I hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving yesterday (assuming you are in the States). I did. One of the very best. Before we even finished our pumpkin pie, the shelves were being stocked with candy canes and mistletoe. I’m not complaining. The holidays are my favorite time of year. They bring me back to the time when I was a kid and things were easy, fun and magical.  A time when Santa was real and we believed we could be anything. Many of us have come to believe that the holidays are guaranteed times of craziness and gluttony. Let go of that. It’s old. Negativity and holding feelings in is bad for your health- just as much if not more than over-eating and drinking yourself through the holidays. With a little damage control now, we can save ourselves the trouble of picking up the pieces in January.

10 TRIED & TRUE TIPS TO STAY SLIM AND SANE OVER THE HOLIDAYS

1. The holidays, like birthdays, are a time of rebirth. Old junk will invariably come up during this time so we need to observe the junk, honor the junk and then send it packing. Take this opportunity to let the past go.
2. Let that inner child out during the holidays. We were born pure, feeling and living in pure love. As we grow up (and I believe we are always growing up – bigger and better), we are triggered by past hurts and fears and the holidays bring out that energy tenfold. Think back to a time when there was no fear, no hurt and no guilt, just love, and stay in that moment. Find time to laugh so hard you pee your pants – seriously. My sister is in town this weekend and she makes me laugh that hard. Thanks BB.
3. You will likely be drinking heavily during these times so be sure to down one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage. This will result in multiple trips to the bathroom taking you away from family. This will also give them a little break from you which they will likely appreciate.
4. Do not and I repeat DO NOT talk politics with family and friends over the holidays. This should be a no go subject. My dad and I already agreed we will leave politics at the door. Amen.
5. Be open to new people, new friendships and new possibilities. Aren’t you tired of being who and what you should be rather than what you want to be? Be who you are at your core. Let yourself go – fly.
6.  A sure way to achieve a sense of childlike bliss is to watch the classic holiday specials and play holiday music. As I write this, I’ve got Christmas music on. Click here for the tv schedule of the Christmas classics playing from now through December 25th. There is nothing a little Burl Ives can’t cure. For those of other faiths, I’m sure there are equally uplifting holiday tv specials and music to put you in the holiday mood. Who doesn’t love holidays and traditions? It’s normally a time of relative peace save the expected family feud or two, but that’s all part of the holiday program. We make up, we eat, we eat more, we drink, we move on. #3 and #7 are essential tips to live by during these times.
7. Remember to bring your own healthy-ish dishes to the party. Indulge in some of your own homemade grub. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to have to run extra miles in January to get back into my skinny jeans. Check out these recipes to get you through – Butternut Pesto Pasta, Sweet Vegetables, and No Bake Raspberry Fudge.
8. When the going gets rough, watch this SNL skit on holiday family dinners and have Adele at the ready should a ruckus break out.
9. Incorporate a little more exercise into your daily routine especially during the holidays. I’m training to walk the Camino de Santiago in May so I’m covered in the exercise department(we will be walking 15 miles a day!) but still make an effort to take the stairs, park as far away from my destination as possible (notice all the free spaces in the back at Costco) and practice healthy tricks to stay in shape. Click here for a prior post on staying in shape at the office. These tricks work in most every situation.
10. Finally, remember that you can be anything. If you are not living your dream and your truth now, take this time to get clear on what or who it is you want to be – no holds barred – and write it down. Put it in a place you will see often. You will soon notice your life moving towards that end.

The end.

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