Blog

The Top 3 Holiday Eating Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

1) Go ahead and enjoy PLANNED indulgences.

It's easy to grab a piece or two of fudge, a small cookie here and there, or a bite of cake (or more) every single day during this time of the year. But you're much better off choosing your indulgences, planning for those, and sticking to just those times. That way, you don't feel deprived over the season, but you don't pay for daily delights either.

I like to pick just one day of the week—call it a cheat day, a free day, or whatever—when I choose to sample from among all of the delicious choices. Every other day? I remind myself that in just x number of days, I can enjoy any or all of those treats I choose. But today, I'm going to stick to my plan—enjoy my delicious Eat-Smart shakes and bars (honestly, they both taste so good, I hardly feel like I'm missing out any way). I guess you could say, it's how to have your cake and eat it too!

2) Workout Intensely, Especially the Morning After Indulging

There's just something about a good, hard workout that gets you past feeling sluggish and bloated from eating too much or eating the wrong foods. This is honestly one of the best ways to get yourself feeling better and more energetic.

For years, I've made a commitment to myself to get out of bed by 5:15 in the morning, so I can start my day with a workout. I've found that the harder I work out, the easier it is to resist foods that aren't going to be nice to my waistline or healthy for my energy levels. After all, I woke up early and worked out hard. Why would I trade all I've already done in the day for a sweet treat? To me, it's just not worth it. I find that during this time of year especially, working out in the morning works best with my schedule. I get up and get to enjoy my workout, without my day getting in the way. Give it a try and see if you don't feel the same way.

3) Surround Yourself with Healthy Options

Make it easy on yourself! Plan your shopping and prepare your meals like usual. Keep your favorite healthy meal choices on hand. We've all heard the saying, Fail to Plan/Plan to Fail. So plan out your meals in advance and keep your healthy foods within easy reach. You're a lot more likely to give in to temptation if you're hungry, thirsty, tired, or distracted. So keep healthy snacks and meals in your car, your cooler or fridge at work, and wherever you're going to be. Make sure you carry your water with you all day—and drink it. Get plenty of rest (at least six to seven hours a night), and keep an eye on your mental game as well to stay focused on your goals.

The better prepared you are, the more likely you are to stay focused and healthy no matter what time of year.