@Pupowl - I appreciate your rant because you expressed the frustration we feel when we work so hard to make positive changes, without getting the results we seek — at least not as quickly or fully as we’d like. The struggle is real!

Tracking food, and planning meals, takes more time than I want to spend. I’m hoping I can get more proficient at gauging portion sizes and estimating how many calories are in the foods I eat most frequently, so I don’t have to spend as much time tracking in the future. I’m getting better at calculating it in my head, and I’m more intentional about eating - so I don’t consume calories while ‘grazing’ as much as I used to - BUT I’m not knowledgeable enough … yet!

After meeting my goal, I tried to focus on other aspects of my life that I wanted to improve— like decluttering my house and growing my business. However, my weight crept up again when I wasn’t putting as much thought, time, and effort into my nutrition and exercise! I’m trying to build more movement into my day so I don’t have to rely so much on formal workouts. I also know that I can eat a lot more if my choices are mainly vegetables and fruit. As you said, knowing and doing are two different things!!

I hope it felt satisfying to release your frustration, pause, and regroup. It’s not always easy to restart, but every decision is a chance to begin again. Take the time and grace you need. Four days of your life do not define you. We’re here for you and I appreciate how often you are present to all of us in the Shape Shifter group. You described your life as boring but I appreciate that you see the wonder in the world. Your stories of daily life are calming to me and I like the pace. You often post your reflections while I’m still sleeping and I look forward to waking up to hear about an observation in nature or simply share the rhythm of your day. A friend of mine says, “If you’re bored, you’re not paying enough attention!”— You pay attention!! It’s an undervalued, yet extraordinary, gift to live in the moment, in my opinion.

Thanks again for igniting a healthy conversation and initiating some deep reflection from others in the group! I appreciate you all for the empathy, compassion, and wisdom you bring to our group! 🙏🏼

@looneycatblue @JenHul Please report your steps...thanks!

Happy Birthday @jessicakrall8 !!!!

Happy Birthday @jessicakrall8 🎉🎉🎉💥💥💥🥰

Steps
1/31 3,236
2/1 6,941

frankwbrown
January week 5
Weigh in day: Friday, February 2
PW: 243.8
CW: 242.2 ( lost 1.6 lbs; 0.66%)

@juliestokes4772 Welcome to our group! I am not sure if you tried to change it on the community page or not, but you may have better luck trying it on the 'regular' MFP site: https://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/change-username
@PatriceFitnessPal Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and kind words. I am very happy I eat a lot of the same things so tracking doesn't take too much time. Some people do well estimating portion sizes, but I am not one of them, lol. I just weigh everything on my kitchen scale. It is really annoying that losing weight takes so much of our focus. Moving more is great of course. I am stepping all the time while waiting for things. But I am also very aware that your passive calorie burn is so much bigger than any intentional workout. I have started to look at my walks as a health thing instead of a weight loss thing, strangely that made a difference mentally.
Maybe boring isn't the right word, but my life is very simple and yes, pretty slow paced as well. I don't think it is a bad thing and my fatigue probably plays a huge part in why I appreciate the little things in life.
I took this picture this morning because I thought it was funny, and I also can't imagine someone not missing their glasses. I am nearly blind without mine! Happy Friday everyone

nancyinmo
Friday weigh-in
PW: 124.6
CW: 126.6
Geez, I keep yo-yoing between these two numbers. So frustrating!

pedal__power
PW: 209
CW: 207 (Feb 1st weight)

It is interesting to look back at my paper calendar tracker for January. I finished with exactly the same weight as I started from 207.6 on Jan 1st to 207.6 on Jan 31st, with some ups and downs in between (min: 205.2, max 210).

Some non-scale stats for my January include:
- I tracked my nutrition on 22 out of 31 days (71%) and 15 of the 22 days were calorie deficits. I was most certainly way over on calories on the days that I didn't track. I can definitely improve on this.
- Hockey was my most frequent and usually longest workout, with 9 games or practices!
- I lifted weights 7x, ran 7x and rowed or biked 9x!

Welcome @FWSWCindy to the team! We're glad you're here! Please take a few minutes and introduce yourself and tell us a little about why you're here and what you hope to achieve in February and beyond. I'm Jessica, one of your Captains, the other being @pupowl. We sincerely hope you find this group of caring individuals, to be supportive and helpful in assisting you on your journey.

You will get as much out of this group as you put in, so I encourage you to take part in the discussions, ask questions, pose opinions, speak your truth and investigate when in doubt. I also encourage you to take part in the weekly Group Challenges and the Step Challenge, if that fits in your program/plan.

On behalf of your Captains and our two Motivators, @Cyncia85 and @lauriewrobo, again welcome! Let us know how we can help you. Good luck in February!
Jessica

Happy Birthday a bit late @jessicakrall8 !

Hey guys I said I was going to return in February, I'm putting it off indefinitely. I have a lot going on.
From my bicycle ride today!

@juliestokes4772 I am glad the link worked! It will probably take a bit before it updates in the community as well. For some reason that always lags behind a lot.
@Itadakimasu7 Aw, that's too bad. I hope you will keep popping in here.

Edit: I goofed up on the day, sorry!

@Pupowl it's Saturday ?!? 🤪
Izzyred9400
Saturday weigh in
PW 139.9
CW 141.5
Expected as had 3 meals out this week.
My steps
1/30 12,137
1/31 17,419
2/1 15,347
2/2 15,968