Tis the Season to…Overeat!
The five to six weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are so very difficult to navigate when it comes to eating well and avoiding excess. Food treats are everywhere—in the office, at church and school functions, and let’s not forget those all holiday gatherings! Is it really possible to resist the temptation to overindulge when confronted by so much yumminess?
Yes, it is!
I believe much holiday damage (in the form of pounds gained) can be curtailed simply by employing some pre-commitment and preparation. The “commitment” portion is the pre-determined mindset in which you refuse to enter this season giving yourself “a pass” by declaring, Oh, well, I’ll have to diet in January! Instead of taking this flawed approach, remind yourself that your health is just as important in this final stretch of the year as it was in the ten months which preceded it. (Think of it as the final exam in a year-long course.) The holidays will give you the opportunity to prove to yourself that you are truly committed to protecting your personal health—no matter what time of the year it is.
When faced with holiday get-togethers, a little preparation goes a long way. Never, ever, EVER, show up hungry! You’re just asking for trouble if your growling stomach drowns out the doorbell when you arrive. Have yourself a healthy snack before you head out to your event. Once you’re there, scope out the low-calorie options (lean meats, vegetables) and fill up by eating a healthy portion of these first. Then you can allow yourself tastes of high-caloric specialty treats—after all, it is a holiday celebration! Just make sure you don’t stand next to the food table throughout the party. By moving out of arms reach of these health-sabotaging teasers, you will be more successful at controlling your holiday binging.
As we head towards Christmas, make sure to gift yourself with healthy commitments and a few waist-protecting tactics. This way, when the holidays are finished, you won’t be left with a heaping pile of guilt to wade through, and a whole bunch of pounds you need to lose.