Congratulations to all who are sticking to workout routines during the holiday. You will reach your goals that much faster. Plus we are all ahead of the pack since we decided to participate in this group and not wait until New Year's Day to make our weight loss resolutions.

I'm on the east coast Coventry, RI and we may see 70 degree weather on Christmas eve? Crazy. I also like a little snow. I graduated with my associates degree in electronics this week. Hurray!!!! This has been a long time coming. This was part of the reason why I was not getting to the gym. I work full time and was going to school full time. No more excuses now:)

My new goal is to start a more disciplined walking/running routine and also add dumb bell weights to my day. Why wait until January. My body seems to need it now.

Since I started my fitness journey, I have also started having hip pain in the my left hip. I am not sure if it is because of muscle tightness/soreness but it can be debilitating at times, like today. I am currently sitting on a heating pad. I have taken ibuprofen and did some stretches earlier.

Do any of you have any recommendations for hip stretches or exercises? The pain is on the back side of my hip, right above my butt.

Thanks for the ideas!

It's a bit better today so I was able to get a good workout in. It is something that I have been struggling with since I started. I think my hips need more stretching/strengthening work done. I have a great massage therapist I see for such things but she is unavailable this week.

Despite getting a horrible knot in my shoulder that prevented me from doing judo, I'm having a great week. Got in a mini weights session on Monday before we went to an animal rehab facility and dashed back to get to bjj on time. Rolled hard even though we all had to do it one handed (this may be where I got the knot) and one of the blue boys told me I'm improving. Tuesday was breakfast with a friend and Start Wars with Dad (I want a BB8!). Wed morning work and then massage to sort out shoulder. Got a swim in with my friend before bjj. Today is family brunch then work (hoping to get to open mat as well) before Christmas dinner with the tribe (my gym family). Tomorrow is fitness class (yes, on Christmas day!), church and then family time. My brother is only in town for a few days so parents are planning stuff.

This year has been incredible, mostly because I found the most incredible gym where I learnt to love training (and definitely enjoy the benefits). The people there are my tribe and have supported me through so much. I can't wait to celebrate with them tonight. The best thing about hanging out there is that generally there are only healthy options to eat. We all enjoy the occasional treats, but we also understand that we need to fuel our training properly.

Almost everyday between now and the 29th is planned around food. Christmas Eve is an Italian Buffet, Christmas Day is a Prime Rib feast, Sunday is a delicious buffet brunch out and Tuesday is a work pot luck. I already felt fatter this morning and I haven't eaten a thing yet. I will do my best to eat smartly but you know everyone makes their seasonal specialty. I am making roasted vegetables, a low sugar pineapple pie and planned some low calories drinks but only husband and sons are watching their weight with me so it's a challenge. On any account, it just a few days and then life will settle down and get more routine. I want to thank this group for it's support and I look forward to continuing our friendship in 2016. Happy Holidays!

@JMarcella57 - way to go! I am super close to having my BMI out of the obese range, so I am looking forward to that.

I am also looking forward to having a healthy body fat percentage. I am waiting for my body half to catch up with the rest of me, as that seems to be where my fat is just clinging to right now. I feel like a lumpy pear sometimes when I look in the mirror - all svelte on the top but still round on my lower half, especially the lower belly and thighs. BUT I know I am a work in progress, which I am looking forward to tackling in 2016!