It's that time of year again when we all indulge in holiday treats, but we can do this without feeling guilty for it in the coming months. Whether you're trying to fit into your favorite jeans or just want to feel good about yourself, here are seven tips that can help you stay lean and healthy through the holidays:
Stop Dieting
- Don't diet during the holidays.
- Don't restrict calories.
- Make sure to eat all meals.
- Don't cut out entire food groups, like carbs or fats (or even just one type of each).
Instead of trying to lose weight quickly, focus on eating healthy foods that keep you satisfied while providing enough energy for your workouts and everyday life--and remember to enjoy yourself!
Set Limits on Alcohol
One of the easiest ways to cut back on calories is to limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol is calorie-dense and can make you eat more than you normally would. If a person is drinking alcohol, they will often forget about their hunger signals and end up eating more than they normally would have if they were sober. Alcohol also dehydrates the body and can cause bad decisions when combined with other factors, such as lack of sleep or elevated emotions (such excitement over holiday parties).
Exercise Outside of the House
- Take a walk around the block with your family.
- Go for a hike with friends.
- Ride your bike to work, or at least part of the way there.
The holidays are a great time to get outside and enjoy yourself! The fresh air can help you stay active and motivated and focus on your goals (which we'll discuss later).
Eat Smart
The holidays are a time for indulgence, but you don't have to go overboard. Try these tips to stay lean:
- Eat smaller portions. If you're going out with friends or family and want to try something new on the menu, order half of your usual portion--or less! You'll save calories without feeling deprived.
- Eat more vegetables. Vegetables are full of fiber and nutrients that help keep you feeling full longer; they also contain fewer calories than other foods (such as bread). They're perfect for snacking between meals or adding crunchiness to any dish when cooking at home this holiday season!
- Avoid processed foods as much as possible; opt for fresh produce whenever possible! This helps keep your blood sugar levels stable throughout the day so that cravings aren't overwhelming later in the evening when everyone else starts eating dessert again while watching football together
Take it Slow
- Try to do only a little at a time. If you're used to eating out for lunch every day and want to start bringing your food, don't also try cutting out all sugar from your diet simultaneously (or else you'll end up back where you started).
- Only start a few new habits at a time--and then give up on them when they become difficult or inconvenient in the short term. For example: if a coworker offers you cookies during their holiday party, don't say no because of your goal of eating less sugar; instead, accept their offer politely and enjoy them slowly over the course of an hour or so while chatting with friends or coworkers who might not have any food allergies themselves! You could even make an effort not just to eat one cookie but two or three, depending on how hungry/bored/lonely it makes me feel inside my head right now...
Enjoy Your Favorite Foods in Moderation
The holidays are a time of year when people tend to eat more than usual. It's easy to think that the only way to lose weight or stay in shape is by depriving yourself of your favorite foods and drinks, but this isn't true! If you have healthy eating habits and enjoy your favorite indulgences in moderation, then it's fine for your body to indulge during the holidays.
Don't beat yourself up if something unhealthy happens - move on from it and don't dwell on what happened (e.g., "I ate too much cake at my friend's house last night"). Don't let guilt keep you from enjoying yourself; instead, focus on making healthy choices as much as possible so that they become habits rather than sacrifices.
You Can Still Enjoy Yourself This Holiday Season Without Feeling Guilty
The holidays are a time of year when we can feel pressure to eat more than we want or eat foods that don't fit our dietary needs. You don't have to feel guilty about enjoying yourself this holiday season--but it's important not to go overboard, either.
- Don't feel pressured into eating something if you don't want it! If someone offers you food and that particular dish isn't your favorite, there's no need for some elaborate excuse about why you won't be eating their offering. Say "thank you" and move on with the rest of your day (or evening). Your friends will understand if they've ever been in this situation themselves: They know how uncomfortable it is when someone tries too hard with food and drink choices for them--and they won't hold any resentment toward you for passing up their offer by saying "no thanks."
- Don't let others' negative opinions affect how much enjoyment comes from celebrating with family members at home during Christmas break.
Conclusion
The holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends. But they can also be an excuse to overindulge in food and drink. As the old saying goes, "Everything is in moderation." Use this advice to help you avoid worrying about how your eating habits affect your health this time of year. Following these tips can keep your body healthy during the holidays. And that means you can enjoy yourself even more.
