The holiday season is a wonderful time to connect with friends and family around the dinner table. Tantalizing appetizers, glasses of wine, and irresistible desserts, not to mention the actual meals, make the holidays a legitimate challenge for anyone trying to adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
Here are a few keys to keep in mind this holiday season to help you enjoy all the holidays have to offer while remaining true to your fitness goals.
1. Take it easy. One day of indulging in foods you would normally pass on any other day is okay as long as you keep it to one day. The key is also to indulge, not overindulge. Allow yourself to have that piece of grandma's pecan pie. But don't also then go back for the pretzel jello and pumpkin pie. Enjoy the day in moderation and commit to keeping it to a one-day splurge fest.
2. Protein and veggies. Just like lunch or dinner on any other day of the year, your holiday meals can fit within your healthy standards. The easiest way to do so is to fill your plate with protein and vegetables. So go for the turkey, green beans, and sweet potatoes but go easy on the stuffing and mashed potatoes.
3. Focus on balance. As with all areas of life: focus on finding a balance that works for you. The most important thing to keep in mind during the holidays is to enjoy your time with family and friends. While food and drinks are often a big part of the celebration, try to find a good balance where you can have fun while not completely sabotaging your health.
This holiday season, relax and give yourself some grace to partake in the festivities. But keep in mind the balance that works for you. Whether that is balance in building your plate during Thanksgiving dinner to stay within your target macros range or balance when planning out your workouts for the week of Christmas. The best balance is to allow yourself to have fun and embrace all that the holidays have to offer while still remaining true to your personal health goals.