' Tis the Season!
If you've been in a groove lately with healthy eating, the upcoming holiday season is probably a bit daunting. Festive celebrations can quickly derail your efforts & set you back when it comes to healthy eating. The good news is, with a little planning and a few helpful strategies, it's absolutely possible to stay on track through the holidays.
Here are a few of my best tips to help you get through the season unscathed:
Here are a few of my best tips to help you get through the season unscathed:
- Remember, it's a Holi"day", not a Holi"month"! There is absolutely no reason to indulge at every event you attend over the holidays. That is what all adds up the extra pounds come January, not one celebratory dinner. It’s only an excuse to gain weight if you decide it is.
- The single most important strategy is to PRACTICE MINDFUL EATING. Think about what is going in your mouth. If it doesn’t look unbelievably divine and unique, why eat it? Most of the foods during the holiday season are not really that special. Those chips and dip, chocolates, and cheese plates will all be available come January. You are not being deprived of something if you can choose to have it at another time! Ask yourself, “is this worth it?”
- Don’t go out hungry. If you’re following my weight loss program, you should have eaten within the last four hours. If you haven’t, eat a good snack combining complex carbs, protein and healthy fat. It will keep your blood sugar and willpower intact.
- Get enough sleep. This season brings parties that may keep you up later than your normal routine. Try to stick to a normal sleep routine, aiming for at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Getting enough sleep can help regulate your metabolism and help you make wise decisions about your foor intake.
- For those uniquely seasonal foods, here’s my strategy: Indulge mindfully! For example, your mom’s rumcake. She makes it but once a year and it’s delicious. The first piece you eat will likely be as delicious and decadent as you remember, and you will eat it with joy and it will remind you of happy holidays past. I’m willing to bet though, that the second helping won’t come with those warm feelings attached, just a whole bunch of guilt and indigestion.
- Be Picky. Grazing at the buffet is usually mindless, not joyous, eating. The best buffet strategy is to first circle the buffet and take a good look, before putting anything on your plate. Figure out what is really worth it, and then enjoy it thoroughly.
- Don't expect perfection. Just like with everything, give yourself grace when you indulge. Don’t punish yourself or write the day off as a waste because you overindulged at one point. Take a deep breath, reset, and make better decisions moving forward.
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"It’s often not the calories in alcohol that lead to weight gain, but rather the loss of inhibitions & willpower that go along with it. We lose our ability to make good choices and eventually end up with a plate full of food we don't even remember eating. Limit yourself to a couple of drinks and then switch to sparkling water." |
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Over the holidays, you will inevitably eat a little more than average most days. The best way to counter this is to move your body, so over the holidays if you practice my Holiday Balance strategies and exercise most days you'll be ahead of the game come January 1st.
If you need more support in January, contact me and we will schedule an appointment to meet. I wish you and your families all a very happy and healthy holiday season!
Keely
Bring something healthy to the table this holiday season!
The hostess will appreciate it and you’ll have something healthy to eat. Here are a few ideas...
The hostess will appreciate it and you’ll have something healthy to eat. Here are a few ideas...
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