I posted this same blog a month ago before Thanksgiving, but the season's gluttony is not over yet. It is worth repeating, if for no other reason than to remind me not to fall apart over the upcoming holdays. I figure if I need the reminding, so do many others.
For those new to my blog, I have lost and kept off 130 lbs. I have tried many diets and most work as long as you end up in a calorie deficit. I wish I knew of some type of voodoo that helps you lose weight otherwise.
Here are a few tips I use to be less fat around the holidays.
SAVE SOME CALORIES
I start banking calories prior to Christmas. Monday through Saturady of this week I will eat a couple hundred less calories each day to save up for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I was saving up 500 a day four days before Thanksgiving, but I didn't even think about it yet this week for Christmas until I posted this. See, reminders are good
On holidays I still count my calories, but I don't deprive myself. If I go over, I go over. But at least I mitigate some damage by saving up earlier in the week.
MOVE
I will either take a good hour walk or hike on Christmas Eve Day and Christmas. Yes, I know we are busy. Get up earlier. You'll be tired anyway from saving up those calories earlier in the week.
You have a family, great, take them with you. Stop finding excuses.
I also take a few small walks before and after meals. Again, stop the excuses, a little walk for everyone is good. Instill some good habits in family and friends.
CHUG SOME WATER
Chug down 16 ounces of water between each course. It's such an easy hack. If your belly is full of water, you'll eat less.
DON'T RELENT TO PEER PRESSURE
All too often friends and family will say "It's just one day." Would they say that to someone with substance abuse issues? It's ok, a little fix of heroin never hurt anyone.
A great comment to use is "I am here for the company, that is what is most important to me."
When all else fails while someone is busting my balls I often say "I have not commented on you eating your sixth piece of cake, so please leave me the f@ck alone." Yes, I have said that. That usually ends a conversation with someone I don't want to talk to anymore anyway. It's fun.
THE #1 RULE, IF A FOOD IS NOT A 10, IT'S A 0
Don't pick on crap food during the day. Use those valuable calories on the good stuff. If a food does not rate a 10 on the taste scale it's a 0. Don't eat it. If you started eating it, stop.
GET BACK TO IT THE NEXT DAY
Don't turn one day of fun eating into an entire long weekend. Worse yet, don't roll throughout the entire holiday holiday week and you'll start in January. Too much damage can be done.
Remember, the more you overeat, the more you have to make up for it at some other time.
IN CLOSING
Enjoy yourself. Do your own thing. These are just some helpful tips that have helped me do something most have not, loose and more importantly weight off.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
