Join Now For 2018! -Slap Down The Winter Pounds - 2018 Challenge
 

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PERHAPS THINGS AREN'T FITTING QUIT RIGHT?

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JOIN THIS NEW CHALLENGE AND "SLAP DOWN THE WINTER POUNDS"

BEGINS 1-07-18 AND ENDS ON 4-1-18

LATE ENTRIES ARE OKAY

SPRING WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT!


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JOIN NOW! Just make a "reply post" in this thread and indicate that you want to join. There is a link to the challenge spreadsheet at the end of this post. Click on it to get to the spreadsheet, then bookmark it (so you can get back to it easily)

REQUIREMENT: Please be serious and willing to stay in the challenge. Also, please be willing to communicate with others and make at least one post a week to reflect upon how your week went in regard to your food intake and exercise.

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WEIGH-INS:
The first weigh-in will be Sunday, January 7th. We will, thereafter, weigh in once a week on Sundays. You can choose to use a different day to weigh in (i.e., Friday, Sat. or Mon), but the weigh-in date on the paperwork will always reflect a Sunday.

Upon initial weigh-in, you will place your starting weight and goal weight on the "Stat Sheet". After that, you will go to a Weekly-Weigh In sheet for the weekly weigh in and enter your weight there. A new sheet will be available each week by Sunday. The Weigh-In Sheets will feed stats into the Stat Sheet

REQUIRED LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION:
Post your weight/make an entry every Sunday on the Weigh-In Sheet (at the spreadsheet link). Please communicate within the team thread on the message board, by posting at least once a week. Interaction with a team is an important part of the challenge.

OPTIONAL PARTICIPATION:
These additional opportunities will be offered and are voluntary. You can choose which ones you will participate in. You can choose all or none.

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LINK TO THE CHALLENGE SPREADSHEET

Would love to join, I’m new to this forum; not new to trying to get healthy

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BellaLuce4:
Welcome to the challenge!

Are you using any specific diet and exercise strategy?

Dear Munchey ~ You know I'm in!!! Thank you! I loved the cat!!! I have definitely felt that way before, but thanks to our last challenge...not so much!!!

Count me in please Munchey :) Looking forward to the challenge :strong:

Munchey - yes I have seen a nutritionist and I’m going on a high-protein low-carb, low sugar diet. As I am new to this site I could definitely use a little help in guidance 👍

Happy Nrw Year!
👍😑

munchey Thank you for this challenge! I'm excited to be starting off the New Year with a goal.

Munchey, Thank you for this NEW year challenge. I've set some exercise goals to help lose into the normal weight range, still need to sit down and set food goals. :cheer2::cheer3::cheer2:

Munchey, thank you for creating the new challenge. I definitely fell off the wagon on the last challenge. I was doing well but then the holiday hit me hard and I was quite embarrassed about the amount of weight that I had put back on so I ceased to weigh in. Nothing like a new challenge to get me motivated again :).

Hi BellaLuce4, I am also trying to eat high protein, low-carb, low sugar, but have not seen a nutritionist. I've been doing a lot of reading and it makes sense. The problem I have having is that the recipes I am finding all seem to be high fat :?: I am wondering if you are finding the same?

Chub I did the same thing in previous challenges on here years ago :o I am determined to own any gains this time around. I figure that way the gain wouldn't own me and that it won't mess with my head :crossed:

Best of luck to all :grouphug:

Tkkoz- The program uses healthy fats, if you cut carbs severely you must replace with fats for you body’s system to run well. My nutritionist recommends low carb, low sugar high protein. Fats like olive oil, coconut oil, Ghee etc are good. Absolutely no vegetable oils/ fats.
The caviot is that my mothers well respected Cardiologist is a huge fan of Atkins, which is high fat of all kinds.

