<p>For all of the raspberry lovers. My Aldi’s had the small containers for 1.68. I had to fish around to find ones that were really good but that is an amazing price, I think. </p>
<p>They also had limes for .25/each. I’m enjoying my diet tonic water with lime and pretending it’s a gin and tonic </p>
<p>I’d agree that now is not the time to try to convert your family but what you can do is have a lot of fruits and veggies available, particularly fruits that feel like a bit of a treat like strawberries, kiwi or raspberries. My teens also like frozen bananas- just peel them, wrap them in Saran wrap and throw them into the freezer. My kids go looking for ice cream and end up happy with a banana. :-)</p>
<p>Ha - I kid you not, it’s days of favorites! And it’s not like everyone wants the same thing. Christmas Day - I just have to acknowledge that will be a day when we all eat what we want (including me). We have a big brunch and a big dinner. I used to bake a huge assortment of cookies, make candy, all kinds of nibbly type things - cheese crackers, Chex mix, roasted spiced nuts, caramel corn - people (including me) would eat it as fast as I made it. I just don’t do that (the large amounts of baking) any longer. </p>
<p>Walks are already a regular activity - the dogs wouldn’t have it any other way! </p>
<p>I’d make their favorite food, but I wouldn’t make enough for leftovers. Starchy sides I’d prepare in far reduced quantities and do my best not partake. I’ve been known to suggest my son invite friends if we’re making his special dessert.</p>
<p>Great price on limes!!!</p>
<p>Sabaray, now sure how long your kids will be home, but here’s the thing. It is only “us” that decide that the holidays need to be a month long eating frenzy. Or two weeks. Whatever, it’s a lot of meals that we seem to “give ourselves permission” to indulge in. </p>
<p>I think you should tell them with the enthusiasm I know you feel how you are enjoying some new ways of eating. You talk about making “everyone” happy - that includes you too, right?! </p>
<p>Here’s how I’d do it (and this IS what I do at home). Everyone want french toast and bacon for breakfast? Great! I’ll make it. But I’ll make it for brunch and then dinner is going to be something healthier. No full lunch but I’ll put out a protein rich snack and some fruit and veggies. Requests for shrimp scampi with pasta and good warm bread for dinner ? Love it!! But for breakfast I’ll put out homemade granola, whole milk yogurt and fruit. </p>
<p>I’ll bake too, but not too early in the season. And, much of it will be given away - we’ll enjoy PLENTY. But I freeze them all and just pull out a few at a time. Everyone seems to respect that except my H who will find the frosted sugar cookies even if I hide them in the attic!!!</p>
<p>If I hid them in the attic it would be party-time for the mice.</p>
<p>Great idea for a thread–my goal is to maintain over the holidays too. I lost 15-20 lbs for my son’s wedding in September and have maintained since then. However, the goodies in the house since Thanksgiving had some weight creeping back on. I self-sabotaged a couple of days this week (cramming junk in my mouth…good lord) and have been back on track the last two days. My plan is to be on the healthy eating program through Friday, then enjoy the holidays (within reason) and get back on the program Dec. 26. I find if I give myself permission to taste delicious food, I don’t do the deprivation binge. I get angriest at myself when I eat processed junk instead of truly delicious home-made food. I’ve also got to keep stepping on the scale to keep myself honest. Also helps that we have a mini-vacation over New Years and I want to fit in the cute holiday clothes!</p>
<p>Trying to maintain weight lost since August and bringing triglycerides and cholesterol numbers back into a normal range. In the summer and fall it’s easy to get exercise outside, going walking eating lots of salads. My challenge is not just holiday foods and parties but keeping up everyday exercise and meals. I love salads and fresh fruits but on these colder days my cravings run more to beef stew and crusty bread. </p>
<p>I really like this and feel it applies to me: “I get angriest at myself when I eat processed junk instead of truly delicious home made food” - THIS! I can avoid most of the processed junk - and would rather splurge on the good home made stuff - within reason!!! </p>
<p>Needed to bring home some takeout last night - well not exactly “needed” but “wanted” because I had to work an event all afternoon and so it was a good night to not have to take the time to cook. Was glad that I came up with a take out solution that didn’t crush my will to eat better - I was able to order stuffed cabbage with extra tomatoes and cabbage - and passed on the roll and butter and “sides” - mashed potatoes, dumplings, etc. offered. It was delicious, filling and not a bad take out choice. Did indulge in 2 chocolate chip cookies (home made) later but it was the only non-healthy treat of the day. </p>
