Women 200lb+, Let's Double Down This December!!!

@mmdeveau Thank you for sharing the article. It resonates with me very much. I'm the type who puts everyone else first and ends up being depleted with nothing left to give. Then breaking down because I'm just bone tired from it all. That along with the long held feeling from childhood of not being good enough is what got me here. I'm learning to make the effort for things that are good for me both mentally and physically. We are all worthy and can be the person who lies deep in our soul.

@Terytha Thank you also. Reading his journey was heartbreaking in the beginning. The end though was a wonderful surprise. I think it ties in beautifully with mmdeveau's article. Self care and working to become the person within are keys to being successful in our own weight loss journeys.

@RavenStCloud Take care of yourself and settling in. Do the best you can with what is available and know it is all temporary until you get things set up.

Think I see a trend above ladies.

@Oonagh, Your plan to start with just a couple of goals is a good one. I also have been tripped up by all or nothing thinking where I tried to do everything all at once. I was tired, sore, hungry, felt deprived - it made me want to quit. When I have been successful at weight loss, I tackled one important thing at a time. Once I felt I had that down (usually about a month), I tackled another. Logging your food everyday is probably the most important thing you can do to reach your goals. After a good solid month of that, add another good habit, master that and add another. Examples might be: drinking more water, increasing your steps, doing strength training, eating more fiber, eating more protein, getting more sleep just to name a few. The important thing is that each new habit you add should be one you can live with. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Best of luck to you on your journey!

Hi everyone!! So many new and familiar names! Welcome!

Just got back today from my never ending trip! Ugh...lots of ups and downs...will post more about it tomorrow when I weigh in for December.

I tried to catch up with all the posts I missed in November and already in this December thread...very active and positive results and advice!

I wish I could have been more active during my trip. I occasionally had time to read the posts...but my phone isnt the greatest for posting or replying to anything.

Anywho...will post my SW and goals tomorrow!!

Thanks @speyerj thanks for the encouragement! Definitely going to be taking it slowly for now.

@hobbitses333 rum and eggnog sounds delicious, hopefully sort of worth the hangover! December is surely the toughest month to lose weight so holding steady seems pretty reasonable.

Welcome back @sweetirish! - Wishing you success with the IVF!

Stress busters:

• I take lots of "clarity breaks" at work where I just walk outside for 5 minutes. I call it my Zen walk. It helps be transition between blocks of work, problem solve, or shake off a difficult interaction. But sometimes, I just let my mind go blank and wander.
• The app "Calm" provides quick 5 minute guided meditations that can reduce stress hormones.
• One thing that has really helped me is actively working on "assuming good intentions" in others. I actually posted a sticky note on my computer to remind me. When I find that I am getting upset or stressed out by what others are saying or doing, I look at that note and actively rethink the interaction with a different perspective. It is self protective. If you believe that others are acting with good intentions, you don't get stressed out by their behaviors. It allows you to emotionally distance yourself from toxicity.

Hi All!

Got on the scale this morning for the first time in 10 days! I did not have access to a scale when I was on my trip. I gained a couple pounds while I was gone, but overall I am happy with how it went. I know some of it is water weight and I will be posting my goals today along with SW and then weigh in on Fridays. Hopefully some of the water weight comes off by Friday.

A little bit about my trip...I changed my daily goal during the trip to maintenance calories. I averaged about 400 under most of the days, but I had a couple days where I went over them. I logged everyday but one...but still logged in everyday and read posts etc. My goal was to exercise everyday but unfortunately I did not. 4 of the days were driving and little to no exercise those days, but I did walk for 3 of the other days. For some reason my gear fit isn't linking to MFP...working on fixing that. I tried to plan the drive and did well with snacks and food while driving. If we did stop to eat, I ate grilled whatever at the fast food places. Still not the greatest, but I drove 2200 miles up and back and also was on a strict budget. Water consumption was not that great either. I think that was a big contributor of me gaining some pounds. Dinner was always pizza, stromboli, cheesesteaks...ugh...very difficult but did my best to eat in moderation. I already know myself and once I get a taste of something I can't stop and that happened a few times, but I also was able to control myself other times. And then 2 thanksgiving meals...again, I am ok with how I handled it...I have some work to do on this for the future and maintaining a healthy lifestyle once I hit my goal.

My goals for December are as follows:

SW: 276.6
November start weight - 253.2
November end weight - 251.4
December SW - 254.2
December goal weight - 249.2
UGW - 160.00

I have some weekly goals I would like to accomplish as well.

1. Increase water intake to 96 oz. a day
2. Exercise 3 days a week
3. Journal every night/meditation in the morning to release anxiety

On another note...SO proud of everyone and how they are doing! This thread is so inspirational and motivating. I learned a lot on this trip about myself and some internal issues, but the suggestions, successes and resources are helping as well!

Here's to a great December! Let's do this!

