Lose Fat Pronto

Who doesn’t love the holiday season? Well, there may be grinches among us, but most of us celebrate at this time because of all the happiness that we experience from our traditions and festivities. Fortunately or unfortunately, every celebration seems to include eating, often to excess. Many of us seem to believe that the holidays somehow grant us special permission to overeat. And we even delude ourselves into thinking that holiday feasting won’t affect our hips and our belly fat. It’s a nice fantasy, but it’s not reality.

To make matters worse, the New Year is often the time when we plan to put our weight loss program into effect. We go into the holidays thinking, “I’ll lose that 20 pounds starting January 2nd. That’s my first New Years Resolution.” But all that holiday partying adds up, and by the time we get to January 2nd, we have 30 pounds to lose instead of 20. And since most of us don’t keep our resolutions for more than a few weeks (why do you think the gyms are so crowded in January and empty in February?), that extra 30 pounds is with us for a while.

You know what they say in the Army: “When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” So isn’t it time you planned to succeed? Don’t go unarmed into the endless array of holiday meals and snacks. Have a plan, have a strategy, take up the right weapons, and you will have a successful campaign to prevent weight gain during the holidays.

Weapon Number One: Make a Plan

First and foremost, decide your goals and priorities. Do you want to lose weight during the holidays? If so, you’ll need a more aggressive plan compared to someone who just wants to avoid gaining.

Consider your priorities. Which is more important to you: enjoying holiday food or keeping the pounds off? Think about following a moderate course. You don’t want to deprive yourself entirely, so give yourself permission to have one or two treats per day, whatever seems reasonable to you in the light of your goals.

Then stick to that plan. Don’t obsess over the details, and don’t beat yourself up if you falter, but remember your goals and get back on track. At least 90% of the battle is mental (with apologies to Yogi Berra), but don’t make it a mental struggle. Just remember what’s truly important to you, and the rest will fall into place.

Weapon Number Two: Get Regular Exercise

You don’t want to deprive yourself of all the social and gastronomical opportunities that are so abundant this time of year. So do something to compensate for a few extra calories. Step up your exercise program. Work a little harder or a little longer on the treadmill or the elliptical. Then you won’t have to refuse every well-meaning offer of delicious food. You can burn off the extra.

Besides, exercise has other benefits. It makes you feel great, both physically and emotionally. Recent studies have shown that it even improves your brain power. Because you’ll feel happier, more alert, and more balanced, you’ll have an easier time not giving in to impulsive eating and sticking to your plan.

Weapon Number Three: Remember the Real Meaning of the Celebrations

Is Christmas really about food? No, it’s about a miracle. The gifts of the Magi were symbols of royalty, not food. Is Chanukah really about food? No, it’s also about a miracle. We have traditional foods associated with each holiday, but that doesn’t mean we have to feast like there’s no tomorrow.

And if your outlook is secular, remember that people had midwinter celebrations long before Christmas or Chanukah were conceived. They celebrated because the sun was starting to return from its yearly journey toward the southern horizon and the days were beginning to lengthen again. They could see, even in the midst of snow and ice and darkness, that spring would come again. I think we carry in our genes this profound gratitude for the annual return of the sun. We feel humbled in the face of the cycles of nature, which we can comprehend somewhat but never control.

So your weapon is to think about the meaning of the holidays, whatever the most profound meaning is for you, and not to get taken in too far by the surface glitter, not to lose sight of the meaning when confronted with a platter of cookies. You won’t be hurting Christmas if you refuse the extra helping. Just remember that.

Weapon Number Four: Feed Your Soul

The holidays aren’t all about socializing and partying. We enjoy our family and friends, if we’re fortunate enough to be among them at this time of year. But what about those who feel particularly lonely at this time because they haven’t many connections, or any connections?

If that sounds like you, please take courage. You’re not the only one to feel this way. (And in fact, a little solitude might be beneficial for those who spend this season surrounded by others.)

So here’s your weapon. Whether you’re alone or not, make some real quality time to be with yourself. This could mean turning off the TV, radio, computer and phone, and just sitting quietly to meditate on your blessings. It could mean bundling up to take a solitary walk in the woods, observing how your mind settles when you contemplate natural beauty, watching how the woodland creatures are provided with their needs even in winter. It could mean volunteering to help those less fortunate than you at a shelter or soup kitchen.

Whatever your choice, do something that you know will make you feel good about yourself. That’s food for your soul.

Your Arsenal

So there you have it: four weapons for your arsenal to avoid weight gain during the holidays. I hope you find this helpful. Please post your comments here.

Happy Holidays to all! “And peace on earth to men of goodwill.”