GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF A HEALTH HOLIDAY

THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISMAS PROGRAM Presented at MA TOPS Christmas Party Dec. 2016 by Joy Turner

1. Ahead of time – print out enough song sheets for each person. 2. Have ready ahead of time to send home with each member:

An envelope was made for each member printed on the outside with GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF A HEALTHY HOLIDAY printed in red and green. Each envelope contained an individual sheet they could pull out each day saying: Day 1 “REMEMBER TO MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF TODAY”, Day 2: small coupons that said REDEEMABLE FOR HUGS AS NEEDED, Day 3: A SIGN SAYING, “BREATHE!”, Day 4: a small sign saying, “I Think I Can! “ , Day 5: another slip saying, “YOUR TOPS FAMILY IS CHEERING FOR YOU”, Day 6: another with, “When I feel that I should not eat more but think I want more, I ask myself. “Do I really want to have that dessert?’ But before I make a decision, I must drink a full glass of water and wait 20 minutes, then ask myself again, ‘Do I really want it?’ and 9.7 out of 10 times I don't end up having it.” Day 7: The hints: (These were from our members – solicit new ones from your own chapter.)

1. A TOPS member from MA who lost 200 lbs. says, “Just say “STOP”. What good advice. 2. Another told us, “Thin down your wine and alcoholic drinks with soda water”. \ 3. Another puts down her fork between each bite. Try it. 4. Set up a contest between others who want to lose. A small group of us once put up $5.00 apiece over a time period when there was no meeting. The one who lost the most weight got the funds. It was fun and helped. 5. Come up with a reward for yourself if you reach your Holiday Goal. A magazine? A massage? A pedicure??? 6. Be sure you have at least one buddy you can call, text or e-mail. 7. Also – EXERCISE – even for 5 mins. here and there. It really does reduce stress and increase energy! Day 8: Call or write eight TOPS members or read the Dec. Issue of TOPS MAGAZINE for 8 more hints! Day 9: Stop for a few minutes to dance! Day 10: Better health, prettier clothes, glowing skin, better self-esteem, less pain, increased energy, more enthusiasm for life, more enjoyment from activities, more sociability. Add one of your own! Day 11: Send an encouraging note or e-mail to a TOPS member Day 12: Remember you have a buddy!

The following was presented and then the song was sung: Tomorrow starts the 12 Days of Christmas! Tonight we celebrate healthily. We are proving that we can have a wonder-ful, festive time without overindulging. The holidays are NOT about food! Or are they? What’s your answer? I wrote the following lyrics to the 12 Days of Christmas hoping we can use them as a coping tool for the holiday challenges. I hope they help! The first day is self-explanatory. A Reminder to Take Care of ME! What do you need to be sure to do to take care of yourself over the holidays? Do you have time planned : to exercise? prepare healthy food for YOU? relax even if you have to hide in the bathroom and do some deep relaxation? REMEMBER YOU DESERVE IT!

The second day. Two Big Hugs! I’ve stored a whole pile of them up. Remember they are there and grab one from the pile whenever needed! Call me if you need more than a hug I’ll try to give you an encouraging word to go along with it! The third day . Three Cleansing Breaths! How often we forget and hold our breath! Let that tension out! Repeat as needed! The fourth day. Four Helpful Words! I Think I Can! Remember The Little Engine That Could! You can too! The fifth day. Five Cheers Success Brings! We’re cheering for each other. Remember the sensations of success! Success is sweeter than any food! The sixth day. Six Cravings Delaying!

From one of our members: “When I feel that I should not eat more but think I want more, I ask myself. ‘ Do I really want to have that dessert?’ But before I make a decision, I must drink a full glass of water and wait 20 minutes, then ask myself again, ‘Do I really want it?’ and 9.7 out of 10 times I don't end up having it.”

