Hi everybody!

I hope you all had a great Christmas. Faye, sorry the casino plans didn't work out, but you were smart to just go home. Don't mess with slippery roads, especially down there where no one knows how to drive!

So, I have a wicked sinus headache from all the freaky weather we've had the past few days....so I figure it's time to GET RID OF THE SUGAR! Yes, it's *another* sugar detox...with the lovely 3 days headache that goes with it. But as long as I have a headache anyway, what the heck? Right? I also started writing down my calories and measuring portions this morning. HOlY CRAP! I switched to using light cream in my coffee, because there just isn't that much difference in calories from milk and powdered stuff ( I just use more of that stuff, so it evens out)....I'm drinking about 100 calories per mug...and I drink 4 mugs a day!!! Time to break out the tea. I'd rather have one or two really good cups of coffee than 4 or 5 cups that I have to choke down. It's the one thing I won't give up, especially when I'm waking up before dawn to write...I deserve it :coffee:

On the happy side, DH got me a refillable oil mister for Christmas...one that doesn't leak! So I can mist fancy oils on my food when I'm cooking instead of pouring it in the pan. I know I've been eating alot of extra calories from the olive oil I cook with, this mister thing will help alot. Plus I don't have to pay through the nose for Pam anymore! I also got myself and DH a book that lists calorie/carb/cholesterol/vitamin counts for everyday regular foods. NOt the processed crap that I don't eat anyway. So, I'm armed and ready to face this new year and new life. He's with me on this one, too. Poor dear feels like he's dying, and he's not even 40..... I know how he feels. I can't stand it any more.

I'm planning to sit down with a journal today and write down every thing I feel after gaining back 10 pounds and eating horrible food, too much food, this past 2 months. My clothes don't fit, I have headaches, I"m bloated, I don't want sex, I have indigestion and gas, My feet hurt, my knees hurt...it goes on and on....I don't want to feel like this any more. I knew I was doing it to myself, and I gave myself permission to do it until Dec. 26th. I think if I'd had notes to myself from last year, I wouldn't have fallen so far or so hard. THis was a major backslide. I just can't believe the CRAP I've been eating!!! I'm not beating myself up, though, just reminding myself for the next time. No point in looking back...forward motion!

The most important thing I've learned this holiday season is that I CANNOT BAKE PRESENTS FOR EVERYONE!!! I always get this mindset that if I just bake goodies for all the relatives I need to send gifts to, it's easier and cheaper. Well, it's not easier (baking takes time) it's not cheaper (baking takes money) and I always end up eating 1/2 of what I cook! (I cannot put an empty bowl in the sink without licking it first!) I just can't do it....it's too dangerous having all that stuff in the house. It's a day after Christmas and I still have an apple pie and two whole batches of fudge sitting in my cold garage waiting to go to the neighbors. I'm gonna pack up all the stuff people gave us, too, when I go over later today.

Anyway, I"m just babbling cuz it's been too long since I hung out with my girlfriends here... I know I'll be back and posting alot more now, cuz I'm gonna need constant help. I lost nearly 50 pounds, this past year I basically maintained all year, this next year I'm going to finish the job! I'm now at 217, and I'm going to be down to 165 by next Christmas! A pound a week, no problem!

Amanda--It was so good to see you posting again! Don't worry about the weight gain, PLEASE don't beat yourself up over it!! We've all had a rough year, but next year is going to be so much better.....we're all going to get super healthy for the rest of our lives! I just know it. And you have a wedding to look forward to, don't you?

Faye, I think the whole gift card thing just shows that we're all enlightened women who aren't motivated by money :lol: We all did the best when we were motivated by each other's successes! I know I was.....

Okay, I've babbled on long enough.....
Everybody start thinking healthy thoughts! My goal for today is to rehydrate. If my head feels better, I"ll try to get some exercise. BUt I NEED water so badly!

TTFN,
Julie

Good morning ladies! Hope everyone is doing well this morning.

Total honesty here today. It wasn't just money that didn't motivate us, nothing did. I think we ALL dropped the ball this season and it can't happen again on such a grand scale next season. I don't exactly know why we did, but we did. I think we are going to have a great year this year and I know that a lot of you will be able to be at goal working hard throughout the year and trying to destress, keep good thoughts, get in that exercise and follow our programs.

Julie: The casino plans didn't really fall through as we went down Thur night and just decided to come back home early Sat instead of waiting until Sunday. We had stayed at our hotel and not gone out except for Friday night we went out with the kids to dinner and Sat morning for breakfast. Most of the time we just stayed at our hotel/casino. Unfortunately, we didn't win, but I played for an hour and a half with $20 which is pretty good track record for me. :lol: It is still very icy. In fact, I am trapped in the house as the back and front is too slippery for me to walk on it. With my knee problems, slippery surfaces scare me to death.

Hope you all have fun plans for New Year's Eve. We keep our behinds at home. I am too nervous with drivers here to go out.

Everyone have a great day. I am cleaning house today, whoopeee!

Faye ;)