The Holiday Eating Trap ~ How to Cope with the Season of Indulgence

The Holiday Eating Trap ~ How to Cope with the Season of the Indulgence

It’s that time of the year again where eating and fitness plans can be put to the test and our resolve to make healthy choices can sometimes wane.  If you’re feeling the pressure of the holiday season, you are not alone.

Here are some ideas to help you with over-indulging during the next few weeks.

It is natural to want to eat a little more than we normally would because it’s the holidays and indulge in a few little treats here and there. The trouble is that when we gather together with friends and family to celebrate any kind of event, food seems to take centre stage and we allow ourselves to eat and drink more than we normally would, and then use the event as our excuse.  

The other problem is that we (when I say we, I mostly mean I) tend to spiral into a pattern of out-of-control eating after the day is over. Having fun and indulging a little is all good fun but my point is, don’t let this one day be the reason all your hard work starts to unravel. Don’t let this one day turn into two or three days or even a week or more of poor eating choices. 

Enjoy yourself but don’t lose sight of your goals. You have worked so hard to get to where you are now … don’t lose it just because it’s Christmas.

Here are some ideas that might help you stay on track, to enjoy the day with food, family and friends without losing sight of your weight loss and fitness goals.

When people give you chocolates and other treats as a gift … share them with your friends and family so you don’t risk eating the lot yourself.  

If you do indulge, take one or two out of the box and then put the box away.  Chocolate lasts for ages, so you don’t need to eat them all at once.

At the Christmas meal, serve up what you are going to eat and then sit down and eat it. Try not to hover around the buffet or food table, picking at the food.  Choose healthy options where you can … a fruit salad won’t do as much damage as that Christmas pudding and cream.

If people offer you that unhealthy treat, always remember it’s OK to say no.

Most importantly, remember that food is just food. It’s not bad and it’s not good, it’s just food.  … and it is ALWAYS your choice whether you eat it or not.

Alternate between alcoholic drinks and water. You will minimize the calorie intake and have a clear head at the end of the day! There are lower calorie wines available now too, which is great news for those of us that enjoy a glass or two! 

                                                            Stay hydrated!

When you are serving up your food, load up on salads and vegetables first and then choose your proteins and carbs after that.

Choose salads, and / or green vegetables, lean meats and good carbohydrates like sweet potato. 

If you're snacking, choose healthy options like nuts and dried fruits. 

If you're in charge of the menu, the choice is yours!

                         

 

Ate too much? Don’t sleep it off … work it off! Go for a walk or set some time aside for a bike ride or a run. Go out and run around with the kids and try out the new toys or head to the beach for a swim. Even if you have over-indulged, this is not a reason to blob out on the couch for the rest of the day. Get up and move it!

Stick with your workout routine the following day. Go for that run that you normally would, go back to the gym.

If you're lucky enough to have new workout gear or the ultimate in Christmas gifts, new running shoes, go and try them out! 

Keep the healthy habits up. Just because there is left over Christmas food in the fridge doesn’t mean you have to eat it for breakfast. The muesli you usually eat is a much healthier option.

Avoid the “I’m on holiday, I can eat whatever I want” mindset. You made a commitment to yourself for a reason. The commitment still stands, no matter what day it is! Over the days just after Christmas , it's a perfect time to refocus and get back on track. 

Think back to the reasons that you started and revisit your goals. Once the big day is over, and you head toward the new year, it is the perfect time to set health, weight and fitness goals for the future, whether it is losing weight, getting fitter or maintaining muscle tone, it's a great time to look at what you want to achieve in the following weeks and months and start planning how you will get there.

Be kind to yourself and don’t beat yourself up if you do happen to over-indulge. Remember, one day of ‘less-than-healthy’ choices is not going to ruin all the hard work you have put in so far. It is only a day. Give yourself a break and move on.

Make time together with your friends and family the priority at Christmas time, not food. They are what really matter, after all. Christmas is supposed to be a happy time and not a time to stress out about eating. Try to go easy on yourself and have a lovely time. 

Happy Christmas!