Hi all! Hope you had great Thanksgivings! Finally have my Statistics class behind me and feel like I can breathe again and reconnect with the world! lol I feel pretty good with how I got through a pretty stressful class. I really worked hard to keep my study hours from reaching "obsessed" mode, remembered to take time to do things like socialize and managed to keep my health goals towards the top of the list. They weren't top priority, but, at least they didn't completely fall off and I am just so super proud of that! It is a much different place to be. Having a rotation of a 6 week class and a 6 week break is really going to help me keep my sanity.

I really want December to be super focused on my health. I know there are going to be a lot of challenges towards the end of the month. The long Thanksgiving weekend kind of put that in perspective for me. I really want to have a good plan in place for the holidays and would really like to make my next goal on the scale.

I did something huge yesterday. On a whim and completely out of no where I decided I wanted to buy a dress. Now, I NEVER buy dresses. I don't really like how I look in them, I never found any to be complimentary and I have been so self conscious about myself that I just never dared to buy one. DH was shocked when I told him I wanted to go buy one. He has been so supportive on this weight loss "journey" that during our running around yesterday he walked right into the dress area at the department store I wanted to go to. I found this really pretty "fit and flare" in red and a really pretty sparkly black sweater to try on and it just fit so perfect and I felt so pretty in it I didn't see any of the imperfections I generally focus on. He asked to see it and he said the smile on my face told the entire story. He said it was the first time I ever tried on a dress and looked that happy. It is currently hanging in my closet just waiting for Christmas. I hope this success continues and I keep feeling more and more confident. I had forgotten how this feels. It's a pretty amazing feeling that I really just want to continue growing.

Lia - I think "Dashing December" definitely sums it up for me! I love December as well! I love the kindness that starts to ooze out of everyone's pores. I love how nice people start to be to each other. I love the holidays, I love the fact that my birthday (the 23rd) pretty well kicks off several days of celebration for my family. Seriously. I am completely giddy it is December!!

Coueswhitetail - that recipe sounds delicious! I will have to try it. One thing I want to try to have on hand are some healthy treats so I am not as tempted by all the goodies later this month. Thanks for sharing!

Ok all, back to work!

Thanks for starting the thread Lia! My months are all blending together I can't ever remember when it's starting a new one lol. The anti-inflammatory can cause severe stomach bleeding if you drink with it so I don't think that's worth the risk. I'm not concerned about one glass of wine at the upcoming Christmas parties, but I need to really watch it and best not to drink at all.

Thanks for the recipe Coues.

Hi Laura, glad to hear you are doing so well. Yay that your class is behind you and you'll have some time to enjoy the holiday season.

Hi Sabine, I'm going to get back to some yoga. Doc says no weights at all until my shoulder heals. Bummer.

Hi Sloth!

Goals for this month, more salad less starch, more exercise less desk. Boss just left for a 6 day vacation so I really hope that I can get caught up a little bit while he's gone.

Wow - I can't believe it's December already - it's crazy!

Lia, looks like I missed Dec 1st. Do you still want to start C25K? When should we start? Wanna start on Saturday? That'll be the 5th...

Hi all! Busy start to the week, but, thankfully I got the most pressing item finished yesterday. Now, back to "normal"! The concert Friday was AMAZING! If any of you have not seen the Trans Siberian Orchestra Christmas concert it is absolutely worth shelling out the money to see it. Make sure you buy them early though. Our seats wound up being in the second from the very last row at the top of the concert venue. But, it actually worked out really well. From our vantage point you could really take everything in and see all the effects really clearly. I was literally smiling the entire 2 1/2 hours and was nearly in tears with excitement. It was really, really wonderful. DH and I will likely go back every year possible. It was just that good. For my first concert ever I would say it definitely lived up to all the hype.

I have been nursing my left foot for the last week. Somehow (likely from trying to jog too much too fast) I think I have irritated one of the tendons across the top of my foot. So, rather than ignoring it I took jogging off the workout list and have been sticking to some shorter walks. It is frustrating, but, likely my body telling me that it isn't quite ready to bust out a 5k in under 30 minutes yet. I know it will be and I have to be patient, but, I am just ready mentally to be there NOW! Despite having to cut back on the intensity and amount I still saw a loss on the scale this week and am within a half pound of my next goal. Hoping to see it show up on the scale next week.

