December 6, 2016
Happy, Healthy Holidays!
With December clearly in our sights, the holidays are in full swing! Glitter and gifts, sweets and Santa, chaos and candy… With all the rushing around, parties, self-imposed “to-do” lists, and calorie-packed food around every corner, its no wonder that we are stressed to capacity and that the average person may gain between 7-10 in the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
As mentioned in my previous post, “Pecan Pie Parfait,” I make it a priority to begin preparing my clients for this season before Halloween even arrives. We talk about several things from snacking on the go, to hydrating with water, to moving a little each day. For most of my clients, BALANCE during the holidays means being better than they were last year and maintaining through the chaos.
First, we discuss managing the over-abundance of treats and holiday goodies that parade around parties, offices, and grocery stores around this time.
Common sense, easy, achievable tips to navigate this include:
- REMEMBERING THE HOLIDAYS ARE MORE THAN FOOD. Fill your heart up, not your plate. Visit, converse, catch up.
- Try not to arrive hungry. A small snack pre-arrival can go a long way to avoiding a party food binge.
- Fill your plate with fresh choices (crudité, fruit, lean meat, deviled eggs, nuts) and leave room for 2-3 small ONCE A YEAR TREATS that you enjoy.
- Offer to bring a dish! A beautiful boiled and chilled shrimp ring is always a welcome addition to a holiday spread!
What about alcohol? It’s no secret that calories STILL count, even if you’re drinking them.
- Remember 1 drink can lead to more drinks and that can lead to lowered inhibitions & self control around food.
- If you MUST indulge in a drink, stick to a 4oz glass of wine, a glass of champagne, or a light beer- these will all clock in around 100 calories.
- Choose water as your beverage. Alcohol counts as a treat.
“I don’t have time to get to the gym…” And other excuses to not move…
- If you have time for social media, you have time to move.
- If you can’t get to the gym? Work out at home. If you can’t work you at home? Go for a walk. If you can’t go for a walk? Stretch for 10 minutes.
- I provide clients with multiple options for moving during the holidays. I care less about their inches and more about their mental state and stress level at this time of year.
Finally, I advocate that my clients do something NICE FOR THEMSELVES in times of stress. You can’t give, give, give and do, do, do for others when you have pushes yourself to the brink of exhaustion. Self-care isn’t selfish, self-care is part of the plan. Do anything that relaxes and recharges you! Some ideas include: a pedicure, a quiet latte & a book, going for a walk or taking a yoga class, calling a friend to chat, or any other way the client likes to relax.
With some guidance, encouragement, and a little self-control, we can all make it through the holidays with our Merry-Makers still intact and our pants will buttoning with ease. Cheers!
