Looking for ideas during the holidays

i think that is fine remember the best thing you can do is no sugars and no grains....
lots of vegetables and read fitness confidential

it changed my nutrition plan!!!!

Whatever you do, remember that one night of ginormous effing up is NO excuse to not make good choices the next morning. NO, the entire week isn't shot and you start over next week or after the new year. I find it impossible to not offend my aunt if I abstain from trying each of her 7 desserts, but once I get home, it's game back on.

I would say also let your family (or whoever you are dining with know) - see if they would be willing to set aside from healthier stuff for you...let them know your goals etc...huge weight loss goals are a team effort (for lack of a better word) - you need the support of others around you to succeed

I actually created a facebook group about my weight loss journey, in which my family are all members of. They are very encouraging. I really think at this point I may bring my own food. I'm still at the point where I can't mentally handle a cheat day. It would drive me nuts.

if they are encouraging to you, then would it be too much to say volunteer to help them out with planning the menu for dinner - then you could put in some food that you have been eating on your journey and enjoy, that are also christmas appropriate etc...just a thought

There's literally 40 of us, so I don't want to be a pain in the butt. I have no issues making my own food. Never been a huge turkey and gravy fan anyways.

First of all, awesome job on the drop so far!

As for the holiday meals, I'd say you're okay eating whatever they serve as long as you eat the proper portions. If you've already lost some weight then you know what is good to eat and what you should avoid. And since you have that Facebook group with all your family in there supporting your journey, I can't imagine they would get too upset if you don't have three helpings of stuffing.

Keep up the good work!

but if you bring your own food (and my family goes through this with my sister who is a vegetarian) - then there is the perception that their food isn't good enough for you - etc...

ask what you can bring, if anything and tweak it for health reasons; turkey (no gravy - ewww)

I spoke to them about this today, and they were all very understanding. My father passed away from a heart attack at age 51, and with me being 31, then realize this is something I have to do. Probably going to make some of my favourite veggie wraps and take them along with a handfull of almonds to snack on.

I would have a healthy meal at home and fill up on that, go to the gathering and just nibble. And/or take some healthy dishes/snacks to contribute, and eat mainly those. Not on a diet personally but my job requires me to do cocktail parties and other social events sometimes, and I don't like all that unhealthy food plus alcohol (and can't drink anything on an empty stomach) and the way it makes me feel the next day. So I just fill up on something healthy first. Also, drink plenty of water before and during--you'll want to eat less.

Greg - BRING YOUR OWN FOOD

Sorry but those of you who say to have a splurge day or sit at a table full of holiday food and eat in moderation have probably never been fat. If we had that kind of ability we wouldn't be fat either.

Asking others to cook for you etc. is being a pain in the . No one needs to change for you, you just need to take care of yourself. With 40 people there you should be able to heat up food and bring it to the table and no one should notice. Don't know what you want to tell them if they ask.

People who push food on you won't there for you the next day or week, or month when you are dealing with the self loathing and crazy eating (assuming you are like me).

I think bringing your own food makes food and eating less of an issue and preoccupation on a day which should be about other things than your weight.
In-laws are somewhat supportive of vegetarian husband, though they don't know why he can't eat something with meat in it if he can just pick it out. they don't have to get it. He doesn't expect them to - he does what he needs to do, brings good food. Often they will make veggie options and let everyone know at the table which ones are vegetarian. Nice of them, but he still brings his own food so he doesn't have to just eat mashed potatoes and vegetables.

Hope it works out well for you. Congrats on your weightloss and your continued success.

Mitzi