Biggest Loser Alumni Holiday Edition: past, present and future participants welcome!

[tggrrstarr]

Hi, I'm Kelli. The spring challenge will be my 2nd BL challenge. I lost 30 lbs on the fall challenge, making a total of 48lbs since this past July. I am using a ipod touch app called Lose It! to count calories, it has been an enormous help to me so far. I started my weight loss journey doing P90x and walking, but had to stop the program in October when I injured my knee after starting C25k. P90x was a great way to shock me into exercise, but now that my knee is better I am focusing more on the running.

I am going to be 34 in January and I have been married 5 years to my DH. We don't have any kids (yet?) but we do have two very spoiled pets- my almost 14 year old dog Jazz and my 10 month old kitten Boo.

I started gaining my weight a few years after high school and it just kept adding up. I've known for a few years now that I need to lose weight, but I wasn't ready to make a lifestyle change until this past summer. It finally just clicked. My weight loss plan partly revolved around my upcomming trip to WDW. I came up with 2 phases - before and after my trip. I am working towards losing 60 lbs by my trip- I have just over one month and 12 pounds to go. After my trip I would like to focus on losing about 40 more pounds.

 

[Mrs D]

OK, I'm in again.

I did a BL challenge (sort of) last Jan. It really jump started my weight loss journey. I weighed in for the BL at 183 and today am 143! I started run/walk intervals in Feb and began weight watchers in June. My big race for the year was the Wine & Dine Half Relay (I did the 4.8 miles) and my longest was a 10k.

Ok, onto the QOTD: My holiday goal is to get through to the New Year at 143.

I was looking at some photos tonight and thought I'd share. This group can appreciate I'm sure.

Sept 2009 with DH:


Ugh - I do not like looking at this pic, but I'm sort of glad it was taken.


At the Wine & Dine


DH & I at the end of Oct 2010

 

[mikamah]

Mrs. D.- You look amazing!! Congratulations on your weight loss, and thanks for sharing the pictures. They are such an inspiration to me.

I took a little nap with ds when he went to bed, and now I'm up and can't sleep. I was debating on wrapping presents or doing Christmas cards, but thought I'd just spend some idle time surfing the dis. We are going to do some baking this weekend, and tomorrow will start off with 4 miles at the park. No other plans this weekend, but I do want to get the house cleaned up for Christmas eve, and the presents wrapped and under the tree.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

 

[flipflopmom]

I had a pretty productive day, pb&j for ds, bread for ds, goldfish for ds.

Here I've been under the assumption that my girls' palate's and food interests would widen as they got older. That's EXACTLY what we are packing for them for HHI. The threads look GREAT! THANK YOU!

Welcome! I cannot imagine losing a baby, and to have the intended parents issue to deal with on top of it all must have been VERY traumatic. I am so very, very sorry you've had to deal with this! Lindsay is exactly right. The mental support I have received on here is THE key to my health. It's not a counseling board, but I've found so much of my weight loss is tied to my mental state, it just naturally occurs. I didn't share this in my intro, because I didn't want to sound like a broken record, but I am still reeling over the loss of my Daddy 15 months ago tomorrow. I'm sure it will come up in the next 2 weeks, holidays are hard. Every cliche' you've ever heard or seen on a movie about a Daddy's girl fit us perfectly. He was my childhood playmate, my best friend, guidance counselor, cheerleader, butt kicker when I needed it, my rock. To lose all that wrapped up in one precious package has been very hard for me, and the support I've gotten here has been the key to not allowing the depression to overtake me again and to get healthy for my sake. Vent away, of course, it's up to you how much you share, but we are here for you!

Very cool about your son, and very close to home for me, literally. I am less than an hour North from NC School of the Arts. I'm in a VERY small town, so Winston is one of the places we have to go to shop, hospitals (yes, that's where Daddy died), do anything big!

My name is Lindsay.

How am I older than you? We're supposed to have been on the same day and separated at birth or something???

Over the next 2 weeks, I plan to maintain overall, which may mean putting on a few pounds over christmas, but on 12/26, I plan to get back on track, and really buckle down and lose some weight.

