Caution: Holidays Ahead
emilym820
Posts: 993 Member
As we all know, the holidays are upon us. With them come the dreaded food pushers, cookie swaps, countless parties, gatherings, potlucks, and more. I am sure for many, this was usually a season of blissful feasting on anything and everything with plans to start over on January 1st. What are we going to do to make sure that we don't fall into those habits? I have a few strategies that I have been kicking around and I'd love to see if any of you have others that I'd like to adopt.
1. Just say no to food pushers. My grandma is an epic food pusher. She is an amazing cook and has never had a weight issue, so she just doesn't understand the struggle. She loves to have you sample some of her delicious baked items and then to tell you how you should lose weight. This year I am going to sample only what I want to and if she says something to me about losing weight I am going to tell her that I've got treats planned into my day and she doesn't need to worry about it.
2. One bite test. When a treat crosses my past, I am going to take 1 small bite and really savor it. If I think that treat is worth finishing, I will. If it isn't amazing, I will throw the rest away. No more eating mediocre things just because they are there.
3. I am going to say no. I am not going to be overwhelmed by doing everything I am asked to do. If I don't want to go to a party, I will graciously decline the invite. If I don't have time to do a volunteer project, I will regretfully pass. Holidays are about enjoying time with your family and celebrating Jesus. Not running yourself to death to a million activities that you don't even want to participate in.
4. I am going to focus more on activity traditions and less on food for our whole family. No more advent house full of candy for the kids. Each day will have an activity we can do together such as making Christmas cards, driving around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights, dancing to Christmas music, buying a toy to donate, writing a letter to Santa, etc.
5. I am going to make sure that I exercise at least 3 times a week, no matter what else I have going on. Let's face it...I'm not going to get through the holidays without eating some junk. I need to make sure that I'm getting my workouts in so that I have more calories to work with. This will also help me to not get into an unhealthy rut and lose focus.
6. I am going to set realistic expectations. Is it possible to continue to lose 2 or more pounds a week through the holidays? Yes, but if it realistic for me? Probably not. My goal is to keep losing, but more importantly, to keep my diary up and to keep exercising. When I get a little out of hand, I want to put it down and move forward. Fibbing on my diary only hurts me. As long as I continue to move in a positive direction, I am not going to beat myself up. I am also not going to obsess over calories so much that I am not able to enjoy this special time with my family.
So....what ideas do you guys have? I need all the help I can get!
1. Just say no to food pushers. My grandma is an epic food pusher. She is an amazing cook and has never had a weight issue, so she just doesn't understand the struggle. She loves to have you sample some of her delicious baked items and then to tell you how you should lose weight. This year I am going to sample only what I want to and if she says something to me about losing weight I am going to tell her that I've got treats planned into my day and she doesn't need to worry about it.
2. One bite test. When a treat crosses my past, I am going to take 1 small bite and really savor it. If I think that treat is worth finishing, I will. If it isn't amazing, I will throw the rest away. No more eating mediocre things just because they are there.
3. I am going to say no. I am not going to be overwhelmed by doing everything I am asked to do. If I don't want to go to a party, I will graciously decline the invite. If I don't have time to do a volunteer project, I will regretfully pass. Holidays are about enjoying time with your family and celebrating Jesus. Not running yourself to death to a million activities that you don't even want to participate in.
4. I am going to focus more on activity traditions and less on food for our whole family. No more advent house full of candy for the kids. Each day will have an activity we can do together such as making Christmas cards, driving around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights, dancing to Christmas music, buying a toy to donate, writing a letter to Santa, etc.
5. I am going to make sure that I exercise at least 3 times a week, no matter what else I have going on. Let's face it...I'm not going to get through the holidays without eating some junk. I need to make sure that I'm getting my workouts in so that I have more calories to work with. This will also help me to not get into an unhealthy rut and lose focus.
6. I am going to set realistic expectations. Is it possible to continue to lose 2 or more pounds a week through the holidays? Yes, but if it realistic for me? Probably not. My goal is to keep losing, but more importantly, to keep my diary up and to keep exercising. When I get a little out of hand, I want to put it down and move forward. Fibbing on my diary only hurts me. As long as I continue to move in a positive direction, I am not going to beat myself up. I am also not going to obsess over calories so much that I am not able to enjoy this special time with my family.
So....what ideas do you guys have? I need all the help I can get!
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Replies
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Wow, you have a really well thought out plan!! This is so awesome! I especially like changing your mindset around what the holidays are about! We are definitely so focused on food in this society and doing OTHER non food related activities not only helps you but helps your kids have a healthy relationship with food. SO AWESOME! (and your comment about your granny cracked me up!).
My plan is to make a healthier version of holiday meals at my house and make sure to eat my own food before I go to any holiday parties or gatherings. Also, fruit curbs my sweet tooth but doesn't make me crave so Im going to be PACKIN' everywhere there will be treats! That way I won't be as tempted.
And then YOUR idea is a FANTASTIC one that I think I will adopt, which is if something is not completely delicious just toss it out...no sense wasting calories! I TOTALLY do that! Where something is just there or since I STARTED eating it, I might as well finish it. That's no good!
The last thing is that I take an INTENSE probiotic that kills yeast in my body and causes nasty side effects as the yeast die...if I eat too much sugar one of the side effects is well...I have to go to the bathroom IMMEDIATELY! LOL. I'm going to make sure to continue to take my probiotics b/c that will REALLY slow me down and make me THINK about what I put in my mouth! LOL.0 -
I think you have some fantastic ideas. I am trying to do more activies with the grand children and teach them about Jesus and the real reason for the celebration. Good luck to each of us as we give this all we have.0
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Those are awesome ideas, I have been slightly panicing about the same thing coming up
I know I need to not eat it cause it happens to be in front of me
and not eat it when it's not worth the calories so the tiny bites might be a good option for me.
I am struggling with the idea of 3 xmas dinners (my parents, boyfriends mom and his dad) and how I'm going to manage not to eat alot, when they all pile food up
thankfully most people know I'm trying hard to do this, so my mom has been looking at healthier options for treats
and dinners, and bfs mom is doing the same
Still nervous, I am glad to hear I'm not the only one going into it with a plan.0 -
Some GREAT tips on here! Thanks!
I will not be cooking in my home, no cookies, candies, meals etc. I will have to tell hubby to keep his baking to a minimum too (but oh, how I LOVE his salted caramels!)
I will not stress about the holiday get-togethers. None of mine are meals, but they will be snack-y. I am stocking up on bottled water, and there will always be a bottle in my hand!
Last year I did gain about 5 pounds, and it came off OK.
I think if we keep healthy eating in mind, keep exercising and don't stress too much, we will be fine. :happy:0 -
Oh, one thing I forgot to mention....is that I WILL continue to log everything I put into my mouth to the best of my ability. Being accountable and honest with myself will help me be more present and selective.0
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I am struggling with the idea of 3 xmas dinners (my parents, boyfriends mom and his dad) and how I'm going to manage not to eat alot, when they all pile food up
Use a smaller plate. When I eat pasta or any "red light food" I use a small plate/bowl and sometimes I use the smaller silverware that my 3 year old eats. It helps me to slow down and makes me feel like I'm getting a lot more than I really am. Another idea would be to make sure to fill your plate 3/4 full of healthy choices and limit the splurge items to only 1/4 of the plate.0
