by Barbara Berkeley
I notice that despite the unseasonably warm temperatures in Cleveland, our stores are suddenly trimmed in fake snow, silvery branches, and glittering ornaments. It happened overnight in the invisible seam that separates fall from winter and almost always seems premature....until the flakes start to swirl for real.
What this means, of course, is that we are about to launch into that season that is supposed to be so wonderful, so giving and so warm but which often comes with a parallel reality. The next couple of months can be stressful, emotionally wrenching, and even bad for your health.
The worst combination of food elements is sugar and fat. The sugar stimulates insulin and both the sugar and fat are neatly sucked into the fat cells. Clearly, the chocolates, cookies, candies and peppermint lattes we consume during the holidays are the foods that wind up around our middle. But there is something more. The worst combination of weight gaining elements is stress and comfort food. Does that description fit the holiday season? Bingo.
The next two months with their cold temperatures, their steaming eggnogs, their emotional memories, and their hustle and bustle are going to happen no matter what we do, but we can be aware of the pitfalls for our weight and health.
Make a plan.
Here are just a few suggestions: