Need a place to post your menu... is accountability helpful , or want some extra support? Then this is the place for you! Come on over!!

Hi chicks - I had a good on plan day yesterday - I am grateful. It's kinda of happily amazing that I've found a bit of food sanity right before xmas. I've learned that it clearly related to my pain level. I've been keeping that in better control. There will be so many temptations coming up in the next couple of weeks. I am hoping for the best.

Today I am going to perform at a senior center. It's not a far walk. I think I can do it. I'll sit when I get there.

breakfast - cottage cheese and pear, pnb toast
lunch - black beans with lite cheese and salsa, green beans
snack - 1/2 banana with pnb
dinner - veggie burger with lite cheese, salad
snack - pnb toast with honey, sf cocoa

CFmama - so glad that the movies worked out. Planning ahead really helps. I've never roasted cabbage - only steamed or baked with something. I have a head of cabbage. I"ll have to give it a try.

Lyn - I hope you have a chance to get that shopping done while the kids are in school. Have fun.

Mj - sorry to hear you got so sick. It's awful to be sick away from home. I hope your feeling fine soon!

Shout out to Rhonda and Schmoodle and anyone else that stops by.

Good Morning! I feel much better now, thanks for asking. I am off today which feels good too! I have lots of errands to run--including picking up the dogs from the kennel--I can't wait to get them, we miss them like crazy!!!! The house seems so empty!

cfmama--You are doing fantastic! Keep it up! Sounds like you had a busy, but fun weekend! I LOVE roasted veggies, that's how I make them most of the time these days w/ lots of garlic...YUM!

Lyn--Oh wow, waiting until then would totally stress me out! How are you doing?

Beverlyjoy--So glad that the pt seems to be helping! Yea for another good food day! The bookmarks sound really nice.

Hi to Rhonda and Schmoodle and everyone else!

I'm sure I'll pop back in later.

Good morning, Friends.

Beverly - I'm so glad you're finding your sanity. (saying that makes me smile!)
MJ - Welcome back. So sorry you were sick, but so glad you're feeling better.
Lynn - Did you get much shopping finished?
CFmama - I loved Bolt, too. We took the family to see the movie for my youngest daughter's 9th birthday a couple of weeks ago. Congratulations on planning your treat and sticking to the plan!

Technically, I'm on vacation this week. However, some system issues came up late last week that corrupted some of my work. Also, I've been scheduled for a new audit that begins next Monday morning, so I have preparation for that. With what's left of my days, I plan on starting my exercise plan again and preparing some healthy meals.

Today, my oldest has an orthodontist appointment - we're hoping that she gets to have the braces removed today - and my youngest has a Brownie's caroling event at the retirement home. Busy, busy.

Have a great on-plan day.

Hi chicks! Yesterday I stayed on my plan - I am so grateful. I got on the scale this morning and it showed 4 pounds down. YAY.

It was a challenging day, physically, actually. The physical therapist has me trying to wear a lift in one shoe and doing lots of exercise. I think I over did on Sunday in both areas. Because as the day went on - my pieces and parts (especially my back) were screaming. I immediately went into rest your back mode - no bending or lifting for a few days and I'll be OK.

Today will be a quiet day. I just need to take my car in to be fixed. I'll stay at home and rest my pieces and parts.

breakfast - pnb toast, boca bacon, 1/2 banana
lunch - veggie soup, cheese toast
snack - baked apple
dinner - lentil and turkey sausage soup
snack - cocoa, pnb & honey toast

Rhonda - I hope you get to have your vacation without too much of your job taking up it's time. Did your daughter get her braces off? Caroling sounds like fun.

MJ - I bet it's good to have the doggies back! Hope you enjoyed your free day.

Shout out to Lyn, Schmoodle and anyone else that looks in. Feel free to join in.

Hi everyone! Super busy today, as usual! Just trying to get things in a good spot before surgery next week. I have my pre-op appt tomorrow afternoon and then I should be all set. Now if I can just get the knee surgery scheduled I can get on the road to recovery!!!!

