Women 200lb+, Let's Jump-Start This January!!!

BrownSugar174 · January 2020

@danipatt1216 I know you can do it! Keep pushing!!

BrownSugar174 · January 2020

@bluffgirl67 I AM SO PROUD OF YOU RIGHT NOW! Between you and @danipatt1216 I’m jumping for joy!

When I started doing the elliptical machine in January of this year, I felt like I was gonna die not joke. I started with an incline on 3 and the resistance on 3. I committed to working my way up 1 level on each month.

Now I keep my incline at 12 and start my resistance on 13.
From 60 to 50 minutes 13
From 50 to 40 minutes 14
From 40 to 30 minutes 15
From 30 to 20 minutes 16
From 20 to 10 minutes 17
From 10 to 0 minutes 18

I work to keep my heart rate between 140-150 (but no higher than 165) and maintain the same pace throughout...not about speed but heart rate. It my heart rate goes above 165 I back off a bit.

When I do 30 minutes on Saturdays after squats I start at 13 resistance and up it one every 10 minutes.

You can do this! This machine has been the best low impact cardiovascular endurance training for me.

speyerj · January 2020

@Terytha, I'm feeling that way too. I should have a new lease on life cause new year's resolutions and all that, but the carbs keep calling to me. I also had a bad day yesterday in terms of food and exercise and this morning has been a struggle to stay on track. But I need to remember how far I have come and believe I can stay on track. I It's up to me to set myself up for success.

@egrow1, I hear you too. Loving how you look at any size is important. But if you aren't loving how you feel that's a different matter. I love that you included "finding ways to feel beautiful now" in your monthly goals. We should all follow your example.

@bluffgirl67 and @BrownSugar174 - great job on elliptical! You too are so inspiring!

torih941 · January 2020

My house is making brownies right now. Fingers crossed I can resist. Sweets are a complete weakness for me, especially when they’re easily accessible. I’m hoping to just have an average sized piece as “dessert” after dinner and call it good. Will that actually happen? I’m not sure haha, but I really hope it does.

@brownsugar174, that’s amazing progression go you!

@bluffgirl67, yay! Being able to accomplish those goals we set for ourselves off the scale is always a great feeling.

@egrow1, echoing @speyerj’s thoughts, I agree with loving the way you worded it. One of my 2020 goals is to work on adapting the mindset you have. Just working out because I want to feel stronger and see what my body can accomplish.

@speyerj, it’s hard when we fall in those rough patches, but you can do this. We are all here to support you.

twailawiley · January 2020

Hi everybody! Let's do this!
Jan SW 283
Ht: 5'10"
Weekly Goals:
1. Log every food that I put in my mouth x 7
2. Ride stationary bike to increase right knee flexibilty x 5
3. Post/reply to forum on MFP x 3
4. By Feb start walking daily with goal to get up to a mile without foot/knee pain.
5. Eat vegetables every day x 7
(I am not good at this!)
6. Plan meals for the week.
***Make friends on MFP willing to share their easy recipes & meal plans for working moms!!!
*** Anybody want to share???
7. Plan & make lunches to take to work daily.
8. Drink more water & less diet coke
Goals:
Jan GW 273
Feb GW. 263
Mar GW 253
Apr GW 243
May GW 238
Jun GW 233
Jul GW 228
Aug GW 225
Sept GW 220
Oct GW 215
Nov GW 210
Dec GW 205

Terytha · January 2020

So, I've lost 70 lbs since I started. Just for fun, tried to lift 70 lbs at the gym last night.

Couldn't. It's too heavy.

It's sort of mind blowing, like I can't even lift this, how was I just walking around like it was no big deal with this on me all the time?

Now I understand why Weight Watchers used to make people carry around turkeys after losing 20 lbs. Kinda puts things in perspective.

LovePammie · January 2020

Vacation set me back a little. I spent the majority of 2019 under 200 pounds... but from Thanksgiving to December 31... I gained around 13 pounds ... I signed up for a weight loss challenge through my gym. Today I did 1 hour on the treadmill.

