First Holiday Season on MFP

jfauci

I joined MFP back in 2010, but didn't log or get serious until January, 2013. I've had great success over the last 10 months, and I have no intention of slipping or going back to what I was 50 + pounds ago. As the holiday season approaches, I find that I'm getting a bit anxious about how to manage all the parties, obligations that I have that include foods, and various indulgences that will surround me on an almost daily basis.

I guess I am looking for words of wisdom on how everyone manages around the holiday season. Do you do anything different? I'm afraid to allow myself to go a little bit for fear that I will fall off the wagon completely and undo all the good I've done. Make sense?

cwolfman13

I enjoy the holidays...those couple of actual days...I don't treat the whole 2 months as a reason to go crazy. Yes, there are parties and what not, but that's why learning moderation and portion control is so important and why deprivation dieting is so impractical and simply doesn't work long run. There are always going to be birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions...you just have to moderate and practice portion control.

Fuzzipeg

I envy your your problem.

I to am here to shrink but I need to shrink because of the extra weight is all that is left to get rid of, having reduced my salicylate intake and environmental contamination. This stuff secretes itself in the body as fat in cells! I am free of pain, I can breath, I can move, I could live very well but for having to avoid all celebratory foods and parties the first should be obvious the second because of all the perfumes and smells.

My Christmas Day or aniversary will be just the same as any other day. I simply cant' face returning to the debilitated pathetic self I once was.

All the very best, hope you find a better answer to your situation than I have for mine.

down between 6 and 7 stone

wilsoje74

I will eat what I want ON the actual holidays but not the entire season.

goodnamegone

Have teeny bit of treat foods and a LOT of things like chunky soups and pile vegetables up on to your plate. Make yourself full with healthy low calorie foods first then let yourself have the things you so desire. Drink extra water, stay away from alcohol because it can blur your judgement and have fun. You will be fine.

leadiax3

I do not feel wise about this, but i enjoy reading everyone elses wisdom!

yornma

This will be my first holiday on MFP too.. I joined last year but wasn't really serious until Sept/Oct. I survived Halloween which is my favorite holiday.. I think Thanksgiving will be okay.. I've got a preseasoned turkey breast.. going to get some mashed potatoes and veggies and make meals for work from that. Christmas may be a bit harder.. but I will limit myself to 5 cookies a day and that's a reward for working out at least 30 minutes.

I'm hoping by the time Christmas comes around I won't have the urge to binge since I've been doing so well and I will get to see my dad and step-mom for the first time since March/April of this year, and I've lost 13 lbs since. So hopefully by then I will have lost at least 7 more lbs and won't want to hold still hanging around the house.

1longroad

This is my first holiday season on MFP also. For parties, if they involve alcohol, Have a 1/2 glass of wine, mixed with spritzer or diet 7 up typesoda. Low calorie for alcohol!! Allow yourself one plate of party foods and then if you are still hungry, stick to the healthier choices, like fresh vegies!!

For holiday meals, try to make sure there will be plenty of healthy choices available, that you can eat without guilt!! Turkey is low calorie and traditional, and if you have healthy vegie sides, baked sweet potatoes in place of candied sweet potatoes, you can save a lot of calories for dessert, or something else special you want to eat.

My plan, is to make sure to have plenty of healthy choices, to limit the homemade treats that are around, but not to completely avoid them, but to eat within my calories for the day!!

Can't wait to hear more ideas!!! Great thread idea!

cafeaulait7

I'm going to eat more salads, steamed veggies and plain meat (like less fat for cooking), so that meals still get in the nutrients but cut down on calories compared to what I usually eat. Then I can have wine more often, or even egg nog! Woot! A couple of cookies? Yes, please

I'm sure I'll still stay full enough. It should be no problem that way. It's not what I'd eat several days a week normally because I like heavier and healthier food than that long-term, but it's a nice trade-off for parties, etc.

It'll be fun to look at my daily calories at night and say, 'Ooops, looks like I need to eat a truffle'