HLSG Week of November 24 -- Thanksgiving

[JackieO]

Hi, all.

Lets focus this week on the things we are grateful for -- it is Thanksgiving (in the US), after all.

I am very thankful that, as a 46-year-old female, I not only have an intact family (including both parents who are 80+), a healthy son and husband, a satisfying profession with decent compensation, a love of healthful and satisfying food, and an aging but well-constrcted home that provides warmth and shelter from the ugliness of a Midwestern climate. (Ok -- I tried to be as upbeat as I could, but I really do hate the climate here!:( )

That being said, I have a more trivial satisfaction, which is that despite an ugly week last week (no control -- too many social and work-related eating events): I DIDN'T gain any weight!! I weighed the same on Saturday that I did the previous Saturday, and I KNOW I did not make wise eating decisions (but I think I made some very good decisions regarding portion control -- while I opted to eat seafood alfredo Friday night, I took half of it home and ate it for lunch today.)

So.....heading into this week of reflection: What are you thankful for? And let's focus on what we know how to "do right." Thanksgiving was meant to recognize and honor SURVIVAL in the New World -- not meant to be an homage to gluttony, which the "feast" has unfortunately become to symbolize today. Bounty is certainly worth thanks, but there are better ways to express it than by "stuffing ourselves."

So...for this week:
I will work out every day -- whether it is a walk, run, or lifting weights -- I will get at least 30 minutes of activity in each day.
I plan to make a large dinner on Thursday, but I'll only sample each dish, knowing there will be more tomorrow (or the next day)
I will take some time to look at December (I HATE it when Christmas is this close to Thanksgiving :( ), and will strategize about how to plan my workouts to fit with my "Maintain/Don't Gain" plan at the club.

So....what's up with everyone else?:D :) :p

[jazzyjas]

I am grateful for my friends and family (BB friends included) who support me and put up with me and love me for being myself.

I have a job (that although I am not thrilled about it at the moment) that allows me to pay my bills and have fun without worrying about money too much. I am grateful the only debt I have is my mortgage.

I am grateful that I have my health.

If you all want to see a great movie that makes you leave feeling good about yourself what ever you look like go see "Real Women Have Curves" I loved it. It was written by a real woman who was sick of the lack of acting parts for women who look like her. They made the play into a movie and at one of the film festivals it got a standing ovation at every showing and won the viewers choice award. It is great.

I am going to take some time to get my house in order this week so I can go into the holidays with that taken care of.

Jas

[Gina O]

...and for reminding me of all I have to be thankful for.

In thinking about good things in my life that add to my overall health and well being, I have two things that I am especially proud of this year. While they are not exactly my accomplishments, I want to brag just a little. First, Brian upgraded to captain last week. This is a second career for him, and his lifelong dream has been to be an airline captain. He said that without my support it would never have happened.

Second, just before I moved to CA, my mom, who is at least 100 pounds overweight, started going to the gym with me. She has never been to a gym before. It took two months of reassurance from me before she would ever set foot inside the door. We went together for about a month and I was afraid that when I moved she would stop going. To my absolute glee, she has continued, she enjoys it, she has made friends.

For my mental health, I am thankful that I am going home for Thanksgiving. I am so looking forward to seeing my family and neighbors and being in my house again. I miss quiet and darkness.

I am thankful that I have successfully maintained my weight loss for over four years and that I have a wardrobe of clothes that I like and that fit good.

What to do this week:

-that pesky deal about eating breakfast has not been going so well lately... perhaps I am just tired of the Cliff Bars. Maybe time to come up with a new plan.

-formal exercise has been hard, but I am walking more. Need to keep that up. I would like to go to the gym with my mom one day while home.

-relax over the break.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, Gina

[Laura]

Thanks Jackie for getting us started again!

I will start with the easy things!

I am thankful for two wonderful children who love to exercise and keep active.

I am thankful for an SO, who despite our struggles, wants to keep working with me on us!

I am thankful for my job, which while not as challenging as I might like, or financially rewarding, allows me to work from home and pay the bills.

I am thankful that despite having not been as diligent as I would like in the exercise department, I have not gained any signficant weight and am maintaining an acceptable level of fitness.

I have exercise planned for most days this week, but do plan to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner without worrying about the calories.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!!

[lindrusso]

Hi Everyone! Great idea Jackie! :)

I'm thankful for all the obvious - family, friends, home, etc.

I'm also thankful that all of the %!@#$%&* wallpaper is off the dining room walls and that the hours of endless steaming and scraping (and then patching and sanding) are over!!! :D :D Now we just have to do the actual painting, but I can handle that!

I'm thankful that we've started an addition for our family room that will make our house more livable and guest-friendly. More than the addition, I'm thankful that we've decided to stay in our great community for several more years. As much as we miss being close to family and our college friends, we really do love the community we are in.

