How are you surviving the festive period

Really just trying to be good without feeling deprived. Making holiday celebrations more about spending time with people than gorging on food. But always making room for wine

MrM27 wrote: »

Surviving? Seems a little extreme. It's not like we're going to die if we enjoy the holidays. Reevulate your mental approach.

It's a figure of speech. If someone says "I would kill for a muffin," do you report them to the police? You won't enjoy your holidays if you don't relax.

Also, festive tea (cinnamon spice! orange spice! chai!) and clementines are your friends.

I've been really sick. So far I've been good.

I've been doing very badly: It's as much my mood and the unpleasant weather as the constant and unavoidable exposure to high-calorie food, which further depresses me. After a party tonight, I'm going on an extreme diet for about 10 days. Seeing some movement will encourage me.

Not looking for advice. Although my weight is up, I've never been clinically overweight and this is what works for me.

i plan on NOT tracking christmas. i've been doing really well with staying on target for a while, and one day of indulgence isn't going to kill me. that said, i will try to make responsible choices.

my former life: mashed potatoes, mashed yams, turkey, gravy, stuffing, carrots, etc. lots of carbs, fat. 2 plates full so i can enjoy all the wonderful carbs i love.

my current habit: pick one starch (these days it's yams), measure a reasonable portion and enjoy every last bite. pick a piece of meat that's about the size of my palm, cover with a little bit of gravy if it's dry (aim for 1 tbsp). eat as many vegetables i want. if i still want dessert after, i'll have one portion of whatever's available.

steer clear of most cookies, but i'm not going to beat myself up if i make the choice to have some. because one thing i'm working on is getting it into my subconscious that i AM in control and if i have something it is because i'm CHOOSING to do so. this is kind of new to me, but it worked for thanksgiving, and i think it's a way to have a healthier relationship with food.

I'm just going to eat what I want and enjoy the holiday. I can deal with whatever happens afterwards.

I am always having days with a lot of extra calories - usually every Saturday. Not a cheat day (I hate that term) but a day that I go over a little (or a lot) and deal with. I have learned not to panic. When the holidays roll around, there are just more "Saturdays" to contend with. I enjoy them and move on.

As for my specific M.O. it is usually to go for the most nutritious option and the most delicious option (as I see it).

Example: buffet table with cocktail sausages, smoked ham, cheese tray, vegetables, dip, several types of crackers, fudge, cookies, and chocolate cake.

Before MFP - I would have eaten a little bit of every single thing. After going out to dinner beforehand and being "good" by having 1 slice of pizza or a small sandwich, something like that.

Now - medium sized piece of smoked ham, 1 small piece of cheese, a bunch of veggies, no dip, 2 squares of fudge since I really like peanut butter fudge OR 1 cookie if they look good and it's a fudge I don't like much. And, it's my dinner.

Same with alcohol. Last night I went to a party and nursed a really amazing craft beer. Going out with friends I may have two of those. Most females present are downing lots of sugary punch, margaritas, etc, and I would have done the same in the past.

I'm eating what I want. Mostly my goals are to not miss a workout. That's more important for my goals.

I just restarted going to the gym frequently after being lazy for the past year. The old me would have put it off until after the holidays but no time like the present. I work as a PT in nursing homes so I know what you mean about treats. One of our therapist just started a new hobby of baking every Sunday then bringing the stuff in to work. I did so good today - two Oreo truffles, ate one this am and took one home for later.