OK - it's the holidays you want to imbibe a little- right? You can always start anew in the new year - after all isn't that what New Year's resolutions are for? You tell yourself days before Thanksgiving - well it's Thanksgiving - I'll eat what I want and then "be good".
But then you find the "being good" part means something different the further you go into the festive month of December.
OK it's now 4 cookies instead of only 1, it's a tall eggnog latte instead of just a latte, and it's 3 pieces of See's candy instead of none.
Get the picture? It creeps in, initially like an unwanted guest, and then it becomes a relative you need to put up with for a few days and then all of a sudden it's like Allan on Two and Half Men.
You know Charlie's brother (now Ashton Kutcher's housemate) who NEVER leaves.
They - your re-introduced old habits - are now here to stay for good! Are you conflicted on how to handle these threatening signs? Here are few gifts for you to receive and use this holiday season: #1 Eat First.
Before heading out to your holiday party plan to eat something first like a small portion of protein - piece of cheese, a few slices of turkey or ham and a few vegetables or fruit.
Or better yet - if it's cocktail party - have your meal before you go and sip on a nice refreshing cold drink like sparkling cider or a warming hot something like spicy tea.
#2 Stay away from the starches and sugars.
They are everywhere during the holiday season.
Do you ever notice once you start you can't stop? These foods are designed to do just that - become addictive.
Chocolates, cookies, cakes, on and on.
You might try this - only allow yourself one "treat" a week and that's it.
Choose carefully.
You may also want to consider how you want to "spend" those allotted calories you have saved for yourself.
Is it worth spending them on empty non-nutritious sweets? By simply remembering this you may stop yourself more often than not.
#3 Healthy Home.
Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean you have to have all those tempting foods around you.
Stock your tables and counters with fresh fruit of the season - mandarins, pears, grapes, persimmons - mmmm...
good.
This will actually prevent your need for more sweets or starching deserts - you won't be craving something extra sweet when you are satisfied with the sweetness of the season.
#4 Check your Portions - Here's another opportunity to pay attention.
You may feel that it's OK to indulge after all it's the holidays right? Wrong - maintain control and remember the holidays are about much more than eating and drinking.
Feeling nourished without excess is the secret of a healthy and balanced life.
#5 Appreciate what you already have.
Yes, in this time of giving and receiving it's also important to appreciate what you already have.
Who is in your life - all those that make your life rich and full.
This is also a time to reflect on your year and start planning for the year ahead.
It's a time to read, movies to see, time to relax around a crackling fire, take a brisk walk (or many).
Slow down a little and enjoy the peace and stillness of the winter season versus only the hustle and bustle.
While you appreciate you will notice less of a need to overeat or overdo.
But then you find the "being good" part means something different the further you go into the festive month of December.
OK it's now 4 cookies instead of only 1, it's a tall eggnog latte instead of just a latte, and it's 3 pieces of See's candy instead of none.
Get the picture? It creeps in, initially like an unwanted guest, and then it becomes a relative you need to put up with for a few days and then all of a sudden it's like Allan on Two and Half Men.
You know Charlie's brother (now Ashton Kutcher's housemate) who NEVER leaves.
They - your re-introduced old habits - are now here to stay for good! Are you conflicted on how to handle these threatening signs? Here are few gifts for you to receive and use this holiday season: #1 Eat First.
Before heading out to your holiday party plan to eat something first like a small portion of protein - piece of cheese, a few slices of turkey or ham and a few vegetables or fruit.
Or better yet - if it's cocktail party - have your meal before you go and sip on a nice refreshing cold drink like sparkling cider or a warming hot something like spicy tea.
#2 Stay away from the starches and sugars.
They are everywhere during the holiday season.
Do you ever notice once you start you can't stop? These foods are designed to do just that - become addictive.
Chocolates, cookies, cakes, on and on.
You might try this - only allow yourself one "treat" a week and that's it.
Choose carefully.
You may also want to consider how you want to "spend" those allotted calories you have saved for yourself.
Is it worth spending them on empty non-nutritious sweets? By simply remembering this you may stop yourself more often than not.
#3 Healthy Home.
Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean you have to have all those tempting foods around you.
Stock your tables and counters with fresh fruit of the season - mandarins, pears, grapes, persimmons - mmmm...
good.
This will actually prevent your need for more sweets or starching deserts - you won't be craving something extra sweet when you are satisfied with the sweetness of the season.
#4 Check your Portions - Here's another opportunity to pay attention.
You may feel that it's OK to indulge after all it's the holidays right? Wrong - maintain control and remember the holidays are about much more than eating and drinking.
Feeling nourished without excess is the secret of a healthy and balanced life.
#5 Appreciate what you already have.
Yes, in this time of giving and receiving it's also important to appreciate what you already have.
Who is in your life - all those that make your life rich and full.
This is also a time to reflect on your year and start planning for the year ahead.
It's a time to read, movies to see, time to relax around a crackling fire, take a brisk walk (or many).
Slow down a little and enjoy the peace and stillness of the winter season versus only the hustle and bustle.
While you appreciate you will notice less of a need to overeat or overdo.
SHARE
