Date:  November 28, 2006         

Key Points:

1. Our goal is to help you Reduce Holiday Stress = Healthier Eating, Exercise Time, and Enjoying this special time of year.

2. PLANNING is KEY! LISTS are KEY to successful plan execution.

3. Begin with a calendar and spiral notebook or make a holiday folder to keep all of your planning sheets and lists together.

4. Next, do your planning sheets by jotting down by number all of the major categories you need to plan and dates you would like to complete by. For example: Gift Giving, Decorating, Card Mailing List if you Send, Entertaining, Gift Shopping, Grocery Shopping, Travel if necessary, YOUR HEALTHIER MEALS, YOUR EXERCISE TIME, and YOUR QUIET TIME FOR YOU! These last 3 are MOST IMPORTANT and the ones we overlook and most often do not do.

5. Each Plan category now needs its List. For example:
a - Your Gift Giving Plan list should list in order of priority all the names of those you give a gift to along with the monetary amount you have budgeted for each.
b - Your Healthier Meal Plan needs to list your social commitments, your holiday cooking commitments, and how you are going to balance your holiday enjoyment with healthier foods. Example: Holiday baking is a family tradition. Try to use healthier ingredients such as Smart Balance versus Margarine or Butter, maybe part Splenda versus all sugar, and keep some fresh fruit, string cheese, and cut up vegetables with lowfat dip out to pick on while baking so you do not overeat on cookies. Balance some cookies with these healthier foods. If going out with no control over the foods served, DO NOT GO STARVING! Eat a light snack such as your fresh fruit, string cheese, and vegetables before going so you do not overeat the richer foods being served.
c - Your Exercise Time MUST BE SCHEDULED! List by day, the times you will be exercising and what you will be doing for exercise. I strongly suggest first thing in the morning so you do not get distracted and eliminate it from your day. But if you prefer another time, schedule it accordingly - weekday times may differ from weekends, just be sure you are getting at least 1/2 hour of something. Suggestion: Walk in place in front of your favorite TV show lifting your knees up a bit higher every few minutes is a simple and a great way to get your activity/exercise done. Exercise time is so important now because we are most likely going to be eating more of our holiday favorites, so at least we are keeping active to burn some of those extra calories. You can hit it much harder after the first of the year, but don't totally eliminate exercise now. Focus on just maintaining your health and weight versus gaining while enjoying the holidays.
d - Your Quiet Time Schedule is also important because this is your time to refocus, review where you are in accomplishing your plans, recharge your batteries so to speak, and just relax. List a time of the day to do this and what you will be doing to relax. Have a cup of your favorite tea, read something you enjoy, take a relaxing bath, do whatever you enjoy. Some prefer mornings, others evenings - you pick, it's your time.
 

6. Every few days review where you are on completing your lists and if you are ahead or behind your schedule. Make the necessary adjustments, and DO NOT STRESS over what does not get done. If you keep your Plans and Lists in order of priority, the follow them in order, the most important things will get done and most importantly you will keep fit during this busy time of year.

We welcome your questions and comments. info@thefitnesst.com