holiday committments...

lightinfl

Last chance made a good point about not using excuses during the holidays and being accountable for our choices. That prompted some thoughts on my end... feel free to add your own.

I need to remember that even though there are foods I really like to eat and only get at holiday times, there is really no need to feel deprived if I don't eat them. The world isn't going to run out of those things and if I wait until next year, I get another chance to eat them... or pass on some. I don't have to eat them each time they are offered, I can pass them up or freeze some of them to portion out after I have "earned" the right to eat them thru exercise. I need to remember that sugar causes problems with metabolism and I really am better without it ...bargaining beats binging but self control trumps them all.

I am spending Thanksgiving over at Grandbabyland and I am sure there will be issues regarding the foods available. I will exercise self control and will discuss with them ahead of time that I don't want the holidays to be an excuse to fail. I will let them know that I would like to fill my own plate and that I will be bringing lots of fresh veggies along with me. I will bring alternative breakfast things so if sweet rolls are the menu, I will have a healthy choice. I will also bring some protein snacks so I won't get caught eating junk. I will make time to get intentional exercise each day while over there... whether it be taking a walk or kicking the ball around the back yard, there are ways to keep moving. I will bring my tablet and log my foods daily so I know where I stand.

And for now, I'm going to plan ahead and eat smart so I can have the biggest edge possible as we head into the actual holiday. Cookie time is over for now...

SarahMaxx

Good morning, SNS team. I checked into our threads and thought, "Light must be feeling like I used to when I'd check in and just keep seeing SarahM as the last person to log! Sorry to be a slacker. Last week was another week of lots of overtime at work. Just wish I got paid for it!

I, too, am thinking about the upcoming holidays and how so much of the festivities include food, and how squeezing everything in this time of year can also cut into the little time I have in the evenings for activity.

Today is a federal holiday, so I'm off work--sort of. I usually do put in an hour or two just so the Tuesday after the holiday will not be so depressing in terms of what is in my multiple work inboxes. BUT, I do have more flexibility today, and I need to get motivated to use some of it for extra activity. I know I need to bank some extra activity because I will have some days during the holidaiys when it may be hard to even get in my minimum 50 minutes.

I also know that I need to begin reminding myself to think my actions through. For me, that means thinking about how I feel AFTER I eat too much or eat foods that aren't healthy BEFORE I put that piece of candy, that cookie, or that whatever with the creamy sauce in my mouth.

Lastchancelj

Light - GREAT planning!! With that kind of focus, you have nothing but success in front of you. Like you had mentioned, in previous holiday seasons I had done what you talked about...freezing a piece of this goody or that to be used as a reward. The funny thing was that when it came time to consume, I didn't really want it as much. So I'd let hubby have most or all. I do however, have one treat from last Christmas still in the freezer, a 1lb box of See's Candies. OMG. Hubby has been trying to get me to open it FOREVER...but with the weight not moving, nope - not doing it. And it's still there. Wonder how long it will still be good. Would it be bad to open for Thanksgiving when I have 21 other people around to consume the one small box...that's my new idea.

My game plan is very similar to Light's. As the meals are at my home, I do have more control about some of the choices, and since I'm having yet another surgery, I'm starting my list of my favs and working on narrowing that down so that I don't over do it. This is applying to the food selections AS WELL as the treats.

I am praying that after my next surgery I am able to get out and walk more than I am now and get that additional activity, but since I am unsure, I need to reassess my daily calorie allowance as well. To be successful, I MUST focus on the intake more than the activity level.

Will be back on MFP to reassess my activities and calorie allowance today. I will be happy to maintain where I am through the next 50+ days!

Remember to set realistic and achievable goals. Set them high. Once surgery date is known and some other items are clarified, my goals may change.

iquiltoo

Thankfully, my Thanksgiving was last month! I live in Canada. It's a bit easier when one holiday doesn't roll right into the other. I also don't have a family, so that makes it easier too, not having to prepare the feasts and all. On the other hand, sometimes it's harder in that one can get to feeling lonely and deprived of all that, and then you start eating comfort food because hey, everyone else is! I think it's a problem no matter what! Oh well.

There's always church food functions too, and you want to try everything because you don't make this or that, and oooh there's something new and yummy - mmm! But the nice thing about the church I am going to now is they have a Christmas banquet at the beginning of December instead of in the two weeks before Christmas, so for me things will be spread out a bit more and I hope easier to deal with. I think my plan for that will be to try the things that I know my friend (whose place I will be going to for Christmas) doesn't make, and leave the "usual" stuff for Christmas day. Except the turkey - can always have the turkey!

Well, off to do the laundry walk... that's where I fold one item (usually the underwear) then walk the length of my mobile home twice, then fold, and so on. I have a lot of undies - by the time I get to the socks, I am sick of it - LOL! But it looks really nice out this morning so maybe I will go for an outdoor walk and just get the laundry put away quick today!

Andrea

lightinfl

LOL, Sarah...

off and running this morning with little time to talk but I'll be back... at some point...