Staying Healthy and Sane Through the Holidays...by Liimu

Crazy, crazy week.

Saturday night, my children had a Christmas concert for which they've been preparing all year. Sunday, they had their church play and Sunday afternoon, a surprise 40th birthday party for a dear old friend of mine (an hour away from our house).

Needless to say, there was quite a bit of food at these functions. I am proud to say that I didn't eat hardly any of it! I cannot say the same for the food I baked to bring to these functions. I must have eaten a dozen brownies and another dozen chocolate chip cookies over the course of the weekend.

So by Monday, I felt ... gross. I managed to eke out a couple of the amazing 4-minute workouts my new trainer developed for me (accompanied by my kids, which made it even more amazing). On Tuesday, I was feeling slightly better, but still not 100%, I guess, because my trainer asked me if I was sad. Not sad, just feeling gross, I told her. She promptly reminded me that I need to just move forward and focus on my accomplishments, not my failures. Miraculously, I was able to take her advice. I also was able to internalize my sister's advice, when she told me to focus on how strong I'm getting, rather than how much weight I feel like I still have to lose.

Perhaps the greatest miracle of all is that I am managing to stay willing to do my best even in the height of the holiday season. Sunday is Christmas, and I'm bringing a Whole Foods feast to my mother-in-law's house. I also have a plan for working out nearly every day between now and New Years (though tomorrow's plan was thwarted by an all-day meeting hours away from my house).

And then it will be January - and we will seriously ramp this weight-loss party up to a whole new level. (And I will have a whole new format for you, to boot, complete with regular pictures and much more detailed updates!)

Until then, have a Merry, Healthy Christmas!! And remember, even if you just do something small to support your health and fitness goals, it COUNTS!