Eat, Drink and be Merry
It’s that time of year again. Christmas is all around and following in its wake; year-end parties; festive get-togethers, chocolates, cakes, treats and tipples. Overindulgence and Christmas have become sadly synonymous.
The health industry today is BIG business. Magazines, gym memberships, sportswear, health food, recipe books, smoothie bars, the list stretches are a far as the day is long. The majority of us want to look better, feel stronger and live longer. All the resources are out there if only we’re willing to put in the work. The choice is ours, that is, any time of the year except the holidays. With the onset of the festive period, it’s almost a foregone conclusion that the healthy choices will fly out the window and be replaced by the consumption of far more than is actually good for us.
Things to keep in mind
With food at every turn, how do you stick to your guns, make the right choices and enjoying the festive season without stuffing yourself like the proverbial turkey?
* Don’t starve – It may sound ridiculous but by making sure you eat regularly and don’t skip meals, it will be easier for you to keep control of the amount of food you are eating. So instead of starving yourself before a big party and arriving hungry, make sure you’re eating as you normally would so you’re not ravenous by the time you get to the front door.
* Eat when you’re hungry – It may sound like a contradiction to the previous point, but the two go hand in hand. During the festive season there is food a plenty and after a blow out breakfast, it’s very possible that when lunch rolls around you’re still full up from your morning meal. If you’re not hungry at lunchtime, don’t eat. Just because your watch says it’s time for food, if your body doesn’t need it take a break.
* Look after your emotional health – The holiday period can be stressful. There’s a lot of activities and sometimes pressure in making sure Christmas lives up to everyone’s expectations. Making sure you’re not stressed out or overtired is a good way to keep a handle on your emotional wellbeing and control comfort eating.
* Smaller portions – It’s hard to pass up your favourite treat, especially if it’s something that you only get at Christmas (I’m a sucker for mince pies). Instead of torturing yourself and refusing all the yummy bites, exercise portion control. Have one of something instead of five or treat yourself to something sweet every other day. You don’t have to go without, just remember that less is more.
More than just good intentions
The book of Proverbs tells us that ‘A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.’ Good intentions are worth very little without a good measure of self-control, but with a bit of forward thinking, you can set boundaries concerning your eating habits and can enjoy this Christmas season with losing control of your eating.
If you would like to know more about what the bible teaches on self-control, please click the link below.