@Katmary71 Have you looked on Etsy for the Amber jewelry? It’s so hard to eat well at this time of year. I’m just trying not to gain any more!

@trooworld Ugh about the vertigo but at least you know how to manage it. How have your migraines been lately? I’m glad you enjoyed your last meal, and you will crush the liquid diet. Just keep your eye on the prize!


Good morning! It’s another gross rainy day, and Joe has a doctor’s appointment, and I need to go to the office. This evening, our church’s equivalent to the Girl/Boy Scouts is having its award ceremony, and I was asked to attend, but with an 80% chance of rain, it’s not happening. I would have to take Joe and he doesn’t even want to go. I do hate feeling guilty about letting my friend who wanted me there down, but I have to do what I know is right for Joe and me. Have a good day!

What challenges do you find most difficult to manage when it comes to maintaining your weight during holiday celebrations?
My challenge is my sister and my lack of willpower with the crap she brings home! Honestly, my weight has been such a struggle this year, and with three more weeks left, I don’t care other than trying not to pack too much more on. I’m working on my plan for the New Year.

Username: laurelfit57
Weigh In Day: Sunday
PW: 146
CW: 147

+ 1

@gemwolf110 – I’m so sorry to hear about the diagnosis with your bichon. What is her name? Love the pictures of the furries 😊 They are beautiful!

@trooworld – I bought a small yearly planner and I’m writing down things like how I’m feeling or if there were any stressors for the day and how I responded. Using that to keep my emotional eating in check. I am so sorry about your relationships with your father and brother. It’s important for your mental health to steer clear if needed. How are you feeling about the upcoming Christmas dinner with your in laws? For some reason, I thought your husband was more supportive of the upcoming surgery. Seems like maybe he’s sour of the fact that you won’t be able to join in with him on some things since a lot of your time together involves walking and coffee shops? And it seems his love language is cooking. I hope I’m not overstepping with my observations. Please don’t think I’m being rude. I just want you to be well supported in this journey. And today starts the liquid diet. You’ve got this, my friend!

@Katmary71 – Definitely keep that Nutty Almond Cream for yourself! I love that one so much that I have the huge refill bag! Tastes just like Apple Jacks cereal! The Fireside Spice is good, but weak. So use a heaping teaspoon for that one. I love the Earl Grey de la Crème, too. I have the Ginger Sweet Peach, but haven’t tried it yet. Other faves from Tiesta are Fruity Paradise, Pomegranatopia, Passion Berry Jolt (smells bad, but tastes yummy), Ceylon, Blueberry Wild Child, Sour Green Apple (iced), Limeade Livin’ and Strawberry Samba Mate (beyond yummy!). I’m so glad you were able to have a fun dinner with your friends and you planned to continue. Friendships are so necessary. I’m so sorry your mom did that to you and continuously treats you poorly. Hugs ☹

I have been kicking butt with staying on track. I am trying my best to keep the momentum going. Yesterday I took Syd & Oliver to Grand Rapids for another gene check for him and on the way back, Syd wanted to stop at Anna’s House, which has a great vegan section in the menu. I splurged on a breakfast bowl, knowing I would take it easy with dinner calories. In the evening, Hunter & I went to the gym. I did 45 minutes on the treadmill and then the weight circuit. Felt great (other than my knee and ankle hurting, which is typical) and went home super hungry. I snacked on baby carrots while we made dinner – portobello fajitas with tofu sour cream and carb conscious street taco sized tortillas. Only 100 calories for each fajita 😊 Other than the Anna’s food, everything else I’ve eaten has basically been whole foods (if you count tofu and olive oil…if you don’t, then phooey on you).

What challenges do you find most difficult to manage when it comes to maintaining your weight during holiday celebrations?
I’m good at telling people that I don’t want things like pie or cookies. But if I look at the food too long, I say, “Screw it” and then just eat it. I can’t remove everything from my sight, so I have to figure out a better way to ignore it all. Tea helps a lot. I had bought a lot of Tea Drops a while back in dessert flavors – Orange Cinnamon Roll, Ginger Peach Cobbler, Strawberry Shortcake, and Aloha Pineapple. They are only 25 calories each, so I will start carrying some with me in my purse 😊 Thanks for making me think about this and talk myself into an answer!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!

2025 is MY year!

WEIGH IN UPDATE
WEIGH INS NEEDED NOW: @AmbersWay @kgradinetti @FushiaKat
Reminder To Weigh In Tomorrow To The Following: @DrewsAnna @lisalisa123

You all have inspired me to try Tiesta teas!

@micaroo4 Oh my, be careful, Mica!

