Women 200lb+, Let's Swing It, Shake It, Move It, Make It This May!!!

RavenStCloud
RavenStCloud Posts: 379 Member
edited May 1 in Motivation and Support

🌼 Hello, ladies! We've made it to May! The weather's changing and so are we!!!

🌼Will you be trying anything new this month? Or is it back to the tried and true methods that have been working for you so far this year?

🌼What are you looking forward to this May?

🌼And what is one thing you'd like to remind yourself (and others) not to worry about or stress over this month?

🟡If you've never been here before, please know you are welcome to join at any point in the month. All you have to do is post something, and then BAM!, you're one of us.

🟡In this group, we post our weekly and monthly goals and provide support and motivation to each other as we share our triumphs and our struggles. This group is all about accountability.

🟡All are welcome and, if you think you belong here, you do! No matter how much you currently weigh or how you measure (or don't measure) your weight, we'd love to hear from you.

🟡Victories, both scale and non-scale, are great to hear about, but, conversely, we know that weight loss isn't all sunshine and roses. If you're going through a rough patch, please feel free to be honest and vent your heart out. The struggle is real and we're all here to support each other!

🌼Let's swing it, shake it, move it, make it, and show how good we are in May 2025!!!🌼

Tagged:

Replies

  • nebslp1
    nebslp1 Posts: 3 Member

    Rita here! I had to change my username from nebslp to nebslp1 but I'm still here.

    SW: Jan, 2025 high- 238.6

    SW: today May 2 - 235.5

    First GW: 199

    Hi! I am SO happy to have found you all again! I've been a member since Jan, 2013 and have never had a problem logging in (that I can remember). I had taken a short break from posting some of March and most of April and when I tried to get back in, I wasn't recognized. What a hassle it was trying to get back in. I ended up having to add all of my info, including adding a 1 to my old username. They said nebslp was taken. Well, ya, that was me!!! I think I'm good to go now and plan on being more active in May. I don't want to lose you again!

    To get the month started I'll answer @RavenStCloud 's questions. Again, thank you for keeping this thread going 😍

    🌼Will you be trying anything new this month? Or is it back to the tried and true methods that have been working for you so far this year? My plan is to be consistent in eating habits and staying in motion. Lots of protein, water, walking, gardening, increasing daily steps average, so I guess the usual, but just staying the course every day. I am going to schedule my Classical Stretch workout at 2:30 every day. I watch Twenty Five Words or Less every weekday at 3, so I'll use that as a reward. Today I didn't start early enough and I missed the first 10 minutes so that'll be a motivator to get started on time.

    🌼What are you looking forward to this May? I love Spring! So I'm looking forward to mulching my big flowerbed and all the other little ones all over the place. I started seeds in the house so I'm hoping to keep them alive once I put them outside. Grandkids stuff… lots of Softball games (anywhere from 2-8 or so a week), track meets (not my favorite), school concerts and other things in the mix. Losing 5 pounds would be awesome!

    🌼And what is one thing you'd like to remind yourself (and others) not to worry about or stress over this month? Be kind to yourself. We all have days we'd rather not remember but tomorrow will provide a fresh start☺️

    @CupcakeCrusoe You look so cute in your outfit! I'm glad you had a good vacation:)

    @rorymason I listen to health podcasts and motivational books a lot. They're my go-to when I get in the car to drive anywhere.

    @RavenStCloud Gosh, I hope you can get your knee issues taken care of. It's so frustrating to feel limited by pain when you just want to keep going. Maybe you'll get some ideas from the knee specialist that will help(fingers crossed).

    @kristinwoods919 It is a struggle, but you are getting there!!!

  • nebslp1
    nebslp1 Posts: 3 Member

    things didn't go as planned so I'm hoping to get out for my runaway day(s) tomorrow. I have lots of things to do here today. Continue mulching for one. Am also going to town (20 mi away) to get more potting soil and plants for my deck/porch plants. I started Gloriosa daisies and lantana in the house and have been babying them for a couple months. I hope I don't kill them off by putting them outside😬

    I already did classical stretch with Miranda Edmonde White. It comes on our PBS station at 8 every morning so it's nice to get it done early. If I miss it then, I use one of her sessions on a DVD at 2:30.

