Kathy I much prefer chicken over beef, also. I grew up on a cattle & hog farm so three meals a day guess what we ate...some form of beef and/or pork. I haven't touched either one for about 8 years now...I think I just had enough of it and don't want any more. And I agree about the recipes...there are some great ones here, but I am not much of a cook so I only look at the really easy ones. I could never do the no-carb thing, either...I like my carbs way too much. There is no way I could stick with something like that.

Theresa sounds like you made hubby's ex-gf jealous with your youthful looks and new jeans! Why else would she be giving you the evil eye? You should take it as a compliment...along with the compliment from the little girl. Sounds like you had a good night! Yikes re: the guy you saw shopping. Sounds like he should have stayed home today. I haven't seen any shopping rudeness yet this Christmas season, probably because I'm not willing to brave the weekend crowds. I've done all my Christmas shopping on weekdays so far this year and it's much more enjoyable for me.

Melissa it would definitely be easier for me if I didn't have any parties to worry about, but most of my husband's and my families live nearby so we always have lots of parties to go to and there are some amazing cooks in both of our families, also. Makes it difficult to get through the month. Too bad all of the Summer Starters didn't live close together...we could have our own Christmas party with all our families and lots of healthy food that we could all enjoy. That would be fun.

I did get on the Nordic track this afternoon but only for 15 minutes. The cardio DVD I did this morning is over 40 minutes long and is really intense so that will be enough for today. I've also had kind of a hungry day but I am handling it ok with fresh fruit & baby carrots and it's almost time for dinner so I should be fine for the rest of the night after that. My husband is making my favorite meal tonight...low fat homemade veggie pizza on whole wheat crust and it's really filling.

Kathy I actually DID PRISM once. I made it for about 8 weeks and just couldn't take it anymore. I was doing the daily lessons since I have the books and will start them again since it does help keep me motivated but I did find it too restrictive and not a realistic way for me to spend the rest of my life. The one that has worked best for me is WW since there is nothing I CAN'T have I just have to count it and it is much more doable. I stayed OP today and can't believe how much better I already feel! Maryann wound up leaving before dinnertime so no refiguring anything out. I guess the family is going to take Odessa Christmas Eve overnight so that will be one less kid. They would have taken Amanda too but she is funny about being away from home and me which is fine.

My ex was a no show today too. He called at 1030a to say he would be late getting josh because he had to go to the hospital (full of poopoo) and geez now it almost 5p my time and still no show. I sometimes really detest him.

Maryann got Odessa the cutest dress for pictures next week and it even came with a Santa hat. Dess is wearing it now and saying HOHOHO. Maryann is going back to get a matching one for Amanda-those are going to be awesome pictures! The boys won't look nearly as kewl but I am sure Logan will wind up with Amandas santa hat.
Melissa

Well, you all sound terrific and I am glad. I, however, blew it real bad for the last 24 hours. Lots of stuff went wrong, my mom is here, DH was away for 3 nights and I was ok. Then I got dressed for dinner at a friends. I wore nice black velvet pants and a top that I bought that was too tight and now it fit and it wasn't my usual big shirt. I felt like I looked good so I ruined it by eating and eating and eating-probably 4000 calories at least. I ate 1/2 a box of cookies and cheese and nuts and more.
I'm sure it was a reaction to feeling good about how I looked. I was ok at dinner, but when I got home and my mom was asleep and I was alone, I started. This is old stuff for me, and I'm done now. I feel like I can get back OP right now.
None of it really tasted so good. It's so stupid.
Laura

You aren't alone Laura-I wound up blowing it last night too and for the life of me I don't even know why I did it. It was the same for me-not as yummy as I thought it would be and so so stupid. We both will shrug it off and get right back on track.
melissa

I think it's just so hard to eat right this month. You are both doing the right thing putting it behind you and just getting right back at it. I am really struggling every day to stay on track but after my big falling off at Thanksgiving I felt so rotten that it's been motivation for me to not let it happen again because I hate feeling that way. It is really hard, though, I would just love to dig into some sugary junk and I hadn't been having that problem for a long time. We will all just have to muddle through and support each other....we can all get through this!

Thanks,
I am trying very hard to get back on track after a terrible 24 hours. I put on tight jeans so I would have a constant reminder of what I want. I can also look at my avatar, me on the beach, I'm on the right, and remember how awful I felt last winter in a bathing suit, with a men's XXXL shirt to hide it all.
Laura

I agree with things not tasting good anymore. I ate a strawberry shortcake little debbie roll thing, which I used to absolutely love, but it was so sweet and sugary I couldn't stand it. I don't know how I used to eat the entire box in one day, it was so horribly sweet.

