Hi Wykyd! Like the old song, The Streak, "Don't look, Ethel!" Don't look - just bust your butt for another week and then take a little peek. A day or two shouldn't blow all the progress you've made so far - it just slows you down. The holidays are going to be full of temptation - sounds like you did good on the steak and salad. You saved lots of calories, and even better - fat grams with the right choices.

Hi Zimera! You mentioned the bad words - Fre*** Fr***. LOL My weak spot - the last week before I started my diet on 9/14 - I went to Friendly's with my husband and to Ground Round with my Dad and both places I had Fried Shrimp with Fren** Fri***. About a week's worth of calories on two small plates! Probably won't do that again. But, mmmmmmmmm. It was good while it lasted.

HI Zimera, Welcome! Chinese food is probably the worse. It has like a kajillion calories. I love it. And most of the restaurants are buffets, a dieters ****. I love to cook it too. Ok, great now I want Chinese .
Rusty, it sounds like you are doing so well. I am so proud of you. And BB is so great to support you and go along. What a man.
Wykyd, I agree with Rusty. Don't hop on that scale. Just buckle down and do it, do it, do it! One or two days won't ruin everything.

Things to Do With Thanksgiving Leftovers:
1.Reheat, reuse, reduce

2.Make a mash potato snowman for your Christmas center piece.

3.Keep a piece of pie in pocket in case of snack attack

4.Rub left-over cranberry sauce all over your body, show hubby. See what happens.

5.Place olives on fingers, walk around waving them at kids.

6.Let the baked yams sit out for a couple of weeks: use as paper weight.
morningglory

Would that be fat free cranberry sauce, MG?

Evening ladies. Hi Zimera Mg I haven't thought about the cranberry sauce thing but I know that it would go over here like a lead anvil.THUD!!!!!!! Wykyd, everyone is right, but look at it from this point of view, Hey I deserve a treat every now and again. I find that if I give myself a treat every so often it helps so much better. Right now I have been depressed and that hasn't helped me too much. I am sure that many of you are fimilar with the depression eating thing. I think what is making it so bad here is that the tool man isn't too supportive of me in this endevor. It is almost like he is trying to undermind me. I try to load up of the fresh veggies and fruit but by the time that I come home from work, all that I bought that day is gone. What he hasn't put in his mouth he puts in the freezer and that totally wrecks it for me. I tell him that I bought them for what I was making or to use for snacks for us all(yard ape loves raw veggies), but it goes in one and out the other. Rusty you are so lucky that BBsupports you. You think that if I advertised him on ebay I might come out to the good? I let it lay on mind too much today and the result wasn't pleasant. But I guess that I can use this as a learing tool. (Don't do that next time fool.) I guess that I will get off of my soap box now, thanks for letting me vent. This Christmas I think that I am goin to not even think about baking any deserts but instead making a fruit tray or a fruit salad(at least that will be much better for everyone). Now if only I knew how to get out of making candy for my family, as it is I have to make Amish bread for 8 people Friday morning before work. Someone please hold back my greedy lil hands.


Here's to a BLESSED DAY to everyone
Sandy

Poor Gigglez - sounds like you a half dozen, how do they say it these days - ISSUES to deal with. I was having a hard time for a while with BB telling me that I was fine, that I didn't need to diet, how I wasn't eating enough, how small my portions were. I think he was trying really hard to keep everything status quo. Once I really started to lose, he didn't want to be the chubby one. LOL Made him get off his butt and get into it with me. We both knew we SHOULD - but we'd put it off a long time.

Having to cook and make candy and Amish bread - that is very difficult. When I started eating healthy and BB was eating his usual stuff - I had to make two meals - or eat a frozen local supper while he munched out. I also had to shop for two menus. Now there are very few temptations in the house. Whew. If I snack - it's on Frosted Mini - Wheats or lo fat Graham Crackers or animal crackers. I still have to fight to keep the portions (a whole box!!!!) under control - but in the long run - even a whole box of cereal wouldn't really load me up on fats.

