It’s the holidays! A season we have a love/hate relationship with. Yummy food and gatherings with friends and family can be a blast, but they can also sidetrack your fitness goals. In this video, I’m sharing some smart tips to help you keep your weight at bay during the holiday season, so you don’t have to start all over once New Years hits!
DON’T OVERCOMMIT
It’s easy to say yes to an invitation, but take a day or two to look at your calendar and see what else you have going on before doing so. Being too busy is a surefire way to fall out of our routine, so choose your events carefully and choose those that are the most meaningful to you.
HAVE A SMALL BITE BEFORE HEADING OUT
Don’t show up to that party on an empty stomach. You will dive straight for the mini hot dogs! Instead, have a healthy snack so you are not tempted to over-eat. It’s fine to enjoy some of the holiday goodies, but you will feel more in control this way and better able to make wiser food choices.
STICK TO AN EXERCISE ROUTINE
The holidays are always busy and it’s so easy to put working out on the back burner. Yes, you may need to scale back your gym time a little, but don’t give it up entirely. Plan at least three days a week that are non-negotiable and get your workout in. You will feel energized and less likely to throw caution to the wind when it comes to food.
WATCH OUT FOR ALCOHOL
It’s best to avoid or limit your consumption of alcohol when trying to keep your body healthy and insulin levels balanced. Too much alcohol can convert to sugar which causes insulin levels to get out of whack and forces your body to store fat.
WEAR FORM FITTING CLOTHES
Yes, that’s right. Don’t pull out the Thanksgiving sweatpants! Instead, plan to wear something you feel great in. You will be more motivated to keep the weight off so you can fit into it for that party and less tempted to indulge while you are there.
DON’T KEEP LEFTOVER SWEETS AND OTHER GOODIES AROUND
Don’t be tempted to accept leftovers from a gracious hostess. Politely say thank you and avoid the temptation to take those delicious pastries home with you. You’ll be thanking yourself later.
CELEBRATE AT HOME
I know this is not always practical, but whenever possible, consider hosting social gatherings at your house. You will have much better control over the types of foods accessible. You can always do a “potluck” style party and ask your guests to choose from a list of healthy options.
BRING SOMETHING YOU CAN EAT
Instead of brining a bottle of wine or dessert, consider bringing a veggie or fruit plate with you to that party. If there are no other healthy options at least you can snack on what you came with.
SOCIALIZE
Make it a point to walk around and socialize rather than sitting down with a drink and a plate of food. The more you are occupying your time with chatter, the less you will be tempted to indulge. Keep busy.
KEEP A GLASS OF WATER IN HAND
Pour yourself a nice cold glass of flavored water or water with fresh fruit so you feel like you are enjoying a cocktail without any of the guilt. This will also satisfy your taste buds and fill you up.