Trying to avoid holiday gain!

zhiking

Hi all,

I've tried MFP before but not seriously - I'm really going to try to exercise at least 4 times a week and watch what I eat.

I find it's especially hard when I go to visit my Mom at Christmas, since it's often so cold out where she lives in NM that we just stay inside (and no gym!). But this year I hope to keep watching the Jillian Michaels Shred videos I'm surprised how fun they are - I'm only on the second level and right now it's not possible to do it everyday.

How do others cope with holiday parties etc. - I find it really hard to avoid homemade cookies!
But maybe it just means I need to work out more when I go to NM - watch video twice in one day etc.?

I'm vegetarian but since I eat diary and sugar there are still a lot of fattening stuff out there that's so tempting!

oh if any of you want to be my friend on mfp that would be cool too

-Zoe

nc805397

I'd like to know how people avoid the xmas cookies too!!! I fear the same problem!

Christina1939

Hi! You can add me! The way I've found it works best is you just have to track everything as mortifying as it is you ate like a bunch of cookies that way you can make up for it! I fall into if I don't log it the calories don't count LOL! So I understand.

AllergicToExercise

I guess it's about moderation, which isn't easy with so many temptations around! So instead of having every single thing you want, allow yourself a few treats but don't go nuts.

The other option of course, is to accept that it's just a few days and have whatever you fancy. The break can sometimes do you good and make you feel a lot more focused when you do get back to it.

rbotts67

Hi,

Im just getting started myself. Because I KNEW the holiday goody tables at work would show up! The best way to handle it is to pick and choose. For example, i avoided the triple chocolate cake, but i had homemade sweet and salty homemade candy. I did not have both!

Also i checked the points on the cake first and i realized i did not want to eat 280 on that one thin slice of cake. 1/12. Knowing the calories is a huge advantage.

Lastly, Christina was correct. You have to write it down. It makes such a difference where you stand for the day and can make an adjustment for the rest of the day. Hope this helps.

mk_hammer

I read somewhere that the average American gains 7 lbs between Halloween and New Year's. I joined MFP on Nov 5 to avoid this very thing, and I set a goal of losing 15 lbs by Christmas. I plan to exceed that goal!

I've been doing my very best to avoid the holiday goodies when I can, but when I do choose to indulge, I just track the calories! I received a box of individually wrapped cookies from a client the other day. I gave most of them away, but I wound up keeping 4 of them. Before I ate any, I looked up the nutritional information. Turns out they were 200 CALORIES A PIECE! So, I wrote the calorie count in huge red numbers on a sticky note and stuck it to the cookie packages. It has kept me from eating more than one in a day.

The best advice I can give is look it up BEFORE you eat it; that way, you've got no excuses! Personally, I'm a lot less likely to indulge if I know how "expensive" the goodies are, calorie-wise.

I'm always happy to add friends, so feel free! Good luck! :happy:

pcolbert98

I wish I would have read this before the office xmas party today. Maybe tomorrow LOL!

ScarlettDam

Make it a rule and simply say no (before hand) to all holiday sweets and if that doesn't help. Sugar promotes aging!

Good luck!
Scarlett

djames92

just my opinion but dont worry about what you eat for the one day! just get your *kitten* to the gym the next day and work hard and dont worry about it because its just one day!!!!!