The Phase 1 Thanksgiving Challenge

Most people know that breaking a diet, even one time, can drastically reduce weight loss. Worse than that, it’s often that first “just this one time” that leads to the next, then the next, and before you know it the diet is just a memory. As someone who has been on many, many diets before HMR, I can’t tell you how many diets ended with the words, “just this once, then I’ll get right back on track.”

For many, the year-end holidays can bring their own special pressure to break the diet. All of a sudden, well-meaning family members become diet experts: “It’s just one day. You can get right back on the diet later, right?” Co-workers and friends can join in: “Go ahead and have just a little. No one’s perfect.” Even so-called diet experts can fall into this trap. I read one article online this morning that said, “forget dieting over the holidays, just try to eat healthy and retrain your brain.” With experts like this, it’s no wonder people gain weight over the holidays.

In spite of all this unwise advice, one fact remains. Those who stay “in the box” have a virtual guarantee of losing weight. Period.

So, here’s HMR’s challenge to everyone in Phase 1: Stay “in the box” 100% over the long Thanksgiving weekend. Let’s take a look at how you might do that without feeling like you’re depriving yourself.

First: Your commitment to stay in the box means doing something active to bring that about. It’s not a willpower thing, it’s a “here’s the 2-3 things I am committed to do” thing. So, to stay “in the box” you’ll need to do as many of the following as possible.

1. Take all your shakes and entrees (plus vegetables and fruits if you’re on Healthy Solutions^®) every day no matter what.

2. Recognize that Thanksgiving and the days following can be challenging, and use More Is Better™ to stay full enough to stay in the box. If you’d like some ideas on how to do this, take a look at the support pages here: http://www.hmrdiet.com/Succeed/HMR_Strategies/Stay_on_the_Diet

3. You can enjoy some of the flavors of the Thanksgiving holiday, and still stay in the box. Try some of these recipes for holiday treats:

Decision-Free^® and Healthy Solutions Recipes
Creamy Eggnog
Vermont Hot Cereal  
HMR Stuffing   
Savory Chicken Stew 
Double Chocolate Mousse  

Healthy Solutions Recipes
Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Shake  
Green Bean with Risotto Casserole 
Thanksgiving in a Dish
Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

4. Staying active over the holidays can make a big difference. If you’d like some ideas on how to do this, take a look at the support pages here: http://www.hmrdiet.com/Succeed/HMR_Strategies/Get_More_Active

Second: Getting support, sharing ideas, and hearing from others can be critical, especially during this challenging time. We have a very active, supportive online community that does just that. If you are looking to make a public commitment to stay “in the box,” have ideas or recipes to share, or would like ideas from others about challenging situations, please join us here.

We would love to hear from you, no matter what day it is. Come join the “‘In the box’ for Thanksgiving” forum discussion now, and join ranks with others committed to losing weight over the holidays. You’ll be glad you did!  

by KeithVanGasken on 11/14/2012 | Share Story With a Friend

tags: Weight-Loss, HMR, Recipes, motivation, in the box, planning, strategies, holidays