Co-workers may mean well when they come by with that box of donuts or plate of cookies they baked last night, but you have to rise above being tempted in the workplace. The last thing you need is to start rewarding yourself with food when you complete a task or feel stressed at your job. Getting personal at work can be uncomfortable, but there are nice ways to turn down unhealthy food and unnecessary snacks. Just let people know that you don’t have room or just ate, or if you feel the need to take what they are offering, only take a bite or two. So next time your coworkers are passing around birthday cake slices at an office party, have a plan and get through the day without the extra eating.

If you don’t find temptation at work, you will most certainly find it at home with your kids and family. You may plan to eat healthy when you come home but your kids probably have something else in mind. They want what they want, and they want dessert too, and you won’t hear the end of it until they get it. Maybe they want to go out for dinner to their favorite place where you know you don’t have many options. It can be hard to juggle your own eating habits with your family’s. You feel like eating healthy doesn’t seem like a priority when you’re eating with other people. This can be especially hard when you’re at a relative’s table when food is personal. If you do feel the pressure to eat, use the tasting method. Just take one spoonful. And remember that when it comes to family meals, it’s about more than food. Don’t focus on what you’re not eating, focus on the time you spend together.

Your family and coworkers may understand your choices, but your friends may be your biggest obstacle. They want you to indulge and enjoy things with them. They want to go out for drinks or meet up at a cafe for coffee. When you find yourself in a social situation where eating or drinking certain foods is part of the get-together, you have to do the best you can. Don’t just give up because you think the situation is out of your control. Look for healthy alternatives or go for something that you know is a good choice. Meeting up isn’t an occasion to fall off the wagon. You can also plan accordingly when you have the time. If you know you’re meeting up with a friend for coffee, keep it simple (no sugary syrups or whole milk) and make it one of your snacks.

Navigating social situations is part of daily life so it will also be part of your weight loss. It can be tiring to combat your own temptations, and then to add someone else telling you that you should treat yourself to whatever food you want isn’t helpful. They may think that one meal or snack isn’t a big deal, but you work too hard to spoil your resolution. Make it something you are proud of and include the people around.  If they really want the best for you they will understand.

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

Let’s start with the smartest decision of all…Don’t go hungry. I know you want to fit into that dress or suit, but if you go to the party hungry you are setting yourself up for disaster. Because we know all it takes is one glass of alcohol and you will feel ten pounds lighter and the food will be ten times more tempting. So on the day of any holiday party, have your breakfast, lunch and snacks. Even if you plan on drinking alcohol it’s best to have your snacks. You may not lose, but more importantly you will not gain. After all, if we can get through December and maintain, you should consider yourself a success.

Moving on…When you are faced with the holiday hors d’oeuvres table, the best thing you can do is be choosy. The phrase about one’s eyes being bigger than their stomach comes to mind. Don’t get seduced by the food! At the end of the day it’s just food. It will be there at the next holiday party you go to. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have it, but let’s taste instead of indulge. Visualize the difference between tasting everything and indulging in everything. Not a pretty sight for those who are indulging in everything. Most important, never eat to please others. If you know you have had enough then own up to it and be done with it. Focus on what’s really important – spending time, laughing and enjoying the people around you.

When it’s time for you to dive into the food table, here are a couple of helpful tips to remember portion sizes. You can enjoy all that the party has to offer, just start small. A fist is around one cup. Your thumb is the equivalent of about an ounce and your palm is around three ounces. Two thumbs are around a tablespoon and the tip of your finger is about a teaspoon. Choose carefully when serving yourself or eyeballing a portion. Remember alcohol can impair your vision so when eyeing sizes it might be best to eat before you drink. You can also help yourself out a little more by using a smaller plate when you have the option. A bigger plate my cause you to fill it up even though you only want or need part of what you dished out.

For most of us, celebrating and consuming tend to go hand in hand. There are a few things you can do to keep yourself from overeating mindlessly or unintentionally. First, take your time before eating when you arrive. Don’t go straight for the food. Instead, socialize before you get a plate. Also, once you have started eating or have had your fill, move away from the food. Don’t linger when it can be so easy to grab one more. And again, remember to watch what you drink. It can be easy to refill your glass and lose track when you’re eating and socializing. Start with water or soda before having that glass of wine or eggnog. Make sure to drink a full glass of water between each alcoholic drinks, it will not only keep you hydrated it will help your headache the next day. And of course make sure you have a designated driver.

Most of all, remember this time of year is about enjoying old and new acquaintances. It’s a fun and festive month and when it’s all over you want to find yourself with fond and fun memories, not the 10-15 lbs it’s left behind. Be mindful – make good choices. Everything matters. At the end of the day and year – it’s still only food. It’s will all be there in 2015.

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018