December introduction!

Hey everyone,

I’m Meg. The name is for my favourite tree - magnolia. They usually bloom during the week of my birthday so I’m very fond of them. And not so originally, the 82 is of course my birth year

I have 2 kids, teach full-time and am married to a farmer who is also a volunteer fire captain. I’d say my base line is utter exhaustion. As my children get older (8 and 12 at the moment) I see some freedom ahead. I gave up all my activities when my first was born since my husband is never home.

My weight has been a constant problem
For me but when I joined mfp 10 years ago I was 178lbs. I reached 228 last year thanks to injury, covid, poor stress-management and bad coping mechanisms.

As an adult I once hit 140 pounds when I worked in Switzerland hiking constantly. I also
Hit 160 during a particularly disciplined stretch on mfp.

I want to get back to 160. It’s a healthy weight for my height, and I looked and felt terrific at that weight. At this weight I feel tired, bloated and sore. And I’m sure I look it, too.

This month I’m going to commit to using alternative methods to handle my stress, frustration etc. I’m going to go to bed when I’m tired. I’m going to check my hunger cues and make better choices.

Here’s to a great December for all of us!

@littlebabekitty What an awesome weigh-in both the # and being in the 100s, welcome to Onederland!

@bethanie0825 I'm so glad the sinus infection has resolved, I don't blame you for not wanting antibiotics!

@tammymccrady6278 Welcome to Onederland!!!

@Badnoodle Congratulations on 100lbs down!

@broncobuddee @865jessica great job on 40lbs down!

@19shmoo69 @laurelfit57 Way to go, 30lbs down!

@Veta2018 @steffibabiie congrats on 20lbs down!

@trooworld How do you know the amounts down, is it a captain thing? I love that it's so fun. Oh good I'm glad the beauty calendar has a good review. I'm tempted to get Trader Joe's beauty one, two of my fav things all in one! Congratulations on fixing the toilet, that's so awesome! Smart on the dough to freeze it. You got a lot done! Oh I need to drop one of my cookie recipes in if you want to try making something different, I'll do it at the end.

@Veta2018 Sounds like you listen to a wide range of music, I do too! Just today I listened to Sarah McLachlan walking and Slayer on the way home from Costco (I still have a CD player and grabbed one out of the door driving not knowing what it was, headbanging DID commence!). I LOVED Name that Tune. My last couple concerts were Greta Van Fleet, Soen (Swedish metal), and Black Label Society/Anthrax. I played the organ growing up so I was lucky to be exposed to a lot and like everything from classical to metal and thrash then any 80s stuff like rap and pop. I read all the same as you as well though suspense is high on my list too. I went through a big horror stage when I was younger and still read some but not like I used to. That sounds like a fun book I just looked it up. I'm currently Reading “Soil: A Story of a Black Mother's Garden” by Camille T. Dungy. I share a Kindle account with my Mom and she reads a lot of urban fantasy, sci fi, and cozy mysteries then swap with my neighbor and SIL. Yes we sound a lot alike! Hey try what Chris (trooworld) did and try a fix-it YouTube video, I'm not good with my hands at all and have managed to fix a few things with videos, I usually call my brother or Dad, it felt good to be able to do it without them coming over.

@vegan4lyfe2012 Have you watched the new Exorcist and do you recommend it? I don't want to be disappointed so figured I'd ask you! That will be fun organizing your door with a bunch of produce, you'll have to show us a photo of that. I think it will be easier for you to get back on track now that the house is all yours again.

@megnolia82 I think you'll be able to get back to 160, working on listening to yourself as responding well when tired or stressed should help a lot. I've been thinking a lot about a meme that says we should be in a place where our emotions don't change because of a comment or someone's bad mood and am trying to embrace a calmer stable me.

Hi team! I'd started my return with Costco on their website and just as fate does while I was standing in line at Costco I got an email telling me to discard of it and not worry about returning (didn't see it until I was home and exhausted). I DID get a lot of my Christmas shopping done there for non family thank goodness. I did some walking to get closer to 5000 and my PT, other than that just did laundry and a little cleaning and resting. Have a great Tuesday!

