VIP LOUNGE! Welcome to the 2025 Winter 5% Challenge!
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Insight Timer Quote:
If everything around you seems dark, look again, you may be the light.—Rumi
Daily Insight:
Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.—Tony Robbins
I AM:
I am constantly becoming a better me.
Action for Happiness:
Help others by giving away something that you don’t need.
Fitness Quote:
Today is your day: To Start Fresh. To Eat Right. To Train Hard. To Live Healthy. To Be Proud.
Fun Fact:
NATIONAL UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER DAY
Since 2011, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day has grown to be an international event. Now occurring on the third Friday of December, the celebration gives holiday lovers worldwide a chance to wear their ugly Christmas sweaters.
#UglyChristmasSweaterDay
In 2014, they partnered with Save the Children in their “Make the World Better with a Sweater” campaign.
Each year, ugly Christmas sweater wearers, decorate, shop, and do their darndest to out ugly last year's ugliest sweater. Whether they sport the most lights or colors, bells or characters, ugly sweater wearers find the most ribbon and felt ladened sweaters and festoon them with glitter so blinding no Dustbuster invented will capture the wave left behind. The sweaters serve as beacons of light so bright, Rudolph himself will someday be out of a job.
However, don't be sad. So often Rudolph is featured on many of the sweaters. Elfs, donkeys, snowmen, and many other holiday characters we love and adore find their way to these ugly monstrosities. It's all part of the fascination with the holiday. So, join in the fun. Celebrate and donate, too.
HOW TO OBSERVE UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER
Try these tips to take the prize:
• Animal or cartoon characters with a holiday theme give sweaters a kitsch feel. Think reindeer, snowmen, mice, kittens or elves.
• Select ridiculous colors. The more they clash, the better.
• Embellish. Scratch that. Over-embellish! Pom-poms, bells, felt, tinsel, or any other glittery, jingly items lying around the house.
• Add a collar, dickey, or ruffle.
• Electrify it! Put Rudolph to shame and go to the head of the team with bright, flashing lights!
• Give it some 80s flair with shoulder pads.
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Diane: I have been spending time at the hospital. My friend just had his right leg amputated above the knee.1
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@pedal__power Posts: 233 Member
12:13PM
read, but I don't know where to post/check in. Hopefully the team will help me learn how to do this.
HI Pedal_Power WELCOME to the 2025 Winter 5% Challenge Community Team!!
Once you get your invite to the team you requested (practice week starts Sat Jan 4th (Christmas is Weds the 25th a week after is Jan 1st) likely invites will start to come out during this time. KEEP checking here on the team all members for the announcement of them starting to go out) a post will be up helping you and please do reach out to the leaders on your team and you may also reach out here.
What about now what can you do with us until the 4th of Jan? WOOHOO!!! You'll see Pre-Assignments 1 to 8 found under this group in the Discussion forum. Doing these helps us (if you have time, it's not a requirement,) yet it helps those of us who do them to be ready with a solid plan in place.
We are happy to have you!! The only questions that are ever not answered, are the ones not asked. We know this is different, which is how it works.1 -
@Dianedoessmiles1 - I really hope my goal is sustainable 😊. When I was in my early 50’s I lost 70 lbs by eliminating flour, sugar and eating only 3 meals a day. It took close to a year. By the time I was 60 I had gained back 50 of those lbs and now at 67 I’ve gained it all back plus some. I know age, hormones and all that “stuff” can get in the way. That’s why I’m not looking to reach the moon. The number I came up with is a place where I felt good many years ago. If I reach it - great! If not but I’m eating properly and keeping mobile then that’s just where I’ll need to stay. My main goal is to become more mobile and eat healthy,1
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Thank you Diane and Ceri, I'll check out the Pre-Assignments. Looking forward to getting started!0
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Insight Timer Quote:
The Solstice reminds us: life is a beautiful cycle of renewal and retreat, each phase mirroring the other.—Insight Timer Team
Daily Insight:
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.—Marcus Aurelius
I AM:
I am a kind person.
Action for Happiness:
Appreciate kindness and thank people who do things for you.
Fitness Quote:
Nothing will stop me from reaching my goals. Nothing.—gymquotes.co
Fun Fact:
WINTER SOLSTICE
The winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs annually between December 20th and December 23rd.
#WinterSolstice
The winter solstice is marked by the point at which the North Pole is at its farthest from the sun during its yearly orbit around the sun. It will be approximately 23 degrees away from the sun. Despite the temperature outside, the winter solstice is considered the astronomical beginning of winter. Meteorological winter begins December 1st and lasts until the end of February. It's marked by the coldest average temperatures during the year.
Depending on how far north a person is in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter, their day can range from 9.5 hours to absolutely no sunrise at all. On the bright side, the days will gradually become longer in the Northern Hemisphere until the summer solstice in June. In the Southern Hemisphere, this same day marks the summer solstice and the Southern Hemisphere's longest day of the year.
The vernal equinox and the autumnal equinox conventionally mark the beginning of spring and fall respectively and occur when night and day are approximately equal in length.
Around the world since ancient times to modern-day, celebrations, festivals, rituals, and holidays recognizing the winter solstice have varied from culture to culture.
HOW TO OBSERVE WINTER SOLSTICE
Winter lovers, enjoy the shortest day of the year. Those longing for more sunlight, prepare to celebrate. Longer days are ahead. Use #WinterSolstice to post on social media.
