Hello ladies, thanks for the great words of wisdom--I really will try to do my best. Not entirely sure what's going on, if it's the weather and desire for comfort food...being super busy and just eating on fly...the fact that it's the holidays and that I'm somehow just giving myself way too much slack...or stress. I am, and always have been, a big stress eater.

I'm trying not to stress out about Christmas--I'm actually nearly done with everything--but this time of year I do get a bit tense and emotional and the carb cravings hit HARD!! Plus...I just love all the goodies this time of year! Plain and simple, I love to eat.

Egad! Okay, so I've got my good healthy breakfast in. I've got all the baked goods packed up and ready to ship with no left overs to tempt me (like last night--Oops!). I've got to run to the Post Office to ship everything and then a ton of chores to do when I get back. I am hoping that if I stay busy enough, I won't think about munching!

Well, hate to post and run, but I've got a ton to do today! I hope everyone is doing well and I miss you all!!!

Status update time:

Starting 196
Goal 185
Current: 189.4

Hope everyone is doing great! Stay strong...Christmas is just a day...it's made with friends and family...the food is just a distraction!

Cheers!

AF chick - Grats! You are doing so well!

Sandye - I'm a stress eater too. I know where you are coming from. Let's fight it though! We can do it!

Still waiting for the extra salt I ate to go away...Of course it didn't help to eat the leftover chicken curry last night for dinner, lol. I'm on bottle #5 of water. I had 6 yesterday. Today I will have 7 if it kills me.

I was down a bit this morning though. 165.6 I think. I just remember it being back in the 1-6-5's.

So I have a little bit of a new found motivation. My BFF has hit her goal of 50 pounds lost. She actually went over a bit. She has been going to a nutritionist and following a specific very low calorie diet, no alcohol, little sugar, lower carb. She started in March or April and hit goal this week. I'm very proud of her, but more proud of myself that I am doing it on my own (well, with you guys!) and I'm down 25+/- in 4 months. But, her being down to a size 4 makes me want to be there too. So I'm hoping I can be there by April. I'm very competitive, so this just adds fuel to my fire.

Good evening all! I'm just getting on here after a long day. I spent 2 hours picking out and buying paint for the whole house at Home Depot. It feels SO good to have that done. We may not be able to paint until early next week, though, due to below zero temps here. They want to make sure it all sets up right, which is a good thing!

Health-wise all is well. I have hit my 2nd week at or below goal at WW. Only 4 more weeks and I'm FREE! No more dues anymore as long as a I stay below goal. That'll be a nice help to the budget. I may just redirect the money to my new clothing fund. I'm happy with how I've done this month. I have had sweets and stuff, but in reasonable portions (except last Saturday), so it hasn't thrown me off much. Today is OP and the rest of the week should be great too. Saturday noon is Christmas #2, but if we can get in to the house to paint it will be a perfect distraction from hanging around and snacking on leftovers and cookies.

Hey this isn't where I parked my car.

Good Morning Ladies, long time no see..eh? And my oh my have some of you just withered away those pounds.

I wanted to stop in and wish everyone a very merry holiday season. I do miss you ladies and the support as well. Canaan fell ill again and it has really taken it's toll on me over the past few months. He is doing a bit better now, as am I. Definitely ready to get back to routine again. I've done well with maintenance, but as far as losing anything, I just have not been working for it. Still holding steady at 165, but come **** or highwater, I will get these last 15 pounds off of me.

So at any rate, I miss you lovely ladies and congrats on all the losses. You gals are doing an amazing job, and I am so very proud of all of you. Cheers!

Good morning Ladies~ I have so much good news to tell you all. Geez where to begin. I was stressing because my YMCA membership ran out midnight last night . I was committed to my exercise program and this challenge. I honestly didn't know what I was going to do. I texted my ex last night. He gave me the membership as a Christmas gift last year. This morning I got a call from Becky at Y telling me my membership has been extended to the end of the month : Seems they shorted me 10 days on the current membership. I can continue my workouts and classes 10 more days!!!!! Good news 2) drum rolls........I stepped on the scale this morning it said 167 !!! a 2 pound loss. Did I just say 167???? I am one pound from this months goal!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!! So here I come. Thanks for listening to my rambling Pat

Hi All

No time for personals right now, will come back later Just wanted to drop by and report my 0.5lbs loss this week so far hoping to see more off by the end of the week, only 1 pound away from onderland now!!!!