AlexandraFindsHerself1971 · January 2020

@torihudson6 : I understand about sweets! We eat sweets pretty regularly because if I can have a cookie on occasion my eating disorder thinks we're not on a diet, we're just eating easier, and then I don't binge.

The way I deal with a pan of brownies is to exert willpower while it's cooling. (Don't be hungry at that point. It's easier to handle, "Oh, that would be a tasty addition!" as opposed to "But I'm STARVING!") Once it cools, I cut it and package it up for the freezer. There are three of us, so I would put three brownies in a stack, separated with squares of wax paper, and wrap that in foil and label it. That would go in the freezer. Immediately. I'd only leave out the ones slated for dessert that evening. What you don't see, your appetite doesn't crave. And that way when you look at your calories and say, "Yes, we could have cookies tonight!" you get out just enough in the package, and there's no extra singing to you from the kitchen. I say this as someone who absolutely has my own cooking sing to me.

Tarzan37 · January 2020

Feeling a lot better mentally today - it's sunny and nice out which has helped. Went to a meetup with my pup which involved an hour walk around a lake with a view of the Rocky Mountains in the distance with other pups and their owners. It was wonderful.

I was reading a bit about "January Blues" and it's a real thing related to day-lengths still being very short and the holidays being over. The article recommended focusing more on self-care to deal with this long and often dreary month. I've decided to use a couple of personal days this month to give myself two 3 day weekends. I will devote these to doing things that make me happy and lift my mood. Listening to music while reading a good book, seeing a movie, taking my pup to meetups, maybe going to a lodge in the mountains one weekend... thinking about what I'll do and planning it out has already helped. I will also try to incorporate some of these things into each day, although it's tougher to do during the work week.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

BrownSugar174 · January 2020

So we have a few big trips coming up over the next few months. In March we are heading to New Orleans! I can not wait for the Beignets from Cafe Du Monde! I would love to be in the 220's before our trip (229 LOL!). Then the big trip! Our daughters graduation on the National Mall in Washington, DC! I'd like to be in the 2-teens (219 LOL!). We were in DC in August and I was able to walk the entire loop from the Lincoln Memorial to the Library of Congress and back!

KeriA · January 2020

@RavenStCloud glad you have exercise buddies
@fluffyja100 hope you get healed from the surgery well and soon
@Ming1951 it make sense to set small steps and achieve them, I am 66. I have knee issues too.

Well it was a short work week and it was very quiet at the office. However it isn't quieting down at home yet. Some family is still in town and have continuing get-togethers. Went to Aquafit this morning and one lifeguard hadn't shown up so we waited 30 minutes but luckily there weren't any kids swim lessons started yet and we were able to get our whole class in anyway. We even walked around the pool some while waiting.

I am keeping the weight down but not losing yet. I started doing a little meal planning for the next week.

I will do some food/exercise tracking now.

sharpdust · January 2020

@danipatt1216 Congratulations, that is amazing!

@egrow1 that is such a great mentality to have! We all have different reasons for wanting to shed the weight, and comfort is definitely one of mine as well. How do you like Noom?

@bluffgirl67 I love how you keep challenging yourself, way to go! No excuses

@torihudson6 Resisting sweets can be so tough! Wish you strength is resisting temptation

@theleadmare thats a great way of dealing with the issue of surplus. I have a vacuum sealer I use frequently to save food but also to prevent me from eating it lol

@BrownSugar174 nothing like some trips in the future to motivate you to stay on track! Those beignets from Cafe du Monde are amazing, the food in NOLA in general is fantastic. How exciting!

I have had a good Saturday, got errands done and now watching football. I’ve logged my foods, am going to be a little over I can tell, but I’ve been true to my logging so I feel good about that. I’m excited to weigh in on Wednesday, I have been weighing in informally and its going down 😁. Family party later, no booze for me so I feel like I’ll be able to stick to my planned foods. Hope you all have a good one!