Hello my friends!

It sounds like food wise we're all on plan!

Beverlyjoy- how's your back today? yay for food sanity!!!
mj5- I hope your surgery goes well! how long will you be down for?
Girly- how did the carolling and the braces go? I hope you get to enjoy a bit of your vacation!

Shout out to all my other peeps!

Plan for tomorrow: Day 81 totally on freaking plan!
B- 1 cup honey nut all bran, 1/2 cup skim milk, banana
s- yogurt, fruit cup
L- egg salad on two sour dough wasa with cucumbers and radishes
s- 2 kiwi, 1/4 cup multigrain small alphabet pretzels
D- 1.5 cups homemade meat/veggie sauce on 1 cup ww macaroni with 1 cup roasted green beans
s- apple and cm extra old cheddar cheese

Today was my kids Christmas concert so I got a sub for my daycare and walked there... in -23 celcius. I think I might have JUST thawed out. It was awesome though!

Planned my Christmas menu. I'm having an open house Christmas eve and then family over for dinner Christmas Day. Eve will be sliced ham, chili, buns, deli meats/cheese/pickles, oysters, veggies and dip, crackers etc. Treats and stuff as well.

My goal is to have Christmas eve dinner and Christmas day NO COUNT meals/day. Staying within reason. Making healthy choices. But not freaking. I'll let you know how that goes

Good Morning! I am up early, so I thought I would pop in here while I had a chance!

cfmama--Oh my, that's cold!!!! I am sure it was a great concert! That's kind of what I am planning on doing for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, staying w/in reason, but not going to freak out. I know we will both do well! The surgery itself won't take long--an hour, maybe a little longer. I'll be out of work for the rest of the week--that's one way to get the week of Christmas off, right?! Just kidding! I won't be able to drive the day after and I'll be tired and sore for a couple days, but after that I should be fine. I'll be able to do the holiday stuff, just take it easy. I told my gm yesterday that I might show up at her house in my pj's on Christmas Eve. She said she didn't care....at least I have red flannel bottems w/ candy canes on them, so they would be festive!!!!

Rhonda--How was the Christmas caroling? Did your oldest get her braces off? That would be a great early Christmas present! Hope you get to enjoy your vacation, sounds like you have been working quite a bit.

Beverlyjoy--Yea for OP days!!! Great job!! 4lbs down is fantastic! One 1lb to go before your reward, right? Have you picked something? yes, it is SO good to have the dogs home!!

Schmoodle--How is everything going? I am sure it is hectic at your house!

Lyn--How are you?

Hi to everyone else that stops by!

I am officially done w/ shopping. Lottery tickets, stocking stuffers, our friend's dog, even my neices bday present--her bday is the day after Christmas. This weekend I am going to have a wrapping marathon, so everything will be ready!

Well, I suppose I should feed the dogs and start getting ready for work.

Today will be 20 days OP!!! I cannot believe it, but I am VERY happy!

I'm sure I'll be around later! Have a great day!

Good morning, Friends.

MJ - What day is your surgery?
Beverly - How is your back today? I hope the pain is lessening quickly.
CFmama - Sounds like you have a plan and that is a huge part of the battle.

Well, vacation isn't much of a vacation. I've been putting in some work hours each day...about 3-4. I'm hoping for a promotion and raise in January, so I must do what I must do. When I had planned my vacation for December, I didn't anticipate working in a department for which this is the busiest time of the year. Oh well. Looks like a busy weekend ahead for me.

Did anyone watch The Biggest Loser last night? I wish I could bottle the inspiration and motivation I get from watching the finale.

Have a great on-plan day.

