How can you stay on track during the holiday?

[Shellalabellla]

The holidays are really tough.  How can you stay motivated and on track when your routine is totally off?

[Ukase]

Well, if you have one of those nifty smart phones, you might be able to keep track of your activity level. Let's face it, though. No typical amount of physical exertion in a day can burn what one of those huge holiday meals can deliver, with all that dessert!

What I did over Thanksgiving was to gather a small portion of each. A little of this, a little of that. If I didn't know how many calories was in something, I assumed the worst, realizing that it takes close to 3600 calories to make a pound. I know without a doubt that if I avoid dessert, I don't have to worry about getting close to that number. I'll save dessert for the next morning, when I have a much better chance of working it off before it just stores as fat in my gut.

At worst, walk a little bit extra each day in preparation for the inevitable gluttony if self control isn't your strong suit. I take a peek at my FitBit One's calorie burn display and keep walking until I see 50 extra calories. After a week, I can have a slice of pumpkin pie with little or no guilt.

[wtksk8r]

My wife and I are on the same program to lose some weight so we support each other.  We generally go into these holidays with an agreement to maintain current weight or at the very least gain no more than a couple of pounds.  We make sure the other one logs food in as soon as possible so that we know where we stand at any time during the day. The phone app really comes in handy at this time.

[ericakelly]

The holidays can be totally rough!

As mentioned before, think of your plate as a sampler dish. Grab very small portions of everything you want to eat (half a fist full) and you should be alright. The best thing is to exercise early in the day before the eating commences lol! That way you have a few hundred calories to spare.

Be sure to drink a TON of water as well!

Hope this helps 🙂

[truevalentine]

It may be a little late for you to do this, but if you have any control over what food is served at the holiday meals then take some time to figure out how to tweek your must haves and make them a little more healthy.  Cut the sugar in your pumpkin pie, find a healthier reicpe for the sweet potatoes, etc.  Also, put out a tray of veggies for munches before dinner and EAT them, it will help fill you up before you get to the more calorie rich foods.

[Vkkesu]

If you don't LOVE the food , pass it by.  Just because it's offered you don't have to eat it.  Get SMALL portions (half handful is great visual) of what you love.  EAT SLOWLY and TRACK everything.  If you have an idea of what will be served, track before you go.  Seeing those calories in writting can really help cut portions when the time comes (for me it does).    Drink only water ( no need to waste calories on a drink ).   Remember the day is to enjoy family/friends,   not to eat and feel stuffed.

[Inga]

Good tips. I have a couple tips that work for dinners or buffets:

1. Most things I can look at and think I have had that before, I remember what it tastes like and I don't need it now.

2. things I really want to try, I do exactly that, I try them. that is 1 bite.

3. right back on plan tomorrow, one meal won't make much difference, a whole week of festive eating will. 

4. don't let something that provides only short term satisfaction distract you from what you really want