GOAL: Averaging under 1400 daily calories each week
Week 1 Average = 1395
Week 2:
08: 1430
09: 1199
10: 1530
11: 1781
12: 1190
13: 1216
14: 1209
Average = 1365
.................................................. ...

Newlyn - Congrats on the 2 pounds so far this months; that's great! Btw, another Anglophile here, so maybe I could tag along with gardenerjoy on that tour you mentioned in the exercise thread.

ophelia - With all you have going on (lower weight and in school plus you have kids!), maintaining IS a major accomplishment. The stress will settle and you'll find your new groove with this schedule. Good luck with school! Do you have a favorite class this semester?

Lacerta - I'm sorry about the plateau. Those are so frustrating! It's been a relatively short amount of time though--just a couple of weeks--and the whoosh and steady drops are probably just around the corner. You're working a great plan with exercise and a calorie deficit, so you're bound to keep losing at a good pace. Standstills can be such a downer, but it will pass, and probably soon!

SW: 279
GW: 273

1: 279
2: 278.5 (have been on 279 for a week so I was due some kind of move)
3: 278 (still losing ovulation water weight)
4: 278
5: 277.5 Did 60 active Fitbit minutes yesterday and concentrated on eating protein and veggies
6: 278 Did no active minutes yesterday and only 3500 steps so not surprised there was a bump today
7: 278 Did 39 active minutes yesterday hauling my bags of slate and walked 5400 steps, but still no drop... My official weigh-in day is Saturday so I'll see what happens then.

Total loss after Week One: 1 pound
.................................................. ..............................

8: 278.5 Did 33 active minutes and 6200 steps yesterday, but 1730 calories with lots of bread, so I'm guessing that explains the bump.
9: 280 Did 85 active minutes and 11108 steps yesterday with lots of hills and steps so I'm not surprised that I'm retaining water. I'll do a moderate amount today and drink lots of water.
10: 280 Still holding onto water, which is annoying, but at least I know it's not a real bump.
11: 278.5 Back down, which is a relief. Hopefully the downward trend will continue.
12: 278.5 No change, but it's been a slow couple of days exercise-wise. Yesterday I was out with my dad, who has dementia and limited mobility so we walked but slowly and not far.
13: 278.5 Still no change. My calories and macros are OK so it's either the lack of exercise or hormones. It'll move eventually!
14: 277 Well, that was a nice surprise this morning! I haven't changed anything so it's just consistency and waiting out the water retention.

Total loss after Week Two: 2 pounds
.................................................. .........................................

15: 277 I didn't expect another loss after such a big drop yesterday, but I'm glad that it stuck given that Saturday is my official weigh-in day. However, I've just shoveled down a plate of butter chicken and naan bread so I'm expecting a 10-pound gain tomorrow!!

Chunkahlunkah Yay! Everyone's welcome on the Hadrian's Wall tour!

Lacerta That's the hardest part about weight loss - when you're doing everything right and putting in so much effort but not losing. You just have to ride it out and know that sooner or later it'll start moving again.

GOAL: Averaging under 1400 daily calories each week
Week 1 Average = 1395
Week 2 Average = 1365
Week 3:
Sat 9/15: 1391
Sun 9/16:
Mon 9/17:
Tues 9/18:
Wed 9/19:
Thurs 9/20:
Fri 9/21:
Average =
.............................

Newlyn - Yay, thanks! Mmm, butter chicken is one of my favorite Indian dishes. Did it cause a fluctuation on the scale?

SW: 279
GW: 273

1: 279
2: 278.5 (have been on 279 for a week so I was due some kind of move)
3: 278 (still losing ovulation water weight)
4: 278
5: 277.5 Did 60 active Fitbit minutes yesterday and concentrated on eating protein and veggies
6: 278 Did no active minutes yesterday and only 3500 steps so not surprised there was a bump today
7: 278 Did 39 active minutes yesterday hauling my bags of slate and walked 5400 steps, but still no drop... My official weigh-in day is Saturday so I'll see what happens then.

