by Aimee Wojtowecz
Welcome! We’re back this week with Tip #3 for Navigating a Healthy Holiday Season.
Just to review!
Tip #1 Remember your why this holiday season.
Tip #2 Stay Consistent.
That brings us to Tip #3 Planning Ahead!
A goal without a plan is just a wish.
In a busy season, it’s easy to let your health and fitness slip to the back-burner. The kids have concerts and sports, then there’s holiday parties with friends and family, maybe you’re even traveling. By having a plan to help you navigate some of your trickier holiday obstacles, you are able to set yourself up for success. This also ensures that you’re getting adequate nutrition (and no sugar isn’t a food group of its own).
Start by making a list of all the activities, gatherings, and obligations you have coming up. Consider any potential conflicts or challenges that may arise, so you can plan ahead to address them. Plan out your meals and snacks for the week! If you are traveling, what great lean and shelf stable proteins can you bring to stay on track?
When I travel I always grab protein bars, turkey jerky, and nuts. If I’m bringing a cooler I’ll even take along single-serve yogurts and cottage cheese or cheese sticks. If you’re staying in an AirBNB or somewhere with a kitchen, be sure to schedule time to go grocery shopping if possible so you know you’ll have great options to help you stay on track.
Remember when we talked about staying consistent with eating even on days like holiday’s…
What did we mean by this?
One of the BIGGEST mistakes we see people make is changing their routine to “save up” for that holiday meal! AKA skipping breakfast, lunch, and snacks to wait for the feast. When you skip meals you are actually increasing your chances of going overboard and falling off track! As we starve our bodies, we will enter dinner time feeling overly hungry. This may lead to eating faster and definitely over consuming!
Instead, plan out a balanced breakfast and lunch that focuses on lean protein and veggies! My favorite breakfast is an omelette with all the chopped veggies and ham. If you stay consistent with your eating routine throughout the day it will be easier to stay mindful and on track for that one meal.
Remember, holiday meals are just like ANY OTHER DINNER TIME! Just a little tastier. As always, enjoy your treats and your time with loved ones and get back to balance at the next meal. With some careful planning, you can get through the holiday season feeling healthy and refreshed.