I'm planning on making this Armenian cookie to surprise my Dad with, I had to order a pastry crinkle cutter for it. I'm still deciding on the recipe but this blog explains it well: https://mission-food.com/gata/

Steps are about 5000

Good morning everyone!
Yesterday I did well right up until the time I should have gone to bed instead of had a snack. I just had so much school planning
To get done I couldn’t go to sleep.

I’ll try to get finished earlier tonight and avoid the late night altogether

@Katmary71 - Oh...I love the song "In This River" by Black Label Society. Sometimes I get free books from Goodreads giveaway. I perfer to read printed copies, rather than read on my Kindle.
@megnolia82 - I've got the same habit of eating a snack instead of going to bed. I have some strategies but they don't always work. (ex. Drink water and do 15 sit-ups then wait 20 min and see if I still want to eat.)
@trooworld -Those Orange + dried cranberries + white chocolate chip cookies sound delicious. I already looked up a recipe and added it to my grocery list.
@FushiaKat - Great job at maintaining your weight for a year. It is so inspiring. I'm hoping I can stick with the habits I've started even after I reach my goal weight.

As of today, it has been 100 days since I started my weight loss journey. I've lost a total of 25 lbs., 1 1/2 inches from my waist, 2 inches from my thighs, and 2 1/2 from my hips. I notice it the most in my love handles and under arm bulge. I'd like to thank all of you for your daily thoughts, tips and encouragement. It has helped me more than you know.❤

💪Mission Slimpossible Strong! 💪

@trooworld I love cookie exchanges! We had one every year with my cousins until Covid, now it seems that everybody is either travelling or too old🤣. The party at your Directors house sounds like a lot of fun!

@katmary71 I think you and I were posting out about the same time again on Tuesday lol. Those crinkle cookies look amazing. Sounds like you had a super successful day getting all that Christmas shopping done, boo on that return at Costco. It sounds like you are going to have a very busy but fun Friday. I love chilli cookoffs!!

@megnolia late nights are definitely a downfall of mine! I am trying to be in bed these days by nine or 930.

@fushiakat wow! You are really rocking maintenance!! So proud of you!

@vita2018. You are doing amazing. 25 pounds in 100 days…!!!!!🎉

It seems I plan my days, but they never work out quite how I plan them. I had planned to do weights and yoga at the gym this morning, then I found an email had been sent to me, letting me know that my new headboard was getting delivered between 8 AM and 1230. I did get up though, and dressed into my workout clothes, I did weights at home and about 45 minutes of stretching. I’m trying really hard to get organized for Christmas, I am having two birthday dinners here and Christmas dinner. I did get most of my main floor decorated and cleaned today, tomorrow I have the dinner theatre brunch to go to with my friend, don’t usually get home until about 3 o’clock and then I have Vannie agility at 5:30. It will be good to run around after sitting for four hours. Thursday I am hoping to get all my menus planned and I would like to get as much cooking ahead of time done. December is always a lot of fun. I’m always surprised though how quickly it comes and goes!
I had made the commitment that I was going to get on here and post daily and I was trying to do it by 430 or five, that has not been working out once again, it is after 8 o’clock. That’s it for me for today it was a good day, stayed on track got some exercising and now I’m going to get into my PJs. Have a great Thursday everyone!

@Veta2018 great tips! Thank you

And AMAZING transformation! You’re killing it on this journey!

I decided to do a little micro self-care and started using a super nice moisturizer after I shower. It’s super tiny but it made me feel nice

Have a good day today everyone!

@katmary71 - Thank you, It's been a long tough 100 days. I have another 25 lbs to lose, so here's to another 100 days. I don't think I've read a Christmas story. When I'm done with this book I'm going to look into finding a Christmas story. Maybe it will get me into the Christmas spirit. I also did some proof reading for a Goodreads author. F. Scott Andison and his 3 book series "The Meghan O'Byrne Chronicle's". I really enjoy his books. Enjoy your busy friday!

@laurelfit57 - Thank you, it sure feels good to see results after all the hard work I put into it. Although your day didn't go like planned, it's good that you still got weights and stretching in your day. It sounds like you're staying busy.

