Avoid Becoming a Statistic This Fall

My favorite time of year is Fall. I don't know if it's because of the festivities, the friends and family get-togethers, or because I love getting my Fall fragrance candles out of the cupboard. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT!!! My downfall is Fall, though. I love candy from Halloween, I love eating at Thanksgiving almost more than I like Christmas, and I love the leftovers! I just love food, have I ever mentioned that?!

Statistics show that on average, people gain 11 pounds from October 31st to January 1st. ELEVEN POUNDS?! That's significant! Decide NOW if you want to be a statistic this year, or if you want to be proactive and start making choices NOW that will affect your health and wellness for the better. Don't just say you'll do better at portion sizes or not eat certain things, get SPECIFIC with your goals. For instance:

1) My opinion is to not deprive yourself of anything, ever. So if there's something you like, have it, just have a small portion. If you love Snickers (at Halloween), pick one day, have ONE Snickers, and be done. It's OKAY to throw Halloween candy away. I promise! If you love pumpkin pie, have a small piece or make a healthier, crust-less version. I will be posting a great pumpkin pie recipe soon!

2) Fill up on veggies from the veggie tray FIRST before grazing the other party food.

3) Make healthier cooking choices. Cut down on some of the fat by substituting apple sauce or chicken stock instead.

4) Drink lots of water! I like drinking a big glass of water right before a party or other place where I know I'm going to want to eat a lot. It helps you feel fuller and also has a huge list of other amazing benefits.

5) Start a workout program NOW! If you currently aren't working out, I can give you advice on where to start with your workouts. It takes 30 days to get into a habit, (I'm full of statistics today!) so if you start NOW, you'll already be into a great routine by the time Halloween gets here. Plus, workouts help boost your mood, which can be helpful in the cold, winter months.

6) Look for new, healthier recipes for your holiday feasts. Yes, it might be tradition to make your Grandma's stuffing, but if it's packed with butter, trying a new recipe might be a great idea. I will be posting lots of healthy recipes this Fall for you to try!

I'd love to hear your advice. What things to you try to do SPECIFICALLY to not over-indulge during the holidays? Let's hear it!