    @RavenStCloud Good news from the doctor 🙂. Good luck finding a nice pool nearby.
    i have an egg cooker from Amazon that sets on the counter, you put a little water in the bottom and set as many as 6 eggs on top. Hit the button for how you want the eggs to be cooked and walk away until the "song" starts playing telling you they're done. It's handy. I should use it more often. Thanks for that reminder!

  • KeriA
    KeriA Posts: 3,385 Member

    Thank you @RavenStCloud

    Happy May All

    Keri

    72 years old

    Challenge Starting Weight: 260 (May 2024), Pre-retirement weight 262 before May. UGW: 167 (healthy weight for a senior woman my height)

    5'6" Tall

    🌼Will you be trying anything new this month? Or is it back to the tried and true methods that have been working for you so far this year?

    I am losing and gaining back the same 3 pounds for the last 3 months. I have started planting a garden starting with herbs. I am hoping it will have the benefit of supporting my nutritional improvements and upping my general activity levels. I need to find a way to keep the weight loss going.

    🌼What are you looking forward to this May?

    I am hoping things will settle down this month and I can make progress getting things done. N my youngest living at home will be celebrating their 31st birthday on Memorial Day.

    🌼And what is one thing you'd like to remind yourself (and others) not to worry about or stress over this month?

    Not gaining is a win.

    I am still trying to figure out how to up protein in my diet. I am making sure I get more earlier in the day. Although I focus on making dinners for my family I am eating smaller dinners. I just have a single serving of what is usually a nutritious meal. Left over Dinners often become healthy lunches the next day.

    Also I have set up a good exercise schedule for me now. However I sometimes don’t follow it so that is what I will be continuing on working on that in May.

    I do check-ins when I lose:

    4/2 245.2

    4/16: 244.4

    Here is my exercise schedule:

    *1 session a week of Aquafit (50 minutes)

    *1 session per week - long walk (60 minutes) 

    *4 sessions per week of 30 minute walks and 7 minute exercise for strength, stability and flexibility 

    *1 day of rest

    May Goals:

    ⭐ get out of the 240s 

    ⭐ drink more water

    ⭐ keep sugar intake low

    ⭐keep making healthy meals at home with only 1 day a week meal out.

    ⭐ see exercise plan above 

    ⭐ increase general activity level (NEAT) with cooking, cleaning, gardening and taking the stairs to the basement once a day. 

    So my plan for May is to make more progress with weight loss and to keep to my exercise schedule while maintaining what I have already accomplished. I am hoping along with cooking, and cleaning some gardening will help keep me active. However I did hit a new low last month and I measured my waist and have lost 4". This is where I need to lose the most since that is belly fat the worst weight for us. I am trying to gain muscle and lose fat. So more protein throughout the day. Good healthy meals. Up exercise and NEAT.

  • KeriA
    KeriA Posts: 3,385 Member

    @rorymason the beach walks sound so nice.

    @kristinwoods919 good progress this year and this month already.

    @nebsip1 glad you got in and found us. Have a nice get away!

    @CupcakeCruesoe I am interested in what your experience with MacroFactor is.

    @quolwy Yay you are in onderland! Many people who started in the 200+ weight continued in the group thread well under 200 lbs until they reached their goal. Anyway congratulations!

    @anneliz35 Here’s to getting into shape! Welcome.

    @sharon81 I identify with the slow and yo-yoing. I hope we can get our loss going this month. This is when I started to lose last year.

  • quolwy
    quolwy Posts: 89 Member
    edited May 7

    Hi all! I'm hoping to jump in sporadically with updates and to read everyone else's journey! I'm currently doing a 10 week "cut" (started April 1st) so I'm training more (4-5x/week), tracking my macros, and having weekly weigh-ins with my trainer.

    🌼Will you be trying anything new this month? Or is it back to the tried and true methods that have been working for you so far this year?

    Nothing new specifically to this week. Maybe try a few new recipes, as 5 weeks into my cut, my meals are getting boring. But otherwise things have been working well!

    🌼What are you looking forward to this May?

    Warmer weather, longer days, and cheap in season tropical fruits!

    🌼And what is one thing you'd like to remind yourself (and others) not to worry about or stress over this month?

