Losing Weight During The Holiday Season--Can It Be Done?

Home
>
Holiday
>
Losing Weight During The Holiday Season--Can It Be Done?

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

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Democrats criticize Obama's proposed tax cuts (AP)

AP - President-elect Barack Obama's proposed tax cuts ran into opposition Thursday from senators in his own party who said they wouldn't do much to stimulate the economy or create jobs. Senators from both parties agreed that Congress should do something to stimulate the economy. But Democratic senators emerging from a private meeting of the Senate Finance Committee criticized business and individual tax cuts in Obama's stimulus plan.

Obama warns of dire consequences without stimulus (AP)

AP - President-elect Barack Obama urged Congress Thursday to work with him "day and night, on weekends if necessary" to approve the largest taxpayer-funded stimulus ever, warning in almost apocalyptic terms that a dire economic future was certain without it.

Burris denies any improper deals for Senate seat (AP)

AP - Roland Burris says he's never been involved in an improper deal and didn't strike any agreement to become Gov. Rod Blagojevich's pick for the U.S. Senate. But Burris declined to say whether Blagojevich should resign or be impeached.

UN truck comes under deadly fire in Gaza (AP)

AP - The U.N. suspended aid shipments in the Gaza Strip on Thursday and the Red Cross restricted its convoys after their trucks came under Israeli fire. The threat of a wider conflict arose when militants in Lebanon fired two rockets into northern Israel.

Prosecutors say Madoff was ready to send out $173M (AP)

AP - Prosecutors said Thursday that investigators found 100 signed checks worth $173 million in Bernard Madoff's office desk that he was ready to send out to his closest family and friends at the time of his arrest last month in what is alleged to be largest financial fraud in history.

Shooting by Oakland, Calif., officer sparks violent protests (AP)

AP - Heavy police presence greeted Bay Area Rapid Transit commuters Thursday, a day after more than 100 people were arrested in violent protests over the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man by a transit police officer.

Mosquitoes match wing beats before mating (AP)

AP - Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes the ones that spread diseases like yellow and dengue fever alter their wing vibrations in a mating signal.

Travolta plans private memorial for son in Florida (AP)

AP - John Travolta and his family were expected to host a private memorial service Thursday for their son, 16-year-old Jett Travolta, at their home in a central Florida gated community.

Man allegedly caused flats with nails in driveways (AP)

AP - Police in upstate New York say a man has been sprinkling roofing nails on the driveways of people he didn't like to cause flat tires for two years. Stony Point police Lt. Peter Quinn said Michael Delisio was arrested Tuesday after an officer staking out one victim's home saw nails being thrown from Delisio's car.

AP source: Smoltz agrees to deal with Boston (AP)

AP - After more than two decades with the Atlanta Braves, John Smoltz is likely to finish his stellar career wearing a different uniform.

Obama pushes stimulus, warns on recession (Reuters)

Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama warned on Thursday that the U.S. economy could stay mired in recession for years without bold action and he urged lawmakers to work day and night to pass a massive stimulus plan.

Citi backs mortgage bankruptcy reform: Senators (Reuters)

Reuters - Financial giant Citigroup Inc has agreed to support a controversial rewrite of U.S. bankruptcy law aimed at helping troubled mortgage borrowers, three Democratic senators said on Thursday.

U. N. agency, Red Cross criticize Israel as Gaza toll hits 765 (Reuters)

Reuters - Palestinians in the Gaza Strip faced worsening conditions on Thursday after two aid drivers were killed and their U.N. agency halted work, saying staff were at risk from Israeli forces fighting Hamas militants.

Wal-Mart and other retailers warn after weak December (Reuters)

Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc and other top U.S. retailers delivered disappointing December same-store sales and profit warnings on Thursday, sparking fresh recession concerns that hit stock and currency markets.

Madoff had $173 million in checks ready, U.S. says (Reuters)

Reuters - Accused swindler Bernard Madoff had signed checks totaling more than $173 million in his office desk ready to be sent out before his arrest, U.S. prosecutors said in court papers on Thursday asking a judge to jail him.

EU sees monitor breakthrough in Russia gas row (Reuters)

Reuters - Moscow has agreed to deployment of international monitors to oversee the transit of Russian gas to EU states via Ukraine, clearing the way for the resumption of European gas supplies, the Czech EU presidency said.

U.S. panel warns Pentagon on nuclear deterrence (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. nuclear deterrent that kept a tense peace during the Cold War is in danger of losing credibility among allied nations that look to the United States for security, a Pentagon panel said on Thursday.

European pessimism grows as U.S. retail disappoints (Reuters)

Reuters - Economic weakness in Europe worsened and disappointing sales from Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, knocked financial markets lower on Thursday, strengthening the case for government stimulus and new rate cuts.

Gaza war toll rises (AFP)

AFP - A UN relief agency halted work in Gaza and protested to Israel on Thursday after an aid worker was killed, while the war death toll rose past 760 after dozens of bodies were found in rubble during a pause in bombing.

Russia, Ukraine gas talks collapse amid dispute over monitors (AFP)

AFP - EU-sponsored talks collapsed Thursday between Russia and Ukraine on resolving a gas dispute that has cut supplies to Europe in the midst of a bitterly cold winter, with Moscow blamed for the failure.

Losing Weight During The Holiday Season--Can It Be Done?

Holiday Holiday