'BoutThatActionBoss

3 minutes ago, Shello said:

To be clear, we are walking the 5k.

Heyyy! That is good too! Enjoy your walks!

2 hours ago, Shello said:

We've started to replace our neighborhood walks with a 5k at the lake.  We did three last week.  I'm feeling a bit beat up between that, yard work and moving my son back from college.  But we've got 3 planned again for this week plus another day of yardwork.  Outdoor fitness is so much more fun than workouts in the basement.  

First off, nice work with the loss in week 7! Secondly, great work with the 5K. Outdoor fitness is much better than just being in the basement. During the pandemic when I was working at home, I used to bring my kettlebell outside and just do the same routine but in the fresh air and it was really nice. I did embarrass myself on one super hot and humid day. I was broiling so I decided to take my shirt off (which I never do), but right at that moment my landlord's wife came outside.  I don't think anyone wants to see my overweight, middle aged body but I guess that was her unlucky day! 

Enjoy your runs!

Another week and another pound gained! I am mentally checked out right now. Hoping to mull over some dietary changes this weekend and get back to doing some exercises. Time to get going! 

Gained weight again. I'm definitely in a mid-life period of malaise/doldrums. I've been dealing with injuries so I can't work out and eating really poorly. Also thinking about some bigger life changes that I may need to make that won't be easy. I need to get back to at least eating better though. I've been definitely overindulging and it makes me feel like garbage mentally and physically. Fingers crossed I can get back on the path this week. I hope nobody else is in the doldrums! 

Woof woof. I've been absent the last two weeks. Been a lot going on between personal and work life. Some good, some bad. Still dealing with the fallout of losing my cousin. I gained 1.2 lbs this week as I have really reverted to some bad dietary habits since around Easter. I need to impose some more discipline on my eating and get back to what I was doing since February.

I'm also dealing with some injuries so working out is probably not happening this week (hurt hands/wrists, groin pull from a run and Achilles pain). I think this is part of trying to be active in middle age, you need to know when to back off so you can get back to things without really injuring yourself. I always have this thought in my head to 'lose the battle but win the war' if that makes sense. 

On 4/19/2022 at 8:29 PM, Fairly_Bouncer said:

Sorry for your loss, and hope this week goes well for you too!

Thank you for your kind words! 

Unrelated to health and fitness, I started to watch the original Star Trek series and am really enjoying it! I am not a big TV guy but I do like sci-fi books/movies and although some stuff is dated, the writing and ideas they present are often really thought-provoking. Anyone like the original series? And are there other sci shows you would recommend from any era? 

Happy Monday everyone!

2 minutes ago, Elastigirl said:

That sounds like a rough week. Hopefully you are feeling better. Sorry about your relative.

 Thank you! It was not a great week but I know people have worse. And thanks for your condolences. He was a great man (gave one of his kidneys to a sick relative, took in his niece for years when she had no place to go) and we will all miss him. 

Hey all! I am down 1.8 lbs but truthfully it's because I was dealing with a really bad flare up of IBS. One of the worst I've had in years and could barely eat (or function) some days. I don't recommend this as a weight loss method. I also lost a close relative (he had been battling melanoma for years) so it was a difficult week. Please make sure you are vigilant about taking care of your skin! It was heartbreaking to lose him but I take solace in the fact he is no longer suffering.

I hope everyone had a good week. Happy Easter/Passover if you celebrate!

Down a pound this week! That's two weeks in a row of loss, which is nice after five weeks in a row with the same weight. I've been dealing with a lot of stomach issues lately, so that makes losing weight easier but I guess when life gives you lemons, you lose weight. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

On 4/5/2022 at 4:20 PM, Yasha92 said:

Australia, it’s pretty high case numbers here at the moment and going into autumn so mixing with the other lurgies floating around.

Ah that makes sense. I know the UK was seeing a huge spike in cases. Usually they are 2-3 weeks ahead of where I am in the US so I expect we will be having high case numbers in my part of the country soon unfortunately! I hope you don't have anything lingering and that you are feeling better!

16 hours ago, RES said:

I'm up .2 lbs from last week...did go a little off when I was out of town this weekend but I was still hopeful! 

 Ah 0.2 could just be water weight as well, so have hope for next week! 

