Finding it hard to focus when Christmas is a bit of an unknown

I'm struggling to find motivation at the moment. I've almost got to 12stone which is where I want to be on New Year's Day. That means anything I lose between now and Christmas gives me leeway to indulge during the celebrations. But because I don't know how much I'll gain over Christmas and I'm getting impatient to move towards target properly, I feel like I'm in a weird limbo and finding it hard to focus without a solid target. Anyone else finding similar issues?

You might be finding it hard to commit to the plan each week as you've already accepted you're going to gain over Christmas and it's just a case of how much. It might be a slight case of 'I'll be gaining over the festive period so it doesn't really matter'. Especially as you're only that half a pound off your NY day mini target. This time of the year is so hard because of all the nice things about the celebrations.

I am finding it hard to focus at the moment, and I think its because of all the social 'food centred' occasions coming up over the next few weeks. I am trying to get past it though - as I know whatever I gain, I am going to have to lose it all again in the new year.

I am going to try to get to 14 and a half stones, and then stay there - so I have 6lbs to go and hope to maintain into new year. Fingers crossed I can do it! No reason why not - and to have an enjoyable Christmas as well.

RM07 said:

You might be finding it hard to commit to the plan each week as you've already accepted you're going to gain over Christmas and it's just a case of how much. It might be a slight case of 'I'll be gaining over the festive period so it doesn't really matter'. Especially as you're only that half a pound off your NY day mini target. This time of the year is so hard because of all the nice things about the celebrations.

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I think you're right - even though I know in my head that if I lose now I am 'safer' over the holidays, it's hard to motivate myself when I suspect I'll put much of it back on.

I haven't actually started going to all the social occasions for Christmas yet so hopefully I get some motivation back! It would be easier if I could commit to maintaining over Christmas or at least just having a day or two off but I'm having three Christmasses - my boyfriend's family, my family and my aunt's - and I'm not in charge of the food at any of them!

Gwella said:

I think you're right - even though I know in my head that if I lose now I am 'safer' over the holidays, it's hard to motivate myself when I suspect I'll put much of it back on.

I haven't actually started going to all the social occasions for Christmas yet so hopefully I get some motivation back! It would be easier if I could commit to maintaining over Christmas or at least just having a day or two off but I'm having three Christmasses - my boyfriend's family, my family and my aunt's - and I'm not in charge of the food at any of them!

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You may not be in charge of what food you are offered, but you ARE in charge of what you eat. Unless your family members are going to strap you down and force feed you, then it's up to you. You sound as if you are relinquishing control of the whole Christmas season, and it doesn't have to be that way.

I agree that it's a time of year where you're a bit thrown. It's not like a normal holiday from SW, for example a week away lasts just that week, but at Christmas things tend to start cropping up before the actual day itself, the odd Christmas drink, sweets at work, etc.

I think it's a good idea to have something resembling a plan.So, if you know you're going to be eating big dinners on three days, you could make a decision to cut back on the other days. Or to have a couple of Success Express days. I'm off work for nearly 2 weeks, and have a few dinners planned out with friends. I intend to enjoy every bit of it, and if I want extra desserts or whatever I'll have them. But, that's part of my "plan"... to allow myself those extra treats and syns, I'll balance it out with low syn breakfasts and lunches, stocking up on superfree, cutting back on carbs. 2 weeks off work means I've no excuse not to do some walking.

If I get to 20th December without an idea of what I need to do to keep on track, I'll lose the run of myself. So now is the time for me to make frozen low syn meals etc that I can depend on at short notice.

I am just trying to go all out now to negate any little extras that sneak in. Although I have said I will have Christmas Day and boxing day "off" the reality is that it will not be some gorging food fest as we don't really have an awful lot of that kind of food around even at Christmas. Everyone knows that I'm losing weight and that my husband is a gym bunny so we are unlikely to be given much in the way of edible gifts. Christmas dinner will be large and will have a few treats like pigs in blankets and Yorkie puds. Boxing is likely to involve some bread and some cheese but that's about it. Plus after eating so well for this long now, A I don't crave it and B it really upsets my tummy if I eat too much rich food. I'd rather enjoy what I enjoy and feel in control! That said I realise that, in a way, I am lucky because I'm in charge of the food!! Thank goodness!!! Also I don't drink. Double bonus.

I hear you. I'm feeling much the same although i really want to get my 3 and 1/2 stone before Xmas - I have 4 weigh ins, and 2lbs to lose.

Xmas will be a struggle, I'm on call Xmas eve so no drinking which will be nice. Will treat myself to some roasted butternut squash and veg with sausages, and some choc within my syns. Xmas day I finish on call at 7.30am thrn I'm off to my mums in London so a long drive. Having lunch there (not a roast dinner though I can't handle eating big meals let alone a roast in the afternoon, we usually have ours at 9-10pm lol) then I'm off to heathrow at 5pm to fly to muscat so will be eating plane food. Will have a bag of treats with me though am on holiday for a week so it will be a nightmare as thr Middle East has limited vegan options in the places oh's parents go and there's often lots of oils and breads. And wine. But I'm just going to enjoy it; stop when I'm full and do lots or exercise

On return to UK its New Year's Eve which I live more than Xmas. Lots of booze then were having fake Xmas with my mum when we are all together for the day. Will be a painful one on the scales after all that; but I've found if weight goes on quick it comes off quick. Make a plan - even if your plan is to have days off, write it down and stick to it. Think about how much you are prepared to gain but most importantly make sure you get right back in track.

Girl in my group put on 10lbs in a week last Xmas; lost it ALL the next week good luck whatever you decide

Ooh Mandlegrot, we were in Muscat on hols a few years back, I loved it there. Would love a trip back some day.

Another thing I am determined to do is go to weigh in between Christmas and New Year. If I miss a week due to being a piggy, I have to face the scales straight away or else I end up having two weeks off plan.

I weigh in on a Tuesday so Christmas Day (x3!) and NYE fall in the same SW week for me, which I suppose is good as it helps contain them a bit!
I am going to set a plan for Christmas as soon as I know what we're doing.
Turns out my bf may not be able to get any leave to come to my family's, so we might do Christmas at our own families, which I'm sneakily pleased about (really didn't want to be away from my family as it's my sister's last Christmas before she graduates as a midwife and will have to work Christmas Day). It would also help with the whole food thing, as it'll be just 2 Christmasses instead of 3 and I'm more comfortable telling my mum what I can eat than my bf's mum!
Just wish I knew what was happening!

I'll be treating it like any other week

Will enjoy meal out on xmas day apart from that week be syn free

Will be travelling with food. ..Fruit. . alpen/cereal etc

Always use xmas as a good excuse to fit in extra gym and loose weight! ! Few days for some self pampering - dosent have to be food treats! !

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I haven't quite decided yet my plan for Christmas, ive already yo yo'd a little in November with holidays and socialising. Im not keen on the idea of gaining lots but I may have to prepare for a little gain.

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I'm finding it incredibly hard to focus, feel like all I (and everyone else) am thinking about is food! Can't wait until its over! Luckily Im cooking this year so shall be in total control of a food optimising meal on the day. Its just the wine and sweets that might get in the way

I'm currently llb over target and hoping to lose another l-2lb before Xmas. I am going away for Christmas and New Year so eating will just be like a normal holiday as it will just be me and DH. We're away in our motorhome so I'll be doing most of the cooking so apart from eating french bread instead of wholemeal and drinking more than we do at home won't be much different. Hopefully I won't gain too much and will still be within target range on return from holiday.

Denise

I am dreading Christmas because I feel like all eyes will be on me when the Roses/Quality Street come out! And I also feel like people will pressure me into eating bad things too but I'm going to try my hardest to fill up on SF at the dinner table so I' not hungry for the rest of the day!

Yay I finally know what I'm doing over Christmas! So relieved now that I can plan and know where things stand. Turns out I'm having 2 Christmas dinners instead of 3, so that will help too.

I aim to be on-plan except a couple of flexisyn days from now til dinnertime on Christmas Eve. Going to start plotting what I want to do for the rest of the week tonight... Might experiment with making low-syn mince pies and Ferrero rocher tomorrow.

turquatic said:

I am dreading Christmas because I feel like all eyes will be on me when the Roses/Quality Street come out! And I also feel like people will pressure me into eating bad things too but I'm going to try my hardest to fill up on SF at the dinner table so I' not hungry for the rest of the day!

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Remember, no-one can make you eat something you don't want (unless they are planning to tie you down and
force-feed you!). My reaction to people who try to pressure me into doing anything is to take great pleasure in NOT doing it. (This is why I never smoked, never read Tolkein and never listened to Wagner!)

People watching you - fine if they have nothing better to do. You don't have to look at them watching you.

People commenting - selective deafness. Works every time.

People giving you food and drink you don't want - just leave it. It's their problem if it goes to waste.

Have a good Christmas - your way!!

AnnaFaraday said:

Remember, no-one can make you eat something you don't want (unless they are planning to tie you down and
force-feed you!). My reaction to people who try to pressure me into doing anything is to take great pleasure in NOT doing it. (This is why I never smoked, never read Tolkein and never listened to Wagner!)

People watching you - fine if they have nothing better to do. You don't have to look at them watching you.

People commenting - selective deafness. Works every time.

People giving you food and drink you don't want - just leave it. It's their problem if it goes to waste.

Have a good Christmas - your way!!

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Couldn't agree more Anna. It's your diet and your body, don't let anyone pressure you into eating rubbish you don't want!

AnnaFaraday said:

Remember, no-one can make you eat something you don't want (unless they are planning to tie you down and
force-feed you!). My reaction to people who try to pressure me into doing anything is to take great pleasure in NOT doing it. (This is why I never smoked, never read Tolkein and never listened to Wagner!)

People watching you - fine if they have nothing better to do. You don't have to look at them watching you.

People commenting - selective deafness. Works every time.

People giving you food and drink you don't want - just leave it. It's their problem if it goes to waste.

Have a good Christmas - your way!!

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Agree completely. Fortunately I have really great colleagues who if I say 'no' to chocolate or whatever will never ask a second time (and sometimes even apologise for offering). On the other hand my mum's a bit too far the other way - if I have a glass of wine she'll go 'should you really be having that?' or even fatfree yoghurt she queries! Guess if you follow the advice above you might train people up a bit. I love it when people trust me to manage my own diet and weight loss in my way because I know the plan!

Thanks