26 Days of Christmas - Come Count Down With Us!
 

Ho, Ho, Ho....Just 26 days to go!!!

Welcome to our Christmas countdown thread! We're going to burn calories untangling Christmas lights :dizzy: , run circles around baked goods :cookie: in the kitchen (with only a taste or two :sssh: ), and spread good cheer to everyone who drops by :goodvibes , with lots of encouragement, support, and even hugs when needed! :grouphug:

This is the place to vent your holiday stress :stress: rather than turning to all those goodies that run rampant through the season. Former Turkeyettes as well as any new members or lurkers are welcome, so join us!

Roll call will start tomorrow, so name your goal, whether it's to lose or maintain, and we're off!

I'm up for the challenge!
 

Hi all! I am a newbie at this, but I would love to join the challenge - figure it'll be a great help in keeping me focused for the next 26 days!

My goal is to lose 6lbs.

Looking forward to meeting all of you that join the challenge!

i'm ready for the christmas melt down!!
 

HELLO ALL, IT'S TURKEY DAY BUT I'M HAVING MY DINNER TOMORROW.:devil: TRYING NOT THINK BAD THOUGHTS . BUT WHY NOT EAT BECAUSE AFTER THAT I'M MISS FITNESS QUEEN OVER HERE IN OHIO. (i will not be a useless buckeye nut anymore).:^: UNTILL FRIDAY MY POSTING WIGHT IS AS FOLLOWS BETTER BE SITTING DOWN FOR THIS..
FRIDAY,NOV.28....248 pounds!!! eeeks.
my goal for the end of Dec....to lose 12 pounds.
end of christmas challenge weight ...236 pounds!!!!!
THIS CAN AND WILL BE ACOMPLISHED.. GOOD LUCK TO ALL MY FRIENDS OUT THERE. LATER AND LIGHTER, SENAMAY:wave:

Wildfire you're right on the ball! I didnt expect to see the thread started till the morning! But this is a better idea !!:)

Welcome Autumn! Just jump on in!

Senamay! Looks like you're getting to be a pro at navigating the site!

Ok, time for a decision- I think I will also set a goal for 6 lbs-- I am due for a week or two of "Maintain" so that might be too ambitious but you don't know if you don't try!!!

see everyone in the am!:genie:

Well, decking the halls and singing fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-LOSE!!!! Amarantha be in for a 4-pound loss by Christmas, making her goal 159!!! This may be ambitious for as we know, Amarantha hath the metabolism of a sea cow, howsomever, her new POINTS program be very promising and she hath broken through her plateau, so ... SHE'S GONNA DO IT!!!

Hi, to Senamay and Kaylets and welcome to Autumn!!! Wildfire, thanks be to thee for putting this up tonight! Thanks to Ceara for volunteering to do the roster also!!! Ho, ho, ho, here we go!!!

Let's do the Jingle Bell Jig!! :jig:

Famous Friday!
 

Imagine almost everyone, even not USA friends is familiar with how today is THE shopping day of the year. I don't care much for the term "Black Friday" but that's the name. I'm not needing anything enough to stand in line at dawn although I've seen some ads for jewelry that look like tremendous bargains. Too bad I don't wear much jewlery!:dizzy:

But on the other hand, running thru parking lots, dashing thru stores, bending,stretching, all good ways to earn activity points!
Just be careful w/ that mall food! Last time I was in one, the very first place was also selling water and then, later I discovered the coffee shop offered a couple sugar free yummy sounding flavors!

As for me, there's an enormous "estate sale" we're going to-- A professional photographer's home- supposed to be loads of books, computer and office supplies, and who knows what else.
I don't know much about antiques but I do love a good estate sale. Just to see sometimes how people decorated or done their yards. I enjoy older houses too so its a " no strings" way of poking around w/o a real estate agent.

Still below 30 degrees here in Delaware. Last night the sky was so clear you could see lots and lots of stars, which really set the mood for WINTER!!

