Time For Serious Fun #119
 

TIME FOR SERIOUS FUN

We are a thread dedicated to making losing weight a pleasant experience. We laugh, cry and talk together. We have challenges, points for staying on program, drinking our water, and exercising. We have a daily topic to join in. Our only focus is to help us realize that dieting and all that goes with it need not be unpleasant, but can be fun. Come join the fun here at Time for Serious Fun! Everyone is Welcome!


TOPICS:

Monday: Mission Monday New mission each week
Tuesday: Target Tuesday We target something to work on
Wednesday: Wednesday's Woes Our day to complain about anything and everything
Thursday: Time for Us Thursday The day set aside to pamper us!
Friday: Fabulous Lbs Down Friday. Report our losses!


POINTS VALUES:

STAYING ON PROGRAM IS 2 POINTS
DRINKING YOUR WATER IS 1 POINT
EXERCISING IS 1 POINT

POSTING A WTG: A WTG IS WHEN SOMETHING NON WEIGHT LOSS HAPPENS TO YOU LIKE A NEW DRESS IN A SMALLER SIZE. TO POST A WTG, USE ALL CAPS AND POST IT IN PINK. FOR EXAMPLE: WTG: I rode my bike 2 miles instead of one today

WEDNESDAY: today is Wednesday's Woes so you can gripe all you want today. Our weight loss woe is why can't overweight people just be proud of who they are? We need to have good self image no matter the size.

POINTS:

Julie :bravo: :bravo:
LeeAnn :dancer:

Julie: We have known each other awhile now. Hey, whe you get rich from all your writing, come to Memphis and we can have a great time! :lol:

I hate to be brief, but I am on a time crunch with a knitting project so I have to get back to it.

Faye ;)

Afternoon Everyone ... today is Weds woe so I guess I will complain a little, ha ha, well not too much... I am in the mind set of the holidays already and cant quite commit to my diet anymore...I am not doing horribly, I mean I seem to eat low fat all day and then have a somewhat fatty dinner, so I guess it is better than nothing...I just feel like I cannot stay on it fully until after the holidays are over, I did this same thing last year...although I LOVE Christmas time I am sad over how I eat when it is here...ok there you go...my woe ...

Do not have time for individual replies as my lunch is almost over so I will just say "hi" to everyone and hope that you all are doing better "diet wise" than I am...:D

Carrie,
I say if you know you're going to eat more during the holidays, let yourself...just try to exercise a bit more to make up for it. If your goal is just to maintain during this time, that's still wayyy better than most people who just throw healthy eating out the window for a month or two this time of year.

If you put pressure on yourself to be too good all the time, you'll just end up feeling badly and maybe even binging.

THe hardest thing to do is just keep everything in perspective!

Julie

True, Julie. My dh was saying that this morning, if I know I am going to be eating more I should at least exercise and try to avoid a total major gain.

In a way I just wish Christmas would get here and be gone so I could get serious again.

THURSDAY: Today is Time for Us Thursday so be good to yourself today and do something just a little special just for you.

I agree, Julie, that just adjust your exercise to your food this time of year and use the French method of eating, take a bit of each thing to taste instead of piling it all on your plate. If you are partying, nurse a glass of wine, soft drink, mixed drink, whatever instead of drinking it right down. Don't moan over the missed cake, have a bit instead of a whole piece. We are never going to be a world where food is only for nourishment. Almost all countries in the world use food as a time for family and celebration so we need to learn to modify when we are in these situations.

Right now, I am at a total standstill and will be until the day after Christmas then I kick butt. If I start now, I know me and will blow it Christmas day and then be mad at myself. Better to just try and do the best I can until then. Everyone needs to work out what works for them.

Have a good day girls!

Faye :)

I've found that asking myself one question usually helps me a lot to eat with moderation.

Question: How can I celebrate this without food?

So, for example, if Dave gets a big promotion at work, we don't go to the best restaurant in town.. instead we could go skating, bowling, skiing, to the movies, to a museum together, take the family to the zoo or sledding.

