That sounds really hard, Michele. Is there anything you can have that is on-plan that you absolutely love (and ideally don't eat all that often)? So maybe you decide not to eat the party food, but you get to enjoy an amazing (fill in the blank) instead? Yum!

Michele - I feel that way sometimes. More often lately than I'd like. How did it go?

Saef - I do feel fragile. I'm nervous when I walk around in the same area or on the same surfaces. I like the idea of looking at it like rehab, hadn't thought of it that way.

JZJ - how are you feeling?

Just wanted to say hi...I've not posted here in awhile.

2016 was a very bad year for me...lost my father and brother in law within weeks of each other. I'm hoping 2017 brings some healing and new beginnings for my family and I.

It's Thursday, and I'm in the office, weighing 154.7, which is, I believe, exactly where I was last week.

Fitmom, there is no two ways about it, 2016 was an annus horribilis. I am so sorry for your loss.

About to do a one-on-one with a direct report whose mother is in hospice. My direct report really shouldn't be working but doesn't want to go out on FMLA.

Hey fitmom - I'm so sorry for your loss. It hasn't been a good year for me either, I'm ready for this one to be over.

Monday I logged into MFP and updated my profile. I've gained about 5 pounds since last spring. Not good. But since the log in, I have managed to lose 1 pound. I hope to keep that off and lose more.

Sorry for your loss fitmom. I just lost my BIL a few days back.

Sorry for your direct report as well, saef.

My sadness comes from my cat's sibling who had to be put down due to cancer yesterday. I think they're just 7 years old.

Hey fitmom. I'm sorry for your losses. I hope 2017 is a much better year for you!

Shannon and belovedspirit-- there weren't ANY even remotely healthy choices so I went and got (veggie) sushi at Safeway. It was yummy so I didn't feel so deprived.
Weight is exactly the same as yesterday which made me a little grouchy-- but at least it wasn't up. I'm tracking calories and all and am working with a deficit so I should be losing.

Either my fitbit is getting wonky, or headspace is doing wonders for me, or both. Since I started headspace a week ago, but pulse is down 10 beats a minute-- from 62 to 52. The really weird thing is the time my fitbit is showing in fat burn, cardio, etc. Usually by the end of the day I have at least 4-5 hours in those zones (higher heart rate= more calories burned). Now I'm barely getting any time in those zones unless I'm full on exercising. Weird.....

Michele - it is the headspace. I noticed the same thing in the first week and watched it over the first three months pretty closely. Mine had been hanging in the 74-79 range for months, and after I started the headspace my resting is pretty consistently 62-65. Spikes up to 68 or so when I don't feel well. I didn't notice a difference in my calorie burning zones, but I wasn't usually in them unless I was exercising or moving around anyway. How do you like it so far? Still falling asleep?

Shannon--- yep-- still falling asleep! I've done 8 sessions and have stayed awake for maybe 3 of them. I only fall asleep briefly then wake up, but I'm probably missing half of some of the sessions!

Once my trial 10 sessions are up, don't they offer a special to continue? It looked pretty expensive if I pay the rates on their website.

Fitmom, hello and I'm sorry for your horrible year. Like others, 2016 was bad for me - I think safe to say, the worst year of my life. You are due for some peace and happiness.

Shannon - I'm still sick but soldiering through. I meant to tell you: after my worst running fall, it took me a while to get back on the horse. The easiest way to start running again for me, was to only run uphills. It's a much safer and in-control feeling, and you'll be naturally slowed down as well. Even if you only run uphill on an overpass, and you walk the rest of your "run", it's a start.

Allison - I thought I had commented on the chat thread, but I went back to check and I didn't. I meant to say that I'm very sorry for the loss of your BIL, and my best wishes for your family.

I'm behind on the chat threads, just realized I didn't read this week or last week.

Allison - I'm so sorry about your BIL. And I hope your FIL is recovering.

Michele - re. the rest of Headspace - yes, it gets different. There are a lot of visualizations, but he does them in different ways and focuses on different things in different packs. Visualization and noting are the two big techniques that run through the whole thing. It is very similar in the first 30 days to learn the techniques. I try to alternate packs when I move from one to another so I don't do two visualization in a row, that kind of thing. But I have found enough differences to stay interested.

Thanks, Shannon. Yes, FIL is out of the hospital and recovering from not one, but two collapsed lungs (same one twice). He had surgery for it and shouldn't have it happen again. He'll be off work for at least two weeks.

Meanwhile, he was going to do a golf tournament with us Sunday and we though MIL wouldn't be able to do it because of her hip/back pain, but now she's going to golf and he won't. Instead, DS has agreed to do it. It's a best ball tournament and they're a lot of fun--he doesn't like to golf when he has to hit his own ball each time (he isn't the best golfer).

Fitmom! How good to see you again. I'm so sorry about your father and brother in law. Did you use to have "I'm listening" under your avatar? And the snappy, swingy hair cut?

Doing quite well here with the high fat, low carb thing. It's lowish carb rather than counting. Anyway the weight seems to be moving. Let's see what the nurse says next week! (It is useful seeing someone in the real world, even if her advice isn't as good or as up-to-date as ours. Seeing her punctuates what I'm doing and keeps me looking ahead.)

Birchie, I'm glad the high-fat, low-carb eating is working out for you. Good behaviors lead to good results!

Fitmom, I'm so sorry you lost two loved ones in 2016. 2016 was a pretty crappy year for me too! But hopefully all the crappiness is behind us now.

Michele, that's amazing about your heart rate! Headspace has really made a difference. Not sure what's up with your Fitbit, though. I wear three trackers and only believe trends if all of them show it.

Allison, I only play best ball golf also. If the team needs me to hit one good drive I can usually manage it. I'm much better at hiking than golf!

Shannon, you really got clobbered! Rehab is definitely the way to think about it. Don't push too hard - you'll get back to normal.

[you=any of us in my comments below]

Meant to say when saef mentioned it that I'm all in favour of framing things like this. It makes it a special period of its own, and stops you jumping back to where you were. Frustrating and perhaps upsetting, I agree, but I think it can make you more aware of your body and what's going on with it. I'm almost inclined to say 'celebrate it!' or 'enjoy it!' but will just say 'make the most of it'.