Hubby had a stomach thing of some sort over the weekend and now I have it. He's out on the road just getting over it, poor guy. I would have called off probably! I'm just doing my best to not pass it on to the kids, walking around with a spray can of disinfectant and blowing kisses instead of smothering their little cheeks. With the fits Allie has been throwing, not hard to keep distance from her today.

Melissa, why not just let the boys wear the hats, that way they do coordinate with the girls. They could wear white or red shirts and the hats and it will all look like you planned it all out. Allie had one of those santa dresses last year, and Tyler had a little santa suit and the pictures are priceless. This year Allie has her eye on a pink and black one, which is pretty but doesn't look like Christmas to me...apparently it is to others, because it's int he Christmas dress display thingy. Their appointment is next Friday so I'll get something by then I guess.

Theresa

That is a good idea-hopefully Odessa will part with hers-LOL. Today is visit day for Logan so we will see if she shows up and has more of Logan's things for him to take home. I found out I don't have to take him the day after Christmas so I am glad. It is going to be a huge busy two days full of stimulus and sugar and I think the kids will really need that day to be home and detox. Sorry to hear you guys are under the weather again! Logan is a bit congested but it is teeth related. He is just biting everything he can get his hands on and drooling to beat the band. I think I got my brain back on ok today and still not sure what got into me last night. It is getting cold here again and I am wondering if we are going to get more snow. I know it would make Joshua's day.
Melissa

Melissa, when she goes to sleep you can hide the hats and I bet they will forget about them. I do this to my kids all the time and so far it has always worked. When it comes time for pictures, pull them out and stick on the boys heads and hope she doesn't remember and scream :lol:I bet she'll just forget it though!

I think I am feeling a little better. I did my second workout and my body is starting to loosen up some. I was so stiff feeling this morning, after only doing the gazelle and no dancing a few days. Glad to be back full swing, even with the belly thing!

Theresa

It is officially Christmas! Amanda knocked my tree over and it sure scared the poo out of her too. She broke my angel treetopper that I have had for years but otherwise things weren't too bad. Last year it was Odessa who knocked it over. I guess it will be Logan's turn next year!
Melissa

:lol: I have never had the tree completely knocked over, but Tyler keeps pulling the bulbs off, removing the hooks, and dropping them down into the branches toward the middle. It looks bald and I have to put it back together. I focus more on finding the hooks right now so no one gets hurt.

I don't think Allie will believe in santa for long, she keeps getting into the closet where all the presents are and come Christmas I'm just waiting for her to say "Santa didn't buy this!"

I am feeling better guys, a bit queasy but am keeping food and water down just fine. Allie scribbled all over hubby's Christmas bonus check and I went to the bank hoping they would accept it...you can make out everything on it, it's just scribbled all over. They said they could take it, but to wait a couple days in case it gets sent back. I hope it doesn't because I already spent the money before I deposited it :o if it comes back we are going to be overdrawn and have a fee. I am really starting to hate Christmas time...it's only fun for the kids :( or maybe I"m just grumpy still.

Theresa

It feels so much better to be OP. I must keep reminding myself of how awful I feel after I fall off.
Theresa-Let us know how the visit with Kate went. I do hope she is losing interest and stops showing up. I feel bad for Kate, but the little one come first since they are powerless.
Laura

Kate was late for her visit today and Michelle said it looks like she is homeless right now. They apparently got a third name for a possible father for Logan but she assured me there was no way he would ever gain custody so I had nothing to worry about. I guess both Logan and Kate took a nap for most of the visit today and Michelle said she looked dirty. It just kills me and she could have things so differently if she made the right choices.
Melissa

Theresa-It must make you sad to hear that she is not doing well, but you are doing great and the kids have a good life with you and that's a choice that Kate made. At least she had enough sense to make sure you got them. Why is she only interested in Logan and not the girls? It's better for the girls.
StayStrongSuperWoman!!!!!!!!!
Laura

Sorry to hear about your daughter Melissa. I am sure it just tears you apart to know how she is living. I am so glad you have the kids with you. They are so lucky to have you.

Well, I managed to make it throught the day yesterday and I am feeling better and stronger today. I even got up early (before 5) to exercise before work and then they called a 2 hour late start due to fog, so I could have slept later and still had time to exercise, but that's ok. My daughter has a band concert tonight so at least I won't have to worry about trying to fit exercise in after work.

Hope everybody has a great day!