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During holidays many of us tend to eat an excessive amount of food. Christmas pies, hand-decorated cookies, Grandma's fudge, and Papa's melt-in-your-mouth prime rib are too good to overlook.

Nibbling during New Year's continues with the added glasses of champagne or a favorite bottle of Chardonnay. Mrs. Smith next door brings over her scrumptious banana bread and hubby brings home a chocolate cream pie his buddy's wife made specially for the family.

You can easily avoid the pain of holiday excess eating with these three simple tips:

1. Stop any mental bashing.

The holiday excess eating has already been done, and nothing can change the past; so stop fretting and move on to the present.

You may feel badly about eating too much, but don't verbally abuse yourself. You wouldn't let others continually harm you with verbal cruelty; so don't do it to yourself.

Maintaining a positive mental health will ensure you treat yourself respectfully. Talk openly about your feelings and then move on to a more positive outlook: how to now eat healthier, smaller portions; and how to positively commend yourself for improvement.

2. Think about the present moment.

What can you do now to avoid the pain? Set realistic goals for getting rid of the excess weight from overeating and work towards achieving those targets.

Make a list of how you can achieve each goal. For example, if exercise works and is one goal to work towards, write the target objective down and note how you will exercise.

I statements work best: I will get up and run on the treadmill 30 minutes a day. Or I will go bike riding every other day. Whichever exercise programs or plans works best, choose to incorporate those into your goals.

3. Don't add to your pain.

Excessive eating has already occurred and you may be feeling the twinges of despair. Don't add to the pain by eating more junk food or continued excess amounts of food at meal times.

Give leftover foods to family members, and purchase healthier foods. During meal times, get back into the habit of portioning out food and only eating necessary servings of balanced food groups.

Getting back to your natural homeostasis with these three simple tips will allow you to avoid the pain but not avoid your mental and physical state.
You'll be able to live with the pleasures of holiday excess eating and continue to feel good about yourself for future holiday enjoyments.

Learn more about this author, Lili Melton Ph.D..
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