Christmas. Change goals or leave as is?

I'm just leaving mine alone. May log, may not every day. Will probably go over when I do, but if I know I'm going to see a red number, I'd rather see it based on my "loss" goal and know that's how far over I went from the usual goal. I don't much like the red, but it doesn't kill me either. For me, it just keeps the playing field even--I know going over and keeping it within 500 probably won't cause a gain, it will keep me in maintenance. To each your own, though. Do what works for you, that is just the rationale I used for me...

I am going to keep mine as it is. Strong will and determination is needed here.

I plan to leave mine as is and eat as good as I can. I'll still eat the normal foods, and enjoy a slice of pie -- but try not too eat TOO much. One day isn't going to kill a diet; so won't care much about the number on christmas day.

I'm not changing anything. I am reasonably close to maintenance and my current cals reflect this. I know I will go over on Christmas day but here is where real life kicks in. There are going to be some days I go over in real life. I'm not always going to be so controlling over everything I eat so I am looking at the Christmas period as a time to see if I have really learnt anything about how much I can and should eat of something. I need to be able to eat everything in the real world. I need to be able to have a cookie then stop. Or a piece of cheesecake but a smaller piece. Glass or two of sparkling wine but not the whole bottle. I need to be able to look the leftovers in the eye and say 'ok...you are there...now lets serve up a healthy portion not eat the entire leg of ham'.

For those who still have a fair way to go, don't change your goals...just log and you can see the difference between how much you should be eating vs how much you ate. See it as an education opportunity not setting yourself up as an excuse to binge (oh...I went over into the red so I should just really go over as I am already over.) Enjoy your Christmas but maybe be mindful in your enjoyment like I am going to try to do. Don't eat the whole turkey. Don't eat the whole ham. Cut up the leftovers into meal sized portions and whack them straight into the freezer so you can enjoy Christmas for months

Well I have got this far into Christmas without going over, so I am planning to do some extra exercise in the morning for the next few days so I can enjoy some guilt free cheer!
Anyone joining me?

I think it is a good idea; I'd be more inclined to log everything, I think.

Think of it as practice for when you get to maintenance!

I'm going to keep mine the same at 1 pound loss per week, or maybe 0.5.

hopefully I won't be too tempted, and hopefully my family will stop shoving food in my face

Well I have got this far into Christmas without going over, so I am planning to do some extra exercise in the morning for the next few days so I can enjoy some guilt free cheer!
Anyone joining me?

This sounds like a good plan. I'm off work until after the holidays and I plan to work out as much as possible to earn my extra calories

I'm going to do exactly what I did at Thanksgiving.... eat exactly what I want but in much smaller portions. I'll log everything so there are no surprises. At worst it will slow down the weight loss for a day or two. At best there won't even be a hiccup in the process. I'm so close to my goal now that this is a practice run for maintenance. I've been to umpteen parties in the last few weeks and had a cookie here and there, and still managed to stay well within my allotted calorie amounts. I am just over 3 weeks away from hip replacement surgery and that is utmost in my thoughts. I need to be at the best weight I can possible be for the best possible outcome.

I'm going back home (France) tomorrow so no way I can log the food overthere (not in the data base) anyway.
plus i'm dreaming of french food all year round (I live in SoCal) so I'm just trying not to overindulge.... it's gonna be maintenance.
I dont think you can gain 10 pounds in 5 days - maybe just try to maintain !

I'm keeping as is but logging everything. Yesterday was the first day since May I ever went really over (600 net) - and was over 120 today too. It's what it is. I've had plenty of weeks where I'm under by over 1000 calories.

Funny I had just switched to maintenance mode and then read this I am going to keep exercising and figure there will be days I go over... If I can keep reasonably good habits going most of the time and keep exercising then I think it will be fine.

Have a great holiday!

Snap! I just changed mine to maintenance for a couple of reasons - Christmas and time to review my goals. I'll keep up the exercise but was getting a little obsessive with the calories so a break will be good for me. (I was surprised how low maintenance was!)

Has anyone else changed their goals to maintain their current weight just for Christmas (i.e 5 days)? I just did but it scares me. I am worried that if allow myself that flexibility it will be difficult getting back on track. However if I don't do it, I am likely to binge. Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks in advance - Dee.

I actually had to switch to maintenance at the start of December after hurting my knee, until I had a chance to work with a physio and let it recover, so have been trying to stay at that level and burning a few cals with the new stretching regime she put together with my PT.

I intend to log but probably won't complete the diary for the next 3 days ... Just to see how much I get through!!!
Back in the gym on 27th!!!

Just trying to maintain. If I gain a little Im ok w/ that.....going to enjoy the holidays! Dont think it will be an issue & Im looking forward to 2013 & to a healthy Year!