<p>I think the hardest thing is the loss of momentum that I go through this time of year. The discipline and motivation have to be stoked as well as the planning of healthy stuff (at least for me!) I’ve got to remember failing to plan is planning to fail—out to the grocery store NOW!!!</p>
<p>Make a pact with yourself. Are you going to ingest 500 more calories a day in holiday splurges for the next month? Ok, then you need to figure out how to nulify MOST of those calories! (all may be unrealistic!)</p>
<p>Cut your creamer in your coffee by half each morning.
Increase your exercise by 15 mins each day.
10% less food on your plate each meal. (Don’t think 10% less food, think 10% less calories!)
Plan your breakfast/lunch in your head (or in your lunch bag) the night before. I think about these things ahead of time so I’m less likely to just grab what is convenient. </p>
<p>Stuff like that! Don’t give into the “excuse” that its the holidays and you are doomed! You can have your Christmas cookies and mostly maintain your weight too if you PLAN!</p>
<p>Went to the grocery store tonight and got healthy stuff. I miss having berries at reasonable prices. 
I’d even take unreasonable prices if they produce looked fresh.</p>
<p>Water, water, water!</p>
<p>Thanks for the condolences – went to the ortho today and thankfully, my elbow is not broken. (Was really concerned about that.) Severe bone bruise and sprain. Probable rotator cuff tear. The doc drained my ganglion cyst, so that should help when I am doing my rowing. Hip is sprained. Will be starting PT next week. Also got good drugs! :D</p>
<p>Also saw my gyn today, who was more than thrilled about my weight loss and stunned about the heart attack.</p>
<p>CountingDown, you’re an inspiration! So thrilled for you that your elbow isn’t broken! and abasket I loved all of your great ideas. And I agree about not giving into thoughts of doom. Livestrong has some great articles about how to keep the momentum going through the holidays!</p>
<p>CountingDown, so sorry to hear that dancing did not agree with you! The second to last time I was on the dance floor I spun right out of control and ended up flat on my back. Thankfully completely unhurt, but I felt like a total fool. </p>
<p>I did not eat that much at Thanksgiving, but there were a number of dinners out, and there’s always way too much drinking with my family. I hope to be back on trackl in a few more days - though instead of going to the gym today I was at an art reception and then a wine tasting class - not helpful!</p>
<p>At least having gone away for Thanksgiving, I’m not dealing with leftovers!</p>
<p>Glen Echo’s Spanish Ballroom has gorgeous old wooden floors, waxed to a spitshine. I had understood that we couldn’t wear street shoes on the floor, so I had the dance shoes. After I crashed, S1 thoughtfully shared that indeed I could have worn sneakers.</p>
<p>Lesson learned for next time. Am also checking out the local rec dept for contra classes so I can have the basics down more solidly before I go do this again.</p>
<p>Think I may resort to checking out Whole Foods for fresh fruit. I am not a big apple/pear person (unless they are cooked). Once the clementines are out of season, I’m down to bananas until berries are back. Bought a box of clementines last week and had to toss more than half of the box. Looked fine on the top, were moldy and soft on the bottoms. :(</p>
<p>And who would have guessed that dried bananas are high in fat?! They are apparently cured in coconut oil (at least that was what was listed on this particular package) and it was ~20+% of my daily fat allowance. Found some other packaged dried fruit w/almonds that was
much healthier.</p>
<p>Oh Countingdown! I wish I could send you a big bushel of berries to cheer you up! You are having a rough week. </p>
<p>Abasket, thank you! Your wise encouragement will become my mantra for the next month.</p>
<p>Bungalow,
I love your phrase “failing to plan is planning to fail”. It is so true in so many ways! I am dealing with an intern lately who needs that tattooed on her forearm.</p>
<p>Glad you are on the mend, cd!</p>
<p>Aargh–I think I’m doing better than I was a week ago anyway. Not as well as, say, a month ago, but better. Eating a little better. Was only doing 30 minutes on the treadmill three times a week and at least have added in a little ab set on my off days. Still need to up my exercise.</p>
<p>And a page or two up there were several posts about winter padding–I’ve insisted for several years that my body seems to add some weight this time of year regardless of what I do. You know–in order to survive all those times I get trapped outside in the snow. (???)</p>
<p>^^^ ha ha! Let’s not get trapped in the snow!!!</p>
<p>I love clementines, but always WISH I could touch every piece of fruit in the bag/box before taking it home - that often happens to me too that some of them are worthless. Frustrating!</p>
<p>abasket … thanks for all the pep talks in the last few days. It’s people like you that remind us that we’re actually more in control of our own destiny than we like to think.</p>
<p>I’ve got to stop watching TV at night so I can start getting to sleep earlier, which creates more time for me to exercise. I don’t even like half the singers on those talent shows anyway!</p>
<p>@myLB—I think it was livestrong.com that had an article in someone’s blog that talked about the fact that people gain weight this time of year, every year and that the average weight gain is 1.5-2 lbs. And the kicker is that most people don’t lose that so over so many years time it adds up to an extra 30 or so lbs. That’s scary enough to keep me on the straight and narrow this holiday season!
abasket—I agree about the fruit! It seems to me that the powers that be always seem to bag a rotten or spoiling piece or two among the good stuff! Once I saw a woman opening strawberry boxes and picking through and actually taking some berries out and switching better looking ones from another box! Truth is, I can’t blame her! It REALLY bugs me when veggies are bad particularly onions & potatoes. Snowflake, I’m like you! I’m up w-a-y too late watching old tv shows like Dragnet, Perry Mason or the Untouchables. Before I know it, it’s midnight! I’ve got to remind myself that good sleep helps burn fat!</p>
<p>I am noticing that I am a LOT colder this year than I have been in other winters. Less insulation on my person? Anyone else experience this?</p>
<p>Note to self: as delicious as dried fruit and almonds are, it is not good to eat them in large quantity. It still racks up calories.</p>
<p>Day One of Back to the Business of Healthy Living…if I can squeeze in a walk tonight, I will count today a success.</p>
<p>Anyone watch jj virgin on PBS? Her 7 foods to stop eating?</p>
<p>They are
Eggs
Soy
Sugar
Corn
Dairy
Gluten
Peanuts</p>
<p>Can’t hurt to try this thru the holidays, best as I can…no more hot cocoa…</p>
<p>Wait–what? Eggs? I’ve been trying to eat more of those in an effort to cut down on carbs. Aiyiyi. . .</p>
<p>I eat more eggs too - the protein helps me not miss the carbs at breakfast time. And don’t mess with my dairy!!!</p>
<p>Who is this jj virgin and what makes her an expert??</p>
<p>Edit: OK, I just googled her and found out she’s America’s “foremost fitness and nutrition expert.” Shows what I know. She certainly looks fit.</p>
<p>Would she have a problem with egg whites? When I make scrambled eggs or an omelet, I use egg whites.</p>
<p>I have also increased my egg intake to get more protein in lieu of carbs. The “do not eat” list seems to be part of a detox program, not overall advice in healthy foods: <a href=“http://www.jjvirgin.com/docs/ftdpjuly09/Eliminating_eggs_gluten_dairy_corn_soy_peanuts.pdf[/url]”>http://www.jjvirgin.com/docs/ftdpjuly09/Eliminating_eggs_gluten_dairy_corn_soy_peanuts.pdf</a></p>
<p>In other news, I’m about down to where I was before Thanksgiving. Whew. And I’ve told DH that not matter how much I beg, not to buy me any more of the new Cape Cod waffle potato chips. They are seriously dangerous!</p>