Embrace the Holiday Season with a Healthy Mindset
The holiday season is here. You may be busy decorating your home, wrapping gifts, sending holiday cards, attending parties, and cooking or baking. However, the colder weather, shorter days, and irresistible treats make it more challenging to eat healthily and exercise as regularly as you’d like.
This year, make the decision to NOT be a “typical” American who discards health and fitness goals from October through December. With the right mindset and attitude, you can continue to eat mindfully, move your body, and enjoy the festive season!
Practical Tips for the Holidays
Be Realistic
Set aside dedicated time each week for physical activity. Choose activities that you enjoy and think outside the box—like walking extra laps around the mall while holiday shopping or playing in the snow with your kids or grandkids.
Be a Conscious, Mindful Eater
Listen to your body’s fullness cues and stop eating when you’re satisfied. This may take practice, but the more you listen to your stomach, the better you’ll feel about your food choices and overall health.
Do Not Deprive Yourself
Enjoy your favorite holiday treats in moderation. Fill your plate most of the time with fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, so you can savor treats without guilt.
Prioritize People Over Food
Shift your focus this holiday season to enjoying the company of family and friends, and let food be a pleasant accompaniment rather than the main event. The holidays are meant to be a joyous time!
Learn from Setbacks
If you overindulge at a holiday party, don’t despair. One setback won’t ruin your progress. Use it as a learning experience: ask yourself what triggered overeating. Perhaps you were stressed, distracted, or arrived hungry. Next time, have a small, healthy snack (like yogurt with fruit or veggies with hummus) before heading out. At the event, sample small portions of each dish.
Don’t Skip Meals After Overindulging
If you find yourself overindulging, resist the urge to skip your next meal. Instead, opt for a lighter meal filled with lean protein, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and increase your physical activity to balance out the extra calories.
Maintain Your Healthy Habits
Practice these strategies throughout the holiday season to maintain your weight and feel positive about your decisions. With mindful eating and regular movement, you can enjoy the holidays without sacrificing your health and fitness goals.
About Katie Jeffrey
Katie Jeffrey, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, CDN is a licensed dietitian-nutritionist and a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD). She is also a writer and a licensed Facilitator of the Am I Hungry?® mindful eating program. Katie owns FitNutrition, LLC in Stonington, CT, and is the co-author of the upcoming book, “Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat for Athletes: A Mindful Eating Program for Sports and Life.” She provides individual nutrition counseling, sports performance nutrition counseling for athletes, and educational nutrition presentations on various topics.
For more information about her services, call 860-917-6131 or visit fitnutrition.net. Join FitNutrition on Facebook.
