How to Deal With Thanksgiving And Christmas Eating Stress

Thanksgiving and Christmas Eating during the holidays normally results in adding some unwanted added pounds. If you are now or have been on a diet over the past few weeks, the thought of trying to maintain your weight can be a source of tremendous stress. The good news is that Thanksgiving and Christmas Eating during the holiday does NOT have to be stressful for you. If you will follow some very simple “To DO” and “Not To Do” actions, you will be able to maintain your weight throughout the holidays. The following are some tips to assist you in maintaining a healthy balance of family time, good food and great fun throughout the holiday season.

• Do Not skip meals. Skipping meals will only lead to a decrease in your body’s metabolism and cause irratiatick levels of your blood sugar.
• Do Not permit someone else to make you feel uncomfortable because you choose to stick to healthier foods.
• Do Not permit the holiday season become a free-for-all eating event.
• Do Not weigh yourself immediately after the holidays.
• Do Not permit others to make you feel obligated to try or eat things that you really.
• Do Not permit yourself to eat snacks before or after meals. Only eat while sitting at the dinner table.
• Do Not make excuses for yourself in order to permit you to overeat or indulge.
• Do Not dwell on your weight.
• Do Not feel guilty or beat yourself up for enjoying the food you eat.
• Do Not continue eating just simply to be a social activity.
• Do Not dwell on your past failures, but remember for the present success.
• Do Not EVER forget that You Are In Total Control.

• Do plan ahead. Be sure to set limits before you eat your holiday meal.
• Do practice being assertive and start today.
• Do recognize that just about everyone gains a little of weight during the holidays.
• Do enjoy the food if you choose to eat.
• Do increase your exercise or activity levels for at least 5 or 6 days prior to your holiday events.
• Do maintain and keep a healthy attitude and mindset.
• Do make and keep a commitment list.
• Do replace your self defeating words with positive confessions or affirmations.
• Do put your fork down between bites.
• Do eat slowly so that you can savor the taste.
• Do stop eating immediately when you are satisfied
• Do realize that you are probably going to be eating more than usual during the holidays.
• Do exercise. If possible, just before your festivities. Exercise will increase your metabolism and also reduce your appetite.
• Do allow yourself choices so you will not feel deprived.
• Do take smaller portions of everything.
• Do recognize that YOU are in charge of your behavior.
• Do be aware of all the food you put into your mouth.
• Do visualize yourself making healthy choices.
• Do pay close attention to your hunger feelings.
• Do be aware of your trigger foods (food that make may trigger binging
• Do realize that food is NOT in control, you are in complete control.
• Do be thankful for the time you have with your friends and family.