Healthy Eating Help-Don't GIve Up!
Tuesday December 7, 2010
I love this picture & saying. I know, I am all over the motivational lately. Well, I think we all can use some pick me up talk each & every day cause ya never know. I do it for myself as well! 
PLUS, this is that time of year when we overextend ourselves & get stressed out from so many things going on.
We tend to get sidetracked with our healthy habits as well. We play the "might as well give up for December" thing ... I just can't do it with all the parties thing .. I just can't not eat that yummy stuff thing....
Well, YES YOU CAN do it & yes you can eat the best you can with planning & yes you can make it thru the holidays without weight gain or at least without that extra 5+ pounds.
Stop saying you can't. Start saying you can. Don't give up. Read some of my previous posts lately on planning and working in some movement & exercising. Read yesterday's post about RISK & starting today whether it be health or your non health passion/goal.
Some tips that may or may not help you but they do help me! I wrote this down from somewhere BUT this is what I do anyway so had to share:
1. DELAY & DISTRACT: Just step away from the food (if it is that extra "not on your plan"stuff) & think about why you are going after it & why you want it & are you really hungry. My sis sent me this quote & you may relate: I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger. And for me, on top of this, frustration & hunger OR being upset & hunger and so on....
I always give myself 10-15 minutes if I am thinking of going crazy with food.. meaning going after something that really is just all about mental & not about hunger or anything else. 99% of the time, it works. The other 1%, I OWN IT!
2. DISTANCE: You may have to just get yourself out of the house for a walk or head to the computer & immerse yourself in a computer search or whatever.. get out of the kitchen!
3. DETERMINE: Like in #1, figure out the WHY! Recording your emotions & feelings when you eat or go to eat things not just the food you are eating is a great way to learn the WHY!
4. DECIDE: Make a decision on what you will eat or not & move on... don't eat if you figure out it is all emotion. If you do eat, try for portion control & go for healthier options. If it is not on your food plan & you decide to eat it, again, try to at least practice portion control, own it & move on right after that! Don't make it an all day affair cause you were sidetracked for this one moment!
Hope this helped you. Want to share - please do!
Categories: Health, Motivation/Support, Tips, Dieting, Inspiration, Weight Loss
Tags: choices Diets food health holiday healthy eating tips holiday weight help holiday eating inspiration Nutrition portion control Tips Weight Loss
It always amazes me how we can struggle with these same things over and over again! I've been maintaining my weight loss for almost 2 years and every day I think "I want that" and it has to do with "just because".
When do we grow out of this or do we? I found a lot of the time if I can substitute it with something else that is low in calorie (not good for me necessarily) I can accept and move on; but lately nothing has been acceptable substitute.
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Sheri, so true. I am a clean eater BUT almost every day, I do say I want that just because too. Thank goodness I have practice on saying NO.
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GREAT POST! I feel if we give in then we wouldn't be ourselves.
Wow, I feel like I wrote Sheri's comment too. When do we grow out of this? My mom is 58 and still struggles.
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April, I am like your mom except I have figured out the no.. most of the time.
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Good, good advice.
Get out of the kitchen is something I've been thinking about a lot. So many houses, mine too, have kitchens open to family rooms. I wonder how many extra pounds we owe just to that. I know I am definitely less 'hungry' when I away from the kitchen.
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Ewa, a very interesting point you make... I bet that adds to some of this. Thx for sharing!
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Great! I needed a little never give up today. Thanks, Jody!
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Your welcome DR. J! You usually help me so glad I could turn it around!
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Great tips! I can identify with your sister on the boredom thing.
What is the worst for me this time of year are the holiday celebrations that stretch on all day with constant food. Like my husband's family Christmas.
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Karen, that is when I make plans to just step away or find strategies to not eat non stop.... it is hard but you can survive without too much "poundage" with a little planning & a lot of willpower!
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Great tips! A little bit everyday goes a long way!
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Sian.. yup, baby steps can lead to big results!
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I constantly struggle with my hunger cues.. but I like the distraction one because it's so true! If I'm busy I don't think about food, but when I'm at home food is always on my mind!
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April.. so true.. I think this works for many.
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For so many years I did the 'give-it-up-for-December' thing. Then I did the 'no extras' thing for one Christmas. And then I found my happy middle ground, where I sample from the different holidays treats when I'm baking or attending an event, but stay on plan for the other 80+ meals in the month. Amazing how well that works.
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Thankfully, I only have a couple of holiday gatherings planned, so the temptations are avoided. That's my trick - avoid!
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Cute little guy.
I think the biggest lightbulb that's gone off for me lately has been that if I do eat something that's not the best for me I eat a reasonable amount of it and thoroughly enjoy it...and then move on. I decide if I really do want it and why. It's not a day destroyer...just an occasional fully enjoyed treat. And that way I don't randomly nibble or indulge. Nothing but the best for me
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Like you, I move on.. love your "only the best for you"!
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