Choo Choo!

All aboard the gingerbread train!

Two blog posts in one night? Of course that could be because I have piles of laundry I’m avoiding but let’s just pretend it’s because I knew you couldn’t live one more minute without seeing my amazing gingerbread train. Sound good?

 I put all the extra candies in the caboose. Don't tell Mike (I left the train at his place) but I don't have much faith those candies will be there a week from now haha. Who am I kidding he will probably eat most of the train itself.

Okay I confess, these pictures aren’t actually from when I was working on the train. If they were there would be hundreds of candies stuffed in my mouth all over the table and streaks of green and white icing on my face.

I have to admit I was pretty happy this year when I realized that at the age of 28 my gingerbread decorating skills are now at that of a 10 year old. Much better than last year’s 5 year old job where most of the icing ended up in my hair and I just ate the candies.

I've seen some pretty amazing gingerbread houses made by super crafty people but who needs homemade gingerbread and colour coordinated candy when you can have a stale gingerbread train from a kit covered with as much candy as humanly possible.

And if this smile doesn't show you how proud I am of this train then nothing will.

I know the holidays...

... are a time of joyful celebration but I’m going to get serious for a second here.

How do you know i'm really serious? Please refer to the serious face below.

So I know people joke around about gaining holiday weight but am I the only one that is legitimately concerned?

I  have had issues with my weight since I was 18 or 19. It went up and up and finally I got a grasp of it at 23 when I discovered the gym and the idea of eating well and I got down to a good weight. That didn’t last long and it went up, and then down, and then up and then down.. mostly it was up.

Usually what would happen is I would healthily (no crash diets for this girl) work towards a good weight and then once I felt good about my body I would celebrate with 7 bags of m&ms.

Then I would gain a pound. But what’s a pound right? No big deal.

Then another couple pounds. That’s easy to lose though. I’ll get back on track tomorrow

Then my pants would get snug. I think my scale is broken.

I don’t like jeans, they aren’t comfy anyways. My dresses seem to think I’m the same size.

Hello sweatpants!

Then I’d be back to an unhappy size where I put myself down and be upset.

After working hard at it yet again I got to a happy weight back in April and I’ve stayed that size (with a few pounds gained or lost) for EIGHT months. EIGHT. That is the longest I’ve gone without yo-yoing!

I had actually changed my thinking and whenever a pound was gained I’d get back on track immediately. I never knew I was capable of such a thing.

I was really looking forward to celebrating a year of being yo yo free this April but I’m seriously worried about the holidays. It’s bringing back all sorts of memories of holidays past where I would eat handfuls of chocolates or short bread and just beat myself up.

Too dark and depressing to talk about around the holidays? Perhaps. But it’s something I really needed to get off my chest.

One of my favourite things about Blogger world is that everyone is so varied. Some people might read this and won’t be able to relate at all but maybe some of you will.

Either way I've been trying to stay on track while still enjoying treats in moderation, something I have never been good at. If anyone else is struggling with the same thing then I really hope you get through the holidays without the nervous breakdown I know is in my future.

If you see me sitting on the side of the street crying into a handful of shortbread it means that I failed in my attempts to stay healthy this holiday season and I might need some chocolate to cheer me up. ;)