Seems like quite a bit of our team has hit an obstacle! It's definitely that time of year where things are more difficult for health in general, and I'm sure the stress of the pandemic has not been helping at all. For those of you who are like me, Seasonal Affective Disorder is starting to set in, in a big way. It's hard to see positive progress right now, but that doesn't mean it isn't there.

So, there are a few small things you can do for yourself right now:

10/27 steps 8718

Welcome aboard, @kika5105 and @Mz_Nurze !! So happy to have you joining us!

I'm Ashley, one of the co-captains with the fabulous Theresa, @1theresamcvean. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! We're a friendly group, with members from all over, of different ages, lifestyles, backgrounds, etc. Some of us have been on a get-healthy quest for weeks, months, years, decades... it's rare to see a challenge none of us know anything about.

Neither of you will need to weigh in until the first week of November, but now is an awesome time to get used to the formats and figure out how often you'd like to check in with us outside of your weekly weigh-in. Let us know if there's anything we can do to help you out.

Hi everyone! Thanks for adding me to your group. I've never been in a weight-loss challenge or part of a group like this before, so im super excited. I cant wait for November and see everyone drop some lbs 🥰

Hi all,

@CassieGetsFit2013 - I've totally been off the wagon lately as well and it's super disheartening to see a gain, but we can turn it around! I'm sorry you're missing the doggy, I don't know if they have anything like this where you are but round here there's often options to 'borrow' dogs - ie people who might be struggling to walk or care for their pets due to age, illness etc connect with people who want some doggy love but not have the time/money/space etc for their own. I know animals have always been a huge boost for my mental health.

@cuddleme72 - sorry to hear about your daughter, sending her postive vibes and totally understand needing to prioritise your loved ones - just don't let yourself burn out x

@minstrelofsarcasm - thank you for the kind words. Yes, I am trying to keep it positive, I've lSo,ost this before so I can get back down (and hopefully further) it's just a matter of attitude and willpower (oh no, lol!)

@sleepymom5 - yup, just need to get back to it! Sounds like you have a sucky few days coming up, hope all the appontments go well x

@tryingagain5 - hope the physio helps! I'm always amazed by what they can do

@goingape - I've been missing my zumba as well. Going back to the online classes this week I think as the gyms reopened and then almost instantly closed for classes *sighs*

@1theresamcvean - hope you feel better soon x

@Cafelelia - I'm the same, I tend to not want to post when things are going rubbish, when really it's probably the best time to do it so can get support. The 'hygge' approach sounds like a fun idea, I do kind of gravtitate towards snug and coziness at this time of year anyway


So, have been much better the past few days foodwise. Not quite got back to the exercise yet but been having a bit of a 'spring' (autumn?) clean so must have burned off a few cals doing that lol! Think the 'tidy house, tidy mind' must have some credit as I do feel more positive with less clutter around me. I'm probably going to go into the office tomorrow - said I would pop in one day this week at least. Haven't really left the house in 2 weeks so will be a bit odd but I suppose at least I get a conversation with someone different

jedaschultz wrote: »

Username: jedaschultz
Weigh In Day: Monday
Week 4
PW (Previous Weight): 205.4
CW (Current Weight): 205.4

Steps:
10/20 - 5041
10/21 - 1910
10/22 - 4248
10/23 - 5332
10/24 - 2698
10/25 - 1149
10/26 - 5131

Great stepping, Debbie.

Hi WNM...you have another one joining your team ...Please welcome @franshelle8968

@sleepymom5
I won't disappear, I promise.😊 I'm going to do my best to post anyway since I do need the support.

Hugs to you too! Hope they can figure out what is going on with your knee and find something that will help.

Stroopwafels!! Yum!!! My family is Dutch and I grew up eating them. Definitely hard to stop at just one.😊

@1theresamcvean and @Cafelelia

To add to hygge ideas - I’ve been doing my scentsy and have pulled out my fall scents - apple pie, oatmeal cookie etc. Makes the room smell nice.

