How much did you gain during the holidays and WHY?

It's not that I gained over the holidays per se, more like the 3 months leading up to the holidays. School is kicking my butt, and I "forgot" the joys of eating well and working out. Back on track though!

In the weeks leading up to Christmas and the holiday itself I gained just over 2lb.

The why is partly because there are foods which I enjoy at Christmas that I don't eat at all during the rest of the year, nor do I want to. Mostly though, it's because I ate out more over those three weeks than I have done in the last eleven months put together, it's not only Christmas, but all the birthdays in my family are at that time too. Usually when I eat out, I refuse a starter and dessert, but at these events I chose to participate fully.

It's not something I see as a problem, I'd planned it beforehand and had hoped to lose 2lb before Christmas, but unfortunately I didn't reach my target weight in time to do that. That will be my strategy next year though.

I've lost over 10 pounds since Thanksgiving, and I'm guessing I'll lose 2 or 3 when I weigh in Saturday, despite traveling and staying/eating at my sister's house for Christmas. The holidays are easier for me since I'm a vegan, since if I don't make the goodies, I don't eat them. So I didn't make them this year, and whaddya know, I lost weight.

I've gained in scale weight, but I was 'on programme' more or less up till Christmas Eve night, and was back on in calorie terms by the 28th. I don't believe I overate at a rate of 6000 calories per day during that phase, so I know it's not 'real' weight. I may have gained a little, but the bulk of that is water. And I gained it because I drank a fair bit of alcohol, and I ate too much refined food (fats and sugars, in particular).

Give me a week or two and it will be gone.

I gained a bit during the holidays, beacuse I ate whatever I wanted and as much of it as I wanted.

From Thanksgiving to today, I gained 3 pounds.

Why-
1. I was out of my element visiting my sisters and dad in Vermont.
2. I've been stressed out wondering if I was going to loose my job because of a major F-up.
3. General Holiday stress

All this led to not caring about what went into my mouth, tracking it, and finding the time to exercise.

+3.5 lbs. Stopped working out and drinking waters. My response is to work out more and drink more water in the coming days.

I lost 3 lbs. after Thanksgiving and gained them back at Christmas...

Why -
I can handle one dinner party or event in a day, but in December I had 3 doubles in a row (work lunches and then other parties) and those did not include Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.:sad:
Why-
It is cold and dark -- not enough weekend exercise.:yawn:
Why -
Drinking like a fish with DH who has been on vacation for over 2 weeks.:drinker:
Why -
Snacking on chocolate and nuts.

What I did well --
visited the gym 4 days a week even if they were sometimes very quick workouts.:happy:
Joined a challenge on MYP -- Super Heroes Challenge
Kept a good supply of fresh fruit and veg on hand.:glasses:
Did not get depressed at scale readings by flexing newly awakened bicep muscles from time to time. :laugh:

I'm proud to report that I've lost 5 pounds since Thanksgiving. I logged all my food every day as usual, and stuck to the same weekly calorie goals I had before the holidays. In the days leading up to both Thanksgiving and Christmas I ate even less and exercised more than usual, so that I would have an extra cushion of calories for splurging a little at the family gatherings (and I'm doing the same this week so I can enjoy a few extra snacks and drinks on New Year's). I didn't deny myself any particular types of food, but I certainly ate a lot fewer cookies and such than in years past, because for once I was really paying attention. I ate a sensible amount of the things I wanted most, slowly savoring each bite of the special treats, rather than mindlessly stuffing myself with everything in sight. I couldn't have done it without MFP and the new sense of commitment it has given me, and I'm looking forward to doing more strength training and reaching my goal weight in 2012!

I didn't gain

GAIN:
-5 pounds (I was amazed)

WHY:
-Re-started my "eat healthy and exercise" plan a little over a week before christmas
-Established a concrete goal before I started on the 16th (comfortably fit into a New Years dress that I bought at 138 pounds)
-Only skipped 2 of my 30 min workouts (23rd and 24th as we had my family over and i was swamped)
-Ate my pre-determined 1400 calories a day as well as my exercise calories
-Saved as much room as possible for the big meals on the 24th and 25th
-Didn't count calories on the 24th or 25th (but ate as close to one serving as possible for everything starchy/sweet)
-Drank as few empty calories as possible (i.e. non water beverages)
-Before and after the 24th and 25th sceduled 1-2 portion controlled "treats" into my calories to finish off the leftovers

As a result I didn't feel deprived or over full at any point. I absolutely adore sweets so I was suprised to see that with a head start and a little planning and self control (which I tend to have more of near the beginning of a fitness plan anyway) I was able to actually lose rather then gain. I'm only .4 pounds away from my dress goal, and I think I'll be able to take care of that in the next couple days!

Lost 6!! Why? Cuz I "challenged" myself not to gain and I WON!

I'm sure you'll get back on track and recoup the gained pounds. Good luck to ya!

xoxoxo

Awesome! I tried not to go to crazy. And I didnt gain anything eather. :happy:

I gained between 3-5 pounds depending on the day. It is fluctuating. I know why I gained. I am to blame for pie and carbs. My biggest issue is what when I am not working out I tend to be tired and bored and I eat. If I am working out I feel so good I don't eat as much. I won't touch junk food then. I had an unplanned surgery on the 14th. I have since been recovering. Yesterday was the first day I was able to drive. The past two days I have finally been able to go for walks but they have to be slow ones. I can't do any workouts like my usual 30 DS. I should have a follow up appointment next week. If I can get the docs to call back. Once I can get the clear I will be back in action and back to losing. I do horrible if bad stuff is in the house. I don't usually by it but it was here for the holidays.

I gained nothing.....I lost 5lbs. I ate what I wanted in moderation and worked out extra. that's why I had the outcome I did.