Hey there Challengettes

OK Week # EIGHT

I'm still willing to plug along - if you'all are. I could use a good dose of inspiration - since were almost at month 3.

I thought the meeting might inspire me... with some good motivation ideas for all of us, but alas... it was all about portion control

Exercise has been a key throughout -- but I need more -- any ideas??

Patch

Want to keep personal stuff here versus the general Challenge lead off...

Update - alert the media!!! I lost .6 lbs - now down to 136.2

But - I feel once again like I blew it this weekend and don't deserve it.

OK I'll fess up... I had a huge hunk of foie gras this weekend among other things.

Patch

Foie gras. My favorite. How many points is a small portion? I would say, the same as butter, n'est ce pas?

Honestly Patch, you are doing great. You are still exercising correct?

I will think of you as I nibble on foie gras at chez dominique or some such on Thursday night.

Sigh, I remember TWA's Foie Gras on the way out of Paris.....Yum.

On a challenge note - I'm going to try and keep some moderation of point counting and the personal challenge of actually writing down what I eat while travelling this time.

lala

Patch: It is hard to believe we're into week 8 (especially since I haven't lost much) but I do want to continue. This is a tough time of year; being a part of the challenge might mean that I maintain over the holiday period, and that's success as far as I'm concerned. Maybe in January I can get down to losing again.

And you're doin' great - whether you feel you deserve it or not. I think the exercise makes a big difference. That's what's been missing for me over the past three weeks; gonna try a run on the treadmill after work today to see how my knee feels.

lala: You're just a travellin' fool!! Have a great time. I really admire how well you do given all of the challenges that travel presents.

Haven't weighed myself due to overindulgence on the weekend, but I will do so tomorrow morning and record my results.

I agree, it's hard to believe we're into Week 8 of the challenge.

I agree with Susan, if I can at least maintain over the holiday I'll take that as a successful challenge.

Patch: Congrats on the loss! The way I look at it, a loss is a loss is a loss! Take it! The exercise is probably counteracting the indulgences.

Lala: I find it really hard to keep track of what I'm eating when I travel. I did, however, on this past trip to Chicago mark things down and it felt good. You can do it!

Let's keep plugging along--the challenge has helped me keep things in perspective and accountability has helped as well. I know that exercise is a big part of the picture but along with that making smart choices and finding new and creative dishes to keep me satisfied are key.

Anyone have any upcoming holiday parties? I have a luncheon today but other than that no parties this year which is a first! In some ways it's good because I won't have to battle with the cheese tray

Thanks Lala, Susan, and Melissa -- what would I do without you and everyone else?

Challenges just this week

Mon -- 27-2 (acty pts) = 25
Tues -- 24 -- banked 1 pt and earned 2 acty pts
Wed -- 25 -- (total banked 1 -- tot acty 4) dinner out
Thurs -- 31-7 act/bnkd pts = 25 dinner out w H's biz associates
Friday - acty - 1 pt need to cook low pts dinner just DH and I
Sat - Xmas Party gonna do mega walk today
Sun- Xmas Party during day I'll see if I can burn a few calories this morning

Happy traveling Lala
And Susan and Melissa - I'm with ya... maintaining maybe all I can do realistically during the season.

Have a happy and healthy
Patch

I, too, am thinking that Maintenance is a beautiful, beautiful thing. Also I have psyched myself back into doing daily or almost daily light weights work outs (a.k.a. BodyElectric by Margaret Richards). I think it's the magic bullet - along with all the other magic bullets.

I'm am hoping the one day I can honestly say that I am doing maintainance. Honestly, I don't know what my mental block against being at my ideal weight is. It is truly pathetic.
However, I'm not as big as I was three years ago and that is saying something.

lala

exercise, moderation and size 6 pants

Lala, size 6 pants is nothing to sneeze at. And at this point if I sneeze in my size 6 pants, I might bust a button. Maybe your "ideal" weight is not ideal for you????

Against my better judgment, I weighed myself this morning. Wonder of wonders, down to 146!!!! I can't tell you all how much I don't deserve it, but as Melissa noted yesterday, a loss is a loss is a loss.

Seasaw --- you go girl!!! and Yep... a loss is a loss is a loss

Lala -- for a nano second I was able to fit into my size 6 pants... alas as LM mentioned... my ideal weight is not "ideal" for me. And today I'm fighting to get back from size 10 to all those size 8 clothes I bought that are presently sitting in my closet .

Patch

Okay Ladies, here are my numbers for this past week.

Wed: 19.5
Thur: 19
Fri: 24
Sat: ???
Sun: 24
Mon: 20
Tue: 19

Weigh In: 138.2

I knew I was going to be up a little--TOM appeared today rather than at the end of the week. So that should mean that next week I'll be down. I'm going to focus hard on staying on track this week so I can cruise into the holiday where I want to be. We talked today about attending a different meeting time since the center closes early on Christmas Eve and most members don't want to weigh in the day after Christmas. I'll most likely make a trip to the center on Christmas Eve so I can get an idea of where I'm at.

Seasaw: Congrats on the loss!!