‘Tis the Season
It’s the holiday season and I hear all the time from my patients that they are taking a break from eating right and exercising “because it’s the Holidays.” Most people who gain weight every year do so at this time of year. It’s as if someone else were holding them down and stuffing sugarplums down their throat. The holiday cookies are just too tempting.
And we all know it’s impossible to stop once you start. It’s as if the gyms were all closed and people were forbidden to exercise at home.
First off, when you get together with friends and family you don’t have to spend all your time on the couch in front of the TV. Why not go on a walk? Why not take in a show? There are a lot of Christmas shows every year and you know I love the Desantis Holiday Show which will be at the St. Charles church this year on Sunday, December 8th at 4 pm. Live local holiday music from a big band orchestra…what’s not to like? From horse drawn carriage rides at Highland Forest to ice skating downtown there are a lot of outdoor activities that are relatively inexpensive that the whole family can try. Building memories and muscles at the same time.
Secondly, you know the advice about eating healthy at home before you go to any party and that’s good advice. Why not go the next step and actually bring something healthy to eat to the party?
Even if you indulge your baser instincts at the holidays there is no reason you can’t do healthy things as well, including intermittent fasting.
How about eating during a 8 hour window during the week which will allow you to get a little cray cray during the weekend. Mitigate the damages so to speak.
Don’t forget the reason for the season. It’s great to be able to get together with friends and family but how about getting in touch with your spiritual side? Most of us are just going through the motions…the same activities, the same diet, the same routines. May I suggest that this time of year lends itself to reflection about your life, your choices, and where you are eventually going. Is this crazy world all there is? May I suggest the book Believing is Seeing by Michael Gullen PhD? This is a guy who graduated from Cornell with three degrees!! Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy and he explains how science shattered his atheism and revealed the necessity of faith.
Hopefully we will see you in the new year…healthier and happier.
Until then get well and stay well.
JT BARRY MD
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