What is the diet gauntlet?
The period of time between Labor Day to New Year’s Day, a total of 4 months in which even the best diet intentions fly out the window.
People generally like to let loose and indulge a little during the holidays. Yes, it’s a time to celebrate, and who doesn’t deserve a piece of pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving? The problem is that this ‘holiday season’ begins earlier and earlier every year, and now encompasses a total of 4 months! If you remember back to grade school math, that’s 1/3 of the entire year, a fraction that can easily expand your waistline if you aren’t careful.
This period of time is what I like to call the Diet Gauntlet. If you’re ‘good’ from January 1st to the end of August, you should reward yourself with four months of debauchery to even it out, right? Sure, if you want to undo all of the progress maintaining good health and a reasonable weight you made the rest of the year.
There has to be a better way! Indeed, there is.
Is it possible to enjoy all the delights that this ‘season’ has to offer without totally blowing it? Yes! Can you feel active and energized while sipping on pumpkin-spice somethings? Absolutely.
There are 4 keys to successfully running the Diet Gauntlet:
1. Preparation-carefully add indulgences into a sensible meal plan to avoid overeating.
2. Moderation-enjoy the things you love in small doses-don’t eliminate them!
3. Keep a schedule-continue the same level of activities you did all summer. Avoid additional snacking and stick to your normal meal plan.
4. Willpower-the most elusive of things, but much more tangible if underwritten by a solid plan of action.
Start the Diet Gauntlet with a good plan of attack and reap the benefits.
The way I see it, you have two choices:
- Do what you’ve always done, feel sluggish and tired for four months, then starve yourself come January 1st.
- Be mindful and eat your seasonal favorites with a bit more care, feel great and enter the new year healthy, happy and without the need to detox your body.
I think the second one sounds nice, don’t you?
Have no idea where to start? Meet with your friendly local dietitian for help with your plan of attack! Set up a complimentary 15-minute virtual consultation with me!