Find Your Own "Directive" - the February Weight Loss / Life Style Change Challenge

[JacknSally]

Things that helped us sway our decision:
- Number of days -- about 4-5 days will break even
- Passholder discounts on merch
- Ability to purchase Tables in Wonderland discount dining (20% off all table service meals, including alcohol)

We don't do the dining plan because it... well, we don't eat enough food. But we love the flexibility to do the Premier pass because we can payment plan the "Signature" pass and pay the difference of the Premier upon purchase. It's a cost-wash for us, but we love flashing the gold card


We're debating this year if we're going to renew premier or just buy WDW for 2017. We're presently assessing crowds and the levels with construction - and how that will be affected by Star Wars stuff. I think most of the present passholders will choose to renew/jump ship by the end of this month, so we'll see come March and April what it'll be like on a "normal" day.

I'm about 80% certain we'll renew both parks. It's been so nice to go to Disney and realize that I don't have to go home early to study. I can just relax and enjoy the time with my hubs.

They are also rumoring that the tiered pricing may come in to play with the next price increase, or at least by the end of the year, so keep that in mind! They've already set up that structure for Shanghai.

 

[JacknSally]

Fitbit users, help a girl out.

I've decided I want a tracker, and in my research, I keep coming back to Fitbit. I didn't like the Fitbit one at all. That being said, I work with my hands all day and the potential of a wrist band is eh because I'm afraid it will "track" all these "steps" when I'm painting or something because my hands are constantly going. I'm also torn between the Flex and the Charge HR - I like the heart rate feature because I feel like it would be more accurate, especially because I end up waking on the treadmill more than anything and don't always swing my arms. The flex is substantially cheaper, though.


Thoughts? Feedback? Opinions?

 

[pjlla]

Morning all! Happy Sunday! I've got to head out to the robotics lab in a few hours and just remembered that I have a WW online training that we HAVE to finish by today. Hope it isn't more than an hour! Ended the night last night with a light beer, homemade microwave popcorn and a few bites of chocolate, but had the SP left for them, so that was good. Dinner ended up being a plate of roasted sweet potato. DH wasn't home and DS and his girlfriend had cheddar baked potatoes, so I wasn't up for making a meal for myself. I roasted 3 big sweet potatoes and enjoyed my portion tremendously! That being said, that was a LOT of carbs (sweet potato, then popcorn, then a few bites of chocolate) late at night.... hope I didn't do much damage!

Anyone here ever participate in DietBet? DD did one last month and it was a great motivator AND she made some money! She wants me to do the next one with her, but I'm very leary because I have so little to lose and I lose SO SLOWLY. I'd be SUPER ticked off if I LOST money! (As it is I found not one, but TWO unpaid Boston parking tickets in my paperwork yesterday that I had forgotten about.... bye-bye $146 ). I've LOVE the motivation and all.... but the thought of betting and LOSING even if I tried hard would be really frustrating!

Cup of coffee #2 is almost gone.... time to get onto the training and then BREAKFAST for all! Hoping to BBL to chat!

Megan.... can't help with the FitBit decision because I gave away my Flex to my DD.... who is enjoying using it tremendously. But now I have decided that I would like one and am thinking about it just like you are. I'm leaning toward the One only because I don't want to wear it on my wrist.

TTYL...............P

 

[chasingthtdream08]

Fitbit users, help a girl out.

I've decided I want a tracker, and in my research, I keep coming back to Fitbit. I didn't like the Fitbit one at all. That being said, I work with my hands all day and the potential of a wrist band is eh because I'm afraid it will "track" all these "steps" when I'm painting or something because my hands are constantly going. I'm also torn between the Flex and the Charge HR - I like the heart rate feature because I feel like it would be more accurate, especially because I end up waking on the treadmill more than anything and don't always swing my arms. The flex is substantially cheaper, though.


Thoughts? Feedback? Opinions?

I'm am not too knowledgable about all of the Fitbit products. However, I've had the Fitbit Flex for about two years now and love it. I work a desk job and do a lot of typing and am not afraid to wear the band when typing at my desk all day. I do feel like though that if I'm actually walking with items in my hand that the Flex isn't picking up the movement, so it probably wouldn't be good for walking on a treadmill but holding on as I believe the arm has to be picking up some type of movement. My Flex doesn't count stairs (I think it's an older model) but I guess now the newer Flex bands do which is a plus!

My friend just got the HR Charge and loves it! Again, I'm not sure of the key differences (I'm sure there are many) but everyone that I know who has a Fitbit doesn't complain. I find it to be great motivation. I find myself looking at the app on my phone hourly to see how many steps I picked up which is fun and I like that you can compete with your friends. Oh! And I forgot to mention how much I love the sleep tracker. I know it doesn't do much for my fitness but I am always curious in the morning to see how well (or not very well) that I slept.

 

[chasingthtdream08]

Good morning everyone!

