Well it is Christmas again. Laurance and I were going to go to New Mexico for the holidays but I am still too sore from my accident in July, so we opted to stay home this year. Now, I am stressing to get our home together for the day. I used to love Christmas, but anymore I find it to be so frustrating. Every year I constantly find myself struggling to strike everyone off of my gift list; like so many others I always tend to put everything off to the last minute. Given the financial crisis I am doing a lot of baking this year, which makes me a pretty sorry example for weight management/loss, but I love to bake and cook; I do not know what is more fun creating it or eating it.
Stress can be very fattening around this time of year; therefore, I have developed a process for dealing with all of it.
Before I start the cooking process, I make sure that I have done at least 10-minutes of exercise, even if I am just doing some simple yoga stretches, it is very helpful in getting my focus in place and keeping it there. Secondly, I try to make sure that I eat something healthy to fill me up, so that I will not nibble; a smoothie is a great way to go when you are busy and trying to avoid making a mess. Third, I make sure that my cooking space is clear and clean, and the dishwasher is empty; this helps me to avoid a huge mess later on. Fourth, I gather together the necessary equipment for my baking process. Fifth, I measure all of my ingredients ahead of time; believe it or not this fifth step makes the process go much faster, and makes clean up a breeze. Not to mention, I have found that by gathering everything first, I nibble less. Organization really does make for a great appetite suppressant.
My process may not work for everyone. I follow to keep me from gaining weight over the holiday season; I have never found it very useful in helping me to lose weight, but it certainly helps me to keep from packing on pounds before the day of the feast. One thing I still enjoy about the holidays is the festivities. I love to eat; therefore, I am going to gain weight. Nonetheless, if I can manage to keep from gaining any up to the day, then I am more apt to be able to take it off within a few short weeks after.
Good luck to everyone this Christmas, and remember resolutions are just around the corner...
Stretch Kelly fat cat poster was designed by Lowell Hererro, and is available at All Posters.com
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