Do you lose your willpower this time of year?

[redqueen]

I swear I can't seem to turn down candy AT ALL! I usually resist but all these holiday sweets and snacks... you'd think I was TRYING to get fat!

And to make it worse, I'm getting lazy with the workout... only 2x last week and none so far this (well, I do have a cold - so that's my excuse this week).

Anyone else having this problem?

[skippysmom]

1. Hell yes

I have been eating everything in sight, and the lousy weather means I've only been out for a walk 4-5 times this week instead of every day.

I guess that's what New Year's resolutions are for, right?

[redqueen]

4. Yes indeed

My resolution will be to stop skipping my aerobics and get back to doing the floor work, too!

:hi:

[JimmyJazz]

2. I'm doing okay resisting the treats, but with all the added things

to do this time of year, I haven't been to the gym but once in the past several days. I'm starting to feel it, too. :hi:

[redqueen]

6. Dragging, you mean?

Amazing how much more energy working out gives you, isn't it?

:hi:

[JimmyJazz]

10. Yes - dragging. Plus, I look at food and gain weight!

The EFX with the Clash blaring in my ears for 45 minutes four or five times a week sure does help!

I am determined not to gain weight this holiday season!

[redqueen]

12. Hahahahahaha

I wish I could be so determined!

[Phillycat]

32. I jog up stairs, and think, "Who's following me?"

"Holy crap, it's my ASS!"

:hi:

[redqueen]

57. hahahahahaha

Just saw this response... funny!

[JimmyJazz]

63. STFU - I've seen your picture - I'm sure that's not really a problem!

It's when your feet stop moving, but other parts don't that you should start to worry! :hi:

[Phillycat]

65. HA!

Okay, I guess I'm still okay. ;-)

Now when you finally get on, I'm about to go home! I see how you are. :evilgrin:

[Bertha Venation]

3. GAWD yes! So far my big failure has been eggnog.

With or without rum or other libations. I love that stuff. :waddle:

But on Xmas day it will be the dinner. I know I'm bad but I'm making a chicken and mashed potatoes & gravy. :9

[redqueen]

7. Oh, Lord!

Don't even get me started on the dinner... I'm going to gain 5 lbs at least! Chicken... mashed potatoes... gravy... and pie! Lots of pie!

:hi:

[Bertha Venation]

9. What kind of pie? I'm looking for a to-die for frozen apple pie...

any suggestions?

[redqueen]

13. Hm

Not for the frozen apple, sorry. My family's super picky and has to have everything made from scratch. (I did scrimp on the pie crust and used the pillsbury roll out kind for Thanksgiving... they didn't even notice!)

I'm dying to make and eat my favorite - lemon chess... :9

[Bertha Venation]

30. i have to ask: lemon chess? n/t

[redqueen]

34. MMMMMMMMMMMMM!

You've never had a lemon chess pie?

Oh they are SUBLIME!

edit: recipe I found :

Lemon Chess Pie
Country Cooking with Just A Spoonful of Sophistication - Phyllis Harper
Wimmer

1 9-inch pie shell, unbaked
4 whole eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup melted butter (or margarine)
1 1/2 tablespoons cornmeal
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
grated peel from 1 lemon
pinch salt
Beat eggs well; add sugar, butter, and meal, beating after each addition. Stir in lemon juice, grated peel, and salt. Pour into unbaked pie shell and bake in preheated 325° oven until firm, 30 to 35 minutes. Knife inserted in center will come out clean when pie is done.

[Bertha Venation]

41. decadent!

Mrs. V. loves lemon meringue and key lime. Bet she'd love this too. Thanks!

[OldLeftieLawyer]

16. The best

Really - it's Mrs. Smith's.

[redqueen]

19. Thanks!

I might just cheat there too, and see if anyone notices.

:hi:

[Bertha Venation]

33. Thank you!

We had that last time and I didn't like it much, but then I'm not the apple pie fan, and Mrs. V. thought it was fabulous. So that's the one I'll get. :D

[flamingyouth]

5. Who told about all those oatmeal butterscotch cookies I just ate?

:9

[redqueen]

Nobody had to tell me

we women know these things. ;)

[flamingyouth]

17. I know

:D

[Bertha Venation]

11. I cannot tell a lie -- I am clairvoyant

I changed my name to Claire just so I could spy on YOU, FY! ;)

[flamingyouth]

18. Yay! I got a good spy!

I have been working like crazy, plus doing Pilates and yoga, so I think it should all balance out. :D

[Bertha Venation]

28. Pilates: isn't that spanish for really, really big plate?

;)

Someday someone's gonna have to explain pilates to me -- someone w/ the patience to endure my whining while I try to follow the steps.

