How to survive the holidays

Question: Emily, How can I survive the holidays??
Answer: (you aren't going to like this) Stop making excuses and meet your goals.

The truth is, there isn't some magic answer. You set goals, now meet them! Turn this excuse "the holidays" into an opportunity to truly challenge yourself and see what you are made of. The good thing about the holidays is that they will be here again next year (unless the Mayans are correct). I learned that once you meet your goals that you can incorporate more "fun meals" (blog to come later on fun meals) into your new way of eating. So next year you can eat more (not too much more) fudge or pumpkin pie. This year, lets focus on our goal at hand.

Prepare yourself: You know that everyone and their mother are going to be baking goodies and bringing them to your house or to work for you. Go ahead and tell yourself that you aren't going to eat them. Know that your chocolate bliss will only last for a few seconds, until you feel the guilt come over you and your mind saying, "Why did I eat that?" You will think of the hours of hard work and sweat that you put into that week go right out the window. You will feel bad. But I know a way to feel good! Say no! It is so empowering. Walk past the cookies in the break room and have the satisfaction of the transformation that you are making. What is in a cookie? Flour, sugar and butter! You don't need it. It will do nothing positive for you except give happiness for about 30 seconds.

"But I don't want to be rude." Let me guess, your boss brought you her signature fudge in and made some especially for you since she remembered you loved it last year. Take the fudge. When she leaves, put it in the trash or take it home and trash it. She will never know. This way you can avoid the "oh come on eat it" conversation. Then take pride in the fact that you chose not to eat it.

"We are having a team thanksgiving luncheon, so I have to eat with everyone." No you don't. Here are options: 1. prepare your own lunch and just eat it while everyone else eats the thanksgiving meal. 2. bring a healthy option. You can have the turkey. Bring something healthy for a side. This will inspire others to eat healthy and you won't starve and can participate.

"This meal happens once a year, I can't say no." Well guess what? You don't have to. Pick 1 meal during thanksgiving. You will eat thanksgiving dinner a bunch: work, friends-giving, mom's side, dad's side, etc. Pick one meal and feast!! This is a "fun meal." So you can have fun with this. Don't miss out on the joys of life. You can splurge. Just don't splurge 10 times in one week. Keep it at one time per week and only one meal, not all day. And remember to drink your water during these meals. I don't even want to imagine the amount of salt used.

So how can you survive? Stop using "the holidays" as your big excuse. If you use it, you WILL NOT meet your goals. This will be hard. I know! I am going to do it and will post my meals on here every day so we can do it together. Be proud of what you are doing. Challenge yourself. Can you say no? Do you have what it takes to meet your goals? Remember Integrity is what you do when no one is looking. We may not know if you go off track but you will and your results will show. Bring it!