“I’ll start after the Holidays” — You
By: Lisa Wandrey
Tags: Weight Loss, Weight, Healthy Habits, Healthy Lifestyle, Weight Loss Tips

Before I start “preaching” about creating good habits over the holidays, lets talk a little about my history with the yoyo life of weight loss. 4 years ago my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. The year was spent caring for her and not caring for myself. Late night pizza runs and lots of Chinese food were my main food groups. My diet and work out habits took a back seat to the time I had left with her. Guess what? I wouldn’t change it for the world! I don’t regret any of my choices. However, it did wreaked havoc on my body. I was the heaviest I have ever been. 250lbs *YIKES*. After my mothers passing, I decided enough was enough and I made small changes that created huge impacts on my lifestyle. In 2 years lost 80 lbs. Taking me to the smallest I had been in my adult life 170 lbs. The year 2019 brought some major changes to my family with my husband taking a new job and moving out family up north to Williamsburg, Virginia. This change also came with about 40 lbs. Bringing my new total to 210lbs. Like many, 2020 added about 35lbs to the scale for me. I know this was due in part to depression (my husband and I were both furloughed and ultimately laid off from our new jobs, yes the one we uprooted our family for.). I am not saying this as an excuse or justifying my choices during quarantine, however, now I am sitting at 245 lbs. Ready to start again, yes over the holidays *insert gasp here*

I know what you’re thinking… I want to enjoy the holidays, I don’t want to feel deprived. I couldn’t agree more. Especially after a year like 2020, I think we ALL need a lot of Christmas or Holiday Cheer this year. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t begin healthy habits you want to continue into the New Year. Starting small is a great way to start the wheels moving on the weight loss train.

This Christmas season was the first time I have been able to spend Christmas at my Mother in Laws house ever. Crazy to think but because both my husband and myself have a career in hospitality we have never been able to make it home for the holidays. My mother in laws cooking is some of the best (fight me) and I knew there was zero chance I would be able to start and maintain any sort of diet while I am visiting for a whole week. Instead, I made a “Christmas Commitment” to myself. I committed to taking 30 mins every morning to do an at home work out every day until the New Year. Again, small change but something that I am committing to until January 3rd. That is when I can transition to a more aggressive healthy lifestyle approach.

I am lucky enough to be part of the Peloton Community. I have a Peloton Bike at home however, while I am visiting my in-laws, I obviously don’t have access to spin. I do however, have access to all of the digital content that requires very little, if any, equipment. Thanks to the pandemic, at home work outs are pretty easy to come by. Peloton just happens to be my work out of choice.

If you want to become a member of Peloton digital, it will cost you about $12.99 a month. https://www.onepeloton.com/digital/checkout/digital-mtm

“Isn’t it a waste to spend 30 mins every day if you’re just going to throw it away by eating like crap?” First of all, Karen, let’s stay positive here. Secondly, not really. This is a small step on the mighty ladder that is weight loss. By committing the 30 mins every day for the last 2 weeks of the year, you are showing yourself you CAN in fact do this. You’re not listening to that voice in your head when you wake up Christmas Eve morning and try to justify “Maybe not today”. You will find your vocabulary will change, instead of “I don’t want to.” you’ll start saying “I HAVE TO.” which will eventually change into “I get too.”

Committing to something as small as working out for 30 mins everyday over the holidays, when everything and everyone around you is telling you to start at the New Year, is tough but, you are tougher. Imagine how motivated you will be when the conversation and influences change to the “New Year, New You” philosophy. You’re already 7 hours ahead of all the New Year New You’ers!

In short, making a small commitment when it seems like society is telling you to wait, will teach you how to speak to yourself to stay motivated. When times get tough a couple months into your more aggressive approach, you will know you can fight through it making you stronger on the other side. After all, you started this whole process over ~freaking~ Holidays!