Get Ready For The Holiday Season!

Enjoy this holiday season and avoid unnecessary weight gain by following these simple steps.

Tis the season for a potential marathon of eating. Holiday gatherings can be an invitation to gluttony. So how do you enjoy party time without overdoing it at all those coffee breaks, weekend brunches, and dessert soirees? From Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve and beyond, you can turn naughty noshing into nourishing nibbling this holiday season.

Research indicates that it's not always the parties that prompt us to eat but being around friends and family, having large quantities of food on hand, and indulging in alcohol that may lead to diet missteps. When socializing, it's natural to loose track of what and how much you're eating. Mindful eating, also called intuitive eating, is a strategy used to maintain a balanced diet during social situations. It is eating in a supportive manner, using our bodies` cues to guide us in when, what, and how much to eat for satisfaction and well-being.

Here are a few simple secrets for partying hearty without packing on the pounds.

KIS (Keep It Simple) An absolute must for enjoying the holidays and keeping stress at bay is to keep your life casual and simple. Be realistic in what you want and can accomplish. Discuss your plans with friends and family. Consider downsizing the "to-do" list and get a commitment from others to share the holiday tasks. Remember-your family and guests are more likely to enjoy themselves if you do.

BUMP UP YOUR ENERGY Physical activity may be the best way to enhance your ability to cope during the holidays. Being active is a natural outlet for tension and improves energy levels and motivation to keep it going. A mid-day walk in the fresh air can be the best shot in the arm when we are feeling run down. Be creative.

MAKE PARTIES WORK FOR YOU, NOT AGAINST YOU Start a new pot luck tradition where you provide the "centerpiece" dish and your family and friends, do the rest. Because guests always want to know what to bring, provide them with healthy versions of traditional holiday recipes. Or create a contest and challenge your guest to bring a lighter version of there favorite dish. Healthy cooking doesn't have to be an all or nothing venture. With minor nips and tucks, such as reducing or replacing ingredients, you can still have calorie-conscious and great-tasting food with less calories.

SAVOR THE EXPERIENCE Enjoy smaller servings of food and make a conscious effort to balance your plate with more fruits and vegetables and a healthy portion of protein. Then take a second to look at every bite to help you keep a mental checklist of how much you're consuming. Savor the experience and use all of your senses to really enjoy the smell, texture, density, and taste. Experiencing every bite will help you stay in control.

Remember if it's to be its up to me! Stay focused on the big picture. 

Living with excellence,
Jo Silvey