I leave March 13th for Maui.... good motivation to lose!!!

Merry Christmas or Happy Vacation!

So happy that this day is here. I love Christmas! I am happy that my dress finally arrived yesterday and that it fits fine. So many years, I struggled with what to wear on Christmas Eve. Problem gone, Thanks IP! I am not going to avoid pictures either.

The loss of my friend's father has made me reflect on how nothing is guaranteed. I am going to enjoy every moment of this Christmas by focusing on my wonderful family and not on all the things that I chose not to eat or drink.

Please know how grateful I am for all of your help and support.

I wish for all of you, a wonderful holiday. May your hearts be light and your joys be many.

Merry Christmas Eve everyone...travel is going well so far. Ate my protein for breakfast (4 eggs and 2 egg whites) and then snacked on 2 cups of raw cauliflower en route to the airport. Doing ok so far.

Try to stay positive about the healthy changes you're making and the weight you've lost when you see other people eating/drinking non-IP stuff. Let's be strong and think of the end results rather than the temporary cravings (and maybe a little resentment). Wishing you all strength and motivation and remember the reasons you're doing this.

Not a great week for me WI wise... gained .2lbs, but my ToM has decided to linger for a second week in a row. Also took on two new clients and struggled with getting time in for eating my meals.. Sooo I planned ahead this week, switched some foods around, and I'm hoping that this next week will be better. Overall, not too horrific, and hoping that the water weight (8.6lbs) decides to go elsewhere..

If you believe in prayer, please keep my little one's Nana in your thoughts/prayers.. she was admitted to the hospital yesterday, and is unresponsive/on a ventilator in the ICU.. Hoping that she pulls through and makes a Christmas Miracle for the family..

I hope that EVERYONE has a joyous holiday (whatever one you celebrate).. **hugs**

Hi Kawaii,

Saying a prayer for Nana. Life gets busy around the holidays, soon it will be more peaceful.

My family decided to let me off the hook for hosting NY Eve. Have to go to Long Island for Sun. And Mon. So it would have been a bit stressful to get everything done. I am torn about it, hate messing with tradition but know where my obligation is: the calling hours and the funeral.

On a happier note, I am getting my new chairs on Friday!

Hope that each one of you is having a wonderful Christmas Day.

Just wanted to pop in to say Merry Christmas to you all. I'm up 2 lbs since I got here but I'm not too worried about it. Having a great time with my family. Think I'm off to the hot tub for a soak now before the majority of the cooking starts. Love you all!

Hey all,

Quick update, Nana is doing much better.. responsive, but not able to be off the ventilator as of yet. It's looking like the lack of oxygen didn't cause any permanent brain injury, but time will tell.. In any event, she's doing better!!!

Worked today, and my client was adorable My son gave me a pair of reindeer antlers for her, and because "a little one" gave them to her, she wore them and giggled like a schoolgirl.. it made my heart happy that she's enjoying her Christmas too..

to all, Merry Christmas!!!

Glad to hear "Nana" is doing better. What the heck do you do that you are seeing clients on Christmas day???

Hi All,

Back home again in my nice warm house. I froze at both my parents and brother's! It was such a wonderful holiday! Everyone got along and it was really joyful. Food was not an issue at all. Could not eat anything at my bro.'s except green beans and a very small portion of ham but I was fine.

Kawaii, so happy that Nana is better! Your story about your client made me smile . Also, happy that you are recognizing the physical difference in your self!

Steph, so happy to see you. Merry Christmas to you too! Jealous of the hot tub though.

Kookysuki, hope your travel was wonderful and that you are home having fun.

Steph,

I do hospice care. I go in, cook meals, clean house, sit with people, give them support, try to make them smile.. listen when they want to rant, hold them when they cry.. talk to family about what to expect during the process. It's not glamorous work, but I enjoy being in a position to ease others suffering.

Hope everyone had a great holiday!

Wow, bless you for the good work you do Maddy. I can't imagine that is very easy, especially at this time of year.

Hi! I am missing all the Newbies and looking forward to everyone being back soon.

Going to get the new living-room chairs tomorrow. Have to go to the dentist in the am, first.

Sat. Morning WI and meeting with coach,then lunch at a dear friend of my mom's. She knows my dietary limitations, so let's hope I can eat

I am very nervous about going away to the funeral for Sun. And Mon. So little control over the situation- timing,food availability and driving through NY on a holiday weekend. I will do my best.

Hi everyone, headed back to CA after being in my parents' house for about 1.5 days was giving me massive anxiety and I was crying hysterically because of something my dad said to me. To upset me when I said something about his hoarding making me anxious, he said my mom's diabetes is out of control and that she has a undiagnosed lump in her breast. My mom said he exaggerated and the doctor doesn't think it's cancer. My dad is also hoarder and is bipolar which majorly contributed to my anxiety and my parents didn't warn me about the condition of the house. Boxes everywhere, 2 of the 3 bedrooms so full of stuff they can't be used. I couldn't deal and felt it was a really unhealthy environment for me, so I booked my flight back for today the 26th and I'm at LAX right now, waiting to catch my flight to San Jose. I know I sound like a terrible daughter, but my dad was very emotionally abusive and unstable for much of my life. He's on meds now, but still doesn't have his illness under control. I'm looking forward to getting back to my home in CA where I feel safe. I did ok IP wise, but my dad did a poor job of shopping for me, so I survived on IP packets, 1 restricted a day, and eggs for dinner last night. I'm looking forward to getting back into my routine tomorrow and getting more veggies. I weigh in tomorrow too. I think the weigh in should be good, I hope.

Oh, Kookysuki, I am so sorry Family relationships can be very complicated and stressful. I am proud of you for choosing to protect and care for yourself. You will be home soon.

Thank you! I'm glad I didn't resort to a food binge and didn't even feel like binging. I just had to get myself out of there because I didn't feel safe and was getting really depressed and anxious. Guess I'm not going home for Christmas next year after this experience.

I hope everything goes ok with your travels...maybe stash some raw veggies you can keep in your purse and other IP stuff you can eat on the fly.

I really had to wing it tonight with my meal. I had salmon with a dijon/herb marinade from a place at the airport. I couldn't eat any of the veggies they had because they were all covered in dressing. Hopefully the Dijon topping on the salmon did not have sugar in it. The guy working said it's just Dijon and it did not taste sweet at all, so I think I'm good. I think I might have an ok loss this week with all of the walking at the airport and I've been on plan except for missing some veggie servings.