Tis the Season! Once again the biggest holiday is upon us and is it just me or does it seem like it creeped up on us very fast this year? I am sure others feel the same stress as I do making sure you do your very best to make it a successful and fun holiday. In doing this, and the hustle and bustle and stress that accompanies the holidays, we still must be mindful of sticking to our goals and making sure we do not derail our weight loss plan that we have worked so hard to get thus far.

I hear this all the time, "it only comes once a year!" That is correct but for those of us dedicated to losing weight and getting fit, we cant use this an excuse. Relatives, cocktail parties, the parade of chocolates and cookies seem to continue longer and into the New Year.

The trouble comes in our indulgence for a long period of time to these treats. If, however you are currently on the Visalus challenge, you will be ahead of the pack if you can stick to it as close as possible without sacrificing or being miserable. The season is for everyone to enjoy and just because your wanting to drop a few pounds doesn't mean you cant enjoy the holidays. For this reason I offer these tips and advice to make sure everyone enjoys a happy and healthy holiday season.

BE A LITTLE MORE REALISTIC

Lots of people will say that losing weight during the holidays is impossible but I beg to differ. To those with this mindset, I personally challenge you to join the Body By Vi 90 Day Challenge. Eat your treats in moderation and have your meal replacement shakes for other meals and you will still drop pounds. My advice is to set smaller goals during these times just because of the uncertainty of your day to day activities but stay on plan and you will lose some weight.

LETS BE PICKIER

All I mean here is before lining up to fill your plate, survey whats being offered and go for the foods or treats that are usually only offered around this time. This way you satisfy your holiday cravings. Skip things that you could possibly eat any other time of the year. I also like the idea of using a napkin instead of a plate for your hors d'oeuvres. You simply cant put as much on a napkin!

GET ACTIVE

Don't use the cold months as a reason to sit inside. Get out and stay active. If you live up north or in a location prone to snow, this shouldn't be hard. Snowboarding. skiing, ice skating or other winter sports is a great way to stay active. Hey, volunteer to shovel some snow if needed, this is a workout by itself. I unfortunately live in North Carolina where snow is a surprise so for people like myself, I say its the perfect time to hit the gym.

MODERATION - DRINKS HAVE CALORIES

So don't drink your empty calories. You worked hard to select better food, don't mess that up by downing all the drinks at your parties. Pace yourself and drink in moderation. Wine, beer, eggnog and the list goes on can pack unwanted calories. If you do like to have drinks then try to mix in a glass of water between your drinks or every couple drinks. The only exception to this is of course if your drinking your Visalus meal replacement shakes for weight loss. These are good calories so stay on track!

ONE PLATE - ONE SERVING

Avoid going back for seconds. Survey and look for healthy foods and snacks and only fix one plate. Even if it looks like a mound of food, its very likely you will still be consuming less with that one plate than if you went back for seconds!

ENJOY THE SEASON

Fact is, we are already under a little more stress this time of year so lets not add to it by beating yourself up if you cant make a healthy choice all of the time. Yet another reason to join my weight loss challenge. Its simple and easy to do and makes it easier for you to enjoy the holidays because you know you are getting proper nutrition and your metabolism is firing. Needless to say, you will be well ahead of target for the New Year. While everyone else is making the resolution to lose weight, you will already be losing weight!

Make sure you enjoy and relax during the holidays. Slowing down for a moment will be better for you than you think.

My main interest is on helping you achieve your weight loss and fitness goals and I always try to convey relevant and important information that someday may make a difference in ones life. For this reason, I offer all of my readers a Free eBook as a Thank You.

Please visit my blog to reserve your FREE copy of our "Insider Secrets to Training and Nutrition" eBook today and to learn more on the products, services and business opportunity I offer.

http://healthylifestyle-rfg.blogspot.com/

Thank You
Robert Grissom

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Losing weight is a difficult task for most people. To really shed pounds and then keep it all off, you need to develop a new lifestyle. Healthier cooking, better restaurant choices, and regular exercise can put you on the road to real, lasting weight loss. Essentially, you must become a new person. A health farm can be a great way to do this, but not everyone finds the idea appealing. For many, the words "health farm" conjure up images of dormitories with bunk beds, early morning wake up calls, disgusting food, and workouts that feel like torture. However, there is also a type of health farm that is less like a military boot camp and more like a fitness holiday.

Part bootcamp, part gourmet dining experience, part relaxation spa, a fitness holiday allows you to learn new ways of thinking about food and exercise. There is plenty of exercise, but it can include enjoyable activities like hiking in the countryside. The staff is supportive and encouraging, and can help you find ways to work around your physical limitations. A good fitness holiday should feel like a luxury spa, with comfortable private rooms and other activities in addition to exercise.

The idea behind a fitness holiday is to learn new lifestyle changes, and practice them before returning home to the temptations and shortcuts of everyday life. Not only should this type of retreat offer excellent food, there should also be some nutrition education and even cooking classes. Before you leave, you should know how to cook your own deliciously healthy meals. You should return home with ideas for meal planning, grocery shopping, and what to order at a restaurant. Few people have the time to cook an extensive meal, and you need to know how to prepare fast, healthy, and delicious foods. Remember, you can't make a lasting change in your diet if you do not find healthier foods you enjoy. A fitness retreat can help you discover new foods that suite your palate.

A health retreat should include more than just good food and plenty of exercise. For it to truly be a holiday, there should be some time to relax and enjoy yourself. A good retreat will have activities like yoga and offer services like massage. A massage and some relaxation in the sauna can help soothe sore muscles and make the journey to fitness more enjoyable. Some retreats even offer hypnotherapy to help you retrain your mind. Although guests at a health retreat will work hard, they can also enjoy themselves and relax at the same time.

The most important reason to consider a weight loss retreat is how effective this type of program can be. A retreat offers the opportunity to leave old habits behind and learn new ways of thinking. There is time to build new habits and routines that persist even after you return home.

After attending a luxury health farm three years ago, freelance writer George Rolf started a blog to educate and inspire those who wish to take a fitness holiday. With daily topics ranging from reviews of luxury fitness retreats to post-health farm weight loss to healthy recipe, Rolf is able to offer guidance and information to those seeking to gain or maintain control of their weight and overall wellness.

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