    The scale will go up and down for absolutely no reason. Focus on making consistent healthy choices, and find other ways to measure progress. Feeling better? Breathing better? Using the washroom more regularly? Sleeping better? These are little things we forget to think about, that can be changing under our noses but we don't realize because we are wondering why we suddenly "gained" 4lbs after cardio. It's water retention for muscle recovery everyone 😂

    SW April 2nd: 207.5lbs

    GW May 31st: 195lbs

    CW: 197lbs!!!

    Starting BFP April: 37.1%

    Goal BFP May: 34%

    Current BFP: 35.5%

    GOALS:

    •Eat 1600-1800cals/day

    •Get 165-200g protein/day

    •Keep daily carbs 100-150g/day

    •Keep daily fats ~50g/day

    •Work out 4-5x/week

    •Average 10k steps/day for the week

    •Enjoy a delicious indulgent meal once/week

    •Cardio: 30mins 15 incline 2.3 speed, 2-3x/week

    So, while I have officially sized out of this group, I think I'll still be posting and keeping up here for a while 😂😂 It's so exciting, I was stuck in a 201-205lb plateau since SEPTEMBER!

    Good job to all the familiar faces, and welcome to the new faces!

  • rorymason
    rorymason Posts: 195 Member
    edited May 8

    2025 staring weight: 224

    Todays weight: 219.5

    Trying to do what I did last time I lost 40 pounds using this app: ( A LONG time ago). Just tracking and trying not to worry or obsess too much about it. Will see how that goes. Im def making better choices and have been staying within my calorie range, so we will see.

    Would be thrilled to hit under 200 and stay there!

    I did pick up a per diem job and have an interview for a second one. Will see how that goes. Hopefully it goes well.

    @quolwy Great job!

    @KeriA I do the same 3 pound dance. All the time! Im hoping I break that pattern.

    @nebslp1 Sometimes I think I wanna run away for a few days alone as well lol.

    @RavenStCloud I have not yet thanked you for doing this group. THANK YOU 😀.

    Have a great week everyone! And welcome to all the new posters!

  • KeriA
    KeriA Posts: 3,385 Member

    Keri

    72 years old

    Challenge Starting Weight: 260 (May 2024), Pre-retirement weight 262 before May. UGW: 167 (healthy weight for a senior woman my height)

    5'6" Tall

    I do check-ins when I lose:

    4/2 245.2

    4/16: 244.4

    lowest low up until May is 244

    5/1: 245

    5/10: 243.8 (I like this new scale!)

    Here is my exercise schedule:

    *1 session a week of Aquafit (50 minutes)

    *1 session per week - long walk (60 minutes) 

    *4 sessions per week of 30 minute walks and 7 minute exercise for strength, stability and flexibility 

    *1 day of rest

    May Goals:

    ⭐ get out of the 240s 

    ⭐ drink more water

    ⭐ keep sugar intake low

    ⭐keep making healthy meals at home with only 1 day a week meal out.

    ⭐ see exercise plan above 

    ⭐ increase general activity level (NEAT) with cooking, cleaning, gardening and taking the stairs to the basement once a day. 

    Doing Better with exercise this week and started doing some gardening. So I have lost more than 20 lbs finally so hoping to get the next 20 lbs off now. Not sure this weight loss is due to a new scale. Our old one died. I got a new scale once that weighed me 5 lbs heavier. I will take this new one. I do think the old one might have gotten less accurate at the end.

    @rorymason I lost 40 lbs on MFP too a long time ago 😂

  • CupcakeCrusoe
    CupcakeCrusoe Posts: 1,483 Member

    Good evening everyone!

    Saturday weigh in days
    Christina
    36 years old
    5'4"

    SW: 220ish
    Re-SW (Feb 2022): 200.4
    UGW: 150
    2025 goal weight: 160
    SW 2025: 179.7

    🌼 May Goals: 🌼
    🌼 Goal weight (average): 179.4
    🌼 5/1: 183.4 (average)
    🌼 5/3: 183.1 (average) (-0.3)
    🌼 5/10: 183.0 (average) (-0.1)
    🌼 5/17:
    🌼 5/24:
    🌼 5/31:

    So this is too slow 😂, to be fair I was losing faster, but I went back tot he gym this week, and I'm so sore, so I think that's part of it. Regardless, one of the fitness people I follow for emails (Jay from AWorkoutRoutine) is doing a kind of personal training starting monday, so I signed up. A lot of the personal trainer types want you to only do their exercises, but Jay said it would be fine if I continued doing pole and chair along with his program, and that he would adjust if needed, which was a relief. That was what made me pull the trigger, ultimately. So it starts Monday, we'll see how it goes!

