2023 Health, Fitness & Weight Journey--One month & a couple of pounds down; February begins
@TheSojourner (64960)
United States
February 1, 2023 11:33am CST
I do not make New Year Resolutions, but I do try to assess where I am in various aspects of my life, and do my best to find ways to improve or account for them for myself.
I like to keep a running total, and look at it month-to-month. It's what works best for me. I don't really stress out much about the weight numbers, as I'm comfortable in my own skin, for the most part. I know that I make choices that are conducive to healthy eating, and my splurges are planned. I also have fewer and fewer binges, as time goes on.
What I notice most, as I am more and more in tune with my body, as I care for it in light of the advancing cancer, is which foods trigger certain symptoms. I really must take care to considerably limit my fats and sugar intake. I pay a dear price, when I don't. As well, I've started being more diligent about taking the pancreatic enzymes, as well as finding a probiotic that is more effective for me. The "normal" ones from over the counter do not have the results that I need.
January's Results
I started the month and year with a weigh-in of 210.8 lb /95.61 kg. My goal for each month is to lose 2 lb/0.91 kg.
I set a goal to be more active by walking more, and to be more conscious of the types of foods and preparations that I am consuming.
Given the fact that I went to Mazatlan, Mexico, on a retreat and vacation for nine days, I expected that I would either gain or maintain my weight for the month.
I was not quite as active as I'd hoped to be, but I did have some days each week of walking 2 to 5.5 mi/3.22 to 8.85 km. Working on the consistency will be the key.
Today's scale reading
207.4 lb/94.07 kg
Loss of 3.4 lb/1.54 kg for the month of January.
February's Plans
I signed up to take part in the Taji 100 event, which is a February event to walk/run/hike/ruck 100 miles for the short month. This is my fourth time in five years to be active in the event. They have changed up things a little bit, and have a way to track swimming, cycling, and rowing in addition to the walking, etc. So, we now have a way to track all for those one-percents to add up to the 100%.
I am committed to this goal, which will likely all be done in walking or hiking. It is something that I will have to push a bit for, as I'm not nearly in as good a shape (muscularly, or in stamina) as I was a few years ago, when I was quite active and down to 185 lb/83.9 kg. Those extra pounds/kilos can really make a difference.
I need to make sure that I don't use the weather as my excuse to thwart my commitment. There was a time just a few years ago, when I was walking/hiking in the snow and rain.
I can also excuse myself that "I don't feel well," but I need to recognize the difference between it, and "I don't feel like it." I know the difference, and don't need to make excuses for myself because I'm finding it hard to get motivated.
I will continue to take my supplements, medications, and follow-through with medical appointments and concerns. I will monitor my weight simply by getting on a scale to know where I am each week, but not make a big deal of the ups-and-downs throughout the month.
It will all work out as it needs to, as long as I put in the work, no matter what the scale says. That is the KEY to it all--putting in the work, and being honest with oneself.
Here's to health and wellness for us all!
Monthly weigh-in for 2023
Started back on this weight loss journey on September 1st, 2022. I weighed 217 lb.
Jan--210.8
Feb--207.4; loss 3.4 lb
Mar--
Apr--
May--
Jun--
Jul--
Aug--
Sep--
Oct--
Nov--
Dec--
Photo credit: Pixabay
This is the link to my results for 2022, and my goals for 2023:
I promised that I would write about how my goals for 2022 turned out, and what my plans were for 2023.. So, here goes... Health and Fitness I...
16 people like this
15 responses
@MarieCoyle (13796)
•
1 Feb
I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that you will strive to accomplish your goals. You are of the 'never give up' club, and that alone takes a person far in life.
Losing weight isn't easy. In my case, me not losing it for so long was my own lack of accountability. Always excuses, and I know I dearly love comfort foods. Add that to the fact that for years I was an emotional eater, and it was the perfect recipe to just overeat or eat the wrong things. I literally ate myself up to a size I had never imagined I would be. After it finally sunk in my thick skull that I had to do something or just croak, I woke up. You are doing things in a good way, eating healthy, getting exercise, and slowly losing pounds. I truly admire your positive attiude about your illness and your health. You absolutely will succeed, I have no doubts about that at all! 
