Maintaining Not Gaining: The Party Plan

Maintaining Not Gaining:

The Party Plan

So we all know it's coming. No--actually--it's here. I'm sure by now you been to a multitude of holiday parties, with only more on the horizon. Having trouble passing on the hors d'oeuvres? Afraid to turn down the glass of egg nog your boss handed out? Regretful about taking that third helping of Mac & Chee? Well, don't worry! You can still get things back in order and make the choices that make you feel better, not worse! Because this time of year is suppose to be about happiness, cheer, joy, and that malarkey! So let's not make poor food choices put a damper on our holiday fun!

I'm here to  be your Jiminy Cricket with a quick list of tips to keep in mind at your next holiday soirée!  Take all the rules with you or cherry pick your favorites. Just know that you're not hurting anyone's feelings if you don't taste all of the pies at the table or if you turn down a third glass of hooch. You've got this all under control...I promise!

#1. Get Your Veggies in First.

"Research suggests that you’ll consume the largest quantity of the foods you eat first, so set yourself up for success by starting with something low-calorie," according to EatingWell.com. Meaning, if you book it over to the veggie tray first, you can save yourself up to 120 calories per serving. Try to go easy on the dip, too. We're not being Whole28.5-kind of clean...you are still allowed to have a dessert later on!

#2. Don't Let Grandma Pour Your Drink.

Meaning, make sure someone who can keep a good eye on the ounces is in charge of the pour. A quick count of "1-2-3" when pouring yourself a glass of wine, will get you the average 5-6 ounce glass of wine. Think halfway is a good estimate? Let's be real, most glasses are larger than we perceive.

#3.  Leave the Trimmings for the Tree.

There will surely be so many options, why not keep your full plate "clean." Take it easy when adding cheese, butter, dressings, gravy, and whipped cream. I'm sure you're still going to thoroughly enjoy the holiday treats even without the extra calories.

#4. Hydrate in between "Hydrating."

Oooooh, you know what I mean. In between your glass of wine or holiday cocktail, make sure to down a full glass of water, too! Trust me, it will keep you happily full without having to ban yourself from the bar the whole night. Also: not having a hangover the next morning is superb.

#5. Stick to Your Regularly Scheduled Eating Routine.

This one is important. Just because you know that you have a party in the evening, doesn't mean you should skip your other meals during the day to "save up the calories." Later that night, we'll find you under the dinner table,  elbow-deep in the candied yams gently weeping. That's not cute.  Stick to your usual breakfast, maybe a light lunch, and do yourself a favor: have a healthy snack before you go out. Make it some veggies and we're already using Rule #1.

Easy enough, right? And be sure to mingle! Tell stories, laugh with friends and family, play the silly game that you know Aunt Sally will force you to join. This time of year is for more than just food -- it's for the time we get to spend together. Awwww shucks.

I truly hope everyone is enjoying the holidays and making happy memories. I, for one, am  so very happy to have you on this healthy-journey with me.

Until our next installment....

You are doing awesome.

-Be Cool, Soda Pop-

Maintaining Not Gaining: Everything is Going to Be All Right.

Maintaining Not Gaining: 

Everything is Going to Be All Right.

All right, my friends...we've made it through the first week of December. Hanukkah has begun and the laundry list of Holidays to follow are nipping at our heels. Also, my birthday was on Friday, so there was no way I was going to act like a responsible eater until after I had me some CAKE. 

Girl has got to have priorities.

This can be a busy, stressful, joyous, indulgent, chaotic, sleepless,  wonderful perfectly/not-so-perfectly organized mess of a time! We have learned in the past that all of these feelings and factors can have us looking to our comfort foods and quick-fix treats to make us feel better. We've just made it through The Whole28.5 Challenge and we have a handful of awesome HABITS in our arsenal to help us from diving directly into Santa's Cookies after demolishing the casserole of candied yams. But just because we made it through a Challenge...doesn't mean this time of year isn't challenging! Now is the time that we could all probably use a little reminder here and there to keep us on track, as well as a pat on the back when we've done something good for our bodies. 

Thus, I introduce to you this new helpful series:

Maintaining Not Gaining!

Said with a smile.

A short and sweet series of suggestions, tips, and motivations to get us all through the holidays. These posts will be intended to give you a little boost of knowledge or strength when you're preparing for those holiday parties, making dinners, and baking your buns off for the season! Thoughts and strategies for your daily eating as well as your party etiquette. We're going to get through this together, and when that New Year's Baby wails us awake into 2016, we won't be working off the pounds of the past few weeks.

So let's start easy today.

Maintaining Not Gaining Tip #1 - Don't Throw Meal Prep Out The Window

We worked so hard during The Whole28.5 Challenge mastering the magic that is The Meal Prep. To this day, cooking for the week is my Suit of Armor.  It asks me to be strong, intelligent, and mindful of what I intend to put in my body for the week and make the choice AHEAD OF TIME to eat well. Not to have those "well, there's nothing to eat..." moments of weakness. Because trust me, once that meddling little thought pops into my brain, its SO hard to stay on track.

So don't derail the train before it's left the station, if you know what I mean! Get your head, your menu, and your plans in order. Yes, things may deviate. But your path will stay far truer, if you start out with the right directions.

Sunday, even after birthday debauchery, I made sure to prep up chicken thighs, sautéed broccoli, green beans with leeks, taco meat, and sausage with peppers, onions, and sauerkraut. BOOM. We are going to disregard the French Toast I made us for breakfast...that was still within "birthday weekend."

To that point...I have no photos of food prep, but I do have this before and after:

It was birthday, ya'll.

Until next time, remember:

Guys, we're doing awesome.

- Be cool, Soda Pop -

Please submit your "Holiday Homeostasis" tips, suggestions or stories, as a comment here on the blog or email me at Rachel@RachelPinkstone.com