If your month is going anything like mine, you're going ! Shopping, no sleep, cards, decorating, bad weather, stress, wrapping, stress ... did I mention stress?

I found myself mindlessly shoveling ice cream into a bowl last night and 'came to' just in time to dump it down the disposal before any damage was done. And it made me realize that now, more than ever, I need to eat thoughtfully and plan, plan, plan!

So that's what this thread is all about -- thinking and planning about how we're going to maintain for the rest of the month. None of us wants to be a New Year's resolutioner who wakes up on January 1 with ten bonus pounds to lose, right?

Please feel free to post your exercise and eating plans, either before or after the fact. And if you have any challenging situations coming up, be sure to check in here with our fabulous group for ideas on how to survive.

I just put together's a day's worth of meals in Fitday and plan to do cardio this morning and work out between clients this afternoon. I'm taking food to work and know what I need to prepare in advance (salad dressing and green beans). And I'm going to have dinner ready on a plate in the frig for when I get home (salmon and green beans), so all I have to do is throw it in the microwave.

I've got a plan - how can I fail now?

Way to go Meg!!!

You are MY hero!

rabbit

I guess you didn't get the snow that eastern Pa is currently enjoying All my clients canceled today, so I'm contemplating heading over to what is probably and empty gym, after a trip to the mall.

Mindless eating is my middle name these days. And I'm wearing the results My plan is to go back to being on plan! Exercise is still on target, but stress, stress, stress is making me a

Well that's my plan and I really need to stick to it!

Mel

Heck yes, we got the snow! About 4-5" here and it's that heavy, wet stuff that's a bear to shovel. I've been out trying to shovel left-handed, since the right shoulder is still a problem - . The wind is so darn cold -- I don't think that I'll ever be warm again.

None of my clients have cancelled, though they generally like to wait until about ten minutes before our session is set to begin. Just so I've made it to the gym and am waiting for them.

OK, Mel, the word for today is THOUGHTFUL, PLANNED eating (OK, that's two words for today, but you get my point). Don't let yourself get too hungry, because then all bets are off.

Have fun at the mall! Don't forget to buy something for yourself.

It's gonna be a l-o-n-g day at the gym ... somehow I managed to book clients from 8 am to 5 pm (with some breaks, fortunately ). So I need to pack a bunch of meals and do cardio and chest on my breaks.

The only exercise I did yesterday was shoveling but it took a long time -- nasty, wet snow. It didn't help my shoulder at all, so fingers crossed that it doesn't snow again for a few days!

Tomorrow will be getting ready for Christmas stuff - no clients! - and Leg Day.

Hi Meg and Mel,

I hope you had a good day eating , shopping and taking care of christmas - wise !

rabbit

Oh the weekend was BAAAAAAAD!!! Quicky workout on Saturday, NO workout on Sunday and WAYYY too much food on both days ... I'm glad it's Monday and back to the routine. Tonight I made it to the gym after work for a leg workout!

I went out for a really nice Mex. dinner on Saturday--my bro. and sister-in-law vwere visiting from NYC. I ordered salmon (thinking healthy, good to eat fish, etc.) but it turned out to be in a very rich creamy sauce. I felt like absolute drek when I got home, and my stomach was really queasy for most of Sunday. I'm glad to know I'm not used to rich food, but wasn't a great way to find out.

Lesson learned: ASK how things are prepared! Don't make any assumptions. Well, it was nice to go out (my son is a difficult kid so we don't have too many babysitters--more's the pity because it's really essential to get breaks from him). And I did a big weights workout the next day.

Still in a regular exercise groove but have 3 persistent pounds back on that I plan to take off. Here's to surviving into the new year with some grace!