Healthy Living

A new photo may be needed to accompany this column after I lost 33 pounds through the always-healthy combination of diet and exercise.

I am proud of this accomplishment and feel good about myself.

But I am also wary — the holiday season is coming and temptations will be lurking beginning with the leftover Halloween candy and not ending until the Super Bowl.

That’s why I am so looking forward to the upcoming Enjoy LIFE (Lifelong Investment in Fitness & Exercise) program. On Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Plainfield Recreation Department, Registered Backus Hospital Registered Dietitian Sarah Hospod will give us the tricks to avoid the treats this holiday season.

Sarah knows it would be nearly impossible to avoid all the foods and drinks available at parties and get-togethers during the holidays. But there are ways to mitigate the damage to your caloric consumption in the next few months.

Here are some of the tips Sarah will offer:

• Use smaller plates – the less you put on your plate the less you will eat.

• When arriving at the buffet table, pause. Scan the entire food spread, and decide what you would really like to try instead of a sampling of everything. Portion control can make all the difference in these situations.

• Wait at least 10 minutes before having seconds, and ask yourself if you are really still hungry. Sarah refers to this process as “allowing your stomach to catch up to your head.”

If you want to attend the free program on Oct 14, call 860-889-8331, ext. 2495 to register.

I am a firm believer in limiting dietary damage ahead of time rather than playing catch up later. I will be paying close attention to Sarah’s presentation, and wish everyone luck keeping the pounds off this holiday season.

Alice Facente is a registered nurse and clinical educator with the The William W. Backus Hospital Education Department. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. If you want to comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.backushospital.org/backus-blogs or e-mail Ms. Facente or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org