@megnolia82 - I use coconut butter after I shower. I used it during and after my pregnancies to help reduce stretch marks. It worked pretty good, so I decided to use it again. Plus it makes me feel and smell good. It's nice you're pampering yourself.

@trooworld - Thank you for the cookie recipes. I need to make sure I only eat one or two and save some for other's. Just kidding. This journey has taught me that I'm stronger that I thought I was. I think the pictures are more helpful than the scale. To actually see the change is so motivational.

@19shmoo69 - sometimes when I struggle with hunger I drink water. Alot of the time our bodies will tell us we're hungry when really we're thirsty. I'm the opposite when it comes to writing on here. I try to keep it short and sweet and after I go to proof read I end up with a paragraph...hehehe.

To be completely honest , I have been emotionally struggling. I get this way every year. I don't know why I can't get out of my head. I think I've been using these feelings as a motivation of some sort. Pushing me to exercise when I don't want to and when I finish my workout, I do another one. I really don't like exercise. I used to workout 20 minutes a day. Now I workout an hour and sometimes even an hour and a half. I don't emotional eat, I emotionally starve myself. So it's been a struggle to keep eating every 3 hours. The last couple of days I took a nap skipping my second snack. Then I ate some almonds before bed to get my 1200 calories in for the day. On a positive note, my oldest son text me this morning. I don't see or here from him but just a couple times a year and he lives only 20 minutes from me, I call or text him about once a month but he doesn't respond. I drove past his house a few times but he wasn't home. I think he still struggles with the loss of his dad too. He was there when it happened. I think I got caught up in my own grief that I wasn't there for him. Well, he text that he wants to meet with me and his brother for lunch and then go visit the cemetery. I talk and see my youngest son often. He has high function autism and lives in independent living. He is doing very well. I am, so proud of him.

💪Mission Slimpossible Strong!💪

@19schmoo69 lol it seems I am very verbose! When I don’t proofread, I really get into trouble with my voice to text🤣

@megnolia82 any type of self-care is a very good thing!

@trooworld most cookie exchanges , in my experience are a very fun thing! I am feeling better, energy is still lacking. By the time I finish, most days, I am just exhausted, but it is getting better! The cookie alternative sound absolutely delicious!

@ Vets2018 I am sorry you are going through a tough time. My youngest son struggles with anxiety, and when he is really struggling, we don’t hear from him. It is hard to just give him space and not check in on him all the time. We do the same that you are doing, touch base about once a month (just so he knows we are there and that we care ) I don’t expect to reply, but when a reply comes, we are very happy.

From that little bit of a workout I did yesterday, I am still really stiff today, probably a good thing I did not get to the gym 🤣. We went to the dinner theatre with a brunch, I think I did pretty well :-) :-). My agility class was cancelled tonight, the trainer sick but I was able to book some practice time so I am heading over there in about five minutes. Because I haven’t been able to do cardio, Vannie has not been getting a ton of exercise and can I just say she is trying to find anything around here to get my attention and not in a good way🤣

New belt day!!

Smaller belt today

That is all.

Sorry, about the drama. It had nothing to do with what @19shmoo69 posted. Just bad timing on my part. I was sort of feeling like a bad mom because my child doesn't stay in touch. I think about how I remarried 6 years ago and my in-laws never met my oldest son. Then, I was embarrassed that I posted something so personal to me. Thank you all for being so understanding. I keep alot of my feelings to myself and I don't regret that I shared anymore. What you said @laurelfit57 made a lot of sense, about his anxiety possibly making it difficult for him to respond. Thank you, it put my mind at ease to know that it's not just me. I go through a depression every year, starting around November til after the New Year. It's mainly because I was with my late husband for 20 years and I miss all the holiday traditions we shared. I've tried to make new ones, but they don't seem to workout, it's partly because my kids are all grown up now. I don't want comfort food, I want a cigarette. But I'm working on creating a new healthy me, so that ain't gonna happen. Thank you all again for comforting me. It is very much appreciated.

@laurelfit57 - I hope you enjoyed the dinner theatre. Is that like dinner and a movie or a play? It sounds like something fun to do.

