A YOU Worth Fighting For | January 2016 Weight Loss & Better Living Challenge

[PrincessCooper's Mom]

Does anyone use any supplements to help with their weight loss?

I have been seeing posts on Facebook about Plexus and was curious if anyone knows anything firsthand about it.

 

[PrincessCooper's Mom]

And since I finally added an avatar picture . I guess I should tell you which one I am.
From left to right...
Daughter, Husband, me, Sister, Brother in law, Mother, Father

This picture was from trip in September 2015. The only trip we have all been on together.

 

[DVCFan1994]

Weighed in! Was better than I thought 135, down two pounds from 137, and 2 out of my 6 pound goal. So I'm at 33%.

I'm behind on my normal amount of exercise though. I need to focus on that if I want to keep the progress up!

 

[JacknSally]

Does anyone use any supplements to help with their weight loss?

I have been seeing posts on Facebook about Plexus and was curious if anyone knows anything firsthand about it.

I tried it. I even signed up as distributor, thinking if it was as good as they say it is, I could make some side money.

The Facebook groups I got added to were a MAJOR turn off for me. Little to no discussion about any actually experiencing any positive results, lots of discussion about the best way to pose in "progress" photos to make you look smaller, tips on how to look better (don't wear makeup or do your hair in the before photo, take an after right after you've done your hair and makeup) to sell more product, and the "right things to say" to sell more product. They also really push you to not tell anyone that you'll benefit from it physically. They want buyers to make that assumption themselves 1) for the placebo effect and 2) so they don't get in trouble for making medical claims. You're supposed to word your pitches as "this person has been taking Plexus for 3 months. She has lost 30lbs in 3 months." - it makes you think Plexus caused her to lose that weight, but when it comes down to it in black and white, it's just coincidence.

I never saw any results myself, and as such, I refused to push it to people, much to the dismay of the person I bought it from, whose commission I was hurting because I wasn't "leveling up" sales-wise.

Don't waste your time or your money. Seriously. There are so many other ways you can lose without the gimmicks. It's just a waste of money, there's nothing backing up its claims, and there's very little info about what's in the products. The "pink drink" is basically Crystal Light with some of those "magic weight loss miracles" like green tea added in - it doesn't cure PCOS, it doesn't make you magically less hungry, it doesn't make you kick the sugar habit. The probiotic is no different than what you can get at the grocery store.

I've got a friend who sells it and she says she's been taking it for years but there's been absolutely no change in her, weight or otherwise. She also doesn't have any success stories from anyone she knows or has sold the products to.

 

[Lady Marie]

Off topic--- Anyone else get "A Girl Worth Fighting For" stuck in their head when seeing notifications on the thread? I think I may haven been whistling it all week and just noticed that's what it was I had forgotten what a fun catchy chorus it has haha!

 

[PrincessCooper's Mom]

Thanks for your review of the product. It always helps to get the story from someone who has actually taken it.
I don't trust the before and after pictures of any product like that. I always say that it's not even the same person. LOL!!!

 

[courtneybeth]

I'm on a weird food documentary kick right now, it seems. Done with Fed Up and Forks Over Knives... Now on to Supersize Me, haha.

That made me never want to eat fast food again. It's so gross.

 

[CruisingKate]

WOOHOO I hit 50% for January!!

Great job! Congrats! Are you following the SmartPoints or PointsPlus?

Week 1 Report: 100% of Goal.
Managed to maintain now for 3 weeks!!!

That is fantastic! I've found that it is tougher to maintain than to lose, so hat's off to you!

Hello All! I 'd like to join in as well. I have 50 to lose in 2016 and will be happy if I even get half off. I lost about 20 lbs a few yrs ago with the WISH thread and really liked it.

, Jennifer!

Anyone else get "A Girl Worth Fighting For" stuck in their head when seeing notifications on the thread?

Me, too!

QOTD -- Usually weigh-in at WW Friday morning, before breakfast. I had an appointment this morning, so I'll go to the 8am meeting tomorrow - before breakfast, in my jeans and t-shirt, since that is how I get weighed every week.

 

[pjlla]

Great job! Congrats! Are you following the SmartPoints or PointsPlus?


It took me longer than it should have, but I have fully transitioned over to SmartPoints. As a WW leader I was given the information about this in October and was supposed to start following it then.... but between issues with the app and all, I just kept putting it off and putting it off. But I started kind of "co-tracking" SP and PP since before the official start of SP and am now totally on SP. I'll be honest, the majority of the stuff I eat regularly did not change significantly. The one thing I can think of that changed the most in a not-so-great way is lowfat milk..... but I only use it in my coffee and in a few recipes. so I'll adjust. And there are a few treats and snacks that took a big jump, but again, nothing I eat really regularly, so I can make adjustments.