WINTER SOLSTICE HISTORY
Since the marking of time and the earliest calendars, this day marked the hardest time of the year for early people. Survival was paramount when food and heat are not reliable. In all corners of the Earth, there are ancient remains that seem to have been built around marking the winter solstice.
• Probably the most famous of these is Stonehenge, England. Every year when the sun sets on the winter solstice, the sun's rays align with two of the giant stones known as the central Altar and the Slaughter stone.
• As the sun rises the day of the winter solstice, its rays illuminate the main chambers of the monument dating back to 3200 B.C. at Newgrange, Ireland.
• In Tulum, Mexico an ancient Mayan city stands deserted. At the top of one of these buildings, a small hole casts a starburst when the sun rises on the winter and summer solstices.
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Hubby says I can't be sick as I have had all my shots. Ugh I'm working in a tiny area. 10x4 with 4 others. Two with colds and today I feel yucky. I'm resting and hopefully tomorrow I will feel better.0
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Don's surgery went well. They did find another tumor and is out for biopsy but dr is optimistic. He is doing pretty good, better than we thought, luckily no real pain. Thank you all so much for your support and prayers.
We were so tired when we got home yesterday, and I will admit today I have done nothing but wash clothes. Kayla was very happy to see us when we picked her up, I think she thought we deserted her.
Today's inspiration:
Expect to have hope rekindled.
Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.
The dry seasons in life do not last.
The spring rains will come again.
- Sarah Ban Breathnach
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@Patti241, Oh hon!! I am so sorry!! That's rough!! How is he doing? How are you doing around this etc.? Will be home for Weds or will you go in or any place?
@Cruising132, I had lost in my 50s also, but I had eliminated most of the foods I dearly love. OOPS!! I also gained back quite a bit (From 288 to 174 back up to 212). When I went from 212 to 180 I ate what I love, but learned to do portion control and add in other foods with the stuff I like that is more healthier than a large pizza, it became 2 slices of pizza and a salad or similia side (I AM NOT a veggie person!) over time I was fine with 2 slices of pizza, now generally its 1 slice or an English Muffin Pizza. LOL I loved them growing up turns out I STILL DO!! I adore ice cream, but learned a 1/2 cup in a small fancy bowl or fancy teacup (2nd hand stores) makes me grin and in a small container it doesn't look skimpy, rather instead elegant. I also had to learn to not skim on my calories. What MFP suggested I had checked with my Dr's nurse who confirmed that was the right amount for me based on my exercise (I had to lower my exercise, I now am in congestive heart failure (that is rather doable though) the microvascular angina meant lowering it, and chronic kidney disease, meant lowering my exercise, but at the same time, I learned I can do small spurts throughout the day which keeps me from being exhausted most days. Exercise increases our endorphins as a natural HAPPY MED!! Sounds like your plan is doable and will be successful!!! We'd love to hear how that works for you through the challenge if you are able. NO PRESSURE!! On your team they'll know.
@Pedal_Power WOOHOO so happy to have you with us!! We are here on chat which you can post to If you have the time etc. etc. No need to answer everyone's post (I am a leader, so I do those who I know read them as I can and answer some. Some days its crazy busy as an over all leader and I am also a leader on Positively Strong 4 Life). I am retired and on my own giving me more time then the average person. I LOVE retirement!
@Lopeyp , PLEASE DO JOIN!! WOOHOO!! Red Hots still has openings!! SO happy to see you!!
Here's the link:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10928112/red-hots#latest
@Sweetpeasmom55, SO SORRY hon you are sick!! OH MY!! Anytime is a hard time to be sick, this time of year that much so. Hopefully, it'll pass soon. I never know how to respond about the shots, I got mine then I decided to not get them, but I had all but, the 3rd one. It hasn't prevented me from getting stuff with covid it may have kept me from being so sick as I could of (the first time it was borderline if I needed to hit the ER, the 2nd time it wasn't nearly as bad). If it's the flu LOLOL I have a weird sense of humor, and well if hubby gets it, is he good or a wee bit "sicker" than anyone else? This YouTube video I watch every season and laugh WAY TO HARD!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn4BDdQyX_c
Just watched it AGAIN and still as funny as ever!! Of course, many men are not like this, likely though we know 1. I DO! That's why it's so funny!!
@Kurtize, SO SORRY I think I forgot to update PS4L!! SO SORRY!! Happy to hear that Don isn't in a ton of pain. So sorry though they found another tumor, hopefully this will work out. Either way we are here with you hon. Awww Kayla loves you both so much. She's such a sweet girl!! At the MOMENT my MONSTER BOY (LOL he's so foolishly funny though) is SLEEPING!! WOOHOO!!! He'll awaken very soon for FOOD! He's keeping me from getting up, but I DO NOT MIND that! He is also happily as I am a Patriots fan!! LOL GOOO PATs next Sunday. Izzy kitty is in the bedroom sleeping and getting a break from Oscar wanting to play. LOL new members Izzy is almost 16, while Oscar is 2 1/2 (I got him at 9 months old she was NOT HAPPY!) but they play A LOT now. Izzy can keep up with him speed wise, but not time wise as he wishes she could, but I laugh so much at them. She's cranky to him at times, he worships her and feels it's okay! Joyce NO DOUBT you are spoiling Kayla (Awww precious girl!) and Don, please also take care of YOU!!!
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