7 hours ago, Mr_Willes said:

Though how the week is going now.... coming week isn't gonna be so stellar... Weekend in a hotel, with fellow travel-guides. Bad weather, not much left but drinking awful amounts of beer.

 

Also not really a chance to go running...

 

Ooow boy, next monday weigh in is gonna be a thing

Hey it happens! It's not always a linear downward trend, you'll get back on track. 

4 hours ago, Yasha92 said:

I had covid last week and while amongst it I fluctuated a fair bit, not sure where my weight actually is since it is bouncing all over the place, but adding back in some freggies and water after a week of tolerating only pizza and frozen Coke

Sorry to hear that? Are you in the UK? I understand COVID is surging there now so here in the US we are probably 3 weeks or so away from it. I am hearing more and more people getting it again. Good luck with your recovery! 

On 4/2/2022 at 12:26 PM, Lively said:

We did Easter egg hunting yesterday! Our favorite tradition is confetti eggs. After we found all of them we lined up in the driveway and smacked em with a badminton racket 😝 My husband surprised me with my own Easter basket with treats in it that were keto approved. Who needs a chocolate bunny when you've got a Coke Zero and Slim Jims hahaha.

Hey that sounds like fun! And who doesn't love Coke Zero and Slim Jims! Sounds like a fun time though!

3 hours ago, Shello said:

Starting weight 242.0 

Week 1: 240.4 (down 1.6)

 

I'll take it even though it feels more like I'm just bouncing around the same place and merely maintaining.  But my initial weigh in was higher than expected due to a rough week so this indicates a bit of recovery.  That's good.  I did some analysis of my Fitbit numbers over the weekend.  My calorie burn has been lower than usual since I recovered from Covid and I couldn't explain it.   But as it turns out even though I felt like my steps were in line with pre-Covid they are in fact down on average from the weeks before.  I need to focus on increasing steps/activity and keeping my calories under target to compensate.  

Glad you were able to get to the bottom of the issue. I hope your bout of COVID wasn't too bad! I think with this latest variant of the variant we will all be exposed to it soon, if we haven't had it yet. Nice work being down 1.6 though!

2 hours ago, Elastigirl said:

If my goal were maintenance I'd be set. I am the same weight and measurement as last week. Kind of frustrated.  Last week, I tried to be more accurate with my tracking, by making sure I tracked  everything. I ended up  having more calories each day. This week I'm going to try for the accuracy and to be closer to 1,600

I hear this! I was the same weight five weeks in a row. It took a bad stomach issue for me to lose weight but I guess we need to take progress where we can get it ha. Good luck with your tracking this week!

Week 1 in the books! Down 0.8 and I will take it. The goal is around a pound a week and after being stuck on the exact same weight for five weeks, that is two weeks in a row with a loss. 

I hope everyone had a great week! Anyone up to anything fun this weekend? 

Thank you for bringing the challenge back! This is really helpful for me. The goal is to be down to 183 by the end. I'm heading to Ireland for some tourism/family visits and would love to be healthier for it. Good luck everyone!

On 3/11/2022 at 3:57 PM, Sylvaa said:

 

Fingers crossed on your race! I know races in my area are being postponed due to the weather already!

Thank you! The race went well! I exceeded my goal so that was nice! I am very sore and tweaked a muscle in my leg, but nothing too bad. It was freezing last Sunday up here in the northeast but once you get running, it isn't too bad! 

Welp, I end the challenge with the EXACT. SAME. WEIGHT. for the last five weeks. I don't think that has ever happened to me. I ended up losing three pounds, which is good! But nowhere near my goal of 12. Ultimately, a net loss is better than gaining, but I am a bit disappointed. I simply am eating too much. I'm consistently going over my MFP calorie limit, it's that simple. But, I am ready to have a good spring! Good luck to everyone with your final weigh-ins and have a wonderful weekend! 

On 3/17/2022 at 6:58 AM, RES said:

Yes there will...if @Rurik Harrgath isn't doing another one I'll make sure we have it

OK great! Thank you! This thread has been really helpful!

Weekly goal check-in time: 

1) Finish the C25K program and run my race in mid March, then start training for my half marathon in May

I finished the app and started the 10K app. My race is on Sunday and I am ready! Trying to run at a 9:30 pace, so 47:30 or better is the goal. We will see but I'm feeling good. 

