Friday is my annual surgical evaluation and I am a bit annoyed with the time of year that it takes place.

i have mantained my weight between 139-147 lbs this year. 98% of the time I bounce between 140-143.

Well this is the season for eating and I have had no less than 3 holiday parties this week alone, 2 the week before, and 2 dinners out for company traveling through the week before that.

Today, I am 145 lbs. Drat!  And I am on my last party!  While I haave been  keeping up with my exercise and watching my portion sizes and food choices I have slipped up on the amount of alcohol consumed (typically about 3 glasses of wine per party...hello, 600 calories) and sometimes choices (INdian food People!  Indian Food! Yum!)

I am just looking forward to having this season OVER so I can get back to basics (i.e. protein, nonstarchy veg, no salt, limited alcohol, and long long long runs). I enjoy seeing people but hate what it is doing to my waistline and sleep schedule. Fortunately, the clothes are still fitting but if I dont get this nipped now...I fear I may start ballooning up.

I do not know how celebrities, delegates/ambassadors, and other professional politicians can live a life like this (i.e. never-ending glad-handing, drinking, eating, and "partying" and not be a 500 lbs or more).

Dreading the surgeon on Friday,

Not feeling Skinny today-Scientist.

Ok forgive me if I'm missing something but why do you HAVE to eat off plan during the holidays? Doesn't sound like you want to. Doesn't sound like you enjoy the aftermath. You do know that staying on plan during the holidays is a valid choice you can make, right? Certainly not the easy choice but you could choose to do that.

I hate these gatherings and what-nots.  I bring my own food and stick to that 98% of the time.  I'm a teacher, so the gifts started rolling in yesterday and one sweet girl brought me a whole container of sugar free chocolates and candies.  I love my students, but this next couple of days is going to be tough.  The temptations are high for people in professions like me, because kids like to see you take joy in what they give you so I try to play it up and give them huge hugs and stuff.  But even sugar free stuff is extra calories that really are pointless because they don't give me any nutrition.  I don't wanna fall off the wagon; I wanna stay on it!!!  I hope I don't fall off in the next couple days.  Friday morning is a work breakfast and we are all supposed to bring stuff.  The list is already horrendous of what people are bringing.  I know I could not go, but there's a raffle and I do also enjoy spending time like that with my colleagues.  I will just have to force myself to take delight in their company and not the food.  

Nik is right; the feelings we get from this food are terrible, the emotional guilt, the lack of sleep from missing nutrition and guilt, the increase in weight...it is really not worth it.  At first I was going to sympathize and be like...yeah girl...me too...I might cheat and then feel guilty and I hate this feeling and blah blah blah...and here comes Nik putting us in our places.  A total slap that we totally, totally needed.  Thanks, Nik!!!

Lord, lord, lord I hope I remember to stay strong over the next couple days.  Good luck Skinny!  You are and you'll get back in your frame of mind!

My kids have a post-op teacher. She actually gathers up what the kids brings and shares it with them. Somehow the joy of getting a treat during class makes the fact that she eats virtually none of it ok lol.

But yeah...I don't partake in that much holiday indulgence. It makes my body feel weird, and I don't feel good in my head about it. And to me the holidays are about feeling good and being grateful and being with my family. I don't want to waste a moment of it regretting a decision, especially a food one. 

We all deserve better than that!

First, I agree with Nik. The extra calories are a choice, and you don't have to wait until the holidays are over to cut back.

Second, and most important, you are talking about 2 pounds. 2 pounds outside your range.

You should be happy. You will make yourself miserable for the rest of your life if you focus on a 2 pound gain instead of all your successes. Let it go. You know you can get rid of 2 pounds if you want. Or not get rid of it. Just be happy. Don't make yourself crazy. It will infect your entire life. Don't become that person.

Grim...when you drink that Powerade Zero...do you drink that whole bottle over a day?  I drank half for a few days and no cramps and life was great until last night.  I did have a strenuous workout yesterday so I am thinking to finish the bottle today and still drink half after working out today.  P.S.  I liked the strawberry!  Thoughts?  Thank you!!!

I always drank the whole bottle. But if what you are doing works, that-s good enough. But ick. The strawberry was my least favorite.

I'm thinking I need the whole bottle too.  I like the strawberry!!!!  LOL it's funny how we all have a variety of tastes.

Grim. I love you and your are RIGHT!

Thank you!

Next year schedule you anyal in the end of January.. Holidays are stressful enough... Why punish yourself? Get real... Skip the drama.. .. This year schedule next one  for January.. One month one or the other way makes a very little difference..