By Dr. Jessica Monteleone, PT PhD
It’s that time of year again. The days are short and holidays just around the corner.
Now, I must admit that I failed last year. I made my New England gingerbread cut out cookies. They were delicious. The recipe makes six dozen. Three dozen had been devoured by our family and guests. Lord knows that I couldn’t waste the other three dozen; so, I ate them and enjoyed them. Not all at once; but, I used them as a reward after a long day at work, or as a blissful dessert after a healthy meal. A minute on the lips and forever on the hips they say. But I thought that once the holidays were over, that I would lose that 5 lbs. just as successfully as I had every other year. It didn’t happen. I was bombarded with stress bullets in every direction. My husband was in horrible pain that I could not fix and I had a business to grow. Oh my. This year it was 10 lbs. instead of 5. What was I to do?
Well, I’m finally back down to my comfortable weight. It took the whole year to get back to where I wanted to be, but I did it. I prioritized. I practiced what I preach.
So, how will this year be different? I will plan ahead. I will use a new gingerbread cut out recipe yielding less cookies and with ingredients that I trust. I will find balance each day and make good decisions.
So what changes will I make?
I will love myself, giving myself what I need. I cannot give out what I don’t have.
I will keep moving. Sit on a ball or stand and weight shift to socialize. Engage fully in the football game I am watching. I will help out in the kitchen. Take a family walk. Go to a park or the beach. Conduct an exercise program or dance with the kids. I will get up at least every hour to change my body position. If I must sit, I will use a rocking chair for the exercise it offers.
I will remember my water bottle and hydrate well before indulging in a large meal. Yes, remember to get adequate water. Many times we think that we are hungry when we are actually thirsty.
If you are visiting someone for your meal, bring a food that you know that you can eat such as a delicious salad with a healthy dressing.
Enjoy that yummy food that you have waited for all year, but have a small portion, savoring every bite.
Have an attitude of gratitude. Our thoughts, our words, our disposition can make a great change in our waste line. Stress releases cortisol that packs on the weight. The Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue. Someone there you don’t care for? Give them a compliment. Show them love through your words. We don’t know what others are going through. A smile, a kind word, a touch on their shoulder, a hug can speak volumes of kindness to them and bring a bucket load of joy, peace and contentment to you as well.
What are you planning for your holidays? Do you have a plan? Let’s make this the best holiday ever with balance, with joy, with the spirit of giving instead of getting, with self-control, discipline and success. We remember that as God gave His very best gift to us, the gift of Jesus Christ, that we, too, can shine with His love brilliantly expressing who He is each day He has given us.