Sounds like a plan to me, lady! I hope you ladies will take lots of pictures at the princess, I'm soooo jealous!

Hi, I'm Kelli. I came up with 2 phases - before and after my trip. I am working towards losing 60 lbs by my trip- I have just over one month and 12 pounds to go. After my trip I would like to focus on losing about 40 more pounds.

I did the same thing with my weight loss. Actually, I undershot it. I beat my "what I want to weigh by WDW" by about 5 pounds. When I set that goal in January, that was my goal weight. I thought that would be it. But no, I came home and lost 20 more. I can't wait for you to have all those lovely pictures to share!

I did a BL challenge (sort of) last Jan. It really jump started my weight loss journey. I weighed in for the BL at 183 and today am 143!

WOW! The pictures tell it all, don't they! You look amazing! Very inspiring! Are you working on maintaining now, or do you want to lose a bit more? I would say "you don't need to lose any more" but I HATE when people tell me that! I only ask for information purposes, not that I think you need to lose any more, I am just digging a hole. I'll stop now. Hope you know what I mean.

I was debating on wrapping presents or doing Christmas cards, but thought I'd just spend some idle time surfing the dis. .

LOVE IT! That was my status on FB the other day. I have sooo much to do, can't decide what to do first, so I'm going to take a nap!

And my goals for this holiday season are.... maintain, maintain, maintain!! And that would involve maintaining my exercise routines, as well as maintaining my weight.

I love that you added maintain exercise routines. There is a lot to maintain in the next 2 weeks, huh? Sanity being a key!

My weight loss journey has been very slow but I'm picking up momentum, especially as I am running the Princess with several of my BL friends. I know that the reason I've finally been successful with my health goals is thanks to the WISH boards and the BL challenges! I love all you guys!

Picking up momentum? Hon, you are an avalanche, shredding those pounds as you fly downward! I am so proud of you!!!

After the holidays I am becoming a wellness coach in my area. The leader of our weight loss challenge thinks I would be great at it.

I bet you would. Does that translate that you will be selling the products, too? I really like the shakes but I am out of them. I've used them to supplement occasionally.

My name is Shawn and I just finished participating in the Fall Challenge, my first. It was a very rewarding experience and I lost 12.5 pounds in 15 weeks, thanks to the encouragement and motivation of my team mates.

Work it girl! If my calculations are correct, thanks to your cliff notes, you've been in the air for an hour! I can't imagine being in the air another 8. Hope you can rest in Atlanta during your layover. Sending save flight travels to you!

Well, not everyone knows you, Taryn!

They do now, . Love you, girl!

It really makes me feel accountable for my actions And there is something about writing how my daily diet and exercise are going really helps keep me encouraged!

Very, very true Nicole! I've considered on bad days telling myself I will post EVERY morsel that goes in my mouth. Kept at lot of stuff out of it, that's for sure! You've been doing very, very well! Hope you are feeling better!

I don't have too much time to post. Just wanted to check in and will talk later.

Thanks for dropping in! Have you heard anything about your knee?

Finally got some cleaning done yesterday, but only because I completely shut down the computer, and the router, so I stayed away. Glad I did, b/c MIL and FIL came by last night for a minute! I feel so much better when my house looks better!

I have a pampered chef training/Christmas brunch in NC this am, hoping to be back at home by 2, anyway. Hoping DH and the girls finish cleaning the upstairs while I am gone, but not holding my breath!

I'm considering a kinda of "purge" this week. With TOM here, it's been a BAD couple of days. After brunch this am, I am thinking about doing 90% fruit and veggies diet until Friday. We actually have some in the fridge right now, , and I don't want it to go bad while we are gone. I'll add some protein in, but I've had wayyy too many carbs lately. I don't usually stress them, but previous experience tells me they #1. are a trigger, and #2. end up on my belly. No major parties/meals until Christmas Eve, so I would love to be in a healthy digestive place then!

Have a wonderful day!!!!!!!
Taryn

 

[tigger813]

Taryn- I will be selling the products. I may have my first client too. I was talking to one of our nail clients yesterday and she's interested in them so we said we'd talk after the holidays.