That's what BB is munching instead of those icky (yummy) dayglo orange cheese curls and Little Debbie snacks and those chocolate Miniatures. I make up a gallon ziploc of Frosted Mini Wheats/Teddy Grahams/animal crackers/a small box of raisins and sometimes throw in a couple Fig Newtons cut into ten pieces, and a handful of Kashi Cinna-Raisin Crunch. He'll usually chomp on this and a bowl of ff popcorn. Huge calorie difference.

It's all in finding substitutes for the eating situations you're faced with.

PS Tell him you want a small fridge for Christmas - for YOUR veggies and fruits and diet sodas! LOL

PPS My dad was delighted that BB has been walking to the Sansone tapes with me but suggested instead of using the weighted balls that Bob carry a Reuben sandwich in each hand and a six pack in a backpack - in case he works up an appetite while he's walking. Thanks, Dad.

Hey LADIES I have missed you gals

Okay MG you want to know what I am doing with my Thanksgiving leftovers? I am eating a little bit then "accidently" leaving things out and pitching it so I don't have to worry about eating it again. "OH GEE, SILLY ME I left that darn cheese ball out on the counter!" I got to agree with gigglez on the cranberry sauce thing, it would land here like a thud. He would probably complain too, "You know I don't like cranberries! Why didn't you use the gravy?"

Rusty I loved your walking Turkey he was too cute and your winter wonderland pic.

What Frivolous Chris wants for Christmas!
1. A decadent day at a day spa
2. A pound of Godiva chocolates
3. A 2nd DVD player for the bedroom
4. The $165 frosted Angel inside of New Realities
5. Real Diamond Earrings
6. A new computer

What Chris is going to ask for
1. World Peace and the quick return of our military units overseas
2. Womens equality and rights all over the world
3. That no children should ever have to suffer at the hand of abuse
4. That my wonderful friends at 3FC have a great year
5. Maybe a few new music CD's would be nice

And hey they say I am hard to shop for!


Have a great day!
Miss Chris

The big things:


That at least for the holiday season, everyone everywhere in the world is safe from maniacs with guns and bombs. Even the maniacs.

That I put more effort into being grateful for everything this year, and this life has given me, which is a lot, instead of focussing on what I'm not/haven't got/haven't done.

That all the people who've suffered losses and tragedies this year at least have some small bit of peace of mind at Christmas.

That all the people I love (and all the people you love!) stay safe and well.

That the New Zealand national football team (rugby) will beat someone next year. Anybody. Even if it's Iceland or Outer Mongolia.



The small things:

To be close to 200lbs. ( or 130 lbs, whichever you think I deserve, Santa!)
To find a present for my SO that makes his face light up in that
' Just what I always wanted' way that I love.
A stress-free Christmas day.
A sunny Christmas day (for my part of the world) and a snowy one for yours.
A black pearl necklace to go with my birthday earrings.

Gigglez, I am sorry yours isn't supporting you. It would make things twice as hard. I hope he comes around. Maybe he will, you never know.
Someone at work suggested the gravy. I guess either one would work. Whatever gets it going for you.
Rusty, you are right about status quo. Don told me I didn't need to lose weight, I was perfect just the way I am. I think he is scared of change. When he realized I was serious, he said at least don't change your butt. That would look so funny. My big ole butt on a skinny little body. Right!
Wykyd, if you manage a stress-free Christmas then please let me in on the secret.

Big, unreasonable presents I would like:
1.New super computer, faster, stronger, better than anyone in my family.

2.I would like a whole new kitchen. It is too small, with no counter space. I have to use the table to prep stuff. A brand new, extra large stove with convection oven. A huge, stainless steel fridge. All the nifty appliances. I can see it. Oh, baby, it is beautiful.

3.A handsome little maid to clean up after me.

4.Uh, world peace, blah, blah, blah. No, seriously, a cure for cancer. I would give up everything for that. Too many people getting sick.

