Go Ask Mom

Training for Baby: Holiday food fest

With the holidays in full swing, my goal to lose weight before getting pregnant has been put to the test.

Posted Updated
Kathy Hanrahan
By
Kathy Hanrahan

With the holidays in full swing, my goal to lose weight before getting pregnant has been put to the test.

Just last week, I had two holiday lunches at work. This week, most people are bringing in items to the office that I can’t resist – pies, cakes, corn pudding!

Working at WRAL can be tough on your waistline. We always seem to have something good to eat around here – last week I ended up eating a doughnut at the assignment desk. It was my first doughnut in two months or more. Oh did it taste good!

Being from south Louisiana, I love to eat. Every major event in my life has revolved around food.

High school graduation – what food will we have at the party?

Death in the family – we need to plan a menu for after the church services

Job promotion – let’s go to dinner!

Fired from a job – a good meal will make you feel better

In south Louisiana, we live to eat – not eat to live.

Trying to lose weight has meant changing my diet a little. Wheat bread has replaced white and my afternoon chocolate fix has become a chance to enjoy some yogurt or an apple.

For the holidays, I know I won’t be able to avoid eating some of my favorite foods - my mom’s deviled eggs and her famous rum cake! So, I have decided to follow a game plan to help me not fall too far off track:

  • Get smaller plates – the smaller the plate, the less food I can put on it. This will only work if I can limit the number of plates I go through.
  • More water - Filling up with water can help me reduce the amount of calories that I end up eating. It is also a great alternative to sugary soft drinks.
  • Less wine – I’d rather eat my calories than drink them. By forgoing wine, I can afford to have an extra deviled egg or a slice of rum cake. (At least that’s what I plan to tell my trainer.)
  • Control portion sizes – Sensible portion sizes of carb-heavy items (candied sweet potatoes, corn pudding) and larger portions of healthier items (steamed green beans) can help me fill up on the right things, without having to give up the things I enjoy.
  • Exercise – It might be tough to hit the gym every day, but getting some exercise will help combat the stress (cooking, shopping, family time, etc.) of the holidays. I plan to take at least one yoga class and maybe spend some time walking the malls. You can burn a lot of calories walking from your very distant parking space!

I read this week on some fitness website that the goal for the holidays should be to maintain your current weight. Don’t try to lose weight during this time, just try not to gain a ton. Hopefully, I can do that.

Good luck to everyone! Have a wonderful holiday!

Kathy is a web producer, entertainment expert and concert photographer for WRAL.com. She has written a manuscript about her life as an entertainment reporter and pop culture. Learn more about Kathy on her website. On Wednesdays here on Go Ask Mom, she's chronicling her efforts to lose weight before she and her husband start a family.

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.