I’ve pulled out all my super fuzzy socks, and have been using my magic bag to warm up with.

Welcome @franshelle8968 !!! So glad to have you here with us.

I'm Ashley, one of the co-captains of this team, along with Theresa, @1theresamcvean. Let us know if there's any questions we can answer or insights we can give. Your first weigh in will be next week!

As for my check in:

I'll be honest, I was not expecting a loss this week, regardless of how well-behaved I was yesterday. When I looked at my weight yesterday morning, I was disheartened to see that I had re-entered the 170s. How dare my body try to trick me like that!?! Doesn't it know who I (we?) am (are?)?

I suppose this is a wonderful time to bring up the factors that could have (and very likely) led to water weight this week, leading to my false gain:

• I ate a LOT of strawberry jelly, and cookies, and a milkshake, and... - sugars lead to water retention as your body tries to regulate your blood sugar levels
• I also ate a LOT of pretzels - sodium processing also requires a reserve of water
• Muscle repair - both amino acids (from protein) and water are needed to repair the microtears in my muscles from working out
• Stress, stress, stress - stress in the body leads to inflammation which leads to the body using water to boost the immune system to combat whatever may be causing the inflammation, even if nothing is there (unfortunately, the immune system does not have a video security system)
• MS medication - I donated spinal fluid and had to tweak the dosage of my medication to keep my nervous system from aggressively lashing out - I'll be back to my standard dose by tomorrow

So, the bloat was expected. Very much expected. The loss, not so much. While I was very grateful to see a lower number this morning, I am hoping that my subconscious doesn't see it as a sign to repeat everything I did this past week.

Food: Not great at the beginning of the week, or the middle, but the end was pretty okay. I ran out of pretzels, so I think the strawberry jelly will sit untouched for a bit. I also rediscovered cold brew coffee mixed with chocolate protein powder, so that will definitely help curb some of my cravings.

Exercise: Still pretty on top of my workout schedule. It's very spin heavy, but I don't want to join another gym right now, both because of the pandemic and for the sake of my wallet. I'll be out of the area next week, so I'll probably bring my yoga mat with me and do some body weight exercises on top of whatever walks I end up taking since I won't be able to attend any spin classes for a good week.

Next Week: I'm going on a trip, staying on the coast of Lake Erie (or Eerie, for the sake of Halloween) starting on Saturday afternoon. I think getting away from the monotony of my routine and my apartment and my bad habits will definitely help, even if it sets me off track for a bit. I have quite a few self-care activities planned, and it'll be in the mid 40s (Fahrenheit), and sunny, so I won't have any excuses not to go outside. Well, unless some folks accept my invitation to come hang out with me. Then, maybe.

Also, totally shameless plug, but you can read my blog here.

pacsnc6
Thursday weigh in
Week 4
pw:159.6
cw: 159.6

Good! I maintained

Check in for Wednesday
Food-better but not great
Water-64 oz
Exercise-none

Food was good except for hitting the candy again. I am going to have my husband hide it for me. I just love chocolate so I should have bought gummy candy or something else. I am happy that at least the rest of the day I ate on plan. I also have been doing well with the 14 hour IF so I am not eating after dinner. So this week wasn’t too bad, my sleeping and water are back on track, my knee is feeling better and I am slowly getting back on track with eating. Next week I need not take it up a notch.

So the doctor isn’t convinced the pain I am having is arthritis. She said I definitely have arthritis but she thinks from my description it may be a ligament. She wants me to see an orthopedic doctor so that is the next step. She told me to continue what I am doing but also told me to do yoga and gave me the green light for bike riding. I am going to start off slow with the bike and build from there. Seeing Ashley spinning away is very motivating (and a little intimidating Lol!) but maybe I can slowly get to loving it like she does.

@minstrelofsarcasm and @1theresamcvean Although I am very tempted to ask for another month on the cheer squad, I think it is in my best interest to get back on the team. I would like to have Friday as my weigh in day but would like to wait until Sunday to give you my starting weight if that ok. If not, I can do earlier.


