
Water: OK. Bubble water too.
Logged Food: Yes.
Exercise as Planned?: Yoga class was great. Good workout. Much easier with a few pounds gone.
At or Under Carb Level: 26
At or Under Calorie Limit: Yes
Planned Day Ahead: Wed -Out of lunches again. Probably grab something lite from the café.
Can't wait to get out of here today. I have an urge to go for a run this afternoon. Feeling some nervous energy. I'm up a pound from yesterday. I was more hungry that usual yesterday, but stayed the course. Thinking it's water retention from the workout. Hmmm.. Monday will be the test. Not too worried about the next 4 days. I've been fairly level, so expecting a whoosh any day now.0 -
Posting again now due to food issue crisis. Desperate to stop aTwo Day emotional earing binge due to big upcoming changes. Wow this was the worst one I've had since I started this WOE a year and a half ago. And the upcoming changes are awesome ones! Go figure. Anyway, in the hopes that facing it head on will help me get back in the saddle, I'm posting. I know what I have to do. I just need to gather my thoughts, settle, prepare to handle stronger cravings for as long as it takes to re-ketofy myself. Give myself a clean slate and move forward - just like I've done all along. It works when I work it! Thank you for this challenge and a place to be honest and understood. I may be checking in a couple more times this week. Hope to pull off at least some of my goals for this week! Never giving up.0
-
Posting again now due to food issue crisis. Desperate to stop aTwo Day emotional earing binge due to big upcoming changes. Wow this was the worst one I've had since I started this WOE a year and a half ago. And the upcoming changes are awesome ones! Go figure. Anyway, in the hopes that facing it head on will help me get back in the saddle, I'm posting. I know what I have to do. I just need to gather my thoughts, settle, prepare to handle stronger cravings for as long as it takes to re-ketofy myself. Give myself a clean slate and move forward - just like I've done all along. It works when I work it! Thank you for this challenge and a place to be honest and understood. I may be checking in a couple more times this week. Hope to pull off at least some of my goals for this week! Never giving up.
Hugs!!! You can work through this. Change can be scary, even if it is a good one. Scared means lion going to attack or impending food shortage, so either way our instincts say EAT! Great you recognise that. Wishing you sucess in making the best choices for you that this stresful situation allows and forgiveness when those choices are less than what you would like when life is back to normal
0 -
Week 4:
SW: 159.2 (11/02/15)
CW: 157 (11/24/15)
GW: 155 (by 1/01/16)
November Goals:
Review basics and get back to following more carefully
10,000 steps per day (work days); 5,000 steps per day (weekend)
Keep at around 40 net carbs per day
Log Food Daily
Additional exercise at least 3 times a week (yoga, weight lifting, biking)
11/23: Great day food wise and exercise. I walked 4 miles total yesterday.
11/24: Great day food wise, walked 5 miles and lifted weights!0 -
Posting again now due to food issue crisis. Desperate to stop aTwo Day emotional earing binge due to big upcoming changes. Wow this was the worst one I've had since I started this WOE a year and a half ago. And the upcoming changes are awesome ones! Go figure. Anyway, in the hopes that facing it head on will help me get back in the saddle, I'm posting. I know what I have to do. I just need to gather my thoughts, settle, prepare to handle stronger cravings for as long as it takes to re-ketofy myself. Give myself a clean slate and move forward - just like I've done all along. It works when I work it! Thank you for this challenge and a place to be honest and understood. I may be checking in a couple more times this week. Hope to pull off at least some of my goals for this week! Never giving up.
Keep fighting, hon. It's always a hard battle but you are worth it!
It's a DD for me. So I'm trying to stay zen while cooking 72 deviled eggs, an apple cobbler, and a pumpkin layer cheesecake bake thing. I'm about to go bats. Get to eat yumminess tomorrow though. Saving all my carbs for a piece of the pumpkin cheesecake as it's supposed to be LC.
Tues, 11/24:
Water: 120/80oz
Electrolytes Good:
Logged Food:
Exercise as Planned?: 33min of slinging dumbbells
At or Under Carb Level: 28/50g
At or Under Calorie Limit: Yessiree.
Planned Day Ahead: Yes!
7/7
November Drumsticks of Meatiness Collected!
Happy Turkey Day tomorrow!!!0 -
How'd you all do?