3 people like this
@TheSojourner (64960)
• United States
1 Feb
@MarieCoyle thank you so much for sharing this. And yes, I know exactly about that whole dysphoria thing. I was just remarking to my sister, @sonjarae about how I hate my thighs. She sent me two tick tocks which show women with really big thighs that are considered absolutely gorgeous and desirable. LOL I guess it's all a matter of perspective.
2 people like this
@TheSojourner (64960)
• United States
1 Feb
Thank you so much for sharing your story here. We are not much different.
Emotional eating was certainly a part of my life after I left the military, especially. Leaving the military was not something I wanted to do, and I ended up doing it for somebody else. My whole life I ended up doing everything for everyone else, and paid little attention to what I wanted for me.
It didn't help that I had such body dysphoria while growing up, thinking I was fat and ugly. My body type was just that of some of the other people in my heritage, but that is not an excuse for not being strong and healthy. And when I ate myself up to nearly 280 lb, and I could barely walk because of the pressure on my feet and my joints, that was on me.
When I started to walk and get exercise, I was in some of the best shape I was in, even though I was still about 250 lb. That's when I started to realize that the numbers are not always the only thing to pay attention to.
I so appreciate your kind words about my illness and health, and it's helping to keep me on track, as I never want to use that as an excuse not to do what's best for me. There are far too many people in this world who use any little thing as their excuse to stay unhealthy, and hate on themselves. They're not honest with themselves, and therefore they can't be honest with other people. If I have learned anything in this life, it's that.
That is not to say that explanations are necessary. The only reason that I share so many things so openly is to keep me accountable. I'm not saying it for others, I'm saying it for me. When I declare something, I am being human and I share my authentic self. What you see with me is what you get.
Once again, I appreciate you and your willingness to share and open up your authentic self to me. It means the world to me, and that is true friendship. Hugs.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (13796)
•
1 Feb
@TheSojourner
Oh, my.
For sure, we are not much different. My entire life was all about doing for others. Even as a child, I had to care for my sister, as my mother would not and could not. Long story. Then I married way too young, and as a teen in the early 70's, we all ''took care'' of our husbands and families, there was not much division of work. I went to school, I worked, I was a mother and a wife and a sister and... well, you get the idea. I also discovered how strong I really was, maybe because I felt there wasn't a choice in the matter.
When you live with negativity, and indeed, when you grow up with it, it affects you for your entire life. I grew up hearing my mother say things like, too bad you're ugly, too bad you aren't as pretty as your sister, you are fat, you are. Once again, you get the idea. You hear it enough, you believe it. And then I managed to marry someone who was obsessed with everyone being skinny and insulted everyone who wasn't. No wonder I ended up with the body dysphoria thing. Weird, because I wasn't overweight as a child, I was normal. But they convinced me that I was. The battle of fighting extra pounds hit later, after childbirth and not taking care of myself as I should have. ( Oh, and now it's the ex that's overweight, packs a big belly that he can't seem to lose. Karma!)
As you know, I find solace in cooking, as well as I just love to think up new things and new ways to cook things. I like the smiles on the faces when they eat my foods. And I love comfort foods, as I said. I think that's one of the reasons I like soups so much, they are warm and soothing. I have had to learn through these last years that I am not ugly, I am not gross or distasteful, and I am someone who matters. The damage some people can do to us is wild! And when we are young, we just don't see it. I ate and over-ate just to soothe, I'm sure. Then there were the excuses--oh, it's a birthday, it's Thanksgiving, it's Christmas, and on and on it goes. I do have treats sometimes, but I ditched the excuses. If I gain weight again, that's on me and I know that. I was just too big, and it didn't help any of my health problems. I want to lose 15 more pounds, maybe I can get that accomplished soon, as I am still eating healthy and I portion out my foods. This has not been the easiest journey I have ever been on, for sure. It's hard to exercise when you are crippled, but hey, I found out it can be done. It just takes longer! You will get there, I know.
You inspire so many of us, I have no doubt you will do your very best. I still wish I had a magic wand to wave to make it all better, but I just can't find one.
