Mickey's Very Merry Holiday WEIGHT LOSS Party! December 2016

[MinnieLovesTigger]

I am getting new weight lifting program! WhooHoo! There is one trainer in our work gym that is weight lifter and seem to have similar views as me. I had a chat with him about what I want, he made some comments i liked so Monday I am getting my first ever tailored made "make me strong!" no cardio program!

WhooHoo!

That's awesome! Strength is a good thing!

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First day of vacation, WOOHOO to time with the twins relaxing floating in the gorgeous blue water at our favourite spot. DD happened to get in my photo as I snapped it. DS16 was off at another section of the river with his friends. The water temperature was perfect and the tide was high with no recent rain so the water was clean and clear Off to a good start of not sitting around the house all day everyday these holidays.

This week also made a start on some serious pruning and I mean sawing off branches of trees ... when we moved into this rental it was so overgrown! The owner paid for some trimming but it did not go anywhere near far enough so I have taken to the trees myself with a hand tree saw this week ... so some extra calories burned there ... DS12 has been helping he has been enjoying cutting the trees lol. So WOOHOO to making a start on some badly needed yard work.



This is so true and I am moving in this direction a little bit each day ... and becoming more ok with it. Oh and speaking of I have had no chocolate today!!!! another Woohoo.

So so beautiful. Now I want to go to the beach.

I am not very Woohoo today. I am still worried about my son and if we made the right decision. Bright side, it is only his pinky finger and he will be ok either. I am woohooing though that after Friday I am done with work until January 4th. This is much needed right now. Also, I am so happy I am feeling better.

Wishing you a happy final two days of work!

Hi all! Sorry for the little hiatus. 'Tis the season to be super busy!

Not feeling super woohoo-ey today at all.... This is a fun one to follow-- my cousin (who I'm super close to) has been keeping her stepson's baby mamma's dog at her house for the past 3 years because the stepson's condo doesn't allow dogs. Long story short, the dog is part of our family now being that we spend so much time over there with them. He's been sick and is crossing the rainbow bridge tonight at 6:15 It's not as devastating as it would be if were a surprise-- we have known he wasn't doing well, but I'm still super sad and am planning my last goodbye tonight.

I do have a woohoo now that I am thinking about it. Last night I went to a Moth story slam in Miami. It's like a poetry slam but instead of poems it's true stories. Sometimes funny. Sometimes sad. But overall an interesting examination of the human condition. Anyway, it was a lot of fun. OH! And I'm down 3.7 pounds for the month. Not really sure what's going on-- maybe it was a weird morning. I don't know. I like the direction though!

Ah so sorry about the furry one. That is never easy.

Woohoo Wednesday... let's see. We continue to have real cold temps, which I'm actually enjoying as it really feels like winter. Things are self-correcting a bit at work, so the stress level is down. Next week is going to be a short one, because I'm taking Thursday and Friday off. I quit making mistakes on my Peace Project Cowl and am finally making progress... it's 318 stitches per row, so it takes around 10 or so minutes to get all the way around. I'm behind so doubt I'll get it done within the 21 days. I am really enjoying the Peace Project and the things she posts to think about. We've had a stunning full moon the past few nights.

Have a good one everyone.

I have great admiration for your good attitude towards winter. Our polar spell doesn't even start for a few more hours, I haven't stepped foot outside in 48 hours, my house is a balmy 74 degrees, and I'm already whining about the cold.

I'm just glad it's Wednesday! This week has been slow and I know next week will be even worse because it's the week before my vacation. I haven't taken a full week off all year so I'm in need of a break! I'm looking forward to my workout tonight and making healthy choices today and tomorrow so that I can maybe see a small loss on the scale. I think I'm getting frustrated because I'm not seeing big chunks of weight falling off and I have to remember that losing a pound a week is great!

A pound a week is really great!!

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

My woohoo is that I have finally gotten back into Pilates this past week. I had been wanting to add it back in but always had an excuse when it came down to actually doing it. I can already see a difference in my muscle tightness!