Total loss after Week One: 1 pound
.................................................. ..............................

8: 278.5 Did 33 active minutes and 6200 steps yesterday, but 1730 calories with lots of bread, so I'm guessing that explains the bump.
9: 280 Did 85 active minutes and 11108 steps yesterday with lots of hills and steps so I'm not surprised that I'm retaining water. I'll do a moderate amount today and drink lots of water.
10: 280 Still holding onto water, which is annoying, but at least I know it's not a real bump.
11: 278.5 Back down, which is a relief. Hopefully the downward trend will continue.
12: 278.5 No change, but it's been a slow couple of days exercise-wise. Yesterday I was out with my dad, who has dementia and limited mobility so we walked but slowly and not far.
13: 278.5 Still no change. My calories and macros are OK so it's either the lack of exercise or hormones. It'll move eventually!
14: 277 Well, that was a nice surprise this morning! I haven't changed anything so it's just consistency and waiting out the water retention.

Total loss after Week Two: 2 pounds
.................................................. .........................................

15: 277 I didn't expect another loss after such a big drop yesterday, but I'm glad that it stuck given that Saturday is my official weigh-in day. However, I've just shoveled down a plate of butter chicken and naan bread so I'm expecting a 10-pound gain tomorrow!!
16: 277.5 Just half a pound of pain after my Indian yesterday. My total calories were actually fine (1335) but the salt, sugar, and bread were bound to have an effect.

Chunkahlunkah Only half a pound! I think I got off lightly!

Week Three
15: 223.4
16: 222.2
17:
18:
19:
20:
21:
----------------------------
Total Loss for Week Three:

Back down again today, but I can't count it as a loss, as it is still in my 221.8-224.0 window I've been bouncing around in. But I'm back in striking distance again of getting to a new low, if my body decides to shake loose and head that direction again. At least for my official weekly weigh in, I was down from last week. Yesterday's weight would have been a gain, but with today's weigh in, I at least get to post a very small loss. I've lost a whopping 0.4 pounds in the last 2 weeks. SOON! SOON the scale will get moving downward again. Went for a 3 mile walk by the river again today. Weather was beautiful.

GOAL: Averaging under 1400 daily calories each week
Week 1 Average = 1395
Week 2 Average = 1365
Week 3:
Sat 9/15: 1391
Sun 9/16: 1497 (running average = 1444)
Tues 9/18:
Wed 9/19:
Thurs 9/20:
Fri 9/21:
Average =
.................................................. .

I was more hungry than usual yesterday. I even felt hunger at night (I usually don't) and had to ignore the sensation since I was over my calorie limit. I'm down a few ounces this morning, which is the first drop on the scale in about 10 days. I didn't get in any exercise yesterday. I was busy all day with a paper. I feared a break to exercise would hurt my momentum. I'm not sure if I should accept that some days will be like that or try to come up with a schedule that keeps exercise a part of my day even when working on a deadline.

Lacerta - That walk sounds lovely! Fingers crossed for soon.

weigh in today, finally dropped below 170lbs

Chunkahlunkah: Thanks for the encouragement. Personally, I try my very best to work in at least a walk every day. But I also accept that there are some days when it just isn't going to happen. In other words, you have to make you and your health a priority and make time for them, but also don't punish yourself if you have an occasional day where you just have to take a day off. Rest days are important too. So when I have a day that I just can't fit it in, I just consider that a rest day. The "never two in a row" rule is a good one. If you have to not work out today, then you absolutely MUST work out tomorrow. If you skip two in a row, it is more likely to become a pattern.

yangtzer: Big congrats on hitting a new decade.

Week Three
15: 223.4
16: 222.2
17: 221.6
18:
19:
20:
21:
----------------------------
Total Loss for Week Three:

Happy dance. I finally broke out of my range to a new low. Hopefully I can continue downward from here, but if nothing else, this is my first new low in 12 days, I think.

