Well hello everyone and happy holidays.
 
Once again I ask for a mea culpa. Despite my best intentions, I have found it difficult to write my blog over the past few weeks. The good news is that I’ve still been managing to get most of my workouts in.

Originally I had planned to write about my extra-cardio activities, but given that I’ve missed a few weeks of blogging, I’m going to change it up and write about my 2nd weigh in and share with you how I am planning on maintaining during the holidays.

The 2nd Weigh In:

Hello, my name is Jamie Slater. I’m 39 years old. Ten weeks ago I weighed 278 pounds. Since then, I have been on a personal fitness journey working with both a personal trainer and participating in various group fitness classes and activities at the Central Y. Along the way, I have been blogging about my experience.

Last week, I had my second weigh in. Want to know how I’ve done? Okay, I’ll tell you.

Hello, my name is Jamie Slater. I’m 39 years old and I weigh…257 pounds! That means I’ve lost 21 pounds in 10 weeks! The good news is that I’ve managed to lose this at a time that is notoriously hard for anybody to manage what they eat and drink and to find time to workout. The bad news is I’m going to fall a few pounds short of my goal of losing 30 pounds in 12 weeks. But let’s be honest, for me, losing 21 pounds is never, ever a bad news situation and I’m beyond happy and encouraged with these results. I feel better, I look better and my hernias have not been bothering me near as much as they were before I started working out.

10 weeks ago

I really need to give a big shout out to my trainer Dan Cardoza. I can already share with you that Dan and I will continue to work together in the new year and that my personal fitness journey will continue well beyond 12 weeks. I also want to give thanks to everyone who’s read this blog, sent me a comment or email or just talked to me about this journey. You honestly don’t know how much your support and encouragement has meant to me. Knowing you were reading also made me work harder…you all kept me accountable, so thank you!

So with the holidays upon us, my mind has shifted to maintenance. I know I won’t be working out as much over the next two weeks, so here are some of the tips that I’m going to try in order to keep on track:

Stay active. Even if you’re off your regular workout routine and can’t make it to the gym as often as you’d like, there are plenty of other ways to get moving. Take a walk after dinner to look at the lights in your neighbourhood, lace up your skates at the local rink, use stairs instead of the elevator! Since I’m visiting my family inCambridge, I’m planning to visit the YMCA there (Y memberships allow you to visit other YMCAs across the country) to get at least one work out in and my overall goal is at least one workout per week over the next two.

One week ago

 Splurge wisely. Don’t deprive yourself this holiday — simply decide which treats are most important. If you’re offered a fattening food that you don’t really love, give it a pass. It’s all about moderation. Another strategy that works for me is to equate a treat into a number of minutes on a treadmill or stationary bike. It takes me generally 20 minutes to burn off 200 calories, so if I know the calorie count of a treat, I can make a more informed decision about whether or not it’s worth the splurge.

Don’t let yourself get hungry. Keep a supply of healthy snacks so you’re not ravenous when the cookie tin comes out. Have a snack or light meal before you attend parties so you don’t overeat at the buffet table.

Be thankful. When we’re grateful, it helps inspire our own well-being and generosity toward others. Make a list of things you’re thankful for, and give to those who are less fortunate.

Have fun! Enjoy connecting with your friends and family this holiday and don’t worry about the scale. A little bit of daily activity and smart eating can go a long way.

So there you have it. That’s my holiday strategy. Here’s wishing you a healthy, well-balanced and fun holiday season. I will be back with another blog or two before the new year so this isn’t goodbye yet.

 Playlist:

The entire soundtrack to the Muppets movie.