DOES STRESS CAUSE YOU TO OVEREAT?

I have always been an "emotional eater". I overeat when I am happy, sad, angry, bored, depressed, stressed out...

This time of year, who isn't stressed?

Add to that the fact that there is food lying around everywhere, and you have a recipe for disaster! There are goodies at work, there are special holiday parties and events to attend, friends invite you to their homes to visit over the holidays. Before you know it, you've gained an extra 10-15 pounds. Make this the year that you either:

• maintain your current weight over the holidays,
  

OR

• lose a few pounds between now and January 1st

HERE ARE A FEW IDEAS:

1. Choose 1 food to give up totally from now until January 1st (not vegetables, either!!!). I chose sugar, including all candy, cookies, cakes, deserts- all sweets. By committing to not eating a single Christmas cookie, I am saving myself a lot of unwanted and un-needed calories, not to mention avoiding the heartburn that is always sure to accompany overeating on sweets.
2. Commit to exercise every day- even if it's just a quick 15 minutes on the treadmill before or after work. It's better than nothing.
3. Be sure to plan out your meals. Eat a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. You will be less likely to overeat if you are not starving.
4. Have a healthy snack before going to a party or to friends' homes for the evening. A few nuts, some fruit, or wheat crackers with peanut butter or hummus are some of my favorites- just enough to take the edge off so that I can keep myself on track.
5. Make smart choices. Don't deny yourself everything, however choose what you will indulge on carefully.
   
6. Continue to keep your food journal. Writing down every bite that goes into your mouth somehow makes it easier to be reasonable!
   
7. Remember that food will not relieve stress. Overeating will only add to your stress in the long run. You will feel better and have more energy if you continue to eat healthy and to exercise.
8. DON'T FORGET TO CONTINUE TAKING YOUR HOODIA! I find that I am less inclined to overeat when I am taking the Hoodia faithfully and don't feel hungry. It may be your best defense against that 10-15 pound holiday weight gain. You sure will appreciate it come April, when the winter coats get put away!!!!
   

MAKE A PLAN, AND STICK TO IT!