Just eat the cake...

llindy06

I am a firm believer that we should eat the piece of cake at the birthday party....and fully enjoy our holiday dinners. I think we should enjoy all the good potlucks and take your kids for ice cream....but what I really did was eat the cake and then finish the cake over the following two days. And eat Thanksgiving dinner and then have another one that evening and then continue holiday eating thru to New Years Day. So now I try, with varying levels of success to just eat the piece of cake. I track everything, try not to let myself get stuffed (and I do like to feel that warm stuffed content feeling) and let food be just a piece of the celebrations that I love so much because honestly I want that cake...but just a piece.

Lietchi

I agree: we need to simply find a balance between those indulgent moments and the other days, making sure they balance out. Weight loss doesn't mean we have to deny ourselves our favorite foods or have to eat like 'rabbits' at social occasions. Moderation and balance

quiksylver296

It's a delicate balance. I agree with the idea and find it very hard to actually do it. I'm still a work in progress!!!

AnnPT77

That kind of philosophy is part of why I run a very small daily deficit most days (in maintenance), in order to indulge occasionally. For me, it's not the cake (don't mostly love cake) as much as other things, but the point is the same. Food (to me) isn't just fuel. It's legitimate to consider not just calories and nutrition, but also pleasure, social connection through food, and more. Balance and happiness in life are part of making a healthful eating routine sustainable long term.

Sinisterbarbie1

I definitely agree that one should manage calorie intake weekly such that they can enjoy family gatherings, parties, outings and vacations as well as just whatever they prefer to eat. That is why this way of managing weight loss/maintenance works and appeals to me. I personally do not like and have only rarely experienced the “warm stuffed content feeling” OP describes. For me it would not be “contentment” at all, but rather the precursor to illness and gastric distress. While I agree with the idea of not abstaining or drawing attention to oneself at holiday celebrations - there is a line between partaking and overindulging, and if you feel stuffed then for my comfort level that means I would have crossed the line and I would soon be spending the rest of the night with a stomach ache. I think that there could be a better balance struck where one doesn’t feel the need to overindulge and just eats normal tastes of everything - it is the same concept as not needing “cheat” days because you have a sustainable plan to begin with that allows you to eat the cake or enjoy everything offered at the holiday meal within reason - just not in such quantities that you feel stuffed.

Hiawassee88

I'm not a firm believer in food rules for gatherings. They can easily disguise an all- or-nothing mindset about food. I believe in moderating portions. I've never cared for cake and frosting is like spackling paste for drywall. One size does not fit all. Our tastes are very individual and it's supposed to be that way. Let freedom ring.

No good girl or bad boy eating. No moral judgments assigned to food. No hyper-food focus. Thanksgiving? I can take it or leave it. I'm thankful for food on the shelves and food trucks still making it into town.

azuki84

i attribute food as a means to overall health (i love researching the power of micronutrients) and one of many opportunities to gather with family. if i can maintain a good mental/physical body and enjoy what i want, why the hell not?