I went to a Christmas party tonight and was very proud of myself...they had an amazing spread with cheesecake, pasta dishes, cheese and crackers, etc. There were dishes of Hershey's kisses in various flavors all over the house. They had yummy cocktails and everything. But I didn't cave to a single thing! I ate before I went, and sipped my water all evening. When I got home, I had a Cappacino creamy, which I discovered are pretty decent (especially after being off sugar for over a week!). My HUGE challenge is the Christmas party that I am throwing at my house next weekend.

Thanks ShineOn and Finz

I know there could be a plateau...thanks for the reminder though. How long do those typically last?

I am loving the mrc6 pills. I have this pair of stretch denim jeans that fit me but were a little tight, but then I accidently washed them in hot water and dried them on high heat! Last week went to put those jeans on and they were about 3-4 inches from even being close to buttoning. I put them on yesterday and they fit again! I kept thinking "there is no way! they weren't even close last week!!" My husband said the jeans looked good on me and said my other ones were getting too baggy in the butt!!! I keep freaking out! It hasn't even been TWO weeks yet!

You have inspired me to do the same next Friday at a Christmas party I have been dreading to go to since my hubby told me. I know it will be the same way...every bad thing you can imagine! Congrats to you for surviving and not giving in! Your goal is more important to you than a bunch of junk food. You will do fine at your own house too. Atleast you can control the food there! You can have your own stuff and you wont feel silly pulling out a bag of HNS crisps or whipping up some pudding if you want a snack! I have neglected to throw a party this year for Christmas, not only for snack reasons, but because I tend to get a little jealous of those who get to drink in my house and I can't :( I am not really a big drinker anyway, I am the DD when we go out 99.9% of the time....but if we are having a party at home, I love to have a few glasses of wine!

Way to go Denise!!! You continue to amaze. And great job at the Christmas party too!!

sessa555 - great job at your Christmas party too - that is a huge accomplishment and a good testimony to your committment.

BonnieMcC - Sometimes the plateau's last a couple days and sometimes a couple weeks. I wouldn't worry about it. You may not hit one for awhile. Your are doing so great. I just didn't want you to get discouraged if you hit one soon. Just know that it's normal and it's nothing your doing wrong. Also, I would encourage you to continue to try on clothing you think is too tight. I ended up missing a couple sizes of my "skinny" clothes because I waited too long. I would look at them and think, no, these are way too small. Then try them on to have them be to big. It's an awesome feeling though!

How are you doing Rocki? I don't mind going back to the green menu, but day 1-4 & 5-10 will be an exercise in determination!! Hope you're breezing through it - I'll be right there with you in 12 days.

OMG that's so amazing! Congrats!:cp:

***YEA***:carrot::carrot: That's fantastic, Denise!!

sessa555: Sounds like you had some wonderful willpower going on at that Christmas party---congrats on staying OP. This time of year is certainly a struggle!


BonnieMcC: Plateaus have been different for me every time. Sometimes they were just a few days, other times, longer. I would get a bit discouraged about being so faithfully OP and then not seeing the scale move, but the fact is they do happen. The important thing is to stick with the program throughout the plateau and look for other inspiration, like your clothes fitting so much looser!

Gina: : I wrote a reply on the stabilization thread. I really think you are doing the right thing and dropping those 16 pounds before beginning maintenance. Smart move! ;)

Reinforcements for the holidays
 

WOW! ONEderland, 160 lb board, continued weight losses, and even having the courage to re-sign to get back on track. You gals are truly inspiring! :cheer3::cheer2::cheer3:

I'm finally getting around to reading magazines that have piled up, and I found a great article in the December issue of O Magazine called "Avoiding the Holiday Spread", by Suzette Glasner-Edwards. I especially liked a section called "4 Ways to Put Your Diet First", which deals with ways we get sabotaged. Many of them have been discussed on this forum. Here's a recap:

YOU FEEL: Concerned that people will notice you're not eating as much.
TELL YOURSELF: So what? I'm entitled to eat however I please. And if someone wants to know why, you can say, "I'm trying to eat healthier", and change the subject.

YOU FEEL: Rude for turning down a second helping.
TELL YOURSELF: Taking care of my health is more important than pleasing the host.

YOU FEEL: That you've been good and deserve a treat.
TELL YOURSELF: Every decision I make about food counts. I can find other ways to celebrate a special occasion.

YOU FEEL: Everyone is staring at you, pressuring you to eat.
TELL YOURSELF: Be strong -- smart eating is more important than everyone's approval. Follow that with a firm, "No, thanks." Repeat if necessary.

I hope this will be helpful to some of you.

