...UGH! I knew that it was going to happen. I gave myself permission to eat off plan - not go crazy but also to not be so vigilantly on plan. The result? I've gained 5.4 pounds between Thanksgiving and this morning's weigh in.

It's not as bad as it could have been and I refuse to beat myself up too much about it. I enjoyed the holiday celebrations with family and friends and now I'm getting right back on plan.

I might be wrong but I don't feel as though I failed or "fell off the wagon". I made a deliberate choice to allow myself some indulgences and now that time is over and I'm going back to my new "normal". Here's hoping those 5.4 pounds leave quickly and take some of their friends with them!

When I committed to being healthier, I recognized that for me that meant including indulgences and allowing myself to have pie on Thanksgiving and cookies on Christmas.

This had to be for the rest of my life, after all, and there's no way I'm giving up treats on the holidays. I had to accept that some years this has meant I'm up a few pounds or maintaining over the holiday season. Instead of losing much or at all.

I compare it to how it used to be... no monitoring ever... which lead to 20 pound gains over the holiday seasons with NO "getting back on the horse".

This is much, MUCH better than what it used to be. It's also something I can live with. It works out nicely.

So, many kudos to you for enjoying the season and recognizing that it's time to return to normal and shed those 5 pounds. A few weeks and it'll all be back to that healthier normal

Lovely - I'm so glad to read someone else who has a similar view! Not that I'm happy about the weight gain but I expected/accepted it as a part of my choices during the holiday season.

I think this is actually one of the reasons I know this time is "the" time that my weight loss plan is going to be permanent. Instead of looking at it as an all or nothing proposition I'm looking at is like a tide that will ebb and flow as I make my way through life.

*waves hand sheepishly* Me too.

I didn't gain five, but it looks like I'm up about two pounds. Oh well. I'm so not worried about it. What's that quote, "It's not falling down that causes failure, it's refusing to get back up" or something to that effect.

Anyway, I just wanted to say, yes, I feel you, I had no plan for the two week holiday, and it will be all right.

I'm back in the saddle again. Yay!

I gained 13 back!! Now i ready for Santa to take it back!!!

Aww, sweetie, it's okay. It happens to a LOT of people. But now it's a new year and you've got a fresh start. You can do this!

Hi ladies.

Im newly back here (today!) and I gained ten during the holidays. Not even sure how that happened but I guess I induldged more than I thought. My thought is what's done is done. Beating myself up doesn't get me back on track. If anything it makes me want to eat! lol.

Onward and upward ladies.

ABSOLUTELY NOT A FAILURE....You planned for it. It wasn't that bad. You know you need to get back on track and you're doing it. Those 5 pounds will be gone in no time. Congrats on jumping right back in!

LYNNIE923....I've been following your amazing progress. Cheering you on to goal!!!

Sooo - what you're saying is that we're all in this dieting roller coaster together!

Now we're getting back on track and pretty soon we'll be able to pack up those unwanted 'Santa pounds' and send them back to the North Pole!!

thanks its nice to know I am showing others it can be done.

Lynn

Lynnie, don't feel like the only one. I put 13 pounds back on within 5 days which I didn't know was possible! Thankfully, I have gotten back on track and have taken 9 back off. I enjoyed the holidays too much and it reminded me that I can fall right back into old habits if I am not diligent. Good luck to everyone in this new year!

I am hoping I have a weightloss Sunday!! Because getting back on track has been alittle hard and very disappointing at times.

Lynn

Just a thought - I bet if we all asked our thin friends if they gained any weight over the holidays, the answer would be a resounding "YES!" Now we just have to take it back off, same as they do. I think there's a difference in gaining a few pounds over a certain period of time like a holiday or vacation and then fixing it as opposed to just letting the pounds pile back on. I think most of us are really ready to get back on plan and deal with the few extra pounds. Here's to great success for all of us.

Lin

I have been off a month now. and yes... I put back 6lbs. over the holiday and have now lost 3lbs. this week. I knew it would happen and while 6lbs. is not much, it was the wrong direction. So until I saw the lose back( guess we were all out of the Christmas goodies) LOL. I stayed away from here, But we all need the support. Just stay on the road. But I sure did enjoy the goodies while it lasted. Hang in ALL!