Holiday Support: Christmas/Hanukkah Edition

[Maine-iac]

Okay - We are now entering my worst month for weight gain. I made it past Thanksgiving with no gain/no loss thanks to lots of extra exercise.

Christmas Challenges:
1. Sweets are my biggest temptation, and sweets are a bigger Christmas Item than a Thanksgiving item.
2. The weather is now too crappy for long walks, and not snowy enough for winter sports yet. Pace is hectic which means that to exercise I will have to force myself to squeeze out some extra time.
3. Parties everywhere, goodies brought in by co-workers, and sent by agents to the HO as gifts.

Positive Factors:
1. Unlike Thanksgiving, I am actually controlling the menu for the feast itself, and Mr. M is on board for cutting down on the level of sweets, though a moderate amount of Christmas cookies are on the list. (I'll make one batch of his favorite sugar cookies the week before.)
2. Two holiday events are occuring simultaneously this weekend. Though both have opportunities for bad eating, the one we chose to go to has more alternatives to snacking.
3. I can always bring any excess goodies we acquire in to co-workers


So, people, tips? strategies? challenges? encouragement? Please share!

[MrsFrog]

Here's my plan. Stay away from stuff that doesn't look tastey, every christmas people bring in stuff to work or I'm at parties and I end up eating things because they are there not because they taste good. This may mean staying away from eating at in laws house as much as possible. I think if I can remember this I'll do pretty well. The non tastey treats always just make me want to try a tastey one, it's a vicous cycle. If I stick to the good stuff I'm more likely to feel satisfied by it

I'll also try to run as much as possible, which is hard because I usually end up drinking at all the parties and it's tough to get up in the am

[Patience]

Just had the conversation this morning.

If you feel the need to cheat, be sure that whatever you put in you mouth makes you say "Damn, that was good" -- avoid any food that does not fall into this category

[Frenchie]

Just had the conversation this morning.

If you feel the need to cheat, be sure that whatever you put in you mouth makes you say "Damn, that was good" -- avoid any food that does not fall into this category

Oh boy! I'm gonna be like 500 lbs come Jan 1!!! :crying:

[LoneGirl]

This season is tough for me too. I try to keep up with my workouts as much as possible and I usually workout in the morning so there's no room to blow it off later. I also try to limit my treats to those things that I don't get too often. For example, if someone brings in chocolate chip cookies, I try to tell myself that those aren't anything special for the holidays and I can have chocolate chip cookies anytime of the year. It's hard though because I have a big sweet tooth!

[Maine-iac]

What is tough is that I like to bake. I see so many recipes these days that would be so tempting to try, but I don't need all that sugar! Mr. M is watching nutrition too, so he doesn't need all that sugar. Kind of kills the point of it all.

I'll make batches of Mr. M's and my brother's favorite Christmas cookies right before Christmas, and I making a healthy version of pumpkin pie for the Christmas dinner, but I think that will be about it for the baking this year. I kind of miss it, but without kids in the house, it's just too dangerous.

[LoneGirl]

What is tough is that I like to bake. I see so many recipes these days that would be so tempting to try, but I don't need all that sugar!


You mean like Frenchie's evil 12 Days of Cookies thread??? ;)

[Maine-iac]

Why, yes! That WOULD be a good example. :)

[Samantha]

What is tough is that I like to bake. I see so many recipes these days that would be so tempting to try, but I don't need all that sugar! Mr. M is watching nutrition too, so he doesn't need all that sugar. Kind of kills the point of it all.

I'll make batches of Mr. M's and my brother's favorite Christmas cookies right before Christmas, and I making a healthy version of pumpkin pie for the Christmas dinner, but I think that will be about it for the baking this year. I kind of miss it, but without kids in the house, it's just too dangerous.

Oh come on now! You can find a place for those goodies!

Make a batch of whatever strikes your fancy, set 2 or 4 aside for you and Mr. M and then give the rest away. FAST!

Does your church have a preschool? The teachers there would love them. Your doctor's office, your postman, your neighbors, or take them to the office or the office of any non-profit group, ask your local schools if any groups are doing bake sales you could donate to ... spread the cheer! :)

I love baking too, but ya gotta have a plan to get rid of the stuff! :tup:

[Maine-iac]

Hey, I live in the back of beyond! Church is a mission outpost. No preschool. Doc's office would NOT appreciate unsolicited food. (Overweight patients, restricted diets, etc., etc.) Postman is a contract driver. Never gets out of the car. No neighbors, except a potato farm with a non-resident farmer.