So, sending love and hugs instead.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (201557)
• Chile
1 Feb
It is so true that we must learn to listen to what our body tells us. Yesterday I had visitors and today I decided (after discovering how I woke up) that it was the time to part with liquor. I have been drinking a lot less these last 2 or 3 years but now it is the time to use plain water when I´m thirsty
. Keeping our goals usually means a better life I guess. Hugs
. Keeping our goals usually means a better life I guess. Hugs2 people like this
@marguicha (201557)
• Chile
1 Feb
@TheSojourner I did that with ciggies and it was an addiction. I can do that with this. I don´t mind much whether I drink or not. It is more a sort of social activity
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@TheSojourner (64960)
• United States
1 Feb
Hugs and much love to you. I know how that goes. It really is a process underway, my friend.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (42019)
• India
1 Feb
Lots of Planning on your part.
Your tough spirit to deal with your health condition is admirable.
I too am trying to be more physically active but since last few days, I have been into a kind of official work that needs continuous sitting and sometimes headache as well as some eye strain bothers me.
Yet I would need to figure out a way.
So the 83 + weight was something you got done a few years back?
1 person likes this
@TheSojourner (64960)
• United States
1 Feb
Yes, I got down to that weigh-in for April 2020. Then there was COVID shut down; a kidney stone; a double avulsion fracture on my right foot, all before April 20. Then in June, Honey took a turn for the worst, and was not able to be as active with me, and I was isolated for a long time, because of my foot healing. I packed back on 10kg+ ... I noticed the extra weight on my joints, as well as my hips, etc. Last year, I vacillated between 207 and 220 lbs/100kg, but pretty much maintained an average with nothing too major last year. Now, I'm slowly on the downward trend again. With my height, bone structure, age, and health situation, if I can get back down to that 83 kg, I will be satisfied.
Thank you for your kind words, and good luck with that movement. Sometimes, it's just taking 10 minutes out of the day to get up and breathe fresh air, and walk around the block a few times for me.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (42019)
• India
2 Feb
@TheSojourner
Yeah 2020 was tough in many days
Even we felt the impact of restricted mobility.
Have a nice Thursday!
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@ptrikha_2 (42019)
• India
2 Feb
@TheSojourner
It was a busy Thursday.
Lots of personal as well as work tasks ahead for Friday and the weekend.
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@Juliaacv (75836)
• Canada
2 Feb
I do not make new year's resolutions either.
I like to set goals all during the year.
Congratulations on your weight loss, that is amazing.
I changed my morning snack and found that I dropped 7 pounds, which is too much over the course of just a month, but now I am up a couple but still overall have lost about 5 pounds.
I can feel it in my clothing and it feels great.
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@TheSojourner (64960)
• United States
2 Feb
Congratulations on the weight loss. You said that you changed your morning snack? What did you change from and to? It really is in the clothing that we see it first.
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@Juliaacv (75836)
• Canada
2 Feb
@TheSojourner I changed from a little orange-cranberry muffin to yellow delicious apples, and actually not small ones.
The white flour does nothing for me but make me hungry for more.
I feel like the small ones left me hungry and I would eat a bit more for my snack.
I read once that apples that have the red skin on them have more natural sugars in them, so I like the yellow apples and they seem to help me.
I feel the weight loss also as well as can see it.
My hubby noticed it my backside, and there are the obvious other places too. I hope to plateau out and lose an even amount of about 4 pounds a month for a couple of more months.
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@TheSojourner (64960)
• United States
2 Feb
@Juliaacv it is amazing just how much those little differences can make.
Tonight, instead of using potato to put my lamb gravy over, I used cooked cauliflower that I cubed up like potatoes. And I didn't require as much gravy. I know that cut some calories, without cutting down on what I like for comfort food. Of course, cauliflower isn't potato, but it's a decent substitute.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (116448)
• United States
2 Feb
Thanks for the update. It looks like you're right on track. I've lost 7 pounds so far; but I don't get too excited. My weight fluctuates a lot. Good job and keep up the good work!!!
1 person likes this
@TheSojourner (64960)
• United States
3 Feb
Good for you! And yes, weight does fluctuate, as that is natural. It's about setting good health, food choices, enough fuel/energy, and exercise (movement) practices in motion, and allowing your body to do what it knows how to do naturally. The human body is a miraculous thing, even when we think we are too broken or ill to do it.
Thank you for your support, and wish you more success on your journey!
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@LindaOHio (116448)
• United States
3 Feb
@TheSojourner You're welcome and thank you very much!
1 person likes this
@Adie04 (17478)
•
2 Feb
Keep up the good work! For me, since I am returning to the campus, I walk often to the library and not often staying in the private rental dorm, and eat irregular; unlike at home that was opposite. But I notice that my weight is going down.