Saturday we are going out with friends to celebrate their anniversary. I think I am going to wear my new dress!! I am a nervous wreck about it! One of those things that I felt super confident wearing in the store and now the closer we get the more nervous I get. I am going to do it though. I have been doing more and more things to intentionally force myself out of my comfortable little box I have put myself into over the years and this is just another step in that process. It will be great in the end and I know I will be happy I did it.

Terri - hope the next appointment leads to some resolution to all the issues you are facing. Pretty lucky you get to go to Dr. F's practice!

Lia - yuck on the office party. Too much wine and not enough food can sure put the whammy on you the next day. Hope you are feeling back to 100% by now!

Mihani - I had hoped things would have started to ease up for you now with people getting more into "vacation" mindset and hopefully slacking off on work. Good luck juggling all that. I don't know how you do it. That would probably drive me over the edge.

Off to work! Have great days!

HI All,

Had a nice appointment with Dr. Benson. So here goes the day.
Took my husband about 4 1/2 hours to drive to his office. We arrived a 45 min early. When we sat down Dr. Fuhrman came in so we briefly talked to Dr. F.

Dr. Benson took me in early and spent about 1 hour 45 min. with me. He completely disagreed with the other doctor and advised to discontinue 1/2 of the supplements the other doctor put me on. I was really relieved because taking all those pills did not make sense to me. He did an exam, took my weight and measured my Body Composition analysis, Obesity analysis, Segmental Lean Analysis, Extracellular Water to Total body Water, and Visceral Fat levels through impedance and used a fancy machine to measure my nutrient levels.

My nutrient levels were pretty good. I measured at 55,000 he wants me about 60,000. He recommended eating greens at every meal and reminded me to only eat 1 cup of starches per day. Also, to try and not overeat, ie reduce my portions.

I am currently at 140 lbs he set my goal weight for 120 lbs.

He wants me to do a 3 to 4 day water fast and at some point do a longer water fast at True North.

Take a few supplements and decrease my thryoid supplements gradually.

So, I have lots to do before I see him again on March 11.


I don't know if I have reached a threshold hold but since last Tuesday my pain and swelling has become a lot less. Hope this continues.

Holiday's will be challenging but I will make it through. Went to my husband's holiday party on Saturday. The only thing on my list of approved foods was the vegetable try.
Would be nice if people would at least make 1 healthy dish but I know I cannot expect that.

Everyone have a great day.

Hey Terri, thank you for sharing! I sure hope that Dr. Benson's treatment will get you feeling better.

Sorry so scarce, the end of the year is really tough at work, and there have been parties after work. I haven't even thought about Christmas yet. I know I'll be working all this coming weekend so I better jump on Amazon at some point this week and do my shopping.

Hey y'all, busy busy week. I assume y'all are busy too. This time of year gets so hectic, and work is crazy, and I have not bought a single present. I best get at that this week!

Hi Everyone! Still working like a crazy woman, but tomorrow will be a short day then off Friday. I am going to work some this weekend though. The pressure at the end of the year is unreal.

Lia, glad your party went so well, and woohoo for vegan food all the way!

Lisa, I love roasted veggies, gives them such a nice depth of flavor.

Terri, glad you are feeling a bit better.

Karrie, I need to try those nacho dips. Maybe for New Year's.

Hiya Coues and Laura!

I stopped at the liquor store and got the last presents. I have no inspiration this year and I'm out of time, so everyone is getting their favorite liquor/beer/wine and done. I picked up a few other odds and ends this week, so I am okay with it. My vet bills have been staggering lately so I really don't have much to spare for presents.

So going strict ETL after Christmas. I have put on several pounds this month, not even from parties and holiday food just stress eating like a little pretzel maniac. And my latest addiction, olives of all things. I've always liked them but lately I've been actually craving them. How weird is that?

Merry Christmas! all of you!

Hi Lisa, that green bean dish sounds delicious! I will definitely try it. I use the minced garlic in a jar too, so easy. I buy jar ginger too, grating fresh ginger is a chore.

It's amazing how fast pounds can creep back on isn't it? Planning a very healthy day today. With working and other things going on all weekend I didn't get time to really plan things out, but I did restock my lettuce and other veggies, just need to take time to clean them up for salads. I will do that tonight I hope. It is a really busy week here at work.