AlexandraFindsHerself1971 · January 2020

I'm really looking forward to starting exercise next week. The meals are going well, so I think I can "pick up another card" and fold in time at the gym. I have to start slow though because I have exercise intolerance. This means that if I work out til I'm gasping and barely able to walk, I'll stay that way the rest of the day and barely be able to move the following day. Yeah, not fun. So what I will do is start doing weight work and do juuuust enough that I feel it a little in the muscles, and then stop, go home, go about my day, and do the same the next day, until my body's used to it. I know from experience I have to take about eight to ten days before I level up either in reps or poundage. But I can do that. I've done it before.

MsDollyDimple · January 2020

I did it! I weighed. I’m up 2lb from the Christmas splurge. Keeping my goals small.

So moving forward
1) logging meticulously every day.
2) 8 glasses of water a day.
3) exercise twice this week.

bluffgirl67 · January 2020

@Aerohead21 Self control is difficult esp when you have to keep snacks for family in the house. When my son was small (he's 29 now) not eating extra of things like pudding cups was hard for me too. At that time I just ate whatever whenever so haven't had to deal with keeping temptations in the house while trying to lose. Now I just don't buy my trigger foods and thankfully hubby doesn't want the same snacks I do. But with little ones in the family I know you can't do that. I'm sure with time and tips from others who have to face those daily temptations you can find a way to overcome it. (hugs)

@danipatt1216 Yay!! So proud of you for hitting onederland. You are doing great on getting to your honeymoon goal.

@torihudson6 Baking snacks is a huge temptation for me too. You can keep it down to one small piece. Plan it, log it, eat it, and most of all enjoy it.

@BrownSugar174 Thanks for your encouragement. I always think about how you kill it on your elliptical and that inspires me to want to do more. My elliptical doesn't have an incline feature but I'm looking forward to upping resistance. I need more staying power in my life if I'm going to achieve my goal of having more adventures without huffing and puffing. Mmm those beignets are divine! I have no doubt you will reach both of your trip goals.

@twailawiley Welcome. You seem to have a great plan in place to reach your goals. I don't have any recipes to share as my meals are simple and probably boring to everyone.

@Terytha You have done a wonderful job on dropping 70lbs. Trying to lift your loss is a great way to look at it from a different angle. Our bodies are truly amazing. Now I'm going to have visions of how many turkeys I've lost when I step on the scale lol.

@LovePammie Very nice treadmill session. I think the holidays were hard for most of us. That's all in the rear view now and wide open road is ahead. We just have to keep it between the lines and move on down it. You've got that challenge.

@theleadmare Great idea for dealing with baked snacks. I've just been avoiding making any because they sing to me too esp chocolate chip cookies. I hadn't thought about portioning out some for the freezer. Congrats on adding in a new tool with the exercise. I started slow also (less than 5m on elliptical) so understand the need for easing into.

@Tarzan37 Glad you are feeling better. Taking the extra time and doing things that bring you joy is a wonderful way to combat the blues. Life gets so hectic and stressful and we often forget to take care of ourselves until a breakdown starts in. Trying to do something for yourself each day will be a great mental boost. Enjoy your long weekends.

@KeriA Maintaining over gaining is still a win. Once things settle and you can back into your routine I'm sure you will start losing again.

@sharpdust Thanks. I can't remember if I congratulated you on hitting your hike goal or not. So just in case...Huge Congrats for doing that. I knew you would get it done!!

@MsDollyDimple You've faced the holiday scale. Now you can get to work on meeting goals and losing the gain. You've got this.

Yesterday was a good day even if it was one meal and a snack. Hubby and I had lunch at a local place. I ate lasagna and garlic toast but stayed under for the day. Then we went to the movies and watched Star Wars..yeah we are nerds. First time we had been to the movies in a long time. We both like chilling in the recliners and streaming much better but some thing like SW are theater watches for us. Today is yoga/strength day plus need to catch up on laundry from taking a holiday break. Can't be running around in my birthday suit.