Yes, I do take goodies into the office, but we just finished all the charity bake sales in November and there's a limit to how much stuff you can dump at the office in the holidays! We've got food coming in right, left and center from the agencies. Last year we had family visiting, so I baked up a storm, but this year it's just the three of us.

[LoneGirl]

Hey, I live in the back of beyond!


You could put the goodies out in your backyard for the moose. I'm sure they like cookies. ;)

[Maine-iac]

More like happy field mice. They move much quicker than the moose and they love their sweets! :D

[Samantha]

Yes, I do take goodies into the office, but we just finished all the charity bake sales in November and there's a limit to how much stuff you can dump at the office in the holidays! We've got food coming in right, left and center from the agencies. Last year we had family visiting, so I baked up a storm, but this year it's just the three of us.

Hmmm, well, how about the security folks in your office building? Do you pass by any police or fire stations on your way to work? Retirement communities? (Oh and the doctor's office suggestions was for the staff, not the patients.)

Just trying to help ya out ;-)

[LoneGirl]

Yes, I do take goodies into the office, but we just finished all the charity bake sales in November and there's a limit to how much stuff you can dump at the office in the holidays! We've got food coming in right, left and center from the agencies. Last year we had family visiting, so I baked up a storm, but this year it's just the three of us.

Hmmm, well, how about the security folks in your office building? Do you pass by any police or fire stations on your way to work? Retirement communities? (Oh and the doctor's office suggestions was for the staff, not the patients.)

Just trying to help ya out ;-)

How about Samantha, give your address to Maine-iac, and Maine-iac, mail all of your extra cookies to Samantha. Problem solved. ;)

[Samantha]

How about Samantha, give your address to Maine-iac, and Maine-iac, mail all of your extra cookies to Samantha. Problem solved. ;)

That would work too! I could find some very worthy recipients! Of course, I couldn't donate anything without first checking to make sure it tasted okay :tup:

(Seriously though, this suggestion comes from my own love of baking. I love sweets, but I always try to get rid of them as fast as I can and sometimes you have to get creative!)

[Maine-iac]

Yes, I do take goodies into the office, but we just finished all the charity bake sales in November and there's a limit to how much stuff you can dump at the office in the holidays! We've got food coming in right, left and center from the agencies. Last year we had family visiting, so I baked up a storm, but this year it's just the three of us.

Hmmm, well, how about the security folks in your office building? Do you pass by any police or fire stations on your way to work? Retirement communities? (Oh and the doctor's office suggestions was for the staff, not the patients.)

Just trying to help ya out ;-)

I appreciate it. :D

Security folks = some cameras, unmanned
Police/Fire = Daytime police only. Not there when I go by. Volunteer firefighters. Not often there unless there's a fire.
Retirement communities. Nope. Have to go to the big town to find one.

Guess I'll just have to fatten up the co-workers, or skip it.
Want a fruitcake? I make GREAT fruitcake. I could mail you one. :D

[yanz]

Why don't I get cookies?!?!?! I love cookies!!!

[Samantha]

Why don't I get cookies?!?!?! I love cookies!!!

See Maine-iac! There's all kinds of people who want your cookies!

(And no, that's not a eeuphamism! (Well, I guess it could be, but then we'd have to move this thread to the reef!) :oops: )

[shadyridr]

Just had my holiday breakfast :( Ate 2 bagels with cream cheese cuz they were so damn good. I plan on doing an hour of cardio today to burn off half a bagel :(. I have been doing 45 min a day all week and for the next 2 weeks I plan on doing just cardio to help me through the holidays. Then in January Ill start hitting the weights again and mix in 30 min of cardio a day. I dropped from 232 to 222 but I gained back 3 pounds cuz I slacked off my diet and doing cardio. Im hoping to get down to 220 by Jan, 215 by mid Feb, and maybe 205 by end of April. As long as these holidays dont kill me too much I know I will stick to my workout plan and Im hoping I can do it.

[Frenchie]

What is tough is that I like to bake. I see so many recipes these days that would be so tempting to try, but I don't need all that sugar!