@TeresaW2024 Yes! My migraines have been pretty good, I have had two in the past few months...much less. I think I was taking Naproxen too often: my doctor said that can cause rebound headaches and I think that's what was happening. Thank you! Sorry about the rain. I hope Joe's appt goes well. It's not safe to take Joe out in the rain, he could slip and fall. Don't feel bad!

@laurelfit57 That's nice of you to help out. I hope you can get finished with the basement real soon. I'm glad you are making progress.

@vegan4lyfe2012 Oh that's great! Thank you. My relationship with everyone in my family is tough, we had a very difficult upbringing. Christmas with the inlaws...it will be awkward, I'll be sitting there watching them all eat while I drink a protein shake lol. I may take a book and go sit out on the porch while they are eating. My husband was hesitant at first until he learned more about the surgery and the outcome. He's also seen my health go downhill the past year and he wants me to get healthy so he's come around. His unsupportiveness is just here and there and due to his work schedule: he works in AP and this is the end of the year for them, so it's crunchtime. Overall, he's very supportive though. Actually, I'll still be able to join him at the coffee shops, just will have to have either water (boring) or black decaf coffee for the first month (and then just black coffee). His love language is definitely cooking, that will be a struggle! NO, you are not overstepping. I am happy to talk about it. Thank you for your concern and your support! Yay for staying on track!!! Woo hoo! I count tofu and olive oil.

@Katmary71 Well, it sounds like you've definitely been looking! Yeah you have to be careful about looking on Amazon, definitely pay attention to those descriptions and the reviews. Sounds like you are, though. I hope you can find something. I think Etsy might be your best bet. I can have a few things once a day each but it's really liquid based. The soup tasted really good for lunch after having all those liquids! LOL Good idea to roast a bunch of veggies for the week.

@Cornanda when you told @Katmary71 you didn't have an organ now, before I read the rest of it, I thought you meant you were missing a kidney or something lol. Thank you, I appreciate your support. My vertigo was mild (this time), I am feeling better, thanks! Oh my gosh, that pic of Gus is so precious! And him in his jammies, it's too much, I can't take it!!!

DISCUSSION QUESTION: What challenges do you find most difficult to manage when it comes to maintaining your weight during holiday celebrations?
For me (and I'm not talking this year as this year is different), it's the unexpected foods. I don't do well wtih spur-of-the-moment situations. With food, I tend to just grab some of whatever is in front of me.

Hi all. I survived my first day on the liquid diet. I did okay. I wasn't hungry. I ended the day having eaten 1,013 calories: 121 grams of protein and 87 grams carbs. I felt less nauseous and dizzy yesterday, thankfully. They say the first few days are the hardest. I didn't have a hard time so hopefully the rest of the time will be easy, too. The beef broth I made tasted really good and was a nice change from the sweet of protein shake and yogurt: it had Vietnamese beef noodle soup (pho) flavoring without the noodles, beef, and veggies. I may have mentioned that my work is having our holiday party next Weds. I am fine with it. It will be awkward drinking a protein shake while everyone is eating real food but it will be fine. My officemate and another coworker don't even want to have the party because they can't eat what they want for their own reasons but I want everyone to enjoy themselves. I want to have the party.
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My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

Lislisa123
Wednesdays
PW: 289.6 lbs
CW: 293.6 lbs

Ugh, not good, and I think I’m getting sick. I will try to eat better this week and eventually get back to exercising.

Username: FushiaKat
Weigh-In Tuesday
SW: 245
Maintenance Goal 135 - 140
Weeks in maintenance 49 of 52

PW: 137.6
CW: 137.2

Yesterday was our 35th wedding anniversary. Hub had custom gift-wrapping paper that say's Happy Anniversary, 35 years just getting started on it. I didn't know you could get custom wrapping paper. He surprised me with a framed picture of a heart drawn in the sand at the beach and it has both of our names and the year we were married. Too sweet. I've saved the best for last; he got me a diamond bracelet; it has 41 matched diamonds and its 11 Carat's so beautiful and sparkly Color D, Clarity VS1 I think it's very expensive but he's not telling.

I'm still riding my Trike, only missed a couple of days. Lol my food diary is finally giving me some exercise calories, I had to disconnect my Fitbit and reconnect it to MFP. I thought I had exercise calories, but it has not posted any for a few months now and I thought I just didn't earn any.

It's hard to stay strong for the holidays with all of the yummy treats I see everywhere, online, printed catalogs and the stores. There's only a couple of more weeks; OMG I need to shop for hubs birthday gift now.

I haven't been eating my veggies and I've barely been moving. Time for me to get with it. My weight is moving in the wrong direction.

@DrewsAnna Yep get some moving done, at least dance to a fun song! I'm struggling with winter blues I need to get more activity in too.

