[Sheri Johnson]

Tiza - It is so hard around the holidays. Just remember every cookie and goodie you eat you are going to have to work off later in the form of painful, sweaty exercise!!
Hey, I should write that down and carry it around with me every time I go near the kitchen. There are so many temptations around. I also can't wait for the holidays to be over, I'm going to have a little extra work to do myself. Thank goodness P90X2 starts JANUARY 2nd!!! I'm so scared. I'm so excited. And scared. And excited!!

Sara, you are amazing!!! Where do you get this iron willpower? You should bottle it and sell it!

[Sara Arell]

tiza126, on 18 December 2011 - 10:18 PM, said:

Sara Arell, on 18 December 2011 - 08:12 AM, said:

...........and after all of my baking yesterday, I tasted only one cookie - I made Rich my official cookie taster tester this year - usually, I've eaten half a dozen by the time I'm finished. Trying so hard to be good! I even made some rum balls (and Rich tasted them too since I don't like anything with alcohol in it) and they are now tightly sealed and absorbing all of that rum for Christmas Day!

I admire you, Sara! My willpower has gone WHOOOSH out the window this month. I was sooo good these past few months (particularly at Halloween). But lately I eat everything in sight, but at the office and at home. I baked some cookies this weekend and must have tried at least 6 of each. That's too much to count for quality control. I can't walk through my dining room or kitchen without grabbing another cookie or piece of Christmas candy. Ugh!!! And I still have to bake 2 more varieties of cookies this week, bake a pie for our company party on Thursday, and bake my lemon dessert for Christmas Day.

As much as I love the holidays, I'll be glad when January arrives so I can get all this holiday junk out of my apartment! (Although then the work stress begins, and I tend to overeat when I'm stressed too). Okay...so is it April yet??

Well, thank you, Tiza! That made me smile. One thing I did differently this year (with the exception of the chocolate chip cookies which are my very favorites) was that I chose only requests from my family to bake their favorite cookies which just happen to be my not-so-favorite cookies so I wasn't quite as tempted to eat them. It still isn't like me not to taste just to make sure they're okay (LOL) but somehow I did it. And with Rich as my QC it made it easier too. I have no idea from where my willpower came - what I do worry about is when we get to Charlotte and see all of the goodies that my daughter-in-law and son have made and will I be able to hold onto my willpower then? AAARGGH! I doubt it!

Honestly, I think it's the stress here that's responsible for my so-called willpower. We've had alot of things going on here that, had they happened any other time than the holidays, I might not be so stressed, and I'm thinking that maybe that's the reason I've been so good. Somehow the thought of "eating cookies" just isn't what I want to do. Weird, huh? I've always loved to bake and had to taste as I bake so it seems very strange to me too.

But thanks so much for the compliment. It's appreciated.

[Sara Arell]

Sheri Johnson, on 18 December 2011 - 11:04 PM, said:

Tiza - It is so hard around the holidays. Just remember every cookie and goodie you eat you are going to have to work off later in the form of painful, sweaty exercise!!
Hey, I should write that down and carry it around with me every time I go near the kitchen. There are so many temptations around. I also can't wait for the holidays to be over, I'm going to have a little extra work to do myself. Thank goodness P90X2 starts JANUARY 2nd!!! I'm so scared. I'm so excited. And scared. And excited!!

Sara, you are amazing!!! Where do you get this iron willpower? You should bottle it and sell it!

STRESS, Sheri - just pure stress - I wish it were in a bottle - I'd pour it down the drain! LOL LOL Stress? Willpower? I'm not really sure which it is at this point - but we can just call it willpower for now! LOL

Thanks for the compliment though! We'll pretend it's willpower - hey, it's working, whatever it is, right? LOL

[Sara Arell]

Sheri Johnson, on 18 December 2011 - 11:04 PM, said:

Tiza - It is so hard around the holidays. Just remember every cookie and goodie you eat you are going to have to work off later in the form of painful, sweaty exercise!!
Hey, I should write that down and carry it around with me every time I go near the kitchen. There are so many temptations around. I also can't wait for the holidays to be over, I'm going to have a little extra work to do myself. Thank goodness P90X2 starts JANUARY 2nd!!! I'm so scared. I'm so excited. And scared. And excited!!

Sara, you are amazing!!! Where do you get this iron willpower? You should bottle it and sell it!

