Happy Thanksgiving Week! (for those of us in the US) And it's the last week of November (how did that happen?) so it really feels like we're starting the holiday rush this week.
My car is in the shop today because I need to replace my windshield to pass inspection -- BOO -- too much $$$. So today is my stay home and clean day. Tomorrow I work and Wednesday will be the cook-a-thon.
I weighed myself this morning and said "self, this is what I want to weigh on January 1, 2009". All I want to do is maintain over the holidays. What it will mean is a few treat meals and being On Plan the other 99% of the time. And that's maintenance for me.
Speaking of treat meals, I braved the snow on Friday and met DH and a group of friends downtown for dinner. The place we went has a fantastic sea bass dish with napa cabbage slaw in a rice vinegar dressing and I don't even look at the menu any more -- just order that. Along with a beet and goat cheese salad, it made a great dinner. The "treat" part was a glass of wine and 1/2 piece of birthday cake. Fortunately this cake was worth the calories!
Boy, you guys in the warmer climates are lucky! We're having one of the coldest, winteriest Novembers in memory. It's more like January out there and this week isn't going to be different. Rain today, but the snow comes back tomorrow and will stick around all week. Each cat has a heat vent staked out and lies in front of it.
What's everyone doing for Thanksgiving this year? And what's your strategy for dealing with the food fest?
It's not TOM so I'm hoping the 2 lbs. I'm up are the result of too much salt yesterday.
We broke down at the movie last night and shared a popcorn. Boy was it salty ! And it was a real chemical salty as opposed to salt shaken on. That can't be healthy. I wish they would let people bring their own snacks.
DH is now committed to losing 2 lbs. per week. He has lost 14 lbs and has 40 more to go. This will be really good for both of us as I won't have the temptations he brings home to contend with.
It's always easier to do something if both partners are on board. I think we can make this work! We are past the Canadian Thanksgiving and have 5 weeks 'til Christmas so we're not doing any special "treat" nights until then.
I am going to change my ticker every Monday to try to keep myself a bit more honest and to inspire me to stay OP on the weekend.
Slinking back in. I'm not sure if anyone will remember me. I posted here often and then life got in the way. Gall bladder surgery and a knee problem later I'm 12 pounds over where I need to be so I picked last week (yes, the week before the Holidays and TOM can I pick them or what) to get my butt back on plan. I made it through last week but figure I'm gonna need support so here I am. Good to 'see' you again.
Good morning! My crazy deadline rush at work is almost over. Hopefully that means I'll be back on plan. Yesterday I ate a whole load of junk -- burrito for lunch, followed by about 20 anise cookies, then hot cocoa after dinner (with marshmallows). I feel like such a . And my weight this morning was 143. Great start to the holiday season, right? That's exactly what I weighed right at the beginning of this year. At least this week is TOM so part of that should disappear.
In any case my goal is to make Thanksgiving a holi-DAY not a holi-WEEK. And to stick to my workout schedule as much as possible (missed my run this morning since it's raining). The day after Thanksgiving is my 3-year maintenance anniversary. I am up way too much from goal.
Today I am making TWO commitments (please keep me accountable for these!):
1) I will be back at 130 on April 19, 2009, which is when I'm doing my triathlon.
2) I will not weigh more than 143 on January 1, 2009.
Lisa - welcome back!
Meg - the weather has been pretty nasty here too!
Dagmar - it's great that your DH is on track with you.
I had a pretty crazy weekend with the show, but it went well - good audiences, no major snafoos on stage or back stage, at least none the audience could detect. Working backstage is less pressure than being onstage, but there are still tense moments when this prop is missing or you hear lines fumbled onstage and are scrambling with the script in case you need to whisper a prompt out there. Other than a long workout Sat AM, I spent most of my time getting food ready for the cast party after Sunday's matinee show. Indulged in a little bit of the food at said party, but it was delicious, and right back OP today.
This week I'll have 2 Thanksgivings. Tuesday at lunch is our office Thanksgiving. I'm planning on treating it like most other meals. Stick with light meat, no skin, and just eat the (non-cream, cheese, or butter laden) veggie dishes. I made a batch of Pumpkin Custard and lightened cranberry relish so I'll have my "pie" and cranberries when I get home Tuesday night - knowing this will hopefully help me avoid the desserts and high-sugar cranberry sauces. Thursday AM BF and I are headed to his family's and won't be back until Sunday. I'm not even as worried about that Thanksgiving meal as much as being away from home for 4 whole days. I'll bring oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, etc., pack my gym clothes, and try my best.
Jessica, sounds like you've been really busy!
Lisa, I think sometimes it's when we're facing bigger "food events" like the holidays that do make us realize we need to stay serious about our healthy lifestyles. It's so nice to "see" you again. How old is your youngest now?
Dagmar, have we met? My name is Megan, Queen of Sneaking Food Into The Movie Theater. Lol, I always take a big purse and pop a bag of light microwave popcorn, shove it in there, sometimes a diet soda (yes that "pop" you hear of the pop top in the theater is me), or a bag of Kashi cereal, or whatever... I never buy theater food! It's unhealthy and overpriced. Sorry to hear you're still stressed out.
