Happy Holidays everyone!
Still really sick here.
My son & new wife are coming down in a little while. They live
1 1/2 hours away. I got all the baking done and made my dad his
peanut brittle. (i do HATE that stuff)
I have to make carmel corn now and try to work on the aprons.
I don't know if I'll work on aprons or not cuz I'm so tired and so weak.
And, there is still laundry to do.
Andy has been a dear. He's cleaned the kitchen every night and did part of the laundry. Abby has vacuumed the living room and swept the entry way and laundry room. AND CLEANED HER ROOM!!!
We're having roasted chicken for dinner. It's easy. Andy can do that.
Well, I'm off to work in the kitchen, and make some hot tea. Then, rest up before my son gets here.
Let's all get ready to start a new, op and progressive neYear!
Love to all and hope you all have a wonderful day!!

Merry Christmas everybody!!

Colleen

Hello everyone..My name is Tara and I have been lurking here on the board for a few weeks. You all seem like a very friendly group so I thought this would be a good place to start getting to know some of you! I am a 38 year old homeschooling SAHM of 4 kids. Like most, I have been on just about every diet out there. I started on Weight Watchers in October and have lost 15 lbs so far. At least, it was 15 lbs before this week! We'll see what the damage is on Friday at my WI. Anyway, I am following the core plan on WW and, other than this past week, have been having good success with it. I am trying to focus on primarily whole foods, staying away from anything refined and artificial. One thing that has been totally different for me this time losing weight is that I am not willing to give up. Every other time I have tried to lose weight, I gave up after a time, sometimes less than a week, because I didn't want to keep it up. This time, I know if I don't quit trying, despite setbacks, I will eventually get to my goal!
So here is my plan for this week(I weigh in on Friday but will be starting all this tomorrow):

Exercize! (at least 3 times a week)
Back on WW core
LISTEN to my body and only eat when I am truly hungry

I look forward to getting to know you and hope you are all having a very Merry Christmas!!

Catherine, Sounds like you had a nice time with all the new people. You open your heart and your home and it's just wonderful what you do for people. I hope to become more like that this coming year and the years after. Thanks for sharing so much. You deserve a good rest today.

Carol, how was the cruise? I bet you had a wonderful time and really, you didn't gain that much weight from what I hear of the food on those cruises. Sounds like you are ready to jump back on board the OP train. Its great to hear you will joining the exercise class on Saturdays. I'm sure that will be a great workout for ya!

Sandy, I hope you start to feeling better soon. Nothing worse than being sick for the holidays. It was really nice of the family to help out so it wasn't too much for you. Enjoy your time with your family!

Hi Tara, welcome!! These ladies here are all wonderful and so inspiring. You'll get to know each of us better as we will you. Post as much as you can and there is an exercise thread to go to, to post your minutes. Happy Holidays!

We had Christmas last night because Jim works tonight. I got my DDR and I gotta say, it's challenging. I'm not the most co-ordinated person so I can see it's going to take time to get used to it. I felt like an elephant when it came to the part where you have to jump with both feet. Not fun hearing the flapping of skin. I also got my food processor, some gift cards, and a really neat Mickey Mouse from the Steamboat Willy times. It was fun but a short night as it was only my folks, Jim and I. Dinner was good too! Tonight all the left over treats are in the trash for tomorrow is the start of my being OP again. There's no reason for me not to exercise anymore since I have a treadmill, weights, DVDs and now the DDR.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and you had a great time with your families.
Debbie

Merry Xmas to all that celebrate! Just a couple of quickies as I'm falling asleep at the keyboard.

Deb, you'll get DDR. If my 74 yr old Mom can do it, anyone can. hehe. Speaking of DDR.. I've done 6 hours (yes 6) of DDR on basic in the last 2 days! OW OW OW.. my feets hurt and my legs hurt and I'm beat. Everyone wanted to challenge me... hehe. Much fun was had by all!

Catherine, you and himself are a special duo. I am proud to know you.

Tara, welcome!

Hugs to all my peeps even if I don't mention you by name. You are all the most wonderfulness folks I've known.

