Ways to enjoy the holidays, and still drop the lbs!

Holidays part 2.

Ok, so the last part was mostly an emotional post on focusing on the positive vibes the holiday season brings. This post, let's talk about challenging yourself.

The holidays can be a time of sabotage for those of us on dare I say-diets. Thanksgiving in particular is a carb addicts nightmare. Mashed potatoes, biscuits, and all those other side dishes that are, of course, the most delicious. However, believe it or not- the main dinner is usually not the worst part of the holiday- it's those appetizer!!!!

I know when I go to my family's house, we are going to have chips and dip, bread and spinach dip, taco dip and tortilla chips, etc. Now, we always have a wonderful veggie platter, but let's be honest, are you really gonna want to naw on raw veggies when it's sitting next to your favorite app??? No way! Sound familiar? I am sure it does.

So here is challenge number one for you this year- Skip the Apps. Have to have some of your grandma's famous spinach dip with her homemade pumpernickle bread? Ok, have a couple bites, and move on. Stand next to the vegetables, or away from all the apps, all together! This is the best tactic for you impulse eaters out there! Impulse eating is based on proximity- if you need to walk into another room to grab an app, chances are you will pass.

Challenge number two- fill your plate at least 75 percent with vegetables (no, mac and cheese does not count, neither does mashed potatoes). Fill up on salad, green beans, carrots, corn- whatever you have at your meal! Pack 25 percent with protein, and after you eat all of the healthy, good choices on your plate, if you are still hungry, help yourself to a couple spoons of the bad stuff. Don't tell yourself you "can't" have it, tell yourself you "can" have it, if you are still hungry after eating all of your healthy selections.

*Side Note- Gravy is not good for you- use it sparingly to avoid adding additional calories to your meal, or if you can, skip it all together!

Challenge number three- Wait for dessert. Grab a hot mug of tea or coffee. Enjoy a great conversation with those you love, and take your time to finish your drink. Remind yourself that you do NOT need to be the first one to the dessert table, it is ok to be the last.  In addition, don't beat yourself up over wanting dessert- just, like every other day, make the best decision you can. Have cakes, pies, tortes, cheesecakes and brownies to choose from? Go for the pumpkin pie! The pumpkin pie filling in the can is all natural, so you are retaining all the positive qualities of the pumpkin which happens to include being low in saturated fat, low in cholesterol and sodium! It is also high in vitamin E, a great source of dietary fiber, and low carb and low fat in its natural form! Skip the ice cream or whipped cream with it, and enjoy! Finally, you can have your "cake" and eat it too!

Enjoy all, and have a happy, wonderful, amazing, healthy Thanksgiving!

holidayyysss

Let's talk about social media. Let's talk about specifically, facebook. Facebook to me is one of the most important reminders of changing my life, for good. I am constantly reading update's of status' that continuely use profanity, plagued with sadness, and a "woe is me" attitude. WAKE UP PEOPLE. Life is in your hands- and is, and always will be what you make of it.

 

 I recently read a post that was complaining about the holidays, and how it is only good for family arguments. Now why would you let something negative ruin a holiday which has a basis of giving thanks. Give thanks that you have family- even if they don't get along! There is no one person in this world who isn't missing someone that they have lost- be it human or animal. There are people out there that have absolutely no one. Not by their own mistakes, but in the cards they were dealt. Holidays can become extremely stressful- but never forget that the holidays are a time of reflection, of self-renewal, and appreciation of everything we do have, and maybe even the things we have not.

 

I urge you- the next time you update your status, challenge yourself to write something positive. It may be harder than complaining, but you are building a better basis for inner peace each time you do it.