I just wanted to chime in and ask if anyone else has done a trampoline "airobics" class? I just did one yesterday morning with a few of my coworkers and I am feeling it this morning! My legs and core are SORE! It was a great one hour workout. My local trampoline park does three classes a week for $10 per session OR there is one a little bit further away that does them every day of the week and I am debating getting their $60/month unlimited class pass. They claim you can burn 1000 calories per one hour class. I'm sure I only burnt half of that as I could barely keep up on my first class. But the way I am feeling makes me want to just get better and better at it! It's really great on the joints too and I have super bad knees (hopefully that'll change when I lose my weight) and it wasn't bothering my knees at all.

I've also decided to shy away from weighing myself daily. It wasn't really my plan to weigh myself THAT often, but it just kinda happened because I was curious. In all honesty, it just makes me more frustrated because after a really good day, I can show a gain. Or after a sort of naughty day I could show a loss. So now I'm doing the CORRECT thing and just weighing in once per week.

Oh! I am a talkative one today! We just ordered a Pro-Form stationary bike with 2lb hand weights from HSN and it got delivered on Friday, we finally set it up last night and I am pumped that I can use it in my living room while watching TV. Here's a link if anyone is interested, it's a great price and free shipping! (Not sure if we can post links, if not feel free to delete)

http://www.hsn.com/products/proform-x-bike-with-2-lb-weight-set/7779855

I think that's all for my rambling, energetic morning, I will continue on with my DIS reading. Have a great day folks!

 

[JacknSally]

@pjlla i have looked into dietbet before and I really want to do it! I need to look at it again. Supposedly it's set up so you technically CANT lose money. Somehow you always get at least your share back, if I understood correctly?

 

[mamattorney]

Fitbit users, help a girl out.

I've decided I want a tracker, and in my research, I keep coming back to Fitbit. I didn't like the Fitbit one at all. That being said, I work with my hands all day and the potential of a wrist band is eh because I'm afraid it will "track" all these "steps" when I'm painting or something because my hands are constantly going. I'm also torn between the Flex and the Charge HR - I like the heart rate feature because I feel like it would be more accurate, especially because I end up waking on the treadmill more than anything and don't always swing my arms. The flex is substantially cheaper, though.


Thoughts? Feedback? Opinions?

On the hand movement issue - one thing you can try if you think it's giving you too many "arm steps" is to check the box that you are wearing the fitbit on your dominant wrist (even if you are not). I believe it will then discount many more hand movements.

The flex is great, I've had it for about a year and a half. It doesn't have nearly the features of the Charge HR (obviously the heart rate feature is different), but the Charge HR also tracks flights of stairs climbed, you can see the exact numbers of steps on the Charge HR instead of only knowing to the nearest 1000. If you get over your goal, the flex just shows 5 solid lights - without checking the app, you don't know if you are at 10,500 or 15,500. I think it also has more sophisticated exercise tracking.

I've got a gadget crush on the newest Fitbit tracker coming out - the Alta. It's like Flex Plus. Wristband has the same styling as the flex, but it has a numerical (not dot lights) step display, clock, periodic reminders to be active, call and text notifications, and the more sophisticated exercise tracker. It still doesn't count flights of stairs and it doesn't measure heart rate, but if the battery on my flex gives out, I'm immediately ordering one these. It's on pre-order right now, ships in about a month.

 

[LindseyJo22]

OK, so based on the scale today I'm still at 0% for the challenge. Which is frustrating. However, I ran a lot this week and also did a few strength workouts which I'm definitely not used to, so I think it's just changes messing with the scale.

Starting a new workout program this week - with some new healthy recipes, so I'm hoping that will move and give me more progress

 

[Lady Marie]

Quickly checking in to report my progress. I'll catch up on chit chat tomorrow!

I'm at 25% for the month!

 

[flvy]

I'm at a lovely -15% for the month. It's where I knew I'd be. I got so off yack food wise this last week. Time to pick up the pieces and turn it around!

 

[5xdisneyfans]

I just got back from our three day hockey tournament and feel worse than when I left. We made it to the semi finals this morning and lost but still so happy for our team.I will try and catch up on the thread tomorrow but can't wait to get to sleep in my own bed tonight

Answer to the snack question. My go too seems to change time to time. Right now it is skinny pop, veggie sticks and lots of different teas. Weakness if I had to pick one it would be chips. But there are others I can be drawn too also.

Never been to California at all since the flights are expensive but want to so bad. DL is on my bucket list. I was thinking of doing a road trip with the family next summer but have to look into how crowded and hot it will be to see if we would want too or not. Driving would be much more affordable for 5 of us than flying. I don't know much about DL besides videos I have seen.

 

[courtneybeth]

Fitbit users, help a girl out.

I have the Fitbit One and adore it - but since you've already crossed it off your list I won't chat your ear off and try to make you change your mind. One thing to be mindful of: my bestie has the Flex and said that it doesn't always count steps. She sometimes puts her arm up on her purse to hold it in place or leaves her hands on the cart when she goes grocery shopping -- no steps counted. It's why I love the One. It's in the bra and I don't have to think about it.

