Your tip for not caving to Christmas party tempting treats?

rduhlir

I took a lot of tips from Hungry Girl about what to get at parties.

First thing I do is plan a small meal BEFORE I go. Nothing too big, but something that will keep me semi full for when I get there. Something healthy, like a nice salad or half a turkey wrap or something.

When I get there, I load up on the veggies. If it is a tray, I usually get several pieces of each vegetable or if there is salad I eat more salad lol.

For meats, this depends. If they are thick slices of roast or something like that then I usually try and find a smaller piece and eat that one piece of meat. If it is thinner cuts of turkey or ham, I will grab one slice of each and that is it.

Next I grab a small bread roll. Why? Because that will be my guide on the startches. I choose one starch, and try to get as close to the size of that bread roll as possible. If there isn't a small bread roll or anything like that, I usually gauge it as 3/4 the size of my fist.

Vegetables side dishes get complicated. If it a vegetable side like green bean casserole or heavy creamed items like that, I will stick to the size as the startches. If it is a fresh steamed vegetable, then I will get double the size of the starch.

I limit my alcohol intake to ONLY ONE drink, then water, coffee, tea, or diet soda from then on.

For desert, I usually stick to the pies or cakes, ask for half a slice and then load up on the fruit. Yes fruit is higher in calorie but it much lower than all the baked goods will be and it will help with the sweet tooth that comes from seeing all those wonderful holiday treats. And for the pie, I usually ask for something liek apple or pumpkin, at those have some sort of fruit or vegetable in it. And ask for a small dallop of whip (it can do double duty for your pie and dip for your fruit).

Don't set a calorie allotment for that night. Just try to stick to healthier choices. That way you will at least have the satisfaction of knowing that everything you learned here you successfully implicted into the real world.

Most of all have fun!

lizziebeth1028

Random thoughts on Surviving the Holidays:

1 - Relax, enjoy, don't have anxiety attack
2 - eat, drink and be merry
3 - work out A LOT
4 - pick which events are going to be a 'non-calorie counting event' or sticking to the plan event.
5 - don't eat if I'm not hungry, stop eating when I'm full.
6 - never pass up a tray of Christmas cookies
7 - moderation. 2 dozen Christmas cookies = bad. 6 cookies = good!!

December has 31 days. Even if you have 7 or 8 parties that you attend and your calorie consumption gets out of hand. You still have 23 days to kick *kitten*, eat 'clean' and be totally awesome in the gym.

lizziebeth1028

And this is just me personally - there's nothing sadder than filling up on raw vegetables before the party and skipping all the fun appetizers!!! I'd much rather practice moderation and exercise my willpower and know that I will be back to business the next day.

Saucy_lil_Minx

I take two bites of anything I want to have sweet-wise, then drink a big glass of water. Trust me I can only do this a couple of times through a big party! Keeps me happy, and I get my treat too! If it is a meal I apply the same principle. I take a two-bite portion for each thing I want to try. That way I get to have the variety I like, but I don't overdue it!

lintino

My attitude at events that feature food are: it better taste fantastic to be worth my calories. So that means if it is the ordinary I don't choose it. I want to spend my calories on items that are luscious. Notice I am still counting everything. Sometimes I go over but it was worth every bite! Good eating and have fun during the holidays!!!! :drinker:

jodycoady

Eat a sensible meal before you go. And good luck!

HungryAnimal

Look for the fruits and veggies first, then everything else needs to be in moderation. Also, don't feel like you need to say no to everything or chances are you will start to regret the fact that you are trying to lose weight, so enjoy some "unhealthy" things, just do it in moderation. Heavy on the veggies and fruit and light on the other stuff. You can do it!

REDMANIV

My strategy for dealing with this time of the year or any type of party set up like a buffet is to let everyone hit the line first...by the time everyone is munching and I make my way over to the food all of the good stuff is gone or almost gone....that leaves just enough for me to sample without over indulging. I also head for the bottled water and constantly keep one of those close to me throughout the event. Helps to keep my belly full. All of the extra trips to the bathroom is just extra exercise : ). Enjoy yourself though you can do it!

asianmonkie

Eat smaller portions.

