Holiday Treats or Defeats?

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Lisa Alioto

07 December 2019 24 comments

Cookies, candy, and treats galore! It’s the holiday season and while you are comfortable with your body right now the worries of what the holidays will do to it are starting to make you wonder if you have something to worry about.  So what do you do? How do you keep the holiday as a month of treats and not one of defeats?

First, you can prepare in several ways:

  • You may want to drop a few pounds to prepare for what might be an inevitable weight gain.
  • Start planning how you will handle the extra accessibility to treats – will you only indulge after 5pm or on certain kinds of treats?  Will you limit yourself to weekends or parties?
  • Will you abstain completely (this one is definitely not doable for me!)?

Okay, you are now in the midst of the holiday season and treats are everywhere.  You like where your weight is at but how do you keep it there with all these goodies around?

  • Bump up your gym activity to compensate for the extra calories.
  • Portion control:   Enjoy the goodies, but in moderation.
  • Enjoy the holiday fully and create a post-holiday plan for getting back to the weight you feel comfortable at.

Already, the holidays are over and you managed to gain a bit more pounds then you intended to.  Oh, so easy between the heavy meals and the cakes, cookies, and candies that are EVERYWHERE!  So now what?

  • Create a New Years resolution to join a gym or bump up your current gym activity.  This will not only help with any unwanted weight gain but also improve your overall health.
  • Exercise some extra portion control until you feel that you are back to where you want your weight to be.
  • Maybe this new weight is just fine for you – as they say, carry on!

Whatever you do, enjoy the holidays for all that they are to you and yours.   Know that your weight is your business and only your business – it’s about what’s healthy and comfortable to you, not what societal standards dictate.   And most of all, have fun, fun, fun this holiday season.   Let the joy overwhelm you, gratitude fill your soul, and inner peace find its way to your heart.

Speaking of treats, these deals are perfect for this time of year!

  • Lifestyle

24 thoughts on “Holiday Treats or Defeats?

  1. My access to treats and unhealthy food is always high, so Christmas makes little difference. However, this year, we’re just going to massively cut back on having treats and the like around, so it won’t be an issue

    1. Lisa Alioto

      Good for you! I’m this year’s baker so I am stuck with too many treats at my house. All so tempting! Wish me luck! 🙂

  2. Love the way this is written, and the emphasis that your body is you business, such an important thing to remember over the holidays with all the emphasis on diet cultures.

    http://www.emilyjanebirks.co.uk

    1. So true Emily – it’s what’s right for each individual person, their right, not ours.

  3. So true! Who could resist some baked goodies when it’s all that you get to see. And yes.. everything in moderation is a good reminder.

    Much Love,
    Farzanah Mohamed ♥️

    1. Lisa Alioto

      I hope I can practice moderation – sometimes the treats are just soooo tempting! I think there’s going to be a bit of portion control this season along with post-season eating changes.

  4. Great post. I like how theres a plan involved and dont need to feel bad for enjoying yourself during the festive season. Thank you for sharing!!

    1. Thanks Emma – I’m glad you enjoyed the article!

  5. Hey Lisa! I like the idea of setting limitations on when you can have the treats! Since constant access to treats is a problem for a lot of people, I usually send fruit baskets to friends and family living outside the area. Even though it’s not really a benefit for me, I like to consider that they may enjoy a healthier option. Thanks for the tips, very helpful this time of year!

    1. Fruit baskets – what a wonderful and refreshing idea! LOVE it! Thanks for sharing!

  6. Everything in moderation is a great reminder! I want to be healthy, happy and also enjoy the holidays! I’m not going to pressure myself to ‘diet’ but i’m also not going to go crazy! This is the first year I’m feeling really positive 🙂

    Ashleigh – https://www.ashleighsmoments.com x

    1. I’m so happy for your Ashleigh – that’s what the holidays are all about. Positive, festive feelings!

      LIsa

  7. I think the festive period should be a time off from worrying about a few extra pounds. If you do gain a little it’s likely to come back off when your diet goes back to normal anyway. Obviously don’t eat cake for every meal but a few extra treats for a couple of weeks isn’t going to hurt x

    Sophie

    1. Lisa Alioto

      I agree – enjoy the holiday season while it’s here. It’s not here for long and as you said, once things go back to normal your diet will as well.

  8. Melissa Kacar says:

    This is a great post! I try to eat in moderation while still having fun and eating what I want. Thanks for sharing, happy holidays! 🙂

    Melissakacar.blogspot.com

    1. Happy holidays to you as well Melissa!

  9. Joseph Huang

    Reading this while munching on a batch of Christmas cookies… I’m hopeless. :p

    1. Lisa Alioto

      That is awesome – I hope the cookies are good! Enjoy!

  10. Kimberlie says:

    You are echoing my current thoughts. I normally am strong willed, but for some reason find myself with a sweet tooth lately. Trying to come up with a plan to ensure I don’t go too far off the deep end.

    1. Lisa Alioto

      Me too! Me too Kimberlie! The treats this year seem particularly tempting!

  11. Great reminder post! Yes, you can still enjoy the holidays in using moderation when tempted to indulge in those treats. You can always bring along healthy treats to eat when going to events or parties. Luckily, the holidays don’t last forever, and you can get back to normal eating habits. Your plan is a good one to follow. Thank you for sharing!

    1. Thank you Denise – I appreciate you stopping by and sharing your thoughts! Happy holidays!

  12. I usually munch on healthish snack foods that are out before big dinners (veggie trays, salsa, guac) and then don’t go back for seconds. Typically I eat a bite of my husband’s dessert or share with the toddler. I don’t feel like I’ve overeaten or denied myself anything that way.

    1. That is a wonderful strategy Cassie!! Thanks for sharing!

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