Mesage of the Day - Thursday

November 29, 2001

“BUT RICHARD, IT`S THE HOLIDAYS!” 11/29/2001

Hello, hello! Good day to you. I have a stack of e-mails on my desk that is

oh, so high. Many of them are from mothers whose children are overweight. We

know how painful that can be, especially if mom is overweight, too. Many

tell me they will start up again right after the first of January.

Hold it! Wait a minute! Don`t plant that seed! Don`t go there! You`re under

a holiday spell. Clap your hands 3 times and blink twice. You MUST NOT give

in to the temptations of the holidays. What happens if you put your videos

on the shelf and lock your FoodMover up until January 1? Chances are you

will gain weight, and if you have children who are overweight today,

there`ll be another 5-8 pounds by January 1 if you just allow them to eat.

Were you or your children overweight last year or the year before? You`ve

been through this holiday season many times. Many of you have eaten the same

foods every single year, so you certainly know the routine, and you

certainly know the way food calls your name. Those memories of the past

should fuel you to stay on program for the month of December! You know you

can eat most anything you want if you eat it in the correct portions, but

you cannot take a holiday vacation here!

Take walks with your kids every day. If it`s cold out there, dress them

warmly, because that cold weather will help them burn more calories. If you

know the lunch or dinner is going to be “holiday-ish”, cut down on the other

two meals. I know it`s difficult to say to the kids, “Just have one cookie,”

or “You can`t have seconds”. It`s rough on you, too. That`s why exercise has

got to be in the forefront of your mind! Calories won`t burn if you`re

sitting there flipping channels, and unfortunately, housework doesn`t count,

even though I know you work your fingers to the bone to keep your place

looking pristine.

So please remove these thoughts about giving in to the holidays from your br

ain. It`s all about planning, and yes, December is the hardest month to

plan. You and I both know it is not impossible. What would help your

children more than anything is showing them YOU can do it! You know you

will, because you`re strong, and you`re a survivor just like me.

Two hours of aerobics tonight at Slimmons. What could be better? It would be

better if you were there!

Love,

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