The holidays are a big challenge for many of us who are on a pathway to a healthier life. Everyone that we know and love starts to get into a festive mood and food becomes one of the main themes when we connect and celebrate.
Because we're with people we love, it can stir up emotions and memories that we had as a child and this only increases the temptations that surround us.
You have to make sure that a holiday slip doesn't end up reversing the work that you have already achieved. Even if you have built up some great habits into your life, you could be headed into a setback that lasts much longer than you would expect if you are not being intentional heading into the days of festivity.
So, what can you do?
Well, preparation will be key. You cannot control what other people will serve at the party but you can focus on what you have control over. Here are some tips for when you are headed into the holidays or any large family gathering.
- Remember "why" you are eating better. This is the FOUNDATION for your success in getting healthy because "reason" brings "focus." Try writing it down and picturing it in your mind as if it has already happened. Is the picture of yourself in a red bikini turning heads at the beach? More energy when you come home from work so you can spend quality time with your wife and kids and build a tighter bond with them? Have more endurance and alertness during the day so that you can be more productive with your business? Or maybe it's a romantic evening with your husband while you look stunning in a new black dress? Whatever it is, let the emotions of that visual become stronger than the emotions of that homemade apple pie.
- Eat a healthy meal before you get to the party. By taking care of your hunger before you arrive, you will be much more able to make good decisions.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking water makes you feel full and doesn't have any calories. On the other end of the spectrum, dehydration can cause you to make bad food decisions.
- Watch your portions. Don't deprive yourself... you can have the foods you love when you're with your family, just keep the portions smaller.
- Decide to not make food the focus of the celebration and concentrate on the people you care about. If your family is like mine, you have people you don't get to see outside of holiday celebrations. Spend more time with these people. Laugh more, hug more, enjoy family more.
By remembering "why" you are eating better, staying focused on your goals, and taking away some of the power of your cravings you will have much better results with your diet and imagine how good you will feel about yourself.
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