Five Healthy Ways to Ring in the New Year

You’re going to start your New Year's Resolutions at midnight, right? How about getting an early start to 2010's resolutions on the 31st instead? Here are five great ways to make your New Year’s celebration one of health and happiness instead of headaches and hangovers.

• Start the day with an outdoor holiday activity. Skating, skiing, and walking are great ways kick your new fitness goals into gear.

• Host a “New Year's Resolution Potluck.” Have friends and family bring over their favorite healthy dishes, or prepare some new healthy dishes everyone wants to try. It’s important to have a balanced meal before any celebrating. This will support  healthy blood sugar levels, and will keep you from snacking quite so much before the night is through.

• Serve lighter versions of festive drinks. Drink spritzers with soda water instead of straight wine. Provide mixes such as 100% cranberry, orange, and pineapple juice instead of soda. Offer hydrating alternatives like coconut water, squashed water (berries and lime slices muddles in sparkling water), or herbal seasonal teas. And have lots of plain ol' water available. If you must drink alcoholic beverages, remember to "double fist": wine in one hand, water in the other.

• Plan active party activities. Dancing, Twister, even a lively game of charades will keep everyone active (and away from grazing at the buffet).

• Before bed on any festive evening, enjoy a big glass of water with a multi-vitamin and mineral. Take extra vitamin C to provide antioxidants that help prevent hangovers.

By following some of these holiday tips, your new year will start with a positive attitude and a symptom-free day!

How to stay positive in 2010

In this ever-changing world, it's important to have energy, enthusiasm, and optimism in every area of our lives to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. How we approach living and feeling about ourselves regarding health issues, relationships, career, family, and finances reflects back into our life as a life experience. That is why it's so important to be conscious of where we focus our attention and identify areas in our life that are negative.

Doing a little self assessment will enable you to evaluate where you are right now and where you would like to go in 2010. Do you want to live in fear or fulfillment? To create a life that is balanced you need a solid foundation built on positive thinking, optimism, and a healthy lifestyle. To create a life that is built on fear-based thinking is to live a life of limitations, worry, anxiety, and disease. You attract into your life what you consistently think, feel, and act upon.

Is it possible to lose weight over the holidays?

Weight release is possible at any time, depending on your priorities and your version of "holiday." For some people, the holiday season means extra stress, hectic schedules, and lots of get-togethers full of temptations.

For others, it means time off of work, relaxation, exercise, and enjoyment of healthy food and cooking. Depending where you see yourself in this spectrum will determine if your goals can include weight loss, or if it would be more reasonable to aim for weight maintenance.

Take a look at some of these scenarios, and see which ones are applicable to you.

Guilt-free alternatives for holiday indulgences: Tip 8

To wrap up my "Guilt-free" series, I saved the best for last to help you enjoy the holiday season.

Today's tip: Don't give up.

One day of overeating will not cancel out your entire weight management program, nor will it make you gain weight. You would have to overeat regularly to gain weight. So if you overindulge at a holiday meal, let it go and get on with the fun.

Have a happy holiday without guilt or despair! The holidays are a time of family get togethers, religious celebrations, and enjoying the spirit of goodwill.

Happy holiday eating!

Tips to help you get through the holidays without weight gain

The holidays always seem to fly by. It’s no wonder so many people find it to be a struggle to maintain, or dare I say it, lose weight over the festive season. The holidays run for so long, it stretches the will power pretty thin.

Here are five things to consider in order to not just get through, but to enjoy your holiday season.

Guilt-free alternatives for holiday indulgences: Tip 7

Do something out of the ordinary to start your Monday off during this holiday season. Creating new routines in the winter is a good way to mix things up. This leads me to the next tip in my "Guilt-free" series.

Today's tip: Start a new family tradition around the holidays.

Start planning outings instead of planning meals. A fun event will be remembered by everyone. Arrange a skating party, or tobogganing, maybe cross-country skiing, and make sure to bring along a thermos of hot herbal tea or hot cider to keep everyone warm.

If that's not possible, how about a nice family walk after dinner where you can admire all the Christmas lights and decorations on the homes in your neighborhood. Make the focus on burning calories, not eating them.

Guilt-free alternatives for holiday indulgences: Tip 6

Around the holidays, people are so concerned about gaining weight that won't fully enjoy their holiday. That brings me to todays tip in my "Guilt-free" series.

Today's tip: Choose wisely.

Stop thinking that your favorite holiday foods have to be off limit. No food will make you gain weight unless you eat too much of it. A simple way to enjoy your holiday treats is to eat them in smaller portions. Usually the taste is enough to satisfy a craving.

Denying a craving can actually make the it worse, so indulge, just don’t overindulge. I recommend the 4-bite rule. Anywhere between 2 – 4 bites usually curbs the craving and leaves you satisfied. So enjoy, just do it in moderation.

The secret to holiday weight loss

Do you feel it's a constant struggle to maintain your weight around the holidays? You're afraid you will spiral out of control and eat your way to the dreaded, but familiar, holiday weight gain syndrome? 

