Everything in moderation, including moderation. I had a fantastic holiday. I keep myself fairly disciplined around what I eat, so a chance to relax and enjoy the holiday food works wonders for me!! What I noticed for myself was that it is too easy to cross the line from enjoyable fullness into uncomfortable gluttony! I usually use a Chinese Herbal Medicine called Curing Pills when this happens. It consists of herbs that help you to digest and move energy in the stomach. It really helps. But I don't like to over rely on any tool. I want to be in control of myself. And as a former binge eater, I find that I have to do some work to maintain the progress that I have made! I like to keep it simple. So as we move on towards holiday parties, plates of cookies at the office, and Christmas dinner, it's time to set a strategy.
Strategy 1. Eat SOME of what you are craving.
Do you refuse and avoid the junk, only to break down and binge at the last moment? In that case, I recommend the strategy of allowing yourself to have SOME of what you want. Get a cookie, but eat it slowly and savor it. Break it in two and save the other half for later. And absolutely DO NOT allow yourself a second one. Set some rules around how many treats you have. Maybe once a week at the office?
Strategy 2: Post it notes in your cubicle.
Write a list of the things you will be saying to yourself if you eat too much this season and put a couple on post it notes in your cubicle. All that work that has been spent losing weight is so easy to put back on, especially in the winter. Our metabolism slows down and our bodies want to store some fat against the cold.
Strategy 3: A reward.
Put a little money away for a special present or trip in the Spring. It can be one dollar, five, ten, twenty a week. Get a picture of a person on a beach in the summer. Winter won't be here forever. A little reminder of where delayed gratification will get you can go a long way!!
Strategy 4: A reward with the added power of more people
Take strategy three and up the ante! Get your office, your friends, your spouse or make up a group of people. Set up your pool for a certain amount per week and decide what the prize will be and how you will track the winner. This gives you so many benefits. You can work as a group on making healthy snacks to bring into the office. You can support and encourage each other!!
Strategy 5: A decision to avoid the junk
We usually crave sweets when we are overworking, over thinking, over tired and not eating right. Running extra errands, going to extra parties is a perfect recipe for a sugar craving!! So make sure that you always put eating a good meal first! If you can focus on eating the good food, then the junk won't be so tempting. Also, drinking a large glass of water or eating an apple anytime you find yourself craving helps too!
Let me know your ideas and good luck staying true to what will make you happiest in the long run!!! If you are interested in curing pills for the holidays, or getting Acupuncture to help reduce cravings and control your weight, then please call me at 303-881-1971. I offer a free 30 minute consultation. Happy Holidays everyone.
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