In my last article, I mentioned that we are in a part of the year where one can argue, is the best time to focus on eating healthy and losing weight. From Succos to Pesach is the longest stretch in the Jewish calendar that does not have a Yom Tov except, of course ,for Chanukah. Let’s say, that you decided that you would wait until after Chanukah to start dieting, as you still have 3 months until Pesach.  Then you are “before”.

Let’s say that you started dieting right after Succos, and you are wondering how to get through Chanukah in as good a shape as possible, then you are “during”.

Let’s say you had started dieting even before that, and have lost all or most of the weight that you are looking to lose, but are not sure what is the best way to navigate your way through Chanukah, you would then be “after”.
There is one answer to the question no matter what stage that you are in.

Plan, eat before, avoid or minimize:

You have heard it from me before.

Plan: plan ahead of time -“thinking is doing”- if you plan what and how much you will eat before going to that Chanukah gathering, you are way ahead of the game.

Eat before: have a snack or even eat a full meal before you head out to that party and you can avoid eating at all or at least make healthier choices when you aren’t starving.

Avoid: If you can avoid going to the mesiba then do so.  If you have to go, come late (after they served the food) or sit in a place far away from the food, if that’s possible.

Minimize: You can minimize the bad foods by crowding out with healthy choices like salads and lean protein and fruit. Another suggestion would be to take a small plate and fill that up, then when you have finished that plateful WAIT 5 minutes. If you are hungry after those 5 minutes, then go back for seconds.

All of this being said, allow yourself at least one or two “Chanukah treats” throughout Chanukah, because depriving yourself completely is also not good.

Are you dieting, maintaining or both?
Recently I met someone who lost close to 100lbs by dieting. Now he wanted to go “on maintenance” but he had a problem. Until now he either knew how to eat without boundaries, which got him into trouble in the first place, or he spent the last several months dieting and depriving himself. Now he doesn’t know what to do.
I explained to him that he really needed to learn how to eat while losing the weight. Had he “learned how to eat” instead of “dieting” it would have been as if he was on maintenance the whole time.

This is where I get on my soapbox:
I recently was at a local yeshiva during their minyan for shacharis, and I had to walk into the dining room where the breakfast table was set up with nothing but sugar frosted flakes (heimishe brand of course) and bottles of orange juice from concentrate. I just could not help but wondering- we fill our kids up with sugary drinks and foods then give out prizes of soda cans, candies, cookies or Danishes, and snack bags filled with chemicals.
Then we wonder why the kids are bouncing off the walls and can’t sit still?!
Just saying…..

Success story:

I just want to give a pat on the back to YS- he is already down close to 70lbs! and he just recently started an exercise program …. Way to go YS!

Have ah Freilichen Chanukah

Ezi Levi is a certified health and diet coach and is the director of the Men’s  Weight Loss Center. The center works with men and teenage boys who are committed to losing weight in a safe and natural way by learning how to make healthier choices in their primary and secondary foods. To find out more or to schedule a free, no obligation health consultation please call (732) 903-4129 or Email at [email protected]