Day 25 to 27- Ireland – NFD 🚫🚶‍♂️✅ 🌾

Hi all, we have had a lovely Christmas here – quiet but busy darting between a few houses and keeping it low stress for mum 💕
I’ve managed to swim both days and entice visiting relatives in to the balmy Irish waters 😂😂😂

@merryapple good for you getting out and without 🐶 ⭐️ @funshipfreddie it’s pouring here now.. and not expected to let up for a while.
@stitchincarol enjoy your time in California ♥️.
@northgeorgia you have had a very tough year but you’re still here…. New year is just around the bend.
@maui lovely to hear about your son – he sounds really lovely 💕
Your walk to the beach sounds divine and after the cold and damp of the Irish beach I can only imagine the feeling of bliss with your toes in the sand over there. ☀️ 🏝️

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Day 27 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

I’m home! 🚗 I got home to a sunny Summerstrand, but it’s very windy & the sea looks like pea soup. I toyed with the idea of going to pick up Boo Boo earlier, but I’ve decided she must suffer until tomorrow 😈

@northgeorgia – look at you?! a Boxing Day FD?! Show-off 😂 💪 I’m in awe 😲

and @jaifaim – swimming in the sea in the middle of winter?! I’d die 🥶️

I’ll assess the damage tomorrow morning, & then most likely do Friday & Sunday FDs. It would be nice – miraculous even! – if I can end the month at the weight I started 🎯

Day 27 USA/Hawaii FD800

@jaifaim Thanks for your kind words and the mention of swimming as it’s something I want to add to my life. Living a short 3 minute walk to the beach, I really have no excuse! But all things in time… at least I am putting my feet in the sand and toes in the water twice a day. Lol

Today is a big cleaning day… getting ready to host a single mom and young daughter for this coming weekend. They’ve had a rough time and this will provide a little R&R. Not accustomed to a young child in the house but I’ve dug out a teddy bear collection my DH and I had from years ago. Will clean and put in the sun so they are fresh and bright. Sprinkle some around the house so she will have the fun of discovering them. We’ve booked a tour of my friend’s Animal Farm where the kids can pet the animals. So we are off to a good start I think.
Best wishes to all fasting today or just trying to maintain.
Going for a FD 800 … still hoping for the scales to give me a smile or at least as wink before Jan 1.

Day 28 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

It’s so nice to wake up at home. I had a lovely time, but I never feel fully relaxed or sleep that well when I’m away.

Damage assessment accomplished, & I’m only about a kilo over my maintenance goal! Two strict FDs could see me back at my goal weight by Jan 1st 😃 It seems too good to be true; I think I ate more meat & cookies in the last few days than I did in the entire year 🐷 But I can’t face a FD today. I need to do a few errands & pick up the moggie, so it looks like it’ll have to be Fri/Sunday.

@merryapple – I know?! She’d never forgive me 😾 Have a good FD, & I hope you get some pocket list company 🎯

“You will never always be motivated, you have to learn to be disciplined” ~ Unknown

Day 28. Pocket list
@merryapple
@excelsior12309

Day 28 Monterey, CA NFD

Today, we’re going down to Big Sur and having a picnic of sorts; tonight we’re going to Spanish Bay to enjoy the bagpiper at sunset. https://www.pebblebeach.com/dining/the-lobby-lounge/bagpiper/

We’re so active each day that I’ve hit 10K steps every day, so that’s helping to burn some of the calories I’m eating, but, also, I haven’t had a cookie since the first day, so I’m not doing horribly in the self control department.

I’m sorry I’m not managing to reply to anyone– except, @flourbaby, I’m incredibly sad for you that you’re suffering so with covid; what a lovely family you have that they insisted you join them for Christmas Day. 🥰💞❣️❤️

Second post

A dream written down with a date becomes a goal.

A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan.

A plan backed by action becomes reality.

Day 29 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

@flourbaby – oh no?!! How infuriating? 😤 I hope you’re feeling better by New Year’s Eve & that you’ll feel like partying up a storm! 🥳️ I’m planning on being asleep by 11 pm though 😅

@stitchincarol – I hope you enjoyed the bagpipes? I think I’ve eaten enough cookies for both of us 🐽

@excelsior12309 – Boo Boo’s being so clingy, she was asleep on my lap half an hour after we got home. Then she whined all night because I wouldn’t let her in the bedroom. She’s actually asleep on my lap right now – I’m thinking of taking her back for the weekend 😂

@merryapple – you’ve done brilliantly too! You really didn’t gain anything over Christmas! 🎯

@northgeorgia – sounds like a plan. It certainly couldn’t hurt! Whatever gets you closer to your goal. I just need to stay away from those Lindt chocolates. I ate a whole box-full in two days. So I bought 6 yesterday (they sell them loose in the Lindt store) thinking I was being frugal, & that they’d last me a couple of days. Who was I kidding? Gone. 🥴️ At least I’m still tee-total 😇

Happy Fri-yay y’all! 🍹

Pocket List – Day 29 🥚
@funshipfreddie

Day 29 – Monterey CA -NFD

Yesterday was NOT a day of stellar behavior. Because of all the driving, I only got 3K steps and in the evening baked our family favorite (date nut swirls, which I brought frozen and ready to slice and bake) and ate too many and then went nuts with some white cheddar popcorn. Oh well, I can make a point of behaving well today.

Today we’re going down to the wharf to wander and also for a lunch of clam chowder, then to the butterfly sanctuary (https://www.cityofpacificgrove.org/our_city/departments/public_works/city_owned_infrastructure/buildings___grounds/monarch_sanctuary.php), and then home for the rest of day both because we all want a down day and also because it is going to rain all day. For supper, I’m making salmon and a veggie and DS27 is making risotto. There will be much pinochle, LOL.

