The holiday season is the time of the year when some of us gain weight. The reason for weight gain during the holiday season is found in all the foods that we have in celebration of the season.
Some of us stress about the food and already know that weight gain is inevitable. What if I told you not to worry about the food and weight gain? Well, that’s what I am telling you in this post.
It is important to know that when we put additional stress on ourselves it creates a stress response in our bodies. As a result the body’s digestion capability, nutritional uptake and assimilation processes and calorie burning are affected greatly and not in a positive way.
Here are tips that help you keep calm and not worry about food and weight gain.
1. Do not worry about food. Worrying does nothing but cause you to be anxious. Food is for nutrition, but it is also for enjoyment too. Food cannot do anything to you. Remember food is not the enemy.
2. Do not worry about weight gain. Worrying about weight only adds stress to your life. Stressing about weight gain can possibly cause you to gain weight. Why? Because oftentimes stress leads to overeating and overeating is something you do not want to do.
3. Enjoy your family. Forget about food and weight; focus more on enjoying your family. The holiday season a is special time that brings families together. Taking the time to really enjoy your family and the good times you share will keep your mind off food and weight gain.
4. Do not worry about your body. Your body has a way of taking care of itself. All you have to do is listen to your body and act accordingly.
5. Enjoy the food. There are many wonderful foods this time of the year and they are often hard to resist. Do not put pressure on yourself; just enjoy.
6. Do not overeat, but be aware of your appetite. It is easy to overeat, but remember to stop eating when you are satisfied. You never want to feel uncomfortable after eating a meal, but you do want to feel pleasure and satisfaction.
7. Do not be hard on yourself. If you eat a certain food that you usually do not eat, do not beat yourself up for it. Enjoy that food and then let it go.
8. Continue with your regular routine (exercising, eating). Eating a certain food that you normally avoid does not mean it is the end of the world or that you have to resort to over exercising or under eating. Stay on your path and keep doing what works for you.
9. Do not weigh yourself until after the new year. Staying off the scale can be hard, but giving your scale a rest can be good for your mind, body and spirit.
- Relax. Relaxing in the moment creates relaxation in your body. This also helps you digest and assimilate your food better because you are less stressed.
Live, Laugh, Love!
Happy Thanksgiving!