Similarly, this one tenant wants to lose weight and jealous with me losing weight, but she sit most of the time and too lazy to follow me to the library and don't even want to walk a high slope. (sorry I don't know how to explain the road that goes up a hill so I just call it a high slope).
1 person likes this
@TheSojourner (64960)
• United States
2 Feb
You don't have to apologize. We might call that an incline. But I understood what you meant.
It really requires us to make some different choices and be willing to do things that are not comfortable. Keep up the good work!
1 person likes this
@TheSojourner (64960)
• United States
3 Feb
@Adie04 I am fine with helping people with vocabulary. I have taught English as a second language in my day and I enjoy helping others learn a new language for them, as well as learning new languages myself. Many people have helped me over the years to say things the right way!
So, you are at university? What are you studying?
@Adie04 (17478)
•
3 Feb
@TheSojourner Thank you for the compliment! And thank you for the vocab too. Yeah, incline road. She doesn't want to walk towards that and only wants a flat road. Well, I believe if you want to lose weight, need to walk whatever type of road pattern though, unless it's raining, then maybe I'll rest in the room or go by bus.
Imagine if the room is not even your home but you stay there doing nothing other than just eat, bath and sleep.... For me, I would die from mental 
1 person likes this
. And now it's training time for the Taji 100 event! You got this @much2say (51536)
• Los Angeles, California
3 Feb
@TheSojourner Oh ok. I was thinking you train for an event day . . . but I guess you track the whole month to total to 100 - got it! Hiking would be lovely when the weather gets better - good for your body and soul. Trying to get as healthy as possible period - yep - all of us should be doing that. I am thinking positively for you and hope you reach all your goals for this year 
!
! @TheSojourner (64960)
• United States
3 Feb
This month IS the event! 100 miles in 28 days. I wish I did the rowing, cycling, swimming, so I could mix it up, but walking is my gig. My goal is that this month is the kickstart for me to get back to hiking on the mountain again this late spring and summer. And, to be more healthy to handle any treatment that these docs throw at me this year. If they don't, then I'll be on the road again. I need to really do what is important to me--traveling to meet the people that are important in my life, and to make new friends with others, who are more of those who are closer to my soul.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (43111)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1 Feb
Congrats. You're going to get there I am sure.
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@FourWalls (53093)
• United States
1 Feb
Go get ‘em!!! One thing I love about being on vacation is I look at the pedometer in my phone and see how much I walk, compared to home when I’m not at the gym every day.
Best of luck in the Taji 100!
1 person likes this
@TheSojourner (64960)
• United States
1 Feb
Thank you. It's a great thing to get involved in, even if you don't do all 100 miles.
There is also an option for some to register without a commitment to fees.
It's really very low key, and is fun to see what we can accomplish.
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@wolfgirl569 (73409)
• Marion, Ohio
2 Feb
You are off to a great start. Hopefully the weather will be kind this month to all of us
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@TheSojourner (64960)
• United States
2 Feb
Thank you. And I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that better weather!
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@TheSojourner (64960)
• United States
2 Feb
Thank you. I'm just doing the best I can! With all of the support that you give me, it's so helpful. Thank you
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (13299)
• Raurkela, India
2 Feb
I use both diet and yoga to control my weight but seldom walk as my hips start paining.
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@TheSojourner (64960)
• United States
3 Feb
Is there a particular style/type of yoga that you practice? I get confused by all the yoga studios that are popping up over here. A lot of what they do sounds a bit gimmicky to me, and I know that is not the case based on the truth of the practice.
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@aninditasen (13299)
• Raurkela, India
4 Feb
@TheSojourner For us senior citizens there are some light exercises which we can do regularly to control our weight. One is - lie down on your bed, put your hands under your hips, fold one leg towards the knee. Raise the other leg straight and bring it down. Do this with each leg at least 10 times to reduce your belly fat.
@spiderdust (14331)
• San Jose, California
1 Feb
Hmm. I wonder if I could walk 100 miles in the month as well?
1 person likes this
@SonjaRae (17613)
• United States
4 Feb
My dearest sister… You are one of the most amazing women that I know. You have accomplished much more in the face of adversity than anyone else I have ever encountered in my life. Despite your own challenges, you challenge yourself. You challenge others to see beyond the challenges that they face. You challenge others to think outside of the box. You inspire me.
