i hate this time of year...

[emmasmommy]

and not because i'm a scrooge. well, i can be, but that's beside the point.

it seems like EVERYTHING this time of year is centered around eating, and it's not just like it's food that sucks, everything is delicious and i want to eat it all. so, please, tell me, how do you not gain the obligatory 10-15 lbs that comes with the holidays?

i don't want to gain weight but every single holiday season it seems like i gain weight. HELLLLP (or at least make me feel like i'm normal, please?)!!!!

[ColleenSwerb]

Well, I just try and take it in stride. I've been sticking to my workouts, and eating healthy as much as possible.
It helps to let yourself have *some*. You can have a cookie or two, but not a dozen. Or a slice of cake, but not cake AND ice cream. If there are healthier dinner options, like salad, make sure to take advantage of that.

I think the holiday's make it REALLY about portion control, and moderation.

[LenaGardner]

I've been gaining weight steadily for the last 2 years and not just during the holidays! I am still eating some stuff this season, I don't want to look back and feel like I missed out. I'm doing the best I can by 1)increasing my exercise so that I can afford to eat more LOL and 2) taking 2 dishes to every get-together we have to go to. 1 healthy side dish and 1 healthy dessert, so that no matter where we are or what I eat, I have a few healthy options.

I'm determined to not gain this season, but oh boy has it been hard. There's always something sweet and in my face, so I totally get where you are coming from!

[glumirk]

If you're pregnant, you're supposed to be gaining weight, right?

It's seriously all about portions. At Thanksgiving I should have just taken one bite of everything and then I would have been full, but I had to take little portions of everything and stuffed myself to the brim without even finishing my plate.

Our biggest problem has always been to stop eating when the hunger is satisfied. We decided that buffets are not good for us because we want the better deal by eating more food, but the fact is that we'll still have to eat again and over-indulging isn't comfortable at all. The best deal is to eat just the right amount so we are satisfied, full of energy, and don't feel like we have to waddle out of the restaurant or party or whatever. It's hard and we have to slap ourselves for not taking more food, but that's what's kept our weight at bay.

[jovi_girl]

Lol um I've lost 2 kilos this season. Thanks entirely to morning sickness that never eases up! It's not a diet I would recommend!

[heathergw]

I'd be happy to give you some of my heartburn to keep you from eating too much

seriously, I usually just enjoy the holidays and gain the 10-15lbs and then work a little harder in January and February to lose it. You know how to lose it so I think it's ok... the key is to get back on track right after the holidays.

[Stacey42]

I just take a couple of bites of things. One cookie, a couple bites of pie, two chips dipped in the spinich dip. And I eat slowly & savor it.

Oh and I drink plenty of water. I'll have a galss of wine or two but I have a glass of water before each one

[Kiki]

If you have dinners or luncheons to go to, eat a bag of low-fat popcorn first...it fills you and is full of fibre and will help you from overindulging. If you don't like popcorn try snacking on some veggies before you go somewhere then.

[emmasmommy]

oooh that's a good tip kiki! thanks!

[newfiemountiewife]

I eat a lot, and try not to feel bad about it. LOL

[Jenn Barrette]

I think some of the weight is stress weight...ya thats it...LOL

Seriously thought, I tend to re-commit to a healthier lifestyle in January, so I do just enjoy the holidays; I still try and make healthier choices, limit portion size, and drink lots of water.

[crecia27]

I've been trying so hard to lose weight, and I don't want to gain during this holiday and have to re-lose it! I'm so impressed with people who are able to just start eating right again come Jan 1, I find it so hard to not continue to want those yummy things!! I've never realized how many holiday memories or triggers revolve around foods! So far I've been successful with having just a few bites of the things I love and filling up on the diet friendly foods. So far...

[jannylynn]

I don't like the holidays for the same reasons.

Unfortunately the only thing I know to do is to excersize a lot BEFORE the event and not tell yourself you'll do it after to catch up. I did that for DH's office party this past weekend. But the problem there wasn't the food but the drinks. I still lost a pound this week so I think my plan worked. YAY!

[color of my heart]

i think the trick is to ALLOW yourself to have a bit of whatever you want. don't say you can't have it, because then you will have it and you'll eat too much. but if you have a bit, it satisfies the want. and you're good.

the holidays are a food fest for my family. it's horrible. so i know the feeling!

[Susan Bartolini]

Honestly, I don't fight it. I love food and it is such a big part of enjoying the holidays for my family...so I just go with it. I then bust my ass in the New Year to work it off. It's a trade off.

[Valgal]

Originally Posted by newfiemountiewife

I eat a lot, and try not to feel bad about it. LOL

YES! I was looking for someone's response that would be perfect for me to back up and say, "Yup, that's exactly what I do." but I would be lying if I said that about any other response than thisl, lol!

I'm Scarlet O'Hara and I'll think about that tomorrow

[g8rbeckie]

Kind of like Kiki said...don't show up to a party STARVING. We just had my team's holiday party this week, and I ate two bananas before it started. So I had much better proportions on my plate.

Having said that...I was HORRIBLE over thanksgiving, so its more the everyday food that is constantly at my house that causes me to make bad choices. But I have no desire or willpower to cut out all of the wonderful holiday food!

[emmasmommy]

yah, i have ZERO will power. i'm seriously just going to have to bust my butt once january rolls around. i like food way too much to say no LOL

[NettieB]

enforced exercise. ha.

walks to see Christmas lights, windows, from the car to the store as the parking lot is now in another zip code, dancing like a loon with my kid in the living room (window shades down)... trying yoga again and attempting not to become a pretzel permanently

signing up for an 8K so I have to get my b__t off the couch and runn...

and I think I'll still be up 5# because hey, this stuff is good and only comes by once a year!