2) Track my calories every day until the end of the challenge in MyFitnessPal to lose three pounds 

The tracking has been great! But for the fourth week in a row, I am the exact same weight, down to the tenth of a pound. It's pretty incredible honestly. I will work to get under my calorie goal at least four days this week, so I hope some progress can be made that way. 

3) Stay away from ice cream and fried foods until the end of the challenge. 

So far, so good here!

4) Sleep 7 hours a night on work days

Sleep has been good! I'm on one of the better runs of sleep I have had in a couple of years, so that is good. My body the last couple of nights has been craving sleep and I've been able to almost always get 7 hours. I probably will need more when I really start to put the miles in for my half marathon in the coming weeks, but I'm in a good spot. 

5) Join a beginner hockey league

Got this one done this week and I am so stoked! I never played hockey before but I was able to cobble together all the equipment and play in am organized pickup game on Wednesday. Everyone was really nice and patient with me even though I was by far the worst player. I signed up for another game next week and can't wait to play. 

Non-fitness goals: 
 

1) Read Hamlet by the end of the challenge

Not yet, still trying to finish East of Eden. It's only been two months 😢

2) Work on my side hustle for four hours total

Not yet! I really could use the extra money though! 

A solid week overall, but I really would like to drop some weight. Like almost 40 pounds so I can get down to a normal BMI but I will take the victories where I can get them!

On 3/7/2022 at 3:58 PM, Elastigirl said:

Way to go on the race training! My guess with weight loss is that you are tracking fine, you just need to stick to the goal. That's something I struggle with too. I'm experimenting to see what works best for me. Right now what I'm doing is less calories during the week, and a bit more on the weekends. Weekends is where I tend to go over. So I'm trying to just plan for it.

 

I enjoyed East of Eden. It's been a long time since I read it.  I may re-read it.

Yeah the tracking is going well. But I am always over and you're right, I need to stick to the goal. This week is the fourth week in a row where I am the exact same weight. The tracking is good, but now I need to stay within my limits. Lately I've been able to control most of the foods that I tend to overeat, but I'm still overdoing it with other foods. I'm hoping this will be the week I finally see progress, especially if I stay within the caloric limit. 

Still haven't finished East of Eden but I am very, very close. It's a wonderful book, Steinbeck was an amazing writer. 

22 minutes ago, Sloth the Enduring said:

Bodies are weird. Sometimes they go in a holding pattern for a long while just to make sure you’re serious before they do anything drastic like actually dropping weight.  

Man ain't that the truth. I figured there would be some variation but no! 

Does anyone know if there will there be another PVP Challenge? I've enjoyed this, despite my stall out, and would like to do it again!

I am the exact same weight for the fourth week in a row. I am actually amazed more than anything else. 

I am disappointed that I'm not going to come close to my goal weight for this challenge, but at least I didn't gain? 

How is everyone else doing this week? 

Time for my weekly check in:

1) Finish the C25K program and run my race in mid March, then start training for my half marathon in May

My running has probably been my biggest 'win' since the beginning of the year. Today I ran five miles with two one minute walk breaks, so I feel pretty confident for the race, which is on Sunday. I will then jump into the half marathon training. I may take most of next week off to rest a bit, or maybe I will just scale back my miles a bit. But I  have had good progress and am happy with that. 

2) Track my calories every day until the end of the challenge in MyFitnessPal to lose three pounds 

I have been tracking every day, but I am not sure how accurate I am being. I am the same weight for the third week in a row, but truthfully I do frequently go over my calorie limit. I have a feeling I will do better this upcoming week as I have had a good last few days and feel like I am finally starting to build momentum. 

3) Stay away from ice cream and fried foods until the end of the challenge. 

The last week or so has been good. Last night I could have gotten Chinese food, which always destroys my stomach, but instead I opted for a ham and cheese sandwich with chips and then a Greek yogurt for dessert. 

4) Sleep 7 hours a night on work days

I've been better about sleep the last few weeks and I am getting 7 hours a night, on average. This is very good for me! 

5) Join a beginner hockey league

I bought skates and got all the equipment and have my first game Wednesday night! I have never played hockey before so I am stoked. I wanted a new activity and it's a sport that always looked fun so I figured why not. There's no contact, which is key as I am old and don't want to get hurt haha. 

