5 ways to Treat Your Body Right this Holiday Season

 Contributor Post by Jenny Layton of  The Happy Gal

If you’ve worked hard all year to maintain healthy habits and a healthy weight, the approaching holiday season might be giving you a little bit of anxiety. It can be hard to resist all of the party food when the eggnog and pumpkin pie seems to be such a big part of the celebrating. But eating your way from Thanksgiving to New Years, indulging at every buffet table along the way, can make it pretty hard to get back on the bandwagon come January 1.

 

If you are ready to experience the holidays in a different way, then this post is for you. It is possible to still enjoy all of the traditions and participate in all of the celebrating even while honoring your body and keeping up those healthy practices that have helped you feel so good all year. Commit to treating your body right this holiday season, starting with these great tips:

 

1. Ditch the “I’ve been good all year” attitude. If passing on the sugary and fattening foods has helped you feel better about yourself and your body, why change your game plan for the holidays? Plan to make healthier versions of some of your favorite holiday recipes, and enjoy a moderate serving. You can literally have your cake and eat it too (low-fat cake, that is!) Click here for some great appetizer and dessert recipes, from low-fat pumpkin pie to stuffed mushrooms and spinach artichoke dip. (http://www.thehappygal.com/healthy-and-delicious/)

 

2. Know your triggers. Your resolve might flee the moment you walk into the party, or maybe it’s late at night when the plate of goodies the neighbors brought over is calling your name. You might break down with all of the hustle and bustle of the shopping and family get-togethers. Whatever your personal situation, identify when you feel most vulnerable and make a plan. Let the kids polish off the neighbor’s cookies after dinner, or plan a massage after a long shopping day. Learning to listen to your real needs will help you avoid the emotional eating that can so easily derail your fitness goals.

 

3. Exercise. Yes, the holiday season is a great time to implement exercise even if you’re not already in the habit. Exercise increases energy and has the mysterious benefit of influencing your food choices for the better. Even a short daily walk can help lift your spirits and inspire you to eat healthier. Don’t wait until January to start your fitness goals…enjoy the perks of exercise now.

 

4. Eat sensibly throughout the day. I don’t know about you, but in years past I have found that once I gave in to the dessert table, it was a downward spiral for the rest of the holidays. Commit to a healthy breakfast every morning, and allow that momentum to propel you through the rest of the day – even if you did eat cheesecake the night before

 

5. Set a holiday sleep goal. I can’t think of a worse way to compliment poor eating than to skimp on your sleep…which is exactly what we tend to do during the holidays. This year, why not strive for a minimum of 6 hours of sleep throughout the season? (7-8 is even better!) Good sleep has many surprising benefits – from weight loss to better productivity. Click here for an interesting article about the many virtues of a good night’s sleep (http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20459221,00.html)

 

Give yourself a gift this holiday season by committing to treating your body right. Choose one or two tips from this list (or think of a few of your own) and be accountable about your goals to a friend. Think of a reward to offer yourself for accomplishing your goals, such as buying yourself something new, or scheduling day off of life to relax and do things you enjoy. Treat yourself right. You deserve it!

 

 

Jenny Layton

Jenny is the lady behind the blog - http://www.thehappygal.com.

There you will find all kinds of things to organize your life, eat healthy and live your BEST life!

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