Day 28: I Shoot for Maintaining During the H0-H0-H0LIDAYS

Losing weight during the holidays is an uphill battle.  It's a continuous stream of food during the month of December. I just focus on being healthy- not losing weight.  I go by an 80/20 rule.  80% of the week I will eat right, then 20% I will eat what I want.  I get picky though. I will not eat a lot of chips and dip, I can have those anytime. I will have my favorites. Grandma Beaver's Pecan pie, Reeces Trees, these fabulous Christmas cookies a student has brought me the past 5 years....mmmmmm

As I've said, I am kind of a stress eater and last night I plopped myself right in the middle of GROUND ZERO- my work Christmas Party.  For the record, I work with amazing teachers.  They are by far the most devoted, dedicated and knowledgeable staff I have ever gotten the opportunity to learn from.  But when teachers get together conversation turns to the inevitable.  ALL of the work we did, have to do, or need to get done before this or that date.  For most of us that date is tomorrow, December 5th.  UGH!  What someone brought buckeyes? Sugar Cookies? Hot wing dip? I don't even know what that is, but I will have 3.  So I sit here 5 hours later, still full with a dull headache and shaky- Are you sure you're not an alcoholic? hands.  Lesson learned? Probably not- I'm sure I will do it again next year because not only are they phenomenal teachers they have major baking skills.

Also, it's inevitable- every year someone asks me to, "Try this."
When I decline they say, "No really, try it."
"Um, no thanks."  I repeat.
"Here, just have one." Says my PUSHER as they set the plate in front of me and walk away.

Peer pressure sucks.  Whether you're 12 or 34, people do not take no for an answer.  The rest of the year when I am at parties, or family gatherings, I do these things:

1. Stay as far away from the kitchen as possible. 
2. I talk to people before I graze.  I give myself 20 minutes before I head to the trough and strap on the feed bag. Putting myself in awkward situations makes me want to eat, so I stay away from the food.
3. Hang out with the kids.  There's less drama there anyway.
4. I drink a lot of water. 
5. I load up on veggies, fruit, nuts.
6. Give away left overs or take it to work the next day.

I know this sounds obvious, but once I have a little sugar, my body craves it for a week.  So if I keep giving in to all of the holiday temptations my stocking will definitely be filled with coal.  So I let myself eat it 20% of the month.