Experts recommend staying hydrated, choosing nutritious foods, and exercising whenever you can as ways to stay healthy after Christmas.
The period between Christmas and New Year’s Day is a minefield of food, festivities and alcohol that can throw you off course. To help you stay on track, here are some top tips for staying healthy this holiday season.
Here are five
Make smart food choices
You will have many obligations during the holiday season, but overeating at every party or gathering is not one of them. If you’re going to a dinner party or holiday party, watch your appetite first. That way, you’ll be less likely to gobble up all the holiday treats. Have a snack an hour or two before so you don’t arrive hungry. When you are hungry, you tend to make poor food decisions. So snack and give yourself time to see what foods are available, and make choices based on what you crave and what you actually want.
Fill half your plate with vegetables each time. Then take the other half of your plate and divide it into quarters. A quarter for carbohydrates and a quarter for proteins. These are perfect portions to be satisfied.
Stay hydrated
We hate to break your holiday sweetness, but drinking water is a healthy strategy for holiday gatherings. It is recommended to drink eight glasses of water a day. Without adequate hydration, we often feel hungry, lethargic and tired. This can cause us to miss workouts, snack on unhealthy foods, and consume excess caffeine. Your goal, whenever you’re looking to snack, should be to drink a glass of water first. It is also good to set limits on alcoholic beverages. Limit your intake of empty calories like alcohol, which is pure sugar and has no nutritional value.
You don’t have to deprive yourself of champagne at Christmas. Just drink smart. Alcohol is part of the holiday spirit. Just limit the quantity. Have a glass of wine, and if you still crave booze, try a glass of sparkling water with a twist of lemon and see if that helps. You never want to feel deprived, but at the same time, why indulge in temptation?
If you drink, be careful when you do. Consume them earlier in the evening and not later at night, as alcohol can disrupt your sleep. Also be sure to consume plenty of water to stay hydrated. An easy way to do this is to alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass of water.
Have a good night’s sleep
A restful night’s sleep doesn’t just feel fabulous. It puts you on the path to success. Sufficient sleep is essential for a good mood, good health and a good outlook. Exactly what you want on vacation. Even if you have holiday travel plans, be sure to find time to sleep. Keep in mind that consistency is key, so do your best to maintain regular bedtimes and wakeup times, even when traveling. Maintaining a relaxing bedtime routine can help with this. It can help your mind and body transition from wakefulness to sleep. The holiday season is going to leave many of us breathless, which isn’t good for anyone’s body. Even if you’re very busy, don’t go to bed later or wake up earlier in order to get more done. It is better to sleep through the night. A well-rested person does more things and does them better than a sleep-deprived person.
Think outside the gym
The nearest treadmill may be miles away from where you are. So if you have a regular fitness routine, you’ll need to get creative. This could mean going for walks after big meals or working out in the kitchen. The holidays are synonymous with travel, as we go from town to town to see our friends and family. Access to the gym can therefore be difficult. Incorporate bodyweight moves like squats, lunges, shoulder taps, and burpees, and take your fitness with you on the road.
Do your best to exercise, even if it’s very little. A modified or condensed workout is better than a missed workout. Smaller workouts will help keep you off the extra pounds this holiday season.
Don’t wait for January
A few bumps in the road don’t have to turn into a train wreck when it comes to eating right and staying active on vacation. Get back on track sooner, not later.
If you’re not sticking to your exercise routine or healthy eating plan, remember: Don’t wait until Monday or the New Year. Get back on track right away. A small deviation from your routine won’t destroy your goals or your progress, but a weekend full of indulgences or lack of sleep will throw you off balance for much longer.
