Hi All,
I got these tips from my Coach from a program that I am presently running. It is called The Lord's Table. My Coach emailed me these tips and I know it would be beneficial to all those who trust the Lord for support on these journey.
It is pretty long but I hope you find it useful.



Surviving the Holidays
With all the holiday preparations, celebrations, it is a challenge to keep from overeating and under exercising during this time of year. It is important to understand why it’s so hard to keep up healthful habits…many factors combine to increase the urge to overeat. Remember The Lord’s Table’s foundational teachings:
Delight your soul:
Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6: 50-58) and as ‘real Meat’ (John 6: 55) we need to remember to feed on Him everyday, especially during these busy times. This is the one thing that we DON’T want to do without.
John 6:50 This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.
John 6:52 The Jews therefore strove one with another, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
John 6:53 Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves.
John 6:54 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
John 6:56 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him.
John 6:57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he that eateth me, he also shall live because of me.
John 6:58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever
Discipline your body: (1 Corinthians 9:27) But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Dietary Downfalls:
• Food-focused celebrations: as we socialize with friends and family there is usually food involved, which raises the temptation to overindulge instead of eating in moderation and with thanksgiving.
• Stress: as if there weren’t enough stress in everyday life, holiday obligations add high expectations contributes to the stress. All that extra work can be overwhelming, and the stress can lead to overeating.
• Exhaustion: the demands of the festivities can leave people feeling sluggish and sleep-deprived, and often turn to food for comfort.
• Emotional eating: some people use food to soothe sadness, anxiety, loneliness, dissatisfaction, and loss as an excuse to overeat.
• Cold weather: some people crave high-calorie comfort food and drink when the temperature dips.
The same factors that contribute to overeating can also lead to physical inactivity.
3 Keys to Survival: To make the festive season a healthier one, there are three things that will help.
1. Practice Awareness:
o Be conscious of what you eat and how much. Allow yourself some special treats on the holidays but have moderate servings. (try an appetizer-sized helping of a dish instead of a full serving.)
o Be realistic
o Keep everything in perspective….allow some treats for the special days but then get back to your healthy routine the next day.
o Always look for opportunities to move.
2. Manage Stress and Emotions
o One way to keep stress at minimum is to lower your expectations about holidays.
o Learn to say “no” in a courteous manner, to activities and food that aren’t in your best interest.
o If holidays are difficult for you, turn to the Lord, and people instead of food. Start new traditions.
o Another way to deal with emotions is to make sure exercise remains a priority in your life…Exercise can be a great stress reliever.
3. Plan in Advance:
o Eat a little before you go to a holiday gathering; hunger can undo the best of intentions.
o Avoid sources of temptations whenever you can….if there are sweets in the office, break room etc., don’t go there.
o If you are traveling for the holidays, pick up some healthy, portable snacks at the store before you leave so you’re less likely to be tempted by unhealthy options.
o Think about what really matters during this busy time of year (focusing on Jesus), being with friends and family and plan accordingly.
o Also, schedule a brisk walk or hike after a holiday meal. Five minutes of exercise is better than 20 minutes of doing nothing.
Daily Accountability: Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
o It is good to keep up with your accountability partner, during these busy days.
Keep in mind that celebrations are really about family and friends—not food. Our bodies are God's temple, and they should always be treated as something very precious.