An update on my daughter -- They are trying to schedule her for both an EEG and an MRI, but because of the holidays, it might not happen before the new year. She is restricted from driving for six months, which sounds like standard operating procedure for a seizure. In addition, she can't ski, swim or even take a bath during that period. She is frustrated with that, as she just bought a ski pass and only used it once, plus has had to rely on friends to help drive her places (I live 40 miles away and her husband works 30 miles away). Her 17 month-old was just diagnosed with walking pneumonia and an ear infection, so she had to find a ride to the doctor, then to the drug store. Her friends are great, but she hates asking for help. Her MD said that 8% of the population have seizures, then 20% of those have a second seizure. Cross your fingers she is in the 80% that doesn't have another. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. :hug:

JStuckey: How are things for your daughter?

Judy
Gma to 4

CONGRATULATIONS Denise!! You are doing so great!! Also congrats on your successful visit to the Cheesecake Factory!!:carrot:

sessa555 – Congrats on your success at the Christmas party. You did great! I think we have to build on our successes as there are so many challenging events during the holidays. I have a cookie exchange I am going to at my cousins this afternoon. I told her when the invite came out that I would love to come catch up with everyone but I didn’t want to participate in the actual exchange this year. Now I just have to plan to not indulge in all the snacks and goodies she will have. I bought a diet root beer to take to treat myself while visiting.

BonnieMcC – You are doing so great staying OP and seeing great success. It feels really good to get into the small clothes!

The next Christmas party I go to I am bringing either a cappacino creamy or a kiwi melon HNS with me. That way I can have a 'fake coffee cocktail' or a 'fake Midori cocktail' and not have the pressure on me to drink. That being said, I am probably going to have a drink or two at my own Christmas party. I know that's really bad, but it is the one time of the year when ALL of our high school and college friends get together for a silly drunken good time. I am NOT going to binge on food, just have a couple of drinks with diet soda, and will go STRAIGHT back on plan 100% the following day. One of the girls at my center said I could do the 3 days MetaQuickSlimPlus whatever its called right after if I decide to drink. Apparently that puts you right back into ketosis.

Okay ladies...it's been quite a week for all of us! What great successes!
Gina Immediately after reading your suggestion to clean out my closest...I:running: ran straight to my closet...and began boxing up all the "biggies"...It actually took me a couple of days. It felt soooo good!...and yet I did have conflicted thoughts...as a lot of you have shared too!:dizzy:
Thanks though...needed the great idea!
Grad, Mrs Phibes and Judy Hadn't heard of Nuun or Elizir...researching both have been quite informative. My daughter had several seizures a few years ago. The drs. thought it was Miener's...turned out not to be...and they still don't know...but she still suffers from vertigo symtoms...but...these two products seem to be right up her alley...especially with the dehydration and potassium ingredients. Might be something for your daughter to look into too, Judy. I know how frightening these seizures can be!
Thanks to all of you for the great "food" ideas...Auston's Mom...your blanching of the vegies was brilliant...I've used it for several parties, already! Melissa, your "party ideas" from you center have been fabulous for me! I so appreciate All Ideas from your "centers" since YOU ARE my center. I find all the ideas soooooooo helpful!!
So ladies, I think I got my "emotions tied to weightloss" answer. After cleaning out the "biggies" from my closet...I got sick as a dog...lost my voice...got a temperature...the whole package. Even being with little kids all day...I'm NEVER sick!!! Now maybe it wasn't the only reason...but I do think "emotions" can rattle the brain and the bod...Hmmm...I might add that I don't have much to wear right now...jammies have come in very handy!! :)
Grad and others who are trying or ready to try Yoga. I love it...and have been using it seriously for two years. I use the MTV cd at home...and have class at my school with a group of teachers...great fun. Well, my NSV the other day...before this flu was...finally being able to do Thread the Needle. For you tall girls...this seems to always be easy. But...for us "shorties"...and then adding a belly, near impossible!!...So...lose the belly...get a bit more limber...and Whala....you can grab around your thigh while crossing you leg over the thigh...it was amazing!!! Honestly...after years of running, biking, speed walking...I just looooooovvveee Yoga! :)
Have I thanked all of you lately for your fabulous insights...thank you!!:D

I love this "Four Ways..." thanks Judy!! Be sure to ask your daughter to check on the Nuun...it could help. I didn't drive for 10 months after having seizures several years ago. It was a killer having to ask people to drive me around. Now the bath thing...crazy it may seem...but I'd put my bathing suit on and have different friends come over and "catch up" while I soaked in the tub or jaquzzi...I just needed the "soak" :)!

My seizures were caused from a car accident. Strangely enough, I was put on depakote for four years...gained 80lbs (apparently this is where I really learned to eat wrong :))...and then, poof...seizures dissappeared, and my migranes that I had had for 40 years...were gone too! Oh...and the 80 lbs. came off pretty easy...then anyway! :) Now...my dd is a different story...because they've never found an answer for her. We found it strange that she never had her license taken away...she was in school in Colorado...firgured the laws were different. (Not necessarily a good thing...she had her friends drive her around when needed) With our girls, Stuckly's too, and after Grad's input...I'm not so sure that it just isn't dehydration and Potassium...but of course...I'm NO doctor!! I have learned though...no matter how frustrating...keep asking the questions!! xoxoCarrie