Although the holiday season may be the happiest time of year, it is often among the more stressful times of year too. Unfortunately, this often results in the development of bad habits that can follow you long after the holidays are over. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on September 21, 2016, found that people are more likely to gain weight during the holidays and that it can take months to shed that weight gain. Here are some tips to help you survive and thrive during the holidays.
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Plan to Succeed.
Holiday parties and holiday meals are difficult. The food is so tempting and there is often champagne or wine. The calories add up before you know it and most people have several events during the holiday season that can derail their best intentions. Plan ahead. To the extent possible, figure out what will be served at the event and then scout out the health options like raw veggies, boiled shrimp, and unsalted nuts. Those are good, healthy options. Keep a healthy, calorie wise snack in your pocket or purse and nibble on that after the event or before. Eat a light snack or salad before the event so that you don’t arrive hungry. Instead of champagne, beer, or wine, have club soda with lime. Remember to keep your water intake up because it decreases your hunger.
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Reward Yourself in January.
Set your goals for the holiday season early and also set a reward for January to celebrate your holiday success. It can be anything, but preferably not food related. A weekend getaway, new ski equipment, a massage, or something simpler like a movie or a new pair of running socks.
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Be Thankful.
The holidays are a good time to be thankful. Each day, write down the things you are thankful for. Write them down at night in a journal and review them the next day in the morning. Remember that, regardless of what you are eating (or not eating) at family meals and holiday gatherings, the important thing is that you are there. The joy of spending time with people you care about is not enhanced by a piece of cake or diminished by eating healthy, lower calorie foods. The joy is in spending time together. Also, doing something nice for others is a great way to focus on what is really important during the holidays. Find a charity or an organization that can benefit from your time and/or money.
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Learn to Say No.
Say “no” to bad food that will sit on your hips far into the next year. Say “no” to spending time with people you don’t care for. Say “no” to taking on commitments and obligations that you don’t have to. Say “no” for spending your time in ways that don’t make you happy. The holidays are a time for joy, not dread and obligation. It is just fine for you to decide how to spend your time.
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Don’t Forget to Move.
Often, the first good healthy habit to go out the windows during the holidays is exercise. This will cause increased weight gain and will be more likely to lead to grumpy attitudes. Instead, incorporate exercise into the holidays. At the very least, find ways to incorporate walking into your holiday schedule. If you are going shopping, walk to the store, walk in the mall, go for a walk down the street. If you are going to a party or to friends’ homes, consider walking there, if possible. A walk before or after a meal is a nice idea and a good way to get everyone out of the house and into the fresh air. Turkey Trots and Jingle Bell runs are easy to find in November and December and often have the added benefit of raising funds for charities. Although it may be difficult to duck out of a family get together because you need a time out, I’ve found that saying “I’m going out for a run” is more acceptable. In fact, my running mileage often goes up during the holidays because I need some time to myself to exercise and breathe fresh air.
Planning ahead and deciding to do the holidays on your terms can help you reduce stress and cruise into the new year feeling happy, healthy, and fit. Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season!
