Holidays are coming ...

tigerlily8045

I would say DON'T ramp up your body. That way you will be fuller with smaller portions. I will be trying to do as much walking as I can over that holiday week so that if I have a cookie or 3 its not going to kill me. Then just jump back into your routine as soon as you get home. Have a good time, don't sweat it just don't go completely wild :drinker:

Weezoh

I never have had much of a problem on the acutal day; but getting rid of all the leftovers usually makes the next several days dicey.

Great article from Nerdfitness.com!

Goddessmaker1

Since I'm not really into the holidays I may just fast all together for all those days so I won't be worried about doing tricks for the holidays. I will probable do longer workouts too in order to keep my mind off of such. But if I were to do anything I would eat off a saucer and no leftovers at all. Like only eat that stuff on that day only.

tdbad1

For me, it will all be about forgiveness. whatever happens, forgive yourself.

Im luckier than most in that my sister, and her hubby are following the same program i am...so we will encourage eachother. However, lots of her hubby's family will be there, and my b/f will need to eat, so there will be temptations galore. plus we have a second christmas with my dad and aunt in Jan. That will be harder as they both love food as much as i do. Plus they don't cook in the most healthy way.

All i can say is try to have supportive ppl around you. and if you are hosting, or can bring your own stuff without offending anyone...then pick things you want to help you. Veggie platters go over just as well as any other appetizers. One year i made my own pumpkin dessert for a xmas party...pumpkin pie filling, vanilla non fat yogurt, and pumpkin pie spice, all whipped together. LOL i didn't make enough, and there was pie left over. the next year, the host phoned and asked me for the recipe.

sweetpea129

I dont think going into maintenance to prepare would be doing yourself any good. Just splurge on the actual holiday and thats that.

I plan on shopping all day black friday to work off my thanksgiving meal

DeonnPaul

If I were you I would keep following my normal routines, and not bother slowly increasing calories and getting up to maintenance. Eat and exercise as you generally do. It takes many days for your metabolism to speed up or slow down- one meal isn't going to destroy everything. Christmas day and Thanksgiving day are only TWO days out of the whole year. Even if you eat a bit more on both days, your weight isn't going to permanently go up. Perhaps the increase in sodium and sugar will boost your weight up a pound or two. So what? When Christmas has passed, skip your weigh in for an extra week. Get right back to your normal eating and work out routines, and give yourself a week until you weigh. If you are truly teaching yourself good nutrition and habits then your weight will fall back to where it was, and you can continue on your journey towards a healthier you.

DeonnPaul

Forgive yourself for eating food? I don't think you should apologize for eating. I think it's a better idea to simply stop eating when you are full. There will always be another meal.

AntWrig

For me, it will all be about forgiveness. whatever happens, forgive yourself.

Im luckier than most in that my sister, and her hubby are following the same program i am...so we will encourage eachother. However, lots of her hubby's family will be there, and my b/f will need to eat, so there will be temptations galore. plus we have a second christmas with my dad and aunt in Jan. That will be harder as they both love food as much as i do. Plus they don't cook in the most healthy way.

All i can say is try to have supportive ppl around you. and if you are hosting, or can bring your own stuff without offending anyone...then pick things you want to help you. Veggie platters go over just as well as any other appetizers. One year i made my own pumpkin dessert for a xmas party...pumpkin pie filling, vanilla non fat yogurt, and pumpkin pie spice, all whipped together. LOL i didn't make enough, and there was pie left over. the next year, the host phoned and asked me for the recipe.

I am not trying to be rude, but when did enjoying food with family, become something you need to "forgive" yourself for doing?

I have always stated (created a blog or two) about the holidays being ONLY two days out of the year. In the grand scheme of things, those two days won't do anything.

Izzwoz

There will always be another meal.

You know, in this one simple sentence you have made me realise so many things?! For most of my life I used to eat like there wasn't ... but it is very true, in our world, there will always be another one, not even that far ahead.
Thank you for those simple but oh so true words!

Izzwoz

I never have had much of a problem on the acutal day; but getting rid of all the leftovers usually makes the next several days dicey.

Great article from Nerdfitness.com!

Thankfully that is one of the things we won't have to deal with much as we will be travelling between families and won't be forced to take leftovers with us, but I know what you mean, it would be a shame to waste all the food but similarly, it would be a shame to put on all those pounds again! My mum is getting good at getting the portions right so there won't be many leftovers, but I remember eating christmas cake and cookies for days after the actual holidays! ;-)

Chrissieneave

I managed to maintain my weight, last Xmas. I certainly let myself enjoy the food and alcohol, but, I still put in my exercise. I also was really good and keen on the week up to Xmas, plenty of exercise and eating right. This seemed to work for me

I did log EVERTHING I ate on Xmas day, too - that way I could keep on top of how far I was going etc. I think I was about 1000cals over my total that day, which wasn't too bad, considering

EdTheGinge

My plan is to stick to no alcohol, I'm still of the opinion that this has been a big part of my loss and it being noticable to others. I don't plan on chocolates and sweets, just christmas dinner and not over indulge in that. I also plan to get up and run 1st thing before anything else and if I put weight on over the festive period I will be disappointed but that would also give added motivation to up the effort.

I've worked too hard to let it all go for a few days of the year.

missmacsays

I dont think going into maintenance to prepare would be doing yourself any good. Just splurge on the actual holiday and thats that.

I plan on shopping all day black friday to work off my thanksgiving meal

This!! I completely agree. My jogging for the best deals and combatting other crazy people will likely burn a good chunk of whatever I eat ;] Lol.

mogletdeluxe

Not gonna lie, I put on the best part of a stone (14lb) last Christmas. And I must admit, whilst my workouts weren't quite a regular (I attended the gym three - four times a week, rather than six - seven) and I was much more intimate with the Quality Street than I normally would be, I suspect a lot of it was my body going "ER, WHAT IS THIS" and clinging to everything, plus a bit of water/sodium bloat - cue back to normal workouts and boom, it was gone.

I wouldn't sweat it. Don't go bonkers, don't be a slave to the scale, enjoy yourself - everything in moderation at Christmas. Including moderation.

Izzwoz

I managed to maintain my weight, last Xmas. I certainly let myself enjoy the food and alcohol, but, I still put in my exercise. I also was really good and keen on the week up to Xmas, plenty of exercise and eating right. This seemed to work for me

I did log EVERTHING I ate on Xmas day, too - that way I could keep on top of how far I was going etc. I think I was about 1000cals over my total that day, which wasn't too bad, considering

Thanks, I was contemplating about that as well ... do I log or "cheat" .... but I guess you are right, if I still continue to log, it might help me make better choices in what/how much I eat, I just have to make peace with the fact that the figure will be a big bold red with a big bold minus ;-)

AliciaStaton

Hi my plan is to enjoy Christmas and then get back on to my routine, I will be drinking a bit more maybe have a treat or two but I will log it. I will also be doing my normal exercise routine, so I am hoping to maintain my weight, if I put on, I will just make twice as hard in the New Year

MissySho

I plan to enjoy my holidays. After all they are only 2 days in 2 months. I'm not going to go out and splurge for a week. So what can 1 day hurt. Just workout a little harder and don't stress. I have noticed personally when I'm stressed I tend to gain a little weight.....and feel bloated so this year I'm going stress free.

tdbad1

For me, it will all be about forgiveness. whatever happens, forgive yourself.

Im luckier than most in that my sister, and her hubby are following the same program i am...so we will encourage eachother. However, lots of her hubby's family will be there, and my b/f will need to eat, so there will be temptations galore. plus we have a second christmas with my dad and aunt in Jan. That will be harder as they both love food as much as i do. Plus they don't cook in the most healthy way.

All i can say is try to have supportive ppl around you. and if you are hosting, or can bring your own stuff without offending anyone...then pick things you want to help you. Veggie platters go over just as well as any other appetizers. One year i made my own pumpkin dessert for a xmas party...pumpkin pie filling, vanilla non fat yogurt, and pumpkin pie spice, all whipped together. LOL i didn't make enough, and there was pie left over. the next year, the host phoned and asked me for the recipe.

I am not trying to be rude, but when did enjoying food with family, become something you need to "forgive" yourself for doing?

I have always stated (created a blog or two) about the holidays being ONLY two days out of the year. In the grand scheme of things, those two days won't do anything.

the forgiveness comes in when you feel guilty cause youve "slipped" or whatever you want to call it. I know there is added pressure we put on ourselves to behave over the holidays...hence this thread. My point is simply be good to yourself, don't set yourself up to think "i screwed up, therefore im a failure" as some ppl might...apparently i didn't express myself properly. thank you for pointing that out i will do better next time.

tcunbeliever

Holidays are always tough for me...it's not just a day or two, it's 2 months of constant food celebrations and for my family and coworkers constant birthday celebrations too which always involve a restaurant or a food day or a big family meal...this is my first year mostly-vegan, so I'm not as worried because there just isn't as much I can eat - baked goods are pretty much out, as well as homemade candy, and everyone's favorite dishes for the holidays...it's so much less pressure this way...but in the past I have been successful maintaining by logging everything...logging with the generic versions of foods is better than not logging them at all...every bite as accurate as possible...and after seeing a few way over days it starts to work on my brain and I no longer want to eat a bunch of food knowing that it's going to rack up a ton of calories...and drink plenty of water or hot tea or coffee...that has helped me too...good luck!!!