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The following is a blog of things I’ve learned over the course of my journey that keep me mostly on task over the holidays.

At the close of December 2009 I had been eating clean 6 days on 1 meal off for the entire year.  As the holidays closed in I was doing really well. 

Then I found myself sitting in my office listening.  My office is literally 5 feet from the department kitchen.  I work in procurement, suppliers love to bring holiday fare in to the procurement department.

I sat there one day after listening to people ohh and ahh over the delectable treats that had been brought in.  Back then I wasn’t to the point I am today, back then I still straddled the “why me” fence.

I got up from my desk and walked in to my male co-workers office.  He knew I was not having the treats, but he had no idea how difficult that particular day was.  I quietly cried as I explained to him how difficult it was to listen to all of the exclamations of delight.  He looked at me with a brotherly affection and winked and said “just remember why you are doing what you are doing” and I got up and headed back to my office and as I passed the kitchen, I reminded myself of my goals.

That very same holiday season I was sitting in the chair on New Year’s Eve and realized that I wasn’t frantically cleaning things out in an effort to pave the way for a new diet resolution.  I realized that finally I had truly changed.

Helpful Hints:

Keep yourself in check the days leading up to and the days after the event.  Holidays are generally only for one given day.  You know  if I’m talking to you…   😉

Why not run a local Turkey Trot?  Most cities have them early on Thanksgiving morning and you can run and go home and be done with fitness for the day.  If not, do some push-ups, sit-ups and air squats for 20 minutes first thing in the morning and then you are finished.

Wear your tightest blue jeans or dress pants to whatever dinner you attend.  You’ll get this mid-meal.

Drink more water than you usually do.

Don’t use the words “I’m on a diet” to your friends and family. It’s the holiday season, they don’t need to be bored with your superstar goals.  Eat the way you should and don’t profess your awesomeness to anyone other than yourself in the mirror.

Don’t nibble.  You don’t need the extra calories.  Eat clean at ALL meals you are in full control of.

Try having soup for dinner the night after your festivities or lunch if your family does the evening meal.

Remember these meals are not your last supper.  Eat and enjoy but there really is no need to gorge yourself.