topic Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS in Community Chat

DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Shanus — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 03:12:46 GMT

I try to eat sensible meals and watch my carbs. The doorbell rings every other night w/ neighbors bringing cake, candies and other homemade goodies. Yes I appreciate the thought & of course I sampled everything. It's just so darn difficult to have willpower when there are so many luscious things around me. Next year, just like this year, I'll be giving my neighbors scented candles, Starbucks gift cards, etc. hoping they'll have an easier time fighting temptation during the Holidays.

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Desertdi — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 03:43:45 GMT

You can toss everything except the candy out for the birds

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

cherry — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 03:47:17 GMT

We only exchange with our kids. I can't eat any of this stuff. I would feel bad if I had throw away a gift someone made for me

We keep Christmas small and simple

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Gram W — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 03:50:03 GMT

Many items can be frozen for future use. Share cookies, etc with guests and send a plate home with the grandchildren.

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

GCR18 — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 04:28:45 GMT

Enjoy yourself. January you can cut back.

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

september — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 04:40:19 GMT

I don't have people stopping by for treats, but went to one holiday party today and have another one tomorrow. People do work hard to prepare these foods and they are delicious, so I try to take very small portions. Still more than I need!

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Kindaglitzy — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 13:18:20 GMT

People mean well, kind if the old school way of celebrating the Holidays. Taste a few, maybe some you can freeze and eat over next couple months in moderation. Good idea to feed to birds if you really need to.

I also only exchange with family and prefer to celebrate low key. Was at post office recently where I observed a woman sending gifts to just about everyone her family ever met as they worked in various places around the world. A bit much for me but realize everyone does not feel this way.

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Mindy D — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 15:44:58 GMT

It's going well for me. I am using MyFitnessPal. I can eat whatever I want as long as I calculate the calories consistently and accurately. To me, this is just like watching your spending by monitoring you bank account. This is the first time in my life I feel empowered when trying to lose weight. I also start my 24 hour calorie count at midnight and work from midnight to midnight.

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Mominohio — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 16:13:32 GMT

I've been on various 'diets' during the holiday season through the years either for weight loss/maintenance or for health issues.

What I find is that I have to want the diet goal more than the food. I choose certain days or events during the season when I simply drop it all and eat whatever I want. Usually those will be Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Eve for me, but can be any days that you will be having some special event or want to feel treated.

I spread my 'cheating' days out, so that I can stay on track for long periods of time in between and those days I indulge don't do a thing to make me gain weight or stay off track. In fact, on Thanksgiving this year, I went off my latest healthy eating plan, and was extremely disappointed at just how things didn't taste nearly as good as I was anticipating. It made getting back to it the next day very easy.

Unless one has very specific or critical health issues, going 'off track' for a day here and there shouldn't undo what work you are trying to achieve. I think the key is to set times and limits before the season or events, so you aren't tempted to graze your way through the entire season, and develop bad habits with 'bad' foods.

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 16:17:16 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
I try to eat sensible meals and watch my carbs. The doorbell rings every other night w/ neighbors bringing cake, candies and other homemade goodies. Yes I appreciate the thought & of course I sampled everything. It's just so darn difficult to have willpower when there are so many luscious things around me. Next year, just like this year, I'll be giving my neighbors scented candles, Starbucks gift cards, etc. hoping they'll have an easier time fighting temptation during the Holidays.

@Shanus

Planning is always better than willpower!

Decide how you'll dispose of the goodies BEFORE the doorbell rings.

First, put some in the freezer so you have something to serve if someone comes by for coffee (or whatever). Microwaving for 20-30 seconds will thaw most things.

Secondly, pass it on! Drop off some goodies to your office ..... or Vet's office .... Doctor's office .... manicure place .... some single parent you know ..... house of worship fellowship night ...... you get the idea.

I am sure there are pleny of people who would love some holiday treats ..... just Pass It On !!

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Shanus — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 19:06:54 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 Oh 3/4 of it definitely got passed on...took some today to salon when I went for haircut. Some to "soup kitchen" and 2 cakes went to Ronald McDonald House. I know they'll all appreciate it. The other 1/4? My husband & I made a pot of decaf and ate it. Mmmmmm!! 🍰

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Jordan2 — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 19:14:40 GMT

I'm a lifetime Weight Watchers member who goes to meetings weekly. We talk about how to get through the holidays. You have to know yourself and be realistic. For most people losing weight during the holidays is hard. Make a deal with yourself that if I stay the same or gain x amount of weight I will be okay with that. You should enjoy the holidays and not put so much pressure on yourself. You can get back on track come January.