    I will say for taking a break from pole for almost 2 months- my first class back was Thursday, and I climbed right up the pole with no problems as soon as I came in, which was something I struggled with before vacation. So breaks are good sometimes?

    @quolwy CONGRATULATIONS for sizing out of the group!!! you're always welcome! (At least I hope so, I am currently sized out of the group, haha.

    @anneliz35 welcome to the group! I hope to hear more from you soon!

    @sharon81 I hear you both on formatting of the posts and the slow/yo-yo! I know what I'm doing wrong, just don't know quite how to fix it properly, so hopefully my training regiment helps.

    @nebslp1 I love the idea of a by-yourself getaway! I hope it was great! I hear you on mulching, I just, and I mean JUST TODAY, got all my tomatoes and squash in the ground. Hopefully they do well.

    @RavenStCloud great news about the knee! Also I had no idea about air frying an egg! I'll have to try that!

    @KeriA gardening is great exercise, and you barely realize it (until after, haha). MacroFactor has been great, I love the way it does my weight averaging and calorie expendatures for me, even if it takes a while to recalibrate after I hadn't been logging.

    @rorymason even if the only thing you do is show up here and keep trying, that in and of itself is a win. Because if it's on your mind, you'll make healthier choices than you would have, had you not had it on your mind.

    Have a great weekend and happy mother's day to all who celebrate! (And happy Sunday to those who do not!)

  • jenbroussard71
    jenbroussard71 Posts: 311 Member

    Jennifer

    • 53 years
    • Re-started 4/24/24 - 236.2
    • CW 203.8
    • GW 165
    • Total lost 32.4
    • 5'3" tall

    May Weigh Ins:

    • 5/1/25 - 207.8
    • 5/5/25 - 203.8
    • 5/12/25
    • 5/19/25
    • 5/26/25
    • 5/31/25

    Hello there, I've been MIA and a little off the rails. Here's the not so good stuff: I've not been consistent with logging or exercise. I've let my emotions dictate my actions. The scale has gone up, I've been moving less, and I feel it in every joint of my body.

    Here's the good stuff: Today is a new day and I can snap out of this. I have the tools to turn it around. So today, I am back to logging all of my food. This afternoon, I will do a small workout - mainly the moves that I was doing in physical therapy for my knee and some stretching.

    I've been in a little depression since I lost my trainer, so I am going to try someone new. My husband gifted me a membership in April to the "best" gym in our area. It's a little intimidating as I was used to a much smaller gym. The amenities are amazing, wet sauna, dry sauna and cold plunge. I did my first cold plunge but was only brave enough to go chest deep.

    Other life events - there was my knee surgery in March, well I was released from PT last Monday. I had a neck injection yesterday and so far, the relief that I've received is amazing. There are some side effects from steroids (vision and headache), but I can deal with that. The last injection lasted for 3 years so I can handle this if I can avoid fusions in my neck.

    My hubby and I brought my 28-year-old son to his first concert ever last Tuesday. We went to Shinedown's Dance Kid Dance tour in New Orleans. It was one of my top 3 concerts ever. I think it may be number one because I got to share it with my son. I love when I hear my boys listening to my kind of music. Especially since music has helped me through some of the toughest times in my life and helped me to celebrate the best times as well.

    I hope you are all doing wonderful, I will try to catch up on the May thread reading later this evening.

    Remember to give yourself grace.

  • anneliz35
    anneliz35 Posts: 38 Member
    edited May 15

    Female 58 and 5ft 4

    Starting Weight: 210 lbs Monday May 5, 2025

    Goal Weight: 120 lbs by Sunday March 15, 2026

    Mon. May 5/25 210 lbs

    Mon. May 12/25 209 lbs

    Mon. May 19/25

    Mon. May 26/25

  • kristinwoods919
    kristinwoods919 Posts: 95 Member

    I haven’t posted in a hot minute. I haven’t lost much this month. I am getting a new workout goal and focusing on just the 4 mile this weekend. I need to just get out there and get it done.

