Please share your tips to avoid gaining weight during the holidays

[qanda]

I LOVE the holidays-- the smells, the foods, the company... Really, everything about it. However, I am concerned about falling off the weight-loss wagon during this time. It's wonderful to hear others tell me that I look good and all, but I know that I have not reached my goal and if I don't stick to my plan I will really be sorry.

So, please feel free to add any plans or tips you have for avoiding the holiday trap of gaining weight. Thanks in advance and happy holidays to everyone here.

[lavenderdiva]

1. Before going to a party, I'm sure to eat some cheese or a snack

so I won't want to gorge myself on the treats that will inevitably tempt me! Also, watch your intake of punch or alcoholic beverages, as these have a lot of sugar (usually), and add up quickly...

Another thing, since Thanksgiving is upon us... At Thanksgiving dinner, unless you are cooking and in charge, you will almost always have something foisted on you that is loaded with calories, and not something you would ordinarily eat just now. Be strong in resisting the guilt that the preparer will pour on you for not partaking in their delicacies! Sometimes, just saying that you are 'allergic' to something in the dish will allow them to back off, and get you off the hook... You are 'sorta kinda' allergic- for now anyway- You could also say that the last time you ate something similar, you had a bad reaction (the bad reaction being gaining weight-- but you don't have to add that last part!)

[loudestchick]

2. Club soda. Have a bit of wine w/ club soda. It'll make you feel festive

w/o killing your diet. Also, sugar free mints, to help you avoid the dishes of candy that everyone seems to set out. I love the chocolate velamints.

Here's to all of us being healthier in the new year than we were in the old!:toast:

[all.of.me]

3. yes, it is the eating season, isn't it?!

i think it starts with halloween......

anyway, i have NO willpower, so food... if it is there i will eat it. in the last year, i have been working on just foregoing those treats, sticking with salads, vegetables and meat. if i can fill up on those fast enough, then i don't spend time with the 'bad' stuff.

i try not to deprive myself, though. i will taste something, like bread, mashed potatoes or pie, just a small piece (usually leftovers from the kids!), so i can feel like it's still the holidays and not struggle.

normally, i let myself go one weekend day anyway. it's hard not to with the kids around so much, but the rest of the time i am pretty good. mainly, i just try to reach for good snacks before i get to the chips (my weakness). i'm going to apply that this season - get to the good stuff first.

i'm also noticing that wheat and sugar just make me feel shitty, anyway. noodles just sit in my stomach and bog me down, as does ice cream. this is new for me, so i keep in mind how awful i will feel if i screw up too badly, and that is a GREAT deterrent!

AND EXERCISE!!! i can eat almost anything if i am walking enough. i recently bought a bicycle, too, since the weather's been so warm, so i get some exercise in every day, even if it's 20 minutes with the shorter days.

[Cassandra]

4. A friend is coming over to my place because she...

wants to be with someone who won't pig-out. I'm roasting a free-range turkey breast, and making gravy and curried squash soup. I bought some cranbery-orange relish and my friend is bringing a yam dish and perhaps a green vegetable. It's just as well that we don't agree on stuffing, since neither of us need it. I like cornbread, she likes white bread, so we're not doing stuffing or a heavy dessert. I'll have fruit and chocolate and nuts on hand for nibbling. I'm getting some exercise from having to clean my place up.

[AlCzervik]

5. My tip is pretty simple

i am going to wear my new jeans, they fit and there ain't a whole lot of wiggle room, if i eat too much i will be very uncomfortable wearing them, so wear fitted clothes, not the big pants and try and avoid elastic waists if possible. I'll let you know how my plan works out.