Biggest Loser 8 Fall Challenge -- for losers and maintainers!

[dreamlinda]

Thanks luvbaloo for all your hard work, and Congrats Jayne!!! Wear that clippee proudly

 

[sahbushka]

Total group weight loss so far 374.5 pounds!
Group weight loss goal 500 pounds! As our numbers have dwindled, the goal is seeming harder. BUT it is STILL POSSIBLE! With 25 people weighing in, all we need is average loss of 1.7pounds per person per week! Can you aim to lose that? ( I haven’t been able to average that, but I’m going to try to stay focused!)



Somehow I don't think we are going to be able to lose over 125 lbs in two weeks. But who knows...Miracles sometimes happen!

Sarah

 

[lisaviolet]

The WISH Biggest Loser 8 Fall Challenge Week 11 Superstars!!
#11 – 0.22%- iluvtig2
#10- 0.37%- sskem96
#9- 0.47%- Cinderella Girl
#8- 0.50% - dreamlinda
#7- 0.73%- pjlla
#6- 1.00%- corinnak
#5- 1.05%- TammyAlphabet
#4- 1.59%- ShortyNBug
#3- 1.67%- seashell724
#2- 2.07%- sahbushka

and now

The WISH Biggest Loser 8 Fall Challenge
Week 11 Biggest Loser!!

#1- 2.16%- 50sjayne

Congratulations 50sjayne!!! What a great week you have had. Keep up the good work. We have a very special clippie reserved for our weekly Biggest Loser.

Here's to our eleven losers!!!! Way to go guys!

And a special - very special for 50s Jayne!!!! Fantastic week - so wonderful to have such a big loss so close to goal. Outstanding.

Thanks so much Shannon.

 

[lisaviolet]

QOTD: Funny holiday story:
DH and I started dating around Thanksgiving in 2001. It wasn't exact since we were friends before that and when going out as friends became dating was a little mushy. So as November 2002 starts, I ask him which day we should celebrate our 1 year anniversary. Here's our conversation...
Me: What day do you think is our anniversary?
Now-DH: Thanksgiving.
Me: Right, but which date?
Now-DH: Thanksgiving.
Me: But Thanksgiving is a different date every year.
Now-DH: What?
Me: Should we pick the date of last year's Thanksgiving as our anniversary?
Now-DH: What do you mean it changes every year?
Me: Didn't you ever notice that Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday? And therefore, not the same date every year?
Now-DH: Oh.

Loved it. Absolutely loved it. Thank him for me!

 

[jennz]

QOTD: Funny holiday story:
DH and I started dating around Thanksgiving in 2001. It wasn't exact since we were friends before that and when going out as friends became dating was a little mushy. So as November 2002 starts, I ask him which day we should celebrate our 1 year anniversary. Here's our conversation...
Me: What day do you think is our anniversary?
Now-DH: Thanksgiving.
Me: Right, but which date?
Now-DH: Thanksgiving.
Me: But Thanksgiving is a different date every year.
Now-DH: What?
Me: Should we pick the date of last year's Thanksgiving as our anniversary?
Now-DH: What do you mean it changes every year?
Me: Didn't you ever notice that Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday? And therefore, not the same date every year?
Now-DH: Oh.

Very very funny!!!

Here's my story: a few years ago a neighbor was hosting Thanksgiving. Her DH was helping out and put the turkey in the oven. He checked it and said there was about an hour to go, put it back in the over and latched it. Ooops - their oven doesn't have a latch! He SET IT TO AUTO CLEAN!!! He could not unlock the oven until it cycled through the time (forunately it didn't heat up, just had to time through). The relatives and friends all come to look, of course, and started chanting "FREE THE BIRD! FREE THE BIRD!"

 

[ShortyNBug]

#4.....woohoo, I'll take it!

