Holiday season is upon us and the “Holiday Crazies” are here.

We have less than a month of holiday celebrations, dinners, parties, events and family gatherings.  I wanted to encourage you to think about these next few weeks and what you want to accomplish during this time.  It is possible to lose weight and feel better during the holiday season instead of the typical weight gain and sluggish body that most people experience.   But to do this you have to make goals and be focused on how you will navigate this season of temptation.

One suggestion for helping you stick to your plan and be proactive is to make a list of at least 3 things you want to accomplish during this next month in relation to your health/weight loss goals.  Literally, get a 4 x 6 or 3 x 5 index card and write these down.  Look at these things at least once a day to remind your brain of what the benefits and payoffs are to you in sticking with your goals.

Some examples are:  “ Having energy and a lighter feeling body during the holidays is more important than any food”.  “I want to feel successful as I stay on my plan during temptation season”.  “I value being healthy over giving into temptation of eating unhealthy foods”.

As you practice positive and encouraging thinking this holiday season, you “work” that muscle in your brain that helps you to make executive decisions for your long-term health not just the next 10 minutes of pleasure followed by guilt.  *** Remember, your more primitive brain is always asking “what will make me feel better in the next 10 minutes”, not what will contribute of my overall health and well-being for the next several years.  There is a lot to be said for quality of life!

So plan ahead and make decisions before you go to those events and enjoy the festivities without the guilt and poor health consequences.