The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, and means just 6 months before bikini season arrives. While you'll never, ever catch me in a bikini, I'd certainly like to be at goal by the time summer arrives. How about you? Now is the perfect time to start getting on the stick and making those goals that will put us in good shape for summer.

Choose a measurement goal, a weight goal, a clothes size goal, or whatever goal you'd like to make by December 21. This challenge encompasses a major American holiday, Thanksgiving, and for those of us who celebrate Christmas, December is the season for holiday parties. So be sure to plan for those as you make your goals.

My goal: I would like to be able to wear my size 10 jeans in public by December 21.

I've been planning and working at losing a total of 20 pounds by Dec 4th (major christmas party), so far I'm down 5 pounds. But I'd like to keep that going! I believe it would take me down to a size 16, which would also increase my wardrobe (I have a huge huge box of size 14-16 clothes, not to mention a HUGER box of size 8-10 clothes). I'm thinking I might have to low carb it (I have issues with sugar and wheat) to make that goal, because I just can't with eating so many carbs. IBS is a pain. Anyways, to recap, my goal is to lose 15 pounds by Dec 4th!

-Aimee

I'M IN, I'M IN! The REAL Thanksgiving was a few weeks ago , so I just have all the "festive parties" (as the PC call them) to fret about. I'll never wear a bikini again either, and I don't want to be overly ambitious only to disappoint myself, so my goal will be to lose one pound each and every week from now to December 21, 2004 (someone please do the math and let me know how much I will be losing?). There, I've commited to it. I guess I'd better sign up for the November points challenge too. May as well be accountable to as many as possible. So, the challenge commences as of....now?

As for goal, I want it by March 10 (the day I leave for Russia) - so after this current challenge I might start a "Russian to lose with Jill" challenge.

The real Thanksgiving is coming up and I was thinking we should have a challange to get us through the holidays. So I'm in. My new goal is to be 325 by New Years day. So I guess for the 21st I'll go for 21 lbs.

You beat me to it! I started a Turkey Challange last night, but the computer crashed before I could post it.

Here's my goals

1) lose 12 pounds by thanksgiving
2) lose 10 by Dec. 21
3) get the momentum back in exercising. Since the cold set in, I am having a hard time staying motivated. I didn't walk today. It was so much easier to snuggle under the blankies.

Thanksgiving Challange Slogan? To Gobble, or not to Gobble, that is the question!

Hey Howie,

Love the new pic! You're looking younger and younger!

Im going for a 15 lb loss by the 21st. I am so bad around the holidays and this year on top of it we are moving so Im sure the added stress will do nothing for my waistline. So I definately need this challange. Soooo My goal is to be 290 by 12/21. Hey Ill be out of the 3's forever!

I'm going to go for 205, although onderland would be quite nice, I'm going to go for that ultimately, but 205 would be fabulous.

I would LOVE to be at ultimate goal of 130. I gained a little (5 lbs more/less) so I've got a good 22 lbs or so to go to ultimate goal. I'm Definitely in!

I've got to get back into the groove here.. I am definitely in a lull right now!

I've been wondering how you were doing Gretchen. You have not been around much lately. Don't let the small set back get to you. You will wipe that out in no time. You have done fantastic and will continue.

Shelly someone else told me yesterday that I was looking younger. That will really burn Kimberley. Everyone has always guessed me younger than her. We are both 37.

Count me in! And I LOVE the idea of a Winter Solstice Challenge, Sheila! Thanks for starting it!

As of today, I'm 213, so I'm aiming for 199 -- yep, Onederland!

Ok, I'm in too. I'm going to go with a goal of 20 pounds by December 21. A little extra motivation to get me through the holidays is exactly what I need. Great idea.

310/289/165

Since I've been plateauing and gaining some I'd like to lose 10 pounds or so and get down to 250.

Oh yeah, and Jill, you're losing 7-8 pounds. Congratulations in advance!

OK, I want in, too. My first goal is a weight one. By December 21, I would like to be at 210, for a loss of 15 pounds, 55 overall. That will require hopping off my current plateau for starters, but I am pretty sure I can make 210. Of course, I would prefer to be at Onederland by the end of the year but don't want to set myself up for failure, especially given the holidays.

My second goal is a less tangible one related to the holidays. Christmas is not much of a challenge for me, since hubby and I only lightly celebrate it, but Thanksgiving is ALL ABOUT THE FOOD for my family. My goals, therefore, are to a) keep the eating sensible and 2) keep up my exercise while I'm home. I'd love to get my mom walking with me; she's pretty sedentary, and I think a little exercise would help her both physically and emotionally.

Thanks for getting this challenge up and running. We're off...!