I think what ever works for you personally is the best Because you will be more likely to stay on it longer.
At my height and weight, I’m ashamed to say that I am labeled morbidly obese - 5’3”, 226.6 Lbs, age 56. So I’m starting a bit extreme to kickstart my weight loss and will adjust as I have success.
Having a nutritionist for the first time in my life will keep me focused, I want to be healthy and live long.
For exercise, my goal is to move daily, which is new for me as of late! I will be starting with 10 minute intervals a few times a day ( at least 3) using yoga & stretching and move into weight bearing exercize soon I work and am glued to my desk for 9-11 hours a day when not traveling so this is a very big challenge , and I’m excited to begin 👍

Bella thank you for the extra info, I appreciate it. Those are the kinds of fats I was seeing in the recipes, so that is a relief. I will stick with it as it appears to be working for me, slowly but surely.
I too have a desk job and work long hours, no travelling though and I'm also in the obese category, 5' 4", 116.6kg (257lbs) and 46yo :o
As for exercise, I am not doing much at all...my biggest struggle. I'm not too concerned at this early stage of really trying to lose weight. I am hoping that as I lose weight I will feel like going for walks and perhaps trying something like Couch to 5k down the track. :)

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HI EVERYONE!
I've been a bit of a couch potato for the last 2 weeks, and I've been eating too much and things that I shouldn't eat. So, today I'm getting back on track.

My Fitbit has been crying out for steps. Actually it gives me a little shock occasionaly, when I'm not moving enough. I'm back to "keep it moving". Back to focusing on reducing my food consumption and NOT eating anyting after dinner (except perhaps some yogurt or a few almonds/walnuts)

BellaLuce4:
It sounds like you have been gathering tools and that you have a good plan to start with. I find that protein does a good job of taming hunger. I love to have a large salad for lunch with lots of lettuce, veggies and some form of protein.

Chub:
Welcome back! We all have new opportunities.

MorningGlory1950 & Magistra17:
Good to see you both in the new challenge!

Tkkoz:
Welcome! I'm glad you are joining us! With a little practice, you can get good at learning how to make substitutes in recipes to lower the calories or make it healthier. There is a "Hungry Girl" website, where she offers a lot of low calorie versions of various recipes (She, also, has some books).
I think one key to success can be finding ways to prepare lower caloried foods in a way that is satisfying to you.

WorkingLikeaDog:
Great to have you in the new challenge. I'm betting you will get to your normal weight range this year.

Good morning all :)
I am doing daily weigh ins for a January challenge on here, which I must admit I was nervous about. There must be something right about the low carb, low sugar, high protein diet...for my body at least...as I have lost a little each day. I have been eating like this for just under 2 weeks now and I am amazed. I am losing the weight better doing this than by spending a small fortune on getting Lite 'n Easy meals delivered.

Munchey: thank you for the website, I will definitely check it out. I am more used to making substitutions based on food intolerances, still getting the hang of it for weight management though. Enjoy your walks :)

Munchey: thanks for the new challenge. I love the cat cartoon on your first post!! I can soooooo relate to how that cat feels:)

Happy new year everyone! I hope everyone achieves their goals in this challenge.

Thanks Munchey, I updated the spreadsheet today with goals and will put my new weight in on Sunday. I started today, so excited I couldn't wait! lol

Thanks Munchey. I put in my goal weight of 183 which is 2lbs a week for the time between now and April 1. Will weigh in on Sunday to get starting weight. Going to read through the posts! 183 will get me "out of" the obese range.

Lets do it together. I have not moved for a long time and a gym is out of the question for me personally at my size. I just stated beginner videos online and I will admit it feels great to start moving again : )

Hey everyone! I just got back in town from a very indulgent (food wise) vacation and I'm more than ready to get started on getting rid of the weight. I'll be playing around with my diet a little bit since it seems like I have been bloated every single day for the last 4-5 weeks. I know that my stomach doesn't agree with a lot of nuts and starch but I felt like the amount I've consumed doesn't warrant the current severity of the bloating. Would love to hear someone's advice/experience with this! I'm also thinking of doing the rawtil4 thing for a couple of weeks to see if I can get rid of the weight a bit faster. Anyone has any success with this?

I would like to join. :)

I'm eating a plant based anti-inflammatory, auto-immune protocol and exercising (gently) several times a week in order to loose some weight and control my arthritis symptoms.

I'd like to join!

The holidays were hard going and I didn't make ONEderland by New Year's Day, but I am closing in now.

Thanks for creating this challenge Munchey! I need the accountability.

I'm in - I would love to be down to the "normal" weight range by the end of April. So I'm putting my goal in as 180 pound by April 1st. The end of April marks my 1 year mark of my weight loss journey.

I want to join :)
Thank you!

