SparkPoints: (22,162)
Fitness Minutes: (37,169)
Posts: 721
12/19/12 2:19 P

My biggest challenge is turning out to be a cold. I've been sick for the better part of three weeks. Not miserable for most of that time, just dragging a bit and stuffed up, with plugged ears.

I've continued to work out (using very careful handwashing/sterile technique at the gym, staying away from the pool to not spread germs) but I've really needed my scheduled rest days.

I currently feel like I have about 2 lbs of snot in my head. :(

My weight has stayed about the same...up and down a pound or two, but no more forward progress...yet.

current weight: 208.0

300 272.5 245 217.5

190

Posts: 359
12/8/12 8:37 A

My biggest challenge will be when the kids are all home from college and we seem to snack all the time. This year there will be lots of veggies and fruit platters. I know I will eat some junk but if I hold that to a minimum. I know I can do this.

Pounds lost: 14.0

0 10.5 21 31.5

42

Posts: 2,812
11/23/12 6:19 P

travel. We split time between our families. Mine is here in GA; DH's is in Louisville.

This year Christmas will be in Louisville. We always take the dogs with us. If we can't stay with DH's niece, I will only go if we stay in a hotel. DH's brother's house is cluttered and rather dirty. My dogs are well-behaved, but it's difficult to keep them out of overfilled trash cans and plates left everywhere with food on them. Plus there is way too much drama! I need some quiet time.

There is a nice park close by, so I take the dogs for a long walk everyday.

I've survived 6 years of this (with a BIG dog), so we'll be fine. It's just a bit stressful at times. I always make sure I have food that I will eat with me (lots of fresh fruit, some Kashi hot cereal, protein bars for emergencies)

Pounds lost: 18.0

0 6.25 12.5 18.75

25

SparkPoints: (22,162)
Fitness Minutes: (37,169)
Posts: 721
11/23/12 3:52 P

Good for you Punkadoo!

current weight: 208.0

300 272.5 245 217.5

190

Posts: 116
11/22/12 9:39 P

My biggest holiday challenge is not the meals, but the goodies set out while we visit, play a game or the like. It's easy to walk by and grab a nibble without thinking about it. That and when cleaning up I pick in the leftovers. I can eat a whole meal while doing dishes!

Today (Thanksgiving) people kept putting bowls of M&M's near me. I am in a weight loss competition with some family members so it was kind of a running joke. I either moved the candy dish or myself as needed. ;-) Okay, I had a few M&M's but not enough to ruin my plan.

SparkPoints: (22,162)
Fitness Minutes: (37,169)
Posts: 721
11/21/12 12:39 P

Lisa, I don't have any daylight hours off for a 15-day stretch--I even work on Thanksgiving. I live in a remote beach area on a wild-and-scenic stretch of coast. Right now it is pouring down rain all the time and the winds are 40-50 MPH most of the time. There are no malls or other indoor places to walk. There is an active 400 pound bear in my neighborhood, which does not completely stop me from going outside to walk, but it gives me pause.

When I get desperate during the winter I bundle up as much as possible and walk on the docks because they have lights at night...but right now it is just too wet for that to be reasonable. I would be soaked in about 5 minutes.

Sometimes I walk or jog during my 15-minute work breaks during the day. I have a loop that I can finish just in time to get back to my computer. I will have to do that this week I guess, no matter how nasty the weather is.

current weight: 208.0

300 272.5 245 217.5

190

SparkPoints: (21,228)
Fitness Minutes: (2,801)
Posts: 1,723
11/18/12 9:58 P

My challenge is cooking all the special food everyone wants. Its hard to make everyone happy.

current weight: 168.0

180 171.25 162.5 153.75

145

SparkPoints: (6,628)
Fitness Minutes: (1,143)
Posts: 1,175
11/18/12 8:10 P

My biggest Holiday challenge is all the Holiday treats and Holiday parties.

I have decided I will overcome this by planning ahead:

I will allow myself a Holiday Meal or treat once a week, but 3 days before or after, I will stay on the low end of my calorie range.

I will continue to track my food on all days, and drink plenty of water.


P.S. To AzulVoileta6: If you can't get to the gym, may I suggest a pedometer, and step up your steps on non gym days (like from 10,000 steps to 12,500?) also, I love, love love Leslie Sansone's "walk away thepounds DVDs (I have seen them at Walmart, I bought mine on ebay.
You don't need much space in your home to do that workout and it's quite inexpensive.
I do the 3 mile walk, don't worry that it won't eb challenging enough-because if you keep her pace, you'll burn calories.

Good luck

SparkPoints: (22,162)
Fitness Minutes: (37,169)
Posts: 721
11/17/12 11:38 P

What are the hardest challenges that you face in getting through the holidays?

In a way I have it easy because I work alone from home and don't have to deal with co-workers bringing in tempting treats or with going to holiday parties for work. Other than my parents, I don't have any family either, so that's less of an issue for me that it is for some people. My biggest challenges this time of year are:

1. The gym. Mine is closed every Sunday, has limited Saturday hours and closes at any excuse for a holiday. I really don't feel good unless I can get an hour of fairly intense exercise every day. The weather is horrible here, so I'm going to have to get creative in order to work out as much as I want/need to do.
2. Carbs. I really can't have more than 100 a day if I want to keep losing weight, so I need to stay away from starchy temptations. For me, the biggest ones are pie and mashed potatoes.

current weight: 208.0

300 272.5 245 217.5

190