 

[dreamlinda]

And now, one on a lady. We were visiting my DH's cousin and family one Christmas. His wife and two little children were making slice and bake cookies. Jodi kept burning the cookies. I suggested she set the timer - she did, and burnt the cookies again. I went to the kitchen to see what the heck she was doing and noticed that the cookies were all melted together. Wanna guess? Sure enough, Jodi was broiling cookies!! Guess she dropped out of home ec....

 

[jennz]

And now, one on a lady. We were visiting my DH's cousin and family one Christmas. His wife and two little children were making slice and bake cookies. Jodi kept burning the cookies. I suggested she set the timer - she did, and burnt the cookies again. I went to the kitchen to see what the heck she was doing and noticed that the cookies were all melted together. Wanna guess? Sure enough, Jodi was broiling cookies!! Guess she dropped out of home ec....

No wonder that darn timer wasn't helping!

 

[mikamah]

Kathy that will be hard going to the hospice, but also very comforting, know what I mean? My mom had hospice care and was fortunate to go in the hospice building in Orlando, it was wonderful. My mom said the people there were angels They were so great and I feel that we were blessed to be able to get her in there. I'll be thinking of you

Thanks Jenn. The tree lighting went very well. It was really nice, and we met up with some of our cousins who had lost 2 of their sisters this year, and it was good to see them, and talk about the holidays and how different things will be this year. They seem to be doing ok too, but it's nice to know we are all in the same boat, and how sometimes we are doing great, an in an instant a memory or thought will choke us right up.

Ok everyone, here's the deal. I have lost weight the last 3 weeks (pretty normal for me) but usually on the 4th week I bake something, eat waaaayyyy too much and gain weight. I have to bake cookies this week for a christmas cookie exchange that I am hosting but I really want to stay in control and lose weight this week...it would be a huge breakthrough for me! So please think good thoughts for me. I know I will be using some of my weekly allowance points this week for the cookies, but I want to use no more than 25 of them.

Sarah

Sending good thoughts that those cookies don't even look good to you. I like the gum idea, or brush your teeth right before you bake. The other thing is to try and plan, and put your share aside, be it 2 or 10 cookies, how many you think you'd want to be satisfied, and then take the time to sit down and enjoy them, eating them slowly and savoring each bite. Try not to eat them while you're baking, and don't let that cookie dough rope you in- those raw eggs are so dangerous!! Good luck!

Biggest Loser 8 Fall Challenge Week 11
This weeks total group loss 1.2 pounds! (US Thanksgiving kicked some butt, even on the Canadians LOL!)
Total group weight loss so far 374.5 pounds!
Group weight loss goal 500 pounds! As our numbers have dwindled, the goal is seeming harder. BUT it is STILL POSSIBLE! With 25 people weighing in, all we need is average loss of 1.7pounds per person per week! Can you aim to lose that? ( I haven’t been able to average that, but I’m going to try to stay focused!)

Average percentage of weight lost 0.01%

Before the weekly superstar list comes the disclaimer. I am human and I make mistakes. If you have any questions please contact me. For your reference this is the magic percentage of weight lost formula - weight loss for the week divided by weight for last week times 100, that gives us the percentage. Now let me test that with my numbers for week 1, click, click, click goes the calculator. Yes, that agrees with the percentage on the magic spreadsheet.

Now let's get to the good stuff. Who were our superstars of week 10? This week I’ve went with a simple TOP 11 LIST since I just couldn’t stick with a top 10 when there was only 11 losers. That criteria may change from week to week. Hey I'm in charge here and I get paid nothin' to do this so you better take what you can get! (and if there’s something you want to know, just ask me!)


The WISH Biggest Loser 8 Fall Challenge Week 11 Superstars!!
#11 – 0.22%- iluvtig2
#10- 0.37%- sskem96
#9- 0.47%- Cinderella Girl
#8- 0.50% - dreamlinda
#7- 0.73%- pjlla
#6- 1.00%- corinnak
#5- 1.05%- TammyAlphabet
#4- 1.59%- ShortyNBug
#3- 1.67%- seashell724
#2- 2.07%- sahbushka

and now

The WISH Biggest Loser 8 Fall Challenge
Week 11 Biggest Loser!!

