Yesterday was pretty close to plan -- a little less at lunch and an extra snack that more or less balanced that out.

Today's challenge is a packed lunch. Fortunately, I thought of that yesterday so I have what I need to pack a sandwich and an apple.

Yesterday's summary
Made food plan: 100%
Implemented food plan: 80%
Exercise: +45, 415/1000 minutes for December

BillBlueEyes: I thank you for the peanut-free effort. Our great-nephew has a peanut allergy. We're not sure yet if it's as bad as needing to stay away from other children's sandwiches, but it's something we'll need to start worrying about soon. Speaking of nut-free, one of the challenges of today's packed lunch is that we meet in a church basement that has recently gone nut-free to protect one of their young parishioners. It's worrisome that some children are so allergic that their Sunday space needs to be nut-free all week.

Good Morning, Coaches.

Grateful that I have a morning free to relax like Curleyjax and surf the net. I am trying to see what I can accomplish online rather than hitting the stores. Quite a bit. It really is a miracle what can be done. I think back ten years ago. Who would have guessed what life would be like today? I put craft stuff I need on hold to pick up. i have books sent in a few days. I comparison shop. I know things have been lost with the demise of brick and mortar but this morning I enjoy the benefits.

I am holding under 160 by my finger tips. I will have to be VERY CAREFUL today and at the Water District party that is to be held at a local Indian casino. Ironic that the addiction I have to look out for at a casino is not booze, gambling or smoking but food. I will log everything I can and then stick to the "one plate at buffet" rule. I will fiddle around with the idea of getting my treats from my friend's sampler. That way I have something to earn when I get home and I know it will be the highest quality.

Sunday - German composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven born (1770)
 

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Watched the movie Kitchen Stories - a slow moving affair that got to me by the end. It's so over-the-top different than anything one would expect. It presents a Swedish institute's study of kitchen efficiency of older single men. Any way it's described sounds boring - and the first part with little dialog has to be endured before it begins to get to you.

Eating at a potluck dinner was on plan, CREDIT moi, with only one plate served and that covered mostly with the green salad that I brought. With two desserts offered, I had a small piece of a triple chocolate mousse. At home, we rarely have dessert - a major part of controlling calories.


Joy (gardenerjoy) - I vacillate between annoyance at the intrusion of peanut-free zones and empathy for the kids who can suffer serious harm if exposed. I'm persuaded by those who argue that early exposure to peanuts can prevent the intolerance.

maryann - Interesting insight that a casino can also feed one's addiction to food. Addiction is just their thing.

curlyjax - Hope your church pageant is as fun as you make it sound. Kudos for having a plan for the holiday party.

Penny. - Yep, I'd imagine watching someone eat French fries would be tough - particularly a SO who'd have to share if asked.

Readers -

Good morning!

Yesterday was on plan and weight is down another little 0.2 pound. I got through the family holiday gathering without eating anything and it was no problem.

Today and tomorrow also include celebrations with food but I will continue with my usual meals and focus on the people and socializing.

Joy, credit for 80%!

Maryann, I hope you enjoyed the casino party. Addictions all around there is right! :lol:

Bill, the movie sounds interesting! Kudos for the good food day.

Snacks went wrong yesterday because I didn't properly prepare for being hungry when I got home from my midday activities. Aiming for better today.

Yesterday's summary
Made food plan: 100%
Implemented food plan: 70%
Exercise: +25, 440/1000 minutes for December

Hi everyone.

I am still struggling but hanging in there--credit for posting! Not any credits for dinner :-( but lots of credit for not eating any of DH's trail mix, even though it's been calling to me--individual things and put together. Yesterday I indulged too much--today I withstood its temptation completely!

The cold weather holiday cards went out--even the one I had to stand in line to do postage for (overseas). Many things are happening in the house--we finished trimming 1/2" or so (varied by door) off each upstairs door so it could be rehung now that the carpet is in. We bought a table and 6 chairs for the kitchen eating nook (which will replace the folding table and chairs currently there!) I picked out and ordered a day bed, cabinet, two mattresses, and a rug for my office. Everything is in a shambles until the daybed comes in this week. I put together the cabinet by myself, though! I even found a storage solution for our game collection--worked so well that I ordered a second one. Even hung another picture today. I want everything perfect now.

I wonder if that is part of my problem--I'm focusing on house stuff which means I have less emotional energy to focus on food and exercise. I didn't walk this weekend. I did carry heavy stuff :-). I can feel I am less limber when I'm crawling on the floor assembling furniture--I can only postpone the hard stuff so long--I don't want to regress--so I have to start exercising again and focus on food choices. I just DON'T wanna. I wanna maintain this weight or even lose more magically--it didn't happen magically to get where I am--and I won't stay here magically either.

G'night all.

