what are your plans for getting off Christmas weight?

I have one plan, run. Run long, run fast, run hard. And making my own healthy sandwiches. I knocked off 5 lbs. on that strategy.

ndj1979 wrote: »

Six pound gain would mean you consumed 21000 calories over maintenance for the month, or 677 calories over maintenance per day?

Or, just a couple slices of pumpkin pie...
Or, a few pieces of fudge...
Or, a slice of cheesecake....

Really! It isn't that hard to go 600-700 calories over day. Maybe it isn't water weight.

You likely didn't gain 6 pounds of fat. I would guess at least half is water weight and will be off within a week of getting back on track.

I haven't gained, shockingly, well I did but lost it all since yesterday (somehow), but I've maintained for 5 months when I really want to lose a couple more pounds, so I've decreased my goal again and will try harder to actually stick to it now. Lots of soups and baby carrots in my future. Sadly my workouts have sucked since Christmas, I think I'm still a bit sick, so taking a day off cardio tomorrow and will try to start off fresh again in 2 days (not sure the gym is open on New Year or not).

I think a huge difference for me is 1) smaller breakfasts, even if it means having a snack at 10am. Those low carb/high fiber and protein wraps just really fill me up with some lunch meat and cheese for just 250 calories. 2) if I have calories leftover at night... eat them. I stopped doing that and ended up binging every 5 days for some reason, so I think it helps me. Still got to stop buying the stuff I'm likely to binge on though... 3) on days when I'm really hungry, not hesitate to eat a meal instead of trying to get full with smaller snacks to save calories... and fill up on veggies those days 4) Going to try really hard to stop going over by a lot once a week...

I'm still trying to figure out my maintenance calories and failing though. I thought for sure I would have gained 1 or 2 pounds with the last month, but I haven't moved at all, yeah I'm going to the gym more but my workouts aren't as good when I do cardio every day, so I wouldn't think it would make such a difference overall. Who knows...

brenn24179 wrote: »

I am up 6 lbs, the whole month of Christmas food is everywhere.
1) cleaning up environment, get rid of junk foods
2) wear tight jeans,not sweats
3) eat most meals at home
4) weigh daily
5) more soups, beans
6) at the gym more, going from 3 days to 5 days
7) keep some calories for late evening, don't eat everything up early
8) peanut butter and cottage cheese helps me
Any other suggestions, I swear I have picked up bad habits this month especially picked up big bags of chips (small bags work for me)

You're going to be just fine, but I think some of the items on your list are good ideas generally speaking.

Managing your food environment is huge, even if you are counting calories. You may not need to entirely rid the house of junk food but simply positioning it so that it's out of sight and less convenient can make a big difference in the amount of time you spend thinking about that food and the number of times you are required to make a decision about that food.

Eating most of your food at home is a good idea too since that gives you the opportunity to control your calorie intake more accurately.

I wouldn't take things too far though. So for example you should really ask yourself if 5 days/week of gym training is sustainable or realistic. For some people it is, for many it isn't, and overall I think you're better off looking for strategies that are habit forming and long term rather than looking at shorter term fixes.

Same would apply to diet/etc.

Unfortunately I lost a pound over the holiday, so now I need to put that one back on again and maybe a few more for muscle gain.

Nothing different. It as my goal to only go full binge once a week in December. I've still lost weight every week, while still enjoying myself. Tonight I shall eat and drink as much as I do every NYE.

I gained 5 lbs., partly due to holiday eating, partly because due to shoulder injury, I can't lift as much as I used to. When you're as small as I am, eating 600 a day over deficit is not that hard! One piece of dessert a day or a double portion of potatoes will do it! Anyway, I'm just going back to what worked before -- sticking to my calorie goals and tracking.

Ironically, I have been seriously under-eating the past two weeks. It's funny how much being at my office does affect my regular feeds. Hopefully, I will get back on track next week when all this holiday stuff is finally over.

ndj1979 wrote: »

none, but I am trying to gain weight right now…

my suggestion - just go back to eating in a deficit and the weight will come off. And are you sure it is really six pounds and not water retention? Six pound gain would mean you consumed 21000 calories over maintenance for the month, or 677 calories over maintenance per day?

I am guessing half is just water weight/bloat…

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

Probably water retention. Eat at a deficit and it will drop back off. Aside from the gym, you don't need to do any of that other stuff.

Echo feedback above.

Calorie deficit and you will get results.

Naked jumping jacks

What helps me is drinking a LOT of water and tea, in addition to everything else you mentioned. Also maybe a couple hot yoga sessions to sweat out some of the crap.