Sunday, December 20, 2009

Staying on Your Low Carb Plan Over the Holidays

Let's face it - all of those sweets are tempting! Pies, cakes, cookies, candy, and the list goes on. How do we stay on our low carb plan when faced with parties and treats and family get togethers? Plan, plan, plan!

1. Plan your meals. This is the key. Every time I don't get around to planning, we tend to slip up at my house (hubby and I are both diabetic). On Sunday I still down and create a menu for the week. Next I create a grocery list from my plan, and then I eat a healthy, low carb meal. That's right - I eat before I go grocery shopping. This cuts down on impulse buys and helps me to pass up the ladies giving out free samples. Stick to your shopping list. If you must impulsively buy something - make it non food related, perhaps a stocking stuffer.

2. Give it away. I teach school, so of course, I received about five sweets the other morning. Bless their hearts, if only I could eat the scrumptious treats they brought me. I shared the candy with the kids, made little bags for my own kids plus my nieces, and I've put aside some other treats to share with my family on Christmas day. Let the aunts and uncles eat it up! Or wrap it up and take it to a local nursing home. If someone gives you a sweet treat, say thank you, and then pass it along to someone who can eat it (or will eat it regardless). You are taking care of you. Don't blow it over a few pieces of chocolate or banana nut bread.

3. Plan your low carb treats. Counter the sweets by making a few of your own -low carb style. You can find tons of recipes at Low Carb Friends. Search their recipe section for fabulous low carb treats like pumpkin bake and chocolate bark. Save your sanity and your body!

4. Exercise. Hit the gym - now! Everyone is shopping this week. The rest of the world is waiting until after New Years, after they make that resolution. Resolve to beat the crowds. You simply can't spoil a great workout with a piece of pecan pie. It just wouldn't do.

5. Drink your water and take your vitamins. This isn't the time to slip up on the small things. Keep the water glass filled and stay on schedule with your vitamins. You need energy during the busy holiday season. Remember - carbs will shut you down. They will make you feel groggy and tired. Oh sure, you might get a ten minute burst of fake energy, but afterwards, you will need a long winter's nap. You just can't go to sleep and miss Santa! (Isn't he bringing you a Wii Fit Plus Biggest Loser Fitness Bundle (Nintendo Wii) for Christmas?)

6. Get a massage. The holiday season tends to bring stress. All of those crazy relatives, hours bent over Christmas gifts wrapping them up, shopping at the mall... You deserve a massage. You need a massage. Even a 20 minute chair massage can give you new life. Give yourself the gift of relaxation. If you can keep yourself from tensing up, that Godiva chocolate might not look so tempting. You can pass it by and say, "No thank you."

7. Remember the reason. And don't forget the true reason for the season. It's not about gift giving and eating and Santa, it's about the birth of our Saviour. Keep things in perspective and allow Him to give you the strength you need to stay on plan. Keep this Bible verse in your pocket: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Philippinas 4:13.


Clipart

No comments: