Holiday Game Plan!

We are entering the holiday season and things are about to get real! Together we can beat the desire to fall off of our health journey wagon and create a game plan that will help you THRIVE through the next couple months.

Before we get into this... I want to share something that has really helped me to not be as nervous for the holidays as I had started November feeling. Think about this:

There are 50 days between  tomorrow and New Years Day. 

Which means there are 150 meals between tomorrow and the new year - 

or 300 meals if you are on the 5 & 1 Plan.

How many times are you actually going to be in a situation where you are 

surrounded by extreme temptation by holiday food???? 

Maybe 5 - 8 times???

Let's not throw away all of our hard work for a handful of meals. 

You can do this - surviving the holidays is totally doable - but we do need a plan! There were several tips that I picked up when I first started working toward health that helped me greatly when I found myself in party environments. 

#1 - Carry your water bottle around the entire time in your dominate hand. This will help you from reaching for little nibbles, help you get in your water for the day and signal your brain to make a conscious decision to decide if that food choice is worth more than your goal of reaching optimal health. 

#2 - Bring something to the party that you can snack on and will enjoy. Meat stuffed mini-peppers, stuffed mushrooms, a deli tray.... we have tons of options. Not only will you be bringing something that you can enjoy, but you will also be sharing heath with those at your event. 

#3 - Eat before you go so that you are not hungry.

#4 - Stand away from the food. 

#5 - Use a small plate and do not go back for seconds. 

#6 - Eat slowly.

In my team meeting this week our Director (Team Tinter) shared several tips and strategies for surviving the holidays. It is very important to ask yourself what your plan is for the holidays. What outcome do you want? On January 1st,  where do you want to be in your heath journey?

Here are a couple options that she suggested that you can think through and decide what will be best for you:

Option 1: Would you like to enjoy the benefits of staying on program?
- Feeling great and having more energy to go shopping and spend time with people.
- Continue losing weight so you look even better at your holiday gatherings.
- Experiencing little or no hunger and cravings (making it easier to deal with food and alcohol triggers).
- Stay in “Fat Burning”. 

or...

Option 2*: Would you like a compromise? Stay on program except for the holiday meals
using Medifast meals the rest of each day.
* Know with this option you will need to spend 2-4
days getting back into “fat burning mode” after the holiday meal – causing lower energy, hunger and cravings and slowing down weight loss.
You’ll have to ask yourself:
“Is it worth it?” 

or...

Option 3*: Would you consider it a success to go into maintenance mode?
Still eating 6 times a day, choosing Medifast to offset less favorable choices
Controlling portion sizes
Not gaining weight during the season, instead of putting on the average 7 pounds
*Know with this option - you would NOT be in “fat burning mode”. 

I am available and willing to help you decide which plan will be best for you - lets talk (or text... whatever you want)! Together we can come up with action step plans to keep you on track. 

This year you don't have to use the holidays as an "excuse" and you can enter 2017 in full momentum ready to keep striving toward your health goals. Over the next several weeks I'll be sharing several strategies for rational eating and ways that we can train our mind to stay focused on health... so that we can make a LIFE LONG change and find optimal health!

Have a great weekend!!!