Of course, I don't always remember to ask that question. Ha ha.

What's new here: I've been asked to teach women how to make armor that fits them. (Actually, I learned this from Julie about 6 years ago, but she lets me keep the credit.. ha ha) So this Saturday I'm going to the Women's Fighter Symposium as a teacher instead as moral support. Cool!

What else. My poor Amelia (2 yrs) has been sleeping horribly since she stopped diapers. She wakes up and cries and begs us not to leave her alone (so she'll sleep only if one of us is sleeping in her room with her). I thought it was the full moon thing, but it turns out that she's nervous that she'll wet the bed. Last night she finally asked for a diaper. As soon as I put it on her, she went right to sleep and slept late.

Poor thing. We've decided to work her more slowly into it. She's ok with napping without her diaper, so I'm going to wait until she's more confident about sleeping without it for that first before I take it away for nights.

Ah well.. 3 steps forward, two steps back.

Dave and I are so exhausted that we don't think about anything but "when are they going to bed so we can too". It should get better now that they're both sleeping AND sleeping a bit later than before, but I think it'll take a few days before we catch up, too.

-Lee Ann

(Susan.. how's hubby doing?)

-Lee Ann

Hey all,

I've been mising for a few days - been feeling a bit poorly with a chesty cough, but I am really glad that by looking after myself it doesn't seem to have developed into a full blown cold. I was really worried that I'd have to take another full week off from the gym or something, which would do my weight loss no good at all, but I had a 2 day break and now feel much better and was fit for the gym yesterday and today.

I hear you all on the diet struggles - I am afraid that I have not been doing so well myself recently, nothing major, but I am nibbling a bit more than I should! Thankfully I am keeping up the exercise and intend to do so over the Christmas period - bar Christmas and Boxing day when the gym is closed!

I have already arranged to have a new gym programme set in the New Year, and will be looking at attacking this second half of my weight loss big style!

On a positive note, I saw my counsellor on Monday and was wearing my new jeans, sweater and jacket and she was amazed by how slim I was looking. She just kept looking at me saying 'wow, you look amazing!', which really boosted my self esteem. I urge everyone to stop wearing clothes that are too big for them, and invest in some well fitting clothes - they really make a difference!

LEE-ANN - My sis didn't potty train her boy until he was 3 1/2 - so I think any progress with Amelia at 2 is great!

Love Amanda x

Ladies, been absent for awhile. Took my husband to the surgeon Tuesday but he feels he would only have a 10% chance of surving the surgery so we won't be going there. His heart and kidneys are too bad. So we now have the visiting nurse daily for infusion therapy. He seems to be holding his own and is eating better than he was but not enough to actually gain some weight. He is very weak. We are just going one day at a time. Thanks for your inquiries and prayers, and please keep praying.

FRIDAY: Today is Fabulous Lbs down Friday. It is weight loss results day, girls. If you have lost any lbs in the last 2 weeks, please repost it so you can be rewarded!

Carri: Are you buried under snow? I saw on our local news your area got hit pretty bad.

Julie and Lee Ann: Looks like it is coming your way if it isn't there already so hope you are prepared.

Amanda: Hang in there, girl. The holidays will be over soon and we can all buckle down and support each other.

Susan: We continue to pray and think about you everyday. I admire your strength as you could be eating yourself right back to fat lbs and you are handling this like a champ. If you ever need to talk, I am here for you, by email or phone!

Everyone have a good day. It is BRRRRRR here today but we dodged the snow bullet because of a jet stream just south of us pushing the moisture away from us.

Faye :)

Good Morning all--

I"M SO BUMMED!!!! I was down to 206 on Wed (haven't seen that number for about 6 months!) Today I'm UP to 210~~~ GRRRR..... I've been skating like crazy, up to 2 hours a day! But I don't think this is muscle gain...I ate a store bought wheat bread sandwich before skating yesterday and I think it was on fake whole grain bread. Just because something looks healthy, doesn't mean it is! Whole grain usually means they add carmel coloring and some nuts & seeds, but it still has white flour and HF corn syrup. I know better, but I had to eat something...the day before I had a sugar crash on the ice because I hadn't eaten enough--it wasn't pretty.

