Starting the topic - be right back.

Happy New Year!

Here's to a Healthy and Happy New Year to all of us. For me, 2007 is the year I will turn 50 (!!!) and also the year in which I plan on getting to goal. As a matter of fact, I plan on getting to goal by my birthday, which is at the end of March so I have no time to waste.

I weighed in on Saturday and was thrilled to have only a 0.2 gain for the week. That puts me at 1.8 pounds gained over the holidays - considering all the junk I ate, I look at the 1.8 as a gift. I started back on points on Saturday and so far so good. I got in a lot of activity yesterday. I found that if I get on my spinning bike, I can work up a good sweat and it doesn't seem to bother my back. I have a ways to go before I'm back to my previous cardio fitness but it's a good start. We had a nice dinner out yesterday at a local fish restaurant, and even with wine at dinner and some champagne last night, I didn't do too badly in the points department. Today has been a day of trying to gear back up for work tomorrow while at the same time trying to grab the last bit of relaxation. The getting ready for work part is done now and I'm looking forward to the relaxation part. My activity plan is to do a short yoga session a little later in between some reading for pleasure.

Have a great New Year's Day!

P.S. I'm not one to make resolutions generally but I do plan on trying to get here more often during the week - I find that it helps me stay on track.
Judy

Hi all,

I echo Judy's wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year for everyone.

Judy - Wow, that's a minimal weight gain over the holidays. Good job! I can't believe you're turning 50 this year. Well, you know that 50 is the new 40. At least, that's what I'm telling myself. I know you'll make your goal. You can do it. And I'll be with you every step of the way - pound by pound. I'm glad that you've discovered you can do your spinning bike without it bothering your back. It must have felt so good to you to get in a good cardio workout.

I've been a wuss and haven't stepped on the scale over the holidays. Wednesday will be my day. I also haven't been counting points or counting much of anything. That changes too. John and I both have committed to do more cooking and put more healthy food on the table this year, so that's a good start. (We've been relying way too much on convenience foods and take out lately.) I don't make NY's resolutions either, but I do have three general goals for the year: a healthy me, a healthy home (decluttered, routines to make cleaning easier, etc.), and a healthy family (healthy meals, healthy snacks, well-stocked pantry, fridge) and have mapped out steps to achieve them. Part of a healthy me, of course, is exercise. I'm not going to commit to any specific goal in terms of days, miles, etc. right now because I've found that sort of sets me up for failure if I slack a bit. But I am expanding what counts for formal exercise and have decided that, on days when I have the house to myself, if I don't feel like getting up early to walk or ride my stationary bike, I'm going to put on some music and just dance around the house. I just have to burn a cd with some of the tunes I've downloaded on Itunes. (I already have a reggae category and an exercise category that will be perfect for dancing.) I also plan on wearing my pedometer so I can see my activity levels increase. My only hurdle is that my arthritis is really bothering me. I'm starting to remind myself of my mom, which is sad since she has over 30 years on me. I know that exercising and losing weight will only help that, but when you have to stop and think about how you're going to get out of a chair and then take your first step, it tends to be a bit hard. Seems like when I went off the naproxen, which I was taking for a pulled groin muscle but which also helped the stiffness and pain, my knees got 10 times worse and my back started bothering me. The good news is that Advil helps. But it will work itself out. And I plan on achieving my ultimate goal this year - to get off of the blood pressure and diabetes meds.

OK, now that I've written an essay, time to put my 2007 pages in my Daytimer. I got the Prevention pages again this year for some added incentive. Enjoy your evening.

Carla

I'm new here and I just started WW online. I like the idea of daily points. I'm more conscious of what I put in my mouth. So far I have lost about 3 pounds. i'm looking forward to getting all the weight off in '07.

Shiloh - Welcome and congratulations on a great start.

Carla

HI all, Just jumping on the thread, to say I didn't gain through the holidays like I've done in the past. I lost 2 lbs, wohoo. I've got 7 mths and 5 days until I turn 32, wow, 32, where has all the time gone? Okay back on subject, I've got 3 weddings and a trip to the beach to deal with, so I don't want to be the fattest girl at the party, so I'm here for weekly weigh-ins. I normally wi on Mondays, and this Monday I came in at 240.6. So Good Luck to all out there, Happy Excercising, and may the lbs melt away like butter on a hot day.

