Its HERE- holiday season!!! Thanksgiving, to me, is pretty much the kick off to the Holiday season every year. No sooner have we stuffed our faces full of turkey, trimmings, wine, pie and egg nog than we’re up and out the door at 4am for Black Friday shopping!! Everywhere you look: Christmas decorations and lights, overflowing parking lots, long lines at stores and charitable donation solicitations galore. Between the holiday parties, shopping for gifts, decorating, preparing for family and friends to gather & all the other NORMAL responsibilities of life, time for fitness might seem pretty sparse. In fact, its prime time for folks to fall out of their exercise and healthy eating routines. I have blogged about this “Holiday Workout Hiatus” before, and provided some tips on how to keep up your workout routine during the holiday season. Today I want to focus on how to stick to healthy eating habits during the holidays. This can be a VERY daunting task- the holidays are all about imbibing & enjoying yummy food with loved ones. Much of the holiday food/drink is chock full o’ calories, fat and sodium. This ”comfort food” gives us the cozy feeling of wanting to curl up on the couch after eating, NOT hit the gym. That means double trouble. Tons of food + zero exercise = HoliDAZE. It’s not long before you feel sluggish and cloudy; your normal alert, fit feeling goes out the door with the end of the year.
How, then, to enjoy the holidays without sacrificing your healthy habits??
Top 5 Tips for Hanging onto Healthy Eating Habits Over the Holidays1. Don’t show up to a holiday party famished. Eat something with protein and fiber, such as an apple & peanut butter, before you arrive and you won’t be tempted to attack the finger foods with a vengeance.
2. Keep the booze consumption under control. Tis the season for Egg nog, Kahlua drinks and hot toddy; they will likely be offered to you over and over. Keep in mind that they contain just as many calories as some meals!! Instead opt for a light beer, glass of wine or vodka & soda water. My personal favorite is to make my own wine spritzers by filling 1/2 or 3/4 of my wine glass with soda water & then filling the remaining part with red wine. This allows me to drink 3 or 4 “glasses full” without consuming 3 or 4 glasses of wine. AND I stay more hydrated!
3. Eat as MANY veggies & fruits as you want. If you fill your plate with veggies (that aren’t covered in cheese or heavy cream sauce) there will be less room on your plate & in your belly for unhealthy things! When dessert comes around, allow yourself ONE small treat and then stick to flavored seltzer, tea, and fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth.
4. Remember that there is always tomorrow. Don’t treat each holiday party, gathering and meal like it’ll be your last. Keep in mind that this is holiday SEASON and you will likely find yourself at several more similar settings in the upcoming weeks. Don’t feel the need to try it all, splurge on dessert & have an extra drink at every party you attend. Pick one event at which you enjoy dessert. At another one, have a cocktail or two. At a third, allow yourself to try a small portion of a “treat” appetizer.
5. Eat extra clean during the week. It is often one weekend holiday party after another that do us in. Inevitably there will be some level of splurging, or at least deviation from your normal eating routine. So during the week when you have control of your meals, make them as HEALTHY and CLEAN as possible!! Omit any treats, alcohol & dessert during your everyday meals. Save your splurges for the times when you don’t have total control of your food/beverage selection.
The holiday season is meant to be enjoyed with family and friends. It often revolves around eating and drinking in a group setting, which can lead to major healthy habit sabotage. But, sticking to these tips can help you do some serious damage control and keep you on track toward your goals! Do you have any other tips on staying healthy over the holidays?? I’d love to hear them!
How, then, to enjoy the holidays without sacrificing your healthy habits??
Top 5 Tips for Hanging onto Healthy Eating Habits Over the Holidays1. Don’t show up to a holiday party famished. Eat something with protein and fiber, such as an apple & peanut butter, before you arrive and you won’t be tempted to attack the finger foods with a vengeance.
2. Keep the booze consumption under control. Tis the season for Egg nog, Kahlua drinks and hot toddy; they will likely be offered to you over and over. Keep in mind that they contain just as many calories as some meals!! Instead opt for a light beer, glass of wine or vodka & soda water. My personal favorite is to make my own wine spritzers by filling 1/2 or 3/4 of my wine glass with soda water & then filling the remaining part with red wine. This allows me to drink 3 or 4 “glasses full” without consuming 3 or 4 glasses of wine. AND I stay more hydrated!
3. Eat as MANY veggies & fruits as you want. If you fill your plate with veggies (that aren’t covered in cheese or heavy cream sauce) there will be less room on your plate & in your belly for unhealthy things! When dessert comes around, allow yourself ONE small treat and then stick to flavored seltzer, tea, and fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth.
4. Remember that there is always tomorrow. Don’t treat each holiday party, gathering and meal like it’ll be your last. Keep in mind that this is holiday SEASON and you will likely find yourself at several more similar settings in the upcoming weeks. Don’t feel the need to try it all, splurge on dessert & have an extra drink at every party you attend. Pick one event at which you enjoy dessert. At another one, have a cocktail or two. At a third, allow yourself to try a small portion of a “treat” appetizer.
5. Eat extra clean during the week. It is often one weekend holiday party after another that do us in. Inevitably there will be some level of splurging, or at least deviation from your normal eating routine. So during the week when you have control of your meals, make them as HEALTHY and CLEAN as possible!! Omit any treats, alcohol & dessert during your everyday meals. Save your splurges for the times when you don’t have total control of your food/beverage selection.
The holiday season is meant to be enjoyed with family and friends. It often revolves around eating and drinking in a group setting, which can lead to major healthy habit sabotage. But, sticking to these tips can help you do some serious damage control and keep you on track toward your goals! Do you have any other tips on staying healthy over the holidays?? I’d love to hear them!
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