STRESS, Sheri - just pure stress - I wish it were in a bottle - I'd pour it down the drain! LOL LOL Stress? Willpower? I'm not really sure which it is at this point - but we can just call it willpower for now! LOL

Thanks for the compliment though! We'll pretend it's willpower - hey, it's working, whatever it is, right? LOL

[Sara Arell]

Sheri Johnson, on 18 December 2011 - 11:04 PM, said:

Tiza - It is so hard around the holidays. Just remember every cookie and goodie you eat you are going to have to work off later in the form of painful, sweaty exercise!!
Hey, I should write that down and carry it around with me every time I go near the kitchen. There are so many temptations around. I also can't wait for the holidays to be over, I'm going to have a little extra work to do myself. Thank goodness P90X2 starts JANUARY 2nd!!! I'm so scared. I'm so excited. And scared. And excited!!

Sara, you are amazing!!! Where do you get this iron willpower? You should bottle it and sell it!

STRESS, Sheri - just pure stress - I wish it were in a bottle - I'd pour it down the drain! LOL LOL Stress? Willpower? I'm not really sure which it is at this point - but we can just call it willpower for now! LOL

Thanks for the compliment though! We'll pretend it's willpower - hey, it's working, whatever it is, right? LOL

[Sara Arell]

SandiC., on 18 December 2011 - 10:43 PM, said:

Packing, up and down the stairs, lifting boxes....yeah I think today counts for a workout. My elbow is killing me...sitting with ice on it now. No CE for me this week. With moving coming up in a couple of weeks, I think real life activities will be my workouts.

Sandi, I have the solution for you..........I'll be more than happy to send you a strong, strapping young man who could do all of your lifting, moving, etc for the next month. He's had a haircut and needs a job.

Just say the word.

LOL LOL LOL

[Bride]

Monday morning ... back from the pool. 60 minutes water aerobics.

[tiza126]

For Christmas, I like to give each of my grandmothers a box of homemade cookies, which is why I am baking 4 varieties. They don't need any more "stuff" to clutter their small apartments, and I know they enjoy eating cookies as much as I do. I'll also take a small plate of cookies over to my mom's house for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. So once we get through this week, I will have very few left around to tempt me.

[tiza126]

jo333, on 17 December 2011 - 08:22 PM, said:

Since I'm at a mid point (well 1/3 of the way through), I'm going to postpone doing the rest of CE. We are going to Arizona the first of the year (for three months) and I don't have weights to take with me. And some of my bands are broken. So I'm going to open the present from Sheri early and start doing that workout! It's Rockin' Body by Shaun T. There is an amazing sale going on if any of you are interested. It's usually $60 and for a limited time is only $19.95 plus SH. If you decide to order it, please go through me as I would get a small referral fee.

My Rockin' Body has shipped, and should be here either tomorrow or Wednesday! I have my next CE off day on Friday, so I'll test it out then

[SodScrap]

Monday...work out complete! It's shaping up to be a stressful day...yay me!! (groan)


Cookies??? I made a batch of cookies and ate 1. Very proud of myself. HOWEVER......I ate cookie dough...and a glob of frosting! But those don't count as cookies, right????

[Sara Arell]

SodScrap, on 19 December 2011 - 08:55 AM, said:

Monday...work out complete! It's shaping up to be a stressful day...yay me!! (groan)


Cookies??? I made a batch of cookies and ate 1. Very proud of myself. HOWEVER......I ate cookie dough...and a glob of frosting! But those don't count as cookies, right????

NOPE! You're all good, Conda - I am 100% sure that cookie dough has NO calories!

[Sara Arell]

tiza126, on 19 December 2011 - 08:47 AM, said:

For Christmas, I like to give each of my grandmothers a box of homemade cookies, which is why I am baking 4 varieties. They don't need any more "stuff" to clutter their small apartments, and I know they enjoy eating cookies as much as I do. I'll also take a small plate of cookies over to my mom's house for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. So once we get through this week, I will have very few left around to tempt me.

That's the same issue I'm having with my Dad - he wants no more "stuff" but he can't eat cookies either, so I'm just plain stuck! Any great ideas that I can do in a hurry! I'm completely out of ideas and honestly, I don't have time to be creative and make anything. HELP!

