Should I Have That Treat?

With holidays comes holiday treats! From cookies to cakes, there are no shortage of yummy desserts all around you. Now you may be wondering, if I’m trying to get in shape and workout, should I have that cookie? Well, my answer is yes!

Let’s be honest, there’s temptations EVERYWHERE! Whatever you dietary preferences are, there is something that will always have you drooling no matter what. During Thanksgiving and Christmas, we are bombarded with images of cookies and cakes and all the hot chocolate! This can also be the main cause of stress to those who are trying to eat healthy and lose weight. Here’s my approach to this struggle:

Do you absolutely have to have it?

I work in an office setting where vendors bombard us during the holiday season with everything you could ever think of. But once you really start to look at it, it’s all just regular treats that have festive colors on it. Mostly of the time it looks appetizing but then I realize it’s just average tasting cookies with pretty wrapping.

Ask yourself this, what about this is so appetizing right now? Is this a treat that I really want to have and something that I’ll enjoy? Or is this something that just looks okay?

If you’re going to have a treat, make it worth your while! I can avoid most office treats because once I really think about it, those sweets aren’t that good and I’d rather have a big slice of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory (SO GOOD!)

Allow yourself the treat BUT eat a full meal first!

This is a favorite of mine. I always try to eat well before an event where I know there will be plenty of desserts. With a well rounded meal, you’re less likely to overindulge in sweets and less likely to feel the sugar crash from all the sweets. Eating well, plenty of times throughout the day and allowing yourself one treat every once in a while will not hurt!

In the end, what you really want to do during the holiday season is just enjoy yourself! Yes, you can go out of your way to avoid treats but you’ll be so stressed about it. Eating treats will not hurt you if you continue to eat well and exercise during the holiday season. Just have fun with your family and friends. If you listen to your hunger cues, I promise your body will take care of itself!