Joy Miles

This week marks the beginning of a virtual gauntlet of weight-loss traps, from Thanksgiving to New Years Eve. Thanksgiving itself is one of the biggest challenges to anyone trying to lose or maintain weight. Despite its wonderful meaning, it’s a holiday that has come to be mostly centered on food—much of it unhealthy! However, there are ways to get through Thanksgiving without totally blowing your weight-loss plan. To help you do this, we’re providing ten tips to help you enjoy the day without the benefit of extra pounds.

One: Avoid conflict or unpleasant family dynamics that can stress you out to the point where you take solace in food. If you find yourself in an unavoidable situation, try tome soothing self-hypnosis or positive self-talk (you can ask your hypnotist for more help with that if you need it). Everyone has stress, but you don’t need to let it control you.

Two: Eat adequate and regular meals before Thanksgiving dinner. Don't starve yourself until the big meal arrives. Doing this helps insure you won't go wild come mealtime.

Three: Keep a journal of what you eat throughout the day, if you can do so easily. Knowing what and how much you’re eating will help you avoid eating too much of the wrong things.

Four: Think of ways to celebrate throughout the day other than relying on food. Instead of talking and snacking, try playing a game--the more active, the better.

Five: Drink two or three glasses of water before the feast begins. It will make you feel satisfied and help curb your appetite so you eat less.

Six: Exercise as usual before the meal; this will suppress your appetite and boost your metabolism.

Seven: Bring something to the feast that's healthy, like one of your favorite salads. That way, you have an option you enjoy.

Eight: Eat until you’re satisfied, not stuffed. One way to do this is to place a reasonable amount on your plate and then leave 10%. You can also reduce your portion by refusing seconds if it’s polite to do so. Remember, there will be leftovers, so you don’t have to eat everything at once.

Nine: Forgive yourself if you do overeat. One large meal is not a problem; many large meals in a row are.

Ten: Listen to your hypnosis processes to reinforce good habits. You local Positive Changes center has great processes designed just for the holidays, like Have Your Turkey and Lose Weight, Too. Or, you can ask your hypnotist for a special process to get you through the holidays.

Thanksgiving only comes once a year. It’s a great time for family and friends, and for giving thanks for what’s important to you. Focus on that. Whatever you do, enjoy the day to the fullest! In the end, the day’s importance won’t lie in the mashed potatoes you did or didn’t have. It will be your cherished memories that last a lifetime.

If you'd like to learn more about how to make it through the festivities without gaining those holiday pounds, call your local Positive Changes center at 1-877-POSITIVE. Food and fun can still be part of your holiday season, and Positive Changes can help. Call today!

This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. As always, check with a doctor before starting any treatment program. For more information on using guided relaxation and creative visualization to aid healing and enhance your quality of life, call Positive Changes at 1-877-POSITIVE.