Weight Loss Fantasy

Post-Holiday Weight Loss

     Another Thanksgiving has come and gone - and for some of us, our healthy eating habits went along with it. I’m a sucker for good cranberry sauce, and my sister’s killer homemade pumpkin cheesecake. However, the drastic change in diet and food sizes threatened to undo an entire year of careful, meticulous planning, exercise, and eating habits. So how do you fix the nasty little problem that seems to come around during the holiday season?

In the winter, our bodies prepare for the cold winter months by storing up as much fat and carbohydrates as possible; this is because during the winter, a person is far less active than in the spring or summer. Let’s face it, who wants to go jog a mile when the fireplace, a nice warm blanket, and a cup of hot cocoa are beckoning?  During this time, it is critical for those of us trying to lose weight and maintain healthy lifestyles to continue watching what we eat, and how much of it we eat at a time; and for those times when we give into temptation, here’s a few tips on how to get back on the straight and narrow.

First of all, if you really want that piece of pie, make it a small piece. Small portions not only let you have more choices, they will help you make sure you don’t eat too much of something that might not be good for your waistline. They will also make it easier to stick to your eating habits.

Second, make sure you exercise. I know, after a big Thanksgiving meal, the last thing any of us want to do is get up and get back on the aerobics bench. However, if you don’t stay active, your body will store up fat, and you won’t be able to fit into those awesome jeans you’ve been eyeing.

Third, if you want to boost your weight loss potential, take some herbal supplements. Green tea, which is available at any supermarket, is one of the best weight-loss helpers available; and it has no side effects. Also, find a juice made from the Acai Berry. I drink 1 ounce right after breakfast, and it curbs my appetite for the rest of the day.

Fourth, start eating healthier. Organic foods not only help you with your weight loss, they improve your overall health. I can tell you from experience that after eating a spinach salad with chicken strips, shredded cheese, and a tablespoon of ranch dressing for lunch instead of re-heated sausage pizza, or a couple handfuls of cashews instead of a Twix bar, I felt better, lighter, more energetic, and more optimistic. When you know you’re eating something healthy, you are far more confident about reaching your weight loss goal.

If you stumble on the path to reaching your ideal weight this holiday season, don’t worry. There are ways to make it right. However, if you follow the rules- small portions, low in fat, sugar, and carbs, with as many natural ingredients as possible - you might even be able to take that little piece of pumpkin pie after dinner, and still be able to reach your weight loss goal.

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