Weight Watchers - Christmas Challenge?

Hello everyone!

I'm setting a Christmas Challenge for myself! Does anyone want to jump on the sleigh with me? Let's make a future weight load easier on the reindeer.

I'm currently at 201 pounds, and want to be 175 on Christmas Day. Yes, there is the bumps of Halloween candy and Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing, but I'm determined!

I'm planning on religious journaling, going to the YMCA 5x a week, and steering clear of the dreaded Pizza Hut!

Come on... who's with me? :)
Sarah

Wow, I thought we could do the Thanksgiving challenge first.

My goal is to be down to about another 8 lb by Xmas. That is really stretching it for me, but we can dream can't we? We're spending the holidays not at home, so other than trying to keep on the straight and narrow with walking, getting down before we start eating all that fine food will be a good thing.

Then again, what a way to keep my hands off the butter cookie dough :) and out of the hot toddy mix. :D

Journalling, bumping up the exercise and cutting down on the processed food products are my goals. No pizza hut for me, but say bye bye to the diet coke.

lala
8 days and no visits to the vending machine at work :) :)

Hello Sarah and lala. I'd love to join a challenge for Xmas (and Halloween and Thanksgiving for that matter). My goal is to be down 16.5 lbs by Christmas, to 170. I am a newbie to the WW program and just started on 10/4/03. With my second full week ( and 3rd weigh in) I have lost a total of 5.2 lbs so far. I am loving this program and hope this is the life changer for me.

My plan is to just stay OP and keep my water intake at or above 120 oz per day. Oh yeah, and keep the desserts and sweets to a minimum during the week (even though they may be lowfat, they still have calories eh?)

Here's to wishing Santa'll bring us some new, smaller clothes :hat:

cute user name Mele.... :)

started my not so hot morning off with a smile.

lala

Hey everyone. I had a not too great weekend with family parties and all, but I weigh in on either Friday or Saturday mornings so I have a week to stay OP and exercise to get some of the bloat off. (I used almost half of my flex points on Sunday!) How's everyone else doing?

And about this Xmas challenge...do you gals check in weekly to report your losses or pop in whenever you do your weigh-in? Just curious. Well, hope to see more life here.

Aloha :)

Count me in! I want to be 8 pounds thinner by Christmas. Well really I want to be 70 pounds by Christmas, but let's not get silly.
I plan on journaling, drinking 6 glasses of H2O daily, and exercising on the treadmill at least 4 times a week for 30-35min.
at a time. Good luck to us all. I hear sleigh bells ringing for us sleigh belles.
Judy
234/219.2/thinner

Hi everyone,

I had a nice compliment from a colleague I hadn't seen since August. He asked if I had been running, he said I looked great.

whoo hooo.

lala

Whoo-Hoo indeed! ;) Lala, I know people in Seattle are used to wet weather, but what's up with all that heavy rain? :rain: Hope you guys have fairer skies soon.

I used up almost all of my flex points over the weekend :o . I'm focusing on staying on target and avoid the nighttime munchies. And as always, water, water, water and walking, walking, walking.

Hi Judy! I'd love to lose all of my weight by Xmas too, but then I'd be too sexy :lol: . Welcome :wave:

HI ladies

Is it too late to jump into this challange? If not then I would love to be able to lose 10 pounds by then. Actually, like Mele and Judy, I would love to say that I had lost all 40 pounds that I need to lose by then, but how unrealistic is that? I think I will be lucky to reach the 10 pound mark by then.

Mele, what part of Hawaii are you in? I used to live on Oahu, in Mililani. I graduated from high school there. I intend to one day make it back there to show my hubby and kids the area. From what I have been told though it is huge compared to 15 years ago when I left. I am almost scared to see what it is like now.

Well, I am going to get off here. I hope everyone is doing great on their personal challenge.

Starting weight (1998) 196:mad:
Lowest Weight (1999) 157:cp:
Current weight 185:sssh: :yikes:
Goal Weight 145:gift:

:wave: Hi lcastle. It's not too late for the Xmas challenge (it's barely Halloween :) ) I'm on Oahu too, your "neighbor" in Waipahu (89 grad). I wasn't born in Hawaii but pretty much raised here so I consider myself very local, la dat. I think you'll get that ;) .

Yes the housing in Mililani has grown exponentially over the past years. It's a beautiful place though and tons of more people living there. You'll be very suprised to see the changes if you haven't been back for 15 years. Well, I look forward to talking more with you. Again, welcome to the challenge!

Hi Mele (Noelle)

First of all feel free to call me Lynette, sorry, thought I had a signature attached, guess I need to create one.

Anyway, I graduated from Mililani in 88. I dated a guy from Waipahu who also graduated in 88. I would see if you remembered him, but I can't for the life of me remeber his last name right now. I will have to wait until I get home from work tonight to look it up in my yearbook.....I wrote all about him....lol.

