Healthy Eating for the Holidays
The holiday season is upon us, and along with it comes the mindset that all healthy eating is ruined for the rest of the year. However, when you count the number of days the Holidays actually take up out of the next two months, there are really only 6 days that are considered holidays. However, instead of just talking about 6 days (or even just writing off 6 days of eating like they want), people often write off the next 2+months when it comes to reaching their nutrition and fitness goals.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Instead of assuming “failure” in reaching your goals over the next several months, instead change your mindset. Remember your goals, plan ahead, give yourself grace, and enjoy all the holidays have to offer mentally, emotionally, and physically.
1.Don’t give up. Keep your goals in mind and keep moving forward.
A lot of living healthy during the holidays comes down to your general mindset. If you go into a new season assuming you will eat unhealthy and be inactive, then you are so much more likely to live that way. In contrast, going into the new season with the mindset that you will keep eating well and being active will make you feel so much more capable of doing so. A part of that positive mindset it keeping your goals at the front of your mind through accountability, planning, and encouragement from yourself and those around you.
Remember that just because the time of year is different, that doesn’t mean you have to live any differently. You can still live the healthy lifestyle you’ve been working on without sacrificing the joy of the holidays. That’s why it’s called a “lifestyle” in the first place. Healthy lifestyles are adaptable to whatever season it is. Go into the holidays with a mindset that you will continue to make choices that honor your body and help you feel your best. Continuing to eat and move the way you have learned is best for your body will not only help you continue to reach your health goals, but will allow you to enjoy this season all the more since you will be able to continue feeling good and living free of dieting rules.
2. Plan ahead- think through how you will make healthy choices each day.
Another practical (and easy) way to ensure you are still able to make healthy choices during the holidays is to plan for it. Although it may seem easier in the moment not to think about the food that is going to be at a holiday party or celebration, in reality it is so much harder on your body in the long run. Taking even a few moments to plan for healthy choices ahead of time can make all the difference in keeping you feeling healthy all season long.
This may look like offering to bring a veggie filled breakfast casserole to your family Christmas Day brunch so you know you’ll have fiber and colors that will make you feel good. Or maybe it looks like waking up an hour earlier on Thanksgiving day before the kids are stirring so you can get some exercise in and feel energized the rest of the day. Whatever it looks like for you, it is simple choices like these that help you take control of your health during the holidays. You aren’t at the mercy of others when it comes to being healthy during the holiday season. You are in control of your choices, and you can make healthy choices throughout all the upcoming celebrations- it just takes a little mindfulness ahead of time.
3. Give yourself grace to enjoy
When aiming to eat healthy, remembering to enjoy the moment can sometimes feel like the harvest part. Without even realizing it we can easily get so caught up in thinking about food, exercise, and scheduling you that you forget what the holidays are all about. Yes, it is important to be mindful and aim to make healthy changes during the holidays. But it’s also important to realize that a part of healthy living is knowing all foods to fit into a healthy diet. Allowing ourselves to enjoy the foods around us during this season is an important part of living a well-balanced life. Life is about so much more than individual choices you may or may not make around food over the next few months. It’s important to give yourself grace mentally and physically to enjoy the foods, people, and moments that are around you. If that means skipping a workout one day so you can spend extra time with your grandma then so be it. One day, dessert, food, choice, or moment doesn’t define your health. What matters in the long run is that you have a well-balanced mindset and diet overall. Remember- your body is so much more flexible and resilient than you give it credit for. So take the holidays to rest, enjoy healthy foods, and savor the time you have with people and moments that matter the most to you.
We love helping people continue to achieve their goals and dreams even during crazy holiday schedules. Email us at natalie@nutrition502.com or check out our website to schedule a FREE discovery call today! Both in-person and telehealth appointments are offered during traditional business hours and in the evenings.