TEAM: Gutbusters (October)

AB0215
Posts: 7,448 Member
Welcome to the Challenge new and returning teammates!! This is the conversation/weigh in thread for your Team
Keep on losing because our first weigh ins begin THIS Sunday! I am here for you should you need anything - simply message me or tag me by putting an '@' just before my username (NO SPACES) and I will get to you asap! ~ Ashley @AB0215 or Craig @craigo3154 .

0
Replies
-
Hi, I thought I'd introduce myself, my name is mariam, I am a mother to 6 children my youngest being 8 weeks old, after having a csection and gaining weight (more after the pregnancy than during) I really want to lose as much as I can so I can feel better in myself, my goal is to altogether lose between 40/50 lbs but aim to lose 14 lbs during this challenge, anyway that's me can't wait meet u all xx4
-
Hello, new and returning Gutbusters!
I'm Les, 39, a mom of 2, a wife of 1, and currently wearing the Gutbuster captain's hat.
I joined this group in May. I was 212.2 at my Gutbuster starting weight on April 23 (that was already down about 3 from where I started). Here's my progress at the end of each round of Gutbusters:- May Week 4 - 203.2
- June Week 5 - 191.8
- July Week 4 - 183.5
- August Week 5 - 174.5
- September Week 4 - 168
My goal is about 145-148. I'd like to be at 23% body fat just to see what that's like, and I think I'd be there in about 20 lbs, barring any loss of muscle.
If anyone had told me I would be so successful at weight loss this time around, I would never have believed them. I had a few motivations (health-scares) to push me along, but I honestly believe this group has been a big part of my success, and I hope that you find it helpful, too.
Vent here, ask for help here, celebrate here -- whatever you need to help you succeed, I hope we can give it!
Here's to October, Gutbusters!!!
6 -
Hello I was on here when biggest loser started. Since then I've had a second child and been on medicine that I gained weight on twice postpartum. I've been very slack trying to lose weight on my own and I know this group always motivated me, so I'm back. I'm 37 years old and my aim is to fit into size 8 aus/UK shorts and/or two size 10 dresses hanging in my cupboard by the end of the month.2
-
Hi all!
I'm Michelle, 37 from Dublin! I am married and am a mother to 5 boys, 17, 15, 13, 4, 2. The 17 and 15 yr olds are my husband's boys from previous, the 13 yr old is mine from previous and the 4 and 2 yr olds are ours... Hope that makes sense!
I have completely put myself last for years meaning I'm now fat and unfit... I had started on mfp last year and had some success, I then had to step away as I was writing a thesis so I had zero time for fitness!
Now the thesis is submitted and I have a deadline of 5th April to lose this weight... It's my graduation ceremony! I am currently 218lbs and my aim is 160-168lbs. I have huge problems not s acking on crap during the day and I need as many people as possible to call me out when I'm eating crap!
Anyway, that's me! Looking forward to a new me!5 -
Hello team Gutbusters.
I will be your coach again for this month (when I can - I travel a bit and cannot always check in). My role here is to help motivate, encourage.
I am also moderator for the TBL challenge (but Ashley ( @AB0215. ) has been doing most of the heavy lifting recently with my work travel commitments being insane). I rely heavily on the support of the team captains to make this successful as it is too much for one person to do alone.
Les (@LesIckaBod.) has done an amazing job last month and is continuing as captain for this month. As team captain, Les' primary role is to also help motivate and encourage the team. The captains secondary role is to keep the weight tracking spreadsheet up to date based on people's poset weigh in's. Les has not only been doing this through September, but lost an impress 3.8% of weight while doing so. Leading from the front.
As coach, I am running an optional mini-challenge within the Gutbusters team again this month.
Now an introduction:
I am a happily married 50yo father of one. I live in Melbourne Australia. I am passionate about helping people. Late August last year I passed my minimum goal weight (70kg - down from 91.5kg) and am now trying to maintain without bouncing back too far. I achieved the reduction in 4 months (so 40+ lbs in 4 months). I have kept the weight off for over 12 months now.
As I am now actively trying to NOT lose weight. At BMI 20.6 and less than 8% body fat, it would be crazy (if not dangerous) for me to try lose more weight.
(Why would someone not losing weight want to help run a weight loss challenge? Because it helps so many people and I feel I have so much to share. I learned so much losing weight that I seems a shame to not have it benefit others.).
About the mini-challenge.
First and foremost is that participation in this challenge is optional. It's up to you as to whether you want to try this. (If you take the attitude that "this is not what I signed up for", that is up to you).
I used the principles of this challenge to win July (6.29% - down 10.8 lbs) and August (6.44% - down 10.4 lbs). Following this challenge does work.
The challenge is based on another challenge on MFP called UAC (ultimate accountability challenge). The way UAC works is that the aim is to follow 5 basic rules.- Track EVERYTHING you eat that has calories on MFP.
- Stay inside your allocated daily budget.
- Do at least 20 minutes of activity a day (anything: walk, run, cycle, swim, gardening, housework, yoga, gym, etc.. As long as it gets you active and off the couch)
- 1 pass day permitted per week (went over calories, could not track, not enough exercise, intentional pass)
- Check in daily (tracking yes/no, calories yes/no, exercise yes/no).
