30-Day Challenge (Yes, meant to happen over the holidays!!)

So I find weight loss works for me if I challenge myself...

I lost 73 pounds in 18 weeks, went from 264 pounds to 191 pounds between September 2014 and February 2015. I had joined a "20lb Challenge", a weight loss and fitness challenge to lose 20lbs in 6 weeks, and it worked.

But by April of this year, I had got back up to 224 pounds. I set another goal for myself to fit into my previous summer clothes for a trip to Costa Rica in May. I wanted to get down to 204 pounds by the trip, but when I left for Costa Rica I was only around 219 pounds. Although I was using MFP and was logging some, I didn't have any strict guidelines.

After the trip it got worse... By the end of the summer I was up to 235 pounds!

In August, I joined a FitSquad with a new goal to lose 30 pounds by December 30th or 10 pounds per month. The FitSquad was a group of ladies who all set goals together, regularly texted and encouraged each other to work out together and participated in a DRASTIC challenge to cut out a bunch of "trigger foods" for a period of time.

It worked! From August 31 to the end of September I lost 16.5 pounds, and went down from 235 to 218.5 pounds. That's way more than 10 pounds in 30 days!

The FitSquad Challenge ended on October 7th and I'm struggling again. Although I'm using MFP, I don't have a framework. I have been teetering around the 215-219 pound mark since I ended the FitSquad in early October. Then yesterday morning I had hiked back up to 220lbs.

I really want to get down to where I was in February 2015.

I'm ready to do this! Please join me for another 30-day challenge! I challenge you to lose 10lbs with me in 30 days. We can do it!!

If you want to join, friend me now, then on Friday, November 4th weigh yourself, take a front and side picture of yourself, and post your starting weight in the comments below.

Starting on Sunday, November 6th do the following:

- Log daily!
- Post a daily goal to your profile page
- Work out for at least thirty-minutes at least 3x's per week
- Cut-out these foods:
*fried food
*cheese
*alcohol
*soda
*juice
*pork
*beef
*sugar
- Only eat whole grain carbs (no enriched or bleached products).

Hope to see you!
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Replies

  • BekahsLosing
    BekahsLosing Posts: 332 Member
    Your totally right! I'd like to get the weight off first though!
  • Happy65to55
    Happy65to55 Posts: 3 Member
    Inspired.
    Thank you for sharing
    I start my 30 day challenge tomorrow.
    I have a plan and hope yo follow thru this time.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    Can't eat cheese?

  • vanessa40
    vanessa40 Posts: 328 Member
    I am in..sent you a friend request
  • vanessa40
    vanessa40 Posts: 328 Member

    - Cut-out these foods:
    *fried food
    *cheese
    *alcohol
    *soda
    *juice
    *pork
    *beef
    *sugar
    - Only eat whole grain carbs (no enriched or bleached products).

    I never eat fried foods,no dairy products, as close as i come is the cashew milk i put in my protein shakes, no sodas or juice,i do eat pork and beef...and i can't live without sugar...sorry...lol..i use organic sugar.
    As for grains i sometimes have oats for breakfast but not often
  • BekahsLosing
    BekahsLosing Posts: 332 Member
    Great Vanessa! RoxieDawn, yes no cheese for me, but feel free to modify the plan if cheese isn't one of your "triggers". daniip_la, when I've tried moderation before it worked for maintaining weight-loss, but not for losing weight... that sounds like a great goal once I'm there!
  • vanessa40
    vanessa40 Posts: 328 Member
    Great Vanessa! RoxieDawn, yes no cheese for me, but feel free to modify the plan if cheese isn't one of your "triggers". daniip_la, when I've tried moderation before it worked for maintaining weight-loss, but not for losing weight... that sounds like a great goal once I'm there!
    I have trigger foods too
    Mine is PB..i can't even have it in the house...
  • Mccloud74
    Mccloud74 Posts: 788 Member
    hey there,
    Am up for the challenge...sent you a friend request / message :smile:
  • BeaUtiful_1413
    BeaUtiful_1413 Posts: 200 Member
    Sounds fun I'm in. I'm actually going to start today though Tuesday nov 1st. Already did my workout so I can be at exactly 30days also trying to lose weight for my wedding next year in 5-6months. Or less. So early start lol. Sw:170 goal to lose 10lbs this month or more.Gw:160 by December 1st.
  • BekahsLosing
    BekahsLosing Posts: 332 Member
    Excellent! So glad you'll join me Beautiful!
  • midsummer174627
    midsummer174627 Posts: 386 Member
    I'll join for the Whole 30 challenge, but only following the rules stated on the Whole 30 website (http://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/) not a variation. And a goal of 10 pounds in a month isn't right for me, instead I'd say 4-5 would be more like it.
  • BekahsLosing
    BekahsLosing Posts: 332 Member
    Sounds great midsummer!
  • midsummer174627
    midsummer174627 Posts: 386 Member
    Ugh, I could not stop thinking about some milk for my coffee or tea this morning. I noticed on blogs and stuff that coffee is a big deal for a lot of people doing Whole 30 which is weird because I didn't really think of it as being a *big* part of my day... Anyway, I'm going with black tea with no milk and it's working for me.
  • midsummer174627
    midsummer174627 Posts: 386 Member
    This thread is so full of imminent failure it is unreal.

