Merry Christmas Emily. I hope you have a great one. 
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To you, too!
We start at two today, with (over the course of the afternoon/evening) 11 of us and two dogs, have just two overnight, and then head to the sons’ half-moved into house, with only 7-8 of us (with their dogs), then are back here for the big “Second Christmas,” which is all 14 of us here and two more for overnight, and now four dogs. Gird your loins, Louie! And welcome to the family!
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Merry Christmas!
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Merry Christmas Emily!!!
My husband just asked why I keep wishing you a Merry Christmas. I am apparently in a Christmas fugue state. 
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Merry Christmas Emily!
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Merry Christmas, Emily! I hope you had a fantastic day!
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Good morning, and happy last day of (my) Christmas to all of you! Husband is walking the dog. Pittsburgh decided it was too cold for their much mellower dog, so they’re taking a nap instead. It’s 3° out, windchill -6. I opted out, because it IS cold, and also stuff needs to be done. The last wave, including two more dogs, starts arriving at around 12:30.
My weight was the same this morning as it has been - 140.6 - and I can only assume that it’s atrophy. I skipped the reta this week, but have been so busy that I’ve only sporadically participated in the many deliciousnesses. Everyone will be cleared out before noon tomorrow, and I would imagine I’ll flop onto the couch and start catching up on my holiday weight gain.
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I get the feeling you and I are going to need some mutual support to start out this new year. Lol.
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I feel your pain sister.
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Sunday, December 28
Weight 140.8
CG Max day 19/50 - high squat, bent over row, bridge, pushup, fwd tilt bulgarian lunge, hammer press, front raise - with 15 minute/1 mile warmup.
It felt great. I was worried yesterday that I’d fallen off F-O-R-E-V-E-R because I was so desperate feeling at the thought of it - seriously inflamed, tired - but I guess a day of couch and 2 hour nap and food helped, because despite the nap I got to bed on time last night and woke up 8 hours later feeling like myself again.
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Still Sunday
2 mile hike on a groomed snowmobile trail. It’s like walking on sand. Sometimes you can take steps on top of it, which is very pleasant, other times you go down an inch or two and have to trudge in big boots.
Now back on the couch snacking on grapes, having earned it.
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Sound like a good snow shoe trail.
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Yes it is, once the snow is deeper, we’ll switch to snowshoes. We’re hoping the new dog will follow us off the groomed trail, but so far he’s avoidant of going off groomed or plowed surfaces. Poor Texas puppy. What if he never gets his feet back once they sink into the snow?
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One of my dobie needed boots to go off trails, he just did not like to have snow in his toes.
I don’t think Louie minds the snow itself unless it’s very, very cold. He couldn’t handle 3°f / -16°c for any length of time, but above 6°f or so, he doesn’t complain. I think it’s the feeling of falling into it, or else not being able to see his feet. He REALLY likes his two front paws, which I have to admit are pretty stunning.
We tried boots once, and it didn’t go well. He saw them as toys and got very wiggly. We’ll see. It’s his first winter, so he still has a lot to learn. Like how nice a freshly snowshoed woods trail is.
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Tuesday, December 30
Weight 142.something
CG Max Day 20/50 - isolation/accessory session (often called “wee fun,” which it sort of is): three circuits of various planks/abs, diagonal raise, lying overhead tri extension, tricep press, concentration curls various, banded walks & squats - with a 2 mile/40 minute warmup walk. It was 8° and post-ice storm, so I wore my yaktrax for the first time with Louie, and it mostly went really well. A couple of times I was skating, but mostly we were able to walk normally.
All in all a very satisfying and enjoyable workout!
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2026 T-ransformation Challenge
December 31, 2025
Weight 141.2 (139.4 on 1/1)
This time last year, going into the 2025 Challenge, I had this to say:
My pics don’t necessarily show all the “build up” I’d hoped for, but I have leaned down and am feeling stronger, which the weights I’m using reflect. I don’t track them, but I’m very aware that there is progress. (Along with anti-progress in my budget as I keep having to buy more weight to pick up and put down.)
So this year’s goal is strength and continued recomp. I want to find my caloric maintenance level - enough to fuel growth without putting all of the flub back on.
And just keep feeling better and better.
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Wow! You look great! Definitely some amazing progress this year. Give’em hell and win this thing.
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