Photo courtesy of Sarah Culver Photography Holidays. Family, presents, breaks for work, decorations, and so….much….food! I know how fearful people get of over-eating/falling off the food wagon during this time of year. Me? I really like the fun of holidays. Cookies are awesome. Chocolate galore. Decadent meals and fun family food traditions. Honestly, I'd rather indulge and really enjoy it than worry about every bite I take. But, I also don't want to spend the entire holiday season feeling bloated, way too full, dehydrated, and head-achey, which can definitely happen when your diet is mainly composed of sugary sweet treats. So, here are my tips, tricks, and personal approach to the holidays, as well as some great recipes to help make it happen. I think you've got enough to think about over the holidays and want you to have some time to not think, too, so I'll leave you with my three top focuses to stay healthy, happy, and to make the most out of my holidays!
1. Eat your veggies. No matter what the day, the meals, the indulgences, focus on getting AT LEAST 3 servings of veggies a day (I tend to aim for 5+). What's a serving? 1/2 cup of most veggies; 1 cup of raw leafy greens.
Try this smoothie or this one for a great start to your day and at least 1 serving of veggies!
2. Hydrate. The holidays are often full of so much food and quite a bit of alcohol. And honestly, most people don't drink enough water to start! Make fluids a priority. It will help with digestion, assist your body in staying healthy and pain-free, and might even contribute to satiety so you don't over-indulge (at least not quite so much!). Smoothies and a nice hot cup of green tea are great ways to get in fluids.
3. Sweat once a day. Whether it be a morning run, an after dinner (pre-cookie!) walk, a yoga class, or a serious snow ball fight, getting moving will help improve your body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels, increase endorphins, and make you just generally feel more accomplished and energized! Meeting a friend for coffee? Find a place to meet and park a mile or so away and walk to the coffee shop and then walk back with your hot drinks in hand. Or maybe you're trying to find time to catch-up with an old friend while you're both in town; schedule a nice jog together or a bike ride. You can chat while still getting in some exercise (and maybe even have room for an extra cookie after!).
Looking for some easy, fun Christmas morning breakfast ideas? Check out these, these, this, or these!
Try this smoothie or this one for a great start to your day and at least 1 serving of veggies!
2. Hydrate. The holidays are often full of so much food and quite a bit of alcohol. And honestly, most people don't drink enough water to start! Make fluids a priority. It will help with digestion, assist your body in staying healthy and pain-free, and might even contribute to satiety so you don't over-indulge (at least not quite so much!). Smoothies and a nice hot cup of green tea are great ways to get in fluids.
3. Sweat once a day. Whether it be a morning run, an after dinner (pre-cookie!) walk, a yoga class, or a serious snow ball fight, getting moving will help improve your body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels, increase endorphins, and make you just generally feel more accomplished and energized! Meeting a friend for coffee? Find a place to meet and park a mile or so away and walk to the coffee shop and then walk back with your hot drinks in hand. Or maybe you're trying to find time to catch-up with an old friend while you're both in town; schedule a nice jog together or a bike ride. You can chat while still getting in some exercise (and maybe even have room for an extra cookie after!).
Looking for some easy, fun Christmas morning breakfast ideas? Check out these, these, this, or these!