Who to resist temptation?

[EllaMidlands]

I know we have nice things in the house like nuts and chocolates. How do I resist opening them? Help!

[benwl]

I think the only real solution is not to have them in the house

But more seriously, I've been trying a couple of things recently:

Have a healthy alternative in view to tempt you instead, I've been buying lots of apples and pears, as I figure if I am going to weaken a piece of fruit is better than a chocolate bar.

Do some sort of physical activity that will distract you immediately you get the urge to have a treat, like a 5 min walk around the block or some push ups.

Too early to declare these a success for me though

[EllaMidlands in reply to benwl]

Distraction is a good idea. I put some music on and danced about. It's harder now I am off work for the holiday.

[Bigmama99]

Hi.. I got this info sent to me the other day to help through the Xmas period... hope it helps ..........

1) Don't waste your cheating.

Don't ever eat something just because it's there or because you've eaten other rubbish that day, so why not eat a bit more. Every cheat that you have should be worth it - something that you really fancy. You should never cheat to the extent that you'll feel stuffed and uncomfortable. Cheating should be a conscious choice and it should feel indulgent. If it is unconscious, mindless and/or it makes you feel guilty, it's not fun, so don't do it.

2) Don't settle for anything less than what you really want.

If you want Christmas pudding and brandy butter - have it. Don't have a dry mince pie thinking that this will satisfy you. You'll only want the Christmas pudding and brandy butter and will probably have this in addition to the mince pie. Make a conscious choice to have what you want; eat it slowly; savour every mouthful and make it worthwhile.

3) Don't cheat too often or too early in each day.

The thing that you most need to avoid is re-awakening food cravings and full blown food addiction. This is the worst that can happen if you choose the more relaxed approach to food over the festive season. And it can happen frighteningly quickly

[EllaMidlands in reply to Bigmama99]

Wow - thanks! I have taken a photo of your message so I can easily re-read it! Good advice. Good luck with following it yourself as well!

[Bigmama99 in reply to EllaMidlands]

I have been so far and it is really helping me x

[Sheepdogs in reply to Bigmama99]

Bigmama99,

That is some really sound advice!

I read that and every bit sunk in. That will now stay with me : )

[Bigmama99 in reply to Sheepdogs]

It's good isn't it.. I got sent it from the harcombe diet email that I get sent monthly and thought I had to share it as it's really good advice and may help someone else.

[muffintop67 in reply to Bigmama99]

Great advice

[nteapea]

I have split treats into a tin each for children and husband if I cheated it would be taken from one of their tins and they would know! It is working so far 😬

[slimpickings 2 stone]

I put the treats in tins so I can't see them. If you see it you will want it.

I have a cooling off period to decide what it is I really want.

I remember what it tastes like. Is it really worth it?

I make an informed decision and try not to have another and another....!

It isn't easy. Xx

[Sheepdogs]

Hi EllaNottingham,

I would take the good advice that was given to me and get them out of sight until Christmas Eve! 😊

Hard but... Needs must 😇

Not long to go now then you can indulge a little.

Or think of having to earn each bit by either exercising first for however long it would take to burn those extra calories off! Then indulge. Or think of having to eat a piece of food you really dislike first then have it. You won't be so keen!!! 😄 I've done it and trust me it's not worth all the hard work for a quick sweet treat that is gone in seconds for about 30mins brisk walk.

Save yourself for the special day 😊

[EllaMidlands in reply to Sheepdogs]

I hate sprouts so maybe if I imagine a ferrero rocher tastes like that then I won't want it. Yeuk! Just had an early lunch - hurrah for frozen veg!

[Sheepdogs in reply to EllaMidlands]

I will think of that one too now! 😄

Loosing their appeal already. Thank you! 😋

[Hidden]

I know it sounds a bit too simple, but I find keeping the Christmas biscuits and chocolates in a cupboard and not on display makes me forget about them. Outnof sight, out of mind really works (most of the time anyway!)

[Itsbab]

Hi I buy nuts often as they are good for protein and I simply weigh 25/30g out depending on the type.

For chocolate I have Aldi sea salt dark chocolate about 120 cals a bar, also a 2 finger Kit Kat is only 104 cals. I think if you keep things in moderation you can enjoy the festive period with the family and feel like you are not depriving yourself, even to maintain your weight will be brill over the next 2 weeks.

It's the same old question isn't it if you feel like you will loose control keep them away from the home but obviously if you have children and they are young they will have goodies in triplicate. I know how hard that is as I used to nick quite a few treats over the years lol.

Good luck hope you manage to resist temptation on a massive scale anyway. 👍😊🎄

[EllaMidlands in reply to Itsbab]

Thank you. I think I will allocate myself a few treats and put them to one side then ignore rest. That's my plan anyway!

[Itsbab in reply to EllaMidlands]

Sounds like a good one to me👍

[Grannynise 6lbs]

Great advice from Bigmomma.

If you weigh/count/measure all the things that you put into your mouth it won't be cheating. You just have to work out what you'll be going without in order to eat the mince pie or the chocolate. On that basis I'll be having a piece of chocolate cheesecake for pudding tonight. Drool Drool.

[Hidden]

I am just opening them and weighing out a small portion. I bought them because I wanted to eat them at some point, but just not all at once! I have been trying to be not too restrictive as I don't want to go mad on Christmas Day itself!!