Stats:

Last week: 149.75

This week: 149

Nothing too exciting this week and I would have liked to see some more results since I felt like I was working extra hard to get back on track after the holidays.  Alas (for those of you keeping track of my menstrual cycle), I kind of knew I wouldn’t lose much this week since I never do during the week leading up to my period.  Next week will be better.

I faithfully stuck to my Points and remembered how unfun it is to go bed hungry, instead of having late-night Christmas snacks from the deep freeze.  I have discovered the beauty of edamame, however, and it’s a welcome addition to my (often blah) menu.  It’s the perfect snack:  salty, satisfying and high in protein.

I was a little grumpy this week too as my body was adjusting to the change in diet.  Also, I have not slept through the night in SIX MONTHS and am feeling the burn.

I am writing about my weight loss (or lack thereof) journey at Bodies in Motivation and I am wondering if Hungry Mondays should permanently relocate to that site.  Are you sick of hearing about my weekly progress here?  Would you rather read about it at the other site?  Tell me what you want, people!

In case you’re interested, here’s my latest post there.

The holidays just seem to keep stretching on as we’ve had more great company this past week.  Steve’s sister, Kaile, and their mom came up for some post-Christmas visiting and a great time has been had by all, hence there’s been no time for blogging since I’ve been too busy living real life (a novel concept).

Here are some of the photos that Kaile took this week:

Jolie is getting so big!  Almost four months old already.  It seems like just yesterday I was a grumpy beluga, a week overdue, stuffing my face with chocolate and whining about how fat I was.  Now she’s here and she’s just so lovely and it was all worth it.  I’d hate to know that chocolate went to waste.  Her sweetness must have come from my dedicated indulgences.

We all went to the community swimming pool (this was Avelyn’s first time back since the dreaded “let’s scream as soon as I touch the water and keep screaming until I am removed from the premises” incident when she was nine months old) and it was such fun.  Avelyn was a little tentative at first (all those repressed memories resurfacing, I suppose) but after a few moments was splashing and sliding and didn’t want to leave.

There has been more snow falling in recent days but the temperatures have been milder so we were able to get out and enjoy the white stuff.

The fun had to stop some time, I guess.

Happy New Year to you!

Stats:

Last week: 149

This week: 149.75  (but who’s counting?)

After a three-week break from Weight Watchers to celebrate the holidays, I am back to counting my Points and it feels great.  The Christmas break was wonderful and I really let myself enjoy the family, friends and food to their fullest.  I am very pleased that I maintained my loss while still savouring the festive goodies.  I thought I would really have to work hard to reign myself in and not go crazy around the sweets, but it was very easy to eat moderately; I didn’t have the desire to stuff myself silly.  This is progress, people!

I am anticipating a hungry/grumpy week as I get back on track and my body goes through shortbread withdrawl, but I feel so ready to get back on track and inch closer to my goal in the New Year.

Happy (almost) ‘09!

Christmas Eve:

We all went to the lovely Christmas Eve service at our church.  Matching dresses care of Grandma.

This family shot (complete with Rolo’s rump) cracks me up.

We came home, ate our body weights in greasy appetizers and visited with family and friends.  Then came the best Christmas present of all: both girls slept through the night.  It had been a while.

Christmas Morning:

Waiting to open our stockings:

I roused early and made The Pioneer Woman’s cinnamon rolls which we took down to Steve’s Dad’s and Sue’s home where we shared a wonderful Christmas morning. There were many willing hands to hold Baby Jolie and she basked in all the lovin’.

Avelyn had a ball tearing into all her gifts and her favourite new toy is this snazzy princess car from her Unky Steve.

We’re heading back for Christmas dinner tonight (after an afternoon of watching “Elf” and unsuccessfully getting Avelyn to nap).  I’ll be the one wearing stretchy pants for their maximum supper consumption capabilities.

Hope you’re all enjoying the day!

