Hello Team Slimsons and Welcome to January!!

My name is Ashley @AB0215 I will be your captain for this month.

Here's a little about me:
I am 32, and I have been overweight basically my entire life and in the last 18 months or so, I decided to change that, I have been working towards that goal for the past year. I'm down about 73 lbs and I still have a way to go, and I just recommitted to my goal. Let's do this!

Please feel free to introduce yourselves and share your goals for the month, I'd actually like to encourage this as I know that for me it helps me to have some accountability and helps me reach my goals when I share them..and with that in mind, my goal this month is to lose 5 pounds. I've been training for an Olympic Style Weight lifting competition and that was just in November, did okay, now I have some things to work on before my next one!

We are also going to be running (Optional) Mini-challenges again this month: Question of the Week and Daily Posts

First and foremost is that participation in these challenges is optional. It's up to you as to whether you want to try this. If you don't want to participate in these challenges, you don't have to, the choice is yours, but I would like to encourage you to participate as it seems to help keep us on track and thinking about our goals on a daily basis and it's encouraging to see other's successes and struggles so that we realize that we are not alone!!

The Daily Posts 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.

#1. Track EVERYTHING you eat that has calories.
#2. Stay inside your allocated daily budget.
#3. Try to 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)
#4. 1 pass day permitted per week (went over calories, could not track, not enough exercise, intentional pass)
#5. Check in daily (tracking yes/no, calories yes/no, exercise yes/no).

****End of the week. those who have managed to keep to plan for 6 out of 7 days are recognized in the thread as being part of the weekly "Winners Circle".

A side note as there has been a bit of confusion for new members in the past, this is not the same as the official results, which are weight based, this is just another tool to help you reach your weight loss goals.

**REMEMBER**
You set your own daily budget.
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 10 mile run, activity is activity, anything that gets you up and moving!).
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. Remember, this is a judgement free zone, everyone has good days and bad days, but the way to get to the finish line is by being honest and when we have a bad day, picking ourselves up and carrying on the next day!

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.

Your posts should look like this:
Daily Post (Sunday/Date)

Track: Yes/no
Calories: Yes/no (were you under)
Exercise: Yes/no (what type and how long)
Goals/Day/Comments: (Tell us a brief description about your how your day went or your goals for the day)

The Question of the Week Challenge is a fun participation booster and we will be using it sometimes just as fun and sometimes it can help to foster new ideas for others as we all are different and have different experiences so sharing ideas can help someone else with motivation of freshening up their routine even!! Keep on the lookout for these questions.[/color]

Please post your weight on your scheduled weigh in day, as if you miss weigh-ins, you may be eliminated from the challenge and we don't want to see that happen!!

Your posts should look like this:
Username:
Week: November Week 1
PW =(previous weight)
CW=(current weight)
Just type PW & CW if you'd like (or if it's easier, you could keep a note on your PC desktop to make it easier to copy and paste from week to week.)

Please, please setup your posts in that format as it really makes it much easier for me to track your progress for the challenges and the weight loss!!

I'd like to help us be as successful as possible and if I can help in any way, please let me know. Also, if you have any suggestions for the team or fun ideas to spice things up a bit, please feel free to share them, I look for new ways to help engagement and keep people motivated!!

I am committed to this group and to help where I can, and please let me know if I can help in any way!!
Side note--I follow a Ketogenic diet for any that may be interested, I have tons of recipes and resources for anyone interested.

Welcome to January and let's make things happen this month together!!

Your Captain,
Ashley (@AB0215)

gemwolf110 wrote: »

Hi! I’m Missy and I’m a reoccurring member of this group! 2018 was an alright year but glad 2019 is here and praying that it will be better. Goals are to get healthy in all areas of my life.

SW: 221.5
CW: 210.3
Goal for 2019: Under 160
Overall Goal: Under 120

@gemwolf110 Welcome back Missy, you got this!

losing_it_2013 wrote: »

Hello, my name is Tina. I've struggled with my weight since I had kids. I had a great start in 2018 and lost 30 lbs in the first four months. I maintained over the summer but it started creeping back on in October, and now with Christmas I'm up 10 lbs, something I promised myself I would never do again. So this group is exactly what I need, I love the accountability, and look forward to following you all on your journeys also. My goal is to lose 40 lbs. Let's do this!

