One of the Nations Top Health Counselor's top 10 holiday survival list!

Hey Everbody,

I have a special treat for you today! Below is a helpful list of tips to stay healthy though the holidays from Alice Cale, Integrative Health Counselor.


TOP TEN TIPS
"STAYING HEALTHY THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS"
by Alice Cale

ONE
SET YOUR INTENTIONS
GET YOUR GAME ON!
This is truly time to get ready - set - go! You know what your usual Holiday traps are. Be diligent and don’t fall into those usual pitfalls. Throw yourself a lifeline in advance.

TWO
GO FOR THE GOOD STUFF
This is an excellent way to cut your calorie count in half. When you’re setting intentions advise yourself well. Be prepared to reach for the veggies to sample the dips – avoid the chips and crackers. Small steps make a huge difference in the long run. And that Holiday sprint from November to January 1st can be a marathon!

THREE
PORTIONS! PORTIONS! PORTIONS!
A cup, A slice, A serving. Plate selection is a great way to keep your portion sizes small. You can taste so many things if you’ve made that intention to keep the portions in check. Here’s where tip one comes into play – be Ready, Set your sizes and Go for a little of what you like most.

FOUR
WATCH YOUR STRESS LEVELS & EXERCISE!
As stress adds up it’s easy to over eat. Many times when you reach for food in a stressful moment you’re really looking for a TIME OUT from the stress. Ideally if you could step out of the moment and lower the stress you’d keep your hand out of the cookie jar or better yet that cookie batter! Learn to recognize when you’re reaching for food to zone out stress. Don't slack off on your exercise routine – keep the momentum.

FIVE
AFFIRMATIONS
In the kitchen or at your work desk, put notes to yourself anywhere it will help. Maybe a picture of that dress (or suit) you’d like to wear in the Spring. My favorite saying is “ I love the recklessness of faith. First you leap and then you grow wings” This can apply to any goal you have and certainly enjoying a healthy holiday fits the bill. Have faith that you’ll make it through this year feeling healthier than before.

SIX
FIND A BUDDY
Having trouble keeping yourself on track? Finding someone who will make you accountable for your actions can really aid in reaching your goals. Talk over anything that comes to mind such as stress, how to cut your holiday tasks to a manageable list and where you feel you’ll get off track. Friends are great motivators – especially if you find yourselves at the same festivities!

SEVEN
DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP
REGROUP! If you find you’re not in the place you want to be identify, acknowledge and honor your actions. It will not keep you on track to be judgmental. Honor that you enjoyed yourself and move on. Make your next move a good one and don’t forget to laugh WITH yourself.

EIGHT
FREEZE THE GIFT GOODIES
The key here is treat yourself at a better time. When the gift goodies start to MOUND on the kitchen counter move them in individual portions to the freezer. You could be flush in deserts until JUNE. OR if you can’t keep yourself from defrosting those recently frozen portions, share them!

NINE
PRE PARTY PLAN
When you’re expecting you’ll be tempted to overindulge – don’t forget breakfast and lunch to make up for the nights adventure. Plan on arriving with a well fueled body - Just one taste at the buffet table will send you into overdrive if you’ve starved yourself all day.

TEN !!
THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY MEAL PLAN
This was suggested at a Sugar Blues workshop and is best understood in story form.
An up and coming model asked her Health Counselor to help her come up with a plan for not Gaining Weight through the holidays. She had tried many times and always added on the pounds at family get togethers and was dreading the next occasion. Her counselor told her to pick one thing that she REALLY enjoyed from the meal. NO Contest - her Aunt’s pecan pie. She was advised to pass up the heavy weight parts of the meal (or really small portions) and to lust after that pie. She followed that direction to the extent of visiting the pecan pie before dinner! She smelled it and enjoyed the thought of how much she was looking forward to a nice big piece. She followed her plan through the meal and then enjoyed a very generous slice for dessert. She continued throughout and wound up loosing 5 pounds by the end of her stay. TRY IT- IT WORKS !

COMPLIMENTS OF
NEW ENGLAND INTEGRATIVE HEALTH COUNSELING
NewEnglandIntegrativeHealthCounseling.com


Yours In Fitness,

Steve Krebs