Women 200lb+, Let's Stay Fired Up This February!!!

AlexandraFindsHerself1971 · February 2020

@Tarzan37: Consider, in the short term, getting a memory foam topper for your bed. It's cheaper than getting a new mattress and can add some cushioning where it counts. I'm a hip sleeper too, and I know how that goes. Boyfriend and I will probably need to replace our mattress sooner than later, but we were both large for most of its life, and there are divots where we sleep.

KeriA · February 2020

speyerj wrote: »

I think its important as we progress towards our fitness goals to find a way to be happy now. With who we are. With our imperfect bodies, which will still be very much imperfect even when we hit our goal weight. Losing weight will bring a lot of changes, but it won't bring happiness. That has to come from something else. Self love is part of that. So is self-acceptance.

Love this!

@BrookeLynn18 I like how you are doing this with your husband. I for the most part am doing it with mine as well. He needs to lose some weight but mostly just eat right and get fitter. I need to lose more.

@Emilyestelle1 I am so glad you realized we need to teach our children to love themselves by modelling to them.

@Bella_Figura Thanks for sharing such a great way to look at this.

@AlexandraFindsHerself I like how you are able to find a way to make progress while dealing with different stumbling blocks but you just keep making it happen.

@shardust I think it was progress that you came on here and posted on a challenging day and were honest. Not that you weren’t before but it is easier to communicate the good times. If you can do that you can turn it around the way you want to go.

@Lasmartchika I wish I knew but I do think you should listen to it. Sometimes I ignore the small moans and groans when I start out exercise but when it knows I am going to keep going it shuts up. But the real pains don’t shut up and they mean something. See if you can do some of the moves that may be hurting your left calf differently. Hoe you figure it out.

@Cory17

@Tarzan sorry about your Mom and sister.

@CupcakeCrusoe you are so consistent. But one day with a higher weight and a weekend where you eat a bit more can sometimes help fool your body that is really working against your weight loss. When you get back to the deficit it will go back down. You’ve got this.

Usually the first of the week I start up to my high from the weekend low but Monday was really a weekend day for me and I lost and Tuesday I didn't do the Monday thing of starting up. I stayed the same as my new low for another day. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Some of this has to do with sleep. I usually stay on track food wise and exercisewise. I logged and I came here and checked out how all of you were doing.

Hope we all have a good week.

Tarzan37 · February 2020

I was just doing a bit of research since this is the second month in a row that my period has started about a week before it should. Turns out that changing your eating habits and losing weight can make you start early. Who knew?

CupcakeCrusoe · February 2020

Tarzan37 wrote: »

I was just doing a bit of research since this is the second month in a row that my period has started about a week before it should. Turns out that changing your eating habits and losing weight can make you start early. Who knew?

Speaking of cycle related things!

I've started keeping track of what part of my cycle this water retention happens in, whether it be during ovulation or the luteal phase or during my period itself.

I'm hoping that with a few months under my belt I'll have a somewhat predictable pattern. That would be nice. Meanwhile, for now, ovulation and weight going upward even though I am in a deficit for sure. So we'll see!

PS updated my measurements, and took a picture with all of them:

I take/took: neck, largest part of upper arm, boobs across the nipples, smallest part of waist, largest part of waist, hips in the largest part of butt, thigh at largest part, calves at largest part

Occasionally I'll skip some and just do largest waist, hips across largest part of butt, and boobs across nipples.

Gotta get back to that 160-some though, geez.

aliciap0116 · February 2020

Height: 5'6"
SW: 236.4 (9/8)
1/29: 200.2
1/31: 199.8
2/5: 199.8
2/12: 197.0
2/19: 196.3
2/26:
2/29:
Feb goal: 194

Non-scale goals for February:
Cardio 4 times a week (2 of 4)
Strength 2 times a week (0 of 2)
Water at 96 oz (about 96 oz)
Intermittent fasting 16/8 cycle (6 of 7)
Develop a meal planning system (working on it!)

Good morning, everyone! My body seems to be stuck on this lose a little one week, lose a lot the next week cycle. But a loss is a loss and this little one tipped me over 40 lbs lost! I am now 0.6 lbs away from my halfway point. I am planning a special treat when I reach my final goal. For my half-way treat, I decided I am going to rent a dress from Rent the Runway for a school fundraiser at my son's school on Feb 29.

This past weekend was fun; we went up to the PA mountains to stay with my aunt and uncle. My son and I went skiing; him for the first time, me for the first time in about 12 years! It was so much fun; thanks to all of you who encouraged me when I was nervous.

