"How to pig out and not gain weight during the holidays"

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  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    Gisel2015 wrote: »
    What I fail to understand about this post and all the posts related to holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Valentines, etc..), why people associate any holiday with eating a lot/pig out/binge. Is that the only way to celebrate and enjoy a meal and the company of the love ones? Why everything has to be related to food and in large amounts?

    I don't understand it either, but that just seems that that's how it is with many people.
  • jaga13
    jaga13 Posts: 1,149 Member
    Orphia wrote: »
    Gisel2015 wrote: »
    What I fail to understand about this post and all the posts related to holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Valentines, etc..), why people associate any holiday with eating a lot/pig out/binge. Is that the only way to celebrate and enjoy a meal and the company of the love ones? Why everything has to be related to food and in large amounts?

    I don't understand it either, but that just seems that that's how it is with many people.

    Maybe this is the answer: on a "normal" day I budget about 500 calories for dinner. That includes dessert if I want it. Go to a holiday dinner and its very hard to eat small enough portions to stick to my budget (because everything served is calorie rich).
    So I am forced to change my strategy. I'm already squeezing in as much activity as I can so that's not really gonna help. So I can eat less earlier in the day (or for several days), or accept that I will go over budget that day. The choice is mine. I prefer to eat less earlier to leave some wiggle room for the holiday meal. But by no means do I want to walk away feeling stuffed. I don't enjoy spending the night feeling bloated and gross.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    jaga13 wrote: »
    Orphia wrote: »
    Gisel2015 wrote: »
    What I fail to understand about this post and all the posts related to holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Valentines, etc..), why people associate any holiday with eating a lot/pig out/binge. Is that the only way to celebrate and enjoy a meal and the company of the love ones? Why everything has to be related to food and in large amounts?

    I don't understand it either, but that just seems that that's how it is with many people.

    Maybe this is the answer: on a "normal" day I budget about 500 calories for dinner. That includes dessert if I want it. Go to a holiday dinner and its very hard to eat small enough portions to stick to my budget (because everything served is calorie rich).
    So I am forced to change my strategy. I'm already squeezing in as much activity as I can so that's not really gonna help. So I can eat less earlier in the day (or for several days), or accept that I will go over budget that day. The choice is mine. I prefer to eat less earlier to leave some wiggle room for the holiday meal. But by no means do I want to walk away feeling stuffed. I don't enjoy spending the night feeling bloated and gross.

    Exactly. Holiday foods tend to be much richer in calories than what people normally consume on a day to day basis. Eating small enough portions to fit your calories would sometimes prove very challenging and unsatisfying. It's not about "pigging out" but more about relaxing, not stressing about your food intake, and enjoying the day with loved ones and loved foods.

    On our Christmas menu for example, a "salad" means gouda cheese with mayo and garlic (tastes heavenly) or mayo-laden olivier salad, not your run-of-the-mill veggies with a light vinaigrette dressing. A side dish is not broccoli or asparagus, it's mashed potatoes with lots of butter and sometimes cheese. Main dishes in my family usually contain fatty cuts and patties. Desserts are usually so rich that one serving can have the same calories as your typical dinner, not to mention alcohol. What am I to do? Bring a green salad and chew on it in the corner? Or relax, have a drink, enjoy the foods in reasonable portions that won't make me overfull (not to say that won't result in a lot of calories) and just enjoy my time? I choose hamsterwheeling it during the day to enjoy a relaxing evening where I don't have to overthink anything.
  • jswigart
    jswigart Posts: 167 Member
    Lucille4444 wrote: »
    I'm one of those who isn't going to pig out. I can enjoy the same dishes, and simply take a smaller portion.
    I still get to enjoy the fun, the gatherings, the season.
    Every person is different, do what works for you.

    This is what I plan to do. Partake of the wonderful foods in moderation!
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