No More Excuses

You just got through another holiday season. The monotony of the routine schedule was broken with vacations, travel, family visits, no school, great food, and presents! As much fun as it was, it’s time for damage control. The damage assessment might include a five-pound weight gain, a thinned out wallet from over spending, and a messy house from visitors and festivities. Now, your New Year resolutions have been declarations to regain control by going to the gym, re-starting your diet, and working more over-time. 

I believe the holidays should be enjoyed, but not at too big of a price. So how did it get so out of hand? Well, we made some pretty handy excuses. For instance, you might tell yourself it would be rude to leave your parents for an hour to go to the gym when you only see them twice a year.

Perhaps you thought it would be considered an insult to forego a second trip to the buffet. The daily battle to be “good” is hard. The holidays are our excuse to rebel, and why not? It’s a special occasion.  

The reasons to curb our rebellion and maintain some control is that when we get “off track” with our health behaviors or our budget, it is very difficult to regain the rhythm again. It is stressful enough to return to work after vacation, let alone, behind the eight ball. If you are having trouble getting back on track, seeing a therapist can help you match your actions to your goals. 

Here are some tips to navigate through the holidays next year without overdoing it. 

• Do not stop your exercise routine. Consider exercise a life goal that is not optional.

• Determine your spending budget before going to the mall. Nobody wants a gift you couldn’t afford.

• Even though you will be eating richer foods than normal, try to stick to your usual portion sizes.