The seventh day. Seven Hints for Slimming! 1. Bonnie told us recently, “Just say “STOP”. What good advice. 2. Ida told us once, “Thin down your wine and alcoholic drinks”. I forget what she uses. Ask her. 3. Sandy puts down her fork between each bite. Try it. 4. Set up a contest between others who want to lose. A small group of us once put up $5.00 apiece over a time period when there was no meeting. The one who lost the most weight got the funds. It was fun and helped. 5. Come up with a reward for yourself if you reach your Holiday Goal. A magazine? A massage? A pedicure??? 6. Be sure you have at least one buddy you can call, text or e-mail. 7. Also – EXERCISE – even for 5 mins. here and there. It really does reduce stress and increase energy! The eighth day. Eight Aids for Shrinking! Call or write eight TOPS members or read the Dec. Issue of TOPS MAGAZINE for 8 more hints! The ninth day. Nine of Us are Dancing! Join us! It’s great fun! Move to Christmas music while cooking, wrapping, in your car at stoplights! Move! The tenth day. Ten Rewards I’m Reaping! Better health, prettier clothes, glowing skin, better self-esteem, less pain, increased energy, more enthusiasm for life, more enjoyment from activities, more sociability. Add one of your own! The eleventh day. Cards Inspiring! Send some cards, notes, e-mails, texts of encouragement to members throughout the holidays. The twelfth day. Buddies Buddying! Have a buddy and BE A BUDDY! There’s nothing like it to get us through!

12 TOPS DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (Doctors say sing this every time you are tempted to eat unwisely!)

(That line wasn’t true! Just meant to make you smile, relieve stress & remind you eating won’t fix the situation!) Joy Turner – Malden TOPS

On the first Day of Christmas, My TOPS friends gave to me a Reminder to Take Care of ME!

On the Second Day of Christmas, my TOPS friends gave to me - Two Big Hugs and a Reminder to Take Care of ME!

On the Third Day of Christmas, my TOPS friends gave to me - Three Cleansing Breaths, two Big Hugs and a Reminder to Take Care of ME!

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, my TOPS friends gave to me -Four Helpful Words, Three Cleansing Breaths, Two Big

Hugs and a Reminder to Take Care of ME!

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, my TOPS friends gave to me - Five Cheers Success Brings, Four Helpful Words, Three Cleansing Breaths, Two Big Hugs and a Reminder to Take Care of ME!

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, my TOPS friends gave to me - Six Cravings Delaying, Five Cheers Success Brings, Four

Helpful Words, Three Cleansing Breaths, Two Big Hugs and a Reminder to Take Care of ME!

On the Seventh Day of Christmas, my TOPS friends gave to me - Seven Hints for Slimming, Six Cravings Delaying, Five Cheers Success Brings, Four Helpful Words, Three Cleansing Breaths, Two Big Hugs and a Reminder to Take Care of ME!

On the Eighth Day of Christmas, my TOPS friends gave to me - Eight Aids for Shrinking, Seven Hints for Slimming, Six

Cravings Delaying, Five Cheers Success Brings, Four Helpful Words, Three Cleansing Breaths, Two Big Hugs and a Reminder to Take Care of ME!

On the Ninth Day of Christmas, my TOPS friends gave to me - Nine of us are Dancing, Eight Aids for Shrinking, Seven

Hints for Slimming, Six Cravings Delaying, Five Cheers Success Brings, Four Helpful Words, Three Cleansing Breaths, Two Big Hugs and a Reminder to Take Care of ME!

On the Tenth Day of Christmas, my TOPS friends gave to me - Ten Rewards I’m Reaping, Nine of us are Dancing, Eight Aids for Shrinking, Seven Hints for Slimming, Six Cravings Delaying, Five Cheers Success Brings, Four Helpful Words,

Three Cleansing Breaths, Two Big Hugs and a Reminder to Take Care of ME!

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, my TOPS friends gave to me - Eleven Cards Inspiring, Ten Rewards I’m Reaping, Nine of us are Dancing, Eight Aids for Shrinking, Seven Hints for Slimming, Six Cravings Delaying, Five Cheers Success Brings,

Four Helpful Words, Three Cleansing Breaths, Two Big Hugs and a Reminder to Take Care of ME!

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, my TOPS friends gave to me - Twelve Buddies Buddying! Eleven Cards Inspiring, Ten Rewards I’m Reaping, Nine Members Dancing, Eight Aids for Shrinking, Seven Hints for Slimming, Six Cravings Delaying, Five Cheers Success Brings, Four Helpful Words, Three Cleansing Breaths, Two Big Hugs and a Reminder to Take Care of

ME!