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5 More Reasons to Start Your Healthy Diet During the Holidays

Contributed by: Dave Junno Psy.D.

The holiday season can be a difficult time for those of us trying to eat a healthier diet. There are social gatherings with all kinds of delicious and high calorie foods available. Most people who need to make changes in their diet put off these changes until after the holidays. Yet, I believe that all the reasons dieting might feel difficult during the holidays are also reasons to consider starting a diet then.

Last year I wrote an article at this time giving seven reasons to start your diet during the holidays. This week I'd like to give you five more.

1. Our diet efforts will have a greater impact. People on the average gain weight during the holidays. Those who need to lose weight most tend to gain the most weight. Most diets are started when our weight is relatively stable. So when we start dieting during the holiday we have the double bonus of losing weight and not gaining the weight we would have had we not dieted. Sounds like a win/win to me.

2. We are more likely to stick to goals that we have declared publicly. If we have a goal of eating healthier and never tell anyone we can easily give up with out anyone noticing. If we declare our plans publicly then we have more accountability and we are more likely to stick with them. So what better time to go public then during the holidays, when we are going to see most all our family and friends. My experience is that most people will be supportive and want to see you do well in your efforts.

3. To get in touch with what is really important about the holidays. Let's face it, for many of us the holidays have become about the trappings, e.g. parties, food, gifts, and the real meaning has been lost. Make this holiday season a time to reflect on the timeless values the holidays represent. A time to be grateful for what we have and enjoy time with our family and friends.

4. If we can maintain a diet during the holidays, we'll increase our confidence in our ability to face difficult times with our diet in the future. Let's face it, dieting during the holidays takes extra planning and effort. If we can diet during the holidays, we'll be able to diet anytime.

5. It is never too late to start your New Year's resolution. How many of us have made a New Year's resolution to start eating healthier? Who says we only have to start our New Year's resolution right after New Year's? We may be eleven months late but how many other people can say they are following their New Year's resolution at this time of year.

Until next time,
Dave Junno Psy.D.