Need to Lose 100 LBS -Robins Thread !

@mnwalkingqueen Glad to see the exercise you are getting. I hope things start working out with your mom.
@skinnyjeanzbound - first, what a cool sign-in name - I know you'll make it to those skinny jeans. I take a cheat day every now and then too - and it seems when I do I drop some weight - weird, huh! Guess it's just my body adjusting. Looks like you're doing a great job! It's encouraging.
@melodiousmermaid - you are doing phenomenal - wow - well done.

There has to be some story behind our user names - I would love to hear yours. I'll share mine first.

When I was dating my husband and meeting his family and learning about him, I learned he used to pick on his niece (and sisters) all the time. We were visiting his sister's and his niece (9 years old) was running by as she was playing but stopped to "greet us" by saying (to me) in a "sweet voice" - Hi Sweetie Pie and to my husband, Tim, (in a not so sweet voice) - "Hi Gross Head Tim" and to this day my husband and I sign our cards and such as Sweetie Pie and GHT

Have a great day all. Diane

Saturday Check In:
I have went for a walk 6 of the 7 days this week. My eating is still bad but I am trying.... in all honesty not super hard on the food. Focused on the exercise and getting back into a routine.

@mnwalkingqueen We're about 3.5 hours SE of you -- due to get 4-5 inches by forecast. I used to live in Bloomington and remember the epic Halloween Blizzard of '91 (though I was youngish at the time). Stay safe and warm!

@mnwalkingqueen I hear ya. Ours wasn't the full-heavy type, but decent moisture density, guessing about 4", but is pretty drifty, so not totally sure. Got lucky this time as we were early in the street plowing rotation. I'm also lucky because there are two guys and my sister who I can count on for help in the snow clearing department. And my daughter if I twist her arm.

Ugh. Freezing drizzle on tomorrow night's forecast. THAT is what I hate most about winter... Well, that and those Canadian cold bursts.

@sweeetypie1 Just realized I never replied to your username query. I had a different name at first, but wanted to change to something less "vanilla." At that time, I was focusing on aquatic workouts due to back, etc., and I'm also a very part-time musician/vocalist, thus melodious mermaid was derived. Not much of a mermaid anymore, but might give real swimming a try after losing a bunch of my built-in "resistance" (not to mention wait until I'm at a stable swimsuit size so I don't drive the family broke in the process of losing weight).

In other news, baseline goals are a bust this week, as I forgot to plan ahead yesterday, and frankly don't have the energy tonight. Threw a few things in for tomorrow for protein's sake, but going to see how the day goes (not to mention, I have no idea what will be served for lunch). Dealing with feet issues again and now knee issues. I think I need to try focusing on rowing more going forward, as proper form in that makes the muscles sore, but I have yet to have increased pain complaints from my joints following a workout. I plan to not walk at all tomorrow due to slick surfaces outdoors, altered gym hours that don't work with my family's plans, and the overwhelming pain I'm dealing with. I do, however, plan to go to another location that's a 24-hour facility and row. We'll see if that plan lasts through 5 am tomorrow. LOL

Happy Thanksgiving, all.

@sweeetypie1 -- It's funny. I chose that user name about 55 lbs ago when i was wearing size 16-18 pants, and my "skinny jeans" were a size 14. Now 14 is my norm, and the 12s taking up room in my dresser are my "skinny jeans." My current goal is to lose the 10 lbs that are preventing me from wearing them. I guess it's all relative, right? LOL

@holly--sorry winter came for you guys -- I also dislike the snow and cold. I've got about 10-12 years until I can retire and hope to retire in the Caribbean or some equally warm climate.

@MelodiousMermaid -- great job continuing to meet and set goals. I've been slacking a bit with both nutrition and exercise, and I know it's because of my failure to set any concrete goals for November. The one goal I set--to run twice while in Baltimore--I met, so there's evidence that goal-setting works.

AFM--Hi everyone!! Wow, feels like I haven't posted in forever even though it's only been 2 weeks. Baltimore was really great. We had a lot of fun and attended some very informative conference sessions. Got to see George Takei--he delivered our keynote address to promote his latest book--which was exciting. I've been a trekkie my whole life, and I love to follow George on social media as well.

I didn't bother logging food while away--I ate a lot of delicious seafood! But I also tried to make decent choices and we got A LOT of steps in every day. In addition, I packed two workout outfits and used them both to run in the hotel's exercise facility.

I got home last Sunday evening and didn't run again until the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. I did as well as I'd hoped, pacing at about a 12 minute mile. Thanksgiving dinner was at a restaurant which prevented the usual overindulgence of the holiday meal. The restaurant food was fine, but it wasn't nearly as delicious as a homemade turkey dinner. However, because I was in Baltimore and the rest of my family was in MI attending my aunt's memorial service, there's was really no way any of us could pull off hosting the holiday.

