Christmas and the gift of blubber.
sijomial
Posts: 19,809 Member
Guess I’m not the only maintainer who gained over Christmas and New Year?
Had a triple whammy of lots of lovely food at home, loads of fun social events involving eating and drinking, plus my back went into severe spasm which restricted my activity.
So I sat on my *kitten* too much, eating, drinking and being very merry!
So far so good but the downside is that I was already a couple of pounds over my upper warning limit before the break and Monday morning returning to work revealed I was now 9lbs over.
As I detest every day calorie restriction (frustrating, tedious, saps my energy levels) and also like experimenting with different ways of eating here’s my plan……
Alternate day dieting - one day with a really large deficit followed by a day with a small, or even no, deficit.
Large deficit will typically be on my cardio/cycling days, small or no deficit days will be when I’m strength training and/or have social events to enjoy.
I’ve started food logging again so I can keep track of the deficit and also make sure I keep my protein levels up while cutting.
Obviously my plan wouldn’t suit everyone but adherence is a very personal thing.
What are your plans to get back on track / get back to goal weight range?
Had a triple whammy of lots of lovely food at home, loads of fun social events involving eating and drinking, plus my back went into severe spasm which restricted my activity.
So I sat on my *kitten* too much, eating, drinking and being very merry!
So far so good but the downside is that I was already a couple of pounds over my upper warning limit before the break and Monday morning returning to work revealed I was now 9lbs over.
As I detest every day calorie restriction (frustrating, tedious, saps my energy levels) and also like experimenting with different ways of eating here’s my plan……
Alternate day dieting - one day with a really large deficit followed by a day with a small, or even no, deficit.
Large deficit will typically be on my cardio/cycling days, small or no deficit days will be when I’m strength training and/or have social events to enjoy.
I’ve started food logging again so I can keep track of the deficit and also make sure I keep my protein levels up while cutting.
Obviously my plan wouldn’t suit everyone but adherence is a very personal thing.
What are your plans to get back on track / get back to goal weight range?
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Replies
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I gained 2lbs. Im doing a short sharp defecit to get rid and then back to maintainance. Nothing unhealthy and shouldnt take long.0
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I gained 3lbs. I'm just going back to normal and letting those pounds come off as they like. Also started half marathon training on Monday, so that won't hurt the process.0
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I enjoyed every damn second of the four pounds of holiday gain. I probably shouldn't have done that when I'll likely need to make weight for a meet on the 23rd. I just threw a 500 calorie deficit back in the mix this past Monday with the same macros though i'm thinking of increasing my carbs a bit so my workouts don't suffer too much. If I don't see something substantial come off this week i'll probably add in a cardio session or two for a few weeks. Ughh cardio.0
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My diet consisted of cookies for breakfast and snacks, LOTS of peanut brittle, and a bunch of Mexican food over the Christmas/New Years break. I tracked as close as I could, and even though I am in the heat of marathon training, I still ate enough I should have put on 1-2 lbs. I was already at the low end of my maintenance range so I had some wiggle room.
When I got back home I was down 4 lbs and below my lower weight limit... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯0 -
I gained 5ish lbs, it's all gone now though
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i ate (and drank lol) with no restraint. probably ate 3000 calories on one occasion. i went from 125 to 130
but im back to dieting and excersizing now haha 0 -
I think we all have the key - to get back on it (whatever "it" is) and not delay in dealing with the gain.0
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Since I'm 3# above GW I figure I'm in maintenance now. As I sneak off the last few pounds I was considering slowing down my deficit. Maybe I'll try that every other day approach as on days when I eat a little more I'm usually not as interested in food the next day.Guess I’m not the only maintainer who gained over Christmas and New Year?
Had a triple whammy of lots of lovely food at home, loads of fun social events involving eating and drinking, plus my back went into severe spasm which restricted my activity.
So I sat on my *kitten* too much, eating, drinking and being very merry!
So far so good but the downside is that I was already a couple of pounds over my upper warning limit before the break and Monday morning returning to work revealed I was now 9lbs over.
As I detest every day calorie restriction (frustrating, tedious, saps my energy levels) and also like experimenting with different ways of eating here’s my plan……
Alternate day dieting - one day with a really large deficit followed by a day with a small, or even no, deficit.
Large deficit will typically be on my cardio/cycling days, small or no deficit days will be when I’m strength training and/or have social events to enjoy.
I’ve started food logging again so I can keep track of the deficit and also make sure I keep my protein levels up while cutting.
Obviously my plan wouldn’t suit everyone but adherence is a very personal thing.
What are your plans to get back on track / get back to goal weight range?
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Seems I only gained 2 pounds (well it was more, but that's what's left after losing the water weight), which I'm really surprised about because I had a *really* bad month (Thanksgiving, a wedding, Christmas, with two PMS weeks in the middle).
Been back on track for 10 days though, 300 calorie deficit, although I guess it was closer to maintenance for 3 days as I was sick and didn't exercise. Turns out that eating 1900 calories is just right for me when I'm not in hormonal hell.0 -
I've got an extra 5-7 lbs of extra fluff. Thanks, new hometown (Las Vegas, baby!!!). So many buffets and holiday parties and socializing. Totally worth it.
