Women 200lb+, Let's Make It Count This January!!!

VickyEltonGreen · January 2021

Hi everyone, so wanted to share, when I first started this process almost 2 months ago I was so focused on the scale. Weighing myself everyday and , to be honest, sometimes letting that play a part in how I felt about myself that day, was so unhealthy for me. I am now able to go days with out getting on the scale and may now even just log my weight every two weeks.

This is truly huge for me a a big goal I feel like I am accomplishing. I still love to see all your progress and see your numbers going down. I am feeling healthier and my clothes are fitting so much better too

.Thanks for all your shares, so inspirational, even when you might be struggling too. I dont feel alone!

goal06082021 · January 2021

Wow, I had to go back 5 pages to find my weigh-in template, LOL.

Weigh-in time!

Age: 29
Height: 5'3"
SW: 252.8 lb as of 11/13/2020
CW: 248.0 lb as of 12/25/2020
Weigh-in Progress:
1/1: 247.4
1/8: 246.2
1/15: 244.4
1/22: 244.0
1/29:
GW for January: 245 lb
UGW: 160 lb

Good stuff, good stuff! I expected a smaller or no loss this week, from Wednesday's indulgence (I ended up having a delicious beer and some decadent bacon-and-mushroom mac and cheese, went over by about 900 calories and I enjoyed every last one of them). My knee is healing up well, the bruise is almost gone; I just need to be careful about workouts that require me to balance on them. I've decided to change things up for February - I found a "28-day challenge" plan from runtastic that seems pretty doable, with built-in rest days, and I've got plans to do some very very beginner yoga on those rest days.

Among the goals I set for myself this year is to keep my house cleaner. I've been mostly pretty good about making sure the kitchen sink is empty before I go to bed, last night was the first slip-up of the year. I'm WFH today so like, I can get up and go load the dishwasher now if I wanted to, but I was still a little disappointed in myself for leaving it like that last night.

MaxCat1000 · January 2021

SW: 274 (Sept. 30/20)
This month:
Jan 1: 259.0
Jan 8: 252.8, DAC: 1812
Jan 15: 250.2, DAC: 1689
Jan 22: 250.6, DAC: 1754
Jan 29:
January Goals:
Weight: 250
Daily Average Calories: <1750

Okay so not doing bad keeping the daily average calories down. Not sure why I am up half a pound but it seems like fluid. I have lymphedema in my legs and I don't know what causes the fluid to increase but I do know my left leg seems a little bigger. Lymphedema and diabetes can cause healing to take longer too and may contribute to inflammation - I have two places on my right leg, which has the lymphedema worse, one has a skin tear (due to another medical issue) and the other is just a sore that isn't healing well, and that knee has inflammation in it. So all in all, I guess a half pound gain isn't so bad!

I am sorry for not responding to more posts individually, but by the time I read here, there's usually more than a page of posts and I find it hard to go back and forth - I admire those of you that can do that! I do cheer for you all, and I agree with whoever said that it is helpful to know that others struggle with a lot of the same things I do. I do count my blessings, every day - not caught covid, generally good health, weather has been reasonable for winter this year, furnace still running (It has had issues in the past!), sewing machine running well, all that good stuff!

gwenster89 · January 2021

Hey all! I'm here for this! I haven't looked at a scale yet because I know I've put on some serious weight and I just don't want to know. My goals are to go to the gym 3x/week (as long as it's open) and do half an hour of cardio and some strength training. Also trying to stay under 2000 calories and under 100 g carbohydrates (I don't eat back my calories burned).

I've done this all before, so this time around is just to have a better relationship with calorie counting and exercise and my body. We're so hard on our bodies but look how much they do for us! So I just want to approach it from a place of gratitude rather than judgment. I'm fostering that mindset by doing lots of other body-worshiping things like baths and face masks. I'm also still tracking on weekends but not trying as hard to stick to macros and calorie limits (although by nature of tracking, I still kind of do).

You're all beautiful, so don't forget it!

Spotteddingo · January 2021

@goal06082021.. Sounds like doing the dishes 21 days straight is a win! Do not be so hard on yourself. That sounds like progress. We must remember to be kind to ourselves.

Lasmartchika · January 2021

FRIDAY WEIGH IN DAY!!

