Happy Holidays

     Good evening, Family...  Just stopping by to say I hope you have had and will have a wonderful HOLIDAY.   Thanksgiving and Hannukah have passed, now we are coming up on Christmas, Kwanza, and New Years.  All I can think of is how am I going to get through the next couple of weeks without putting on ANYMORE pounds.   For 6 weeks I was not able to do any cardio exercise and the result of my not doing any, and me being trapped in the house near the kitchen ALL day, was an added 4-1/2 pounds...Frustrated...   But ALL I can do is get up and get started, again.

     Now, if you are like me, I am sure that there have been many celebrations during the last few weeks and will continue until the end of the year.  I have eaten more cookies in the last 30 days than I had eaten in  the previous 6 months.  So, I am here to try to ENCOURAGE YOU (and Myself) to be mindful of what and how much we are eating.   I KNOW, easier said than done.  Trust me, when I say I am not trying to tell YOU what to do, I am just making some suggestions, because at the end of the day, YOU are going to DO YOU... 

     Remember:

•      Load up on WATER...  It will help to fill you, so when it's time for the big meal you won't feel the need to have E'RETHING that is available on the dinner table.  In addition, it may help with the cravings that will come your way when someone pulls out another cake or pie.
•      Eat, eat, and eat those raw veggies and fruits for your snacks between meals.  Save that much WANTED piece of cake, pie, candy, cookie, whatever for later. 
•      MEALTIME, load your plate with plenty of meat (protein) and veggies.  Let someone else have the mashed potatoes, macaroni/cheese, and sweet potato fluff.  Ok, if you must, GO small on those items and NO SECONDS.
•      DO NOT SKIP your breakfast and lunch in anticipation of "the big dinner".  Rumor has it that skipping meals will only make you overeat in the end.
•      Alternate your liquor with the non-liquor.  You ALL know alcohol is loaded with "empty calories".  Empty, because you don't even get a full feeling after drinking.  What you get is a little buzz, that usually makes you WANT to eat more.  So have some seltzer water, water, diet soda, between alcoholic drinks. 
•      Don't be afraid to do a little exercise.   Can you get a little walk in before or after your party?  I'm just asking?    

     Fam,  ENJOY your holidays.  Don't set some unrealstic goal of fasting and starving yourelf, because if you are like me, it ain't gonna happen.   If your primary exercise activity is placed on hold because the facility is closed, find some other activity to get your heart rate up--you can ALWAYS walk up and down the stairs for several 15 minute intervals or walk at the mall before business hours.

     Let's get our minds right, Family.  January 1st is right around the corner and I KNOW there are some resolutions being formulated RIGHT NOW to get ready for healthy for the NEW YEAR...  SMOOCHES...