Using this strategy of consistent tracking and minimal exercise I have set a lifestyle plan that should keep me in my target weight range. (has for the last month)
I liked this strategy as:- No dietary restrictions. (fine for vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, paleo, carnivore, etc...)
- Works with whatever strategy you may want to follow. (keto, 5:2, 16:8, atkins, etc..).
- You set your own daily budget (MFP helps with this).
- You choose you own exercise and intensity (no step limit, no exercises you cannot or should not do, 20 mins of gardening counts as much as a 10mile run).
- Is not weight based (as weight fluctuates day by day).
- Can continue beyond weight loss.
Daily check in keeps you in touch with those doing similar. Longer term weight management is hard to do on your own.
It also has frequent resets (as in a circle each week).
It works on an honor system. Being honest with yourself and others is a key to making things work.
Consistency and new habits have been shown the only long term successful way to change weight. We all want the progress made here to last a lifetime.
You will find out more from me as the weeks go on. I have done A LOT of research into weight loss, diets, health and strength. I will happily share what I have learned with the group.
My commitment to this group is to post my daily results for this accountability tracking (and help out where I can).
I also post a daily strength challenge.
The daily strength challenge is additional to the 20 mins exercise in the mini-challenge. It is designed to:- build lean muscle (not bulk).
- be quick (5 mins).
- use no equipment (bodyweight only) and minimal space.
- no impact so gentle on joints.
- cycle through arms, legs and core with enough recovery time to get best results.
).
So welcome October Gutbusters.5 -
September 26
Exercised?: Yes (5km in 38mins - hills)
Calories?: Yes
Tracked?: Yes
Managed to get a walk in before evening phone conference with Spain (again).
Worked from home.
Not much else to report.
Daily Strength challenge
Challenge for September 26 is dips ()
3 sets- First set till the point where you can do no more, wait 2 mins
- Second set of 60% of the number you did in the first set (half, then another 10%), wait 2 mins
- Third set of 50% of the number you did in the first set (half)
1 -
craigo3154 wrote: »September 26
Exercised?: Yes (5km in 38mins - hills)
Calories?: Yes
Tracked?: Yes
Managed to get a walk in before evening phone conference with Spain (again).
Worked from home.
Not much else to report.
Daily Strength challenge
Challenge for September 26 is dips ()
3 sets- First set till the point where you can do no more, wait 2 mins
- Second set of 60% of the number you did in the first set (half, then another 10%), wait 2 mins
- Third set of 50% of the number you did in the first set (half)
Done! Feeling depressed as I managed 10, 6 and 5... I used to 3 sets of 15 with legs extended... I have a long way to go ..2 -
Cross posting from September as I found this interesting enough to expand on.This is an interesting post if anyone is interested. I immediately identified with this woman.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10697701/i-still-have-chronic-obesity-even-a-year-into-maintenance
@Rocknut53. Very interesting. I can see where a lot can identify with this.
From my point of view, obesity is a symptom, not a disease. It's indicating that there is something that is not right either with your eating habits (food choices), or the way your body processes food.
The modern food industry is heavily driven by profit, not the benefit of the consumer. As such, long shelf life foods that are calorie dense and cheap to produce (usually heavily government subsidised) are prolific. When you can make profit from something, you spend money on influencing and advertising to continue to make a profit. Consequently, funded studies, education, government backed food organisations, etc.. have questionable motives.
What can be done?- Teach the people about health, nutrition, macros and how the body processes food. (science based research, reproducible results, method and results published, researched aimed at finding information rather than targeting to prove a hypothesis, ideally NOT interest group funded - a lot of my research was through pub-med and I needed to learn a lot of medical terminology to wade through the data).
- Encourage people to experiment with their diet and activity to find a balance that works for them (not everyone processes the same food in the same way). Any change must be able to be made forever. If the change is too hard, it can never become habit.
Tracking is ESSENTIAL to diet/lifestyle experimentation. Only by tracking can you know what the start point was, what has been changed and what the result is.
Before experimenting, get a medical (blood tests), check to see if you have any known conditions that may be affected by experimentation (hyperthyroidism, type II, reduced liver function, etc...).
Experiment till you find out what works for you.
Once you get the right mix of eating and activity as an easy habit to maintain, weight is MUCH easier to keep in line.
Through experimentation, I found I do not process gluten the way I should (not celiac, just sensitive). Solution for me is to limit gluten where possible.
I see myself as gluten sensitive, not normal with "obese" tendencies.
I also limit snacks so I can have better meals. If I find myself hunting for food between meals, drink something first (water or unsweetened tea) and wait 20 minutes. Often hunger is a sign of dehydration (or boredom). If still wanting food after 20 minutes, find something small, high fat (like nuts) or high protein (dried meat) to snack on as it induces satiety. I carry high fat/protein snacks with me most days when out of the house.
Small changes at a time. Weight management is a long term activity, not just something you do for a month or three.1 -
craigo3154 wrote: »...