 

[dsnyfn1022]

Good morning everyone! I registered for my first race of the 2017 season this morning!! It's a Groundhog Day 10K. They had 5K and 10K options and it was only a $5 difference so that seemed like a no brainer to me . I'm super excited because this race is in an underground "subtropolis" that we have here in KC so the temperature is regulated and 68 degrees throughout the whole course even though it's at the end of January. So that'll be awesome. My goal is 17 races in 2017. It's only lofty in that I'm a little strapped for cash and races are expensive. But I'm super excited. I wish every race I ran gave out medals. Then I'd make it my goal to get 17 medals in 2017 Either way, I should be super fit by the end of next year because I won't have money to spend on food if I'm spending it on all these races

 

[Flossbolna]

Hello everyone!! I am back from my long, long vacation (yes, it was 24 days off from work ). We had a good time, but sickness and other circumstances did not make it the most awesome vacation ever. Still, any day with my partner off from work and in sunny Florida is a win over a November or December day at my desk. So I am very grateful for the time we had together!

Now I am back in dark wintery Germany without my BF... But I will see him again soonish and I get to enjoy Christmas with my family soon! So, not all is bad.

I stepped on the scale this morning and saw a horrible number. Which does not go with the way my clothes fit. So, I am counting on some bloating due to jet lag and such. But I know that I did not eat as well as I should have. I found eating out very difficult to combine with healty eating. But I think I did better than on previous vacations. So, I will wait until the beginning for next week for a weigh in that really counts and then see where I am. I went back to a healthy diet immediately today and have my chickens in a row for tomorrow as well. Saturday will be a big shopping day and I should be all set. The good news is that after so much time eating whatever I wanted (within reason, I still tried to make healthier choices and went for smaller portions when available) I am actually really craving my healthy standards and vegetables and fruits.

I managed to keep up my running routine for the first half of the trip, but then the second half was dominated by a horrible bronchitis and sinus issues, so no running happened anymore. This was actually one of the big disappointments of the trip as I had looked forward to running around the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness at WDW, but I never felt like I could go for a run. I am looking forward to restart this weekend though!

And @pjlla you wanted to do an exercise challenge with me!! We really should talk about this! I truly missed doing my DVD workouts during vacation. I definitely love the combination of running with other exercise the best!

 

[HappyGrape]

Hi, nice to have you back! I always weight around 4 lbs more first day after long flight, so I don't weight myself at all for about 3 or 4 days. I am sorry about you not feeling well while away .

 

[pjlla]

Oh my friends!! I dropped the proverbial ball! I got distracted this morning and I am just realizing NOW that I never posted a QOTD for today!! My humblest apologies!! I warned you that I would be distracted in December and I guess I wasn't wrong! Honestly.... I'll skip it for now, if no one minds.

@Flossbolna..... yes, yes, yes! I would LOVE to still do an exercise challenge with you! Maybe that will help drag me out of my funk! And so glad you are back! Your presence was truly missed! Sorry that your vacation didn't fall in the "awesome" category!

I'll be back in the morning with Friday's QOTD (I promise!) and I'll be ready to start taking week #2 results!!.............P

 

[piglet1979]

Today started out not so good. We have snow and a lot of it that decided to come down right when I had to leave for work. My normal commute is about 20 minutes maybe 30 depending on traffic. I decided to take the rapid (train) to work since I get right inside my building and i wouldn't have to drive in the mess outside for too long. It normally takes me 10 -15 to get to the rapid but today it took me an hour. then the rapid usually only takes about 20 minutes but a train broke down in front of us and it took me another hour and 10 minutes to get to my desk. So in total it was a 2 hour and 10 minute commute. It was white out conditions. It came down so fast the roads where covered in like an inch or more of snow in less then 15 minutes. But I made it. Now lets hope the band of snow that we are supposed to get this afternoon waits until after I get home.

I feel a little bit better about our choice with my sons finger. It is so hard being a parent and having to make a decision on something that can affect them the rest of their life. The doctor said it is 50/50 either way. So one way was no better then the other.