DH saw the quote and showed me and said it would be good for the forum and I agreed so that’s where it came from.

And the waves yesterday were MASSIVE… some of the largest I’ve ever seen, and I grew up on the coast!

Okay, it’s time to take a shower and start the day. Have a grand one, everyone!

Day 30 NZ NFD 78.5kg 🏃🏼‍♀️

It’s so muggy here – 98% humidity that you just don’t feel motivated to do anything including eat… but I went for my third 30 minute walk! Sun block plus humidity is making sweat run into my eyes (not because of excessive speed, I can assure you!) and my glasses are completely fogged up. But I did it! I am going to take on your idea @jaifaim of using the wee icons to keep tabs on my activity, thank you! That’s so great you’re back in maintenance. The adrenaline shock of that cold water must use up a fair bit of glucose!!
@funshipfreddie Aw Boo Boo. Stay sitting in his lap and don’t let him get up for another Lindt chocolate!!
@maui Enjoy the sun surf and sea. It’s never too late to learn to swim. The sea water keeps you nice and buoyant compared to lake water!
@northgeorgia Haha! Enjoy it while you can!
@stitchincarol We’re big fans of the pipes here. And Mr Mac can hear them still! I saw your weather forecast… It’s looking pretty spectacular over the next couple of days.
@flourbaby I hope you’re perking up now. Cardboard tasting food at Christmas is super annoying…
@excelsior12309 I’m with you. If you have the flu and no flu shot, don’t expect sympathy and stay home!! I hope you have avoided catching it…
Yes as @jaifaim says, anyone lurking out there, please get ready to join us in two days!!

Hope you have got your ducks in a row and sorted out your resolutions for Hogmanay!!

Day 30 – Ireland – NFD 🚫🚶‍♂️✅ 🌾

@funshipfreddie yep that’s exactly it… generally chocolate itself is GF but if it’s mixed with anything you need to check the pack or in a box of chocolates there may be some with gluten and if the chocolates aren’t individually packaged they may be contaminated. So a Bounty is gf but a double decker isn’t as an example.…gluten protein is used as a binder also so some people react to shampoos, straws … isn’t it so strange but like you I’ve learned so much this year…
Super well done on a Yuletide FD ⭐️🎄⭐️

@merryapple well done to you on stepping it up! 🚶🏽‍♀️ I’m going to go for an early walk here if I can’t get back to sleep… I’m driving again later to friends so would be nice to have had my exercise. And thank you! I’m not back in maintenance but i am back to where I was just before Christmas so happy with that. 2 lbs to go….
Maintenance for January 🙏 although I do have a ski trip soon 🙃
You know what maybe the cold water did the trick… ❄️ shocked it off me 😂

@stitchincarol oooh the waves sound amazing! I hope you enjoyed the butterfly 🦋 sanctuary – I’m sure it was magical, and the rest day. 💕

@northgeorgia enjoy the fondue set! They are great fun and particularly with children… yummm bread & cheese 😋

Ok I’m up and at it… 🚶🏽‍♀️🌅 ☔️

Is someone lined up to host January I wonder?

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

2nd Post – Day 30

@merryapple – thank you! Loving the purple 💜

Day 31 NZ NFD 78.2kg 🏃🏼‍♀️

Wow! I’m not sure why the sudden drop but I’ll take it! I have been more active doing some heavy duty gardening, cleaning etc and adding a walk in. Angostura Bitters, ice and soda water is a fav drink at the moment rather than just tea and coffee.

Thank you @maui for volunteering me to host!! I was thinking about it as a back up in case someone else desperately wanted to do it but I’ve started the new topic now!! And thank you @northgeorgia for hosting last month. I had a giggle when I reread your Xmas intro. I’m so pleased for you that you have your mojo back.
@jaifaim Take another dip in the frigid waters or maybe a snow angel in your bathers and you’ll be back to your magic number in no time!!
@stitchincarol I think you forgot to write down the quote! Wow the butterflies look amazing. I remember seeing them in ???Costa Rica on one of David Attenborough’s Planet Earth series but didn’t know they gathered on the US West Coast also.
@funshipfreddie Thanks for the compliment…😌 I think it’s the weather… I still have a ways to go but every little bit helps. I know a couple of people from Snell’s Beach but no-one who can eat chocolate with impunity! It’s a nice beach. Have you visited?

Have a fabulous Hogmanay celebration wherever you are and see you in 2024!!

2nd post
@stitchincarol Gottit!

Day 31 – Ireland – NFD 🚫🚶‍♂️✅ 🌾

Hi all, happy last day of this year. I’ve learned lots more about “me” this year and I am looking forward to continued connection with you all next year. Thanks for being there everyone and especially @northgeorgia for hosting this month ⭐️🎄⭐️.

Thanks so much @merryapple 🍎⭐️ for setting up the Jaunty January challenge!! You are a star ⭐️.

Enjoy whatever way you celebrate this last day – for me a walk first thing in blustery country air, a nice lunch in a country pub and a big celebration with all the family tonight – aka “the travelling wilburys” 😂😂. Everyone disperses from tomorrow back across the globe 🌎

Much love and gratitude to all you wonderful challengers.

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Day 31 – USA/TN

Hello, all! It’s been a roller-coaster ride this month, and have been going up and down in weight, but bottomed out today at 142.8, about 2.8 lbs. over my goal for December. I’m hoping 2024 will be a year of healthy weight loss and maintenance. A friend made me some sugar-laden pastries that I am rationing until they’re gone. It’s tough to wake the sugar monster again, but EOEO with healthy LCHF foods come January. I’ve been keeping up daily with all of your posts. Unfortunately, I’ve also been working double duty, so not much to report from one week to the next. See you on the other side!