This month, we’re pleased to have Molly Wangsgaard join us in the Diet Blog as our Featured Guest Blogger. Molly is a Corporate Dietitian and Program Development Manager for Jenny Craig, Inc., and will be sharing some helpful strategies on how to maintain your healthy eating and exercise behaviors during this tempting time of year.
It’s only the second week of December, and you may already be concerned about the possibility of a calorie-laden month ahead. For some, Halloween candy may have started an extra month of unplanned eating; for others, Thanksgiving may have been the official kickoff of the “it’s-the-holidays-so-I-might-as-well-splurge” mentality.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, many of our successful Jenny Craig clients began their weight loss journeys specifically at this time of year. These people chose to not just survive the holidays — but to thrive all year long. And you can too! It may not always be easy (we all know holiday temptations are all around us), but with a can-do attitude and a healthy, weight loss mindset, you can start taking control of your weight and your health today.1. Keep in mind that the word “holiday’ ends in day — and not week or month. The special celebrations we associate with this time of year are memorable times with family and friends. Keep in mind that the holidays are “people events with food present” — not the other way around. 
2. Think moderation, not deprivation. Enjoy small portions of gingerbread men, latkes, Yule logs and sweet potato pie. These are foods that may have a special meaning to you, so take little servings and savor every bite. Remember: there are no “good” foods or “bad” foods. All foods can be enjoyed on occasion, in moderation.
3. Create realistic goals and expectations. Is it reasonable to think you’ll fit into the jeans you wore in high school in a month? Probably not. But it is realistic to set small, manageable goals for yourself, such as trying to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day or moving your body a little more tomorrow than you did today. For some, the best goal of all during the holiday season may be to maintain your current weight and prevent weight gain or regain.
4. Avoid an “all-or-nothing” mentality. If you slip up a bit one day, relax. Instead of using that slip-up as a springboard to abandon all your healthy eating and activity behaviors until January 1, use your lapse as a learning experience, and get right back on track.
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