Non-fitness goals: 
 

1) Read Hamlet by the end of the challenge

Nothing done on this yet! I want to read Shakespeare but I always get sidetracked by something else I am reading. Right now it is East of Eden by Steinbeck and it's pretty incredible. 

2) Work on my side hustle for four hours total

I've done zero hours so far. Blech. 

3 hours ago, Shello said:

I've technically met my 10 pound goal

Heyyyyyyyyyy! Congrats! That is great! You must be stoked. Like you said, the fight is not over (I don't think it ever will be), but that is great news. Keep it going! 

3 hours ago, Shello said:

Maintaining is good.  Keep it up!  I hope next week goes well! 

This is true. I am trying to keep in mind that at least I haven't gained, and my fitness is improving. Just gotta keep making changes and try to stay positive. 

Welp, I am the same weight for the third week in a row, down to the tenth of a pound (195.2)! The beginning of last week wasn't great, but I feel locked in since Wednesday, and I think I can finally see some progress for next week. So I hope to finish strong these next few weeks. I hope everyone else is doing well! 

On 3/1/2022 at 2:58 PM, Elastigirl said:

Yes, that makes sense. I think there is a sweet spot to goals. Too small a goal isn't challenge but too hard a goal or too many goals just leads to frustration. One of the reasons  I enjoy doing challenges is that it really helps with training myself in proper goal setting

Yes definitely! I had done a few challenges a number of years ago but fell away. It's good to be back, and having these things to work toward helps give me some focus in life since I have a tendency to drift in life! And although the goals change over time for various reasons (aging, time, money, etc), it's still great to have them. 

On 3/2/2022 at 4:47 PM, Defining said:

I was listening to a podcast about goal setting, and one of the strategies he suggested was to pick 6, and do them for 2 months; and then carry on, see which actually stick. Was an interesting thought.

Yeah that is sound advice. I think the thing to be is persistent. Not in the sense of doing the same thing over and over again if it isn't working, but rather trying to go through different strategies to find one that works. For instance, I struggle with nutrition and one major goal is to get down to a healthier BMI, and I need to be persistent in it. And I also need to realize that if one nutritional strategy doesn't work, I should move on to another instead of throwing up my hands and saying "screw it, pizza forever" or something like that!

On 2/28/2022 at 9:49 AM, Shello said:

Starting 248.4

Week 1: 245.6 (down 2.8)

Week 2: 245.0 (down 0.6)

Week 3: 244.4 (down 0.6)

Week 4: 243.0 (down 1.4)

Week 5: 245.0 (up 2.0)

Week 6: 241.6 (down 3.4)

Week 7: 239.8 (down 1.8)

Week 8: 239.6 (down 0.2)

Total loss: 8.8

 

Not a great week for me.  It felt like a decent week but I was doing my weekly summary on my challenge and realized my average calories were over target for the week because we ordered Domino's mid week.  I'm not concerned though.  I didn't go up at all and overall that pizza is negligible as my calories still average below target over the whole challenge to date, the whole year so far for that matter.   The scale was all over the place too so I'm confident it will land lower after a bit more consistency.  Plus I'm still on target for a pound a week.   Just a couple of weeks left!  Who's ready for the home stretch?

Hey down 0.2 is still something! And 8.8 total is pretty damn good. Keep at it and good things will happen. Nice work! 

On 2/28/2022 at 1:22 PM, Mistr said:

My weight is down a little from last week, but still up from the start of the challenge.  

 

At least that shows that not tracking food was not a total disaster. It feels like I can make choices on the moment and not feel guilt about them.

 

That said, I was just about ready to abandon this challenge. Work has been crazy again and I cope by eating comfort food. We usually do batch cooking of healthy protein, but that didn't happen this weekend. The ready-to-go food in my fridge right now is lasagna and enchiladas. I am going to buy a big package of chicken breasts, but those won't get cooked until tomorrow. Maybe I'll have a green smoothie for quick veggies and variety.

 

I will be getting a lot of exercise this week. If I can avoid eating junk, I should be on the right track. Next week I can work in the office several days, which helps me get more steps and makes me plan food ahead of time.

Sorry about work being crazy. I certainly have been there, and I often will retreat into comfort foods as well. I still don't have a great strategy for dealing with that tendency, but the important thing is to get back on track as soon as you can. Good that you're exercising though! Keep that going!