I've been logging since my return, but I wasn't really watching my carbs as much as before Baltimore. Today was the first day I was seriously back on the keto-light wagon. I was a little nervous about stepping on the scale, but when I finally weighed myself yesterday, I saw there was no harm done. My goal now is to stick to the lower carbs until Christmas dinner.

I know I should set a workout goal, but I truly feel like I'm just in survival mode until Winter Break. I'm going to try to get a gym visit in one day this week, but I have so much grading. Plus, a friend and colleague lost her son Saturday. He had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy--only 21 years old which is the average life expectancy. The memorial will be this Thursday, and even though the recent losses of my aunt and friend's mother have been sad, this one is going to be extremely rough. I have no idea what to even say to my friend--everything just seems so hollow.

Sorry to end my post on such a downer. I hope everyone has a good week.

Name: Karen
Age: 50
Height: 5’7"
Highest Weight: 247
Current Weight: 196 (7/6/19)

8/31/19 = 194
9/7/19 = 196
9/14/19 = 196
9/22/19 = 196
9/28/19 = 195
10/4/19 = 196
10/12/19 = 196
10/19/19 = 194
10/26/19 = 192
11/2/19 = 191
11/9/19 = 191
11/16/19 = 191
11/23/19 = no weigh in (out of town)
11/30/19 = 191

I walked for an hour so far this week. Eating is still not great but I am moving. Also just found out my job was saved company did lay offs that I was not aware were happening. My job was eliminated but they laid off temp workers and moved my team to that department. Just glad I have a job.

Saturday check-in

I was right on the money in last week's post. There was only about 0.9 change before I became stuck for the week AND got my water retention hiking up my number on Wednesday. Have managed to go down a bit thanks to not lifting on Thursday (picked up whatever illness is going around and got sick Wednesday night). Unfortunately, this also caused me to take a miss on my protein and exercise baseline goals. Everything else was on plan for all the goals.

In conversing with someone, I have decided to back the protein back down to 1g/target pound. The revised target is a lot overambitious, IMO, at 130 pounds, but that is in the upper range of the normal BMI, so I'll just see how things ride. When I leave the obese classification/reach 35% body fat (whichever comes first), I plan to up it to 1.25g/target pound, then when I reach healthy BMI or 25% body fat (whichever comes first), I plan to increase to either 1.4 or 1.5g/target. It sounds like a lot, but I think that's the best chance for supporting my weightlifting and maintaining/increasing my lean body mass (muscle/bone density) as I continue.

Regarding the diary, I think I've built the habit and am in a routine enough that I do not need to have it as a specific goal, so that is now removed, but will come back if need be.

Finally, I'm shifting my goal percentage to 21%, as I found a continuum that gives athletic/fitness/average, and 21% is the threshold between athletic and fitness.

My baseline goals:
1) At least 130 g protein intake each day.
2) Complete walking and/or rowing a total of 30+ minutes 6 days a week.

Gold Goals:
1) Complete Stronglifts 5x5 workouts at least 2 times per week (ideally 3).
2) Walk a total of between 20-30 intentional miles per week, allowing at least one day of rest (0-2 miles).
3) Complete at least 2 hours on the Concept 2 per week.

My Stats:
5'1" Female
Restarting weight: 252
MFP restart weight: 242.7
Original goal weight: 140
Current goal: 21% body fat (currently estimated at 144 lbs).

09/14/19: 240.7
09/21/19: 238.8
09/28/19: 234.6
10/05/19: 230.8
10/12/19: 231.0
10/19/19: 226.9
10/26/19: 223.8
11/01/19: 219.6
11/09/19: 215.6
11/16/19: 212.7
11/23/19: 209.2
11/30/19: 203.9
12/07/19: 201.3

@mnwalkingqueen Good on you for staying honest and accountable, regardless of how you feel. It was good to hear from you. Hopefully you'll soon get to a point where you can set a small goal for yourself to begin working from. Also good news on the job -- I'd be so shocked if I was in your place.

@LAT1963 I also go in smaller bits, as a 100+ lb journey is arduous and long indeed. I've got mostly 5/10 lb benchmarks, but a few other points too, such as BMI/bodyfat special points.

Saturday check-in

ONEDERLAND. FINALLY.

All goals met.

I'm holding some serious water weight at this point. I suppose it makes sense for both the reasons of cycle point and the fact that my body's under extra stress this week from running things strong, but GAH it drives me nuts. Primary things keeping me sane at this point (other than continuously reminding myself to trust the numbers): weight trending app and 7-day rolling average. Neither has yet to go upward or totally flatline since I started in September.

It's getting to be a fair struggle to stay "on program". Some days are easier than others, but I'm starting to have to really fight the crave monster that comes with the later part of the cycle as well. So far I've managed, but it's getting to be a thing. I've pre-planned the refeed I'm going to be doing on the evening of the 23rd (and trust me, it's going to be great!), then I'll be into maintenance eating for 6 days. Actually, I plan to go over by about 200 calories against MFP's calculations, just to be sure I'm at least at maintenance since I'm going to be estimating several points of the break. It's not going to be wild and crazy, but it will be a relief to be eating more and to also scale back to a "base" exercise regimen.