QOTD -- Usually weigh-in at WW Friday morning, before breakfast. I had an appointment this morning, so I'll go to the 8am meeting tomorrow - before breakfast, in my jeans and t-shirt, since that is how I get weighed every week.

Consistency is good. I know a woman who carried her outfit with her to every weigh-in for YEARS.... even when her original weigh-in outfit was too big! But at least she always knew that she couldn't blame a loss or gain on her clothes!............P

 

[jayna22]

Checking in! I weigh myself multiple times a day. I know it's bad but it helps me be accountable.

I started the Contrave this week but so far it has made me incredibly tired and sick. I plan to keep trying for a minute but it's been pretty miserable.

The reason I will keep trying is because I lost 4 pounds this week, putting me at 57% of my goal.

Thanks!

 

[5xdisneyfans]

Another great documentary available on Netflix. I watched it a few years ago, but it probably wouldn't hurt to watch it again. Anyone ever read Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan? Another good read for folks interested in a health eating lifestyle...............P

I have watched so many documents. I actually have the book Omnivore's Dilemma. Great book.

 

[flvy]

OOOOOOOH I forgot to add that because I am not really going to Disney in Dec with my family (I am hopefully HOPEFULLY getting a new house instead) my hubs felt bad and for Christmas bought him and I tickets to Disney on Ice Treasure Trove.. We go on Sat night .. I'm REALLY excited.. I told him its slightly weird to go without little kids and he said "Ah really says the girl - an adult - who goes to the REAL Disney without little kids" HAAAA Love that man and his logic!!!! I'll post a report when I get back on Monday!!!

Yeah so I got mad when my niece outgrew Disney On Ice because I loved going so much. That was a really dark year for me, and that was before I started going to the parks on my own. He's got sound logic. You keep him around.

Ok, I'm currently watching Forks Over Knives... I am only about halfway through it and will definitely give the whole thing a chance, but it doesn't strike up the same passion and determination that Fed Up did. I just don't fully agree with the "plant based diets are the only way to go and they will make us healthy and cancer free". That's the takeaway I have so far - maybe I'm missing something? I think plants are an essential part of a healthy, well-balanced diet, but I just think that animal-proteins are equally important. It's just obvious (in my opinion) that we were designed to consume animal-proteins. There are nutrients in animal-proteins that your body needs. THAT BEING SAID, I do think that we need to be eating the RIGHT animal-proteins. Fatty proteins, high-processed proteins, those aren't doing your body any good. Taco Bell ground beef is NOT a good example of an animal-protein. KFC fried chicken isn't either. I'm not saying plant-based diets don't work. I have a friend who is in amazing shape who is vegan, and she supplements her lack of animal-protein with protein powders and vitamin supplements, and she spends a lot of time in the gym and lifting weights and running marathons. But she does have to supplement a lot of her diet because she made the choice to cut out animal products. The fact that she has to supplement means that her plant based diet is not enough on it's own. I have another friend who is a vegan, but she is as overweight as I am. I don't think she supplements to the extreme that my other friend does, if at all, and I KNOW she isn't working out.

I think the bigger issue isn't necessarily animal proteins, but what is done to the animal proteins between the animal and your plate.

Edit: Case in point - further into the documentary, they have an older Chinese man (I didn't catch his name) and they talk about how healthy he was in China, but when he came to America and started eating "what Americans eat", he became unhealthy and his arteries clogged and he had a 5-bypass. They say it's because he started eating animal-protein, BUT what they're showing is him eating McDonald's, Burger King, and KFC. It's just kind of common sense that you won't be healthy if that's the majority of your diet, ESPECIALLY if you've always eaten the plants you grew yourself and then suddenly start eating pure junk.

This is what I've been saying about natural foods. That's some of the issue with our meats even discounted ones at super markets they're loaded with crap. I've spent time in china and trust me it's not all "healthy", but for the most part the street food and things that people are eating are natural. It's all about organic and natural as far as health goes in my opinion. My weight gain is from adding in packed food and take out on a constant basis, and then super large servings.

I don't really like meat fish yes, red meat and pork no, chicken I can deal with. I didn't eat meat for years and years and was healthy and the lowest weight I've ever been. I did feel sluggish though because I wasn't getting all the stuff I needed. It's like now I'm forcing myself to eat red meat for iron because iron supplements are no joke, and your body doesn't process plant based iron the same way so the best way for me to get it is red meat. It's not the most tasty thing for me but I'm working around it.

Still in lurk mode as still traveling, but wanted to give @flvy some encouragement! I go out in cold weather for my runs as well. Don't have access to a treadmill, so it is either outside or no run. I even got a little headlight for running in the darkness. Makes me feel much safer as I don't have to rely on streetlights and am more visible. I don't run when the temperature is under -10 degrees Celsius, though. I once read that too much cold air in your lungs can cause your heart having issues.

