Holiday Health Tips

Tis the season to fall off the wagon *Queue Holiday Carols*. I know how hard it is to stay on track during the holidays. So I thought I’d let you in on my secrets to staying fit (ish) during this time of year.

Tip #1: Don’t skip meals

This is such a busy time of year and it can cause some imbalances in your routine (from Christmas shopping, to visiting family and attending staff parties - ya'll know the drill). In consequence, some of our daily habits become neglected.

It's important to try to keep practicing your regular eating habits. If you are skipping meals, chances are you will be famished by the time you get to eat. Often, this leads to overeating and you may end up not feeling so well (I know this, because I’ve done it too many times).

Also, if you’re skipping meals to be able to eat more at your "Aunt Joanne’s Christmas Party" – you should review your strategy (speaking from experience, yet again). Keeping a balanced food intake throughout the day will allow steady blood sugar levels and help you stay away from binge eating.

Tip #2: Prepare Snacks for Travelling

If you are travelling far to visit family during the holidays or if your going away Christmas shopping for a full day, it may not be the worst idea to bring some snacks handy. This will keep you full and help you limit your takeout or junk food consumption. Because, let’s be real, there’s a lot more temptations around this time of year.

By keeping your belly happy, you will most likely avoid indulging into junk food. Good examples of snacks would be: mixed nuts, fruits, veggies, Greek yogurt, cheese, etc.

Tip #3: Stick with your routine

I think we can all agree that December is quite hectic. Sticking to your routine, as much as possible, will make it that much easier for you to get back into it once things slow down.

For example, I make the gym one of my priorities during this time of year. Because I know that if I stop the gym all together for a few weeks, it’ll make it a lot harder for me to start again. You don’t have to go to the gym every day, but make sure you are not eliminating these good habits from your routine completely.

This concept also applies to your eating habits, sleeping habits, etc. (because as you know, all these can have a big impact on our overall health and lifestyle!!)

Tip #4: Make room for special treats!

Finally, it is important to make room for those special treats during the holidays. After all, it is Christmas. Don't be too hard on yourself. Make sure you are still enjoying those special treats you’ve been waiting for all year. Christmas is a time to surround yourself with the people you love and share memories together. It’s important to appreciate these occasions and to not make yourself feel bad for indulging.

These are just a few tips that help me during the holidays to stay focused – hopefully this gave you some ideas as well!

Sending you all the best holiday wishes and cheers to making great memories with friends & family.

Kelissa