There are always Special Occasions coming up, I would like to share with you my 10 tips to help you:

Enjoy holidays, outings, and special occasions without blowing the progress you have been making with your healthy eating.
1. Start your day actively: No matter how many guests you have coming for dinner or how much you have left to do, make time to start your day with exercise. By putting on that exercise video, going for a walk or attending the yoga class.
2. Don’t deny yourself: Studies show that those who deny themselves their “favourites” often consume more calories in other food selections and are more likely to “binge” later. Decide in advance what you’ll have and how much you’ll put on your plate, and then stop. Make your calories count. Avoid mindless munching and take time to truly enjoy a small dose of any decadent treat your heart desires.
3. Avoid Eating out of Habit: Sometimes when we have visitors or are out we tend to eat just because everyone else is without truly thinking about whether we are truly hungry. I make it a rule to “Never” eat on the run, no matter where or whom I am out with. We will always stop and sit down to a meal, that way you can be mindful of what you want to eat and how much you eat. Plus you enjoy your meal so much more than just eating on the run and the chances of having food that is more nutritious and healthy for you is far more likely.
4. Drink water before and after your meal: This is important regardless no matter what because becoming dehydrated is also very dangerous for our health. It is a known fact that the consumption of water decreases cravings and helps to regulate hunger. Be sure to consume water after any exercise workouts also when on outings ensure that you are regularly drinking water as this will decrease the likelihood of getting a headache as many of us do when we are out and about. It is such a spoiler of good times.
5. Regulate your meat protein portion size: If you are having steak or chicken it is important to that the size portion consumed should be no bigger than the size of your hand. The other important thing is to avoid sauces and cheese added to meat meals as these are very difficult for your digestion. Always have a side serve of vegetables or salad as this will aid digestion with your meat protein
6. Take time for physical family activities. When going out for a picnic or day in the park enjoy games such as tennis, cricket, throwing of a football or basketball. Go as a family for a nature walk or if a nice day the beach is great for a swim and games in the water. It is so important to play and laugh with your family. Doing physical activity together strengthens family bonds and builds traditions that can last generations.
7. Leftovers: If you’re having family meals and get togethers then with the leftovers put then into disposable containers so that any of your guests can take these home or you may be able to freeze these for later.
8. Throw it away: This is so important especially for Mum’s or Dad’s with young children, what only gets half eaten don’t you eat it or get someone else to eat it-Throw it away – I tend to throw it into the garden then any birds or other animals will eat it.
9. So Getting Back on Track: Remember that the occasional splurge is what us nutrition experts call “moderation”. So every now and then go ahead have something that you love or that may be comforting! You deserve it! Remember, a splurge should only be part of a meal or the occasional treat on a particular day. You will find if you eat poorly for several days, you will not only start to set the pattern again for weight gain, but you will also begin to feel tired, lethargic and very vulnerable to eating poorly. Allow it to be the occasional plan to enjoy these occasional treats then get back on track to continue with your healthy living habits that you have put into place.
10.Don’t Feel deprived: One of the biggest problems I know myself and have seen people trying to overcome is the feeling of deprivation from not having the chocolate, cake, chips or whatever you may have thought to be your fancy. I overcame this by changing my thinking that if it was a food or beverage that wasn’t going to be good for me or nourishing then I wouldn’t indulge. The other ways to is that I usually fill myself up first with all of the healthy foods and then I am not hungry therefore I don’t have room for the foods that are not good for me. I have always done that with my shopping I first buy all of my fruit and vegetables, any meat or fish then there is little left in the budget for the junk or foods that are not going to nourish me or my family.

Empowering You to Optimal Health
Julie Doherty N.D

Author's Bio: 

Julie Doherty is a Fully Accredited Naturopathic & Massage Practitioner with the Australian Traditional Medicine Society Ltd.
Having completed Professional Qualifications in Naturopathic Medicine: Herbal Medicine: Homoeopathic, Nutritional Medicine: Holistic Massage Therapy: Body Work: & Natural Beauty Therapy. This has enabled Julie to follow her dream of supporting people to overcome their health issues & heal their body with the use of a combination of Naturopathic, Herbal, and Homoeopathic & Nutritional Medicines & Therapies to become well without causing further harm or complications
Julie is involved in supporting other health care professionals with treatment protocols for people who are on prescription medication, chemo therapy and other related health care procedures
Julie’s vision and passion has been & still is to assist each person to become well with the least invasive & most effective treatments. Whilst working with likeminded people.
Over the past 25 years, Julie Doherty has successfully treated & assisted people with various areas of ill health and disease from the common cold, skin ailments through to cancer.
Julie’s approach is to enable each person to have the best “Quality of life possible” whilst making your treatments effective, affordable and manageable incorporating these strategies into each person's everyday living. Respecting each person's culture and individual characteristics
Julie is a sought-after public speaker, lecturer & author providing community talks, facilitated & implementing professional related courses.
Julie is a published blogger and author who is recognized for her expert knowledge with Self Growth supporting & providing assistance with healthy life protocols.
Julie has been recognized by the Stanford Who's Who and the Continental Who's Who for her dedication and recognition of excellence as a Health Care Practitioner, Executive, Entrepreneur and Professional standards of ethics.
What makes the work of Julie Doherty stand out? The successful testimonials of her clients becoming well both-young and old, from a wide range of disease and signs of ill health: It has been commented about her humanness, her humour, her willingness to reveal so much of herself, her belief and commitment to her industry and clients, and the easy-to-understand style of her communicating and her simplistic way of explaining treatments and programs to become well. Her understanding of the interconnectedness when there is a problem with health and it is out of balance that it is never just one thing, so addressing all related causes of the health problem/problems that she addresses with you.
To complement our healthy treatment programs Julie has formulated a Skin, Hair & Body Care Range that is good for you “Just For You”, not only will it have your skin looking great, healthy & vibrant. Your skin needs to be fed good healthy nutrients the same as your body