Women 200lb+, Let's Have A Superb September!!!

Hi everyone, can you believe it's September?! My goals:
- To start going for an hour's walk every morning before work so that I'm getting some regular exercise
- To continue losing steadily - I'd like to aim for another 4 or 5 pounds in September. This is really low compared to the 13 I lost in August, but I think it will be way harder now that I'm back at work (I work in a school so have had the summer off)
- To lose that last pesky pound so that I have hit a stone lost.

Summer wrap up - huge success in terms of building a healthier lifestyle losing 13 lbs in 5 weeks - woo hoo!

So my goal for this week is to maintain. That might sound like a rubbish goal, but I'm spending the weekend with my brothers. I love them to pieces but our time together revolves around food and booze. I will try to eat as well as I can but I want to enjoy myself, not sit at the table with a salad while they plough through 3 courses. Wish me luck!

Hey all, looking for friends to keep my accountable and to engage with day to day. Not able to add friends for some reason so fee free to add me 😊

Andrea
54 years old
5’4”
SW: 235
CW: 210
GW: 199
UGW: 140

@justanotherjen13 : I think it’s awesome that you are making plans to work out even in bad weather. I have also used Overeaters Anonymous. I find it helpful to name goals specifically: right now I’m trying to add veggies to every meal, which gives me at least three servings of veggies I didn’t previously eat. I’m also wanting to cut down on my sugar, so my first goal is to eliminate candy and ice cream, etc from the apartment. I’d like to talk with my dietitian about how to safely do a sugar detox.

@kseaman2022 : I’d love to have a lifting-strength training accountability partner!! I know my body composition will change for the better if I can just start.
I’d encourage you to look at your goals and pick one from each area to write out specifically. Turn “eat better” into something you can track. Make “lift” a measurable goal: “I’m going to work with weights twice a week.” This will help you see progress and help motivate you.😊

Blessings to you all.😊

Andrea
54 years old
5’4”

SW: 235
CW: 210
GW: 199
UGW: 140

9/8 Update: I don’t weigh in for another 10 days, but I had a loss that has affected everything. My ex-husband died on August 31st. I’m surprised at the grief. I am sometimes not eating at all, sometimes bingeing. Not sleeping worth a crap. I’ve reached out to my doctor and am on two antidepressants temporarily, with short-term counseling available if I need it. I’ve developed a muscle tremor in my right arm due to muscle spasms in my shoulder and back. I’m on an anti-inflammatory relaxer for that. Despite the setback, my doctor believes once I get through this, I will be on track to discontinue All of my psych meds.😊 I never thought I’d ever hear those words back in 1998 when I had my first diagnosis and started looking for the perfect “cocktail “ of meds for my symptoms.😊

🍂What are your goals for this month and do you have any big plans for fall? Is there anything you're looking forward to over the next few months or, conversely, anything you're worried about?

In September I will be continuing to attend 5-6 AA meetings/week. I have two AA events to attend: a workshop here this weekend, and a Conference in Des Moines, IA at the end of the month. I have my Public Housing Recertification next week. And I’ve signed up for a self-defense class.

The one thing I’m worried about is attending Kevin’s funeral. I’m not sure how I will be received by the family.

Major success: I took a pair of linen pants in to be altered…..it is amazing to see how much fabric they took in just from my losing 25#!!😁

In October I’ve scheduled two days at the salon to continue my transformation to naturally grey, and to celebrate my continued weight loss. The salon was to be my treat for hitting 199#, but I’m hoping I will be close.I will also be participating in the public library’s Community Read events in October and November, about the book “Maid” by Stephanie Land.

🍁 Summer wrap up: How was this summer for you? Did you accomplish what you'd set out to do? Were there any great triumphs or any stumbling blocks?

I have not yet successfully started strength training.

Blessings to you all.

GOALS:
* get used to walking at least three miles whenever the weather allows
* go the HOA clubhouse to use the gym when it's too rainy to walk
* portion control, portion control, portion control
* make better food choices
* no snacking on unhealthy foods
* lose about 10lbs this month

SW: 294 (7/4/23)
September SW: 252.4
CW: 247.2 (9/9)
GW (short term): 235
GW (long term): 165

9/9 update: The weightloss has finally slowed down. I'm going up and down by fractions of a pound most days. I used to only weigh weekly so never noticed those fluctuations, but since I've been weighing daily... it's a little frustrating to see but I'm working on getting over that disappointment. I still like weighing daily just to see what's going on. And in the end, I'm still losing each week so that's good even if it's a little slower than before. I'm now under 250 and still losing, if slowly, so I'm satisfied.

