I just got done reading all the posts to KD's post about holidays and weight gain.
I am wondering why we work our buns off for 10 months and allow ourselves freedom to go back to bad habits for two months? What is the purpose? Do you think it would be possible to have a holiday season with a minimum weight gain or even a loss, or a "stayed the same" idea.
I am challenging myself to a weight loss or a "stayed-the-same" holiday season this year. It means I may have to give up or do more, but I think I am ready for that kind of thing. I want to prove to myself that I can do it.
If anyone wants to join me, I'll be posting my successes and failures here daily.
Cathy
Summer Challenge Goals:
1. Get out of the house and in the pool four days a week. 2. Schedule meals a week at a time. 3. five fruits and vegetables a day, along with water.
Posts: 3427 | Location: Central USA | Registered: March 11, 2004
just something to add: one of the things that makes holidays hard is the increased social contact. i don't know about you guys but when i politely say "no thank you" or "that's ok, i am fine with my selzter water for now." I get those looks or comments from people , like i am turning down their gesture of love (FOOD!). last year, i avoided lots of social gatherings just so i did not have to see the look of hurt and bewilderment on their faces because I did not join the Holiday Eat-A-Thon with the masses. I know i need to "turn it off" and not let it get to me, but as we think about what is different about those 2 holiday months....this is a biggie for me.I guess I still have the disease to please somewhere in my brain....ho hum. cathy, i will join you!
Goals: 1. Stop thinking like a chronic dieter and start living to inspire. 2. HALT (hungry, anxious, lonely, tired) I will stop and tune in with myself should I experience these things, and respond with something healthy. 3. One word 2008: courage 4. Eat slow and mindfully.
I guess because summer is a much more dangerous weight gain time for me-I don't see the holidays as a huge problem.
Ditto for me.
summer 7 challenge goals: - Meditate every day - Start the day with positive imagery and self talk Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
I think a lot of this can be attributed to the fact that because it is the holiday season we are subjected to more parties, more time away from home or our "comfort zones", and far more goodies around than a normal day or month. In the last few years I have gained more weight during the summer than I have during the holidays.
I love Thanksgiving and Christmas! I love the traditions surrounding them both, being with my family and friends, being out in the malls with the music and the holiday atmosphere and along with that I love certain foods/drinks I associate with Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I have come a long way in terms of what I eat/drink at parties and on holidays. I used to eat so much on Thanksgiving, even after I was incredibly full, I would keep on eating. I don't do that anymore and I am more selective about what I eat. I want the food to be worth it but I am not passing on my favorites.
I wouldn't say that I go back to bad habits for two months. There is always room for some splurging and pleasure in my book-which may be why I am not losing weight right now but I will not give up enjoyment of holidays and the foods I love just so I can be a size ___. What I am hoping to be able to do though is enjoy those foods in much smaller quantities.
Holiday celebrations and food have always been a big part of my life. If it means a few extra hours a week at the gym, or some serious cutting back after Christmas then so be it.
I guess because summer is a much more dangerous weight gain time for me-I don't see the holidays as a huge problem. It sounds weird to me to be writing that-but it is the truth. I know many, many people struggle and gain a lot over the holiday season but for the last few years, like I said, I haven't been too bad.
I have learned(from you all here mostly) to really be more selective about what I am willing to spend calories on. Last year we got two tins of cookies-there was one kind I loved, the rest-eh, not so good. DD only liked one or two kinds, the rest-in the garbage. I have also learned(again from being here) to, if I know I'm going to a party, etc-eat a very healthy breakfast, or go for a walk, to plan around the party so I'm not doing too much damage.
Since I no longer work outside my home I also have less parties to attend. There were always work functions or co-workers having get-togethers and while I miss the social interaction I think I'm better off.
Jill
Summer Challenge Goals: 1) Walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week 2) Plan weekly menus
I think for me it can be a mentality. Oh it is getting chiller out so I can have that extra serving of cornbread.
It is not light out long enough so I am not going to do that outside walk.
Instead, like most everything else when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle I have to make the best choices I can. Sometimes I do this to the T and other times I just don't.
I am learning and relearning tricks. I want to continue going to the gym at least 2 times a week, Yoga class once a week, and if I can an outdoor walk once a week.
I want to bring weight training back when the time is right...mix up what I do at the gym.
Simply put---be realistic with myself and if I have a "bad day" remember there is always tomorrow.
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is." Albert Einstein
Daily to do: Drink plenty of water & take vitamins
Posts: 1605 | Location: Georgia | Registered: March 24, 2004
I didn't here anyone say they blew off their good habits over the holidays. I think there is more temptation for most of us but that it's certainly doable to lose or maintain during the holidays. Just takes a bit more planning.
The year I was losing, I started on October 1st and lost right through all the holidays. I've never regained any weight during holiday time in the years since.
summer 7 challenge goals: - Meditate every day - Start the day with positive imagery and self talk Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
I will not gain an ounce this holiday season either. That's why I write about it. To keep myself from doing it. Well, that and I have two sites to keep full of content and I have to keep things light and fun and entertaining, right?
For me, the holiday season is not two months, it's three. And it's all Target's fault. They start putting out the Halloween candy so dang early. I look at October, November, December and the first week of January as the Holiday season.
The gloomy days of winter aren't the holiday season but they're the hide-the-extra-portions under the baggy-clothes season, and they're a struggle for me too. I live in Michigan. It's the third gloomiest state in the U.S.
Yes, please get out your violins. I'll be the girl with the corn muffins in one hand and the extra serving of meat loaf and mashed potatoes. I jest, but it's always work to stay on track. Which is why I'll be cooking and sewing and exercising and writing about it all winter long.