Woke up at 5 this morning. I guess my body is just so used to it now. I've got a bad headache this morning probably since I didn't drink much water yesterday and then had my drinks last night. DD2 has been coughing a bit. I think she's getting another cold.

I think I'm going to go back to bed for awhile. See if it helps me feel better!

TTFN

 

[Rose&Mike]

Again--no time. I assigned new people to teams and in a minute I'm going to get ready to go to the Y for my 2 hour date with the dreadmill.

Taryn-- Had to laugh at your comment about the pb&j. His palate has expanded a little, but we have decided he has a lot of texture issues. Though he loves sushi and salmon--go figure, the expensive stuff!

Mrs. D--great pictures! We have had similar journies. I weighed ~189 on January 1 (scale issues). Today I weigh 140.8. I am sitting as a maintainer--works better mentally for me, but I am hoping to get to around 137ish. Then I'm done--I'm saying that because Mike is sitting here reading over my shoulder. Anyhow, welcome!

Lisa--Woohoo for a new decade! Kept meaning to say that yesterday!

Ok that's all I have time for. Time to get going! Have a great day!

 

[mikamah]

LOVE IT! That was my status on FB the other day. I have sooo much to do, can't decide what to do first, so I'm going to take a nap!

Always so nice to know I am not every alone. I'm here again, just for a quick hello before I get started on my list. Funny how I can always find a little dis time.

I have a pampered chef training/Christmas brunch in NC this am, hoping to be back at home by 2, anyway. Hoping DH and the girls finish cleaning the upstairs while I am gone, but not holding my breath!

I'm considering a kinda of "purge" this week.No major parties/meals until Christmas Eve, so I would love to be in a healthy digestive place then!

Taryn

Good luck at the brunch. I know what you mean about trying to purge a little this week. Other than baking this weekend, we don't have much going on as far as food til thursday. I think I will make chili tomorrow and that way I know I'll have my healthy meals set through thursday. Drive carefully. Hope the snow is over for you for a while.

I think I'm going to go back to bed for awhile. See if it helps me feel better!

TTFN

Hope you got some more sleep and are feeling better.

Again--no time. I assigned new people to teams and in a minute I'm going to get ready to go to the Y for my 2 hour date with the dreadmill.

Ok that's all I have time for. Time to get going! Have a great day!

Good luck on the treadmill! Hope it wasn't too painful.

I'm here procrastinating a bit. At 9 we are going to the park to run/walk, and I need to run to a store because I forgot to buy molasses for the gingerbread we will make today. Hoping the traffic won't be to tortuous. I am going to write some christmas cards now. I could get a lot done in 20 minutes, so no more slacking.

Have a great day!!

 

[mikamah]

WISH I WORKED IN A NUT FREE BUILDING! Okay, that is my last official post on this thread. DO NOT COMMENT TO ME here, or I will feel compelled to respond. I'm OCD that way. Send it to the alum thread!

Ok, Taryn, I needed to comment, and it wan't easy to copy and paste this from the other thread you know, but I must obey. You crack me up.

So much for the Christmas cards this morning. Off to the park.

 

[lisah0711]

On the second day of the holiday challenge, my true love gave to me . . . two exercise gloves and a big drink of water for me!

I also want to MOVE with my girls every day, dancing, wii, whatever.

This is a great idea, Taryn!

Lisa--thanks for hosting the thread over the holidays.

My pleasure!

My health goal goals during the holiday is to keep drinking my water, get in my exercise EVERYDAY, and to be okay with the few indulgences I plan on taking over the holidays.

A very sensible and realistic plan!

I don't have too much time to post. Just wanted to check in and will talk later.

Hi dona!

Hello everybody. I just signed up for the spring challenge, which will be my first.

Tauwillow! I'm so sorry that you had such a horrible year. I hope that you will enjoy the challenges. I would still be "trying" instead of "doing" if it weren't for this fine bunch of folks!

I am currently training for the disney princess half marathon in feb 2011. I am excited to meet some of my BL friends there too.

