With the holidays comes the endless array of edible goodies! Everything from the holiday parties, baked goods, fudges and candies to hot chocolate, cider, and home cooked meals are waiting for you to enjoy. You may be wondering how you can have it all and still keep off the pounds, stay healthy and not overindulge. Here are 10 tips to surviving the holidays:
- Do not expect to lose weight during the holidays. Instead, set a goal of maintaining your weight and/or size.
- Stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. Drinking water will keep you feeling full longer and staying healthier during the holidays.
- Eat a healthy breakfast. By starting your day off with a wisely chosen breakfast, you will be less likely to fill up on holiday treats later. Also, you can balance out what you plan on eating later and indulge in moderation on things you would like later in the day. Some breakfast ideas include: smoothies (100% or green), fruit and nut-butter, yogurt and granola, fruit, and whole grain toast or cereals.
- When going to a holiday party, plan what you are going to eat ahead of time. By preparing yourself for this event, you will be less likely to see all the food and eat everything in sight. Start by limiting yourself to only one plate of food. Also, try eating a small healthy meal or snack before you go, so you won’t be as hungry at the party.
- If you can, take a dish or snack. Not only can you contribute to the spread, but you can bring your favorite “healthy version” of the treats, share the goodness and ensure you will have at least one nutritious option.
- Get up and get active. It doesn’t mean you have to start training for a marathon, but this a perfect time of year to connect with friends and family and play games outside, go walking or jogging, ice skate, join a gym, or even start home workout videos.
- Take time for yourself! The holidays are a busy time of year and can be very stressful. Take at least 5 minutes every day. Sit or lay down, clear your mind, relax and just breathe and enjoy the real meaning of the season.
- Watch your intake of calories in beverages. During this time many will be drinking lattes, hot chocolate, hot cider, and alcohol. All are loaded with empty calories which mean they don’t have a whole lot of nutritional value. Empty calories can lead to weight gain, especially when paired with all the other holiday goodies.
- Freeze cookies that you get as gifts. Cookie platters and exchanges seem to make great gifts, but they also tempt you to nibble continuously. Instead of keeping them out on the counter, place in a glass container and freeze so you can enjoy them all year round.
- When you are eating the holiday treats, enjoy them. When you decide you want a piece of pumpkin pie or a couple ginger bread cookies, choose a reasonable portion, sit down and eat them, enjoying every bite and don’t feel guilty. It is the holidays and they only come once a year!
If maintaining or loosing weight is a priority during the holidays and into the new year, then be sure to take advantage of some of my amazing, clean eating, energy boosting, healthy body promoting classes in 2016
You may want to consider making this delicious Hemp Pesto Pasta as one of your dishes! Easy to make, easy to eat and will fill you up without over eating!