[mbc72]

Cheri T, on 18 December 2011 - 11:02 PM, said:

Since our lovely premade graph from Angie (and numbers from me) starts on a Monday, should we start on maybe Jan 2 or Jan 9? Does anyone have a preference? And of course we can either continue to post here or in a new thread, just without an official chart for a week or two. Would anyone be available to take over charting duty (or does Melanie want to be an overachiever and do it again? Pmail me if you are interested in charting for we shredders! Thanks:)

I am happy to do the chart another go-round, if you would like. Just let me know!

[PBarnes]

I haven't checked in for over a week I think. This past week, all my energy was spent doing fix-up jobs around the house, cleaning and shopping. I'm going to get back on the bandwagon today. My weight is stalled out. To be expected this time of year, I guess, but I'm not making any excuses. I'm a bit down but because there's no way I'm going to make my goal of 12 lbs. in 12 weeks. I'm only at 7 lbs. down with only a week left. Sigh. Oh well, I'll just keep trying. I'm not giving up.

[angleigh]

PBarnes, on 19 December 2011 - 11:22 AM, said:

I haven't checked in for over a week I think. This past week, all my energy was spent doing fix-up jobs around the house, cleaning and shopping. I'm going to get back on the bandwagon today. My weight is stalled out. To be expected this time of year, I guess, but I'm not making any excuses. I'm a bit down but because there's no way I'm going to make my goal of 12 lbs. in 12 weeks. I'm only at 7 lbs. down with only a week left. Sigh. Oh well, I'll just keep trying. I'm not giving up.

7lbs is awesome Pat!! Sometimes it just take a bit for it to kick in. I can tell you for the past 4 weeks I haven't budged a pound. I keep going up/down the same 2 lbs and each week at weigh time I'm lucky to "stay the same" I know it will all kick in again...and this is the most challenging part. We'd all love to see it just melt away, but what I keep thinking is I didn't put this on overnight and I can't take it off overnight either.

You're doing great...just keep up the work!

[angleigh]

Question...does anyone use resistance bands versus the weights? I've got a couple i've received with tapes i've ordered...and a few people I've talked to says that bands are actually easier on the muscles. I did use them last week and did a little weight training with what I have, and I have to say I wasn't sore after using them. So I wonder if anyone uses them versus hand weights? My husband is going to start ChaLean with me in Jan so i'm thinking of getting some of them so I can use them and he can use the hand weights.

[Sara Arell]

angleigh, on 19 December 2011 - 11:49 AM, said:

Question...does anyone use resistance bands versus the weights? I've got a couple i've received with tapes i've ordered...and a few people I've talked to says that bands are actually easier on the muscles. I did use them last week and did a little weight training with what I have, and I have to say I wasn't sore after using them. So I wonder if anyone uses them versus hand weights? My husband is going to start ChaLean with me in Jan so i'm thinking of getting some of them so I can use them and he can use the hand weights.

Angie, Rich and I LOVE the resistance bands! They give quite a workout - much more than I would have thought really. (with the exception of the first couple times Rich let one go accidentally and it popped him right in the eye where he had just had the skin cancer removed and popped out one of his sutures!)

I really like them too - they are something I can do that's a workout and I do feel the burn!

[Sara Arell]

PBarnes, on 19 December 2011 - 11:22 AM, said:

I haven't checked in for over a week I think. This past week, all my energy was spent doing fix-up jobs around the house, cleaning and shopping. I'm going to get back on the bandwagon today. My weight is stalled out. To be expected this time of year, I guess, but I'm not making any excuses. I'm a bit down but because there's no way I'm going to make my goal of 12 lbs. in 12 weeks. I'm only at 7 lbs. down with only a week left. Sigh. Oh well, I'll just keep trying. I'm not giving up.

YAY! PAT! 7 lbs is awesome! I'm still doing the Hallelujuh dance with my 7 lbs! You go girl!

[Sara Arell]

mbc72, on 19 December 2011 - 11:05 AM, said:

Cheri T, on 18 December 2011 - 11:02 PM, said:

Since our lovely premade graph from Angie (and numbers from me) starts on a Monday, should we start on maybe Jan 2 or Jan 9? Does anyone have a preference? And of course we can either continue to post here or in a new thread, just without an official chart for a week or two. Would anyone be available to take over charting duty (or does Melanie want to be an overachiever and do it again? Pmail me if you are interested in charting for we shredders! Thanks:)

I am happy to do the chart another go-round, if you would like. Just let me know!