Hi chicks, I have been avoiding you it seems. I love to come here and post when things are going well, but I hate posting over and over again that I have not been on plan. A bump in the road is one thing, but really, a bump every day? I have really not been doing great since I came back from vacation mid-October. The strange thing is, I was perfectly on-plan during that week away and even lost two lbs. It was when I got back home. I have to recognize this is a pattern for me. Getting out of my routine is really dangerous. Anyway, I have been really busy, like everyone. I've had nonstop meetings this week and have spent many hours on the road. Monday night we went out to eat, and I had a cup of bean soup and a grilled chicken salad. Not so bad! But this place had an enormous homemade dessert menu, and DD got a piece of triple chocolate cake and DS got coconut cake. These pieces were huge, and I "helped" DD finish hers. Then yesterday I came home and found that DD1 had broken into a box of Merci chocolates I had bought as a gift for someone else, so I had some of those. Too many of those, they are so good. I wish there was no such thing as chocolate.

So my goal was to maintain over Christmas and start fresh in January. I am changing my goal. My goal is to get through today on plan. That's it. One day. I can do that.

Here's my plan:
B: leftover turkey meatloaf and green beans, coffee with milk
S: Wasa crackers with Laughing Cow Light Cheese
L: Sicilian tuna salad with chick peas, tomato juice, NSA fudgesicle
S: skim latte, apple or orange
D: Greek tacos
S: Greek yogurt with slivered almonds and agave nectar

After two days on the road, I am luxuriating with a cup of coffee at my desk. I will probably have to go back tomorrow, so I have lots to get done around here today. I'm in charge of a craft at the Girl Scouts party tomorrow night, so I need to pull out my craft supplies and see if I can come up with something that doesn't require a trip to Michael's. Maybe I can get some wrapping done while the kids are at school. Tonight is basketball practice for DD and a Parks and Rec committee meeting for me. After going over my list last night I realized I need a shopping trip to get the last few things for Christmas. That's not so bad, as I have ordered everything else online. If I get by the grocery store, I want to try Greek tacos for dinner. Otherwise, who knows?

I'm so glad we got the tree up over the weekend. I'm really enjoying it since the weather has been so dreary. I plan to keep it on all day.

mj, I'm glad you're feeling better. Congrats on the 20 days on-plan that's fantastic!
Beverlyjoy, congratulations to you on 4 lbs! Way to go!
Rhonda, sorry you have to spend your vacation working - that doesn't seem right. Hopefully it will pay off for you.
Hang in there Lyn! I pop into your blog occasionally to keep up with you.
Hi cfmama, I'm trying to plan my menus as well, and get my shopping lists together. We go to my mother's house for dinner Christmas day and New Year's Day, so I'll just need to contribute some dishes. But I want to do something special at home for Christmas Eve and on New Year's Eve we have friends over. I think I'll do beef tenderloin and lobster tails on New Year's and I'm considering just doing a bunch of appetizers for Christmas Eve so we can pick and nibble. I also do a big breakfast Christmas morning just for us. So much food, it's freaking me out!

Hi again! Trying to focus on work and it's just not working today!

Rhonda--Unfortunately, sometimes you have to do what you have to do for work. Hopefully this will line you up for the promotion and raise!!!! My surgery is Tuesday at 8:30am. I have to be there at 7:30, which is fine--I am happy to get there early and get it over with! Yes, I am w/ you...I wish I had recorded BL so I could watch it over and over....

Schmoodle--No need to avoid us. I think you have a great goal. I believe that we need a break from time to time from being so diligent, maybe that's not the right attitude and probably doesn't work for everyone. The way I see it though, I am in this for the long haul, not the quick fix. YEA for getting the tree up. Is the cat leaving it alone? This is the first year our dogs actually aren't drinking the water!

Ok, I really need to get some things done!

Good Morning! Today will be another busy day, so I thought I would pop in before I get ready for work.

Pre-op appt went well, but took a loooooooong time, for nothing really. Oh well, at least soon this will be over! I am getting a little nervous, but not too bad. At least I know what to expect!

Unfortunately, the size 16 jeans aren't going to fit for Christmas. I haven't lost quite enough weight, which is ok, but I will also still be too bloated from the surgery to wear "real" pants. Luckily my family doesn't care if I show up very casual!

