1. No More Deprivation
Do you tell yourself, “I won’t have this or that at the holiday party, I will have willpower,” knowing how impossibly hard that will be. Or, “I must have Mamma’s dinner or she’ll get insulted, there’s no hope for me around family.” If so, consider trying these ideas instead: Add healthy foods to your daily intake of holiday fare; add fruits to you daily diet; add a large vegetable soup or salad or cooked vegetable dish to your lunch and dinner; instead of skipping lunch or breakfast, make sure to have it. You will not feel deprived if you are not hungry. With this new mindset you will feel like you’re taking care of yourself during this busy time. This equals less overeating.
2. Have a Daily Food Partner
Plan your meals the night before and send it to a friend or coach that agrees to support you. At the end of the day, connect again to report the reality of your eating for the day. This in no way has to be perfect, but again it keeps you focused on spending a few minutes thinking about what you will eat for the day. Even if it’s going to a party and keeping the rest of the day healthy, that’s great. You’re not throwing in the towel and giving up hope for the entire holiday season. Accountability and support go a long way towards sticking to your desired eating plan.
3. Juicing and Freezing
Lots of overeating is done when you don’t have enough nutrients. A super-fast way to get some healthy stuff daily and curb your appetite is to juice some veggies and fruits once a week and freeze cup-size portions. Every morning or evening take out one or two cups and drink them daily. It’s filling and healthy.
4. Emotional Eating is REAL
Emotions are the #1 factor in gaining weight for most people, according to Dr. Roger Gould, a weight loss specialist in California. When emotions arise at holiday trigger points, stop before you automatically reach for food. Inner tension, anxiety, overwork, loneliness, boredom, feeling trapped, not feeling like you quite fit in, these feelings can crop up anywhere this season. You may be overeating instead of facing what’s really bothering you. There is nourishment and pleasure out there from sources other than food. This holiday season if you acknowledge that this may be a factor in your eating you can learn to stop doing it. You can learn to reach for other behaviors instead. Take a few moments a day to listen to yourself and to what you are really feeling and needing.
5. No Time for the Gym?
Blast the music on at home and move it, shake it, just dance for 20 minutes daily. It’s tons of fun and you can get a great aerobic workout. It may even motivate you to hit the ground for a few sit-ups and push ups. Every little bit counts. You deserve to enjoy the holidays without the added stress of worrying about gaining weight and thinking about food. Here are some additional resources that are ‘not the typical diet book’ to give to your wonderful self as a gift.
Eating in the Light of the Moon, by Anita Johnston, Ph.D. A Course in Weight Loss, 21 Spiritual Lessons for Surrendering Your Weight Forever, by Marianne Williamson Eat to Live, by Dr. Joel Fuhrman Shrink Yourself, by Dr. Roger Gould
It’s possible to not gain weight during holiday celebrations, in fact you can actually even lose some with these simple tips.