I am thankful that we will have a full house this Christmas - 5 extra adults and 2 dogs! :)

I am thankful that my brother has grown up. He's only 2 years younger than me biologically, but mentally we have been decades apart for years (not to mention a whole pack of other problems that included drugs, jail and other problems). He seems to have finally gotten his act together and has become more responsible and more mature. It's so wonderful to finally have a brother again! :)

Well, I suppose I could go on and on, but those are the ones that are jumping out at me this hour. :)

My healthy living goals this week are to exercise Mon, Tues, Weds and Friday. Thursday will be family day - no working on the house, no working out, just fun and family all day!

I signed up for and weighed in for our YMCAs Holiday Holdout, so I now am accountable to our wellness director at the end of the holidays. :o I'm hoping this will help keep me from overdoing it too much! :) Last time I did this I managed to lose a pound, so I'm hoping to have the same results this time around!

Gina - How are you doing with your sleep problems? Hope things are better! Glad to hear you are going home for the holidays.

Jackie - Glad to hear your weigh-in proved to be good news - you said on Saturday that you were dreading it! :)

Take care all,
Alysha

[JackieO]

See -- we really DO have all sorts of things to feel good about!!

Jas -- loved your bit about the "Real Women Have Curves." I have a drama-teacher friend who lives in Billings, Montana, who has a two-woman play that has toured the country about the trials and tribulations of two girlfriends as they age. It's wonderful... and it's sad that much of this kind of really good material rarely sees commercial success.

Gina -- {{{hugs}}}} glad you are getting a chance to go home for the holiday. Maybe a break from your relatively new surroundings will give you a fresh perspective upon return. Sounds like you are looking for the best and finding some good things! :) Yeah also for Brian and your mom!!!

Laura -- what kind of exercise are your children into? As you can tell from my avatar/signature, I have a son who is really into "ball sports" -- but he doesn't have a clue about fitness!:rolleyes: Thinks training is a waste of time and he relies on his natural ability to carry him along. (This is catching up with him academically, too. But I was that way at his age, also. :eek: ) Sounds as if life is treating you well, too!

Check in when you can....and keep thinking those positive thoughts!

[funnybone]

Great Idea-

I am thankful for my immediate family - my DH and my two great boys. I am thankful that my DH has a wonderful job and can support me to stay home (sometimes unwillingly ;) ) to spend more time with our two sons (who have straight A's I must brag). We are moving to Chicago in 2003, so even though the next few months will be somewhat stressful, as we will be not be together a lot, we are all looking forward to the move!! "We have done it before, and we will do it again" is our attitude. I am thankful that we will be able to buy a house in a very nice neighborhood with good schools for the boys (#1 priority).

I am thankful for being able to visit our family and friends over the next several days, back in Canada. Even though we won't be celebrating Thanksgiving, we will be together and celebrate family times together.

I am thankful for our health. Sure we have days where we have aches and pains, but they do not come close to real aches and pains that others suffer through and endure on a daily basis. If I choose not to exercise, it is because I am lazy or other factors come into play, and not that I am physically unable to do so. I am thankful for that choice -whatever the choice may be.

I am thankful that we have this BB - a place to come together and share our stories, thoughts, and experiences. It's great to "see familiar faces" and to "meet new people" here as well. I am thankful that I am able to spend time here, as I know I gain from it.


Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!!!

[Minky]

Funnybone: You really put things into perspective for with regard to "aches and pains" vs. REAL aches and pains. And here I was starting to feel sorry for myself with too many things scheduled in too few hours during this "too-short" week;)

Anyway, I am thankful for my family, all of which is nearby this year, and for the opportunity to stay home with my kids and make a difference in their lives by being active at their schools. I'm also thankful for the health of all our family members, for the ability to help several of our local charities this holiday season, and for the opportunity to get to the gym a few days this week to work off the stuffing and pumpkin pie (my two faves :D )

Happy Thanksgiving:)

[Gina O]

Alysha Sleep has gotten better. Not great, but definitely better. I am hoping that being back in the quiet and comfort of my house will solve the problem for a few days. Gina

[Laura]

Originally posted by JackieO
See -- we really DO have all sorts of things to feel good about!!

Laura -- what kind of exercise are your children into? As you can tell from my avatar/signature, I have a son who is really into "ball sports" -- but he doesn't have a clue about fitness!:rolleyes: Thinks training is a waste of time and he relies on his natural ability to carry him along. (This is catching up with him academically, too. But I was that way at his age, also. :eek: ) Sounds as if life is treating you well, too!

Check in when you can....and keep thinking those positive thoughts!

My daughter's primary love is ballet; she dances 4 hours a week; but since she wanted to be on a team in high school (next year :eek:!), and most high school dance teams are more geared toward hip hop, she started on the swim team this year. So she swims 3 days a week and dances three days a week. My son is also a swimmer, but then also generally plays whatever sport is in season. I get my exercise from chasing them all over town. :D

One of the benefits of them being so active, is that I have been able to get them to eat better by using food as a fuel. My son will now ask if a certain item has a lot of complex carbohydrates on the days when he knows he will have a long set for swimming. Pretty cool for a 10 year old (of course he also wants to eat junk after! :rolleyes: )

[LaraW]

Originally posted by Laura
(of course he also wants to eat junk after! :rolleyes: )

Such as, perhaps, dark chocolate! :D ;) :p

Hi all,

Sounds like everyone is doing pretty well. I had a good week last week, and am planning to do my hour-long yoga tape tonight. DH is going to a movie and so I thought I'd go home and have some "alone time" there. That would be a good opportunity to do a tape.