#1- 2.16%- 50sjayne

Funny about thanksgiving kicking butt. I don't know if I'd be able to lose 1.7 each week, but I'm trying.

a big Congrats to all who lost this week!! You are an inspiration to us all!!!

QOTD: Funny holiday story:
DH and I started dating around Thanksgiving in 2001. It wasn't exact since we were friends before that and when going out as friends became dating was a little mushy. So as November 2002 starts, I ask him which day we should celebrate our 1 year anniversary. Here's our conversation...
Me: What day do you think is our anniversary?
Now-DH: Thanksgiving.
Me: Right, but which date?
Now-DH: Thanksgiving.
Me: But Thanksgiving is a different date every year.
Now-DH: What?
Me: Should we pick the date of last year's Thanksgiving as our anniversary?
Now-DH: What do you mean it changes every year?
Me: Didn't you ever notice that Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday? And therefore, not the same date every year?
Now-DH: Oh.

so funny!!

Total group weight loss so far 374.5 pounds!
Group weight loss goal 500 pounds! As our numbers have dwindled, the goal is seeming harder. BUT it is STILL POSSIBLE! With 25 people weighing in, all we need is average loss of 1.7pounds per person per week! Can you aim to lose that? ( I haven’t been able to average that, but I’m going to try to stay focused!)



Somehow I don't think we are going to be able to lose over 125 lbs in two weeks. But who knows...Miracles sometimes happen!

Sarah

Wouldn't that be a nice christmas miracle! You never do know.

Here's my story: a few years ago a neighbor was hosting Thanksgiving. Her DH was helping out and put the turkey in the oven. He checked it and said there was about an hour to go, put it back in the over and latched it. Ooops - their oven doesn't have a latch! He SET IT TO AUTO CLEAN!!! He could not unlock the oven until it cycled through the time (forunately it didn't heat up, just had to time through). The relatives and friends all come to look, of course, and started chanting "FREE THE BIRD! FREE THE BIRD!"

Oh my god. That's funny. It reminds me of the end of the carousel of progress when the voice activated oven turns the temperature way up and burns the turkey.

And now, one on a lady. We were visiting my DH's cousin and family one Christmas. His wife and two little children were making slice and bake cookies. Jodi kept burning the cookies. I suggested she set the timer - she did, and burnt the cookies again. I went to the kitchen to see what the heck she was doing and noticed that the cookies were all melted together. Wanna guess? Sure enough, Jodi was broiling cookies!! Guess she dropped out of home ec....

Thanks for sharing the funny stories. It was nice to come on and chuckle tonight before bed.

 

[corinnak]

Total group weight loss so far 374.5 pounds!
Group weight loss goal 500 pounds! As our numbers have dwindled, the goal is seeming harder. BUT it is STILL POSSIBLE! With 25 people weighing in, all we need is average loss of 1.7pounds per person per week! Can you aim to lose that? ( I haven’t been able to average that, but I’m going to try to stay focused!)

Wow! My body is probably not going to be willing to give it up that fast, but I will throw in some extra dog-walking and hope for the best. You know what we need? A few last-minute new recruits....that would help a lot!

Seriously, though, whatever total we hit is pretty darned awesome. This is a rough time of year to be losing and I feel like I'm in a group of superheroes right now!

QOTD: Funny holiday story:


The year was 1995. It was one of our first Christmases together, on our own. We had a Christmas tree, but very few of our own decorations yet. That year, we had, for some reason that I can't fully explain, acquired a largish number of Star Trek action figures. Anyway, I decided to spruce up the tree with these action figures. I made harnesses of ribbon. I posed them in the branches. I even had a couple of them chasing each other up the topmost twig of the tree. The best, though, was Riker as a Malcorian (how does that even merit being an action figure???) locked in an embrace with Major Kira Neurice of Deep Space 9. For some reason at the time, it struck me as being hilarious. Now, I think it's just funny that I even did any of it!

