Well, it’s November again and your calendar is full. Friends and family are coming over and everyone is having a great time. But you have that gnawing feeling in the back of your mind and the pit of your stomach. Last year when January came around you added an extra 10 pounds between November and January. You love the food and everybody brings their best dish. You cannot offend Aunt Carrie and not eat her sweet potato pie. Even if you don’t celebrate the same holidays for a variety of reasons, there is going to be food and plenty of it landing at your house–a care package some Tupperware or something. You can’t bring yourself to throw it out and in some locales, you can’t donate. But you don’t want a repeat performance of last year.
Don’t worry I got you!.
#1. If you haven’t been working out start now. Go to the mall, park, track or playground and start walking. If you have been working out already start jogging or running whatever it is an upgrade. If you are disabled in any way go on youtube and do chair workouts. Just move your body every day you can doing holiday season. You may find you actually like it and keep it up. Start slow work up.
#2. Pick which meal is most important to you and have meal replacement and fruit and veggies only for the other 2 meals if you eat 3 a day. Meal replacement– I use pea protein powder. I like it because it fills me up. I mix it with frozen fruit and fresh spinach. Now listen. You don’t have to use my combinations. If I want something to snack on then I have raw fruit and veggies. My go to is berries and cherry tomatoes.
#3. If you know your meal of choice is going to be several courses then eat something light before you go. You will not be that hungry when you arrive.
#4. Drink a full glass of water before you go or sip on some hot tea with lemon. You will not feel as hungry. I use the hot tea with lemon.
#5. If your plate is served to you then it is at least 2 to 3 servings. Plan on eating 1 serving and taking home 2 servings. If you prepare your own plate –that’s great. Small amounts and don’t take any home.
#6. If you taste something that is awful don’t finish it. Save the calories for the food that you like.
#7. You don’t have to try to taste everything on the table. That’s way too many calories. Just pick your favorites.
#8. Only 1 dessert please so make it count. Pick your favorite or the dessert that you know is consistently great. Have ½ a serving.
#9. Focus on the conversation more than the food. Put your fork down more than you normally do to give your brain the 20 minutes it needs to know you have had enough. Don’t just go to eat. Some of the people that you see today you may never see them again. Make sure you take the time to visit with everyone and get to know new people.
#10. Look fabulous!. If your outfit is beautiful then people will want to talk to you about that skirt or shoes. That will help take your mind off of food and on how great you look.
#11. Most all have fun–You are there to enjoy the company of great friends and eat great food not come home with regrets about how much food you ate.
Live your Best Life! Look Better and Feel Better.