Holiday throwdown! Are you in?
It’s a holiday throwdown! How healthy will you choose to eat this season? For me, because of a health condition called dystonia where sugar, flour products, and processed foods aggravate my already angry muscles, I make it a point to avoid the chewy, gooey, sugary treats, but it is not always easy during the holidays. Most of us find it hard to resist the scrumptious food this time of year. We all know we should do better, so what do you say we just do it… together?
This year, I want you to turn off the holiday, eat everything in sight switch, and challenge yourself to eating as healthy as possible. Every time you go where there are temptations, find the healthiest foods and eat only them. Pretty boring and straight forward, I know. That’s why we need to make a game out of it and look at it as a fun challenge, and the reward for eating well is always sweeter anyway! I’ll share tips to make it easier.
Satisfy your sweet tooth and go for the fruit platter, the sweeter vegetable options (like baby carrots, red bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes), have only one piece of candy or just have a taste of another sweet treat (cookie, pie, etc.), and make a promise to yourself (that you keep) that you only get one piece or one taste. Fill yourself up with regular or carbonated water. Eat healthy before you go to a party or elsewhere, so you don’t feel hungry…. ah ha, Mr. Seaman! That’s the catch… I don’t care how full I am. I still want that cookie, cake, candy, and slice of pie! No problem. Don’t punish yourself. Have a taste and satisfy the craving. That is literally all it takes. One taste.
To make all of this easier, have a loved one or friend join you so you can hold each other accountable. It’s more fun doing it with someone else anyway. There will be some places you go where there are no healthy options. In this case, find the healthiest of the unhealthiest of options. This is where I have the most fun because the challenge is even greater.
When asked to bring something to a party, bring a healthy option and be creative with it to make it more fun. This helps set the intention for you to eat better, and it helps others who are looking for better options where they might not otherwise be one if not for you. Every time you walk past the dessert table or say no to one more cocktail, be sure to acknowledge yourself. It is not easy so make sure you honor yourself for your hard work.
I know it is a challenge, which is why doing it this time of year is best. Here’s the deal, and really think about this… If you can eat healthy during one of the unhealthiest eating periods of the year, you can do it all year round. Prove that to yourself and then you will be able to stick to your New Year’s resolutions, and even up the ante on your resolutions! Good luck and please let me know how you do!
Tom Seaman is a Certified Professional Life Coach in the area of health and wellness, and author of the book, Diagnosis Dystonia: Navigating the Journey. He is also a motivational speaker, chronic pain and dystonia awareness advocate, health blogger, and volunteers for the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) as a support group leader, for WEGO Health as a patient expert panelist, and is a member and writer for Chronic Illness Bloggers Network. To learn more about Tom, subscribe to his free health newsletter, and get a copy of his book, visit www.tomseaman.org. Follow him on Twitter @Dystoniabook1 and Instagram
I bought all the food for Christmas, it will be just my husband and me and my two grown up sons. I’ve therefore bought only enough food for four people for one day. There’s 4 mince pies, a meal with just enough ingredients for the 4 of us and snacks in the evening that will only last for one ‘Dive in’. Also two 1 hour dog walks are required so that’ll keep us exercised too and away from food.
That’s the plan anyway, will see how it goes.
I love that plan, Hilary! Enjoy it all and savor the “dive in:” 🙂 Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and a happy and healthy 2018!
Wow, Tom, I couldn’t have read this at a better time. I struggle with bingeing and food addiction issues and gave into temptation yesterday. I totally broke down thinking I was a huge failure until my husband told me about all the good I have been trying lately – keeping cauliflower and a healthy dip handy instead of sweets or chips, etc. I am definitely going to meet your challenge!
I’m so glad it helped! I think most of us look at our slip ups, with anything, and forget about all the hard work we put in. Falling back doesn’t mean failure. My father shared a quote with me many years ago when I experienced what seemed like a defeat and it still rings true to me today, “Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
Hi Tom – quite a challenge for all of us! Have shared this link on PainPals reg feature Monday Magic – this week Inspiring Christmas Blogs for You. Claire x
Hi Claire. It is s tough challenge and one I think we will be able to do 🙂 Thanks for sharing it and best wishes to you!
[…] http://www.tomseamancoaching.com/holiday-throwdown-are-you-in/ […]