So, I know that whenever I eat regular pasta or regular bread I bloat up a few pounds temporarily. I haven't really gained 4 pounds....the scale will go back down tomorrow or the next day. But STILL! :mad: :mad: Guess I just have to make sure I pack my own food when I head out to the rink.

Faye--we're supposed to get snow here today, but no one knows how much. We live right on the curvy part of the coastline...so depending on the track of the storm, we could get pounded or it could totally miss us. I'm glad that public skate time is early on Fridays!

Lee--NOW you know why I laughed when you said "Amelia is TOTALLY out of diapers" :lol: It just doesn't work that way. Have fun at the symposium!

Carrie and Amanda--hang in there...

Susan--you and your husband are continually in my prayers. Be strong :hug:

Gotta get the kids to school....

Julie

hello folks,

2 points for me yesterday - I've got PMS munchies! I am just so hungry.....this is always the case in the week before TOM, so I just do the best I can!

No pounds down for me this fortnight - my eating has been wobbly and now I'm pre-menstrual . But I am happy the scales are still at 214 and are not showing signs of going up - a few weeks ago they were up and down every few days, I didn't know where I was!

JULIE - You have not gained 4 lb - what a bummer though to see that on the scales! I am sure it will show a more honest reading in a day or so.

SUSAN - You are in my prayers and thoughts alot at the moment. I am pleased to hear he is hanging in there and any food he can manage at the moment will be doing him alot of good. I am so sorry you are having to go through this. :grouphug:

FAYE - Glad you missed the snow - wouldn't want you slipping over with your dodgy knee!

Hi to CARRI & LEE ANN!

Love Amanda x

Good Saturday morning gals. Hope you all aren't buried in snow up to your eyebrows!:lol:

POINTS:

Amanda :dancer:

Amanda: PMSing food cravings are the pits. Think what it is like for us old gals whose hormones are up and down practically everyday. It ain't pretty! :lol: I absolutely feel hungry almost all the time and have to really restrain myself from not cleaning out the cabinets. Knitting has been good in that area. You absolutely cannot knit and eat at the same time and since I don't want the yarn, sticky, greasy, whatever, I never bring anything to eat while I knit. Whooooo! Hey, maybe I should write the, "Knit and get fit" diet or "how to lose while making things for friends!" :lol:

Julie: Don't trust those dirty ole scales. You are doing so great with the skating I am sure the lbs are coming off. Stick to clothes getting loose. Better indication.

I have things to do so better get to them. Gotta have that scarf finished by this weekend so we can sew the patches on it and and the hat.

Faye ;)

Good Sunday morning ladies! I hope everyone is doing well.

Susan: Our prayers are continually with you everyday and I think about you and your dh every day and say a prayer.

I saw that Richard Pryor died yesterday morning of a heart attack. He had been going downhill with his MS and I am surprised his survived this long. He was a hard liver that's for sure. To survive what he did when he freebased and caught on fire is amazing in itself.

Everyone have a super day and I will talk to you tomorrow.

Faye :)

Just a quick hello Faye,

I got 2 points yesterday - but only went slightly over my calories. Guess who was the only person who turned up for my cycle class yesterday?? Everyone else must have been Christmas shopping! Anyway the instructor insisted we still do the class, just me and him - how embarrassing! :o He was really tough and the because it was just me and him I couldn't slack off in the slightest! Boy it was tough - but I sort of feel that if I can get through that, I can do anything! :smug:

Must fly, Nige wants the PC

Love Amanda x

I . Ate . So . MUCH . Foooooooooodddddd!!!!!!!!

Bleh.

