The holidays are such a magical time. Whatever your religion is, or isn’t, the holidays provide time to gather around, with the ones you love, to share laughter and food! It’s also a time that many of us dread because of all the temptations and delicious & rich foods! I’ve compiled some tips that help me make better choices on this day.
What? Breakfast? But I’m about to gorge on Turkey all afternoon! Yes, eat your breakfast… and a snack! Just because it is the holiday season, this is no the time to starve your body all day and overeat in the afternoon. That’s not what your body wants or needs.
Keep up with a consistent eating schedule and make sure that you’re providing yourself with the fuel and energy you need, to get through the entire day!
Certainly, if you’d like to keep your breakfast light, you can. At the same time, remember to have nutrition every 3 hours, and certainly before the next big meal, so that you aren’t tempted to binge eat, in the heat of the moment.
Salad is a great way to cleanse your palette and prepare for the rest of your meal. Decadent foods are exciting. By eating raw veggies like crudités and salads you are balancing decadent foods with important nutritional components, such as: water, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Because these elements are needed to digest food properly, the vegetables that you eat allow your body to break down food and absorb more nutrition. This, turn, sends a message to your body that you are satisfied and full.
Depriving yourself of the foods you love is no way to live, especially not on a day that’s meant to be FUN. Make sure that you’re balancing protein and veggies on your plate with the foods like mac and cheese, stuffing, and mashed potatoes.
If you miss a couple of days (or weeks) of exercise it is ok to get back “on the horse,” at any time! No need to abandon ship. If your body changes, don’t beat yourself up and give up completely. It is natural to gain weight in the winter! And if you do fall off the horse, when you get back on, you’ll feel that much better.
Get the whole family involved! After eating a heavy meal, lots of people just want to sleep but can restore yourself by getting your body moving and blood pumping. Try going to a park or even in the backyard (if you have one) and toss around a football or frisbee!