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HEY EVERYONE:
Sounds like you are all ready to get started. Remember to post your weight on the stat sheet on Sunday. I want to write more, but I'm too tired. I'll be back tomorrow, hopefully with some collected thoughts

BellaLuce4:
I'm glad you have your goals established and are enthusiastic. Enthusiasm can keep the momentum going. Good job with starting some exercise videos. There are a lot of great videos to choose from. I like the Popsugar website for exercise videos. You can, also, find Popsugar exercise videos on YouTube. It will get easier

BlondieCJ:
Welcome to the challenge! Best wishes with reaching your goal of 180. That would make for a great 1-year celebration!

Chub:
Welcome back! Hope you enjoyed your vacation.

Generally, people who lose weight at a slower, steadier pace are more apt to maintain their weight loss. Some people use a rapid weight-loss plan, for a short period of time to give them a kick start. It's been a long time since I've tried any trendy diets. I do best when I focus on healthy eating and finding lower caloried versions of foods I can enjoy. (something I can live with for the long run). I focus on calories in versus calories out (exercise). I eat a lot of green salads, veggies, protein and fruits. (and stay away from sugar, starches - with occasional treats)I know that on most days, I couldn't wait until 4:00 to have protein.

One strategy that some people benefit from is the 12-hour fast. i.e. quit eating by a certain time, such as 7:00 p.m. and then don't eat again until 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The time can vary. You just need a 12 hour period between your last meal of the day and your next meal the following morning.

Flower1:
Welcome back! The cat cartoon equates to me trying to get into a pair of pants before it's time (appropriate weight, lol)

Grannynancy:
Best wishes with your goal to reach 183. Getting out of the obese label will be an achievement to celebrate!

Heidi58:
Welcome to the challenge! I'm sorry you have arthritis. It can be a real pain. How beneficial has your diet plan been for your arthritis?
Tefrey:
Good to see you. I'm glad you are closing in on one-der-land. I hope we both reach it during this challenge!

Tkkoz:
Sounds like you are off to a good start. You go girl! I'm happier the less I weigh. My mood is better when I don't weigh more than once a week. Some people like to weigh frequently, but it's too much of a roller coaster ride for me.

Unwanted37lbs:
Welcome back! We'd love to get to know you. Tell us a little about your diet and fitness plan.

Hi munchey and others,

Right now the anti-inflammatory diet plan is pretty boring (I have to wait to add things back slowly) but to be honest the limited menu is helping with my weight loss. :D I believe it's working, but I've only been on it since November. Even if it doesn't bring down my inflammation as much as I hope, it's a healthy plan and I'm losing weight so I figure I can't loose. :)

I lost 50 pounds on the South Beach Diet several years ago. I've kept it off, but am still overweight. I was happy because I was shopping in the regular sizes again and I could maintain that weight pretty easily. But I've been in a lot of pain the past few months and have been encouraged to get my BMI down to 21 or 22 to make things easier on my hips and back, so that's my motivation right now.

Heidi58 Your diet sounds really similar to mine. How long have you been on it? I'm following the plant paradox diet which is plant based, anti-inflammatory and excellent for curing auto-immune conditions. I have been on it since June 2017 and I have had great success in eliminating inflammation. Although I feel 10 zillion times better than I did last May, I still have a ways to go in healing all of my conditions. But I really love this woe. It's the first diet that has been easy for me to make into a lifestyle. I gave up eating wheat and cane sugar. Basically I eat grain free. How about you? Do you eat wheat? I am also only doing gentle exercise. I have read that gentle exercise works well for weight loss.

Hi Magistra! :)

I started in November after being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. I'm following a gluten free version of Joel Fuhrman's autoimmune protocol. I was given a list of foods that many with inflammatory arthritis are sensitive to (nightshades, citrus, mushrooms, and a few others) so I cut those out and am slowly adding them back one by one to see if they're a problem for me. My doctor wanted me to do the London AS diet but it depends heavily on meat and I wasn't willing to go that route. I've been winging it hoping to get similar results without eating animal products. I believe it's working so that makes it pretty easy to stick with.

I am going to go look up the plant paradox diet now. :)

hey guys. I just entered my stats on the spreadsheets. I am at 183lbs now and would love to enter warm weather in a healthier body :) My goal is 150 for the end of it.
My diet: i eliminated sugars from my diets. So pretty much "Candida" diet or THM diet. But I am also careful with my natural sugar as well - fruits are on occasion.
Exercise: I currently do not.. BUT my job is always on my feet and requires a lot of walking. I also have my second job - i teach math. So between full time overnight job, part time teaching math in the evening, and taking care of my family ( i have 2 kids age 12 and 9 and a husband) i don't really have energy to exercise.

