Thanksgiving and Holiday Diet Tips From the 'No Guilt' Fairy

Okay, I need to start with my peeve about all of the usual tips we get from the experts this time of year. They tell you all sorts of tips on how to not 'blow it' and gain too much weight over the holidays.

I try to digest these bits of information, and my inner diet rebel comes out: "Can't we ever have a time when we can enjoy our food without over thinking the whole thing?!"

So many people spend their waking moments thinking about what they have, haven't, should, and shouldn't have eaten. This lands people in one of two places: A structure that works and they are content with their weight, or a constant on-off eating style, on-off guilt, and tremendous dissatisfaction and preoccupation.

If structuring yourself through limitation works for you, do it. But, for those of you who 'do well' throughout the party and meal and then find yourselves standing at the fridge eating the leftovers, try these tips:

1) Make a conscious decision to put that voice in your head, the one that tells you: "No, you really shouldn't have that additional piece of pie, or that helping of stuffing", and STUFF IT.

2) Repeat this mantra: "I CAN eat my food. I CAN decide what I want to eat, and I am charged with the MISSION TO SAVOR IT. To taste every morsel and bite. To enjoy the textures, the variety of tastes, and to GIVE IT TO MYSELF."

3) NO GUILT ALLOWED. Have I said that enough times? NO GUILT ALLOWED. If you don't believe me, I can promise you that it will boost your metabolism. There, have I caught your attention now?!

4) No complaining: "I ate too much!" You can feel proud and say it with a smile. In fact, you probably should eat a lot when there is fabulous food around. Your mouth and senses deserve and demand it. If it is crappy food, don't bother.

Being able to stop eating when you are done, or full, is not just physical, obviously.

Teach yourself a new trick.

Happy Thanksgiving, and Happy Eating!

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