We WISH You A Disney Happy Holidays – December Challenge

[piglet1979]

I will have to wait until I get to work next week to upload a picture since I only have a chrome book at home.

I didn't ask for anything but money to pay for the cruise. I was excited with the gift my dh' s grandmother got me. It is a heated throw blanket. It is coming in handy with the temps around 0 right now.

 

[Oneanne]

With the long holiday weekend I'm totally discombobulated, but I guess it is Wednesday? So Woohoo!

Christmas was a mixed bag, as is so often the case. I found that I enjoyed traveling up to the mountains for the holiday, and the guaranteed snow... then it snowed in the city! First white Christmas in Seattle in I think seven years and first time for snow on Christmas and Christmas Eve since the weather's been recorded - go figure. I really loved the area we were in, which was a very small town in a valley, so mountains all around. But the room my Sister and I were in didn't have a view, so it was a bit isolating, and we spent a lot of time in it because she didn't want to drive around on the snowy roads. My Niece+ were in a cabin with wonderful windows, a fireplace and a hot tub on the front deck - heaven. There was a large field that had been groomed with cross country ski tracks and while my Niece and NIL were skiing I did get out for a nice walk, plus we did a sleigh ride, so I did get my outdoors woodsy time, which felt great. It was tough being with my Sister though... unfortunately she's stuck in victim mode, and keeps dropping guilt bombs when people aren't behaving up to her expectations... with her expectations being that everyone makes her the center of their world. Both my Niece and I lost our patience, and I did have a pretty frank "discussion" with her but I'm fairly certain it got chalked up to me under-performing as a Sister, rather than trying to help. Ahhhh... the joys of family and the holidays.

As for holiday traditions we usually open presents in Christmas Eve, Scandinavian style. This year my Niece planned for us to go over to their cabin on Christmas Day to celebrate... this plan didn't come to light until the day before and kind of threw me off, but I decided to go with it and was glad I did. Normally Christmas turns in to a couple hours with dinner, presents and maybe a game, then people go home because it's getting "late", but doing it on Christmas Day we pretty much spent the entire day together, which I rather liked.

Gift wise, thankfully the things I knit all fit... if I ever knit gifts again it will be with patterns, cause I'm just not down with all the self-torture I went thru trying to get them right. Overall it was a pretty smelly Christmas, with lots of scented candles and body products. My Niece and NIL gave me a couple beautiful pieces of Pendleton wool to sew something out of. My Sis gave me another one of my favorite knitting project bags and some yarn to dye. Then there were a ton of little things, as we all did stockings for each other.

This work week should be short and sweet, then its another four day weekend.

Hope all had a wonderful holiday!

 

[sweetpeama]

Good Wednesday morning. Celebrating that the leaders from the college and career group that DH and I attended at church while we were dating were reunited yesterday. She passed away back in August of a sudden heart attack out having coffee with her identical twin sister. He passed away last night.
WooHoo the girls and I made it home before this got too bad and we got the errands we needed to get completed done including getting a few groceries and other supplies. I plan to keep my happy hind end home until next week possibly Wednesday though we will see what Monday or Tuesday bring and decide if we are making a supply run. https://tinyurl.com/y9sq4o57 I would like to say 1.5 mile visability my hind end the last mile and a half it was a half mile at best and the last half mile until I turned into the property I could not see 2 blocks and that is with my wipers going full blast. I only knew where the center lane was because of the rumble strip in the middle. I didn't want to go off the edge on the crawl home. I was going 25 in a 60 it was that bad and that was a top speed.

 

[4Mickeys]

QOTD: Did you get something you really wanted this year? Was it at all related to your healthy journey?

I got a voucher for a facial and massage - I really wanted this - my skin has been a mess lately - middle age hormones and cycle changes messing with my skin! The massage is a relaxing treat for me.

Thanks @Oneanne for remembering it was Woohoo Wednesday - sorry I dropped the ball there everyone.

I am slowly getting back on track - breakfast for the last 3 days has been sweet yummy fresh raspberries, blueberries and cherries with yoghurt. This afternoon the twins and I went to the local pool and I did about 6 kicking laps with a noodle - the kick style was varied to work different muscles. It was fantastic weather and so relaxing looking up at the sky in the late afternoon during my backstroke kicks.