@kika5105 Welcome!
@Cafelelia I do the same thing, it is important to post when things are bad too. That is when we need support the most! I do like the idea of the hygge approach for the winter season. I will have to look into it. Sounds like simple things we can do to make things a little more cheery.
@podperson1 Deep cleaning the house definitely burns calories. I am glad that things are improving with the food.
@1theresamcvean thanks for the tips for SAD. I am lucky that I don’t have a problem with it, just get more of the blahs. You are right though, this year may be worse with everything that is going on. On another note, I found chocolate and pumpkin pie hummus. Yes, tastes just like pumpkin pie filling!
@tryingagain5 Good! I am glad you plan to stick around. I would miss you! Let’s finish the year strong! We have both been struggling too long now.
@goingape More great ideas! What is a magic bag?
@kandi3570 I am in the same boat! I will be getting back into logging my food too. Let’s finish the year strong. We can do this!
@Melzz19 I treated myself to sushi the other day too Lol! It is harder to get the water in when the weather is cooler. I feel like when it is warmer out, I just do it naturally. When it is cooler, I have to make a point to drink. I shoot for-16 oz when I wake up, another 16 by lunch, 16 by dinner and 16 at dinner. I am guessing you have to be careful about where you are and bathrooms too which always throws a wrench in the plan.
@Freeglerock Can you adopt me?! Lol! You are so fun!! Good plan to enjoy the rest of the week and then get back on track Monday. Sometimes we all just need a break. Don’t go too crazy though xoxo
@minstrelofsarcasm I learn so much from you. Curious if you got sick after donating the spinal fluid. I know that can give people horrible headaches. Enjoy your time away. I have only been to Erie once, my husband has family there. I would love to go during the summer, it looks like so much fun. Protein powder in cold brew...I should look into that. Is it in place of a meal or for when you are hungry and not meal time?
@pacsnc6 Maintianing is good! Hope you are having a good week!

@sleepymom5 I’m with you next week I’m going at this strong. I’m going back to getting my steps, if it means I’m on the treadmill every night. And I think black I will start some strength training as well.

This is what has been going on with me. I hit my knee with a bowling ball Saturday and I ruptured a varicose vein. It’s very swollen and tender. I also had a chocolate craving that I gave into on Sunday. I bought sugar free candy. But I discovered that was a mistake. It has just led to more sugar cravings. I started the week out strong with 1 pound lost on Sunday only to wake up Monday to a 3 pound gain. I’m now at 4. I don’t think it’s all actual weight as I think water retention and swelling on my leg is part of the problem. So anyway, the soreness is subsiding a little bit, but it has made me not want to get my steps in. And my schedule has slowed down so now I have extra time to think about eating. Lol. And also you may think I’m crazy, as I think I’m crazy for this. But, I put my Christmas plug ins in and my house smells like Christmas and I swear it’s makes me want to eat more.
I am also waiting on covid to catch me. As i now have 7 family members in quarantine. 2 of which I have had daily contact with. Neither have symptoms but were exposed to someone who tested positive. And I have said from the beginning there is no way I will avoid it. But If im being honest I wish I could voluntarily quarantine just in case I Typhoid Mary this crap to anyone else.
It has been a stressful week. Watching my daughter like a hawk for signs of any sickness and worrying about all the what if’s. My food intake has been up but I haven’t been extreme ethical it and I’ve counted my calories. So I’m hoping that it’s 4 pound so of water on my leg. That’s why wishful thinking. But a girl can’t team.

kandi3570 wrote: »

I’m sorry I haven’t posted much lately. It’s exciting to see so many new faces!!!
So I’m slipping some. I haven’t been getting my steps and I’m super hungry the last few days. I’ll post this weeks steps tomorrow. I’ll also be back tomorrow to post my calories. I need some more accountability ladies. 😁

Big hug...or would you prefer a kick in the butt? (jk)