Yay got you out of lurking! And thank you! I don't think I'll be outside when it's around -10 C. I did the conversion and just no.

 

[flvy]

It's almost midnight and I'm pretty exhausted. It was an early morning, then work, then a run and then some time with my gentleman friend. My dinner calories were basically four oreos and a mikes hard lemonaid. So very healthy I know.

Someone on here got me on a kick of chicken breast (an actual baked breast not deli meat) on pita with hummus, lettuce and red onion. It is so simple and sooooo yummy. That was lunch.

I'm also in an organic beef jerky phase. It's basically salt and protein plus its a way to get some more red meat into my life. I don't know what more I could ever ask for in a food as a runner. I used it as a snack on my way home from work pre run. Just a serving though nothing too crazy. You wouldn't think 1 oz would be a lot but it really is.

Which reminds me. Anyone logging calories that doesn't have a food scale really really really needs one. It's the best $30 I've spent in a long time. I love mine. It takes out all the guess work, and a lot of other measuring.

 

[4Mickeys]

Post your results here in the thread, and, as always, make sure you give the percentage of your progress so I can track it.

Ok I'm at 20% - but really am having trouble getting off my butt I need your help from those who are further along - I know its obvious just get up/out and do it but I really struggle - what are your tips to get moving?

Do you have/use any tricks when you weigh-in each week? Not eating before hand, going to the bathroom first, not getting on the scale with wet hair or in your shoes, etc.?

The day of I weigh first thing in the morning, after using the restroom, and without clothes on lol. It's kind of embarrassing to think about my little weigh-in ritual but I can't do it any other way!

LOL this is me - exactly what I do also - so we can be embarrassed together

 

[dsnyfn1022]

OK, I am totally trying your water trick today to see if my number is lower tomorrow! Haha. I know water has a big effect on me, but I don't think I've paid attention to how it affects the scale.

Yes! It definitely helps me with bigger losses. The other thing I've noticed is that if I eat an unhealthy dinner the night before weigh in it effects the numbers. But if I've had water all day, it usually doesn't. It could just be coincidence? I'm not sure. But it's worth a shot!

Ok, I'm currently watching Forks Over Knives... I am only about halfway through it and will definitely give the whole thing a chance, but it doesn't strike up the same passion and determination that Fed Up did. I just don't fully agree with the "plant based diets are the only way to go and they will make us healthy and cancer free". That's the takeaway I have so far - maybe I'm missing something? I think plants are an essential part of a healthy, well-balanced diet, but I just think that animal-proteins are equally important. It's just obvious (in my opinion) that we were designed to consume animal-proteins. There are nutrients in animal-proteins that your body needs. THAT BEING SAID, I do think that we need to be eating the RIGHT animal-proteins. Fatty proteins, high-processed proteins, those aren't doing your body any good. Taco Bell ground beef is NOT a good example of an animal-protein. KFC fried chicken isn't either. I'm not saying plant-based diets don't work. I have a friend who is in amazing shape who is vegan, and she supplements her lack of animal-protein with protein powders and vitamin supplements, and she spends a lot of time in the gym and lifting weights and running marathons. But she does have to supplement a lot of her diet because she made the choice to cut out animal products. The fact that she has to supplement means that her plant based diet is not enough on it's own. I have another friend who is a vegan, but she is as overweight as I am. I don't think she supplements to the extreme that my other friend does, if at all, and I KNOW she isn't working out.

I think the bigger issue isn't necessarily animal proteins, but what is done to the animal proteins between the animal and your plate.

Edit: Case in point - further into the documentary, they have an older Chinese man (I didn't catch his name) and they talk about how healthy he was in China, but when he came to America and started eating "what Americans eat", he became unhealthy and his arteries clogged and he had a 5-bypass. They say it's because he started eating animal-protein, BUT what they're showing is him eating McDonald's, Burger King, and KFC. It's just kind of common sense that you won't be healthy if that's the majority of your diet, ESPECIALLY if you've always eaten the plants you grew yourself and then suddenly start eating pure junk.

I only watched part of that documentary too because I'm of the same mindset. I didn't find it nearly as inspiring at Fed Up but I'm so glad you watched it and enjoyed it!

 

[dsnyfn1022]

A little progress update...

I actually weighed myself last Saturday for WW purposes and had gone up half a pound (thanks to NYE) so my goal really needed to change from 4 pounds to lose to 4.5 pounds to lose to get me under 200.

With that said I lost 3 pounds this week which puts me at 67% to goal! Super happy about that number. As for my NSV this week I got Taco Bell on Thursday night because I had a really crappy day and just didn't feel like cooking. I got 3 tacos and something else that would put me only 1 point over my dailies. Instead of eating it when I got home, I saved it and made a healthier choice that kept me within my point range! The only me would have just binge ate it all without even thinking AND have something sweet afterwards.