I have seen the very cold weather and snow on the news that some of you may be experiencing in the US at the moment - stay safe.

 

[4Mickeys]

As we move into the final days of 2017 (I can't believe it is here already!)

QOTD: Are you reflecting on your success, and stumbles from 2017? Are you looking ahead to 2018 and planning new goals and actions?

I googled tips for successful New Years Resolutions and came across this article http://hrscene.com/entertainment/tips-for-a-successful-new-years-resolution/

Whilst reading it I though each point was covered pretty well by our little group here on the thread - so we already have a good head start and any new goals for 2018!

Also - Do we have anyone to host January? I can't remember ...​

 

[Lady Marie]

Well, this is probably my last post for the year. Tomorrow morning we are headed off to the lake for our 4 day weekend!!! That is definitely my belated woohoo! I need a nice long break from work.

Christmas was nice, but I could tell my body wasn't super happy with my choices. Oh well! I had fun and don't regret anything. The scale is giving me a little grief, but nothing the coming month can't take care of. WW is starting a new meeting time at the location I go to which is great news for me. I like to go to the gym on Saturday mornings, but haven't been able too since starting WW as both programs only have limited hours on Sat mornings. Ok, that's not completely true... I could get up at 7am to get them both in, but that's earlier that I get up on a work day! So within what's comfortable for me, I haven't been able to make it work. But now I will be. That added day will definitely help me shed this little holiday weight in no time!

Question catch up:

QOTD: Did you get something you really wanted this year? Was it at all related to your healthy journey?

Yes! I got my own Apple Watch (I started using DH's in Aug since he didn't use it, but I guess he wanted it back LOL!) and a food processor! I am excited to make my own salad dressings and hummus, etc. And on the unhealthy note, it will make some of my holiday baking a lot easier, too!

Are you reflecting on your success, and stumbles from 2017? Are you looking ahead to 2018 and planning new goals and actions?

So I just tallied up my goals, and I am ending on 60% ... I think I may have been a little lofty on my gym goal for sure. I should have been tracking-- that totally falls on me. I just didn't bother about it much with all the variables and hard to track stuff -- and things I didn't care to see tracked on paper. Next month, I will be better for sure.

The year over all is quite a success though. Yesterday was my one year anniversary at Orangetheory gym. That was 28lbs ago. 36lbs since I decided I needed to make a change 2 years ago. Am I exactly where I want to be? No, not yet. And maybe I will get there. But if I don't it's not the end of the world. If this is my weight in a world where I eat bread and enjoy treats from time to time, then that is fine by me. All that to say -- I am very happy and at peace with my progress I would like to make more progress in the coming year, but with the focus on finding the balance between health and happiness -- not deprivation.

 

[Oneanne]

QOTD:

Oi, what a year 2017 has been... I've been hearing that 2018 is going to be the 'Year of Women', in particular older/wiser women, and I'm down with that. I'm going to make it my own personal 'Year of Lizanne' meaning I am striving to be my own best self at all times... which to me means standing up and moving forward, and owning my choices. I've been thinking a lot about the desire to "see beautiful things" and know that that doesn't just mean traveling to beautiful places, but also to find the beauty in every day, right where I am.

I had wanted to make a big trip to the other side of the globe in 2018, but I am actually a little behind putting something together so it might not happen. Yesterday a couple other possibilities came up: there's a design/printing workshop in Chicago in April, being put on by a designer I really admire - she does a lot of fabric design, and has done a number of things for IKEA. Then the yarn store in Cordova Alaska posted that they are putting together their annual gathering for late June, which altogether will be close to a week and will include lectures, classes and informal gatherings and a lot of free time to hike and explore. I'm waiting to see how expensive it is going to be, but it really sounds great. Plus Alaska is one of the states I haven't visited yet, and would become #43, I think. There is still a chance I could get in to a wool/hiking tour in Iceland late summer/early fall, so that type of trip isn't totally out of the question.

