So the job search continues...not selected for the second interviews! I am having a hard time getting back on track...I don't know if it is this time of year or stress or a combination or just not caring. I hope it is not caring because I really want to reach my goals. I think getting under 210 is a big deal for me that is the number I would get too and just give up! I really don't know what I am going through but I am just trying to figure it out so I can fix it and move on!

Kelly....I hope your dad is okay!!!

Toasted...I also love reading your posts!

Laurie...can't wait to hear how the kids are!

I hope everyone else is okay! Thinking of everyone some haven't heard from in awhile...I tend to worry about people so I hope everyone is doing fine!

MissLoud, maybe you just need a little re-boot! Don't worry, you'll get yourself there. I hope your dad is healing up quickly!

Jen- Unplanned meals when not calorie counting are the worst when you are using that as your weight loss method. I've been there done that, and then it just seems to throw you off.

Toasted- welcome back

Nothing much new to report on my end. I was a little lax on my calorie counting. I managed to still loose .5 lbs between friday and today. Maybe that means that I'm starting to get the idea of proportion? I dont know, but I'll take it as a win.
School finals coming up this next week. Ugggghhhhhh. Then break before I start my next semsester. only a few more semesters left before I can get my associates. Over my break I'm going to be helping my sister plan her wedding some, and working on her bridal shower and bachelorette party plans! I' m so excited

Still very quiet here. Feels quite Decemberish. =)

Jenni - Job searches are so stressful! I am supposed to hear back today on the job that I interviewed for last Wednesday (and the one that I really, really want). They said they were interviewing nine candidates, and they would have a decision in "about a week." If I don't hear from them today, I am guessing they offered the job to someone else. But it's all good. I am treating it as though I didn't get the job and have continued to put in resumes. Hopefully, this little blip in the road in your weight loss won't cause you too much stress. There will always be blips. The fact that we're handling them and continuing to focus is what equals success for us.

Skinnygirldreams - Our newbie who has become our thread stalwart! Finals are the worst in terms of disrupted schedules, munchiness, and general stress. Glad you're pushing through them so successfully.

Just doing a quick check-in. The babies are back! Got 9 people staying in a 3-bedroom house, and the basement is not yet ready for people to stay there. So, I have 3 teenage boys sharing what used to be a small toy room. We hired out the painting, and the painter will be start tomorrow, and the basement should be ready for occupancy on Saturday, though we still won't have carpet. The carpet is what is completing breaking the budget, so it might have to wait until February or so.

I spent the whole day prepping for arrival yesterday, and though I didn't get to the gym, my Fitbit told me I had exceeded 15,000 steps, so calling that a win on my relaxed regime. I also ate Chinese food and a half a slice of pizza and a donut, but that was the total food I ate for the day. Again, not my ideal, but calling it a victory for now. Soon, I will focus in more on nutritious food and scheduled exercise. Like in the next day or two. But for the craziness of yesterday, it was good enough.

Have a great day, everyone!

Hey guys! So I'm totally caught up and feeling more in the swing of things with everyone.

First of all, YAY lower weights (even if maybe they're not quite as low as we'd have liked, YAY arrested regains, new ellipticals, looser pants (I actually typed out "loser" pants first and then spent 5 minutes trying to decide which "looser" I was spelling- all the same though, "Looser pants" ARE "loser pants" because you know they've lost out to hotter, sexier, fitted pants... or something)... Back to the YAYs: the biggest YAY though, is for workouts that happened (the kind we had to fight to get through even though they might not have been what we intended initially, they happened!), this time of year, it's HARD to stay on track and be motivated to be disciplined and maybe it's not even really the time for it, but maybe if we can try to get our fitness on, maybe that will help us be mindful somehow. Hopefully. Or that's the hypothesis I'm working with.

