Don't Take a Plate!
Eating season is upon us. The holidays are here, and food is around us all the time. Holiday parties, party leftovers, and casseroles made out of the leftovers are everywhere! Yep. It's the fattest, greediest, most glutenous time of year. This season can be difficult for those who struggle to make healthy choices. Food significantly affects how we feel; thus, your dietary choices impact your quality of life. To keep you performing and feeling well, I am offering a few practical tips that can result in enjoying the holiday and still honoring your body with healthy habits and foods.
1. Eat what you want. Just don't take a plate. If you are not hosting for the holiday, you are the lucky one who doesn't have to move vast trays of macaroni and cheese out of the way to get to the milk in the back of the fridge. Eat! Enjoy! Get seconds if you want...but be done after the meal. Don't keep eating Thanksgiving for days...or weeks. If you are hosting, do the opposite; send out as many leftovers as possible. Get the Glad bags now!
2. Take a walk before or after big meals. Sitting down to eat a meal is a great way to spend time with family and friends, as is taking a walk. Grab a cousin, uncle, or aunt, or take all the kids. Go for a brisk walk and talk... don't talk about people in the family :-). Keep it positive and productive.
3. Avoid the break room until January 4th. From now until the New Year, you should avoid the break room like the plague. Every day, someone is going to bring something they don't want to eat anymore, and they are going to expect you to eat it. Seriously, one of my friends is hosting Thanksgiving for the first time, so she made a practice Turkey before the main event. I asked her, "What did you do with a 12-pound Turkey?" Her answer was, "I took it to work. They ate it." Don't eat it. Just stay away.
4. Be more conscious of all of your other meals. Be mindful of everything you eat Between the dinners and parties. Eat fruit for breakfast, have a salad for lunch, eat a healthier dinner, and drink water.
5. Get enough sleep. I know it's hard, but resist the temptation to cook all night long or socialize until the wee hours of the morning. Maybe you can do this one night, but avoid exhausting yourself during this time off from work. Take a nap. Go to bed early. Sleep in late.
6. Say nice things to your body. One of the stressful things about the holiday is seeing folks who have not seen you in a long time. There are a lot of comments on bodies: "Looking good! I can see you slimmed down!" or "Whew! You got a little thick since last year." Avoid doing this to yourself. Begin your day with affirmations of how incredible your body is and how grateful you are for all it does for you.
7. Be Thankful for you. Take a minute to sweat yourself and say "Thank you" for all the good things: your health, right mind, healthy relationships, paid bills, funny moments, and love wherever it is available. Let other people know that you are thankful for them, too. Just don't forget to thank yourself for your growth, hard work, and dedication to your wellness.
Many of us are triggered by the holidays, especially if we struggle with self-control regarding food and self-care. We'd love to support you throughout the holidays. Having a coach on your team can be essential to your success and self-care during the holidays. You have my permission to serve others and your highest good.
In Thanksgiving,
Dr. Adrianne R. Pinkney,
Integrative Wellness and Life Coach