I ate like a pig. Turkey (dark meat), ham, green beans, butter, deviled eggs, and some keto gravy. 2 servings of the LC pumpkin cheesecake mousse I made. 1 serving of cashews. That was all within carbs. However, I did eat some sausage balls that must've had a whole lot of hidden carbs in them because I'm up 4lb today. I did walk for 30min and do the stationary bike for 30 in the afternoon. I thought I did well, carb-wise. Not trusting BIL any more though. Oh well. I knew I was taking a chance. Shouldn't have.
Wed, 11/25:
Water: 120/80oz
Electrolytes Good:
Logged Food:
Exercise as Planned?: On my feet cooking for hours and hours plus grocery shopping with the Littles.
At or Under Carb Level: 19/50g
At or Under Calorie Limit: Yessiree.
Planned Day Ahead: Yes!
7/7
Thurs, 11/26:
Water: 120/80oz
Electrolytes Good:
Logged Food:
Exercise as Planned?: 30 min walk and 30 min recumbent bike
At or Under Carb Level: 50/50g
At or Under Calorie Limit: Not even close.
Planned Day Ahead: Yes!
6/7
November Drumsticks of Meatiness Collected!
I am really annoyed today. Today is supposed to be a fast day, but since nosy DH is off work he made bacon. So my fast day is blown. I can't do fasts when he is off work. I have to do them on the sly because he is more than a little opinionated about my food choices. Don't ask me why cuz I can't tell you. And has been indoctrinated by the "don't skip meals" conventional un-wisdom. When he's working, he doesn't notice me skipping lunch and only having keto coffee for all day until 3pm instead. I need to get to goal before Jan 1st. DH lost his contract, which ends Dec 31st, and if they don't find him a new project, he'll be without work for a few weeks the beginning of January. They'll be no fasting for weeks then. So I have a time frame. I'm guessing I'm going to have to make up for it sometime this week.
Unfortunately, my LC mousse made a bunch of servings...I have about 7 servings left. I'd hoped MIL would have taken more. I made it for her (diabetic). It's good and DH and ds11 would like it, but it is a lactose-nightmare and both are very lactose intolerant. It's in the fridge downstairs so it won't stare me in the face. TOM is making me ultra-moody and craving sweets.
Hopefully we'll get the Christmas stuff out today. I need to start crocheting gifts, but my muse is busted right now.
Have a great day, all!
0 -
Seem to be restablizing after emotiobal eating binge earlier this week. Did awesome on Thanksgiving - totally stayed on okab with temptation all around me! Weight is going back down, not at lowest point but in the right direction. Very relieved to be on track again.
Going out dancing tonite, otherwise no real progress in adding to daily motion.
Struggling with attitude - feeling those holiday heebeejeebees and realize I may have to disengage from an unproductive personal attachment. Recommitting to following my own happy pursuits in the meantime even if I'm not feeling it. Trying to have faith that what I want and need will find a way into my life.0 -
I stayed within goals yesterday and was down 0.6 lbs yesterday, back to 142 (the lowest weight I'd hit since starting keto; I hit it about a week and a half ago before bouncing back up). ... Then today I went waaaay over cals. And carbs. Over 70 total, just under 50 net. Sigh. My husband and I went out to eat and I ended up snacking a lot when we got home (including a piece of my 500-calorie Atkins pumpkin cheesecake) and by the time I stopped and tracked, it had really added up.
Back on track tomorrow though!
Overall, start weight (11/2, when I started keto): 150.6. CW: 142.0 -
Hubby needs to go back to work. I ate supper yesterday. And then he brought home McD's. How do you turn away a double QP with cheese slathered in mayo with no bun when TOM is on the prowl?
And TOM needs to go away. I want to eat all the foods. Carbs are fine, but my calories are just a joke. I'm just so ravenous. Hoping for a good 1000cal-fast tomorrow to get back to work. Trying to keep the cal on the up-and-up today.
Fri, 11/27:
Water: 120/80oz
Electrolytes Good:
Logged Food:
Exercise as Planned?: Strength training.
At or Under Carb Level: 22/50g
At or Under Calorie Limit: No. Well-intentioned-spousal-sabotage...
Planned Day Ahead: Yes!
6/7
Sat, 11/28:
Water: 120/80oz
Electrolytes Good:
Logged Food:
Exercise as Planned?: 60 min walk
At or Under Carb Level: 38/50g
At or Under Calorie Limit: Not even close.
