              |
 |
 November 2006 Back to Table of Contents Back to Archives Main Page Section: Feature Weighting for the Holidays By Maria Scrivani
The secret to avoiding January remorse is, put simply, awareness — make a conscious decision, now, to choose health. And that doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun. We talked to some veterans of the weight wars for their best tips on how to navigate the danger zone of holiday feasts. • Forget about dieting. “It all comes from the self,” says Chuck Pelitera, an assistant professor of health and physical education at Canisius College who is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist. “You have to say, ‘I need to make a change for the better.’ It’s a whole new philosophy of life — this is not about the quick fix. I tell my clients to be conscious of what they’re eating.”
Clair Poliachik, a Depew resident who has maintained a 105-pound weight loss for the past three years, says “This is my lifestyle now — I’m not on a diet; there’s no beginning and end. This is how I eat.” She uses lower-fat or fat-free products in cooking, which has converted some skeptical family members. “Now they ask for my manicotti,” she says, “and I’ve switched to egg whites and fat-free ricotta.” Sausage on Christmas Eve is an Italian tradition, and Poliachik simply substitutes a low-fat turkey version. • Get a game plan. Sandy Lapham, a Buffalo resident who is a lifetime WeightWatchers member (that means she’s maintained her goal weight over an extended time period), says moderation and a few little tricks keep her on track. “I think feeling deprived is why people quit their weight-loss program at this time of year, “ she says. “I plan ahead for a party. If I know there’ll be something I love, like sweet potato casserole, I’ll plan on having that, and go light on dessert. At Thanksgiving, I can take a third of a piece of three different kinds of pie, and I don’t feel deprived at all.” Never go to a party in starving mode, she advises. Have a bit of protein — a slice of turkey, a piece of cheese, or a glass of milk — so you don’t attack that buffet table.
• Focus on quality, not quantity. “Any nutritionist will tell you, if there’s a food you really like, go ahead and have a small portion,” says Pelitera. “You have to enjoy life, but too many of us overindulge.Try half portions at meals, and wait about 20 minutes for satiety to register.” Clair Poliachik well remembers the first Thanksgiving night she didn’t “feel stuffed like that turkey” — “I felt so much better! It’s amazing how much better food tastes to me now.” • If you fall off the wagon, get back on. “Sometimes it helps to give yourself permission to overindulge,” says Lapham. “Choose your moment, and then get right back on track when the party’s over. Don’t waste time on guilt.”
• Remember that food is not the only reward. “Focus on the other wonderful aspects of the season, like seeing old friends,” says Lapham. Pelitera says his goal is helping clients to enjoy the best quality of life. “The rewards of weight loss for me — looking good, really feeling good — are better than any pie tastes,” adds Poliachik. And her husband likes having more room in their bed. back to top back to table of contents Current Issue | About Forever Young | Where to Find | Advertise | Our Advertisers | Community Calendar | Contest | Clubs | Contact Us | Archives | Home |
