Motivational for 12/24/12-12/30/12: Anybody?
 

Goals:
1) plan meals
2) stick close to plan
3) stretch
4) drink more water
5) remain positive


OK so is this just crazy? Will I be the only one? Please join me!

I am in for sure. I just started fitday a couple of weeks ago and I don't want to abandon it even though it's holiday season!

I just finished a walk in the woods with the dog, on snow and ice and hills. It was invigorating. I do yoga daily anyway so will do that soon.

Trying to keep to low cal meal plan?! and away from treats.

I have to go to work for a little while.......but make sure that I have eaten.

Robin

Robin, so glad you're in!!! Yeah I don't want to give up my goals for the holidays either so let's motivate each other.

Anyone want to join us???

Hi Hope! Welcome Robin!

My goals for this week:

Spend every possible minute enjoying time with family and friends.
Watch DS (3yo) savor his first memorable Christmas (up till this year he has not had a clue).
Don't stress that I did not do enough.
Don't touch the tree - it is so dry will surely fall apart.
Practice with my new camera ahead of time so that not all pictures will be blurry (aka last year) :(.
Focus on drinking lots of water.
Pump up the veggies.
Limit goodies as much as humanly possible...
Don't imbibe too much Christmas cheer :p

I am at work today for a while. It is a ghost town here... YAY! I get tons done when it is super quiet. I also got motivated to do jumping jacks at work. Every time I go to the restroom I plan to do 20 jumping jacks - nobody around so why not get in a little cardio?!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Ok, I'm in. Faded off the end of last week because it got hectic, but I'll at least list some goals for this week.

• Enjoy time with his family.
• Cholesterol Average < 250 / day. (I did good on this one last week. Yeah! It will be much harder this week.)
• Exercise < 40 mins x 2.
• Be especially grateful for small favors.

Merry Christmas!


- Donna

Thanks Hope and everyone else for staying strong. I just waned to peek in to tell me favorite group of people Merry Christmas. I hope everyone has a wonder day tomorrow, even if you don't celebrate it. I think I'll be back on the wagon come January 1st. It may be sooner though.

Hi Hope, Ama and Donna. A small and mighty support group for the holidays, I love it.

I had a quiet day at work also. Even got into a small session at the gym before it closed. Had some cookies tonight though...did not do good with temptation staring me in the face!

My big challenge tomorrow relates to cooking a big Christmas dinner. The cooking will be fine. It's the eating that worries me. I guess my goal is to enjoy the meal while keeping the portions small/cals down.

I have received some "treat" gifts. Chocolates. etc. I am doing my best to give them away. No one in my house eats chocolate so if I don't give them away I will be tempted. I feel guilty about giving away these gifts.:( Why does everyone want to give me food lol.

Robin

Robin, I am with you. I gained four pounds from goody baskets. Homemade caramel popcorn... WHY? WHY????.., brie...crackers... I ate two whole packs of wasabi rice crisps in two days by myself...WHY???? I am sure I am going to shed them though today will be hard, not gonna lie. I love that; a small and mighty support group. Yeah baby! We're still here!!!

Ama, I love your goals and your office cardio. That's how you do it!!! (I had such a group picture in my head of you running doing jumping jacks.)

Donna, happy happy holidays to you and yours. So glad you're part of our little FD family.

Mike, what are you talking `bout, January 1st? I'm giving you one day (Christmas) OK two (including New Years Eve) then I expect you back here. Since you and Mern have not been here so much lately I'm gonna have to be the tough one. Don't make me borrow that whip LOL!!! Oh that's kind of rough talk on Christmas. Happy holidays, honey, but we expect you back here asap.

Goals:
1) plan meals: Yeah
2) stick close to plan: HA! HAHA! Nooooo
3) stretch: yes
4) drink more water: yes
5) remain positive: trying...

Food plan haha
Breakfast:
eggs and bacon or ham
Lunch
chicken and veg wrap
Dinner
Asian food, not gonna lie unless I'm "good" and do seafood
Snacks:
Popcorn
100 calorie pack of nuts
fruit - clementines, apple
sf cookie

And just in case any of my other motivational friends are lurking out there...HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!! But we expect you back here and not just January 1st with your tails between your legs (tho that's OK too...I'm such a softy....)

Hi Hope

I am here as well! Just waiting on a couple of my kids to show up for the opening of presents. Ate some oatmeal for breakfast - trying to keep the snacking down for later as I will be cooking turkey and all the fixins today.

Had a little walk with the dog this am. Didn't go far, My husband was with me and he has some physical problems and can't go far.

Your meal plan sounds yummy!

Robin

Hi Robin, so glad you're here! I think it's great you walked no matter how far (both DH and I have physical problems but a little walk is better than none) and you are trying to keep your diet in line too. Great job!!! Enjoy your time with the kids!!!

