Do you struggle with weight loss or maintenance of your weight around the holidays with so many people eating what seem like "treats"? How do you treat yourself without resorting to food? Here are some ideas of what to do when food calls to you that is not on your food plan.
1.
Avoid parties that are just cookie exchanges and sampling cookies.
There is no way to avoid eating dessert at such parties.
Cookies are filled with fat, sugar and white flour and it's nearly impossible to each just one.
2.
Meditate or listen to soothing music before you go to your holiday meal so that you are relaxed.
3.
Exercise before a party or holiday meal so that your endorphins are high.
4.
At the hors d'oeuvre table: Walk away.
Go somewhere else, as far away from the food as you can.
Don't just stand or sit and look at it.
Make an excuse to get up from the table, away from the food or just eat from the fresh vegetables dish.
5.
Drink plenty of water so that you are too full to eat the food that is calling to you.
Water is good for you and will feel heavy in your stomach.
6.
Make your holiday meal last long by putting down your fork and talking between each bite.
Be sure to chew each bite, savoring it a lot.
7.
Try to sit next to someone who doesn't overeat.
Their thinly filled plate and thin body can be a reminder of how you want to be.
8.
Make sure none of your food on your plate touches another food, that there is space between each.
That will help with portion control.
9.
Make sure half of your plate is filled with veggies that are not dripping with butter or oil.
10.
Bring your own dish that is light in calories, like a green salad with a dressing on the side, and be sure to set it on the table next to your plate.
11.
Decide ahead of time that you will not serve yourself a helping from every dish on the table, since there are usually too many to try.
Let every other one go by, for example and tell yourself you will try them next year.
12.
If you are full and there is still food on your plate, put your napkin over it so you won't involuntarily eat it while you are talking.
13.
Volunteer to do the dishes or otherwise clean up after a holiday meal so that you are not at the table for the dessert.
14.
Make sure you are treating yourself in a good way without resorting to food.
For example, read a good book, listen to good music, play with children, hold a baby, call a friend and don't talk about food, go to a movie or a play.
Plan ahead to make your holiday one you can look forward to.
I wish you and yours a wonderful, safe, healthy holiday season!
1.
Avoid parties that are just cookie exchanges and sampling cookies.
There is no way to avoid eating dessert at such parties.
Cookies are filled with fat, sugar and white flour and it's nearly impossible to each just one.
2.
Meditate or listen to soothing music before you go to your holiday meal so that you are relaxed.
3.
Exercise before a party or holiday meal so that your endorphins are high.
4.
At the hors d'oeuvre table: Walk away.
Go somewhere else, as far away from the food as you can.
Don't just stand or sit and look at it.
Make an excuse to get up from the table, away from the food or just eat from the fresh vegetables dish.
5.
Drink plenty of water so that you are too full to eat the food that is calling to you.
Water is good for you and will feel heavy in your stomach.
6.
Make your holiday meal last long by putting down your fork and talking between each bite.
Be sure to chew each bite, savoring it a lot.
7.
Try to sit next to someone who doesn't overeat.
Their thinly filled plate and thin body can be a reminder of how you want to be.
8.
Make sure none of your food on your plate touches another food, that there is space between each.
That will help with portion control.
9.
Make sure half of your plate is filled with veggies that are not dripping with butter or oil.
10.
Bring your own dish that is light in calories, like a green salad with a dressing on the side, and be sure to set it on the table next to your plate.
11.
Decide ahead of time that you will not serve yourself a helping from every dish on the table, since there are usually too many to try.
Let every other one go by, for example and tell yourself you will try them next year.
12.
If you are full and there is still food on your plate, put your napkin over it so you won't involuntarily eat it while you are talking.
13.
Volunteer to do the dishes or otherwise clean up after a holiday meal so that you are not at the table for the dessert.
14.
Make sure you are treating yourself in a good way without resorting to food.
For example, read a good book, listen to good music, play with children, hold a baby, call a friend and don't talk about food, go to a movie or a play.
Plan ahead to make your holiday one you can look forward to.
I wish you and yours a wonderful, safe, healthy holiday season!