Okay, this week you will start aggressively planning how to get around the usual holiday traps. Defense, what we discussed last week, is one version. Offense is another. Here are a few tips you can try.{{more}}

• Invite only friendly foods into your house. Think about it: you can’t eat half the black cake if you never brought it into the house in the first place. Know what our weaknesses are and get around them by not bringing them into the house!

• Be extra careful about staying on track with your medications. During the holiday party season it is very easy to fall out of our usual pattern of daily life, and that is when people tend to make mistakes with their medications. They forget doses, even entire days of medicines, in the maze of events and things-to-do. Set alarms, leave notes on your fridge and mirror, put your medications on the counter the night before, use a pill box reminder, scribble it all over your calendar. Try all the ways you can to stay on track.

• Schedule an appointment with your doctor during December. Yes, I know, everyone tries to avoid appointments during December-January. In December no one wants to be reminded to keep on track and in January everyone is too embarrassed because they fell off track in December. How is this good for anybody? Remember how you always made sure your test scores were good if you had to visit your grandparents the coming weekend This is the same thing: you are more likely to try to stay on track if you know you have an upcoming appointment with your doc.

• Surround yourself with people who think like you do. This fell also under “defense.” Don’t hang around only people who continually pass you large plates of food and say,” don’t worry, everybody eats this way around Christmas.” My mother always said, mind the company that you keep! Try to find people supportive of your efforts to keep your sugars controlled and your weight from rising. It is easier to give in to temptation when the whole crowd is at your back, so try not to be in that position if you can. My pastor likes to say, with regard to temptation; sometimes it’s better not to even step into the fighting ring. Try not to put yourself in situations where you know you will struggle.

More suggestions to come in future. Until next week, stay safe and healthy Vincies!

Anita Ramsetty, MD
endodocs@endocrinehelp.com
Medical Director Endocrine Care Group
www.endocrinehelp.com
Tel: 843-798-4227