    Starting weight 2025- 236.7

    May 1-217.7

    May 2- 215.9

    May 17- 214.9

  • CupcakeCrusoe
    CupcakeCrusoe Posts: 1,483 Member

    Good morning everyone!

    Saturday weigh in days
    Christina
    36 years old
    5'4"

    SW: 220ish
    Re-SW (Feb 2022): 200.4
    UGW: 150
    2025 goal weight: 160
    SW 2025: 179.7

    🌼 May Goals: 🌼
    🌼 Goal weight (average): 179.4
    🌼 5/1: 183.4 (average)
    🌼 5/3: 183.1 (average) (-0.3)
    🌼 5/10: 183.0 (average) (-0.1)
    🌼 5/17: 182.7 (average) (-0.3)
    🌼 5/24:
    🌼 5/31:

    This is still a little slow for my taste, but it also feels sustainable. Plus, I had a little whoosh this morning in my actual weight (180.2!), that's pulling my average down. I'm not starving hungry or constantly thinking about food (although the habit to snack is still strong). I feel good when I work out, and I can feel my body changing to get stronger.

    Speaking of the whole personal trainer experience, here's how it's going so far:

    Every morning, I check the app Jay made, and it has a checklist of things I need to do. First thing is to track weight, which I'm good at doing anyway. I put that in there.

    Most days so far, he's had a lesson in there for me to complete, and usually it will come along with a daily habit or recommendation. The first day was to take measurements and pictures, the second was working out the calorie target range

    (the fact that he made it a range really made a huge difference for me mentally, more than I thought it would. Because I'll aim for the low end of the range, and if I accidentally eat some m&m's at work or something, I'm still in range.),

    the third day was my macro targets (he gave me the same protein goal I've been having, so while it's work, it's not out of the park), the fourth day, my workout, and this last day my sleep and step targets. Getting 7 hours of sleep every night is going to be effort, not going to lie.

    And then after I get a new lesson, the next day, I start tracking the things he added in that lesson. At first I chafed at this, ready to get going, but there is something nice about the slow spin up in that it doesn't feel like I've gotta do Everything Right Now.

    Anyway! It's going well. And it's more calories than I thought it would be, likely because it's a lot of protein, lol.

    Yesterday I had a great chair acro session at the gym, and today I've got chair choreo and cardio/flexibility class. I did Jay's full body split on Thursday, when I didn't go to the gym.

    Tonight we've got a eurovision party at my brother's house, so I've got to front-load my protein today as much as possible, parties are full of carbs.

    Tag party time!

    @jenbroussard71 I love to hear that your son enjoyed going to the concert with you! I'm also glad that your knee surgery worked out, and hopefully the steroid side effects lessen for you.

    @anneliz35 this is good progress!

    @kristinwoods919 you're still making good progress with weight loss, and good luck on your four miler!

    Have a great weekend, everyone!

  • Kizzy_Ann
    Kizzy_Ann Posts: 41 Member

    SW 238.1 Ibs

    GW: 225 ibs

    UGW: 199 Ibs

    I know I started middle of this month. My goals for the rest of this month are:

    -Track water intake

    -Walk at least once a day right after a meal for 20 minutes

    -Do a workout at least 5 days a week

    My first weigh in on MFP was in January 2018 at 209 Ibs. My last weigh in BEFORE a few days ago was July 2020 at 217 Ibs. Today I weigh 238.1 Ibs 😲 😱 😲 😱

  • KeriA
    KeriA Posts: 3,385 Member
    edited May 18

    Keri

    72 years old

    Challenge Starting Weight: 260 (May 2024), Pre-retirement weight 262 before May. UGW: 167 (healthy weight for a senior woman my height)

    5'6" Tall

    I do check-ins when I lose:

    4/2 245.2

    4/16: 244.4

    lowest low up until May is 244

    5/1: 245

    5/10: 243.8 (I like this new scale!)

    5/18: 243.4 (went up and now back down)

    Here is my exercise schedule:

    *1 session a week of Aquafit (50 minutes)

    *1 session per week - long walk (60 minutes) 

    *4 sessions per week of 30 minute walks and 7 minute exercise for strength, stability and flexibility 

    *1 day of rest

    May Goals:

    ⭐ get out of the 240s 

    ⭐ drink more water

    ⭐ keep sugar intake low

    ⭐keep making healthy meals at home with only 1 day a week meal out.