@trooworld - <Hugs> I'm sorry to hear that you also struggle during the holidays. I spent the day listening to music and cleaning house. That's what I do when I want to get out of my head. Then, I took a long hot shower and went to bed early. I woke up today feeling a little better and I have a clean house too.

@Katmary71 - Sounds like you're keeping busy. I hope the storm gives you the opportunity to relax read a book and get the rest you need. I can't wait till spring, when I can get back into my garden. My garden is my sanctuary. I want keep it year round but it's difficult with the cold winters we have here. I've read about planting carrots, radishes, beets and onions, but I'm still learning.

@Veta2018 It's not drama and you're welcome to share here, I hope someone else having a similar experience helped you feeling like you overshared. I have a hard time this time of year too so hopefully we can all help each other out. I hear you about missing the garden!

Hi friends, quiet around here tonight! Poor Jasper had an awful day yesterday, thank goodness he's back to feeling better today but I'd touched base with friends to get names of vets and hospitals just in case. No more gravy with milk, that's the only thing that I can think of that was different. I also tried a pretty good recipe a friend recommended to me, a ground turkey and sweet potato skillet: https://theschmidtywife.com/ground-turkey-sweet-potato-skillet/ . Have a great Friday!

Steps: probably about 2000

Friday weigh in
Cornanda
PW: 178.5
CW: 178.3

@Laurelfit57 I missed a Vannie pic so we must've been posting at the same time again! I love the photo of her, talk to the hand! I adore her bow.

@micaroo4 Great to see you! Sounds like a tough schedule for you and Rich right now, I hope it gets easier.

@Cornanda Oh I looked those up, thanks! I'm reading On the Way to Christmas by Sheila Roberts, Melissa Ferguson and Amy Clipston novellas, the first one was about a woman who was pretty snobby and changed her ways going back to her hometown trying to make amends which was good but I doubt someone like she used to be would change that much just being fired but I'm trying not to think of that. I think I've read the first two you mentioned, I screenshot Christmas Box to check out later as I haven't read it. I put a hold on Season of Wonder as I don't recall it but my Mom and I usually read those two and Debbie Macomber every winter. Thanks! I'd had a hold on Demon Copperhead and it must've come up as it's gone so I placed another. Hahaha we're not going to see you at all when Demon Copperhead shows up!

@trooworld Thank you I bought oranges to try them out, I love what chocolate so can't wait to try them. I worked at a cookie store and we had white chocolate macadamian cookies and I ate a lot of them! Hm maybe I'll do a small batch of crispy for Mom. Any tips on what to use the orange extract for now? Oh no waking up thinking it was Saturday and finding out it isn't stinks! Darn migraines I wish something would come out to help more. I'm going to post a link to a fun music Soul Train video, I think you'll love it! There's something to be said for NOT having all the celebrations and upheaval, I'm always more than ready to go back to eating healthy after Christmas.

Hi team! I'm about to leave for the Food bank volunteer event then the charity, my feet are so bad today I want to stay home but I'm putting my holiday walker wrap with gnomes on my walker and wearing winter white and will make the best of it. I'd bought 2 4-packs of small chocolate gifts for the charity board but two are diabetic, I've seen them eat sweets before but don't know if it's right to gift them these now so I grabbed a couple body butters but that makes things weird if the other two would've preferred those so I guess I won't gift them anything or maybe give the body butters to the two I'm closest with later which are the two with diabetes. What do you all think? Should've just gotten them all gift cards to Starbucks since I have so much credit, haha. Have a great Saturday friends!https://youtu.be/PbfOstcxvwU?si=49N3OtnYJp8jjXr1

I fully fangirled out and screamed at some of these singers that I haven't seen in ages, I was a huge Soul Train fan and love 80s R&B

Username: Veta2018
Weigh In Day: Friday
SW (Starting weight): 180 lbs
PW (Previous Weight): 156 lbs.
CW (Current Weight): 155 lbs.

💪Mission Slimpossible Strong!💪

Username: micaroo4
Weigh in day: Saturday
CW: 130.0
PW: 130.2