I reached my goal of 150 with Weight Watchers about 15 years ago (or more). Since then I've maintained and even lost more, which is not uncommon. I'm down to 135 now, but I need more accountability around eating. I tend to ignore hunger signals when I'm busy or tired, so I don't eat - but that put me in the hospital, so I am learning to eat more regularly.

The 5% challenge keeps me accountable and motivated. I really like the side excursion. It motivates me to walk more. The weekly challenges remind me of healthy habits.

Countdown & Pre-Challenge Activity #1: INFORMATION and YOUR INPUT!
This will be my second 5% challenge.
I did pretty well on the first challenge and started the in between, but then my mother's health began to fail and spent weeks trying to figure out why including a week in a great regional teaching hospital only to find that she has terminal cancer. She went from line dancing at the end of July to hospice a week ago. She is very near the end, and I can't think much.
I need to remember she had almost 93 years of active, happy life. Probably To Much Information...I just needed to say it.

By October 7th I will be ready to refocus on my health. And having goals and accountability helps me. The exercise minutes that need to be posted daily gives me the accountability that I need. I know moving and strength are important for long term health. I have a job that has me sitting in front of a computer all day...and without the challenge, I could just sit when not working.

Before Mom got really sick, I was making progress on my health and weight. My scale is buried in the guest room as family is visiting to help with her care...so it will be a couple of days before I can...or maybe it is really want...to know where I am and how much ground I lost.

I do know what works for me, and yesterday I did start focusing on eating healthier food for myself.
Have a Great and Healthy Day!!! Gretl

I lost count which 5% challenge this is for me. I join the challenges bc I need the extra motivation to keep on keeping on, even if I maintain my weight instead of losing. 'Cept this time, I'm finally getting a handle on things and have started to lose a few # !! Yay for that.
We've changed our eating habits here at home, so my goal is to continue with that. Keeping track of & limiting carbs. Our personal challenge is to continue with that and carving out our own niche in the long term.

my goal for the fall challenge is to keep the healthy habits i learned and to keep being motivated to keep off my extra weight i lost.

Pre-Challenge Activity #1: INFORMATION and YOUR INPUT!

My reason for being here is to reduce my bodyweight. I am a serial starter, a typical yo-yo dieter, and I always fall back into old habits. So I'm looking to build better habits slowly, and set myself up for success. I know the scale isn't the be all and end all, but since I am Obese Class III it is a very important indicator! So I am here to make some lifestyle changes that I can sustain for the long term - before it's too late.

This will be my 2nd challenge. After losing 50 lbs by 2017, I maintained it till I quit smoking (10lbs) then had a pinched nerve & couldn't exercise for a while (10lbs) then couldn't lose it because I wasn't able to get back to the level of exercise I did before , I didn't increase my food intake, I gained because I'd eat back my exercise calories so I accepted that I couldn't lose 20 lbs but the clothes I had were snug & I felt sluggish so I found "half size me" on You Tube & got inspired to make small changes, since I wasn't willing to eat 200+ calories less per day because it wasn't sustainable for me. I did lose 20lbs over a years time & 6month later, I found the summer challenge. I loved the community, like minded people & the accountability and I'm ready to lose a bit more. I don't feel I could get back to the level of exercise I did before, gym 6 days/week including classes & I did love doing all of that but I've had eye surgery, skin cancer surgery, heel spur , covid in which I had no energy for some months & high BP & more in which I wasn't supposed to strain so I focus on exercises I CAN do not what I used to do . I would like to suggest one of the LTGL weeks to be eating veggies every day. I do eat veggies but we focus more on meat/poultry(cooked with veggies in them) so I don't always feel like cooking extra separate veggies after all the time in kitchen so veggies, besides potatoes get left out or I'll make a bunch & after it's gone it'll be a while till I make more & want it to become a regular part of our meals.