Staying on track for the holidays- my holiday list 2012

Links for tips for  weight maintenance during the holidays.

Dr. Berkeley has some great tips for weight maintenance at her blog, Refuse to Regain. Read the tips here. I have to say I'll be doing all items except #8 on Dr. Berkeley's list, because I don't drink. 

I also liked the link to the Beck Diet Solution page from last year. Here

Here are what works for me for staying on track and dealing with holiday food, baking, traditions, feelings, and sabotage.

0. Hook into that good feeling

• I weigh daily
• I tell myself, I'm going to stay on my plan today in the morning
• I stay on plan
• I feel awesome at night when I'm winding down the day.
• I love that feeling.
• I wake up the next morning and I feel awesome most of the time
• rinse and repeat

1.  Gifts: Cookies, cakes, fudge, food other than tea or coffee

• I've communicated that I don't eat sweets or baked goods. 
• This stops most drive by cookie/food items right from the get-go. 
• If given items away from home- either trash or immediate re-gift. Away from the giver.
• I prefer trash, as no one really needs obesity or diabetes. 
• If given items at home, Jr. Family member gets 1 item of choosing.  
• Then the rest hits the trash can.  Away from the giver. 
• There is no holiday baking (sweets) at my house.
•  I baked "for others" and ate for myself too much. I'm onto my slippery slope thinking. 
• I put a stop to that for my commitment to my goal. 
• Jr. Family member can bake in most other places she goes. 
• The homeless shelter I serve food has an overload of sweets from a local company- every day.
•  Don't  try the donations to the food bank or shelter suggestion. Mind sabotage. I'm on to it!!
• Ignore any "Mean Mom" comments. Part of Sabotage. I don't drink that Kool-aid. 
• Sabotage. This still happens. Politely decline. "No thank you, Doctor says". 
• I'm never, ever giving in. EVER. Slippery slope thinking and obesity are exhausting...
•  Sing to the tune of that Taylor Swift song. ;)

2. Holiday Meals

• Pass on expensive holiday parties where there is no gluten free food on a pre-fixed menu.
• Check the menu or bring my own on plan item
• Eat before hand, show up after the meal. 
• Explain to the host/hostess. Most people are on board. A little tweaking goes a long way. 
• Draw a line around those who are not on board (don't go in there!)
•  I won't change their mind. That's okay. 
• I do what's best for me. Doctor says. I decided. Talk matches the walk. 
• Coffee or really good decaf is a great way to finish a holiday meal
• Flavored tea (watch for teas with gluten- yikes!!) apple, cinnamon, peppermint, pumpkin. Major holiday flavors without the calories or triggers.

3. Activity

• Take an outside break, hike, or walk. 
• Ask others to join, but plan to go it alone if they all say no. 
• Take my camera, practicing my hobby is stress relief
• Plan an outside activity for the whole family.
• Always make time for exercise. Even if I fly, I can walk the air terminal or hit a hotel gym.

4. Holiday traditions 

The new Normal:

• I am not the Grinch.
• I am a previously overweight person who needs the new normal
• I deserve to feel awesome and want to be in holiday photos.
• Find recipes that work for the new food plan. 
• Use spices that are holiday like, without the trigger food.
• Enjoy people and places. 
• Visit with people who are in the area once a year.
• Take a walk on the beach. 
• Take a hike inland. 
• Ski, skate, or snow shoe if the mountains & weather permit. 
• Board games
• Wii Fit games
• Volunteer
• Travel
• Work to fill in for others with small children. 
• See, I'm not really the Grinch
• My clothes still fit come January

Zip- Zip Hooray. Santa is bringing revenge clothes. Best January gift ever. Totally within my control. Onward.  Discuss. Any other ideas?