Tis The Season

It is the time of year where everyone talks about all the food they are going to eat and the weight that they will gain.  It is almost as if it is expected, imminent, or even a laughing matter, but it doesn't need to be any of these if we choose to make the right decisions.

If there is anything I have learned over the years since first losing the 90 lbs, it is that there are times we tend to let our guard down a little bit.  For me that time was during the marathon training.  I figured I was running over 40 miles a week and I needed the calories/fuel so I needed or was even entitled to the food I was eating.  For others the holidays bring the time when they let down their guard only to be discouraged and down when the season comes to a close and the new year is upon us.

Following my first marathon last year, I gained some weight.  I didn't gain a lot, but I gained more than I wanted to.  I ate pretty much anything I wanted during the marathon training which was a mistake itself. Once the marathon was over I cut my mileage way back and the holidays were in full swing.  I didn't cut my food intake back like I had my running and so the weight started to creep up on me.  I got control of myself after the first of the year and then a year later I find myself again at that same place.  I just finished my second marathon a few weeks back and so now my running is not what it was just three weeks ago.  I am determined this year to not let the same thing happen to me so I am paying very close attention to how I am treating food and what my relationship is with it while the holidays are in full swing.

I say, lets not let the holidays happen to us, lets go into the holidays with a plan.  The plan doesn't have to be to lose weight (although that is what my plan is) but the plan only needs to be to continue to be conscious of what we eat, and make wise choices.

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org

How not to lose momentum during the Holidays

As I write this the holidays are on the horizon.  Do you have any plans on how you are going to stay the course during the next few weeks?  My plan is fairly simple, to keep doing what I have been doing all along, but only better.  

I do have a slight modification to my plan.....  I plan on eating whatever I want on Thanksgiving, and then again on Christmas, but only those days.  By saying "what I want", I don't plan on going overboard, but I also don't plan on restricting myself to where I am miserable all day.  These holidays come but one time a year, and they are meant to be joyous times when we spend time 

with family and not worrying about what we are eating.  Remember, one day is not going to cost you the race, it is not about one day, it is about a lifestyle change.  I will not stuff myself, but if I see a piece of pie that is calling my name, I will answer the call..... and then later if a different piece of pie calls my name I will again heed the call..... but only on those days.

Do

 you need some extra motivation to keep you on track for the holidays?  One very effective way is to see the goal, or at least see what the goal may look like.  I just found out about a service called WeightView.  WeightView is a digital motivational weight loss tool that allows users to see themselves 10, 20 or even 50 pounds lighter.

Here's how it works:

• Users upload a full-body photo
  
• Specify how much you want to lose
  
• Then WeightView sends back an image of you at your goal weight (FREE of charge)
  
• Print it out and hang it on the fridge or download it as a scrensaver for visual motivation 
  

WeightView also released an application recently on Facebook with the same concept. They've built this user centric application that focuses on community motivation and support. Some of the features include:

• tracking your weight loss progress
  
• building a support system with other WeightView users on the application
  
• providing and receiving motivation to and from your support group
  
• gaining reward points toward for actual prizes including magnets, picture frames and even mugs with your picture at your goal weight.
  

If you're interested you can check out the service at www.weightview.com, or if you are interested in the Facebook application you can visit the WeightView page and add the WeightView application.

What are you doing to keep the momentum and motivation during the holidays?

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org

Here are the results for me - not a real noticable change, but I like the quality of the service.