And to get the most out of all of these opportunities I need to get some weight off, plain and simple. New Year's weekend is going to be focused on winter cleaning, which includes getting the craft room set back up, and cleaning out the fridge and pantry... which I feel like I'm constantly doing, but I really need to get down to bare shelves and to completely start over.

I'm almost done with my Peace Shawl, but this morning had to rip out pretty much everything I knit last night, which was a couple inches worth, because I had made mistakes on two different rows. I'm really happy with how it is turning out and want it to be perfect, so couldn't live with the flaws even though they were minor. I am anxious to get it completed though, so I can move on my next two projects... some color work finger-less mitts and to participate in a log cabin knit-along that starts on Jan 1... I'm thinking I want to do a blanket or throw, which is going to mean a trip out to my favorite yarn store on Saturday, because alas I have nothing in the multiple baskets of yarn in my stash, that will work.

 

[glss1/2fll]

Santa did not bring me a pickleball paddle. I currently use an extra one from one of the players. They've been teasing me to get my own, so guess I better do that! Santa did bring me a hand held labyrinth. I'm going to take it to work and use it when I start getting stressed! I think I'd like the table top one, too. Except that would be just one more thing on a surface, so maybe not!! It's funny that I don't like to use the giant walking one when it is out. I think because it takes so long to walk and I'm just not a very patient person!! All the more reason I should do it, I suppose! Kinda like meditation. I can't do that either. Way too busy with my "monkey mind" to focus. I even have trouble with the breathing in yoga. I am getting better so there is hope for me!

Upon 2017 reflection I'm satisfied overall with how things are going. Tracking my food keeps me in check (except for around the holidays!). Having a steps goal is also working. I know it's not very big, but it does get me off the couch on the weekends when I need it the most. For 2018 I think I'll just keep doing what I've been doing. It's nothing thrilling or exotic, but plodding along consistently with my small goals is proving to be effective.

I wish everyone a happy, healthy 2018!

 

[jaelless]

OK after being gone in like forever due to life being full of changes this year, I have decided that 2018 is going to be better LOL I like the monthly challenges and am wondering if there is going to be a new one for January 2018?

 

[4Mickeys]

Well, this is probably my last post for the year. Tomorrow morning we are headed off to the lake for our 4 day weekend!!! That is definitely my belated woohoo! I need a nice long break from work.

Have a great break for New Years - see you next year

Ok, that's not completely true... I could get up at 7am to get them both in, but that's earlier that I get up on a work day! So within what's comfortable for me, I haven't been able to make it work. But now I will be. That added day will definitely help me shed this little holiday weight in no time!

It is completely understandable to not want to get up too early on a weekend - rest is also important especially after a hard weeks work! Glad to hear the timings will work for you soon

Yesterday was my one year anniversary at Orangetheory gym. That was 28lbs ago

That is an amazing achievement this year

Oi, what a year 2017 has been... I've been hearing that 2018 is going to be the 'Year of Women', in particular older/wiser women, and I'm down with that.

I hear ya! I definitely also agree with the idea of older and wiser - better than being older and repeating same old mistakes (which by the way is me currently some of the time and wondering why nothing changes!)

It's nothing thrilling or exotic, but plodding along consistently with my small goals is proving to be effective.

Consistent, small changes is a good approach for long lasting change - so you have a great approach

OK after being gone in like forever due to life being full of changes this year, I have decided that 2018 is going to be better LOL I like the monthly challenges and am wondering if there is going to be a new one for January 2018?

Someone usually volunteers to host each month - some months it has been last minute this year .... so I assume someone will end up hosting for January - keep watching this space the new host usually posts a link to the new thread near the end of the month. Trouble is everyone is busy with holiday celebrations at the moment. But I am confident it will continue

 

[4Mickeys]

How do you plan to celebrate this New Years?

There are 3 more days in the month (counting today!!) ... are you working right till the end on your monthly goal? Don't give up!!
​

 

[4Mickeys]

How do you plan to celebrate this New Years?

There are 3 more days in the month (counting today!!) ... are you working right till the end on your monthly goal? Don't give up!!

