@CeeBeeSlim - I knew I'd lost a good amount on pounds and inches, but was a little surprised by exactly how much it was.
@k8richly - the loss was over an eight week weight loss challenge. I think since we had to turn in our food diary every day it kept me from a lot of snacking or overeating. It was really a great incentive to stick to my plan. Cheese is very hard to give up; I've recently gone (mostly) vegan, but still occasionally eat something with cheese. Best of luck in your new position, sounds like the change will be less stressful than your current position, and only temporary.
@zenobia9777 - I hope you have the very best holidays as well. We'll take care of the January thread. Take good care of yourself.

i really wish i didn't like sugar.
I've been contemplating making a list of foods I should remove from my food plans.

this is what should remove / avoid always : because I have zero control afterwards
SUGAR
peanut butter
syrup
candy
bars
Ice cream
Cool whip
oreos


here is a have some MAYBE
1 cookie
1 piece of dessert
1 slc bread/toast
1 svg oatmeal
chips
Ice cream

And my have whenever list
fruits
veggies
popcorn

I didn't want to overeat yesterday but, the urge to have sweets was killing me inside so I had some(a lot of) popcorn... with butter and sugar on it. It was amazing. Gave me a great dopamine rush I suppose. and then I felt guilty all night and it damaged my sleep as well.

Compare that to last week when I chose to say NO to the urge and slept well, woke up refreshed and ready for the day.

Why do we constantly repeat that cycle? Is it because we don't choose to learn from it ?

I need to keep mindful that when I give into my urges, that It doesnt' work out well for me.
The URGE and sitting through it would be much easier than beating myself up inside.

**
Workout today 1hr. Total body strength trianing including push ups with Rows. Ground to overhead thrusts and stuff like that. Ended my session with some Yoga Flow. and will work on bringing the positive energy into my day today.

Puppy won't be until this spring at the earliest - I plan on purchasing him with my annual bonus, which generally pays out in February. So from there, it's waiting for the right litter to come along with a male who tests well for what I'm wanting, and depending on where I am on the list.

He'll definitely keep me busy though, and plenty of exercise - I enjoy having an exercise buddy though, makes it easier!

Work stuff crazy but good, excited to keep the momentum I've been building the past year into the new year with some real "manifestation" starting to show up. Grind will keep going, but I'm excited to see things finally start to compound a bit after this past year.

Starting "my" 75 Hard on Jan 2, so in the meantime have been easing back into a few more habits in preparation for the program. Still trying to determine the limitations I want to put on diet - I know it will be low(er) carb, but trying to decide if I do a strict daily limit, weekly limit, range....have a couple weeks to figure it out though.

Currently also reading "The Confident Mind" - trying to develop a few more tools to overcome that inner critic I have never really learned to manage like I should (some of that is personality, most of it is how I was raised).

Weekend was spent at a motorcycle training academy, taking their course as a student (I'm looking to become an instructor). It was an overall good experience, some of it was frustrating for me as a rider though. Only issue is that it was fairly chilly (27-48 degrees) and we were outside all day, and I seriously irritated my sinuses, and now seem to have a bit of a sinus infection - more annoying than anything. Forgot my tylenol or ibruprofen this morning though so that's making the snottiness even worse sitting here at the office (one of two days a month I have to come in) - UGH.

@SparkSpringtime69: what we have always done previous years is having the turkey in the bbq outside, and a deep tray of roasted veggies in the oven; potato croquettes in the deep fryer and then sauces (cranberry and gravy) and sides (turnip puree, brussels sprouts) on the stove. The biggest use of the oven is mainly for the appetizers. It needs a bit of planning and I'm starting on the prep tomorrow.

As for the healthy habits: they are kinda out of the window, and it clear I'm not the only one struggling this time of year. As from today, I'll restart with reading the Beck book, this has always helped getting through a bad spell of gaining. I don't think it works for everyone, but certainly for me: https://www.amazon.com/Beck-Diet-Solution-Train-Person/dp/0848732758.

Come on ladies, still 10 days to go before year end. 10 days we can choose to do it right or at least do some damage control, instead of letting it all go. We can do this !

@Antiopelle I am pretty sure I should eliminate ice cream, but I really don't want to. I want to be able to have it as an option.

Workout today was Legs. Really wasnt looking forward to it, but once I get started, it goes pretty smooth. It really burns a TON of calories.

Working wiht some canned pumpkin, added a little protein pwdr to it and cinnamon and a little vanilla. made a delish "pudding". Used it on my engish muffins this morning. YUMMMMY.

Today is about the last day of sunshine here for a few days as that polar vortex moves into the upper mid west. Tomorrows high is 53 but, cloudy. Today we have sunshine. Im excited to go out for a walk.


Totally agree @Antiopelle we have 10 days...lets end the year strong!
I have to bake cookies yet. Im still trying to decide if I do the "old fashoin" recipe from my mother in law, or if I do a healthier, more protein version from a trainer's cookbook that I have (Breanne Freeman, sweet treats). Decisions decisions.

Happy winter solstice!! But don't worry, spring will be here before we know it
@Antiopelle - sounds like a delicious feast! I've never heard of BBQ-ing a full bird, sounds interesting.
@k8richly - you're right about bumps in the road. And there's no reason we can't give ourselves a few small treats over the holidays, just have to keep the portions under control.
@SherryRueter - I'm making a few different cookies, and I'm going with the old family recipes on two of them - butter, sugar, etc., LOL. The other one is a keto-friendly cookie I found online. My sister, who's been following a keto diet, is coming over for a quick brunch and to open gifts, then she has to head back to her place because her son and his family are coming from GA. I'm going to give her a big container of cookies to take back to her place for the kids. The keto cookies are pistachio cookies, they look tasty and easy to make https://youtube.com/watch?v=TqQhcDMXVjc.
@HoneyBadger302 - sounds like a fun class, I hope it works out for you either way you decide to go.

@k8richly. You’re so right. Bumps in the road. I wonder if being “not that heavy” makes me hyper-conscious of the “little” things. Truth is to a person -no one gets why I even have a fitness goal - being small, fit, tone, and active.

@SparkSpringtime69 - Thanks for the recipe. Sounds delish!

@SherryRueter - bingo on that reminder to not worry so much about the holidays. Off to START Christmas shopping! Yes - I’m one of those…😡

I have a couple of busy days coming up (I'm sure you all do as well), so I'm going to say it now:

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all who celebrate


And if you don't celebrate Xmas, then I wish for you a wonderful balanced and bright weekend!!