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 FITNESS & FITNESS & 

HEALTHY HEALTHY 
LIVINGLIVING

Mountain View News Saturday, November 1, 2025

NO GUILT HOLIDAYS


Michele Silence, M.A. is a 37-year certified fitness 

professional who offers semi-private/virtual fitness 
classes. Contact Michele at michele@kid-fit.
com. Visit her Facebook page at: michelesfitness 
Visit her Facebook page at: michelesfitness.

You can already sense it. Christmas decorations in the stores already. 
Leftover Halloween candy. Pumpkin spice everywhere. The holidays 
are coming fast, and you’re not looking forward to overeating, feeling 
crummy, or gaining extra weight. That’s a common worry. If you do 
nothing, those fears can easily come true. But there are ways to control 
what you eat and how much, if you start planning now.

Make a simple plan

Planning doesn’t mean giving up favorite treats. It means making 
choices ahead of time. Look at your holiday calendar and see which 
meals or parties might tempt you the most. Then decide how to handle 
them. Maybe you’ll have one slice of pie instead of two, or pair a high-
calorie dish with lots of vegetables. Small choices like these add up over 
the season.

Eat regular meals and snacks

Skipping meals to “save calories” usually backfires. You get too hungry 
and end up overeating. Keep a normal routine with breakfast, lunch, 
and snacks. Eating meals with protein, fiber, and healthy fats helps 
you feel full and reduces cravings. Even during busy days, try to eat 
something balanced instead of letting yourself starve until the next 
party or big dinner.

Use portion control

Holiday servings are often huge. Aim for half the amount you usually eat. Fill half your plate with vegetables, 
a quarter with protein, and a quarter with your favorite indulgence. You can enjoy everything without feeling 
stuffed. Another trick is to serve yourself last. By the time everyone else is on their second round, you’ll be just 
finishing up your meal and can stop along with them. Giving your body time to register fullness can also prevent 
overeating.

Keep fruit in sight

Having a bowl of your favorite fruit where you can see it is an easy trick. Try to eat at least four pieces of fruit 
every day before reaching for sweets or high-calorie snacks. Fruit is filling, healthy, and satisfies sweet cravings 
in a smart way. Grapes, apples, berries, or citrus can all work, and having them ready to eat makes healthy 
choices easier.

Don’t deprive yourself

Trying to skip all treats usually backfires. Allow yourself a small amount of the foods you love and eat them 
slowly. Mindful eating—paying attention to taste and texture—helps you feel satisfied with less. If you savor 
each bite instead of rushing, you may notice you need less than you thought.

Stay active

Exercise often gets pushed aside during the holidays, but even short activity helps. Hike after meals, stretch in 
the morning, or walk the dog. Moving your body burns calories, reduces stress, and can even help you enjoy 
food more without guilt. If possible, involve family and friends in activity, like a neighborhood walk or a quick 
game in the yard.

Drink plenty of water

Holiday drinks like eggnog, specialty coffee, or cocktails can add lots of calories. Drinking water before meals 
can help you feel full and reduce unnecessary snacking. Even sparkling water with a splash of juice or a slice of 
fruit can feel festive while keeping calories low.

Watch your mindset

Holidays can be stressful. Emotional eating is normal, but being aware of it helps. Take breaks, breathe deeply, 
or go for a short walk instead of reaching for food. One indulgent meal doesn’t ruin your overall progress! Small 
daily habits matter most. Try to focus on enjoyment and connection rather than stress and guilt.

Try the “80/20” rule

Follow your healthy routine 80% of the time and allow flexibility 20% of the time. This balance reduces guilt. If 
you overeat at one meal, focus on the next meal or day. One day won’t undo all your hard work. This approach 
helps you enjoy treats without feeling out of control.

Plan for parties

Bring a healthy dish to share, so there’s at least one option you enjoy. Take a small snack before you go to avoid 
being too hungry. Include active fun in family events, like scenic walks or simple games. Planning ahead makes 
it easier to enjoy the occasion without overeating.

Focus on progress, not perfection

Set realistic goals. Celebrate small wins, like leaving food on your plate, moving every day, or enjoying a treat 
without guilt. Mindful choices now build habits that last well past the holidays. Remember, the holidays are 
meant to be enjoyed, not endured.

With a little planning, the holidays can be fun without ruining your health. By using just a few of these tips, you 
can feel good, stay energized, and still enjoy all the holiday foods you love.

ARE YOU BRINGING EEYORE or 
SNOOPY ENERGY INTO THE ROOM?

Characters from 
our childhood 
have a curious 
way of following 
us into adulthood. 
Years ago, 
people kept gifting 
me Eeyore, 
the gloomy donkey 
from Winnie 
the Pooh. I didn't understand it at the time, 
but looking back, it reflected something I 
couldn't yet see in myself.