SW: 279
GW: 273

1: 279
2: 278.5 (have been on 279 for a week so I was due some kind of move)
3: 278 (still losing ovulation water weight)
4: 278
5: 277.5 Did 60 active Fitbit minutes yesterday and concentrated on eating protein and veggies
6: 278 Did no active minutes yesterday and only 3500 steps so not surprised there was a bump today
7: 278 Did 39 active minutes yesterday hauling my bags of slate and walked 5400 steps, but still no drop... My official weigh-in day is Saturday so I'll see what happens then.

Total loss after Week One: 1 pound
.................................................. ..............................

8: 278.5 Did 33 active minutes and 6200 steps yesterday, but 1730 calories with lots of bread, so I'm guessing that explains the bump.
9: 280 Did 85 active minutes and 11108 steps yesterday with lots of hills and steps so I'm not surprised that I'm retaining water. I'll do a moderate amount today and drink lots of water.
10: 280 Still holding onto water, which is annoying, but at least I know it's not a real bump.
11: 278.5 Back down, which is a relief. Hopefully the downward trend will continue.
12: 278.5 No change, but it's been a slow couple of days exercise-wise. Yesterday I was out with my dad, who has dementia and limited mobility so we walked but slowly and not far.
13: 278.5 Still no change. My calories and macros are OK so it's either the lack of exercise or hormones. It'll move eventually!
14: 277 Well, that was a nice surprise this morning! I haven't changed anything so it's just consistency and waiting out the water retention.

Total loss after Week Two: 2 pounds
.................................................. .........................................

15: 277 I didn't expect another loss after such a big drop yesterday, but I'm glad that it stuck given that Saturday is my official weigh-in day. However, I've just shoveled down a plate of butter chicken and naan bread so I'm expecting a 10-pound gain tomorrow!!
16: 277.5 Just half a pound of pain after my Indian yesterday. My total calories were actually fine (1335) but the salt, sugar, and bread were bound to have an effect.
17: 277.5 No change today. That's OK but I'm wondering whether my habit of cramming in steps before midnight is causing me to retain water that's still there when I weight in the next morning. No idea, it's just a theory.

Lacerta Congrats on the loss!

Chunkahlunkah If I miss a few days of exercise, as I have with my recent foot problems, it's so much harder to get back into it, but a day isn't going to hurt. It might put more pressure on you to try and shoehorn exercise into a busy day. On the other hand, if you're sitting writing a paper all day, even a 10-minute walk will make you feel better, physically and mentally.

Lacerta I’m with you on the rest day philosophy. Sometimes my training schedule doesn’t line up with real life (12 hour day, plus commute, take care of kid responsibilities, then run a couple of miles sometimes just doesn’t happen). Nice job busting out of your range!

Yangtzer 😊

Chunkah It must be the changing of the seasons or something, impacting hunger. I’ve been satisfied with my intake for months, but my loss plateaued AND I’m hungry. Wth?? You’re doing really well, stay strong. 😉

Newlyn Hi there! You’re really good about keeping a diary of activity and correlating it with weight impacts. I track everything (so I can go back if I see movement that doesn’t make sense to me) but I like the way you’re processing the information and then writing it up. Can I send you my info and you can do the same for me? Ha ha.

Momtopands How’s it going? Still unpacking and getting settled? I’m not going to lie, I still have boxes in the garage from my move last June. But I don’t want to deal with more stuff in the house, soooo. Good to see you around! 😊

Ange82much Hope you’re having an enjoyable time in India! I think I would be madly Googling food options and carrying a list, or perhaps just panicking. I’m low (grain based) carb and heavy protein. Impressive maintenance record, you’ve really found your zone!

