I live for the holidays.
It sounds a little cliché, but it’s true. Cozy sweaters, hot chocolate and peppermint mocha cappuccinos, cool weather, Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years, and friends and family all are undoubtedly my favorite time of year. Unfortunately, it is so easy to stray off-track from healthy eating and fitness when there is a plethora of everything from stuffing to pumpkin pie and egg nog. Honestly, I get overwhelmed by it all but it’s okay because it’s food, right?
Be realistic.
Don’t go to a family get-together with unrealistic expectations. You are just going to set yourself up for failure. You can’t say, “I’m just going to eat a little bit of turkey and some green beans”. Soon you will end up eating half the bowl of mashed potatoes and two slices of pecan pie and you will be mad at yourself and discouraged. A more realistic approach would be to say, “I’m going to eat REASONABLE portions. I’m going to stay away from the more HIGH FAT and GREASY foods, but I am still going to ALLOW myself to eat.” I have just accepted the fact that the holidays and food are inseparable and one cannot exist without the other. However, you should still be watching what you are eating because in the end, your diet is essentially more important than a third slice of pie.
Take the time to workout.
I know this is the last thing you want to be doing during the holidays, especially with everything around you becoming more and more hectic and your due dates are coming up too soon and your family wants to know if you can make it to the dinner and you have to buy your cousin a gift and everything seems like it will never end, etc. If you make it a priority to set aside a time for yourself to go for a run or stop by the gym after work, you will feel so much better about yourself. Find what feels good for you! Working out releases endorphins throughout your body. You will leave feeling amazing and your body will look that much better. For me, running helps to clear my mind. If I am ever super stressed about something, I always try to make it a point to run. Like I said before, it’s hard to avoid holiday sweets, but it’s easier when you are pushing yourself to look your best and everything helps to burn some calories!
Enjoy this time.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when companies and people try to push the holidays. I hate walking into stores when it’s September and there is already stuff up for Christmas. Like what?! It’s not even Thanksgiving! My advice is to live in the moment and enjoy the little things. Life is too short to worry and stress about things that are out of your control. Do what you can, and let the rest happen. Enjoy time with family and friends, and be kind to others. Smile at the people you pass on the street. You never know what others are going through and you could be the only person that made them smile that day. Enjoy the home cooked meals. Don’t deprive yourself of food. It only comes a handful of times during the year, so make the best of it and remember your goals. Don’t be discouraged if you fall a little off track. Enjoy your body and everything will be fine!
Mackenzie xoxo