A have a micro-goal for the next week and that is to not go over my weekly allowance. I was 11 points over This week which is just not where I want to be!

 

[JacknSally]

Happy Saturday! Anyone have any fun weekend plans? Don't forget to post your percentages today or tomorrow if you haven't already!!

QOTD for Saturday, January 9, 2016



From 1998-2001, Disney/MGM Studios and Disneyland both ran daily parades honoring Mulan.

From AllEars.net - "The parade begins with that pipsqueak of a dragon Mushu,who leads the way in a rickshaw that circles and cavorts down the street. He is followed by a larger-than-life matchmakerand a corps of future brides. Two tall pagodas and the moongate where Mulan and her father sit to exchange thoughts about the future finish out this opening sequence that pays tribute to Mulan's hometown.

Triumphant warriors returning from battle follow, hoisting the captured and shackled Shan Yu on their shoulders. Mushu has transformed into giant dragon with a battalion of soldiers re-enacting the battle against the Mongolian horde on the 150-foot long Great Wall.

A victory celebration follows, with joyous street performers, including stiltwalkers, kung-fu performers and a fleet-footed Chinese lion weave back and forth across the route. The grand procession concludes with the heroes of the story: the handsome Shang, beautiful Mulan herself and her proud father ride atop an elaborately decorated, horse-drawn carriage as they receive their heroes' welcome. The Emperor overlooks the end of the parade, watching the brave souls who have brought honor to their people."




I definitely miss the parades of the 90's. Did you ever see the Mulan parade at either of these locations? What is/are your favorite daytime or nighttime Disney parade(s)?

​

 

[GeraldineW]

For some reason I stopped receiving notifications on this thread. And, this is my first month participating so I think between being new and lack of notifications I have missed some stuff. I see that I was supposed to weigh in. I did do a weigh in for myself on Jan 1. I’ll do another tomorrow and use that to see if there has been any change since Jan 1 and which direction. I’m happy to report that I managed to make some positive changes for the first week. I did mall walking 3x this week, each time I completed 2 miles. I had a meal plan for the week for homemade meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner and stuck with it. My family helped out more with emptying the dishwasher, setting the table, clearing plate, a battle I had been fighting for a long time but just seemed to happen once the family saw me working so hard. My kids usually come home with their lunches barely touched. This week they ate most of their lunches every day. Almost daily I do McD’s drive through for an unsweetened ice tea to satisfy my caffeine dependence. Sometimes I weaken and order something to eat as well but with my meal plan and homemade breakfast at home, there was nothing purchased other than the iced tea. I can feel myself being happier and calmer with myself. I hope there has been a change in the scale but even if there isn’t I feel like it was a good week and hope I can maintain what I have been doing. For next week I am going to aim for maintaining the meal planning and the mall walking. I’ll try to add something new the following week after I have two solid weeks of success.

 

[JacknSally]

For some reason I stopped receiving notifications on this thread. And, this is my first month participating so I think between being new and lack of notifications I have missed some stuff. I see that I was supposed to weigh in. I did do a weigh in for myself on Jan 1. I’ll do another tomorrow and use that to see if there has been any change since Jan 1 and which direction. I’m happy to report that I managed to make some positive changes for the first week. I did mall walking 3x this week, each time I completed 2 miles. I had a meal plan for the week for homemade meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner and stuck with it. My family helped out more with emptying the dishwasher, setting the table, clearing plate, a battle I had been fighting for a long time but just seemed to happen once the family saw me working so hard. My kids usually come home with their lunches barely touched. This week they ate most of their lunches every day. Almost daily I do McD’s drive through for an unsweetened ice tea to satisfy my caffeine dependence. Sometimes I weaken and order something to eat as well but with my meal plan and homemade breakfast at home, there was nothing purchased other than the iced tea. I can feel myself being happier and calmer with myself. I hope there has been a change in the scale but even if there isn’t I feel like it was a good week and hope I can maintain what I have been doing. For next week I am going to aim for maintaining the meal planning and the mall walking. I’ll try to add something new the following week after I have two solid weeks of success.

Congratulations on your NSV's!! Those are fantastic and maybe even more important than the number on the scale. Hoping for a big loss for you this week!

We report our progress weekly - for a lot of us, that means weighing weekly, but not everyone is tracking pounds lost this month, so some people will report on their distance or minutes walked, etc. It just depends on what you're tracking!

So sorry about the notifications. I've found that when I get an email about a new post, I won't get another one until I view the thread. Sometimes I miss that email and by the time I come view the thread, 3 pages have gone by, LOL. But no worries! Jump in with the conversation if you can and answer our QOTD's if you want!

 

[flvy]

You over achievers need stretch goals haha. I'm going to be at like 20% tomorrow