I was an exhausted, defensive, and frustrated 
lawyer. I thought my unhappiness was 
caused by everyone around me. But the truth 
I eventually had to face was simple and un-
comfortable: I was responsible for the energy 
I brought into every room.

Then there's my guy, Snoopy, the joyful beagle 
from Peanuts. Snoopy represents play, 
possibility, and full-body delight. The day I 
passed the bar exam, I imagined myself as 
Snoopy: head back, feet dancing, heart wide 
open. That image became my symbol of what 
was possible.

Both Characters Live in Me

Here's what I've learned: I didn't leave Eeyore 
behind and become Snoopy. Both versions 
live in me as an adult. Some days I wake up 
heavy with worry. Other days I bounce out of 
bed ready to dance. The difference now isn't 
which one shows up—it's that I notice which 
one is at the wheel.

And when I notice? I get to choose.

That's the power of awareness. It transforms 
us from passengers in our own lives to drivers. 
We stop asking "Why is this happening to 
me?" and start asking "How do I want to show 
up with this?"

The Mirror Effect

When we walk into a space, people feel our 
energy before we even speak. Our body lan-
guage, our sighs, our tone, they all broadcast 
our internal state. Those Eeyore gifts weren't 
meant to be cruel. They were mirrors. And 
mirrors, though sometimes painful, are essential 
for growth.

Now I bring more awareness to my daily 
activities and choices. I notice when Eeyore 
shows up: the complaining, the heavy sighs, 
the "here we go again" attitude. I don't judge 
it or try to suppress it. I simply notice it and 
ask: "Is this who I want to be in this moment? 
Is this the energy I want to give and receive?"

Sometimes the answer is: "Yes, I need to honor 
this heaviness right now." And that's okay. 
But most of the time, awareness gives me the 
opportunity to choose differently.

Recognizing Your Energy

So how do you know which energy you're 
bringing? Start by noticing these signs:

Eeyore Energy feels like:

• Complaining before problem-solving

• Focusing on what's wrong before ac 
knowledging what's right

• Feeling tired despite adequate sleep

• Using phrases like "Of course this 

 happened to me" or "Nothing ever 
works out"

• Heavy sighs and slumped posture

• Life is happening TO you 

Snoopy Energy feels like:

• Leading with curiosity instead of 
judgment

• Finding small delights even in ordi 
nary moments

• Feeling energized by possibility

• Using phrases like "Let's try this" or 
"What could be good about this?"

• Open body language and genuine 
smiles

• Life is happening WITH you

Neither is wrong. Both are human. The 
question is: Which one do you want driving 
today?

We Are All Responsible for Who We're 
Becoming

Here's the truth that changed my life: We are 
all responsible for who we are becoming. Not 
who we were yesterday, not who we were an 
hour ago, but who we are becoming right 
now, in this moment.

This isn't about self-blame. It's about recognizing 
your power. When I believed life was 
happening TO me, I was a victim of circumstance. 
The moment I understood that life 
happens WITH me, I became a co-creator.

You can't control what happens to you, but 
you absolutely control what you do with it. 
You control the meaning you make. You 
control the energy you bring. You control 
who you're be-coming in response to life's 
challenges.

The Power of Choice

Every moment offers a choice:

• Will you meet this difficult convesa 
tion with defensiveness or curiosity?

• Will you enter this meeting car 
rying yesterday's frustration or to 
day's possibility?

• Will you greet your family with the 
stress of your commute or the relief 
of being home?

• Will you let one disappointment define 
your entire day or acknowledge it and 
choose what comes next?

These aren't small choices. These are the 
choices that build a life. These are the choices 
that determine who you're becoming.

I still have my Eeyore days and plenty of 
them. But now I recognize them. I notice 
when I'm dragging the weight of worry into 
a room. I feel it when my shoulders are up to 
my ears and my jaw is clenched. And in that 
noticing, a gap opens up. A space where I can 
choose.

Sometimes I choose to stay in Eeyore mode 
for a while because that's what I need. But it's 
a conscious choice, not an unconscious habit. 
And when I'm ready, I choose differently.

Three Steps to Bring Awareness to Your Energy

1. Notice Without Judgment

Throughout your day, pause and ask: "Which 
character is driving right now?" Don't judge 
it—just notice it. You might even say to 
yourself: "I'm in Eeyore mode right now" or 
"Snoopy is here today."

Set three alarms on your phone labeled: "Energy 
Check." When they go off, take 30 seconds 
to notice your mood, your thoughts, 
your physical tension. Awareness is always 
the first step.

