Well, this is it! Now is the most wonderful time of the year. For many people, this is the time of year we enjoy best. We love the crisp air, the friends and family, the joyful atmosphere, and…oh yeah, the food.

The additional culinary delights we indulge in this time of year don’t have to add extra pounds. Here is a great suggestion from Aging Fabulously Club members: Eat Mindfully.

When you eat mindfully (as opposed to mindlessly), you become more aware of the fullness of the eating experience.  Mindful eating begins with the shopping and the chopping and it continues through washing the dishes afterward. This time of year, it can also include savoring the company and environment in which the food is enjoyed.  Mindful eating will help you become more in tune with the bigger picture about food including the gorgeous colors, flavors, and textures. The only downside to the experience of mindful eating is you may never be satisfied with rushing through meals again.

The science behind mindful eating is that our body releases hormones that signal the brain when we're full and satisfied. It takes approximately 20 minutes for the brain to receive the "I'm full" message from the stomach. When we rush through our meals, we take in considerably more calories than our bodies actually need to be satisfied. The fix is easy. Slow down and enjoy every bite. Yep! This means you won’t be standing in front of the fridge the day after eating cold leftovers directly from the containers.

The change is mostly mental (so is good health by the way!). Start with a change in vocabulary. Don't eat. Dine! Don’t gobble. Savor! Consider every dining occasion an opportunity four healthful nourishment of your fabulous body. That's dining fabulously! It'll serve you well on your path to healthy aging.

So there you have it! Enjoy the richness of the holiday season including the delightful foods. By eating more mindfully, you’ll have a chance at finishing the holiday season without adding weight concerns to your busy “To Do” list. That’s Aging Fabulously!