Wow, I just made my challenge goal. Can't believe I lost 1.5 pounds this week after losing 2.5 last week. I'm going to try and lose 2 more pounds by New Year's so I've put that in brackets. Must go sleep. Good night. zzzzzzzz

Well, no storm yet. Maybe it will pass us by (oh please, oh please..)

I did my lifting workout tonight. It was so tempting to just keep going, go heavier, but this is me taking it easy, not hurting my arm that just healed up... hmmmph! Still running just 30 mins. Motivation is still a struggle for that one...maybe because I am sick and can't breathe, because once I get going, I enjoy it and the time passes quickly. I dunno. At least I'm doing it, right?

FB - Thanks for the welcome!

retiredone - congrats on reaching your challenge! Also, hello!

jamsk8r - Not only are you doing it, but you're doing it while carefully and safely! That's nothing to scoff at. I broke my foot one year, and it took forever to heal up 'cause, well, I never used my crutches, and chose to walk on it all the time instead.

BarbPA - Thank you! It's great to see you in here as well!

cfmama - Keep up the amazing work. You're almost there!

Today's the first day of my challenge, and Christmas is in the mix.

SW 318.2
CW 318.2
GW 314.2

Kali, see? That's why I liked you right off...we're both stupidheads that just keep on going after an injury, lol. I am trying SO hard to be good this time, though, because this whole year, every time I get going on lifting, I hurt myself running or skating or doing yard work. Maybe it has nothing to do with lifting, but I figure it can't hurt to ease back into the full workout plan.

ETA: Kali, you should come check out the 5 lb challenge...it's a good one:
5 lb Challenge #41

Today, I walked the dog to the store, mainly because driving wasn't an option, but it was kinda fun, actually. I'd planned to take the dog cart and harness up the dogs, but the snow was punchy, with a thick coat of ice on top, which would have torn up their feet if they were pulling in it. Traffic wasn't heavy, but there was enough that running the big cart down the road wasn't an option. So, I just walked the big dunderhead, for a total of 2 miles. He isn't large on leash manners, being mainly a pulling dog or loose in the house, so just trying to walk without him bowling me over was a workout in itself. I was pretty beat by the time we got home, after punching through 2 miles of the crunchy stuff. The roads are covered in softer slush, so I think that tomorrow I will take the dog cart out for a spin on the back roads, after the 9 to 5-ers are off to work.

I am staying OP today...even remembering to drink my water.

Isabella, congrats on reaching your New Year's challenge goal!

jamsk8r - I'll mosey over and check it out! I love challenges!

Ugh, I forgot to portion out my water into the water bottles in the fridge last night, so now I know i haven't drunk even my necessary 64, let alone the 80oz I feel would be better for me. In other news, looks like sushi is a great food for my plan, and so I think i'll be eating more of it in the future! Mmm...

Hey Gang!
I survived the cookie baking weekend! I did give into two small chocolate chip cookies today...in the midst of wanting to strangle my DH and my 3yo throwing an hour long tantrum because he was sooooo over-tired. It was emotional eating, but they were good and w/in my calories for the day. Tomorrow I'll be delivering them to their recipients and will have a few left in the house for DH and a houseguest. I will stay OUT of them. I did a little shopping (yikes - crowds!) and had a good cardio session at the gym. Now I'm off to wrap/organize gifts.

I hope you are all having a great evening!!!

Kali, you are doing so great! Your weight is dropping like crazy.

Barb, WTG with the cookies. I don't think I could have done so well myself!

I'm staying OP, except for a blip with the water the other day. Today is LB lifting, which will have to be at home since my van is snowed in. Also, running. I might also get brave and take the dogs out for a run, if I'm convinced I'll have any kind of stopping power with the musher's cart. I know the dogs would love to get out and run a little, after being cooped up in the house all week. I think we've got about 8 inches out there, but I haven't measured it yet. And I see it is snowing again! It's because I said out loud that I didn't believe we'd get 9 inches here, lol.

