How is everyone going to cope with all the food over the xmas period? I've lost quite a lot of weight and am dreading it!

[lindabradley]

I already have tasty healthy options along with nice puddings! I'm not afraid of the weight coming back, but it would be interesting to hear from others who are wondering what to do too?

[gingernut49]

I lost my three stone on the 5:2 Diet so it was easy over Christmas last year as I just picked my two fasting days around the Christmas eating days. Christmas only comes once a year so as long as you don't eat excessively on the other days enjoy your Christmas dinner!

[Windswept1]

I have found that I eat a lot less now anyway. I have been out for two Christmas meals so far and have another 3 to go. Admittedly I don't like sweet things but I did have a puding the other day and a mince pie last night.

As others have said on this site, don't deny yourself just have a little less.

[lindabradley]

Thanks guys ! I've heard of the 5:2 diet. If I did that I think my stomach would think my throats been cut..... So yes I'll be deciding on continuous healthy choices! Thanks xx

[Beek in reply to lindabradley]

I have only recently started doing 5:2 but it certainly does get you to focus on how many calories various foods contain. The first day of fasting can be tough but you very soon get used to it and when your scales start reflecting your weight loss that will inspire you to keep it up. It works very quickly. I am T2 diabetic so need to space the calories out on a fast day but it is all very doable!

You have time before Christmas to get used to doing fast days. Once you've done a couple it will be a doddle for you!

GOOD LUCK with it!

[lindabradley in reply to Beek]

The 5:2 diet fills me with utter dread! I can't imagine not eating for 2 days! If you can cope with it being a diabetic too, them I'm happy it's worked for you..I'm happy to state that I'm very aware of what I eat and how much so I think I'll be ok! Thanks for yr response

[Beek in reply to lindabradley]

You don't 'not eat'! You just restrict your calorie intake to 500 cals for the day. You can find recipe choices on t'internet.

I hope you have a lovely Christmas and manage to keep all the treats to moderation - and ENJOY what you do have!

[lindabradley in reply to Beek]

Ha ha! Thank god for that! Thanks Beek! Everything in moderation! Christmas is but 1 day off for me.... And certainly won't be going mad self indulgence! Have a fab festive time and a prosperous 2014 too! X

[Beek in reply to lindabradley]

Thank you! We are having Christmas at my son and D-I-L house, which means the leftover temptation won't exist for me.

They used to eat absolutely LOADS but since they now do 5:2 they eat a lot less than they used to.

Enjoy your Christmas too! 2014 is going to be a great year (I hope, because 2013 was horrendous for us)

[lindabradley in reply to Beek]

Sorry to hear that yes let's hope2014 brings a lot more blessings and happiness in everyone's lives..... Let's start the positive thinking from now! Xx spk soon and take care x Linda

[Beek in reply to lindabradley]

Thank you Linda (I am a Linda also) You are right - positive thinking NOW!

My very best wishes to you and yours, Linda

[Hidden]

Hi lindabradley,

As the old saying goes "moderation in all things".

The thing is, if you've achieved some degree of weight loss, then you actually KNOW how much difference your eating style makes to your body weight. So, you can't really claim the "but I didn't realise it'd make THAT much difference" ground.

And, actually, I reckon, for example, the odd mini mince pie (I've seen a lot of these little ones this year) isn't the problem. It's tucking in to several mince pies that is the problem. And if you only have the odd mince pie, you'll probably notice it more and enjoy it better.

Same with most stuff, Christmas pud, chocolate, etc., etc.

Turkey itself isn't too bad, nor the veg, but watch out for the sauces, gravies, toppings, etc.

Good luck with your weight loss efforts over the period.

[lindabradley in reply to Hidden]

Thankfully I don't do Christmas pudding, I don't eat meat of any description and I haven't eaten any form of chocolate for near on a year! My portions are small and often so that I don't snack on the wrong things! So I think I've got it covered!

[chay]

It as the old saying says, you won't put on weight during a holiday, it's the holimonth that will do the damage.

[GoogleMe in reply to chay]

I love it! (Although I have a feeling that Muslims probably don't put on weight during their holy month....)

[Beek]

My MO is to make sure that I put any excess food away STRAIGHT AWAY and not leave tempting food around where you can easily scoop up the odd one (or two or many) piece of roastie, sausage, cheeses, pudding. If it is in the fridge or freezer it will be out of sight and out of mind.

It's fine to celebrate and enjoy your meals with family and friends. Just keep the brake on and really savour what you have. Don't go down the guilty route for having something. Just enjoy all - in moderation!

[Renka]

It's not WHAT you eat that will do the damage...it's the amount.

