The holidays are one of the most common times of year to fall out of healthy eating and fitness routines. From travel, big family meals, and altered schedules, sticking to the routine can be not only a huge challenge but sometimes completely impossible. And, to be honest, most of us want and could use the break from strict eating and regimented workouts. However, the more you indulge, the more challenging getting back on track can be.
So, while we mightily encourage you to enjoy a break, we have a few excellent tips for minimizing the “damage” and maximizing the chance you will resume your routines and healthy eating habits without delay.
Stay Active Throughout the Holidays
Don’t stop working out altogether over the holidays. If you can sneak in your regular workouts, do so as much as you can. If you truly are short on time, create a 10-15-minute workout you can do with just your bodyweight each morning. Think about your big muscle groups and big movements, the types of exercise your gym teacher used to make you do in school. Push-ups, jumping jacks, crunches, squats, and lunges will get the blood flowing, activate your muscles and burn some calories.
Pack Your Own Healthy Travel Snacks
Traveling can be stressful. Whether you are road-tripping or flying, you might be tempted to grab whatever is fast and handy at the airport terminal, or that has a drive-through lane. To help avoid urgent hunger and fast grabs of unhealthy eats, pack healthy snacks in your back. Favorite snack choices that travel easily and keep you satisfied: fruits like clementines, peaches, and apples, nuts like almonds, pistachios, and walnuts, celery or carrots with peanut butter or hummus, and yogurt.
Indulge in the Yummies, Slowly and Only Until Full
Over-indulging is usually the issue during the holidays. An easy and stress-free trick is to eat slowly and pay attention to the feeling of being satisfied. You don’t have to eat until a food coma is triggered. The slow eating will help you feel satisfied with less food, so take your time, chat with friends and family while you eat and savor every flavor of every bite.
Portion Control
If eating slow doesn’t work for you, or you want extra guidance, you can partake in simple portion control at each holiday meal. We love how easy it is to use this hand guide to portion control. Use the guide to build a plate at each meal that has the right portion of each food type for you! One palm of protein, a cupped hand of pasta or fruit, a fist of starch, a fist of vegetables, and a thumb-size portion of fats. For men, you can double each of those portions if you are active.
Get Back to Your Routine and Regular Diet As Soon As Possible
We recommend you get right back to your typical healthy diet and workout routine at the earliest possible moment. Don’t wait until New Year’s Day. Eat right and work out between Christmas and New Year’s to make sure you don’t fall out of the routine long-term.
We wish you all a Happy Holiday Season!