Dixiemae - That's great!!!!!

Lauren - You too!! Onederland here you come!

Ms. P - New clothing fund sounds good to me! In fact I told my mom to hold off and "save" my xmas present for when I get to goal and we can go shopping.

Delphi - I hope things settle for you soon. I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with so much. I'm glad you checked in though. Stop by more often if you can.

No news here. Same thing different day. Still trying to figure out how to get back to 163.8... at 165.4 this morning. So it's dropping, but very slowly. Maybe it wasn't all salt induced water retention... I blame DH, he wanted cookies and fudge last weekend! I love baking, but man, it's hard to not sample when you do.

Hello Ladies,

Been trapped in the city with car trouble since Saturday, it was so cold that out power sterring ruptured and it took until yesterday to get it fixed. Fortuntely we know one person in town and they were happy to let us stay but it was really difficult to eat as I normally do since I didn't get to plan ahead at all, we we supposed to be coming home that same night. And with no car there wasn't any trips to the store possible. But I did manage fairly well considering what they had in the house, she doesn't cook so it's all boxed mashed potatoes and macaroni. This morning I weighed in at 138.4, so that is 1.8 up from when I left here on Saturday but I'll give it a few days to see how the salt will settle out of my system and where things end up.

Don't have time to catch up right now, need to eat and go get some running in (4 days w/o a workout is driving me batty!) and I'll see if I can catch up tomorrow.

Delphi - for you and Cannan sweetie, hope to see you back happy and healthy whenever you have some time. But just super awesome to see you

Delphi!!!!-How the heck are ya, woman? Man, we've missed you! Sorry to hear about your rough patch, but I'm glad both you and Canaan are feeling better. You're doing great to keep yourself at 165 through the stress. I remember when you hit onederland...seems like ages ago! I'm just SO glad you checked in!! PLEASE stick around and join us for the rest of the month.

Tummy-Oh man, sorry to hear about the car trouble. I was wondering where you were, but this time of year can get crazy, so i figured something was keeping you busy. I'm sure the weight will come right off once you're back to your uber-clean eating!

SG-Have you tried fiber? I take some when I feel bloated or whatever. It seems to help. I think Tummy has mentioned she takes it too. Just a thought. Of course, lots of fruits and veggies should do the trick too. It's a tough time of year on the ol' diet sometimes, but just make the good choices whenever you can and it'll all work out.

Nella-Unless DH put the fudge in your mouth, I'm not sure you can blame him. I often take the "blame DH" approach too though. Just giving ya crap.

Pat-Yay on the extra 10 days! Use them wisely. What's the plan after that? I'm so glad things are clicking for you right now.

LaurenA-Can ya smell it? That's onederland, baby! It's all yours. Just keep up the good work!!

AFChick-Nice job! You're right on track to make goal! Keep making those good choices.

Another day in the life here. I'm gonna go grab lunch here. I've let the morning get away from me, but I've been quite productive, so no worries! I'm OP and feelin' good!

Delphi Glad to hear from you. for both you and Canaan my thoughts and prayers are with both of you.

Tummy Sorry to hear about the car trouble I hate when that happens. Hope everything goes well and you can get back home soon.

Nella I know what you mean I would love to blame hubby when I go on a baking spree for the holidays LOL

LaurenA Good job on the weight loss keep it up!

Dixiemae So much good news wow that is awesome 10 more days!!! Not to mention the weight loss

Ms Perception Great job staying on plan...

As for me today DH and I are finishing up our Christmas shopping for the boys but, neither of us had any ideas for what we were going to get each other so we just decided that we would just treat ourselves to a night out on the town for just the two of us.