Following the break, I am going to try switching to Leangains for eating protocol. My strength training has hit a brick wall lately. I need to either change the training or change the fuel, and this is what I've come up with. I'm hopeful that this will take care of fueling the fire while allowing me to continue decently strong success.

My baseline goals:
1) At least 130 g protein intake each day.
2) Complete walking and/or rowing a total of 30+ minutes 6 days a week.

Gold Goals:
1) Complete Stronglifts 5x5 workouts at least 2 times per week (ideally 3).
2) Walk a total of 20+ intentional miles/week, no more than 6/day. At least one day of rest (0-2 miles).
3) Complete at least 3 hours on the Concept 2 rower per week.

My Stats:
5'1" Female
Restarting weight: 252
MFP restart weight: 242.7
Original goal weight: 140
Current goal: 21% body fat (currently estimated at 141 lbs).

09/14/19: 240.7
09/21/19: 238.8
09/28/19: 234.6
10/05/19: 230.8
10/12/19: 231.0
10/19/19: 226.9
10/26/19: 223.8
11/01/19: 219.6
11/09/19: 215.6
11/16/19: 212.7
11/23/19: 209.2
11/30/19: 203.9
12/07/19: 201.3
12/17/19: 199.7

@mnwalkingqueen That sounds like a really cold, but kinda neat experience. I really, really dislike cold stuff, especially now. I appreciate the visual beauty winter brings (both natural and things such as the ice palace), oddly also enjoy curling (but there's no wind and inside is readily accessible), but yeah, don't dig winter otherwise.

Saturday check-in

Water retention. Public enemy #1 right now, IMO. Somewhere between 6-8 pounds, by my calculations (not sure if maybe I've gained some muscle, but there's no way THAT much is muscle). I'm not sure if I'll see my total fat loss weight before I refeed and go on maintenance break. It's really frustrating, but I guess it's not the end of the world.

All goals were met this last week. In addition to being a maintenance week, I am going to give my body a bit of rest after Monday. For this week only, I am going to intentionally take a pass on goal 2 for gold. I intend to get a half hour in on rowing each day minus perhaps Christmas, and I will do one strength training session on Thursday (Monday is the other one to make the 2 minimum). If I end up going out with friends or something, I might get a bit more in to "bump up the budget" on whatever day, but in general I intend to take it easy. Technically, my baseline for protein at maintenance would be 110 grams/day, but I will probably play it higher to be conservative.

To be honest, I am both looking forward to and simultaneously dreading the maintenance period. Being "on program" allows me to know what's going in for certain and also locks out a lot of foods/situations that are triggers for me. There will be a few unavoidable trigger situations during this period, but that is also partially why I chose this timing, as it really bites not being able to partake of many things and watching everyone else eat them. I'm hoping to have the inner strength to say no to things that are bad triggers while loosening up a bit and enjoying a broader variety and a bit more volume of food.

Another thing I'm dreading is estimating intake in the situations I don't have all the information for. I want to try and be at maintenance levels, but don't want to underestimate and lose a bit of ground. I am going to aim about 100 over MFP estimated needs to offset this a bit, since 700 calories (one week at 100 over) is only 1/5 of a pound of fat. I don't know... I've got anxiety up the wazoo about this.

I'm adding in a non-exercise (though MFP does calculate for it), non-food goal in hopes that if nothing else, it'll distract me a bit. I've been an off and on musician since I left college (more off than on), but perhaps getting back into playing will help in some way.

My baseline goals:
1) At least 130 g protein/day.
2) Complete walking and/or rowing a total of 30+ minutes/day, 6 days/week.
3) Practice an instrument for at least 30 minutes/day, 6 days/week.

Gold Goals:
1) Complete Stronglifts 5x5 workouts at least 2 times per week (ideally 3).
2) Walk a total of 20+ intentional miles/week, no more than 6/day. At least one day of rest (0-2 miles).
3) Complete at least 3 hours on the Concept 2 rower per week.

My Stats:
5'1" Female
Restarting weight: 252
MFP restart weight: 242.7
Original goal weight: 140
Current goal: 21% body fat (currently estimated at 141 lbs).

09/14/19: 240.7
09/21/19: 238.8
09/28/19: 234.6
10/05/19: 230.8
10/12/19: 231.0
10/19/19: 226.9
10/26/19: 223.8
11/01/19: 219.6
11/09/19: 215.6
11/16/19: 212.7
11/23/19: 209.2
11/30/19: 203.9
12/07/19: 201.3
12/17/19: 199.7
12/21/19: 196.7

@MelodioiusMermaid - happy to see you hit onederland! Congratulations.