REGAL HOLIDAY RUMBLE -- ALL Welcome
 

Hello all!

This is it, the middle of the Holiday/Food Season......

Temptations are everywhere, even in some of the music!

If we choose to stay on course, we'll need a multi-defense approach....

We'll need to strategize.....

We'll need to be on alert....

We'll need Plan A, B, C and D!!!

We'll need lots of Royal Support!!!

The foe can be vanquished!!!! The foe really isn't as smart as we make him out to be.... Sometimes he's just sneakier!!!!



We'll need to remember that losing a battle doesn't mean losing the war!


Here's the rules:

Decide if you want to lose or maintain your weight during this season.
What ever you decide is ok. Really it is.

Even if you decide its ok to gain no more than 10 lbs.... its OK.... because you've come up w/ the goal for your plan.....

Next, decide the easiest way for you to make your goal.....
Is it to continue what you're doing now? Ok....

Or perhaps like me, I managed to get a few days together w/out sugar....
And know what I need to do to get through the holidays ....... For me, its to be without.......

For someone else, it might mean having to limit soda or chips.... or sitting too long...

Also for me, I need to decide realistically how much can I do to celebrate the holiday?

For once, I need to remember that the holiday will still be a holiday even if the only baking I do is NONE...... Ouch, I said it. But its true.
I will resist stressing that things are not exactly Plan A or Plan B and be glad I have a Plan C.

I recently saw that wonderful quote " Its not about the gifts"..... yes, so true.... and for me, I need to add the second verse for my flag.....
"Its not about the food.....".....

SO.....

We can do this.... together.....


ARE YOU READY TO RUUUUUUUUMMMMMMBBBBLLLLLLEEEEEE??????

Hello all.....

Interesting morning of small challenges so far.... My freshly washed jeans seemed to have shrunk overnight.... I did the highschool trick of wetting the waistband but really wondered if I had done an Alice in Wonderland "Now I am BIG overnight".....

Then, I realized, I really have to get to "it is what it is" and got back on the scale....First time in too long..... I have gained nearly 30 lbs.... so....

FORWARD>>>>>> We know what we must do....

So,we begin Day 9 of NO SUGAR......
And are grateful that we are in Day 9 because its helping the Binge Mentality.

Then, we realized the Internet was down. Not our Cable, just the online service.
Took a few hours of tech calls but we are now up and running. All because a bill not paid by midnight. DH wasnt impressed but he is being good about it.

SO>......

We nearly had a meltdown due to little stress but .....

The good news is... since I weigh more than I had guessed, I can eat more to lose.

I need to get some water in and get some activity since most of what I've done today was a little walk thru the grocery store and then standing still while on hold.

SO.... I will make sure I bend as I unload and load the dishwasher and do a flight of stairs or two doing some laundry.

Let me run my flag up the flagpole so the Sugar Pirates know I don't take any prisoners!!

Hello all!

We have sunny day here. A little chilly but not too cold.
Our Goodwills are having a 1/2 price all clothing day so I am off to find something till I can get back in my smaller sizes....

PS>.. I finally got honest and dusted off the scale.
It is what it is. I am really at 178. ( Scale is 2lbs higher this am but I am taking yesterday's weight)....
I also discovered that Dottie of Dotties Weight Loss pages gained quite a few pounds back too due to illness, medication and quitting cigarettes. But has lost nearly 40 of the regain. SO..... how I can feel bad?? IT HAPPENS.

BUT, I am at Day 10 of no sugar so I am still

READY TO RUMBLE>>>>> Ready to enjoy this "feeling so much better" feeling.......


I will be back. To report on my Good will trip as well as replacement shredder trip......

How's your day going?

Weeeellllll......

There's always something about trying on clothes for an instant
REALITY CHECK.....

After trying on at least 6 pairs of jeans, I was even more motivated to
order myself up a steel cage or whatever those wrestlers are using nowadays in their matches.....

At first, I was not happy .... Then realized thinking I could find some "big" jeans still in the same size I was wearing was not what reality.
How the current jeans are still fitting is a mystrey to me. Perhaps they were misized in the first place.

