We hear that many friends who have successfully lost weight in the past year are a tad panicked about the upcoming holiday onslaught of feasts headed their way. You know how it goes… All that yummy stuff right under your nose and your pals acting as food pushers droning, “relax, it’s only once a year.” You think to yourself, “yeah once a year for two solid months!” That’s not what I call a treat. That’s stamina.
So what can you do to at least maintain, and not gain?
Besides exercise, the best way to curb your appetite, or at least stop obsessing about it, is to help someone else in need.
1 in 6 Americans don’t know where the next meal is coming from.
National School Lunch says 20 million kids require free meals. It’s tough to learn and grow with your peers when you’re hungry. 49 million people say they have trouble putting food on the table.
“Yesterday’s ‘givers’ have become today’s ‘takers.’” The “New Poor” are you and I, said CBS Sunday morning this week. In 2010, food prices rose so much that it tipped 44 million people to the poverty level. Between tough investment losses and other recession oriented struggles, this week may show some very spare tables on Thursday.
My father always says, “It’s not about how much money you make, what matters is that you contribute and you’re happy as a result.”
Which brings me to a bright side: more than 61 million Americans volunteer. So there’s at least one person helping for every person in need. Volunteering helps us:
- Hone problem solving skills
- Improve self-esteem
- Increase cardiac health
- Decrease symptoms of chronic health conditions, especially depression
- Improve overall life satisfaction
If you’re feeling like it might be tough to give this year because you’re also tightening your belt, so to speak… Why not scale down your feast and fill it in with time or food donations.
Really down on your luck? Volunteer your time and then sit in on the festivities, you certainly will have earned it! Above all, no matter how hard it gets, be there in some way – be connected. We need each other.
And after you’ve carted boxes around or helped out, you’ll need a good stretch for your creaking bones. Here’s a favorite from Olga.
- Olga says you can still watch football while doing this stretch!
Happy Holidays to you all! See you on the Turkey PATH Ahead!