A Cohen's Christmas??

[Karen_B]

Yes, I know it's only October but Christmas is only 11 weeks away and I will still be on the program then but getting closer and closer to goal... and I am wondering who has been on Cohen's over the Christmas period before? And if you have survived the Christmas on Cohen's - what tips and bits of advice can you offer me (and the others that will still be on program) to see us through?
It does worry me quite a bit that I will still be on program then as initially when I started I had hoped to be completed by Nov but that isn't going to happen now so I am planning ahead and trying to mentally prepare myself for it.
I did try to look through old posts to see if this has been previously discussed but couldn't see anything.... so do forgive me if there is a thread already with all of tips on...

[lil_doll]

I have done Christmas twice on Cohens... It was EASY (to me).

I am not gonna lie though... I am not doing it this year. Only because I have done it so many times, which is my own fault, but anyway... my reasoning isn't the point of this thread, now is it?! haha.

Okay... Tip 1. Make yourself something SPESH. I had prawns both times, because my family eat prawns and other seafood, so it was like I was part of the fun. I would love to try lobster... but it was pre-cooked, so I wussed out.

Okay, that's really my only tip. haha. I guess it depends on your Christmas style... My family is pretty laid back. Not formal at all... so it was easy for me to eat and then just chit chat to people and play with the kids... I mean, spending time with family is what it's all about, right?

Also, drink your soft drink in a fancy glass... It'll make you feel better. And lap up all the compliments!! People will comment on your results so far, and they'll want to know all the details... They will most probably compliment your resolve too!

[Relles]

I have done Xmas on Cohens. I made sure we had Plain roast beef seasoned with Cohens friendly herbs/spices, I did plates of various style veges for everyone, the baked potatoes etc, which I avoided.. But oh look! There was a beautifully presented plate of ribbon zucchini and spring onion in a mustard vinegarette. Can't remember what else now..
L'Doll's prawns would be a good option too. You could blend up a Mango and basil dressing and have it served on a salad. The Mango would be a little of your fruit allowance but you could serve it to everyone and they'd be pretty impressed!
You could also do a Cohens style fruit salad for dessert and work out in advance how much would be a serve of fruit.
For everyone else you could do a serve yourself smashed Pavlova. A series of crystal bowls with the fruit salad, broken up mini pavlova nests, cream with berry coulis stirred through and some toasted slivered almonds. Give everyone a wine glass to assemble it in and you get in first for your serve of fruit and leave them to it!
Perfect!
Find diet drink that looke approx like champers and mingle with the best of em!

[mcbell]

I am hoping not to have to do a Cohens Christmas (apart from a Cohens Maintenance Christmas that is!), but I do know people who survived and thrived through Christmas. One person went out to a friends place (and took their own food) and she said it was the hardest thing she had to do on plan....so if you can host Christmas meals at your place, or eat at home before socialising it would probably be easier. One other friend decided that her main Christmas meal would be off plan, but that she would attempt to stick to mostly cohens friendly foods and keep the portions in line with what they should be, but I think she also had dessert, and just took the weeks lost progress.

The previously suggested ideas all sound great.

I had heard of someone cutting their portion off a chicken (or maybe it was beef), and then attaching it back on so that they could still have the roast meal with the family - maybe you could try that with turkey?

Definitely make your favourite meal so that you don't feel like you are missing out at all.

[Babybear]

I'm having Christmas day off - already decided! BUT I think as long as you get back on plan the very next day - as in don't let Christmas hang around for a week LOL You should be fine

[oztish]

My advice is DO NOT go off your plan even for one day. I had one day off at Christmas in 2010 and here I am 3 years later, 20kgs heavier and just trying to restart and get my head in the right zone again.
Trust me, it isn't worth it and its so easy for one day to turn into two and then to New Year's and so on.....