How do YOU handle the Holidays?

mamarundrc

This time of year seems to be tough on the majority of people trying to make healthy choices. The 6 or so weeks between Thanksgiving to New Year's can be brutal. I know that last year I was going strong and was at a nice 157lbs going into Thanksgiving and by the time New Years came around I was 167. I still have most of the weight from the last holidays which I am actually okay with, but I do NOT want to gain another ten this year.

How do you handle the holidays? Any secrets or tips? Want to share any healthier versions of holiday favorite recipes?

TheGrindalProject

Good question. I usually fail miserably this time of year. My plan of action though is to treat the coming weeks like any other week. No crappy options at home and eat clean. Get togethers or special dinners, enjoy but without going too crazy. Sure i'll have a cupcake at the company potluck, but I don't need to have a taste of EVERY dessert. (pie? sure! cupcake? sure! cookie? Sure!) Balance out the goodness on your plate as best as you can, just because there is more doesn't mean you need 2nd (or 3rds), and just moderate. Hoping I can stick with it. My willpower sucks when I have a whole table of goodies ahead of me. Good luck to everyone!

Jenn_M_76

At any event I end up going to, I am usually faced with a table of food/goodies. The first thing I do is look everything over. Then I decide what I like vs. what I love. I could like everything on the table, but to take a bit of everything would be disastrous. So, I prioritize and take only what I love. (It usually comes down to things that I haven't had in a long time - like mashed potatoes and gravy, or nanaimo bars.) Then, when I am filling up my plate, I make sure to go for the salad/veggies first, so my plate gets filled up and there is only a little room for the not so good stuff. I take what will satisfy me, then sit down, eat, and don't return to the table.

It may seem like common sense, but it is a conscious effort every time I have to do it. I am still tempted to go up for more, but I resolve to myself that I don't need it and concentrate on the visiting with family/friends, since that is why I am there.

mamarundrc

I have managed to survive my first holiday meal at work. I was proud of my choices. I loaded up on veggies, limited mashed potatoes, skipped the bread, gravy and dessert, and went for a run at night to make myself feel less guilty.

My next Holiday party is on Friday, this one will be much tougher since it is at a bar, some alcohol is included with the price of the ticket, as well as pub appetizers. My goal for that celebration is to eat well all day and drink a ton of water so it is one "bad" meal instead of killing a whole day. I would like to say I will get a solid work out in as well but I am working all day so I am not sure how to fit one in.

Not sure about Thanksgiving yet, my husband's family won't make up their minds if they want to do something or not. So I am expecting to cook something for at least my husband and the boys and will decide what that will be once I know if anyone else is going to show.

scrap0626

Lucky for me my mom is vegan so our Thanksgiving tends to be pretty healthy! Holiday parties are a killer for me, though, and work stuff! I know I'm going to want to try things so I usually just try to eat light and make sure I get in a little extra with my workout on a party day. I usually struggle with letting a whole day get out of control once I make one bad choice so being more conscious about the decisions for the day is really key for me. Knowing I've made good choices so I don't need to worry so much about a little treat really helps me stay on track.

My first holiday party is also friday, I'm not sure what to expect but I'm sure there will be plenty of food and drink to go around. As of right now I'm planning to hit the gym before work to hopefully give myself a little room!

sheepotato

My holiday routine for the past 11 years since I got together with my husband has made it impossible to overeat. I usually get up really earlier to finish cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then we drive to the in-law's, come back home cook more and drive it to my family. By the time I get home late in the evening I'm exhausted and just want to sleep so I usually eat less on those days than on any other day.

mamarundrc

Thanksgiving here was very low key. It was just me and my husband and the boys. We made surf and turf and some roasted vegetables. It was delicious and we didn't end up with tons of leftovers. I also managed to run a 5k which was great. Now we have a couple weeks before our next Holiday party. I am planning to stay on track as much as possible and to be as active as possible so hopefully I can lose a little before we hit Christmas. Christmas is a huge overeating holiday for me. I cook Christmas EVE dinner at my house for my husbands family. Christmas morning we drive to my parents and eat ALL DAY and then we go to my aunts house and eat some more. I need to come up with a strategy, but I have a month to figure it out.