Melanie, you are a real trooper - I'd love for you to do it again since you are so sweet and willing! You've done a great job this month! Thank you sooooo much!

[tiza126]

angleigh, on 19 December 2011 - 11:49 AM, said:

Question...does anyone use resistance bands versus the weights? I've got a couple i've received with tapes i've ordered...and a few people I've talked to says that bands are actually easier on the muscles. I did use them last week and did a little weight training with what I have, and I have to say I wasn't sore after using them. So I wonder if anyone uses them versus hand weights? My husband is going to start ChaLean with me in Jan so i'm thinking of getting some of them so I can use them and he can use the hand weights.

I tried the bands. I'm not a huge fan of them for ChaLEAN. I find it takes more force/effort to do each move with the bands, as compared to the weights. However, I feel most of that effort in my shoulder & elbow joints, and NOT in the muscles. I don't know if I'm just not putting them in the right positions, or what. But I notice that I tend to arch my back or strain my shoulder to counteract the tightness of the bands. And even though I'm short, I still can't seem to get the full range of motion with the bands, like Donna (I think that's her name) does in the videos. I'll stick with the hand weights for ChaLEAN.

[Sara Arell]

tiza126, on 19 December 2011 - 11:56 AM, said:

angleigh, on 19 December 2011 - 11:49 AM, said:

Question...does anyone use resistance bands versus the weights? I've got a couple i've received with tapes i've ordered...and a few people I've talked to says that bands are actually easier on the muscles. I did use them last week and did a little weight training with what I have, and I have to say I wasn't sore after using them. So I wonder if anyone uses them versus hand weights? My husband is going to start ChaLean with me in Jan so i'm thinking of getting some of them so I can use them and he can use the hand weights.

I tried the bands. I'm not a huge fan of them for ChaLEAN. I find it takes more force/effort to do each move with the bands, as compared to the weights. However, I feel most of that effort in my shoulder & elbow joints, and NOT in the muscles. I don't know if I'm just not putting them in the right positions, or what. But I notice that I tend to arch my back or strain my shoulder to counteract the tightness of the bands. I'll stick with the hand weights for ChaLEAN.

I haven't tried them for ChaLEAN since I don't do that one - but I do like the bands for my piddly little exercises, Tiza - I'm not sure how you use them with ChaLEAN.........

[Cheri T]

PBarnes, on 19 December 2011 - 11:22 AM, said:

I haven't checked in for over a week I think. This past week, all my energy was spent doing fix-up jobs around the house, cleaning and shopping. I'm going to get back on the bandwagon today. My weight is stalled out. To be expected this time of year, I guess, but I'm not making any excuses. I'm a bit down but because there's no way I'm going to make my goal of 12 lbs. in 12 weeks. I'm only at 7 lbs. down with only a week left. Sigh. Oh well, I'll just keep trying. I'm not giving up.

7 pounds IS awesome, and you'll get to the 12 soon enough - and beyond! I have faith in you Pat; you're a hard worker and a go-getter and will get the job done nice and steady. *hugs* Thanksgiving and Christmas are super hard times of the year to lose weight, so I'd say you're doing very well!

[Cheri T]

mbc72, on 19 December 2011 - 11:05 AM, said:

Cheri T, on 18 December 2011 - 11:02 PM, said:

Since our lovely premade graph from Angie (and numbers from me) starts on a Monday, should we start on maybe Jan 2 or Jan 9? Does anyone have a preference? And of course we can either continue to post here or in a new thread, just without an official chart for a week or two. Would anyone be available to take over charting duty (or does Melanie want to be an overachiever and do it again? Pmail me if you are interested in charting for we shredders! Thanks:)

I am happy to do the chart another go-round, if you would like. Just let me know!

That would be great! Thank you SO much Melanie!

[SodScrap]

Cheri T, on 19 December 2011 - 12:23 PM, said:

mbc72, on 19 December 2011 - 11:05 AM, said:

Cheri T, on 18 December 2011 - 11:02 PM, said:

Since our lovely premade graph from Angie (and numbers from me) starts on a Monday, should we start on maybe Jan 2 or Jan 9? Does anyone have a preference? And of course we can either continue to post here or in a new thread, just without an official chart for a week or two. Would anyone be available to take over charting duty (or does Melanie want to be an overachiever and do it again? Pmail me if you are interested in charting for we shredders! Thanks:)

I am happy to do the chart another go-round, if you would like. Just let me know!

