Ready for a new challenge???

Okay so the holidays are quickly coming upon us and I just want to be proactive as this is my first Thanksgiving  X-Mas post-op.  For you vets what tips can you pass on to stay the course?  I know losing weight  was extremely hard for me at holiday time pre-op (shoot anytime really) and am hoping that this year I can make it a losing time.  I am nervous and some part of me sees this holiday season as my biggest hurdle because the holidays always get me.

If anyone is interested I would like to start a Holiday 2009 Challenge if there isn't already one going on.  If there is one, I wanna join   I know that everyone is at different stages in their journey so if you are just starting, only have a few to lose or just need to maintain I  think this might help us kick the holiday munchies monster in the assets.  My goal is to lose 10 pounds and start maintaining that weight by New Years.  What do you think?

Hey girl! Im not doing a Holiday Challenge..more so like an Accountability Challenge to work the tool and get back to the basics.  I created a daily chart that includes rules and a point system for taking vitamins, getting all your protein, not eating sugars, and exercising each day.    The goal is to give you a little bit of room for week#1 (there are 7 points possible each day/49 for the week).  To stay in the game for week#1, you only need 42 points (not the maximum of 49 that you can get).  But for next week (week2) the number of points will go up.  In addition to that, Im doing a cheat jar - anytime I 'want' to buy stuff that I shouldnt eat (sweets, etc) then I must put the money for that item in a jar at home ($2, $3, etc).  The goal is that at first, the jar may have a lot of money in it for the first few weeks, but after that, I should be putting less money in it as I will be controlling my cravings and after giving away money and STILL not being able to have what I want, I should learn to NOT crave those things.  Lol.  At the end of the year, Im going to take the money and go shopping.  I can post the chart and rules if you want me to!

I think this is a great way to stay on track during the holidays......this will be my first holiday post-op and I'm getting extremely nervous. This will also be my first time hosting "Thanksgiving Dinner".

Let me know what you decide. I would like to lose about 25 pounds before this year is out.

I'm trying to hit goal over the next ten weeks so I'm in.  I have already worked through my program to allow for getting through the season in tact.  I started this morning. 

Yeah, this is my first holiday season as a post op also.  I normally don't get to eat this type of cooking any other time during the year simply cause Wifey and I aint got a clue how to fix dressing, dumplings and all that good stuff.

It's a bit easier for me, as we live at least three hours from my relatives.  So, at least I won't be at grandma's for the following three days eating left overs.

Good that you are planning out your diversion techniques in advance.  I think I might need to start planning also.  Being three hours away from relatives don't mean I can't get sucked into all them holiday sweets and treats that Krogers, Winn Dixie, Walmart etc have on display this time-o-year.

You're looking so so great by the way.

This will be my first holiday season post op as well.  I think it wont be that bad, as we never cook at home, we visit family and eat there, so i won't have tons of left overs to speak of.  When I do eat, i'll grab that protein first, and i may (MAY) taste a little stuffing, but I get full quickly so overeating at that one meal won't be a big concern for me. Then as along as I get back on track the next day, all should be fine.  for me, I'm trying to learn moderation (at special holidays/events) and not total exclusion.

Like it's Golden..this is my first major holiday post-op. I'm actually excited..yes I'm sure it will be a challenge but you know challenges actually cause us to grow stronger so I'm seeing it as such...
I've been doing cardio 7 days a week for 2months straight and loving it..I  plan to keep up 2 miles daily and I'm so believing that my "tool" of restriction will do it's perfect work. Hey I plan to aim for the turkey, maybe ham and green veggies...thinking ahead seems to work as well. Fruit will be my dessert of choice amongst all the cakes and pies that my family normally breaks out.

It'll be good though :)

Sound good to me this also will be my first Thanksgiving and Christmas post op. I will be cookin for both so that will help a lot. So I am down for a challenge

This will be my first thanksgiving and Christmas postop as well. I was just telling my aunt this year will be interesting. I just pray I can do the right thing. I'm for whatever challenge we come up with I want to lose 20 lbs by 12/31 so let's get it!! I'm in!