Holidays - On plan, or off?

[kifl1981]

So, it's inevitable, Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away and Christmas is coming in a little over a month.

My question is, do you stay on plan for those two days, or do you eat like everyone else?

Honestly, I'm on the fence about it. The first time I ever did Atkins, I allowed myself one "Cheat" per week, and it was usually some treat I picked up at the grocery store. Whatever it was, it had to be eaten in one sitting. I still was very successful at losing weight.

I've heard of people who are on Atkins that give themselves one "Cheat Day" per month.

What do you plan on doing?

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Holidays - On plan, or off?

>>do you stay on plan for those two days,>>

Yes.

>>do you eat like everyone else>>

Don't care how other people eat ... that's their eating.

>>The first time I ever did Atkins, I allowed myself one "Cheat" per week,>>

That's not how Atkins works, as you know.

>> I've heard of people who are on Atkins that give themselves one "Cheat Day" per month.>>

Not if they're doing Atkins by the book.

Every "cheat" (planned or not) sets you back. Many people don't recover from a "cheat" for a long time (it really is the "kiss of death" for some).

Something you might want to think about ... if Thanksgiving and Christmas are such big obstacles, the maybe you should wait until January 2010.

Of course, then there's SuperBowl Sunday, Valentine's Day, Shrove Tuesday, Easter, Memorial Day, a birthday, an anniversary, a day of the week that ends in "y" ...

There's lots of occasions to "cheat" ... I prefer to think of them as occasions to "succeed".

>>I still was very successful at losing weight.>>

Maintaining the loss is where success happens.

[Evergirl]

Re: Holidays - On plan, or off?

I plan on staying on plan the last time I went off the plan I got so ill that I spent half the day curled up in a chair sick as a dog. It has been a great deterent to stay on plan.

[barrnone]

Re: Holidays - On plan, or off?

On plan. I never 'plan' to cheat - not saying it doesn't happen on occasion, but never planned. I will plan to eat well and take lots of healthy food for myself and whoever wants to share. Planning correctly is key. Eat proud.

[Slapshot]

Re: Holidays - On plan, or off?

I "cheated" for the first time on June 16th (Father's Day). All you need to know is what you see on the chart below. While I'm back on plan today, the stops and restarts have been brutal:

[Sims]

Re: Holidays - On plan, or off?

I'm in Canada and Thanksgiving came and went before I decided to start Atkins. With Christmas coming up I'm planning to stay ON PLAN. I don't want to allow myself to cheat because I know I'll cheat myself right out of success.

I'm cooking the holiday dinner as I do every year and I have control over what I make and what I eat. My sister will bring carb laden treats and I'll make carb heavy side dishes, but I'll also make Atkins friendly items so I don't feel tempted to cheat or feel like I don't have a choice.

[kifl1981]

Re: Holidays - On plan, or off?

I "cheated" for the first time on June 16th (Father's Day). All you need to know is what you see on the chart below. While I'm back on plan today, the stops and restarts have been brutal:

Wow, that was great motivation,thanks!

I think what I might do is go to the family Thanksgiving thing and just eat turkey, and then maybe I'll make myself my own little Thanksgiving spread at home. I really like the one HERE

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Holidays - On plan, or off?

>> I think what I might do is go to the family Thanksgiving thing and just eat turkey,>>

Why not take some sides for everyone to share with you?

There's no reason to deprive yourself of enjoying a family meal.

[kifl1981]

Re: Holidays - On plan, or off?

>> I think what I might do is go to the family Thanksgiving thing and just eat turkey,>>

Why not take some sides for everyone to share with you?

There's no reason to deprive yourself of enjoying a family meal.

Because my family is...interesting, LOL. The ladies get offended if someone brings food when it's THEIR Thanksgiving year. Silly, yes, but I love them anyway.

[Whatsername]

Re: Holidays - On plan, or off?

I am staying on plan. I will make a low carb dessert and side dishes...plus the "regular" sides/desserts.

I am happy staying on plan and while it will be a nice dinner...having my family here is what it is about for me. Whether I have pie or stuffing doesn't really matter.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Holidays - On plan, or off?

There's lots of occasions to "cheat" ... I prefer to think of them as occasions to "succeed".

Well said

[liv]

Re: Holidays - On plan, or off?

I am in the on the plan club.
I have a couple of thanksgivings and christmases on plan so far and it has not been that hard. For Thanksgiving I have found that the rest of the family is too busy stuffing themselves with food to notice or care that I am eating cauliflower mash and not potatoes and that I am passing on the sugar sauce. I usually make cranberry with splenda and gravy with guar gum. I think if I decide to cheat it will not be because of pressure from other people, it would be because I gave in. I am not comfortable with giving in. I think if I start doing that, I may as well go back to the store and get those size 18 pants right now. I love my size 4 skinny pants too much.
I don't cheat Christmas either. It is a holiday I associate more with treats so I usually make some treats. I make cookies for myself that are legal and cheese cake that is my favorite treat. I may have some dark chocolate. And I will be fine.


So I think this holiday will be just great. I will wear my skinny clothes

[kifl1981]

Re: Holidays - On plan, or off?

So what do you do if, for example, your mom sends you a package of Christmas cookies that she baked?

[barrnone]

Re: Holidays - On plan, or off?

I would take them to work and share with my co-workers. We have an annual cookie bake, cook 100's of cookies. Even tho this will be my first cookie bake on atkins, I never really ate them while baking...altho would bring boxes home - try a couple then take them to work. My co-workers love me! This year will be interesting.

[RitaCeleste]

Re: Holidays - On plan, or off?

I really don't do the let's diet, get the weight off and get it over with thing. I eat things that do set me back if I feel its important to me. The difference is takes me twice as long to get the weight off. But it comes off as long as you keep trying and are mostly mostly good. But when comes to grandma's cookies and a cakes and things, well a little will do me. My habits have changed and I don't cheat and eat as big as did. Yes, with more will power I could already be at goal. But the path to get here wasn't grueling or anything and for me that's what counts. The off plan eating I do do made the whole process easier for me. I can look back at the last two and half years and I don't feel I've suffered and I can see the way I eat changed. Don't let yourself go and just eat huge amounts of carby foods for a month or anything. But if a slice of cake is more important than loosing two pounds this week, have it then get back on plan.