Christmas

[jacq']

does anyone have any great hints or tips on how to survive the Christmas period, whilst staying on Cohen's?

As Christmas is getting closer, I'm starting to think about how I'm going to cope with all the pre christmas catch ups, little own Christmas day.

[Shanara]

HI Jac'q

If you go to the top right hand of your main screen, click on 'search' and then 'advanced search' and type in the word Christmas and click threads only under that you will find there are so many threads with really great info in them from previous years.

I seem to remember that last year there was even a survey on how people were going to choose to approach Christmas and Cohens. The responses ranged from - treat it like every day and just do my program (making sure my prawns are the best i can find) to totally forget about it and just eat what I want. If you choose the second option you should read this thread first:

http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7521

so that you understand what is happening in your body with that option. Of course the danger with this option is that you never get back on track.

I guess it is important to ask yourself:

Why am I doing Cohens?
How important is it to me?
What is my relationship between food and celebration?
Do I need celebratory food to feel good at Christmas?

For me personally last year I took my food and had a beauitful prawn salad with mango and enjoyed every momment of it. Focused much more on my discussions with people and volunteered to help put out things and get things and generally 'fuss' over the table so that I was busy and not tempted by the other food that was on the table.

I then had a wonderful afterglow as I basked in my new found duscipline around food and festivities. I found i did not need to eat to enjoy the day but ratherfocused on the relationships - they were also better.

Enjoy the journey,
Shanara

[lil_doll]

I plan to spurge... but within Cohens

I am planning on having Turkey for lunch and lobster/crayfish for dinner! How decadent!! I was looking up how to deal with lobster... I still don't know haha... cos I guess we have to weigh it uncooked, and I haven't seen how to cook it yet, out of the shell... mmm... but I want to have like a lobster salad- yummo!

I would soooo rather enjoy Christmas with my family and not feel disgusting the next day and riddled with guilt. And, also, aside form nibbles and christmas biscuits and the like, there wont be much I am actually missing out on.

Just my take

As for other Christmas parties and get togethers... I think being prepared is the key. Don't leave anything to chance. It is not hard to organise your own meal and bring it along... BBQs would be the easiest I think... just whack your meat or chicken on the BBQ, you could even whip up your own skewers! Not to mention seafood... like prawns, mmmmmmm

Also, drink your water in a fancy glass (ie: champagne or wine glass) with ice... so you don't feel as left out.

Staying Cohens over Christmas can easily be done... all it takes is your willingness (and a lil planning).

[firefox]

I faced this problem when a major festival came up last month. Laying out all the cookies and sweets on the trays and serving them to other people nearly did me in. But I made myself some peppermint tea and took deep breaths and after 15 minutes was able to sit and chat with everyone without being tempted to tuck in with them. I guess the point is that if I can't resist eating more than I should now, while I am on the diet, how am I going to resist later- when the only thing that will have changed is the definition of how much I should eat?

Just my opinion of course. The beauty of this forum is that everyone has so many different ways of dealing with these issues.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Originally Posted by firefox

I guess the point is that if I can't resist eating more than I should now, while I am on the diet, how am I going to resist later- when the only thing that will have changed is the definition of how much I should eat?

And that's what is meant to having your head straight while on the programme. That statement is the secret to the entire programme.

If you can't do it while on the programme when it's written out in black & white, there will be no way you can be in control once the shackles are off after you hit maintenance (provided one gets that far).

[Determined28]

I'm with you lil doll.

I have had so many gatherings, bbq's and a recent wedding to know what I have to do - Stay away from the food table, play with the kids and keep busy!

I am planning on prawns, chicken or turkey for xmas with sprite zero and diet coke close by with loads of water in between. Followed by all that yummy stone fruit and mangoes! YUM!

New years is a non event for me so that's not a worry. I will be going to Melbourne for the first time ever in the first week of January but we're getting an apartment so my trusty scales will be with me along with my cooler bag to take my food everywhere.

I even have my work xmas party next Friday night, so the silly season is starting early for me. I will be glad when all this temptation is over. Oh and to help me get through those festive days, I'm going to be wearing clothes that I never ever wear to remind me why i can't eat the junky stuff. hehehe

[firefox]

The clothes ARE an excellent form of motivation!

[Ms. Jiggles]

Remember this : There will be Christmas next year with plenty of goodies to eat within the maintenance guidelines....

There will be Christmas next year!! You'll be okay, I promise.

[Wango]

Im not so much worried about xmas but the whole holiday period! I travel a lot for work to remote communities so no how to be organised but travelling for 10 days with family in Jan then 3 weeks in Feb! I will print out the bus story and read it every day to keep me motivated and on task.