AlexandraFindsHerself1971 · January 2020

@bluffgirl67: I have successfully frozen chocolate chip cookies, specifically, for years. In fact, I have some in the freezer now! I have also frozen brownies, lemon bars, and Rice Krispie treats successfully, as well as fudge. (Sugar-free fudge is doable and fits macros. We keep it around.)

orangequilt · January 2020

it's great to read everyone's comments, so inspiring to see all the commitment and hard work. I'm off to try a new yoga studio around the corner, hope it's not full of teenage skinny minnies looking like pretzels!!!

aliciap0116 · January 2020

Hi everyone, sorry I have been quiet. Our big kids are in town until tomorrow and we have been overloaded with family activities! But I have read every post and am so excited to see so many new faces so much activity. You all inspire me so much!!

Still tracking but have not done really well so far this January but I will be back on board on Monday. My main non scale victory was seeing Star Wars yesterday and limiting myself to about 1 cup of movie popcorn (truly a victory; @bluffgirl67 I always knew we were kindred spirits). Today we are doing family photos. I am so self conscious about photos but so happy to have my whole crew here and the ability to capture this holiday. Hugs to everyone!

finngirl61 · January 2020

Hi all, your posts are so inspiring! My current weight is 270. I have a long way to go, but hope to track my food and signed up for an aqua yoga class. I'm older-68-and have a bad knee, which is one reason to shed the weight. My problem is staying motivated. Have lots of anxiety due to some marriage problems which I hope will get better. Any motivation suggestions?

aliciap0116 · January 2020

@finngirl61 I would take “before” photos and measurements (neck, bust, waist, upper and lower arms, upper and lower legs). Then redo each month. Once you start tracking and exercising it is very motivating to see progress on and off the scale. And then set interim goals/rewards to look forward to. Also consider getting an activity tracker to measure your activity. I’ve also tried to make a game out of tracking food and activity; it makes it more fun for me. And check in here every day and post when you have questions/comments. This group and the positive support system it provides has been so key for me!

HurleyHurley · January 2020

Happy Sunday, everyone. Popped on the thread for some inspiration as today is a really REALLY unmotivated kind of day for me.

Today's a great day for a jog down the trail! (otherwise known as, "I really don't want to...come on Hurley, get off your behind and do your exercise.") The boys are going to join me on the trail today. It's above freezing and most of the snow has dissipated. It's time for a knightly adventure. The boys are more stoked than me.

I know once we're out there it won't be so bad. (*whispers* I don't want to, though.)

Alright, saddle up! We're going.

finngirl61 · January 2020

Thanks for your reply and suggestions! I like the idea of taking pictures. (Sort of-with clothes on?)But I will do that. I wear a Fitbit, so should make that work for me, other than just steps. I am trying to incorporate more protein in my meals vs carbs. And am starting a journal, not just with weight goals, but other feelings, goals. etc. I think it will help. Thank you!!! I don't feel so alone with my struggles. ❤

Tarzan37 · January 2020

I don't have an activity tracker but have been thinking about getting one. What type would you all recommend?

Toria718 · January 2020

Tarzan37 wrote: »

I don't have an activity tracker but have been thinking about getting one. What type would you all recommend?

I have the fitbit charge 2. I love it...besides not being able to go in water while swimming. It wasn't overly expensive and should be even less so with the charge 3 out. When this hits the can I am getting the charge 3.

speyerj · January 2020

I had to switch to the FitBit Charge 3 when my Charge 2 died. The Charge 3 can be used while swimming but the interval timer that was on the Charge 2 went away.

I would recommend any FitBit with a heart rate monitor. FitBit syncs with MFP so you don't have to log exercise and your calorie allotment goes up with your activity. Word to the wise though, don't eat all your exercise calories! For me anyway, I think they give me more than I actually burn, so I usually eat about half of them.

LilPetesMama · January 2020

CW: 245
GW: 170 (pre-babies)

Gaining 25 lbs since my Mom's death in August has put quite a damper on my wardrobe choices. Not to mention my emotional status.

I am the highest weight I have ever been, excluding from pregnancy.

