Please....just enjoy this holiday season. Remember all you have and the friends and family that you love and who love you!

Regardless, whether you want to eat your holiday meals with abandon or you'd rather just a have a little of your favorites, just do what works for you. Just enjoy Thanksgiving, Christmas, whatever holiday you celebrate!!

If you eat...eat without guilt. Begin again the next day. One day does not make or break a healthy lifestyle. If you choose to watch what you eat....celebrate that! Don't feel anxious or deprived because you've said no.

I just hope everyone has a wonderful, safe and joyous Season!!!

(by the way...this is an area I struggle in. So, this is a much for me as anyone else.)

Alicia

:-)

 Alicia,

Thank you for these words of encouragement.  I was definitely feeling some anxiety as the holidays approach and we take time out of our busy schedules to relax with family and friends.  This too is an area of struggle for me with so many favorite dishes being served.

I will take your words to heart and do just that -- enjoy the holidays without the guilt and do what works for me!

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season as well!  We can compare notes afterwards and encourage each other through the New Year!

:0)

Reg

I have to say that I was worried about thanksgiving because it is my favorite holiday of the year, due to my Mother's delicious pumpkin pie. But now, now I'm just happy that she's going to try to have some low fat things there for me to eat (thanks Mommy!)

 hey Reg,

thanks for replying. i sometimes wonder if my words ever encourage someone when i respond to a post. i know, i've learned a lot and been helped through many posts. including this one....

i've had a bad week and, of course, it has manifested in bad eating. i had a weight gain last week when i "checked in" and felt horrible. i had set a mini-goal to hit before Thanksgiving and it seems i won't meet it now. especially since my "friend" has arrived. she just contributes to my bad eating, the scale going up and my feelings of "I can't do this".

you're words helped me remember why i visit this board. let's keep in touch and, as you said, encourage each other through the new year.

thanks.

:-)

alicia

p.s.

hi "WickedYDork",

i'm sure your mommy makes great pumpkin pie! and she's great to make you some yummy lower fat options this year. i would say, though, that, if the only time you have this "delicious pumpkin pie" is during the holidays, have a small slice. a lifestyle change means you will not have pumpkin pie the rest of your life. it means, you will not have it often and you will have it in moderation. enjoy your family and your mommy's yummies.

 Alicia,

Glad I could help in any way.  I wasn't sure how to post or whether or not someone would reply, but I can safely say it's good making a connection with you.  I'm quite sure your expected "friend" put a crap (no pun intended) in your plan, but this too shall pass.  Let's definitely keep encouraging each other that your post script sums it up nicely, have a small slice since we don't have it often.  We both know holidays come and go and we don't want to have any unwanted reminders still holding on to us after it's over.

Stay positive -- the good results are far great than the bad!

Reg

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those that matter don't mind and those that mind don't matter!"

 Hi Reg,

I agree. It is nice to make a connection with you as well. I think we are of the same mindset.

You know the quote in your tag? I have the same quote on my computer monitor. I love it and it helps me keep my focus on what really matters in life.

Now, I know, we are to stay in touch.

alicia

You are so right!  There's nothing worse than going to a gathering and seeing that one pitiful dieter eating her celery and looking miserable.  lol  I try to figure out which foods I just have to have -- things without which it wouldn't be a holiday meal -- and eat those in moderation.  Then I round out the meal with healthier foods.  There are some fatty things that I eat out of habit that I'd be fine forgoing.  Others (like my mom's mac & cheese) are nonnegotiable.  But, I don't eat to the point of exploding, have modest portions of the fatty family favorites, and if I must have seconds, I limit them to only the healthy foods.

I refuse to be a diet martyr during the holidays.  So, eat & drink (in moderation) and be merry!! :-)

-Kim

I write down everything I eat in my food journal, I eat less the day before and the day after a holiday to help offset the holiday meal.  Tampabayb

 I just turned down a big cinnamon roll at the office. I am sooo proud of myself. And yes they were hot!!!

 I've had a bad week as well, and gained weight!  It's not even the Holidays yet, so I'm going to try to stay focused and enjoy in moderation. 

 I think there have been some wonderful ideas and suggestions here! Thank you so much everyone for all of your replies! I'm brand new here (just started Alli yesterday) and I'm looking any and everywhere for support. I am going to be doing the majority of the cooking (actually, all but the turkey) and I'm going to help everyone out a little by substituting low/non fat ingredients where I can. That way, I won't feel quite as bad about eating then!