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

beckyb1012 — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 19:24:03 GMT

Even living alone I have friends and co-workers who give me whole cakes, smoked meats ect.. for the holidays every year. We have Janies Cakes (one of Oprahs' favorite things this year) in our town and one friend gives me one always. So I just take one-fourth of each item out and put in my freezer then take the rest of all I receive to my son, dil, and granddaughter. They finish with joy over the next few weeks from their freezer. In Jan. my son cooks up a big lunch for me with the smoked meat items I receive yearly from business associates. All are happy and well fed. Then back to the exercise program.

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

QueenDanceALot — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 13:28:05 GMT

I give the sugary starchy gifts away and if I have more than I can give away I throw them out. I don't feel bad about it. Better that than dragging 10 extra pounds around into the New Year.

It's a lot easier to gain it than it is to lose it!

I learned long ago that the sugary starchy stuff tastes good but I feel like ****** after an hour or so. That, coupled with a tight waistband, just makes most of it very unattractive to me!

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

cherry — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 20:28:46 GMT

@QueenDanceALot wrote:
I give the sugary starchy gifts away and if I have more than I can give away I throw them out. I don't feel bad about it. Better that than dragging 10 extra pounds around into the New Year.

It's a lot easier to gain it than it is to lose it!

I learned long ago that the sugary starchy stuff tastes good but I feel like ****** after an hour or so. That, coupled with a tight waistband, just makes the most of it very unattractive to me!

I have type 2 diabetes and watch what I eat every single day.

If people dumped this stuff on me I would be wondering if they were trying to ruin my health.

Just because it's Christmas doesn't mean people want a load of this kind of food dumped on them

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

QueenDanceALot — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 20:36:10 GMT

@cherry wrote:
@QueenDanceALot wrote:
I give the sugary starchy gifts away and if I have more than I can give away I throw them out. I don't feel bad about it. Better that than dragging 10 extra pounds around into the New Year.

It's a lot easier to gain it than it is to lose it!

I learned long ago that the sugary starchy stuff tastes good but I feel like ****** after an hour or so. That, coupled with a tight waistband, just makes the most of it very unattractive to me!
I have type 2 diabetes and watch what I eat every single day.

If people dumped this stuff on me I would be wondering if they were trying to ruin my health.

Just because it's Christmas doesn't mean people want a load of this kind of food dumped on them

I can't imagine anyone dumping all that stuff onto a diabetic. I would have to question THAT friendship!

I agree that a lot of us don't want all that stuff at Christmas and that includes those of us who aren't diabetic.

I used to be around a lot of people during the holidays who would insist on making it their business of what those around them ate at holiday gatherings. If you politely declined they wouldn't drop it, they'd tell you "oh, a little won't hurt you!!" or, "come on, it's Christmas, you can diet in January!!"

Why can't people just eat what they want and let the rest of us do the same?

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

PickyCindy — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 20:40:27 GMT

I'm not even going to try to stick to a diet. I will start to behave myself January 1st! My doctor says diet and exercise will get me to where I need to be. Wish me luck! I so love to eat.

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Lipstickdiva — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 20:45:49 GMT

People do what they do to be nice. I don't think anyone is trying to sabotage anything on purpose. A number of years ago, I was in the middle of losing weight. THe holidays came around and at that point I had lost 50 pounds. One of my bosses still gave me a box of chocolates for Christmas, which is what he gave everyone. I didn't think a thing about it and just gave them away. I knew I needed them out of my house.

I am going to a cookie exchange this weekend. Initially I almost passed on the invite because I don't want all those cookies. Then I realized that was stupid to pass up a chance to get together with family and friends so I made a list of people I am going to make up plates for and give them the cookies.

I'm really working hard to eat sensibly and exercise. I'm doing the best I can but I'm not perfect. I don't want to drop everything and just go hog wild eating but I know I'm not going to be able to resist eating a few treats here and there.

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Noel7 — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 20:53:15 GMT

People mean well, they want to share something with you.

But I totally understand your position. For me, if there is something I know will tempt me there is usually a moment of clarity and I use that to put it in the garbage.

Unless of course, you have someone to pass it on to.

Re: DIETING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Poodlepet2 — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 21:45:23 GMT

cherry and Kitty, I am in total agreement-and I am Type II as well. I took it one meal at a time ( with planning) and rebooted my life: 80 pounds lost-( and three doctors have told me to stop losing weight: that has never happened before!)AND the best part is that my A1c is 4.8!!!!!!

I am not changing a thing: there is no food that is worth feeling lousy over. I find that eating real food is the best preventative-and there are always healthy delicious alternatives.....I am 56, and the amount of gear hair that was coming in has slowed drastically.

I am using spa technology at home, and I know it's helping tremendously, but my skin is really looking terrific-I absolutely a tribute that to great nutrition.

Poodlepet2