I'm huge into Christmas and birthdays and anniversaries, I love things like that and everything they mean and stand for and all the reasons they remind us to be grateful. I've not really gotten into doing a tree or anything yet this year and it mightn't happen till I'm off work after next week (I have an office retreat this weekend so not happening). I HAVE done my Christmas shopping though and now I'm on tentahooks hoping it arrives in time. It's the silliest thing I have Amazon Prime but I don't even live in America to enjoy it... although I do watch the videos occasionally so there is that... anyway, I'm stressing a little hoping things arrive in time.

My workouts are going pretty well. I've been doing a lot more with weights and a lot less with intense cardio. Mostly because I've not been getting up early enough to work out in the morning, which means I'm working out last thing before bed at night, which means I go to bed late and wake up early and it's an unfortunate cycle. Or it would be, if it wasn't leading me to do less jumpy, high impact exercise (I think I need more than a couple of hours of digestion after dinner to be air jacking and flinging myself about #NotAboutTheBarfLife) and more strength-building type workouts like the kind I usually ignore. So that's been good and I'm seeing progress in that I'm using heavier weights (11-lb dumbells) than when I started.

In other news, I caught the nasty cold we've had going around on here. Who knew online contagion was a real thing for actual viruses! I kid. My dad caught it from the doctors and passed it round. #funtimes. I'm feeling a lot better but then the cough medicine I was taking (which mind you has a children's dose written up on it) bugged my stomach because it's obviously VERY high in alcohol (you basically need a liedown after taking this- out of curousity, I went to check out whether I was exaggerating and nope, it DOES contain alcohol) and I've had digestion issues ever since. On the bright side, the cough syrup IS pretty potent and knocked whatever was up with me right out in only a few shots, I mean doses. Now I'm dealing with the digestive fall out.

Mandy: I hope you're feeling all better now. I'm a Quest-aholic. It's kind of a problem. I may have to ween myself off them a bit. They're sooooooo good!!! I like the Double Chocolate Chunk best and the Strawberry Cheesecake is also pretty good for a non-choc flavour. I know most people are all about the Cookies and Cream "Oreo" kind. Which is your favourite so far?

Laurie: Yay job interview. I hope the news is good today/tomorrow! Also yay kids being with you for 6 weeks! I'm sorry you were struggling but I'm soooo sooo very glad you were able to come to a resolution which sounds good and healthy and reasonable, basically everything we're not when we're being all or nothing. And you've already got some good days behind you which is AWESOME! Here's to balance!!! We can do it!!

SkinnyGirl: You're rocking out the steps and calorie goals!!! Go you!!! It's a tough time of year and yet you're sticking it and that's super inspiring and awesome! It CAN be done and you're proof. Hopefully, you rub off on me a bit now that I'm back checking in regularly etc. I've not started running yet, but I'm still up for our December challenge. I want to work out at least 5 times a week till Christmas and I'm on track so that's still good. I'm hoping some magic will happen and the running will come.

Kelly: On unattainable goals, I'm totally in the same zone. I checked my record and since I've been back on 3FC in July-ish/August(?), I've lost on average 2 lbs a month which is pretty dire but infinitely better than gaining 2lbs a month or stagnating whilst putting in the effort to lose. Like you though, I'm still blasting for 175 lbs for the new year, WAHEY!!! #Leggo I'm thinking of you and praying for your dad and his surgery. I hope all goes well.

Jenni: I'm sorry it's a struggle right now. I think it's normal to go through this at any time, but most especially at this time of year, especially after all your hard work the past few months. I think the only thing to do sometimes is to do is to just keep plugging away, even when "we don't care" about the scale (in that awful way that we actually do care but we feel powerless and exhausted and depressed by it so try not to), and to just keep trying to make the best decisions we can with food and exercise just for the sake of our health, even if not to at the time, lose weight. I'm also sorry the job didn't work out in the sense that it's disappointing, but at the same time, have faith that you'll find something meant for you. Who wants to be tied to a cruddy job when there's something better for you round the corner, eh? It's going to be okay!

