Hey guys. I went to a support group meeting yesterday and this is the info my nutritionist passed out. Most of you probably know these things but I thought I would share.

Holiday Survival Tips

*Plan what you will take to parties so you have foods you can eat. Bring your own drinks, salad dressing and low-calorie condiments.

NO PEOPLE PLEASING!!

Eat only what you want.

Do not eat as an obligation to others, even if they have cooked your favorite dish.

Make your own decisions and stand up for yourself!

*Turn down extra helpings without feeling guilty

Carrie food on a napkin instead of a plate (the napkin holds less)

*Focus on your protein and vegetables

NO SKIPPING MEALS!

Keep a journal

Take your time eating: chew slowly and enjoy the flavor of your food.

Put your fork down between bites

*Stop eating when you are full.

Remember putting a pound or two back on does not mean you are back to square one!

Forgive yourself. You have already learned what is healthy for you

*Exercise more often or a little longer during the holidays. Learn to celebrate without food!

Good advice!  

My family has started adding exercise as a group activity during the holidays.  So we went for a nice walk after Thanksgiving last year and a few during the winter holidays.  

I got the young folks (i.e. 30-65 years old) to participate in a turkey trot this year!  I think this could become a good new tradition for the  new family.

While I agree with most of this, I am not eating my food off a napkin. What the heck? It is a holiday not a BBQ ...LOL. Great list.

I agree. A dessert size plate or a saucer would be better.

I tried eating a steak off a holiday napkin once. I was pooping bits of red and green paper for a week.

I dont think she meant /eat/ your food off of a napkin. I think she means when you're going for food, to use a napkin to place things on because unless you're eating off of a desert plate or a salad plate its hard to judge how much you're actually putting on there sometimes. That's how I took it anyway lol

H.A.L.A gave me good advice. I would say I can't eat that anymore. She told me to say I don't eat that anymore. It does seem to help.

During holidays we have to be cautious to what we eat. In my family we have to get alternative to what we used to prepare like for an instance during thanksgiving pumpkin pie is served as desert, since my husband is diabetic due to his obesity we replace his favorite pie into a healthy drink like a matcha pumpkin pie from redleaf tea. 

source: Pumpkin Pie Matcha

Pumpkin Pie Matcha is an excellent delight for me. It has all the combined taste that is perfect for special gatherings. Its sweetness is absolutely mild that does not dominate the natural taste of pumpkin. The creaminess brings so much pleasure to the mouth making each bite an unforgettable experience. I find the taste exceptionally rare as no pie has ever tasted as tempting and good as this treat.