Punkinseed, think you're on to something w/ the BloodPressure readings at home-- Perhaps your doctor would be more convinced if you offered to keep a log for him? Then it would be very obvious that his office seems to spike your numbers?

Wildfire, you're right, there's lots of chores that burn calories ! The "untangling lights" is a big one at our house!

Aramantha- I know most weekends are work days for you. Does that include this weekend too??

I'll be checking back later to catch up w/ everyone!!

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!!

Today's thought is:"Don't worry if you know all
the answers. You'll seldom be with someone who knows all the questions" - From Life's Little Instruction Book

Good Morning, Christmas Sprites!
 

Day 26 begins! This is my last work day of the month, because I've registered for a Reiki workshop tomorrow. So... I must get to work. :jig: The good news is that I have a doable amount of work to get done today and am confident of making it. In other good news: I have not been visited by the binge demon, and expect to escape him today as well.

So greetings and all good things of the season to all my fellow count-downers and I'll see you on the other side of this mountain o' work.

I'm going for a 7 pound loss. That would be so fabulous! 5 more from there would get me to Onederland. :dance:

Let's make this a wonderful day! Love to all!

Hi all! I'm starting with 149-150 pounds and want to declare my intention to drop 5 pounds by Christmas. I normally go for something more ambitious [unrealistic?!] but it's the holidays and we all know how that can be.

I'm still stuffed from the thanksgiving feast yesterday. The only saving grace is I cooked and kept it all very low-fat but oh, the starchiness of it all!!! And I have leftovers like you wouldn't believe---time to get creative. How's everybody holding up?

Almost forgot, thanks, Wildfire, for getting us started!:D

"It is morning, Senlin says ..." Hidey-ho, sisters in Yuledom!!!! Wooo-hooo!!! Feeling very positive about this challenge, so positive in fact that I'm about to brave the mall in a bit. Did a 40-minute circuit weight kind of workout using Leslie Sansone to motivate me!!! (Elbertine Pep hath inexplicably gone shopping!). Amarantha's Thanksgiving dinner was (wait for it) a frozen calorie controlled dinner (turkey) and she be happy with that and stayed on her points program. (Elbertine Crone be having a fit with Amarantha eating frozen diet dinners as it giveth Elbertine too much time on her hands and threatens her position as spa food cook to Amarantha. EC be threatening to go back to the Empire o' Fit Folks and mutters about revolutions and such or to go live with her distant cousin The Hag o' The Hut, but Hago hath sent a message by crystal ball for EC to stay home as sooner or later, Amarantha be wanting a nonfrozen meal or an all-fruit smoothie and needs that grouchy ol' EC around anyway)!

Kaylets: Thy estate sale soundeth fun. I love old houses also and if there were world enough or cash, I'd like to restore a Victorian manse to its original style and condition. Have fun. I do have to work this weekend but am opting for the mall this a.m. instead. Sunday sounds like a good day to work or maybe I'll just skip it altogether (NOT)! :)

Eydie: I'd bet thy meal was fit for a queen and was healthy to boot (even if starchy)! Amarantha wisheth she could cook and/or had the motivation to do so! It is a skill she envieth thee!! Have a great day! :wave:

Arabella: Thou art on thy way to Onderland ... no doubt about it!!! Thy focus and success hath been great this season and it will continue through the 26 days to come, saith the Crystal Ball!!! Have a good workday ... Amarantha be procrastinating and will envy thee being done!!! But I have to go out and do a photoshoot tomorrow anyhow so might as well play today ... part of today anyway.

THE MALL CALLS!!!

Wildfire: Thankee again for the start!!!

Here's to Day 26!!!

"A new me in 2003!"

You are all most welcome! Just popping in at work, will post tonight. :wave:

It was a good Day 26!
 

... well, so far! I still have a few hours to go! But I am feeling very confident.

I was up early to join the crazies out in the stores today. This is the first time I ever ventured to the stores on "Black Friday" (as Kaylets called it), and you know what? I don't think I'll be doing it next year! It wasn't bad but it's not worth the hassles! :twirly:

But I did find a few things and caught a few bargains and had a nice time with my SIL and her sister. We listened to Christmas carols in the car, had lunch, coffee at Starbucks... can't complain.

