Heya and hello! I'm so glad we're in this together, reaching our goals.

I truly apologize for my infrequent visits. Our studio is just so slamming, it sucks. But guess what? I only have two orders left to fulfill and 3 weddings to proof - then I'll be back full force annoying everyone.

I've been rethinking my goal. At this point I'm pretty happy with where I'm at and am about ready to shift the focus from crazy amounts of weight loss to the weights. Yeah, I'm about done here. I'm considering just taking whatever I weigh on the 1st of January as my maintenance weight. I'm pretty pleased and proud with my year's progress and don't feel the need to push the limits of loss. I don't want to be a skinny mini - I'm fine with where I'm at.

BUT- I'm not going anywhere! You people are stuck with me!

Tonite rocked my colorful socks - I did win the Biggest Loser contest! Cool!

Woohoo! I knew you would do it, FB! I'm glad you're sticking around for the challenges even after maintenance. You can set some goals for lifting, and be the boss of that, okay? I'll be glad when I get out of the losing phase. I'm not sure when that will be. Guess I'll know when I get there, but I figure another 30 lbs minimum. It would be so nice to be able to lift and just not even have to worry about trying to drop pounds at the same time.

Hmm, I see I'm here a little late, but my goal between now and the new year: STAY ON PLAN. Especially keeping up with my water intake. I'm so bad about it. Weight loss is probably going to be negligible as I'm pretty sure I was dehydrated at the start of my plan, and would probably have been closer to 330 than 325... But I'd like to have 4lbs lost between the 21st (Sundays are my weigh in day) and Jan 4th.

Also, by Jan 4th I'd like to bump up my exercise minutes to 20 per day. I see all these people going a full 60 mins and it gets my competitive nature going!

Plan:

Calories: 1900-1950
Exercise: 15 mins on the elliptical every day
Water: 64-80oz every day.

Kali, you made it! Don't worry about being "late". It is never too late, because we're addicted, and will start a new holiday challenge after this one. It's been a little quiet here the past few days (except for me...I'm home sick, thus all the computer time, ), but I think it's just people being busy with the holiday coming up. This a place you can come and chat about the day to day stuff, report weigh-ins, anything. You are doing so great with the elliptical...that thing kicks my butt! The first time I got on it, I think I lasted about 2 minutes, lol. Now, I can do 30, but I'm sweating like crazy, and after that I just get bored, so I just do that if I need a change from running one day.

I'm doing okay today. OP for food, but spending way too much time sitting on my duff at the computer. I'm just hitting bottom with this bronchitis thing, and not doing what I should. So, I did kick my own butt a little while ago, got caught up on my household chores, rotated the laundry, got the dishwasher unloaded and kitchen tidied up. Now, I'm going to fill out the stinking Christmas cards that I keep forgetting about, then get my business bookkeeping caught up for the week. We're having a winter wonderland outside, lots of snow (for us, anyway), so it's a good day for paperwork.

wow Fb you made it! How awesome for you!
Jamsk8r , about that christmas card... make sure mine has money! Actually, I don't like xmas cards because they are all so duplicated by people, they just crank them out!- but yours are always personalized!

I ate thai food tonight but nothing fried and I have been opting for water, so I am following the right path I think!
I might have to use you two for examples of how I want to succeed-and COPY you!

Hey Ladies - Can I jump in here with you? I see a few of my favorite people here and am always looking for more friends on this journey. I've been a calorie counter since the beginning of August, when I completely changed my lifestyle. I've lost 72 pounds to date. This week was a little rough...I had 4 holiday parties, resisted tempation, ate well, counted calories, worked out everyday...and lost a whopping 0.6 pounds. This has been my smallest weekly loss in this journey. I know I should not be disappointed - it's loss during the most difficult time of the year - but a little of me is still let down. I'll get over it.

My goal is to be at 75 pounds loss by the end of the year. Should be very doable with what I've accomplished, but this week makes me a little nervous.

Looking forward to chatting with you. Have a great day!
Barb

jamsk8r- Thanks for the welcome! You've been so kind to a newbie like me I love the elliptical, it's the only cardio machine I do, 'cause it moves my arms. Also, good on you doing the household chores and I hear you on those christmas cards. My chores are falling by the wayside thanks to christmas shopping and inherent laziness.

BarbPA- I think you can make your goal! I bet the weight was such a slow loss 'cause of stress and that nasty cortisol hormone from all those parties. The willpower it must've taken to stay OP... I'm inspired!

I weighed myself early this week, and here's the totals:

Start of Week: 321.6
Monday -_-: 323.8
Today: 318.6!!!!

I am over the moon! Looks like this goal will be more achievable than I originally thought! Christmas is going to be an out-of-plan experience, within reason, of course, so I don't expect to see much of a loss in that week... but I still feel good about my 4lbs by Jan 4!

