We're smack dab in the middle of December and suddenly I no longer fit into my skinny jeans. Augh!!! How did that happen? I worked so hard to get to my goal for my birthday back in October...
                                                                                                                      


Thinking and looking back carefully, I realize that since then my excellent habits slowly started breaking down. I'm skipping work-outs, the sugar's crept back in, and I'm not as diligent with taking my vitamins. There's been more celebrations and partying with my birthday, and Thanksgiving, and Hannukah, and now Christmas around the corner...Yes! I celebrate all of it!

Now celebration is an important part of life and I'm not willing to give that up! However, I need to face up to what I know deep down inside to be true: the longer, harder path is always more rewarding. A while ago, I would have said, "the longer, harder path is always more rewarding once you reach the top." Now I can see that there is no top. Thinking that there is a top implies that there will be a downward trend to follow. The uphill path itself is the reward!

It's the whole instant gratification vs. long term reward thing. For example, I know that eating another chocolate chip cookie will please my mouth and brain for another 5 minutes. But I also know that afterwards, I'm going to crash and feel irritable and perhaps my stomach will even hurt.  If I really need to feel better, I can take myself to the gym. The afterglow lasts for hours,  and the long-term reward is that my jeans will fit better.

Here are the things we can remind ourselves of daily to honor ourselves in a healthy way.

True celebration involves connection with loved ones. Of course, sharing food with others creates connection. However, eating slowly, focusing on conversation rather than food alone, and avoiding mindless eating can ensure that unwanted calories don't creep in.

You can bring healthy and delicious food to celebratory events. Fruit and vegetables are delicious, colorful, and refreshing. You'll be surprised at how quickly those fresh foods get eaten up! Email sylvie@realfoodnutrition.com for easy and delicious veggie recipes.

Schedule exercise time for yourself. This is not being self-centered! Taking care of yourself in this way will increase your energy and mood, making you much more fun to be around!

Don't give up on yourself. It's easy to just tell yourself you'll start being healthy in January. The best gift you can give yourself is feeling good in your body. Don't wake up fat, bloated, and depressed on Christmas!!! Take that ginger bread cookie out of your mouth right now!

Spice up your life with cinnamon, cloves, and ginger in your tea. These will keep you warm & cozy, enhance your metabolic rate, and energize you without excess calories.

Start your morning with protein. Eat breakfast within an hour of waking up and include an egg, or 1/2 cup of cottage cheese (it's yummy with cinnamon, ground flax seed and 1/2 apple!), or even a couple of slices of nitrate free turkey meat. Protein keeps your blood sugar stable and you'll be less likely to cave in to sweet temptations.

Cheers to your good health this Holiday Season and beyond!

Yours in Health,

Sylvie Nalezny, MA, CNE