Alright ladies, I need to get going to salvage the day's plan. I'm at 803 calories so far with dinner to go and maybe 802.5 of those calories are carbs, mostly because all I feel like eating are bland things like toast and crackers and those things really add up. It's going to be okay though. I'll try to have some fish or something for dinner and I'll work out and it will be good. Hopefully by saying it on here, it's what I'm actually going to do.

I wish you all a joyful rest of the day.

Hi all. Sorry for not being very active on here lately. December is a tough month for commercial insurance people (me), because there are so many policies that renew 1/1 each year. So, I'm struggling to keep up at work. Then with all of the other holiday stuff.... ugh. I'm such a bah humbug.

Otherwise, food plan is not going great, but I've kept up with my workouts. I feel good about that. So thankful I can get to the gym each morning.

Hey everyone, I hope you guys are all doing well. Diane, I'm sorry December is like your tough month when everyone else is winding down and getting into the Christmas spirit, that really sucks. Don't let it rob you of the joy of this time of year though. Yay on keeping up with the workouts! Keep up those fitness gains!

I did alright yesterday in the end AND got in my evening work out which is always great. I weighed in randomly this morning and it said 178.5... Now I know this is only half a pound down from this weekend but it's exciting the scale is going in a nice direction AND I have a fast left this week so let's see. Could it be, could it be actual ONE whole pound lost in ONE week??? #mindblown at the prospect! Lol.

Anyway just doing a quick check in. Today is a fast day and so far it's going alright. I've been using these fast days as an opportunity to focus on my spiritual health and meditate on my faith and pray and all that so it's been good for me from that perspective as well to just work on the non-physical as well and being mindful rather than focusing on food or lack thereof on those days.

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Hey ladies. Just checkin in. I feel like I have been go go go. This week, I've eaten out twice. Not so good. Buffalo Wild Wings and Pizza. Buuuuut I did stay under calories, so its ok I guess.
I have yet to actually go to the gym this month I have been so crazy busy, but I have managed to get over 7,000 steps every day this month (with the exception of yesterday ).
I didn't pack lunch for today, but the cafeteria is serving minestrone soup and a turkey and swiss melt on wheat. So I think I'll have that and its all only 350 calories.

Hello, all. I'm checking back in again... it's been a few months, but what a fall it has been. Lots of traveling, more work than one person ought to be doing, kids in high school, etc. I am, however, still making progress and thinking to hang out for someplace that reminds why not to go overboard in December. Thank goodness, after Friday I'm off for three weeks. How is everyone?

Well yesterday was a complete write off! I spent all day worrying about dads op, trouble is I was at a 2 year olds birthday so stress eating cake and chips never ends well! I still couldn't real it in at tea and made homemade fish and chips with gooseberry shortcake *sigh* so back on track today. I still get the niggling self sabotage vibe - seems to come round every 6 weeks. Guess I just hang in there till some good numbers come back on the scale! I am worried because I'm the lightest ive been in 5 years - I don't want to settle for this. Will....get....to.....goal lol

Dad is fine, they had a few complications but got a stent in and everything should be okay. Hes home today so that a relief. Medication should keep it under control. Another lecture from my mum about our families weak hearts, and I wanted to scream. I mean this heartstuff has only come out in the last year since my brother died so its not like we've always known and I got fat inspite of it. I just feel everyones looking at me thinking 'shes next'!

Sounds like everyone is busy busy busy, crazy how everything comes to a head in December. I have my husbands work do tonight so looking forward to wearing heels not jandals!

Skinnygirl - eating out is so hard, its my downfall! Good luck!

Toasted - your posts crack me up! A pound go you good thing!!!!! I find fast days really motivating for some reason, that great you are using them to focus on yourself I'm just not a spiritual person must be the British in me lol

Jenni - good luck on the job front, its tough out there!

Hmmm now to try and work out the calories in a hangi!!

Made it to Body Pump today. Still busy as heck at work.........

