Weight Wellness Tips for the Holidays


By Liza N. Eversole, MTN Wellness & Mental Health Consultant, November 7, 2006

Begin the holiday season with a game plan to maintain weight wellness. Here are some tips for enjoying yourself without adding extra pounds.

As Thanksgiving approaches, many people begin to prepare to celebrate with traditional family dishes and lavish desserts. How do we celebrate and still find moderation? Although eating is very much a part of the holidays, it often causes anxiety because we are afraid that we will overeat or not eat as "healthy" as we normally do.

Obesity is one of the nation's fastest-growing and most troubling health problems in America. Achieving weight wellness takes a safe plan for losing or maintaining weight that includes diet, exercise, and help with the emotional side of the equation - the stress, depression, or experiences that caused the weight gain.

The holidays often contribute to emotional eating. People not only eat to celebrate, but also eat to cope with feelings of sadness, anxiety, or stress. Unless they address the negative emotions which cause overeating, short-term coping strategies such as loading up on "comfort foods" can lead to long-term, perhaps life-long problems.

Achieving weight wellness requires managing your feelings, adopting new habits that foster a healthier lifestyle. During the holiday season enjoy yourself without adding extra pounds. Here are some tips for beginning the holiday season with a game plan to maintain weight wellness.

- Review the past holidays for problems you may have encountered around food and come up with ideas for how you can overcome them.

- Maintain normal eating routine, including healthy meals and snacks. Don't deny yourself the occasional treat, but avoid too many sugar rich goodies.

- Remind yourself that avoiding your feelings or soothing yourself with food or alcohol will not be helpful.

- Moderate you alcohol consumption and stay hydrated. Staying well hydrated will help you stay energized and avoid fatigue.

- Don't stop your exercise routine. Even a simple daily walk can make you feel fitter and healthier. Walk off the extra calories by taking a family walk after your turkey meal.

- Exercise decreases stress and increases energy. Even moderate exercise releases feel-good hormones called endorphins, which lowers the stress-producing hormone, cortisol and helps keep your blood sugar levels stable so you don't get cravings.

- Don't put yourself in a tempting environment. Avoid baking and preparing food for parties, instead offer to bring flowers or set the table.

- Don't go to a party hungry. When you know you're facing a tempting party menu, balance it with healthier foods and smaller portions the rest of the day.

- If you feel this is all too difficult to manage on your own, enlist the help of friends to help you stay on track. If this in not enough, find professional help. You don't have to be alone. For convenient, safe, and confidential help go to MyTherapyNet!

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For convenient, safe, and confidential help for you or anyone you know who is impacted by holiday weight gain go to MyTherapyNet.com.