Possible to lose weight over the holidays?

[Anonymous]

I'm in a similar situation, OP, and I was not able to lose over Thanksgiving even eating much less than previous years and feeling like I was doing really well. I have to REALLY restrict to lose anything.

Like others advised, I'm trying to eat smaller portions, drink less alcohol, and maintain over Christmas and New Year's. Also trying to alternate running with light weights. Then I'll get back to my ultra restrictive diet.

[Anonymous]

Put a palatable to you protien shake in your purse. I do Atkins Vanilla. Drink it practically on the doorstep of any event. I used this trick last year and it worked. I lost 2 lbs in December (usually gain 5) and kept it going.

[Anonymous]

I would work on it now OP. I was 135lbs at 40 and 5’7 was able to maintain that until 50 when peri-menopause hit and I whacked on 15lbs in two years - same food and exercise habits. Peri-menopause really is a game changer for weight gain.

At 40 what worked for me was cutting out sugar and lots of heavy lifting. It was effective for 10 years to maintain weight. To lose weight now I am doing the same but cutting my food intake by around 40%. Weight is slowly coming off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At holiday get togethers I am trying to eat healthy before I go and then not eat there. It will be harder when we are with staying with family because there is always tons of food around. I am trying my best to fast during the day - I mostly only eat about 1.5 meals a day and lots of water. I walk about 15,000 steps a day as well.

When the new year starts I am trying to up my workouts to walking plus light weight lifting. Trying to keep my calories down to around 1200 a day. Do you think that will help lose the weight faster?

OP here

OP, I am 54, post menopausal 5"7" and 138 lbs. A few months ago I was around 143/144. I started lifting weights at home just following a lady on Youtube who makes 20-25 minute videos for women over 40. I upped my protein by making thoughtful food choices and adding cottage cheese and more fish to my diet; otherwise I eat what I like in moderation (though I don't drink alcohol) and I don't track calories. I wasn't even trying to lose weight but the first thing I noticed was all my clothes fitting better though my weight was the same. I assume I was gaining muscle and losing fat. I also noticed a decreased in my cravings for junk food and sugar. The weight has been coming off slowly more recently because I find I'm not as hungry and when I do eat, I eat smaller portions.

I think you will have more success if you focused on the other stuff over calorie counting, like weight training and increasing protein. You don't need to wait for the holidays to be over to do that. Buy some cottage cheese and find some body weight exercise videos...you can do those while you travel. Also, I think depriving yourself during the holidays sounds miserable. I basically ate an entire quiche and a cherry pie by myself over Thanksgiving weekend. It was so delicious. Within a couple of weeks I was back to my pre-holiday weight.

I mean, I have no desire to weight 125/130. I want to be strong, functional, and independent as I age. But there really is something to this whole strength training as a metabolic hack. I also think if you feel stronger, you may love your body more regardless of it's shape.

[Anonymous]

I understand. I am very strict with my diet and exercise routine, but I just had some cheddar chips tonight, which I never eat. I am also drinking some wine after a long year of work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s hard to lose weight during the holidays, but it’s even harder to lose weight when you are within the healthy BMI.

I am on the higher end of normal BMI which is not where I have ever been in my life. I am afraid to enter my 40s and have the weight creep on with menopause. OP here

I understand and all of us have been there. Your body is no longer 18 or 28 or 32.

I am just letting you know it's very, very, very hard to lose weight when your BMI is normal even if your weight doesn't feel normal in your head.

Also what you think is healthy your body might disagree. Studies show as you enter your 50's being on the low end of your BMI is generally not as healthy as being on the high end or even a few lbs over.

But seriously learn this lesson after years of trying. You are not going to listen to me.

Agree with that. I lost 40 lbs over the last couple of years and my doctor doesn't want me getting under 22 BMI (which is about where I am). Also as you age being too thin can age you. It's not a good look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all - I do think it’s hard for me to wrap around my head that I am 40 now and my body has changed after having kids for a decade. I just want to go into the next decade as healthy and strong as I can to keep up with my kids. I feel gross and overweight at my current weight and really need to try hard to lose weight.

Op here

You need a therapist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand. I am very strict with my diet and exercise routine, but I just had some cheddar chips tonight, which I never eat. I am also drinking some wine after a long year of work.

OP here. Just for context, I am 51, and I am post-menopausal. I am the same weight or less as when I was 20. Just keep moving!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At holiday get togethers I am trying to eat healthy before I go and then not eat there. It will be harder when we are with staying with family because there is always tons of food around. I am trying my best to fast during the day - I mostly only eat about 1.5 meals a day and lots of water. I walk about 15,000 steps a day as well.

When the new year starts I am trying to up my workouts to walking plus light weight lifting. Trying to keep my calories down to around 1200 a day. Do you think that will help lose the weight faster?

OP here

OP, I am 54, post menopausal 5"7" and 138 lbs. A few months ago I was around 143/144. I started lifting weights at home just following a lady on Youtube who makes 20-25 minute videos for women over 40. I upped my protein by making thoughtful food choices and adding cottage cheese and more fish to my diet; otherwise I eat what I like in moderation (though I don't drink alcohol) and I don't track calories. I wasn't even trying to lose weight but the first thing I noticed was all my clothes fitting better though my weight was the same. I assume I was gaining muscle and losing fat. I also noticed a decreased in my cravings for junk food and sugar. The weight has been coming off slowly more recently because I find I'm not as hungry and when I do eat, I eat smaller portions.

I think you will have more success if you focused on the other stuff over calorie counting, like weight training and increasing protein. You don't need to wait for the holidays to be over to do that. Buy some cottage cheese and find some body weight exercise videos...you can do those while you travel. Also, I think depriving yourself during the holidays sounds miserable. I basically ate an entire quiche and a cherry pie by myself over Thanksgiving weekend. It was so delicious. Within a couple of weeks I was back to my pre-holiday weight.

I mean, I have no desire to weight 125/130. I want to be strong, functional, and independent as I age. But there really is something to this whole strength training as a metabolic hack. I also think if you feel stronger, you may love your body more regardless of it's shape.

This is wise. Focus on gaining strength, keeping your heart in shape, eating protein, and how your clothes fit. Stop the intense calorie restriction and hyper-focus on the numbers on the scale. I want my body to WORK for me and this is the recipe I've used to make progress in that direction this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s hard to lose weight during the holidays, but it’s even harder to lose weight when you are within the healthy BMI.

I am on the higher end of normal BMI which is not where I have ever been in my life. I am afraid to enter my 40s and have the weight creep on with menopause. OP here

Just maintain over the holidays. Not eating during family gatherings will likely make you feel sad and awkward. Don’t do that, seriously. Enjoy yourself and enjoy the food. Eat the stuff you really do enjoy, don’t feel obligated to eat the stuff you don’t care for to please someone, and just eat lighter before/after the gathering.

[Anonymous]

I just had three lunches out with friends, so ate more than I had wanted. I have lost almost 3 pounds this week.

I load protein in the mornings, then a decent snack around 11 (hard boiled egg and apple, or cheese sticks and berries). Then ate lunch out. Ate a very light dinner. Half a grilled chicken breast and some roasted veggies. Lots of water.

If I avoid the sweets, I'm good. But those are my weaknesses. Buffet with cookies and brownies? I'm done. So I have to work around those, and protein and water throughout the day really help me.