Holiday Survival Strategies

i like your idea

Good idea!

sounds good to me

Im going to use a salad plate and choose wisely

All of those suggestions are great! Portion control is key! I have also been told to chew mint gum because it makes foods taste bad. Also if you are chewing gum you can't put other food in your mouth. (I should have remembered this at a Halloween Party I went to last week)

When I know I have a big eating event coming up, say, for example, Thanksgiving dinner, I always try to fit in a workout that morning, an extra run when it might have otherwise been an off day, for example, to earn myself some extra calories. And then it's all about portion control and, like you said, splurging on those special, once-a-year items.

Also, at parties, I try to keep my hands and mouth occupied by sipping on a low cal drink, like a diet coke or a fruit spritzer or something. It makes sure you stay hydrated so you don't confuse thirst with hunger and satisfies the need to mindlessly put something in your mouth since you're watching everyone else do it.

I've come to realize that sometimes I like the IDEA of food, more than the actual food.

This is yummy... this is decadent,... this is a treat... and I DESERVE A TREAT.

I ask myself:
Do I really feel like it right NOW? or do I want it just because it's available?
If it wasn't here would I miss it? Is it really going to make me happier?

Sometimes, YES I really want it, but not always.
I try and save things for when they are important to me.

If I'm happy being around people I love or new people who are interesting and intriguing. I try to focus on them rather than the food.

Excellent point! I have definitely noticed that if I take the time to actually decide whether I want something or if I'm just eating out of habit, I usually have the opportunity to choose against it. Sometimes, I can't resist, but then, the extra thought makes it all the yummier. A win-win!

I plan to surround myself with supportive family and friends that will not try to sabotage my journey. My supportive friends usually suggest party places/eating establishments that offer a salad bar. Salad bars are my friend during the holiday. Already people are saying "let's do lunch." I usually say " I am good to go as long as we pick a place with a salad bar." So far everyone has been very supportive in doing so.

If invited to a party I usually say "can I help by bringing a couple plates of snacks" and so far everyone has seemed appreciative and accepted my offer. I make sure it is something special and avoid carrot sticks and celery but more in the line of party food recipes. This allows me to bring friendly food for myself. Stuffed cherry tomatoes are excellent party food as they are colorful and a large quantity in a clear bowl with a big ribbon around the bottom is very festive.

Think outside the box!

Also, at parties, I try to keep my hands and mouth occupied by sipping on a low cal drink, like a diet coke or a fruit spritzer or something. It makes sure you stay hydrated so you don't confuse thirst with hunger and satisfies the need to mindlessly put something in your mouth since you're watching everyone else do it.

i don't think diet drinks hydrate you, if anything they make you more thirsty and probably therefore more hungry

to me seeing everyone eat a bunch of crap is enough not to make me want to eat at parties, showing up is enough and i just dont eat anything i cant count, makes it easy. having a purse in my hand that i can put down or having gum in my mouth that i can spit out wont stop me, so i just go in knowing im not eating anything i cant count. i guess other people have less self control..

I also hate the "eat before you go" rule. It's counter-intuitive because most holiday eating has nothing to do with hunger and everything to do with appetite. If you "eat before you go", you just added even more calories to your holiday splurges. At least, that's my experience. I like to remember that the holidays are once a year...2 or 3 days of overeating aren't what got us in the overweight boat, and they sure won't ruin all the good choices we've been making. I have noticed that, when I release myself to enjoy my choices instead of feeling guilty, I actually end up eating LESS.

I use the dessert size plates at buffet style parties so I can only fill that small plate instead of the huge plates most people are using. I won't put food on a plate that has already had food on it and going back for a second plate makes me feel bad enough that I don't do it.