Join Dr. Stacy Heimburger as she shares practical tips for navigating holiday parties while staying on track with your weight loss goals. Discover how to handle tempting treats, social pressures, and find the right balance between enjoying the festivities and maintaining your progress. Tune in for expert advice on making this holiday season both enjoyable and healthy.
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This episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher.
Holiday parties can be a minefield for anyone on a weight loss journey. How do we navigate this holiday season without sacrificing our goals? Welcome back to another episode of "Weight Loss Made Simple." Today, we're tackling a timely topic: holiday parties.
Holiday parties are fun, but they can be a challenge for those of us working on our weight loss journey. Let's face it; these gatherings are filled with temptations—delicious food, sugary drinks, and social pressure to indulge. I've tried various tricks and attended my fair share of holiday parties. Sometimes, despite our best intentions, we find ourselves giving in to temptation. It happens to the best of us.
So, what's the solution? First, let's acknowledge the elephant in the room. Holiday parties are filled with temptations, but here's the key: what works for one party might not work for another. What works for me might not work for you. Instead of sticking rigidly to a plan and then feeling bad when we don't follow it, let's adopt a different approach. Let's be open to experimentation and curiosity this holiday season.
Let's make this holiday season the time when we figure out how to manage these situations for the rest of our lives. Here are some tips and tricks to consider:
- Eat a healthy meal before the party.
- Drink a glass of water between alcoholic drinks.
- If it's a potluck, bring a dish that aligns with your plan.
What we shouldn't do is starve ourselves all day in preparation for a free-for-all at the party. It's not a good plan. Depriving ourselves all day doesn't honor our bodies or our hunger, and the party can turn into a disaster.
Instead, try one of the options I mentioned earlier. Personally, I find it helpful to start with a plan, go to the party, and then pay attention to my urges. For instance, if I planned not to drink but find myself feeling anxious without a drink in my hand, I ask myself why I have that urge. It often stems from anxiety, and recognizing this helps me make better choices.
Food can serve as a shield too. When we have a plate of food, we feel safe. It acts as a barrier between us and any discomfort or social anxiety. But it's essential to be aware of what's really going on. We may be using holiday food and drink to cover up uncomfortable feelings.
To navigate social pressure at these gatherings, keep some pocket phrases ready. For instance:
- "I don't want to drink tonight; I need some sleep."
- "I'm tired, and another drink will affect my sleep. I have to get up early with the kids."
- "That food looks tempting, but I'm not ready to eat yet."
Remember, people usually don't care about our excuses as much as we think they do. I even tried telling my kids that grown-ups don't need to eat cookies, and they accepted it without any fuss. Kids are more understanding than we give them credit for.
So, let's develop and use these pocket phrases to navigate the social dynamics of holiday parties. It's all about finding what works best for you and experimenting with different strategies. Stay curious and open to change this holiday season.