Weigh management priorities - holiday season edition.
minimyzeme
Posts: 2,708 Member
So here we are at holiday season and everyone trying to navigate the landmines, so to speak. Whether we're brand new to weight loss or seasoned vets, it's common knowledge this time of year is notorious for weight gain.
While I don't go too crazy eating-wise, I can find it as challenging as anyone else but these days, I do keep my weight management objectives in the forefront of my mind, using all the tips and tricks we know of to limit weight gain. This starts with every "normal" / non-holiday day. Those are my 'training days'. As we often say, there are holidays and celebrations all year-round so I've come to terms with giving myself a pass just because 'tis the season. It's not like it snuck up on me and it's not like I don't know how to manage big eating times of year. Whether I choose to is a whole 'nother question.
That question is very strongly related to my priorities. I enjoy the holiday fare but I do not want to experience significant weight gain at this time. I'd be happiest with no gain. Therefore I make sure I'm setting myself up for that possibility through meal/snack planning, food choices, portion size, movement, etc. I navigate my way in part by envisioning where I want to end up. It's a similar process to what I do by setting my compass signing onto GOAD most every day.
For me, maintaining my weight has become one of my biggest priorities. I don't have effit days because it's my choice to manage my weight. I'm more consistent some days than others and recognize one day off-plan won't make or break me (but it could crack me). Whether it's a training day or a series of holidays, I'm more mindful now than ever before and try to act according to where I want to come out the other side.
How do you set weight-management priorities and navigate your way through this challenging holiday season?
While I don't go too crazy eating-wise, I can find it as challenging as anyone else but these days, I do keep my weight management objectives in the forefront of my mind, using all the tips and tricks we know of to limit weight gain. This starts with every "normal" / non-holiday day. Those are my 'training days'. As we often say, there are holidays and celebrations all year-round so I've come to terms with giving myself a pass just because 'tis the season. It's not like it snuck up on me and it's not like I don't know how to manage big eating times of year. Whether I choose to is a whole 'nother question.
That question is very strongly related to my priorities. I enjoy the holiday fare but I do not want to experience significant weight gain at this time. I'd be happiest with no gain. Therefore I make sure I'm setting myself up for that possibility through meal/snack planning, food choices, portion size, movement, etc. I navigate my way in part by envisioning where I want to end up. It's a similar process to what I do by setting my compass signing onto GOAD most every day.
For me, maintaining my weight has become one of my biggest priorities. I don't have effit days because it's my choice to manage my weight. I'm more consistent some days than others and recognize one day off-plan won't make or break me (but it could crack me). Whether it's a training day or a series of holidays, I'm more mindful now than ever before and try to act according to where I want to come out the other side.
How do you set weight-management priorities and navigate your way through this challenging holiday season?
1
Replies
-
My problem is that even though I "make the better choice", I'm still eating different foods than I normally would and having more cocktails than normal. This month alone I have:
1) My office holiday potluck
2) My department holiday party
3) My significant other's holiday party
4) The gala sponsored by my SO's firm
5) My union's holiday party
6) My uncle's 12 Bars of Christmas event
7) The University's Diversity Dinner
8) The 21st-23rd at my Grandma's house
9) Christmas Eve at my Grandfather's house
10) Christmas Day through the 27th at my in-laws
11) My father visiting from Seattle
12) Volunteering at holiday lights
13) New Years Eve Party
If you total that up it is 18 days out of this month that I have holiday obligations and have not cooked my own food. Even with making better choices, it's still not the best options compared to what I make and eat at home normally. I do the best I can, but it feels overwhelming and like a no win situation. Also, writing that out makes me feel better for why I've been feeling so anxious and overwhelmed lately!
1 -
@Rachel0778 - your holiday schedule is absolutely overwhelming to this introvert.
My priority for navigating the season is getting in my physical activity which is both good for the mind and the body. Just got back from 3 days up in Wisconsin hiking and biking.2 -
My tactic is to eat what I want in moderation - sample everything, don't go back for seconds, and burn it off with some extra workouts - I'm taking a few days off this year, plus holiday days at work means I have a bunch of free time.. some of it will be family time, but I will make some of it ME time as well.
I've already talked to some of my workout partners, and we're planning another holiday sparring event similar to what we did over thanksgiving break - we had a great turnout for that one, with 12 people showing up.2 -
I've skipped cookies. Christmas is another reason to eat pumpkin pie. You can bet I'm going to get my share. That's the deal I made with myself this year.
I can go on and on about cookies in general. But just skipping cookies has really made the holidays much easier.1 -
This is an unusual holiday season for me. I've finished all my December holiday commitments with just Christmas and New Years Day to go. What's different about this year is I feel like I've come upon decision likened to when started WW 7 years ago. So a decision was made for a couple of reasons. One I'm sick and tired of yo going back and forth around 300 lbs so going to go for it and start with the holiday season since 11/25/17 Monday when I was at my highest in 5-6 years.
DW and I are in Pampano Beach Fl for some R&R and so far I've done remarkably well. Don't have a scale but went by Publix grocery store and it said I had lost 7 lbs since Sunday and though I don't believe it. Main thing in answer to @minimyzeme Kim's question is basically go on a diet during the holiday season. That is my basic strategy this year.
SW 400.8
CW 318.9
Next GW 300.0
Final GW 185.0
81.9 lbs Total lost2 -
Mostly not a bigger issue than any time of the calendar. Holidays? Yup every month is something. Yes my DW bought a "cookie gun" but so far so good. Mostly skip the cookie stuff. Not all but most. We must be deprived and are retired so will have a modest lunch on x-mas day but nothing uncontrollable but are past the time of office parties and the like.
WOW 12 bars of christmas??? hmmm hum a few lines will ya?1 -
gadgetgirlIL wrote: »@Rachel0778 - your holiday schedule is absolutely overwhelming to this introvert.
Ditto!
0 -
>My uncle's 12 Bars of Christmas event
Details, please.0 -
@Rachel0778
I want to take a nap after reading your schedule0 -
12 Bars of Xmas?
We talking establishments that serve adult beverages here, or Hershey Bars?
Tell me more?
0 -
Calvin2008Brian wrote: »>My uncle's 12 Bars of Christmas event
Details, please.
Me too. I nearly fell off my barstool when I read that one!0 -
I live in a college town so there are A LOT of bars per capita. There's specifically an area downtown called the Barmuda Triangle where all the bars are within stumbling distance of one another. My Uncle's girlfriend started the tradition over 12 years ago with her college friends as a drinking challenge to dress up in ugly holiday sweaters, hit up 12 different bars in one night (1 bar every hour to 1/2 hour), and get a drink at each bar. The tradition has lived on and now 30-40 people join in the fun every year. I "make the better choice" and am the DD for my SO so I don't drink 12 drinks, but I do have a few over the 8 hour event
And as an introvert, I'm basically at my breaking point, but it's hard to cut things when they are either family or work related
I've been keeping up my activity and doing the best I can with my food hoping to stave off some of the gain but it feels a bit like climbing up the down escalator! 0 -
@Rachel0778 - I suspect I have several years, if not decades on you. It gets easier with age to just say "no" to such an overbooked calendar.0
-
gadgetgirlIL wrote: »@Rachel0778 - I suspect I have several years, if not decades on you. It gets easier with age to just say "no" to such an overbooked calendar.
You are absolutely right, it will get easier with time. But when my SO and I are both climbing the work ladder, so to speak, it is important we go to these events for networking and career advancement (and with Grandparents now in their 80s, some of these events may sadly not be an option the future).
0
This discussion has been closed.