I was reading a diet email newsletter I subscribe to and they had an article about how Americans tend to gain 5 pounds on average over the holiday season! So instead of saying on Jan 1, 2003 "boy all that overeating wasnt worth it and now I have xx amount of extra pounds to lose" what are you going to do to avoid this?
I think if you plan ahead maybe it wont be so hard to stick to it!

One thing I will do (to get the list started) is to not bake cookies this year. I say its for friends and family but end up "sampling" way too many. Also we have lots left over just tempting me until they are gone. So out of sight-out of mind for me, hopefully!

what are your plans to avoid the holiday 5+ pounds?
laura

Great topic!

I'm going to say NO (Thank you) a lot. I'm practicing now when my boss came back from a trip and had chocolate covered pretzels for the office. Agh! No no no!

I'm also going to keep on my walking regiment (luckily I live where the weather never gets too cold). I think I'm also going to add a new healthy tradition to Turkey Day. Maybe a special salad or a game of frisbee on the beach with the dogs.

Thanksgiving will not be a problem for me since I will be staying here alone.....yeehaw no stuffed feeling As for Christmas I am going to my parents house but they are healthy eaters so that should not be a problem and I am taking a vacation from work from Dec 21st - Jan 2nd so I shouldn't have the temptation there......boy this looks good in theory let's see if I can make it work!

I too will be baking a lot less. I also have the added motivation that dh cannot eat his favorite cookies because of his special diet. I may bake none at all. We are going to bake the nut rolls that I give as gifts. Since he's no longer allowed nuts, we are going to improvise a bit and see how we can do a "nutless" nut roll or two. This is something we do together and I will hate giving it up entirely but probably will if it's too tough on him. I like them too but just can't afford those calories. And no chocolates around the house. This is sounding tough already. Will have to find some great alternatives.

We attend at least 8 parties during December--my strategy is to scope out the food and then choose the top 3 things that I most want. I will not eat anything that I can get any other time (chips and salsa, etc). I then take one piece/serving of each of the three things and that's it for me for the night. I don't feel deprived at all and I make it sort of a game!

hotflash-
I have been thinking the same way lately. Why waste calories at a party on stuff you could have any time like chips and salsa? Pick something you normally dont see all the time and indulge, just make it a part of your plan calorie wise and you shouldnt gain! Thats part of my plan now too!

It seems like a lot of us are going to work on the baking. I know most people get cookies from everyone so nobody is going to miss mine! Teachers/neighbors would rather have something else I am sure!
laura

With my In-laws coming the ovens will be working over time!!!
Pies and goodies galore. I however, will eat my protein like a good girl. I have worked to long and to hard for this to give it up to what I put in my mouth. Five minutes of taste for weeks and weeks of work to make up for it.........I played that sucker game to many years. I finally got it!!!!!!
Pam

Wow Pam!
I read your post and it inspired me. You are soo right. It's not worth taking so long to get it off! I really struggle with this one and it does sound like "you get it". I am on or off, all or nothing. If I blow it once, I seem to blow it for days. It takes a lot of effort to get back on track. Maybe if I didnt go off to begin with I would be much better off!
good luck to all of us this season!!
laura