@Gidgitgoescrzy – It’s wonderful to hear that your medication is working, and you feel better! I love fudge. It is so hard to stay away from, that’s why I don’t make it. That snickerdoodle white chocolate ganache sounds decadent! I love the fact that you got new shoes. They can make all the difference!

@jugar – I LOVE that your family celebrated the month with music. I live through music. It makes me feel things, which can sometimes be hard for my overly analytical brain.

@lauren_989 – Smart idea to make the cookies and leave them somewhere else! I just did this last night at a benefit dinner. Obviously, I had to test out all the batches of cookies I made since they were going to go to a big group … so I had too many cookies this weekend.

@EvMakesChanges – I am glad to see you posting, even if it is just a quick check-in!

@zumbaforever – a wedding in May is a fantastic motivator! A wedding this past May is what got me on here, making changes for my health. I hope you are feeling better and that all goes well with your husband’s surgery!

@wishfuljune – I am excited to hear about your new outfit when you hit your goal! Also, advent calendars are a great tradition! I love that you do the tea one. I might have to consider that for next year.

@Kali225 – what better way to watch Packer games than on a new TV? I’m excited for you! Also, let us know how the millionaire shortbread turns out. I too love shortbread, caramel, and salt. I would consider making this, gluten-free of course. Thank you for mentioning the lights! Seeing all the lights is one of my favorite things in December. Back when I lived in Portland, Oregon I used to go to the Zoo Lights. It was beautiful seeing all the exhibits lit up.

@leni1us – great loss this week! Many parties this month for sure. I went to one last night, I have another tomorrow, one next Thursday, and one more that is still being planned. It’s a great thing we have this to help keep us accountable. How can we help you stay accountable through the parties?

@ashleycarole86 – NOOOOOO!!!! I’m sorry you are sick again. It sounds miserable! Great picture from Disneyland, though. It looks like you and Brad were having fun. And that is so cool on your celeb sightings. I’m glad your fangirl side was happy.

Hi friends. back to my workouts and it was a challenge today - 45 min straight of lower body strength. Very shaky thighs by the end! Hope I am a little sore tomorrow, actually.

Made a delicious batch of baked citrus chicken this week - I should have made more actually, since I could eat more than 1 thigh per dinner but alas.

@Gidgitgoescrzy new shoes rock! hope they help on the treadmill

@ashleycarole86 hope you are feeling better today!

@MaddawgMadsen so glad to hear you are having less pain in the shoulder. those cookies are adorable


game is tied up here. I will be on a timer to get my shower in at halftime. and I better start snoring the instant the game is over. I need SLEEP!

PW: 208.8
CW: 206.8

I think this is lowest weight I have been since starting this group! As I said, I am slightly nervous for this week with so many dinners and tempting foods. The break room only had cookies 1 day this week I was able to avoid, which is a NSV in of itself.

@lauren_989 amazing!!!! we know this will be a tricky month but this is such an achievement!!

I had a good arm workout today. I was just as sore as I hoped today in my lower body - felt like every muscle group in my legs were making themselves known!

@jugar I am horrified by your disgust with caramel. that is all.

My question for everyone this week is, how does your exercise routine change in winter? Or does it? What kind of winter weather do you have where you live?

For me, I definitely do more indoor workouts. I am on a couple bowling leagues throughout the winter. I have gone snowboarding and snowshoeing, but each of those I've only done once in the last many years. We do get snow where I live, but it usually melts off by late morning. If we want snow adventures, we just drive 30ish minutes and will be in the mountains. In the spring and summer I like to play pickleball and take my dogs on hikes.

@lauren_989 and @MaddawgMadsen awesome work - keep it up

Have to say with it getting dark by 4:30 here it's tough to keep up the energy for anything after work but my dog loves the cold and we make an effort to check out different off leash parks around the city. Plus the dog stays clean now that we have some snow and it's cold. The cold doesn't bother me as long as it's a sunny day, I know how to dress for the weather and the sun lifts my mood.

My winter exercise is similar to my summer exercise, barely there... I am currently walking on the treadmill while I watch a TV show. I still walk outside on the weekend, and I think I am going to start signing up for some 5ks, not to run, but to walk. The virtual kind, cause people, ewww.. I know I will do them, so I feel like I actually I earned those medals they send you, regardless of if you actually complete it. lol So I guess it's motivation. As for the other types of exercise I am just not there, I want to be there, but I can't seem to get my butt over the or through this wall. We have mild winters, it will get cold, but it rarely gets below 25ish degrees for any extended time, but it does happen, snow doesn't accumulate very often, we might get dustings, and like 2-3 inches, but that's about it. I am glad of that, I am not a winter person, it's lovely to look at, but I don't want to live in it.

@MaddawgMadsen Thank you for the pep talk, you are right, I don't need to rush it and feel bad about it but I will keep trying to find things I like.

@zumbaforever Good luck tomorrow, sounds like you have your hands full.

Have a great day, and weekend, I am off tomorrow, we have an electrician coming in the morning to give an estimate on our basement remodel, and then I have a much-needed hair appointment. This Saturday are 2 Christmas Parties, I am not 100% on going to either one, so we shall see.

@lauren_989

Congrats on such a wonderful milestone. Celebrating you!!! Amazing job