Holiday Survival Mode

As the holiday season soon approaches, a lot of people get anxious about all the food, family, and festivities. Many worry that the season will derail them from starting or continuing efforts to eat a healthy diet or incorporate exercise into their daily lives. However, it is important to take a deep breath and recall the true joys and purpose of the season: to enjoy time with family and friends. It is a time to focus on giving thanks and rejoicing over the blessings in your life, rather than fret about perceived failures to yourself. Take this time to evaluate how far you have come with creating new, healthier habits. Set small goals to control portion sizes of not so healthy foods or to choose healthier foods to add to your menu.

Keep a log of exercise that you can fit in, even if it is just a quick walk around the block.

And don’t forget, sharing the gift of a healthier lifestyle is just as important as living it for yourself. Make it a priority to have several healthy options at parties, either by modifying a recipe you love or by adding a salad or fruit tray to the table. Talk about being active with your loved ones and see if you can encourage everyone to go for a walk together or play a game outside. Chances are, others in the family want to prevent holiday weight gain too!

The following are some tips to help you get through parties without needing to go up a size after the season is through.

• Plan ahead. If you know you have a social event, eat a light snack or meal beforehand so you are not ravenous at the party and eat everything in sight. Plan to have small portions of foods you enjoy and avoid foods that don’t give you pleasure.
• If you host an event, remember you have control over the menu!
• Keep your distance from food and drink, busy yourself with conversation with people you don’t get to see often through the year.
• Limit alcohol to two drinks. Just because you sip it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t add up, and fast. Alcohol is stored directly as fat in the body and decreases your metabolism. Not only that, it can inhibit your decision-making skills and encourage you to eat more.
• Be the last in line for a buffet, you will be less likely to go back for seconds.
• Leave leftovers or send them home with others. Out of sight, out of mind.
• Split high calorie entrees or deserts with a friend.
• If someone continues to offer you something you would regret eating or prefer not to eat, ask them to get you something else instead.
• Practice the art of saying, “No.”
• Above all, don’t feel guilty about small slip-ups. Guilt can move you onto a path of making unhealthy decisions for days on end.