November and December are terrible months for eating and being healthy. If you don't agree, then I'm not sure what world you are living in. The weather gets colder so you don't want to do things outside and it's even more inconvenient to wake up early and go to the gym because of the temperature and ice on the windshield. With the cold comes warm comfort foods that are a signature of Fall, warm soups, fresh breads, and don't forget the pumpkin spice. It seems like the entire season is against you so you might as well settle down under that comfy blanket and sip on your hot cocoa as you wallow in despair.
I completely get it, and will admit that I'm a victim of the holiday slide as well. Once you reach mid-November, you are thinking about that Thanksgiving feast which is actually the opening round of holiday baking season. The next thing you know, you're surrounded by a never-ending cavalcade of sweet treats that will provide non-stop temptation for weeks to come. Once you start eating and enjoying the cookies, candy, and other delicious items, your brain and body are primed for the next readily available item the following day. You end up telling yourself it's ok to indulge now and you'll just be super healthy starting January 1st.
The problem with this thinking is that you end up losing so much ground in your battle to be healthy. Your perspective on food and your own body image suffers such a blow, that it's tough to regain what you once were in mid-Summer. The only solution is to draw a line in the sand and take two weeks to reset yourself before things become too bad.
WHAT I'M ASKING FROM YOU:
I don't want you to starve yourself, or even avoid people and treats for two weeks. There are no special pills, drinks, or exercise regimens involved. You can operate as normal, though you will have to tell people what you're doing, which will definitely start some conversation. You can eat as much as you want and when you want, so you stay full and avoid temptation. (Which is everywhere right now, trust me). Your eating during the two-weeks should be easy to figure out, which no charts, lists, or anything else that take up your time and energy.
WHAT IT INVOLVES:
The easiest way to describe your eating for this time is that you will focus on single ingredient foods in their original form as much as possible. If it has an ingredient list, especially a list with a word or two you don't recognize, then it's not on the menu for you. You're basically shopping from the perimeter of the grocery store and avoiding the aisles. You can eat out at restaurants, but the same rules apply, so if you don't know what's in it, then don't order it. You'll also need to know how they prepared it, because restaurants can be a little sneaky at times and sweeten up your food without you ever knowing. When it comes to exercise, don't do anything crazy during this time, simply because you need to focus on your eating and not distract yourself. I do highly recommend taking walks to help get you out of the house and avoid temptation.
Yes, there are more fine points to discuss, which is why you'll see videos and other information available before and during the challenge. Follow along and ask questions as you have them. You can join the Facebook Group, follow me on TikTok, or keep up with me on YouTube. I'm going to help you realize that you can do this, because if I can do it, anyone can.
Happy Holidays!
John Graham
I completely get it, and will admit that I'm a victim of the holiday slide as well. Once you reach mid-November, you are thinking about that Thanksgiving feast which is actually the opening round of holiday baking season. The next thing you know, you're surrounded by a never-ending cavalcade of sweet treats that will provide non-stop temptation for weeks to come. Once you start eating and enjoying the cookies, candy, and other delicious items, your brain and body are primed for the next readily available item the following day. You end up telling yourself it's ok to indulge now and you'll just be super healthy starting January 1st.
The problem with this thinking is that you end up losing so much ground in your battle to be healthy. Your perspective on food and your own body image suffers such a blow, that it's tough to regain what you once were in mid-Summer. The only solution is to draw a line in the sand and take two weeks to reset yourself before things become too bad.
WHAT I'M ASKING FROM YOU:
I don't want you to starve yourself, or even avoid people and treats for two weeks. There are no special pills, drinks, or exercise regimens involved. You can operate as normal, though you will have to tell people what you're doing, which will definitely start some conversation. You can eat as much as you want and when you want, so you stay full and avoid temptation. (Which is everywhere right now, trust me). Your eating during the two-weeks should be easy to figure out, which no charts, lists, or anything else that take up your time and energy.
WHAT IT INVOLVES:
The easiest way to describe your eating for this time is that you will focus on single ingredient foods in their original form as much as possible. If it has an ingredient list, especially a list with a word or two you don't recognize, then it's not on the menu for you. You're basically shopping from the perimeter of the grocery store and avoiding the aisles. You can eat out at restaurants, but the same rules apply, so if you don't know what's in it, then don't order it. You'll also need to know how they prepared it, because restaurants can be a little sneaky at times and sweeten up your food without you ever knowing. When it comes to exercise, don't do anything crazy during this time, simply because you need to focus on your eating and not distract yourself. I do highly recommend taking walks to help get you out of the house and avoid temptation.
Yes, there are more fine points to discuss, which is why you'll see videos and other information available before and during the challenge. Follow along and ask questions as you have them. You can join the Facebook Group, follow me on TikTok, or keep up with me on YouTube. I'm going to help you realize that you can do this, because if I can do it, anyone can.
Happy Holidays!
John Graham
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