EMAIL THREAD What is your game plan for the holidays? Hello Peer Trainers! I've created a team for those really committed to making great choices and inspiring others to healthy decisions during the holidays. Our goal is to "trick our treats" by deciding what really nourishes us, what we can add, change or let go of entirely. Wether you want to end this year strong, begin a new commitment, or just need encouragement for what you are already doing, please join us from now until January 2, 2010. Here are our commitments. 1. Log every day. (When you aren't with a computer - no excuses - take pen and paper with you.) 2. Read other people's entries and comment once a week to encourage the positive choices you see your peers making. 3. Share in your profile and/or the comment section what encourages or inspires you. Feel free to add what doesn't encourage or inspire you. We are a team and we can enjoy the holidays without allowing the holidays to enjoy us! Cheers! Jennifer Link Mon. Nov 2, 12:25pm

I volunteered to work on Thanksgiving as to avoid all the fattening food. I am going to cook my own meal for Christmas, or my own sides to whatever my mom is cooking. She's a big fan of the oil. I hate Thanksgiving anyway. It's a nonessential holiday. And on a Thursday? What a worthless holiday. Worthless. Tuesday, November 03, 2009, 11:48 AM

Holidays The best way to avoid over eating on holidays is to bring your own ziploc bags and ziploc containers with you. Bring many and bring some extra for other relatives and friends who are also at the function. Start out with getting the same size portion of what you would have put on your plate, but put it in the container instead. Go thru the whole smorgesborg like that. Then put all of that into a big ol' "take home" bag for yourself. And tell the cook "thanks so much, I can't wait to get to all of these for leftovers." Then go make your real plate. Take about half the portion of what you put into your container. Then eat that. Psychologically you have won, you have eaten AND you have more for yourself later (kind of like ants or squirrels do for the winter). Afterwards, Take the containers home and dole them out to neighbors, friends, and leave your most favorite thing for yourself. You've made everybody happy, the neighbors, your host and yourself. And if you are the host, the send everybody home with ziploc bags and containers, that way the food isn't left around for you to eat. Tuesday, November 03, 2009, 1:32 PM

I think that I would be offended if someone came to my house with their own take-home containers and filled them up before they ate. The food is for the people at the party- if there are leftovers at the end of the meal, then they are offered to guests. My plan is to eat only the things that I really love and which I do not eat during the rest of the year, and keep in mind the awful feeling I get when I overeat. The hardest thing is to get back on track after the holiday- I begin to crave the unhealthy things I ate, but I know that if I have a strong plan I can do it! Tuesday, November 03, 2009, 3:54 PM

Why would it offend you, PP? I'm offended when I go to people's house and they try to force feed me fattening food. Tuesday, November 03, 2009, 4:01 PM

back to the point Hi All- So, my question is more about your strategy and I think we got derailed on when you can bring out your containers. Makes me wonder what the squirrels would do with tupper ware....anyway... What other non-food treats do you enjoy about the holidays? What types of foods or specific recipes do you love? How do you influence your families traditions to be more healthy? Is there anything you down right stop, avoid, eliminate? What is your mental attidue like? Tell me more. THANKS!! Tuesday, November 03, 2009, 4:47 PM

I'm going to avoid the high calorie/fat holiday drinks and foods and instead create healthy versions instead! I also plan to bring healthy dishes to Thanksgiving and other holiday parties - bean salad, italian grilled veggies, fruit salad, sweet potatoes, etc I have healthy fall recipes and tips on my personal site: www.havecakeeat2.com Link Tuesday, November 03, 2009, 5:57 PM

moderation. 3-bite rule for tempting items. lots of water. continued workout regimen! i will treat this holiday time like any other time of the year with food. Wednesday, November 04, 2009, 4:46 AM

Moderation The best thing for me in the past is to figure out BEFORE I go the things I really like. I have decided that this year I will choose from that list the 'absolutes' for me its: -sweet potatoes -stuffing -pumpkin pie I still want to get my protein, veggies, and fruits in. Bread, fattening pies, etc. aren't just holiday foods so I am going to stear clear of those. AND nibbling will only be on veggies! My goal is to really enjoy these by not gorging but appreciating them and eating them slowly. I also will be bring my own pumpkin pie that is a super healthy recipe and crust less. This may not work for others but when I focus on family and not the food I tend to enjoy the holiday more. Plus, in the morning I am doing a 8 mile run while the turkey is cooking Thursday, November 05, 2009, 2:10 AM

Last year, when my weight loss was in full swing, the holidays were the worst time of the year. I learned something. Here are a few rules of mine: 1. Just accept that there are some things you cannot eat. Avoid all cakes, cookies, candies, etc. 2. Try to be part of the preparation, that way you can control the oil and butter and shortening that goes into the foods. 3. Try healthy alternatives. I LOVE mashed potatoes, but because I was on the south beach diet, I couldn't eat potatoes last year, so I made special mashed cauliflower, which is just steamed cauliflower that is whipped in a blender w/ I can't believe it's not butter, Honestly, it doesn't taste much different than mashed potatoes. 4. Have sweet alternatives. Sugar-free Jello cups got me through many holiday dessert times and birthdays (most of the men in my life are capricorns, celebrating birthdays the last week in December). Try also Caramel Nut Brownie Luna bars. They're so delicious. 5. I agree with PP to nibble on veggies. They fill you up! They're healthy! GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US during this holiday season!!! Thursday, November 05, 2009, 5:48 PM

I love thanksgiving. ... but nobody's gaining weight because of one lousy day. It's all the picking at leftovers and nibbling remnants that gets you. I plan on following my beloved concept I've learned to live by: I will love myself enough to eat with dignity - a real meal, sitting down - or not at all. What is more, I will do myself a favor by not eating too much crazy stuff and by getting plenty of movement even when the weather is drippy. And I will love doing it because it will all be out of love, not shame, or guilt or misery. I have lost 130 pounds. I have maintained a healthy BMI for a year. And I have learned to love myself again. http://getalegupforlife.blogspot.com/ Link Thursday, November 05, 2009, 10:17 PM

I continue doing everything I normally do...eat clean and exercise (almost) every day. When there is a gathering I take something legal I will enjoy (hummus and vegies, fruit plate with yogurt dip, etc). If there is a meal being served I bring a side dish which is festive but prepared legally. My best friend and I both have birthdays in Dec so we have lunch each year somehwere very nice and split a dessert. That is where I have my "splurge". During the holiday season I may have a bite here and there of someting yummy but not an entire piece, slice, serving. Friday, November 06, 2009, 4:09 PM

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