jan110144 wrote: »

Hi Everyone ...

I have volunteered to be the 'fitness motivator' for our group. Not exactly sure what that means, but I'm pretty sure that it does NOT mean "drill sergeant"

To get started, I would like to hear from all of you. I have two questions for you ...

1. What role does fitness currently play in your efforts to lose weight/establish a lifestyle change?

2. What could I do in my role of "fitness motivator" that would be helpful for the group?

Great questions.
1. Fitness is a daily duty/pleasure/obligation that has come to produce a lot of great feelings, both physical and emotional. It took a long time to be able to really make it a lifestyle change, even though I had always been generally active. As I age, I have learned that strength helps remove pain (often completely, always quite effectively), and that physical effort elevates my mood and helps calm me down. I'm a pretty intense person, and since I started working out more methodically it seems I am more relaxed to be around!
2. I know that having a bad day or more, either for diet or exercise, can almost instantly make it hard to get back on track. It is hard to come into a group like this and report that I am not doing well, but it is also the best thing to help get back on track more quickly. Encouraging the team to come on this chat page and just talk about how things are going, good or bad, would really make a difference for everyone. And we'd get to know each other more, which I think would be enjoyable.
3. Sometimes the drill sargeant is hilarious and motivating in a good way!

Reminder!
late weigh-ins - it's the final week, so this also becomes your starting weight for February. Please get them in, thanks!

@cccallahan
@MoStacy

jan110144 wrote: »

Hi Everyone ...

I have volunteered to be the 'fitness motivator' for our group. Not exactly sure what that means, but I'm pretty sure that it does NOT mean "drill sergeant"

To get started, I would like to hear from all of you. I have two questions for you ...

1. What role does fitness currently play in your efforts to lose weight/establish a lifestyle change?

2. What could I do in my role of "fitness motivator" that would be helpful for the group?

I thought it was only appropriate to answer the first question myself.

What role does fitness currently play in your efforts to lose weight/establish a lifestyle change?

In my case, increasing fitness was as big a motivator in starting this lifestyle change as losing weight. I am fortunate (from an exercise perspective) that riding my horse is a passion for me ... and also a great source of exercise. I ride dressage competitively (as an adult amateur). As I have moved into the upper levels, I discovered that I did not have the much needed core strength and aerobic fitness that I was going to need. Unfortunately, just riding is not enough ... so it was time to up my game in terms of off-horse exercise. The first month or so on the journey, I just focused on getting the food right. Then, I added the rowing machine to my exercise schedule. In November I added doing weights 3 days a week. Finally, in December I added pool exercises (primarily for range of motion) on the 'recovery' days after weights.

This past week, I reached goal (just short of 50 pounds in 6 months) In looking back over the progress, I realized that I really never had a plateau (I think a week with no loss was as long as I went) and averaged 1.7 pounds per month. While making the exercise changes was not about weight, I can't help but wonder if adding the additional elements over the months helped to avoid the dreaded plateau?

Going forward ... I will not be changing my exercise schedule much. I keep increasing the weights at the gym and intensity on the rowing machine. In February, I will be adding planks (Yikes!), a few balance exercises and more stretching.

Two benefits I have discovered from the exercise are definitely improved sleep and pretty much the elimination of mindless eating and binging (stress/emotional eating anyon??!). Also, at 74 I am feeling better than I have in decades and have not taken any anti-inflammatory or pain medication in months. Needless to say, this has been a wonderful experience for me and I am committed to remaining vigilant to protect it as I move into maintenance.

micki48 wrote: »

jugar wrote: »

It is almost FEBRUARY! The days are getting longer, there is more time for stepping, right?

We need to make sure to enter 12 team members for the steps challenge for next month. Who is still in? Who wants in? Who wants out? Let me know!

current team:

@Astrue
@AmyHammons1
@BMcC9
@Offitgoes
@sue_01
@kkmark
@GettingFitTash
@mari_moulin
@evangsimmons170
@Andreabroadley
@Miki48

Not everyone has kept tracking all the way through, so we are going to need more team members who will commit to the month (a nice short one!) of tracking steps every day.

I am in. I know I don't walk as much in winter, and I wish there was a way to count every step in snowshoes as at least double, but I want to do this.

Let's try to beat those fanatics in Team WeightNoMore! Heck, let's try to get out of last place!

I’m in for February. I am still trying to get the hang of this. First, my name is wrong on your list. It’s Micki48. Also I don’t get an accurate account of my steps because I just use my phone steps and it is not on me constantly. Does that matter? Also should I log steps every day or once a week? And by which day?

I’ll try to increase my steps in February. Weather has not cooperated this month.

Thanks for the update and glad you're in the team for February - it is indeed a challenge. I usually walk a ton, but with all the snow and the extreme cold, it has certainly been a challenge. Keep your phone on you all the time and pace while you're on the phone? It sort of helps... and yes, the steps get entered each day. You can post a summary of a few days at a time, any day you want - as long as the last one is in directly so we can win!!!

I'll correct your name on the spreadsheet - somehow it was c-less.

micki48 wrote: »

Thought for sure I posted my weight on Saturday with my other two comments. Don’t know if it’s too late. I was getting a lot of those “something went wrong” messages. Here it is for all its worth.

Starting Weight : 217.7
Weigh-in day: Saturday
Week 4

Previous Week: 213.6
Current Week : 213.3

POSTED. and ready to go for February! Great job in January - and the days are getting longer.

Andreabroadley wrote: »

I’m in the hospital.. maybe a blood clot in lungs, maybe kidney stones.. I’m out of stepping challenge for now.

Oh no Andrea I am so sad to hear this. Im so sorry youve been going through so much. Dont stress about the step challege just get yourself better. I hope its nothing too too serious and that your doctors can quikly get you on the mend. Sending healing vibes your way.

See y'all on the flip side .... here's a rainbow bridge to get you to the February Thread !

BMcC9
Jan wk 5 (Fridays)
PW 143.1
CW 142.0

Smart_Beautiful_and_Strong
Week 5
Friday
PW: 332.4
CW: 332