--Beth

Monday-Wright Brothers 1st sustained motorized aircraft flight (1903, Kitty Hawk, NC)
 

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Standard Sunday walk with DW, CREDIT moi especially since I initially balked due to the cold and threat of rain. In fact, as we sat and looked out the windows, a good winter rain fell. I knew we were doomed (feeling guilty that I haven't downloaded the Uber or Lyft Apt yet). When the time came to walk home, the rain had stopped. Some days good things happen to ordinary people.

Eating was on plan, CREDIT moi, because I subtracted the nibbles from Community Hour from my planned lunch after we got home. The evening meal was a bigger challenge: it was members' night at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. I had one modest plate from the buffet table with a large green salad, small beans and rice dish, and smaller serving of chicken something-or-other than most folks were serving themselves. I called it a success.

The exhibit, "Ansel Adams in Our Time" was more Ansel Adams than I've ever seen in one gulp. My admiration for his vision just doesn't wear out. Adams tried to capture the majesty of the large trees - was even a challenge for him, making me feel better that my attempts to photograph the wonder of California's Redwoods was mediocre. I was reminded that he was buddies with Georgia O'Keeffe - those with artistic talent seem to find each other.


Joy (gardenerjoy) - It's hard to plan snacks against an uncertain schedule.

Beth (bethturnaround) - Oh YES, Kudos, indeed, for avoiding visible trail mix - that stuff is deadly. Thanks for, "it didn't happen magically to get where I am--and I won't stay here magically either."

Penny. - Super Kudos for making it through the family holiday gathering without over eating.

Readers -

I followed my food plan -- woohoo!

Yesterday's summary
Made food plan: 100%
Implemented food plan: 100%
Exercise: +40, 480/1000 minutes for December

I am at home waiting for the furnace folks to come. I decided the best way to magically summon them on the earlier side is to remain in my pjs and bathrobe, so that is what I am doing! I am secretly okay with this even though I am sacrificing some vacation time, because i am getting caught up on xmas presents etc. The furnace has been making a gurgling noise which I think means air is trapped inside, and hopefully that will explain why it feels colder than usual in the bedrooms. Or maybe its just my old age catching up with me!
The pageant was indeed fun. I brought bagels, cream cheese and fruit to eat after at another church event, so at least I resisted temptations then.
In general, I have been doing terribly with eating and the scale shows it. too many holiday temptations and gifts of sweets. Onwards for today!
Penny- I am so impressed with you not eating anything at holiday parties!! wow is your resistance muscle strong!

Good morning!

Yesterday was on plan and weight is down another 0.2 pound smidge. New decade and <15 pounds to healthy weight.

Yesterday my family ate breakfast out and I just had a decaf. It was fine and not awkward at all! This morning I have my way-too-early work holiday party that is a potluck. I will have no problem avoiding food for that. I had my breakfast already and will take some knitting.

Beth, how exciting to be getting your new house all furnished! I totally understand the inability to focus fully on diet when other things need attention.

Joy, fantastic job on the 100% day! I knew it was coming.

Bill, big credit for your walk in the cold! You sure do a lot of fun things.

Curly, I hope the furnace issue is an easy fix. My resistance muscle is stronger this time. It must be the lack of sugar and flours, maybe.

Good afternoon coaches,

I guess it has been a couple of days since I posted. Yesterday and today have been perfectly on plan, but I'm afraid I had a couple of days where the sweets were eaten as I was eating my emotions. It didn't help I know, I think really it was just an excuse. The baby is having problems and the doctors did bring up the topic of whether to continue care or to transition to comfort care. My nephew is not at all on board with that, at least not yet. I'm sure the doctors have to plant the seed and now we'll see how he does. That was on Saturday. I didn't really exercise over the weekend, but I did get out for a strenuous hike today and I have one planned tomorrow with a friend. I also purchased a goal planning book, which will be weight related but even more focused on fitness. I did some planking, squats and lunges today and will continue with that on hiking days. I realized when Suzanne and I climbed Camelback on Friday that my legs aren't quite as strong as they were when I was doing more step ups to a 20 inch box, lunges and squats. I can go for a long ways, but there are a lot of high steps up onto rocks to get up Camelback and I was slower than I had been. This is unacceptable to me, so I will have to get things going in the right direction.

Penny It's just great that you're sticking to your plan and losing during the holidays. It's so much better than heading the other way and having even more to lose once they're over.
Curlyjax I second the hope that the furnace was not a big deal. I just hate home maintenance and repairs. I'm always afraid for how much it may cost. I liken it to buying underwear, nobody sees it but it must be done.
GardenerJoy Yahoo for an on plan day.
Bill I love Ansel Adams photographs, especially those from Yosemite.
Beth I agree it would be difficult to be focusing on food when the house isn't all set up yet. Once it is all organized like you want it, I'm sure it will be easier. You having the time alone will help.
Maryann How many days left until you get a break?

