Thanksgiving and Christmas have always been a dangerous time for my diet. I've gotten off more diets because of all the candy, snacks, etc that show up around the Holidays. Does anyone have good tips on how to stay on track over the Holidays?
Oh no, it's time to start thinking about that, isn't it!!
One thing that helps me deal with indulgent meals in general is to work around them and "bank" calories/points/carbs/fats. Like, if I know I'm going to have a holiday party on Friday, I eat fruits and vegetables for breakfast and lunch those days (knowing that those are the least likely foods to be consumed at a party).
I'm trying to get my family to incorporate exercise into our holiday events - sledding on Thanksgiving, or a nice Christmas Day walk. But they're all kind of unhealthy thugs and they don't find those ideas all that appealing.
Another option is to always bring a healthy dish to pot-lucks - I usually bring a vegetable-intensive dish. I thought about declaring Thanksgiving a health-conscious event, but I suspect my family would balk.
It's time to be diligent in our exercise routines!!
I'm not sure how your family usually cooks for the holidays...but i can always find a meat dish and a vegetable dish to try and fill up on versus using my calories on high-fat casseroles. And then I scope out the desserts and pick one to indulge in for later.
well.. I've always just made sure I had one plate of food, one dessert, and drank unsweetened tea.
Probably overdid it, but hey.. that's why I am this big in the first place.
Maybe consider the white meat of the turkey, and bringing your own side that you prepared in a healthy way (enough to share of course). That way the host/hostess has some of the burden removed, and you can sneak healthy food in to the grubfest.
I've actually thought about starting this topic recently too. My mom wanted to know 'what she could make me' and I hate having a host make special food just for me... so i told her to make a vegetable without added fat and we'd be good. as for all the treats... I'm planning on having my own personal box of mandarin oranges during the entire season to manage the temptation and working the sweets into my daily calories.
Since I am just starting out I really dont know...I guess I will just have to make better choices! My family is not the type to "skimp" on the fixins so its my responsibility to choose wisely!
For the meals, letting someone else host the dinner is a good tip, then the food isn't at YOUR house. Also, if there is a food you LOVE, that could be made more OP - volunteer to make that one yourself. For instance, I always make the green bean casserole so I can be sure it's made with fat free soup and turkey bacon so it's less fattening! I've also made sugar free pumpkin pie...my diabetic father-in-law was greatful for that one. I think the most important thing about the holidays, however, is to remember that overdoing one day does not make you a failure! So you go to Thanksgiving dinner and you can't leave the candied sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie alone? So what? It's ONE day - just don't take home the leftovers!
As for the candy and cookies - in my office they are EVERYWHERE! I tend to stay at my desk, with the door shut - the luxury of NOT being in a cubicle. Don't allow them to be in your house! If someone gives you a plate of cookies, take them to your work and pass them out, take them to your kids school and give them to the office workers or his/her teacher, just keep them gone. Same rule as for the meals though. Breaking down and eating a dozen cookies on a Monday is bad...but not as bad as doing it again on Tuesday and Wednesday. The holidays are largely Try, Try again! And remember to have lots of low-calorie, OP meals so that those treats that sneak in don't do more damage than they have to. After all, in the long run a vegetarian vegetable soup followed by a couple cookies isn't nearly as bad as roast and potatoes followed by a couple cookies!
Well, I had a wonderful post going and lost it. I think the key is making things from scratch so you can control the fat, sugar and salt. The part that always pushes me over the edge is alcohol. There's very few things I DON'T like to drink. And frankly, we do indeed use the holidays to drink. I guess I'll just have to exercise it off won't I.
The browneis and fudge always kill me too. If I can NOT start, I'm ok. But like I can avoid starting if they're around.
Need ideas for upcoming Holidays!
