How To Stay Healthy Over The Holidays
If the holidays tend to bring stress over food and other health choices, you are not alone. Parties, dinners and events most often mean a buffet filled with sugary items and items that will leave you feeling not so great. To take away that stress I am sharing 5 of my favorite tips that I use in my own journey and they are tips I teach in my health coaching program. Using these tips will allow you to enjoy your holidays without guilt and without deprivation.
snack before you go
One of the simplest things you can do is have a snack before heading to a party or event. Doing this can help you avoid over indulging and over eating. When you show up to a party, event or even out to dinner on an empty stomach, you will be more likely to over indulge, choose options you wouldn’t regularly and over eat. I recommend snacking on some fruit with nut or seed butter, a small protein bar, a rice cake with peanut butter or something similar.
BYOHO
Bring your own healthy options. This is a great way to make sure that you have healthier options to reach for. Holidays typically mean buffet style for food and desserts. A buffet style tricks us into reaching for items we wouldn’t normally reach for as well as reaching for them often. This leads to over indulgence. Bringing your own healthier option to add to the spread gives you something to reach for that will help take away some of the guilt and help you avoid over indulging.
stick to your fitness routine
Make a plan to move your body throughout the holidays. Movement is so important for your overall health so make sure you don’t skip it. If this time of year feels hectic and you have trouble finding ways to fit it in, I recommend creating an excuse proof plan. Often making a plan to get a workout or walk in first thing in the morning can help you check it off your list right away so you don’t forget about it later when you find yourself too busy. I also recommend getting family or friends to join you. Make a holiday fitness challenge to complete with your loved ones so you can all stay healthy together. Plus, it’s a great way to squeeze in quality time together. I also recommend checking out my 30 Days To Healthy Habits Program. This program will help hold you accountable for fitting in healthy habits like fitness in a simple and doable way.
create balance
You shouldn’t have to stress about food over the holidays. The best way to avoid that stress is by creating a different type of balance than your usual routine. Allow yourself to enjoy the indulgences at the dinner, parties and events and then the next day opt for healthier options. I recommend meal prepping weekly to ensure that you have healthier items prepped and ready to go for next days meals.
fill up on the good stuff first
When filling your plate, always fill up on fruits and vegetables first, then protein and then whatever else looks appealing to you with the small space you have left. This is a great way to make sure you are filling your plate with nutritious options while still allowing room for play.