Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! We are here again in December excited for our next holiday meal.
What taste are you excited to experience? For me, nothing beats my Grandma’s mashed potatoes. There are always some desserts I am hopeful for as well.
But you also want to be healthy this holiday. I understand. I feel the same way.
But how, how, how do we stay healthy during the holidays?
Your Thoughts Are What Counts
I know crazy but what you stick in your mouth, how much movement and sleep you get during this time have a lot to do with your thoughts.
If you are overwhelmed, tired, anxious, or frustrated you are likely to overeat or if you deprive yourself, you are likely to be cranky and possibly overeat later.
So How do you have a Healthy Holiday?
The most important thing is to deal with your thoughts and own them. Being overwhelmed, tired, anxious, or frustrated are all there because of your thoughts. If no one has told you yet —
You Do Not Have to Believe Every Thought in Your Head
Read that again and again and again.
Ok, it can take a while for that one to sink in. That is something we were never told as kids. We were told our thoughts were wrong or bad by getting in trouble for our actions but not that we didn’t have to believe them.
Many of our thoughts are just a way for our primitive brains to keep us safe. Our brain doesn’t care if we are successful or happy, just safe.
Tip one may be hard to accept if this is new for you but you can get on a coaching call with me and work on your thoughts about the holidays. Let’s get you a new normal and a holiday with less stress.
If you want to work on your Holiday thoughts grab my Surviving the Holidaze ebook and coaching call.
Tips for Before the Meal
1. Get a coach especially if you have negative or stressful thoughts that are hindering you from having a happy holiday.
2. Plan your meal. See my post on Eat what you love in moderation.
3. Bring a container for your leftovers or special treats for the next day so you don’t feel deprived.
4. Decide to eat until you are satisfied and no longer hungry. Remind yourself what it feels like and the pain you are in when you continue to eat until you are full.
5. Get a good night’s rest. If you are having trouble sleeping see some tips to get enough sleep.
Tips for After the Meal
1. Take a walk or do other exercises.
You just had a meal that is meant to relax you especially if you had the turkey. Don’t relax quite yet and use up some of that meal with a walk. Nothing better than enjoying the fresh air and chatting with family. Even 10 minutes will help.
2. Play a game.
An active game like tag or hide and seek with the kids will get your body moving. Maybe a game of basketball in the driveway or throwing the football.
3. Jump, Jump, Jump – another way to get movement is to express yourself with big movements during the game.
Jump up for a big play. Dance like you just scored the touchdown. High fives and cheers are all helpful. You may just want to warn your family you plan to be a little extra.
4. Do not worry about what you ate.
The worry produces cortisol and makes it more likely to store fat. So like your choices, enjoy your choices, and let them go.
5. Most Important Have an amazing time.
Have conversations, love on the people you are with, and get off your electronics unless it’s to show Grandma pictures.
One way to have an amazing time is to set an intention for that day. What is important to you for this holiday. Is it to connect with a certain person? Maybe get to hug someone you haven’t seen in a while? What about showing someone that they are loved and appreciated?
When you decide before what you want then you prime your brain to look for the opportunities to meet that intention. You are also less likely to get in your head about the negative comment Aunt Jane said about your weight or Uncle Bob’s annoying snore during the game.
Let me know which tips you plan to use. Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