Quick shout out to Calluna!! Missed you!!! Glad you are back!

Hey everyone. Still hanging in here! I haven't been logging food but I basically cut out the snacks for a couple days until I can muster up the time to log all things again. I am eating clean so that is what matters.

Things with the step daughter have gotten worse so stress has been through the roof. She turns 18 on Valentines day and is graduating at the end of January so hoping she finds a place and goes on her way. It is so hard when they are not your children and you have not raised them in those valuable years....we got her when she had just turned 13 and it has been a battle every since. I think the manipulating and the extreme lying is what kills me more than the destroying nice things in my house. Anywho it is what it is and I cannot dwell on it.

I just want to say THANK YOU to all of you. I think you all made something hit home to me and that is at least I am not gaining!!!! Even if I only lose 2 pounds this month at least I didn't gain! I think I forget so many times that maintaining and losing anything is hard, hard because in the past it has been so easy to gain. If I can stay away from the gaining and lose (even if really slow), I have won the battle. This weight battle is a HARD thing as we all know....I think we know it but do not realize it in the fact that it has ahold of us in so many ways. Some of us have been overweight all our lives, some since kids, some since marriage, some since a tragic event, and some it just has added on year after year. But one thing we all realize is the emotions that are tied to it and sometimes the bullying and hate that we receive from people that do not understand.

So THANK YOU for all being here and understanding and CARING! Just so you know you all rock!!!!

Ditto! Loooooong days. I can't wait for January 1st.

Another quick post, not much time this month. I'm not even working but I have so much to do! We are doing Christmas here at my house and my MIL is coming the day after Christmas....

Still a SLOW go on the scale I did hit 15 percent of my body loss today! Hope everyone is doing great!

Hey people, how goes? I hope everyone is doing well. Thursday's fast went alright. I had a good weigh in yesterday that was followed by a huge food dive-in at my office retreat which started yesterday afternoon at this really nice hotel with amazing food. It ends Monday morning... #gulp This could be bad. I'm already at like 650 calories consumed this morning and there's still lunch, dinner and tea breaks to go. Then there's the fact that I feel overly full and uncomfortable and can't seem to say no to a good buffet because I'm WEAK! #tears I had to sleep sitting up last night. Okay, enough! I'm going to reign it in and try to be circumspect the rest of today. Lunch game plan is veggies and 1 serving of 1 protein. Same for dinner, with ONE choice of dessert, not the whole dessert table.

Skinnygirl: Yay on eating out and still making it work within calories. You're proof that it can be done! How did you manage those days? Any tips to share! Plus 7000 steps is nothing to scorn- that's like 3.5 miles which I think is pretty good. Go you!

calluna: Welcome back! Yay on making progress whilst you've been away AND on the upcoming break. Mine starts on the 20th and I CAN'T wait!

Kelly: The important thing is always getting back on track and you're doing that. I'm glad your dad is doing alright, I've been thinking about your family the last couple of days and praying for that outcome. Yay on prettying up for adult company... which sounds a little odder than I mean but oh well!

Diane: Great job keeping up with the workouts even though it's a busy time for you. I see your commitment and it inspires me not to make as many excuses as I'm wont to and to instead take action.

Jenni: Well said!!! Thanks for articulating that so perfectly. This journey IS hard and we DO need to be more appreciative of even the little things and the littlest progress. Yay on the clean eating and the keeping on even through your stressful situation. I'm hoping everything works out for your family this season and in the coming year. Yay on the 15% milestone!

Rhonda: Heyyy! It's been a while! I hope you're feeling better!

Wishing everyone a fabulous weekend!

Hey Ladies! I'm just doing a quick update. Not a whole lot to report. I've been super busy studying for finals and working. The hubby and I are planning on ripping up the carpet on monday/tuesday since he wasn't able to last week. I think I'll be counting that towards my exercise for those days lol. I'm just hanging in. I've been doing really bad with the eating health since wednesday. I'm going right back to that today.