Meg, I've been watching the snow up there (I figure my parents must live only 1-2 hours from you) and wouldn't you know it, the year I finally get my born-and-raised-in-Florida BF to come home with me for Christmas is the year there's snow early up there. I'm keeping my mouth shut for now and will make sure he packs his warmest coat (luckily he actually has a real winter coat!).
Allison, way to score on that treadmill!!! Now if only there was a silent auction here with a $3600 elliptical that I could bid on and get for much less...
Michele, enjoy your visit w/ you DD!
Hi Bobbi, and welcome!
Anne, sorry you were having such a bad week. I hope this week is better for you.
Pat, did you make it to Anchorage?
Hi everyone else! Happy Turkey Week to those in the US!
I had half a good weekend food-wise. Saturday I was as good as gold. Yesterday not horrible, but not really good, either. Not bad foods, but just too much food.
I am making sure that I have a solid plan in place for the next few days.
On Thanksgiving, I am running a 5K at 8:30 (and it might be snowing!! ), then pop over to my sisters house, which is just a couple miles from where the 5K is being. I am allowing myself a little bit of my favorite dishes, but no seconds on anything but turkey and veggies. I will have one slice of pie.
Then Friday will be right back to plan. I am commiting all this to paper as part of a written action plan to see how that works.
It's supposed to get to 40 today! I am going to go outside for a run after lunch and take advantage of it.
I still haven't heard anything about my treadmill. I did email the school principal who gave me the email for the person in charge of the silent auction, so I emailed her Saturday and gave her all my contact numbers. But she hasn't called. I'm hoping she'll call today.
Megan~my DD prefers the elliptical also. My problem with both the elliptical and NordicTrak is that they are self propelled. I know that doesn't make sense. But unless I have a machine that I can set at a specific rate I tend to go slower and slower and then the workout isn't as good as it could be. At the gym I set the pace at 4.3 - 4.5 MPH for a fast walk and anywhere between 5 and 6 MPH when jogging. When I'm on the elliptical, I'm going and going and I look down and I'm only at a pace of 2.5 MPH because there isn't anything that makes me keep at a faster pace.
Our closest theater allows you to bring in any food you want! You can bring in burgers or pizza or a cup of Starbucks. They don't care (and isn't it nice NOT to have to sneak it!).
Speaking of movies, we had a little "disappointment" this weekend. We've all been looking forward to Twilight and planned on seeing it Sunday. This included DD and her boyfriend who we finally got to meet on Sunday. But he messed up our plans! He went out with friends on Thursday and they ended up going to the midnight show. So instead we went to see James Bond. We'll see Twilight next weekend instead.
Good morning maintainers!
I am so excited to have the week off from work and have my dd home from college. She came in last night and is now sleeping-- what a surprise!
My weight was up 2.6 pounds at my WI Saturday. That can sure make me stay on plan for the weekend. The entire 2.6 pounds plus some is gone this morning-- I am sure it was mostly salt, but I was starting to play head games with myself---oh my-- if I gain 2.6 every week during the holidays my clothes won't fit!
I also sneak food into the theatre. I don't think our local theatre minds because I see people bringing in pizza and chinese food but I still put it in my purse because I feel like I'm doing something wrong....
I'm hoping to see a few movies over the holidays. Both of my girls have already seen Twilight (and loved it) but they said they would go with mom too. I also want to see the Four Families movie or whatever it is called-- it looks hilarious!
We will be cooking for just the four of us for T-day. Dh loves to cook and he is excited to prepare all of his indulgent dishes. I looked on the bag of stuffing mix and couldn't believe how many calories were in JUST the mix. I will be taking a TINY spoonful of stuffing this year. I am planning on making some sort of vegetable and a healthy dessert option. Any ideas for me?
I have been chicken to try any of the classes at my gym but if I can get out of my warm, snuggly bed, I'm going to try one this morning-- wish me luck!
Here's to an accountable, manageable, OP (or close to it) week for everyone despite the holiday!
I forgot to ask if you all have tried the Gnu bars?
They were being talked about at my WW meeting so I ordered a sample pack to try them.
Do they keep you full? Which flavor do you like? I can't wait to try them!
Happy Monday! It's warmed up to the 30's here today, making our snow (2-3" more over the weekend) really soft and packed down. unfortunately that will all turn to ice when it cools off again. But for now I'm enjoying the warm(er) weather.
Megan - we did get to Anchorage. We ended up with 6 of us in one gal's van which I drove. It snowed off and on all day, but the roads were in pretty good shape. We arrived at the Christmas Bazaar about 10 minutes before it opened so were able to see most of it before the crowds got bad. I bought a couple little things for my great-nieces and nephews and a secret santa gift, but nothing big. We also hit a quilt show/small quilt auction and 2 quilt stores. Oh, did I mention this was a trip of quilting friends? Then Sat night we met friends for dinner and they ended up coming back to the house after, and didn't leave til after 10:30 - way past my bedtime. It was a fun day all around though, and a little over on the food, but I was really good on Sunday, and there's no damage showing on the scale today.