You mean like Frenchie's evil 12 Days of Cookies thread??? ;)

HEY!!! I just saw this!!! :-P

I'm not being evil. I just figure, since I'm having such a hard time as of late (negated all my hard work earlier this year :crying:) it's much easier to make me look skinnier by making the people around me fatter! :lol:

[LoneGirl]

You mean like Frenchie's evil 12 Days of Cookies thread??? ;)

HEY!!! I just saw this!!! :-P

I'm not being evil. I just figure, since I'm having such a hard time as of late (negated all my hard work earlier this year :crying:) it's much easier to make me look skinnier by making the people around me fatter! :lol:

Well I think you're succeeding. Didn't you hear? Maine-iac is sending all of us cookies! ;)

[Maine-iac]

Yeah, but the trick is, they're VIRTUAL cookies. :D

[LoneGirl]

Yeah, but the trick is, they're VIRTUAL cookies. :D

Sorry Frenchie, looks like Maine-iac has foiled your evil plan [insert evil laugh] !!! ;)

[shadyridr]

Did an hour of cardio at lunch, burnt about 700 cal. Probably half a bagel :(. Anyway, I got my office christmas party this friday so that'll be another setback.

[LoneGirl]

Did an hour of cardio at lunch, burnt about 700 cal. Probably half a bagel :(. Anyway, I got my office christmas party this friday so that'll be another setback.

Hey, an hour of cardio is better than nothing! It's good that you're keeping up your cardio; if nothing else, it'll help you keep from gaining over the holidays.

[Maine-iac]

. . . and not gaining over the holidays is a very worthy goal.

[yanz]

Did an hour of cardio at lunch, burnt about 700 cal. Probably half a bagel :(.

I don't think so. I used to have the absolute richest bagel and cream cheese combo at ABP every morning a few years ago: Dutch apple bagel (covered in sugary stuff and sweet on the inside) and Honey Walnut cream cheese (very rich + sugar and nuts), and the whole thing came to about 600 calories.
A plain bagel with plain cream cheese would be well below that.

Just did a quick search: plain (med-large) bagel and cream cheese come out to about 250-300 calories. Flavored bagels (without crazy stuff like mine) don't seem to make much of a difference.

So you likely burned off the whole bagel and then some...

[MrsFrog]

Ok I'm officially doing bad! Already been to the inlaws once for dinner, yesterday was the first time I had ran in a week. I have work holiday parties coming up, one of which I'm not driving to so I'll probably drink to much and be hungover the next day. I've also been eating out alot, we went out of town last weekend, so I ate out then(and had extra meals to try things), and then I didn't go to the grocery store for 3 days after we got back, so I ate out every lunch and dinner then too! I had been doing really good too, I had a bag of kisses at home and they had been there for a month and I still hadn't finished them, but I saw those cherry filled kisses at the store the other day, they only sell them at Christmas so I had to get them, I've probably eaten half the bag already

Planning on running alot next week, which means that it'll probably get really cold and I won't want to go.

[Maine-iac]

Hang in there! You can still indulge without going overboard. Which will make your New Year's weigh-in so much more enjoyable. :)

Good Luck!

[yanz]

good point. Need to look good on NYE in my little black dress...

[Maine-iac]

If anyone is looking for something healthy to bring to a holiday party, I made these for the Rotary Christmas Party, and they went over pretty well. I was asked for the recipe at the next meeting, and the requestor isn't even weight-watching.

[Tom]

Ok I'm officially doing bad! Already been to the inlaws once for dinner, yesterday was the first time I had ran in a week. I have work holiday parties coming up, one of which I'm not driving to so I'll probably drink to much and be hungover the next day. I've also been eating out alot, we went out of town last weekend, so I ate out then(and had extra meals to try things), and then I didn't go to the grocery store for 3 days after we got back, so I ate out every lunch and dinner then too! I had been doing really good too, I had a bag of kisses at home and they had been there for a month and I still hadn't finished them, but I saw those cherry filled kisses at the store the other day, they only sell them at Christmas so I had to get them, I've probably eaten half the bag already

Planning on running alot next week, which means that it'll probably get really cold and I won't want to go.
I feel ya.

I'm not going to kid myself and say I'm going to pass on all the goodies at the Christmas feast this year, but come New Years Day, some friends of mine and I are going to try to run one 5k and one 10k per month (maybe more). I plan on running every morning and going to the gym each afternoon.

