The Holidays Are Approaching.........

I recently came across this post on another board that I venture and thought that the poster's post was like a smack in the noggin....uummm...duh! How come I never thought that???? And the tips were pretty good, too. Jill ____________________________________________________________________ The holidays are quickly approaching. Thanksgiving will soon be upon us.....or what I like to call The Day Filled With Everything You Know You Should Not Eat. Some of you reading this may actually be blessed with being seated at a holiday table laden with healthy and calorie-conscious foods. I, however, have never experienced this in real life and every Thanksgiving table I have been seated at contained all sorts of rich calorie-laden foods, complete with hefty amounts of sugar, butter, vegetable oil, bacon grease, and salt. Don't even get me started about the bacon grease. I was recently talking with a friend about losing weight and keeping weight off and she remarked something like "Well, there's no way I'm going to be able to lose weight right now with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming." We went on with our conversation, but later I did a 360. What? There's no way she can lose weight? Huh? She's just giving up and accepting defeat? I don't think so! The holidays aren't some mystical force that grabs you, takes hold, and you are helpless in its grip. You make the decision about what food and drinks you are going to partake in. If that means you don't have a slice of Aunt Bea's pumpkin pie this year, don't worry - she won't keel over right in front of you. She may not even notice. I know temptation is often in full force this time of year but you can beat it! You have the power and the control to make good decisions. You are strong enough not to succumb! Remember, as good as that (insert food temptation here) might look, you probably won't feel so good after you have consumed it. Never after I have indulged in an eating binge did I feel good afterwards. I always felt depressed, guilty, and defeated. I don't want to feel that way anymore! I want to make an informed decision beforehand to avoid eating pitfalls during the holidays. We've already made our holiday challenge, let's stick with it. Now I'll pass on some great advice from Chalene Johnson - Creator of Turbo Jam (© 2005 Powder Blue Productions): 7 Tips To Avoid Holiday Weight Gain 1. Drink less. Avoid calorie-laden beverages like alcohol, egg nog, peppermint lattes and hot chocolate. Permanently attach a bottle of water to your hand from Thanksgiving until January 1st. One ****tail is fine. But keep in mind, alcohol usually makes you less attractive, less articulate, less responsible, and more likely to overeat. Cheers! 2. Bake less. One of the sneakiest ways calories creep up on us is via the mixing bowl! Avoid volunteering to bake your famous snickerdoodle cheesecake and you'll instantly cut down on unneeded stress and calories. 3. Be fashionably late. This accomplishes two things. One, the less time you spend at the party, the less time you spend with a plate of cheese stuffed mini-quiche and uncomfortable small talk with the boss. Two, the more guests there before you, the less food available when you arrive. [ I always employ this strategy at weddings and other events where food temptations abound. Let everyone else go through the buffet line, to the bar, etc. first. There will be less available when you arrive! ] 4. Throw away leftovers. I know your Mother would "gasp" at such a wasteful suggestion. I'll let you in on a little secret, that half-eaten pumpkin pie is not exactly what the local food bank had in mind. Toss it and get over it. Your neighbor brings over a delicious plate of cookies. Take a nibble and toss the rest! She'll never know the difference and your thighs will thank you. 5. Amp up your workouts. Many Americans excuse themselves from healthy eating and regular workouts because, "it's that time of year". Poor choice. Rather than skipping workouts, intensify yours. Holidays are when you really need the mood enhancing, stress busting effects of exercise more than ever. You deserve it. You'll be more proficient because of it, so make time to do it! 6. Enjoy a taste. Some do well by swearing off "forbidden" foods, but for many of us that notion only leads to bingeing or a feeling of deprivation. If that's the case, allow yourself the treat, just make it a small portion and account for it during your next Cardio Party!. 7. Scrap the "dieters mentality". I forbid you to say these 5 little words ever again, "I'm starting my diet tomorrow." This mentality leads people to believe that healthy eating is all or nothing. Have a cookie or two, but catch yourself before you slip into the "Oh, I've blown it so now I might as well have 10 more!" way of thinking. That mentality is the root of all yo-yo dieting. Think of your eating as a way of life, not a diet. Enjoy the occasional treat, but do so in moderation."

Jill- Thanks for the reminders. I've passed them along to my girlfriends who are usually "dieting" and tend to "blow it" around the holidays. Christina S

Thanks, Jill, I needed that today......this will really help for the holidays. Have a happy thanksgiving,.....I am thankful for the friends I have made through this journey. Hugs, Betsy

I never forbid myself of anything during the holidays but I do always practice moderation. I'm not much of a drinker either, mainly because it does put pounds on you very easily and very fast. I had a chocolate martini in Lexington and came home 4 pounds heavier. It took a week to loose it back. Jane