Getting back to the basics of what’s most important in life.
Labor Day Weekend
I never met a holiday menu I didn’t embrace. Like so many of us I was “dieting” some of the year, but when a holiday rolled around, out the window the diet went.
Problem is — in our current culture — we celebrate something every single month (or every week if we have large families or lots of coworkers who need to be celebrated).
Take Labor Day – in the U.S. – back in the day, you’d find me eating like the fall wasn’t around the corner. I was still diving into the ice cream like it was still summer.
By July early September I’d wake up disappointed and angry with myself. Not only was the beautiful summer over, but I’d also spent the weekend trashing my body.
Nobody needs a second margarita.
Finally, one year I hit my version of bottom (a serious “win” in the big picture). I was tired of the health problems that come with weight, and deeply wanted to enjoy my young kids vs. noticing that my jeans were cutting off my airway at any given time.
I’m 61 years old at the moment and happy to report (gobsmacked is more like it) that holidays no longer equal insane eating.
If, like me, you’re ready to emerge from this holiday weekend pleased with yourself on Tuesday morning take a look at these game-changing hacks.
Hack #1: Buh-Bye Norman Rockwell!
For years, I attempted to create Norman Rockwell holidays for my family which of course causes major stress for me (that then lead to mindless overeating). It didn’t happen right away, but I worked to dispel the myth of the perfect summer or holiday. And, as I did, a super helpful quote landed in my lap sealing the deal: “Don’t worry about being perfect. Make memories.”
Hack #2: Holiday Eating
Over long weekends, I plan to have my very favorite foods on-hand. It’s far easier to stay on the Smart Eating Path when I have fun slash favorite food in the kitchen. I plan holiday-themed smart food that are both fun and supportive of Tuesday-me like watermelon, strawberries and cherries, corn-on-the cob, and grilled asparagus (almost any veggie splashed with olive oil and sprinkled with a tad salt and pepper are improved by grilling).
Hack #3: Make the Decision
I learned that trying to lose after age 50 cannot be “a wish our heart makes.” We need to make the decision to stay on The Smart Eating Path and later to maintain (adding: a wobbly decision is a perfectly fine start). A wish versus a decision are two completely different mindsets (for example, we don’t “wish” for coffee in the morning, we didn’t “wish” to get a college degree or the equivalent).
Hack #4: Setting Ourselves Up for Success
When facing a long weekend when I was losing, I’d plan in advance the menu of my entire long weekend. My plan was always to maintain my loss over a holiday not to lose weight.
I ask myself in writing; which parts of Friday night will be challenging? What about Saturday and Sunday will be tough? How about Monday? And so on. I even recommend planning the people. Which friend or family member supplies the most drama and write about how you’ll take care of yourself.
I took a good, long look at how I was eating out of boredom during long weekends. Here’s how I handled it: along with creating a food plan, I created a step-by-step boredom plan for the weekend too. These days my portal out of boredom is a phenomenal book, an awesome show (Call the Midwife, Mad Men, Mrs. Maisel, The Crown) or I bug people to let me cuddle their fur-kid.
Hack #5: Total Transparency
I’ve never counted fruits when adding up calories or points. For me, fruits are always zero: zero calories, zero points, zero problem. (Except bananas and avocados of course.) My go-to “zeros” in July: cherries and watermelon (the little watermelons this year are excellent).
Hack #6: Tuesday-You Matters
When you first wake up on Tuesday morning: how do think she wants to feel? Journal about what Tuesday-morning you most needs from long-weekend you. What would really make Tuesday annoyed? What would tickle her no-end? What would make Tuesday-you smile and think, I can do this! (That is, maintain smart eating habits after age 50.) Wear a bracelet or ring to always keep Tuesday-you front of mind when you see the jewelry.
Hack 7: I Guinea Pigged Myself
For years now I’ve been guinea pigging myself and am happy to report that one of the best habits I’ve ever embedded into my heart and soul is amazing. It’s called the Royal Eating Plan.
The REP has nothing to do with Queen Elizabeth and her peeps. It’s actually about eating breakfast like a king, lunch like a princess and dinner like a pauper. Have I seen progress? Beyond what I would have thought possible.
A three-day weekend doesn’t have to derail us. With planning and smart purchases at the grocery store, we can enjoy the downtime, eat smart, and head into Tuesday feeling great.
Have a smart eating weekend everyone! ♥