The long weekend away was a great opportunity to test being out of my "food bubble." I have a fairly standard breakfast and lunch at home during the week. We ended up at a buffet for dinner on Valentines and again Sunday morning. Other than the Godiva white chocolate covered cherry martini I had for dessert on Valentines, I did really well! I completely enjoyed that martini and don't regret it but boy did I have a headache on Saturday morning!! Also, it was good to practice eating with restraint.

For the rest of the month I need to get back on track for exercise. I am finding that I am super tired at the end of the day and it is hard for me to work out after dinner.

aliciap0116 · February 2020

The past week has been busy! I've read every post; just a few notes to say hello this morning!

@brownsugar174 thanks for posing that thought provoking question about when we started loving ourselves and thanks to all who shared. My heart goes out to @bluffgirl67, @mmdevaux, @brownsugar174 and @lbostic89 especially for their responses. I think I have always loved myself but also felt I was not good enough. I can source that feeling to a lot of events/people in my life. But for me, the more profound thing is when I started to demonstrate I love for myself - by choosing myself over other people who were hurting me or not looking out for me. I am getting better at this as I get older for sure. Leaving my ex-husband after 13 years of his mental illness and emotional abuse, standing up for myself in a workplace sexual harassment situation, and leaving a serious boyfriend when he told me he didn't want to have a child with me are three instances where I stood up for myself and truly learned my own strength. I handled each of these situations with compassion for the other people involved but - I chose me - and I am so glad I did.

@pamiede congratulations on losing 100 pounds! That is such a huge accomplishment. I can see the joy in your photo. You are an inspiration!

@speyerj congratulations on the 5K! I am in awe of your commitment and hard work.

@tarzan37 I'm sorry your mom and sister are not well. I hope that the are able to find the cause for you soon. Take care of yourself in this process. Sending you a hug.

@sharpdust hang in there. This is a rollercoaster and just when we think we have it all figured out, we find out we have more learning and growing to do. Do your best to figure out why you are making certain choices. But forgive and love yourself in the process and move forward.

@keriA so impressed with your dedication; I can tell you are really making changes in your routine.

@Bella_Figura I love the way you are reframing the weight loss process. I couldn't agree with you more. Yes, it would be lovely to eat with abandon and watch Netflix all day and still be super healthy and fit. But that combo is not an option! I feel so fortunate that something clicked and made me start trying to take care of myself again - I mean, how many times did I say I would but not actually do it! I am learning so much interesting information about my body, my mind, food, and exercise. I know that I am going to a much better quality of life when I am older and hopefully live longer due to the choices I am making now. And I am a much happier person in the process. I feel like so many things are possible.

@tarzan37 and @CupcakeCrusoe in addition to wacky cycle/TOM changes, my hair is falling out, I am freezing cold most of the time, and I am exhausted when I go to bed but then wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep. I have an appointment with my GP next month but I do think losing weight is the cause for most of these items!

MyBeth1 · February 2020

I'll have to try that! Thank You BrookeLynn

Lasmartchika · February 2020

@CupcakeCrusoe - I'll definitely try those stretches on the steps. Thanks for the idea!!

@AlexandraFindsHerself1971 - I try to focus on the protein everyday, trying to reach my goal. It's not always easy, though. And I think I'm going to have to stretch more... maybe I'm not stretching enough.

@speyerj - I had to google about the foam roller, I'm going to have to get one.

Thank you all for your suggestions!!

sharpdust · February 2020

Height: 5'11"
SW: 299.8lbs (1/1/20)
CW: 285.8 (1/31/20)
Adjusted Feb GW: lose a net 2 pounds
GW: 199
2/5: 284.4
2/12: 285.8
2/19: 289.8
2/26:
2/29:
Total Loss: 10.0
Adjusted Feb goal: 282

Feb Goals:
1) Continued logging, keeping everything under 1800cals I have not logged honestly for all my meals, which lead to weight gain. This is my priority and main goal for the next week
2) logging 30 min of exercise at least 4 times a week via Apple Watch or MFP I did a hike with friends Monday, which is more than I've been doing. I just got new workout clothes and lock for my locker at the gym, so now I feel ready

Thank you so much to everyone's kind words and sentiments yesterday and all month. I've gained 5 pounds in the last two weeks, and again its been my own doing. Yesterday was rough but after posting I felt like a huge sense of relief. I was dreading today but got the scale and saw the number and was like "Ok, this is where we are" and didn't beat myself up or cry because of it. I'm just happy I didn't give up and leave this group out of shame. That is something I would have done in the past.

Adjusted goals, I would like to still have a net loss for February so that's what I am aiming for. I want to eat under my calories for the remaining 11 days of the month. I know I can do it and think I can still get a net loss. Hope you all have a wonderful day

fitchick37 · February 2020

It's Weigh In Wednesday so here are the scores on the doors;

SW 250.6 1st January 2020
CW 229.8 19th February 2020 ....I was really wanting to get under 229.6 and that's a stone and a half this side of the pond but still happily ticking along and delighted to be under 230. It has been slower going this month, not eating as much fruit and veg which I need to change. Can't find my end of January/beginning of February start weight at the mo, I think I was about 15 pounds down.

Going swimming tomorrow and going to try and do that every other day plus 10,000 steps a day. The gym still holds no appeal and haven't really got the spare money for it either.

Let's do this

sharpdust · February 2020

@AlexandraFindsHerself1971 I agree, shame is a natural feeling we all have felt before, but important to not let that take over and become a negative. I have good days and bad days and yesterday was a bad day. My partner also lets me know he finds me sexy and attractive, its just the voice in my head that can be jerk. I'm also tall (5'11") so that's a whole other level of insecurity. I'm BIG in every way possible, which was hard to accept but I try to embrace my size and own it. Other people are always complimentary, so its really just me.

@speyerj Others have recommended Shrill, so I will take a look at that. Reading about other people's experiences is always helpful because you see you are not alone. Which is also why this forum is so great because everything we go through, it seems like someone else has also gone through that. Being happy now is a priority of mine, and I would say I am happy most of the time. Its when things don't go as I planned or intended that I start to feel sorry for myself and feel like a failure. I just need to find a way to balance that because I doubt this will be the last time I feel that way

@KeriA It was hard so post! I was sitting here, with tears going down my face but I am so glad that I did. And I agree that it is progress, for someone who runs away at times when things are not good.

@CupcakeCrusoe I finally got a tape measure and measured my neck, waist and hips. It will be nice to have another set of data to measure progress

@aliciap0116 So glad to hear that you chose yourself in those situations. I am still here and I'm not going anywhere.

@fitchick37 You are killing it!

cory17 · February 2020

@alexandra & @ cupcake thanks for the encouragement. My positive was that managed to leave the last one of those delicious chocolatey brownies for someone else.
@aliciap0116 when you go for that GP appt, include your thyroid hormones - those ssx are often from hypo
@Bella_Figura I love your framework of opportunity!

aliciap0116 · February 2020

Thank you @cory17! I will check into that

MuttiNM · February 2020

Weigh-in Wednesday.

Highest weight: 435 (11/1/18)--lost 50 lbs. by the end of 2018 but got off track and gained back almost 31 lbs.
SW: 415.8 (4/17/19)
1/31: 284.4
2/5: 281.6
2/12: 282.0
2/19:279.2
2/26:
2/29:
Feb. GW: 276
GW: 160 (then reevaluate)

Fitness goals for February:
- exercise bike 5 times per week - 3 of 5
- short walking videos twice a day 5 times per week - 3 of 5
- strength training 2 times per week - 1 of 2
- chair yoga 3 times per week - 3 of 3

Did a bit better with exercise this week compared to last week. Still not back to my usual routine. Hopefully next week will be back to usual.

It was a busy week with my parents so I have not been on here as much as I'd like. I do try to at least read all the posts every day. You all are so inspiring. It really helps to read about everyone's efforts and how you all keep trying, even when things are hard and life is not good at the moment.

I'd like to mention that my son started a solo bike trip across the country on Sunday. He's doing the ACA's Southern Tier route and hoping to complete it in 6 weeks. He's one of my reasons and inspirations for giving it another go at getting healthy. A little over a year ago, he suffered sudden cardiac arrest. He was in Austin, TX to compete in a car race and was getting his car checked over when he collapsed. He was lucky that there was a former Army medic nearby to start CPR right away and the race track had EMTs on hand. Unfortunately, he didn't regain consciousness after they got his heart started and he went through a hypothermia protocol to try and save his brain function. Thankfully that worked although it was scary for a bit as his short term memory was just gone. He kept asking the same questions over and over, not realizing he had just done so. Anyway, he had a defibrillator (ICD) implanted in case this should happen again. He suffered no long term brain damage. He underwent a lot of testing but they don't know why this happened. He couldn't drive for 6 months which was hard for a guy who raced cars for a hobby. He's not allowed to do that anymore because of having an ICD so biking has become his new hobby. His doctor and device nurse gave their blessing for this trip. Of course, as a mom, I'm a bit worried about doing a trip like this solo but it's also a wonderful opportunity for him. Please keep him in your prayers if you can. Thanks!

BrownSugar174 · February 2020

Reading through our page is like peeling back layers of an onion to get to the best parts of us. As I thought about this I googled "layers of an onion" and found this interesting reading from a book called "Peeling the Onion":

"The first layer is called the Cliché layer. It’s what we do when we go to a party, or meet someone new, or pass the time with strangers in an elevator. It’s small talk – good for breaking the ice and beginning the process of getting to know another in a safe and non-threatening way. Small talk is essential. Imagine what social life would be like without it, where everything uttered had to be profound, filled with meaning, deep.

Next is the Role layer. Mother, scientist, psychotherapist, banker, baker, shoe maker … . It’s what we do to make a living, add meaning to our lives, and define ourselves within our society. Our role at any given moment is how we want to be seen by others. It can be something to hide behind, to use as a kind of social armour. “I’m a business woman” feels powerful to some women, whereas “I’m a housewife” doesn’t.

This brings us to the Phobic layer. This layer holds our deepest fears, and is often why we hide behind our roles, providing some “felt” protection from those fears. For instance, if I think that being simply a housewife makes me less than other woman who have careers, then I might “elevate” my status to “mother” because that is a role that is respected. It’s important to know our fears; otherwise we will not be able to be master of our own fate.

Why? Because underlying the Phobic layer is Impasse. The Impasse layer is where we come face-to-face with our fears, overcoming them, or at least forming some kind of truce or alliance. This is the layer of growth and self-discovery. It’s the place of magic, of creativity, and is ruled over by the Muses. When we are able to penetrate this layer, we gain access to our own greatness, because this layer opens the door to our core – to who we really are at any moment.

The core layer represents our true emotions, our real response to the world at a given instant. Perls identified four main emotions – anger, sadness, sex and joy, and maintained that we were either in one of these states, or we felt nothing except deadness."

AlexandraFindsHerself1971 · February 2020

Weigh In Wednesday this week fell on the second day of TOM, so I am not surprised to get 282, which is a pound more than I was. I bet next week I'll whoosh.

I'm holding to the eating plan and drinking tons of water, so I bet it's water weight. I really do "feel" thinner.

lbostic89 · February 2020

Just a quick update, just over the half way mark at the first week of my new job! Enjoying the environment and the new DR I am working with, I am finding it hard to get my calories in now and getting back into the swing of working I only got one treadmill in this week for about 5 minutes! My legs are aching from being back on my feet so much, so I assume that is enough on them for now! I will do measurements tonight and try to weigh in again on Saturday.
@BrownSugar174 you have brought some wonderfully emotional subjects to light and I think that has been so therapeutic, especially for me! I am really digging the layers of an onion discussion. I really feel like I understand so much more about everyone's struggles and can clearly see how my emotional eating factored into my obesity.
I received an unexpected motivation at work this week. My new nurse manager was briefly discussing her weight loss journey with a coworker yesterday. In the past year she has faced losing 2 close loved ones, and has managed to better her own health and is now 11 lbs shy of 100 lbs weight loss. I briefly interjected by short journey thus far and my small loss (20 lbs) over the last 4 months. She reminded me, as I have seen several of you post, it takes time to put on, it will take time to come off. She also told me every step counts when walking a mile. I am so lucky to have so many inspirational people in my life.

SkylarStrength28 · February 2020

New to MFP and trying to get in shape!
Started getting serious towards the end of January and just seeing this now!
NOW
5’9
SW: 232
CW: 227
GW: 220
UGW: 190 and assess

Currently 19 years old and away at college. I’ve been struggling with mental health and coping with anxieties and the only way I’ve been able to do that is through working out and making changes. It’s the only place i can feel in control of things. In the past I’ve had issues where I’ve focused too much on the number in the scale and not strength that I’ve gained. Hopefully, with that knowledge in mind (and all of your help) i won’t slip back into those patterns. I work out 5x a week but it’s more strength training now than cardio like it was when i was dropping 15 pounds in a week, and I’m feeling good.
I’m here to feel strong and beautiful and am excited to be part of this community! Cheers to you all!

kali31337 · February 2020

Good morning ladies (well morning here in Belgium!)

I normally post my weigh-ins on Fridays but I'm just so flipping happy that I need to let it out somewhere. I finally hit ONE-derland!!! I honestly have been struggling this week and could feel myself slipping into old habits so this news was some really nice validation for not quitting (AGAIN!).

It's so motivating to see that all of this is actually getting somewhere and now I can focus on numbers that I haven't seen in YEARS. I seriously think it's been since 2013/2014 since I've seen that 1 in front of any number. Here's to one more day closer to my first big goal of 180!!

Looking forward to posting official numbers tomorrow!

aliciap0116 · February 2020

@kali31337 congratulations!! That is a huge milestone. Well done!!

Women 200lb+, Let's Stay Fired Up This February!!!

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