How to SURVIVE THE Holidays Without Blowing Your Diet!

​It’s that time of year again, when family and friends gather together to enjoy traditional meals and cheers the occasion with wine and beer.

That’s right, it’s Thanksgiving in Canada!

And I wanted to post a few helpful tips to keep you from blowing your diet this weekend!

I totally get the temptation, I really do. Holidays can be challenging even in the best circumstances (we all have that one family member that leads us to drink, right?), but when your trying to reach a weight loss goal, it means this type of get-together is even more challenging.
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Here’s some helpful tips to help get you through the weekend with both your sanity AND your waistline in check

1. Plan Ahead

Do not, I repeat DO NOT show up at the party without something “diet approved” in your hands. It’s not to say that you can’t eat what’s being prepared, but you don’t want to sit down and find yourself staring at a table full of food you can’t eat.

I always bring a dish or two that I know I can eat and others will enjoy as well. If you’re concerned the host will be offended, give them a call the day before and ask if you can bring something. Just be honest. Let them know that you're working towards a goal and you want to stay accountant.
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Honestly, I have yet to show up to a party with food in my hands and have the host be upset with me. Most people appreciate the gesture.

 2. Don’t Overflow Your Plate

Just because it’s a holiday doesn’t mean you should eat 2-3 times more than your body needs. We’ve all done it, and you know exactly how you feel afterwards – you feel like a big stuffed, bloated pig and you hate yourself for it, right?

So, don’t do it!

Just eat how you normally would. It’s Thanksgiving, not your last supper!  I’ll even give you an easy way to plate your meal for success:

Fill half your plate with raw and/or cooked vegetables.
The other half should be 1 portion of protein and 1 portion of carbohydrates
(both the size of your palm).
You also want to add 2 tbsp. of healthy fat
​(for example, butter on your veggies).

​​Skip the dinner roll, gravy and all the other fixings that will just make you feel bloated. Trust me, you’ll thank me when everyone else looks uncomfortable, bloated and tired and you’re sitting all tall and empowered beside them.

3. Ignore the Comments

There’s always going to be that one “crab in the bucket” so the faster you learn how to deal with the comments, the better.
 
You know who I’m talking about, right? The person who says, “Oh, you can eat just one cookie. Try it!” OR “What? you don’t need to lose weight, what are you talking about…eat!” OR “But it’s Thanksgiving, you should treat yourself.”

Ignore them!
 
Do you want to know what a treat is?
 
“Not feeling like you have to unbutton your pants because your afraid people can see your muffin top.”
 
Now, THAT’S a treat!

Here’s the thing, some people can’t handle watching other people succeed. It brings light to the fact that they haven’t been able to take control of their own life and it makes them feel uncomfortable.
 
Just smile and say, “Thank you. Everything looks delicious, but I’m good.” Then immediately switch the conversation to, LITERALLY ANYTHING, besides what you’re eating.
 
[HOT TIP] Ask them about their kids or pets. People LOVE IT when you show interest in this area of their life!

4. Don’t Be a Booze Hound

If you want to have 1 or 2 drinks with dinner, that’s acceptable, but don’t finish the bottle, OK?

Alcohol is SUGAR which means it’s going straight to your fat cells if you don’t burn off
the excess calories and I don’t know about you, but ​I’m not in the habit of going for a run after I attend a social gathering.

I also recommend drinking a glass of water for every glass of alcohol you consume.
​Alcohol + Dehydration = Hunger which leads to…. oh, I don’t know….2 pieces of cake!

 Let’s not go there, OK?
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In the end, I just want you to get through this weekend feeling empowered. I want you to be able to attend social gatherings with the confidence and determination to stay true to your goals. ​

You made the commitment to become the best version of yourself, so don’t welsh on your promise, OK?

One final thought.
Remember that after the party (when everyone else is gone) you’ll be left with just you. So, tell me this:

What’s More Important?
 
Eating a bunch of food to satisfy your need to fit in and make other people happy? Or staying true to your word and your commitment to yourself so you can look in the mirror and say,

“F**K Yeah! I’m unstoppable!”

Happy Thanksgiving Beautiful!
 
To Health and Happiness,
Carmen Lisa xo