HEALTH

 

The holidays are full of fun and family...but what if they're also full of anxiety about weight gain and body image? Kelly Uchima, YouTube vlogger and Insta fit chick (find her at @kellyufit), understands the struggle all too well. Having overcome both anorexia and binge eating, Kelly knows *just* how to navigate the scary sitch that can be your Thanksgiving meal...and it all starts in your head. 

Turns out a lot of us go crazy around food during the holidays because we're surrounded by all the declicious things we deny ourselves the rest of the year. It's even worse on Thanksgiving—we often undereat or skip meals ahead of time because we're nervously anticipating overeating at dinner. "Prepare yourself mentally: Know that you will probably eat more than normal and accept that. If you go into the day calm and mindful, there won't be as much of a need to binge or, if you do, you won't have those mean negative voices beating yourself up," says Kelly.

The important thing to remember is that overeating or gaining a few extra pounds during the holiday season is okay. It doesn't make you gross or a failure or mean that you have no willpower. We all go through fluctuations during our lives especially when it comes to our weight and believing that we can 100% control our bodies is not true. Life happens—we have to learn to just roll with it.

Kelly recommends giving yourself a big hug, accepting your feelings without judgment and forgiving yourself. Learning to sit with your emotions and acknowledge them is important in letting go of any bad feelings you have surrounding food. 

 

And Kelly's best tip for surviving Thanksgiving (and any food-centered event for that matter)?

"Never *ever* restrict or make certain foods off limits. Having a healthy relationship with food is all about enjoying the things you love and nourishing your body. Sure, there are some foods that are more nutritious than others but when it comes down to it, we're human and sometimes it's just as important to feed our mind and our soul as it is to feed our actual bodies. Everyone has different cravings and it's nothing to be ashamed of. One meal, one moment or one food isn't going to make you healthier or unhealthier. Be patient and compassionate with yourself and learn to listen to what you need (and want!)."

 How do you cope with eating "too much"? Let us know in the comments!

by Amanda Tarlton | 11/23/2016