That would be great! Thank you SO much Melanie!

That would be awesome...I say we start the 2nd...but am flexible!

[SodScrap]

angleigh, on 19 December 2011 - 11:44 AM, said:

PBarnes, on 19 December 2011 - 11:22 AM, said:

I haven't checked in for over a week I think. This past week, all my energy was spent doing fix-up jobs around the house, cleaning and shopping. I'm going to get back on the bandwagon today. My weight is stalled out. To be expected this time of year, I guess, but I'm not making any excuses. I'm a bit down but because there's no way I'm going to make my goal of 12 lbs. in 12 weeks. I'm only at 7 lbs. down with only a week left. Sigh. Oh well, I'll just keep trying. I'm not giving up.

7lbs is awesome Pat!! Sometimes it just take a bit for it to kick in. I can tell you for the past 4 weeks I haven't budged a pound. I keep going up/down the same 2 lbs and each week at weigh time I'm lucky to "stay the same" I know it will all kick in again...and this is the most challenging part. We'd all love to see it just melt away, but what I keep thinking is I didn't put this on overnight and I can't take it off overnight either.

You're doing great...just keep up the work!

Angie is right...just keep working out and be consistent. Some weeks the scales don't move and some they do!! Just keep moving just keep moving (sing to the tune of "Just Keep Swimming" by Dory, Finding Nemo)...try not to focus on the number. Focus on the activity...both physical activity and positive food choices! You can do it!

[angleigh]

tiza126, on 19 December 2011 - 11:56 AM, said:

angleigh, on 19 December 2011 - 11:49 AM, said:

Question...does anyone use resistance bands versus the weights? I've got a couple i've received with tapes i've ordered...and a few people I've talked to says that bands are actually easier on the muscles. I did use them last week and did a little weight training with what I have, and I have to say I wasn't sore after using them. So I wonder if anyone uses them versus hand weights? My husband is going to start ChaLean with me in Jan so i'm thinking of getting some of them so I can use them and he can use the hand weights.

I tried the bands. I'm not a huge fan of them for ChaLEAN. I find it takes more force/effort to do each move with the bands, as compared to the weights. However, I feel most of that effort in my shoulder & elbow joints, and NOT in the muscles. I don't know if I'm just not putting them in the right positions, or what. But I notice that I tend to arch my back or strain my shoulder to counteract the tightness of the bands. And even though I'm short, I still can't seem to get the full range of motion with the bands, like Donna (I think that's her name) does in the videos. I'll stick with the hand weights for ChaLEAN.

I know...they are a pain (at least the little bit that i've tried them) But I wonder if I'll get used to them? I know when I start back with ChaLEAN i'll start light, so that might be a good time to see if I like the bands the first few days, then if not just move back to hand weights. I do feel some of the exercises in there you almost need hand weights for...but maybe that's just me resisting the bands. I just know the few days i've used them I haven't felt the soreness in the joints..we'll have to see!

[angleigh]

forgot to check in...Monday done, did almost 4 miles on the treadmill. That's a record for me, after 2 I start to get really bored. LOL

[Ro]

Did a workout today. First since I got the brace off. Whoop!

[Sara Arell]

SodScrap, on 19 December 2011 - 12:31 PM, said:

Cheri T, on 19 December 2011 - 12:23 PM, said:

mbc72, on 19 December 2011 - 11:05 AM, said:

Cheri T, on 18 December 2011 - 11:02 PM, said:

Since our lovely premade graph from Angie (and numbers from me) starts on a Monday, should we start on maybe Jan 2 or Jan 9? Does anyone have a preference? And of course we can either continue to post here or in a new thread, just without an official chart for a week or two. Would anyone be available to take over charting duty (or does Melanie want to be an overachiever and do it again? Pmail me if you are interested in charting for we shredders! Thanks:)

I am happy to do the chart another go-round, if you would like. Just let me know!

That would be great! Thank you SO much Melanie!

That would be awesome...I say we start the 2nd...but am flexible!

I'd be willing to bet you ARE flexible, Conda, with all of the exercise you have done so loyally! LOL Really, seriously, I am soooo much more flexible now than I was months ago - flexibility comes with all this weight loss! Ah, the perks just keep adding up!

[Brandy M]

Done for Monday! Shape & Sculpt. It was too late for jumping up and down around here, but better late than never! (Plus I needed the ab workout).