Over the River and Through the Woods

Actually it is up the turnpike and through the swamp for a Florida Christmas. There is something to be said about a green Christmas. No jackets, gloves or mittens. No boots or scarves and no snow, just a sunny day decorated with stately palm trees and colorful flowers. My memory bank is filled to capacity with winter scenes and I can download them at will. I almost felt nostalgic watching a Christmas movie (one of the thousands that have been plaguing the television screen for the past several weeks). But the nostalgia disappeared pretty quickly when I remembered driving on slippery roads and freezing my buns off in spite of being swaddled in many layers of clothing.

Faking It!

This was written on vacation in the Virgin Islands a few weeks ago. A bit of dieting wisdom to share...

It’s the morning after. I’m sitting on the wooden deck of my hotel room overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Last night was the Full Moon Party, and not just any full moon party. This was a monthly event attended by hundreds, sometimes thousands, held in a hastily thrown together shack made of driftwood, leftover lumber, signs, old license plates and ladies panties! Live reggae music blared, alcohol flowed, mushroom tea boiled in cauldrons over an open fire. The smell of BBQ ribs was in the air. This was the ubiquitous Bomba Shack. And there I was, on a diet, surrounded by French fries, rum and other delectable no-no’s. What’s a girl to do?

FAKE IT! (No, not like Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally").

Candy Cane Heaven

I just found the greatest tea. I am NOT a tea drinker but this green tea really rocks! It's got everything I want in a "0" calorie beverage - green tea with peppermint, orange peel, carob, vanilla bean, cinnamon, blackberry and thistle. It's like drinking a bit of Christmas, warm, toasty and sweet. I had to read the label to make sure it didn't have sugar.

healthy chEATING

If you’re anything like me you probably spend a lot of time thinking about food. It’s an obsession and it seems like I constantly need oral gratification, even after finishing a satisfying meal. My thoughts immediately turn to “What’s next?” I’d like to be able to brainwash myself into thinking celery and carrots sticks are yummy. Don’t get me wrong, they’re OK, but vegetables just don’t fill that longing.

What are some healthy comfort foods? Are there really guilt-free snacks that satisfy? As a WW member I count points. I am penalized for losing weight by having my points reduced, my now 19 points are used thoughtfully. After following the Healthy Guidelines I might have 2 or 3 points left over. So what can I eat?

It Wasn't About the Food After All...

We tweeted about the turkey, the cranberry sauce and the dessert, we debated on whether to pig out or be good on Thanksgiving. I made my plan and stuck to it. So while the table was groaning under the weight of the overladen plates, my plate was something to be proud of - few slices of turkey and a humongous helping of roasted veggies. As I was silently extolling my weight loss virtues it hit me... this day was not about the food. It was about sitting at the table with the people I loved most in the world; my wonderful 86 year old mother (sorry mom for revealing your age to the world), my amazing daughter and my three precious grandchildren, my brother and his family, my cousin Lynn and on and on.

Thankful is a State of Mind

Here are some of the things I am thankful for this year:

• Not giving in to my food cravings.
• Finding new healthy indulgences.
• Maintaining the motivation to go to the gym regularly.
• Weight Watchers for giving me the tools I need for healthy weight loss.
• My boyfriend, Len, for making the journey with me.
• Having discovered an amazing weight loss support group in my fellow bloggers.
• My nightly bag of 94% fat free popcorn (couldn’t do it without you).
• Being back in a size 10 (the 8’s are still waiting in my closet).
• My personal trainer, Bryce, who makes me work harder than I have ever worked before.
• My water aerobics instructor, Debbie, who is absolutely the best!
• My determination to reach my weight loss goal.
• Vita Tops, a yummy one point treat.
• Dr. Praeger who sees that I eat my veggies in the best burger ever.
• Fage, who makes me think I am eating something naughty when I eat my daily yogurt.
• My scale for seeing me through my 21.4 pound weight loss.

I am so fortunate to have the support and encouragement of my family and friends. Thank you all. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Panting to Pandora

The dentist knows what he’s doing when he pipes relaxing music into his office, a pleasant distraction from an unpleasant situation. Like the dentist, I turn on my own music when I hit the gym. Time passes faster, the energetic beat makes me pick up speed or perhaps slows me down and I stop thinking about how much I long to be somewhere else, anywhere else! In case you haven’t guessed it, the gym is not my favorite place.

Music makes it better though and Pandora is my answer.

Bust the Sugar Cravings

I'm joining Jen of Watch My Butt Shrink in her sugar-free two weeks. That means swearing off the sweet stuff until Thanksgiving in an effort to kick the sugar habit. The problem, according to Mark's Daily Apple is "that sugar has addictive properties complete with a serotonin rise and crash as well as some cranky withdrawal symptoms. Please forgive us if we're a little cranky for the next few days but we're going to give it a try.

So from now until Thanksgiving no sugary sweet treats will pass my lips, or Jen's. Maybe you'd care to join us. You can find Jen at Watch My Butt Shrink and let her know you are joining her challenge to beat the sugar craving!