Battle the “Winter Fluff”!
The dreaded holiday season is here, and your pants are still a bit snug (COVID weight is REAL!)… But, at To Your Health and Wellness, LLC. – we can help you maintain your health, weight and overall mood with our wellness services! Do you avoid the parties, put your blinders on while walking through the grocery isles, and hope that those little crumbs you nibbled off your child’s plate didn’t count?
Or maybe you skip meals because, in your best efforts not to eat this or that, you’ve managed to sample a little bit of everything rather than enjoying a simple slice of cake. When your attitude is all about food, that’s where the trouble begins. Your mind keeps cycling through the shouldn’t-haves or must avoids (or ‘I’ve got to make up for that decadent brownie.’). The cycle is vicious! Instead of responding to little hiccups in your diet, find balance throughout the day and listen to your hunger cues.
How can you possibly be enjoying yourself this season when all you can think about is food (and what not to eat)? Food should be eaten and enjoyed. Feeling guilty for eating a (small) piece of chocolate or cookie doesn’t serve anyone! Limiting food choices doesn’t work! What works is focusing of choosing a wide variety of healthy, whole foods!
My patients will often hear me say focus on healthy wins, rather than focus on the scale. Even if the scale DOESN’T move…. that’s a WIN!
During Holidays, events and when “dieting”… Many patients avoid certain food groups, like carbs, only to find themselves giving up and raiding the fridge or pantry later! If you want a treat, THAT IS OK! Enjoy it, don’t gobble it up or eat it in the closet. Have a bite or taste and enjoy it without punishing yourself! Being mindful is key. Experience the taste, smell, and texture of the food. Enjoy it, and always leave a little on your plate… even if it’s ONE bite! (forget the clean-plate club we were taught!). Keep your portions reasonable. If you find yourself wanting to go back for seconds or thirds, find other things to take your mind off of the food like getting a family board game together!
Not everything about this holiday season has to focus on food! Make time with friends and family that doesn’t involve food or cocktails.
Here are some take home tips (So you have some cake and feel good too!):
· Remember that this is not the last time you’ll get to eat doughnuts, cookies or other treats. (You don’t have to try them all.) Just because they are there, doesn’t mean you HAVE to have it!
· Skip the “run of the mill” treats like boxed brownies or store bought cookies. Save your calories for the good stuff you’ll only get once a year like homemade fudge or other treat you truly desire.
· Allow yourself to enjoy a treat, but do so mindfully.
· Work treats into your meal plan.
· Aim to MAINTAIN weight this season and don’t focus on the scale.
· Dump the idea of banning foods.
· Embrace the notion of choosing to eat all foods in moderation.
· Respect your food and your body.
· Make friends with people and not the buffet table.
· Take some hikes outside, volunteer in your community or put up holiday decorations with your friends and family
· Sip on hot low sugar beverages like lemon water with honey or green tea!
Thinking you can’t resist the urge? Contact our office today at 352-363-1034 to get started with our weight loss plan – a medically guided service to help you lose weight, establish a healthy relationship with food and exercise and live HEALTHY! We have over 80 easy to follow diet plans that won’t leave you hungry, as well as support and pharmacological interventions to battle the most difficult season for some people! Let us help you get rid of or prevent the “winter fluff”!
Try our weekly B12/fat burning injections that help with energy, weight loss and cravings… Guess what… that sugar you are craving is actually you craving energy!! We can help with decreasing CRAVINGS AND increasing ENERGY!
Your weight gain, fatigue and cravings could be a hormone issue! Let us check your hormones and help you fix that broken cog in your “wellness wheel” that is preventing you from living healthy!
Ready to start the new year with a NEW focus on HEALTH? Our Direct Primary Care can help you with access to weight loss, wellness, urgent care and DIRECT access to your provider, when YOU need it!