And I did fine, staying OP, which is, as Martha Stewart would say "a good thing". :lol:

Sounds like everyone's gearing up for the Challenge! It's going to be great!

Have a wonderful evening everyone!

Friday Evening
 

Hello all!

Only found a few books and a really nice clip light that should come in handy when taking pictures for Ebay. One book really is a catalog for a Canadian Mail Order Company. Its a hardcover and even has a tiny piece of hide on the inside cover so you can "smell" it. Not sure if its Reindeer, and the book is still in the van but I'm sure you get the point. This house was only about 40 years old and had a formal library downstairs. Very pricey neighborhood, not ostentatious but big wooded yards and big houses throughout.

DH still pretty miserable so that was our outing for the day. I took a nap and then for dinner we tried the Fantastik Chili Mix- IMHO, fine if you don't have any spices but if you do, not needed. That's how it goes w/ trying 2 new things a week- sometimes you keep them and sometimes you don't!

Watched the last 3-4 episodes back to back of the Discovery Health Challenge and found it very motivating as well as a fair study of how different body types consuming relatively the same calories and doing the same activity will lose at completely different rates. One man thought by going below 1700 calories a day he'd lose faster but stopped losing entirely. Interesting.
Another lady lost 10% of her body weight and was able to drop her diabetic meds ( type ll) --

time to move the laundry!

Hi all!
Made it!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy day after T-Day!

Didn't strangle anyone or anything at the show today...have got a hole in my tongue though and a glass of red wine beside me, and one in me....... :shrug: a small compensation.

Have compiled a roster of sorts.....please if I've missed you just say and I will add you. If you're there and don't want to be, just email me. And any corrections please just tell me...

Amarantha - current 163, goal 159
Anagram -
Arabella - current 211, goal 204
Autumn609 - down 6
Ceara - current 187, goal 178
Cybele -
Dollar -
Eydie - current ~150, goal 145
Kaylets - current 176.5, goal 170.5
Punkin -
Senamay - current 248, goal 236
Scooby -
Tipper -
Wildfire - current 174? goal

There......the wonders of control C. Will troll through over the weekend.....I like the Christmas sprites handle.

Ceara

I want to be a loser!!
 

Hello all from the buckeye state. Hope everyones off to a good start. Well i had my turkey dinner today, friday,and another tomorrow at my husbands famileys. I came home and went to the "Y" and swimmed and excersized in the water. I admit it made me feel alot better.
KAYLETS: yes ive learned alot from the computer but theres still so much to learn. hey i found you guys thats whats important!
AMARANTHA: I like your falalalalalalalalose!! thats cool. I'm starting the ww points also probaly next monday. wish me luck.
Autumn: good luck with your weight loss and welcome to the christmas challenge!!! Theres alot of great gals on this page. wish i knew ya in person.hahaha kinda feel like i do.
STARTING WEIGHT;248...... CHRISTMAS WEIGHT.... 236 LOSE..12P.

LATER AND LIGHTER
SENAMAY:wave:

ONE LAST TIME BEFORE BED.
 

Hello again all i just got done reading everyones post, i was safe and sound at home with familey, dident shop for a thing. which is totally not like me. I LOVE the day after thanksgiving sales. dont mind the lines and traffic guess thats part of being a women,haha:dizzy: my husband thinks women are crazy for shopping like that. Hey, its what we do! :lol: until tomorrow, next weigh day friday.
later and lighter,
senamay:D

Boy I sure seem to be lagging behind these days takes me all my time to read the posts to catch up. Well I didn't quite make the Halloween challenge , well I was only off by 1/2 lb and the turkey challenge well I lost all my weight befor hand so I was off by 4lbs. So Im a little afraid to say because you know 3 strikes your out. So i will aim for 7.5 but will be happy with 5, starting at 197.4 would like to get to 180. I don't think it isreasonable but I sure will try.