Okay, time to get some dinner started.

Hi everyone.

Today seemed like a reset, somehow. I had my three products today and then made a low carb dinner. My carb indulgence was grapes while prepping veggies. There were a few stray M&Ms or Reese's Pieces on the counter--not sure which--since I didn't eat them!. They were taunting me, so I scooped them up and threw them in the trash. It was easy to do, so I felt good about that. Big credit for not nibbling on them!

I made more progress in the dining room this evening--I took the vases and the art we're not ready to hang down to the basement--lots of steps. I was committed to spending 10 minutes on the exercise bike in the basement. I lasted 5. I hate cardio exercise machines. But, I spent another 11 minutes striding around the mostly empty basement, doing steps, and working my arms. I consider this a win. I enjoyed the walking and arm movement--so I just have to make myself get started. I feel good once I'm moving.

I added to my card collection today--KISS.
http://health.bweiss.com/cardimages/...ng%20cycle.JPG

I stay on track better when I spend multiple short periods of time each day interacting with my cards. Creating new cards might even be more helpful than reading existing ones.

karenrn: Your hiking amazes me. I'm really sorry about your great-nephew. That is just heartbreaking.

penny: Major credits for sticking to coffee while everyone around you was breakfasting. It's a new normal!

curlyjax: It's not very accommodating of the scale to reflect what we're actually eating, is it? I hope today went more smoothly.

joy: Congrats!!!!! Yay for following your food plan!

BillBlueEyes: The skies smiled on you. I need to follow your example of walking even in colder weather.

Have a good night, all!

--Beth

Tuesday - Charles Darwin aboard HMS Beagle reaches Tierra del Fuego (1832)
 

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Walked, CREDIT moi, to the library, to drop off a mis-delivered Christmas card, and to the barber all in one trip. My little mind loved planning the optimum route - as if minimizing how far I walked was the most important issue. At the library I dropped off one of the DGD's books and picked up two more. Alas, I got all the way home this time before I realized that I'd left my backpack at the barber shop. There wasn't time to walk back so I had to drive to retrieve it. I now need to make a note that it's my style to leave my backpack at the barber shop since this is the second time I've done it.

Dinner was too much - with some credit for being less of too much than was available. We took relatives to a pricey Italian restaurant - upscale enough that four folks with gray hair might be able to hear their conversation. That part worked. I did have prosciutto wrapped boar loin for my secondi - an over the top presentation to be sure. I skipped the Sfizi (small bites), Antipasti, and Pasta in an attempt to eat sanely. I also skipped the Dolci, but the others decided to order five scoops of Gelati to be shared by all, which I did. The pasta plates were only slightly less than HUGE to entice folks to have that before a main course. Ordering from each menu section would be three days worth of calories. Did good enough.


Joy (gardenerjoy) - Woohoo!, indeed.

Karen (karenrn) - Continue to send supportive thoughts for your DGN and his parents. Tough time. And Kudos to you for getting a goal book to help focus.

curlyjax - LOL at wearing a bathrobe to cause the fates to produce your plumber more quickly. Let us know if it works.

Beth (bethturnaround) - Yep BIG Kudos for tossing the offending M&Ms - wish you could teach me that one.

Penny. - Kudos for standing down a family breakfast.

Readers -

The pjs trick worked! I joked about it with the service guy and he said, if you had been in the shower we probably would have been even earlier:) I guess things are fixed, the gurgling noise is gone although it still sounds a little different than it used to. he told me some things about the pumps which i wrote down- i am starting to keep a notebook of house stuff to refer to. All sorts of things go in it, like "check the xmas lights at thanksgiving so if some aren't working you can get the ones you want before they run out". I am going to do some purging this year when I take down the tree!
I made a cauliflower au gratin with motz cheese and threw some black beans in it, and munched on it yesterday. Not filling enough but tasty and pretty healthy overall. Today is soup for lunch which I made to share with about 15 elders- its a good pureed chickpea soup which hopefully they will like. I know I will be sampling the desserts they bring, but will plan for a no dessert day tomorrow.
Karen-praying for your nephews family. What an awful thing for them to go thru.
Bill- wow, that food sounds great! Good job on minimizing the intake.
Joy-great job on plan!
Penny- you are a resistance machine! I will get some tips from you after xmas:)
Beth- functional exercise definitely feels more rewarding!

I followed my food plan for the second day in a row -- yay!

I'm anxious about an event tonight. But I'm tackling everything that I can control. I want to let go of the many things that I can't control. And, follow my food plan because eating doesn't cure anxiety.

Yesterday's summary
Made food plan: 100%
Implemented food plan: 100%
Exercise: +25, 505/1000 minutes for December