Do you know how I can tell that Christmas is just around the corner?  No, it’s not the scent of gingerbread filling the house.  And no, it’s not that my family is here.  And no, it’s not even the six feet of snow or the glistening lights on the tree.  I know it’s Christmas because Avelyn has a double ear infection.

This is her third Christmas on the planet and her third holiday with an ear infection.  What the hay-diddy-diddy?!?

She started some antibiotics yesterday and seems a tad better today (although, on a scale of one to ten, she’s still sitting at an 11.5 on the Grump-O-Meter).

I got my haircut yesterday and love it!

Here’s the before, complete with four months of root growth:

And the After:

The photo doesn’t do justice to the cut or the great colour (she added some nice low lights so my roots won’t be as glaringly obvious when they start to grow).  I am really happy with it and a change is so nice sometimes.

Hope you all have healthier holidays than ours are proving to be!

Stats:

Last week: 150

This week: 149

Remember how I said that I was going to stick with Weight Watchers this past week and then take it easy for the rest of December to enjoy the holidays in moderation?  Well, I made it to Tuesday morning before I decided, “Life’s too short!  The time for cookies is upon us!” and I spent the rest of the week eating whatever I pleased.  And I lost a pound.  What the heck?!  I plateaued for the previous two weeks while noshing on rice cakes and then when I gently toss in the towel and embrace the beauty of the Nanaimo bar, I lose a pound?!  I’m not going to fight it.

My mindset feels so different.  Instead of facing a holiday event or party thinking, “I just have to make it through without eating anything bad,” I am actually enjoying the events without focusing on my self-imposed deprivation.  Again, I have been careful to not overeat: when my panini was half-eaten and I felt full, I didn’t ram the remaining half down just for the fun of it; I put it down and stepped away.  And I’ve been having a sweet treat or two when the urge hits, but only when I’m truly hungry and I make sure to savour them and not head back for more when I’m satisfied.

I plan to get back to Weight Watchers after this glorious Christmas week has passed, but until then I am having a jolly good romp with the shortbread!  Merry Christmas, all!

The snow just keeps on coming!  Our whole town is covered in a blanket of marshmallow cream and while it makes for a lovely view out the window, it’s freaking cold out there and I’m already getting some cabin fever.

My mom, dad and brother arrived yesterday and it’s so great to have them here, chasing Avelyn around the living room and cuddling our very own Santa Baby.

I’ve got to go (and down another cookie).

I took a look at my “About Me” page and realized that it was painfully outdated.  So I composed a new one.  It’s nothing to write home about but at least it’s a tad more accurate. Check it out (on the sidebar to the right), if you were wondering how best to waste your next 23 seconds.

My parents and brother arrive from the prairies this weekend and I am so excited!  It’s been nearing 50 below in their city, so our minus 15 will feel like a balmy Hawaiian getaway.  I have been busy getting the house ready for company but it’s so hard to stay on top of all that needs doing when there’s a destructive toddler getting into trouble while I’m trying to clean.  Oh, and also I am a lazy sloth.

I straightened Avelyn’s hair today, to kill a little time on another Snow Day.  She looks 16!

I am getting my hair cut and coloured on Monday and am seriously contemplating The Bangs.  Not blunt bangs, but something Whoorl-esque.  Any thoughts?

I am thrilled to be one of the feature bloggers at Linda’s new fitness site, Bodies In Motivation.  Check out my first post here (brace yourselves, I’m wearing spandex).

It’s been cold.  As such, we are stuck indoors.  So how on earth do I keep a rowdy two year-old entertained?  Well, we start with a round of Princess Tag:

That lasts for about three minutes.  Then we move onto Painting:

While fun, and entertaining for a whopping seven minutes, it’s a TAD messy and inevitabely leads to Bubble Bath Time, which is followed by Footed Jammies Pajama Party.

Oh yeah, I forgot that in between each activity we partake of Cinematic Education*.

Hope you’re all keeping warm.

*Did you know it’s possible to watch “Ratatouille” five times a day?  It totally is.  You should try it.