B%#chfest starts here... It's not the holiday calories its the lack of routine!

I eat before going to a party and plan on having a drink or a small snack while there. If I have to eat at the party (like my work Christmas party, which is a sit down dinner) I eat less earlier in the day, then fill most of my plate with lean meats and greens.

You don't have to go. You have the power to say no thank you. You don't even need an excuse.

scolaris wrote: »

I need to practice my nope's.

Correct! Treat your workouts and alone time as actual appointments. Put them in your calendar, as recurring events. If someone asks you to do something during that time, tell them you have other plans. Because you do!

scolaris wrote: »

I think I'm just the kind of person who needs a lot of solitude. I hate how everything feels crowded. And I hate all the loud cheerful music blaring everywhere.
I'm a grinch.

I am the same way. Christmas was awesome when I was a kid, but now it's just a bunch of "eff this!" My gym (college campus) is closed until January 6, so I'm going to take the opportunity to try and complete those "extra credit" Darebee workouts.

I feel the same way, I miss my routine ugh.

We had to go to my hubby's awful holiday party for work last night. Ugh, can you say socially awkward? Anyway, I also hate the break in routine. As we speak (not really since I am sitting at the computer, lol) I am prepping for 4 overnight guests for a week, and 3 day-of xmas guests. Yuck Yuck Yuck. I like Christmas just fine, but the lack of routine flusters my introverted self.

scolaris wrote: »

Those are great suggestions, but I'm doing fine with the food and the wine and the sweets and whatnot.
It's the events that are cramping my workout style... I get REALLY crabby now when I miss a few long hikes and key gym dates. I had completely underestimated how much Xanax-type relief I get from my workout calendar. And for the last ten days I've had to miss just the kinds of workouts I most enjoy.
So I feel really pent up and frustrated and not at all very jolly. I have to go straight from work this morning to another one.
At this one the host asked me to bring a specific favorite dish, a hand wrapped fresh roll that is really time consuming, and I had to just say no, I can't.
I feel bad about that but it made me crazy to think about shopping, prepping, assembling, attending the gathering, and cleaning up my own kitchen all after 2pm when I get off. Maybe I can get a long walk in tonight if I am really careful with my time. My favorite 90 minute yoga class is out of the question.
I want to be festive, but I'm tired of having to show up places & act that way on demand.

So I know it's different from your regular routine but what about early morning workouts to get you by? Since I get up early to go workout the holidays don't interrupt my workouts (no one schedules anything at 6am). That way you can start the day feeling great. I also use my lunch break to take a walk to fit in activity when I can

Im on vacation this week and i miss my routine too. I hit the gym or walk twice a week during my lunch hour. No one asks where I'm going or if they can come. No one asks when I'll be back or if I can "pick up ____" while Im out. I don't need to find a sitter or abandon my children with their father for a few hours. When i'm home, I feel stuck. I couldnt even get away from the kids long enough to get through a 20 minute yoga video tonight. I'm actually keeping my gym appt on Tuesday and basically got the third degree having to explain to my husband why I'm driving all the way to the gym near my office (an hour away) while I'm on vacation. Because I NEED my gym time to work out the stress. And for just that short time, I'm actually doing something for myself rather than catering to my family. But he doesn't get that.

Tuesday can't come soon enough. And then it'll be another 6 days before I can get back. Lord, grant me the strength...

Mixed nuts are awesome and expensive enough to count, imho. I always hit the nut bowl

I get exhausted easily because all the hub-bub really hurts my back, then the pain gets me exhausted and pretty grouchy sometimes. But it's only included me being the hostess this year, so I have to admit someone else's party might be nice! One good friend for former parties is down with prostate cancer surgery (!) before he flies out to Asia and the others are at their beach house for the holidays (they are from a different climate and don't like the cold anymore since living here a while).

This year the biggest problem party-wise has been the hanging plans. Jaysus, folks, if you can't make plans in a timely manner, don't leave everyone hanging during such a busy time. So stressful. I finally went ahead and had a new holiday I made up called "Advent Dinner" and had it for my father today. That may be Xmas dinner for real, maybe not. Who knows? At least we could plan for it (and it was so yummy).

I have my eggnog, so I'll make do with whatever and Dad just likes the food, I think. My workouts are at home, so that's pretty much the same except for the increased pain from all the doing extra stuff. It's a very crazy time of year. My condolences to everyone, lol