We are also going to be running (Optional) Mini-challenges again this month: Question of the Week (assuming I can remember to do that) and Daily Posts

First and foremost is that participation in these challenges is optional. It's up to you as to whether you want to try this. If you don't want to participate in these challenges, you don't have to, the choice is yours, but I would like to encourage you to participate as it seems to help keep us on track and thinking about our goals on a daily basis and it's encouraging to see other's successes and struggles so that we realize that we are not alone!!

The Daily Posts Challenge is based on another challenge on MFP called UAC (Ultimate Accountability Challenge). The way UAC works is that the aim is to follow 5 basic rules.

#1. Track EVERYTHING you eat that has calories.
#2. Stay inside your allocated daily budget.
#3. Try to do at least 20 minutes of activity a day (anything: walk, run, cycle, swim, gardening, housework, yoga, gym, etc.. As long as it gets you active and off the couch)
#4. 1 pass day permitted per week (went over calories, could not track, not enough exercise, intentional pass)
#5. Check in daily (tracking yes/no, calories yes/no, exercise yes/no).

****End of the week. those who have managed to keep to plan for 6 out of 7 days are recognized in the thread as being part of the weekly "Winners Circle".

A side note as there has been a bit of confusion for new members in the past, this is not the same as the official results, which are weight based, this is just another tool to help you reach your weight loss goals.

**REMEMBER**
You set your own daily budget.
You choose you own exercise and intensity (no step limit, no exercises you cannot or should not do, 20 mins of gardening counts as much as a 10 mile run, activity is activity, anything that gets you up and moving!).
Is not weight based (as weight fluctuates day by day).
Can continue beyond weight loss.

Daily check in keeps you in touch with those doing similar. Longer term weight management is hard to do on your own.

It also has frequent resets (as in a circle each week).

It works on an honor system. Being honest with yourself and others is a key to making things work. Remember, this is a judgement free zone, everyone has good days and bad days, but the way to get to the finish line is by being honest and when we have a bad day, picking ourselves up and carrying on the next day!

Consistency and new habits have been shown the only long term successful way to change weight. We all want the progress made here to last a lifetime.

Your posts should look like this:
Daily Post (Sunday/Date)

Track: Yes/no
Calories: Yes/no (were you under)
Exercise: Yes/no (what type and how long)
Goals/Day/Comments: (Tell us a brief description about your how your day went or your goals for the day)

The Question of the Week Challenge is a fun participation booster and we will be using it sometimes just as fun and sometimes it can help to foster new ideas for others as we all are different and have different experiences so sharing ideas can help someone else with motivation of freshening up their routine even!! Keep on the lookout for these questions.

Please post your weight on your scheduled weigh in day, as if you miss weigh-ins, you may be eliminated from the challenge and we don't want to see that happen!!

Your posts should look like this:
Username:
Week: May Week 1
PW =(previous weight)
CW=(current weight)


Please, please setup your posts in that format as it really makes it much easier for us to track your progress for the challenges and the weight loss!!

We'd like to help you be as successful as possible and if we can help in any way, please let us know. Also, if you have any suggestions for the team or fun ideas to spice things up a bit, please feel free to share them, we look for new ways to help engagement and keep people motivated!!

We are committed to this group and to help where we can, and please let us know if we can help in any way!!

Once again Welcome to October Challenge WE CAN DO THIS!!💃🏾💃🏾👍🏾👍🏾💪🏽💪🏽
Welcome to May and let's make things happen this month together!!

REMEMBER WE GOT THIS!💪🏽💪🏽
Your Captain,
Glorious Gloria @gjaholy33👍🏾👍🏾❤❤
***Co-captain Vicky (@vicky2767)

gjaholy33 wrote: »

This Month remember this quote as you begin your journey this month. . .

Thanks for sharing

Hello all! Looking forward to another month you guys and being encourage by all the effort you put forth!
I am 34/F, living in Oregon and restarted my journey to better health last June after some not so good lab results gave me the kick I needed. I’ve lost weight before but gained it back and more by letting stress turn into apathy about my health. I am making this time be the one that sticks, making and maintaining healthy habits along with learning how to cook healthy foods.

I have lost 54lbs since I started, can now wear clothes I haven’t fit into years and have lowered my resting heart rate by 20bpm. My lab results have also improved. I’ve been trying new(to me) food and have found spices and dishes I’ve really enjoyed that are healthy and delish. I love the strength and endurance I’ve gained from exercising regularly, I can now go up stairs without getting out of breath and am able to go up hills and on hikes without feeling like I am dying. I also have more energy and better mental health.
I still have blah days, due to hormones, weather, stress or some other random thing. I really have to remind myself of the above benefits on those blah days to not totally derail my good habits.