 

[50sjayne]

It's hard to bake and be tempted. One trick is baking right after a meal or drinking lots of water/tea, so you aren't hungry. It's easier to control your temptations that way, and maybe you'll just have a taste here or there, rather than 12 cookies. Sometimes I'll chew gum when baking, too. Sending good thoughts to you!

QOTD: Funny holiday story:
DH and I started dating around Thanksgiving in 2001. It wasn't exact since we were friends before that and when going out as friends became dating was a little mushy. So as November 2002 starts, I ask him which day we should celebrate our 1 year anniversary. Here's our conversation...
Me: What day do you think is our anniversary?
Now-DH: Thanksgiving.
Me: Right, but which date?
Now-DH: Thanksgiving.
Me: But Thanksgiving is a different date every year.
Now-DH: What?
Me: Should we pick the date of last year's Thanksgiving as our anniversary?
Now-DH: What do you mean it changes every year?
Me: Didn't you ever notice that Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday? And therefore, not the same date every year?
Now-DH: Oh.

Lol-- yesterday I was bantering with a regular customer and we were talking about how tired we were or something and he said yeah--he was talking to someone earlier and mentioned to them how cool it was that New Years is on the first this year lol. I turned back to my boss laughing and said-- hey did you know New years on the first this year? Lol She was incredulous too
Ok another story that's actually funny for Christmas. (I had to guiltily call my daughter about that contact incident earlier)
One year China (the neurotic garage kitty) I noticed had somethin' trailing her. Further investigation revealed a very shiny piece of tinsel poking out in a very undignified and shocking manner. Seriously folks though, this is dangerous to cats-- can get wrapped around their intestines. So not attempt any pulling if it happens to your poor kitty. She was fine lol.
As far as Disney goes---I have 2 that made us laugh pretty much incessantly for days. The first is when my autistic 4 yr old son decided to use my daughter as a fire hydrant after standing in line too long for Dumbo.
I think my husbands incredulous "are you insane?" comment to the boy after hearing of said incident is what really did it lol. (and for both instances sheer exhaustion)
The second would be the last time we went and I was going to get a fast pass for Splash mountain on a magic morning and my husband who decided he didn't need no fancy new fangled fast passes-- there was no line-- lets just go on it. OK Hah. He sat in the front. It was about 10am, we had been driving all night, then walked right in at 7am. It was March--cold and we were soaked. Husband's fair size, kids 300 pounds, there was a family in our boat with another 'big guy' we're lucky we didn't capsize the thing. Kid and I kept cracking up about how we found our laughing place all day lol. We had no hotel until 3 pm. Hojo's let us come and use the bathrooms and the pool towels to dry and change though and fixed us up with our room at about noon. We went and ate at hometown buffet in the meantime.

 

[mikamah]

Wow! My body is probably not going to be willing to give it up that fast, but I will throw in some extra dog-walking and hope for the best. You know what we need? A few last-minute new recruits....that would help a lot!

Seriously, though, whatever total we hit is pretty darned awesome. This is a rough time of year to be losing and I feel like I'm in a group of superheroes right now!

QOTD: Funny holiday story:


The year was 1995. It was one of our first Christmases together, on our own. We had a Christmas tree, but very few of our own decorations yet. That year, we had, for some reason that I can't fully explain, acquired a largish number of Star Trek action figures. Anyway, I decided to spruce up the tree with these action figures. I made harnesses of ribbon. I posed them in the branches. I even had a couple of them chasing each other up the topmost twig of the tree. The best, though, was Riker as a Malcorian (how does that even merit being an action figure???) locked in an embrace with Major Kira Neurice of Deep Space 9. For some reason at the time, it struck me as being hilarious. Now, I think it's just funny that I even did any of it!

YOu are right, 375 pounds is awesome!! I for one didn't lose my share, but there are so many who have seen some amazing losses, it is so nice to be a part of this group.

Love the tree story. I was going to share it with my son, but then I'm afraid he'll be decorating our tree with all his ninja turtles.

