Losing Weight During The Holiday Season--Can It Be Done?
Thirteen years ago I became quite intrigued with the idea of LOSING WEIGHT DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. Even knowing the chances of finding success with this idea was highly slim I was nevertheless still intrigued.
Please note, When I refer to, "LOSING WEIGHT DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON" I am NOT referring to:
1) Avoiding family and friend get togethers,
2) Avoiding all other meals to splurge during just the one dinner,
3) Limiting my meals to five pounds of plain turkey and maybe a heaping tablespoon of mash potatoes or stuffing. (Not trying to be sarcastic--just being truthful),
4) Taking supplements or DIET pills of any kind.
*Here's How I Found Success...
In the beginning, thirteen years ago, I simply began deciphering which foods I was going to eat for the holidays versus the foods I really needed to stay away from, like those scrumptious tasting butter rolls served at the beginning of dinner.
RESULTS: Weight loss didn't take place the first year. But I didn't gain weight either. What I really enjoyed was this preplanning approach especially the greater sense of feeling and being in control so I continued my efforts and after many years of enhancing this concept I created what's known as the Replace, Eliminate, Limit(REL) Theory.
REL
*The REL Starts With REPLACING Foods. It Works Like This:
After making a mental note of the specific foods that may be available at the dinner table, start deciphering what foods to REPLACE and what foods to REPLACE them with.
Ask Yourself These Questions When Deciphering What Foods To Replace With What
~What foods can provide me with the same fullness yet without all the carbs? (TIP: The more creative you can be the better the results.)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
~What FOODS would I be willing to settle for?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
EXAMPLE:
~Would I be willing to REPLACE the potato salad (major carbs) with regular salad (low in carbs) --maybe I could put more croutons on my salad... more cheese... maybe even splurge with some good ole Ranch or honey french dressing on the top.
~Write a list of FOODS you would like to REPLACE:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
~After deciphering which foods to REPLACE, begin asking:
~Which foods should I ELIMINATE? Certainly there must be ONE food TO ELIMINATE, Just for control purposes, if anything else.
~What Foods Would You Like to Potentially ELIMINATE? Write them Down:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
~If you are new to the REL concept perhaps ELIMINATE just ONE of the heavy carb ladened foods: rolls, potatoes, rice, noodles, breaded foods, etc.
~What ONE Food would you like to ELIMINATE? Write it down:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
~If you are a die hard REL user and/or want an awesome challenge then ELIMINATE ALL desserts and replace with fruits. OR perhaps ELIMINATE just one or two types of desserts; pumpkin pie, fruit pies, chocolate cakes, nut pies (Pecan), etc. It's your choice.
NOTE: You can make your own rules too. For instance you may want to ELIMINATE all fruit pies and instead limit your desserts to sugar free fruit pies. Its' your choice.
~If you're feeling challenged and want to consider ELIMINATING more than one food item what would those food items be? Write them down:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
~And lastly, foods to LIMIT.
~When it comes to LIMITING foods simply acknowledge those foods that quickly fill you up more than others.
For Instance:
I am going to LIMIT the stuffing so I can enjoy more of Mom's favorite Gooey Butter Cake?
Or, I could probably (just maybe) LIMIT the cream peas and fill up on some of the scrumptious salad.
Or I could choose to LIMIT both stuffing and sweet potatoes so I could have both versus splurging on just the one.
~Know what foods you want to LIMIT? Write them down.
~List of FOODS TO LIMIT:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
***Who know's. I was once told I think too much. Maybe thats the reason why REL works so well;
Doing more thinking then eating---LOL
~CONCLUSION:
I find that when we walk into the holidays blindly or should I say without a plan we tend to find ourselves gaining weight. Even worse caught up on the sugar high. This can be avoided and in many cases weight loss can be a reality DURING THE HOLIDAYS. So the first goal is to have an REL PLAN.
Use the REL theory if you like--it's pretty fun actually. You may even find yourself looking at the dinner table thinking maybe I'll REPLACE the green bean casserolle with the stuffing. No maybe I'll ELIMINATE the potatoes all together and instead treat myself to a small LIMITED piece of the scrumptious hot pecan pie.
THE REL Theory has been taken from the highly popular book---The Medium Carb Diet.
QUESTION:
Have you ever thought as to wonder why the REL works so well?
ANSWER:
All to often, we only need a one second distraction to prevent us from acting on those last minute, "sound good" ideas.
Sure EVERYTHING looks good on the dinner table but if we have a focus... a plan... we tend not to reach for just anything and/or everything NOR splurge on those foods that are surely to put the weight on.
I know there is a lot of information this time around-- but I really want you to feel comfortable and complete this holiday season while managing your low carb regimen.
This REL thought process is generally all thats needed to prevent one from reaching out for all the fattening stuff.