I feel like I must've gained ten pounds this weekend....parties and one of our fighters is a professional baker...so he thought it would be "nice" to bring creme horns and whoopie pies to practice!!! I haven't had a whoopie pie in Years! They are the devil's own plaything....huge round chocolate cakes with some magically concocted creme filling that just makes you eat them all up, even though after the first bite you want to be ill from how rich they are. I don't think anyone outside of Maine would have a clue what I'm talking about...but LEE--Godric brough whoopie pies to practice!!! :crazy:

So, I'm back to the rink today. I want to get all my mailing done this morning to get the rest of the present goodies out of the house. Then maybe I can return to some semblance of normal. I have no dance classes for the next 3 weeks...so it's skating all the way...Oh, and I might try to get to the gym, since I still have a few weeks left on the trial membership I got.

Amanda--Congrats for sticking through the class all by yourself! You should be so proud of yourself!!

TTFN everyone, Have a great day.
Julie

MONDAY: Today is Mission Monday and our mission this week is good old fashion health. Let's make sure we are getting water and fiber for our urinary and bowel health, make sure our female parts are running smoothly, OUR HEART is good, etc. We sometimes neglect overall health to lose weight so let's make sure we are all tickin' properly!

POINTS:

Amanda :dancer:

Amanda: That is wonderful. Proves just what you can do. Think back to the close to 300 mark and could you even sit on a bike let alone do a whole classs alone with the instructor? We are all very proud of you!

Julie: Unfortunately, I know what whoopie pies are and I too love them, especially the wholemade ones and I am a creme horn fan also. Those are definite nonos when I am dieting as I can eat a whole package practically.

Hope all is well with everyone. I bought my grandson an MP3 player for Christmas so yesterday made him a MP3 player cozy. I just took both Harry Potter colors together and knitted it. See the pic below. I had to make up a pattern because the one I bought him is only the size of a disposable cigarette lighter, but I think it came out ok. I sewed the tab shut, but if dd wants me to, I will take it out and put velcro on it instead. You can easily slip out the player either way.

Susan: Remember the word of David in the Psalms 91

"There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him."


and Isaiah 41:31 "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." He will help you get through this!

Well, on to today's cleaning jobs, girls! have a good day!

Faye :)

Hello girls!

Well I got 2 points yesterday - had raging PMS and dove head first into a pizza! Oh well - I am psyching myself up for all systems go for the new year, but until then what with PMS, then TOM, then Christmas it's basically damage limitation!

JULIE - I :love: cakes and baked goods! I could just eat a tonne of cream cakes so I have to steer clear of them completely. Actually, when I first went off sick from work a few years ago, I used to walk down to our local shop and buy 1 or 2 cream cakes every day - now it's not suprising that that is when my weight went right up into the high 260's!

FAYE - Thomas is lucky to have such a good nanny - I used to get a fiver from mine! I wish santa would buy me an MP3!! I love that verse from Isaiah - I used to have it as my sig here a while back - it's so full of hope and strength.

Well, I am off out again this weekend - looking forward to it and just hope my raging PMS doesn't put a dampner on it (I won't let it!)

Love Amanda x

Hey girls! Sorry I haven't written in a few days. The internet's been down at our house.. satellite dish and a wonky wireless connection. I lost a pound... but it's the same pound I keep losing and gaining every week! How frustrating! So I'm stuck at around 155-157.

I won a fighting tournament this last saturday, and the kids Slept In Until 5:30!! That felt awesome! Ha ha! Hopefully they'll keep it up.

The baby just woke up (and is not happy about it!) So I'll be off for now.

-Lee Ann

TUESDAY: Today is Target Tuesday and our Target this week is supplements. Be sure and supplement your weight loss program with a good multivitamin. If you are over 40 you should be taking extra calcium for those bones, those of you thinking of having children should be taking folic acid. It never hurts to take a good fiber product either if you feel your aren't taking in fiber from food. Don't be afraid of supplements, just discuss them with your doctor and take what is appropriate for your health.

