Whooo boy... can you believe we're into Week 9?

I've got so much on my "lists" - I'm making myself and everyone around me crazy. I need to pare it down --- simplify - simplify - simplify! And on top of must do's I need to be out there and network both for my work and my husband's.

It's taking the joy out of the season... and I'm eating big time.

OK. What's important to each of us this week?

For me I think I need to get back to gratitude. When I remember all the wonderful people, events, connections, gifts, love and joy my family and friends have given me... when I think on what I have and continue to do for them it grounds me.

Here's to a sane... serene... self-appreciating week!

What's going to work for you this week?

Greetings:
Well, I "officially" weighed in at WW this morning and I am happy to report that I am finally under the 150 lb mark again!!! It was mostly due to the fact that I have been stressing out the last few days about a paper and presentation I have to do for school on Tuesday. Last month I started the master's degree program where I am an enrollment counselor. It is a full-time accelerated program. Typically I eat when I'm stressed, but my stomach has been in knots and I just don't feel like eating.

What's important to me this week? To get past Tuesday and get my paper in and my presentation done. Then I can breathe a little easier.

About another 3-5 pounds to be back in my official comfort zone of 142-145.

Weigh in December 16: 148.6

Later,
Katie

Hi Patch & Katie. A week from today is Christmas Eve. Is everybody ready?

Weighed in at WW on Saturday after being AWOL since August. I was up .2, but happy to be back, even with paying the weekly meeting fee. Now if I could just get back on the exercise trail. I hope to give the treadmill a try tonite to see if my knee has returned to normal.

I understand your need to get back to gratitude Patch. I just need to get back to my normal WOE. Junk food has found its way back into my diet big-time. I just can't have high-calorie food around - maybe this time I'll learn the lesson for good. I can't even blame my recent food choices on DH - he's been watching his diet closely since his last cholesterol test (results weren't good).

Congrats Katie on making it back to 140land. Knock 'em dead today with your paper and presentation!

Week 9 already??? I just realized that Week 12 will be the first week of January!

I have a notebook that I write stuff that needs to be done in. So far it's looking a little less daunting than it did last week. I've come to terms that what gets done gets done and I'm not going to break my neck trying to rush around. I have managed to make a dent in the shopping--I just have a few presents to get yet and some stocking stuffers.

Baking wise, I'm just making a couple of batches of cookies and my nutrolls. My son volunteered to help me with a small batch of pierogies--he's been my helper in years past by cooking them as I'm making them.

What's important this week: To make sure I take care of myself by eating right and getting some exercise in. I figure if I can take care of myself and feel good the rest will fall into place.

Katie: Woohoo! Congrats on breaking through to the 140's!

Seasaw: I'm not ready for Christmas Eve but I will be...I work well under pressure. I'm getting things done little by little so it's not as bad as before. We have our big dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is pretty quiet for us.

Junk food, more specifically, chocolate has been my nemesis this past week. I had a major run in with plain M & M's over the weekend. I think I've had enough chocolate for a while!

I'm planning on squeezing in a meeting next Tuesday morning to pull me through the holiday. I'm not anxious to step up to the scale on Wednesday.

Not having an easy time of writing down what I'm eating. This past weekend was a major disaster.

Melissa - I ate two -- count 'em two -- pieces of this pudding chocolate cake countless bread and pastry munchies -on Sunday Brunch...plus and egg custard for dinner's dessert... and I just wanted more!

Trying to rein myself in but the cravings are getting to me.

Any ideas?
Patch

M -- 25
Tu - 28
W --

Patch: I feel your pain. I'm battling with stress eating--it's not pretty! You and I both know what we have to do--stand up tall and take things by the horns--start journaling, drinking water and planning our meals. I know when I do these things that I do much better. My plan for the week is to remember how far I've come and not to let these "potholes" in the road swallow me up, which I could let happen if I choose. My choice is to go around them not fall in!

I'm going to focus on me first and then the other holiday preparations...I'm also planning on getting to a meeting next Tuesday morning since my normal WI day is a holiday the next 2 weeks. I know that if I don't keep myself accountable that things could spiral and I don't want that to happen. The one thing I can control is what I eat. So, let's pull ourselves together We can do it!

As far as my week in review I started out really good and then it went downhill:

Wed: 20
Thur: 26
Fri:????
Sat: ???
Sun: ???
Mon: 20
Tues: 18

Today's weight at WI: 139.6 (up 1.4)

Hi fellow challengettes. It's Thursday, finally, and in a few hours I am out of here til Jan. 6th. Yeah!!!!

Patch, Melissa: Know that you are not alone in your pain. I have been eating junk food like there will be no consequence. Today is a little better; I'm gonna try another run on the treadmill after work. Did 20 minutes on Tuesday and my knees felt weak but no pain. If I work at it little by little and don't try to do too much too fast, I just might beat this thing.

I like what Melissa said - the one thing I can control is what I eat. Too often, I forget that simple fact. I'm gonna use it as my motto for the next two weeks.

Well, gotta get back to work to finish up the odds and ends. I'll try to log in from home, but in case I'm not successful, happy holidays one and all.