Good morning, turtles & a big welcome to Stylist - always nice to add new members to our group.

I have been really busy up here with Christmas decorating and get togethers - but having a great time.

Over the past 2 weeks I have maintained my weight - so happy with that given the time of year & my get togethers. We are all in the same situation & have to plan ahead, that is really helping & I have been getting in my walks which I think is saving me at the scales. I am happy to be maintaining right now.

Monday night I went to a story telling for the first time - that was really enjoyable, she is one our members from my ladies group & is a retired teacher who does this at lots of public places. She told 3 Christmas stories & it really got us in the Christmas spirit. I have also had a few cocktail parties & the movies the last 2 Tues evenings.

I am glad to read everyone is getting ready for Christmas & planning ahead with their outtings - I think that is key for us. We don't have to go overboard at every get together & maybe by treating ourselves to 1 thing we really want & portion control of everything else with help.

I went 35 days with no alcohol & the scale did not go down, so am thinking that doesn't affect my weight gains much. But was probably good to give my system a break with all the parties starting.

Here's to all of us having a great Christmas season, enjoying ourselves and not doing too much damage at the scales.

Good luck, everyone!!!

Hi,

Nice to see you, Bandit. Way to go with maintaining!! You're right about planning ahead. It does make a difference.

Today's my weigh in day. I lost 2.5 pounds this week. It was another amusing week with the WW tracker telling me I need to both slow down my weight loss (which is averaging a little over a pound a week) and recalculate my points down based on my lower weight. My starting weight must have been a bit higher than I remembered when I started the tracker because WW says that my total weight loss is 35.5, which is a nice number! I changed my ticker to reflect that start weight.

Yesterday I was totally starving at dinner, but I hadn't eaten particularly lower in points or anything. My husband says it's probably the extra walking to the bank several times the past two weeks and the cold weather. Anyway, we went to Red Robin and I ordered my chicken burger without mayo, saving 340 calories and 20 g of fat. But it still was 14 points. I also ate 6 points of fries. I wasn't overstuffed, but it was more calories than I usually eat. When I put that into my points manager, I still had a couple of weekly points left. I figure my body really did need that much food.

Today I'm back to my normal routine. I'm planning to do only work that I can't do at home, then come home early and work at home. I need to run laundry and the dishwasher. They can do their machine thing while I work. I need some catch up on things time at home. Last weekend we had something scheduled all day and evening both days. This weekend we have afternoons free, but we're so far behind that it's not enough time. I scheduled this stuff before I got the second job and the only things I can cut out are the three just-for-fun parties (as opposed to concerts we're singing in with receptions afterwards). I'm not doing that!! I'm going to go enjoy myself. I'm going to bake cookies for the choir reception and take some to the party tomorrow night. And freeze some for next week's caroling party.

I hope all of you are doing well. Have a great weekend!

Keep on turtlin'! Give yourselves the of a healthier holiday.

Hi Turtles,
Bandit, I've never heard a story teller. It sounds like a lot of fun. You're really sociable and it sounds like you're having a very good time. Congrats and : and and for maintaining at this time of year. WEigh to go! And I'm so glad you chimed in. Reminding us to watch and plan and prepare is always inspirational.

Lin, : Again!!! and I think it's hysterical that you're making the WW tracker batty! You go girl! What a wonderful weight loss and what a great total weight loss.

I'm doing so much better in my head! I'm OP today and yesterday and the wacky scale is reading much better this morning. I got off a good 2# so mostly it must have been water weight. Now I have to stay OP and not get out of control. This morning I wrote down what I'd eat all day and I am crossing the foods off as I eat them. It's working nicely. Ran around all day and got a lot done. Now I'd like to just relax. I'm drinking some ginger tea and I like it.

Here's and to all of us. Stylist, how are you doing?
Cherry, how are you coming along with the holidays?
Everybody=---drink that water and have some fun!
Judy
234.6/a little less ugh/190 and deeper into onederland

Great posts here! We're getting full, so I'll see you all at#226, Bale of Turtles enjoying the holidays!
Judy