Serene Saturday!
 

Hello all!

My first post disappeared and that's ok because I was looking for today's thought when my post was lost. It made me start all over, and I wound up looking somewhere I had never looked before which is the moral of my story- It gave me a whole new perspective........

Dollar! was wondering if you had beaten that cold yet! I wonder if you chose your Christmas goal in part because it will also make 100lbs gone? And how's your daughter's journey going ?

Ceara! What does a "proctor" do at the dog shows if you don't mind me asking? And I know its just me but the "control C" went right over my head. Unless you mean the Control C on my Keyboard?:dizzy:

Senamay! I am green:s: w/ envy! Swimming is a goal of mine that had to be put on hold for time and budget!

Aramantha! The catalog is bound like a regular hardback but there is a 1" X 1" piece of hide glued to the first leaf w/ a printed note telling you that it's there for you to get the "scent" of the leather. Interesting.
But I just have to ask! What kind of beading have you taken up? Hand, Loom? ???:smug:

Autumn: At least you had a chance to spend time w/ you sil -- so maybe next time, not so early !!:p

Dh's been up for awhile, not feeling whole lot better but we may go for a ride and look at a few yardsales advertised in the paper.
Just never know what treasures are out there!!

Does anyone garden? I have two types of hydrangeas- the traditional "snowball" bush type and a climbing hydrangea- Do you think I'd damage the plant if I didnt cut them back? and while we're on that subject, same question for the blackberry bushes.

Today's thought is:

"One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach, one can collect only a few"--- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

:genie:


Here's to the best possible choices!

Off to a great start…
 

Let me start by saying being part of this challenge is contributing to my positive outlook! I already feel part of the group! Thanks all! :goodvibes:

Ceara – I’ve left you a PM on my goal info. You can update at your convenience. Thanks so much!

Amarantha & Semanay – I used to LOVE shopping in the mall, but then this thing called "the Internet" came along (maybe you've heard of it? :lol: ), and I LOVE shopping online. But I totally understand the thrill of going shopping. It’s like a high when you find just the right thing, or get a great price.

Kaylets – you are such a bargain hunter. I guess I’m too lazy (heck I'll admit it: I KNOW I'M TOO LAZY!). BTW – I am pretty sure you can cut the hydrangea - I know my mom would know for sure.

Eydie – your lo-fat T-day dinner is a great way to help you stay OP but it also helps all those at your table as well. Did they even notice?

Dollar, Arabella, Wildfire and everyone else – hello and hope all is going well!

My day is going well - started off the day with my exercise. Love it when I get that done first and have the whole day ahead of me! Not much planned today: will do a bit of housework (and maybe burn off a few more calories scrubbing my kitchen floor – it’s disgusting! :eek: ), then sit with my older daughter for some 1:1 time with her reading comprehension assignment. If both my girls are “good”, Harry Potter may be part of their afternoon. I’m hoping they’re good because I want to see it! DH is out having a day with his brother, baseball card shopping. He'll be a happy camper when he gets home.

Make it a great day everyone!

Night falleth ...
 

Elbertine Pep here reporting in for Amarantha, who be off to the Empire o' Fit Folk where they've asked her to come back and be the Empress again. Seems her new attitude and breaking through the weight loss plateau hath so pleased the population they want to reopen the palace and re-establish the ceremony o' the Weekly Weigh on the Golden Scale of Good Intentions, whereby, well, good intentions are weighed as well as :dance:!!!! Empress Amarantha be scheduled to hop on that scale tomorrow and is looking forward to it!!! Tonight she be decking the halls o' the Imperial Palace and hanging her stockings with care in preparation for the annual 26 Days of Christmas Celebration o' Weight Management Goals, which actually started yesterday and hey, by the way, THIS IS THE 25TH DAY!! Counting backwards, of course, but you knew that!!! Fa-la!!! :cb:

Amarantha be OP again today, hooray, and instructeth me to say, HEY, WHAT A GREAT DAY, to all Christmas Challengers that herein reside!!! Ho, ho, ho!!! Santa's on his way with a new weight goal in his sleigh!!! Hooray!!!