Brat, WTG with making better choices and drinking the water! Um...yeah.. your card is gonna be full of money. Really!

Barb! Yay! I know we just met on the other threads, but I like you already. That 5 lb challenge is like being in ****, but all your friends are there! lol. It'll be great having you on for the holiday challenges. Good luck with your New Year's goal. I think you can definitely do that.

Kali, you are rocking the weight loss, girl!

As for me, I am still OP with the food, and have been OP with the water and workouts for a couple days now. Last night, the boy worked out with me for LB lifting. It was fun, and a good workout!

Is it even possible to lose weight at Christmas time? Just thinking "out loud" so don't take much heed to that question. My weigh in day is tomorrow and I'm worried about it this time because of all the crazy eating I've been doing this week. I don't think I'm overeating but I'm not eating correctly, if you get what I mean. I'm eating on the run and I haven't cooked much for dinner until today. So I hope I haven't done too much damage weight wise. I think my nutrition is sorely lacking though so I'm going to veg up this week. I guess you'll see me tomorrow with the good or bad news.

I'm on target for my 25 more lbs lost by christmas! I'm down 21 towards my goal

Hey Gang - Thanks for the warm welcome. It really helps me out to have people to talk with that "get it".

Kali - Great job on the loss!!!

Cheryl - Agreed....that 5# challenge is a tough one this time around for everyone. Great job staying OP!

Retire - I know it wasn't really an out loud question, but I am going to say YES...because I AM GOING TO LOSE this holiday season! Positive thinking!

cfmama - Keep it up!!!!

FB - Great new avatar. I admit that I'll miss the fun family pic.

I had a great cardio workout tonight. I bumped up my level and speed on the elliptical and felt awesome...even with a head cold still stuffin' me up. Tomorrow morning is a session with my trainer. Then the dreaded annual cookie baking. I really wanted to say no this year, but I always do it for daycare and hubby's office and they are already asking when the cookies will be ready. I'm such a softie. My plan is to roast up some green beans and carrots to keep on the counter with me. When I feel like I have to take a bite of something...it will be healthy!!!!

Talk to ya'll later! Keep up the great work!

Hey all. Well, only 2 hrs of skating tonight, but I think it was still a decent workout. Missed my UB lifting, due to a scheduling snafu, but will make it up tomorrow. OP for food today, despite wanting to eat everything in sight after skating. Not sure what that was about, but I just had my usual snack and let it settle, then I was fine. Woke at 3 am this morning, couldn't get back to sleep. It's finally catching up to me, apparently, so I'm going to get some sleep, and I'll do replies tomorrow when both of my brain cells might be firing at once. zzzzzzzzz.

Barb - I switched the avatar back just for YOU. I missed it too, after I changed it.
On the roasted green beans, I read something that Kaplods does and I've enjoyed it for variety. She uses powdered ranch mix to sprinkle on them. They taste sort of junk food that way while still being super good for you. It satisfies my munchy urges.

Jammy - Can I say this? I will anyhow - I am SOSOSO glad you're back in super action. I missed you terribles while you were away with a busy schedule. It's not fair that my schedule is crazy now and I'm missing out on the fun. Are we allowed to be so sappy here? Screw it, I just missed you.

CF- WOW! Great job!

Retired - You'll probably be surprised, in a pleasant way.

BBB- Thai food. Oh god, one of my favorites. Besides Indian. Now I'm all super hungry in the middle of the night. Good choices, good on you! Are you on the road right now?

Kalilung - Welcome!

HI... I didnt get to weigh in last week because of my brother being so sick in ICU. He is now on the way to getting better..He had a bad infection following WLS. We almost lost him! I weight in today have lost 1.6lbs for the 2 week period. I think it puts me 4.4pounds from my goal. Tom arrived today so maybe next week i can have a big loss. I am not changing my weigh in day..it should help control my wed and thurs eating.

DG, you are doing great this challenge. So glad to hear that your brother is in recovery now. That was scary!

FB, we'll make up for it when the rush is over. I like the cute family pic, too!

We've supposedly got a big storm coming in tonight, like high winds, snow, freezing rain...taking the power out kind of weather. So, I've been prepping for that possibility. I've got lots of chicken in the oven, brown rice in the rice cooker. I've got yogurts and bananas, and I can cook up broccoli or warm these things up on the propane cooker, so even if the power is out for a few days, I'll be able to stay OP with the food. Anyway, I've got everything ready, except I need to make another batch of hummer food, while the microwave is still available. I haven't done my workout yet, but it's still early. I just had to make sure all the preparations were done in case the power goes out. Hey, working out will be one way to keep warm, lol!

Anyway, if I do go AWOL in the next few days, you'll know it's just because we don't have power and/or internet. I'm hoping it doesn't happen, though, because I'll be missing my 3FC fix!