Anyone else upping cals till Xmas?

gabbyo23 · December 2016

I'm considering eating at maintenence or just below until Xmas is over. Is anyone else doing this? Actually mfp says my maintenence is 1820 but I'd probably only go to 1500/1600 as I wouldn't need more I don't think.

Basically I feel like over the festive season everywhere I look it's all about spiced lattes and mince pies and gorging on food. I don't want to do that...I don't even like mince pies. I just want to be able to eat a bit more at home so I don't feel I'm missing out SO much and I'm not quite as hungry.

Is this a bad idea? I currently eat between 1250-1350 roughly per day. I've lost 36lbs so far. I'm 5ft 4, female. X

shadow2soul · December 2016

That has been my approach to this time of year since 2013. I usually do end up losing a little, but I personally just aim to at least maintain.

alyssa0061 · December 2016

I switched from a 2 pound a week deficit to a 1 pound a week deficit for the time from Thanksgiving to Christmas. I don't see why it would be a bad idea if it works for you and your goals. It certainly works for mine.

Mycophilia · December 2016

Christmas isn't really a big thing in my household, so I'm just going to stuff my face with all the things at Christmas dinner and follow my regular diet for the rest of the holiday.

z4oslo · December 2016

I dont, but that's me, and what I need is different from what you need.
If you think you need to up your calories to get through the holiday season, then its probably a good idea for you.

Its really an answer only you can give though.

sardelsa · December 2016

I think that is a fine idea. Nothing wrong with taking a diet break especially around the holidays (as long as your maintenance doesn't turn into an unplanned bulk!)

I always plan my bulks around the winter months, or else I am pregnant. Either way.. fooooood!

kami3006 · December 2016

Nothing wrong with it at all. Flexibility is important for sustainably.
Enjoy your holidays!

GottaBurnEmAll · December 2016

I'm on a maintenance break, yup.

jvs125 · December 2016

I think it's a good practice and makes this season more enjoyable. I mean, you WILL eat more anyway, so might as well plan for it and not feel guilty about it.

I started my first "bulk/shred" and timed it so I'd be bulking right through the holidays and the shred starts at the beginning of January.

gabbyo23 · December 2016

Thanks everyone. I guess I'm a tiny bit scared at the thought of putting on weight from it. But also scared of falling off the wagon.

kami3006 · December 2016

Sometimes an increase of calories will result in an increase on the scale due to glycogen replenishment. It's normal so don't let it throw you. As long as you're at or under maintenance, you'll be fine.

Chef_Barbell · December 2016

Oh yes... I gotta keep the supply up.

VintageFeline · December 2016

Yep, taking a maintenance break, not just because Christmas but for other reasons too. Sure is nice to more easily fit in honeycomb lattes (yesterday) and Lebkuchen (today)! Even if I have a little gain it's not big deal. I think I was about 2lbs up after last year, no biggie.

laur357 · December 2016

Sure am.

quiksylver296 · December 2016

Yep. Set at maintenance until New Year's!

SueSueDio · December 2016

gabbyo23 wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I guess I'm a tiny bit scared at the thought of putting on weight from it. But also scared of falling off the wagon.

I take regular two-week "maintenance breaks" every couple of months or so - it really helps me to not get tired of the whole process, and I find it easier to refocus and get back on the weight loss train afterwards. I plan to start my next break a few days before Christmas and continue into the new year.

I was nervous the first time as well but I've found that I don't have any problems going back to restricting my calories after my breaks, and in fact it can feel like something of a relief! Each time I've done this my weight has stayed roughly the same or perhaps gone up a pound or two, but it comes off again when I go back to restricting. I'll have my calorie goal in MFP set to my maintenance level, and I might eat more than that on some days due to social occasions (or just feeling like I want to!

), but I'll eat a bit less on some other days to compensate for that.

