DUSTING OFF DETERMINATION

By Edwina L. Kaikai

Thanksgiving was only one day. And it’s over.

No sense in wallowing in self pity over the extras you ate. Those mashed potatoes and mounds of stuffing have already found a home on your hips.

If you haven’t been moving. Chasing after kids or running from store to store searching for holiday bargains doesn’t count.

All those good eats we indulged in on that one day have settled on our bodies for sure if real exercise hasn’t been part of the days that followed. Exercise without a continuation of the extra eating, that is.

I know it’s not easy. Those good dishes we only seem to get at holiday time taste extra special, reminding us of all the other foods we’ve avoided in our effort to be more healthful. We want those fried or sweet or butter-based foods that provided so much comfort and joy in the past.

Foods that also piled on the pounds.

No one plans to start the New Year unable to wear the past year’s favorites. And we won’t if we take action now.

Step One – Face the fact that Thanksgiving and Christmas/Hanukkah are just two days out of the 365 that make up a year. Our jeans don’t become snug because of any two days of indulgent eating. Not unless we use those two days as excuses to chuck the discipline healthy living demands.

Step Two – Get moving. As busy as the remainder of the year will be, make that to-do list and schedule time to exercise. That’s right, schedule it; don’t leave it to chance. At least 30 minutes of brisk walking or aerobics. Doing something positive for body and soul reduces the likelihood that we’ll yield to the temptation of eating too much or the wrong stuff.

Step Three – Beware of alcoholic beverages. They pour on the pounds with virtually no redeeming health value. A Kahlua and cream or glass of eggnog is not found on the food pyramid as a milk serving any more than a strawberry daiquiri or Peach Schnapps shows up as a fruit. If you want a drink, opt for a 4 ounce glass of wine or a light beer. Having more than one glass of your favorite drink? Then alternate it with a zero-calorie diet soda, club soda or Seltzer water. Or a glass of ice water garnished with a twist of lemon or lime (real fruits).

Granted, I haven’t followed my own advice much the latter part of the year. That’s why we’re on this journey together. It’s the first time in five years I’m not able to reach into the closet and put on any outfit I want confident it will only cling where it’s supposed to.

But I’m determined to exercise the discipline needed to make sure this what-to-wear, what-will-fit dilemma isn’t repeated again next year.

And the bonus payoff will be feeling fit and looking fabulous for the swimsuit season that’s right around the corner.

MOTIVATING MORSEL: Failure isn’t final. Failure is feedback. Realize what didn’t work and make adjustments accordingly.

Edwina L. Kaikai is author of “Stomach In My Lap: 25 Lesson Learned Confronting the Doubts, Fears and Excuses That Piled On The Pounds” and a contributor to “Chicken Soup for the Dieter’s Soul.” She strives to live a life of good health as an example to others. Contact her about the books or to share your tips, slips and triumphs at emptylap450@msn.com.