Official Start To The Christmas Challenge

I wasn’t very hungry today. I tried to eat in a fairly balanced manner even though I was not consuming quite as much as I normally do. I am not really sure what was up with that, but I eat both when I am hungry and to keep my metabolism up, so I got most of the day’s food because of the latter factor. My body is really strange sometimes.

I went for a long walk this evening since it was finally not raining, but about three-quarters of the way through my stroll it suddenly started to pour! And then it hailed! And then there was lightening! Needless to say I was soaked and I am fairly certain that Mother Nature thinks she is a pretty funny gal right about now. It serves me right for trusting the weather this time of year.

I finally went and got myself that massage that I said I would get for going from a level two obesity rating to a level one over a month ago. Sometimes it takes me quite a while to get around to myself; there is usually so much going on that it’s hard to remember that I count too, but I am working on that! The massage was really nice and I tried to spend the time thinking about all that I have accomplished on this journey. The mind tends to wander, but I did focus on it for a little while. It was nice to pamper myself and I think that the next reward will be a weekend away; I need to save up though so we will see when that happens…

I am going to make this the official starting entry for the Looking to the Future Christmas Challenge. Due to my being further west than most others, and because I have a fairly odd schedule, I know that I often post much later than everyone else. To me, this is still Friday night. I would hate to think that me not giving people an early enough opportunity to leave their beginning comments was reason to slack on the first day! Ha! Anyhow, I hereby open the floor to all fourteen participants (including myself) for their starting statistics and statement of official goal, as well as to anyone else who may decide last minute that they want to partake in the fun – and possibly win a cool prize. Good luck everyone! Let the games begin!!!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 9 glasses of water throughout the day
- 1 banana
- 3 cups green salad with spinach, tomato, mushroom, onion, red pepper, broccoli, cucumber, grated cheese, and fat free Caesar dressing
- 1 small mug of herbal tea
- 1 Mandarin orange
- 3/4 of a ham sandwich on brown bread with cheese, lettuce, and mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup fat free apricot and prune yogurt
- 1 cup of celery

EXERCISE:
- 2 hours of walking completed in 2 outings (1 hour and 35 minutes long and 25 minutes long)
- 45 minute step workout video
- 60 stomach crunches
- 7 push ups