That's exciting! You probably have a lot more energy for all of the walking around too.

Thank you! It's a good motivator to stay on track during the final stretch of the holidays. How are you doing with all of your events?

Kookysuki- out to dinner tonight, lucky to have a restaurant that has an IP menu. Book Club tomorrow, made stuffed peppers to take for my dinner. Christmas Party on Fri., not sure that I feel like going,not as many familiar people and a more partying crowd. Family Carol Sing Party on Sat., everyone will be eating some kind of soup. So I found a recipe for Chicken, ginger, mushroom soup to make and take. Then 2 days at home and then off to my parent's for the real holiday. I learned my lesson about planning ahead.

Food should not be an issue at my parent's house, little less control over Christmas dinner at my brother's. We eat breakfast on Christmas morning, so we are having poached egg in a portobello cap. That way, I can get some protein in and limit my ham intake at dinner. SIL will serve my veggies clean. I will bring my travel mug filled with herbal tea too, so I walk in with something to drink and avoid the bar. Sounds fun but the planning is tiring. Looking forward to a quiet Jan., after hosting New Year's Eve at my house.

How about your holiday? How long is your visit to your parents? Are people at work bugging you with goodies? See a lot of that on the threads. My people, colleagues and students have been phenomenal. No one has brought goodies in to my room, students gave me a non food gift (they baked for the rest of my team). I am beyond grateful!

need to whine and vent
 

So my daughter asks me "Mom, can we bake cookies for my friends as a christmas gift?" I say "Sure kiddo!" WHAT WAS I THINKING!?!?!?!

It's 1:35 AM.. I'm sitting in my kitchen, having baked 6 dozen chocolate chip, 4 dozen sugar, 4 dozen peppermint sugar, and 2 dozen white chocolate chip/macadamia nut. She's been in bed for the past 2 hours, and I'm so frustrated.. they smell so good...

I went into the fridge and got out a head of lettuce.. baking cookies and eating Romaine... seriously... the things you do for kids....

*end rant*

I had a good weight in, and met my goal on 160. Very happy!! Pack away 2 totes, of too large clothes. My goal now is too stay under 160 for the holidays, and I am going to Palm Springs till Jan 8th. When I return I want to lose 10 more pounds and reach my ultimate goal of 150 pounds. Wish me luck!

Wow, Wine4me, lot's of celebration here! Way to go on reaching your 160 mini goal. Palm Springs sounds great. You will do great. Just keep imagining those two totes of too large clothes.

Wow, you are super busy for the holidays and I really admire your planning! The food you're bringing to the events sound yummy and reminds me I should plan my meals for my trip to my parents' house. That's great your family is on board and helping you along the way.

It seems like once people see your dedication and results they become more supportive and helpful. I think at the beginning people think we're on some crazy, crash diet that doesn't seem sustainable, but once they see us getting happier, healthier, and thinner they realize IP is legit and healthy. At that point, it seems like people (friends, coworkers, family, etc) become great supporters and cheerleaders. That's what I've experienced anyways. :). It seems like your colleagues at work are supporting you by not bringing you cookies and junk. Mine are doing the same. I even had a "bread, wine, and dessert blocker" coworker/friend at my work holiday party who stopped the servers from serving me any of those things when I was away from my seat or talking to someone. It was really nice.

I fly to Cincinnati on the 24th and come back to CA on the 31st. The night of the 24th, I'll be wrapping gifts (the ones I ordered online and had delivered there & helping parents wrap for each other/other family). I'm staying at my parents' house the whole time. Christmas Day my sister, BIL, and their kids will come over and have a meal (not sure which one) and open gifts. The other days we I'll be visiting with friends and trying to balance that out with spending time with family. Good thing my mom is a night owl because I never seem to be able to adjust to EST when I go back to visit.

I will have control over what I eat the whole time which is great. The only days I might struggle are my travel days, but I've got a long layover on my way back in Minneapolis, so I'm sure I can find a restaurant with plain grilled chicken or steak with steamed veggies...probably should research that ahead of time. Hope you're enjoying the holidays and I'm proud of how you've achieved a significant weight loss during all of these events. You're seriously an IP rock star! :cp:

Kawaii...not only do you sound like an excellent mom, but it shows how committed you are to getting yourself healthier and staying on IP being able to bake chocolate chip cookies and not eat any. I really admire all of the people on this forum who can bake for others and not go off plan...sounds like torture! It must show you how much you've changed that you can do that now without eating a single one.

Wineforme...congratulations on your loss!! That's fantastic! Enjoy your trip to Palm Springs!

Hello friends!
I haven't been on here for a while and I miss hearing your stories and seeing updates. My kids have been out of school since last Friday and it's been hectic to say the least. That, along with feeling very behind with my Christmas stuff this year (I haven't even addressed my envelopes yet. Yikes!) has left me very little free time. I decided to take a short break from IP until January. I'm still at the same weight and my goal is to maintain until then and then get back to 100% then. I still stay about 80-99% ip but I don't want to be guilt-ridden if I have a cookie with my kids or enjoy a glass of wine at a holiday party. Ok now I have to go catch up on your posts. I hope you're all doing great!

Kawaii - hero medal for success! Do not think I could bake that many cookies and not be a total _______!

Kooky, thank you for your kind words. Focused on making the numbers go down :) Sounds like you have a good plan for your holiday visit.

Wantanewme, nice to see you :) hope that you have a wonderful holiday with your kids. That is a long vacation. We don't finish until 2:45 tomorrow.

Airport Chick, how are you feeling?

Well I am officially on holidays from work now and I made it through without indulging in even one treat the whole time. There were so many chocolates/cookies/pizza/sandwiches etc this month - it was unbearable. I can't believe I did it. Normally I would have stuffed my face with garbage daily. This year the scale is going down instead of up...

Which brings me to my Christmas plan. Many of you won't think this is a good idea but I am ditching IP for about 1 week-10days. I will follow a low carb diet including some cheese, nuts and red wine, while having some of my favorite treats. I expect to gain a few pounds - which sucks but I feel so much more in control of my eating this year. Once I'm back after the holidays I will return to phase 1 of IP to take off the remaining 25 pounds or so I have left.

I have my week 9 WI tomorrow and I am hoping to be at the 25 lb mark. If I don't reach 25, it will be very close. I am so glad I made the decision to do IP when I did. It feels so great to go into the holidays weighing less and having control over what I put in my mouth!

Congrats to all of you on your losses this week. I admire those of you who are planning to stay 100% over the holidays. Good luck!

Steph, no judgement here :) This is a very personal journey. While we are great support for each other, only you know what is best for yourself. I will miss you while you are gone.

Thanks for the support Slipfree. I will still be online, obsessing over the posts here daily for sure to keep me motivated. ;)

I can totally relate to you. I have one more day to work then off for the winter break at school. This week has been incredibly hard. I was surrounded with treats of all kinds. Everyone bringing in goodies to eat. I even had a few people give me baked goods as a gift. I didn't take one bite. I'm still trying to get rid of the 7 lbs I gained last weekend. Still have 2 to go. The next weekend and Christmas holiday is going to be such a challenge. I'm going away for the weekend and am not going to follow IP. I will do my very best to eat healthy but I am not going to be able to bring the foods I need to eat. Christmas is another story. I know I will put on some weight but I also know I can lose it again. IP has shown me that Yes it is possible.

Stephascope, congrats on your losses and for staying away from all of the temptations at work, and it sounds like you're planning to eat healthy foods while you take a break from IP. Slipfree is right...this is everyone's own journey so no one is judging. We're all here to support each other.