Nobody ever said it would be easy to sidestep the blizzard of holiday treats this season. I'm holding my own for the most part. But I gave in to the rich, moist Magic Bars my friend brought to the party last night and ate a few of the dark chocolate dipped marshmallows rolled in candy cane crunch that our hosts made. But here is what I have been doing right over the past hours, days, weeks, months:
- Take a seat at the table and be still. Been trying not to eat standing up. When I pull up a chair, turn off the radio talk show or Christmas music and definitely don't eat on the couch in front of the TV, I am more accountable to myself and I eat less.
- Do not buy store-bought goodies. It's hard in the face of those peppermint fudge sandwich cookies, Italian Baci candy wrapped in blue and silver foil, loaded Christmas bark, eggnog ice cream, mini mousse cakes. For the most part, I left them behind. Except: 99 cent bag of wrapped mini dark chocolate PB cups from Trader Joe's. I bought myself a different kind of treat: a Christmas cactus to plant in my Dad's pretty yellow planter. It was $2.99.
- Go fishing. Thanks to my friend and nutrition coach Rachael, this was at the top of my list. I need protein to stabilize and not go crazy grabbing sweets. I got smoked mackerel and lox.
- Focus on the words, not the onion dip. This lesson has taken a lifetime to learn, and I'm still learning. Ever since girlhood, I've been excited about the treats at events--the Cheez Doodles at the Brownies Father/Daughter Dance, the cupcakes at a Saint Mary's bake sale, the donuts my uncle brought, the bakery birthday cakes for Dad's Aunt Tessie's bday. Last night, I tried to focus on the conversations with people, not the chips and dip and layer cake. I was successful until around 11:30. I probably should have gone home [Dan and I had walked to our friends', just four houses away], but we stayed to talk until 2 a.m. Simply put, I needed fuel to remain alert and awake. I could have brought coffee, I guess.....other people were drinking goblets of wine until the wee hours.
- Eat Ezekiel toast and almond butter. I keep the sprouted grain kind in the freezer. It keeps your blood sugar level; no white-bread rise and fall. I make sure I have almond butter or good PB.
Please tell me your tips at this tempting time of year. Good night to you.
*I hardly ever skip a day of posting here, but we got back from the party after 2 a.m. So this is Day 13 of [again] trying to eat more healthfully.
*I hardly ever skip a day of posting here, but we got back from the party after 2 a.m. So this is Day 13 of [again] trying to eat more healthfully.
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i am planning to eat 2 bullar (swedish cinnamon rolls we make) the day I make them with maja (12/23) and as many as I want christmas morning. and that's it. The as many as I want is keeping me on the straighter and narrower so far. but lots of outings coming up and it is worrying . it sounds sick but a stomach bug jump-started my will power this week, plus a switch up in WW point system that is novel adn has re-engaged me. it's a tough time, no doubt, but maybe picking the one thing that means holiday goodness to you beyond all other things, allowing it and then "buying" it with good choices until then. at least that's my plan.
ReplyDeleteI like that plan, Kim. Sounds smart. Thank you. Will F make the toffee and is there a strategy for that? Xo
DeleteBoth of you doing so well! Hooray!
ReplyDeleteWe're going away right after Christmas and I'm really focused on that, so far the lead up hasn't been bad. My mindfulness mind trick helps so much, so keep up the sitting down!
Nan
F prob will be making the toffee. I enjoy it, but it's not as much a trigger for me as bullar. So one small piece should do it for me on that.
ReplyDeleteWow. toffee would be my big weakness...good for you, girl. xo
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