The thing to remember is to try not to overdo it and go completely nuts over the holidays... but if you do (and put on weight as a result), also try not to beat yourself up over it! Just be firm with yourself about getting back on the wagon when the break is over, and you'll be fine. Enjoy the time with friends and family!

lightenup2016 · December 2016

Yes! After Thanksgiving I was having trouble staying on track at a deficit. With extra goodies around and added stress, I just decided to increase to maintenance through the rest of the holidays. If I do eat a little less some days and maybe lose a little that would be a bonus. But I feel better doing this rather than setting myself up to gain.

So far, so good. I was up about 4.5 lbs after the Thanksgiving weekend, and since then I've lost some of the bloat, so I'm now only about 2 lbs up from my lowest, and holding. If I can stay here until January I'll be happy!

cwolfman13 · December 2016

I don't generally try to cut during the holiday season...my objective is usually maintenance. My bigger issue isn't "Christmas goodies" per sei, but rather I tend to move less both in terms of exercise and general activity during the holiday season and winter in general.

gabbyo23 wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I guess I'm a tiny bit scared at the thought of putting on weight from it. But also scared of falling off the wagon.

You don't put on weight eating at maintenance...that's why it's called maintenance.

avskk · December 2016

I'm keeping my calorie goal set for loss, but allowing myself to eat to maintenance (i.e. "go over") here and there. There's just so much cheese to eat and so many cocktails to drink! And there are days I come in significantly under my loss goal, so I figure it'll more or less average out.

Running_and_Coffee · December 2016

I think this is sooooo much smarter than pretending scales don't exist until New Year's--better to just plan for a bit of an increase and enjoy the holidays than binge then starve like 99% of the world does!!

SingRunTing · December 2016

It's not a bad idea if it will help keep you in check. Normally I keep a deficit, but then will eat what I want during the major celebrations, which is definitely a surplus. Just works better for me because I would end up eating maintenance and then still eating whatever during those times. I would end up with a net gain and that would make me unhappy.

This year, I'm on a nine month break (pregnant), so it's a little different.

leanjogreen18 · December 2016

My maintenance now and my maintenance at goal weight is about 500 calories different so I think I will stay at a deficit or eat my goal weight maintenance. I really really want to learn to eat less so I can keep this weight off.

Having said that if you're really into xmas I can certainly see taking a maintenance break!!

Lounmoun · December 2016

It's up to you. There is nothing wrong with just maintaining your weight for awhile.
I plan to eat normally most days and don't feel like I am missing out.

Tacklewasher · December 2016

I'm still trying to lose, but won't be stressed if I don't lose what I want to. Office Christmas party is done and I've lost what it added. And not of lot of treats so it's not a biggie to me. I'll eat well Christmas and Boxing day, but that will be about it.

SezxyStef · December 2016

yup...not sure when I will note it here but that's the plan.

It's not like I can reasonably over eat like I used to anyway...I mean yes I can but I don't like to feel like that any more...

gabbyo23 · December 2016

SingRunTing wrote: »

It's not a bad idea if it will help keep you in check. Normally I keep a deficit, but then will eat what I want during the major celebrations, which is definitely a surplus. Just works better for me because I would end up eating maintenance and then still eating whatever during those times. I would end up with a net gain and that would make me unhappy.

This year, I'm on a nine month break (pregnant), so it's a little different.

THIS is my concern. I'm at my parents for xmas for 5 days and it's a celebration every day. Christmas, boxing day and my twins 1st birthday....I'm concerned that if I eat at maintenance plus eating surplus those day is gonna result in a gain.

Thanks for putting it into words for me! I guess I'll try to keep some deficit until then even if it's not as big as I want every day!

cerise_noir · December 2016

Nah. I'm actually banking 50 cals a day and only eating 1/4 of my exercise calories back to bank for Christmas.

PaulaWallaDingDong · December 2016

Not deliberately. I do relax a little, try to get in on those fast food LTOs and make them (almost) fit my calories, and then on celebration days, I relax, have a little of everything and enjoy myself. It's not worth it for me to slow my progress any more than necessary.

Machka9 · December 2016

I've actually lowered my calorie limit and am making an effort to stay under it in an attempt to lose a bit of weight before Christmas. Christmas is still a good 2 weeks away.