NO NONSENSE November 2025
There's a statistic that goes around: something like over 25% of people will gain weight between Halloween and New Year's. It's Holiday season. We're busy with work, school, get-togethers, and shopping. We all have a lot on us, including whatever crisis is after us at the moment! 
It's easy to just say "to heck with it" and cave. And wake up on New Year's Day and looking in the mirror, unhappy with what extra weight we've gained. It happens to the best of us.
During my first LCHF holiday, I checked the weight chart, and I had lost 13lb (almost 6kg) between Oct 31st and my birthday (New Year's Day.) It's possible to not only NOT gain but to LOSE weight during the holiday season.
Planning ahead and keeping an eye on the basics are two of the most important focal points if we want to keep on the up and up in the face of all the junk, goodies, and other nonsense rampant this type of year.
Some people choose to handle this time of year completely on-plan, supplementing low-carb recipes for all our bad-ol' favorites.
What I've done in the past is to pick 1 or 2 events that were most important. For me it was Christmas Eve and New Year's Day (my birthday). I enjoyed those celebrations. Once the day was over, the indulgence was OVER. I brought home no leftovers to continue the nonsense. I picked specific things I was going to have, not ALL THE FOODS. I told myself that at bedtime, the day was over and when I woke in the morning, it was back to the routine. The rest of the days during that period, I planned ahead to stay on-plan. For those other events I didn't select, I either ate before-hand, or brought on-plan dishes to them. The 1st year, I lost 13lb between Halloween and New Year's. The 2nd year, I was very close to goal and lost the 2lb needed to reach my goal weight.
Hey, this time of year can be A LOT. But we can make it work. Together we'll figure this out.
But this challenge is also about monitoring our plan Basics. Focusing on nailing the Basics is what makes the difference.
Consistency + Persistence + Time = Success
Any low-carb plan is welcome. Just post your monthly goals and beginning weight (if you are just planning to maintain through the month, like me, that's cool, too) and check-in daily or weekly with how well you did. Alternately, if you are focusing on keeping to fitness goals instead, that's certainly welcome. After all, this is YOUR challenge.
The Basics:
Staying under carbs
Staying under calories
Logging and measuring
Getting in exercise/movement if that's one of your goals
Keeping an eye on electrolyte levels
Getting enough water
Planning ahead
Share recipes, problems, thoughts.
Fight back against all the NONSENSE life throws at us this time of year. Especially this year!
Replies
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I am debating whether I want to do this challenge. I have been maintaining well without logging or doing challenges. I did injure myself in October, so my exercise has taken a hit, and I am trying to get back into it without re-injuring myself. I also think now that I have a year of maintaining under my belt, I am considering losing a bit more.
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I’m still here finding my way with the low carb basics. It’s hard to do all the things. Low carb, low cal, dairy free, gluten free, walk run 4x weekly, strength training 2-3x weekly, water water water, all prescribed meds and supplements, plus self care and sleep. Cant forget about sleep. It’s hard. I removed yoga from my goals cause I just can’t do it all but pretty sure I should be doing yoga on Sundays. Or any days. But I’m still striving for progress. I’ve been doing pretty good. Most days I can keep my carbs under goal some days I’m slightly over and some days I’m wayyyy over.. so yeah just gonna keep logging and planning and prepping and trying. Just gotta keep going.
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I've been dealing with a serious illness all year so while weight loss is not currently desirable, I have recently been feeling well enough to get back to some exercise. Doing small sets of hand weights squats but need to add small increments of cardio back in.
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Over 65 and feeling good for the first time in my life. Joined myfitnesspal 9 years ago. Mostly off, recently back on. Morbidly obese part of my life, and overweight to obese since early elementary. My nickname in high school was "Rotunda." That nickname greatly influenced some of the sad paths I took myself down in my teenage years. Started a new health/weight loss journey on 01/01/24. Now I watch my carbs—eat complex carbs but don't count them. Virtually no sugar as they make me crave to the point of anxiety and feel like I could cry. Intermittent fasting. Aim for 80 grams of protein per day. Avoid any refined foods but will eat small amounts occasionally. Weigh every day. Just recently am exercising 5+ days per week. Have lost 114 pounds and my doctor says I am on the thin side of healthy weight. If you are focused on becoming a healthier person in any way, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual—Good For You! You and worth it and loved.
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The derelict mod has lifted her head out of the dumpster fire that is her life, late again. New challenge up:
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