Good Morning gals. I am going to forego Friday's topic as it is not a lbs down week. I hope you all are having a good start to your day.

I jammed my middle finger of my left hand (and of course I am left handed {{{sigh}}} ) last night parking the car of all things and man does it hurt this morning. I can barely bend it.

Susan: Glad you are going to have some time off soon and be able to catch up on your rest. Caregivers seem to always be lacking in sleep. I know my sister was when her husband was still home.

Just a few more shopping days gals, are you all done with your Christmas shopping?

Carri: Hope you are feeling better. Rotten time to come down with something that is for sure.

Everyone have a great day and take care.

Faye

Afternoon All I am sooooooooooo glad that it is Friday. Thanks for all the well wishes, I still have my cold but am doing better, I have been taking a ton of vitamin C everyday which I know is helping. I was out of sick time at work about a month ago so I have been going to work everyday and just trying to get through the day with my kleenex.

Faye - Good thing about foregoing Fridays pounds down topic, sadly enough I put on a pair of jeans that are usually really, really loose on me and that fit quite snugly ... so that has depressed me for most of the day.
How is Jack's feet doing?

Julie, Susan, Leann and Amanda - Hope you all have a great weekend...don't eat anything I wouldnt eat ( that sounds bad, ha ), and these days that means you can eat anything ... just kidding.

Happy Holidays Talk to you all later!!

Morning girls! Hope you are having a fine Saturday!

Carri: Glad you are feeling a little better. Just take care of yourself.

Seems the closer to Christmas the busier I get. I have fudge and cookies to make to take down to the casino for Christmas Eve. The little candy cane sugar cookies are pretty simple to make as they start from one of those cookie mixes you buy in the store. I saw the recipe on the food network on Semi Homemade and thought Thomas would like them. We always have dinner together and then wine and nibbles in the evening with the kids. Since we are going down a day early this year, Thomas can come down and go swimming in the indoor pool in the afternoon before we go to dinner. They are big seafood and sushi people and like one of the buffets down there.

No time like the present to get started on chores so be sure and take care of yourself this weekend and keep warm.

**FYI** I will be gone Friday through Monday of Christmas weekend so no post set ups.

Faye

So the weekend was a complete flop! I got mad and just bought larger pants, then realized i forgot my skis! So I drove home and got them and then went to the hotel and set it all up...

Amaretto, Irish cream, chocolates, bath salts and bubble bath for the jaccuzi, a movie for the dvd player, good lighting, nice music, reservations at a fantastic restaurant....

And hubby got a stomach virus. And I got my monthly. So no jaccuzzi and no restaurant and no drinks and chocolates (Well, I had some, anyway..) we went home the very next morning and got the kids and just ... gave up I guess.

Ah well. Guess it just wasn't meant to be. There's always skating at Julie's.

-Lee Ann

Good morning gals!

LeeAnn: Oh, I am soooo sorry it got all messed up. Boy, that is the way it is sometimes. Try to plan something again soon for the two of you.

Hope everyone is having a good day.

Faye

Aww, Lee, I'm so sorry it didn't go the way you planned. We can't wait to see you on Friday, if that helps any.

Julie

Hello folks,

Well I've been a bit of a naughty girl and haven't checked in for 5 whole days! Needless to say my eating has been NOT GOOD!! I'm still bloated with PMS so am just steering completely clear of the scales now because I'll just upset myself unnecessarily. I AM really intending to diet seriously after Christmas and have no doubt about returning back to my plan and improving my diet to shift the second half of this weight.

I went out last night and had another really fun time - I got chatted up by three different men! One was this same guy who I met last time, who I like but he is about 15 years older than me, one I had a bit of a dance with but then got annoyed with him when he kept grabbing my butt so I told him where to go, and the third guy was really nice AND good looking too! We just chatted for quite a while and I thought he was really cute and he seemed to like me, but he disappeared - I think his friends wanted to leave, but he didn't get to say goodbye. Oh well, it just goes to show that men do find me attractive now, which is all new to me!

Anyway, must fly

Love Amanda x

MONDAY: Today is Mission Monday and our mission this week is portion control. With the holidays looming and we know we won't eat properly, make sure you control portions. Just sample Christmas foods instead of whole portions or doubles of everything.

Amanda: That is so cool about your little pub trip. You KNOW you have always been beautiful even when you were heavier, you just had to have the confidence you have now with your weight loss! Keep it up girl!

Lots to do this week before we leave. I have to go with Jack to the dr this afternoon. He is a real needle phobe so I need to be there in case he has to have some kind of cortisone shot or something.

Everyone have a super duper day!

Faye

Good morning everyone!

Sheesh, I think my body has officially declared it the Christmas eating season! I keep snacking...a little of this, a little of that...for all I know, I may be fine as far as overeating goes, but it sure feels like I'm eating more. Plus, it's all sugar and bread (I've fallen right in love with hot panini sandwiches!!) bleh! But I'm going skating again today after 3 days off ...I sure miss it when I can't go.

Faye, speaking as a total needle-phobe--you are an angel to go and hold his hand at the drs. James does that for me at the dentist! And actually, my oldest daughter did it for me when she was TWO! I was pregnant with her sister and had to get some blood drawn. She was all..."it's okay mommy, don't worry..."

Amanda--Grabbing your butt, huh? Guess you'll have to get used to that, won't you! I'm so proud of you

Well, I've got loads to do today--and not just loads of laundry so I better get going. Everyone have a great day.
Julie

This was over on the WW site, but I thought it was good for anyone


Post-Holiday Gain? 4 Ways to Recover
By Erinn Bucklan | 1/12/2005

'Twas the season of office parties, grand family dinners, and gourmet gift baskets. In other words, a season to test any dieter's willpower. By adding just 400 calories a day over the holidays (that's two large handfuls of party mix), you're looking at an extra two pounds of body fat in 17 days, says Bonne Marano, a New York City certified personal trainer. So as the merriment draws to a close, here's how to get back on track to healthier habits in the New Year.

Don't Get Discouraged By Weight Gain: Even if you overdid it, it won't destroy your health goals. "Accept the setbacks," says Marano. In fact, you may unconsciously reduce your intake as the holiday season winds down. "When you don't realize you're eating all those cookies, that's automatic eating," says Wendy Wood, Ph. D., professor of psychology at Duke University. But when those cocktail party invitations stop coming, so do the temptations.

Up Your Fruit and Vegetable Intake: Ideally, consume at least 5 fruit and vegetable servings per day now. These vitamin-rich foods boost your fiber and antioxidant intake and help you feel full. A tip: Replace that midafternoon 16-ounce cola (200 calories) with an orange (15 calories) as a nutritious midday snack.

Pre-arrange Exercise Time: You'll stick to a regimen if you schedule exercise ahead, says Brad Cardinal, Ph.D., associate professor of sport and exercise psychology at Oregon State University. Try to get in 30 minutes almost every day. Wear a low-cost pedometer (it counts footsteps) or sign up for a charity walk/run to stick to a plan.

Resist Depriving Yourself: Focus on what you're going to eat rather than what you're not. "It sounds indulgent," says Colleen Thompson, R.D., a nutritionist at University of Connecticut. "But concentrate on ways to feed yourself now. It helps you to stick to healthy eating habits." For example, don't skip a nutritious, fiber-rich breakfast, like oatmeal or a half of a whole-wheat bagel with peanut butter. It can help prevent overeating later.

This was over on the WW site, but I thought it was good for anyone


Post-Holiday Gain? 4 Ways to Recover
By Erinn Bucklan | 1/12/2005

'Twas the season of office parties, grand family dinners, and gourmet gift baskets. In other words, a season to test any dieter's willpower. By adding just 400 calories a day over the holidays (that's two large handfuls of party mix), you're looking at an extra two pounds of body fat in 17 days, says Bonne Marano, a New York City certified personal trainer. So as the merriment draws to a close, here's how to get back on track to healthier habits in the New Year.

Don't Get Discouraged By Weight Gain: Even if you overdid it, it won't destroy your health goals. "Accept the setbacks," says Marano. In fact, you may unconsciously reduce your intake as the holiday season winds down. "When you don't realize you're eating all those cookies, that's automatic eating," says Wendy Wood, Ph. D., professor of psychology at Duke University. But when those cocktail party invitations stop coming, so do the temptations.

Up Your Fruit and Vegetable Intake: Ideally, consume at least 5 fruit and vegetable servings per day now. These vitamin-rich foods boost your fiber and antioxidant intake and help you feel full. A tip: Replace that midafternoon 16-ounce cola (200 calories) with an orange (15 calories) as a nutritious midday snack.

Pre-arrange Exercise Time: You'll stick to a regimen if you schedule exercise ahead, says Brad Cardinal, Ph.D., associate professor of sport and exercise psychology at Oregon State University. Try to get in 30 minutes almost every day. Wear a low-cost pedometer (it counts footsteps) or sign up for a charity walk/run to stick to a plan.

Resist Depriving Yourself: Focus on what you're going to eat rather than what you're not. "It sounds indulgent," says Colleen Thompson, R.D., a nutritionist at University of Connecticut. "But concentrate on ways to feed yourself now. It helps you to stick to healthy eating habits." For example, don't skip a nutritious, fiber-rich breakfast, like oatmeal or a half of a whole-wheat bagel with peanut butter. It can help prevent overeating later.

Afternoon All - hope you all are having a good day... it is Monday so it cannot be too great. I am having Donatos pizza for lunch - just one of the many holiday lunches we will be having this week I guess...my body seems to just be holding on for dear life to any fat it is getting...but I know that after Christmas I can get it off in time and go about my weight loss business...and get the rest of this off in 2006!!! BUt it is hard not to get down about it, even when it all tastes soooooooooooo good.

Susan - How is dh? Hope he is doing better. Thanks for the information below...makes sense ...but will I heed it? No.

LeAnn - Sorry that your weekend was ruined. I know it is hard when you have built something up in your mind and it doesn't turn out that way... maybe you can go again in the spring.

Julie - I know what you mean, I am eating bread and sweets like crazy...I guess it is only one time a year though, I am very afraid to get on the scales as last week it showed me up like 7 pounds, ughhhhhh...

Faye - Have fun with Jack at the Dr - I have never had any problems with needles, I always watch when they take my blood, but I seem to get it done quite a bit and after a while I guess you get used to anything. Hope he is okay. How is his foot?

Amanda - I know you and I are feeling bad lately about our eating and eating way too much but hey like you said and I said above, after Christmas we can get right back on and do great !!!!

Hope you all have a good day!!!!

Hello,

Not much to report here - I've been back to the gym today after a full weekend off, and I really enjoyed it. I think getting lots of oxygen into my lungs helped clear the last of my hangover! I came home and then vacuumed my flat from top to bottom and washed my kitchen floor - in the past this would be such an ordeal, I'd have been sweating and out of breath, would have to sit down regularly, and would need a shower afterwards - this time I whisked round without even breaking a sweat! What a difference a year makes - I may have only lost what averages out at 1lb a week - but the difference is amazing! Don't sniff at a pound a week I say!

JULIE - I'm eating the same as you - getting into 'grazing' and ''buffet' mode! As long as you keep up the exercise then it won't be too bad! I am sure I have already gained weight - I'm too scared to look!

CARRI - Just think, in a week or so Christmas will be over and we can get on with reaching our goal! Are you still going to the gym? I intend to keep up the exercise over the holidays (unless the gym is closed) - and hope it will make a difference to any weight I gain!

SUSAN - Glad dh is holding his own - hope he continues to gain strength and health.

FAYE - Hope Jack was a brave boy!

LEE - ANN - So sorry your weekend was a flop - sometimes things just don't work out, and it's usually when we've been really looking forward to them! Oh well, all the more reason to book another one in the New Year!

Have a lovely evening,

Love Amanda x