Autumn: May we say that thy presence is contributing to OUR positive outlook as well!!! Woo-hoo, it's great to have thee here. Amarantha loveth to shop on the internet also, but there's also something great about getting out and fighting the crowds in our mutual lust for STUFF!!! Very stimulating! :jig: Hope you got to see Harry!

Kaylets: I be doing loom beading at this time ... can't get the hang of peyote stitch, which is my next desire! I covered part of my WW organizer with a strip of loomed beadwork ... rainbow-colored dogs on a blue background ... looks quite cool if I do say so! My ultimate goal would be to do a loomed vest ... not lined, just beadwork. That could take awhile, so I'm just going to do some more bracelets. I've also crocheted, knitted and tatted with beads but it is not as much fun as the weaving. Hope thy DH is better soon. Can't help on the garden question ... lots of things grow here but not hydrangea bushes!!!

Dollar: Your losses have been terrific and I know you'll make your Christmas goal!!! It is an ambitious one but you can do it!!! :wave:

Senamay: Thy goal be ambitious also, but Hago seeth in the crystal ball that thou will find success also!!! Good luck on the points ... I just love the system, which is opposite of the way I thought I'd feel about them. I DO WISH THEE LUCK BUT YOU WON'T NEED IT BECAUSE YOU ALREADY HAVE THE POWER INSIDE OF YOU TO BRING THIS PROJECT TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION!!! Go for it!!! Woo-hoo!!! :cb:

To All: Have a great rest o' the night and let's all go out there and win one for SANTA!!!! Hoooo-hoooo-hoooooo!!!

saturday night!
 

Hello all to the elfettes,out there. So look forward to my reading time on this page. Thanks again for the support,you guys are awsome.
AMARANTHA... Thanks for the luck,and the ww. welcome, i was on it before, but not long enough to be succesful. Our meeting is on Monday night,so i'll be joining this monday, i'll keep you posted on my success,good luck to you to. Reading your post is like reading the bible, with your thinketh, and thoughs and thees hahahahaha. But hey i learned your language. :lol:
Question, are you living on ww. frozen meals or 1/2 and 1/2. I had a problem the first time fitting all my points in i needed in one day. Aint that weird? until next time.
KAYLETS... I'm not a pro swimmer,haha;) i float more. But the Aquanastics at the "Y" has helped me alot. I have lower back problems sometimes,and my chiropractor told me to stay in the water more than excersize on land and it took the edge offmy back. I enjoy it alot. You can even lift water weights did you know that? pretty cool. well have a great Sunday. until next time.

later and lighter senamay:wave:

qouets to help encourage!!!
 

Here are some neat qouets I noted from Dr.Phil. "absoluteley love him!!! Hope they help all of you in some way......

Five steps to your weight loss goal...
1.Set a very specific goal...remember losing weight requires a change in your thoughts and behavior,set goals for your emotions and weight.Close your eyes and visualize yourself thin.
2.Workout a detailed stratedgy....Willpower alone doesnt work!Plan ahead get rid of exspandable pants,stay away from fast food,keep healthy food at home,or even in your car.
3.Identifysmall,measurable steps... Implement steps that will fit your lifestyle,not someone elses.Every step you want to take will get you closer to the person you want tobe.
4.Create a healthy,realistic timeline.....Where will you be in a month,in six months,a year??Set your goals and stick to it.
5.Create accountability...If you know you have to report your progress to someone you'll be more successfull. Celebrate your victorys.the end.

MORE FROM DR.PHIL..
start with little changes! Keep an open mind and be willing to listen. Commit to modifying your behavior to reach goals. Believe you can,dont let being overweight be your life sentence. Accept help from others.
Quistion for Phil...Why do dieters slip into there old habits?
answer...You cant break habits without forming new ones, if you take something out of your life their is avoid ,and when theres a void you slip back into what you use yo do.You need to replace the bad habit with new behavoir. new behavior will drown the bad out.
hopr these were a help and motivation, they were to me. I have lots more but i'll save them for another time.
later and lighter senamay;)

Scrumptious Sunday!
 