    You know, the plan described is not exactly what I'd do, but you know what else? The poster didn't ask for advice or feedback.
  • BeaUtiful_1413
    BeaUtiful_1413 Posts: 200 Member
    My day 2 complete
  • tlflag1620
    tlflag1620 Posts: 1,358 Member
    This thread is so full of imminent failure it is unreal.

    You know, the plan described is not exactly what I'd do, but you know what else? The poster didn't ask for advice or feedback.

    That is true enough. Trouble is, far too many people do these "challenges" (aka crash diets) in the hopes that once they get the weight off, it will (magically) stay off. For those reading/lurking that think this may be a good idea, it needs to be pointed out that anyone can drop a bunch of weight really fast. Keeping it off is the part that takes work. And a big part of that work happens during the weight loss phase - by losing weight in a safe, healthy way (no more than 1-2 lbs per week) you preserve more muscle, learn what reasonable portions look like, learn how to incorporate various foods into your diet, learn what foods or macro split works best for you, and learn to navigate things like birthdays, holidays, vacations, dining out, etc. That way you don't keep losing and regaining the same 60-70 lbs over and over and over, and ending up essentially fatter each time because when you lose weight you lose muscle, and during rapid loss (like 73 lbs in 18 weeks.. yikes) you can lose a LOT of muscle, but when you regain it, it is generally all fat - so you end up back at starting weight, but with a higher BF%.... Imminent failure indeed. I think the people who have pointed out that losing as much weight as fast as possible as a "challenge" is a terrible strategy are doing so, not because they think the op will change her mind, but for the benefit of those who are new here and just starting out.

    It is a terrible idea.
  • Bearbo27
    Bearbo27 Posts: 339 Member
    edited November 2016
    tlflag1620 wrote: »
    This thread is so full of imminent failure it is unreal.

    You know, the plan described is not exactly what I'd do, but you know what else? The poster didn't ask for advice or feedback.

    That is true enough. Trouble is, far too many people do these "challenges" (aka crash diets) in the hopes that once they get the weight off, it will (magically) stay off. For those reading/lurking that think this may be a good idea, it needs to be pointed out that anyone can drop a bunch of weight really fast. Keeping it off is the part that takes work. And a big part of that work happens during the weight loss phase - by losing weight in a safe, healthy way (no more than 1-2 lbs per week) you preserve more muscle, learn what reasonable portions look like, learn how to incorporate various foods into your diet, learn what foods or macro split works best for you, and learn to navigate things like birthdays, holidays, vacations, dining out, etc. That way you don't keep losing and regaining the same 60-70 lbs over and over and over, and ending up essentially fatter each time because when you lose weight you lose muscle, and during rapid loss (like 73 lbs in 18 weeks.. yikes) you can lose a LOT of muscle, but when you regain it, it is generally all fat - so you end up back at starting weight, but with a higher BF%.... Imminent failure indeed. I think the people who have pointed out that losing as much weight as fast as possible as a "challenge" is a terrible strategy are doing so, not because they think the op will change her mind, but for the benefit of those who are new here and just starting out.

    It is a terrible idea.

    This x 100!!!

    OP it sounds like challenge may not be the best long term solution for you if you keep gaining it all back as soon as the challenge is over. If you just log your foods here, set your goal to 1-2 lbs per week, you'll have more long term success. It's not about losing weight the fastest, it's about keeping that weight off the longest.

    OP may not have asked for advice, but the idea she is promoting will only lead to failure for many who partake in such "challenge". 73 lbs in 18 weeks is insane by the way. Like I had to look at that number twice. You most definitely lost a ton of lean muscle during that.
  • midsummer174627
    midsummer174627 Posts: 386 Member
    Day 2 is going pretty well. I'm DEFINITELY eating more veggies this week than last, but I need to buy and prepare more snacks so I'm not stuck eating almonds (in small quantities) which I'm getting a little tired of. But...YAY veggies!
  • midsummer174627
    midsummer174627 Posts: 386 Member
    tlflag1620 wrote: »
    This thread is so full of imminent failure it is unreal.

    You know, the plan described is not exactly what I'd do, but you know what else? The poster didn't ask for advice or feedback.

    That is true enough. Trouble is, far too many people do these "challenges" (aka crash diets) in the hopes that once they get the weight off, it will (magically) stay off. For those reading/lurking that think this may be a good idea, it needs to be pointed out that anyone can drop a bunch of weight really fast. Keeping it off is the part that takes work. And a big part of that work happens during the weight loss phase - by losing weight in a safe, healthy way (no more than 1-2 lbs per week) you preserve more muscle, learn what reasonable portions look like, learn how to incorporate various foods into your diet, learn what foods or macro split works best for you, and learn to navigate things like birthdays, holidays, vacations, dining out, etc. That way you don't keep losing and regaining the same 60-70 lbs over and over and over, and ending up essentially fatter each time because when you lose weight you lose muscle, and during rapid loss (like 73 lbs in 18 weeks.. yikes) you can lose a LOT of muscle, but when you regain it, it is generally all fat - so you end up back at starting weight, but with a higher BF%.... Imminent failure indeed. I think the people who have pointed out that losing as much weight as fast as possible as a "challenge" is a terrible strategy are doing so, not because they think the op will change her mind, but for the benefit of those who are new here and just starting out.

    It is a terrible idea.

    I get it, but I don't think it's my job to educate by tearing down another person's post with words like "full of failure." That kind of thing makes ME not want to be on the message boards at all.
  • tlflag1620
    tlflag1620 Posts: 1,358 Member
    tlflag1620 wrote: »
    This thread is so full of imminent failure it is unreal.

    You know, the plan described is not exactly what I'd do, but you know what else? The poster didn't ask for advice or feedback.

    That is true enough. Trouble is, far too many people do these "challenges" (aka crash diets) in the hopes that once they get the weight off, it will (magically) stay off. For those reading/lurking that think this may be a good idea, it needs to be pointed out that anyone can drop a bunch of weight really fast. Keeping it off is the part that takes work. And a big part of that work happens during the weight loss phase - by losing weight in a safe, healthy way (no more than 1-2 lbs per week) you preserve more muscle, learn what reasonable portions look like, learn how to incorporate various foods into your diet, learn what foods or macro split works best for you, and learn to navigate things like birthdays, holidays, vacations, dining out, etc. That way you don't keep losing and regaining the same 60-70 lbs over and over and over, and ending up essentially fatter each time because when you lose weight you lose muscle, and during rapid loss (like 73 lbs in 18 weeks.. yikes) you can lose a LOT of muscle, but when you regain it, it is generally all fat - so you end up back at starting weight, but with a higher BF%.... Imminent failure indeed. I think the people who have pointed out that losing as much weight as fast as possible as a "challenge" is a terrible strategy are doing so, not because they think the op will change her mind, but for the benefit of those who are new here and just starting out.

    It is a terrible idea.

    I get it, but I don't think it's my job to educate by tearing down another person's post with words like "full of failure." That kind of thing makes ME not want to be on the message boards at all.

    Duly noted. And I can see how that can be off putting (and that's why I tried to explain why I thought it was a poor strategy without the snark). That said, these kinds of posts crop up often enough that some snark is inevitable.

  • BekahsLosing
    BekahsLosing Posts: 332 Member
    Ugh, I could not stop thinking about some milk for my coffee or tea this morning. I noticed on blogs and stuff that coffee is a big deal for a lot of people doing Whole 30 which is weird because I didn't really think of it as being a *big* part of my day... Anyway, I'm going with black tea with no milk and it's working for me.

    Yeah, a friend of mine came up with the 30-day challenge limits I shared with you guys and for some reason she didn't include milk, cream, or butter, in the "can't have" category. I thought that was interesting... It helps me because like I said, cheese is my trigger food and can lead to excessive amounts of it, so making it off limits for 30-days while I work to get off a chunk of weight worked. On the other hand, I feel like I'm treating myself to be able to put a little cream in my coffee or butter on my whole-grain toast (while logging all of those little bits!)

    With her plan I didn't feel like I was completely starving myself of those little joys ;)
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    I started my contest prep on Monday and am down 11.2lbs since then. Do I win something?
  • BekahsLosing
    BekahsLosing Posts: 332 Member
    I started my contest prep on Monday and am down 11.2lbs since then. Do I win something?

    Wow, this is my first shot hosting a community forum and there really are some *kitten* on here! I'm going to continue to ignore...