I will be with the kids and friends - a swim then fish and chips for dinner on the hill overlooking the beach and the fireworks. DS17 is making some plans with friends for the first time - a movie and then also the fireworks - so that is a little different this year - but I am also happy for him to be socialising with his friends a little more. So it will be quite relaxed and actually I anticipate quite a walk - the fireworks are very popular and carparking is always a nightmare so I will be getting some steps in lol.

This morning I did a 60 minute water aerobics class - I enjoyed it - the water keeping me cool really helped to keep going - I would have really struggled to do those similar exercises for an hour on land! I am going to keep going for the rest of my break a couple of times a week. What was hard though was the level of fatigue I felt afterwards ugh I am so over this feeling.

 

[Oneanne]

QOTD:

New Year's Eve Eve is the anniversary of my SIL's passing, so quite a bit of holiday time will be spent with my Sister. Saturday evening we are going to see the Christmas Lights at Bellevue Botanical Garden, something they had done several times that is also close to where SIL used to work, so there will be lots of tears: afterwards we'll be going to dinner. Then Sunday New Year's Eve we're going to go to a movie - CoCo is playing at the neighborhood theater and I think that's a good one for a holiday, and then we'll grab an early dinner at the restaurant right next to the theater. After that I'm carving out time on my own to clean out the kitchen and get the craft room organized... both to help set the New Year up for success. Somewhere in there will be a nice walk, to get my outdoors time. And knitting, lots of knitting. I'm taking Tuesday off for another long four day weekend, so I should be able to get quite a bit done.

Goals accountability:
Lose 5 pounds... well I did, but then put it back on so calling a Mulligan on this one, and giving myself 0%.
Walk outdoors... I'll give myself 50% on this, as I surely could have spent more time outside and being out in the snow over Christmas showed me how rejuvenating it is.
Daily gratitude... I'm going to give myself 80% on this, as I made very good progress towards establishing a daily practice.
Spread Peace... also going to give myself 80% here as the quest brought me to some life altering ideas.

I got a pedicure last night and had a very nice chat with the technician. When talking about travel plans, she said she had gone to Iceland in September to see the Northern Lights and that it was a good time to travel there as the weather wasn't quite winter yet and the days weren't yet too short, so I'm going to see if the wool-tour gal has something going at that time. That would mean April/Chicago, June/Alaska, September/Iceland... pretty darn exciting if I can get it all put together. Woohoo for 2018!

 

[jaelless]

How do you plan to celebrate this New Years?

There are 3 more days in the month (counting today!!) ... are you working right till the end on your monthly goal? Don't give up!!
​

I will be at work trying to stay motivated at 3am to stay healthy LOL Hopefully this new year will be the one where I finally reach my health goals. I don't want to limit myself to weight goals, I want to also be healthy. I want to move more, drink more water, get better nutrients in my body, and feel more energy. So here I am once more hoping to use this site for motivation and inspiration. Plus if anybody wants any info on Disney I am just 10 miles from the World LOL. My daughter and I love doing the various hunts they have there, usually at Epcot. They are a great way to burn calories, explore, and have fun. I am starting to count myself as a Disney expert

 

[4Mickeys]

New Year's Eve Eve is the anniversary of my SIL's passing, so quite a bit of holiday time will be spent with my Sister. Saturday evening we are going to see the Christmas Lights at Bellevue Botanical Garden, something they had done several times that is also close to where SIL used to work, so there will be lots of tears: afterwards we'll be going to dinner. Then Sunday New Year's Eve we're going to go to a movie - CoCo is playing at the neighborhood theater and I think that's a good one for a holiday, and then we'll grab an early dinner at the restaurant right next to the theater. After that I'm carving out time on my own to clean out the kitchen and get the craft room organized... both to help set the New Year up for success. Somewhere in there will be a nice walk, to get my outdoors time. And knitting, lots of knitting. I'm taking Tuesday off for another long four day weekend, so I should be able to get quite a bit done.

Good luck with supporting your sister this weekend - lots of high emotion and stress there especially as it sounds like she is really struggling at the moment . Let me know what you think of CoCo - I am a little on the fence about seeing this one at the moment the trailers haven't completely grabbed me. I also need to clean out a room and other stuff just laying around - I would love to have that done for the new year.