Age: 41
Height: 5'3"

SW (8/10/2020): 208.6
2020 end: 199.8
2nd GW: 190
UGW: 130-140

1/1/2021: 199.8
1/8: 199.8
1/15: 198.8
1/22: 196.6

OK, New Year weekly goals:

Log my food every single day, good and bad and stick to my daily calories (1500).
I stayed below my calories this week, but there were a couple of days that I didn't completely log everything.

Drink at least 64 oz of water daily.
There was a heatwave this week, so I drank all the water!!

Now, winter and it will bring lots of rain this week, so back to the struggle of drinking water.

Workout 5 times a week for 30 minutes each time.
I didn't manage to workout 5 times this week, but I did 3 and that's 3 more than last week.

Yesterday I was able to wear a pair of jeans that were in the back of the closet for forever and a day!! I had tried them on about 3 weeks ago or so, I could pull them all the way up, but the buttons were nowhere near close to be able to button them. I couldn't believe I was so comfortable in them all day!!

emmclean · January 2021

Weigh in day:
Jan 8: 254.1lb
Jan 15: 247.8lb
Jan 22: 245.8lb

Woah. Even at an average of 1750 cals in and no more than 30 mins of exercise on any given day (besides an hour's leisurely walk last Saturday), I'm still in the "back on the wagon" rate of loss. I'll enjoy it while it lasts!

speyerj · January 2021

Name: Jane
Age: 55
Height: 5' 9''
Starting Weight: 286.5 (6/3/19)

Weight Goal: Maintenance at or below 165
Jan 1: 162.3
Jan 8: 163.1
Jan 15: 164.5
Jan 22: 163.4
Jan 29:

Didn't have a single day this week above 165!

I ran 16.5 miles this week and did bodyweight exercises 3 days this week. I can do lunges now! The hardest exercise I have is to stand on 1 leg on a foam pad and balance without shifting my weight or waving my arms. You wouldn't think that would be difficult, but it is! I tried it on a Bocce Ball, and it's just impossible. Baby steps.

I made some really good, but calorie dense food this week: Guinness Pie (a beef pot pie made with Stout) Beef Chili with Chocolate and Peanut butter (I know, sounds gross, but it was really good - like a combination of a Mole and an African Peanut Stew) and Fried Chicken and Waffles. Not exactly diet food, but I logged each meal at the start of the day and ate accordingly to stay within my macros and calories.

goal06082021 · January 2021

Those all sound delicious, Jane!

It's true that balance takes practice. Do you favor the same side of your body for everything, or are you cross-dominant? Just like you can be right- or left-handed, one of your legs and one of your eyes also tends to be dominant, and it's not necessarily the same side as your dominant hand. Cross-dominance makes activities that require balance and hand-eye coordination a little more challenging, since you're trying to lead with your left hand but your right foot and right eye (or whatever the case may be for you) all at once.

SammyKlingler · January 2021

Hey everyone! My name is Samantha (Sam)
SW: 346.6
CW: 310
GW: 250

I was wondering if anyone here has done any weight training workouts and been successful losing weight? I am currently doing Liift4 with Beachbody and I LOVE it. I feel like the inches are coming off but the pounds are staying the same.

I was hoping some women that had similar experiences and could give me some advice on ways to get to drop pounds along with the inches. Do I need to be eating more calories or adding more cardio into my workouts after the Liift (it does lifting, cardio, and core)

Thanks in advance!

holdthefries · January 2021

Managed to stay on track with logging and food goals this week.
It's very helpful to eat only the foods that I really love and look forward to.
I think the slow steady progress without the feelings of deprivation or "dieting" may help me reach my year long health and fitness goals. The turtle not the hare.

January
Week 1 -1.2 lbs
Week 2 -1.5 lbs
Week 3 -1.2 lbs
Week 4 -1.5 lbs
Week 5

Loss of 5.4/50

VickyEltonGreen · January 2021

Heading out for our daily walk.... -17 c wind chill -26 . We are a hearty lot here in Ottawa lol. I bundle up pretty good though.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

goal06082021 · January 2021

SammyKlingler wrote: »

Hey everyone! My name is Samantha (Sam)
SW: 346.6
CW: 310
GW: 250

I was wondering if anyone here has done any weight training workouts and been successful losing weight? I am currently doing Liift4 with Beachbody and I LOVE it. I feel like the inches are coming off but the pounds are staying the same.

