It’s that time of year again, let the holiday festivities begin! Holiday parties, charity events, extra school events for the kids, family and friends gathering to celebrate and of course shopping and socializing! It’s overwhelming and truly a wonder any of us survive. Once it is all over, we look down and realize our pants don’t button – how did that happen?! However, never fear, here are some fool proof tips to get you through the holidays happy, staying healthy and without gaining all that holiday cheer.
1.) Plan Your Life
We know the holidays are coming and all of the extra events are already on our calendar so start strategizing now. Map out when you can make it to the gym or do home workouts. Block off that time just like any other appt that you would not cancel. If possible, get a friend or co worker to be an accountability buddy through the holidays to ensure you make your workouts. You could even make a challenge out of it with prizes once completed!
2.) Plan Your Meal
I know, are we seeing a theme yet? It truly all comes down to planning. Pick a day once a week to go to the grocery store and then come home and make those healthy meals! There are tons of quick and easy recipes on Pinterest and online. My favorites are easy crock pot meals and casseroles that can be frozen and cooked as needed. Also, be sure to pick some go to breakfast and lunch foods. The rest of the week you will have one less thing to worry about and will ensure you are eating healthy!
3.) Parties & Events
If you know you are going to an event, then use it as a “cheat” meal. I advise to eat well that whole week and eat your normal meal schedule that day (don’t skip meals). If you do this, then you won’t be starving and you’ll avoid making poor choices or binge eating. Many times at parties I hear people saying they don’t even know why they were eating something – they didn’t even really enjoy it! So I recommend stepping back, surveying all the food and seeing what you really want to eat. Only put a few bites of everything you really want on your plate. Don’t put anything you are not excited about on it! Also, do not stand near the food all night if you are prone to mindless grazing.
4.) Hydration
Staying hydrated is key. It helps prevent us from becoming ill and does wonders for our skin, digestion and on and on. Take water with you everywhere! Make your own flavored waters if you do not enjoy plain water. A favorite of mine is lemon water with mint. While at parties or events, be sure to drink water before you get there, while eating your sample plate of tasty treats, and in between each alcoholic beverage you drink. This will also help you to not over eat! Another trick – don’t drink anything with extra calories, and opt for drinks like unsweetened iced tea, homemade lemonade with stevia or water.
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5.) Alcohol
Most celebrations obviously involve alcohol. Try to stick with beverages on the rocks, mixed with water or soda water or other no cal/low cal mixers. People usually don’t realize cocktails go up in calories with more mixers in them, which also means more sugar! This can also lead to headaches and hangovers too, no fun! Since you know you will want to have some cocktails at the parties/events, try to cut back on your alcohol consumption the rest of the week. This way you will truly be able to celebrate, enjoy some bevs and not feel awful the next day!
Follow these 5 tips to ensure you have a happy and healthy holiday season with no regrets in the New Year!