Glad to be part of this challenge!!

Well.... I am starting the challenge after a big drop from the last challenge from 208.6 on 12/31/17 to 203.2 today. All because of some water retention issues that have me back on BP meds [BP went up some, which is why the meds] , just a lower dose than I had been taking before I went off of them in September. Amazing how much weight you can carry in water so while I am readjusting, things may be wonky but fat still burns even if the water is being odd about moving out.

This week's focus will be getting back to my exercise. The weather has killed my walking and the thought of leaving the house, meh. And it is not like I am in the Arctic Tundra. But sustained lows in the teens and highs in the low 30s is crazy cold for us here in Upstate SC. You get used to the warmer weather.

Looking forward to the fun motivation and the bit of a competitive challenge.

I starting new exercise on the 31st and every day after that was gaining a pound a day. I finally googled this and one of the 7 reasons a person gains weight overnight is inflammation, which I was very sore. Since then I am taking it a bit slower and only slightly inflamed. So far, for the diet part of this challenge I am writing down what I eat, which is quite an eye opener.

tefrey, Keep going----you will see wonderland soon!

munchey, I am eyeing that 12-hour fast strategy. It really means NO pm snacking, which I need to employ anyway.

chub, I was gaining one pound a day for a while and found some great information to help me. Here's a link in case you want to check it out.
https://www.christinacarlyle.com/why...ght-overnight/

Hope everyone is off to a great start on slapping down the winter pounds.:hug:

:wave:

Thank you, Munchey, for starting this new thread and creating the spreadsheet. Glad to see new and returning folks here with renewed commitment to better health. I'm at 211 currently with the goal of 190 by April 1. I've signed up for a 5K in March so I'm using it as part of my motivation.

Here's to a successful kick-off to 2018!

Heidi58 So sorry to hear that you have AS. That sounds hard! I'm trying to eat less animal protein also, but I have a family to feed and they expect certain things. I am moving more towards becoming a vegequarian (fish eater) rather than a strict vegetarian. So far, I'm not entirely successful at this.

unwanted37lbs Good for you, giving up sugars! I have given up cane sugar and I also limit fruit to only what's in season and only occasionally.


Good luck with your goals everybody! :wave::cheer3:

Hello ladies!

I put my starting weight in this morning. I'm up a few pounds, I think it's from my shingles Rx but that will give me a little edge on losing my 20 lbs, right? I finish the prescription this week and hopefully my body will get back to normal. :)

grannynancy, I hear you on the cold weather and exercise! I was just fussing because it's been too cold (and icy) to walk, snow shoe or x-country ski for more than a week now. I have been playing on my wii fit instead but it doesn't give me that same great feeling I get from being outdoors. It's warmer today ("Real Feel 4 degrees") and supposed to warm up even more this week. I will sure appreciate that! :D

Diana, writing down what I eat works really well for me too. When I'm tempted to eat something off plan knowing I'll have to put it down in black and white often gives me that extra boost of will power!

Good luck everyone - we've got this!

I'd love to join if thats ok. I didn't weigh in this morning, so it will be a Monday morning weigh in for me. Highest I've ever been, having gained almost 30 lbs since August. No time like the present to get rid of it!

Excellent plan. I'm in!
Back here after about 4 years, and after gaining heaps in the last two. It needs to come off, and will take all year. Calorie counting started on 5th Jan so looking forward to being motivated by this challenge :)

What is everyone using for tracking? I started using MyFitnessPal again. I has worked for me in the past and I find it easy to use ( and free) Let me know if any of you are using it, Would love to have some online tracking support/friends.

shea5: I am with you, I also put on 20lb in 2017. didn't log in to MyFitnessPal and took off my fitbit, it was ugly....! But we ( I ) can not focus on the past, only today and we are back on track being here: )

grannynancy: Weather here is also been in the -'s with snow and ice. I have been doing Low Impact walking, stretching and yoga videos for free on Amazon Prime in the warmth of my Living Room. Not quite the same but it is keeping me moving.

