Can You Eat This Holiday Season and Not Gain Weight?

Is it actually conceivable to get through the holiday season without gaining ten pounds? It does seem virtually impossible doesn't it? The cookies, the gravy, the meats, the breads the list goes on and on. Your family members will be stuffing you every second of the week this holiday season and it is your responsibility to eat with caution!

Being that I have worked in a gym in my past, people always ask me questions on how to stay fit during the holidays. It seems to be one of those things that people just gain weight and put up with it versus actually aiming to prevent it from happening in the first place. So it is possible to have an enjoyable holiday season and not gain? Yes, it actually can happen. The first tip I like to share with people is to watch what you are consuming the week of your big holiday feast. If you know you will be eating very heavy on a Friday, then perhaps on Wednesday through Thursday you can make some very light food choices. Have a salad for lunch, cereal for breakfast and baked chicken for dinner, things like this. That way, your body is already going down the scale before the big feasting day arrives, working with you not against you. I know, it seems like a challenge with all the Christmas cookies spread about your home and even inside your work office, but you can do it just for one or two days to really enjoy that big meal you have been craving!

That same week leading up to your meal, watch what you consume in drinks. I cannot stress this enough, people do not realize how many calories they are consuming each day on drinks. That fancy coffee you love at Starbucks...probably a cool three to four hundred calories. Sodas, even fruit juices can be very high in caloric content. Drink water instead as much as possible and brewed teas, or light soft drinks with zero calories. It is worth the sacrifice and you will feel even more energized after the second day of not having your body consume so much sugar and caffeine. Always get smaller portions the day of the big feast, you do not need a fist full portion of gravy, taste in smaller increments then you can more! Do not eat the skin if you can enjoy it without it. Turkeys and such tend to have fatty skins on them, this can help avoid excess calories. Have a healthy snack before you leave your house. Sounds silly, but a handful of carrots or a bowl of cold cereal can help you maintain your weight during the holidays.

How To Love And Parent Step Children

Parenting step-children is a whole different deal from actually raising your step-children on a full-time basis. Typically, when you are parenting step-children, there is a shared custody agreement so that they are not actually at your home full time. There is usually an agreed upon schedule for both sides. The best way to step-parent is to allow the natural parents to do there job and to become an assistant to them. After all, they are their children, not yours. You need to respect their position and try your best to follow their lead while parenting.

You should not become the child’s friend because you are still a parent, just not a natural one. They will need to respect you and to listen to you for their own safety. Do not play games between the children and the other parent. Don’t get involved in their small arguments and try not to take sides. A good position to attempt is that of the peacemaker. That you just want everyone to get along. Do not go against the other parents rules and allow the children to do things that they have told them they are not allowed to do. You should attempt to keep the same kind of rules at your house as the other home involved. It’s not always 100% possible, but you can at least attempt it.

It’s a good idea to find out what the children like and don’t like and what a typical day at their other home is really like. This way you will know what the children are accustomed to at the other parents home. A really nice touch is to make sure they have their own drawers, space and/or bedroom at your house. So that they know they are welcome and not just some guest that dropped by. You can also find out their favorite foods, type of DVDs, and even buy shampoos and soaps that they use regularly. Taking a few minutes to learn what their favorite treats and items that make them feel at home will go a long way in showing them how much you care about them and their needs.

Do not hesitate to call their other parent should you need advice or a situation comes up that you are having difficulty in making the decision about. Allow them to actually make the decision in this case and then you are totally in the clear. Plus you look much better in their eyes because you have shown them that you are putting the children’s needs first just by calling them about it. Always consult with your spouse prior to any serious conversations you may need to have with your step-children as you do not want to overstep any boundaries ever. This could save you from several arguments between yourself and your spouse in the near future. It can also show your step children that you do not wish to cause any issues, but to instead help create a healthy environment for the whole family to reside in.