How can I have a healthy holidays?

HEALTHY HOLIDAYS TIPS

Here is how to eat healthy during the holidays. Healthy Holidays

It’s the holiday season! Which means parties, food, shopping, and busy schedules. It is a fun time of the year, but also a difficult time for people’s fitness goals. Throughout the year, many of you make such great progress but then struggle to keep it going during the holidays. By following these tips below, you will be able to enjoy the holiday parties AND continue to make progress towards your health and fitness goals!

Photo Credit By Jess Bailey Designs

EXERCISE

Whether it is at the gym, at home or outside, breaking a sweat during the holidays is important! Stay consistent, get creative with your workouts, and always make time to do them. Do a mix of strength training and cardio to really get that calorie burn. Trust me, you’ll be glad you kept the habit of exercising when the holidays are over.

DON’T SKIP MEALS

Skipping meals throughout the day to save calories for a party is a bad idea. I see people do this all the time and it actually backfires on them. They overeat and over drink later in the day, especially on the unhealthier foods, which can be a big setback for your fitness goals. Instead of starving yourself, eat small healthy meals throughout the day. Before the party, have a small snack that has protein so you won’t want to eat anything and everything when you get there. By eating healthy during the day instead of skipping meals, your body will receive the energy and nutrients it needs and you will be less likely to overeat.

STAY HYDRATED

Staying hydrated should be a priority all year round, so really make sure that you are drinking enough water during the holidays. Being properly hydrated will help you control your hunger and make it harder to overeat. When you are thirsty, your body can sometimes confuse the signal with thirst. Drinking the right about of water daily will also help with your energy and curb cravings.

PORTION CONTROL

Portion control and balance are very important in reaching your weight and fitness goals. To stay on track during the holidays, always use portion control, and make more healthy choices than non-healthy choices. When filling your plate at the parties, choose lean proteins (meat, fish, cottage cheese), vegetables, fruit, complex carbs (potatoes, rice), and/or healthy fats (oils, nuts, avocado).

When it comes to the desserts, the portions served are usually much bigger than they should be. If the desserts are already pre-sliced, cut the portion in half. With cookies, brownies, and other similar treats, limit the amount of pieces you have. Depending on the size, 1 or 2 would be a good rule to stick with.

DON’T DRINK YOUR CALORIES

It is easy to accidentally drink your calories without even realizing it. Sodas, juices, alcohol, and other party favorite drinks usually contain lots of sugar and they do not satisfy your appetite. Drink lots of water to save those unwanted to calories. If you are tired of plain water, flavor it by adding fruit, lemon or flavor-enhancing packets. Getting your calories from real food and not drinks will help you in the long run.

OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND

It is much more tempting to keep eating if you are constantly around the food tables. The sight and smell of all the delicious food will have you going up for seconds and thirds. Once you are done eating, don’t stay around the food area. Go in another room with a glass of water and enjoy the company of the people around you. This will keep your mind distracted instead of focusing on the food.

BRING YOUR OWN DISH

At many parties, you bring your own dish to share. This is great because not only are you doing the host a favor, but you can bring healthy food that you know you will eat! Bring a veggie plate, a nutrient-dense salad, a fruit bowl, or a healthy version of your favorite appetizer or dessert. Check out the healthy recipes on my blog!

How can I have a healthy holidays?