As far as Disney goes---I have 2 that made us laugh pretty much incessantly for days. The first is when my autistic 4 yr old son decided to use my daughter as a fire hydrant after standing in line too long for Dumbo.
I think my husbands incredulous "are you insane?" comment to the boy after hearing of said incident is what really did it lol. (and for both instances sheer exhaustion)

Oh my god, that is so funny. We were at a crowded beach once and my son was probably 3 or 4 and had to go, so I told him to go in the water, so he stood with his feet in the water, dropped his suit, and went. I was with a friend, said to her, " is he yours?" Little boys are too funny.

 

[mikamah]

Well, I was laying in bed this morning after I hit the snooze alarm 3 times and missed my exercise time, and thought this is not a good way to finish this challenge off. We have two weeks left, and if we push ourselves, we can do some serious damage to that scale. At ww they suggested taking a calendar of december and writing down all the functions/parties you had to go to and really looking at them. If you have 2 a week, that is 8 for the month, and that leaves 22 days that you can be extra vigilant and stay on track, and minimize the damage from the party days, and get through the holidays.
Let's work extra hard now, and finish strong!! Maybe we really could see another 125 gone!!

Thurs QOTD- What can you commit to today for the next 2 weeks to keep on track, and finish this challenge strong?

I am committing to drinking 64 oz of water every day, and to exercise 5 days/week. I joined the exercise challenge here the goldcupmom runs, and committed to 1000 min/ month. It's more than I've been doing, but I've done it in the past.

Have a fabulous day!

 

[tigger813]

Definitely reaching 20 pounds this week as I'm .3 from it!!!!! Just got to hold out one more day! At church last night for pageant practice several people commented on how good I look! I have never felt better!

Really pouring here so I'll have to drive DD1 to the bus stop. Then I'll come home and do the 2 mile WATP again or the Wii Fit! Doing some shopping with DD1 today as she gets out of school at 11:30 due to conferences. Made my list. Just hope I get it all done before having to pick up DD2 at preschool.

Tonight will be the challenge as I'm starting to make cookies and candies for the holidays as well as Chex Mix!

 

[tigger813]

QOTD:

I will commit to drink 60-90 oz of water a day and completing at least 6 miles of workouts a day, 5-7 days a week. I really would love to make 150 by Christmas despite the craziness of the next 2 weeks! I have already signed up for the next challenge! Hoping to be a maintainer though I may start as a loser but that's OK!

 

[dreamlinda]

Thurs QOTD- What can you commit to today for the next 2 weeks to keep on track, and finish this challenge strong?

I commit to keeping my head in the game thru next Thursday 12/10. No grazing - snacking - and resisting the two buffets that I will face today. Two in one day - my plan is to make it thru the first, and then will not want to blow that effort at the second. 12/11 we leave for WDW so what I am going to accomplish toward our goal has to happen in the next week. I promise to give it my best!

 

[lisah0711]

Biggest Loser 8 Fall Challenge Week 11
This weeks total group loss 1.2 pounds! (US Thanksgiving kicked some butt, even on the Canadians LOL!)
Total group weight loss so far 374.5 pounds!
Group weight loss goal 500 pounds! As our numbers have dwindled, the goal is seeming harder. BUT it is STILL POSSIBLE! With 25 people weighing in, all we need is average loss of 1.7pounds per person per week! Can you aim to lose that? ( I haven’t been able to average that, but I’m going to try to stay focused!)

Average percentage of weight lost 0.01%

Congratulations to all of our biggest losers, and a great big congratulations to 50sjayne for being the biggest loser so close to goal! Nice job on the big finish!

I think that we should still all give ourselves a pat on the back for losing as much as we have. We might pull off a Christmas miracle here yet.

I'm pleased that we started with 64 people at our first weigh in in September and still have 43 that are sticking it out to the end of the challenge. It is a hard time of year to keep on track and we should be proud of ourselves for sticking with it, even when the times get tough.