Yeah, I am going to try with the plan, failed miserably yesterday but today is a new day. I am trying to work around my planned indulgences. Considering there is a whole bunch of chocolate cupcakes in my kitchen that DD and her friends baked, it's gonna be tough...it's a landmine in there LOL!!!

It's -14 degrees. But the sun is shining. The dog will pester us til she is walked. Good motivator!

Just checking in to let y'all know I'm still logging! I just don't want to look at the results! Ok, for Monday:

Cholesterol: 319, not too bad...
Exercise: 45 mins
Calories: 2462!!!

I'll try to remember everything I eat later today, but I know all numbers will be over the top! Will have to try to work it off later in the week.

Good luck to everyone!

- Donna

Donna, you're still here and logging!!! That alone is an accomplishment and you're doing great with the cholesterol and exercise.

Robin, I keep telling DH we need a dog. Here is yet another good reason.

:eek: did you borrow Mern's whip?

Ooh, I hope Mike doesn't have my whip or else he'll use it on ME!

Nine of us at my house for Christmas breakfast today. I was NOT good.

Back on the wagon tomorrow, logging, and reporting--and that's a promise. :)

Wishing everyone a wonderful day.

Yes I did. Be scared. Be veeeeeeeery scared.

I am holding you to it. I have the whip now. (heh heh.)

right back atcha

Hi Hope how are you making out with those cupcakes? I managed to give the cookies away, so they are gone now. Two pies in the fridge right now, made them for husband and kids. They aren't calling me so far but I don't know how that will go this evening.

Robin

Hi everyone. Didn't think I did that badly today on food (we are having big turkey dinner tomorrow) but checked glucose reading and it was high! Tomorrow I will be good and not have squares for dessert. It's hard to stay on plan with different eating schedule and goodies lying around.

Hope everyone had a good day today! I will try to read everyone's posts tomorrow.

Jenn

Ack! I may have broken an all time record yesterday. Well, at least for the year.
Cals: 3433, Chol: 671 gs.

Back to the grind stone -- until next week!

- Donna

(Ate cake for breakfast this am and noted the 'units' on cake included above were for a one layer cake, not a two layer cake. So had to amend the numbers above.)

Okay, I'm in too! Was with family Monday and Tuesday - but I hope everyone had a great Christmas or a wonderful holiday, depending on what you celebrate!! :)

Didn't count Monday or Tuesday... (for shame!!) Gained back a few pounds, but I'm not going to let it get me down! My biggest goal? Don't go all out for New Years! I'll be in Boston, so dancing will be cardio for me! Keeping it cut down on the drinks too - yikes to excess calories!

Otherwise, work out and cook food is my goals this week. I need to get back into the swing of things. Good thing that isn't TOO much leftover cookies and homemade chocolate! (My older bro is a baking guru! It's always sooo good!)

Good to see everyone this week :D

Wow, you all are INSPIRATIONAL posting here this week! My whip is also "inspirational" since it's now in Mike's hands! :eek:

Thanks to all for the Christmas wishes. :)

I've eaten horribly this whole month, but amazingly weigh the same I did on December 3rd--which wasn't good, but at least I was lucky enough to have not gained. Maintaining was just pure luck because I haven't been exercising.

Goals today through Sunday:
Calorie limit 1600
Cholesterol limit 250mg
Net carbs (after deducting fiber) average 25g or less
Sat fat limit average 10% of total calories
Protein average at least 120g
Fiber average at least 25g
Exercise 3 days
Water 64 oz.

Today's menu:

Breakfast: spinach egg substitute omelet with roasted red pepper sauce
Lunch: ham or tuna salad on low carb tortilla
Dinner: fish, low carb coleslaw, broccoli

Snacks: protein shakes, almonds, cantaloupe and strawberries, string cheese

Walking the dog again today, a balmy -8 and sunny. Feels good to start the day out in the sun.

Made some turkey soup last night. Makes a good lunch.

Hope thanks for starting this motivating thread for the holidays.

Robin hi! I've been with this group a couple years but had fallen off the wagon. So glad to be back with all you motivators! We're having a snowstorm in Ohio, USA right now. Soup sounds great. I made low carb chili today with black soybeans, so I may change up either my lunch or dinner as long as I stay in my food goals.

My 8 and 11 year old grandkids exercised with me today. 11 year old did one mile of my aerobic walking DVD but bailed on the second mile (which I completed) to play on the computer. 8 year old grandson ran about a mile through the house--exception for today only to our no running in the house rule.

Hope, yes, thanks for starting a thread for us this week. :)

Mern- do you have snowstorms there often? I heard that there was news on about storms across the U.S. We have not had any storms this holiday season although one is expected tomorrow.

I had a long walk with the dog this am- followed the snowmobile trail. It was crispy :). Glad you are back on the wagon and I am so happy to have found this support group.

I am pretty active it is the food that does me in. This logging is working really great so far.

Got my husband an actifry for Xmas, he wanted a deep fryer and I said no way. He is going to make fries in it tonight.

