You will see it everywhere…”the average person gains 8-10 pounds from Thanksgiving to New Years”. It’s a tactic from other trainers/health “professionals” to scare you away from enjoying the holidays. DO NOT LISTEN TO IT.
Might you gain a little weight during this time? Maybe? but spending time with family and friends is always more important and you shouldn’t feel guilty for it. Now I am not saying to go willy-nilly if you have weight loss or health goals, but enjoying a few meals WILL NOT make a big difference in the big picture.
If you do have health fitness goals and the holidays are scary to you, instead of limiting everything do your best to control what you can during the busy holidays…like…
- Drink water- avoid the sugary drinks (and alcohol) at your meals (you should be doing this anyway). Aim to keep your water goals the same or more during the holidays. Remember we want to aim for at least half our body weight in ounces per day.
- Practice Mindful Eating- when your body tells you that you are full, listen to it. I know I am very guilty of wanting to eat more because it is just so good!
- Eat your healthier meals around the big ones. This is self explanatory…If you have a big Thanksgiving Dinner- make sure to get in your “healthier” meals for breakfast and lunch. The one big meal will not make you go off the rails.
- Fill your plate with veggies/fruit/protein- if you have the option to choose fruits, veggies, and protein vs. all the very yummy carbs, then do it. Make those carbs the smaller part of your plate.
- Stay active. Go for family walks, workout when you can, and keep your steps up! A walk after a big meal always makes me feel better!
Things you should definitely NOT do
- Avoid all gatherings because of the fear of food
- Think about how much exercise you need to “work off” the calories you ate.
Remember your health and fitness goals but also remember you only get so much time with family and friends to celebrate!
Which one of these tips will you be focusing on the most?
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