When the holiday season arrives, we sometimes find our discipline and Healthy Habits slip as we are tempted with that extra serving or a holiday party. Some of us may even consider waiting until "resolution season" in the New Year to get back on track if we've made an unhealthy decision.

Why wait until January 1^st? Continuing on Plan and implementing Healthy Habits now will build a solid foundation for achieving your goals in the New Year. Here are some tips for making healthy choices through the holiday season:

• Have a plan of action. When a challenge arises, have a game plan for how you will succeed. When faced with a decision between a healthy or unhealthy choice, remember that making the healthier decision will give you a greater reward in the long run.
• Fuel yourself before events. Have a small meal or Fueling at home before you go to the party to avoid picking at the buffet table or overindulging. Remember to also keep your water bottle with you at all times.
• Focus on friends and family. Let your loved ones be the focus, not food. Try planning an active seasonal activity such as ice skating or skiing instead of a sit-down dinner to get everyone moving.
• Enjoy yourself. Use this time to focus on yourself by getting some extra sleep, trying a new exercise, or taking some extra meditation time. Health is not just about looking your best, it’s also about feeling your best. Taking care of your wellbeing is the catalyst for making other essential healthy changes.

Don’t wait for a specific calendar date to embrace or resume a healthy lifestyle. Start implementing these healthy habits now and become a happier and healthier you. Instead of starting on the New Year, you’ll already be tracking toward your goals.

Ask me, your OPTAVIA Coach, about other healthy tips to implement this holiday season on your journey to Lifelong Transformation, One Healthy Habit At A Time™.

The holidays can be the most wonderful time of year, but they can also be stressful! Whether it’s looking for the perfect gift for your roommate or attending the family dinner with your not-so-favorite cousin, the busy holiday season, and all of its demands, can wear your body out! Here are some tips for preventing stress over the holidays:

• Plan your shopping. Organize your shopping strategically by writing down your gift list and the stores where you plan to do your shopping online or in person. Take a weekday off in the beginning of December to get through most of your holiday shopping while avoiding the crowds, or make a weekly plan with a budget for your shopping needs.  
• Invest in yourself. The more you have to manage on your to-do list, the more important it is to take time for yourself so you can approach your activities with more presence and positivity. Give yourself an early present by dedicating time to your favorite activity or treating yourself to a massage at the spa.
• Choose quality over quantity. Keeping up with traditions and planning holiday activities are fun, but can be overwhelming. We can also go overboard while trying to make everything perfect. Spending quality time with loved ones is most important, so don’t stress if you have to sacrifice seeing the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy this year for a family game night—there’s always next year.
• Plan a staycation. Taking a few days off from work during the holiday season can reduce stress levels. Use this time to bond with your children or partner while they are on break, or to spend some quality time with yourself.
• Get enough sleep. It’s easy to fall out of your sleep schedule during the holidays, especially on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Stick to your sleep schedule and get at least eight hours of rest so you have the energy to take on the holiday hustle and bustle that leads into the New Year.

Don't let the holidays become something that overwhelms you. Instead, recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, and combat them before they lead to a breakdown. With a little preparation and a positive mindset, you can find peace and joy during the holidays.

Nothing Short of a Miracle

“As with many women, I was never satisfied with my weight, even as a teenager. Thunder thighs, pear-shaped, poochy tummy—even though I wasn’t overweight, these were areas I was unsatisfied with. So even when I was at my fittest, I still felt fat.”

Fast forward three kids later and owning her own business, Conni was in her 40s and was about 20 pounds overweight, trying every diet imaginable to lose weight. Then in October 2012, she was challenged with one of the biggest obstacles she would ever face.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer and began chemotherapy. Because of the steroids in the chemo, I gained an additional 30 pounds. Now at 200 pounds, I felt terrible about myself.”

Thankfully, four years later, Conni was cancer-free, but still 50 pounds overweight. Just when she had come to the conclusion that this was going to be her weight forever, her friend (and soon-to-be Coach) inspired her by losing 50 pounds in five months.* She also had two new blessings that reshaped her outlook on life.

“When my two grandbabies were born, I realized that I wanted to be able to play with them, travel with them and do everything they do when they grow up. I HAD TO LOSE THE WEIGHT. They became my WHY.”

So in April 2017, Conni started the OPTAVIA 5 & 1 Plan^®, following it all the way through December 2017, when she hit 44 pounds lost.*

“Although my weight loss was slower than others, for me, it was nothing short of a miracle. Here are some things I learned about myself:

1. I needed structure. Having to eat every two – three hours with my 12 hour days was so easy to do! Having my food all picked out and just preparing it when my alarm went off became a blessing in disguise.
2. I found out I could stick to something. Learning how to make good food choices became my goal. The more I saw the results, the more I was determined to stick with it. After nine months of eating this way, I can safely say I have new habits for life.
3. Learning to say If someone would make something yummy and bring it to the office, how could I say no? I stopped doing that and learned to say ‘no thank you’ to anything that wasn’t on Plan.
4. Healthy Habits. Although I've always considered myself a healthy eater, there were things I had justified—greasy anything, wine, and comfort food. Now I don’t justify anything anymore, except my WHY!
5. Using support. My Coach was a great resource and I enjoyed the accountability she gave me. Also, hearing stories in the Community of people reaching their goals was a surprising bonus.

I used to say ‘I gained this weight through no fault of my own’, but now I see that it was the catalyst to break a lifetime of bad habits, wrong thoughts and choices. At 56 I’m at my best weight and I intend to stay here.

THANK YOU OPTAVIA!”