Winter Challenge: 9th July - 2nd October

[ganymede]

Hi all!

Getting in early before JP beats me to the punch I will be partaking in a new 12 Week Challenge with my usual My Fitness Pal group and would love if everyone would like to join me here as well with weekly weigh in's and general support. This is the perfect time for me, I think. I have been hovering like a poorly crafted hover board for MONTHS, cycling the same kg's and eating away my sorrows

Well, it's time to take action. I can see the negative changes and it needs to stop. I'm at the point in my separation with my ex that I can really put my 110% focus into this challenge and losing some more kg's (finally!). Everything is basically finalised so it's just playing the waiting game for him to get his affairs in order in the mean time. I want to use all of that time wisely and really take home 2014, give it a great ending and move further away from how horrible it has been so far.

So, who is in?

I will be getting myself "ready" in the weeks to come. At the moment I am focusing on small changes and identifying when those changes bring more energy and a brighter outlook on things. Will slowly decrease my intake again, start with a half an hour walk each day and get my routine back in check. It's time I faced my future head on, however hard it is and however bad some days can get.

I went away to think things through and after a lot of soul searching and some wonderful advise from Kim, I am finally ready. I have a far better perspective on things now and I am excited to get my head in the game once more.

Please weigh in one day of your choosing of the week of the 9th of July. I chose Thursday because it coincides with my other challenge. Would also be fun to post measurements as well but that's entirely up to you.

Hope to see everyone join and let's kick some butt!

[JP1]

I'm in but I'm going to start a week earlier cos I go away again late Sept so Jul 1st to Sept 19th for me

[Blitz]

I'm like an old racing horse...I hear the call to the mounting yard and want to take part - but my time has been!

Good for you - if you get your head down and work really hard - the end of 2014 will see a new version of Shelley reloaded and ready to take on the world! Wishing you all success on this winter leg.

This last challenge has been extremely useful for many of the participants. Much of value has been learnt! Now is the time to bring home the bacon!

Kim

[ganymede]

Mmmmm bacon... I mean...stay away from the bacon!

I'm ready to put in the hard yards, Kim. I've had my time to grieve and now it's time to get serious and put in that effort I know I am capable of. I have learnt a lot about many things during this difficult time, both about myself and about others. It has really given me a great deal of clarity on where I need to go from here. I can do this and will. For myself. Sure, doing it for a possible future with someone too but it's more about ME than them. More about me wanting to be confident and happy with myself and my body. That confidence is sure to shine through in my character eventually.

JP, sounds like a plan! I will be starting on Monday anyway but will be easing back into it, getting the right things in motion and by 9th of July, I'll be ready

[Blitz]

I knew as I was writing it that I shouldn't have mentioned the "B" word!

In the end it has to be for yourself. Sure, others count for something but it is our life, our responsibility and our journey.

Looking forward to see how well your journey turns out!

Kim

[DD Diva]

I'm in!!!

Any reason for the 9th July and not the 1st?? My weigh in day is Sunday, so I guess for me, I'll be starting on the 6th July?

Hey JP.....you're not alone in reviewing your last challenge goal. Unless I cut off a limb on the last day of June I don't think I'll get to my challenge goal of 79.7 Realistically I should be the 80's or perhaps 81's but sadly not where I'd have like to have been, in the 79's

Oh well....I really can't complain, I'm a lot lighter than when I started the challenge weeks ago!!!

[Blitz]

It is never as grand as we plan to lose in that time...but slowly and slowly...we move forward to victory - and that is the main thing.

My first week at weight loss gave me a 2.5kg loss. So I naively calculated losing that each week; that I'll have this weight loss thingy finished in 35 weeks - boy was I so wrong...I was only off by 25 weeks!

Use these challenges to drive you forward...but don't let them beat you down. No matter what you lose...so long as you lose...that makes you a winner no matter what that number is.

Kim

[JP1]

Yeah I'm not going to obtain the 80's before Jul 1 and will come up a couple of Kgs short.. That said there's enough give in my schedule to obtain my goals by December, onwards and downwards..

[Blitz]

At least the goals you guys set yourselves here are conservative and realistic.
There is more than enough time for that ultimate December goal JP.

Kim

[DD Diva]

At least the goals you guys set yourselves here are conservative and realistic.

Yep, I'm going to be even more conservative this time; I think my 9kg goal albeit achievable was maybe a tad on too high at this stage in my journey.

So this next challenge, I'm going to aim for 5-6kg loss depending on where I'm at next week.

Though I've lost 1.1kg 2 weeks in a row now (woohoo.....I did it again!!!!) I don't expect this to happen too often and so (more realistically) my aim of 5-6kg over the 12 week challenge should be reasonably do-able???!!!!

[JP1]

I'm still going to set my Sept 19th target as 82.1 Kgs even though I won't be in the 80s like I'd planned for the start.. No doubt it will be a tough ask yet again but aim for the stars and settle for the moon will be good enough..

[Blitz]

That's the spirit JP!

Aim for the loftiest highs that you dare to. Okay, maybe you won't reach it but the very fact that you are pushing so high means that your efforts are going to be the best you can do. And that is what is required from you...your best.

The thing about these mini goals is not to beat yourself over not reaching them. Just remember they are just motivational spurs to get you to the ultimate destination. In the end - it is arriving at the destination that is all important not how long it took.

Kim

[ganymede]

Well, I haven't checked the scales in over two weeks. I know that is terrible and I know I should but I'm not going to...the reason why is because I know checking now will just break my heart lol. So I will wait until I have my eat and exercise sorted, I really want to start this afresh and new and BETTER than last time! I'm going to the doctor this afternoon to get the rest of my mental health plan sorted and I also need to get referred to a specialist, I need to address my intolerance to red meat and chicken. I think it would be a good idea to check out what exactly is going on in case there is an underlying cause or I'm damaging something in my body. Worth checking out!

[JP1]

Fresh start and new mind set is always good.. I like to get mentally prepared for it too, before Jan I had about 6 month lead time into getting my head in the right place and having many many last supper's

[ganymede]

I've had many a "last supper", I'm terrible Just trying to get the basics down pat, sticking to even energy levels and not having "spikes" or "lows" during the day. Trying to eat a lot more fruit and vege and less of the bad, processed sugars. I mainly have issues with dinner or not so much the dinner but the "after dinner" part After dinner should not mean biscuits/chocolate with my tea I know once I'm back in the swing of things, these will all come naturally. I just have to get to that part...