The Holidays

Many people approach the holidays with dread for many reasons but particularly when it comes to issues of eating and weight. The holidays are supposed to be joyous and should be enjoyed. The least enjoyable way to approach the holidays is with stress and fear-fear that you'll eat too much or gain weight. It just so happens that the more uptight you are, the more likely that you will eat more than you intend. Relax, don't expect perfection and don't beat yourself up if you eat more than you wanted. You will finish the holidays the best way possible if you do the following:

• Relax and focus on enjoying and savoring the experience.



• Be physically active each day in some way. Walk, jog, play tennis, go up and down the steps-just move.



• Don't skip meals-it will only make you hungrier and less able to control your eating later. Besides eating more often increases your metabolism which will burn more of the calories you eat.



• Focus on eating nutritiously during the day when not at parties or events so that your brain won't be urging you to eat as much. Yes, the brain gives us signals when we are lacking in some nutrition but we don't always interpret them right.



• Don't arrive at an event hungry. If you must, eat before the event so you're not hungry and will be more naturally in control.



• Don't set unrealistic goals during the holidays ("I'm not eating anything at the party." "I'm only going to eat one meal a day during the holidays." "I'm not having any sweets."). Keep your goals small, realistic and focused more on activity level, nutrition, and not letting yourself go hungry, rather than on actual weight. You will be more successful.



• Finally, don't feel guilty. Managing a lean and healthy weight should be a lifetime issue not one just for the holidays. If you really want to keep struggling with weight and food all your life just get uptight about it, set unrealistic goals, be sedentary, and beat yourself up about it.