Ahhhh…the holidays….such a wonderful time of year, right?
But, it can also be somewhat crazy, what with parties, shopping, wrapping, etc. And if you live in Procrastination Nation like me, it can get stressful rushing around at the last minute to get everything done.
And sometimes, we tend to have a WTH attitude towards nutrition and exercise during this time, vowing to get back on the wagon come January 1st. Why do we do that? I know for me, if I get totally off-track, I just end up feeling awful – physically and mentally.
I like to enjoy the holidays like everyone else, but I like to practice moderation – I never feel deprived, yet am still able to maintain. Here are my top tips doing that – they are painless and easy!
1. Start your day with a high-quality protein shake. I choose one with 36g of undenatured whey protein from grass-fed cows.
2. Drink lots of water – shoot for 100 oz daily.
3. Eat lots of greens – eat some, then eat some more. Spinach and kale are great mixed in with shakes – you can’t even taste it.
4. Move your body. If you can’t get in a regular workout, do “bursts” several times throughout the day. A burst consists of 60 secs hard effort. For example, squat jumps, push-ups, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, etc. Consider joining my Beat the Bloat Holiday Challenge for short workouts that won’t kill your schedule, but WILL leave you feeling nice and sweaty with a wonderful fat burning effect that lasts for hours afterward :-). See below to sign up!
5. Don’t forget about sleep! We’ve been through this, but if you are sleep deprived, then fat burning is going to be hard.
6. At parties and family dinners, scan the food choices first before diving in. Fill your plate with veggies and protein first. Keep starches and sweets to a minimum. If you drink alcohol, try to keep it at 1 to 2 and drink water with each one. When it comes to alcohol, the solution is dilution.
7. Don’t stress – take some time out of each day to just breathe and “be”. Even 5 minutes can do a world of good. Do what lights you up: meditate, walk, take a nice bath, read, etc.
8. Realize that no one is perfect – it’s totally ok if you slip up and indulge more than planned. Acknowledge, accept and move on. We always have a wonderful opportunity to get right back on track the very next meal.
9. Be grateful in every moment, even the difficult ones. 🙂
10. And most importantly, ENJOY yourself. I think sometimes we get so focused on all the tasks at-hand that we forget to do this. Remember the meaning of the Season and cherish it. Being with family and friends is what it’s all about.
Consider joining my Beat the Bloat Holiday Challenge. It’s totally free! You’ll receive a workout schedule (complete with follow along videos) each two weeks from now until the end of the year, as well as a Holiday Cheatsheet to help you navigate the Season with ease. You may also take part in the Instagram contest for a chance to win some cool prizes!
Sign up here – once you confirm your email address, you’ll receive all the details, along with your first workout schedule and cheatsheet:
Love,
Tara