Should we challenge ourselves for a week? If so, what would that challenge be? My goal would be to give up chocolate and cake for one whole week. I eat sweets every single day. Like, 2+ servings a day. For example yesterday one bran muffin (I count that as a treat), one piece of bunt cake and 3 Lindor truffles. It's amazing I am not heavier, truly. (The rest of my food intake is modest, however… I'm really good at portion control when it comes to salad and meat entrees LOL).

Does anyone else want to set a challenge for themselves? I think the community support would help me a lot. Plus I have a trip the week after next and want to look good in my LBD without Spanx.

Denise that is a lovely idea and a manageable one for me - I find I get overwhelmed and daunted by large scale plans. Mine would be to cut out sugar and get some aerobic activity in. Will think about more specific details but thanks for the suggestion!

I have been thinking about no wine the days prior to my running days on my training calendar (except Sundays - date night is non negotiable). I found I was 3 days straight wine free after the tasting we went to this weekend. I aim to break that streak this evening with merlot and pork tenderloin though

There is also the healthy habits postings which we could use but a challenge is more motivating for me right now.

Una, FWIW I would like to suggest something completely different. And that's to focus on your mind and spirit, which in turns affects your body and the way you think about it. Yoga - flow or power. Time to yourself. Good to your soul. Excellent for your head. Flexibility and Honesty. No Judgement or Competition. Positive. Stress-free. A brilliant way to view the world. I think the 5 pounds will come off by committing to this way of "mind-fitness". You have to do something you can sustain and enjoy over time - and this is one way to do it. xo

Angie, absolutely. You are so wise and correct. That is what climbing was for me, actually, and with my new schedule, it has been difficult to coordinate with my partner. There is a very zen mind-body aspect to climbing that helped keep me sane. I have found someone at work who can climb on my schedule and hoping that will help.

So sorry you're feeling like this, Una...I think we all feel like this at times. Clothes being tight-fitting is annoying and is a constant reminder that we're not as thin as we were maybe just a month ago!

Speaking from a natural point of view, I can't help but wonder if humans are simply designed to put on more weight in the winter. I mean, fat keeps you warm, and even a hundred years ago, people couldn't just go plug in a space heater. And not only that, but the lack of sunshine in the winter can create depression, which also leads to weight gain. I'm hoping that when spring starts showing itself, you will start feeling better all around.

I don't want to believe that humans were designed to gain weight in the winter. We are designed to hold on to weight, but not to gain weight specifically in winter. It's just something that happens because there is less sunlight, an increased desire to stay out of the cold thus resulting in less movement, more desire to eat warm foods, and out of reach of summer fruits and veggies. I love my fitbit and it makes me walk further than ever.

I park my car a little further from the entrace and walk. I take little breaks to walk all the time. I choose to walk to the store rather than drive or take the subway. It makes me feel like every step I make counts

I don't cook differently for myself than I do for my family. I just eat a little less of the starchy stuff and load up more on the salad. It's all about portion control for me, and I'm no good at giving up anything because as soon as I swear off a food I swear to you it starts calling my name in the most enticing way! No no, better to have a little and keep that voice quiet.

Great advice already here.
The one thing I have found that makes cooking at home doable is a Food Saver..the vacuum packaging thingy. I prep and cook one day and store it all up for later. DH will smoke ribs and pork butts (which we pull) and it all goes in the freezer. At meal time, I just make a veggie or two and we're ready to eat.
AG, hope you find what works for you.

I'm late to this thread, but I'll chime in as another sympathetic voice. It sucks to feel out of control of your body, and it sucks when favorite clothes are too tight. I've been struggling with this a bit myself, having gained 5lbs and gone up a size this winter (made harder by knowing that my lowest weight four years ago was too low - lots of sports plus depression, not intentional - so I shouldn't have that as a goal, but it's still in my head as the comparison point).

I've also been trying to get back in the habit of avoiding sugar, because I'm happier when I do. And walking a lot more - 3 miles today just to and from the subway and the climbing gym - instead of driving to work. I love walking so much.

I'm also making peace with buying clothes one size up, because I know I'll love how I look in them. It takes me a few months to acclimate but I know from past fluctuations that I'll get used to it, and I'd much much rather have clothes that fit and that I love. So buy yourself things that fit! And since looser fits are in, just belt them when you lose a few pounds!

(The hardest are the things that just don't *feel* the same about my body. My thighs are touching now - I realize this is entirely normal, but it just happens to be a new physical sensation to me.)