Thanks for volunteering to coach, Lindsay. Can't wait to see all of you at the Princess in a few short weeks!

Over the next 2 weeks, I plan to maintain overall, which may mean putting on a few pounds over christmas, but on 12/26, I plan to get back on track, and really buckle down and lose some weight. I will continue my run/walking during these two weeks as well.

Sounds like a great plan!

I am working towards losing 60 lbs by my trip- I have just over one month and 12 pounds to go. After my trip I would like to focus on losing about 40 more pounds.

You are so on track to be at goal before your trip, Kelli! Hope the weather warms up before you get there!

I did a BL challenge (sort of) last Jan. It really jump started my weight loss journey. I weighed in for the BL at 183 and today am 143! I started run/walk intervals in Feb and began weight watchers in June. My big race for the year was the Wine & Dine Half Relay (I did the 4.8 miles) and my longest was a 10k.

Mrs D! Those pictures are so inspiring! They are a great testimony about what a difference a year makes!

I'm considering a kinda of "purge" this week. With TOM here, it's been a BAD couple of days. After brunch this am, I am thinking about doing 90% fruit and veggies diet until Friday. We actually have some in the fridge right now, , and I don't want it to go bad while we are gone. I'll add some protein in, but I've had wayyy too many carbs lately. I don't usually stress them, but previous experience tells me they #1. are a trigger, and #2. end up on my belly. No major parties/meals until Christmas Eve, so I would love to be in a healthy digestive place then!

Love you too, girl! You are such a multitasker -- purging and cleaning out your fridge at the same time! Hope that the cleaning elves paid you a visit this morning!

Again--no time. I assigned new people to teams and in a minute I'm going to get ready to go to the Y for my 2 hour date with the dreadmill.

Good luck with the dreadmill, Rose. Thanks for all your hard work on the spring challenge!

Always so nice to know I am not every alone. I'm here again, just for a quick hello before I get started on my list. Funny how I can always find a little dis time.

Isn't that the truth?

I was so happy to get a 5 mile walk in yesterday outside. I was worried since I'd missed my two short runs earlier in the week and it was the first time outside for over a month. It is very likely that it is the last time I will be running outside until I am in Orlando in February. It was freezing but I was fast -- 1:17 all walking -- two minutes shy of a Princess pace. So now I am going to stop worrying and just concentrate on training.

And to that end, signed up for WW online today. 3 months online for $65 and I get the new plan. I've tried WW before but the new plan and lots of reports of success made me decide to give it a whirl again.

Have a great day all!

 

[cclovesdis]

I'm CC. My name is really Christina, but who has time to say all that? My parents, sister, and BIL have been calling me that since I can remember. It's also much quicker to type.

BL 10 was my 3rd BL challenge. I love them! I gained about 10 pounds during each challenge (I'm an emotional eater), but got myself much more under control during the fall challenge and lost over 5 pounds! That's quite the success in my book!

The support from all my BL friends has been amazing! I know I am much better emotionally because of all of you.

I can coach after Christmas. It's really busy around my house until then. We've bought 10 pounds of squid already and found out a few hours ago that we need more. Not all the grocery stores sell it, so it could be difficult to find.

I'm getting a "page" from my mother about cleaning something up, so I have to run. Have a great day everyone!

Taryn:

 

[Rose&Mike]

Ok, I have lost two posts and I’m starting to get a little ticked off!

Tauwillow—I am sorry your year has been so difficult. I have found that consistent exercise helps immensely with my anxiety and SAD. Just go easy. You don’t want to end up on the injured reserve list. (Yes, I have been watching waaay too much espn on the treadmill!)

Lindsay and Kathy—I can’t wait to meet my BL friends too! Just have to figure out how to sneak away from the sisters! And Kathy—I think you have a great plan for the rest of the year and hope the run at the park went well.

Hi CC!

Lisa—love the 12 days of Christmas! Woohoo on 5 miles and on joining WW!

Tracey—I can’t sleep past 5 either. Hope the headache gets better!

Kelli—I think it’s great to break your goals down into smaller chunks. We all need to work on celebrating victories!

I’m sure I missed somebody, but this was not my day for multi-quoting.

I did ok on the treadmill. 10 miles in 1:50:47. Most importantly my stomach is not going crazy—just a tiny bit off, so I may have found a way to avoid the couple of hours of nausea I’ve been putting up with after long runs.

Mike was looking at our GG order and he said—did you mean to order 2 dozen hardboiled eggs? Oops. We put a request in for a modification!
Ok, off to be productive.
Have a great day!

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

How am I older than you? We're supposed to have been on the same day and separated at birth or something???

Again--no time. I assigned new people to teams and in a minute I'm going to get ready to go to the Y for my 2 hour date with the dreadmill.

Oh rose I feel your pain. I hope the run goes well. Dont try to out speed yourself again.

Great way to start the day. I hope your run went well!!!!

[And to that end, signed up for WW online today. 3 months online for $65 and I get the new plan. I've tried WW before but the new plan and lots of reports of success made me decide to give it a whirl again.

Have a great day all!

I am excited to try the new plan too. I am going to start on the 1st. Not sure why I am not starting now...except that my excuse it there is just way to much going on and too much to do right now. Its my story and Im stickin to it.

I'm CC. My name is really Christina, but who has time to say all that? My parents, sister, and BIL have been calling me that since I can remember. It's also much quicker to type.

I think CC gives you more character. Great job on coming out a loser this past challenge. You did great and even had a bum leg for awhile.

I worked our flu clinic this morning and now I am catching up on the boards. I need to get a shower and wash up the boys. We have a bday party for my friends 3 year old son today. Its in jersey about 50 min away. I really need to try to get some wrapping done tonight once the kids are in bed. There are sometimes that I wish santa really was real....it would save me so much time and money.

Have a great saturday!!!!

 

[Tauwillow]

Thanks to all of you. You have made me feel incredibly welcome, and I hope that I can be half as successful as you have been!

Flipflopmom- Im sorry about the loss of your dad. I hope the holidays are gentle to you.

We were just in W-S twice this month, once to see our son perform in his first Nutcracker there, and then a week later to pick him up for winter break! We drive everywhere, and now that he is going to school states away - we're really racking up some miles on our car.

I am having a slow start today. DH and DS are off at the movies, watching the Royal Ballet's nutcracker. (hes been *in* the Nutcracker for 9 years - but has never seen one!) I'm supposed to be reorganizing the house so we can decorate for the holidays, but haven't gotten out of bed yet. When they get back, we're all going to finish watching Harry Potters 5 &6 before seeing the most recent in the theatre. I guess today is a big day for movies.

I'm hoping to get in a little wii action for today's exercise. Weekends are hard because the days tend to get monopolized by family needs.

 

[corinnak]

Warm up QOTD: Tell us a little about yourself, your past BL challenges, and what you hope to accomplish regarding your health goals during the holidays?


Hi! I'm Corinna (as my username would indicate) I've been doing BL challenges since January 2009, but I've been losing (and regaining and losing...) pretty much since I was old enough to have an awareness that one could try to change one's weight. My highest weight was about 210 after my first child was born in 1998. Which would mean that my ribbon should maybe read 75#? The 55 clippie does reflect what I've lost since starting the BL challenges, though. I reached my goal weight last January, I think? and then made it lower, so really, I don't know the exact dates for my "goal-iversary" but I really should pick one! I have been maintaining for almost a year now, more or less, with a bump up over the summer (due to excessive Disney European cruise food - The ship was on a mission to fatten us all up, I promise you.)

I'm an at-home-mom/chauffer and I do backstage stuff with a couple of theater organizations in the Twin Cities, MN.

Here's a photo of my latest masterpiece - the checkerboard floor for 1940's Radio Hour:

Summer of 2004:
I may have been a little bigger right after my older son was born, but this is about where I was a year after my second child was born - bigger than the week after, actually.

