[coffeeshopgirl]

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I am happy to say that I had (more than) my fill on Thanksgiving day - food coma and wine and pie - and I regret nothing!

With that said, it's time to tell you my plan to get back on track.

My goals were to maintain my cardio workouts, introduce some strength training into my week, and calorie counting my dinners. I gave myself the weekend to relax, graze on the food I had in my kitchen, and to be aware of whether or not I'm hungry. I'm proud of myself because it's 6pm and I've grazed enough today that I'm really not that hungry. We had a study party for my husband (he's in law school) so we had some snacks and coffee for everyone. I grazed on those snacks, and now that everyone left, I asked myself "It's dinner time, but am I really hungry?" The answer was "No, but I could go for a snack." It sounds funny to write down this conversation with myself, but it was effective as I lingered in my kitchen wondering what (if anything) I wanted to eat.

Now, I know myself well enough, so I have a snack prepared for that second thought of "OMG - I really am hungry, what do I do?!" So much panic and I must be starving right? Nope, just my body wondering why I'm not stuffing my face. I have a Ruby Red grapefruit next to me if/when I get snacky. It's oddly comforting, haha.

So, what have I done to get back on track? A few things:
1. Packed a bag for the gym tomorrow
2. Prepared my lunches and snacks for work for the next few days
3. Calorie counted my food for Monday, INCLUDING dinner. If I eat according to plan, I'll have eaten 1400 calories tomorrow.

Challenge accepted.

How are you planning to stay on track through the holidays?

[Ferny1730]

I am also back on track after gaining weight last week. I am trying to keep my hunger under control by eating a solid breakfast and lunch that I cooked carefully this past weekend. I also have planned after work snacks and a planned dinner.

I have exercise classes scheduled at the gym, but they aren't high cardio ones. I like strength training better, so that is what I am doing.

I am feeling discouraged right now, but I know that I have made progress, since I feel and look better. I am more toned than I used to be, and my pants feel comfortable to sit in, instead of cutting me around the waist. I also got a compliment from a close aquaintence about my tummy, so that felt good.

For me I just need to keep my chin up as we go into another week.

[coffeeshopgirl]

Definitely keep your chin up Ferny!

I'm sort of discouraged today myself. I got in my morning workout, and I did well on my eating, but I am spent in terms of my strength training dvd today.

I think I need to be realistic and realize that I'm doing well already today. I need to get a grip on this routine before I put one more piece into the puzzle. My biggest challenge has been limiting my dinner portions, and I think I need to make sure I have this one under control.

Ugh, I'm so impatient when it comes to this weight loss. I wish I could just work out for a week and be back to my beloved 160, lol. I know this weight loss will take a while if I'm to lose it and keep off the weight. This week I will focus on mastering my morning workouts and eating ONLY in my calorie limits.

I'm doing pretty good for Day 2.