This was my first holiday being on a diet and I learned my lesson during Thanksgiving pig out. I had way too much and felt sluggish and crappy. Really not worth all that food in the end. Eat what you want but eat A LOT SMALLER portions than what you want to eat. That way, you can eat everything. It's even better if you have a SO that is willing to eat the rest of your leftovers :P

Candice_Says

-limit the **** tails, drink water or seltzer maybe furit flavored,

Did cocktail really not make it past the censors??? hahahaha :laugh: :drinker:

thelittlewoman_2000

Congratulations on losing over 95 pounds! Amazing. Good advice about folding the extra calories into my weekly goal.

thelittlewoman_2000

Leftovers! I can bring empty containers, Ziploc bags, and aluminum foil and wrap up what I *would* have consumed had I not been mindful.
:happy:

thelittlewoman_2000

Will do! Letting others go ahead of you in the buffet line is very nice of you.

thelittlewoman_2000

Congratulations on losing 35 pounds! Amazing. Good advice to mentally count the calories as we put them in our mouth.

thelittlewoman_2000

That Two-Bite Rule is how you lost an amazing 27 pounds! I will try it: Two bites of everything will be placed on my plate. if I co-worker balks, I'll say, "That's a balanced diet."

meshashesha2012

honestly this is one of the good side effects of having a food allergy. usually a good portion of food is going to struck off my list because there's wheat in it. another portion will be off because i'm a picky eater and if something doesn't look appetizing then i'm not going to want to eat.

for the rest of the stuff i usually think about if i'm really willing to risk getting an unknown calories for something that might not be that good

thelittlewoman_2000

God bless, Lizzie Beth, and may you knock off those last two pounds in no time.
Cheers to Willpower!

delicious_cocktail

I just try not to drink too much and ignore her. It's easier if I bring my wife because then I can't spend time with her alone.

bethanp

My plan is to make sure I don't skip my regular meals during the day so I don't go in completely ravenous. I also plan to up my gym time a little next week to help burn off some extra calories that will likely get consumed during the party.

At the party, I plan to have two glasses, one for a drinkity drink and one for water. Staying hydrated helps me make smarter food choices and helps to fill me up (with liquid) so I'm less likely to get seconds. As far as food choices, I'm only going for the special stuff you only get this time of year, plus my favorites, and then raiding the veggie tray (ALL the broccoli!!) Another trick I have for desserts is finding someone to go splitsies with- I work with almost all women who are watching their figures so splitting allows us to try more than one special treat without completely busting the calorie bank.

Other than that, I'm going to have a good time and not worry too much about my calories. It's ONE day in the big scheme of things so if I"m eating well the majority of the time, it's not going to throw off my progress.

happysherri

I just dealt with this today. Work celebration lunch catered in. I had just about everything but literally scooped 2 bites of some things on my plate. Logged it all and didn't do too bad.

thelittlewoman_2000

Nothing tastes better than being a normal weight feels.

What a great mantra. Absolutely the truth. May God bless you and keep you happy and healthy.

blueberrybelle21

I like to do my workout before I go to Christmas parties just in case I accidentally slip, but my tactic for not eating too much is allowing myself to have a few small treats and eating them slowly.

Saramelie

I take two bites of anything I want to have sweet-wise, then drink a big glass of water. Trust me I can only do this a couple of times through a big party! Keeps me happy, and I get my treat too! If it is a meal I apply the same principle. I take a two-bite portion for each thing I want to try. That way I get to have the variety I like, but I don't overdue it!

Loooooove this idea, thanks!

thelittlewoman_2000

I hear ye. It's about the long-term goals. Big feasts are only a handful of days per year.

BlueBombers

Enjoy yourself is what I say. Fit it into your day and if you go a little over, big deal. Christmas comes once a year.

thelittlewoman_2000

Will do! I amped-up the amount of weights I use, and pushed myself another quarter mile on the treadmill.

KANGOOJUMPS

eat it all
drink it all
its the HOLIDAYS!
HAVE FUN AND ENJOY
just do not forget to work out.

fit_guyy

Eat whatever you want...
Just remember to take your Laxatives after

thelittlewoman_2000

Jester, good advice about taking a fasting day after a feast day. I have a brand-new JUICER, and several gourmet tea choices. Sunday is our big, fat, Italian Feast Day where the hunger doesn't resume until mid-day Monday. I'll be juicin' and sippin' tea.
Best wishes.

thelittlewoman_2000

congratulations on getting closer to your weight loss goal.
Yes, I'll try just two bites of the rich decadent Buffalo Chicken dip.