4 Tips for a Slim Holiday Season
I know that Christmas is fast approaching. This is a struggle for many people who
imagine a thinner silhouette. I have a few tips up my sleeve to help you get through
the next couple of weeks with out destroying your fun!
#1 DON’T CUT OUT THE COMFORT FOOD.
Often the first things to go when “on a diet” is the comfort food.
With Eat, Shrink & Be Happy, you’re not on a diet. BUT you may be tempted to cut out all chocolate, sugar, potatoes and bread. DON’T DO IT!
In my own experience, the moment I tell myself, “Kim, you know you said you wouldn’t eat that,” that is ALL I can think about. It occupies my entire mind space. Then what happens? … I end up sitting down and eating an entire bag of crackers and brie!
Don’t fall into that trap! There is nothing that will test your will power and your
sanity more, than cutting out comfort food.
Try this instead: Don’t cut it out. Allow yourself to eat whatever you want, but
pay attention to every bite. Notice the flavor and texture and enjoy every bit of
it. You’ll notice you eat a lot less because you are aware when you’re satisfied and you
just naturally stop eating.
#2 NOTICE WHEN YOU’RE HUNGRY. BUT if you’re going to eat it anyway:
“I’m not hungry but I’m going to eat this anyway.”
Another corner-stone of my action guide is to constantly check in and see
whether you’re hungry or not. Sometimes you aren’t hungry, but have a
craving anyway. Decide that you’re going to eat it. Say it out loud. (Go
into the bathroom so people don’t think you’re nuts) and repeat:
“I’m not hungry but I’m going to eat this anyway.”
Then promise yourself that you’re going to enjoy every last bit. AND
promise yourself you will not feel guilty afterward. This doesn’t work if you eat it
and then beat yourself up. That will just cause more emotional cravings.
#3 PRESENTATION IS KEY.
Something that looks beautiful and has a beautiful name is going to
taste better. It is also going to make you feel more satisfied.
Think of 2 restaurants: A fast food chain, they name their signature
hamburger….a hamburger.
Now think of a really fancy restaurant.
They might also have a hamburger, with the very same ingredients
(basically) and it is called something like a “Texan’s Choice Sirloin
Beef Steak Burger”.
What makes your mouth water more? What do you think will satisfy
you more? Yep. The fancy one.
So if you are hosting the holiday meal, come up with some interesting
names for some of your dishes. (Think “Gourmet Frenched Green Bean
Casserole, and 12 Whole Grain, Cranberry and Almond Stuffing.
You guests will be wowed (they will think you put more work into it
and they’ll think it tastes better) and you will be satisfied with less, because
you have tricked your brain into thinking it’s better quality.
#4 20% RULE
This is probably the easiest to do (in theory). You can eat 20% more
or less and your stomach doesn’t notice. They have actually done
studies on this.
This is great news now that you know it. SO put 20% less on your plate
than you think you will want to eat. (You might try to hold back 1 scoop of
mashed potatoes, and 2 pieces of turkey instead of 3).
Don’t try to put 50% less. You will notice, then you’ll go back for seconds
and the point of this is wasted. 20% will do. Then eat it, savoring it.
Set the intention to eat only until you are no longer hungry and enjoy
every second!
Hopefully those tips will have you thinking in a more relaxed way. Have
a plan in mind to tackle the next couple of weeks. The holidays don’t
have to be a struggle for you!
Remember that you are fabulous exactly as you are right now. And
that you’re doing the best you can. Your perfect body is the one you’re in.
In 6 months she might weigh less, but she will still be the same person.
Relax. Use a smaller plate, a taller glass and enjoy every minute of
these wonderful days!
Interested in more tips for surviving the holiday food-fest? Check out the Eat, Shrink, and Be Happy Action Guide. Not a diet book, it will help you to accept yourself, love yourself and lose weight while you admire the wonderful women in the mirror!
Want to use this in your eZine or on your blog? That’s fine as long as you don’t alter it in any way and include the following:
Kimberly Englot is the Authentic-Life Coach, & CEO of Authentic Self Personal Development. Her VIP Coaching and group programs will teach you to discover your authentic self and be free to change careers, find relationships, lose weight and pursue greatness! Clear away 6 years of “baggage” in 6 weeks with The Master LIFE Cleanse.
How is Your Inner Bombshell?
Self Esteem and Self Acceptance…how are you doing in that area?
In my work, I learn a lot about acceptance, and the importance of loving yourself. This is probably the #1 thing that women struggle with when trying to claim their authentic self.
You’re probably questioning a few things: 
- What will my best friend think…
- My husband will think I’m crazy…
- She will judge me…
- What if she doesn’t like me anymore…
- What if my family thinks I’ve changed…
- What If I don’t like the real me?
All of those fears come to the surface. However, when you have confidence in yourself and you trust that everything will work out, you don’t have to fear the unknown anymore!
Get to know and love your inner bombshell. Everything about her. Her weight, and body size. The way she snorts when she laughs. All of those things that you see as imperfections are actually unique traits that you hold, and things you should embrace! There is nothing wrong with improvement, as long as you start from the headspace that you are already okay. You are doing it to grow, not to make yourself better (that implies there is something wrong with you right now).
