Helpful Hints For Staying On Track!

Eating is just as important as exercising.  They go together like kids and puppy dogs, protein drinks and weight loss, beaches and sun sets. 

Let’s share some of our suggestions for staying on track and not gaining this holiday.  Come on in and let's help each other feel good during this holiday weekend.  My helpful hints: Try to keep as little junk in the house as possible.  If you have kids and family and this is impossible then keep pre-bagged portions of protein snacks, veggies and fruit handy. Grill chicken breast and put 3-4 oz in a zip lock bag.  Hard boiled eggs, Laughing Cow cheese, cold shrimp is a great one.  Cold crab, LF peanut butter on an apple.  When everyone else is eating all day, you can too, just not the cookies, cakes and candy. Keep your favorite protein drinks/bars handy.  Load up on one before you go to a party and or have people over.  We all know there is only so much room in our tummies and if it's loaded with protein you won't have room for junk. When cooking and or baking it’s hard not to lick fingers and or nibble.  Check with your surgeon first, but I kept gum in my mouth at all times.  You can't lick a spoon and or eat cookie dough if you are chewing on a big piece of gum. Drink, Drink, Drink - WATER, then crystal light and tea Keep moving.  If you don't have time to go to the gym, go up and down a few more isles in the store, run up and down the stairs yourself instead of asking someone else to go for you.  Get out and shovel that snow and or play with the kids.  Keep MOVING. I keep an 8 x 10 before photo of me on my fridge.  If eggnog is calling my name and or anything else in that kitchen, the consequences of that bad choice is in my face.

If you are more than a few years out and you have control, then go ahead and eat a bite or two of something.  Put the portion on your plate and “no more”.  Break that cookie in half and eat only the half.  Portion control is the key to eating what you want and staying on track.  Oh, and track what you eat….if you ate a few more cals then make up for it during your exercise routine!

The bottom line is we can have fun and enjoy the Holidays without passing out like stuffed pigs on the couch at the end of the day.   And no Monday morning regrets on the scales

May Peace and Love be with you this holiday and enjoy

 Take care,

Kathy

Okay, this one is strange, but it works for me. Wear form fitting clothes.  NO KNIT PANTS.  I usually wear some sort of jeans, and at a size 4, there is no extra room, at all.  I can tell if I am just a couple of pounds up on the scale.  I refuse to buy or find any pants that are bigger.  This is non-negotiable.  If my clothes feel too tight, I don't eat crappy foods.  If I spend the holiday lounging around in knits or sweats, they might allow me to gain pounds and inches that I don't want.  If my pants are too tight around the waist, I am too uncomfortable to eat much.  I told you this is a strange tip. Debra M. 351/at 135 today, the top of my weight range/so I am wearing tight jeans today.

Hello Debra, This is a great one and I didn't think of it.  You are so right, if you are wearing loose fitting clothes you are going to keep eating.  But with tight jeans, man one bite over and you need to unsnap. I love it Thanks, Kathy

Wow! I thought it was just me. I wear my jeans as tight as I can and I cannot possibly overeat while I wear them. The worst thing I ever did was try on my sons sweat pants. They fit and I was wearing them alot. Talk about spreading out....Oh, you feel so sloppy in them too. Tight clothes, the best motivation. Go to a clothing store and shop, even if you don't buy anything, just being able to shop in the section that doesn't have XX on the tags anymore is motivation for me. I went into lingerie today and bought a nightie to wear for the hubby on christmas eve...MOTIVATION...........Have a Happy,       Sunday

I have been keeping hard boiled eggs and slices of cheese and cut up fruit  in the frig, makes for a great breakfast, or lunch. Also the tight jean thing really works ( mine are all tight now with the extra 10 pounds ). I to wont buy a larger size. Lounging around in sweats or any elastic waist pants makes it way to easy to over eat. The sweets are really getting to me, everywhere you go they have candy and cookies, and I always say " one wont hurt " but one at everyplace does. I am trying to make good choices, workout at least 1/2 hour a day and maintain. After the 1st will be a big push. I need to lose that 10 pounds before I go for my 2 year checkup in March. Hang in there, Debra

Kathy, As always, you are right on the mark with this post. Thank you for my Christmas Tune up!  Just what the dr ordered.  I think we all know the rules, but every once in awhile we need a refresher. You are my mentor! Happy Holidays to you and yours, Tmac