The Holiday season has officially begun and Christmas is almost here. This is the time of year when most Americans are NOT beginning a new diet, rather ending their old one. The Holidays bring family, friends, and … food. Lots of food. SO, PLEASE…Don’t fight it. Don’t be a "food martyr". The Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays are the times of year where food not only “keeps us going”, but is a social event. If you avoid everything, you won’t feel like you are a "part of things."
Avoiding food this Christmas will leave you with a sense of having missed out on something good. Something that brings us closer to the people with whom we celebrate this special time of year. Not eating will leave you feeling deprived. Feeling deprived ultimately sets you up for failure in your diet, and your goal for a lean body.
So go ahead and eat. Enjoy yourself. But let’s make a deal! As soon as Christmas Day is done, it’s back to your healthy eating program. The last thing you want to do is make the Holiday season last from Halloween to Valentines Day.
Here are some suggestions:
• On Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, eat whatever you like until you are “not quite full”. Then stop for at least 30 minutes to give your stomach a chance to send "fullness signals" to your brain. If you are still hungry at that point, then eat a little more. Remember: Allow yourself some slack but DO NOT abandon your sensible eating plan to irresponsible excess!
• Be sensible and really plan ahead. Slightly reduce your caloric (and carbohydrate) intake before and after your biggest eating days. Be strong and show some restraint. Do not gulp your food, nor over-stuff yourself, and whatever you do, NO hyperventilating! Do not stay and sit with those who continue to eat even though they are full BEYOND capacity. Walk away from the table!
Remember: Find A Happy Balance Between Indulgence & Moderation!
•Give away your leftovers and don’t accept any to “take home” if you are eating at someone else’s house. The only leftovers you are allowed to keep is white meat turkey (breast.) Toss the gravy, mashed potatoes, the stuffing and yes…the cakes, pies, cookies, candy and other assorted goodies. You’ll never get “back to normal” with that stuff cluttering your fridge.
•The day after Christmas Day…work out! Get back to your normal diet and your normal routine. If you allow your exercise program to falter you might not start again until February or March of next year. Exercise is your friend and should not be neglected. Remember all the hard work you put in during the year. Don’t let the Holidays derail you! DO NOT use the Holiday season as an excuse to continue poor eating habits and skipping workouts once the social functions are finished.
If you follow my suggestions you can emerge from the “dreaded” Holidays without having a gained a pound and with a new sense of control and confidence. You will have EMPOWERED yourself to “enjoy” but not “over-do”.
Eat right, workout, BE HAPPY and most of all, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Aimee Deak
Personal Trainer & Nutrition Analyst
AIM 4 NUTRITION
www.aim4nutrition.com
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