Hi everyone, What does everyone use to track their daily steps, please. I have an apple watch, but often I forget to put it on. I am not even sure how to program it. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks. I am going to try to figure it out now, but with my 3-year-old grand that I care for 3 days per week, sitting right beside me ATM, it's not uncommon for squirrels to change my best organized plan and returning to something I start, well……sometimes I do, often times I don't. (LOL)

8/3-12,588

👟Step Goal:10k🏃🏻‍♀️
• Sun 8/03: 11225
• Mon 8/04: 11371

My brief introduction:

Casandra (42) from South Western Ontario, Canada.

I've been on My Fitness Pal for over a decade and finally had success in my weight loss a couple years ago and was down to 208lbs. (heaviest 270+) I worked with a metabolic health doctor who said my issues were due to insulin resistance. I change my diet and went from 228-208 in 12 weeks.

January the following year I broke my finger quite badly and required 3 surgeries over 10 months, this set back my exercise and my eating habits reverted back to how they were. I wasn't able to cook like I normally did with one hand, and most exercise was out. Even walking was difficult after surgery because of the movement so I was pretty limited, we got an exercise bike, so that helped.

The following year, (last year) I was diagnosed with a pre-cancerous condition that required treatment through high doses of hormones. I finally finished this treatment in July of this year. The side effects were terrible- weight gain, stomach pain, hot flashes, night sweats, muscle weakness. On top of this my mom died suddenly in December last year. She was my everything, we did everything together. She died just before we started building a new house that was meant for my family, her and my dad. I'm still building her house - but it's so hard that she won't be in it…..

I'm finally feeling better and I'm ready to start working on getting my weight back down. I'm more comfortable at 208 than I am now at 232.

Thanks for reading my current story

I had to have new tires installed yesterday. They told me it would take a couple hours. So I figured I'd go for a walkabout in the area, stopping off for a leisurely breakfast nearby. That's where I saw this sign, and got a good chuckle out of "hand cracked eggs". Is that really all that special? Isn't that kinda the usual way? 😂

Wednesday Weigh In

PW: 168.5

CW: 166.6

@LaurieWrobo sorry for the smoke… we are burning up here =(

@hera1064 Are you lost? 😉 (I know getting around the forum can be challenging when you're new to it and unfamiliar with it's navigational requirements.)

I hope you haven't lost interest. I see that you're not only new to the Fat2Fit Shape Shifter team, but relatively new (~1 year) to MyFitnessPal. The community forum is vast and varied. In addition to challenges, there's useful information here on diet, nutrition, fitness and exercise, among other things.

If you need help learning the ropes, just ask. There are plenty of people willing to help.

If you're experiencing a rocky start, know that others have been through that as well. Don't be discouraged. I came across a quote years ago that I have to remind myself of periodically. You might have heard it too:

"When you stumble, make it part of the dance."

Here’s my weekly weigh-in report —

Weigh-in day: Thursday
PW: 146.8
CW: 147.4

SW: 168
LtD: 20.6

Best wishes for the week Shape Shifters!

Book Club Alert!

Right now, it's pretty close between Nine Perfect Strangers (with just a smidge of a lead), Fit to be Dead, and Time Under Tension. So if you haven't voted yet, please do so asap! Thanks.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGjCoCi7BOj1NfhV876GygPFI2ouj7MYfh5MKGzGoTTfSELA/viewform?usp=header

Daily step goal 10000

8/6 12021

Wednesday Strong Seniors and outdoor walk

Weigh In
Day: Friday
PW: 140.8
CW: 144.3.

I'm super unhappy (and a bit embarrassed) with this gain. I think last week's low was a temporary down fluctuation, not actual weight loss. I also think I'm a little bloated from TOM.

I haven't been doing much exercise. It's been super hot (lows are in the 90's, yesterday broke the record for the hottest day in August at a whopping 118°). Our A/C is having a hard time keeping up so it's warmer than I would like inside. I've just been feeling pretty sluggish lately.

I don't feel like my food has been excessive, but I haven't been tracking. It has been a pretty processed diet lately.

So I guess there's plenty of room to improve. I'm frustrated with being stuck at this weight, so something has to change.

@Zaxa2021 - Please don’t get down on yourself about one weigh in. There are so many variables that contribute to weight fluctuations, as you noted. I’m always impressed by your reflections about what may have influenced a loss or gain each week. To me, what you’re learning - and the adjustments you are making based on what you’re learning - will be far more important in the long run. This is a longterm investment we are making to improve our health and enhance our quality of life. Your insights are always helpful to me, so thank you for posting your thoughtful reflections!

I had a gain this week, too. My cousin came to town on business and my work colleagues came from the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI/Saipan) for a meeting so I ate restaurant meals for two nights before my weigh in. I tried to stay close to my daily target, but it’s hard to know exactly how many calories I had, so I’m hoping to even out over the rest of the week to create a better average.

In addition to good nutrition and movement, social relationships and purposeful activities (like my cousin’s visit & work) are other key factor for healthier, happier, and longer lives. Finding the right mix and balance can be difficult so I appreciate this Shape Shifter space to think about the changes we want to make and support one another to act on what we learn. Let’s finish the week strong! 💪🤩🏋