{"id":139715,"date":"2016-11-30T09:42:59","date_gmt":"2016-11-30T07:42:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/139715\/willpower-strategies-to-survive-the-holidays\/"},"modified":"2016-11-30T09:42:59","modified_gmt":"2016-11-30T07:42:59","slug":"willpower-strategies-to-survive-the-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/lifestyle-news\/2016\/11\/30\/willpower-strategies-to-survive-the-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"Willpower strategies to survive the holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unfortunately it is also the time of year that we can lose a lot of goal progress in just a few days of indulging.
\nFor those of you who are looking to come out of the holiday season as healthy, if not healthier, here are four research-based ways to use willpower to survive holiday temptations.
\n1. Play offence, not defence <\/b>
\nWhen we think about willpower, we often think about \u201cplaying defence\u201d; we see temptation and use our willpower to resist it, when really we should strategise ahead.
\nRather than waiting until the bottle of wine is opened, you should plan that two glasses will be enough for you.
\nRather than relying on your willpower to save you when your family is serving three kinds of dessert, aim to have one serving of your favourite.
\nUnderstand that during the holiday season, your willpower will indeed be tempted.
\nThis is a phenomenon called the \u201chot-cold gap\u201d.
\nDecide which indulgences matter the most to you and stick to them.
\n2. Do not defer to January 1<\/b>
\nThe biggest mistake people make during the holidays is to stray away from their healthy lifestyles mid-December and pick it back up on January 1.
\nResearchers call this type of thinking the \u201cwhat-the-hell effect\u201d; if the new year is really going to be the time that I start dieting and exercising, what the hell, I may as well enjoy these cookies and wine while I can.
\nIn moderation this is not a terrible idea, but the what-the-hell effect leads to going completely overboard.
\nAvoid the trap of going overboard and think about how much better you will feel on January.
\n3. Do not deny yourself anything and everything<\/b>
\nOn the opposite end of the spectrum, we have the people who attempt to deny everything they come into contact with.
\nThey try to cut out the treats, the mashed potatoes and gravy and the delicious wine.
\nThis will lead to either:
\na) missing out on the celebrations completely, or
\nb) eventually giving in and feeling guilty because you feel as if you have no willpower
\nTrying to completely cut things out that we really want can lead to what researchers call \u201cironic rebound\u201d.
\nThis means that you will end up with even more cravings.
\nHolidays is about moderation.
\n4. Eat the frog first<\/b>
\nMark Twain had a famous quote: \u201cEat a live frog first thing in the morning then nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.\u201d
\nWhat Twain meant is if you get the hardest things done first thing, everything else in the day will be easier and more enjoyable.
\nFor the holiday season, this means accomplishing our goals of health and well-being first thing in the morning when your willpower is the strongest.
\nIf you want to exercise, do it right after you wake up or if you are worried about eating healthily, eat a healthy breakfast.
\nSimply changing the way you say no to a temptation can make it exponentially easier for you to resist.
\nThe holidays are a reason for celebrating the year\u2019s accomplishments.
\nDo not indulge too much, nor deny yourself the ability to celebrate with family and friends.
\nSource: http:\/\/www.willpowered.co\/learn\/survive-the-holidays<\/p>\n

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