Lose 25 in 6 months; 2018 Winter to Summer Challenge Together

laurafresh · December 2017

I am hoping for a few MFP others to join me in this challenge to lose 25 in 2018. I lost over 20 on another site a few years ago and it was the daily checkins by email that seemed to be the trick. We logged EVERYTHING, including water and our exercise and without competing helped to encourage one another to successful and steady goals.

I have already been logging but the group support is so key: who wants to join me? I am looking for about 7-10 really motivated MFPers. We can start now but the official weigh day is Monday Jan. 1 and Mondays thereafter through summer's start. Only for folks committed and willing to check in by private email - which I will create a group for. We check in, daily, with our food, mood, water and exercise progress. It works, trust me.

Please check back here if interested and I will give further details outside MFP - to provide both less distraction and maintain our group member's confidentiality.

breannaritchie · December 2017

I'm interested !

laurafresh · December 2017

Great!

Let me gather a few others and get this started...how much do you want to try and lose?

sanchez253 · December 2017

I'm in. Ready to try something new..

Iknewyouweretrouble · December 2017

i'm great with email, i check every day multiple times a day. I have 20 to lose, 25 would be great. let me know.

alteredsteve175 · December 2017

I'm interested.

KeepingUpWithKarina · December 2017

I’m interested

tiptoppy · December 2017

I’m interested!

joysalts · December 2017

I'm in

raschnurr · December 2017

I'm in! Absolutely motivated and excited to work together to do this!

jaxnjosh · December 2017

Ill definatly be interested. I have about 25 lbs to lose.

laurafresh · December 2017

Hi All and Merry Christmas to everyone!!!

For me, it's Chrismakkah (I celebrate Chanukkah, hubby does Christmas) which means I get to celebrate TWICE (or nine times if you include each night of Chanukkah...!)
We had a wonderful and unfortunately non MFP-approved meal last evening at a local French bistro. Another reason that this last week of the year seems appropriate to be whittling down my overconsumption and get prepped for next week's start in earnest.

I want to lose about 25 pounds this next six months which seems completely reasonable given the pace I am setting for myself: about 1 - 1.5 pounds a week. My goals include being a more streamlined ballerina (my teacher says I can go on pointe within the year if I get a bit leaner/stronger and supporting oneself on toes DOES require slimness. I am about 160 now - or after last night's meal anyway-weigh in next Monday will be my moment of truth. At 55 yo, I think being around 140 is my best weight.

What are some of your own goals, and why, for those of you joining me are here now?
As my prior experience showed me, knowing one another's goals helps us to motivate one another. It is so supportive to have others to lean on when a goal becomes elusive and another MFP partner helps to remind one why the cake is JUST NOT WORTH (in my case) not dancing on pointe~!
Basics: Do folks have fitbits? MFP on mobiles to help track? Drink lots of water? Certain dietary restrictions? Goals already achieved or some ones to name OUT LOUD?
Finally, we can friend one another on this site to get access to each other's daily logging - which is helpful. I am also thinking that we do what I did before - set up a way (group email? MFP communiques? Challenge thread) to check in daily. I know. I know. Sounds a bit much. But the reality is that unless it is daily for everyone on board it tends to fall away as a commitment. Of course, life gets busy and crazy and we have vacations and sick kids and hard work days but, to the extent it is possible, checking in is imperative to this particular challenge.

I know this works and am so excited to get started with those of you along for the journey until summer. (We can put in a second challenge: maintainence phase for 6 months?) after completing this one if we want. Please let me know the best way for you to find stead here and how you feel about means for keeping check ins current. I will post the way to check in next.

LF in Colorado, USA

bmfitz41 · December 2017

bmfitz41 Sounds like a good way to stay motivated...I'm in !!!

SweetSvelte2017 · December 2017

Is there room for one more?

laurafresh · December 2017

Always room for more. I will officially close the challenge on Wednesday to give time for others and those already chiming in with interest to decide if they are wanting to commit here or elsewhere. I generally think about ten is good based on my experience with doing this previously and folks do often show up at first ready then taper off so want to have enough 'alternates' to ensure a solid group of us through to summer goals!

GabbyB121677 · December 2017

I’m in!

JessG0 · December 2017

I'm in. I've got 35 lbs to go, my purpose for wanting to lose weight is to have a fresh new body for my new life that will happen after summer ends. My son will graduate and my daughter will be married in June. I'll move closer to work(55 minute commute). I want to have a healthy lifestyle in place, before I'm alone and become a couch potato hermit out of default. I need this!
I used to take ballet and dance on point when I was a teenager. But, years have passed and weights been gained. I'm glad you're focused on such goals!

abcrrandrews · December 2017

I'm in. More than ready for a healthier 2018.

d16262 · December 2017

I’m interested too!!! Just made it through Christmas without eating everything in site. I’m ready for the New Year.

tasha_rose · December 2017

Very interested. Have 15kg to lose

hkerkow0894 · December 2017

Interested! On my way to losing 50 pounds as of today.

Melis6510 · December 2017

I’m interested! Thanks for starting this!

chris_in_cal · December 2017

Great, 25 lbs/6 months is just right for me. I'm hoping to start running more easily again. Also, my yoga practice becomes a lot more challenging with my spare tire hanging around. Dropping 25 will be a big help.

alteredsteve175 · December 2017

namaste622 wrote: »

What are some of your own goals, and why, for those of you joining me are here now?

Started a serious weight loss program in March 2017. Weighed 250 - target weight 175. Have lost 45 so far. Taking a two week diet break right now - aiming for maintenance from 205 to 210. Will restart the calorie restriction around January 5th. Want to lose that last 20-30 pounds and then move to maintenance.

Basics: Do folks have fitbits? MFP on mobiles to help track? Drink lots of water? Certain dietary restrictions? Goals already achieved or some ones to name OUT LOUD?

Have MFP on my phone and laptop. I check in throughout the day. I appreciate the support I have gotten here and hope to provide some for others.

samuel860 · December 2017

Hi I'm so in... Happily married with a new born is the best recipe to gain 25 lb of whatever you call this thing on my belly now LOL, super motivated

samuel860 · December 2017

I can build a google doc to share with everyone...

JencyK · December 2017

Hi, I would like to join the group as well. I found out after my yearly doctor’s visit that I had gained 12lbs. I would like to lose 20lbs. And I want to start tomorrow onwards. My first step was to start monitoring what I ate through My fitness pal. This worked for me last time I was trying to lose weight. I also have a Fitbit and can start using it if everyone is planning to use it too.