“A holiday miracle would be still fitting into my clothes after the holidays.” I’m here to tell you that you don’t need a miracle. It’s possible to enjoy the holiday season and keep your health in check – you don’t have to deprive yourself either! It’s all about finding balance, learning to savor the holiday treats you can’t go without, saying no to the treats you can pass up, and then getting right back on track. Now is the time to refocus your mind and keep health a priority. Follow the tips below to create your own holiday miracle:
- Move every day – Our schedules tend to get jam packed during the holiday season and it can be easy to skip a workout. Try your hardest to keep your workout appointments. But if you truly can’t make it in for an hour workout, then do some type of movement! It can be as simple as going for a 10 minute walk, stretching for 10 minutes, or trying this quick bodyweight workout:
Set a timer for 10 minutes (or however much time you have available) and complete as many rounds as possible.
10 Squats or squat jumps
10 Push ups
10 Lunge jumps or lunges with your hands overhead
10 Supermans
10 Plank Jacks
- Be active with family and friends – So often when we get together with family and friends we end up sitting and eating/drinking. Change it up this year. Go for a walk, a bike ride, throw a football around. Do something active BEFORE you enjoy your food and drinks. This will not only get those feel good endorphins going but it will also help you snack wisely, which leads me to my next tip…
- Snack wisely – With all the delicious treats it can be easy to have extra bites here and there. Try to avoid this. When you’re going to eat, put all your food on a plate. That way you see exactly what you’re eating. Grazing adds up those calories very quickly!!
- Keep meals balanced with protein – Many of the holiday favorites are full of carbs and very little protein. Try to have 20grams of protein with each meal. This will help you feel full by increasing your metabolism and appetite reducing hormones.
- Bring a healthy meal to share – Our social gatherings may look a little different this year but if you’re getting together with family and close friends, bring a healthy meal to share. There are so many great healthy spins on the traditional not so healthy holiday foods. Try one out and bring it to share! That way you’re guaranteed to have a healthy option.
- Limit liquid calories – Those calories add up quickly and don’t leave you feeling full. Alcohol also tends to increase your appetite and you’ll have less willpower to stay away from those sugary high calorie treats. Drinking a glass of water after every alcoholic beverage is key.This will help keep you full and hydrated.
- Don’t save your calories – It’s common to skip meals throughout the day if you know you’re going out or going to be having an unhealthy meal later in the day. Don’t do this! This will almost always backfire. By the time you get to that party, you’ll be starving and start eating everything in sight or eat way more than you would’ve if you had kept your regular meals all day. Instead, practice portion control. Savor those treats in moderation!
- Bounce back – Having a couple holiday meals is no big deal. But having them every single day is where that holiday weight gain starts to happen. Pick when and what you want to indulge in. Enjoy it and then get back to your healthy routine.