@FushiaKat Happy Anniversary! Your husband did very good congratulations on all the awesome and thoughtful gifts.

@Lialisa123 Hope you're feeling better soon!

@TeresaW2024 Haha I haven't tried any yet I will tonight and get back to you! For the diffuser don't get a small one if you like big cups or make a pot at a time as they always bust open (learned that with gunpowder tea). I DID pick out a bracelet last night, thanks! I'm honestly feeling like you ready to get by all the holiday stuff.

@trooworld Interesting I hope the headaches were from the Naprosyn too I'm glad you're not having as many. I'm glad your husband is being supportive. I think you may turn into a bean snob having black coffee, it has to be really good to drink it without cream or sugar! I've cut back a lot in that area and am pickier on coffee types. Thanks I did end up ordering a bracelet off Amazon that is basically a stretchy one then will probably get an Amaryllis bulb from Trader Joe's for her. As someone who gets gloomy with the weather having it bloom Jan-Feb helps. Haha silly on the organ! Trust me that's where the annoying organ jokes come in, “What organ do you play?” You're eating pretty good for a strict diet I'm glad you found ways to make it more enjoyable.

@Cornanda Thank you, hugs back! I had a keyboard that wasn't working right after I got it back, one thing I want to recommend is if you want to play songs with chords make sure there's sound that can handle that. My old Casio could only have 3 keys down at a time or it took away notes so that sounded real weird and frustrating. Ah I'm learning to limit the treats I make too since they're hard to stay away from. Love Gus under the tree!

@micaroo4 What did you order? Welcome to the Dark Side, lol!

Hi team! Got an allergy shot and medication refill appointment out of the way then worked out. I really need to clean but have my nephew's band concert tonight so I'll hopefully get some stuff done before and after. Not much else going on, have a great Thursday!

@trooworld- lol on the organ, I'm glad your day went well.

@Katmary71 thank you for the keyboard info- that would never have occurred to me.

@FushiaKat - Those are some awesome gifts! Keep on trucking on your trike!

Lisa

@TeresaW2024 Yes, it really makes a difference! That's true, good point. Yes, they know and they are generally supportive (there is one person that is kind of meh about it but she's like that about everything lol). I love that meal lol, I bet you make a good one! Girl, I haven't even decorated yet! I am about to decorate tomorrow lol. I am ready for the New Year, but it will be with Christmas decorations up lol.

@Lislisa123 I hope you feel better soon..

@FushiaKat Happy Anniversary! Your husband sounds very thoughtful. Those diamond grades are very good quality, I work in the industry and know! I'm glad you are riding the Trike so much and enjoying it. It is very hard to stay on track during the holidays.

@Katmary71 Yes, he's supportive. I will definitely turn into a bean snob, I'm almost there now lol. You are a thoughtful friend, I'm sure she will love it. HAHAHA about the organ jokes! Yes, I am following the plan to a "T" and it's not been bad. I hope you enjoyed the concert.

Hi all. My knee is really bothering me, I could barely walk at work. I don't know if it is because it is supposed to rain and it is cold or if the arthritis is just progressing. I don't think it feels much better today and will likely get worse as the day goes on. At least it's taking my mind off not eating lol. Although yesterday went well: I barely had any hunger and the hunger was because I couldn't have my yogurt at the time I planned to: I had to do something for work.
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My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

WEIGH IN UPDATE
WEIGH INS DUE NOW: @AmbersWay @kgradinetti
Reminder To Weigh In Tomorrow to @Cornanda @davors19 @bethanie0825

@trooworld @katmary71- What do you use swedish dish cloths for? I bought some, but haven't used them yet.

Lisa

@trooworld Sorry your knee is hurting so much! Will you do the liquid diet up to the surgery date? I don’t remember what you said about that.

@DrewsAnna Good job on turning down the Dairy Queen and making good choices at the mall. What a fun pic to have with your sister and Santa!!

@Katmary71 Congrats on the Seed Starter award! Very cool!! I hope the woman works out and passes the background check. Did you get the impression that the divorce was ugly? It could work out great that she is gone on the weekends, which will give you some free time without her in the house. Oh, and thanks for the advice on the tea strainer.

@Cornanda I use my Swedish dishcloths in place of using a sponge to clean my counter tops. They work so well and I can just toss it in the wash and grab a new one. Pro Tip: Don’t dry them! They will curl up all weird. I wash and then lay flat on a towel to dry.


Good morning! For some reason, I woke up at 3 a.m. and stayed awake until 6 p.m. I predict I will be going to sleep early tonight. There is not much going on today other than cutting Joe’s hair, which has become way too unruly. Have a great day!