Luv,
Ratkitten

ive been lurking and decided this looks like a good place for some support and good friendship .. everyone seems so friendly and congratulations to so many of you for your weight loss and determination to keep trying..
Im a 60 year old farmwife , who because of health reasons , was advised to have GBS . Oct 2007 i started my new life... i did very well except pick up a staff infection and have been fighting it ever since.. have low immune system and rash and sores but they are working on that now, otherwise ive been doing good and getting in all my protein, water, vitamins etc.. my main downfall is exercise.... no motivation... so i see there might be groups here that can help me get a program started .. i have fibro and RA and have bad days and good days... but did get a cardio bike that i can push and pull for strengthening for xmas.... for low impact .. to rebuild muscles...
Looks like i can look at all the posts and get myself motivated from such great weight loss... wow... its wonderfull !!
happy holidays , and a peaceful new year,

Morning ladies...hope everyone had a great Christmas. I had family over on christmas eve and we ate and opened presents. Then got up Christmas morning at 430 am and opened our gifts with our kids. (hubby goes into work early)

Today my friend and I are going to check out the YMCA. I decided that is better fro me them a gym that way my kids can go if they want to.

Going with a friend will hopefully keep us both on track with loosing.

Ammi Glad to see you back!!!!

Linda WELCOME to the group!!!!

To all on the Christmas card mailing list LOVE THE CARDS!!! They made me smile!

WELCOME TARA & LINDA! Ahhh, the Rockies & Montana... I still miss my travels there. Heaven on earth. Say hello to the big horns and antelope for me!

BATTLE - I hope you didn't fall off that cliff, cuz I did, and I worry that whoever fell second will land on the first. But regardless, let's both just BOUNCE back up and start again today!

CAROL - So glad I brought you a smile, too. I love sharing my boys (my 'ponies' for those who don't know me) and I loved the smile on that girl's face. Bringing happiness is, in itself, a gift to the giver.

CATHERINE - sounds like a splendid time at your place. The world is a finer place because you are in it. We are a better community here because of you as well!

HUGS to everyone this morning! For me, I'm not waiting until New Years to get back to basics. Once again I'm going to try to get back to 'the Beach', which is where I found my first success. The scale this morning was at 286, and while I'm sure that a couple of those will melt off quickly, that's what I'm calling my starting point this time. It would be splendid, wonderful beyond belief, if I could misplace 100 pounds by this time next year. Who knows what is possible? But I know that TODAY the journey continues, and TODAY I choose to take a step forward instead of back.

Work goes on - no rest for the wicked as they say!

just saying hello and i hope everyone had a wonderful christmas and i want to wish everyone a happy healthy new years!

Hi everyone,

Just a quickie to say hi and give post-Xmas hugs to everyone. Welcome to the newbies.

I did, indeed, fall off the cliff, but am starting out the day with every intention of getting right back on plan. I'm not ready to face the scale yet, and plan to have a look maybe early next week. I'm bringing all my delicious and healthy foods with me to the office, and will detox my body from the overindulging today. I threw out all the junk, and my fridge and cabinets look like they did before the holiday season.

Patti, Ammi, Sharon and everyone that is coming back in 2008: Looking forward to seeing you back in 2008! You guys are so missed when you are not around.

Val: Please don't get overwhelmed with posting. I love to hear about you and how you are getting along with Gabe and just life in general. Hugs.

Sandy: feel better very soon.

Battle: Hugs to you. I hope that you are able to get out from under the snack monster soon.

Debbie: Hi girl. Getting snow? We are bombarded this morning with it. Since last night we have gotten like 4 -6 inches and still coming down like crazy today and tomorrow.

Catherine: God Bless you and your hubby for opening your house at Christmas. How selfless you are. Hugs.

Carol: So glad that you had fun on the cruise. The classes sound fun!

Tara and Carvin: Welcome! I'm sure you will find the support and encouragement you need here. Everyone is super. Looking forward to getting to know you more in 2008.

Ratkitten: Hugs to you!

Well, I'm at work so need to uh, work. lol. Hope you are all doing well and staying as op as possible. Drink lots of water and move your bodies today.

Blessings,
Annie

Ratkity, wow!!! 6 hours?? That's amazing to me. I hope I can get into it that much. It is fun though, I've got to admit that.