Good news is :I did find a very comfortable pair--- but the cut is wider.
Which is making me more determined to RUMBLE thru this challenge and lose.

SO....

I need to now run to the library.... I have movies to return as well as books to donate for the upcoming book sale. I have an appointment for a haircut too in the same "strip mall".... and I'm still hunting for a replacement shredder....

Need to get some more water in too.

Rrrrrrreadddddy!
 

Hi, can I join ya?

Goal is 10 lbs gone by Jan 1st. I am restarting this for the LAST time. I am done making babies. I can't control all the ups and downs (hubby just lost his job) but I can control what I eat and how much I move.

I got on the scale yeaterday and recommited. 195. 44" waist-EEKKKKK

I promised myself I will walk 6 days a week and 4 of them will be at least 40 minute walks. No in btwn meal snacking. I have no control and it makes me hungrier in the long run. Desert once a day after the meal has been eatten. And TRY, really try not to drink soda.

Hi WoodNymph.... I am sending lots of good voice vibes for your concert.
I know you will do yourself proud. and the skirt will look fine too!

Welcome Flower! Glad to have you visit our Palace! Tell us more about yourself! How many little ones do you have?


So far today, I've done ok foodwise but am a little low on water.

My haircut turned into "Maybe I'll have some highlights.."
I called DH and he said "why not" so I am blonder this evening. Not glowing
but definitely blonder.

Ok.
See everyone in the morning!

kaylets-thanks for starting this thread. i love the title! hope you are having fun with your newly highlighted hair.

welcome, flower!

arabella-hope you find just the blouse you are looking for tomorrow for your upcoming concert next week.

hi ceara- i am copying a bit of your attack plan for this challenge(no binges, portions, and logging.)

i am not going to set a weight loss number goal, because i just lose so slowly, and i can never even guestimate an amount, but i am definitely going for a minimum of weight maintenance through the holidays, and hoping for some loss. my portions were too large for the past 3 days, so back to smaller portions tomorrow. well, take care, all.

Background info-I currently live in NV, entertaining the thought of moving down to Florida to be closer to a set of grandparents. I have 4 sons, 16, 13, 6 and 5.5 months. My 16 year old just moved to his aunts in Sacramento after a major year of struglling. Very hard on me. I spend my free time scrapbooking or reading. I am 37, married.

I have gotton my last 2 days walk in. I can feel the burn in my hips already! I have slacked off for way too long! If I really want to live on the coast in Florida, I need to get these thighs down so they don't rub together. Humidity and fat don't go together!

Hello all.....

Well, foodwise I did ok. Except I went a little light for breakfast and lunch and about 4 pm was STARVED.....

Luckily, DH threw together a thick red sauce w/ lots of zucchinni and summer squash, mushrooms, etc.... we had that over brown rice and it definitely fillled me up.

Flower, my folks live just south of Tampa. I think they have their a/c on 3/4's of the year. Its just the way things are down there. But its certainly great not to think about winter!

ok.
I am realizing I must have lifted something the wrong way so I need to get tomorrow's clothes together and call it a day.

Have a good evening all!

Kaye

Staggering back.....Ready to be the best little health conscious folklet about - again. Thanksgiving went well but since then.................. I'm recognizing that one of my worst DANGER times is when I'm overly tired. And believe me, I've been over tired the last few days. Plus when I'm overly tired, I don't sleep well - Yes, ????? but that's the way it is. Saturday night I went to bed at 8 and was in bed until 7 and was still tired.

Much as I love it when my whole family is here, there's no doubt I'm less and less up to all the chore parts of it. Tons of groceries to be carried in, prepped totally for T. dinner (except daughter did pumpkin pie), cleanup, babysitting, etc., etc. And now finishing up laundry - towels alone = one person vs 7 for 3 or 4 days. I can't do the math. Last load of sheets agitating which leaves only one load of dark clothing for later this morning.

Good few days though - about as good as I could hope for except for my fatigue and slow recovery therefrom. Bad news though - BIL found out the day before T. that he has esophageal cancer. Won't know until Wed what stage/direction is. Another sister to have surgery next week. Gotta pull me together. These sisters are the ones who have been there for me through all. BIL was nice enough to say I've always been there for his family - didn't think he'd necessarily noticed ;). Of course, he and DSis are devastated at this point.

