How does everyone keep motivated this time of year?

Ahhh such a good question and I had asked the same thing to one of my friends who is on her way to loosing weight a second time around (she just had a beautiful baby girl!) An she said to me, when you have your holiday dinners, eat a very little of what you want and eat a lot of the good stuff, salad and turkey... but if you want that stuffing or mashed potatoes have a little bit and be satisfied.

And while you are just think of how GREAT you are going to look next year sitting at the table!!

I agree with not depriving yourself, just stay in moderation. Also, make sure your meals and days between the holiday meals/parties are really healthy. Some people advise to just maintain weight during the holidays since most people average a gain of 5 pounds during the season.

i need to ,before jan. 2nd. i turn 40 years old, so i like to look great.

I'm planning on getting pregnant again sometime between March and May. I was overweight for both my previous pregnancies and I'd like to be less overweight next time around. I'm only 6 pounds from being back at my pre-children weight, so I'm really motivated. Plus, any time I cut out the junk food and soda I find I don't want it all the time. Most of the time I actually prefer salads and water, so it's not that difficult to avoid sweets during the holidays. And I make the food for my family so I can control how much salt, butter, etc. goes into everything.

I try really hard to not have any special Holiday goodies in my house. No Holiday candies, cookies that sort of thing. It is way more difficult to do this if you have young children in the house. But if you are all adults, ask someone else to hide these from you. Basically, you are allergic to them and they don't work for you.

Reward yourself with things other than foods and drink. Movies out, a manicure, a new pair of Jeggings, a gift card to iTunes ... that sort of thing.

Even if you are not ready to post before and after pictures, try to take some current pictures of yourself and compare them to any picture you can find of yourself at your heaviest.

Don't think you can eat and drink anything you wish just because you've "earned it." You haven't earned the right to be unhealthy. Not at all.

Stay focused on your goals. Ask for help here at MFP. Read the diet diaries of your successful MFP friends. Spend some time looking at the Sale racks in the size you want to be. Imagine yourself buying such cute clothes, on sale, in say just a few months or whenever you goal is! Know you will get there!

You can do this. You are worth it!

I'm planning on getting pregnant again sometime between March and May. I was overweight for both my previous pregnancies and I'd like to be less overweight next time around. I'm only 6 pounds from being back at my pre-children weight, so I'm really motivated. Plus, any time I cut out the junk food and soda I find I don't want it all the time. Most of the time I actually prefer salads and water, so it's not that difficult to avoid sweets during the holidays. And I make the food for my family so I can control how much salt, butter, etc. goes into everything.

I totally Agree!! One of my main goals is to lose the weight to hopefully get pregnant again next year so that is a big motivator for me.

Another tip is to use the small plates when you're at a holiday get together (or even just at home!) and then you don't load it up so much and it looks like you're eating a bunch when you're really only eating the right amount! : )