Dealing with the Christmas Season

Although we sometimes get so caught up in the worldly aspect of Christmas, remember that no matter what your political ideals are, the holiday is still and always will be Christmas. We don't celebrate "holiday," we celebrate Christmas. Just my two cents worth...

On another note, here are some tips in helping deal with issues some of us will endure during the course of the holiday season:

Sweet Treats: It seems sugary treats are unavoidable, especially this time of the year. When sugar breaks down and enters the bloodstream, it bonds with protein molecules, including those found in collagen and elastin (the fibers that support the skin), through a process called glycation. This process leads to sagging and wrinkles, both of which none of us want!
Try choosing a small square of dark chocolate instead, which contains antioxidants to protect  you from free radicals. Increase your consumption of vitamin C. It'll help generate collagen.

Untamed Tension: When we're under intense or chronic stress, our bodies increase production of the hormone cortisol, which can damage collagen and elastin and decrease the skin's ability to repair itself. Stress can also make us frown, which in turn can leave marks in the form of permanent lines.
Exercise daily; yoga, Tai Chi or brisk walking. The deep breathing of Yoga helps promote healthy circulation. Download a yoga app (Yoga RELAX) and do a couple of poses prior to calling it a day.

Weight Fluctuations: Packing on pounds  an make your skin look plumper on the surface, but carrying excess weight can cause your body's levels of insulin and cortisol to rise, which breaks down collagen. The repetition of gaining and losing weight can take its toll on the skin's elasticity, leaving behind stretch marks and jowls.
Aim to keep your weight in the normal range, with a  body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9.

Lack of Sleep: Our skin needs a change to rejuvenate and the lack of sleep deters that. Without enough deep sleep, the skin can't properly undo daily damage and puts the body into stress mode.
Shoot for 7-8 hours of sleep a night. It takes discipline, but start by shutting off all electronic devices a half hour before bed so the stimulation doesn't keep you up.

Take time to relish in what this season means. There is a God and He did send His Son to die for you and for me. What kind of Father sends His only Son to die a horrific death to save ME from my sins? The least I can do is praise Him with my words and my actions. Show love this Christmas season just as He has chosen to show love to us.

Tips to Lose Weight

Sometimes losing weight has as much to do with what we eat as it does in how active we are. Here are a few food tips to keep in mind as we all struggle to keep those extra Christmas pounds off:

1. Add hot spices to your food, as they can stimulate your metabolism and help you burn more calories.

2. EAT BREAKFAST! Research shows that people who skip breakfast are more likely to be overweight.

3. Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories; substituting them for high-calorie foods can be a calorie-reducing strategy.

4. When eating out, add little or no butter to your food.

5. Don't eat just because you're bored or because 'tis the season. Eat only when you are hungry. Begin to listen better to your body and to the signs it gives when you are truly hungry or when it's simply boredom.

6. Stop eating when you're full. When you feel full, it's time to stop eating. If you're at a restaurant, you can take home leftovers. 

7. Skip or limit the breading on meat, poultry or fish. Breading adds fat and calories and causes the food to soak up more fat during frying.

8. Take your lunch to work instead of going out to a restaurant - on a side note Thirty-One Gifts have Thermal Totes on sale during the month of January! www.mythirtyone.com/kristieboyd.

9. Eat 4-5 small meals a day instead of 2-3 big meals. Dinner should be your last meal of the day.

10. Be able to enjoy your favorite foods, but make sure to do so in moderation only.

11. Eat more whole grains and fiber. Eat less sugar and fatty foods.

12. Never skip meals! You will end up bingeing later on when you feel extremely hungry.

13. Don't turn to food for comfort. When you feel stressed, go for a walk, listen to your favorite music or call a friend.

14. Stock your kitchen with fresh fruits and other healty snacks and avoid buying unhealthy snacks.

15. Brush your teach right after dinner so you can be reminded not to eat after that.

16. Portion control, portion control, portion control!!

17. Choose fish more often for lunch or dinner. Look for fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, trout and herring.

18. Limit juice, soda and sugar-sweetened beverages. They can add excess sugar and "empty calories."

19. Eat slowly and allow your stomach time to signal to your brain that you are getting full.

20. Don't stand near the food at parties. You will be tempted to eat more than you need to.

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince Of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6