How To Handle Holiday Temptation

Try as we might to get a head start on our New Years' resolutions, the holiday season is a winter wonderland of daily temptations. Usually, they come in food form. How do you resist (or at least handle in moderation) when everything you love the most is literally everywhere? Here is a list of the top five temptations you are sure to come across this season, and these tips will help you practice a little restraint.

Mom's Home Cooking
I'll be home for Christmas....and when I leave, I'll be fifteen pounds heavier. There's nothing like a good home cooked meal, and when you're on holidays those meals come multiple times a day, plus the big family feast. You don't want to insult Aunt Betsy by overlooking her famous lemon meringue pie to skip out on a few extra calories, but you also want to be mindful of what you eat. Pace yourself, take one or two servings of everything you like best.

Decadent Desserts
Scouring the mall for the perfect gift is sure to land you in a few aisles exclusively riddled with sweet treats. It's tempting to buy a few for yourself, but remember that this season you're going to score more than enough goodies for free. Reserve your fat wallet for fattening your friends up!  Also, any buffet spread you're bound to stand in front of at some point during the holidays is going to have quite an assortment of desserts. Remember that your eyes are usually bigger than your stomach, and a plate stacked high with caramel pecan tarts are not likely to produce anything but terrible aching later on.  

Leftovers
Hold off on the grocery shopping until you've emptied every Tupperware container of leftover stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes, and mixed veggies. If you know you're going back to your apartment with an already fully stocked fridge, maybe save the bigger leftover helpings for your cousin Katy who lives in residence at university and whose diet consists of pizza and vodka cran.

Open Bar
Speaking of vodka cran, this is the one time of year when you can drink a few more than you usually would and not be judged....too much. If you're thinking that by-passing the rich spread of food and opting for your weight in booze is going to balance your diet out calorie-wise, think again. There may be an open bar at the office party, but be careful about making a fool of yourself. Be fun and festive, but know your limits. Drink responsibly and cut yourself off when you start asking co-workers whether they've been naughty or nice this year and sitting on your boss' lap is sounding like the best idea you've ever had. 

The Gift Bag Bonus
With every generic gift bag, whether it's from your great aunt or the company you work for, comes an onslaught of bonus treats. Candy canes, chocolates, cookies. There's a feeling of obligation when food is in front of you even if you don't particularly enjoy it. Eat it if it's there, right? Share the love! When you've got way too much candy, don't hesitate to re-gift a few portions to younger family members or even donate a gift bag to a local holiday charity.

Courtney Gilmour
		About the author:
		Courtney is a published writer, stand-up comic, and shameless Internet enthusiast. She holds a double bachelors degree in English Literature and Communication Media Studies, specializing in semiotic theory, however she doesn't get Shakespeare and has never won a game of Scrabble. Currently she lives in Toronto and works as a writer for WOMAN.CA.
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