You peeps must be busy again. I'm just popping in to report. Staying POP today, though I know I'll go off tomorrow for the family dinner thing. Today, we have olympic snow shoveling on the agenda, since I need to clear a hole for clients to get in and drop dogs off. Also, UB lifting and running, which probably won't happen till tonight. I've got dogs coming in for boarding early afternoon, then need to run to the bank and library, probably the grocery, since we've been snowed in for a few days. Tomorrow is Xmas eve dinner at my sister's house, and likely Xmas day will involve some sort of candy binge, but I'm resolved to just enjoy the holiday with my boy, and I'll get back OP on Friday (probably gladly so, since eating stuff I don't normally eat anymore tends to make me feel like crap!) I am resolved to keep working out as per normal and also keeping my water intake up, so that should help. I'll also try to watch portions, but I'm not making promises since I'm not convinced I'll keep them. Okay, got to get some warmer clothes on and go tackle the snowfest in the driveway. Hope you're all enjoying your holidays, your workouts, everything!

Hey Gang! Popping in for a quickie Hello. Like everyone, I have a zillion things to do. We finally went shopping today for our two little boys and I need to see what I have and what I may have forgotten.

Today hubby wanted to go to a breakfast buffet. I'm happy to report I did awesome...egg white omelet, fruit, wheat toast!!!! Dinner was out again...yes, hubby is quite a challenge. We went to a burger place and I remained tough as steel with a turkey burger patty (no bun), cottage cheese and fruit! Whew...I survived a tough food day and got in a good cardio session. Tomorrow morning is a training session.

Jammy - How was the snow shoveling? We don't get a lot of snow where we are so luckily I only get stuck shoveling a couple times a year. You had quite a busy day.

I'm outta here for now....night all!

wow Barb its amazing how much you have lost. its very inspiring.August was when i started gaining the weight i lost all year so now i know where it came from! you are definitey inspiring me.

kali-jammy is a great friend and always steady- she never lets you down-I can testify to that! I also know where to find her....here!

FB- yes I am on the road. Today is christmas eve day and I am in dallas. I delivered a load of something to WAlMArt here so everyone could continue shopping until the last minute! I will be stuck here for a couple of days so I know a great place to get a pedicure and the ymca is open today also. I m definitely glad you guys are here!

jammyblammer- when You talk about your daily activities- it inspires me. You just push and go to another day and push again! And btw- thats MY dog and he is NOT stupid!
retiredone- I like your small goals.I just made my first small weight goal so I have to figure out how to change my weight. I somehow lost 13 pounds since I joined and I am not sure when I joined so I need to post my start date here like some others do!
btw jammy, I have to lose weight the old fashioned way! I was rejected for any surgeries yesterday (officially) by my insurance company-so here I am!

and I was hoping for the EASY way out!

DG- how scary for you and your family! I am glad your brother is making it through. Jammy told me he was getting better now.

Merry Christmas Everyone. Is everyone ready for the Old Guy's visit tonight?

Barb, the snow shoveling was not that fun, actually, lol! 2 hours to clear a parking spot at the bottom, then another 20 to clear a better path to the gate. I haven't even begun to dig my van out, but I'm hoping the rains will come first, and spare me that task! WTG on surviving 2 meals out!

Kali, wanted to send you a . The 5 lb challenge thread is so busy, I couldn't answer every post today. You are doing great, and I know what you mean about the sodium! I started watching that pretty early in my journey, and was amazed what a difference it made, not just to the weight loss, but to my ankles, which used to be swollen all the time..turns out it was the high sodium doing that to them!

BBB, we already talked on the phone, and C is on her way, so I'll just say woot-woot on the weight loss already! You're the bomb!

Isabella, Merry Christmas to you! I am all ready, except I need to pick up a few candy bits for the boy's stocking today, but presents are wrapped and hidden away, and I've got stocking stuffers for all the critters, we are set!

I had a good UB workout at home yesterday, and 30 mins jogging. My nephew made me a CD with some screaming metal music that just happens to be 30 mins almost to the second, so I use that for running...it helps on the low motivation days, just knowing I only have to go 8 songs, plus the tunes just make me want to push through and not give up!

Okay, I am off to the calorie fest now. I'll check in tomorrow, in case anybody is around.

Merry blissbliss!

Jammer! Heh, I've been busy as anything getting ready for christmas... I'm truly surprised the only thing that's been falling by the way is my water intake... especially with the salt intake. It was worth it though, 'cause today I was down to:

SW: 318.2
CW: 317
GW: 314.2

I'm so pleased! Yesterday I cooked some mini butternut squash, but it didn't turn out so well, so I completely overestimated how many calories I was going to eat, and ended up only eating about 1670 instead of my planned 1900.

bratty - Pleased to meet you .