- Feature Article: 3 ways to derail dietary disaster during the holidays
Hi ,
Not to alarm you with the image at top of page!
Actually, it is a snapshot of a friend-of-a-friend's holiday decorations. Not for long though. It caused such a ruckus in the neighborhood the cops told him to take them down. But worth a good holiday chuckle for its uniqueness, yes? Wins my vote for "most unusual" category in holiday deco.
Oh yeah, the heartwarming spread of food pictured in today's Feature Article below creates all kinds of warm and fuzzy feelings, doesn't it?
Yet upon closer inspection, you can see dietary pitfalls the size of the Grand Canyon. Sheesh, how many calories can you pack into a bite? Plenty, it seems, especially at this time of year.
And though we are a good way through the holiday season, Christmas and New Years are still around the corner and provide plenty of opportunities to make - or break - good eating commitments! Find some assist in today's Feature Article, making an encore appearance from last year at about this time.
As you may have noticed, FitDream Ezine is going out early this week - with the big holiday at week's end, this will be such a busy week we'll be lucky if you have a chance to open this!
Hopefully it will come just in time to make your holiday merrier with a boost to good eating and a reminder to move every day for health, well-being, weight management, and stress protection.
Have a wonderful holiday this week!
Hearts, hugs and stars 
3 ways to derail dietary disaster during the holidays
by Lani Muelrath, M.A.
 Do holiday festivities spell dietary disaster for you?
If they present challenges to your health and weight loss plans, then here are some specific, easy strategies to help. You're not alone - but you knew that, right?
Jeanette, a new client, called me last week in a panic. Maybe you can relate.
She had several holiday events on her calendar, and before she knew it, she had already found herself in a dismal spiral of one feast episode after another. She was determined to call a halt to the process, which was ruining her holidays, energy, - and figure. That's when she decided to contact me.
After I calmed her down, I gave Jeanette a few simple strategies that I knew would make a huge difference for her as the holiday season continued. They were so successful for her, I thought I would share them with you, too.
These tactics may seem like common sense, and they are. But when we're in a spiral and panic, common sense can seem so elusive, can't they?
This time of year, it's easy to be ambushed by mountains of incredible edibles (know what I mean?) There are, however, a few simple strategies that will make it possible for you to wake up January 1 without a pile of regrets and extra pounds.
They're simple strategies that can go a long way to keeping you trim through the holidays - (and maybe you are using them already!)
1) Holiday Trimming Trick #1: Eat defensively by planning ahead.
That's right! If you take time to plan your food and meals during the week and leave no
room for mindless snacking, you will more likely than not come out ahead. Nibbles of this and noshes of that - what you might call "mindless snacks" - can add up to a significant amount of calories. They might just be enough to make the difference between staying trim or a bigger size for and after the holidays.
Making sure that your food supply is stocked with quality, variety and balance - that means plenty of vegetables, fresh fruit, nuts and seeds, proteins and other items on your quality foods list in the fridge and pantry, at your workplace, or wherever else you find yourself needing a meal or sustenance. What you HAVE is what you'll EAT, right?
Take the time to get to the market to stock up. It can make all the difference in the world.
2) Holiday Trimming Trick #2: Arrive with the edge already off of your hunger.
You know what it's like. You arrive at that holiday event feeling starved and ready to dive into the appetizer table with open jaws, feeling like you just want to eat until there is no tomorrow! Couple this with the fact that everything is so darn delicious and you don't stand a fighting chance.
You can avert this agonizing scenario and potential dietary disaster. Simply avoid arriving with such heightened hunger. This is one time when you may just want to "spoil your appetite" before the party.
If you have had something nutritious, fiber-full, and quality to eat a bit earlier in the day, you will be much more discriminatory in your choices and portions. Feeling out of control around piles of yummies is a painful experience often coupled with regrets. Plan ahead on this one, avoid the discomfort, and emerge in peace!
Another related strategy is to bring something of high quality for the buffet table with you! I remember last year being invited to a holiday get together for a mid-afternoon meal. I brought along a colorful tray of veggies for dipping. It turned out to be a good thing because that tray was the ONLY item with any vegetables or fruit on the table - I kid you not! There were chips, dips, chocolate, cookies, snack mix...that was it! I wasn't the only person there glad that I'd brought a veggie tray, believe me!
3) Holiday Trimming Trick #3: Alternate a glass with a glass.
If you plan to imbibe at the next gathering, party, or family dinner, you can easily temper your intake by alternating a glass of wine, bubbly or other libation with a glass of water. You'll stay more hydrated, consume less liquid calories overall, and find yourself in a better position to avoid excess poundage.
This works just as well even if you are not drinking alcoholic beverages. Eggnog, soda, and other sugary drinks can heap on the liquid calories faster than Santa's reindeer can jump to the roof!
There you have it - 3 simple strategies to keep you on top of things (or get YOU back in control, just like Jeanette) and enjoying the holiday social festivities once again!
© Lani Muelrath, M.A.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Take 10 Weeks And Change Your Life....
Next session: 2010
Holistic Fitness Lifestyle Coach Lani Muelrath, M.A., specializes in helping women succeed in their w*eight and body shaping dreams by transforming their relationship with their body, eating, and exercise. Rewriting behaviors and patterns into those that are consistent with the fitness, health, mental outlook and positive energy we desire is her forte!
With over 30 years of experience as a teacher, coach, and trainer, Lani is a Guest Lecturer in Kinesiology at San Francisco State University, and is recipient of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Instruction. She created and starred in her own CBS TV show, and is the Healthy Living Examiner at examiner.com. She has some exciting and effective programs for women who want to move forward in their fitness - and lives. Her compassionate and knowledgeable approach combined with expertise in fitness as well as inner transformation and tools for mastery make it possible.
Lani overcame her own lifetime struggle with w*eight over 10 years ago when she lost 50 lbs, which she has maintained easily with the tools that she now teaches in her signature program, Woman's Fitness BluePrint: An Action Plan for Success.
SlimPerfect
SlimPerfect, Inc. was listed as "Best Brands" for swimwear in an article titled "Best Bathing Suit For Any Body (Yes, We Mean Yours)" for "Sizes 12 & Up" and "To Take Inches Off" in the May issue of O Magazine at Oprah.com.
Zen At The Push Of A Button. Improve mental clarity, equanimity, and reduce stress with this simple, scientifically proven system. See Right Sidebar on Blog Homepage for link for a FREE sample.
Establish optimal alignment, build muscle and a strong core, and create overall wellness without jumping or the use of weights.
For Women:Using weight training exercise and interval training to burn f*at and build muscle.
will question everything you've ever been told about eating for fat loss. Brad's book turns the industry upside down and shows you how to eat normally, while making one slight, easy change that could be the missing link in your fat loss nutrition program.
You may absolutely share this newsletter with people you think may enjoy it. When doing so, please forward it in its entirety, including our contact and copyright information.
FitDream Ezine is written by Lani Muelrath:
© 2009 Lani Muelrath Fitness International
All Rights Reserved |