I talked to the dr b/c the post-op instructions said no excercise for two weeks, which I didn't remember from before. He clarified that and said that I could do "light exercise" walking, biking, that kind of thing, but no heavy weights for two weeks. Phew....I didn't want to have to go two whole weeks w/ no exercise at all--that would be BAD for me at this point!

Ok, I need to hop in the shower and get this day started.

Hello again everyone! Do not adjust your screens; you aren't hallucinating! I finally dragged myself back here!

Today, I need to be held accountable for the grocery shopping that I have to get done. The house is packed full of crappy food that 1) doesn't even sound half-way appealing and 2) isn't doing anything for my resolve to get healthy. I'm still getting my list together; it's taking me a while because I'm planning out a rough menu in my mind and also stocking up on some staple items that are desperately needed.

My other big goal for today is to start upping my water intake. I've found that if I sorta ramp it up gradually, I don't find myself having to pee every 10 minutes. I'm lucky if I get to pee once during a 12 hour work shift, so I certainly can't be running back and forth every time I turn around! 60 ounces is going to be my starting point; from there, I'll adjust up or down as needed, but I'm already a pretty steady water drinker so I don't anticipate any problems.

I'll be going to the Humane Society later today and may come home with a new puppy, which may cost me my very life if my mother is in a bad mood. But hey! New puppy = abundant energy = something I have to walk! Our other dogs only walk to the food dish and back, and wouldn't know a leash if it smacked them across the nose.

Have a safe OP day everyone!

Hey chickies.

So good to see you back Sara!
mj, I didn't realize your surgery was so close to Christmas. what a pain! My cats drink the tree water - but then they have always enjoyed the flavored waters.
Rhonda, I read your other post. I know you can do what you have set your mind to. Maybe this is just the motivation you've needed. Send some my way if you can spare it!

Yesterday I spent hours sorting and wrapping gifts. I need to run out at lunch today and pick up a few last minute items, but otherwise I'm in pretty good shape. I sent DH out yesterday with the electronics list, but there were a couple of things he couldn't find. Hopefully I will have better luck. Otherwise DS's pile is going to look pretty shrimpy.
DS has his dental appt this afternoon, and DD and I have the Girl Scouts meeting/Christmas party tonight.

My friend that was in the hospital last week with the heart problem is seeing a kidney specialist today as they found a mass in her kidney on the MRI. I will be waiting to hear from her all day. Trying to think of ways I can help - I am going to bake cookies for her and make some dinners for her freezer this weekend, but I can't do what I really want to, which is make this go away. Cookies certainly won't help much. I'm afraid she'll end up spending Christmas in the hospital. Yesterday was not good. After I got off the phone with her, I sought comfort in a negative way. I have to keep myself from the nervous nibbling today.

Today:
B: Kashi waffle with natural peanut butter, coffee with milk
S:
L: Sicilian tuna salad with chick peas
S: skim latte
D: Greek tacos (I never made these last night)
S:

Off to the kitchen to fill in the blanks.

Good morning, Friends,

Sara - I'm so glad you're back with us. A puppy, huh? Having a walking buddy sounds lovely. I need to take my youngest pup out for more walks. It would do us both some good!
MJ5 - I'm sorry that you won't be able to wear your 16 jeans. But, I'm sure that last year's jeans were much bigger than what you wear now.
CFmama - I think that planned off-plan days are great. It's the unplanned ones that trip us up.
Schmoodle - I'm so sorry to hear the news about your friend. I hope it turns out to be nothing much to worry about.
Beverly- Are you okay? It's unusual to not hear from you daily.

Today is our 15th wedding anniversary. I'm forcing myself to take a day off of work. I confess that I have checked my e-mails and made a couple of calls, but no more! This evening, Hubby and I are going for sushi. Tomorrow, I'm off work again and plan on evaluating our fridge and pantry and planning some healthy on-plan menus for the coming weeks. Hubby and I are in the midst of our busiest work month of the year and pre-planning will be the only way we can make it through this time without gaining more weight.

BTW - My oldest is vegetarian. Any recipe recommendations are welcome.

Have a great on-plan day.