I've fallen off the wagon :crying: and I'm trying to get back on :crying:. I was doing so well up until a month ago :crying:. I've only been to the gym like 3 or 4 times in the past month :crying: I'm not happy with my physical condition right now :crying: I need to hop on my bike every morning :crying: and get into a rhythm. :crying:

Fortunately, my favorite 5k in Atlanta is a loop that goes right by my house, so I can run the exact route regularly, and hopefully win something the next go around. I was close last year (http://www.atlantatrackclub.org/at09224.htm). And for the record, that other Tom with the same time as me cheated, cause there was no one around me when I crossed the finish line. Especially my age, cause I usually try to pass anyone that looks like they're in my age group if they're w/in striking distance. I might be able to beat 20:57 w/ a little training.

P.S. Maine-iac, that looks tasty and easy. Will def give a try! :tup:

[LoneGirl]

I've completely blown my healthy eating plan today during my office's food bring-in. I fully admit it. But, I have to say, it was worth it for peanut butter cookies with whole Reese's peanut butter cups baked inside. :) This is my last holiday party/food bring-in of the season, so hopefully I can get back on track and will not be indulging in guilty treats again until my family's Christmas Eve gathering!

[yanz]

I ate about 8 cookies from a set-out plate in a coworker's cubicle while he was out for lunch. I'm waiting for him to walk away again so I could steal a few more :)

[Maine-iac]

I seem to be doing OK this holiday season with the work food. It's for a weird reason, though. This week I picked up two "mystery pounds" with no apparent reason. It happens periodically for weird water retention issues or whatever, and usually goes away in a few days. But it happened on Monday, just before the snack food at work went into high gear. So when I look at a tin of cookies or fudge and think, "Can I indulge?", I end up saying "Well, not until the weight is back to normal. I don't need to see 3 LBS tomorrow." If I weren't in one of these cycles, I'd probably say, "Sure, go ahead and have one" and that's where my troubles begin.

Now I think the mystery lbs may be gone by tomorrow, so I could be in real trouble from Wednesday on out . . .

[Frenchie]

There's a 4 pound box of Godiva Chocolates in the break room! :yikes:

Among other goodies...including my 3 pt egg nog, 1 pt Bacardi Gold Rum. :yikes: :yikes: Yeah, one half cup of that and I was nearly on my azz....I'm a lightweight I guess...

[Maine-iac]

Well, the mystery pounds are gone, and I've not only ended up back in my normal weight range, but at the low end of it. This will make avoiding break room treats a challenge today. (If I had to guess, I'd say the culprit was salt. I'd had a couple of fast food meals at places I normally don't frequent, buy were the choice of my companions. I was able to find relatively low-fat, low-cal options, but the trade-off was tons of salt.)

If I can at least hold out until tomorrow, to keep the damage to one day, that will be a plus. I control the menu at home, so the treats are present, but limited. At work, it's a free-for-all. Literally. :D

[yanz]

I control the menu at home, so the treats are present, but limited. At work, it's a free-for-all. Literally. :D

Ditto. At work, I feel like I have to eat as much as possible for everyone else's good, since I'm one of the more in-shape people (comparatively), so I "could afford" an extra few cookies. In fact, I'm often pressured by others to eat the treats with that exact argument. How can I say no?
*sigh*

[LoneGirl]

I control the menu at home, so the treats are present, but limited. At work, it's a free-for-all. Literally. :D

Ditto. At work, I feel like I have to eat as much as possible for everyone else's good, since I'm one of the more in-shape people (comparatively), so I "could afford" an extra few cookies. In fact, I'm often pressured by others to eat the treats with that exact argument. How can I say no?
*sigh*

Funny story a friend shared with me: at his office, there were a few women who were rather large, and they always had junk food at their desks, stuffed in their desk drawers, etc. He said they were always offering food to everyone, and usually the thinner co-workers would refuse. Well, one day, after one of the thinner girls had said "no thanks" to their food offers, one of the larger ladies said "Oh, you skinny people! What's wrong with you? You never eat any goodies!" My friend said all of a sudden, the woman stopped, got this funny look on her face, and it was like a lightbulb just suddenly went on..... Hmmmm, refusing treats = skinny? :)

[Maine-iac]

All in all, I think it came off pretty well. A few more chocolates/cookie than I needed (gift items), and a larger slice of pumpkin pie than strictly necessary, but no bingeing. Slacked off on the exercise, surprise, surprise.

