Combat Holiday Bingeing!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Combat Holiday Bingeing!
Tue, 11-22-2005 - 11:48am

Tired of letting your belt out at holiday time?


For most of us, the holiday season that stretches from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day means special foods, family dinners, parties with friends and more high-calorie treats than we eat during the rest of the year combined. Are you tired of wearing clothes with an elastic waist or letting your belt out after dinner during the holidays? Instead of giving in to indulgence and excess, navigate your way through the holidays with fun and health by focusing on what's important to one person: you.


It's All About You!
When making out your holiday gift list, put yourself at the top. But, instead of purchasing a lavish gift for yourself (or in addition), give yourself the gift of health and a stress-free, enjoyable holiday season. List all your holiday activities, then choose the most important ones for you and your family. Limit special occasions to once each week. And schedule time for yourself -- to exercise, eat a relaxed meal at home and enjoy the season.


Be Sensible!
If you only have the opportunity to sample Aunt Martha's award-winning fudge once each year, go ahead and sample it! But remember that a sample is a small piece, not two or three large ones.


Here are some suggestions to help you moderate your food intake during the holidays:
• At a buffet, take the time to survey the foods before you make your choices. Try a serving-spoon size of the foods you really want to eat and smaller portions of the foods you just want to "taste."
Continue to use the Food Pyramid as a framework for mealtime choices. Include grains, fruit and vegetables in your meals and keep dessert the smallest serving.
Avoid going to a party hungry. If you usually eat dinner at 6pm, but the party starts at 8pm, eat a small snack at home before you go. A piece of fruit or a bowl of cereal will keep hunger at bay so you can make wise choices when dinner finally arrives.
Limit yourself to two alcoholic beverages per day at most. Not only does alcohol contain unneeded calories, it also encourages us to eat more! Choose club soda or a diet beverage more often than alcohol.

Be Happy!
Celebration is the reason for the holiday season, not an opportunity to eat unlimited amounts of calories. Plan celebrations that don't focus around food:



  • a skating party

  • a walk around town or the mall to view the decorations

  • an evening hayride

  • a "deck the halls" get-together (it's tough to overeat when you're balancing on the top of a ladder)

  • watching a favorite holiday movie classic

Food and drink can be secondary to the main activity -- and you'll be having so much fun you won't need to worry about overeating.


So if you're tired of feeling like a stuffed turkey during the holidays, take heart. With a bit of planning this will be the most rewarding holiday season ever!


http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/iholidays/0,,cwz,00.html







~IslandGirl


=GOBBLE-GOBBLE=



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