HOLIDAYS

Easter is Sunday, April,4,2010. As with all holiday seasons there is always family, friends, and food. Diabetic have a difficult time at every holiday whether it be jelly beans or Christmas fudge. Staying on track during the holidays is a real challenge for a diabetics - Trying to keep going with healthy lifestyle goals. Special occasions and special temptations all come with holidays. Holidays bring a shift in routines, with (hopefully) more time off of work, festive gatherings, traditional family meals, extra time to relax and be with your family, and lots and lots of opportunities to eat. For most of us the holidays are the best times and the worst of times. We love to celebrate, but we hate what the celebration can do to our diabetes, let alone our waistlines. Tips you might find helpful to find balance between indulgence and prudence that will work for you for all the holidays, and making them the best ever. * Live the true spirit of the holidays - Easter is the celebration of Love and Miracles just as Christmas - When we celebrate these miracles and the wonderful traditions they reflect, we should also take time to celebrate our own personal miracles 0 our lives, our families, and our friends. We live in challenging times, and that is another reason to truly cherish all of our blessing and live in the true spirit of this Easter holiday season. * Give yourself a gift - Most of us put lots of thought into picking just the right gifts for our loved ones. But how many of us do the same for ourselves? Think of something you would really like for the holidays that you are unlikely to get from anyone else. Take a moment right now to write it down and put your note same place you will see it again. Then put the time on your list and shop for it as carefully as you do for your other special holiday purchases. If you gift is something you can;t buy right now, a weekend at the beach with your spouse for example, make a plan to see that it will happen. * Stay active - holiday times is food time. There is a lot of it and much of it is high in fat and calories. But it tastes so good! No one can resist completely. That is why it is so important to stay active, or even to add a little extra activity to help balance the extra eating. Taking a walk with loved ones can be a great way to visit, have fun, and give everyone the benefit of being away from food for a little while. If you are already active consider trying something different for the holidays, dancing for instance. Just put on your favorite dance music and enjoy - Anyone up for the Bunny Hop!! * Banish from your house holiday treats you can not resist - Resist the temptation to accept luscious leftovers to take home from meals with family and friends. Just as important, when the meal is at your house, encourage your guests to take home anything you can;t freeze or serve in the next day or two- Keep those JellyBeans and Peeps out of the house!!