Living The Lifestyle Thursday 12/19/24

imastar2

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion.

Monday - crewahl (Charlie)
Tuesday – Wildcard
Wednesday-misterhub (Greg)
Thursday -imastar2 (Derrick)
Friday - Wildcard

Today's Topic: Generally meals are a major part of Holidays and Special Occasions. Some people/families may not celebrate around the table but so many do.

Will one Major Annual Holiday or Special Occassion really send you over the edge? If there is that special meal you'd really like to have? Can you not compensate for the following day or days?

This discussion could go anywhere so what's your attitude towards a special meal that may not be on program. No regrets?

imastar2

I've struggled with weight issues since I was portly at 12 years old. We had big southern family dinners back in the early 50's and that's just the way it was back then.

I like Christmas meals, Thanksgiving dinner & New Years day with the Pork, collard greens and black eyed peas.
Then there's July 4th and Labor day. I still have eyes that are bigger than my stomach. I've worked on it constantly most of my life and even now half way between 77 and 78 I still love a good southern cooked meal.

Does it have to be fattening? Of course not. Food is a major focus for DW and I even though there are no grandchildren yet on these special days of the year. Between us both going hiking in the mountains or taking a morning run or any major exercise is behind us. I'm on home health care with PT once a week. Times and life changes for everyone.

So my attitude is one of enjoying a holiday meal that DW, I & DS all decide that we'd love to have and I'll deal with the damage control the following day or days.

Flintwinch

Holiday meals are special and as long as I keep my indulgence to those days, I can fit them in with the overall program of weight management. I used to always have seconds of dishes and desserts, but am now satisfied with a full plate of first servings of everything, then one moderate portion of a dessert. Averaged over a week, the holiday meal doesn't have a huge impact. And I don't feel that I deprived myself of a wonderful holiday meal.

steve0mania

Thanksgiving is my fully-committed no-holds-barred meal. The trick is remembering that it's really ONE meal!

Over Hanukkah there is a tradition to eat fried/oily foods (to remember the oil that burned in the Temple for 8 days). My wife will make latkes one night, and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) on another night. I will try to be a limited in my intake. My wife and I also have a tradition to sit in front of the Hanukkah candles for 30' and have a glass (or two) of wine. I might limit that tradition this year too.

I don't usually change other meals around these events. I'm already pretty restricted in my intake, and shaving off a few calories here and there isn't likely to make a huge difference overall.

crewahl

My holiday meals are less about tradition over the past few years. I think the most important thing is that I don’t try to compensate the next few days after an event; I simply try to get back to my normal processes.

Because, like the rest of WW, it works when I work it.

SherryRueter

One won't send you over the edge.
Repeating that same calorie level every day will.

That special meal, enjoy as you wish. My/our family lives 13hrs away so its my prince charming , myself and my Son celebrating christmas. our daughter will be spending it with her boyfriends family.
We go out to perkins for christmas lunch.

My issue presently is one meal leads into one more snack and I'm working on getting out of a cycle of "its just one more ..... "
I know that when I am eating healthier and not over indulging I feel better physically and mentally.