‘Tis the season for that post-Christmas, over-indulgence “hang over”. You’ve had a day to recover and now is a great time to start anew! Don’t wait until January 1 to make changes for your health. Here are some easy steps to take to start today:

• Throw out leftovers … candy, cookies, and the rich, Christmas meal leftovers.
• Enjoy moving! Exercise by doing an activity that you love and look forward to.
• Drink lots of water or green tea.
• Load up on fresh, seasonal vegetables and fruits like oranges, pears, broccoli, greens, and squash.
• Eat from a smaller plate – you place less on your plate AND your eyes see a full plate making your brain perceive that you will be satisfied with the meal.
• Slow down…in both your schedule and your eating. The needed rest will drop cortisol levels (which can cause weight gain) and you can sit down and enjoy a meal rather than rushing through it and not knowing what and how much you just ate.
• Learn that it’s okay to say “No thank you.” You can politely decline foods that are offered to you that don’t fit into your meal plan.
• If you falter, start again with your next meal- not on the next day!