Holidays

Well, here they come again! This will be the first year that I've been "dieting" during the holidays. Holidays (especially Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all the time in between) are really, really bad for me. I LOVE all those special dishes that have become tradition in our family. I realize that I can still eat them, but I need to practice my portion control! Can anyone share any tips for staying on track during this time?

Exercising has become quite a chore now that it's dark by the time I get home from work. I used to walk my dogs every evening for exercise, but now that it's pitch black by 6:00 pm, I don't do that anymore. Walking on the treadmill just isn't too exciting!

6furbabies wrote:
I used to walk my dogs every evening for exercise,
but now that it's pitch black by 6:00 pm, I don't do that anymore.
Walking on the treadmill just isn't too exciting!


I used to bike everyday after work. Now its dark and its cold by the
time I get home from work. Last winter I didn't do much cycling at
all, but I did alot over the summer. It was great. But, this year I am
ready for the snow, sleet, rain and various other conditions that will
keep me indoors. I bought work out video's. They are great. I use a
30 minute aerobic and tone video every night. They are so much fun and
you do them when YOU are ready. You don't have to wait for a scheduled
class at your gym.

I also have alot of equipment in my basement. The treadmill is the
most boring thing in the world. I agree. That is why they put TV's in
front of them at the gym. The stationary bike is basically boring
too. I do like that Gazelle thing. (Can you tell I own every piece of
work out equipment know to humankind?) The stepper hurts my knees and
I have a ton of free weights, exercise balls, stretch things, and
various other things that I thought would make me as skinny as I was
when I was 25. ;-)

Try work out tapes. Pop them in the TV and have fun...because they are
fun.

Maggie

6furbabies wrote:
Well, here they come again! This will be the first year that I've been
"dieting" during the holidays. Holidays (especially Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and all the time in between) are really, really bad for me.
I LOVE all those special dishes that have become tradition in our
family. I realize that I can still eat them, but I need to practice my
portion control! Can anyone share any tips for staying on track during
this time?

Exercising has become quite a chore now that it's dark by the time I
get home from work. I used to walk my dogs every evening for exercise,
but now that it's pitch black by 6:00 pm, I don't do that anymore.
Walking on the treadmill just isn't too exciting!



I have two suggestions for you

Regarding the food, start new traditions. I do two things -- entered
all of the family recipes and calculated the calorie count per serving
so that I can make educated choices (also got me to collect and organize
the recipes so that they don't get lost along the way) and started
adding some of my own recipes to the mix. They include some things like

Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Parmesan Rolls
(basically a variation on Spanakopita)
http://tinyurl.com/8csfq

Mini Frittatas with Ham and Cheese
http://tinyurl.com/77b5r

Cranberry-Nut Mini Loaves with Flaxseeds
http://tinyurl.com/9lj35

Anyway, the food is about choices. If I have the info and I am armed
with something that is a relatively good choice, it makes things a lot
easier.

About the exercies -- join a gym and do it in the morning before work.
It's not exciting but it gets the job done. I go to spin class 2-3x a
week and do the elliptical/treadmill the other days. If I get home
early enough, I walk the dogs or else try to get in a walk at lunch
(weather and time permitting).

My physical therapist has me wearing a pedometer so I'm definitely
getting the steps in! ;-) I'm just glad to be back in spin class!

--
jmk in NC

Thanks for the suggestions!

The recipes sound good!

I've never tried the gazelle, but it looks fun! I have a friend who just bought one. I told her I would check hers out one day & possibly buy one myself!

I've joined a weight loss challenge that starts next week & ends half way through December. Hopefully that will keep me accountable on/after Thanksgiving. But, I'll need that accountability for the whole month of December! We have some kind of sweets every single day at work in December! It's really bad!

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by jmk

6furbabies wrote:
Well, here they come again! This will be the first year that I've been
"dieting" during the holidays. Holidays (especially Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and all the time in between) are really, really bad for me.
I LOVE all those special dishes that have become tradition in our
family. I realize that I can still eat them, but I need to practice my
portion control! Can anyone share any tips for staying on track during
this time?

Exercising has become quite a chore now that it's dark by the time I
get home from work. I used to walk my dogs every evening for exercise,
but now that it's pitch black by 6:00 pm, I don't do that anymore.
Walking on the treadmill just isn't too exciting!



I have two suggestions for you

Regarding the food, start new traditions. I do two things -- entered
all of the family recipes and calculated the calorie count per serving
so that I can make educated choices (also got me to collect and organize
the recipes so that they don't get lost along the way) and started
adding some of my own recipes to the mix. They include some things like

Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Parmesan Rolls
(basically a variation on Spanakopita)
http://tinyurl.com/8csfq

Mini Frittatas with Ham and Cheese
http://tinyurl.com/77b5r

Cranberry-Nut Mini Loaves with Flaxseeds
http://tinyurl.com/9lj35

Anyway, the food is about choices. If I have the info and I am armed
with something that is a relatively good choice, it makes things a lot
easier.

About the exercies -- join a gym and do it in the morning before work.
It's not exciting but it gets the job done. I go to spin class 2-3x a
week and do the elliptical/treadmill the other days. If I get home
early enough, I walk the dogs or else try to get in a walk at lunch
(weather and time permitting).

My physical therapist has me wearing a pedometer so I'm definitely
getting the steps in! ;-) I'm just glad to be back in spin class!

--
jmk in NC