Thanksgiving and Christmas are fast approaching -- the eating
holidays are here. Now is the
time to reign-in our eating habits so we will have less weight to shed in the
New Year. A few smart eating choices at
the onset of the holidays will make a huge difference in the waistline. Consider these easy activities:
1.
Know where you stand. Remove your shoes, close your eyes, and step
on the scale. Now, take a look. On a piece of paper write down your weight and
then write down your “goal weight”. Tape
this to the refrigerator. Knowing your
current weight will help to positively influence food choices and move you
closer to your goal. If you are within a
few pounds of your goal weight, good for you!
Keep it up. Just don’t get down
on yourself if you’re not losing as quickly as you’d like. Weight loss takes time; just keep your goal
in mind (and taped to the refrigerator door).
2.
Exercise now.
Yes, schedules get more crowded during the holidays, but you can find
the time for exercise if you choose to put
health in your schedule. There are
168 hours in a week: dedicate 3 hours a
week for exercise. Re-activate that gym
membership. Use the Wii Fit purchased
last Christmas. Walk with your family or
a friend, or while your child is at sports practice. Set the alarm clock for a half-hour earlier
and dust-off exercise DVDs. Park at the
back of the parking lot at work, the supermarket, and shopping mall. Simply,
move more.
3.
Portion control.
Replace dinner plates with salad
plates whenever you can and load up on vegetables, fruits, and whole
grains. Use a bed of salad greens to
line your plate, which helps you to consume more leafy green vegetables, and
less fatty, calorie-dense foods. Not
arriving ravenous to holiday parties makes it easier for better food choices,
so eat before you go.
4.
Don’t drink your calories. Alcohol hides many calories in a small
package. Juices and mixers are full of sugar. Scale
back on the size of a drink to reduce calories. Coffee beverages with
gingerbread, eggnog, and peppermint add fat that show up on the waistline. Opt for sugar-free additives to your
coffee. Drink more water – it’s filling, healthy, and calorie-free.
Finally, enjoy the holidays!
Food is communal and an expression of love. By following these easy steps before
the holidays, you will create less guilt and less weight during and
after the holiday season. Be well.