The next couple of weeks are going to be filled with more parties, more family encounters and more chances for all of us to get off track. Heck, I usually feel like I am off track starting Thanksgiving until New Years Day (or even a few days after depending on what I did to celebrate the ringing in of the New Year). Keeping your normal schedule when you have lots of extra things going on around you is hard, plus being surrounded by all the food temptations that go along with the holidays. Sometimes it's hard to tell your grandma "no thanks" to her big ol plate of fudge. What is even harder is going around and explaining to people why you don't want to eat their food - maybe you're vegan, maybe you're just trying to stick to eating healthy, etc. Regardless of the reason why you don't want to splurge, whether you are plant-based or not, temptation is temptation, and it's hard to stop eating once you start... then after a few drinks, willpower is as loose as your friend Sally. :) So let's make a deal, ok? Let's make a goal to ourselves that the next few weeks we will not give in and just blow what we have been working on all year long. We will eat and sip in moderation, make time to do a little exercise and if we mess up, we will embrace it, give ourselves a little self-love and move on to healthier, happier choices. So, by the time New Year’s rolls around we aren't sitting there, squeezed into our Spanx crying into our empty bottle of bubbly, 5-10 pounds heavier, and swearing that our number one resolution goal is to lose the holiday weight, plus more! So here are a few tips that will keep you on track and feeling like the Sun Lovin' Goddess you are!!
Eat and Sip in Moderation
Don’t deprive yourself of your favorite holiday treats. If you do, you’re likely to binge. Have a mug of hot chocolate or eat those cookies or pie and enjoy it. The key is to not go crazy. If you love your adult beverages like I do, but hate the way they make you feel or worse, you start eating everything after you have few, try drinking water in between every cocktail. This will keep you hydrated and also you are less likely to overindulge.
Bring a Healthy Dish and Pack Snacks
If you’re going to a holiday party or dinner, offer to bring a healthy dish to share (like a holiday kale salad, a veggie and hummus plate or healthy cookies). At least you’ll know one thing on the menu is healthy. If all else fails, have some healthy snacks like carrot sticks, raw nuts or granola with you. (I am notorious for always having snacks with me) This is a really good idea if you have dietary restrictions and the options are limited.
Don’t Let One Bad Day of Eating Get to You
Say you went overboard at a party (we have all been there) and had way too many sugary treats or one too many glasses of wine. Don’t throw in the healthy eating towel beauty. Put that incident behind you and try to pick healthier options at your next meal. Wake up the next morning, drink a mug of warm lemon water and flush out the toxins to get a jump start on things.
H20
Don't forget to drink your water! When it gets cold outside, our water intake starts to go down. Carry a water bottle with you at all times so you get at least 80 ounces a day! .
Party it Up, Like the Goddess You Are
The worst thing you could possibly do is show up to a party hungry. Filling up on veggies and grains before you arrive will help the binge monster from showing up. Plus when you aren't focused on what you are eating, it gives you more time to socialize!
Get Out and Move Your Body
Don't forget to get your sweat on. Instead of meeting your friends for drinks and eats, suggest hitting up a yoga or barre class. Instead of a cookie exchange with friends try an ornament exchange or volunteer at a dog shelter instead. Easy switches like this can make all the difference when it comes to how you feel.
Let me know what you do to stay on track during the holidays. Comment below.
Sun, Love and Holiday Cheers,
Stacie