8 week weight loss challenge

245

Replies

  • SweetPeaPal
    SweetPeaPal Posts: 15 Member
    In 2018 I was in fairly good shape. I got lazy, broke my shoulder, was drinking more, etc... I slowly gained 38 lbs. I saw Christmas pictures of myself and decided to get into the best shape of my life.

    Photos can be a brutal a great trigger for the "Screw It factor" (the point where you say "Screw this, time to make a change"). I was in the same boat, had my shoulder replaced in Nov 18 and sat around getting lazy while rehabbing it. I can keep making excuses for why it will take a long time to regain my strength or I can start now and move forward.

  • SweetPeaPal
    SweetPeaPal Posts: 15 Member
    mcmbesada wrote: »
    I know what I have to do, but suggestions are welcomed

    What are you doing, e.g. for nutrition, training, etc.? How are you tracking progress, e.g. scale (how often), photos, etc.?
  • SweetPeaPal
    SweetPeaPal Posts: 15 Member
    edited January 2020
    The importance as photos for tracking your progress. Most people use the scale to track how they're doing with their health/training/physique goals but it can be shite as feedback. The scale will tell you how much you lost/gained but not what (water, fat, muscle, glycogen, bodily waste, etc.). Still use the scale, just don't rely on it.

    A much better source of feedback are photos. Take them every every couple of weeks. Not saying you have to post them, just have them handy to compare how your body is responding to your nutrition and training programs. They're invaluable because you won't see the daily, gradual changes in your body composition. Here's an article I read a while ago about the importance of photos for feedback:
    Most of the time it happens by accident. A camera comes out at a party or family event and starts snapping away. Later, you see the photos and wonder who that fat guy is in the tight shirt.

    About .08 seconds later you realize that fat person is you.

    The human mind has a large capacity for self-deception and ego-protection. Cameras don't. And while you often hear "the mirror is the best physique evaluation tool," the camera is even better... and more unforgiving.

    If you're serious about this physique augmentation thing, you're going to have to do the dirty deed: get a camera, don't flex or pose, and take a few pics from the front, side and back, maybe a couple while training.

    This could very well be a painful experience, which is exactly why you need to do it. Nothing gets you back on task like the unsuspecting uppercut of reality.

    Most weight trainers see what they want to see in the mirror, whether they're aware of it or not. Beware the mirror of the mind. Take the psychological blinders off and really evaluate yourself, both physically and mentally. Photos accomplish both tasks nicely.

    So ask yourself, "Am I just dicking around with my goal of having a muscular, hard body or am I serious?" If you're serious, you'll get out the digital cameral, web cam, or 35mm and start taking pics. You'll do it shamelessly and you won't try to manipulate the lighting or posing to comfort your poor wittle ego.

    Don't wait unit your cousin shows you the pics he took at Christmas, the ones that make you wonder who that fat (or puny or skinny-fat or whatever) guy or gal is. Conduct your own reality check. You may be a "before" even if your mind tells you you're an "after."

    Don't sweat it too much though. This photo record may be initially painful but it can also be hugely rewarding. Since we look at ourselves daily in the mirror, it's often tough to note slow and steady progress, especially for experienced lifters who are long over their rapid "newbie gains." The photos will light your way, and you'll likely be very pleased when you look back at last year's pics.

    The camera — cruel, horrible, relentless *kitten* that it is — will set things straight. Do it.
  • SweetPeaPal
    SweetPeaPal Posts: 15 Member
    losnmymind wrote: »
    I've been "stuck" for several months now. Maybe this will help...

    SW = 235
    GW = 135

    1/22 = 177.6

    What are you doing for nutrition and training? Are you tracking your calories/macros?
  • SweetPeaPal
    SweetPeaPal Posts: 15 Member
    Q: What's the best workout?
    A: The one you will actually do. ;)

    What are folks here doing for training/activity? If your goal is fat loss (different from weight loss) then training isn't created equal. Some types of training are far superior to others but if you're not going to do it then it doesn't matter. Start with finding what works for you and go from there.

    Mine:
    • Weightlifting 3-4x per week. This is my primary driver for fat loss and cardio (along with a dozen other health benefits. Friend: What do you do to work out? Me: I lift weights. Friend: What do you do for cardio? Me: I lift weights faster. :p
    • 20-min HIIT session on the bike on non-lifting days
    • I play pickleball several times/week, almost every day in the summer. Tons of fun and great way to burn some extra calories. <3
  • GVTGigi
    GVTGigi Posts: 5 Member
    Good Morning - i would love to join this challenge
    SW - 119
    CW - 116
    GW - 105
  • rlucas1100
    rlucas1100 Posts: 1 Member
    I’d like to join 🙋🏻‍♀️
    SW: 212
    CW: 186
    GW: 145
  • treebd
    treebd Posts: 5 Member
    Hi, my name is Linda. Got my blood sugar down this morning.. happy me! I couldn’t be more happy! 🎈 It’s my whole reason for dieting. (It’s not perfect but I’m showing great progress.)
  • icky1613
    icky1613 Posts: 1 Member
    I'm in I just started a few days ago

    SW: 162
    GW: 145

    1/20: 162
    1/27
    2/3
    2/10
    2/17
    2/24
    3/2
    3/9
    2/16
  • holli1ch
    holli1ch Posts: 673 Member
    GW 150

    1-01 = 218
    1-08 = 212
    1-15 = 209
    1-22 = 207
  • addokai
    addokai Posts: 68 Member

    I'm in. Feel free to add me

    CW - 91kg
    GW - 84kg

    1/22-91kg
    1/27
    2/3
    2/10
    2/17
    2/24
    3/2
    3/9
    3/16

  • zumbalinda22
    zumbalinda22 Posts: 182 Member
    Thank you for the birthday wishes! Had a lovely day! Saved up some calories for a couple of splurges, so hopefully won't go far off track!
  • TwinMomma2019
    TwinMomma2019 Posts: 408 Member
    I'm in!