5.A gorgous new bed, with luxurious bedding.

What I am going to ask for:
1.A crock pot.

2.New pillows

3.A mandoline and good butcher knife.

4.Gift certificates.

Love you all. Thanks for being there.
morningglory

Morning ladies. Mg I am with you on the hansome little maid. I think that aside for peace, whick Ms Chris put very well, I would love to see a smile on all the children if only for one day. I see many of kids every day when they come into the store and I wonder how they are getting treated at home and it breaks my heart, cuz I know that some of them are not getting done right.
For me for Christmas. All I want is a pair of warm houseslipper. I have ever things that I could ever need(except for supportive hubby and I pray that he will come around). I have always trie dto be simple that way I hace never got dissapointed. OOPPPS time to get got to get the hair color off. My little reward for a few lbs lost.

"I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony"

Let's see - if everyone I cared about could be warm, safe and happy - I would be happy, too.

In lieu of world peace, I want a food processor.

Sheesh, I'm so shallow!

Brrrrr - about 10 degrees in Massachusetts this morning. Been cold all week. Better bundle up, remember the Chapstick for my lips and a scarf for my face or I'll greet Christmas with icky cold sores. HATE winter. LOL

These may not work for everyone, but this is how it works for me.


Saved money in a special account through the year so I have extra funds and less credit card debt after the big day.


Joined a 'christmas box' company, where you pay so much a week and just before xmas they deliver boxes of groceries and special xmas goodies to your home - no standing in line for hours on Xmas eve any more.

Buy Xmas gifts throught the year and put them in my closet until December. Does not work with gifts for the average SO who can sniff out a wrapped gift a mile away. My family are big readers so I often go to the mid year book sales with Xmas in mind.

If its my turn to host the big extended family dinner , I ask everyone to bring one dish, in something that doesn't need to be washed before they take it home. Cuts down on cooking and dishes, and people like to feel included in the preparations.

Keep the wine away from Aunt Mary, my niece and her boyfriend away from the bedrooms and stop my Dad from discussing politics.


Although in the past I've considered.....

Planning a holiday to a sunny Pacific Island , departing Xmas eve, and telling friends and relatives I won it in a contest......

Now I know why they call you WYKYD! (I may try that!)

I agree with Rusty Wykyd. Although that would be an idea spot for the hollidays. Chiling kicked back watching the ocean. So when does the plan leave? Talk about 2 tickets to paradise! I do the buyin presents thru the year and hiding them, last year i lost some I was more careful this year.
If I were able to give each and everyone of you a gift here's what i would do. Round everyone up and send all for a week at a spa. I think that everyone nees the pampering.

Here's to a BLESSED DAY.
sandy

Ok, ladies, I need some advice. It is way too cold, nasty and icy out to walk. My VCR is broken. I don't have a DVD player. I don't belong to a gym and couldn't afford one anyway. What can I do for exercise? Any and all suggestions will be appreciated. Also, have a party to go to and need to bring an appetizer. Any ideas on low-fat, low-cal one that I can bring. Loving you all.
Morningglory

Mg, there are some good shows that you can tune into on the boob tube. Espn and the discovery health have some really good ones. Or maybe you could turn any daily routien into a workout. Example when you are standing in line anywhere pull in your stomach and hold for a few counts and then realse repeat. While watching tv use some canned food and use as weights and do and upper body workout. When I clean if I am able to(nobody home to complain) I crank up the music and dance around as I clean. Hey it at least burns calroies. . Why dont you make a small veggie tray to your party. Low fat and many people love them as well. There are also some lowfat veggie dips out there as well. Just dress it up and put it on a nice platter and people will think that you went ot lots of trouble when in fact it only takes a few mins to make.
Hope that everyone isn't snowed in and without power due to the ice storms that have hit. We got out of the ice and for that I am thankful. I'll take the snow over the ice anyday. Well off to work. Everyone tale care.