[flamingyouth]

35. Hee hee

I've never heard that one before. :D

I think www.stottpilates.com has some good info on it. And I like Brooke Siler's stuff.

My mom used to be in a wheelchair five years ago and now she is doing Pilates to strengthen her atrophied muscles. You wouldn't believe the difference in her ability to walk now - it's like night and day. She's a whole new person; it's so great.

Hope you and Mrs. V. have a great holiday! :hug:

[Bertha Venation]

44. you never heard that one before

because I just made it up. Believe it or not!

Thanks for the information. Thrilling news about your mom!

Have a terrific holiday yourself, FY, you & yours. :loveya:

[redqueen]

37. Oooh you should try it

It's really great... you don't even realize how hard you're working. Well, at least until the next day!

[Pacifist Patriot]

62. No, it's Latin for...

You want my body to do what?!

[Left Is Write]

67. Pilates are named for Joseph Pilates, the creator of

the Pilates method of body conditioning.

It must be German for "sado-masochistic contortionist." ;)

[redqueen]

69. Am I the only person here who likes Pilates?

[Left Is Write]

70. No, I'm only teasing.

I occasionally do Pilates myself, but I prefer to get my body conditioning from lifting weights.

[redqueen]

72. Ah okay

I think I made my arms to big with freeweights, so I'm really loving Pilates.

[SarahB]

8. I usually allow myself one day on the actual holiday.

I just will have whatever I want and not worry about it. The rest of the time I'm rather vigilant with everything. I have to be, but I feel better and more in control of things at the same time when I am.

[redqueen]

14. That's what's getting to me

How out of control I feel. I can't walk past a candy dish without getting not one, not two, not three... but at least FOUR candies out!

I need your strength!

[tigereye]

22. you'll kill me

but I am eating everything in sight and managed somehow to lose two pounds!!?? Doesn't usually happen. ;)

[redqueen]

24. Ohhhhhh... why I oughta..!

:spank:

Just kidding... you lucky duck!

:hi:

[OldLeftieLawyer]

15. I don't even pretend now

It's Christmas. There's food everywhere.

In two weeks, it'll be a new year. I can clean up my act then, but, for now, I can't shovel it in fast enough.

I can just see me shopping on December 26 for those stretch Levis in an XXXXL.

[redqueen]

20. I like your style!

:hi:

[Jessica]

21. God, yes.

All I can think about is baking cookies tonight -- the Christmas ones rolled in the crushed-up peppermint candies. I might even go a little crazy & plop big chocolate kisses in the middle of a few. Can't wait ... don't know if I'll be able to save them until Friday ... need help. :)

[redqueen]

23. Oh yes that reminds me

I need to run by the store and get some more cookie fixins... I ... Um... I lost some I'd made this weekend. Yeah... they were lost... that's the ticket!

[Pacifist Patriot]

25. Loss of willpower assumes we have some at other times of the year right?

I have great willpower this time of year. Whenever a sweet comes into my line of sight I send it into my husband's work. Let them deal with the mental and emotional struggle. I can be so cruel. ;)

[redqueen]

27. sigh

Mine is a house husband... that's a good idea, though... thanks!

[Pacifist Patriot]

31. Churches, schools, daycares, shut-ins, neighbors....

pass along the good cheer. :)

[redqueen]

38. Oh but ...

I wouldn't want to hurt the candy's feelings, now, would I? ;)

[Pacifist Patriot]

43. What can I say?

I'm a heartless bitch. I've left a trail of despondent candy in my wake. On the other hand, I've made several gallons of eggnog absolutely ecstatic.

[Left Is Write]

45. Can't resist the eggnog lattes?

}(

[Pacifist Patriot]

46. Does three a day indicate a problem?

[Left Is Write]

48. Only for the overworked barista.

Get 'em while you can!

Just don't think about the toffee nut lattes coming after the holidays....

[Pacifist Patriot]

51. LOL! I'm the overworked barista.

As weak as I am, I'm also incredibly cheap. I whip these up at home. Hence, the availability and frequency. Oh crap, all this talk has me wanting another one and we're having a cold snap today. I think I shall wander into the kitchen and make another.

[Left Is Write]

52. I want one too. We do have an espresso machine, but....

...son managed to break the little glass container for the coffee.

[Pacifist Patriot]

55. There's always the lazy-man's latte.

Microwave 1/3 of a coffee cup of eggnog. Make a pot of way-too-strong coffee. Mix the two. Works in a pinch.

[Left Is Write]

59. Hmmmm.......

:bounce:

[underpants]

26. 50 pushups and 100 situps today

Just doing my last set now.