@Oonagh I had a similar epiphany at the doctor's when I stood on the scale. I remember feeling helpless and ashamed. But then I decided to do something about it. @speyerj 's advice is great! Slow and steady, sometimes we put too much on ourselves which sets us up for failure. I think your goals are great. Honestly just logging your food will be eye opening and you will make better choices. Good luck

@torihudson6 Hey you got a plan! Life is gonna keep throwing things at us, so all we can do is plan. Hope the week isn't too stressful and that you are able to ward off temptation, but if you do eat out, order something more on the healthy side. I find that when I eat out I want the fattiest, tastiest thing on the menu. Trying to change that about myself and order food that fits into my lifestyle instead.

@sweetirish I was also a compulsive weigher once. I became obsessed with the scale and would skip meals to try and get that magic number.It was very stressful. Now I officially weigh in once a week (Fridays this month). As far as stress busters, a short walk or mediation session help me out. Hikes especially have helped me regulate my stress.

I did hike #36 yesterday! 16 to go. I got an after school meeting today so no hike because it will be too dark by then BUT I am making my return to the gym. I have not been since August so I have my backpack with my clothes, shoes, my lock for the locker, water, etc. I planned out my hikes (weather permitting) for the rest of the month and visually seeing it is motivating because it is so attainable.

I ate pretty good last night but did have a donut to end it (I logged it). That gave me some regret but otherwise was a great day.

@Oonagh Finding balance is going to be the key to long term success. @Speyerj is on point with the advice. Along with the logging choose something that will be easiest for you to incorporate. Then work up to adding in the most difficult. You can do it with patience and consistency.

@torihudson6 Definitely get a tape measure. Seeing the inches drop is a great NSV when the scales aren't moving much.

@sweetirish When I'm feeling stressed I close my eyes, take some breaths, and do some neck/shoulder stretches and rolls. Turn on some music that makes you happy.

@mmccloy12 You did great with such a long trip and all the special meals. Making better food choices, exercising most of the days, and best of all learning more about yourself are things to celebrate.

@sharpdust I hope your doughnut last night was better than the Krispy Kreme I had the other day. It just wasn't as good as I remembered and I'm wondering if the recipe changed in the last few years. Congrats on getting back to the gym. Look how far you've already come with your hike goal. I know you can accomplish it! Seven more hikes and it will be down to single digits. 🥾

I'm in a few days late but just saw this today. Last month I decided to stay off the scale for 2 weeks, count and log macros and calories, and try to stay within a range that should have resulted in weight loss. However, after a few outings and Thanksgiving meals I ended up being 2 lbs higher than when I started. UGH!
My goals are:
1. weigh in only 1 time a week.
2. log calories and macros every day from here on out through December
3. monitor calories burned using Fitbit and compare CI/CO
4. Work out every day (even if it's only for 5 minutes)
Start weight (2010) 249
December start weight: 227
December goal weight: 222
Ultimate Goal weight: 165
I'm looking forward to getting to know you all and hope I can be supportive and learn from others here.

Long story short, Im here. And i have a long journey ahead.
SW - 283 (as of yesterday)

Ive joined this thread as it seems to be quite motivational for everyone.

My goal is simply to not gain weight over christmas. Should be easy but christmas would usually be my excuse to indulge (even more than i normally do). Not this time. I will calorie count every day. Every meal. Every snack. This should help me in my goal. As long as im at a deficit each day, it doesnt matter what ive eaten or if ive exercised. Just. Count. Calories. Bring on this month.

Chezzleh wrote: »

Long story short, Im here. And i have a long journey ahead.
SW - 283 (as of yesterday)

Ive joined this thread as it seems to be quite motivational for everyone.

My goal is simply to not gain weight over christmas. Should be easy but christmas would usually be my excuse to indulge (even more than i normally do). Not this time. I will calorie count every day. Every meal. Every snack. This should help me in my goal. As long as im at a deficit each day, it doesnt matter what ive eaten or if ive exercised. Just. Count. Calories. Bring on this month.

I'm right there with you! My starting weight (just last week) was right about 10 pounds more than you. Actually managed to lose 6 pounds over Thanksgiving week. It can be done if you're mindful. Don't deprive yourself, just don't overindulge.
We are strong and we can do this. And we are stronger together!

Hi everyone, I've been so busy running around with work and family life that I haven't been exercising much or making the best food choices (restaurants). The scale is up a little bit but I am going to have a good few days before I weigh in on Friday- there is still time. Today is the first day in quite a few that I am back to a regular routine. I plan to celebrate by exercising! I will get a jog in and some strength training. I've also got all my food planned out, which helps, and I'm having lots of fruits and veggies today.

I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts, especially the ones about self-care from the previous page. Seems like many of us are in a similar place after Thanksgiving festivities. Self care for me is a lot about being gentle to myself when I slip up on my health goals. Berating myself doesn't help, and I need to remember that life is short and enjoying friends and family is important this time of year, even if it means I have a slice of cheesecake here, and a glass of wine there, in the process. Moderation can be accomplished, even during the holidays.

We can do this! Have a great day everyone.

I've already stress-eaten a cupcake and some lindors and now I've reminded myself that chocolate eases the pain from anxiety and I just want to eat more and it's like. Why is chocolate actually crack for me sometimes?

I'm so scared.
I'm so afraid I've let everyone down.
I don't want to lose my job.

I know it's probably not THAT bad but god, I'm just so messed up right now. My stomach hurts.