Posts in Long-term Success

Once you start eating small foods such as chips, M&M’s® and nuts, it’s so easy to keep reaching for a few more.

To fix this, use a fork or spoon to eat anything that’s a “hand-held food.”

You’ll still get to appreciate the tastes but you’ll eat a lot less than if you keep grabbing a handful of those foods.

If you don’t drink alcohol, you can skip this tip.

But remember, alcohol adds calories as well as making you not care about how much you eat.

To manage parties or family gatherings, drink a large glass of water before you start sipping on a glass of wine, beer or other alcoholic beverage.

Sometimes, you’re actually thirsty and the water helps you slow down and make your drink last a lot longer.

You might also plan to drink a glass of water before reaching for a second drink or a refill on your wine.

You don’t have to do it all.

Look for ways to cut out some of the usual rituals or activities that wear you out.

Make two types of cookies instead of ten.

Buy fewer gifts, and explain that you are working on having a simpler, more meaningful holiday season.

Evaluate every invitation to see if it’s important or not. Sometimes, you can skip a lunch or other gathering and not really miss much.

Be selective about which concerts or programs to attend. At our home, we try to never do two big evening events in a row. It really helps us not get so exhausted and we appreciate the ones we go to a lot more.

A few weeks ago, I made brownies for a women’s meeting. I carefully cut off the edges along the side of the pan, then cut the brownies into small squares.

But while I was doing this, I ate one of the edge pieces, then another, and a few more. [Read more…]