Holiday Eating (without gaining weight)

 Easter candy (my favorite is Peeps which I let go stale) has been in the stores for a while.  If you have children or grandchildren, you may have bought some already “for them." Have you eaten some of the candy or been fighting those urges to eat it?   

      For those of us who observe Passover, there are also special foods to buy or plan for.  Is there a favorite potato or matzoh kugel you love, or maybe that flourless chocolate cake you’re looking forward to? 

     Do you cook or bake for the holidays?  If you prepare "special" foods,  do you tend to overeat them? 

     Here are some tips for how to enjoy the holidays without gaining weight: 

1.  Plan to enjoy those holiday meals and include your favorite foods in your plans. 
2.  Plan to take small amounts of the foods you love and only eat those foods if they taste delicious. Don't take "seconds" unless you’re still hungry.
3.  Practice eating when hungry and stopping when you’re satisfied but not stuffed to enjoy the foods you associate with the holidays without overeating. 
4.  Decide ahead of time how much of your favorite food you will eat and what you will do with any leftovers (such as eating them the next day, throwing them away, or sending them home with someone else). 
5.  If you aren’t comfortable with leaving uneaten food on your plate, practice leaving 1 or 2 bites on your plate with each meal or putting a spoonful or two back into the serving dish when you dish out food for yourself. 
6.  Put a reminder about why you want to lose weight somewhere that you can look at that reminder before you start eating. 
7.  If you know you will be around “food pushers,” rehearse what to say to them. 
8.  Become comfortable about not finishing any food that doesn’t taste delicious.
9.  Practice eating slowly. 
10.  Wait at least 15 minutes before taking more food to ensure you’re still hungry.
11.  If necessary, don’t buy candy or foods you’re not ready to “handle” until right before you "need" them. 
12.  Plan for how much alcohol you want to drink if that is a problem area for you.  How much do you plan to drink, and how will you follow your plan?  Have a plan for what to say to the "drink pushers” as well.
13.  Wear something form-fitting so that you will become uncomfortable if you overeat. 
14.  Remember, if you want to reach your natural weight and stay there, these habits will be the ones you want to continue.  The more frequently you practice them, the easier they become to follow.

     If you need help with overeating during holidays or other occasions, coaching and self-hypnosis can help you to eat in a way that will enable you to reach and stay at your natural weight.  Schedule a call to find out more.  There is no pressure or obligation: 

https://calendly.com/coachbarbarakatz/60min 

     Coaching will give you the tools to lose and maintain your excess weight for good without constantly “being on a diet” or thinking about food.   

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https://drbarbaralkatzcoaching.com