How to Navigate the Holidays Without Just Giving Up

The holidays are here! It can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. What comes to mind when you think about the holidays? For many, jam-packed schedules, family visits, food, and stress come to mind. You may be tempted to put your healthy routine to the side for a while until the chaos calms down

Sound familiar? But I encourage you to keep your why in mind. Why are you on this healthy path in the first place? I guarantee you that your why doesn’t take a break for the holidays and neither should you.

Remember, it’s holidays, not holimonth! If you missed that blog, it’s not too late to read it.

How Can We Eat Well?

Holiday food is exciting, comforting, and elicits strong memories that you might want to linger for a while. Continuing to eat well this time of year doesn’t have to be difficult, even while you let yourself indulge a little. Here are some simple things to follow

–Stick to your regular meals most of the time. You aren’t partying 24/7. Overindulging during a meal or snack here and there isn’t the end of the world. Keeping up with regular healthy habits most of the day will ensure your nutrition and energy don’t suffer.

–Drink your water. It seems like everyone carries a big bottle of water around these days, some of them even hold a gallon! Drink at least a full glass of water before you head out to that “holiday happening”. Then, you will feel fuller and have a better chance of eating less.

–Use a plate. It’s easy to eat more than you plan to when the hors d’oeuvres are passed by a server at a party, or when finger foods are “grab and go”. Placing your food on a plate instead allows you to see how much you’re eating. It also allows you to take a bite or two of something you love, without eating the whole thing.

What’s the Deal with Alcohol?

              Moderation is key with alcohol just as it is with indulgent foods. Though it’s best to refrain from drinking if you’re actively trying to improve your weight and overall health, it’s ok to enjoy a cocktail every now and then if you’d like. Party cocktails can be high in sugar and calories. They can leave you feeling bloated and dehydrated too if you aren’t careful, so proceed with caution. Drinking water in between alcoholic beverages or adding extra ice or seltzer to your glass are two ways to cut calories.   

How To Keep The Weight Off?

              There’s no doubt that the holiday season is crammed with activities that call for our attention and time. Are you finding it more challenging to stick to your workout routine now that there is extra shopping and visiting on your calendar?  If you’re doing it on your own, do a few mini-workouts throughout the day. Taking a meeting for a walk is one way to sneak in some steps! Those minutes add up! This article from WebMD notes a few other creative ways to fit some exercise in your day.

For those of you who need someone else to keep you on track, save time without the added stress of getting to the gym by working with a personal trainer who offers virtual sessions. You can get an online personal training program to suit your needs and schedule with Fitness Knocking by signing up here.  

Whether you work out on your own or with a trainer, exercise is well known to reduce stress. Bonus! Especially this time of year! Sticking as close to your pre-holiday routine is going to help you keep the weight off.

Why Not Give Up Now and Just Indulge All the Way?

Be proud of all the hard work you already invested in your health! The excitement of the holidays doesn’t have to derail your progress. There is no rule that says you can’t indulge in some treats while you are sticking to your routine. It can be a good idea to say yes to a few things. Allowing yourself to sidetrack a little can help you avoid an all-out binge session that will make your body feel bad and your emotions feel worse. Remember to balance it out. When you eat and drink a little extra, get in a little extra movement as well.   

Slow Down and “Just Say No”

The stresses of the holidays are certainly not limited to food and exercise decisions. If your family is anything like mine, holiday obligations (both real or perceived) can be a huge source of stress. Add on all the invitations coming from friends and coworkers, and you could be headed for a melt-down in no time!

Slow down. Take some time to think about how you want to enjoy the season. How does it make you feel to say yes to everything? If committing to it all has you feeling overwhelmed already, then commit to saying NO more often. You, and your family, will enjoy the holidays with less stress.  

I am so thankful I did this with my own family years ago. Alternating visits to different sides of the family, instead of visiting everyone on the same day allows us a more peaceful and enjoyable season.  

Remember, holidays and special occasions come and go, but a healthy lifestyle is with you for the long haul.