Well, I better get out of here. I look forward to talking to you more also.

Lynette

:lol: I'm sure the guy you dated appreciates that you remember him so well :lol: Now you're making me curious! I may just be able to dig up my 88 yearbook...

I think his name was Michael Hall but I think that was his step father's last name. I do remember him vividly, and the time we spent together, but I dated another Michael during my senior year also....lol.

Lynette

Hello Everyone!

I had a very bad week with food, and not getting to the gym. Embarassed confession: I was over 189 points Monday-Friday, thanks to no meal planning and having just coffee for breakfast all week, and having no lunch on one day, leading me to PIG OUT for dinner on 4 out of 5 nights.

As a result, I put back on 2 pounds... but today, I'm back at it, OP. Tonight, I am going to make up a couple different soup recipes, and some low-fat banana bread so I have healthy food for next week's breakfast and lunches. I'm also going to go to the gym for a 30-minute workout each day. I think 60 minutes a day is not realistic for me to stick to right now.

Hope you all are having a better week than me! :) Oi!
Sarah

Hello ladies. I went to my WI today and am down 1.2 lbs :dance:. I'm glad I lost anything at all since last weekend was rough and involved chocolate cake. I'm focusing on moderation this weekend and hope to see a bigger loss next week. I'm off to Bangkok, Thailand on 11/8 and will be gone for 10 days. I'll weigh in once right before my trip, then immediately upon my return so I'll only miss one week's WI. I don't know if that's such a smart idea but at least if I know I'll be weighing in when I get back, I'll try and make smart choices even while traveling.

I took my son to the pumpkin farm and we picked our halloween pumpkin today. There are about 3 large fields from which you can roam and pick your pumpkin right off the vine. I'm sure you guys on the mainland have much larger farms, but here on this little rock called Oahu, pumpkin farming is pretty new. This is only the 2nd year which they opened the fields to the public. It's gotten so commercialized since last year and they had pony rides, hay rides and even jumping balloons and slides. I worked up a sweat just walking through the fields (of course it was about 85 degrees out).

Sara, I saw a quote from someone's signature line which read "Failure to plan is planning to fail". I know that having the right foods around you just makes it that much easier to choose to eat healthy. Good for you for setting a plan for this next week. Let's move forward shall we :) ?

Lynette, I don't recall a Michael Hall but once I locate my yearbook for that year, I'll be poring through the pages. How's your weekend turning out?

Has anyone tried the cinnamon swirl cake mix with the canned pumpkin recipe? I think it's one box of cake mix and 1 15 oz can of pumpkin, and maybe 1/4 cup water. I made it into a bundt cake and it was quite good. It was a tad bit heavy, but it was pretty nice and moist and 2 pts a serving. :T It's a good recipe for the holidays.

Well everyone, hope you're having a great week and if not, start today. :wave:

mele,

I am so jealous of your trip to bkk. I am planning a trip in March or April and hoping for a new at goal wardrobe to be made there.
Travel is hard, but at least there is lots of yummy seafood and veggies and fruits in Asia. I don't know how much you travel, but try and drink lots of water to stave off the sodium bulges.


As for the cake, sounds yummy, I may have to try that.

I have yet to get my pumpkins carved. I'll wait until Thursday night. I think our orange lights are up though. The candy can wait until tomorrow.

lala

lala I can't wait for my trip either. Only 12 more days! At least you have quite a few months to get to goal for that new wardrobe. The first time I traveled to BKK was in 2000 and I was probably at my heaviest. I had a column sheath type dress made of thai silk, by an Indian tailor. I may just bring that back and have them tailor it to fit me now. My sister on the other hand, is a legal sect'y and she had a new wardrobe made, over 8 pcs--business suits, dresses, pants, etc. for about $500 US, all high quality fabric. The funny thing is is that you can choose your "designer" buttons and zippers: Gucci, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana...you name it, they have it.

The biggest issue I have with traveling to Asia is the bathrooms! I try not to drink a whole lot of water, even though that's when I need it most since it's so hot and humid, because I don't want to have to use those hole in the ground type toilets. I know where all the hotels or banks are that have western style toilets that I can actually flush. But when you gotta go, you gotta go :lol:
I'm going to try and eat "Thai" portions rather than normal American portions--that should help me stay in control.

5th weigh-in today and am down -3.4 lbs! I'm doing the happy dance :dance:. Just 11.8 lbs and 7.5 more weeks to go... On our way to a holly jolly Christmas.

Christmas GW: 170

Oh my goodness. Is it really only 7.5 weeks till Christmas? Whoops, you are *so* right. Thanks for the wakeup call. I have enjoyed reading all your posts. Good stuff going on. My Halloween was not the roaring success I wanted. I ended up eating Cats cookies instead of Halloween candy, but just many too many. Today I am commited to getting on treadmill and eating better. I did journal and my points are okay. I'm up a quick 1 1/2 pounds, but really think I can knock that off.
At my last WI I was down 1.2# and that puts me right on target for 8 pounds down by Christmas.