Ophelia You’re so close to the next milestone! I’m not sure what you have going on right now, but life has been crazy busy for us. Maintaining during trips and exercise and back to school and everything feels like a win. Has it cooled down a little bit in AZ? We got a wave of cooler weather in CA and it’s glorious. I just want to spend all day outside. Definitely helps the motivation to get moving.

I looked at my macros and discovered that I’ve been eating less protein than I had been previously. I’m going to adjust and see if more protein works to stave off the hunger. More protein and more water. In the meantime, I’m locking up the bread and popcorn.

07: 153.2 (water retention from travel)
08: 151.8
09: 151
10: 151.2
11: 151.4
12: 151.2
13: 151
14: 148.8 (dehydration from a night out with friends)
15: DNW
16: 151.6

GOAL: Averaging under 1400 daily calories each week
Week 1 Average = 1395
Week 2 Average = 1365
Week 3:
Sat 9/15: 1391
Sun 9/16: 1497
Mon 9/17: 1372 (running average = 1420)
Tues 9/18:
Wed 9/19:
Thurs 9/20:
Fri 9/21:
Average =
.................................................. .

I've been at 135.2 for two days in a row now, which is a new low.

SnowMama - Hungrier and a plateau isn't fair at all! I hope the protein increase helps on both counts.

Newlyn - You're right, even some brief exercise after a marathon sitting session helps so much! Your theory about water retention from late night steps sounds very plausible to me.

Lacerta - I've definitely experienced what you and Newlyn mention regarding the longer w/o exercise, the harder to get back into it. I also didn't exercise yesterday, eek! So that was 2 days. This is a hectic week, but I know these will keep popping up. Once I have a little more time to reflect, I'm going to reevaluate. It may just be the case that during these busy weeks, exercising during my weekend (Fri - Sun) is all that I can reasonably do. I still have a lot of work to do on those days, but they're far more manageable bc I don't also have meetings, teaching, or class time.

Yangzter - Congrats on the drop!

to all!

Chunkahlunkah: I would definitely TRY to fit the exercise in today. Even if you only make it for 10 minutes, just to stay in the habit. And big congrats on the new low.

Snowmama: Getting enough protein in is a constant battle for me. I'm not a vegetarian, I just really don't like handling raw meat, so I don't cook much of it. And lunch meat is so processed with so much sodium, so I don't eat much of that either. Protein is hard for me.

Newlyn: Not sure about that. Strength exercises make the body retain water, because the muscles are trying to heal themselves. But I've never heard that aerobic exercise does. But sometimes if I have a LOT of sodium in one day, I can retain water for the next 2 days before it all gets released. Maybe you are still hanging on to some of that Indian food.

Week Three
15: 223.4
16: 222.2
17: 221.6
18: 222.0
19:
20:
21:
----------------------------
Total Loss for Week Three:

So I'm back up into my stuck range again today. On the bright side, I'm hanging out at the lower end of the range now instead of the upper end.

Today is my 6 month anniversary of this new lifestyle. So I'm going to focus on the positive. In 6 months, I've lost 45 pounds. Despite the plateau this month, I've actually kept up with where I hoped to be for the year. In fact, at the beginning of the summer, I set my goal to be at 222 by the first day of fall, which is this week. So I'm not only on track, I'm actually exactly where I hoped to be. The fact that I got there basically 3 weeks ago and then have been stuck here can't diminish from that fact. Even if I don't make the goals I set for this month, if I can just get to 219, which is only 3 pounds away, I'll still be on track for my end of year goals. There's still 12 days left in the month, so that is definitely possible, if I can just get the scale moving again.

SW: 279
GW: 273

1: 279
2: 278.5 (have been on 279 for a week so I was due some kind of move)
3: 278 (still losing ovulation water weight)
4: 278
5: 277.5 Did 60 active Fitbit minutes yesterday and concentrated on eating protein and veggies
6: 278 Did no active minutes yesterday and only 3500 steps so not surprised there was a bump today
7: 278 Did 39 active minutes yesterday hauling my bags of slate and walked 5400 steps, but still no drop... My official weigh-in day is Saturday so I'll see what happens then.