@justanotherjen13 well done for all the weight you have lost. It's great you are able to see a difference. I can feel a slight difference in my clothes but not see it yet. But I've only lost 14 lbs rather than 40! You are doing great! How are you getting on with your aim to walk when you can?

@shenwjames1972 I will try to send you a friend request when I've finished replying to this as I could also do with more weight loss buddies! I've also had issues making it work though, so who knows?!

@kseaman2022 - good luck with your weight loss and fitness journey, hope to see you in here more!

@serenecompassion2663 I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I can completely understand why it has hit you so hard. Grief is a journey and everybody's experience is different. YAY to getting your pants altered and so much material gone! My current goal is to hit 20 lbs lost but after that my aim will be 26 because that's 10% of my starting weight, so its interesting to hear what kind of difference I might expect.

@Jtilly37 I will try to add you as well, the more support the merrier!

My 10 September update (sorry I'm a Brit and we do our dates the other way round so today is 10/09 and I don't want to confuse anyone!). I have stuck to my new regime of walking in the mornings - I get up at 545 now. The dog loves it and I'm actually really enjoying it too. The only thing is, the days have already started to draw in so I'm not sure what it will be like when it's dark and pouring with rain lol!! I also successfully lost one pound this week to take me to a stone in 6 weeks! Just the other 6 stone to go...

Went to a party last night and stuck to diet coke and had one small fairy cake, but tbh as a result did not enjoy myself all that much! Making healthy choices all the time is hard. We are also out for dinner tonight too, so that will be full of hard choices too. Weekends can be so tricky.

Keep fighting the good fight everyone!

@Shoppie2023 Yeah, I'm definitely feeling a lot better. I still feel like I look pretty fat but the fact my clothes fit better says a lot. So far the weather has held so I've been walking every day still. It's actually been getting pretty warm during the day so I'm back to early walks except the one day I missed the early walk and had to wait until 7pm when it cooled off again. Apparently, it's not supposed to rain again until next week. Hopefully the rain holds out until October so I can get a lot of walks in this month.

GOALS:
* get used to walking at least three miles whenever the weather allows
* go the HOA clubhouse to use the gym when it's too rainy to walk
* portion control, portion control, portion control
* make better food choices
* no snacking on unhealthy foods
* lose about 10lbs this month

SW: 294 (7/4/23)
September SW: 252.4
CW: 245.6 (9/15)
GW (short term): 235
GW (long term): 165

9/15 update: Been kind of stuck in the upper 240s for a bit. Just yo-yoing up and down between 246-247 and now 245-246. Frustrating but not the end of the world. I knew eventually the weight loss would slow down and get more difficult. It usually happens right around this weight too. But I'm still determined to keep going and get to my next short term goal (235lbs). I've been a little more depressed lately which is making things somewhat more difficult. It's hard seeing everyone eat extra helpings and food I can't have that sounds so delicious. It makes me want to binge comfort foods. So far I've maintained control though. I'm hoping to get down to around 242-243 by the end of the month. Two more weeks to go so hopefully I'll make it.

Andrea
54 years old
SW: 235
CW: 210
GW: 199
UGW: 140

Heading to my ex- husband’s funeral and burial today. The past month has been stressful: not eating well, not sleeping well. My face decided to break out in cold sores Monday. Two weeks ago I developed a tremor in my right arm…which is due to muscle spasms in my back and shoulder. I’m on medication to help relax that. Weigh-In is Monday.

Hoping and praying I can walk through today with grace and compassion.

Good morning everyone!

Thank you @RavenStCloud for doing this

I've been on a work trip, and those are absolutely terrible for weight loss, lol. But I'm back now, and determined to end out the year at 175 or lower. This time of year has historically been very difficult for me losing weight, so I have to strike while the iron is hotter (before Halloween, because after that is SO difficult).