Enjoy the grand kids, lucky you!

Robin

I resisted the cupcakes... it was the brie and the wasabi crackers and the popcorn (caramel and movie) that got me...

dropped two of the four pounds I gained...

working on it...

kinda...

I love that: a balmy 8. haha. Guess i feel pretty lucky with 30s and impending snow. Good day to make or eat soup!!! (one of my favorite foods!!! so easy to cook.)

And you're welcome. Everyone is welcome to join us and I am so glad people are: HI MERN!!!! meal plan looks good.

Krystal, dancing is good exercise. And Mern exercising with grandkids; how good is that? It's so great to make exercise something fun instead of just, as Amy used to say, walking or running on the "dreadmill." (I miss our AlMeeker, another motivator.)

But Donna, Krystal, Ama, Jenn, Robin, you all fit in so well! So glad I wasn't alone on the thread for the holidays. I had "my FD" family.

Goals:
1) plan meals: Yeah, yup
2) stick close to plan: HA! HAHA! Nooooo yes but I went overboard with the popcorn and OK I had soup at midnight...chicken broth...c'mon
3) stretch: yes, yes
4) drink more water: yes, yes
5) remain positive: trying... trying...

Hi all. We had our "bigger" meal today. We did not cook turkey because my sister-in-law doesn't like it. We had chicken breasts, stuffing and broccoli salad (which was supposed to be the night before but that's a LONG STORY!).
We also had squares for dessert and I only had one AND turned down a Turtle.

Had really sucked on drinking the water but was really glad that my glucose number was 6.1 this morning. .1 higher than the range so I'll take it!!

I still have a very hard time getting my picture taken. A lovely picture of me and my niece and I can't even see it. I take the pictures so I don't have to be in them.
Jenn

Get in the shot!
 

Jenn, One time we rented a beach cottage, and told the owner I love the photos of your family, but why don't I see any of you there. She said she hates to have her picture taken. I told her I used to be like that, but then one day thought "I'll Never look this good again!" So why not? It's kind of sad to see photos with no middle aged women in them!

Now I have to say I look alot better now then I did last year at this time, but I'd like to encourage you to get in those snaps once in a while! You only go around once you know!

- Donna

Robin, I'm glad you found this support group, too. Logging my food is the most important key to success for me--that and exercise. I am not an avid exerciser, but I do strive to exercise 5 days a week. I have a gym membership paid for by my health care plan and do best when I use it. We have several snowstorms per year in Ohio but they're generally not as bad as the ones in the northeast USA. The communities 25 miles north of me right now have more snow and ice than we do. We have only a few inches of snow on the ground but the roads are slick. I hope the snowstorm passes you by tomorrow. I have to look up what an actifry is. I certainly am lucky to have grandkids--they're the highlight of my life.

Hope, kudos on dropping two of the four pounds you regained! I made chocolate banana mocha almond flaxmeal muffins today with my granddaughter and they saved me from the leftover German Chocolate cake I made for DH's birthday yesterday. I miss Amy, too, but am so glad to share this week with the rest of you who are back to posting. :)

Jenn, sounds like a delicious "bigger meal" you had. Kudos on limiting yourself to just one square. I hate having my picture taken, too.

Donna, kudos on looking better this year than last year! Way to go! I do have a picture of myself that I hate that was taken with my great-niece. Hate how my extreme obesity shows in the picture, BUT I'm glad to have the rememberance of a special time with her at her baby shower. :)

I'm going to be over in my saturated fat today because I ate ground beef chili with a bit of sour cream and cheddar cheese, but I don't do that often and everything else will be nicely in line, so I'm not going to beat myself up over it.

I believe that you have to love your body in order to take care of it. That's my philosophy.

15-25 cm of snow tomorrow. Snowshoeing!

Robin, good philosophy--hope to love my body one day. Have fun snowshoeing! :)

Goals start with Wednesday this week.

Closed down the kitchen.

Wednesday Report
Calorie limit 1600 1591
Cholesterol limit 250mg 196mg
Net carbs (after deducting fiber) average 25g or less 20g
Fiber average at least 25g 44g
Sat fat limit average 10% of total calories 19%
Protein average at least 120g 125g
Exercise 3 days YES
Water 64 oz. YES

Goals:
1) plan meals: Yeah, yup, no ( was writing, then ran to acupuncture in the am but these are excuses I know)
2) stick close to plan: HA! HAHA! Nooooo yes but I went overboard with the popcorn and OK I had soup at midnight...chicken broth...c'mon, no plan, no sticking to it
3) stretch: yes, yes, no couldn't too weak (more excuses)
4) drink more water: yes, yes, yes
5) remain positive: trying... trying...yes

plan:
egg whites and no nitrite bacon or grass fed sausage
leftover chicken and zuchini
steak
chicken broth
fruit (orange, clementine, apple)
nuts (100 calorie pack)
smoked oysters or smoked salmon