5 weeks until Turkey Day. How are we doing?

 Hey Botts,

We have 5 weeks before our first Holiday challenge.  How is it going?  Are you slowing getting back to the basics and rules?  Are you moving a little more to burn more. How is it going with the carb monster?

Let us know how you are doing and maybe others can help add some suggestions.  I am doing this cleanse plan to help with me get off carbs.  They have been nipping at my heals the last few weeks and this worked for me before.

*No alcohol

*No artificial sweetener

*Only water, tea, and coffee.  You can have low fat creamer. You can flavor water with lemon.

*Veggies include: broccoli, peppers, spinach, tomatoes, zucchini and yellow squash.

Breakfast Picks:

-1/2  cup egg beaters with 1 cup veggies

- ½ cup skim milk/1 cup ice/ ½ cup berries mixed into a smoothie (berries can be strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or mixed)

-½ cup oatmeal, 1tbs slivered almonds/1 banana

Snacks (2 a day)

-1 cup lowfat yogurt

-14 almonds

-2 rice cakes with 1tbs of peanut butter

-1 piece of turkey rolled in lettuce with mustard

-string cheese (low fat)

Lunch

-2 cups lettuce/ 4 oz of lean meat/ 1 cup of veggies tossed with vinaigrette

-whole wheat wrap with lettuce, mustard, and 4 oz of lean meat

Dinner

-6 oz of any lean meat 

You can use salmon, beef, pork, or chicken as long as it is lean.

You have to have protein and the veggies

-2 cups of steamed veggies

 Hi Kathy:

Food wise I am doing really well.  I don't believe I can improve on anything that I am eating at the moment.  Since accepting this challenge I added an extra 45 minute walk onto my regular program.  The results for the first two weeks was a six pound lost.  I maintained the third week.  I think I am going to add a little more onto my afternoon walk, probably a 15 minute addition.  I think my key to my success so far, has been exercise and low carb.  I know you said that you had lost your focus after the wedding, now you have to have a new focus for all the Christmas party get togethers.  Think about who you will see that hasn't seen you in a while.  That usually motivates me quickly.  I hope you have continued good success and that everybody finds their mojo!

 GREAT JOB Tess

Keep it up!

Take care,
Kathy

 I need to cut out the empty carbs.  Ugh...somehow they've wormed their way back into my life!  I want to take 10 lbs off that I've regained.  I know what I have to do, but it's just about putting a plan together and committing to it.  I've also neglected regular exercise in the last 3 months. Why is it so easy to get out of that habbit, and so tough to get back into it??  

I see my PCP today for my yearly physical, and I know I have to get on her scale. I'm not looking forward to it.  But it is also a necessary evil, if I am going to drop this 10 lbs (would like to before Christmas)....I need accountability!  

What are your thoughts about doing the 5 day pouch test to get a jump start?  I've had some say it works well for them and other say it's a waste of time and can throw the body/metabolism out of whack.  I just need to get back to that frame of mind that I had a year ago....FOCUSED on putting my health first. 

I was not exercising at all before I started this challenge.  Now I'm getting in several days a week and slowly increasing.  I'm doing better with junk food too. 

Frustrating due to my own mistakes. I do very well Monday through Friday and blow it on the weekends. So my weight is maintaining the same, but clothes are fitting better and have had several people ask if I'm losing again.

So the goal is no going out for dinner and a drink this weekend, should be easy since I have the grandbabies all day Saturday and I have a feeling I will be completely worn out and ready for bed by the end of the day.

Is it too late to join in with this challenge? In 5 weeks, Thanksgiving, I'm going to Ky to visit my family. I would love some accountabilty in these 5 weeks. Where or how do I start? Would just love to lose 10 - 15 lbs.

 Just drop in every day and start posting on the the daily cardio and cafe.  We would love to have you here.