Good luck to us all! :bravo:
Judy
234/217/thinner

I'm on for the christmas challenge, I'll be happy to be down 2.5# by thanksgiving and down another 3# by Christmas.

My major stumbling blocks are christmas entertaining and cookie making....

lala

I started baking for Thanksgiving today. I had two tiny mini muffins, enjoyed them, and counted them in. I'm fine. Now I'm heading out to get some exercise. Good luck on this challenge everyone. My official WI is Wednesday and I hope to knock off some more weight.
:chef:
Love,
Judy

Judy,

What did you bake? I'm curious.

We did our menu, made gravy base and some chicken/turkey stock. I have started the strategic planning for our special Saturday before Turkey day, turkey day festivities, including having someone else do the turkey and let us do the goose at our house.

However, I am still looking for elegant hors d'ouvres and desserts for my table.

I am thinking a steamed cranberry pudding, a ginger pound cake with winter fruit compote, something small and chocolatey and mixed berry cobbler and pumpkin pie. Have you any opinions, only the steamed cranberry pudding is WW friendly, the rest are soo easy to make ahead save the crisp/cobbler.

For hors d'ouvres its going to be a cheese platter and a small veggies tray. I want my guests to be moderately hungry. :)

lala

Lalala,
To bake ahead for Thanksgiving, I made a traditional pumpkin pie and baked a couple of loaves of pumpkin bread and some mini muffins of the same. Your desserts sound scrumptious.

I don't know if you'd think this is elegant, but something easy to count in and easy to make is prosciutto wrapped around a chunk of provolone. You can also wrap proscuitto around a thin slice of cantelope. Also, how about water chestnuts wrapped in bacon and baked? ARe you doing the whole dinner at your place?

I've got family and friends coming, but we won't be many. I do hope to knock off another three pounds by then. I've been averaging a pound a week and I am determined to do this!

234/217/thinner :cp:
Good luck everyone,
Judy

Judy,

I travel to my folks on Thanksgiving, so we do a big Saturday before thanksgiving thanksgiving as most of us have families that we need to visit. Started 13 years ago, we have all grown up and we still do it. This year we'll have 20 with a sit down dinner. We're a bit well, over marthaed here.

I figure most of the desserts are do aheads. I love the proscuitto idea and may do the water chesnut dish too. I have a double oven, but am trying to do as much on the stovetop to keep oven time for just the goose.

I'm down .4# for the week, I will be soo happy to be 5# down for the holidays....

lala

Hi! I want to join too. I want to lose 13 pounds by Christmas. That will put me at 165. I am worried about Thanksgiving but am still trying for the 13 pounds.

La,la,la,
Yeah, glad you liked the suggestions. I'd love to attend an overMarthaed event. Sounds fabulous! Congrats on the weight loss. I'm down .8# this week. I usually average 1# a week by staying with points, journaling, and hopping on the treadmill.
I'm aiming for 8# down by Christmas and I can do it if I hang tough with all the goodies around. Bigger thought is hoping to break 200# by March. That will be such a thrill! That's why these challenges are so great. Knocking off pounds in small increments of time. It works for me!
Clynne,
Great to have you here! Good luck!
Love,
Judy
234/216.2/thinner

Judy,

Congrats on the 1# loss. I am having a tough week with eating out and work and school stress. I'll get through it, but its baby steps all the way.

As for overmarthaed events, I can't help it, my mom is the queen of entertaining and my partner also grew up in a family that entertained alot. We both have a knack and enjoy it. However this year, its all about pre planning!

If you want, I'll send you some recipes.

lala

Hello everyone. Just checking in with my latest WI results, I'm down 1.2 lbs this week :flow2:. I have now achieved an 11 lb loss and earned my first gold star :dancer:. Now to maintain this loss or even lose a little while I go on my 10-day trip. I leave tomorrow morning for Bangkok and will spend my time between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. I'm a little bleary-eyed right now as I've just finished up my packing.

Welcome to the challenge Clynne :wave:. We can all work through these holidays with each others' support.

Hi Judy and Lala, congrats on your losses. Oh it's fun just reading about all your elegant Thanksgiving foods :hun:, makes me want some juicy turkey or ham right now. We're no Martha Stewart family. My family has a 'sit around' Thanksgiving late lunch. There are so many of us that get together we couldn't possibly sit at a table together so we end up strewn in all parts of the house. In fact once, we even brought a picnic table into the garage so we could deep fry a turkey cajun style outside. The main thing is we all get together and appreciate the company and give thanks for all we have, eh?