Daily Strength challenge
Challenge for September 26 is dips ()
3 sets- First set till the point where you can do no more, wait 2 mins
- Second set of 60% of the number you did in the first set (half, then another 10%), wait 2 mins
- Third set of 50% of the number you did in the first set (half)
Done! Feeling depressed as I managed 10, 6 and 5... I used to 3 sets of 15 with legs extended... I have a long way to go ..
@Sparx_81. I am elated you did the exercise. Dips are one of the hardest.
When not used to them 10, 6 and 5 is a great result. You are where you are now, not what you used to be. It's the old use it or lose it problem. Triceps are not often used for heavy lifting in daily life.
Be proud. You have done well.
Building lean muscle mass is the quickest way to increase metabolism. It also helps you get around in daily life with less aches and pains.2 -
Hi guys this week will be a bit crazy for me. My grandma is in hospital, doing well now. But I will be travelling with children to my parents. I will be without a pram so no exercise, and my parents are unhealthy eaters. I will also be doing my next weighin potentially on a different scale. So not envisaging I will be much help at losing weight this week, sorry!2
-
craigo3154 wrote: »September 26
Exercised?: Yes (5km in 38mins - hills)
Calories?: Yes
Tracked?: Yes
Managed to get a walk in before evening phone conference with Spain (again).
Worked from home.
Not much else to report.
Daily Strength challenge
Challenge for September 26 is dips ()
3 sets- First set till the point where you can do no more, wait 2 mins
- Second set of 60% of the number you did in the first set (half, then another 10%), wait 2 mins
- Third set of 50% of the number you did in the first set (half)
Exercised: no (cant do certain exercises due to having csection 8 weeks ago)
Calories: no, over by 20 😭
Tracked: yes
0 -
Exercise: yes, 30 mins spin class, 20 Mon run (c25k w1d2), few weights
Plus walk to school for drop off and pick up and walked to the gym! :-)
Calories: over allocation - nearly 1800 instead of 1200 but I ate back some of the exercise calories! Still showing a definite of 400 when exercise is included (though I don't trust the exercise calories! )
Tracked: yes!1 -
12Sarah2015 wrote: »Hi guys this week will be a bit crazy for me. My grandma is in hospital, doing well now. But I will be travelling with children to my parents. I will be without a pram so no exercise, and my parents are unhealthy eaters. I will also be doing my next weighin potentially on a different scale. So not envisaging I will be much help at losing weight this week, sorry!
@12Sarah2015 It's tough when family is sick and worried. I'm glad your grandma is doing better, though.
Don't worry about helping the group with losing weight - this week or any week. Winning as a group is fun, but we're all in this weight loss game for our individual success, right?
Instead, focus on something that you can do while you're away, like writing down what you eat. Even if you're not able to accurately track the calories because you're eating home-cooked meals, being conscious of estimating the serving sizes and writing down what you eat will help -- it will help you establish a pattern of tracking that you will rely on when you get home again.
What do you think? Would that be a realistic goal for your time away, or is there a different process-related goal you'd like to focus on?1 -
Spent 25&26
Exercise yes calories yes tracked yes. Exercise was aerobics and walking.
Shopped in my wardrobe today. Found a dress I can wear to work so no need to buy anything.
Yes i think I can focus on smaller portion sizes.0 -
For the 27th
Exercise no
Calories yes
Tracked yes0 -
27th
Exercise: no formal exercise, just walking son to Montessori, so covered approx 7km
Calories: over allocation as I the some exercise calories back
Tracked: yes
0 -
September 28
Exercised?: No
Calories?: No
Tracked?: Yes
Conscious decision to be over today (and not have activity)
Lunch with parent (who I had not seen in 6 months). Home after dark. Large lunch, chicken dinner, but then chocolate to start to build up some reserves for trip to Spain (as running low and was under-prepared for last trip).
Will still make circle as normal day planned for tomorrow, then travelling where I usually get under-fed as well as airport hopping for extra activity.
Daily Strength challenge
Challenge for September 28 is sit-ups or crunches (abs day - be sure to use a mat or towel for cushioning - )
2 sets- First set till the point where you can do no more, wait 2 mins
- Second set of 50% of the number you did in the first set (half)
The reason for only 2 sets for this exercise is that it ideally should be balanced with back strengthening exercises (which plank variants provide).
0 -
September 29
Exercised?: Yes (6km in 46 mins - hills)
Calories?: Yes
Tracked?: Yes
Last forest walk for a while. Flying to Spain tonight for 2 weeks.
My wife made my favourite dinner (roast lamb).
Now to pack for 2:00am taxi ride to airport followed by 24+ hours travel.
Daily Strength challenge
Challenge for September 29 is door frame rows ()
3 sets- First set till the point where you can do no more, wait 2 mins
- Second set of 50% of the number you did in the first set (half)
- Third set
The reason for this exercise is push ups and dips work primarily the triceps (pushing). This exercise balances the others by working the biceps (pulling).0 -
Username: Jojoboxing
Weigh in day: Friday
Starting Weight: today 262.1lb
hopefully i did not miss the cutoff to join.0 -
September 30
Exercised?: Yes
Calories?: Yes
Tracked?: Yes0
This discussion has been closed.