I don't want to limit myself to weight goals, I want to also be healthy. I want to move more, drink more water, get better nutrients in my body, and feel more energy

3 am finishes are hard! DS!7 had one 3am finish for his work before Christmas - I have to pick him up and that was HARD! He also had a few midnight finishes - needless to say there have been lots of sleeping in days these holidays!

Those goals are very similar to what I need/want to do for 2018 - although I really do just need to get into it and shift the weight - I have 'trying' unsuccessfully for 2 years now.

 

[jaelless]

Good luck with supporting your sister this weekend - lots of high emotion and stress there especially as it sounds like she is really struggling at the moment . Let me know what you think of CoCo - I am a little on the fence about seeing this one at the moment the trailers haven't completely grabbed me. I also need to clean out a room and other stuff just laying around - I would love to have that done for the new year.



3 am finishes are hard! DS!7 had one 3am finish for his work before Christmas - I have to pick him up and that was HARD! He also had a few midnight finishes - needless to say there have been lots of sleeping in days these holidays!

Those goals are very similar to what I need/want to do for 2018 - although I really do just need to get into it and shift the weight - I have 'trying' unsuccessfully for 2 years now.

I seem to have been "trying" my whole life. I came very close to succeeding when I was 30, but then life got the better of me LOL after I had my daughter I called it baby weight. Well she is 8 yrs old now, so really can't use that as excuse anymore. It is 2:30 in the morning and I am at work. It is during the quiet times that I get tired and go looking for munchies to wake me up. I am going to try and substitute that habit with hopefully reading and writing in the boards. Is somebody edging towards hosting for January? I wish I could do it, but I am so out of practice here. I have been inactive for around 3 years I think, maybe more LOL. I did host once about 7 years ago LOL it is fun, but lots of work if do it properly. Bonus is you do seem to loose a few extra from it, not sure why that is.

 

[HappyGrape]

I can't commit hosting as last time I did it, work was mental and i didn't do it properly. If we have main host, I could help out.

My only diet related goal for next year is cut snacking after 7.

 

[4Mickeys]

I can't commit hosting as last time I did it, work was mental and i didn't do it properly.

I get that ... even though I have been on break for half of this month I still feel like I have been all over the place and struggling to keep up at times to do it well. I can't do January - I need to sort myself out and prepare to go back to work.

We will just have to see what happens ... Once the New Years weekend is over we may get a volunteer.

 

[4Mickeys]

Happy New Years Weekend everyone!

This is a pic of fireworks over Mooloolaba beach - I will be watching these fireworks with family in friends to celebrate the New Year -
which I get to do before all of you due to the time difference

As 2017 draws to a close I want to thank everyone for their participation, support and friendship on the WISH threads this year - you are all amazing. Congratulations to all for your efforts in a healthy life whether you lost a little, a lot or not at all, your focus on yourself is well deserved and I have no doubt in the ability of all of you to achieve your goals moving forward. You are a bunch of strong, determined, kind hearted women who make the world a better place - our little thread of friends around the world shows that we are all much more alike than we are different and the fact that we are supporting each other from so far way is mind boggling some days - but also gives comfort when we have those scary days - woohoo for women in 2018.

A few thoughts for you all for the New Years Weekend

Feel free to post as you feel over the weekend - I will check in.

​

 

[glss1/2fll]

I will be in bed at midnight on New Year's. Just like I always am. I'm a bit of a stick in the mud and would rather be asleep in my cozy bed than out celebrating. DS2 is hoping some friends he hasn't yet seen while home from college are all having a get together. DS1 already has plans to spend the night with friends. He has a four hour drive from our house back to his and he'll be staying an hour away from us. He'll have a long drive home on Monday. Plus his cat meows the entire drive! Lots of fun!

The scale was not pretty this morning. I had to remind myself that this is a marathon, not a sprint. These last couple weeks being home with so much food have been rather ugly, but it's all about to end. A couple pounds damage doesn't undo everything, and I'm still tracking every bite (again, not pretty!). So I'm just going to keep plugging away on my slow but steady approach.