I'm at a lovely -15% for the month. It's where I knew I'd be. I got so off yack food wise this last week. Time to pick up the pieces and turn it around!

Luckily we don't count negatives here - you're at a big ol' 0%

 

[courtneybeth]

Happy Sunday Everyone!

Today was our Super Sunday 5K race. I wanted to track my pacing in preparation for the half marathon in 2-3 weeks... and I PR'd today!

43:09 finish time at a 13:57 minute per mile. Things I noticed: more running, less walking. (Keep in mind I was sick for 2.5 days this week - so limited recovery and I still did awesome. )

My goal for the half marathon is to get my time down from 3 hours 39 minutes to a solid 3 hours 30 minutes. It's also a flat course with no elevation changes, so I feel that this is realistic.

 

[JacknSally]

Feeling heavy and physically blah this weekend so I didn't even bother getting on the scale. Go ahead and throw up a 0% next to my name. Sigh.

@courtneybeth I owned a Fitbit One for a couple of weeks and ended up returning it. I got it while I had my desk job, because that job was all typing and sorting papers and arm movement, and I thought if I got the One and wore it clipped to my shoe, the step counts would be more accurate. But then I wore it and it credited me several hundred steps for driving to work one morning (I was wearing it on my left foot, too, which doesn't even move while I drive) and told me I'd climbed 4 flights of stairs when we rode the escalator at the mall, and it kind of turned me off to the whole thing.

I know that no tracker will ever be 100% exact, but I want to get the most accuracy I can... I think that's why I'm leaning toward the HR? I don't know. I keep going back and forth. But I figure with the HR, at least it's still reading heart rate, so even if the step count gets off, at least I can track the treadmill through the heart rate - which might make me feel less discouraged about only doing 20 minutes?

 

[donac]

Good afternoon. I am getting ready to make dinner for dh and I. We were not invited to any Super Bowl party so we are just as happy to stay at home and relax. I will be either quilting or knitting during the game. I need to finish the quilt I am working on for my one niece. We just heard that her sister is planning to get married in Sept of this year. SO between now and the end of April we will have 4 weddings. My nephew in Wichita Kansas in June, ds1 in Aug, niece in Sept and ds2 April 2017 and 3 of them I am making quilts for. The two nieces are my twin sister's girls and the younger one is my Goddaughter so I had better get busy.

I know that I am going over calories for the day but they are already into Sparkpeople so I am okay with that. I have been below calories all week and I knew that today I would be over so I have accounted for that.

Off to get some things done.

Have a happy and healthy day.

 

[flvy]

Luckily we don't count negatives here - you're at a big ol' 0%

Whoo loophole!! This is what happens when you drink too much beer. I think it's mostly bloating. Ugh. I just feel icky.

I'm sooo excited your 5k went so well!!



Gotta get back on it now for the half at the end of the month. I don't want to sabatoge myself.

 

[pinklmaonade]

@pinklmaonade and @flvy -- let me know when we're going to Disneyland.

Ahh yay I definitely will! Would love to go with you guys!!


Re: goal progress, I think I might change my goal to be weight lost instead of miles run. Prioritizing weight loss will help my runs easier in the long term, hard to run with so much extra weight on me.

So I'll try to lose 10 lbs by the end of the month. I'm already down 3, so that's 30%.

I did a 5k race today and came in 10 whole minutes under my normal time! (I threw up after which was a lovely surprise)... Didn't mean to push that hard, I guess I was just estimating my pacing wrong. Rookie mistake. Either way, happy with my time!

 

[JacknSally]

OK, I think I've made up my mind. Going for it and ordering the Charge HR. My poor credit card, haha. I liked the sounds of the Garmin Vivosmart 2, which beeps every hour you're inactive, and forces you to get up and move to clear out the "motivation bar"... But there were so many reviews of it being a PITA to sync that it seemed counter-productive.

DH got the daybed taken apart and put in the attic today, so the rowing machine he got from his work is set up now. I'm kind of excited to use it this week! No excuses now - the treadmill, weight bench, and rowing machine are fully set up and accessible, so there is absolutely no reason to not get up and actually use them.

 

[flvy]

Looks like I'm going to bed super early tonight to be on the road for my long run before the snow settles in. Cross your fingers and toes for me.

 

[courtneybeth]

I did a 5k race today and came in 10 whole minutes under my normal time! (I threw up after which was a lovely surprise)... Didn't mean to push that hard, I guess I was just estimating my pacing wrong. Rookie mistake. Either way, happy with my time!

Congrats on the PR but boo to your puke. Which race did you do today?

Re: goal progress, I think I might change my goal to be weight lost instead of miles run. Prioritizing weight loss will help my runs easier in the long term, hard to run with so much extra weight on me.

I think I read that every pound lost is 20 seconds gained. I was at 150 for my half marathon three weeks ago and I'm down 3 pounds, came in about 90 seconds under that today.

Going for it and ordering the Charge HR

Good choice.