January of 2009:
This was my first half marathon. I had had a concussion in October, so my plans to lose weight (again) and train were derailed for the month of November. It was my first solo trip, too. When I finished this race, I knew I had the power to do things that seemed impossible. I went home determined to be at goal weight for the 2010 WDW Half Marathon.

March of 2010:
My January pictures are all full of jacket because it was so cold, so I'm subbing a Princess photo.

December 2010:
With my friend's "attack cat" at her "Ugly Holiday Sweater Party." My sweater was not that ugly, but it did have bells on it.

As far as my health goals over the holidays go, I am determined to kick this last pound to the curb, continue training for the half marathon in Janary (just 3 weeks away!) and fuel my body appropriately and healthfully along the way. I would like to start the Spring Challenge as a maintainer.

Oh, one other thing. I'm a Lifetimer with Weight Watchers (username corinnak4 on the community/blogs), but I was struggling with the new plan - I think it may have too much wiggle room for me at this point. I've started tracking with myfitnesspal.com instead, and my username over there is corinnak, if anyone else is using that app/website.

 

[my3princes]

Hello everybody. I just signed up for the spring challenge, which will be my first.

I'm 39 and have had a very difficult year. I was a surrogate mother, having 3 of my own children and 5 children for other couples. My last surrogacy was particularly difficult when our full term baby died in March, and had to be delivered the following day. To complicate matters, my intended parents blamed me and were pretty awful about the whole thing. Truth is, I'm still dealing with the trauma of it all.

After 8 babies and a lot of grief, I have a good amount of weight to lose. I deal with sleep issues and depression currently, but I really want to get a grip on my life again - and losing the weight to the point that I find "me" is becoming more and more important.

I eventually want to be consistent with calorie counting, but my biggest goal right now is to start exercising every day.

My other stats: I'll be married 18 years in February to my beloved IT geek, have three kids (11, 14, 17), my middle son is a ballet dancer attending HS at the NC school of the arts, I'm a artist but haven't been doing much this year and we live in central IL.

I think that about covers it!

Wow, that's a lot to deal with. You should be commended for being a surrogate, that takes a very special person

OK, I'm in again.

I did a BL challenge (sort of) last Jan. It really jump started my weight loss journey. I weighed in for the BL at 183 and today am 143! I started run/walk intervals in Feb and began weight watchers in June. My big race for the year was the Wine & Dine Half Relay (I did the 4.8 miles) and my longest was a 10k.

Ok, onto the QOTD: My holiday goal is to get through to the New Year at 143.

I was looking at some photos tonight and thought I'd share. This group can appreciate I'm sure.

Sept 2009 with DH:


Ugh - I do not like looking at this pic, but I'm sort of glad it was taken.


At the Wine & Dine


DH & I at the end of Oct 2010

Wow, that's amazing

 

[my3princes]

Here I am, late to the party again

My name is Deb. I am 41 years old and have been happily married to my high school sweatheart for 18 years. We have 3 boys, ages 15, 13 and 8. I never had weight issues until I got pregnant with my boys. I gained 60 lbs with the first, lost 30 and got pregnant with the second, gained those 30 back during the pregancy, lost it post pregnancy, gained 10 just cause I wasn't done having kids yet so why bother, had a miscarriage, got pregnant with our last and when all was said and done weighed in at 198 lbs. I decided in 2003 that I wasn't happy being that weight and truly my boys were kicking my butt, I just couldn't keep up. Dh and I did Atkins for 4 months and I dropped 50 lbs. Since that time I've gained a few, lost a few, went to WW, did it on my own, reached a low of 137. I had done really well until vacation last summer. We did a week at WDW, a week caribbean cruise, another week in Orlando and I came back 14 lbs heavier. Since vacation I have started a new full time job plus kept one of my part time jobs. The adjustment has been harder than I thought for myself and for my family. I feel like I have things in pretty good control right now so my goals for the holidays is simply to maintain under 150 lbs. I am going to start WW again, attending meetings after the new year and hopefully I will figure out a way to incorporate exercise into my day.

In my free time I coordinate a Lacrosse program (5 teams), do home renovations (the whole projects), do crafts, ski, ride motorcycles, cut, slit and stack wood. You get the idea. Not a lot of idol time here. My full time job is a desk job (still not liking being on my butt all day). My part time job is bartender and waitress (depending on the day).

