Shedding Pounds This Holiday Season With the New Candy Cane Diet

Shedding Pounds This Holiday Season With the New Candy Cane Diet The holidays are a time of joy, spending time with family, friends, and avoiding fruitcake at all costs. Throughout December, we're bombarded by platters of brownies, pies, cookies, cheese plates, gin fizzes and those tins of stale flavored popcorn. When I'm offered sweets or appetizers at work, cocktail parties and my parent's house, it's easy to put on a few pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years.

In order to combat the added calories, I developed a very simple "Candy Cane Diet" that works which I first jokingly blogged about on MySpace back in 2005. Sounds weird, right? But believe it or not, people actually used MySpace at one time. And for the handful of friends that may have read it six years ago, I've been on this seasonal diet (Nov-Jan) since then and revised the plan with even more research to back up my findings. The Facts: 1. Peppermint works as a natural appetite suppressant. I noticed years ago that eating a peppermint candy cane after a meal kept me full and not reaching for more goodies. 2. This diet is less expensive than weight loss supplements, drinks, or paid programs. 3. Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, this diet works and canes can be substituted with Peppermint tea. Here is how the Diet works: Diet Plan* 1. Eat a well balanced breakfast around 400 calories. It's okay to drink coffee too. 2. After a reasonably portioned lunch, skip the cupcakes or cookies and grab a candy cane. 3. Snack around 3pm-Like oranges, nuts, pretzel crisps, string cheese, Greek yogurt with honey & berries. 4. After dinner, as soon as you feel full instead of indulging in desserts, grab a candy cane. 5. Doing steps 1-4 most days will allow you to eat more at a holiday dinners or events during Dec. *Actual weight loss results may vary and may increase tooth decay, (but trust me it works). The candy cane must be the standard size & peppermint flavor (watermelon, blueberry or fruity candy canes won't work. (Box of 12= 40 calories each. Try to stick to 2-3 canes a day) *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This diet is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. And exercise (even if it's just walking) and drinking H20 helps, as with any diet. Added Benefits: 1. A candy cane is a festive edible accessory during the holidays. Cuter than a lollipop, and much healthier than cigarettes. Plus, they easily fit in your purse, pocket or clutch. 2. No hostess will feel the need to force goodies or egg nog down your throat if they see you with candy. 3. Minty fresh breath in case you meet Mr. or Mrs. right under the mistletoe. 4. You can lose weight & still eat your favorite holiday foods in reasonable portions a couple times a week. In closing, I also just read last week I just read yesterday in Better Homes & Garden magazine, (Dec. 2011, pg. 181) that "Next time you need a nudge to exercise, try a peppermint stick. Studies suggest the fresh scent can rev mental energy and boost athletic performance." Shedding Pounds This Holiday Season With the New Candy Cane Diet