Rules for "Normal" Holiday Eating

Here are my rules for “normal” holiday eating. Study them now and review every day through the holidays. Say them aloud. Carry them with you. Make them your bible. 1. Think of food as delicious and nutritious, nothing more. It has no value beyond these two attributes. It will neither solve your problems nor lift your mood. 2. Don’t restrict what you eat over the holidays. “Putting foods on a do-not-eat list only makes you crave them more, according to a Canadian study, and Israeli scientists found that having a little bit of sweets every day helped dieters shed 15 pounds more on average than those who didn’t indulge in desserts.” (TIME, 12/9/13, p. 18) 3. Eat slowly and mindfully and savor every bite. Make sure you’re enjoying what you’re eating. Unless you’re starving, if it’s not fabulous, stop eating it. 4. Visualize yourself feeling and acting relaxed around all foods no matter what your dining situation. As you consider various eating settings, notice where anxiety pops up and, in your visualization, relax yourself. 5. Make a list of 6-10 rational beliefs about food and weight that will make for saner holiday eating and read them over daily. Bring them to holiday events where there’s food and read them over frequently. 6. Keep up structured self-care activities. Don’t forgo daily walks or trips to the gym. Adhering to a structure is more important than ever during the holidays to make you feel in charge, provide self-time, and reduce stres...
Source: Normal Eating - Category: Eating Disorders Authors: Source Type: blogs