Keeping Healthy During The Holidays
Posted on 18 December 2009
Christmas is right around the corner, time for the annual festive feasting and family get together. All great fun and enjoyable until January rolls around and your a few Kilos heavier than before. It doesn’t have to be that way. With a few simple tips you can do some damage control and avoid any January dieting or gym memberships. (Most people who sign up for a gym in January end up giving up before Febuary rolls around)
Quick Tips
There are several quick tips we can all easily implement that will help you limit the damage while still allowing you to have a good time, and they are based on the following 3 areas:
- Food and Drink
- Exercise
- Fun and Relaxation
In an ideal world, we would be able to eat and drink as much as we like, do no exercise and spend all day sitting around relxaing. Unfortuntly that does us no favours, so lets have a look at some ideas that will make our bodies cope a little better.
Food and Drink
I am not one to limit myself at Christmas and Family get togethers and firmly believe in trying and experiencing all the food and drink on offer. After all someone has gone through the process of preparing and making the food we are lucky enough to be eating.
One basic premise I like to hold is to eat mainly fresh whole foods all the time and make the best choices I can. If this means mainly eating Turkey, Sweet Potato and Smoked Salmon for Christmas Lunch then thats great. This leaves room for us to taste and enjoy all the cakes and puddings just so long as you don’t over indulge you will be fine. In fact you will probably find that once you have enjoyed all of the main courses based around “Real Food” the desserts will lose their appeal and a few bites or a small portion will do. Base your meals around:
- Lean Meats
- Seasonal Veg (Parsnips, Sweet Potato and all the other goodies)
- Salads
- Fresh Fruit
- Some Dairy (Cheese and Yoghurt)
As for Alcohol its probably a good idea to navigate away from any sugary alcoholic based drinks and stick to things like White and Red wine which are packed with anti-oxidants and will help you digest the festive feast. If you ate an especially heavy meal a nice digestive liquor can be a treat to help digest the meal. Too much beer is also a common pitfall so steer clear.
Most importantly don’t deprive yourself, go with the flow and stick to wholefoods most of the time and you can’t go far wrong. Eat to a level of fullness and try to stop going into the stuffed teritory and you will do your digestive system a host of favors.
Exercise
I actually enjoy exercising throughout the holidays and see it as no reason to become lazy or cut down on your current workouts. Try seeing the days as normal day. If its beautiful weather and your planning a run go for it. An especially good tip is to go for a hard weights workout the morning before a big days celebrations. I like a quick Workout of either:
- Sprints and Pushups
- A HIT Workout
This kills two birds with one stone. You will be able to utilize the food and drink better to replenish your glycogen stores. Plus the food will taste that little bit more satisfying after your workout that earnt the meal.
- Workout as you would normally
- Do some weights the morning of big events
- Or a combination of BW work (Pushups, Squats and Pullups)
- Wake up each morning and go through a thorough stretching routine
- Sprints are also a quick and effective morning workout to squeeze in….
So there you go some quick pointers for fitting in exercise in the busiest period of the year. Just don’t make the mistake of slaving away on cardio machines to make up for your indulgences.
Fun and Relaxation
Most importantly though use the holidays to unwind and relax. The way I see it there is no point in stressing about food and exercise too much while with freinds and family. Just do the best you can do with informed decisons and the rest will take care of itself. Give yourself plenty of time for:
- Sleep – Aim for 7-9 hours in a cool dark room
- Spending time with close freinds and family
- Naps and Unwinding time (Don’t hesitate taking a long nap after a big meal!)
- Spend time reading, relaxing and quieting the mind….
If you keep stress levels down, eat well and exercise regularly you will come out the holiday season unscathed and maybe even healthier than before…….
Comment by Grok
18 December 2009
Sound advice.
I tried this approach for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, as an ex-sugar junky I was thrown completely off the wagon after allowing some sweet stuff in. I gained 12 pounds (not counting water), and have been on a several week roller coaster.
I’ve regained focus & will be dieting though the holidays so I can stay on track. I blew my chance. Kind of upsetting that I can’t just be “normal” when it comes to sugar consumption
Comment by Liam | EverythingZing.com
18 December 2009
The Christmas holidays are always the most challenging time of year for keeping fit and eating well. I think the key is to avoid writing it off until January and learn the art of “damage limitation”. Too many people will spend the first 6 months of 2010 working off the weight they gained in the last week of 2009… pointless.
Comment by Kat
18 December 2009
I personally don’t find this time of the year any different from the rest of the year. Sure there are more parties and sweets to be had, but enjoying the occasional treat is part of the lifestyle. The ideal world would be not having to do any exercise? It would be hell for me since regular exercise is what helps me to feel my best.
Sticking to your regular routine and clean diet and allowing yourself holiday sweets and treats from time to time has got to be how we see ourselves living everyday, all year long. Its not stop and go…its living life to the fullest, thriving not just surviving.
Comment by Nate
21 December 2009
Kat,
I couldn’t agree more about keeping up your regular exercise routine over the holidays. I think I actually have better workouts over the holidays because of all the days off from work. You just have to use the time to your advantage.
Comment by Hugh
22 December 2009
@Kat I completely agree with that one! I love the extra days off that give me the time to go for a long run or an extra-long gym session without feeling crunched for time.
For me, just like the rest of the year, it’s all about balance. Once you realize that the second helping of dinner or the second (or third) piece of pie doesn’t taste nearly as good as the first, you’re way ahead of the game. I love to indulge, but I do so in moderation.
Great post, a great reminder to stay on track.
Comment by Doc Adam
22 December 2009
Great Recommendations! Better to pace yourself eating and exercising.
Comment by Michael - Fat Loss Authority
23 December 2009
Good info… I combined exercise and fun into a post here-> http://www.thefatlossauthority.com/fat_loss_tips/8-active-holiday-ideas-to-try-this-christmas-season/
This is a great time of year to involve everyone in staying active. Best wishes and continued success in 2010.
Mike