Guess I'll go fold some laundry and then try to fall asleep again by reading some newspapers that have accumulated while I've been having a good time.

Then it's throw out all the leftovers time - less temptation that way, too.

Hey, Kaylets - you go, girl! Are you having more fun?

Been toying with blondeness myself at some point - just for kicks. Probably stun some people who would decide I'm senile - been ten years since I last colored my hair. Mmmm - a goal? It would work better on a thinner moi, I'd think.

Monday dawns in the Palace
 

Not sure I should be impressed you remember me or embarrassed I have been around so long. lol I would taske off 40, get pg, then the 6 months post partum, gain it all back. No more!


I colored my hair the other day. I am hoping it makes me remember to behave. I know dressing in nicer clothes causes me to behave, maybe next month I will be able to fit somethng other than sweats and t-shirts.

I walked today. It was under the freezing mark but I figured if I had to get bundled up and walk my son to the bus stop, there was no reason not to continue walking. I looked just so purty too. Sweatsuit with oversized t-shirt hanging out of the jacket. A man's OVERsized flannel quilted plaid jacket from Walmart. A lavender tinkerbell hat. Not my best look. I didn't freeze, but the chest pocket full of kleenex's was the best part. I walked to the bus stop, and then my real excersice of 45 minutes. But what do I care. Hubby was still asleep cuddling with the baby. I was not trying to impress anyone. The point was to get out and move my rear end. Oh, and to stay warm. lol

I have 4 LARGE rubbermaid bins of clothes in the 18-20 size. I am soooooo looking forward to fitting them again. I may need to go back to work if hubby can't find a job. And I refuse to buy another working waredrobe when all that stuff is soooo cute. I am tired of oversized t-shirts. I want blouses, scoop necks, tailored stuff. Guess I need to stay on program then!

Hello all.....

Thanks for the compliments on the hair.... its interesting how this group of coworkers is reacting..... they've never seen me b/4 my natural blonde color darkened up on its own. I think for some the change is dramatic but at first its hard to figure what the difference is as the hair color/skin tones are a perfect blend.... A few came to me midday to say " Did you do your hair? I noticed earlier and......".........
I'm thinking it makes me look younger. DH swears the haircolor/style do not look "too young" .... You know what I mean....sometimes its not flattering....

YAY Flower, I walked too. Literally asked and asked again a new coworker/friend. She did have her sneakers with her so I guess I wasnt too pushy. I didnt need as much protection from the cold as you but can VERY much relate to wearing whatever available.
You're a smart girl for picking a time when you were already out there and your littlest one w/ Dad.


I too have been to the Spark world and agree there a pros and cons......

You know what WoodNymph.... the blouse awaits.... just in a smaller size in the future.... It will all work out.... I can relate... its hard to believe that more attention will be paid to something other than our appearance....
I know the performance will be fantastic!!

Ceara, how did your travel across the border go?


WSW? How's it going...

Ok....

I begin Day 13 w/ no sugar....


*********
Thought of the day ;

Thought of the day :
"Slow down and enjoy life.
It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast;
you also miss the sense of where you are going and why." Eddie Cantor


Question of the day :

"Fruit salad or green beans?"

**********


Kettle is on!

I had a job interview today. Trying to find something as my hubby is not having luck. The pay is pittaful however. I am not even sure I want them to call and offer me anything. He loved my portfolio and that of course felt great. Didn't think I was 37 either. lol

Gotta find an inside excersice activity. It is too cold out for man, woman or beast. Low tonight is 6. Six is not a temp!!! High 31!

I had fast food for lunch and I got 2 kids burgers, no cheese or mayo. No sides and a small diet coke. Ya know what? I didn't die, I wasn't starving afterwards. I didn't feel like I was gonna die without fries or onion rings.

Good luck on the job, flower, even if you don't want it, we want them to want you! And good for you on skipping the fried stuff (much as I love onion rings).

Gloomy, grumpy here today - though it's not to be cold and at least good for walking. Got a nice walk in last evening, went a slightly different route through the neighborhood as I felt up to a bit more distance. Ran into a woman I know and another came up and joined us. Nice little visit and then the second one joined me in walking a bit which was nice too.