Hello All!

Slept till almost 7:30 am which is almost 2.5 hrs later than usual!
Wonder what it'll be like when the alarm goes off to tomorrow!

Aramantha, hope you've gotten your sleep!

Need to run to Walmart before the crowds show up and pickup their flavored 0 calorie water. So far, its been the easiest way to get the water in. I figure, if its working, why change it??

I'll be back later but until then, today's thought is:
"Be Glad, Be Good, Be Brave" -Eleanor Hodgman Porter

Good morning, Christmas Cookies! :D Been up for hours....overdid it yesterday and was in bed by 8pm....therefore awake at 5am. Got my "mail away" gifts bought yesterday, apartment cleaned, Christmas tree up (all 600 freakin' mini lights of it!)....but it was all too much for my sensitive back and I called it a night rather early. Really glad to have those gifts out of the way, though! Just have to wrap, box, and mail them now.

I have to finish that cross-stitch and fear I'm in a time crunch now. Today will be spent doing as much as I can on that project.

I also have to try on my dress for our fancy party, which is this coming Friday night....keep your collective fingers crossed that it's going to fit! I do have to shorten the dress a few inches....guess that'll be today (if it fits), too. If it doesn't fit, I'll be off to the mall to buy something, in a hurry! I'm hoping that won't be necessary, though. The dress I have I bought at the end of last year's season (around April) ....regular $250....I got it for $35.00. Can you believe that? And they're STILL making a profit on it!!!

I'm setting my goal at 3lbs for this challenge. Ceara, you had it right...starting is 174, goal 171.

Senamay...great quotes from Dr. Phil! Thanks!

Amarantha, can't wait to hear your weigh-in results!

:wave: to everyone...have a great day!

Hi All! I seem to be ill today, might think it was a detox effect post-Reiki, but since DH has been sick, I suspect that is where it came from. I'm going to take it easy for the day and try to pamper myself as much as I can and hopefully tomorrow I'll feel better.

Amarantha, the workshop was good, although I didn't have some of the visual experiences that some of the other participants had. I wasn't as well prepared for it as I might have been - had worked too much the previous days, drank too much coffee and so on. I think I would try to take it again and spend a few days before it preparing, maybe semi-fasting, meditating and so on.

The concept of Reiki is something that I've always practiced without putting a name to it and I know that a lot of us do: sending positive energy out. The workshop showed us how to focus that. We received 4 "attunements." My first one felt quite powerful and mystical - I could feel the energy rushing through my body like electricity and I felt very good afterwards, deeply relaxed. During the second one, I started to develop a headache, and afterwards I didn't experience anything as profoundly as I had the first session. I don't know if I was coincidentally getting ill just at that moment or if there was some detox effect from the first one. During my spiritual attunement (they did one each for spiritual, physical, mental, and one sort of wrap-up) the practitioner said that the whole room filled with purple, which is a good one, I guess. We finished the day (8:30 - 6, which felt too long to me, but I guess I was exhausted and getting ill and had gotten up at 4) by giving each other Reiki treatments, five of us at a time working on one.

So -- I would reccommend checking it out, but preparing beforehand with a light diet of healthy food and no caffeine, alcohol, sugar, or meat for a few days in advance. When the leader called me about the workshop she said that those things really affected the kind of experience people had, and I did eat fairly lightly and healthily for a few days but also had a fair amount of caffeine and some alcohol. After seeing what it was like, I would really like to go into it feeling like I'd prepared.

I'm going to go slump and read papers now - have a great day, everyone. I'm hoping to be raring to go again tomorrow.

Hey darlings... :wave:

Wildfire! THERE YOU ARE!!! And to think I was worried about you!! :D Glad you're doing alright, hon. You need a new back. This is NOT a good time for it to go out!

Excuse me for barging in, girls. I'm going to join you, if I may.