I think the Spring BL will be my 3rd challenge.

 

[my3princes]

If anyone comes upon any weight watcher's coupons or deals I would appreciate you sharing I seems that I was getting pretty regular offers in the mail to come back, but now that I want to I haven't seen anything

 

[flipflopmom]

I did ok on the treadmill. 10 miles in 1:50:47. Most importantly my stomach is not going crazy—just a tiny bit off, so I may have found a way to avoid the couple of hours of nausea I’ve been putting up with after long runs Mike was looking at our GG order and he said—did you mean to order 2 dozen hardboiled eggs?

So glad you've figured out how to avoid the nausea! I know that's a huge relief to you! 2 dozen hardboiled eggs? That's a lot of egg salad, egg sandwiches, egg snack... (I'm thinking Forrest Gump and all the shrimp dishes!)

I worked our flu clinic this morning and now I am catching up on the boards. I need to get a shower and wash up the boys. We have a bday party for my friends 3 year old son today. Its in jersey about 50 min away. There are sometimes that I wish santa really was real....it would save me so much time and money.

AMEN to the santa statement!!!!! How many flu clinics do you guys have? Must be a good friend, we don't travel to that many bday parties an hour away! Hope you had safe travels!!!

Thanks to all of you. We were just in W-S twice this month, once to see our son perform in his first Nutcracker there, and then a week later to pick him up for winter break!

That's quite a haul, too bad they couldn't schedule those things better so that you only had to make 1 trip! I know what you mean by getting it done or the family has other plans. That's why I'm hoping to incorporate more time with the girls!

I have been maintaining for almost a year now, more or less, with a bump up over the summer (due to excessive Disney European cruise food - The ship was on a mission to fatten us all up, I promise youAs far as my health goals over the holidays go, I am determined to kick this last pound to the curb, continue training for the half marathon in Janary (just 3 weeks away!) and fuel my body appropriately and healthfully along the way. I would like to start the Spring Challenge as a maintainer.

Isn't it amazing how one vacation can do that??? As always, your pictures inspire me! I am so proud of you, and enjoy when you can pop on to help me figure out this maintaining land! Loved the cat picture!

Since that time I've gained a few, lost a few, went to WW, did it on my own, reached a low of 137. I had done really well until vacation last summer. I feel like I have things in pretty good control right now so my goals for the holidays is simply to maintain under 150 lbs.

Do you renovate other people's homes, or just your own? I know the pictures you've shown us definitely show you have talent to do that! You are sooo busy, has the adjustment been in time w/ the 2 jobs?

Ok, Taryn, I needed to comment, and it wan't easy to copy and paste this from the other thread you know, but I must obey.

You are too funny! I can't even imagine HOW to managed to do that! So glad I can provide a laugh!

That's great that you got in such a great walk! Maybe we'll have some freakishly warm weather for you guys to train! The cleaning elves indeed paid a visit, not without some duress I do believe, and then they left a trail for the rest of the evening!

We've bought 10 pounds of squid already and found out a few hours ago that we need more. Not all the grocery stores sell it, so it could be difficult to find.

That just sounds..... so gross. Remind me again what your traditional meal is with it? I can just see these humps of heads and tentacles. EEWWWWW..... I am sure its' tasty, though.

Taryn- I will be selling the products. I may have my first client too. I was talking to one of our nail clients yesterday and she's interested in them so we said we'd talk after the holidays.

YAY!!!! Hope you got more rest!

Taryn-- Had to laugh at your comment about the pb&j. His palate has expanded a little, but we have decided he has a lot of texture issues. Though he loves sushi and salmon--go figure, the expensive stuff!!

