How to Stay Healthy Through the Holidays

A joyful season is upon us! There are tons of holidays coming up over the next three months and I am excited! For some people the holidays are stressful and overwhelming.With all the party planning, hosting guests, visiting relatives, and shopping, a lot of people give up or pause their health routines for the sake of the holidays. Don't trick yourself into thinking you're doing yourself a favor by not trying at all. Believe it or not, it is possible to maintain healthy eating habits this holiday season and still enjoy this fun time of year! There are a few things you can do to spend less time about ruining your diet and more time being a part of the fun this holiday season. I don't want you stressing out about your weight or health, so here are my ideas on how to stay healthy during holidays.

First of all, it's not about dieting. It's about habits.

If you follow a strict diet, and it works for you then I encourage you to keep up the awesome work! However, there will be challenges. It all starts with Thanksgiving. There is so much food! And after that Christmas brings on all the sweet treats you could imagine. Then alcohol might be more plentiful as we approach New Years. It's almost guaranteed that you will break your diet at some point, and that is okay. My solution to this though is don't diet. Not during any season will I ever follow a calorie counting or food restricting diet plan. They're no good for me, my happiness, or my health. Instead I practice healthy habits. Just ask yourself, am I being healthy? Be honest with yourself. A slice of pie or scoop of ice cream is not unhealthy. A glass of wine is not unhealthy. Eating leftover pie for three days is unhealthy. Drinking too much is unhealthy. Let yourself enjoy the seasons treats without over indulging!

Second. You're so busy you don't have time to exercise.
This is true for a lot of people, but here is a trick I like to use when things get busy. If you are constantly driving around running errands and staying busy, keep a workout outfit and shoes in the back seat or trunk of your car. When you're finished with your errands, ask yourself if you have time for one more. A twenty minute run, or 30 minutes at the gym. You're already in the car, your clothes are already with you, the rest of your to-do list is done, and look at that...you might be out of excuses. It's one more thing you can feel good about checking off your list.

And lastly, focus on what you are thankful for and all you have gained during this past year. Worrying about your weight every day, guilting yourself for bad decisions, or pouting because you feel like you can't enjoy all the sweets is depressing, and will make you feel like quitting. Focus more on the quality of the time you are privileged to spend with your family and how many blessings you have. Society is so body conscious that sometimes it consumes our thoughts and keeps us from just living. There is a fine line between being conscious of your health and obsessing over it. I can say that health and fitness are huge parts of my life, but there are other things in my life I'd like to focus on this holiday season that make me equally happy. Family time, great cooking, gifts, and gratitude are just a few. Keeping a positive attitude will help you feel good about yourself and more confident in making healthy choices through the holidays.

Have a Healthy and Happy Holiday!

-Bella

photo credit: philwarren via photopin cc