The Holidays
The Holidays are upon us, and shortly we'll be surrounded by mountains of Halloween candy, tons of Thanksgiving leftovers, and over-the-top office parties that can really make a healthy eating lifestyle difficult to maintain.
Here are some clever and creative ways to keep your commitments:
1. Planning: Hmmm, this sounds familiar..., I think I've mentioned this before... and I will never stop!
During this time of year there are many more food temptations at the store, at work, even knocking on your door! Here are some examples of successful planning around the temptations:
Ex 1: Halloween candy is the first thing you see when you walk into the supermarket - Don't Buy It! Wait until October 30th or 31st to buy it (if feel you must buy it at all); it'll be cheaper, and it won't be calling your name all week... Wait, what? You've already purchased a 5 lb bag of it? Don't Open It! Once the seal is broken, it's an open invitation to binge.
Ex 2: You've been invited to a Holiday party: There are a couple of things you can do before going to a party that will keep you committed to your goals. First, If the party happens to be a potluck, then make sure to make something clean and healthy, so at least you'll be guaranteed to have at least one option you can count on. And if the food is being provided, eat a light yet satisfying meal BEFORE you go – then you'll be less apt to over indulge.
2. Start using "Fall" spices in your cooking such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice – all are great spices that will surprise and satisfy your taste buds! Begin with breakfast by adding 2 TBS of canned pumpkin, a dash of cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg to your daily oatmeal - it will add great nutritional value and taste like a treat!
3. Now more than ever, make sure you have your goals clearly defined, and a plan that will get you there. Also, reinforce this plan by stating WHY you have each of these goals. Losing 10lbs by New Year's is a fine goal, but know exactly why that's important to you.
4. Finding yourself really busy? Hard to stick to the workout routine? Have backup plans! I love the Holidays, however, it also means things can get overwhelming and can derail your daily exercise routines. If you can't get to the gym, have a backup workout that you can do at home or as you travel. Even if it's a short amount of time in a less than ideal situation, some movement is better than no movement at all.
5. Enjoy what this time of year has to offer. Instead of being mesmerized by the bounty of food surrounding us indoors, shift the focus to the beautiful Fall weather. Take a walk to enjoy the leaves changing and falling all around us. Spend some quality time with your family by playing games, telling stories of fond memories, laugh and be silly, and dance to festive music.
* If you need help creating your fitness plan, or would like some options for healthy potluck items, and more - email me today at dynamicfitness@gmail.com