5 Ways to Stay Trim Over the Holidays

Staying trim and fit over the holidays is key for a healthy new year. Use these tips (above in the video, and below in the text- they’re the same), and tricks to help you stay not only trim, but fit and healthy as well- despite all the holiday stress!

5 Ways to Stay Trim Over the Holidays:

Step 1: Keep eating: I can’t stress how important it is to keep eating during the holidays. I find that so often people will pull back on their eating and instead will “fast” for at least a number of hours if not the entire day in anticipation for upcoming large holiday meals and events. In short, don’t do it.  It can leave you feeling hungry, or “hangry” (hungry and angry- all at once, YUCK!), and can also promote and contribute to over-consumption of food at one time or another in most cases due to hunger. Plan to have: breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner, and never arrive to a party hungry!

Step 2: Keep exercising, schedule your movement: Exercise and movement are two of the biggest things that go out the window over the holidays. In short, you want to plan your exercise like you do a meeting or holiday gathering. Now is a great time to try something new and exciting like zumba or a new high intensity interval training program.

Step 3: Just say no! Saying no is one of the most important things you can do for not only opening new doors to promote health and wellness, but also because it can help you find time for yourself during the holidays. Say no to one or two of those invitations that are flying in your direction- it’s the best thing you can do for yourself to promote health and weight loss/management.

Step 4: Focus on stress and sleep: It sounds crazy, but these are two things that can go a little haywire over the holidays. So first, focus on stress management – like breathing, moving, you-time and yoga. Secondly focus on getting enough sleep- it can help to keep hungry, cravings, and more at bay. Take a nap if you need to, or plan to get 7-9 hours of sleep nightly.

Step 5: Love yourself and let it go: Finally, and perhaps most important, you want to make sure you’re being positive and kind to yourself, If you end up eating something you’re not thrilled with, and/or fall off the wagon at some point, don’t beat yourself up, and instead, try to be positive and let it go. It’ll do you much better, and will help you to continue to push forward and make healthy choices – both in terms of lifestyle and weight.

There will be more to come with weight and healthy living during the holidays- so stay tuned!