I am also thinking of hiring a dietician, we have a new lady in town and she is going to come to my home and help me put together a menu for the entire family so they don't get bored and will still include some of the foods they like. You ladies think this is a good idea????? DH was thinking I might like the extra help with the nutrion part of feeding the family.... Isn't he so thoughtful. Hope eveyone is haveing a great week.

Delphi~glad you and Canaan are doing better. hope that bump in the road is behind you.

Tummy~sorry to hear about your car problem. glad your home safe and sound. the weigh will whoosh right off.

Ms P~I plan to walk my socks off on the treadmill. and keep with the yoga class. A bug dropped in my ear that the membership will be renewed for me. I sure hope so! now I need a new pair of good shoes. oh Santa lol

I got to the doctor fine. She put me on a statin Not too thrilled with the idea. She wants to see me in two months for another lab. Im hoping after that I won't need them any more. Tummy suggested going vegan for a while to get the cholestrol down. I found a wonderful site for it. I am starting it tomorrow. I am just worn out appointment was at 1:45 left at 3:15. I showed her my journal and she said keep it up. I start on my new medication tomorrow. If one of the side effects is weight gain I will be very disappointed. this is long so I better go get things done. Pat

Wow it sure is slow in here. And no Sandye.

Well thanks for all the well wishes and all that good jazz. I officially had an OP day today and feel really good to. And actually cooking a bit these days as well. I can't say they will all be "healthy" meals, but as far as I'm concerned, cooking a meal is much healthier than stuffing doritos or oreos in my mouth. So still no exercise, other than playing rock band off and on all day. My treadmill finally passed on to treadmill heaven last month, so it's just me and maya I suppose. I'd really, really, really like Santa to bring me a shiny new elliptical in a purty red bow, but I won't hold my breath.

Tummy ~ Hey dollface. Ms. almost at goal. Sheesh woman I am so darn proud of you. I mean that with all that I have in me. You came, you saw and you acted. Bravo my dear friend. So how's the fam?

Dixiemae ~ Thanks hun. Good luck with the whole vegan thing. I know I've given up a lot, but I just don't think I could survive without my chicken.

mystical ~ Well hey you. good to see you are still aboard. DH sounds quite helpful. That is such a positive thing to have...cherish it my dear.

Ms.P ~ Hey dahhling! How goes the new house? And look at you all skinny and stuff. You have sure showed me that slow and steady does indeed win the race. You worked your plan to suit your life and I'm just amazed at how far you've come. Bravo dear.

Nella ~ I was just talking to someone today about cookies and fudge...and how hard it is this time of year to just say no. I don't plan on it. But I will "plan" for it. That way I don't feel as if I'm cheating or failing on my plan.

Well I guess I'm off to watch some Christmas flicks with the boys. Tootaloo ladies.

YIpee!!! I fall off this challenge for a few days and look who appears!!! Delphi!!! Glad to see you back and great job on the maintaining!!! That is a true test and it looks like you have passed!!!

Glad to hear that you all are doing well and enjoying the holidays. Just got off the phone with the doctor. BAsed on my testing done today he is changing my diet plan. Gonna be interesting to see. I meet with the dietician on Friday in the am. SO, HMMMM!!!! I wonder what is in store for me. Muscles are so sore still from monday and tuesday. I am chilled to the bone and feel exhausted with no real reason why. So, think I am gonna crawl under a blanket and channel surf tonight. Work and therapy tomorrow, gym and work for the rest of the weekend. Gotta stay OP and hope for a miracle at the end of the month.

Jen

Delphi- glad to see you! Sorry things weren't going so well, but I'm glad you and Canaan are both feeling better.

Dixiemae- Awesome about veganism, I did it for about 6 months and as long as you really pay attention and make sure you are getting all you need, it is an awesome lifestyle.


I am finished with finals, down another pound which means a new smilie and avatar, was POP and had a great workout today! I think I can call this a good day. I'm one pound away from my goal for the month!