Steps You Can Take Now To Ensure Healthy Holidays This Season

It’s not even Halloween; you’re saying. Why must I even begin to think about the holidays, you’re asking.

I can just see you rolling your eyes and thinking I’m nuts.

Well, I beg to differ.

There is no better way to glide through the holiday season with style, and zero weight gain, than preparing ahead.

Not only will you stay on track with your fitness, but you’ll be better able to manage the inevitable holiday-related stress.

Holidays Are Wonderful – And Stressful

Aren’t the holidays a wonderful time of year?

Who doesn’t love spending time with loved ones? Gathering around the dinner table, sharing glorious meals? Laughing? Soaking up the warmth and love of the season?

These are the times that make up our best memories and magical moments.

But there’s a reason gym memberships skyrocket every New Year. People overindulge over the holidays, and then make resolutions to get back on track.

Resolutions that all too often become raspberry-blowing failures.

But you can avoid post-holiday bloat. I’m going to tell you how.

It’s Not Just A Food Thing

There’s no question that during the holiday season treats and temptations abound. And you shouldn’t avoid all of them. That’s unnecessary.

It’s also no fun at all.

But some simple strategies can help you enjoy the holidays without guilt or an expanding waistline.

Food temptations are not the only culprits that can derail your fitness during the holiday season.

Holidays are fun, but also incredibly stressful.  I have some tips to help you there too.

Too much of anything, even a good thing, is still too much. Food, time demands, feelings of having to do it all, all wreak havoc on you, both physically and emotionally.

This year, avoid the pain of an expanded waistline and exploded head. Plot your battle plan now.

Healthy, Happy Holidays

Here are some of my best ideas to help you prepare now for what’s to come.

The Food Angle

Plan ahead.  I can’t say it enough. The best advice you’ll hear during any holiday season is to be prepared.  Foreplanning can be a game changer.

How are you going to deal with all the temptations to come, and still enjoy the season? What you decide right now will have significant effects post-holiday.

Pick and choose. Holiday parties are a given, both at work and at home. Office parties, people bringing goodies to the office to spread the cheer. Lavish spreads at restaurants and parties are endless.

How can you avoid overindulging?

Well, the truth is, you may not be able to resist every temptation.

And you shouldn’t.

But you can pick your food battles. What holiday foods are hardest for you to resist?

Pumpkin pie comes to mind. Or maybe you can’t resist shortbread cookies. Or Aunt Sally’s fudgy cake.

Whatever favorite holiday food presents your greatest temptation, go ahead and enjoy it. But do it wisely.

Don’t pig out solely on high-calorie desserts. Eat a healthy, more balanced meal before heading to the dessert table. You’ll find it’ll be much easier to restrain from grabbing every dessert you see.

Same goes for non-dessert items. Desserts aren’t the only high-calorie foods. Enjoy some, of course. Just don’t fill your entire plate with them. Add healthy veggies and salad items to help curb your desire for the less healthy choices.

Don’t deprive yourself of every favorite holiday dish. Just be selective and exercise a little restraint.

Be the healthiest host. When you’re hosting a holiday party, you have control over the menu. Offer healthier, but still tasty, versions of old favorites.

Swap out the usual marshmallow smothered sweet potatoes for a healthier sweet potato casserole minus the huge sugar overload.

Your guests don’t have to know the recipe is a healthier version. Likely they won’t even be able to tell the difference.

Don’t party on empty. Heading to a holiday party starving is like grocery shopping hungry. You’re much more likely to overeat and overindulge than if you’ve eaten before leaving home.

It’s always so much easier to make better choices when your stomach isn’t growling like an angry beast.

If you’re not overly hungry, you’ll eat less.

Drink plenty of water. Food isn’t the only thing that can get you in trouble over the holidays. Drinks are big contenders.

Soft drinks, sugary fruit punches, and high-calorie cocktails all add empty calories.

Instead, opt for low calorie, or no-calorie choices, like water or herbal teas. If you must have a cocktail, steer clear of the sugary options and go for a glass of wine.

There’s no need to avoid cocktails. Just make smarter choices among the offerings.

The Mental Health Angle

Carve out quiet time.  Food is not the only holiday overindulge. Stress and exhaustion also take a toll. We do too many things, please too many people, take on too many chores, and end up running on empty.

It’s all too easy to end up being the Scrooge of the season when you succumb to skyrocketing stress levels.

Don’t feel you must accept every invitation or take on every single task asked of you. It’s okay to say no.

When you’re being stretched too thin, beg off. Stay home and soak in a warm tub. Take a relaxing Epsom salt bath. Curl up on the couch and watch a favorite movie.

Sit quietly and meditate, with some relaxing music or nature sounds, for 10 minutes.

The point is to give yourself a break. You’ll be happier, and so will everyone around you.

Simplify. When you can, take a shortcut. If you’ve been asked to bring a dish to a party and don’t have time to prepare one, pick something up at the bakery. Let someone else do the work.

It can be fun to bake and cook over the holidays, but not if you’re short of time and patience.

Give yourself a break. Cut corners where and when you must. No one will mind, and you’ll be happier.

Exercise. Any physical activity you do during the holidays will not only burn calories but will also help you destress.  Whether you go for a walk every evening, or a run, visit the gym or enjoy a yoga session, your mind and body will reap enormous benefits.

Make The Most Of The Season

The holidays can be a wondrous, magical time of year. Enjoy them to the fullest by knowing when and where to step back and catch your breath.

Enjoy your favorite holiday treats, but be sensible about it. Overindulgences of any kind are never good. And it’s okay to set limits.

Enjoy the season.

Indulge a bit.

Laugh. Surround yourself with loved ones.

Soak in all the love and warmth.

Your forethought and planning now will save you from failed New Year’s resolutions later.

It’s easier than you think.

The holidays can be your happiest and healthiest time of year.

And now you’re ready for them.

Need some help to stay on track over the holidays? We’ve got a program designed to do just that. Best of all, it’s free. Click here to find out more and to join: Healthy Holidays.