    ⭐ see exercise plan above 

    ⭐ increase general activity level (NEAT) with cooking, cleaning, gardening and taking the stairs to the basement once a day.

    Last week I was getting estimates for chimney repair and I have been setting up needed health related appointments but didn't do well with exercise. I can feel how this makes me feel weaker. However this weekend has been better with walking at a street fair on Saturday and aquafit this morning.

    So the goal for this week is to exercise everyday. I have a dental and Drs appointment tomorrow though. I will probably check in this week on how I am doing with exercise. We are going to our son's new house next month and I want to feel strong so we can do some fun things and play with our grandson.

    @CupcakeCrusoe my weight loss so far this month is in the tenths of a pounds too. It sounds like the trainer is going well.

    @jenbroussard71 I hope all goes well with the new trainer and club

    @anneliz35 and @kristinwoods919 you both are doing well

    @kizzyann1111 I think you will do well. It sounds like you know what to do.

  • anneliz35
    anneliz35 Posts: 38 Member

    Female 58 and 5ft 4

    Starting Weight: 210 lbs Monday May 5, 2025

    Goal Weight: 120 lbs by Sunday March 15, 2026

    Mon. May 5/25 210 lbs

    Mon. May 12/25 209 lbs

    Mon. May 19/25 208 lbs

    Mon. May 26/25

  • jenbroussard71
    jenbroussard71 Posts: 311 Member

    Jennifer

    • 53 years
    • Re-started 4/24/24 - 236.2
    • CW 203.8
    • GW 165
    • Total lost 32.4
    • 5'3" tall

    May Weigh Ins:

    • 5/1/25 - 207.8
    • 5/5/25 - 203.8
    • 5/12/25 - 204.0
    • 5/19/25
    • 5/26/25
    • 5/31/25

    Not much new to report here. Still trying to find my groove. Work is super busy today. I am taking some time off a the end of this week. Not for any particular reason except I need a break (that's not to recoup from medical stuff). Planning on having some me time and catching up with friends.

    Hope you all are doing great!

  • KeriA
    KeriA Posts: 3,385 Member

    Keri

    72 years old

    Challenge Starting Weight: 260 (May 2024), Pre-retirement weight 262 before May. UGW: 167 (healthy weight for a senior woman my height)

    5'6" Tall

    I do check-ins when I lose:

    4/2 245.2

    4/16: 244.4

    lowest low up until May is 244

    5/1: 245

    5/10: 243.8 (I like this new scale!)

    5/18: 243.4 (went up and now back down)

    5/19: 243.2

    5/20: 242.6 😀

    Here is my exercise schedule:

    *1 session a week of Aquafit (50 minutes) Yes

    *1 session per week - long walk (60 minutes) Need to work up to this - maybe on Saturday

    *4 sessions per week of 30 minute walks and 7 minute exercise for strength, stability and flexibility Today I plan to do my 1st of these sessions for the week

    *1 day of rest Yes I went to the dentist and Drs yesterday

    May Goals:

    ⭐ get out of the 240s 

    ⭐ drink more water

    ⭐ keep sugar intake low

    ⭐keep making healthy meals at home with only 1 day a week meal out.

    ⭐ see exercise plan above 

    ⭐ increase general activity level (NEAT) with cooking, cleaning, gardening and taking the stairs to the basement once a day.

    I hit new lows 3 times this week. Today I need to start my exercise sessions and make a healthy meal. I have been struggling to get enough protein for breakfasts. I get protein but need another 10 grams on many of my weekday breakfasts. I think I have found the solution. I was putting chia seeds in my oatmeal. I recently bought some hemp hearts and tried them today with my yogurt and granola. It brought me above my protein target and I compared chia seeds and hemp hearts and hemp hearts are higher in protein. I think I like the taste of hemp hearts better anyway. So I will make the switch. Next I will work on lunches.

    @anneliz35 Great job losing a pound a week. A healthy loss. That is what I strive for but don't usually make.

    @jenbroussard71 Glad you are planning some time for yourself and to catch up with friends.

  • KeriA
    KeriA Posts: 3,385 Member

    I have so far met my exercise schedule this week. However today I am taking my sister to Afternoon Tea for her birthday. Hopefully I will get in a short walk.

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