The holidays are going to be hard

cwolfman13

It's two days and I plan to enjoy them. Also portion control. I lost a good chunk of my weight last year between October and the new year, all the while enjoying Thanksgiving and Christmas. Granted, I'm not much of a cookie/fudge/sweets guy and I've never seen the holiday season as a reason to just eat like ****...I definitely have my fair share of Turkey and Ham and all of the fixin's on the day itself, but I don't go nuts for 2 or 3 months on junk food.

orapronobis

Step one: Change you mindset. The holidays are not going to be hard. You're going to have fun plotting out how to enjoy some indulgences and still continue losing weight.

Step two: Devise your plans for each week. Big party on Saturday? Cut back some calories each day during the week before, add a little more exercise each day. Determine how many calories you have "saved" for your party.

Step three: Keep track (in your mind) of what your eating during the party. Have a taste of yummy things, not a full serving; keep a mental tally on your calories from alcohol, if you indulge, and try to stay within the limit you've set for yourself.

If this sounds impossible or doable-but-hard, believe me it's not. It's exactly how I lost weight every single week from Thanksgiving through New Years last holiday season.

Best wishes!

MysteriousMerlin

We usually do Thanksgiving and Christmas at my aunt's or my sister's house, as they're the biggest (our family is huge!). I bring a side dish and at least one dessert, so I know exactly what's in at least a few things. I fill up on veggies before the main meal, limit the higher calorie offerings to just a small spoonful, and keep my heiney out of the kitchen or dining room once I'm done eating, so I won't be tempted to graze.

This year I'm going to eat a couple of hours before we leave for the party, so I won't be starved when we arrive. I also plan on doing extra exercise that week, so if I do go over a bit, it won't have such an impact.

emobarbie7

decide what you're going to have before you go...log it into mfp and see what you'll be allowed..you want pie? add it in and see if its worth it to you.

highervibes

Oh, I forgot stuffing. My personal stay away from food. Yes its yummy but usually loaded with butter, gravy etc. Forego the stuffing and you'll feel like a winner or simply take a tablespoon full - no more. You get the flavor and can enjoy its texture and memory as it slips down your throat and not feel guilty.

So enjoy your holiday, remember ladies limit yourself to one drink; gents two. And hopefully we'll all see the other side of these holidays without gaining the typical 5 - 10 lbs.

Are you serious? 5-10lbs would equal 17500-35000 extra calories. If you even remotely have your goals in the back of your mind you can eat stuffing till you're full and drink till you're drunk and not even come close to these figures.

OP, enjoy your few days of holiday eating keeping an eye for sensible portions but think about the logics and how the numbers stack up. You have to eat 17500 calories in excess to gain 5lbs lol. That's a whoooooole lotta extra.

highervibes

It's two days and I plan to enjoy them. Also portion control. I lost a good chunk of my weight last year between October and the new year, all the while enjoying Thanksgiving and Christmas. Granted, I'm not much of a cookie/fudge/sweets guy and I've never seen the holiday season as a reason to just eat like ****...I definitely have my fair share of Turkey and Ham and all of the fixin's on the day itself, but I don't go nuts for 2 or 3 months on junk food.

/thread.

Tropical_Turtle

The holidays are 3-4 days not months! Eat what you want ON the holidays not the days in between.

Could not have said it better. Remember the holidays are about family/friends and those we love, not the food we eat.

It is not about counting calories, beating ourselves up.

Eat what you want ON the holidays, and go back to regular program the days afterwards.

chani8

After a holiday, I eat at a deficit over the following week, to make up for eating too much.

topazpearlegirl

Moderation is key but if you overindulge, try not to be so hard on yourself. Do better the next day.

husseycd

I'm purposefully doing a "cut" until Thanksgiving. At that point I'll do a small bulk until NYE. I'm not going to consciously bulk, but I know I will, even if it's only a few pounds. I'll continue to watch my calories on most days and continue to exercise. But if I cut 4-5 lbs in the next month, I shouldn't have to worry so much about any small gains over the holidays.

Honestly, I've never struggled that much. Even when I maintained a weight 10 lbs heavier than I am now (the last 10 years or so), I never really gained much weight over the holidays--maybe a pound or two. The trick for me is to just be aware. It isn't a free-for-all, but there's no reason to avoid a few days worth of overindulging. You just can't do it everyday.

marko320

Enter the calories into this app before you eat, so the accountability doesn't fly out the window when you sit down. See if you can come in under budget on the 1st plate. Maybe you'll have room for seconds on a couple of standout dishes.

We tend to have big meals on holidays in the afternoon. It's a late lunch and early dinner. It feels OK to go a little overboard when you know you're done for the day.

Go outside and rake some leaves, throw a ball around, go for a walk, hang some decorations, etc. Instead of watching football, go play some.

ViktoryaC

Last year I was 40 pounds or so lighter.....a lot of family haven't seen me since then....I'm not looking forward t showing off my new poundage, and hearing all the comments, watching them watch me put each forkful to my mouth.....that's what worries me about the holidays!

NicLiving

My holiday party tips are:
1. pre-log what you plan to eat. You can always go back and adjust later
2. wear tight clothes ie spanx or tight jeans so that you don't overeat
3. stand and eat. I tend to eat less when I have to walk around holding a plate in one hand

sportyredhead01

If it doesn't thrill me, I don't eat it. Plain and simple.
Like mashed potatoes at thanksgiving. Waste of calories that can be used on pie! :drinker:

sloth3toes

The holidays are 3-4 days not months! Eat what you want ON the holidays not the days in between.