Ak is 11, and has just started to eat bread crust, she has a LOT of texture issues. WILL NOT TOUCH any form of red meat, deli meat, ham, soups, stews,oranges, bananas, cooked veggies, etc. Basically, she likes chicken broth , loves shrimp and crab legs , chicken breasts, all bread but especially garlic bread, cereal, pepperoni pizza, salad (pretty plain salad), pb&J, corn on the cob, string cheese, apples, grapes, broccoli, carrots, granola bars, popcorn, and junk foods like chips and pretzels. AND that is, honestly, about all she will eat! Makes meal time hard, kid lives on cereal and salad!

Well, the brunch yesterday felt like a waste of my time. I didn't learn anything or get any new ideas, which is why I went. They got the upstairs...better, but I think a lot of argument went into it. DH was in a foul mood because of that, blew up,and we had another money argument. I'm trying so hard, both to make more and not stress so much, and he left me feeling very defeated. He did later apologize, but I feel... bruised.

The night was better, we watched Christmas Story, which honestly, I can take or leave. There are some funny parts, but others.. well, I just don't love it like he does. Then we watch Charlie Brown Christmas, and we were all in the bed by 9:30. Purge plan didn't quite work thanks to the tension, but I did have the other half of AK's apple and some of Sophie's orange.

Today is the Christmas play at church, gotta go find white shirts and pants for my s to wear under their costumes, finish cards for church, etc.

Tomorrow I am taking mom Christmas shopping, will be a loonng day. She hasn't done much, and is pretty indecisive. It's hard for her to buy for my brothers, Daddy always took care of that. Tuesday is Sophie's preschool party, and I am taking the kids to Mom after that so I can get stuff wrapped. My goal is to have everything done by Tuesday night so I can enjoy the rest of the week!

FYI - I am facebook friends with Ann -(maiziezoe) and she posted yesterday that her whole family is sick. Little one has double pneumonia, one has stomach virus and fever, she has bronchitis and fever. I am also FB friends with Jennz, going to send them both the link to this thread.

Have a great Sunday all!
Taryn

 

[Rose&Mike]

Taryn--please say hi to Ann and Jennz from me! I am still resisting facebook, but might break down and do it after Christmas. Everyone keeps asking me--don't you want to catch up with people from high school? Uh, no. I hated high school. I am from a very small town and the girls were all...can't type that word here... and the guys were all obnoxious jocks. Having said that, I would love to catch up with Ann and Jennifer! And we have some other friends from when we lived in other states that I wouldn't mind trying to locate!

Up at 5. There's a shocker. We got a lot done yesterday. The house is in good shape, the laundry is done, I paid bills and started making some packing lists. Today we are going to do some shopping and some packing. Mike is working half a day tomorrow, so I am hoping when I get home from work most everything will be good to go and that we can have dinner, relax for a minute and then go to bed early. I have not had any trouble falling asleep early. My plan is to get up at 3:30 and be out the door by 4:00. Our plane takes off at 6:00. The first flight is 30 minutes. The second one is over 2 hours. I am hoping there is free wifi on the second flight so I can catch up with assigning teams or I might just attempt to take a nap! We are scheduled to land at 11:30.

Ok, guess that's it for now. Have a great day!

Oh--forgot to say--Corinna--you look fabulous! Christmas sweater and all!

 

[mikamah]

Good morning everyone!! I'll be coach of the day. I love an excuse to spend more time on the computer.

Sunday 12/19/10- The holidays are full of traditional foods, many not conducive to weight loss. Is there anything that you serve or bring to you holidays celebrations that help keep you on track a little bit for that day?

I have Christmas eve, and my family tend to bring the same appetizers every year, and I make chicken,broc, ziti. The healthiest appe is shrimp my sister brings, which I don't care for. I always put out a big platter of fruit. Melon slices, grapes, strawberries to be eaten as finger food, so it's easy to grab a piece of fruit between the dhip and dip, scallops wrapped in bacon, etc. My brother also brings a big salad usually with grilled chicken.

I was pretty productive yesterday. I finished raking the last of the leaves. (better late than never.) I did some baking last night, cranberrry cookies, and more spritz since we ate most of last weekends. I've got gingerbread dough ready to make my gingerbread men today. I've addressed my envelopes and need to put the cards in and mail them. I'll go to the grocery store this am and then will just need to stop for a couple things on thursday.