How to NOT Put on that Holiday Weight...

Let's be real, nobody wants to go on a 'diet' during the holidays.  And although it's be wonderful if you've already created a lifestyle that focuses on healthy and nutritious food choices, this is the time of the year where even the most health-conscious person enjoy a few treats.  But according to wiki.answers.com ---"the average weight gain between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day (approximately forty days) is three to seven pounds. The already-overweight individual risks a higher weight gain amount during the Holidays than a normal weight person."

But using these simple tips may help you deal with keeping that typical holiday gain in check.


Don't Go to a Party Hungry - there's nothing wrong with having a small snack before heading out to the festivities.  Enjoy a handful of nuts and raisins, maybe some cheese and crackers, something that gives you some protein and good carbs can help you from overeating since you're not ravenous when you show up.

Don't Skip Meals. "Saving" calories doesn't work.  It also will leave you feeling hungry and cause you to potentially overeat when finally given the opportunity.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind - There is no need to have a cookie jar full of Grandma's homemade chocolate chip cookies on the counter.  Using the excuse of "but my children (or husband, or roommate...) like them" is nonsense.  If it's not good for you, it's not good for them... Period, the end!

Don't Drink Your Calories - I love the holiday beverages as much as everyone else, but in moderation.  Eggnog, + wine, + hot apple cider with whipped cream and caramel + (you get the message) can really add up! 

Sleep - Our bodies need sleep to reboot.  Don't use the holidays as an excuse to overextend yourself.  his will just leave you rundown.  Make time for sleep, try aiming for 7-8 hours a night.

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise - You can't out exercise a bad diet, but it can make you more aware.  Remember, it can take a lot more time to burn off calories then consume them.  But exercise makes you not only feel better, but makes you conscious of what you are eating throughout the day since you put in that extra effort!

Looking for a new workout program to help keep your waistline in check this holiday season?  Let me help you find the right Beachbody Workout for you!

Until Next Time...

How Can You Find Health?

According to World Health Organization: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."

Most of the people do not know the real importance of health, and even if they do realize its importance, they disregard it. Good health is a prerequisite to perform well in home as well as in office. When we talk of good health, it does not only refer to the sound conditions of body; it equally refers to the sound psychological conditions of mind. Psychological health is as crucial as physical health.

Disease usually originates from mind. A man can be labeled as healthy if his body is free of any disorder and his mind is neat and clean. Unbalanced mind results in psychological problems. Most of the people do not have physical problems even then they don’t feel comfortable. They may suffer from stress and insomnia. They may feel aimless, irritable and depressed. They may stay unhappy and dissatisfied throughout their life.

Usually people attempt to stay physically fit. Unfortunately they ignore the importance of psychological fitness. They focus on material aspects of happiness. They strive for lucrative income, a big house, status, expensive jewelry, latest model of car and so on… they believe that these material things can make them happy. But happiness is seldom related with material things. It is the peace of mind that brings happiness. It is the healthy mind that makes you psychologically fit.

Until Next Time...

No Emotional Eating Tool Kit

On Monday we talked about what emotional eating actually is.  (If you haven't checked it out, scroll back to that post.)  Today, we're going to build our "NO EMOTIONAL EATING TOOL KIT"!

Ideally, you'll want to find a small shoebox, or food storage box that you'll be able to put some times in to help you deal in times when you feel an emotional eating need coming on.  Inside this box, you will want to fill it with items that will keep you from trying to satisfy your needs with food.

First, I've found that by far the most beneficial tool in my tool box is an index card.  "An index card?" is probably what you're thinking.  But yes, that's what I said.  Don't worry, it's not a blank one.  On this card I want you to put the following...

• a positive affirmation (or 2 or 3), something that really speaks to you... for me "I believe in myself and my abilities" is one that really speaks to me, but you'll need to find one that works for you.
• phone numbers of 3 close friends - you'll want to make sure that these people are non-judgmental.  Often when we're looking for that "fix" from emotional eating the last thing we need to feel is judged as well.  These 3 people will listen to you, comfort and console you, and simply put, just be there for me.  (I'm blessed to have several people in my life who have been willing to text back and forth with me at all hours of the day and night when I've been in a really bad place.