I was hoping some women that had similar experiences and could give me some advice on ways to get to drop pounds along with the inches. Do I need to be eating more calories or adding more cardio into my workouts after the Liift (it does lifting, cardio, and core)

Thanks in advance!

Strength/resistance training isn't really "for" weight loss, directly. Indirectly, having more muscle mass requires your body to burn more calories to keep you going (i.e., it increases your TDEE - muscles require energy to keep working, fat does not because it is the energy). Strength training is good for you, for sure, and like I said above it's really good for preventing osteoporosis in women, so you should definitely keep doing it, but your actual weight loss will come down more to diet than whatever exercise you do. The whole idea is forcing your body to dip into its stockpiled energy (i.e., fat) to keep you going, and it's much easier to withhold 500 calories' worth of food than it is to "charge" your body an extra 500 calories' worth of movement or exercise in a day.

Imagine for a minute that you're a car (stay with me). In this analogy, your excess body fat is like extra cans of gasoline that you keep in and around the car - it's stored fuel. Cardio exercise is like driving really fast - it burns more fuel while you're doing it, but when you slow back down or stop, you stop burning as much fuel. Strength training is more like upgrading your engine - the work you put in results in an engine that burns more fuel than it did before no matter how fast you're going.

emmclean · January 2021

@VickyEltonGreen wow! I went for a long walk today in 1°C and thought that was good, you're a trooper!

@goal06082021 love that car analogy, brilliant illustration. As much as I struggle with strength training I can really appreciate how important it is to ensure I have a good metabolism at goal weight, especially as I get older - it was easier at 28 than it is at 38 that's for sure!

IsETHome · January 2021

SammyKlingler wrote: »

Hey everyone! My name is Samantha (Sam)
SW: 346.6
CW: 310
GW: 250

I was wondering if anyone here has done any weight training workouts and been successful losing weight? I am currently doing Liift4 with Beachbody and I LOVE it. I feel like the inches are coming off but the pounds are staying the same.

I was hoping some women that had similar experiences and could give me some advice on ways to get to drop pounds along with the inches. Do I need to be eating more calories or adding more cardio into my workouts after the Liift (it does lifting, cardio, and core)

Thanks in advance!

1 hr of cardio, 6 days a week, 4 days weight, 2 upper body, 2 lower body alternating and one day in between. Example cardio Mon cardio, tues cardio and upper, weds cardio and lower, thurs cardio, Friday cardio and upper, Saturday cardio and lower, Sunday rest. Before I had my auto accident 10 years ago, I worked with a professional body builder to drop after my pregnancy. He was a physical therapist and pro weight compeditor. it’s about 2 hours a day pm, don’t eat after 6; preferably not after work out. if you must then a fruit or veg. Also add a morning or mid day sprint (stairs for example 25-30 mins if possible). I can’t do this now due to my physical limitations. But it worked well for me.

KeriA · January 2021

@ShannyRC Congratulations on making it to Onderland!
@iloveeggnog I get more out of rea!
@KMC55 what resistance (donuts) and I like the positive feeling in your post. Also nice to see after holding out for it you are making good progress.
@Dauphinbleu 2019 My wish for you is you stop the gain and start to lose and find a sustainable healthy way of eating. I have a harder time cooking healthy at home meals when I work full-time too. We can do this.
@GrammyG0505 I work in my basement too but it is warm because the radiators are newer down there and the burner and hot water tank is down there too. It is a new job so it is different trying to get to know my team remotely.
@Aubsy07 It does sound very busy with work and homeschooling but you are making progress taking care of yourself. Wow.
@IsETHome I’m having a hard time with January too.
@LisaGetsMoving some nice wisdom in your post.
@holdthefries better than nightmares. I am better now at enjoying good memories. It helps.
@MuttiNM Progress on several fronts, Yay!
@goal06082021 yes celebrate.
@emmclean unfortunately I think strength training helps so good for you. I am trying to do a day of weights and a day of resistance bands. Not that I don’t try to get in some cardio. It is a struggle for me now.
@ changeforeverlj Here I think that many thought it was one benefit of staying at home that there was no need to wait till cocktail hour. I don't think they would have taken well to a prohibition too. Since I was trying to lose it didn't make sense to drink more though.