Now that the festivities are done, I plan on just doing what I've done previously. A modest 1/2 lb/week deficit, continuing my strength program, and hitting the macros/micros.0 -
Interesting to see the different approaches, good luck to everyone.
Great to hear people enjoyed their break. Maintainers seem to be split between those that find maintenance hard and restrictive (harder than losing) and others that take bumps in their stride.0 -
You and me both, Sijomial. Increased my number of fast days (3 since Jan 2nd) and went back to logging food on non fast days, as my blubber was not only from Christmas
. But after 3 fast days and some very normal normal days, I'm down 2kg of water bloat and back on track to relose 4kg I'd gained since July and than finally lose those last two pesky ones! I'm in a better mindset than in the last half year, thus they will come off....such a mind game it is.
If I know anyone determined enough to get those 9lb down, it's you!0 -
mmm pumpkin pie0
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My goal for the holidays was not (NOT!) To gain but 1 pound. On January 1st, on the scale I stood, and peeking down below was not only a 1 but a 9 (yes,9!!) pound gain. Enter myfitnesspal. My sister uses this with great success so that day I decided. And why not? All my homemade almond roca, fruitcake, cookie gifts, and fancy nuts were gone, as was the Christmas Yorkshire pudding0
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I was about 4 lbs above my recent low weight (ignoring the quite impressive amounts of water weight - 5 lbs in one day!), which was about 12 lbs above where I want to be ultimately. I'm not too bothered about it - I've been "maintaining" for a year and although my weight drifted up a bit, it's not like I don't know what to do, plus I love the feasting over the Holidays. I enjoy it.
My strategy is to whip a few pounds off really quickly to start with (300 cal deficits, plus not eating back much exercise) and then gradually ease back by increasing calories. It worked for me when I lost the Great Wodge of Lard initially to get it off quickly to start with (motivation..), and then gradually increase calories. Most important thing for me was to listen carefully to my body the day after workouts - sometimes I 'll eat back more than others if I feel the need (low blood sugar).0 -
This thread is really helpful to my self-esteem. I am so glad to see that I am not the only one who gained and that you are all taking it in stride.
I was doing so well - I'd had a fair bit of international travel in Nov-Dec and cautiously stopped logging for the first time since 2014. I was so pleased with the outcome (no gains, even hitting an all-time low that I never dreamed I would really ever reach), that I presumed that I could manage the holidays. Alas, the extra glasses of wine, sausage rolls, caramel popcorn, snacking, etc. were too much and combined with a few days of terrible weather that prevented my old-lady jogging, I was up about 4 lbs. I'm pretty small, so that's a lot on my frame - I could even feel my clothes getting a bit snugger. Sigh. I'm back logging and counting. I assumed that I'd gain a pound or maybe two, but there is no pretending that my 4 lbs are water.
I feel better reading everyone's comments and calm demeanor. Happy 2016!0 -
Guess I’m not the only maintainer who gained over Christmas and New Year?
Had a triple whammy of lots of lovely food at home, loads of fun social events involving eating and drinking, plus my back went into severe spasm which restricted my activity.
So I sat on my *kitten* too much, eating, drinking and being very merry!
So far so good but the downside is that I was already a couple of pounds over my upper warning limit before the break and Monday morning returning to work revealed I was now 9lbs over.
As I detest every day calorie restriction (frustrating, tedious, saps my energy levels) and also like experimenting with different ways of eating here’s my plan……
Alternate day dieting - one day with a really large deficit followed by a day with a small, or even no, deficit.
Large deficit will typically be on my cardio/cycling days, small or no deficit days will be when I’m strength training and/or have social events to enjoy.
I’ve started food logging again so I can keep track of the deficit and also make sure I keep my protein levels up while cutting.
Obviously my plan wouldn’t suit everyone but adherence is a very personal thing.
What are your plans to get back on track / get back to goal weight range?
I feel your pain! I too got gifts that I cannot "regift"...
I started a deficit too, and I like the idea of alternate day deficits.. I started a daily deficit and today was cardio day and I burned a boat load of calories and ready to chew my arm off..
to get the most out that burn the deficit would make sense to stay big... I am in control of it, but I still want to chew my arm off.. I hurts! LOL0 -
I was 138 before Christmas and 157 at my highest weight, January 2nd, lol. I'm just going to stick to a slight deficit until I hit 138 again... only 7 pounds to go.0
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Gained 3 lbs from Christmas Eve until Jan 4th. But we had lots of fun gatherings and a 6 day visit to see our son and two little grandsons in another state.
Ate, drank, did not log or exercise since my back was hurting. Enjoyed every bite.
But have gotten back to logging at a deficit and walking my 10000 steps/day.
Already down 2 of those lbs. MFP is such a motivator. Before MFP I would have just said to heck with it and kept right on gaining.
Good luck to all.
