Holiday Eating, an Army of One

by Kris Pitcher

Is anyone else getting nervous about Halloween? The tension seems to already be building and we're still a few weeks out. The potlucks are beginning at work, and the candy dishes are filled. We're in for a long holiday season...and it starts now.

The giant bags of candy are flying off the shelves. You might have already bought one for the trick-or-treaters. What? You opened it? You're not the only one. But those aren't for you. Those tempting snack sized bars are for the children.

It's time to get our defenses up. This means having a plan and sticking to the plan. Remember that 90% of your success happens in the kitchen. Meaning that what you eat and when you eat it makes or breaks your success. The first line of defense is a good offense. (I think, I'm not much of a sports person...)

Eat what you're supposed to eat. Pack your meals and take them with you. When you have what you need you are less likely to succumb to the table of potluck madness at work. Eat on time. Staying on schedule will help you stay satiated and your body will have the nutrition it needs. Eat your snacks. Those "mini meals" are what will get you through the mid morning, and afternoon torture times.

Don't try to "keep up with the Jones'" - you don't have to go along with the crowd where holiday eating is concerned. I don't care what people think when I show up to the potluck with my chicken and broccoli. I'll be darned if I'm going to eat a hot dog just because we're having a tailgate themed party. Gross!

You can still be social. No body knows the difference if you drink a seltzer water with lime or don't drape yourself over the hors d' oeuvres table at the cocktail party. Think ahead, go in with a plan and stick to your plan. You can make it through the season, you are an army of one!