Strength is the ability to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands- and then eat just one of those pieces. ~Judith Viorst
The holidays are upon us! It's the time of thankfulness, good times, family and friends. It may be the best time of the year, but it's also the fattest time of the year. Food and drink entice you at every gathering, and even at work. Resist! Shedding the pounds gets harder and harder. It's possible to eat, drink and be merry without turning into a butterball.
Since there is such a focus on the "perfect holiday", this time can also be the loneliest, or most stressful time of year. All that stress can cause the most mindful eater to self-medicate with food or alcohol. For those of you that are putting pressure on yourselves to have picture-perfect holidays, relax. The most perfect holidays are the ones where you connect with people and have fun. Running around being a stressball will only dampen your enjoyment and those around you. For those of you that have recently gotten bad news, lost a loved one, or feel bereft of family or friends, you're not alone. Many people feel alone, and remember, these times will change. MindfulEats loves you.
If you usually gain a little weight during the holidays, try these tips:
What to do - Holiday Plan
- Plan your party strategy. Don't get caught off guard! Know where the food and drink will be, starting with Thanksgiving. Pick the 3-4 events of the season that you want to indulge the most in (you probably don't want to pick the popcorn tin at the office). Be aware of the food that you don't want to indulge in, and partake in it very modestly.
- Visualize the food and drink at the celebrations you want to indulge in. Use this celebration eating strategy. Eat just a little of what you like, and moderate amounts of what you love. Thoroughly enjoy all of it. Does the second piece of cake really taste that much better than the first?
- Keep a food log. Recording every bite is THE most effective way to avoid excess calories.
- Exercise. Get moving with family and friends. Play basketball, go for a hike, or participate in a Turkey Trot. Or, shamelessly take some time for yourself and exercise before the eating starts.
- Take care of yourself. If you feel sad or stressed, do something you like. Have a cup of tea in your favorite place or watch a movie. Connect with someone. Volunteering during the holidays is often needed - try the food bank or community center.
- Get rid of your expectations. You don't need to have a Thanksgiving dinner that looks like a magazine meal or tantrum-free kids that behave perfectly. Just take the moments as they come and enjoy. Here's a NYT article on what not to do.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
What I ate: Brown Cow Cream top yogurt + 1 tbsp Sarabeth's jam + ground flaxseeds + cereal, 12 oz. skim cafe au lait, macadamia nuts, dried mango slices, saag paneer + quinoa, 3 squares dark chocolate, dried apricots, Gala apple, Barbara's Bakery shredded oats cereal + milk, hot chocolate, 45 oz. water
Exercise: 17 minutes stationary bike, 30 minutes lifting