I'm hovering at 189 (finally broke that darned 192!), and I'd like to be down 3 more by Christmas. I don't ever want to see 190 again.

We're going to see Harry Potter today, so I'm going to sneak in some low-fat snack for myself. And sit 4 aisles away from my family so my hand doesn't reach into their popcorn bags. :rolleyes:

DH is taking the kids to church this morning, so I'm going to do some housework to some fast music and then get out ONE box of Christmas ornaments.

Kaylets, I love the quote... thank you for sharing it with us. :)

Have a wonderful day all, and get moving!!!
:grouphug:

Ellis is here! :dancer: Of course you can join us! Have fun at Harry Potter....I'm waiting until the Christmas break to see it...at a midnight showing...where there are no children. (They talk through the movie...drives me nuts.)

Arabella, sorry you're feeling sick. The Reiki sounds interesting.

I just stopped here while trying muster up the courage to try on the dress. I think I'll color my hair first....geez, I bet I'd be mostly silver if I let it grow in....those roots are scary!

It's December 1st! Just 24 more days! :dance:

Welcome Ellis
 

HELLO ELLIS, just wanted to pop in and say welcome to you . my name is senamay, im 33 and married and have two boys 11 and 8, im looking forward to reading your posstings.
My moms name was ELLA, kinda thought of her when i seen your name. ;) my mom passed away 5 yrs ago i miss her alot, she was my besy friend. also losst my dad, so i love that i have support from friends. good luck to you in your weight loss journey. later and lighter
senamay:wave:

Sun noon
 

Hello all!

Arabella! I'm like you, not sure if I'm feeling crummy because of something from DH or some other reason. We went out and it seemed the longer we were out, the more I felt the wind- I could fall right to sleep now....

Wildfire! DID the dress fit!?! Inquiring minds must know!!

Hello and Welcome Ellis!! I recognize you by your signature line- everytime I read it I remind myself to ' do a google' and research a little.

Aramantha- glad to hear you've reopened the spa. The way the wind is blowing it feels like 29 below instead of the 29 degrees it really is!

Later all!

Wow - go away a few days and miss so much. Will save the pleasure of a more leisurely read for later today.

For now, just want to say I'm in. I'll use last Wed's wt of 224.2 as a start (can guarantee I'm not that today but with my "NO GUILT" cards and a fresh start who knows what next WI may bring?).

I guess the most logical goal would be a loss of 4.2 for a year end wt of 220. So I'll go for that officially with the idea also that maintaining at this time of year may be the best I'll do and that too would be reasonable.

So hi to all, old and new.

Wildfire, Senamay, and Kaylets... thank you for the lovely welcome. :)

Ella... what a beautiful name, Senamay. I'm so sorry you've lost your sweet mom and your dad. My parents are getting on in years, and I sometimes feel that I'm just on edge... waiting. They're both so wonderful... I suppose I should just be grateful for having this time with them, and should stop worrying.
I can imagine how you must miss your parents... I'm glad you've got good friends.

I'm 37, VERY happily married for ummm, 14 years, and have a 13 year old daughter and a 6 year old son. We own a big old house in the centre of Ottawa. I suffer from chronic depression, love gardening, renovating, reading, eating ... and have the best life of anyone I know. Life is good. :)

Kaylets, sorry you're feeling crappy. Go and make yourself a nice hot drink and crawl into bed for an hour. Don't get sick at this time of year! Actually, you should take my guaranteed-to-work remedy. A tsp of cider vinegar in a glass of water. Three times a day if you can hack it. It tastes like heck, but I've fought off colds/coughs with it for years. Works for me! :D

Wildfire, let your silver grow back in! It's beautiful and very stylish. But who am I to talk... all I've got so far is four white hairs in my eyebrows and one on my head. heh heh.
But my little sister is white, and it looks stunning. She actually gets streaks of white put in to make it look better.

