Overall gain, but that's ok

So, we've jumped our biggest hurdle - Christmas. We skipped weighing in last week so this week's ranking covers the last two weeks. Overall we gained 6.1 pounds, but that's because a couple of us didn't do so well and gained more than a few pounds (includes me). I'm ok with that, because I know that March is right around the corner and now is 'go time. '

A few of us already got a jump start from the holidays by losing weight. One of those jump-starters was our biggest loser for the last two weeks - Papa Teeter, with a loss of four pounds! Incredible job, dad. :)

January is the best time to lose weight because we're using our New Years Resolutions as motivation. Most folks give up after a few weeks - but the MWC'rs must not! Set your weightloss goal for the next two months and keep your eye on the prize.

Aly can't add or subtract

Happy holidays, MWC'ers! Everyone should have received their 15-week weightloss snapshots today. If you looked at it and scratched your head, I don't blame you. I just figured out that I didn't enter in the numbers correctly in my spreadsheet. I inserted formulas for some of the calculations but there are others that I do myself. I apologize if I was off on your weightloss totals.

This week was a better week for us all. We collectively lost eight pounds, and K.C. was the biggest loser with a loss of four pounds! Wowza! I guess his NCO military training academy is paying off in a big way. Great job, K.C.!

We only have a little over two weeks left until New Years, thank goodness. To help alleviate my indulgence guilt, I plan to work out every day this week. This will give me the freedom to eat a bit more during the holidays. If you have the time, I suggest you do the same. God speed everyone!

This week, even better!

Woohoo - we're back in full gear with the Teeter MWC. Almost all of us lost weight this week, and the two big losers were Keith and Linda. Both lost three pounds! It must have been the wild PNW weather, huh? If I were in Washington, I would have gained a bunch of weight because I have a tendency to snack to the max when the weather is windy, rainy and cold. Everyone's discipline should be commended! Keep it up.

Before you know it, we'll be done with the holidays and our weight loss efforts will go into overdrive. I can't wait... These holiday parties are tough to overcome.

Weightwatchers article: Holiday Stress Relief

I'm feeling the holiday stress. Even if you aren't, this article has some handy weightloss tips.

Holiday Stress Relief
Weightwatchers.com

The holidays inspire visions of sugarplums for some, but for most of us, they also inspire dread. After all, between planning the perfect get-together and dealing with friends and family, it can be easy to overeat. But experts say you can avoid this trap. Consider this: Unless you examine your priorities and assumptions, chances are you're setting yourself up for stress, says Dr. Joyce Nash, PhD, a clinical psychologist. "Women especially get a picture in their heads about what the holidays have to look like. They hold high expectations and try to do too much," she says.

Nash says that by making a list and choosing only the things that are really important, you can avoid getting overwhelmed by things that don't matter. Unfortunately, when you're dealing with people — especially family — that's sometimes easier said than done. For example, it's often difficult to say no to a favorite aunt and her special holiday cookies or your mom's piled-high dinner plates.

In these cases, it pays to be firm but nice. Let yourself have a cookie and decline seconds. Likewise, tell mom that you'll serve yourself. Even better, offer to do the doling out this holiday season so she can sit down and enjoy herself. That way, you avoid turning a reasonable dinner into a calorie-fest.

You can employ the same strategy for relatives who insist on having you stay at their home while you're visiting, a scenario that may inspire stress eating. Tell relatives firmly that you'll be staying at a hotel. But be kind, says Nash.

"Remind mom and dad that just because you're staying elsewhere doesn't mean you don't love them. Tell them that it's something you need to do and remind them that you'll be visiting a lot," she says.

And if you are stuck in an uncomfortable situation, try the following strategies that can help minimize stress eating:

Don't skip breakfast. You've probably heard it over and over, but Lola O'Rourke, RD, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, says that this is key to a smart weight-loss program. "You'll be less likely to binge if you fuel your body early," she says.

Chew gum while preparing food. Those little "tastes" add up. Chew minty gum, which will keep you from noshing pieces of cheese or pinches of seasoned meat.

Give yourself permission to snack. Love your grandma's latkes? Work them into your plan. Saying "no" to foods you love is unnecessary and will only make you crave them more.

Keep your hands busy. Wrap gifts or wash vegetables in the kitchen. Go out and play touch football. If you keep yourself busy, there are fewer opportunities to eat.

Take small bites and leave some food uncut on your plate. Pre-cut food is easier to eat quickly. Cut your food one bite at a time and take small pauses in between swallows.

Pile on the lettuce. Avoid eating seconds by filling your plate with lettuce and fresh veggies.

Back to reality

So, how did it feel weighing in this weekend? I don't know about you, but I was so scared to look at the scale. Most of us did pretty well considering we had eaten Thanksgiving dinner since the last time we weighed in. Jillian was again the biggest loser with a loss of 4.2 pounds! Outstanding job, Jill - your consistency is inspiring!

Keep on trucking, and get out and exercise. The good and bad thing about Christmas is the shopping. It sucks to have to spend so much money, but at least you get some exercise while you shop! Do you ever notice how exhausted you are after shopping? It's because you walked three or four miles.

God speed through the holidays, everyone. I'll be pinging you again next weekend!