23 Nov Tip 77-How to Stop Overeating This Holiday Season (tip#6)

When I was overweight and unhealthy, holidays were tough for me. While I loved the family time, I found the food really challenging. As I mentioned last week, I never felt full, so I thought about food all the time. Of course this makes the holidays a real challenge! When I thought about parties, I found myself looking more forward to hitting the buffet than visiting with friends. Food was always on my mind and quite honestly, I felt like my thoughts of food were taking over my life.

I had to get a handle on my “holiday appetite”! After years of trying different types of programs to manage my holiday overeating, I finally achieved success. Here is what I now do before a party, holiday or any other event where I might be tempted to gorge.

• Exercise in the morning. I always walk or jog on the day of a “food event”. The exercise will boost my endorphins, which gives me more control over my appetite throughout the day. Even 15 minutes of exercise can be helpful.
• Protein in the morning. I eat a high protein breakfast on the day of an event. The protein will help to prevent sugar cravings later in the day. The protein will also fill up my tummy for a few hours, helping me to stay away from the appetizer tray. My favorite breakfast? An egg(s) and toast.
• Eat a high fiber snack an hour before the meal. The fiber content will fill me up, allowing me to be more focused on friends than food. I will usually slice up an apple and snack on it as I’m getting ready.

Here are a few more tips:

Don’t wear pants that have an elastic waistband! Most of us will eat to “fill the space”, so wear pants with a belt.

I try to have a cup of hot herbal tea or decaf coffee in my hand. The hot liquid helps to kill my appetite. This allows me to slow down and really enjoy my food.

Drink enough water. I start my day with at least 8 ounces of water and I drink water throughout the day. Dehydration can enhance the feelings of “hunger”. So, staying hydrated can help you feel full. Not sure how much water you should be drinking? Look in the toilet bowl! Your urine should look almost clear. If your urine is dark orange, you are probably dehydrated (or you’ve just taken some vitamins).

Happy Thanksgiving!