@losing_it_2013 Welcome Tina!! That's a great goal and it will take time, don't be discouraged if it takes you a bit, you have to remember, you didn't gain it all at once, and you won't lose it all at once

I used to never think that these groups would help me, and looking at me now, I'm a believer, and it keeps me going. I'm a year and a half into my journey and some days are still better than others, but I will get there and WE can do this together! Just remember, it's important to be honest with yourself, whether things are going good or not so good and no one here is going to judge you if you struggle, we're all in the same boat..

SaletaS wrote: »

I suppose I’ll post my stats!

Starting weight (12/23): 215
Current weight (12/23): 215
Goal Weight: 140

I weigh in tomorrow and I’m so nervous to see what the scale says!

@SaletaS Don't be afraid, it's really just feedback, it lets you know how you're doing on your goal and where you might need to make adjustments!

tdrjustus3 wrote: »

Hello all. My name is Theresa. I am 50 years old, a wife, mother and I work full time. Now that my children are young adults I am starting to focus on me a bit more. I had a slight medical scare in November due to my weight ( pre diabetic) so I decided to make some changes. I got serious about my change on Dec 1 and have made quite a bit of progress. Slow and steady wins the race. I have been a member of MFP for a few years and have had the best success being accountable. So I’m back. My goal is to drop 80 lbs in 2019 with a final goal of 130 lbs lost.
At the recommendation of my doctor I have started following the Keto lifestyle. Looking forward to getting some recipes and advice/guidance from @AB0215. Thanks all. #gettingfitin2019

@tdrjustus3 Welcome Theresa! It's important to take time for yourself. It's a lesson I've had to learn the hard way and while I don't have kids, I do have a husband (who I swear is like a toddler sometimes) and furkids (cats) and a 4 year old niece who spends the night here frequently (she loves her cool "Aunt Ashwee") and I do work 2 jobs and weight train for 1-2 hours a day 4-6 days a week (this last one IS for me, but can be time consuming), so I get how hard it can be to take the time for yourself, and it's not selfish, it's necessary. You can't help others and take care of others if you don't take care of yourself!
I was right there with you, on the pre-diabetic front, which is really what snapped me into finally getting in shape.
I'm really glad that doctors out there are finally starting to jump on the Keto bandwagon and ignore the "food pyramid" and "guidelines" set by "government" because the sad truth is that those guidelines were set by asking for the food industry's input and they have much to gain by getting people to buy their products...they don't have our best interests at heart. Keto is more along the lines of what our ancestors would have ate, whole, unprocessed foods, that contain fats, which our body needs to survive and thrive. Our ancestors did not make bread and process wheat in any way like we do today... And while I don't like it for myself, paleo can be another great way of eating because it also focuses on whole, unprocessed foods. As for keto though, I have SOOOO many recipes and whatnot, if you ever want something different, let me know! I have an arsenal! I also have keto thanksgiving at my house every year so it can be done, you can get through the holidays, eat treats and still stay on plan!

https://www.copymethat.com/recipebox/ab0215/890440/?search=keto
Here's a link to my keto recipes, and if you create an account there you can just copy any of my recipes...it's quick and easy and you can tag things to find easier later and also use this to create shopping lists and meal plans, it's a pretty neat site.

rawrxamberx wrote: »

Hi everyone !! My name is amber. I am 27 years old and I live in Michigan. I’ve struggled hard this year with losing weight cuz I’d give up on trying. With the new year , I’m gonna change that! I need to stop giving up on myself. Back in 2013 , I lost about 80 pounds in a year. I know I can do it! I’ve proven it. This past month I lost about 7 pounds but then Christmas came and I gave in to all the junk! I need to start somewhere so this time I’m putting my foot down! If anyone wants to add me , feel free

My weigh in days are Saturday.
I’m starting at 319.6 !
(As of 12/29)
I’m ready to kill this month

@rawrxamberx Welcome Amber! Definitely don't give up on yourself. You ARE worth it! And the only thing that's stopping you is you. Don't give in to the junk, eat to fuel your body, and your goals and you will be surprised at how much easier it is to reach your goals when you start changing the way you think about food and your goals. You got this!

Also, I'm not sure if anyone would be interested in this, but I like to "bet" on myself and win while I'm losing, helps with added incentive and it's individual based (or you can do team challenges if you want).
I've already won twice and it's pretty motivating! You can use a smart phone and a friend (or mirror) to create a video to verify your weight, or you can use a healthcare professional (personal trainer, doctor, etc) and a form if you prefer, and I've done it both ways at this point.

If you're interested, you can get an additional $40 added to your winnings if you use my referral link by January 5.
https://hwage.co/60204/