I have only gotten through half your posts but it is getting late so I will post my status. This was an intense busy week at work. There were only 4 days after all but I had 2 presentations and a big meeting not to mention fitting 5 days of meetings into 4. I had some deadlines as well. However I didn't give up on my goals at least not for all the days. I did better than the week before which was bad for exercise. I did 2 strength training sessions and a walk and today got on my Gazelle. My son wanted to meet and have us do some things to get our finances retirement ready so my dream of a long walk today like those last weekend didn't happen. But I felt good at getting that work done. So after dinner I got on the Gazelle and kept it up until one of my leg muscles complained. This week I did well on water most days, ok on sleep, and flights of stairs but not as good at cooking at home and meal planning so calories were higher some days but I stayed under my calorie goal. I guess although I would like to lose I think what is more important is I keep working on establishing a way to fit it all in with my new schedule. It isn't there yet but there is progress.

The good news for me is that I did well at some presentations and even got a compliment from my director. It was a meeting to get approval from higher ups needed for one of my projects so it was good I did well my first time in front of them. I did celebrate as well this week and watched the inauguration too. I guess the big news is we became eligible for the vaccine this week and my husband persevered in getting us appointments for the 2 doses. Tomorrow is the 1st one. So hopefully I will feel up to reading the rest of the posts from this week tomorrow. We have a big online meeting with a group at church as well tomorrow night so we will see.

osier5 · January 2021

SW 01/01/21: 209
Week 1: 206
Week 2: 205.4
Week 3: 206
Week 4: 203

Finally a loss!

joariley2 · January 2021

My goal for now is to start to turn the big unhappy ship.

1. try to walk every other day (a little farther every day)
2. start to make healthier eating choices
3. drink more water (less diet soda)
4. find happiness again (and my self esteem in the process)

Start weight: 230
trying to lose 1 lb/week, so 227 at the end of the month

Laughter_Girl · January 2021

@KeriA Glad your presentations went well. That can certainly be stressful, and getting a compliment from your director has to be a relief. Also, kudos to your hubby for his diligence with attempting to schedule the vaccine. I heard it's a nightmare.

@osier5 You're winning!!! Onderland is so close. I'll be right behind you!

@joariley2 What great goals! I'm most impressed with how realistic and achievable they are. Also, I believe once you focus on steps 1-3, your confidence will soar. You can do this!! You're unstoppable!!

CHECK-IN

SW: 1-5-2021: 219.6
1-11-2021: 211.2
1-18-2021: 210
1-24-2021: 207
Steady progress works for me! I'm concentrating on living a healthy lifestyle again. For me that means logging everything, intentionally eating nourishing foods, reducing the sugar, exercising regularly (strength training & cardio), drinking 10 cups of water (I technically need more than that, but I'm content with it.), and getting an adequate amount of sleep.

changeforeverlj · January 2021

@KeriA You really impress me with your thoughtful comments and the time taken to reply to everyone, thank you! I value your support. Wow you are the first person I know getting the vaccine, looks like we might only get it in the second quarter of the year, our's is coming from India. In the meantime people at ground level are scurrying around trying to source Ivermectin on the black market because the government has banned it for human consumption regardless of reports of great success in the international media. I've ordered and will get my box next week. Can't wait for this all to be history!! Great news about your presentations!

speyerj · January 2021

@SammyKlinger - your goal is to lose fat not weight, right? You lose fat through a calorie deficit. Cardio workouts are not necessary for weight loss - but they are helpful to increase your calorie burn, allowing you to eat more. But they also make you hungrier. Between cardio and strength training, most experts agree that strength training is more important than cardio to assist with weight loss.

Strength training helps you prevent muscle loss when you are eating at a calorie deficit. It's possible to lose weight without strength training, but if you do, you will lose muscle and fat at about the same rate. Adding strength training slows down the muscle loss rate. You'll still lose some muscle weight as you lose weight, but hopefully the majority of what you lose will be fat.