RESULTS: REL has helped thousands of people succeed not just through the holiday seasons but every day of the year. Try just one of the ideas and I assure you'll feel more in control and happier with self as you look at the up and coming New Year.
If you find this information valuable, please pass it on to a friend.
With www.cookingwithflavors.com, you'll discover how easy it is to:
*Learn how to create flavorful low carb meals,
*Learn how to create low caloric, low fat, low carb meals,
*Learn how to use everyday ingredients versus wayward, hard to find ingredients,
*Learn how to read the new food labels,
*Learn secrets to losing weight on low carb diets,
*Learn about the new MEDIUM CARB DIET,
*Learn how to entertain low carb guests,
*Hone your low carb cooking skills,
*Set realistic eating and healthy weight loss goals.
About the Author:
Robyne Arrow, a successful 23 year veteran of the Low Carb lifestyle is the author of eight books including "Cooking Low Carb with Flavor" and the popular "Medium Carb Diet." She has helped thousands of individuals overcome the many hurdles to low carb lifestyles.
Visit her site to find out how you can get a free subscription to her e-zine, "Move Over Mr. Cheat, Ms. Flavors Moving In..." at http://www.cookingwithflavors.com or mailto:ezine@cookingwithflavors.com
Latest News
 Financial Post | Early Sales May Not Mean Strong Holidays, Group Says (Update1) Bloomberg - 1 (Bloomberg) -- A post-Thanksgiving bump may not be enough to rescue what might be the worst holiday season for US retailers in six years. ... Holidays still a boon for Alaska retailers Black Friday Results: Holidays off to a Good Start Shoppers Search Out Black Friday Deals |
Animoto brings the holidays to video CNET News, CA - According to the company, the new holiday feature will use a snowscape to set the scene for the greeting and with the help of its new text feature, ... Animoto Announces Animoto Holiday Greetings; Video Creation Site ... |
Extra Cash for the Holidays or Anytime With the Launch of Diamonds ... MarketWatch - Extra cash just in time for the holidays or anytime has never been so easy, with the online system put in place by the subsidiary of Gold & Diamond Source ... |
ReliaTech Rings in Holidays With Deals for Its Bay Area Customers MarketWatch - This holiday season marks the accomplishment of several goals at ReliaTech. "We are especially gratified to have had such a successful year, as ReliaTech's ... |
 HispanicBusiness.com | E-tailers expect 8% bump for holidays Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - By Bob Keefe If there’s any good news for retailers this holiday season, it may be online. While retailers brace for declines in sales at traditional ... Video: Online Retailers See Monday As Black Friday Online spending forecasted to be flat through Holidays Cyber Sales Mark 2nd Launch Pad for Holidays |
 BBC News | Holiday firms prepare for package tour slump by slashing summer ... guardian.co.uk, UK - Chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa said deep industry-wide cuts in the number of holidays offered in Britain, combined with the collapse into ... Thomas Cook confident consumers will still go on holiday Travel Firm Hot Prospects Thomas Cook reports profits rise |
Just in time for holidays, top chefs release tomes San Francisco Chronicle, USA - With people returning to the kitchen to save money, these recipe and reference books make ideal gifts for the holiday season. ... |
Hero Astronauts Offer Out-Of-This-World Club for the Holidays MarketWatch - Unlike other 'flavor-of-the-month' services, the Astronaut Autograph Club makes for the perfect gift that will be long-treasured after the holidays and for ... |
Cellular South Welcomes HTC Touch Diamond in Time for the Holidays MarketWatch - RIDGELAND, Miss., Dec 02, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Cellular South, a leader in wireless solutions and innovation, today announced the availability of ... |
AMA Phoenix Invites Valley Residents to Celebrate the Holidays at ... MarketWatch - -- Good music -- Piping hot hors d'oeuvres -- Fine wine from around the globe. There will be a wine-tasting of three- to-four specially selected varieties. ... |
Resources
-
DIY Gift and Craft fun shape box Templates for every Holiday
Unique gift wrapping and creative craft ideas with fun shape box templates for birthdays, Holidays and occasions. Fun printable, versatile and economical do it yourself solutions for kids of all ages. Free craft template project here.
-
Holiday Fitness Tips, How to lose weight during the Holidays
How to lose weight and stay on your fitness program throughout the Holidays.
-
Mixed drink recipes for the Holidays
Champagne punch recipes, mulled wine, stylish bar drinks, eggnog recipes, flaming coffee drinks, festive jello shots, and homemade liqueur recipes including kahlua, Irish coffee, apple, blackberry, apricot, cranberry and more.
-
onlinestorebiz - Online Gifts and Collectables
Our website offers gifts and collectables for various occasions such as Holidays, weddings, birthdays, wedding anniversary, graduations, kids and other special occasions.