Around this time last year, I slowly but surely started this downward spiral into “Holiday Weight Gain Land”. You know that place. The scary place many people migrate to during the holiday season. Not only do we travel there, but we camp out and make a happy home for ourselves until approximately January 1st.

Last year, I spent my Christmas vacation with my family in Charleston, South Carolina and that’s exactly where I will be for Thanksgiving and Christmas again this year. What happened last year was scary. For some odd reason, I ate more cookies in one week than I had ever eaten in a whole year. Every day, I just kept telling myself that tomorrow was another day and I was going to get right back on track once I got home to New Jersey. (Oh no, you’ve never
done that before right?)

Well not only did I arrive home 5 pounds heavier, but my stomach hurt so bad, it protested for at least a week after the cookie incident. It took about 14 days of clean eating to get back to my happy, healthy self (minus the extra 5 pounds).

Was it that big a deal? Well, maybe not. I wasn’t going to die of cookie overdose (although, I think I came close) but I really don’t feel like going through that again this year.

Now maybe cookies are not your thing, but party drinks and holiday meals and desserts may be.

How will you and I both get through this year without packing on the extra pounds? And then paying the consequences on January 1st?

1. Remember that Thanksgivng (at least in America) is not the last
day they are serving food on the planet. Do you have to eat all
that food at once? No, you should be enjoying a wonderful time with
your family and friends. A perfect time to be grateful. Not a time
to be in a food coma! A perfect Thanksgiving plate would be a
serving of turkey (healthy protein), a salad and vegetable (healthy
carbs) and a reasonable portion of sweet potato or rice (reasonable
is the key word here). You don’t have to completely eliminate
dessert either. Keep your dinner portions under control and have a
small slice of your favorite pie.

2. Holiday parties can be the highlight of the season but not if
you eat your way through them. If you know you’re going to a late
night party, eat your healthy dinner before you arrive. You will be
less likely to snack all night on the “not so healthy” appetizers.
The worst thing you can do is arrive hungry. Hunger may lead to an
equivalent cookie incident in the form of a “Pigs in a Blanket”
incident (or insert any fattening appetizer of your choice).
Holiday parties are also not the last day on the planet they are
serving alcohol. Can you have the same amount of fun on less
alcohol? If the answer is no, chances are you’re at the wrong party.

3. Don’t forget the real reason for the holidays. It’s not an “eat
fest” or a “stress fest”. It’s a loving time to spend with family
and friends and be grateful for all the wonderful blessings in your
life.

What do you think? Will I survive Charleston this year without
being taken over by the cookie monster? I’m pretty sure this year
will be different because, honestly, it just wasn’t worth it!

In health and happiness,

Isabel De Los Rios
www.TheDietSolutionProgram.com