The other important thing to realize is that you need to be patient. Most people see a small weight spike or leveling off when they start a strength training routine. Sometimes that causes us to get discouraged. Don't fall into that trap. When your muscles are sore, your body retains water. You aren't gaining muscle weight, you are temporarily storing water. When your body adjusts to the new normal, the water will be released and you'll get that "whoosh" so many of us happily report here.

goal06082021 · January 2021

My husband got the Ring Fit Adventure from his sister this evening for his birthday and I'm watching him play through the first world now. He's doing remarkably well for someone who hasn't worked out since, uh, 2015 I think. It looks really fun! I hope the leg strap for the left joycon doesn't prove to be too weak for my mighty thighs. I already have my workouts for the rest of January and February planned out, but maybe I can do this on weekends.

Spotteddingo · January 2021

@speyerj
Another great post from you! Your insights are spot on and much appreciated. Patience is something I struggle with.

My body does not respond to exercise alone, for weight loss. Up until 1.5 years ago, I was an open water endurance swimmer. I really did not lose weight. When I started to gain girth going through menopause, my solution was to swim farther, faster, and cut my calories.
I actually gained weight.

I got to the point where I was swimming 5 miles in the pool/ 2.5 hours and eating 1000 cal/day. I went to 2 nutritionists who told me I was not eating enough.(I'm hard headed!) When I stopped training and increased my calories, I gained 10 more pounds.

So here I am! Reading these posts and sticking to my calories, water consumption, and fiber... I am actually losing weight! When I feel anxious about if I am doing things correctly, I read these posts and they really help. I am finding my calorie sweet spot and know that I have a long way to go.

I really appreciate the wisdom here and I do not feel judged... something I have done enough to myself.

LisaGetsMoving · January 2021

Sometimes I get overwhelmed from the amount of conversations here, but I want you all to know that I try and read it all, though I might not comment too much. I enjoy seeing the progress and hearing about what works and what doesn't for various people.

As for my progress, I am coming along as expected. I find that I have plenty to eat in the 1300 to 1400 kcal range as I increase my stamina and time for walking and biking. Which is not to say that all my days have been perfect, but I am finding a consistent drop on the scale when I record my weight twice a week. I think I am leveling off at losing around 1 - 1.4 pounds per week. More importantly, I feel I can sustain this for the long term.

lwhelan2018 · January 2021

Hi all.. Lisa W. Here and I too am looking for friends (over 200 lbs) for regular accountability and motivation. I am a 48 yr old mom who is stuck working from home and need to get it in gear! I had a good run last year before the holidays, lost 20 pounds and then gained 7 back over the past 2 months.
Let's help each other do this! Please feel free to add me as a friend or PM me.

Restarting today!
Highest weight: 242 (June 2020)
Current/starting weight: 228
Goal: 175

joariley2 · January 2021

@Laughter_Girl Thanks for the shoutout!

uyister · January 2021

@KeriA Thank you!! I know you will crush it soon. (or maybe you have... I haven't caught up with posts yet). Just finished the first quiz of the term, will catch up soon.

starlite19 · January 2021

Hi I am new to this support group and thought I would give it a try since I am a little frustrated with my weight. I said this year I would start being more active so started walking 2 weeks ago at least 30 mins 3 times a week and instead of maintaining or losing I have gained 3 pounds since which puts me up to 270 I never thought I would be. I need help getting the motivation to do this before I reach 300. My goal for the month would be to lose a pound or two but it's not going so well. I have trouble eating healthy meals and not snacking. along with exercising since walking is not enough. I look forward to hearing back from you ladies and wish you a happy January hopefully your month is going better than mine. ~Alisha Star

uyister · January 2021

January 2021 stats
38 years old
Height: 5' 7"
SW (6/9/2020): 330.0 lbs
Month SW (1/1/21): lbs
Goal weight: 180 lbs
Weigh-in day: Saturdays
1/1/2021: 253.8lbs - 1st weigh-in of the year
1/2: 254.8lbs
1/9: 250.4lbs
1/16: 249.6lbs
1/24: 249.4lbs
1/30: lbs