I remember the first challenge this year we finished up the last week with a gain so that 1.2 pound group loss for Thanksgiving could be worse!

This was the first challenge that we had a group goal so I would say it is a success not matter how we do -- 370 plus pounds is nothing to sneeze at!

Seriously, though, whatever total we hit is pretty darned awesome. This is a rough time of year to be losing and I feel like I'm in a group of superheroes right now!

You make me think of Bob on BL saying "we've got heroes in the house!"

Well, I was laying in bed this morning after I hit the snooze alarm 3 times and missed my exercise time, and thought this is not a good way to finish this challenge off. We have two weeks left, and if we push ourselves, we can do some serious damage to that scale. At ww they suggested taking a calendar of december and writing down all the functions/parties you had to go to and really looking at them. If you have 2 a week, that is 8 for the month, and that leaves 22 days that you can be extra vigilant and stay on track, and minimize the damage from the party days, and get through the holidays.
Let's work extra hard now, and finish strong!! Maybe we really could see another 125 gone!!

Thurs QOTD- What can you commit to today for the next 2 weeks to keep on track, and finish this challenge strong?

I'm going to keep on track on my eating and make sure that I exercise every single day!

tigger813, watch out for that Chex Mix! I finally tossed mine out. I'm not making any more this year and will wait until I see my Mom on 12/17 to have a little bit of hers.

My funny Disney story is for this year. We will be at WDW. DS who is 10 understands that we can't take his presents back and forth. He asked that I take pictures of his presents before wrapping them. Then I am to wrap the pictures and bring them to WDW. On Christmas morning he will unwrap the pictures so he can see what he got.

Have a great day all!

 

[corinnak]

Thurs QOTD- What can you commit to today for the next 2 weeks to keep on track, and finish this challenge strong?

The plan for the next 2 weeks, I think, has to be the same as the plan for the rest of the challenge (week at WDW excepted) - continue with the half marathon training plan, continue tracking my food and staying within my points, blogging on ww.com, reading other's blogs at ww.com and reading about nutrition, weight loss, running and weight training. I'm not ever going to be the fastest loser, but I have something that is workable for me, so I'm sticking with it!

I do plan to up the ante a little this week by walking a little on the days I'm not running 5 miles or more. Weather permitting, anyhow. Today, we have snow, and the roads are slick. Too dangerous to do my 6 miles with speedwork outside, so it's the treadmill for me this morning. Then lunch out with a friend at BD's Mongolian BBQ. Should be entirely workable. I printed off the points values on DWLZ.com already!

Here is a problem: I've been invited to a Cookie Exchange party that is being hosted by a lovely woman from Church. I hate to turn down an invitation for a social gathering, but honestly, I do not want to bake 6 dozen cookies, I do not want to have six dozen cookies in the house. Cookies are....well, they are DANGEROUS, that is what they are! One cookie is doable, but they have the perfect storm of attributes to make them highly addictive. They have the sugar, fat and just a little bit of salt layered together which tweaks that "Eat more" part of the brain. They are also something you eat by hand without a fork or spoon, can eat on the run and can break off a piece at a time to fool yourself into thinking you're not really eating a whole cookie so it doesn't need to be tracked.

So I'm not quite sure what to do. Do I bake cookies and then not take any home with me? Do I decline to attend? Do I ask if I can attend without bringing cookies? It is a celebration of cookies! Does an alcoholic go to a wine tasting, even if invited by a lovely woman at church who is trying to include her? Maybe, but she sure doesn't take 6 bottles home with her, right??? I am open to thoughts or suggestions.

 

[50sjayne]

I will deal with stress better as a comittment. I'll be organized and not put things off so they build up. I will also commit to my walks with my son although it is freeeezing cold here. We went last night and a good scarf made all the difference. I want to go all over the neighborhood to see peoples decorations and lights. Well I better go-- the roads are icy so I have to not do my usual mad dash

 

[pjlla]

Thurs QOTD- What can you commit to today for the next 2 weeks to keep on track, and finish this challenge strong?