Saturday weigh in day!
Christina
34 years old
5'4"

SW: 220ish
Re-SW (Feb 2022): 200.4
UGW: 150

SW 9/1: 174.4
9/9: 175.6
9/16: 177.8 (average 176.3)

🍁 September Goals! 🍁

🍂 September GW (average): 175

🤎Stick to weight loss calories at least 5 days a week ❌
🤎Log everything in grams ❌
🤎 Shut down the house every night❌

So, in service to The Reboot, I'm doing meal prep and planning today for the week. Breakfasts and lunches worked well just before I left for the trip, so they'll be:

Pre-Work: Cold brew with almond milk, 2 pecan sandies, vitamins (~200 cal)

Breakfast: 1 "packet" (I make my own mix and measure out a packet) of brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal with 1/3 a bag of riced cauliflower, a couple of preserved figs on top (~260 cal)

Lunch: 2 chicken sausages with mixed vegetables (~200 cal)

Midafternoon snack: big ol' apple (~100 cal)

So dinners and desserts for the week need to be a combined 700-800 calories.

Today: spaghetti and meatballs (add squash to bulk up pasta a'la @pamperedlinny )
Sunday: lentil-mushroom stew over potato parsnip hash (https://dishingouthealth.com/lentil-and-mushroom-stew-over-potato-parsnip-mash/#recipe)
Monday: white chicken chili
Tuesday: sausage tray bake (https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pesto-sausage-traybake)
Wednesday: teriyaki salmon rice bowls (https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/teriyaki-salmon-bowls/#wprm-recipe-container-34195)
Thursday: butter chicken (https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/easy-butter-chicken)
Friday: pizza (for me, a homemade one on a low-cal tortilla)

This is... a lot of cooking, but I've got the hankering to cook, since I didn't have to all last week, so I've got to ride that wave while it lasts. We'll see how expensive this shopping ends up being, compared to buying more convenience foods.

Desserts this week will probably be greek honey yogurt and fruit, which sounds great after the indulgent week I just had.

Gym-wise, I'm performing in front of the gym two weeks from now. I have the routine figured out, now I've just got to practice, practice, practice. It's going to be chair acrobatics, I'm very excited.

Tag party time!
@Shoppie2023 sounds like you're aware of both future challenges and what is challenging you right now, but what I am most jealous of is that hour long pup walk in the morning! Sounds amazing.

@justanotherjen13 you're doing amazing. And yes, weight loss does often look like that yoyo- you'll be bouncing between seemingly the same weights, until you realize that actually, you're bouncing between the lower weight and next lower weight, and so on. I'm sure you already know, but in case you don't: libra app or happy scale will give you the trendline of your loss, which I find much more motivating. I love hearing that your hubby is supportive of your efforts.

@shenwjames1972 hi! hope to see you around here a lot.

@kseaman2022 you absolutely have already started getting a handle on it, and we'll be with you every step of the way

@serenecompassion2663 deepest sympathy for your loss. Just because he was an ex doesn't make him any less of an important figure in your life, at one point. Take good care of yourself. I'm excited to hear about your salon visit, and your weightlifting!

@Jtilly37 you can also hit the little end-of-ribbon looking button up at the top right corner of the thread, and you'll get notified about every new post.

@Ms_Heffalumpy I 👏 love 👏 seeing 👏 you 👏 here 👏. You have been through a lot, and I love the energy you're bringing to your own self-improvement. I have no doubt you can do it. Keep checking in here, it really does help to have a community of people to talk about struggles and successes with.

Have a great day, everyone!

Happy Sunday everyone,

Sitting here at my desktop computer, drinking my morning pitcher of coffee 🤣 and, literally, drooling 🤤😋 as the smell of my homemade 3-meat marinara sauce, that I have simmering on the stovetop, comes wafting through from my kitchen.
I'm TRYING to get my husband to stop sneaking in the kitchen and, in his words, "testing" it 🙄🙄
(I'm pretty sure it tasted the same as it did 2 minutes ago 😂 🤣)

It's a homemade tomato-based sauce that I make with lean ground beef, Italian sausage, pepperoni, mini sweet peppers and sweet onion and other seasonings. I first made it a few months ago (before re-starting my journey) and it was delicious and this morning I'm just basically fine tuning my recipe and getting down all of my ingredients and figuring up total yield (after cooking) serving sizes, and so on so I can add it to the 'recipe section' of my MFP food diary and be able to log it.
It fits perfectly into my new '99% 'dirty keto' lifestyle.

