How Are the Holidays Here Again?? Tips for Managing your Health Goals This Season.

By: Jillian Foley, RDN, LDN

Nutritionista

It feels like it was just the start of the New Year! Eagerly waiting for the warmer months and longer days, but just like that, it's done and we are just 2 months shy of the end of the year. So how do we make sure we don't fall into the old patterns and routines of this holiday season, not always giving into the tasty allure of instant gratification only to find ourselves seeking a trend in January to help get the weight off? By learning from the past and coming up with a plan instead of relying on hope.

Firtst, I want you to remember what your goal is in the first place! While parts of our goals are always floating through our heads, with our busy lifestyles, we forget to remember what we are really working towards. Is it to lower your cholesterol blood work by your follow up appointment in Januray? Is it to be mindful of your carb portions to lower your A1C? Maybe you don't want to put on the same 10lbs you did last year because it makes you feel sluggish. Whatever your goal is, you need to remind yourself and be intentional. Otherwise you will find yourself always giving into the holiday treats with a small thought that sounds something like "I don't want to deprive myself".

Next, you need to relfect over last year and predict what situations will be coming. Keep in mind, being more detailed is better than a broad blanket statement.

Examples:

• If you know cookies are brought to work, don't just say I will stay away from the cookies. Instead say, I know cookies get brought to the lounge, so I will eat my lunch in my office and I'll bring something sweet from home like rice cakes that I can eat instead.

• If you get invited out to dinners a lot, don't just say I will try to eat better. Know what kind of food is availble. Plan to look at menus ahead of time so you are more logical about your choices. Know what kind of people you are out with. Are they appetizer people? Do they love to get the bread? Do you find yourself going out straving? Don't...eat something small so you don't get there wanting everything.

• Do people give you holiday candy? That's great, BUT, you are not rude by not eating it! And trying not to eat a lot isn't a plan. Give it away, put it away, or put it in the trash, just don't keep it on the counter.

Once you know what to predict, now you have to put it in motion. Every day is a new day and you should treat it as such. How likely is it that coming up with this plan November 25th will hold true December 13th if you haven't reminded yourself. Everyday, be intentional about what the day looks like, what challenges may show up, and how you will navigate.

Lastly, we aren't shooting for perfection. We are aiming for better! I know, it's annoying to hear a dietitian say it doesn't need to be perfect. I've been doing this long enough to know that if you knew how to be perfect, you'd be doing it by now. You will still make some mistakes, does that mean you should throw-in-the-towel unitl the New Year, or should you learn from it and move on? I think you know the answer. Let this be the year you finish proud of yourself!

Jillian Foley, RDN Nutrititionista is a Registered Dietitian that specializes in Food Therapy. She believes that weight-loss & disease prevention/management is 20% food education & 80% psychological. She owns her own practice for 1-on-1 sessions as well as courses. You can find more info @www.Nutritionista267.com Follower her on IG @Nutritionista_1