Well ladies, have a great weekend and hope to read more sucess stories on this thread when I get back.

Aloha!

Noelle,
Good luck on your trip. Maybe with the time changes, you'll find this :grouphug: before you start traveling!
Judy

Lalala,
This is so kind of you to offer recipes. Right now I'm concentrating on low point recipes to get me through the holidays. It sounds like holidays at your place are great.

I'm just back from a quick get away with dh. I pointed out the foods I ate and brought 2pt. bars, etc. with me, so I hope the weight gain I'm seeing is due to extra salt, etc. I'll be on the treadmill today for sure. Good luck this weekend!
:goodvibes:
Judy

Mele,

Have a great and safe trip. Don't forget that sunscreen, eh?

As for elegant, I wouldn't go that far, but I can say that food is a big part of my life and so are gatherings of those I love and care for.

Judy, I have a great low point cranberry steamed pudding recipe, I can post it for you if you want.

lala

La, la, la,
Yes, I would love that recipe. Thanks for offering.

It looks like we're doing fine. My WI is tonight. This week was shaky, so I'm hoping to hang onto my weight loss or only gain a pound or so. I'll let you know.

Mele,
11 pounds down is amazing. Weigh to go! :grouphug:

Hey Clynne,
How are you doing?

Let's all do this! :cp:
Love,
Judy

Judy,

I will post the recipe this weekend and my recipe for wine poached pears which is to die for and easy to make.

Sending you good vibes for your weigh in!

I was up .2 this week, but its a TOM week, so I am hoping for a loss.

I saw my trainer today at the gym and reminded him that I'm in pretty much in town until Dec. 5 and want to be down 5# before christmas. He can't control what goes into my mouth, but for 1.5 hours a week he can make me do crunches and lunges that I wouldn't do unless forced.

Having said that, I'm wearing a skirt I bought when my mom was here at the end of September. Its loose now and was tight when she was here. I can't wait for her to see me at Thanksgiving.

lala

Noelle,
Weigh to go on that weekly loss! I'm so glad we're doing this for the toughest quarter of the year. The holidays should be joyful and I sure don't feel happy when I gain weight. So this challenge is a big help.

Lalala,
Good luck with your physical trainer. Looser skirts and pants are fabulous. I know your mom will be so proud of you. Let's keep on doing this!

Me: I gained 2.4# this week, but 1# was due to changing from a lightweight outfit to regular winter clothes. I did that this week because I knew I'd be up from challenges this week where I didn't do as well as I wanted, so I figured I'd throw the clothes change in too and get it all over with one fell swoop. In the meantime, by hoppping on the treadmill yesterday and pointing everything out, it looks like I've already lost 1#. :cp:

Let's keep on keepin' on.
Hey Clynne, how are you doing?

:group hug:
Judy

Hey, everyone!
I am a very late joiner for the challenge.
I haven't been around much for the past 3 months, I have temperarily moved my daughter and myself a couple hours away for a job. This has meant a lack of personal time as well as limited internet use!
BUT, my weight is slowly creaping up again, so I thought I would join the challenge and get back at it. I have actually been pretty lucky, I haven't been exercising and have been eating from early morning to late evening and have only gained about 3-5 lbs. But thats too much! :(
In order to reach my goal I will: Journal, drink more water, and eat more fruits and veggies and less crap!! :o
It sounds as though you are all doing well with the challenge- way to go!! We should all look great for Christmas!!

Hey Tara,
Aren't you smart to nip this weight gain in the bud. Two years ago I didn't and regained the 30 pounds it took me a full year to lose. Add in the wasted time of remorse and guilt and inability to get started again and I spent even more time being really heavy than I wanted to.

After my small snag last week, this week is going great. Being part of a club and taking the Christmas Challenge is a huge help.
We've got almost 6 weeks until Christmas. I am upping my water and remembering to journal and exercise. Weigh to go guys:cp:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BerkshireGrl
[B]Hello everyone!

I'm setting a Christmas Challenge for myself! Does anyone want to jump on the sleigh with me?

Count me in! I'd be really happy with 10 pounds off by Christmas!! :D

Tara and Mulberry,

Join in the fun. The Halloween challenge was great. I guess I better get my keester in gear for this one.

Tara, you sound like life is pretty stressful. I hope things calm down.

As for junk. I have no idea what happened this week, but this morning I had 12 tootsie roll midges (little tootsies) for breakfast -- what is up with that?

My normal lala good eating went out the door this am.

Sigh.

Downwards ladies!

5 #s to christmas and only 14,120 miles of travel and three weeks of school left!

lala

Come on guys. We can do this! Onward and downward.
I'm meeting my Christmas Challenge so far, even with a glitch last week. This week has been great so far.
Judy
:chef:
:cp:

ugho.

having a better day today than yesterday, thanks you guys for being here and motivating me.

lala