I love the saying "it's not what you eat from Thanksgiving to Christmas but what you eat from Christmas to Thanksgiving that counts".0 -
I guess I'm one of those outliers. I normally weigh myself every Saturday morning. Since I was out of town on December 26th, I skipped that Saturday and didn't weigh in until January 2nd. I actually lost 2.6 pounds. I'm now officially in the healthy BMI. I've only got 3.2 pounds to get to my UGW (170 - my range will be 166 - 174). Doctor has told me not to lose any more.0
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I ate like a pig Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Probably 3000-5000 over maintenance calories for those 2 days. I just went back to eating normally the day after. All the water weight is gone and I didn't gain any weight.0
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Xmas i gained 2lbs and lost it in the following days. I ate about 3000 calories.
New Years however i ate about 4000ish ( but salty foods)
I went from 144 lbs to a whopping 153.8 lbs overnight...you have to wonder evendo it is water weight were it comes from.
So approach was to take it easy the next days and for now i lost about 8 of them. So not to bad
I have cut a bit back the first days, also because i was feeling bad/sick bloated etc.
But back to my normal schedule of 1950 calories a day since yesterday.
I didn't drink more water or whatever i just went back to cutting a bit the first 4 days and that will have to do. When not we just cut a little longer. But for now the weight is going down with about a pound or more a day.
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Between December 24th to January 3rd I gained 2.5 pounds so not too bad I guess. Can't do anything about it now but get back on track.0
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Up 3 lbs from mid Nov (start of Holidays for me as it starts with my birthday). Had lots of treats and sampled it all. Back on cutting 200-300 calories a day from maintenance calories and I already feel better. I don't have to change anything at the gym as I teach classes so I have to be there so never stopped my workouts. Gain was all pure food. Mathematically I ate an avg of an extra 200 calories a day to gain that over 50 days. That's not very much if you think about it. Easy to do!0
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I ate like a pig over Christmas!! I gained 3 lbs, which I thought was not bad at all! I tried to keep up on exercise during that time so that probably helped some. I started logging again on Monday (settings on MFP to lose a half pound a week) and I've already taken off 2 of those pounds so definitely some water weight. Even though I didn't gain much, I feel like my body feels more marshmallowy, lol.0
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I didn't just indulge over Christmas, I indulged from my holiday in Nov to New Year's day... loved almost every second of it, apart from Christmas Day where I think I took it too far with the tin of Miniature Heroes.
Scale said 6 gained from goal on 2 Jan and I feel fluffier than usual! It wasn't as much water weight as I'd hoped either as I am only 2 down today
I am also reassured to hear from maintainers who gained over Christmas though (and jealous of everyone who lost weight whilst feasting). I find a large deficit frustrating now I am done with the main phase of losing. I don't want to stick to it at weekends and as a result, water, sodium and extra food put my weight all over the place. I find it really hard to see what is going on over a couple of weeks, which I hate; I don't have the patience to wait for things to settle. So, I am set again to lose 1 lb/week (~2000 kcal) and hopefully I'll be at my original goal weight in a month or so. Thinking of losing 5 more after that and I might finally be set for recomp? Although I think that's for another thread... :laugh:0 -
I feel your pain! I'm not at my max 'weight range' number yet, but it's getting close (uncomfortably so). I probably need to stop eating all the chocolatez. But my birthday is very soon, so I'm not really going to get back on track until next week - AFTER I've had cake.
I intend to be very, very good next week, and keep being very very good until I'm back at mid-point of my maintenance range. For me, that means actually getting 3 runs per week in, staying at or under my calorie allotment. I don't usually do anything special - I just get back in the saddle and pay extra close attention to what I'm doing until I'm back to normal.
Though I'm thinking about throwing in some body-weight exercises on alternate run days. I need to do something other than cardio... I've just been to lazy to do it (for YEARS I've been too lazy....). Sigh.0 -
umm I didn't gain at all
there was a fluctuation up of 2lbs for about a week and then it was gone...whoosh
This is my third Christmas maintaining and for the past two years I haven't gained... I am of course feeling proud of myself lol
(ate about 500 cals above maintenance for 2 days and then back to maintenance since then)0 -
I gained about 6 pounds since September. I also strategically did a lot of heavy squatting and deadlifting, so a lot of it went to my @ss. I'm as heavy as I was last Christmas but still in my smaller clothes and look way better in photos, so the weightlifting has been effective! I'm tightening up my logging and going back down to a small deficit as well as the natural decrease in drinking and day-long feasts. I plan to get a body fat test in 11 weeks to see if my composition has improved from last year. I had goals to not gain during the holidays, but now I think I'll just embrace the yearly butt-building opportunity since I know how to get back to summer body.0
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My first week "deficit cycling" week went well - hope everyone else fighting the same fight is also having success.
Total deficit 4174 cals for the week. Lost 3.5lbs (a lot of water weight and not shoving so much volume of food down my cake hole).
Daily deficits were:
1115
227
997
111
948
195
581
Back injury healing well, exercise was good and almost back to full training. 4211 exercise calories for the week.0
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