I am going to Chicago this weekend (I leave Friday morning) to spend the weekend with all of my sisters and my Mom before 1 sister/BIL move to France for the next 2 years. I am just hoping that we do a lot of walking, because I don't really intend to try to eat lightly. I probably won't drink, but still.

Have a great Thanksgiving, everyone!!! :D

[JackieO]

Hey Alysha -- we must have been posting at the same time last night. Isn't it great to realize you live in a wonderful community? As much as I moved from Denver back to the Midwest kicking and screaming 15 years ago, I really do appreciate the fine community we live in, and our "history" here. We are established, and that counts for something.

Erika -- way to go on the DS's grades!!! We just had conferences a week or so ago, and my DS made the honor roll, but really needs to stay on his toes in a couple of subjects. Make sure to make time for yourself while you are in this transition.

Laura -- my son intellectually understands he needs to eat better, but has yet to operationalize it! Good for your 10-y/o for knowing food is fuel.

Lara -- glad you could join us. It will be cold here during your visit. And it's not that dry Colorado cold, it's the damp, Midwestern cold and if the wind is blowing, it cuts you like a knife! :mad:

And now, for my confession.

I did something stupid this weekend. As I was putting my grocery list together, I noticed that the store had Cheez-Its on sale. I also happened to have a 75-cents-off coupon for a new flavor, Parmesan/Garlic. Sounded yummy to me. So, I bought a box. DS had a few handfuls on Sunday as did DH. I have since polished off the freakin' box BY MYSELF. I KNOW better than to do this. Oh well, write it off and move on. Exercise a little more....:o

[jazzyjas]

Jackie Don't beat yourself up over the cheese its -- I am often a sucker for "bargin" calories and I don't have the excuse of buying them for other members of the family. BOGO icecream or 2/$5 Ben and Jerry's always gets me and I can never just buy the one.

Lara I hope you enjoyed the yoga tape and have a fun and safe trip.

Everyone Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Enjoy!

jas

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by JackieO
Hey Alysha -- we must have been posting at the same time last night. Isn't it great to realize you live in a wonderful community? As much as I moved from Denver back to the Midwest kicking and screaming 15 years ago, I really do appreciate the fine community we live in, and our "history" here. We are established, and that counts for something.

I have since polished off the freakin' box BY MYSELF. I KNOW better than to do this. Oh well, write it off and move on. Exercise a little more....:o

Jackie -

Yes, it's taken me a long time to come to this conclusion! I'm an East Coast girl - born in New York, but also have lived in MD and PA. I still miss it, but we've made some very good friends here, it's safe, friendly and a nice place to raise kids. Plus, we can afford for me to stay home with the kids here too. Much to be thankful for!

Cheez-its are dangerous!!!! :D I try to buy Cheese Nips or Goldfish or things that I don't like as much for the kids because I can polish of a box of Cheez-its too! Ack! :D

So far I've exercised 2x and will haul my butt to the Y again today. I plan to go on Friday, but after an exhausting week of eating and painting, I hope I can find the energy and resolve!!!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!
Alysha

[KathrynY]

Jackie - don't feel too bad about the Cheez-Its! I got busy yesterday making a Pumpkin Cheesecake yesterday morning, forgot to eat breakfast, and by the time I was done I was so hungry that I snarfed down half a bag of goldfish crackers :o . I don't usually keep them in the house, but I was going to put them out for the kids as a Thanksgiving appetizer... had to go out yesterday and buy more :rolleyes:. Lesson learned - eat when you're hungry, don't wait until you're ravenous!

I am thankful for good health, family and friends (BB included :)). I have a good job that, while not the most challenging, is pretty stable and affords me the opportunity to take classes towards a potential new career.

Aside from the goldfish episode, I've been pretty good about eating and exercise. Got to the gym for weights and cardio twice this week already, not sure about today (snowing) but probably tomorrow too since they're open in the morning. Thanksgiving dinner shouldn't be too much of a feeding frenzy since I'm cooking and they're all CL dishes (except for the chocolate pecan pie ;)). I am happy to have the day to spend with friends, and look forward to seeing our families who live out of state at Christmas.

Have a wonderful holiday, everyone. Safe travels! :)

[JackieO]

the Cheez-Its/Thanksgiving damage assessment, that is!;)

I generally weigh myself on Saturday morning at the gym. After taking off five pounds relatively easily earlier this fall, I have been fighting the same 1-2 lbs since late October!:( Today, I was going to be prepared for a back-slide, albeit a small one. I was pleasantly surprised to see my weight was 0.4 lbs LESS than last Saturday! I have essentially maintained this same weight for nearly a month, so I think that five pounds gone is gone for good (or at least until I get careless again). Onward toward that next five pounds!!!:D

[KathrynY]

Woohoo Jackie! :D