The holidays are a wonderful time of year to gather with friends and family for all kinds of celebrating. As we all know, typically these gatherings are centered on good times and great food. If your goals include eating healthy, losing or maintaining weight, or keeping up with your fitness routine, this can be a challenge. This time of year is all about managing expectations and not going overboard and giving into temptation.
Here are a few tips to help you survive the holiday season without sabotaging all your hard work.
- Prepare yourself before the party—A common mistake most people make is not eating before a meal or arriving to a dinner party hungry. By eating a light, healthy snack before attending, you’ll be less tempted to overeat, and you’ll set yourself up to make better, less-impulsive choices. Make sure your pre-party snack is high in fiber and try and drink plenty of water to help you feel full.
- Bring a healthy holiday food—Just because you’re a guest doesn’t mean you can’t offer to bring a healthy, low-fat dish to add to the selection. By making a proactive, healthy choice, everyone wins.
- Be mindful during the party—When you go to holiday gatherings, remember that the focus should be on spending time with family and friends, not on the food. Focus on finding that point where you’re not over-indulging but also not depriving yourself either. Remember, everything in moderation. Avoid beverages that are high in sugars because they don’t fill you up and are high in calories as well.
- Keep moving—Even though things are busy this time of year, it’s important to find time to stay physically active. Remember, physical activity reduces stress and gives us more energy—two things we need in abundance this time of year. Make sure to plan accordingly and focus on the benefits of exercise. Even a short workout is better than nothing at all.