Woo-hoo!!! The Empress Amarantha, newly restored to her rightful royal position in the Empire o' Fit Folk, hath stepped this morning on the Golden Scale o' Good Intentions and (wait for it) discovereth that her recent conversion to the POINTS system hath had positive results for the second week in a row and sea-cow metabolism or no, she weighed in at 159.5, a drop of 3.5 pounds!!! No applause! No, really, I couldn't accept flowers! Oh, if you insist, a banana would be nice! :cb:

[SIZE=1]Welcome, Ellis, glad thou be joining us here in Christmasland!!! Hope thou enjoyeth Harry Potter!!!

Arabella: Sorry thou be feeling poorly. The reiki soundeth interesting ... in fact anything that would make Amarantha feel attuned would be great. I'm going to go for it when I see the class listed again!

Senamay: I love your "later and lighter" line! I know how you feel about your mom and dad being gone, especially during this season. My mom died at Christmastime last year ... it was her favorite season ... she liked snowmen just as I do! :)

Wildfire: Sorry thy back be cranky today! Crossing fingers for the dress but sure it'll fit (crystal ball)! What a great bargain you got on that!!!

Ceara: I can't see thy post about our goals ... for some reason I'm missing it, but I do thank you for doing the roster. I'm only a half pound away from my goal but will wait until I get there (in case it's a fluke) to declare a new one. Have a great day!!!

To All: HO, HO, HO, HERE WE GO, START THE SHOW! WHO'S THE BEST, ABOVE ALL THE REST? WE ARE!!!! YOU BET!!!! WILL WE REACH OUR YULE GOALS? YU BET!!! FA-LA-LA-LA-LA, ETC.! :jig: :cb:

Amarantha's Transformation Challenge

Starting Weight of Personal Transformation Challenge: 166.5
Current Weight: 159.5
Transformation Challenge Pounds Lost: 7.0 :cp:
Highest Weight Ever Recorded: 247
Lowest Weight in Adulthood: 101 (Too Low)
Lowest Weight Since Major Weight Loss Intiative Approx. 5 Years Ago: 142
Pounds Gained Back: 24.5 :nono:
Christmas Challenge Goal: 159
Ultimate Goal: 135 (and then maintain within a four-pound range)!!!

Thank you wildfire for the welcome. My goal for Christmas day is to have lost 2 inches off my ever expanding waistline. When I lose weight it comes off everywhere and when I gain it back, it goes to my tummy. As of Friday my waist is 41.5" . I weigh somewhere btwn 190-195. I am 5'5".

To get this done, I am going back to my cooking. My step mom has been cooking for me since Sept 7th. I can't do it anymore. We will be out in our own house hopefully around new years. I don't want to wait a month to start eatting good again. I am going to walk at least 4 times a week. My bf bought a car yesterday and I will not be a prisioner any more. I don't like to use the stroller on gravel roads, but now I can go to the park and walk. YEAH!!!! Anyways, I am looking forward to getting to know all of you. And some of you, catching up with you!!! ~flower (audri)

WOW
 

Aramantha ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW AND WOW some more!!!
Isnt this great! Everything comes to those who wait! You must be flying !!

Welcome and hello Flower!

And yes, Ellis, think I might lay down and watch the rest of Changing Rooms- this episode they're in England w/ Handy Andy--- Its interesting to see the interaction!

Addendum
 

Hello, Flower! Thou must have poseth while Amarantha was also posting!!! Glad thou be with us also!!!

Woo-hoo! We be a'growing! Amarantha be off to work, then the Imperial marketplace (aka Wal-mart)!

Let's all go out there and win one for the Santa!

Wow, Amarantha! You've done great with the weight loss... good for you! I'm so sorry about your mom. I hope that this Christmas won't be too difficult and sad for you.

Flower, I bet you can't wait to get into your own house again!

I must get off the computer...

later darlings... xoxo

Sunday elvette
 

Another E ! I love it!

So, share please share, what do you credit the loss of nearly 7lbs in 2 weeks too? Is it just WW's? Is your thyroid ready now to be on the same page?

That's such good news for you! You waited a long time for this but you never threw in the towel!
That's just as impressive as these losses!