POINTS:

Amanda :dancer:

morning gals. Don't have time to talk this morning. I am pretty busy here getting some stuff done. Please keep Jack in your prayers. We think he might have heel spurs/plantars warts and he is hardly able to walk. We can't get him a dr appt until next Monday so he is trying to work this way and it is very difficult for him. On a side note, if any of you have ever had this condition and know what would ease his pain, we are open to suggestions.

Have a good day everyone!

Faye ;)

Well....it just goes to show you it's POINTLESS to obsess about numbers on the scale. I was an angel all last week with exercise and food...and I "gained" 4 pounds. This weekend and yesterday, I pigged out on all kinds of sugar..and I lost 4 pounds :?: :dizzy: I have to learn to just keep doing what I know is right no matter what, and if I get off track--just get right back on again.

1 point for me yesterday for exercise...I'm halfway to learning my first jump! :carrot: Today all the "goodies" should be in the mail and out of the house...at least until next week when they start rolling in from others. I'm just gonna let the kids have at 'em.

Well, gotta go....everyone have a great day!
Julie

Hi guys! So DH wasn't really thinking straight when he let our toddler play in Our Bedroom Closet a week before Christmas!! Arg! At least she only saw one gift and it was for the baby anyway... but now I have to find a new hiding place.

:) Lost another pound. Boy, I should complain more often! I seem to always prove myself wrong right after I say something.

(And Amelia's been diaper free for these last three days and nights).. YAY!

Lee Ann

WEDNESDAY: Today is Wednesday's woe so we can gripe about anything we want today!

POINTS:

Julie:flow2:

Lee Ann: Yeah for the big girl! I am sure you are thrilled she is getting the hang of it. They usually tell YOU when they want to stop peeing etc in a diaper.

Julie or shall we call you the American Sonja Hennie?: You have one full life, I have to tell you, but it is better than sitting around be bored isn't it?

I still have wrapping to do so I really need to just force myself to get up there and sit until it is done. I also have mopping to do today so better get to those chores!

Have a great day ladies

Faye :snowglo:

Hi Girls, sorry I have been MIA I am not feeling well, my dd had a bad cold and I was with him alot over the weekend and I think I may be getting it, I am going to start taking some Airborne now, I do not know if it will work. Although he had a bad sore throat to start and I am just having horrible gland pain under my ears and down the sides of my throat, plus my head hurts... I am really kind of out of it, when I first came into this site and was trying to find Support Groups I saw the "Dieting with Obstacles" and thought it said "Dieting with Spectacles", and I thought my that his odd ... then I realized what it was and just shook my head at myself. I really need to go home to bed but I am out of sick time for the year, ughhhhhhh...

Faye - Sorry to hear about Jacks feet, I have had planters warts when I was in high school and there was no relief until the doctor froze mine off, I just remember it being so painful ... I hope he can get it taken care of soon.

Leanne - Good job on the one pound down and on getting Amelia trained, I have always loved that name, if I ever have kids I might just use that one.

Julie - I am glad the scales went back down for you, right now I am just doing damage control and trying not to totally lose control... I am looking on line for a recipe for buckeye's ( if anyone has one let me know ) and those are quite fatty so I am not doing all that well ...:D

Amanda - I have also had alot of pizza lately, I am sooooo addicted ... hope your PMS is not that bad so you can enjoy your weekend.

Susan - Hi, hope dh is doing well.

I cant say as I have been getting any points lately, well maybe for the water, I have been just drinking it and no sodas ... so I am not going completely crazy ... ha ha ...

Talk to you all later ...

Goodness, this is no time of year to be sick! Too much going on. I don't feel sick, but I am exhausted. If I could just get a good night's sleep it would help, but I'm up 2-4 times in the night with my DH. He has a lot of pain from the neuropathy and they don't have much to help with that. He seems to be doing a little better - actually is eating a little more and keeping it down and not sleeping so much during the day. Middle of next week he'll be done with this round of infusion theraphy and hopefully they can take the pikk line out for awhile at least.

I have not been doing well with my eating, but will get back on plan after the New Year.