Do you think you're destined to struggle with your weight forever and that is simply the way it is?

Do you allow old beliefs and patterns to take over your mind when you join in the family celebrations?

No doubt you have a basket full with excuses and reasons why you can and will overeat during the holidays, and then attempt to gain back control come Jan. 2.

5 health-savvy gifts under $50

Is your significant other still asking you what you want for Christmas? Wouldn't it be nice to get something that supports your new lifestyle? Instead of a gift certificate to a new restaurant that will hinder your fitness goals, pass along this list and perhaps your significant other will get the hint!

Here are five gifts under $50 that will help you achieve your fitness goals.

Guilt-free alternatives for holiday indulgences: Tip 5

In yesterday's post, I talked about the temptation to skip meals before you attend a dinner party. Let's turn our attention from food in my "Guilt-free" series to drinks for today's post.

Today's tip: Try not to drink your calories.

Plan around the beverages you will drink.  If you choose to drink alcohol, bring your own light wines and beers to the party. If you plan to drink liquor, use low-calorie mixers like soda water, tonic water, or cranberry juice. You will find it's much easier to deal with social drinking if you have a plan.

Also remember that alcohol is a dehydrator. You should drink two glasses of water for each alcoholic beverage.

Guilt-free alternatives for holiday indulgences: Tip 4

During the holiday season, it seems everyone you know is throwing a dinner party. Tons of delicious food is at your fingertips almost every night. This leads me to my next tip in the "Guilt-free" series.

Today's tip: Don't skip meals because you're going to a dinner party.

Many people tend to do this around the holidays because they plan to eat when they get there.

We all know what this type of thinking leads to -- overeating. Starving yourself will only result in eating everything in sight later at the party!

Holidays are fun, but beware health risks

For some, the holidays are a time for joy and happiness. But for others, the season can leave people stressed out to the max!

The stress that comes with this season can also put your health at risk. In our efforts to make the most of the season, we tend to run ourselves ragged with all the holiday festivities. This holiday season, give the best gift of all -- Give yourself the gift of health.

A positive outlook on change

If you missed my interview with David Muraco on Coaching In The Zone Blog Talk Radio, you have another chance to catch it here.

David and I talked about my new book, The MindBody FX Lifestyle: Mastering the Mind-Body Connection for Permanent Weight Loss, in addition to how people can change the way they think to achieve their ideal weight.

Guilt-free alternatives for holiday indulgences: Tip 3

In Saturday's post, I talked about snacking on healthier foods when you're at a holiday party. To continue my "Guilt-free" series, here is another helpful tip to be used before you arrive at the party.

Today's tip: Choose healthy foods to snack on before a party.

Eat a light snack before you leave home. A piece of fruit or a cup of yogurt with a handful of almonds will fill you up nicely. This will help you avoid arriving at the party famished and overeating the foods higher in fat.

Guilt-free alternatives for holiday indulgences: Tip 2

Yesterday, I introduced a new series, "Guilt-free alternatives for holiday indulgences." Everyone can use a little extra help to avoid over-eating during the holidays. With all those cookies, cakes, and pies, it's sometimes hard to remember what matters most: your health.

Today's tip: Plan.

Fill up on healthy foods when you get to the dinner party. Look for veggies, hummus dip, shrimp cocktail, and salmon instead of meats.

Remember, eating is “social.” Eat slowly, enjoy every tasty bite, and sip on some water with lemon. This is a great strategy to reduce the temptation of foods that are very rich and high in calories.

Guilt-free alternatives for holiday indulgences: Tip 1

Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting tips to avoid over indulging during the holidays.

Today's tip: Be realistic.

Focus on weight management during the holidays, not weight loss. It's a challenge to maintain your present weight without having the added pressure of trying to lose it throughout the holiday season. Be realistic so you don’t disappoint yourself or feel guilty.

And be sure to come back tomorrow for more tips on beating the holiday bulge!

Sunday's 'Coaching in the Zone' on Blog Talk Radio interview

Join me on Blog Talk Radio this Sunday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. PST, 9 p.m. EST. I will be the guest on "Coaching in the Zone" with host David Muraco.

We will be discussing my new book, "The MindBody FX Lifestyle: Mastering The Mind-Body Connection For Permanent Weight." Muraco is a personal and professional life coach who uses different frameworks to help create a strategy for your success that will give you a deepened self awareness, improve performance, and enhance the quality of your life.

Tune in!

How to swap holiday indulgences for guilt-free alternatives

The holidays are prime time for what I call "unconscious eating," or mindless eating. (Conscious, or mindful, eating is being aware, being in the moment, being present with each bite you take, and enjoying it.

Many of us feel guilty when we go out to holiday festivities because we indulge in yummy, high-fat, high-calorie foods. Sometimes it feels like they're calling our name from across the room, and we can't help but give in.

To stick to your weight loss goals this month, it is important to plan how to tackle difficult situations the holiday season can put you in. This includes those tempting indulgences, such as desserts and alcohol. And as I write in my new book, this doesn't mean cutting them out completely. I want you to enjoy the tasty treats of the holidays, but in a way that doesn't leave you feeling guilty in January.