So starting every Monday I am going to post a weight check in photo to make myself accountable. I'm not overly concerned if the weight doesn't move every week, just that it will provide a mental checkin that I need to eat healthier and workout more.

Could use some motivational friends.

Tarzan37 · January 2020

Thanks @danipatt1216 and @speyerj - that's cool that it will sync with MFP! I will look into these and hopefully get one very soon. Will keep in mind the over-estimate of calorie burn as well. Thanks!

@LilPetesMama I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your mom. Sending you hugs and a friend request.

Momeri1113 · January 2020

Hello all!

I bookmarked this discussion a few days ago but never posted anything yet.

My name is Erica, 26, and 265.4 pounds. Tomorrow I'm starting keto and I'm excited to lose all of this weight as healthy and quickly as possible though I know it may take 2 to 3 years to reach my goal depending on how my body reacts.

My goals are to stick to keto and my macros, drink at least 100 oz of water each day, get up and get more active and to show my son how to have a healthy relationship with food. He is only 14 months old so I want to change my bad habits before he has a real chance of picking up on them.

Good luck everyone! Also, if anyone here does keto or is looking to start, we have a new group going called "Keto After Christmas".

KeriA · January 2020

@bluffgirl167 I am glad we don’t see too many movies in the theatre. We went to one our youngest wanted to go to lately and it didn’t help getting back to our healthy eating habits. Hope you did better than we did with SW. I had a lot of time at home yet I feel like I am falling behind with things too. We cleaned a lot to have family over and even cleaned the kitchen thoroughly afterwards but there are more things piling up.

@theleadmare hope exercise this week goes well

@MsDollyDimple simple but good goals

@shardust I still have a family party next weekend. Sort of looking forward to things settling down so I can hopefully make some progress

@aliciap0116 enjoy your time with family. I agree – logging and posting my exercise helps motivate me too.

@finngirl61 I am 66 with a bad knee and about your weight. I am determined to get past the 4-5 llbs I keep losing and get into the 250s. Take care of yourself during these marriage difficulties.

I am just checking in again today since I am not sure how this next week will be relative to letting me have time for posting. My youngest is starting a new quarter at college and we usually drop her off at the bus transit center so she has only 1 bus to school. We pick her up on the way home. She is a senior so we only have one more quarter of this to go.

We are trying to plan the meals to get through the week without going out but it will be hard getting back in a schedule again after a weekend with 2 family/friend events. Hope we all have a great week.

HurleyHurley · January 2020

We survived our adventure to echo castle, my little knights and their chargers protected us and we saw an honest to goodness archer on the trail (someone with a compound bow heading down the trail and into the woods). NSV - I could outrun my boys in a 50 ft sprint today, which wowed them so that made me feel good that they pooped out before me. "I didn't know you could run fast!" Momma's full of surprises, my boys.

Oh, and I now have an indent in my leg when I flex my calves and my ankles are appearing. What?!? Sweet. Was able to run the full 1.5 miles again today (2nd time ever) and at an average heart rate 5 or so beats above the last. That felt great. My cardio system is definitely improving as the run wasn't as difficult today.

It actually was a gorgeous day out. The trail was mostly covered with an inch of soft snow, I had to pick around ice patches, and running in soggy snow was a little harder work than running on a dry trail, but the woods were so pretty and the snow softened the sounds. Peaceful.

The first half was my run out to echo castle, then a rest while the boys hooted and sang, then brisk walk back with sprints in the regions where bare ground was visible.

Phew. Not bad for a 46 year old gal with a less than ideal right knee and carrying around an extra 150 pounds. I'm proud of this workout today (from my Polar A370 monitor, feedback in deference to the recent discussion of activity monitors - works well for me, rated for swimming, syncs to MFP, like the display and slimmish design), finally able to hit the red zone briefly and kept my HR during the running portion around 150 (I struggle with getting my HR up, it is stubborn, I feel like I am working so hard, but it's hanging out laughing at me in the 130s.)

Image of the trail and my valiant knights scouting up ahead:

Women 200lb+, Let's Jump-Start This January!!!

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