THURSDAY: Today is Time for Us Thursday. Take time for yourself today and be good to you! It is the only YOU you have!

Carri: Stay in bed and take care of yourself. We will still be here when you get well!

Susan: Glad dh is eating a little more, but it is horrible the "cure" so to speak is causing such pain to him. Hope you can get a little more sleep soon. Maybe someone to come in one night and help out? If I lived nearby I would be glad to do it once a week for you!

Have a good day everyone and take care!

Faye :)

Oh ladies! I have a totally opposite of WTG!! My hubby and I are going on a big ski trip for two this weekend, so a couple of weeks ago I tried on my snowpants to make sure everything was good. It fit-meaning i could zip it up and still move around, but was just a bit tight. So I figured I would diet just a little harder just to make it a bit more comfy for the weekend.

I Have Not Gained A Single Pound, but now I CAN'T EVEN ZIP MY PANTS UP!

I feel so awful and embarrassed! I don't know if I even want to go, now.

The only thing I can think of is that I'm expecting myperiod any day now, but I don't really believe that that's the problem. :(

If I ever needed support, now would be the time. :(

-Lee Ann

Lee Ann - maybe TOM has bloated you. Try cutting salt, eating pineapple and broccoli sometimes helps.

Faye, I'm sure I could get someone to come, but he is getting to be very clingy - only wants me at night. During the day he is okay with whoever is there. And I also have had such good help during the day that I hate to ask them for anymore. I'll be off most of the next 2 weeks so I'll try to nap when he does and get myself straightened out.

Good afternoon everyone! No points for yesterday...I ate some of the leftover fudge I made, and my body was screaming for a break from the skating. But today I had a great 2 hour session skating and have started learning moves so I can test and be eligible for competitions. Can you believe it??? :D I'm so excited! AND I figured something out today....I started skating so I could lose weight....but NOW I want to lose weight so I can skate better. The motivation has totally changed. I want so badly to be able to jump and spin and do all the cool things you see on tv--and I know I need to be thinner or I'm likely to hurt myself. So, I'm finding myself just not really wanting to eat. I don't know how long this phase will last, but I'm hoping it's a good long while!

Lee--don't worry about the pants---Sheesh, it's not like you're going to fall down or anything! Just wear some stretchy sweats over some longjohns. :lol: Seriously, by the time you get ready to go, you'll probably be fine. And you're going to come skating with me over Christmas, right??

Susan--I sure hope you get some rest soon. I know if I was in your boat, I'd want to spend every minute with my husband, and I'd totally neglect myself. Just remember you need to be healthy to get him healthy.

Carrie--I hope you feel better soon!
Amanda--Hi :wave:

Gotta clean so we can set up our tree tonight..
TTFN
Julie

LeeAnn: I am sure it is water honey if you are getting ready to start your period. I know that doesn't help a whole lot since you are probably leaving tomorrow, but can you borrow some pants from someone or just wear something else? It is NOT worth working yourself up over. You concentrate on that romantic weekend and not whether or not you can fit into those stupid pants! I know it is so upsetting when you have worked so hard, but you deserve this weekend so concentrate on having fun with hubby, ok? Just tell the pants they are losing out on the fun because they misbehaved, didn't fit and you are NOT taking them with you so they get no ski fun. In fact, they have been so bad, you are going to put them in the back of the closet where it is dark and dusty for a long time out! :lol:

Jack called just a little while ago and wants to go and get shoe inserts right after he gets home as he almost can't walk now and he has to wait until Monday afternoon to go to the dr. I feel so sorry for him, but there isn't much I can do until they definitely say it is a heel spur.

Need to run so have a good afternoon gals

Faye

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 :wreath:

Afternoon All :tree: 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. :tantrum:
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. :D

Happy Holidays :candy: 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 :xcheer:

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 :candy:

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! :nono: 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 :santa:

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! :lol: 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 :D

Well, I've got loads to do today--and not just loads of laundry :lol: 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.