Anyone want to maintain through the holidays?

EVERYTHING IN MODERATION! Easier said than done, I know, LOL! You can still celebrate the holidays without taking 4 servings of mashed potatoes!

Kinzie

That is pretty much what I did for Thanksgiving. I just went and changed my diet profile to Maintain Weight and I didn't gain a thing. I didn't feel at all guilty and it was totally worth it!

There is a huge percentage of people on this site who are not trying to lose weight at all, so maintaining through the holidays is status quo... and believe it or not, there are people who are purposfully trying to bulk (gain weight) right now too.

So yeah.

I am six pounds away from my goal weight and I always maintain throughout the holidays. January 1st, calories go down. Use http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/ to determine your maintanance calories.

That's my goal. I'm hoping that 1 serving at a meal, less carbs, eating slowly, maybe skipping a dessert here or there, and ignoring the snacks should cover it. Not the booze though, that's never in moderation :P

Maintain? I'm actually starting a cut on December 20th lol Moderation, patience, tenacity and courage are going to have to serve me well. If you really want it you'll find a way.

Keep tracking EVERY SINGLE DAY. It'll make you aware and keep you sane. And if you end up going over one night don't freak out, the hormonal response induced by the stress of failing is far worse than simply just going over. Look at eating in a big picture sense. Do weekly calorie counts and stick and work with that. Daily is nice, but you don't eat for only one single day at a time, it's an ongoing process.

I try hard to maintain everyday. It's just getting harder lately.

I hit my goal weight last week and am looking forward to maintaining for the month of December before I switch my focus to weight lifting and Pilates. It'll be a fun challenge to see how I hold up in the face of all the goodies. I'm excited about the fact that I can indulge more now that I'm done losing.

YES you can maintain! Many of us here are in challenge groups this month and last month and are even LOSING during the holidays!! (In spite of 3 office potlucks, 2 holiday parties and 1 Thanksgiving Feast, I am very proud to say I've lost 8.6 lbs since November 1st with plans to lose a few more before December 31st.)

Why on earth do people think gaining weight is a requirement during the winter holiday season?? As a reminder, HEALTHY LIVING DOES NOT STOP IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER. The holidays consist of only a few days during a 60-90 day period (depending on your cultural practices). For me, Thanksgiving is ONE DAY, Christmas is ONE DAY and New Year's is ONE DAY. Learning to live healthy, being committed to exercise and fitness, and making good choices is a 365 day per year challenge. We will always be faced with celebrations, office potlucks, parties, etc. Learning how to plan ahead for them and learning how to enjoy one festivity at a time without gorging one's self, is all a part of the life lessons to be mastered. On "feast days" I have already built extra exercise into my week and extra calorie deficits into the other days/meals surrounding the event. While "feasting" I enjoy a couple of bites of whatever I want and am plenty full and satiated by the time my plate is empty. (Remember - If It Fits Your Macros - as you fill your plate. So no foods are off limits as long as you have accounted for them in your daily/weekly plan.) I LOG EVERYTHING EVERYDAY so I can see where I am at before and after the fact and make adjustments as needed. Also, logging in after a holiday luncheon or party gives me valuable data to consider for the next event. Even if I end up over calorie count for the day ... just means that was my "cheat day" for the week and life goes on.

In summary, why stop making progress now? Why wait until the New Year to make a difference? My family is elated at my commitment to taking good care of myself. My MFP friends in my challenge groups are so encouraging, and my friends at work compliment me on how great I look. Why stop now?? I have worked hard to develop good habits. I don't want to let myself down, my family down, or my MFP challenge buddies down. Be the inspiration that others are looking for this time of year. JUST DO IT!!

Hope this sermon helps you through the coming weeks, along with any other readers who may come along ... :drinker:

I am on the last 5-8 pounds. Since Thanksgiving, I cut sugar, flours, processed foods, alcohol, and dairy with the exception of egg whites. Eating veggies, fruits, protein and grains. So far, since I am petite, I have lost 2 pounds. harder to maintain my daily deficit as main focus is DIET alone!! Tougher and tougher everyday. I want to push the hardest so by the time New Year's comes around, I no longer have resolution to lose weight!

I am only 5 pounds away from my goal, so I want to stay focused just like it was any other time of the year. I stay within my daily goals and if by chance I do go over (like Thanksgiving by 199 calories) I watch what I do the rest of the week and just stay under a bit each day. I really hesitate to treat the holiday season as a time to overindulge, since, well let's be honest, that what landed me here. I refuse to give myself permission to overeat. Holidays are special, but not because of the food. Good luck to you!

Absolutely, I want to maintain through the holidays and always. I have a few tricks that seem to work for me - for example, I don't eat desserts of any kind unless it is truly a special occasion - birthday of close family or friend (I skip that office cake) , christmas eve at my church, etc.

Another Trick is to stand as much as possible at any gathering. Drink water - or get a no calorie or low calorie beverage to sip ...if you are standing holding a glass, really hard to eat.

Seriously, I look at it as my gift to everyone else.. if I leave food behind, someone else can have it.

I gave up recreational eating for my health. I had a great time with it till I was 53.. already had all my share!

I am also 10 lbs. away from my goal. I have been stuck here for quite a while, so I have set my goal to maintenance through the December. I'm hoping this will kind of reset my metabolism and when I cut back again in January I can lose that last 10. I did not gain anything after Thanksgiving and I'm expecting the same results after Christmas. As long as I log and am mindful of what I am eating, I seem to do well at maintaining.