2. Ask: "Is This Who I Want to Be Right 
Now?"

Once you notice which energy you're carrying, 
ask yourself: "Is this who I want to be in 
this moment? Is this the energy I want to create 
with?"

Not "Is this good or bad?" but "Is this aligned 
with who I'm becoming?"

Sometimes the answer is yes, you need to 
honor where you are. But often, the simple 
act of asking creates the possibility of choosing 
differently.

3. Make One Conscious Choice

If you decide you want to shift, make one 
small, conscious choice:

• Stand up and stretch your body

• Step outside for two minutes

• Take three deep breaths

• Call someone who makes you laugh

• Put on a song that lifts your spirit

• Write down three things that are go 
ing right

One conscious choice creates momentum. 
It reminds you that you're not a passenger—
you're the driver.

Living the Life You Love Through Daily 
Reflection

Each evening this week, reflect on these 
questions:

1. Which energy showed up most today, 
Eeyore or Snoopy?

2. When did I notice it? What made me 
aware?

3. In what moments did I consciously 
choose my energy?

4. What would need to change for me to 
wake up excited about my life?

5. If I were living a life I truly loved, 
what would be different?

6. Who am I becoming through my 
daily choices?

Write down your answers. Be honest. The life 
you're living right now is the result of thou-
sands of small choices. The beautiful truth? 
You get to make different choices starting 
right now.

Life Is Not Happening To Us, It's Happening 
With Us

Today, I ask myself and my clients: Which 
character are you living like? Eeyore, believing 
life is a burden? Or Snoopy, partnering 
with life as it unfolds?

When we shift from "life is happening TO 
me" to "life is happening WITH me," everything 
changes. We stop being victims and 
become participants. We stop reacting and 
start responding. We stop enduring and start 
creating. This doesn't mean life gets easier. 
It means we get stronger in how we meet it.

Energy is contagious. When we choose 
awareness, we create possibility. When we 
take re-sponsibility for who we're becoming, 
we inspire others to do the same. Your 
children notice. Your colleagues notice. Your 
partner notices. You become a living example 
that we don't have to be controlled by our 
moods—we can work with them.

Your Assignment This Week

Choose one of these practices:

1. The Morning Intention: Before getting 
out of bed, ask: "Which energy do I want 
to bring into today?" Visualize yourself embodying 
that energy. Notice how this chang-
es your morning.

2. The Energy Interrupt: When you 
catch yourself in Eeyore mode and want to 
shift, physically interrupt it. Stand up, shake 
your body, or splash cold water on your face. 
Then ask: "How would Snoopy meet this 
moment?"

3. The Evening Reflection: Each night, 
write down one moment when you consciously 
chose your energy. Celebrate that 
choice. This builds your awareness muscle.

Who Are You Becoming?

Each day offers a chance to notice, to choose, 
and to show up as the version of ourselves 
we're proud of. Both Eeyore and Snoopy live 
in all of us. The question isn't which one to 
eliminate, it's which one you want to partner 
with today.

We are all responsible for who we are becoming. 
Not through perfection, but through 
awareness. Not through judgment, but 
through choice. Not by waiting for life to 
change, but by changing how we meet life.

Who are you becoming? More importantly: 
Who do you choose to become today?

Life is not happening to you. It's happening 
with you. And that changes everything.

Lori Harris works with leaders and professionals 
seeking joyful transformation. Learn more at loriaharris.
com.

Lori A. Harris

ALL THINGS by Jeff Brown


THE GENIUS BAT: THE SECRET 
LIFE OF THE ONLY FLYING 
MAMMAL 

by Yossi Yovel

An awe-inspiring tour of bat world by the 
world’s leading expert

With nearly 1500 species, bats account for 
more than twenty percent of mammalian species. 
The most successful and most diverse 
group of mammals, bats come in different 
sizes, shapes, and colors, from the tiny bumblebee 
bat to the giant golden-crowned flying 
fox. Some bats eat fruit and nectar; others eat 
frogs, scorpions, or fish. Vampire bats feed on 
blood. Bats are the only mammals that can fly; 
their fingers have elongated through evolution 
to become wings with a unique, super-flexible 
skin membrane stretched between them. 
Their robust immune system is one of the reasons 
for their extreme longevity. A tiny bat can 
live for forty years.

Yossi Yovel, an ecologist and a neurobiologist, 
is passionate about deciphering the secrets of 
bats, including using AI to decipher their communication. In The Genius Bat, he brings to vivid life 
these amazing creatures as well as the obsessive and sometimes eccentric people who study them–
bat scientists. From muddy rainforests to star-covered night deserts, from guest houses in Thailand 
to museum drawers full of fossils in New York, this is an eye-opening and entertaining account of 
a mighty mammal.


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