BellaLuce - I am using Cronometer. I paid $2.99 for the ad free version with other features and I think it runs circles around MFP. I am not sure about the community features though but I use one of the daily accountability threads here

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Hi Everyone!

Welcome new participants! If you need any help with the spreadsheet, let me know. The first post, in this thread, has all the essential details.
Beginning this week, I'll make a weekly Weigh-In Sheet available, as part of the Spreadsheet Workbook. Once you have your start weight established on the "Stat Sheet", all you will need to do thereafter is to post your current weight on the unique Weigh-In Sheet for each week.

I've been off to a bit of a rocky start. I did manage to succeed Monday night, with a 12-hour fast, between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. this morning. The 12-hour fast will benefit me in a couple of extra ways. It will help me to comply with not eating 2 hours before bedtime and night eating in general. It's easier for me to delay eating in the morning, but I struggle with wanting to graze like a cow at night. I know it's a habit, and I need to establish a new habit.

I've been getting part of my exercise from volunteering at a therapeutic horseback riding center (a lot of walking). They just resumed classes this week, after a 3-week break. Unfortunately, rain has caused the classes to be cancelled for the last 2 days. The classes were cancelled yesterday, because of rain. I should have went with an alternate plan and gone to the gym, but I didn't. Today is a new day, it's raining again. My plan is to go to the gym.

I hope everyone is off to a good start this week. But remember, most people rarely reach their goals or change habits in a straight line. It takes time to establish new habits. In order to get rid of certain habits, we need to replace them with new habits. Each time we slip, we have a new opportunity to get back with our plan. The sooner we put a slip behind us, the better.

I noticed a discussion on calorie counters. The article below might prove interesting to read.

Review of the 5 best calorie counter websites and apps:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition...lorie-counters

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Ange82much:
Welcome to the challenge! Calorie counting is a good basic strategy. I listened in on a conversation this morning about measuring your food portions. I know I fall into the category of someone who can tend to underestimate the accurate portion size and actual calories I'm consuming.

Curvynotlumpy:
Good to see you in the challenge. A 5K sounds like great motivation to help you reach your goals!

Shea5:
Welcome! I'm glad you are joining us. I added your name to the spreadsheet. Just add your starting weight and a goal for 4-1-18. If you need help with the spreadsheet, let us know.

GrannyNancy:
Periodic water retention is something I've grown to expect, although it can still be disappointing to see a noteable gain when you have been good. But, it will eventually swing back in the righ direction, with a nice loss.

I hope the weather heats ua a bit for you

Heidi58:
Sorry you have been dealing with shingles. Sounds like since you finished your meds, that things are improving. Hope you don't get a reoccurrence.

Uwanted37lbs:
Thanks for telling us a little about yourself and sharing your strategy. You sound very busy. Best wishes with your goal! If I did the math right, you are aiming for a weekly loss of 2.75 pounds. That's ambitious. I'm sure you will be set for a slimmer you this Spring. Does "THM" stand for "Trim Healthy Mama" diet?

Workinglikeadog:
Writing down what you eat can really be an eye opener. The 12-hour fast is supposed to have multiple benefits.:

Improved Brain Health.

Enhanced Detoxification.

Reduced Inflammation

Weight Loss/Weight Management

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Hi Munchey and thanks for all your work on this thread. Looking forward to Sunday's weigh-in (which is almost a day earlier for me compared to most, as I live in Australia, so i'm expecting to be first to the spreadsheet update!!).
Bad luck that you're volunteering was cancelled this week - that's frustrating, but a great idea for lots of reasons (exercise, getting out and about, community service) - good for you!
I'm using the only 'window's phone' calorie counting ap available to me because I only have a work phone and it hardly has any aps! (Don't want to have to use a tablet/laptop for this). Anyway, it's not bad and i'm happy to keep using it. Good luck with your fasting tonight.

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Ange82much:

Best wishes with your weigh-in this week. Sounds like you will be the leader of the pack. I believe it's Summer for you right now. Is that correct?

I used to use a work-provided cell phone for a few years. It was actually a basic dumb cell phone. When I finally bought my own phone, I bought a Nokia phone with the Windows operating system. I really liked Windows for phones, but when My phone battery wore out, I bought a new phone with Android. There is a lot I miss about my Windows phone; but, sadly, it doesn't have much of a future. I think Windows got into the phone business too late. Since they don't have a significant share of the market, no one wants to develop apps for that platform.