Heather's Healthy Holiday Habits....

Continuing on with my own tips, let's review...

1. Choose to forgive this Christmas and, in turn, Be forgiven....

Are you making steps in the right direction? Have you pinpointed who you need to forgive?

My second tip for a healthy holiday season is....

2. Eat mindfully....

Ask yourself, "why am I eating this?" If the reason is only because it's sitting there, then avoid it and eat something you want to eat. I guarantee that if you choose to eat the item that looks more fulfilling to you, you will eat less!

There are many times around the holidays we eat, just to eat. Nostalgia, guilt...whatever the reason, we eat a lot...and, most of us feel guilty after eating. Remember, this challenge is a lifestyle, not just a fad, or a phase. We need to focus on our own health first and foremost, then on our weight!

Another way to eat mindfully is to choose what YOU want to eat, not what your Aunt Hilda is pushing on you. YOU and only YOU can control what you put into your mouth. Your taste buds are different than mine, your mouth salivates at different foods than mine does, etc. Aunt Hilda looks at you and thinks you look hungry and need to eat more....you make the decision to be mindful. No one knows your body, like you do! And, remember, what a great body it is!

While being mindful, remember that there are things that will make your body work better! The more sugar you eat, the more ups and downs you will feel over the next few weeks. The more protein and complex carbs you eat, the more energy you'll have and you'll be satisfied longer. As you're thinking about what you REALLY want to eat, allow these things to play a part in your decision!

I spent so many years of my life allowing everything other than ME to determine what I was going to eat. I worried what family members would think if they saw me eat something. I now ask myself what I want to eat, what I should eat, but also what is best for my body at that moment. The Lord has created my body in such a magnificent way that it knows exactly what it needs, when! How cool is that??