I am feeling pretty good too. I don't want to start working out to quickly though. I think I will start either this weekend or on Monday. With being off it will be much easier to get to the rec. I do have a lot of my Christmas shopping to do so that will happen next week too. Oh and to kick off vacation we are going to see Rogue One on Saturday. I am so excited.

@pjlla Did you watch the last episode of Survivor?

 

[4Mickeys]

Hello everyone!! I am back from my long, long vacation (yes, it was 24 days off from work ). We had a good time, but sickness and other circumstances did not make it the most awesome vacation ever. Still, any day with my partner off from work and in sunny Florida is a win over a November or December day at my desk. So I am very grateful for the time we had together!

Sorry to hear illness got in the way of what was otherwise a wonderful break with your BF! Glad to see you back

Oh and to kick off vacation we are going to see Rogue One on Saturday. I am so excited.

DS16 saw it yesterday .... he like it and he can't wait to go back with more of his group of friends to see it again ... they just couldn't get it together as a big group for yesterday with work and other commitments - so he went with 1 before that kid goes away for a couple of weeks. Ahh the life of 16 year olds lol. He is a huge Darth Vader fan so he was happy to see him on the big screen again.

So in total it was a 2 hour and 10 minute commute. It was white out conditions. It came down so fast the roads where covered in like an inch or more of snow in less then 15 minutes. But I made it. Now lets hope the band of snow that we are supposed to get this afternoon waits until after I get home.

That sounds awful - hope your commute home was easier.

.........................

The twins and I hit the river again yesterday whilst DS16 was at the movies. DS12 and I did some more gardening yesterday which meant lots of walking up and down my driveway which is fairly steep - so a good leg workout. I am almost finished my Christmas shopping ... over budget as usual

 

[pjlla]

Good morning and welcome to your QOTD for Friday, December 16, 2016:

Well, the holiday week is finally closing in! Hannukah starts next Saturday, Christmas is Sunday, and Kwanzaa is Monday! Are you ready? Gifts bought and wrapped? Meals planned? Decorations in place? Got the fancy dress ready for the office party? If so, I applaud you!!



FUN FRIDAY QOTD:

What is your favorite holiday-themed movie? Do you watch it every year? More than once? Any special traditions associated with watching?

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

FUN FRIDAY QOTD:

What is your favorite holiday-themed movie? Do you watch it every year? More than once? Any special traditions associated with watching?

This is a hard one!! I think my all time favorite is Elf. So hilarious!!! I haven't watched it this year since I can't seem to find but I am going out this weekend to buy it.

Another one I love to watch is A Muppet Family Christmas. I have been watching it every year for as far back as I can remember. I tried showing it to the kids but they don't seem interested We don't really have any traditions associated with movies. I keep them packed away until December 1st so they stay special and put them on when we need some Christmas Spirit. Since we don't have snow or really even cold it helps set the mood.

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

Oh and to kick off vacation we are going to see Rogue One on Saturday. I am so excited.

DS16 saw it yesterday .... he like it and he can't wait to go back with more of his group of friends to see it again ... they just couldn't get it together as a big group for yesterday with work and other commitments - so he went with 1 before that kid goes away for a couple of weeks. Ahh the life of 16 year olds lol. He is a huge Darth Vader fan so he was happy to see him on the big screen again.

We are hoping to see it this weekend too. I hear the reviews are great so I am excited. DS is turning the big
1-0 (where did the past 10 years go!!!) on Sunday and he wants to go for his bday.

 

[dsnyfn1022]

FUN FRIDAY QOTD:

What is your favorite holiday-themed movie? Do you watch it every year? More than once? Any special traditions associated with watching?

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is my absolute favorite. I usually watch it more than once. We have a special tradition with another holiday movie. The day after Thanksgiving my family and I put up the Christmas decorations and put on Peter, Paul, and Mary: Holiday Concert to listen to in the background. I hated it as a kid because it wasn't really a "movie" but now as an adult it's actually one of my faves. Probably because it reminds me of being a kid and just signals the advent of the Christmas season!