Tonight, for dinner, we are grilling up Zucchini wedges, lightly brushing them with olive oil, salt and pepper and then I will be topping these off with some of this sauce, and then adding a little mozzarella cheese on top.

On weekends, if we are not camping and fishing, you will find us out and about going from one thrift store to another. I like the Salvation Army and Goodwill stores, but there are a few others we go to as well. It's something we both enjoy doing, although these days my house is starting to look like a 'well organized' thrift store itself 😂 🤣

Too funny, when my youngest son and his family (our grandbabies) came home over the Labor day weekend, my son asked me if he could 'borrow' our Food Saver vacuum sealer.
Knowing that I would probably never see it again, I reluctantly handed it over to him along with several rolls of Food Saver bags. 😂

Well yesterday, at the Salvation Army store (color of the day was yellow) ...guess what I found?
Yup! BRAND NEW, still in box, NEVER used Food Saver FM2000 Vacuum Sealing System.
The original box itself was is rough shape, but the actual machine is in perfect condition, and you can tell it had never been used. The only thing it was missing was the hose accessory (which I never use anyways) and the starter bags that it usually comes with when you buy it retail like from Walmart or where ever.

The YELLOW sticker price was $14.99, so I got it for 50% off that ($8.00) 😲😲
We picked up a whole bunch of other stuff too at several different thrift stores that we visited but I think that was my 'find' of the day.
Fun weekend so far...

hope your all having a great weekend.
ttyl

YESSSSS I have access to MFP at work again! Y'all are going to hear from me so much, haha!

Weight this morning was 179 not a real weight, but crazy that it keeps going up right now!

Today's dinner is on track, after I forgot and doubled back to turn on the crock pot. Chicken chili, we'll see how it turns out, considering I put green beans in there instead of beans-beans. I needed to use up those green bean cans. Anything can be good, just need to not call it chili to my chili-loving kids.

Tonight at the gym is a choreographed dance class and a miscellaneous fitness class. I'm excited for both, and to get back in the groove. Then I don't have an official gym class again until Saturday, so I'll be practicing my routine at home. Mondays mean signups for gym classes next week open up, and I'll be doing a boot camp type class, and then performance night.

I need to like... make my outfit for performance night, lol. I'm thinking of cutting up a pair of cotton leggings (cotton are the best for chair acro, slippier than skin, not so slippy that I fall off) like this: https://youtu.be/BJq4Bppolcc?feature=shared I'm thinking the third one. I need to be able to slide on the back of my legs, but the front can be skin, I won't have to slide on the front. As far as a top goes, I haven't decided whether I'm going to cut up a tank top or just wear a fancy top, yet.

I've got my food prepped, all as planned, except I made banana cornbread last night to use up some bananas, so hopefully my coworkers eat it all and leave me none this afternoon when it gets tough.

Tags:
@Ms_Heffalumpy that's a great find! And your sauce sounds amazing.

@pamperedlinny oh no, when it rains it pours. Don't apologize, life happens. And you're having... more life than usual, wow. I hope things get better for you asap.

Have a great day, everyone!

Part of recovering from the retail therapy is also reclaiming responsibility for my finances.

I’ve signed on with a credit counseling company who will negotiate my interest rates and help me pay off my debts. This reclaiming responsibility also means I’ve moved my salon day out into November, which is good, because it was supposed to be a reward for my breaking 200.

Andrea here.
My new Fall skittles manicure.😊

@pamperedlinny : please just take care of yourself and your family. Prayers are being sent to you.

@Ms_Heffalumpy : I absolutely adore doing my own nails. I want to learn how to do nail art. These colors are new to me. They are from my favorite cruelty-free brand, Ella & Mila, and they are, from thumb,
Stonehearted
Pour the Bubbly
Forever Mine
Lust in Love
Cup O’ Latte
I just spent a fortune on new polish colors because I wanted to start playing with art patterns for Fall. Most often I have stuck with mauves and pinks, all on the nude side of the spectrum. I’m very much wanting to break out of neutral and have some Fun with Color, not just on my nails but in my style in general. I bought basic black and white so I can do some fun graphic designs in October. Doing my own nails is a fabulous way for me to slow down and pamper myself.😊