Your Holiday “Lab” Experiment

Often when I talk I use the phrase, “Your body as the lab” to encourage guests to be OBSERVANT as they are making choices that will make changes. This Holiday Season, maybe you’re willing to try a little experiment with me?

The “Scientific Method” asks a question, constructs a hypothesis, tests it experimentally, analyzes the data, and draws a conclusion.

Question:

Can I do things more healthfully this year and still enjoy myself?

Hypothesis:

Modifying consumption coupled with moderate exercise will result in weight maintenance VS. weight gain over the holidays.

Test:

Plan strategically to do thing differently when you shop, at every gathering you attend, and in what you stock and how you consume at home this December. DON’T QUIT EXERCISING! Even 20 minutes a day will help a lot if you can’t do your regular full workouts.

Keep a Journal State your goals and clearly lay out what you see as your obstacles- what people, places, and particulars tempt you every year to “over do”? Come up with a plan to do it differently!

Shopping Tips

Don’t go hungry! Eat something nutritious before leaving and avoid the food courts and sweet kiosks! Beware the sweet, hot drinks, also. Spend your calories wisely!

Park far away! Instead of circling the lot to get a close spot, go to the end zone and get a little walk in on the way to the store.

Smile! It’s amazing how our mood can change with that simple facial expression. Look people in the eye, say thank you, slow down, and make everyone’s day nicer, including your own!

Social Gathering Tips

Don’t go to events hungry! Eat a little nutritious something first

Have double the water of any alcohol you consume before you consider a 2nd (or 3rd) drink- choose wine over sweet drinks

Sit down! Don’t walk or stand with food. Take what you think you are comfortable with, then sit and look again- is it worth it?

Slow down! Don’t gobble. Eat slowly, chew, enjoy, and pay attention to when you’re full, then STOP!

At a buffet, choose plant based foods first, then proteins, complex carbs, with sweets chosen last and sparingly.

Limit your sweets. Don’t negate them, you’ll be mad! Just choose carefully and only eat what you LOVE.

You CAN be social, have fun, and stay on track!

Stocking & Consumption Tips

Don’t over buy food. Don’t buy for the masses if there are just two of you. Get what you actually need for recipes or occasions and don’t feel the need to eat just because it’s there. If you get a lot of goodies as gifts and can’t say no to them, bring them to a rest home, or package them for the homeless, or even just bring them to your workplace. Point- get them out of your sight! Make every meal an opportunity to be a “conscientious consumer”. Pay attention to what you’re choosing to eat! Ask yourself, “Do I REALLY want this? How hungry am I? Is there a better choice?

We really do have the right, opportunity, and power to DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY this season. You’re not a lab rat, but you CAN experiment with your healthy choices!

Happy Hannukah! Merry Christmas! There. I said it.

Blessings & Peace,  Nancy

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Christine Dakoulas commented on 13-Dec-2011 05:05 AM

Thank you Nancy..it's a good piece of advice here..you did a good job addressing all the issues of the Holidays Now to put it action>>>>

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