| If you're on WW....
Weigh everything, but save your floaters and optional calories
for that day (not ALL of them, of course). That way, we can all
have small "treats", but still be on program (I know, easier said
than done).
What about Christmas? That's the holiday I'm REALLY concerned
about!
Linda
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| Spending calories around the holidays is not much different than spending money
around the holidays.
You can save up for a while in advance. Do this by eaqting less or exercising
more. Not a lot, but just enough to make a difference.
You can also pay later. Spend the rest of the weekend eating less and
exercising more.
If you are doing the cooking, and having a bunch of folks over, you can control
the menu. When people ask what to bring, tell them "empty tupperware". Then
send those tempting leftovers home with them.
If you are visiting someone else, you won't have the control of the menu, but
you won't have the leftover problem. To be polite, you can accept the right
leftovers (turkey breast, etc.). Also, don't be afraid to call in advance, and
ask the host or hostess if they might be able to provide you with some steamed
veggies without butter, or ask if they could go light on the butter, letting
people add it at the table.
When the day arrives, have a plan ready. Last year, mine was to have no more
than 5 things on my plate for firsts, and no more than 3 for seconds. The plate
had to be less than 50% covered with food (lots of plate showing thru) for
firsts, and less than 33% for seconds. Much of what I had was only a heaping
tablespoon sized serving. I allowed myself the "forbidden foods" as I like to
call them (a small piece of turkey skin, dark meat, gravy).
Have a support person sitting next to you, too. They can help fend off the
tempting foods as they pass by, and if the food is served in portions too large,
they can help there, too.
Promise yourself to leave food, eat slow, talk a lot, and most of all, don't
eat and listen at the same time when you are having a dialog with someone.
When you are done, excuse yourself, and take a short walk by yourself. It has
to be by yourself, so you can congratulate yourself. Make it a brisk one. When
you get back, you can get other folks to join you for a liesurely stroll.
When dessert time rolls around, know in advance what you are going to have, and
stick to it.
The important thing is to enjoy the day, eat, but stay in control, and get back
to a normal controlled diet the next day. And most of all DON'T guilt yourself!
You don't lose weight all in one day, and you won't put it all on in one day,
either!
JP
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|
I find the easiest thing for me is not to deprive myself
of anything I want.
I concentrate on taking small portions of the foods I want,
even stuffing, and making sure that I'm not overloading my
plate. Many times I find at holiday meals, the food's just
so good that even if I'm full, I work on cleaning my plate.
The first year I consciously worked at taking smaller portions
while still allowing myself the foods I desired, I actually
left the Thanksgiving table 'comfortable' (vs. over-stuffed).
I felt so *good* knowing that I had been good to myself,
enjoying the day and the food, and had not overeaten.
When desserts came around, I decided I could have the
equivalent of one small piece of pie. I chose to have
2 different pies, and had my mother-in-law cut my pieces
to about 1/2" wedges.
I had had enough to eat that I just wanted a taste of the pies
anyway.
Karen
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| See the dessert 705.2. It breaks down into ww equivalents. you could
eat the entire dessert and it would only cover for one milk, one free
veggie, two proteins and a few optional if you used real brown sugar.
Personally, I put myself in charge of family photography and that keeps
my hands full. Cranberry lime seltzer, icy cold with a wedge of lime
or a few berries popped in looks wonderful and keeps the other hand
busy.
The usualy tricks do work. DONT use a dinner plate. Use a luncheon
plate. Dont have a fork loaded with food if you're still chewing. I
use chopsticks! (No I'm Not crazy!!!!) You have to slow down because
you cant load the fork up. At least I give my brain a chance to catch
up with my mouth and my stomach. Make the holiday a time for family
and friends. Make a mental note to talk to each person at the table or
in the room. When you're talking (hopefully) you're not eating.
Have a wonderful holiday! We all seem to still be employed, and we're
concerned about eating TOO MUCH when so many have so little.
Lorelei
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