Weekly and Monthly Goals:
* Keep logging in MFP
* Disabled exercise calories sync in MFP and I am sticking to my 1200 calorie limit. ✔✔
* Stop drinking water ~15 minutes before meals and no drinking water during meals -> this is going slowly, but have done it most of my meals this week (have to constantly remind myself) ✔
* Continue the T-25 workouts (Beta cycle week 3 started today) ✔✔
* Do either a quick yoga, stretch, or walk (Reps to the Rhythm or Up to the BEat Fit or Cize - Crazy 8's) workout in the evenings in addition to my morning workout ✔✔
* Get as much sleep as possible - let me not kid myself!! 😒😒
* I am currently at day 41 of meeting my step goal - trying to make it to 60 days and get a new badge from Garmin!! More motivation for me to go and workout. 💪🏾💪🏾

Mid-year Goal:
* Get below 200 lbs (Hopefully by the end of May) - We'll see

uyister · January 2021

@KeriA It's great that you all got to walk outside together. Focus on eating healthy etc. and remember, those stairs count for a lot of exercises. Hope you are able to do some of the exercises you want to soon. Congrats on your presentation. Congrats on your vaccine eligibility. I hope I will be able to get mine once I get back from school!!

@holdthefries Awesome job. Keep up the good work. I am still laughing about not dreaming about eating broccoli!!

@osier5 Were you lifting weights? Maybe you gained some muscle. Congrats on the loss!!

@changeforeverlj Woo-Hoo!!! Congrats!!!

@ShannyRC Awesome job. Glad you were able to go for your walk. Speedy recovery!!

@pamiede I am so glad.

@KMC55 Way to go!! That was such a WIN and a huge loss!!

@ Dauphinbleu2019 Great goals. I am so sorry about the depression. Just take everything slow and easy to start. You can do it.

@IsETHome Youu've got this

@MuttiNM Way to go!!!

@LisaGetsMoving Thank you for the pep talk!! Awesome job on your progress.

@emmclean I love their exercise feature. I tried one a couple of months ago and it does over-estimate the calories. I just adjusted it lower to match what my Garmin shows. I have also disabled my exercise calories (I still see them, but, it is not added into my totals) so I am not tempted to eat them back. Congrats on the loss!!

@ RhondaB89 WOW!!!!!! Awesome goals.

@VickyEltonGreen That is so great. I think the best hallmark is that you feel healthier. You are listening to your body. I am trying to do that more often.

@goal06082021 Good job.

@speyerj Woo-hoo!! Awesome job maintaining. Can you share some of the Guinness pie recipe? I am finally able to do the tree pose etc on the flat floor!! Still trying to get my lunges right.

@SammyKlingler Welcome. I think that the main thing to remember with weight training is that you will get leaner first. Muscle is leaner and heavier than fat, so, while you are losing fat, you will initially gain weight, but, in a few weeks, there usually is a big woosh. At least that is how it worked for me, I usually stayed steady/gained a little over 2-3 weeks then week 3 or 4, I would drop 3-5lbs at once!!

@Laughter_Girl Congrats on the loss.

@Spotteddingo I am so happy for you. I cannot wait to get into the swimming pool here!! I learned to swim a little over 3 years ago and I haven't swum in 10+ months!!!

@starlite19 Welcome Alisha. If I can recommend something. Maybe start small. If you feel walking is not enough, maybe do some cardio exercises (modify to your ability) some channels I like on YouTube include: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3lEhUBNqIrFMatB9Zgxo0g - Reps to the Rhythm
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wm6Rex4kcvOVpqxNHeAqg - Up to the BEat Fit
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBINFWq52ShSgUFEoynfSwg - Popsugar Fitness
As for the meals, try having healthy snacks around, to help you eat healthy when you snack.
I am saying this because I have been where you are. When I was 220 lbs, I said I will never get to 250lbs. When I was 280 lbs, I said I will die before I hit 300lbs. Low and behold, At the start of my weight loss journey, I was 330lbs. It was not easy, but, I started small. Initially, just going up and down the stairs 10x per day, then walking 15 minutes, then starting more cardio intense exercises (10 minutes to start, then 15, then up to 30 minutes - I would need to rest for 1 hr after) and cutting out a lot of my bad snacks, etc. The list can go on. Feel free to reach out to anyone on this forum. All here are really helpful and non-judgemental. Success!!

Women 200lb+, Let's Make It Count This January!!!

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