 

[dsnyfn1022]

Yesterday was a food day at work and I'm actually really proud of the decisions that I made! I got a little bit of everything but made sure to load up on veggies and fruit. I used the veggies for my dips as opposed to chips so that was great! Then yesterday night I went out shopping with my BFF. She has kiddos so sometimes the only time we can see each other is if we both go grocery shopping together lol. We ended up getting Chipotle and while it's not the worst fast food option out there I know I could have made better choices. Fortunately, I weighed myself this morning and I've maintained this week which is still a 2 pound loss overall for the month of December. I'm going to work out this evening and Sunday. This weekend will be a major challenge for me because we're Christmas cookie baking on Saturday and then Sunday is the first family Christmas gathering. I definitely think at this point that I'll be happy if I weigh the same on December 30th as I do today. But I'm going to wait to report my week 2 check in until later in the weekend!

 

[piglet1979]

Good morning and welcome to your QOTD for Friday, December 16, 2016:

Well, the holiday week is finally closing in! Hannukah starts next Saturday, Christmas is Sunday, and Kwanzaa is Monday! Are you ready? Gifts bought and wrapped? Meals planned? Decorations in place? Got the fancy dress ready for the office party? If so, I applaud you!!

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FUN FRIDAY QOTD:

What is your favorite holiday-themed movie? Do you watch it every year? More than once? Any special traditions associated with watching?

I have nothing but a chrome book for each kids. Being sick threw me off this year. With being off next week and kids still in school Monday and Tuesday I am going to get it done then. We haven't thought too much about dinner at my house on Christmas Eve. We did find out that my in-laws will not be coming. That also includes my husbands little sister (not so little she is 16). We have had Christmas Eve at our house since we got married 12 years ago. They have been pulling this stuff the last couple of years. They moved almost 2 hours away and now don't want to come to anything. This year they are both working but one works at Wal-Mart and one works at Dave's (grocery store and he makes the schedule). I feel since they know this is what we do that they can they can put in a request not to work that day. We are looking at only 2 or 3 people other then us at the party now so we are trying to decide what to do. My mom has at it all planned so fare.

We always watch the classic Rudolf, Frosty the Snowman and all of those ones. We also always watch Home Alone and A Christmas Story. My husband loves the Christmas Story so we watch it a hundreds of times. I don want to make to the Christmas Story house one year though. A good part of the movie was taped her. The store scenes and the house one were all here. The store that they used was in the building I work in but is closed years ago. A few years ago they redid the house that they used and it is now kind of like a museum of the show. It is pretty cool. I will make it there sometime.

 

[Lady Marie]

Good morning and welcome to your QOTD for Friday, December 16, 2016:

Well, the holiday week is finally closing in! Hannukah starts next Saturday, Christmas is Sunday, and Kwanzaa is Monday! Are you ready? Gifts bought and wrapped? Meals planned? Decorations in place? Got the fancy dress ready for the office party? If so, I applaud you!!

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FUN FRIDAY QOTD:

What is your favorite holiday-themed movie? Do you watch it every year? More than once? Any special traditions associated with watching?

I'm mostly ready. I do have to prepare something for a Christmas Eve party. I really want to do a Lane Cake (I think other regional areas call it a hummingbird cake???), but that's a fair amount of work, and I'm not sure how much time I will have next week. Meals are planned-- we're even putting latkes on the Christmas menu to blend the holidays a little. But presents are not wrapped! I have them all in a big plastic box next to the tree and about 1/3 are actually wrapped. That's my weekend project. Christmas party tonight, and I'm all set with some Christmas leggings to wear and Christmas cookies to bring!

Movies... I love The Santa Clause and Miracle on 34th (both versions). DH LOOOOVES Christmas Vacation. I'm no where near the fan that he is, so usually while he and my mother and enthralled with it, I am on the floor wrapping presents. I will never admit it to him, but I think the movie's growing on me. That or now my mind just considers it my wrapping present movie which brings it's own nostalgia. haha!