Working out in the office is great. I just got back on the workout thing- I really missed running this morning (ice).

I got a Runner's World mag (and orange running tuke) over the weekend. That mag almost fires me up.

[redqueen]

29. Doing the last set now? As you're posting?

Aren't you stinky after? Or do you shower there at work?

[underpants]

36. NO I do them throughout the day

I am just slowly getting back into it.

5 sets of 10 pushups
5 sets of 20 situps (don't count the first and last so really I do 22)

Eventually I will work up to 10 (I hope) sets.

Someday I hope to get back where I was oh 6 years ago.

These I do at home
5 sets of:

20-30 pushups
30 situps
5 "Diamond" pushups (hands together thumb and index fingers make a <> diamond)
30 crunches

I drink coffee and do a set each half hour while watching TV for 2 hours. The "Herschel Walker" workout-he has never lifted weights. I never looked like THAT (he does 1,000 pushups a day or something like that) but it will get you in shape.

I used to have a pullup bar and did 3-5 with my hands facing away and then towards me.

Once you get the system done a set only takes 5 minutes or so.

Thanks for the thread it got my refocused on my goal

[redqueen]

40. That's quite a respectable workout!

Still... no stinky?

And you're welcome... go ahead... tell me how much more responsible and good you are after I've admitted being such a lazy slob... rub it in my face. I like it. Really, I do.

[underpants]

60. No I don't kill myself doing it in the office

If I am working out at home that is another story.

[Left Is Write]

39. I'm allowing myself treats - these are things we only have

this time of year, so I don't want to feel deprived.

I just make sure I'm making healthy choices also - whole grains, lean protein, salads and vegetables - so I'm not eating junk constantly.

And I've kept up my daily workouts.

But really - don't beat yourself up for indulging in seasonal treats, especially if you otherwise make good choices. You have to live a little, right?

[redqueen]

42. Oh yes you're completely right

I'm just feeling extra bad because I'm inulging more than usual this year.

Oh and the skipping workouts thing. I'm a baaaad girl. :)

[Historic NY]

47. Weakness for all things chocolate and Rum Balls............n/t

[Left Is Write]

49. I didn't make any rum balls this year.

I wish somebody would invite me to a party! And I wish that party-having person would serve rum balls!

[Pacifist Patriot]

50. My husband is making two bourbon chocolate walnut pies tonight.

I've told him he is not allowed to start baking until after I fall asleep. Then he must put them in the car for his office Christmas luncheon before I awake tomorrow morning. Otherwise I will fall into them face first and not emerge until the last crumb is gone.

[redqueen]

53. Oh my that does sound delicious!

[Left Is Write]

56. I sent three tins of cookies to work with my husband today.

One for the boss and his wife, one for a colleague and his wife, and another for the office to share.

I baked several varieties over the weekend. I'm still going to make Russian teacakes, eggnog logs, and some lingonberry-filled sugar cookies to overnight to my dad.

[Pacifist Patriot]

58. Russian teacakes? Recipe please.

[Left Is Write]

66. Of course - here you go -

These are my husband's and my favorites, so I have to wait until just before Christmas (in this case, probably Wednesday) to make them, or they'll be gone before Christmas! I make a double batch.

RUSSIAN TEACAKES

Mix together thoroughly:

1 cup soft butter
1/2 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Sift together and stir in:

2-1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt

Mix in: 3/4 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts work well)

Chill dough. Roll into 1-inch balls. Place 2½ inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake until set, but not brown. While still warm, roll in confectioners' sugar. Cool. Roll in sugar again.

400 degree oven, 10 minutes

[Pacifist Patriot]

68. Copied into Word and saved. Thanks!

I think I even have everything on hand with which to make it.

[MISSDem]

54. No. I don't want to feel bad and I know if

I indulge in sweets, etc. then I will get a cold or worse. So no, I'd rather be well than gain unneeded weight. Haven't had any sweets since before Thanksgiving, and then only the sugar in my coffee. (Is my halo straight?)

[redqueen]

61. Wow ... sweets make you more susceptible to colds?

Well that explains why I was sick this weekend (still getting over it today - *sniff sniff*)

Kudos to you! :hi:

[Pacifist Patriot]

64. Hmmm...that explains why I've been sniffling since the day after T'giving.

[VOX]

71. Yes! There's a BIG bowl of Hershey Kisses in our office...

And I'm wearing a path in the carpet going back and forth to grab more and more fistfuls of this poison. I need this like a snake needs legs.

And I can't stop! :scared:

[redqueen]

73. Oooooh those are bad!

I've had EIGHT today! I'm forcing myself to avoid that area now.

:scared: