@jugar thanks for your comments. I've had a stressful couple of weeks, so unfortunately have been going up. The gyms have opened up here again THANKFULLY. So, I'm booked in every day for half an hour strength training at lunchtime - I can't wait. I'll be back on track and moving back down towards goal. My pre-breakfast cycle has been going well also: 10 miles round trip every day down to the beach. This increase in exercise and leaving the house will help me be less stressed and reduce the stress-eating.

I've also dug out of storage some books which helped before with stress eating: Paul McKenna's 'I can make you think' and 'Freedom from emotional eating'. They're brilliant. As is the 'Big Book of Stress Relief Games'. Long term goals - reduce anxiety and stress.

Happy weekend Team ♥️

Saturday is rolling along like crazy! Good to hear from everyone.

@Terytha - WOWOWOWOWOW! You have lost 101 pounds. You must feel amazing. You get to rock the biggest, gaudiest, most over-the-top tiara this week! Shake that booty

@evangsimmons170 it is good you are getting a knee brace - it really helps prevent any twisting or sideways motion so that it can heal and get strong again. I had a bad knee injury a few years ago, and the brace for the first couple of weeks really helped. Then getting strong again helped even more! You got this.

@cerizez - I'm impressed with your gym AND the morning miles. Getting going early is helpful - I just wish I could make myself do it now that I'm retired! I was great about that while working, but now I figure as long as I get to it eventually, it doesn't matter when. Still, I'd waste a lot less time if I got exercise in first thing! Thanks also for the book recommendations - I hope a few people take a look at those. I have not read them, but I checked them out and they look helpful for stress relief, sleep, quitting smoking - all kinds of goals.

@ells_runs - those NUMBERS! You are leaving us all in the dust!!!

@eggfreak - your story about having ice cream with your mom is beautiful. Those are some calories totally worth enjoying!

OK - LAST CHANCE for this week's weigh-ins! Make sure they are here by first thing Sunday -
@graceojo999
@alexsandramorff
@evelynladams527
@Steph1498
@matthewsfive

Didn’t complete my log today. Gave myself the day off. Also didn’t wear my Fitbit for most of the day, charging then I forgot. Had dinner with my kids.

Hope you all had a good day. Week 5 starts tomorrow.

More updates:

24th July
Steps - 3337
Exercise - 36 mins Total Body HIIT workout

25th July
Steps - 2520
Exercise - 38 mins Legs & Biceps Supersets strength workout

jugar wrote: »

Happy Friday!

I was thinking yesterday about the whole mirror thing, @matthewsfive and anyone else fighting this body image stuff. I am actually less bothered by the mirror than by looking down at my own body. When I look at it, I find my legs chunky, my butt ham-like, and the belly a bit rounder than I would like. When I look in the mirror I am always surprised at how OK it all looks - it is like a different person than I see by looking directly. The surprise never goes away - it is weird. Maybe the fear of the mirror is that you'll look like you think you do by looking down at yourself? The brain is a weird and annoying thing.

I do the same thing, if I look at my belly or thighs all I see is jiggle and more work to do, but when I look in the mirror I'm also pleasantly surprised with the body staring back at me. I suppose it's a good reminder of how important perspective can be, both physically and mentally.

jugar wrote: »

Ants! They are supposed to be seriously yummy - my son and I went to Cambodia 3 years ago, and during one of our outings with a fantastic guide, we stopped by some trees, and the guide grabbed something from a tree, walked up to my son, and said "You like spicy? Try these!" and handed him a bunch of small ants. My son popped them right into his mouth and found them to be quite delicious! I was surprised he would try it, but he was ready for anything on that trip.

Why am I not surprised! What a nut.
Sorry I'm late getting my weigh-in reported. It's not where I'd hoped it would be but I know what needs to happen. It's a multi-pronged solution beginning with my would-be-chef-spouse's habit of oversalting/oversaucing food!
The other prong being to eat much smaller serving sizes. It really is all about what I put into my mouth that counts the most.

My CW is: 184
(It's probably a bit better today but I already ate).
Onwards to a good day.
I hope it's healthy and calm for us all...even with the high heat and humidity about to attack.
Mwah!

There are some great celebrations there! And we did OK if not brilliantly. Thanks for everyone's efforts

This week we have an additional challenge - it is time to recruit some new members to Fat2Fit. Several of the teams are down quite a bit. It seems that people who sign up in the summer don't last long! There is too much else to do, I guess, so we need some new people who are committed to posting, sticking through it, and not just weighing in a couple of times and disappearing.

If you have friends who might be interested, send them first to the F2F home page
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/114605-fat-2-fit-weight-loss-challenge-and-support-group
to explore, see how things work and how much people participate. Then if they like what they see, they can click the sign up and join in. Our team is in pretty good shape - we don't really need new people (although we won't say no if someone chooses us!), but some of the other teams have room. Spread the word! Put it on your MFP home, and tell other friends from outside who might be jealous of how well you are doing Thanks!

Pearl4686 wrote: »

Oh, and I forgot to say, this team is FABULOUS!

So are you, welcome back!

jugar wrote: »

Soon we will be welcoming back @Pearl4686 ! Those of you who have been here for a while will remember her, and I am glad to see her returning. Tally ho!

Welcome back, @Pearl4686 Glad to have you continue your journey with us. Yay!!!

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! So nice to hear from 'old' friends.
Day 1 was good. Logged everything, stayed on track and went to an outdoor fitness class, which was hard work but fun.

@Pearl4686 welcome to the group we are quite chatty here

@jugar your idea about the way we get new members sound really good.
When I signed up wit F2F I also signed up with other 2 similar groups. I think I started in May? All guns blazing I thought the more groups I joined the more motivation I gain from it. In result I had so much going on and so many groups to post that I just had time to say quick hi, post my weights, steps and that's it. I didn't fully engage with anyone.
So for August I'm only a member of this lovely group. For some reason I relate to this group the most. I've sent you all friend requests, I've set up my profile properly, my macros and calories and I'm going to really engage in August.

One worry are my steps. On Friday was my last day at work and I'm not going back to work until 17th of August. My job kept me busy and kept my step count good. What I was thinking of doing is to try and keep my routine similar. So get up at the same time as I would before, and morning hours keep walking - even if it's only in front of TV - for the amount of time as I would be previously. I'm hoping that will keep me going.
So that's the plan - I'll see if it will work in practice.

@micki48 Just wanted to say that my step goal for the day is 15,000 and also will my grand total of steps update automatically? It shows 283,485 but it should be 380 something. I'm sorry for being petty but every step counts

It is Monday already in the UK so here's to great day and smashing those goals!