    Starting weight -173.3
    Goal weight -157.3

    1/20 -173.3
    1/27
    2/3
    2/10
    2/17
    2/24
    3/2
    3/9
    3/16
  • brucetroopmom
    brucetroopmom Posts: 4 Member
    I found your challenge at the perfect time! I signed up for a 10 wk Biggest Loser Challenge at work this week but due to lack of participation, they cancelled it. So now I can join your challenge... YEAH!
    CW: 199
    GW: 139

    1/21: 199
    1/28:
    2/4:
    2/11:
    2/18:
    2/25:
    3/3:
    3/10:
    3/17:
  • nesetm
    nesetm Posts: 20 Member
    This is awesome!! Thank you all for joining me!!!
  • nesetm
    nesetm Posts: 20 Member
    I'm in !!!
    I actually started on Jan 3rd and called my project "Operation 75" for 75 days til my Mexico vacation LOL
    I have been weighing in daily, counting and logging all intake, using fitbit to gauge my daily burn for my set deficit. I also am following the Body Beast Lean calendar.

    Your challenge is perfect timing for me :) and our stats are similar too !

    Highest weight: 225
    SW (Jan3rd) 185.4
    CW (Jan 20th) 176.2
    GW (March 18th) 158

    1/20-176.2
    1/27
    2/3
    2/10
    2/17
    2/24
    3/2
    3/9
    3/16

    Feel free to add me as a friend to keep each other accountable :)

    Thank you!! Sounds great!!
  • SweetPeaPal
    SweetPeaPal Posts: 15 Member
    nesetm wrote: »
    This is awesome!! Thank you all for joining me!!!

    Thanks for having us! :)

  • rodnichols69
    rodnichols69 Posts: 83 Member
    What did everyone do today? For me it was weight training and a 3 mile run (well...ran, then jogged, then walked a little)
  • nesetm
    nesetm Posts: 20 Member
    I went to the gym. I didn't have much time but I squeezed it in😊 also took my daughter to the milkshake factory and I DIDNT order anything!! It was not easy!! Good luck to you all!!
  • holli1ch
    holli1ch Posts: 673 Member
    nesetm wrote: »
    I went to the gym. I didn't have much time but I squeezed it in😊 also took my daughter to the milkshake factory and I DIDNT order anything!! It was not easy!! Good luck to you all!!

    I agree that would not be easy. When I go places like that I always have a glass or bottle of water with me.
  • holli1ch
    holli1ch Posts: 673 Member
    Logged my food
    Stayed under my calorie goal
    Did not eat after 6 pm
    On treadmill 52 minutes = 312 calories burned (this is my first week of exercising)
  • zumbalinda22
    zumbalinda22 Posts: 182 Member
    nesetm wrote: »
    I went to the gym. I didn't have much time but I squeezed it in😊 also took my daughter to the milkshake factory and I DIDNT order anything!! It was not easy!! Good luck to you all!!

    Good job on squeezing in gym time, and great willpower to stand up to milkshakes!! You - 1, Milkshakes - 0!! Not easy! :)
  • rodnichols69
    rodnichols69 Posts: 83 Member
    nesetm wrote: »
    I went to the gym. I didn't have much time but I squeezed it in😊 also took my daughter to the milkshake factory and I DIDNT order anything!! It was not easy!! Good luck to you all!!

    That's a major task. Milkshakes are my kryptonite.
  • rodnichols69
    rodnichols69 Posts: 83 Member
    shonat11 wrote: »
    Hi, If it's not too late I'd like to join you.
    I'm 51 and usually very active (I love zumba, step, aerobics etc) but am finding it hard to exercise at the moment. It's really cold here (France) and I just feel like hibernating.
    Hopefully I'll be able to get and give some motivation with this challenge....
    SW 205
    CW 198.5
    GW 145
    Good luck to everyone 😊

    Welcome and good luck!
  • sunshinedaydream21
    sunshinedaydream21 Posts: 62 Member
    I’m in!! I need the motivation.

    SW: 172
    CW: 171
    GW: 150

    1/20-171
    1/27
    2/3
    2/10
    2/17
    2/24
    3/2
    3/9
    3/16
  • scrapbookingtm
    scrapbookingtm Posts: 1,916 Member
    Did 40 min on my rowing machine and some stretching.
  • ggilmartin
    ggilmartin Posts: 1 Member
    I’m in! I started 1/6/20.
    SW-190.3
    CW- 183.3
    GW-145
  • treebd
    treebd Posts: 5 Member
    I have been on MyFitnessPal for 10 years, so I figured it was time to update my photo. I can’t believe how much I’ve aged. Jeez! Oh well. I’m just super glad to say I’m down today!!! That’s what really matters.