All of those areas are the expertise of Gigi Belmonico. She is an image consultant who helps women discover their inner Bombshell! This week on Authentic Self radio, Gigi is going to define what a Bombshell is, and to be one when you don’t like your body, or don’t have a lot of time or money! Gigi is a women I have come to admire for her authenticity and spirit (and she is a lot of fun!) I cannot wait for you to hear this interview!
Tune in to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/authentic-self October 28 at 4:30 MT (3:30 PT, 5:30 CT, 6:30 ET) for a lot of laughs and insight!
Happiness and Self Acceptance
I have my Authentic Self show this afternoon. The show, “Eat Shrink and Be Happy” is roughly based on the action guide I wrote, but it’s not really about weight loss (the action guide or the Authentic Self show). It’s deeper that that. I wonderful colleague of mine talked about “weight acceptance”, I put it in terms of self esteem, self love and self acceptance. It’s a guide to happiness: body mind and spirit! I’m talking about how to be happy no matter what while answering some questions that people have been sending me regarding authentic weight loss.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When you’re unhappy with your outer appearance how can you get to a place of happiness in your whole life? One simple tip to remember: you are not your thoughts. You don’t need to believe everything your mind tells you. It’s your mind causing you pain. It’s telling you you’re not skinny enough, that you shouldn’t have eaten that brownie and that you should now feel guilty because of it. Its your mind that is getting upset over the number on the scale.
Here’s the thing, you’re not any of those things! You are not the number on the scale, the brownie or the guilt. You don’t have to look in the mirror with loathing — all of those things are a complete illusion. I know right you’re thinking I’m crazy. You might be swearing at me, thinking I’m just some skinny brat who has no idea what she’s talking about. That’s fine, you can take your anger out on me…but that will not change a thing.
Thoughts are the ONLY reason you are struggling in life. Whether it’s general unhappiness, dissatisfying career or relationships, or physical ailments, your thoughts are bringing you more unhappiness than is necessary. What if you decided that today you’re going to just be happy? What if you decided to look in the mirror and list the things you love about yourself rather than what you hate? What if you decided to show your body some gratitude and go for a walk instead of watching tv until you went to bed? What if instead of complaining you made a list of things you were grateful for? I bet that after 3 weeks of doing this, you’d notice a difference in how you feel. Something crazy happens when you stop believing all of your thoughts…your perspective changes. When your perspective changes, so do your circumstances. It takes time and effort, but that one little tip is the thing that is going to make the biggest difference in your entire life. Like a muscle or any new task you want to learn, exercise and practice makes perfect!
Try it. Let me know how it goes. And if you want to believe that I’m just some crazy person, that’s okay too, everything in life is a choice.
If you decide to change your thoughts, start by listening to Authentic Self: Eat Shrink and Be Happy at 3:30 PT / 6:30 ET today, or listen to the archives later. Also grab your own free copy of my Authentic Weight Loss Report, at http://www.kimberlyenglot.com/weightlossreport before Friday! As of August 28, 2009 at 11:59 ET this free report is disappearing for good. Grab yours today!
Discover Your Authentic Life
“The Authentic Self headquarters has been ‘a buzz.’” Find out why!
Discover Your Authentic Self
Video #5 How do you feel about you?
Video #4 Success Leaves Clues!! Do you know how to find them?
Video #3
Discover Your Authentic Self
Video #2
Last night I got really inspired to create a video. So I did. I was my regular, authentic self on a Sunday night. I didn’t do my hair. I didn’t change out of my university sweatshirt. I did do something that I was passionate about–talk about the authentic self!!! You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to do it!
Authentic Life and Happiness Tip#1
I think I need to preface this blog post by saying that I don’t just make this stuff up (well some of it comes from my authentic self, but that’s another blog). I actually test out everything I talk about in my programs, books, exercises and blogs. I’m not just out here playing pretend. With that said…
I was working through an action guide (part of Bob Doyle’s Boundless Living Challenge) because I wanted to check it out and see if it would be useful to my clients, and anyone who reads my blogs. Its a brilliant action guide full of great idea, information and very helpful questions.
Anyway, I was filling it out, thinking about my own life the past year and all of the ups/downs/surprises that have come with it. One of the exercises I found particulary helpful was writing a letter. Basically I was required to write a letter to myself, telling me all about my success throughout the year. Not necessarily bragging (although there is nothing wrong with a confidence or self-esteem booster exercise) but definitely stating the things I should be proud of. I was also supposed to give myself permission to let things go. To stop holding on to mistakes, or things that I should have done but didn’t get to. Once completed, it left me with a page long letter to myself. It was the perfect exercise to get me back in the moment, but also to congratulate myself on my success and let go of any unresolved punishment.
I encourage you to do the same. We get into a habit of focusing so much on what we’ve done wrong. Take time to acknowledge what you’ve done (and are doing right!). You’ll feel great after, it will shift your focus and your energy and you have something to look back on when you need a bit of happiness in your day.
Try it.
