Welcome to a new week. I had a couple of overeating days and faced the scale this morning. It was up a pound or so. Yesterday was MUCH better, and I need to come up with a plan for today. But I feel a lot more confident already that I can do what I need to.

Heather - I wish I was only up a pound. Yesterday was a day of better choices but not best choices - that is today. Today is going great - even with the excessive carb withdrawal headache - can't believe I have it after 3 days of poor choices.

Same here, wishing it was only a pound. Im so bloated its ridiculous. I feel like my stomach is a mile out in front of me.
Making better choices today and hopefully the pounds I gained will be gone this week

Carb withdrawal here too. Don't think I did a lot of damage but I'm sure I did some. Weigh in is Thursday. It's big time damage control here. I sharpened my pencil and my food journal is in my pocket.

Great holiday music on Oprah ... right now.

Im in the same boat...big time carb withdrawls.I snacked on raw veggies and that really seemed to help.I have also made a new rule...only eat sitting at the table. No eating standing!!
I had 21 OP days in nov. I am proud of that...to bad the last few were so bad.My goal is to have 29 days in dec.

I also had 21 OP days in November. My December goal is "make better choices".

Hello all!

I have yet to go thru carb withdrawal cuz I still have some homemade turkey stuffing left. When the withdrawals happen, tis gonna get ugly! eeep!

Haven't stepped on the scale to assess the damage.

On a positive note, the beach was beautiful despite the few days of rain and horrid wind. I love that place. I took a bunch of lighthouse pictures of Bodie and Hatteras. I'm getting better at the camera (I think).

Hugs to all!

Luv,
Ratkitten

Oh jeez! Did we all get hit with the carb attack or what?! I plummeted into the pit of carb despair the day after T-day and have been slowly climbing out. Today I managed to stay away from refined carbs entirely, but still overate at breakfast with a big bowl of steel cut oats. I thought if I kept to the good carbs I could wean myself off the bad stuff more easily. I weighed in everyday and my weight has bounced between the same five pounds, 312 to 317. Today was 314.

I'm feeling restless and I find myself eating more to manage the feelings. I'm accustomed to traveling a lot more and being in the same house, in the same town, seeing the same few people everyday is getting to me. I've discovered a local writers' association that I hope to join soon, just to meet more people. There's also a local women's business network, but I'm not in business so I don't know if I can join. Someone suggested I start sewing again, bridal stuff, but I once swore that if I ever got entangled in another wedding I'd kill myself. All that drama just makes me want to eat!

Carol, today you're my hero. I never even thought to track how many days I'm OP. It's a great idea!

Georgia - I wasn't original in my # of OP days - I followed Debbie's lead. I think it's a great idea - I always need just one more thing to track - NOT.

Rat - let the carb withdrawal commence. Did you bike and DDR with the family this year? Thanks for sticking your head in - miss you!

I seem to have hurt my arm patting myself on the back for my workout success last night. Jill was in plank mode - planks have been really difficult for me but last night I did every one of them for the time required - regular, backward and side planks. I'm proud!

One day back being spot on with my food and I feel so much better. The bad thing is it will take me the whole month of December to undo the damage. Twelve pounds in 3 days. I continued to weigh every day even though it wasn't easy. There is no way I ate that many calories but my body apparently didn't like my choices and wanted it to stop quickly. This morning I have so much more energy than the last few mornings - I feel fresh and ready to go unlike the lethargy and sluggishness of the past few during the food frenzy.

Let's see what we can do in December - it's here!

Be warm and be well.

Morning ladies,

I'm trying to get into a new routine. I'm back at work after a wonderful Thanksgiving week off. I got a lot accomplished around the place. Lots of riding in on Spanky. I just about have the place ready for winter. Tarps on three things and then I'm done outside.

Since the boys are over at Anne's for the winter, my plan is to ride on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. That leaves me free to go to the fitness center on Mondays and Thursdays and exercise at home on Tuesdays and Fridays. My main focus is to get muscle built back up. I have lost so much muscle tone it is rather pathetic. The other focus is establishing the routine and habit of exercise while at home.

We didn't do any big family gatherings for Thanksgiving this year. So at least I was saved from the big food fests we normally have. My main downfall was not drinking water when I was at home. And snarfing on brownie oat cookies that I made. They are supposed to be a "cookie for calorie counters". I suspect though that that loses value when you eat a bunch. I will definitely make them again as they were pretty tasty. But have more self-control.

I better get moving and ready for work. Maybe pinch a couple of dogs' head's off before I go.

Oh Carol - I saw Dr. Oz and the results show with your friend. She looked fabulous! And so happy!

to all!

Carol -- I feel better after yesterday. I stayed OP and felt so much more in control!!

Terri -- Good to see you back and doing well.

I hope all of you going thru carb withdrawal make it to the other side successfully!!!!

BTW, did you see the exercise thread? We are going to make our exercise goal for the year!!!

Terri - so glad to see you. Sounds like you're doing well - having a plan is a big win!

Heather - thanks for pushing us all year to record our exercise minutes. My goal was to average 1500 minutes/month for 2009. It won't happen but by gosh I think exercise is a part of me now.

I'm taking a big step (for me) and joining the "Holiday Hustle" at the hospital fitness center. It runs until the end of January focusing on weight loss and increased strength. I get my starting stats taken on Thursday - wow I hope this is not public info - my sister also goes to this fitness center - can't have her knowing how much I weigh (maybe someday I'll get over that but I doubt it).

Be warm - be well - snow heading this way.

Okay, trying this again. We had a power flash or something as I was writing a post. Boo!

Anyway, I had said that I have been inspired by the Dr Oz 60 day challenge. Too bad I wasn't inspired 60 days ago. But it is something I want to use as a tool to get the scale moving down again.

My plan was that on Tuesday's I exercise at home. I'm thrilled to say that I DID IT! I was sitting in the recliner at 8:30 watching the Biggest Loser knowing that I had not yet done what I had said I would do. I was thinking about blowing it off. But I got my lazy butt out of the chair and did my own version of WATP while I watched the show. Did 30 minutes. Heck, even worked up a bit of a sweat. Day 1 accomplished!

to all!

I think that today I have turned the corner and moved past the pit of carb despair. I actually sought out greens at the market today and made a delicious meal of grilled steak and braised kale with garlic and warmed Kalamata olives. That was just so tasty! I also bought some red chard which I plan to saute with caramelized onions for lunch tomorrow and have with a bit of fish. So happy that today I craved veggies!

I've felt achy all day. Rhyan's been home sick with a slight fever since yesterday, but as of this evening, he's all better and feeling well enough to pick fights with his big brother. I hope I haven't caught the flu!