I will be having a xmas dinner with a melon starter and minimising the roasties, chipolatas, stuffing and gravy and filling my plate with the vegetables. I don't like xmas pudding so missing it won't be a problem. I'll have my fast days on 23rd,27th, 30th and 2nd and just moderate my intake of all the other things that are around. It has become second nature to me now to be careful of portion sizes and to be honest I find I can't actually eat as much as I used to do.

[Beek in reply to Renka]

Good for you Renka! You are right - the amount is what it all comes down to. You must be pleased you are no longer able to eat as much as you once did. I am having Christmas at my son and D-I-L house so I must behave myself and not keep coming back to the leftovers!

[lindabradley in reply to Beek]

Exactly Renka! And Beek! It's how we manage the time ahead! Also how does one deal with the left overs?! I normally keep it in the freezer!

[Hidden in reply to Renka]

Hi Renka,

Sounds like a good strategy to me - good luck with it.

Agreed - once you change you eating habits for the better, the temptations do - in time - become less. These days, I really just could not eat the size of meals that I used to shovel inside myself prior to getting my weight under control.

When I've talked about going "from super-size portions to sensible-sized ones", that really has been no exaggeration.

[Beek in reply to Renka]

Yes, that surprised me. I didn't expect to actually not be able to eat as much. I put that down to the running but maybe I'm wrong. At the end of the day it is down to self control and taking full responsibility for yourself! Which is why all of us here are doing what we are doing. I think the running has made me much more 'at one' with myself and I no longer comfort eat.

[lindabradley]

thankfully guys! I don't eat meat, so I won't be having any of those sausage and bacon wrap things! ha ha Yes I get it! all in moderation! Its funny though because people generally see xmas as an excuse to eat more? They stock up on so much food as if its WW2 and really its not necessary…. I will be watching what i eat because theres no way in hell I'm putting any of that 3 stone back on!! ha ha Happy Holidays guys! xx Thanks

[Renka]

I have never understood why, when supermarkets are only closed for ONE day, there are people with trolleys - I've seen people going round Tesco pushing one and pulling another - piled so high with food. You know the ones, gallons of milk a dozen loaves of bread etc etc. Unless they are having a party for dozens of people that night I'm quite sure most of them will end up throwing loads of it away. The same people will then do exactly the same thing the following week for New Year.

[lindabradley]

I don't like mince pies so I don't think ill be having any issues there !

[lindabradley]

Sounds great but I don't eat meat and I don't do mince of any description! The Brussels n sweet potato sounds nice and we were going to choose a selection of cheeses instead!

[Beek]

Can I come? Please! Sounds lovely!

[OlsBean]

Upped my exercise regime about 2 weeks ago to allow for the extra pressure of social eating etc over the festive period. I've been aiming to do 3-4 hours daily rather than the 2 hours I normally do. It's going to plan so far

[legs2013]

Hi lindabradley,

Even though I have lost 2st and 6lbs this year I have never eaten chocolate or savory snacks so I don't find it a problem. My problem is my 16 year old daughter who happens to be taking anti psychotic medication the side effect of this has been her increase in appetite and her weight she has put on 11st 9lbs in four years. So I will be replacing all chocolate with nuts, dried fruit and bowls of fresh fruit. So that my other children don't miss out I have sneaked boxes of Quality Street and Maltesers into there bedrooms as they are so slim and need the extra calories. I will be making all my own Mince Pies, cakes, biscuits and sausage rolls. Over the past few months I have been working very hard behind the scene by swapping white flour for wholemeal, White rice with Brown, using honey to sweeten things instead of sugar etc,etc. So far she has managed to lose just over 3 stone.

[Penel in reply to legs2013]

Well done on swapping to high fibre foods. It's surprising what a difference it can make. I hope you have a good Christmas with your family, and that your daughter will be better soon.

[GoogleMe]

There are quite a few foods I don't eat for ethical reasons (vegetarian, no Nestlé) - my conscience often works much better than my weight loss/maintenance aspirations but this time of year it helps quite a lot with consuming less. There are a few other things where I could put my conscience to work and it would help my health (things like palm oil)

[lilliput]

Force of habit to eat veg first, adore the expensive protein, and leave fattening stuff till last by which time I'm usually fulland have eaten enough to not be rude to host.Its difficult to refuse food when someone else has gone to so much trouble to make it. Went to a dinner party where everyone brings part of it. The starter was a supermarket family size pate. Delicious but half a days worth of cals? One thin spread possibly would fit. Plus I don't do puddings. Again total days empty cals.with pate.Wish I could, as I did on Xmas Day just have the turkey, gravy(yep sin) and non potato veg with a couple of potatoes and stuffing.Dieting is hard work and a bit alienating as even 1 pound is hard won and you can gain in my case 2 pounds over Christmas.Due to eating "normal" ie the pate, dessert food.And it sounds precious to say you can't eat it