However, not nice neough to nix the gloom I had picked up during the afternoon. I had started doing some outside Christmas decorating - in a good mood. But as I kept at it, I was so aware of it being the first time w/o DH. I noticed I couldn't remember when I took them down last year. Then DD called and said she had taken them down the day I took DH into hospital. But I guess the big thing is that tomorrow is his birthday - so far on "big" days I've come up with something to focus on "instead" and I thought the Thanksgiving get together (when we usually actually celebrated his birthday in recent years) would be enough. But I don't have much of a plan for tomorrow - a few things but not enough. And I've been trying. Anyway, that and the gloomy weather are probably it. Stayed up way too late last night playing Solitaire, paying for it this morning.

Will tackle a nasty piece or two of business and maybe I'll be so relieved when I get it off my desk that I'll be in a better mood. Maybe do some Christmas shopping. Maybe the sun will come out. Maybe I'll do a nice walk earlier than yesterday. Maybe I'll just cry on your shoulder - see, I feel better already ;)

So, off I go. Should get more word today on BILs cancer and what's up there.

Mornin', simulposting ceara. Congrats on new territory! Always a joy (I have a vague memory of that ;) )

Is that Sansone you're thinking of? I don't have any of her tapes but have read a lot of her on some threads, I think.

I am wearing tighter jeans today. Ya know the ones you wish were 1" bigger in the waist but fit everywhere else. Hoping they keep me on track. My others are just too big after an hour.

I think I "may" have a walking dvd here somewhere. Won't do it with witnesses. Hubby has to find work soon. I am exhausted with him home all the time and I am getting nothing done!

I know the weight isn't gonna come off just cause I am ready, but a lb or 2 would be a great inspiration. Congrats to those who are winning their victories!

I am in NV, up by Reno/Carson City area. 1/2 hour in the 'burbs. brrrrrrr cold here right now. We got a sprinkling of snow but it was dry snow and the wind took it away.

Anagram-I am assuming you "lost" your husband. I was widowed in 96. It is hard. I remarried but some days are hard no matter what. I still have nightmares to this day that he is alive and both hubbies ae making me choise. If I am wrong, sorry too.

just a quick post to check in. still feeling pretty drained physically, and haven't been able to get out much on my own steam yet. i finally got out for a ride with friends yesterday, which i enjoyed, and it was nice and warm too! again, i am very behind on catching up on reading your posts, but please know that even when i cannot post, i think of you often and fondly, dear royals. take care.

Hello all.....

Somehow, my security started scanning my system for viruses the same time I get up and I can't get here.
I am going to try something different and hope the virus protect scans at midnight instead.

Anagram, you are always welcome to vent here. You've been so brave and so
strong, its only natural that this time of year, DH's birthday and etc that you'd be thinking of him and remembering.
And remember too, you said you were really tired from your Thanksgiving company.
You always have a safe place to vent here.......

WSW..... glad you had a chance to get out. Hope this cold snap we are expecting by weekend doesnt go as far south as your kingdom....

Flower.... You're right.... it would be too easy if the lbs came off just because mentally we said " Ready!".... just like a few other things in life, this takes time. You'll be ok. Just try and think of things that stretch and bend muscles as you're doing them.... Washing floors, vacuuming, windows, gosh, I even have some walls that could washing ....

Ceara....Yes you're right... remember, our Empress really enjoyed the Leslie Sansone walking tapes... You can stop them if you need, turn them back on when you can start again... sure beats being a mile from the house when nature calls....!

And come to think of it, that would be a good idea for me too when the weather is nasty....

So...
I bid thee all a good night.

I am ending day 14, no sugar....

Scale teased me w/ a lb down....we'll see what the scale wants to do in the am.....

Good morning, Queenlies!
 

Your vibes are right, flower. Sorry you were widowed so young. Must have been particularly hard with young children - mine are old enough that they have been a great support. DH died in January of this year.