Planned Day Ahead: Yes!
6/7
November Drumsticks of Meatiness Collected!
0 -
Thursday - Sunday Summary 11.29.
SW 11.1.15 151
CW 148.5
GW 146.
Water: OK.
Logged Food: No.
Exercise as Planned?: Just came back from a 2 mile walk
At or Under Carb Level: Meh. in the 30s most of the weekend
At or Under Calorie Limit: Not really, a bit over
Planned Day Ahead: Monday is a new week. Starting again.
Between the few glasses of wine, the candied almonds, and ice cream slip up over the past 4 days were not great, but not terrible either. I stuck to LCHF otherwise. I think I will be higher tomorrow than last Monday when I do my weigh in. Maybe a pound or two. I'll take it and move onward.0 -
Is there going to be a December challenge or is that too difficult with people away and holiday craziness etc?0
-
Week 4:
SW: 159.2 (11/02/15)
CW: 157 (11/24/15)
GW: 155 (by 1/01/16)
November Goals:
Review basics and get back to following more carefully
10,000 steps per day (work days); 5,000 steps per day (weekend)
Keep at around 40 net carbs per day
Log Food Daily
Additional exercise at least 3 times a week (yoga, weight lifting, biking)
11/23: Great day food wise and exercise. I walked 4 miles total yesterday.
11/24: Great day food wise, walked 5 miles and lifted weights!
11/25 - 11/28: I did pretty good! I didn't track my food for a few days but I honestly didn't really overdue it. I did have some pumpkin pie filling but I took a small piece and drenched it in unsweetened heavy cream. Boy it was yummy and it didn't cause any cravings. The fat must have buffered the sugar!!
Over all November was a success! I lost 2 lbs which for me is good..especially when I'm really never hungry!!0 -
I didn't achieve any loss this month, but I did maintain within my normal range of daily fluctuations. Lol
So that's ok too.
I didn't fast as much as I would have liked and that's probably what kept me from losing weight. That and that my activity level took a complete nosedive! So, I guess it's an even greater success that I maintained...
It's just too dang cold to go out and walk in the morning, which is the time that works best for me. I guess I should start using that gym membership I pay for each month huh?
0 -
totaloblivia wrote: »Is there going to be a December challenge or is that too difficult with people away and holiday craziness etc?
I plan on doing another like this, whether or not anyone joins my obsessive behavior. 0 -
I have to claim success for only having three nights with leg cramps this month. I've learned that without the extra sodium every day, I will have them.
I did manage a new low, 193.3 lb. on the scale, though it's been bouncing again, up to 197.8 this morning. The bounce doesn't seem to be as high, so that's a big plus! It will be awesome to never see my weight begin with a 2 again!
Working out with weights has given me a couple of days of migraines, boo! Was hoping I could fit a little bit into a regular routine. Will try again, down the road. For now, walking, and bike riding, is it. Though I don't do much of the latter, yet! It seems I tolerated it well, so will be riding more! Pain will keep me from repeating! I'm learning what I can do that doesn't induce pain. The most awesome part is that I want to do it! I'm finally to a point where the couch doesn't feel normal anymore!
I'd call it a success all around! Bring on December!!0 -
We're talking about Dec in here.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/34716869#Comment_34716869
0 -
I have to claim success for only having three nights with leg cramps this month. I've learned that without the extra sodium every day, I will have them.
I did manage a new low, 193.3 lb. on the scale, though it's been bouncing again, up to 197.8 this morning. The bounce doesn't seem to be as high, so that's a big plus! It will be awesome to never see my weight begin with a 2 again!
Working out with weights has given me a couple of days of migraines, boo! Was hoping I could fit a little bit into a regular routine. Will try again, down the road. For now, walking, and bike riding, is it. Though I don't do much of the latter, yet! It seems I tolerated it well, so will be riding more! Pain will keep me from repeating! I'm learning what I can do that doesn't induce pain. The most awesome part is that I want to do it! I'm finally to a point where the couch doesn't feel normal anymore!
I'd call it a success all around! Bring on December!!
I lost one kilo and I learned that taking an extra 400mg dose of magnesium does solve the leg cramps within minutes AND it also gave me the runs for days!! I will use salt next time.0
This discussion has been closed.