Linda to our group!! You've come to the right place for inspirtation and motivation. These ladies will get you on the OP trail and get you to exercising in no time. So glad you're here!!

Cyn, hope the YMCA is what will work for you and even better that a friend will be going with you. It will encourage your kids to get motivated too!

Val, like you I'm starting anew again. New Years is no biggie around here so after Christmas is the time to start. I know we can do it, and I'm hoping to have a 100 pounds gone by this time next year too!
So glad you'll be spending more time with your horses. I just can't imagine a better time than to be with those glorious animals.

Battle, good for you on throwing all the junk away!!!

Hi Annie! Nope, we arent getting snow...yet. We got some slush last night. They say maybe tomorrow we should get some snow but who knows. I really wish we would though. It's still a miracle to me. In California, we just never got much of the white stuff. I'm comin' to your house!!!

Well, I've thrown out the cake, fudge, brownies, cookies, and whatever else was screaming "EAT ME"! I feel so good just knowing it's gone. I'm drinking my water and counting my calories again. I plan on getting on my DDR a little later. I still owe someone some beads so will be doing those after I get off of here. I weighed...UGH....I've gained but it was expected so no real shock. I've adjusted my ticker to reflect the new weight that I hope will go away some with the water drinking. We've had ham, so I know it has made me retain water.
Here's to all of us starting over again...a better year, a better life in the new year!!

Just jumping on to say I hope everyone had a GLORIOUS Holiday , and from my to yours wishing you a very healthy and filled with and laughter!!

And as they say in Disney's High School Musical...(sorry, I am bombarded by it daily!!)

WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!!!!

May 2008 be filled with OP Days and Success!!!

It's only been a week of bad eating, I think, and not every day. Some were ok days. I am shocked at the consequences. My size 24 pants, that were hanging off me and dragging on the ground, are fitting just right. I cannot face the scale just yet. It's also a couple of days before TOM, so I'm hoping and praying that the bloat is extra bad this month from the poor eating choices. I didn't stop exercising, and in fact worked it hard for a few days.

It could be all real pounds, and judging from past binges, I do gain lots of weight that takes weeks to get off, even though so many say it's impossible to gain that much real weight in a day or two. The reality for me is different, and I have to deal with it.

I'm looking at all the excuse making I did over the past week, the self delusions I participated in to keep indulging even though the consquences would be severe. I'm not saying this to beat myself up, but to acknowledge and deal with the thought patterns that trip me up.

---------------------
Sandy, I hope you are feeling better and that you had a good visit with your son and DIL.

Colneen: Hi! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.

Valerie: I'm waving to from the top of the cliff again. Nice to see you here. Let's move further away from the edge.

Annie: I'm watching your ticker, and see that you are 1 lb. away from the 200 mark. You go girl! I can't wait to see the ticker hit the mark!

Tara: Hi and welcome! I've been at this since July, and no matter how many times I fall down, I get back up again. This place makes it much easier to stick with the long-term goals.

Carvinmom: Welcome to you! A lot of us started out small with exercising, and have worked up to some very respectable fitness levels. You can too!

Toofat: Happy New Year!

Debbie: Good job throwing out all the junk. I've done the same, and it's back to normal for me. You are brave to face the scale and deal with the truth. You can lose the gained weight and more.

Ratkity: 6 hours! Wow! That is amazing. Your fitness level must be very high.

Cyn: I hope the YMCA turns out to be a good thing. It could be just what you need to get going.

Carol: Welcome back from the cruise. Glad you had a good time.

I'm sure I missed some, but I have to go now. Have a great day, everyone.

Battleax- Thank you for the holiday greeting. I have had a similar week of awful planning and eating too much. My family celebrates Christmas by consuming mass quanities! They often times will not only bring fattening goodies to our get together, but gift wrap more of it to take home with me. It becomes overwhelming and yesterday I was so angry at my lack of self control I threw all of it into the trash! And then I had a good cry over it. Guess I just wish all of them would understand that it makes it even harder on me to give me that stuff as a gift, I would rather they give me nothing. (It's like giving a person who's trying to quit smoking a carton of cigarettes). My wish for all of us here at 3fc is for more will power for the new year.
Well, I know I gained this week. But Friday I will brave the scales and know that progress lost can be regained if I refuse to give up.