It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be a stressful time. You want to be sure that you’re celebrating with your family and friends in a healthy way. It’s important to stay on track during this busy season by making small changes to your daily routine.
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are an important part of any healthy diet, but it can be hard to know what fruits and vegetables are good for you. You may think you’re eating them, but does your plate actually look like this?
- Delicious asparagus topped with a delicious lemon sauce
- A side of delicious cauliflower to go with your delicious salmon steak
- Delicious grapes to go with your delicious steak
Treat your workouts like important meetings
When you treat your workouts like important meetings, it’s easier to be consistent. Before going to the gym, I always make sure my workout clothes are ready and packed in my bag so that I don’t have an excuse not to go. If you’re struggling with consistency, consider these tips:
- Make a plan for what you want to accomplish during your workout and stick with it! Don’t just go through the motions because everyone else is working out at the same time as they normally do—this can lead to more procrastination than anything else. Instead, set goals for yourself (like completing three sets of squats) and then reward yourself with something fun when they’re done (like getting coffee after class).
- Bring someone along who will hold you accountable! We all need support from our friends sometimes; make sure yours is on board by asking them how often they think would work best for them if they were helping motivate each other through their fitness journeys together!
Keep your coffee intake in check
While coffee can be a great way to wake up in the morning, it’s important not to overdo it. Excessive caffeine can cause dehydration and headaches, and make you feel jittery and anxious. If you’re feeling tired or stressed out, don’t reach for another cup of coffee—instead try some other healthy energy boosters like a quick walk outside or drinking some water.
Drink water when you get home from work
- Drink water when you get home from work. The average person walks around with a empty tank of energy, but they’re not even aware of it until they feel tired and foggy. This is because their blood sugar level has dropped due to dehydration, but also because their cells are thirsty for nutrients and minerals (which can be re-hydrated by drinking water).
- Drink water before and after meals. As soon as your stomach starts to rumble or growl, down a glass of water; this should help fill up the hunger void so you don’t overeat or binge eat later on in the day. In addition to quenching hunger pangs, drinking lots of H20 can also help curb cravings for salty foods such as chips or pretzels by aiding digestion and reducing bloating/water retention caused by sodium intake (from processed foods).
- Drink more H20 when feeling stressed out during the holidays (or otherwise) since stress tends to make us dehydrated: our body tries its best not only fight off disease but also cool down through sweating – which means losing vital electrolytes like potassium chloride which needs replenishing via sports drinks like Gatorade!
Say no to second helpings
It’s easy to overindulge during the holidays, especially when you feel obligated to try everything that is handed to you. If someone asks if you want seconds or thirds of anything, simply say no. You don’t need to eat everything that is offered at a holiday meal, and doing so will only leave a bad taste in your mouth once the food has been digested.
If you’re feeling like your stomach is suddenly too full and uncomfortable after eating second helpings, ask for a doggy bag before going home (if it’s possible). You can always take this food home with you later on — or even snack on some healthy alternatives until it’s time for dinner again!
Carry healthy snacks with you at all times
When you’re out and about, it’s easy to forget to eat. You’ll be so busy running around that when you finally do sit down for a meal, chances are your stomach will remind you how long it’s been since your last one.
To avoid this situation from happening, make sure that your purse or bag is always stocked with healthy snacks—you never know when hunger might strike! A few options include nuts, dried fruit, yogurt tubes and granola bars. These foods are nutritious and provide energy without weighing down your body or making you feel sluggish later on (unlike sugary treats).
Don’t skip meals
You’ve probably been told that skipping meals will help you lose weight. But the truth is, eating less often actually slows down your metabolism and causes your body to hold on to fat. Plus, when you’re constantly hungry, it’s easy to make unhealthy choices (think: a few slices of pizza or chips). You’ll also find yourself feeling cranky and irritable—and those aren’t feelings anyone wants to be around during the holidays!
So how can we stay fit without depriving ourselves? The answer is simple: don’t skip meals! No matter what time of day it is, make sure you’re eating every three hours or so. This will keep your metabolism humming along nicely while also making sure that hunger doesn’t cause us any problems over the holidays.
You can stay on track during the holidays by exercising and eating right.
- Exercise. Exercise is important for staying healthy, and it can help you stay on track during the holidays. You’ll have more energy, be able to sleep better, and have better self-esteem.
- Eat right. You don’t have to eat a lot of unhealthy food to enjoy the holidays! Stick to your diet by preparing healthy foods ahead of time with your family or friends. Use this time together as an opportunity to get everyone involved in cooking healthy meals together so that everyone will benefit from eating healthier during the holidays!
It’s important to remember that even if you slip up on occasion, that doesn’t mean it’s the end of your diet! The key is not going overboard and making bad choices too often. If you keep these tips in mind when eating out or visiting family members who are less likely to understand your healthy lifestyle (like those who live far away from each other), then you can stay on track during this time of year when everyone else seems to be indulging in unhealthy treats.