Got in a late (dark) afternoon walk yesterday. Though did a good bit of walking in WalMart and Lowe's too. Had intended to sneak in a walk in the park but somehow "forgot" it so forced me out into the early darkness for a relatively short but nonetheless mentally satisfying trek.

wsw, hang in and think of us often. We do the same of you and miss you when you can't post.

Kaylets, thanks. Yes, it is natural, I'm sure. I try not to mention it much but it did help. I've come up with a "plan" for today. We Royals know a plan always helps. And congrats on a whole two weeks w/o sugar. How vexing when our "helpful" machines control our schedules!

Howdy, Arabella. Was glad to see your post. Yes, yes, practice. We want a glowing report on that concert.

Must watch for my pink sky - hope it gets some, hope we get a little sun sometime today. Woggle away!

I wore those jeans for 2 hours yesterday, then couldn't take it anymore and changed into sweats. I put them away on a hanger before bed but realized they were 18's. I am normally wearing 22-24's. No wonder. lol They fit, just aren't comfortable.

I didn't walk yesterday except for shopping, carrying car seat, but I did do weights with hubbies help before bed. :) I definately need to do that every other night. The lunges kicked my bottom! I think I will do those on even nights, arms, shoulders on odds. No reason I can't make that a bed time rountine watching prime time.

I don't think I will make my first mini goal by tommorow but my body will have to let go eventually. I KNOW I am eaatting a lot less and moving a lot more than before.

I am thinking of you all, have a wonderful Thursday. Baby is getting too squiggly to play on computer anymore.

Well morning has dawned on a new month in central PA. Can't tell it by any sunrise though. A dark gray again though very warm (66 degrees - strange). Did my walk in cemetery circle yesterday. Didn't try for fast this time, just to walk. This morning, tai chi.

So - new month means only 3 weeks to get ready for the Fat Guy in the Red Suit. And only four to greet 2007. Not a lot of time - and in my case, there's not been a lot of progress. I have tried to get back to moe water, less tea, and it helps. Walking has helped and I hope to keep it up though it has meant no pool work.

Relatively quiet day today, busy weekend coming up. Must expand on "social" part of my life. If not now when opportunities abound, when?

Enjoy your musical moment tomorrow, Arabella. I'm excited for you. Must get to the holiday music - at least for the cars as I seem to be in them a lot.

Ok - Dec. 1 and it will be a good one. We know it will, don't we, Royal Darlings? Especially if we Imperially declare it so. :elf:

Well, I am down 1.5 pounds for the week. It wasn't my 5 I wanted, lol. But if I loose 1.5 a week on average I should be by goal by June 1st!

Oh, crud, baby is awake, back laters.

Just flying by, here. My MIL is in very rough shape, on morphine pump and not able to breathe comfortably even with the oxygen mask. DH has a ticket to go up there on Sunday but we wonder if she'll last that long. So much of that kind of energy around right now. This morning, I was at the funeral of my mom's neighbor, the mother of a good friend.

Not sure whether we'll make the performance or not. Just wanted to let you know.

Arabella- {{{{hugs}}}}

hello all....

windy this way but the worst of the storm went north so we do feel the new colder temps but no loss of power, not much wind damage.

WoodNymph....my best to you and your family. A very close girlfriend's mom has begun the last step of her journey this weekend too. Her Dad passed when she was a just a kid so this is the first time she's been there when someone's passed. I know I will be called soon and will then do whatever I can...... My guess is to drive.

Midday yesterday, I felt overwhelmed and heard those candy dishes. But I remembered I had yogurt in the fridge and it got me over the worst.
I begin Day 17. Scale still wavering but at least on the lower number this morning....

Flower, I t hought of you as I weighed myself nearly nude.... The 2nd time I got on the scale "to see if this number was better" I remembered you line " doesn't come off because we've decided we want it off"......

Anyone see Dr Phil yesterday? Very motivating stories about Big Weight Losses. And Dr Phil said it too..... It takes work. Work takes time....

BUT .... We're READY TO RUMBLE>>>.......

UP w/ the drawbridge!
MAN the watchtower!
READY your weapons!

I 'm going into the office to get thru the worst of things.... I expect I'll be taking Monday or Tuesday off.... I need to get things in order.

Keep smiling!:^: