The holidays are here. Just curious how much do any of you usually gain over the holidays?
Or does anyone maintain or even lose?
I'm ready to eat Thanksgiving dinner already!

quote:

Thanksgiving dinner already!

Here is where the problem begins for post contest competitors. Those that do not recognize a problem from strict dieting usually gain 20-60 lbs (From contest weight, not fat) over the course of the holidays.

Because I have peaked out (max weight, fat or not) I keep hold on the buffetlike meals from the holidays. I don't fill the plate and say I'll be back in 2 1/2 hours for more. I don't gain 1 lb.

Keep an eye on possible binge problems.

Well, 20-60lbs would make me stronger & Jason said I needed to gain. (LOL )
No worries I'm keeping an eye out. I'm happily 5lbs from contest weight now. No seconds or take home goodies for me either.
I'm sure I'll gain just a little itty bit.
Happy Thanksgiving!

I don't like feeling like a slug from being overstuffed with food. I stay away from the desserts and heavy foods and steer towards the clean stuff!!

I have a great meal planned for thanksgiving that is pretty clean. I have to admit that I will be allowing some butter and cranberry sauce to be added into the mix. I have to be so careful with eating carbs like the breads and desserts. Once I start, it is so so hard to stop. The first bite, game over. I just don't like the guilt that comes with not eating clean.

I haven't had a piece of pie, cake, or candy...yes, even fudge in about 3 years. I know everyone's focus is usually on food, but I had to change my mindset and realize it's about being with your family and friends and focus on that and what I can do to make it more quality relationship time. I know, sounds wacky but it has really worked for me. Believe me, it's not easy since I could eat my own weight in pumpkin pie, but the value I get from focusing on something worthwhile really takes my mind off food.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by shar:
I haven't had a piece of pie, cake, or candy...yes, even fudge in about 3 years. [QUOTE]

You're my hero. I don't indulge often in those things, but 3 years-that's great. We don't need that junk anyway. My sister waas just saying she'll make fudge- I reminded her it's mostly sugar, but she thinks if it's organic it's ok!!!Aaargh
I won't have but a bite of dessert(healthy version-w/stevia). I will indulge in the turkey & dressing & cranberries.

Shar, you are much stronger than I am. Admirable. But there are other things that I refrain from like alcohol. Just got back from a retirement of an old friend who put his 20 years in the AF. I didn't have a drop to drink and they were knocking em back. I don't like how I feel the next day, nor the empty calorires. I can find much better ways to get my cals, like from the yummy cake he had. LOL.

I use stevia a lot too. I found that a good flavored coffee, not cream, but the chocolate raspberry flavored coffee with a little stevia can really fix a sweet tooth, I also will have a banana with it, I know high carb fruit, but it's better than AF's cake...lol. I always say the potassium will ward off muscle cramps....lol.

Wow you all are much more disciplined than me. I'm gonna stuff my face all day and not even think twice about it .

I really dont gain weight from one meal, and Ill eat good all day long. Im not a huge fan of food, as a kid I ate like a bird. I only eat now to build muscle, otherwise Id rarely eat. So for me, I really dont get all jazzed up about holiday food.

Ill have some turkey, a sweet potato, HATE stuffing (I mean its bread cooked in the chest of a turkey, not appealing), and a few cookies, dont like pie either of any kind. I do like my sweets so Im sure the holidy cookies will be sampled.

So not really expecting much weight gain from one meal.

No stress!

I'm going to be working now this year so I don't even have to worry about it at all!!!

Ugh! I just ate a whole loaf of home-made banana bread.

I eat clean 363 days a year, so yesterday's food fest is no big deal. I was 6 lbs. above my normal weight this morning, nothing but water retention and fully carbed muscles. I went to the gym this afternoon and put those extra carbs and calories to good use, amazing how strong you feel fully loaded. I'll get right back on my clean mass diet and not look back. Hope everyone had a great holiday.

Me too! Felt like a monster today in the gym thanks to the carb loading yesterday. It has been a really long time since I have been able to lift that heavy.

quote:

Originally posted by TCPIP:
Ugh! I just ate a whole loaf of home-made banana bread.

Just get right back on your diet today & hit the gym.

I had a great workout yesterday from all the carbs too.
Mark -how do you do it 363 days of clean eating?
Does this mean no cheats at all? I admire your will of steel! I aspire to be so discipined.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only days I really give not a care to what I eat. Even at restaurants, parties, special occasions, etc. I will look at the options and go with the best available. I will enjoy a meal at IHOP post contest, usually an "real" omelet and "real" pancakes, which is what I usually crave. My diet varies throughout the year only in the macro ratios and amounts of food, but I enjoy the basic bodybuilding foods and makes life much easier when it comes time to prep.

This year the holidays are right in the middle of contest prep but my company also does a Holiday Weight Challenge every year. Employees weigh in early in November and weigh out mid-January. The object is simply not to gain any weight but extra prizes are also given to people who lose weight. People get really competitive with it so it's kind of fun to see who can keep from stuffing themselves silly!

quote:

Originally posted by Cara:
Holiday Weight Challenge every year. Employees weigh in early in November and weigh out mid-January. The object is simply not to gain any weight but extra prizes are also given to people who lose weight.

That would be nice~maybe we could report in here. No prizes but a huge personal accomplishment in fighting the holiday pressures of sugary, chocolatey, cheesy, gooey, fattening junk. And the help of fellow BevNuts!
If anyone interested say report Dec 1 weight and compare after Jan 1.
My current weight 110. My goal is to stay within 2lbs of this weight during holidays.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: HealthNut,

Count me in.
My current weight 147.