Good job, everyone! And welcome, Shiloh!

I managed to maintain my weight over the Christmas break. I was slightly disappointed not to see a loss because I got in some pretty hard workouts while I was visiting my family, but I did eat too much on some of the days. I should be thankful I didn't gain!!

Hi Everybody! I'm starting WW at home today. Just looking for some buddies and support

Tigerbutter - Congrats on losing over the holidays! That's some dedication.

Lisa - Congrats to you on the maintain! In my book, that's an accomplishment over the holidays. And good for you for continuing to get in your workouts while visiting your family. Way to go on your dedication too.

Terri - Welcome! We'll give you all the support you need.

Have a great evening.

Carla

Thanks. I didn't even try. I just went with what I was doing, and it worked. It didn't hurt that I was more active as well. Good Luck everybody! 2007 is going to be a great year.

sk8r - Welcome! I've also lost weight before and gained it back too. I'm back to losing again and this time I think I'm really changing my thinking so I plan on keeping it off. I'm sure you'll find plenty of support and inspiration here.

Carla - those are great goals and I KNOW you can achieve them all. I *love* your "expanded" definition of what counts for exercise goals and girlfriend, I've done that too and it is FUN. I wear my pedometer all the time - I mean, I even clip it to my undies if I am walking around the bedroom getting dressed. I kid you not - I am counting every single step! I'm sorry about the arthritis - I'n not sure if you know that I have osteoarthritis and have had it (in various places in my body) for years. I can attest to the fact that moving more makes it easier to move - sort of a catch-22 but there it is.

Shiloh - welcome! Congratulations on a great weight loss.

Tiger - welcome! Wow, you have a lot of (good) things coming up. Where is the beach you are going to and when? Congratulations on not gaining over the holidays.

Lisa - congratulations on maintaining over the holidays - that is quite an accomplishment!

Terri - Welcome - I know you'll find lots of support here. Around where in NY are you? I'm on Long Island.

I had an OK day yesterday - I did a short yoga session in the afternoon. I was a bit snacky last night but I counted it and journalled it. I think it was the "vacation is over - take a deep breath" kind of snacking. I plan on snacking less tonight. I did a short yoga session this morning before work (5:15 am came pretty quickly!) and may try to do some more stretching in later for my back. I'm close to 10,000 steps today so I just might walk around the house a bit to get more steps in.
Have a great one!
Judy

YAY!!!! i woke up and weighed in even though i told myself that i wouldnt weigh in except for on mondays. I couldnt resist. I went down!!!!

Hi all.

Judy - Thanks for the vote of confidence. I do believe that I did know that you have osteoarthritis. (My, wasn't that a clumsy sentence!) It is a catch-22, isn't it. Two advil last night before bed helped immensely today, so it's good to know there's that to fall back on. I really do need to dig out my pedometer and get going with it.

sk82bug - It is indeed good to see early results, especially when you're first getting started. I've finally broken, I think, the habit of getting on the scale every day. We'll see. But if you can keep in mind that weight fluctuates from day to day and use the scale to motivate rather than frustrate you, checking more than once a week shouldn't hurt.

I had a big surprise when I stepped on the scale this morning - I'm down 2.4 pounds. I guess I behaved more often than not. Or it's a Christmas miracle. Or, last time I weighed in I maybe I was retaining water which I've now lost. Whatever the reason, I'll take it and run with it. Back to being mindful of what I'm eating today and back to tracking in the journal. I go back to the dr. the last week in February and I want to have a good loss under by belt. If I couple that with being able to report that I'm exercising regularly, the poor man may go into shock.

Have a great evening.

Carla

Happy New Year!

Thought I'd let you know I'm still alive, still gaining and losing the same five pounds, and still have a ton to lose. I need a kick in the butt, and to find some motivation somewhere. I'm suffering the usual chocolate and baked goodies hangover from the holidays, but have stocked up the fridge with good things.

Sounds like everyone has found their New Year's motivation...I'm sure mine is around somewhere. Maybe I'll find it here - I hope so!

Karen

Karen - Good to see you! I don't know if I'm motivated as much as just resigned to the idea of doing this and getting it done. But that could be the PMS talking. Happy New Year and don't be a stranger. (Says she who disappeared for a couple of months herself.)

Carla