There obviously won't just be an index card in your box.  But here's where you need to see what works for you.

• Does journaling help you purge your emotions?  If so, then buy a cheap notebook at the dollar store and keep that in there. 
• Do you need to keep your hands busy?  Remember those floss bracelets we made as kids?  Buy some floss and make a bracelet or two. 
• Do you know how to crochet or knit?  Put in a ball of yarn and your needles or crocket hook.  As an added bonus, you could wind up making scarves for everyone for Christmas this year (my boys still have their scarves I made for them before I decided that crocheting really just wasn't for me).
• Maybe you like to draw.  Keep a sketchpad in there.  Like to read, put in a couple magazines or a Chicken Soup type book filled with short, positive and uplifting stories.
• Then there's my favorite... Play-Doh!  Sometimes we just need to keep our hands busy.  When that's the case, squeezing and shaping a wad of this dough can keep your hands moving (and therefore unable to be used to eat) and it's a GREAT way to deal with frustration.

And don't forget, there's something that you can't put inside your tool box, but is a GREAT way to burn out those emotions - exercise.  Whether your doing a T25 workout, or going for a walk, either way you'll be able to clear out your head while doing something good for yourself... And who doesn't feel better once they've got that endorphin burst?

Until Next Time...

Fun Weekend Outings

Often when people are looking for something to do with their children, or somewhere to go for a couple hours it often revolves around food.  We live in a society where food is such a focal point in our day to day lives, it makes sense.  Even when my husband and I plan a "date night" if usually involves food at some point (and often some form of MMA too, but that's a whole different story...). 
But this past weekend since it was pretty nice I wanted to get the family out and moving around.  So I planned an exciting weekend of activities - complete with family time as well as "date" time. 

Friday as soon as the boys got home from school I took them apple picking!  Since my husband is a VP at a high school he was able to be home early enough to come along.  Taking the boys out to a small farm and having them wal

k around the orchard looking for "perfect" apples was a fun activity that got them moving and shaking - and also super excited about their perfect apples that they picked.  Let me tell you, they want to eat those things nonstop right now!

Then on Saturday, we decided to take the minions to LEGOLAND in Yonkers, NY.  This past summer we went to the one in Florida, but since there was a Star Wars theme this weekend, we thought we'd go check it out.  It was a really fun time walking around in there.  The little minion was too scared to go on the ride when you first got there, but the big one and I rode it.  The structures there built were amazing!  I was seriously in awe.  And because it's an indoor place (think Crayola Factory) there was a giant climbing apparatus the boys had a blast playing in. 

As for the highlight of my time there - one of the Storm Troopers was walking around and I really wanted to take a picture with him - but I get so embarrassed about things like that, so after two attempts I actually asked him to not only take a picture with me, but asked if I could hold his gun during the picture as well!  I LOVE THIS PICTURE!  And even better, rather then just having junk there to purchase for the boys to eat, (since you couldn't bring your own food in) the concession stand had sandwiches on whole wheat rolls, apple slices, and water as some of the options for people to choose from for their meals.  How cool is that!

Now only Sunday.  Sunday was my husband and my "date" afternoon.  However, rather then hang out just by ourselves, some of our friends came out with us for a really entertaining afternoon of paintballing.  At first, I'm not going to lie - I was pretty hesitant.  But after a few hours (I think we played for like 4 hours) I was running all over the place shooting like it was going out of style!  It was so much fun and a fantastic way to spend some time with my super supportive hubby - who puts up with all my craziness, all of the time. 

So as you can see, this weekend was incredibly jammed pack with so much fun I need another weekend just to recover from the AWESOMENESS!  And more importantly, I was able to have an entire weekend of pure entertainment without any of it focusing around food.... well apple picking doesn't count! 




Until Next Time...