Dr. Marcel Hernandez, ND
From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, our systems take a big hit from the stuff we put in our mouths. You know the usual suspects: sugar, salt, fat, starchy carbs, and optionally, booze.
Paramhansa Yogananda told his audiences,“Environment is stronger than will power.” During the holidays, we risk insulting our nearest by refusing to partake. It can be tricky.
Here are some health-rescues I’ve found useful over the years.
Learn to say “No thanks.” Practice holding your ground even when people push. Don’t confuse the value of your relationships with an obligation to eat the same way as others. You can respect your friends and family without choosing to eat the same crap they do.
Be honest with yourself, your family, and your friends about your goals for a healthy life. Whether or not they respect your choices, it’s important to value your priorities.
Set clear boundaries in advance for what you will and won’t eat. Let your friends/family know in advance your nutritional preferences.
Let others make their own choices about how they respond and what they eat. If your friends get upset or offended by what you choose to eat or not eat, that’s their responsibility, not yours.
When possible, socialize with people who support your healthy lifestyle. Identify yourself with a tribe of people who make healthy choices.
OKAY. On the lighter side:
- It’s too late now, natch, but developing a rich enjoyment of the food that does you the most good is still the best step you can take to armor yourself against the season’s health-devastating temptations.
- Party-party? Bring something special. And bring plenty. You won’t have to turn down the stuff that isn’t in your body’s best interests.
- If you choose to drink, go with light beer, red wine, or watered-down cocktails. You’re an adult – decide for yourself – a couple of cautions, however: alcohol impairs judgment, does no good at all for your hormonal systems, and will really help you get fat, if that’s your goal.
- Fill up. Drink 1-2 glasses of water before the meal. Then eat lots of low-cal foods first, especially high-nutrient salad. You won’t feel as hungry, and you can sit back comfortably and gloat.
- Bring a pal to the party who shares your lifestyle. Having a support person who habitually shares your runs, bike rides, and gym visits is a powerful aid for a healthier holiday.
- Be active. Run, walk, bike, ski, swim, play – and be sure to do just the right enjoyable amount, the right enjoyable way, in the places you most ENJOY.
- Kickstart some long-term goals. “In five years, there’s NO WAY I’ll still be (smoking, weak, addicted, whatever).” It’s surprisingly easy to toss old habits in the trash at the turn of the year, and replace them with a more enjoyable, fulfilling life.
- Be grateful – and say so. Lots of people get depressed during the holidays. That’s nuts. It’s so easy to stay happy any time of year. The formula is utterly simple: STOP thinking about yourself. Do one small, teensy-tiny, simple thing for someone who lives on the other side of your skin – and check the effects on your feelings. Wow! Who knew that helping others was the such dynamite medication for a super-happy mood?
- Is there anybody in your life who’s helped you, and that you think the world of? Expressing your gratitude, in words and with gifts, is another superpower key to unlock your very own personal happiness.
- Are you, right now, feeling the faintest hint of a whisper of a “maybe” headache or upset tummy? Be a Hypochondriac for a Day. Complain quietly about how miserable it is. People will stop trying to cram the fruitcake down your craw and pestering you to try the pie (don’t forget the cream). Thank them and tell them you really don’t want to risk barfing on the lovely Bokhara. And don’t forget to thank them for their kindness and sympathy; it’ll make you happy.
Finally, if all else fails and you really want the lovely memory of the chocolate cream pie and the Hall of Fame egg-nog, Just Go Ahead. You’ll gain solid self-knowledge, and maybe you’ll feel so nutritionally stripped, your innards so comprehensively cremated, that the visions of sugar plum cookies will vanish, replaced by dreams of over-the-top salads and tropical fruit bowls worthy of a king. Happy New Year!
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