Help Me I’m Eating and I Just Can’t Stop!

It starts with raiding the kids’ Halloween candy stash, builds up to taking a third helping of Thanksgiving mashed potatoes and gravy, then culminates with “over-grazing” at too many holiday parties in December.

Yes, it’s getting to be that time of year again.  That time when we let a little bit of this and a whole lot of that take over our stomachs.  But is it really a bad thing to gastronomically splurge at the holidays if we’re mindfully eating the rest of the year?  The problem is many of us aren’t watching and planning what we eat the other 10 months.

The key to staying in control (or getting back in touch with) healthy eating is “thoughtful habits”.  Sounds easy, huh?  It can be if you patiently approach it one step at a time.  Good eating habits don’t fail over night nor should you expect them to be quickly corrected.  Ease into the holidays with these 6 tips to healthy eating;

Set Realistic Goals
Put some thought into what you want to accomplish; lose weight, do something healthy so you can see your grandchildren grow up, reduce your risk factors for a heart attack or diabetes. Goal setting is critical, and to be successful you need to be realistic.  If it took you ten years to gain 50 pounds, don't pretend that you can lose 50 pounds in three months.  A more realistic goal would be to lose five to 15 pounds in three months. Think along similar lines for changing from junk food to healthy food. If you eat a bowl of ice cream every night while watching TV, it will be tough to go cold turkey. Start with replacing that bowl of ice cream with a bowl of frozen yogurt, fresh berries, or sugar free pudding two or three times per week. Keep your goals reasonable and you will have the satisfaction of reaching them quickly and setting new ones.

Choose the Right Tools
Very few people can follow a healthy diet without keeping track of what goes into their mouths. Just like you can’t remember what money goes in and out of your checking account, you need to keep track of the foods you eat. Initially this will help you identify when and what your unhealthy eating habits are.  Write everything down in a food diary, download an app to your phone, or join an online service to assist you. Keeping track of your daily intake will help motivate you to meet your goals.

Find a Friend
Everything’s easier with a buddy. Involving a spouse, family member, co-worker or friend who has similar goals will help keep you both on track.

Keep Reminders
Remember the reasons why you set your healthy goals? Write them down on a notecard and store it in your purse or wallet. They won’t be in your face every single day, but you’ll find them often enough give you a little nudge.

Know That Mistakes Happen
When you fall off the healthy food wagon, don’t get run over.  Make a bad food choice, but don’t allow yourself to abandon your goals because of it.  Do a better job with your next food choice then congratulate yourself for eating a healthy meal and know that you will do it again at the next meal.

Get Some Exercise
Healthy lifestyles aren’t created by food alone.  But one baby step at a time….concentrate first on healthy eating for the next 2 months and then you can beat yourself up about exercise in January when you make your New Year’s resolutions!

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