What's on your Tuesday Menu, RNYers?

Mornin' All!

I've been thinking about joining WW, too. I've been through several rounds of it but not in YEARS, and never on this new plan, which sounds intriguing. I've gained almost 20 lbs since my lowest point, which admittedly was a bit too low for me, even though I loved being in the 130s. I still look fine and am within the "healthy" range my PCP gave me, but I feel better when I'm under 150 lbs (I've been in the mid- to high-150s since this past summer). I know I need to get this seven or so pounds off while it's still theoretically do-able. Who knew taking 5-10 lbs off would be so difficult? I used to roll my eyes at these normal weight people who'd ***** and scream about how hard it was to lose five or ten pounds, when I had over 200 lbs to lose. Now I get it.. But this really needs to come off before it gets out of hand. Plus, I hate feeling this way.

Yesterday I made a Swedish red cabbage salad that'll go with the Swedish meatballs we're having tonight at my mom's. It turned out great! Sort of a sweet-and-sour kind of thing. I also made a Swedish cheesecake. It's made with cottage cheese instead of cream cheese and has no crust, so the calories aren't too, too bad (although they traditionally top it with whipped cream and jam, which pretty much offsets the calorie savings. I may put light Cool Whip and one of my homemade compotes (no added sugar) on mine instead). Also, if I make this cheesecake again, I can try some things to make it lighter - artificial sweetener instead of sugar, whole milk instead of cream - maybe add in some protein powder to boost up the protein a bit more. Hmmm...

today I have to make lasagna. I was assigned to make gingersnaps as well, but my sister, as usual, went ahead and made them and didn't tell me - I didn't find out until last night when my mother told me. I'm glad she let me know before I made them, too. That's all we need are enough gingersnaps to feed an army. My sister pulls crap like this all the time - never following the agreed-upon menu and bringing stuff that wasn't planned for - including making things that were assigned to other people. ARRRGGH. Although whatever - at least this way I won't have extra gingersnaps lying around my house.

I still need to get one more present and wrap everything. And write and send the Christmas cards I've been intending to get out for at least a week. But at this point, I might as well wait until after Christmas to send the cards. I'm supposed to meet a friend for coffee later on this morning, too. It's during a time I was planning to go to Zumba, which bums me out, but then this friend lives in Missouri (her daughters live here in town) and she's only here a couple of times a year, so I didn't have a lot of options. If I have time later, I'll take a long walk for exercise.

QOTD: we used to spend Christmas Eve at my maternal grandparents' house along with my aunts, uncles, and cousins. I have so many fond memories of that. We'd go home afterward and spend Christmas day with just our immediate family - which was never as fun as Christmas Eve!

4.5 years out:

B: protein pancakes with plain Greek yogurt and blueberry/blackberry compote, coffee with half & half

MS: protein shake, either (more) coffee with half & half or some herbal tea

L: salad with diced turkey and light dressing

AS: I'd better eat something before I go to the family dinner. Maybe raw veggies with hummus or some high fiber cereal so I go over there already feeling pretty full!

D: red cabbage salad, Brussels sprouts casserole, Swedish cheesecake, maybe a meatball or two (I was hoping Mom would make them herself, but of course she didn't (she hates cooking - so I'm not sure why she even volunteered to be in charge of the meatballs in the first place!)

ex: SOMETHING! I need to move!!

for those who celebrate Christmas, have a great couple of days!!!

You look absolutely beautiful!!! I understand that struggle though! I'm right there with you at the moment. We can do this though!!! Enjoy your time with your family and hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Merty Christmas Julia!.

Sometimes we are our worst enemy. As I get older and more experienced, I want to start treating myself like I would treat a great friend of mine. If I wouldn't tell my friend harsh words about her/his weight and the way their body looks, I am not going to abuse myself that way. I would love my body with all her curves, wrinkles, and age spots.

I am going to be my own body best friend. And friends dont talk down to each other, but are supportive and loving.

Could you decide to be your own body best friend? And love it as it is, lumpy, bumpy, full of life. ..

Thanks Hala, that is a nice reminder.

I am usually a lot nicer to myself, but yesterday was a spiral...

Morning all and happy Christmas Eve! It was nice to sleep in this morning and not have to go to work! I've got so much to do to prepare for the family Christmas Eve party tonight. This year it will be at my cousin and his wife's house. Everyone takes turns hosting it at their house. Then I'll be spending the night at my parents house tonight and exchanging gifts and having Christmas dinner there tomorrow. On a holiday they is centered around a lot of food.....I am a bit nervous, but I know I can do this! I already turned down all the food and candy at work yesterday so this should be a piece of cake! (No pun intended!) That's what I keep telling myself at least! Lol

QOTD: it's hard to pick just one memory as I have so many good ones! Probably one that sticks out the most was when I was seven and had my first white Christmas which is basically unheard of here in the south! It was so amazing waking up and seeing white everywhere!! We were so excited that we forgot about all the presents under the tree and instead headed right outside to play in the snow! All of my cousins, my little brother and I stayed outside for hours playing in it....building a snowman, having snowball fights and making snow angels. It was the best Christmas gift ever! I remember my parents having to drag us back inside just to open our Christmas presents! Lol

B: premier shake

B2: coffee w/ Splenda and sugar free creamer

L: L&F yogurt with granola and banana

D: Christmas Eve party so lots and lots of protein and resisting all other temptations! Wish me luck! Lol

Wow, great job with the self-control, already! Stay strong and enjoy the time with your family!

I feel you on the body image thing,JB. Even when I'm at a good weight I have so much excess skin it makes me feel fat. I know I'll probably never be able to have plastics with hubby retired so I'll just have to learn to deal with it. It is a deterrent to overeating sometimes because it reminds me where I came from. QOTD we open presents tonight at the in laws with Chuck's brother and hiswife,our niece Amy down from Chicago and both our boys. Big meal will be tonight and tomorrow will be chili. Miss Lily will go with us and probably go back tomorrow too. Accountability stunk. Once again bad food choices were made. Today must be better. Miss Lily and I have 3.5 miles in and will do more later. Weight is 120.6 today. Here's the food plan for the day B 1/2 c steel cut oats with protein and peanut butter L P3 pak D 4oz ham few bites green beans. Pic to follow of my Christmas sweater.

That is adorable! Enjoy time with your family, Karen!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you JB and all you Menuers,

Sorry about the self image thing. I am still that 300lb person in my head the only time I know I am smaller is if I get a glimpse in the mirror. I don't think I've changed personality wise since surgery I still think like a fat person, I just don't eat like one.

QOTD: We do not eat meat on Christmas eve so when we were little we would go to midnight mass and Mom would put a ham in the oven. I know this is a fat girl answer but I remember coming home from church and eating that ham on homemade nut roll with butter.

Accountability: Rolls at dinner and 5 M&M's and no exercise.

TSS: 2 years 13 days 133 (lowest 130.8)

CB: Dark roast coffee with and SF pumpkin spice creamer w/Miralax and Fiber x 2 so far

Not sure after that. I am going to try to get as much water in to curve my head hunger.

Everybody have a great Holiday !

Brightest Blessings,

Chrissy

I am starting to worry that I am eating like a fat person, again. I don't really, of course... but for someone whose metabolism is shot from many years of yo-yoing, and because I am 4'11, I really need to be way more careful than I have been. No more mindless bites!