12Ways_numbers-02Okay, we know there are some major milestones (food wise) before we even get to the actual Big Day. So if leftover Halloween candy is calling your name, and Turkey and Dressing has you looking for your ‘fat’ jeans, here are a few simple strategies for smart eating (notice we did NOT say the ‘D’ word!)  that will help you hold your own during the whole holiday season.

Most of us look at Thanksgiving as the season’s first BIG feast. While not technically a part of Christmas, it is a time to give thanks and get real about all that’s on our plates – both figuratively and literally! *And, you-know-who in the furry red suit does usually make his first appearance now!)

To help us with the 2nd Way of Christmas, we’ve asked one of our multi-tasking favorite women Janice Taylor, Artist/Author of Our Lady of Weight Loss, and 50 pound big-time-loser to share her top 10 Tips for the Holidays, and tell us How to WAKE UP on New Year’s Day THINNER than we are NOW!

1. Manage your holiday expectations.

Remember … holidays are essentially just like any other day in life. They are filled with ups, downs, glitches and unexpected happenings. Whatever your expectations might be for this holiday season, I invite you to lower them!!! NOW! And remember: No one has read the script you’ve written for them.  Nor – frankly – have you read the script they have written for you!

2.  Be yourself.  Everyone else is already taken.  ~ Oscar Wilde

Jot down a list of the qualities you like most about yourself and bring the list with to all holiday gatherings, in particular, family events!  Read them early and often!

3.  Don’t Regress. Your brother isn’t 13, and you’re not 9.

It doesn’t matter that he was bigger than you, elbowed you, teased you, took your favorite toy and smashed it! NO! It really is NOT relevant in the NOW. Let go of the past!

4. Do NOT Accept Delivery of the Family Fat Genes!

Just because your mother and your grandmother, your sisters and every female in your family (or male – if any men are out there) are fat, it doesn’t mean that you have to accept the family genes, does it?

5. Who wants to gain a pound at one meal?

Did you know that the average holiday dinner ranges from 2,000 to 4,500 calories?  Did you know that one pound equals 3,500 calories?  Let’s get a grip and put calories into perspective.

6. Make Your Home Your Safe Haven: Dump it!

Sorry to shock you like that, but whatever and whenever there are leftovers, dump them immediately.  Halloween candy? Dump it!  Leftover pumpkin pie? Send it home with somebody else. Christmas cookies? Don’t even think about it!

8. Become a Foto-Food Journalist.

Bring a camera to events (again, family ones in particular!) and give yourself a journalistic assignment. Photograph the food before eating! Taking photos of the food creates an opportunity for you to pause and consider the food and your actions. Any time you can create a ‘moment to pause and reflect,’ you are practicing mindful eating.  Always a good thing to do!

9. All or Nothing?  Embrace the 80/20 plan.

Remember … No one is perfect 100% of the time.  That’s why pencils have erasers!

10. Want Power!

There is no such thing as will power; only want power.  You have to want to wake up thinner more than you want that slice of pumpkin pie!  How will you exercise your want power muscle?

And don’t forget: Contrary to what ‘they’ say (whoever ‘they’ are, you do NOT have to gain 6 or 7 pounds this holiday season. Create your own reality. Join with us and let’s start a new tradition: WAKE UP THINNER on New Year’s Day!

Meet Janice and read more!