Up one pound today, but I don't think that's a permanent thing, just the standard water retention I get after eating richer than normal foods. I expect to be the normal number by tomorrow or Thursday.

[Alto Reed on a Tenor Sax]

My friend said all of a sudden, the woman stopped, got this funny look on her face, and it was like a lightbulb just suddenly went on..... Hmmmm, refusing treats = skinny? :)

I've seen that look. I'm pretty sure it's just gas.

[LoneGirl]

All in all, I think it came off pretty well. A few more chocolates/cookie than I needed (gift items), and a larger slice of pumpkin pie than strictly necessary, but no bingeing. Slacked off on the exercise, surprise, surprise.

Up one pound today, but I don't think that's a permanent thing, just the standard water retention I get after eating richer than normal foods. I expect to be the normal number by tomorrow or Thursday.

I did better than last Christmas, so I don't feel too guilty. Of course, I had no exercise over the holiday, but I didn't stuff myself as much as I have in the past. I plan to grocery shop tonight for some healthy items so I can get back on track and hit the treadmill again!

[Maine-iac]

Good job!

I got back on the recumbent last night, and the weight was normal this morning, so I'm pretty pleased.

[Katie.]

Blech, I ate too much while visiting my parents! It was a "nice" reminder of what that icky, overstuffed feeling is like, and how much I don't like it. It's also very clear to me where I got my bad eating habits from. I don't think I gained a ton of weight or anything, but I just feel gross! We did go on an 8-mile walk/hike while there so that's something.

[Maine-iac]

*bump*

Post your tricks, strategies and moral support here!

So far, so good for me, but it's early days yet, and the little "gift boxes" from the agencies haven't shown up in the cafeteria yet. . .

But, I have to miss two holiday parties due to poor timing. This is a bummer :(, but good for the weight control efforts.

[Anitha Desai]

*bump*

Post your tricks, strategies and moral support here!

So far, so good for me, but it's early days yet, and the little "gift boxes" from the agencies haven't shown up in the cafeteria yet. . .

But, I have to miss two holiday parties due to poor timing. This is a bummer :(, but good for the weight control efforts.
Last year, I gained a good 5 pounds over the holiday season/winter. I started off with 128 in the fall, and ended at 132-133 by April. Never lost all of it. I vow to not gain any more weight this holiday season. The key for me is to keep the exercise going. Even the spurging is somehow reduced when I'm exercising, as I'm more in tune with my body.
My strategy is to exercise 3-4 times a week all December. It will be difficult, as we're possibly moving in mid-December. But that should disrupt the routine for only a few days.

[LoneGirl]

The key for me is to keep the exercise going. Even the spurging is somehow reduced when I'm exercising, as I'm more in tune with my body.


I think this is the key for me too. For the past couple of holiday seasons now, I haven't gained any weight. I know I've eaten lots of holiday treats, but I've always made an effort to keep up my exercise routine too. I may not lose any weight, but at least I'm making an effort to burn the extra calories I'm eating to maintain my weight.

[Maine-iac]

Honestly, I sometimes despair of nutrition at work.

The dept. is having a "Christmas Luncheon" next week. We were talking about going out, but ended up going frugal. We are ordering in. So they sent an e-mail around asking where people wanted to order from. My response was that I could be flexible, but my first choice was someplace with salad.

So, for the second year in a row, they chose . . .

Chinese fast food. Not even Chinese food from a REAL restaurant.

This is just about the ONLY fast food in town that does not offer a salad option. Nearly everything is cooked in a rather nasty oil.

And heck, nothing says "Christmas" like Chinese food, eh? :roll:

So, I'll probably end up with hot and sour soup and a spring roll, like last year. Ho, ho, ho.

[Sotally Tober]

And heck, nothing says "Christmas" like Chinese food, eh? :roll:

:tup:

Have a Merry (Chinese) Christmas (http://www.eventsounds.com/wav/fararara.wav) Sound on, please.

[tbug]

I had my healthy soup for lunch and dumped salt all over it so it tasted like junk food

(i'm in a very strange mood today)

[Maine-iac]

Oh well, if you don't have bp problems, a salt fest is probably not the worst.

Was it good? :)