^^^^^ This......

Commercially, the holidays are months.... to get us to buy and consume more *kitten*. If you've truly made a lifestyle change.... you should be able to adapt it to times when people typical gorge..... that is, you should naturally be able to make some smarter choices, and keep your portions down a bit from the way you used to load up. Will I indulge over the hoidays? Yep... will I indulge the way I did last year? Nope.... I'll just feel better that I'm doing better than last year, and call it good.



This is what I'm talking about... Anyone else seen that Home Dept commercial, where the husband invents the term, 'Fallidays?' I hate that guy.

msf74

The holidays are going to be hard? Don't be silly.

Eat and drink whatever you like on the days which are actually holidays. Don't use it as an excuse to go on week long orgies of consumption. Outside of that stick to your plan. Job done.

You need to be consistent not perfect.

cwolfman13

So enjoy your holiday, remember ladies limit yourself to one drink; gents two. And hopefully we'll all see the other side of these holidays without gaining the typical 5 - 10 lbs.

That was a good one...

MagicalLeopleurodon

I dont worry about it. I eat what i like. Its just a day.

PRMinx

My holiday party tips are:
1. pre-log what you plan to eat. You can always go back and adjust later
2. wear tight clothes ie spanx or tight jeans so that you don't overeat
3. stand and eat. I tend to eat less when I have to walk around holding a plate in one hand

OMG. No disrespect, but that sounds terrible. I couldn't imagine being in tight clothes on Thanksgiving! :noway:

OP - Thanksgiving food is my favorite. I just can't resist. I'm going to try to workout for an hour or so that morning and then maybe take a walk after the big meal. It's one day. If you've been working hard every other day, you will be fine.

PRMinx

So enjoy your holiday, remember ladies limit yourself to one drink; gents two. And hopefully we'll all see the other side of these holidays without gaining the typical 5 - 10 lbs.

That was a good one...

LOL. And by one drink, you mean one bottle right.....RIGHT?

highervibes

My holiday party tips are:
1. pre-log what you plan to eat. You can always go back and adjust later
2. wear tight clothes ie spanx or tight jeans so that you don't overeat
3. stand and eat. I tend to eat less when I have to walk around holding a plate in one hand

OMG. No disrespect, but that sounds terrible. I couldn't imagine being in tight clothes on Thanksgiving! :noway:

OP - Thanksgiving food is my favorite. I just can't resist. I'm going to try to workout for an hour or so that morning and then maybe take a walk after the big meal. It's one day. If you've been working hard every other day, you will be fine.

lol Everyone knows you pair an eating sweater with leggings to holidays, duhhhh. Still LOL'ing at the girdle suggestion.

PRMinx

My holiday party tips are:
1. pre-log what you plan to eat. You can always go back and adjust later
2. wear tight clothes ie spanx or tight jeans so that you don't overeat
3. stand and eat. I tend to eat less when I have to walk around holding a plate in one hand

OMG. No disrespect, but that sounds terrible. I couldn't imagine being in tight clothes on Thanksgiving! :noway:

OP - Thanksgiving food is my favorite. I just can't resist. I'm going to try to workout for an hour or so that morning and then maybe take a walk after the big meal. It's one day. If you've been working hard every other day, you will be fine.

lol Everyone knows you pair an eating sweater with leggings to holidays, duhhhh. Still LOL'ing at the girdle suggestion.

Seriously, I don't think there's anything worse than too tight jeans. I can feel the button marks forming just thinking about it.

OMG_Twinkies

I actually logged a 1lb LOSS last Thanksgiving. I used to wear my "fat pants" (no joke) with an elastic waistband to Tgiving, and would go back for seconds, thirds…desserts. Last year, I wore skinny jeans and only ate until full, but ate the things I wanted; nothing off limits. Wearing my regular jeans helped because I didn't have the comfy expanding waistband of sweatpants, and paid attention to how I was feeling. Also, as others mentioned, use a smaller plate and fill your cup with water instead of pop and eggnog.

tinamariecleg

I'm giving myself a break on Thanksgiving day. I'll enjoy my day and move forward the next

ZeldaMarooner7

Avoid the sugary stuff, (It's easy, until the pumpkin pie comes out)
Have smaller plates of whatever food there is, if you still get hungry, have some more, but smaller and smaller portions each time you go up for seconds.

Thanksgiving and Christmas will be the Holidays with most food and sweets, So try not eating all the sugary stuff all at once. Maybe 1 or 2 cookies a day will be fine, just make sure it's a not a whole pie in 1 day.

dunnodunno

I'm planning on eating Chicken & spaghetti squash (rather than Turkey) & indulging in some of my other favorites like mashed potatoes & stuffing.

crlyxx

It's the holidays, don't be so tough on yourself. Hell, the holiday season is one of those few times we can even escape from our miserable lives xD

Miss_Meliss86

Perhaps taking some time to enjoy the holidays for what they are...time to spend with family and loved ones, rather than obsess over every single calorie eaten?

#firstworldproblems

BlueBombers

The holidays are 3-4 days not months! Eat what you want ON the holidays not the days in between.

^ This!! I'm totally enjoying myself.

skullshank

i handle it like this....





rinse. repeat.