Detoxing from the Holiday Hangover

Now that the holidays are officially over, I think it's safe to say that most of us are feeling kind of icky, bloated and groggy, and are likely sporting a little more 'fluff' on our bodies than we had just a few weeks ago. What is this feeling called you ask?

Why, it's the dreaded, although almost inevitable, Holiday Hangover.

Yes, that's right, the Holiday Hangover; a direct result from indulgence in rich, delicious foods; desserts; baked goods; chocolates, candy, treats, and and abundance of alcholic beverages from all the parties; gatherings; and events that fill our social agenda in the month of December.

You know the hangover has officially kicked in when you start to crave things like a big old salad, or an apple, or a piece of celery or brocolli; well maybe not brocolli because we all have standards, and I'm certain that everyone would draw the line at craving a boring old piece of brocolli - not that I have anything against brocolli - in fact I love brocolli, especially when it's covered in ooey, gooey cheese sauce or yummy dip . . . but . . . I regress.

Now that New Years has arrived, many people make resolutions; typically the same old resolutions they make, and break, every single year. You know, to eat better, lose weight, and exercise more. Why even yesterday as we were driving out of town, we passed a rather robust man running from the pizza place with a modest sized pizza (perhaps an extra large as opposed to the party sized pie) and a cigarette hanging from his mouth. I jumped on the opportunity to educate my kids and pointed out this man and stated "Look guys!! Now THAT is the picture of health right there".

Much like, the rest of the society, I too have indulged a little more than I should have during the holiday season (heck, I've indulged a little more than I should have since about September, when my gut finally reset itself after gallbladder surgery in the summer, and I discovered that I could eat many foods from my 'no-no' list again), and have 'fluffed' up a bit. Something that I need to deal with before it becomes totally unmanageable. That said, I'm not an advocate of New Years resolutions. In fact, I refuse to make 'official' resolutions, because to me, they're just setting us up for failure. Just because the date on the calendar says New Year doesn't mean that we're all mentally ready for life-altering changes right then and there. We need to make changes when we are damn well ready to make them - and if it's January 1, March 19 or August 27, then THAT moment marks the turning of the 'new leaf'.

For my other half and I, we are hoping to turn that leaf sooner than later . . . like maybe next week when our vacation time is officially over. Right now, we know it's not realistic to attempt to implement much in terms of weight removal and such when we're still out and about visiting and, well, still indulging. Maybe not the 'correct' attitude to take, but we like to enjoy our holiday time with no hinderances and inhibitions, plus, we don't want to offend our hosts and hostesses when they've gone to so much trouble and all to prepare food and drink for us, and when WE are the host and hostess, we like to make and serve the types of foods and drink that we typically don't have.

Now don't get me wrong - we aren't indulging in bad or offending stuff all the time, but, when the opportunity does arise, we don't necessarily decline either, so basically just most of the time. I admit, I've personally reached a point where I'm turkey dinnered out, ham dinnered out, desserted out, baked gooded out (this might come as a surprise to some, but I don't even care for baked goods - I may make it - and make it well - but as many of you know, I package it all up and leave it on your doorstep as a surprise when you come home from work). One side affect of the Holiday Hangover that I experienced the other day was a HUGE boil on the side of my nose. At first I figured it was just a pesky little zit, but it continued to grow until it looked like another head growing from the side of my face (well, not quite, but I *SWEAR* it was talking to me and everything - or maybe that was the wine . . . ). However, I'm not kidding when I say it was big - it was all purply red and gross and TOTALLY the focal point on my face. ICK!

Next week, when we're completely finished with vacation time and all headed back to our respective schools, we will all get back on track. Lighter food choices, more exercise, less drink, well, more water drink, just less punches and alcoholic drink (have I mentioned that our first batch of wine - ahem, 30 bottles - is almost gone?). When I say lighter food choices - I mean actually watching caloric and fat intake - not just physically unheavy things. I'm going to try to get back into the Zumba groove - although I'll have to take it pretty slow since my 120 year old knees (well, not really, but it sure as hell feels like it) are not loving it, and my back screams at me for days afterwards, but . . . I'm hoping that by removing anything that requires use of weights or any sort of toning class, that it will help with that, at least until I get myself repaired (which I'm not holding out hope for - I've pretty much lost my faith in the Canadian medical system - I've been waiting for over 3 years for an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon that can remove my tailbone, but again, that's a whole another blog on it's own).

Until next week . . . I am carefully plotting my detox from the Holiday Hangover . . . and as it stands now, it includes lots of veggies, fruits, water and minty green tea. I will bid farewell to chai lattes, rich foods, desserts and appetizers, and will embrace salads and lighter fare. No really, it will - and I mean it when I say "embrace" it. I for one, HATE that icky post-holiday feeling.

How are YOU doing with your holiday hangover detoxing?!