I’ve put together my top eight tips that will help you get ready, get set, and eat whatever your little heart desires without guilt. My first tip will hit the blog soon, so check back!

Five gifts to help you lose weight for under $100

Still looking for something special, yet supportive for a friend or loved one that is making great changes to their diet and lifestyle this holiday season? A way to say "keep up the great work" without implying that there was work to be done?

Here are five health-supporting gifts under $100 for the shrinking person on your list.

How positive thoughts and beliefs can help you fight H1N1

If you're like most, you're probably concerned about contracting H1N1 (swine flu). You're probably already following the prevention guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But what else can you do?

The mind can also be a powerful way to help prevent the virus. Let me explain.

When it comes to boosting my immune system, I use what can be called “immunity affirmations.” Affirmations are powerful affirmative statements that build positive internal dialog. What you experience in your life is mostly determined by the thoughts you hold in your subconscious mind.

At a deeper subconscious level, if you believe you will get sick because it’s the flu season, you will probably get the flu. I have never had the flu, or the flu shot. And I’ve always believed I had a strong immune system. Could my belief be the reason I have never had the flu? I think it is.

I explained this is more detail in my most recent Examiner article. I listed some specific immunity affirmations you can use to fight H1N1. These can be used in addition to the CDC's guidelines, including:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Drink lots of water, it will flush out and prevent impurities from absorbing into your body.
• Vitamin C is a natural antiviral protector, so take a little extra.
• Wash your hands with soap and water often.
• Germs spread easily. Try to avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes.
• Stay home from work or school when suffering from flu-like symptoms. Limiting contact with others can help prevent the flu from spreading.

By practicing all these tips, you'll be on your way to avoiding the flu.

The effects of denial on your weight, part 3

In part 1 of my series on denial, I wrote about that you, and only you, have the power to change the course of your life -- and not the external factors such as magic diet pills, medical procedures, or costly programs. In part 2, I expanded a bit more to explain how denial can be truly dangerous physically as well as mentally. And today, I want to explore getting past your denial to finding your true self.

Your denial might be as simple as, “a piece of that pecan pie before bed won’t hurt,” or it could be as complex as, “sure, I’m a happy enough person.” If you become aware that you deny things, people, or events in your life, don’t panic. I have good news: You have the power within you to change!

When you come home at the end of the day and are alone, who are you? Your true self is who you are when no one is looking, when no one is judging, and when you can live as you please and eat what you want.

Indeed, everyone has a public and private self. There’s the person we show to the world, and the person who only we know. Often these two selves are very different. When you’re at work or going about your daily life, you might consciously alter your behavior to match the person who you want other people to see.

For example, maybe you order a salad for lunch with co-workers, but then eat a burger and fries in the car on your way home! We all do this to some extent, but if your public and private food selves are very different, this duality can be costly from a health perspective. Portraying an inauthentic version of who you are to the world can cost you in terms of stress, energy, honesty, and self-worth.

You might be afraid to let others see the real you for fear of being criticized or feeling embarrassed. The problem is that your self-image takes a hit every time you escape into denial because what you project conflicts with your true idea of your inner self.

For example, the way you dress and the things you have around you are all a projection of who you believe yourself to be. A good example would be people who wear nothing but black, thinking that doing so will hide their weight. Who does this really fool?

Or how about someone who sits in the doctor’s office complaining of sore knees, and, when told that the solution is simply to reduce their weight, ignores the truth and asks for painkillers? The truth hurts. It’s easier to pop a pill than to reduce a few pounds.

Denial is the path of least resistance. The reality is that you and you alone have created your current situation. No amount of covering up will change that. You cannot hide from who and what you really are.

The picture we hold of ourselves in our own minds is intimately connected to the value we place on ourselves. A healthy self-worth means having a positive, constructive view of yourself and your abilities. It allows you to work toward your goals and engage in rewarding relationships.

An unhealthy self-worth means having a negative, pessimistic, or disapproving view of yourself, being unable to see beyond limitations and problems. People with an unhealthy self-worth believe they can’t reach goals or have meaningful relationships.

Often people’s self-worth is directly reflected in their weight and overall health. Self-destructive behavior, such as gaining weight or smoking, reveals a negative self-image.

To truly be great, you must first think it, then believe it, and then set goals to make it happen! When you take steps to improve yourself, you automatically improve the image you hold of yourself in your mind, which in turn affects the attitude you project.

Self-worth has less to do with feeling good than it does with feeling right. Make no mistake, there is a substantial difference between the two. This feeling of right has nothing to do with right versus wrong. It’s about feeling genuine and authentic inside. You know you should skip the donut and coffee, but it’s easy and you’re rushed. Vegetables or fruit would be a good lunch, but the hot dog was quick.

Each day we make small choices that together form the landscape of our lives. You and only you, have the power to change the course of your life. If you believe you can or can’t, you’re right!