<p>One big party down! Yes, I ate too much. All I can say in my defense is that I exercised first, and I didn’t eat so much that my stomach hurt. H and I tried every dessert, but we agreed to share them, so only half for each of us. </p>
<p>I survived last night’s party. Had one small plate from the buffet and went back for more shrimp. Another small plate where I tasted most of the desserts. The guy was a pastry chef in Germany and he makes amazing desserts - and the baklava I brought was pretty good too. I managed to drink as much Pellegrino as I drank wine.</p>
<p>^^^Small wins… - going “halfsies”!</p>
<p>Last night was my church’s big music program with the cookie party afterwards. My strategy was to socialize with folks empty handed (and the first ones were thin and empty handed!), then grab a mineral water, and then finally at the end peruse the cookie tables. Of course, by that time the best stuff was gone. I probably ate maybe a half dozen small cookies at most which is very good for me. I even threw one out that turned out to be a little burnt and didn’t taste all that good. No weight gained, and despite the cookies eaten, I didn’t feel deprived.</p>
<p>DD came home a couple of days ago, and on our trip to Trader Joe’s, she wanted me to buy Peppermint Joe-Joes and cinnamon pita chips. I will not be the one to open those packages; too much temptation. I also have the caramel sampler in the living room – to give as a gift, as much as I would really like to sample. . .</p>
<p>CCSiteObsessed, at first I thought you said, “I probably ate maybe a half dozen small cookies which were mostly good for me” - I"m thinking, “what cookies are actually GOOD for you??!!” </p>
<p>This is my goal, too. Maintain, Don’t Gain! I lost 20+ pounds in six months, but have remained the same weight for the last three months. I had a really big weekend last weekend, with two big parties, but was careful with my choices and drank no alcohol. One thing I am keeping handy is ‘Skinny Pop’ popcorn - one cup is 39 calories. It seems to satisfy my salt craving… And for my sweet craving, I eat a single Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookie - 40 calories. I am eating lots of carrots, too. I do think I am going to pick up some raspberries and blueberries. :)</p>
<p>Patting myself on the back, I successfully maintained through the past weekend of social diet traps ( book club, lunch with out of town sister, neighborhood party, church women’s holiday dinner, and a Steeler party). For the last event, I offered to take a salad if someone else would cook for the heartier appetites. I had spinach, fat-free feta, blackberries, cranberries, pears, candied pecans, and low fat trader Joe’s dressing. The woman who brought dessert made seven layer cookies which I normally have problems resisting but she made them without nuts. I convinced myself after a very small sample that I just didn’t like them without the nuts, so I didn’t eat more. Now, to strategize for the coming week of more serious parties, my son’s homecoming, and my H’s birthday.</p>
<p>^Your social life is exhausting me! 
Seriously, I’m impressed; just fitting that all in would be a challenge, never mind all the eating challenges.</p>
<p>Hi everyone, what a great thread. I’ve lost about 25- 30 lbs since last January and want NEVER to meet up with them again. Would like to shed another 10lbs but will settle for not gaining during the holidays. Have the added motivation of a wedding to attend early in the new year for which I’ve bought a fitted (for me) dress which will be out of the question if I gain any weight. Have a lot of difficulty declining foods when someone has gone to a lot of trouble to make them - dinner party last night I sampled everything and have not stepped on the scales yet today. I have found though that drinking even a glass of wine seems to add pounds (- probably not least because it stimulates my appetite, whereas a glass of beer doesn’t) so I don’t think it’ll be a happy weigh in this morning. Thanks for sharing tips, strategies and motivations and good luck!</p>
<p>I try to stay away from the lowfat stuff; I eat more if I eat lowfat. I am trying to eat more good fats…</p>
<p>^^^ What are some examples @anxiousmom???</p>
<p>The weather was stellar for the last couple of days (for December, in Ohio!) so I did back to back to back “sweaty” workouts in the great outdoors - a few extra calories burned in the bank!!! </p>