This time of year many of us want kick the diet to curb and go back to dieting once the festivities pass. Grandma’s rum cake only comes but once a year and we don’t want to miss out. Who can blame us? Who out there can resist glasses of egg nog, truffles, cheesecake, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and holiday treats that lure us in with a siren call?
The reality is your body does not know or care it is a holiday and it will be a whole year before you will see Great Aunt Millie and her cheesy potatoes. Your body does not convert candy cards into energy bars. Your body will treat the sugar plums like the sugar it is so leave them dancing in your head. One night of sugar and fat will make waking up the next morning something to hang your head in shame from. Calories never take a vacation. Weight gain will happen with tinsel on the tree, turkeys on the table, or chocolate eggs in the basket. If only, calories would take a holiday.
There is no need to resign yourself to carrot sticks and celery this Christmas. Even if the fat and calories still loom there is good news. The good news is that you do not have to overeat. I know, that sounded snide but let’s face it, we love to overeat during the holidays. It is almost a holiday rite of passage to eat until you have to unbutton the top button of your pants. This year, show some restraint and remember less is more. The less you eat of one yummy dessert the more calories you can expend on another yummy dessert. Make yourself a sampler plate of all the foods and desserts that appeal to you. You will eat less, feel full, and satisfied.