So, here it is December 1st. 48 days until the cruise. Judging from my last (and only) cruising experience, a cruise is nothing but a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week non-stop eat-fest. You may recall me announcing that I was going off of sugar for the month of November. You may not know this but...I failed, miserably. It's almost like because I set that goal I ate more sugar than usual. I am very disappointed in myself. Very. But, it's December 1st! I have a clean slate, and December is probably the hardest month to go without sugar, which makes it the most important month to go without sugar.
But what are the holidays if you can't sip hot chocolate, topped with a mountain of fluffy whipped cream, by a crackling fire with all your loved ones gathered near? And what is a holiday party withought eating chocolate covered pretzels and pies and candies and fudge and...well, you get the idea.
So I am in distress. I've got to do something! The way I see it, I go on a vacation sans children once every...I dunno, ten years or so. I've got to make it count. I've got to be on my A game.
So here are some ideas. And just pretend you are emotionally invested in my success or something.
1- No sugar at all. No artificial sweetners at all. Nothing. Zero. Zip for the entire month of December.
2- No sugar at all, except one serving of one type of dessert per holiday party (holiday party constitutes something that Blaine and I are at together with 10 or more people)
3-Screw it. All the sugar I want, all the time, you only live once!
4- Open to other suggestions.
And on a much happier note. Anyone ever been to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, or uh....is it Cozumel? I think. I am chalking away Grand Cayman for scuba diving, but if you've been to the other ports of call...what do you recommend doing?
I'm so excited!
17 comments:
I'd say go with #2. Not only because it would be hard on you to go completely without, but also because (take it from me as M's wife) sometimes people are almost offended if you eschew dessert entirely.
For me it seems too hard give up/limit myself. I just set the achievable goal of losing X lbs. by X date and then I was more careful about what I was eating, but I still indulged my cravings. It totally worked for me. Hope that helps.
(If you do set a goal, make it achievable, otherwise you're setting yourself up for failure)
I say, that what you say, is what I say. :) Good luck!
Eat sugar! Don't over-indulge, just eat regularly. Don't eat past 7 p.m. though, exercise 30 minutes a day/ 6 days a week and drink plenty of water. Do that and you'll be fine.
Just eat in serious moderation. Little slices of things that let you taste and enjoy without overdoing it. Drink LOTS of water. Exercise (cardio and strength). That's what I do and it has yet to let me down. I have never gained a pound over the holidays (except while pregnant) but I've never felt like I denied myself anything I wanted.
the only time i have ever really been on a diet is after i had each of my kids, granted i do lose my baby weight fairly fast, but i always get nervous with each kid it won't go away, but it seems like the minute i tell myself to lay off the sweets I get into panic mode and I eat far more than i would have if i was just eating to satisfy my sweet tooth. and the funny thing is, i usually lose my baby weight after I stop worrying about what I eat and just eat what I want and just enough to satisfy because if i want another cookie in an hour, i go eat another cookie. So i would just think of it as eating healthy, and only eat to not be hungry anymore, not to be stuffed- I hate the feeling of being stuffed. I have never been a fan of diets because i think mentally it makes you want it more. so like i said, eat healthy and yes eat sweets when you want them! i would rather die than give up sweets. just a suggestion though :) if you want to torture yourself go right ahead!
As your dietitian friend, I have to say I'm definitely anti-dieting. Like everyone else said above, focus on eating the right foods, eating small portions and exercising regularly and I think you'll be much happier than if you cut out sugar.
PS- It was so fun seeing you the other day! We loved it!
I'd say the main problem with #3 is that, yes, you only live once, but you might live a SHORTER once if you go too nuts.
Do #2. I've been really surprised this year how sustainable limited quantities of dessert are.
1- Throw away the scale!
2- Eat your vegetables first and allow yourself all you want.
3- Don't feel obligated to finish dessert. Relish a couple of bites then show your dominion over it by leaving some on the plate!
I like #2. Oh, it helps if you brush your teeth at a certain time each night. I never want to eat after I brush my teeth.
But I bet you will love the cruise no matter what.
Kristi didn't mention that the pie in the picture is not from some stock photo gallery that she found on Google, it is actually a picture SHE took of a pie that SHE made for Thanksgiving. Yeah, now you see the problem. You have someone who can make desserts like that and we are both in big trouble--not just for December but for life :)
How funny, we are going on a cruise next month too, but a little further south. I'm feeling the same pressure too of getting into shape before the cruise. However, I don't think I'm as disciplined as you are.
Lot of good advice here. Anything that cuts something out, like sugar, totally is probably doomed to failure. Common sense, calories in, calories out. Eat it, burn it. You can eat anything you want. Just don't grow crazy.
Not a big fan of any choice. Sorry. I agree with the others, in that you eat your good stuff first, then just eat a small portion of dessert, and continue to exercise. You can do it. I NEVER do well with cutting things out. NEVER. I think I gain more, because I eat more. Eat healthy. Like you said, life is to be enjoyed, and dessert is definitely enjoyable, especially in smaller quantities!!
Plus keep your regular portion size down too!
I liked Susie's comments, except I know her as Susan!
And I think the prettiest beach I have even been on is 7-mile beach in Grand Cayman!
p.s. i actually eat my dessert first, then i am sick the rest of the night and i don't want anything else. maybe that is the diet you should go on, i like it :)
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