I'm a survivor!

Just read a cool article on People.com on surviving the holidays and not eating yourself crazy! The blog is by Celeb trainer Harley Pasternak

Hellooo Harvey! Buff much?

He had some really great tips, a survival guide I will be using for sure! Check it out!

1. Never Show Up Hungry!

One of the most common mistakes people make is starving themselves all day and "saving their calories" for a big dinner and dessert. This can backfire on you in a number of important ways. If you arrive starving, you're going to eat whatever's in sight. Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day helps you avoid showing up ravenous and actually speeds up your metabolism.

2. Our Eyes are Bigger than Our Stomachs

Studies show that the larger the plate or bowl we use, the more we eat. Using a smaller plate, like a salad plate, for dinner will really help you be aware of your portion sizes and help you eat less as a result.

3. Go Easy on the Alcohol

I'm not being a total Scrooge and saying you can't have a drink or two, I'm just suggesting that you be careful. Not only are alcoholic drinks loaded with calories that don't fill us up (and I mean loaded – 1 cup of eggnog can have 350 calories and 19 grams of fat!), but they also lower our inhibitions, which can lead to mindless eating. Good alternatives to traditional egg nog are Silk's Soymilk Nog (180 calories and 4g of fat per cup), or Vitasoy's Holly Nog (120 calories and 2g of fat).  

4. Be Selective with the Sweets

When it comes to the dessert table, stick to your favorites. Don't waste calories on those pecan sandies that you only sort-of like. Try to really savor each bite of the ones you pick.

5. Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Instead of standing by the table where all the treats are laid out, hang out in another room or farther away from the temptation. Better yet, bring the treats out for dessert only and then put them away. If they're not sitting out, you're less likely to mindlessly graze all night.

6. Keep Moving

Stay active during the holidays. Take a walk with your family to see the neighbors' decorations, or take a brisk walk around the block with your friends. Walking after a meal can burn calories and even aid in digestion. Don't, however, fall for the “I'll exercise it off later” routine. Going for a run today does not compensate for the three extra helpings you ate yesterday. In fact, sudden bouts of activity to compensate for extra calorie intake can actually increase your hunger while increasing your likelihood for injury. 

Back, Back, Forth and Forth...and forth, and forth

This can sometimes be the way of the weight loss...one step forward, two steps back. It's frustrating! Especially for us women! We bloat, we drop the water weight  and then we bloat some more.  But it is what it is. 

So how do we deal with this fluctuation roller coaster of pain and misery!

Well, first, stay off the scale! All that does is drive us nuts! As women, we fluctuate naturally for day to day. One day you will be down 4 pounds and the next day up 6! It's just part of being a chick! The sooner we come to grips with it the better life will be. LOL

Secondly, come to terms with the fact that your diet is going to cause changes in your weight. Even if you think you are not eating that bad, you need to evaluate everything you intake. How much sodium are you ingesting on a daily basis? Are you getting the accurate amount of water? Are you getting enough fiber? Enough protein? As much as exercise will help you drop weight, eating right, will help you drop even more. And the cleaner you eat and drink, the less toxins are in you system, making you look and feel better!

Know the importance of H2O! Because the body is about 60% water, fluctuations in your hydration levels can change the number on a scale. If you’re dehydrated or have eaten too much salt, your body may actually retain water, which can cause scale weight to creep up. Similarly, many women retain water during menstrual cycles, which is another thing that can make that number change.

Lastly, if you have been working out and eating right, remember, muscle weighs more than fat! Trust me, I have to think about that too. It's like, I look smaller, but I gained weight! WHAT! NOOOOOO....But what I fail to see is that by working out I am developing lean muscle, which though it weighs more, is good! This is the result you want, the conversion of fat to muscle! But this doesn't happen overnight, so if you want a quick fix, you're going to be sorely disappointed. 

The most important thing you can do is keep moving forward. Stresses of life, love, work, you name it, will inevitably come and get you off your game. But don't let it keep you off your game. Regain your focus and get back in it! You can do anything you set your mind to. Just keep going!