 

[HappyGrape]

Folks... I am heartbroken! 100ml of beileys have massive 327 calories. 1 hours of walking! Nooooooo

I guess I will enjoy one over the Christmas but will stick to sparkling wine for a go to drink

Going out tonight and making my research. Have unopened bottle from last year but don't think I will be having it

I am not big on Christmas movies. We went to see Star Wars last year and going again this and we will enjoy the Chrismtas lights in town and meal after if this counts?

327... this so sad.

 

[Oneanne]

Gift shopping is done... even pretty much for the gifts I've gotten myself . I'm going to be baking this weekend so I can bring things in to work next week, and as mentioned I have the annual Chex Party Mix to make. For a week and a half I've been staring at the Christmas tree thinking it just doesn't make my heart sing. Then a few ornaments with red on them started to pop out at me, so I went downstairs and got out the red balls. Now I am quite pleased with it.

My favorite Christmas movie is Love Actually... I'm kind of a geek for all things British. I follow quite a few UK folks on Instagram and love seeing the photos of every day life, particularly now during the holiday season. And Home Alone has a special place in my heart as well. The year it came out I was living in the Washington DC area and knew I would be moving to Chicago after the first of the year so I think I saw it 6 or 7 times, just to soak up the Chi-town vibe.

WEEKLY CHECK-IN: I was thinking I'd put together another pretty crappy week, but I've stopped consuming ice cream (thank you cold weather), cutting my dairy consumption by more than half, and I haven't had any junk/fast food: my step count is still just below where I want it, so I'm going to give myself a whopping 25% towards my monthly goal.

Tomorrow I drive back out to yarn heaven for the second color work class... learning how to capture the floats. Then it's cleaning and baking the rest of the weekend. The Seahawks played last night, so no obligation to sit and watch football over the weekend, which means I'll get a lot more done, right? Ha ha...

Hope everyone has a happy and healthful pre-holiday weekend of fun!

 

[courtneybeth]

Hiiiiiiii friends! I'm back from Disney World and had an AMAZING time. I think the entire trip was a "woohoo" Wednesday celebration post. We ran into @Lady Marie and her husband and Magic Kingdom - she's super adorable and I enjoyed meeting her in person


Here's some awesome things that happened on our trip:
- MVMCP was amazing! Finally saw Holiday Wishes and enjoyed the Character meet-n-greets. Definitely worth it to attend, though I wish they had healthier alternatives for Hot Chocolate and cookies. We ended up grabbing the hot beverages and used them as hand warmers once the temps dropped
- We got a random bit of pixie dust -- Disney called us when we were at AK on our first day and we got upgraded for RunDisney Princess race weekend. Now we're in the Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah View with Club level! I guess the Coronado Springs resort is under construction and they had to move us - no additional cost. We're so happy to go back to our favorite hotel on property!
- We met so many characters. Photo pass is amazing.
- So many healthy meals! Picking our food ahead of time and logging meals really helped keep us in check.


I resigned from my job today and I start my new gig on Monday. Ready to weigh in tomorrow and get back on track! Missed all of you while I was away

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

Folks... I am heartbroken! 100ml of beileys have massive 327 calories. 1 hours of walking! Nooooooo

When you put it in terms of exercise it's a real eye opener!

 

[HappyGrape]

They feel like chocolate milk, and normally you would have more than 100 mll! I gave the bottle away. Glass of sparkling wine is about 100 and much slower going drink. I am shocked how happy was DH when I told him I gave it away, he said that was good call! Now we bought the bottle to drink last year and it never happens so we aren't really big drinkers, but still It's a lot of calories when there other alternatives

Oh Courntneybeth I would love more reports on what healthy meals you had!

Overdid it yesterday both in terms of food and drink! Probably the biggest eating & drinking day since I joined the group in March. I am feeling ok about it, there are days like this but I need more veggies fruit and proper sized meals/less snacky food today

I need to buy present for my husband. He wants tattoo to mark moving on from last year, but I cant' put this under the tree so I will need to buy few little bits over the next days. We are also driving to UK today to go to one of my favorite food stores. They have lovely salad dressings and some other things that I can't buy here, plus its fun drive but we will buy some Christmas goodies too

All other presents are done

Have a healthy weekend All. It's lovely time of the year.