For Thanksgiving we are going to our next door neighbors (they've adopted us for holidays since we have no family nearby). My plan is to have the shrimp appetizer (no hardship and many less calories), then concentrate on the turkey, with sweet potatoes and/or squash and salad. They always serve buffet style with people eating all over the dining room and living room so no one will have much comment on what I eat or don't eat.... They don't drink alcohol, so that temptation won't even be there. And dessert is spread out over the afternoon so again, no one notices if you eat it or not. The major activities after eating are: reading the ads for Friday shopping , watching football, and chasing/playing with the little guys (4 of them under 2 - my neighbors have 5 kids, all married with kids, and some of those kids married with kids as well - and all living in the area. Most of them show up for holidays!)
Good Morning. Thanks for the welcome back. I made it through another day yesterday. I'm baking tomorrow so I've got gum. If I'm chewing gum I won't keep tasting. I'm going to finish my breakfast and get on the Wii fit, then I'm starting to repaint my cupboards. I don't want to but it needs done. Have a great day everyone.
I've sloooowly made progress on the scale in the last month, so I'm determined not to blow it with the holiDAYs! Today is the office Thanksgiving lunch. I made a side dish (Sweet Potato and Apple Bake) that I can happily eat a large serving of, and I know most of what's being brought since we pass around a potluck/sign-up sheet. I couldn't make it to the gym this morning (new location makes it next to impossible to get a workout in before work), but WILL go tonight. I'm going to stay away from high-fat side dishes and desserts and focus on turkey and veggies.
It was so nice not to have a free evening last night. I vacuumed my house for the first time in too long and put up my (fake) Christmas tree and decorated it! Now I just need to be at home during daylight hours to put out my Christmas lights.
Pat, sounds like a fun trip! That is exactly what I love about the holidays - all the good times with friends (well yeah, isn't friends & family what it's all about?).
Michele, the only stuffing I like is my parents recipe, so I'm going to try my best to just wait for Christmas to get some. For veggies, you could make some kind of green beans and/or asparagus, just skip the casserole and creamy stuff and sautee or steam them. Squash is always good for Thanksgiving - bake acorn squash and top with just a teensy bit of butter or maple syrup. You could make sweet potato and apple bake, which is much healthier than the traditional candied sweet potatoes with marshmallows (got the recipe from my sis last year):
Sweet Potato Apple Bake
4 microwaved sweet potatoes
1 cup sliced tart apples
1/4 cup tightly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Peel and slice potatoes. Place layer in greased baking dish,
cover with 1/2 the other ingredients, continue layers and finish with
potato slices and few dots butter or margarine.
Bake, covered, in 375 F oven 30 minutes; uncover, and continue cooking
until apples are perfectly tender and top potatoes nicely browned.
Serves 4.
Note: with apples that have little juice it may be advisable to add 2
tablespoons water before baking.
For dessert you could make Meg's Pumpkin Custard, which I make all the time in the winter:
Baked Pumpkin Custard
1 large can pure pumpkin (29 oz)
1 1/2 cups low or nonfat cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups Splenda
1 1/2 cups Eggbeaters
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
Process all in the food processor until well-mixed and smooth. Spray six custard cups with PAM. Divide mixture equally in cups. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes or until top is lightly browned.
Nutrition Info per serving
110 calories
1 g fat
12 g carbs
13 g protein
I saw Ellie Krieger's Healthy Appetite Thanksgiving menu on Food Network and she also made some yummy-looking bread crumb and parmesan topping for asparagus, and Pumpkin Flan that looked delicious. The recipes are all online at FN.
Awww. I almost got the day off today! DH called at 7 AM to say that the power was off at work and they had no ETA on when it would be back on. I thought of all I could do today: make cranberry sauce, chop vegetables for stuffing, etc. Then he called at 7:30 to say the power was back on. So here I sit at work.
Did I mention we met DD's boyfriend this weekend? He's a nice kid--I think she picked a good one (or perhaps it's vice versa?).
Eating yesterday was way off due to the previous night--I slept like heck. I'll do much better today as I slept like a log last night. Today is gym day, too.
Maintainers Chat: Week Of November 24 - 30
And it's the last week of November (how did that happen?) so it really feels like we're starting the holiday rush this week.
Reataining water? I hope so!
I'm up are the result of too much salt yesterday.
! And it was a real chemical salty as opposed to salt shaken on. That can't be healthy. I wish they would let people bring their own snacks.
he brings home to contend with.
to stay OP on the weekend.
salt)
so I picked last week (yes, the week before the Holidays and TOM can I pick them or what) to get my butt back on plan. I made it through last week but figure I'm gonna need support so here I am. Good to 'see' you again.
. And my weight this morning was 143. Great start to the holiday season, right? 
That's exactly what I weighed right at the beginning of this year. At least this week is TOM so part of that should disappear.
Happy Turkey Week to those in the US! 
), then pop over to my sisters house, which is just a couple miles from where the 5K is being. I am allowing myself a little bit of my favorite dishes, but no seconds on anything but turkey and veggies. I will have one slice of pie.