Total loss after Week One: 1 pound
.................................................. ..............................

8: 278.5 Did 33 active minutes and 6200 steps yesterday, but 1730 calories with lots of bread, so I'm guessing that explains the bump.
9: 280 Did 85 active minutes and 11108 steps yesterday with lots of hills and steps so I'm not surprised that I'm retaining water. I'll do a moderate amount today and drink lots of water.
10: 280 Still holding onto water, which is annoying, but at least I know it's not a real bump.
11: 278.5 Back down, which is a relief. Hopefully the downward trend will continue.
12: 278.5 No change, but it's been a slow couple of days exercise-wise. Yesterday I was out with my dad, who has dementia and limited mobility so we walked but slowly and not far.
13: 278.5 Still no change. My calories and macros are OK so it's either the lack of exercise or hormones. It'll move eventually!
14: 277 Well, that was a nice surprise this morning! I haven't changed anything so it's just consistency and waiting out the water retention.

Total loss after Week Two: 2 pounds
.................................................. .........................................

15: 277 I didn't expect another loss after such a big drop yesterday, but I'm glad that it stuck given that Saturday is my official weigh-in day. However, I've just shoveled down a plate of butter chicken and naan bread so I'm expecting a 10-pound gain tomorrow!!
16: 277.5 Just half a pound of pain after my Indian yesterday. My total calories were actually fine (1335) but the salt, sugar, and bread were bound to have an effect.
17: 277.5 No change today. That's OK but I'm wondering whether my habit of cramming in steps before midnight is causing me to retain water that's still there when I weight in the next morning. No idea, it's just a theory.
18: 276.5 A bit of a bump. Yesterday I made sure that I'd finished my active minutes by 6pm. No idea if that had any effect.

Lacerta Congratulations on your 6-month anniversary! That's an excellent loss rate! As for me, the only reason I thought it might be water retention is because my legs are very heavy and when walking at home/around the garden I kind of march, so I end up with aching leg muscles and tend to stay in a fat-burning zone rather than cardio. So long as I eventually lose weight, I don't mind how it happens!

Chunkahlunkah Yay for the new low! Sticking to that calorie level really seems to work for you!

SnowMama I love protein but it's so hard to eat enough. Yesterday I had a lot and I felt stuffed, but today I've had a ton of carbs in the form of french fries and I'm starving. As for my ramblings, I think I'm just obsessed with details! Even though I know logicaly that food/exercise might not have an effect for one or several days, and that water, hormones, sleep and whatever else all affect weight loss, it makes me feel more in control if I try and explain gains/losses so that I don't become discouraged or complacent. I have an Excel spreadsheet with my daily weight in pounds, and my weekly official weight and weight change in pounds, stones (because I'm British!), and kilos, as well as BMI and body fat %, and thirteen different body measurement (which I only do monthly). It means that there's always a goal to aim for in the short, medium, and longer term. I also track all of my calories and macros. It might seem a bit obsessive, but if I let it slide then I'll probably end the week scarfing family-size bars of Cadbury's chocolate in bed, which I was doing 10 weeks ago!

GOAL: Averaging under 1400 daily calories each week
Week 1 Average = 1395
Week 2 Average = 1365
Week 3:
Sat 9/15: 1391
Sun 9/16: 1497
Mon 9/17: 1372
Tues 9/18: 1081 (running average = 1335)
Wed 9/19:
Thurs 9/20:
Fri 9/21:
Average =

.................................................. ..
Lacerta - I kept in mind your advice to get exercise in today, and I did! I lucked out bc I'd budgeted more time for an assignment than it actually ended up taking, so that freed up some time. Congrats on your 6 month anniversary and your stellar results!

Newlyn - Thanks! I'm thinking of dropping the calorie level a little in October. I'll wait and see where I am at the end of this month.