My main focus this month is trying to be more consistent in making my calorie goals, getting in strength training and drinking more water. I’d almost like to supercharge my everything this month since I have a dr appointment due in June that I want to go well, but don’t feel like that's the Best attitude for me to have. I’m down 15 lbs since I saw her in jan so that’s already a plus

My current deficit is set to lose at least .5lbs each week. I feel too hungry with any more of a deficit at the moment. Slow and steady, right?
My main exercise right now is walking, and am trying to do my pt stretches along with a basic strength training routine at least twice a week. On the days where the weather is disappointing(the wonderful Oregon rain) I also play ring fit adventure.




User: KakoHikes
Weigh in day: Sunday
Week 1
PW: 185.0
CW: 185.6
Not that bad of a gain as I was expecting… on a side note I still want to type I am in the 190s, have had to catch myself a few times, can’t even image how odd it will be once I get to the 170s

Hello everyone. I'm a 34F and have been struggling with my weight for years .
I started my weight loss journey in August at 241.3 and today I'm 188.4 , I want to get to a healthy BMI number.

User: docbeauty1
Weigh in day: Sunday
Week 1
PW: 190.5
CW: 188.4

Daily Post

Sunday May 1

Track yes
Calories yes under
Exercise yes 110 minutes of Calisthenics
Water 140oz
Steps 10,340

Sunday 05/01
Tracked: Yes
Under Calories: Yes, thank you exercise calories!
Exercise: Yes, about 2 hours gardening and the a 74 minute walk (did the loop and hill twice)

KakoHikes wrote: »

Hello all! Looking forward to another month you guys and being encourage by all the effort you put forth!
I am 34/F, living in Oregon and restarted my journey to better health last June after some not so good lab results gave me the kick I needed. I’ve lost weight before but gained it back and more by letting stress turn into apathy about my health. I am making this time be the one that sticks, making and maintaining healthy habits along with learning how to cook healthy foods.

I have lost 54lbs since I started, can now wear clothes I haven’t fit into years and have lowered my resting heart rate by 20bpm. My lab results have also improved. I’ve been trying new(to me) food and have found spices and dishes I’ve really enjoyed that are healthy and delish. I love the strength and endurance I’ve gained from exercising regularly, I can now go up stairs without getting out of breath and am able to go up hills and on hikes without feeling like I am dying. I also have more energy and better mental health.
I still have blah days, due to hormones, weather, stress or some other random thing. I really have to remind myself of the above benefits on those blah days to not totally derail my good habits.

My main focus this month is trying to be more consistent in making my calorie goals, getting in strength training and drinking more water. I’d almost like to supercharge my everything this month since I have a dr appointment due in June that I want to go well, but don’t feel like that's the Best attitude for me to have. I’m down 15 lbs since I saw her in jan so that’s already a plus

My current deficit is set to lose at least .5lbs each week. I feel too hungry with any more of a deficit at the moment. Slow and steady, right?
My main exercise right now is walking, and am trying to do my pt stretches along with a basic strength training routine at least twice a week. On the days where the weather is disappointing(the wonderful Oregon rain) I also play ring fit adventure.




User: KakoHikes
Weigh in day: Sunday
Week 1
PW: 185.0
CW: 185.6
Not that bad of a gain as I was expecting… on a side note I still want to type I am in the 190s, have had to catch myself a few times, can’t even image how odd it will be once I get to the 170s

You got this!

docbeauty1 wrote: »

Hello everyone. I'm a 34F and have been struggling with my weight for years .
I started my weight loss journey in August at 241.3 and today I'm 188.4 , I want to get to a healthy BMI number.

User: docbeauty1
Weigh in day: Sunday
Week 1
PW: 190.5
CW: 188.4

Nice loss

I really like how @KakoHikes is focusing on her Non Scale Victories (NSV) as she starts off May. I was wondering if anyone else would like to share some of their NSV as we begin May.

I’ll say - I’m noticing as I stay consistent with getting exercise in, even if just a short walk, my mental health has been much better.

gjaholy33 wrote: »

@vicky2767
Regarding NSV. . .
I am learning to meditate 🧘🏾‍♀️ 😌 more and therefore my depression and anxiety levels have lower tremendously.


Therefore; my therapist is scheduling my appointments bi-weekly instead of weekly starting this month. Yay!

Case in point: This morning got up early to shower (so my nephew wouldn't bump heads) cause today is water aerobics and then physical therapy but my breathing is not going well so had to cancel my appointments but I just did an extra mediation. As with my illness of hypoxic, chronic cough, OSA, COPD-ASTHMA and pulmonary hypertension I will have some good days and not so good days.

Ya I totally understand having good days and bad days. Glad you have found meditation to help you. So important to not only take care of ourselves physically but mentally and emotionally as well. Great NSV 👏🏻