The plan for the next 2 weeks, I think, has to be the same as the plan for the rest of the challenge (week at WDW excepted) - continue with the half marathon training plan, continue tracking my food and staying within my points, blogging on ww.com, reading other's blogs at ww.com and reading about nutrition, weight loss, running and weight training. I'm not ever going to be the fastest loser, but I have something that is workable for me, so I'm sticking with it!

I do plan to up the ante a little this week by walking a little on the days I'm not running 5 miles or more. Weather permitting, anyhow. Today, we have snow, and the roads are slick. Too dangerous to do my 6 miles with speedwork outside, so it's the treadmill for me this morning. Then lunch out with a friend at BD's Mongolian BBQ. Should be entirely workable. I printed off the points values on DWLZ.com already!

Here is a problem: I've been invited to a Cookie Exchange party that is being hosted by a lovely woman from Church. I hate to turn down an invitation for a social gathering, but honestly, I do not want to bake 6 dozen cookies, I do not want to have six dozen cookies in the house. Cookies are....well, they are DANGEROUS, that is what they are! One cookie is doable, but they have the perfect storm of attributes to make them highly addictive. They have the sugar, fat and just a little bit of salt layered together which tweaks that "Eat more" part of the brain. They are also something you eat by hand without a fork or spoon, can eat on the run and can break off a piece at a time to fool yourself into thinking you're not really eating a whole cookie so it doesn't need to be tracked.

So I'm not quite sure what to do. Do I bake cookies and then not take any home with me? Do I decline to attend? Do I ask if I can attend without bringing cookies? It is a celebration of cookies! Does an alcoholic go to a wine tasting, even if invited by a lovely woman at church who is trying to include her? Maybe, but she sure doesn't take 6 bottles home with her, right??? I am open to thoughts or suggestions.

I say... go the cookie swap... bring either some lovely bakery cookies that you buy on the way to the swap (so you don't have the temptation at home)... or make a type of cookie that you don't enjoy. And before you LEAVE the cookie swap, give away all of your cookies to others there... surely someone must have hungry teenage boys at home and would love more cookies! Or attend, be social, have fun... but bring nothing and take home nothing (that is what I would do).

Thurs QOTD- What can you commit to today for the next 2 weeks to keep on track, and finish this challenge strong?

I will commit to 60 minutes (or more) of exercise 6 days a week. I commit to staying within my points target EVERY DAY... no bites, licks, tastes, nibbles! I commit to filling my fridge with yummy, healthy fresh fruit and veggies between now and Christmas week. I commit to pushing the water (I have been slacking a bit on that over the last several days) and getting at least two liters a day (I usually get 2 1/2 or 3). I commit to NOT eating the Lindt chocolates from DD's Advent calendar (okay... I already had a few... but no more!).

I commit to not baking a single Christmas cookie...If you knew me, you'd laugh... I NEVER bake Christmas cookies... I HATE baking! DH will usually make a batch of cookies at the last minute with the kids, so there is something to leave out for Santa. Otherwise Santa gets packaged cookies or cheese and crackers!

I'm thinking ahead to my weight loss and maintenance for next year. I am thinking of buying or making myself a "healthy" calendar for next year to plan and track my exercise and eating. I do good with my food journal and I do track my minutes of exercise in my food journal, but I don't keep real detailed records. It would be nice to have a PLAN also. When I get to the Y I usually start with 20-30 minutes on the Treadclimber, but beyond that I just kind of wing it... I go with whatever suits my mood for the day. It would be great to have a PLAN every day. Does anyone else do that?

I would also like to start trying ONE NEW RECIPE a week. I am in such a cooking rut... especially with healthy, low cal things. I picked up a Cooking Light crockpot cookbook at Target yesterday, but the first three recipes I looked at had ingredients that we don't eat (like lamb), so I put it down again. But I would love to find some new recipes to try. Easy, light, quick, low calorie, delicious... not much to ask, right?

Well... I'm here at work and my student needs me! Gotta run....P