Holiday Nook

When the goodies start coming out at the holidays, it’s hard not to indulge. And with so many different parties to go to, it’s easy to lose track of all the calories you’re taking in. While you’re busy enjoying friends and family over a second piece of pumpkin pie, all those extra calories are working their way to your hips. But this year can be different! Start out with a plan this year and the extra pounds won’t sneak up on you.

• Plan to head off the holiday gorging season with a clear plan. Eat breakfast and lunch no matter what event you are going to in the evening. If you skip all your meals throughout the day, you’re much more likely to be starving and overeat at the party. So, let your body think that it’s a regular eating day. You’ll be less likely to stuff yourself if you’ve had a few meals and snacks during the day.

• Holiday food gifts may be scrumptious and tempting. And the fact that they come around just once a year makes us think we have to eat our fill while they’re offered. But why not treat holiday foods as if they were no different from any other food? Enjoy each one in moderation. Don’t shy away from the peppermint bark telling yourself it’s forbidden. You’ll only sneak down to the kitchen to overdo it later. Let yourself have a taste of every food that interests you. That way it’s no big deal.

• Consider making some of your favorite holiday foods at other times of the year. That way they won’t seem as important to you when you see them on the holiday table. Who says you can’t have mashed sweet potatoes with those little marshmallows in February or September? If you know you have access to them year-round, you won’t be as mesmerized to see them on the Thanksgiving table.

• Drink lots of water. We’ve all heard that said but few of us actually do it. If you tend to overindulge in eggnog or punch where hidden calories lie, fill up with water before hitting the punch bowl. And for every alcoholic drink you down, drink at least one glass of water in between. You’ll be less likely to have another Cosmopolitan if your stomach is full of water. And you’ll stay more focused so you won’t reach mindlessly for the chip and dip.

• Wear clothing that you feel good in. If you bum around in loose sweats all week and then try to fit into your once-a-year holiday party dress, you’re going to be surprised if it doesn’t fit. Try to wear clothing that buttons or has a belt to hold you accountable to yourself during the season of indulgence. You’ll start to notice if you’re gaining and you can scale back on the sugar cookies. When you wear form-fitting clothes, you look thinner and you’ll feel much better about yourself no matter what your size.

• Try to focus on things that have nothing to do with food. Can you take a neighbor kid shopping so her mom can wrap presents? Can you organize a clothing drive at your child’s school or church? Why not get a bunch of friends together for some caroling in the neighborhood? The less you fixate on holiday food, the more of a chance you’ll reach New Year’s Day without a big gain on the scale.

• It’s ok to treat yourself once in a while. Don’t beat yourself up if you eat too much at one holiday party. You’re apt to think you blew it for the whole season and then eat enormous quantities for the remaining days. If you are gentle with yourself and get right back to normal eating after a binge, you’re more likely to maintain an even keel. Just think of having a reset button. Press the reset button in your mind whenever you’ve overeaten and start fresh with the very next meal.