Hope For The Holidays!

Hope... a feeling that what is wanted, will happen.

So what is your hope for the holidays? What do you hope for as you stand looking ahead to 2013? Do you want to have experienced the holiday season differently than you have before? Do you want to have control over your eating and feel fabulous in January? Do you want to have celebrated the holidays for the right reasons? Do you want to feel closer to your friends and family by the end of this holiday season?

What are your hopes for the holidays? 

For some of us, we're feeling the squeeze of our cultures expectations, to shop, to eat, to bake, to GO!

For others, this holiday season may hold fears and sorrow. This might be the 1st holiday season without a loved one or it's a holiday full of change.

For some, you're just mad because it's the most wonderful time of the year and you're on a diet!

The great news of this holiday is that you have a choice. No matter what your circumstances, this holiday season can be one you look back on a remember that your soul (mind, will and emotions) was fed! This can be the year that you blaze a new trail! You can chose to have this holiday season look different and be wonderful all at the same time!

As we look together at hope and making this the most wonderful time of the year, I thought I'd help you take a look at some holiday goals for body, soul and spirit!

BODY:

What are your physical goals in the next 8 weeks? What will you weigh on Christmas day? What will you weigh on Jan 1st 2013? Be specific. Set those goals.

How many times are you going to exercise between now and 2013? The benefits of exercise are so important all year, but especially during the holidays. 

Exercise;

Brightens your mood

Causes you to sleep better

Burns calories

Feeds your soul if you exercise with a friend!

SOUL: (Remember, your soul is made up of your mind, will and emotions)

You can spend your holiday season stuffing yourself with food and still feel empty...or you can work to fill up emotionally and feel more full than you've ever felt! What does it look like to set emotional goals?

How will you spend your holidays? What activities with family and friends can you do this year to feed your soul? Our community is full of events that feed the soul with music and theater during the holidays. Start traditions with your family that bring you closer together this holiday season.

Set a goal to give this holiday season! Studies have shown that the brain activity when giving, is associated with the parts of the brain that enjoy food and sexual activity! Want a warm glow this holiday season??? Give often!

Take the time to reflect on your year. Make a list of the things that happened in 2012 that you are grateful for. Start looking ahead to your goals for 2013! Feeding your emotions takes time and purposeful planning!

Cozy up with a good book. (fill your holiday season with stories of hope, miracles and fun!)

SPIRIT:

Tis the season, to look at the spiritual part of you! Some ideas to revive your spirit during the holidays;

Keep a gratitude journal starting today...Nov. 2nd.

Look at a daily devotional to start your day now through Jan 1st.

Attend a Christmas Eve service that you've not attended before, invite a friend to join you.

If you celebrate Christmas, read the Christmas story for yourself. Luke 2:1-20

Record your prayers for the rest of the year.

What ever you do this holiday season, be purposeful about your goals; body, soul and spirit. I promise if you look for ways to feed your soul, you'll feel full throughout the holidays.

I am convinced that this weight loss journey has little to do with food and everything to do with being full. :-)

There is truly hope for the holidays and It can be the most wonderful time of the year!

Always encouraging you,

Letha