The holidays are going to be hard

I took to baking my own treats this year, since I knew I would want a ton of sweet treats with my hot tea when fall and winter rolled around. Made some pistachio dream cupcakes that were 89 cals each, and pumpkin bread last night, which came out to be 163 cals per slice for 12 slices a loaf and was really moist and divine ;3. Should have been around 140 cals instead, but I only had vanilla greek yogurt on hand instead if plain nonfat XP.

I probably will make some strawberry cake mix cookies tonight ;D.

How many can say they used to overindulge this time of year? I'm not saying all of it is going to be moderation and weight consciousness, but for the most part I would like to be at my ideal weight sooner rather than later. Any tips or tricks on how to crack the whip on yourself?

Motivation clothes (jeans) in the next smaller size work for me. I put them out where I can see them at home and occasionally try them on.

Eat before you go to social events so you aren't hungry. Then eat a small amount on a small plate and eat it as slowly as possible.

Give your leftovers to homeless people, seniors in nursing homes, etc. It will make someone's day, and you won't be tempted to eat them. It's a win-win! This is what I do during the holidays and whenever I want something that is difficult to make in small portions such as casseroles and lasagnas.

Last holiday season I was in the middle of losing weight I still lost a couple pounds through it all. This year I'm in maintenance and I will enjoy some of the food, will skip some of it, and will stop eating when satisfied. I'm very in tune with my body's cues now, and I'm not stressing at all about the upcoming holidays :drinker:

Holidays are a challenge. But relax, scan the choices. Think green salad and veggies first - that would include things like steamed asparagus, mushrooms, whatever is not coated with sauces or cheese; maybe a bit of mashed potato, better yet yams or sweet potatoes assuming they are baked and not loaded with butter, sauces, or coated with marshmallows.. Load your plate with these, then take a portion of protein be it turkey, ham, whatever - 4 ounces max (the size of a deck of cards - no more. You can add some bread if you wish, a small slice or roll. Butter, if you simply can't resist, go for it. One pat, no more. Ah, and then there's dessert. You can safely add a piece of fruit pie like pumpkin, apple, or apricot - no whipped toppings. Be sure you take a super slim slice - doing this you might even indulge in two really slim slices. Oh, I forgot stuffing. My personal stay away from food. Yes its yummy but usually loaded with butter, gravy etc. Forego the stuffing and you'll feel like a winner or simply take a tablespoon full - no more. You get the flavor and can enjoy its texture and memory as it slips down your throat and not feel guilty.

So enjoy your holiday, remember ladies limit yourself to one drink; gents two. And hopefully we'll all see the other side of these holidays without gaining the typical 5 - 10 lbs.

Step one: Change you mindset. The holidays are not going to be hard. You're going to have fun plotting out how to enjoy some indulgences and still continue losing weight.

Step two: Devise your plans for each week. Big party on Saturday? Cut back some calories each day during the week before, add a little more exercise each day. Determine how many calories you have "saved" for your party.

Step three: Keep track (in your mind) of what your eating during the party. Have a taste of yummy things, not a full serving; keep a mental tally on your calories from alcohol, if you indulge, and try to stay within the limit you've set for yourself.

If this sounds impossible or doable-but-hard, believe me it's not. It's exactly how I lost weight every single week from Thanksgiving through New Years last holiday season.

Best wishes!

decide what you're going to have before you go...log it into mfp and see what you'll be allowed..you want pie? add it in and see if its worth it to you.

It's two days and I plan to enjoy them. Also portion control. I lost a good chunk of my weight last year between October and the new year, all the while enjoying Thanksgiving and Christmas. Granted, I'm not much of a cookie/fudge/sweets guy and I've never seen the holiday season as a reason to just eat like ****...I definitely have my fair share of Turkey and Ham and all of the fixin's on the day itself, but I don't go nuts for 2 or 3 months on junk food.

/thread.

After a holiday, I eat at a deficit over the following week, to make up for eating too much.

I'm purposefully doing a "cut" until Thanksgiving. At that point I'll do a small bulk until NYE. I'm not going to consciously bulk, but I know I will, even if it's only a few pounds. I'll continue to watch my calories on most days and continue to exercise. But if I cut 4-5 lbs in the next month, I shouldn't have to worry so much about any small gains over the holidays.

Honestly, I've never struggled that much. Even when I maintained a weight 10 lbs heavier than I am now (the last 10 years or so), I never really gained much weight over the holidays--maybe a pound or two. The trick for me is to just be aware. It isn't a free-for-all, but there's no reason to avoid a few days worth of overindulging. You just can't do it everyday.